UNITED STATES

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

Date of Report: (Date of earliest event reported): September 4, 2012 (August 31, 2012)

 

 

CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Washington   001-12465   91-1533912

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

3101 Western Avenue, Suite 600

Seattle, Washington 98121

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (206) 282-7100

Not applicable

(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ 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 August 31, 2012, in connection with Cell Therapeutics, Inc.’s (the “Company”) one-for-five reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”), the Company amended its Shareholder Rights Agreement dated as of December 28, 2009, between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent (the “Rights Plan”), to be effective after the effective date of Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split was effective on September 2, 2012. The following description of the terms of the amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the amendment, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The amendment decreases the exercise price of the preferred stock purchase rights (“Rights”) under the Rights Plan from $36.00 to $14.00, decreases the number of shares of preferred stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right from six ten-thousandths (6/10,000th) to one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th), and decreases the redemption price of each Right from $0.0006 to $0.0001. The amendment also revises and expands the definitions of “acquiring person” and “beneficial ownership” under the Rights Plan. The Rights were initially distributed as a dividend on each share of the Company’s common stock, no par value per share (“Common Stock”), outstanding on January 7, 2010, and currently trade with each outstanding share of Common Stock.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

Please see the disclosure set forth under Item 1.01, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(e) Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) previously approved, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the Cell Therapeutics, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “2007 Equity Plan”), that would increase the number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted under the 2007 Equity Plan by an additional 3,000,000 shares. According to the results from the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held on August 31, 2012, in Seattle, Washington (the “Annual Meeting”), the Company’s shareholders have approved the amendment to the 2007 Equity Plan. (All share numbers in this Current Report on Form 8-K are presented after giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split that was effective on September 2, 2012, except as noted in Item 5.07 below.)

The following summary of the 2007 Equity Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 2007 Equity Plan attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.

The Board or one or more committees appointed by the Board administers the 2007 Equity Plan. The Board has delegated general administrative authority for the 2007 Equity Plan to the Compensation Committee of the Board. The administrator of the 2007 Equity Plan has broad authority under the 2007 Equity Plan to, among other things, select participants and determine the type(s) of award(s) that they are to receive, and determine the number of shares that are to be subject to awards and the terms and conditions of awards, including the price (if any) to be paid for the shares or the award.

Persons eligible to receive awards under the 2007 Equity Plan include officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directors of the Company, and certain consultants and advisors to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

After giving effect to the 2007 Equity Plan amendment, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the 2007 Equity Plan equals 9,522,036 shares. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2007 Equity Plan include stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and other forms of awards granted or denominated in the Common Stock or units of the Common Stock, as well as certain cash bonus awards.


As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, each share limit and the number and kind of shares available under the 2007 Equity Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise or purchase prices of awards, and performance targets under certain types of performance-based awards, are subject to adjustment in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends, or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the shareholders.

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On September 4, 2012, the Company filed an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”), reflecting an increase in the total number of authorized shares of the Company from 76,999,999 to 150,333,333 and an increase in the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock from 76,666,666 to 150,000,000. The Amendment was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Annual Meeting.

A copy of the Amendment, which was effective as of September 4, 2012, is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.1 and is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

 

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

At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved the six proposals listed below. The proposals are described in detail in the Company’s definitive proxy statement dated July 27, 2012 for the Annual Meeting. The number of shares that were voted at the Annual Meeting for each of the proposals described below is presented without giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split.

The results are as follows:

Proposal 1. Election of Directors

The Company’s shareholders voted on a proposal to elect three Class III directors to the Board, each to serve until the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Pursuant to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, the three Class III nominees for director seats who received the most votes cast at the Annual Meeting were elected. The results of the voting were as follows:

 

Nominee   Director Class   Votes For   Votes Withheld   Broker Non-Votes

Richard L. Love

  Class III   62,667,708   27,849,788   41,469,773

Mary O. Mundinger, DrPH

  Class III   62,721,118   27,796,378   41,469,773

Jack W. Singer, M.D.

  Class III   62,673,097   27,844,399   41,469,773

Broker non-votes occur when a broker is not permitted to vote on a certain matter without instructions from the beneficial owner, and such instructions are not given. Broker non-votes had no effect on the outcome of this proposal since the election of directors is based on the number of votes actually cast.

Proposal 2. Amendment of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation

The Company’s shareholders voted on a proposal to approve the Amendment to the Articles to increase the total number of authorized shares of the Company. The increase approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Annual Meeting was an increase in the total number of authorized shares of the Company from 76,999,999 to 150,333,333 and an increase in the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock from 76,666,666 to 150,000,000. The results of the voting included 88,535,576 votes for, 1,833,944 votes against, 147,976 votes abstained and 41,469,773 broker non-votes. The Amendment was approved.


Proposal 3. Amendment of the 2007 Equity Plan

The Company’s shareholders voted on a proposal to approve an amendment to the 2007 Equity Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2007 Equity Plan by 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The results of the voting included 83,615,013 votes for, 6,762,155 votes against, 140,328 votes abstained and 41,469,773 broker non-votes. Broker non-votes had no effect on the outcome of this proposal since the approval of the amendment to the 2007 Equity Plan is based on the number of votes actually cast. The amendment to the 2007 Equity Plan was approved.

Proposal 4. Approval of the Issuance of Securities in Connection with, or to Finance, the Acquisition of Assets of S*BIO Pte Ltd. and Related Milestone Payments

The Company’s shareholders voted on a proposal to approve the shares issued to S*BIO Pte Ltd. in connection with, or to finance, the acquisition of assets of S*BIO Pte Ltd. and at the Company’s option, to issue shares of Common Stock or shares of preferred stock in lieu of cash for up to 50% of the milestone payments pursuant to the asset purchase agreement entered into with S*BIO Pte Ltd. on April 18, 2012. The results of the voting included 88,670,851 votes for, 1,635,126 votes against, 211,519 votes abstained and 41,469,773 broker non-votes. Broker non-votes had no effect on the outcome of this proposal since the approval of this proposal is based on the number of votes actually cast. This proposal was approved.

Proposal 5. Approval of the Issuance of Securities in Connection with the Offering of Series 15 Preferred Stock

The Company’s shareholders voted on a proposal to approve the issuance of shares of preferred stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the preferred stock, warrants and shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and at the Company’s option, the issuance of shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash upon exchange of such warrants issued to Socius CG II, Ltd. (“Socius”) pursuant to the securities purchase agreement entered into in connection with the offering of Series 15 Convertible Preferred Stock on May 29, 2012. The results of the voting included 88,790,433 votes for, 1,493,938 votes against, 233,125 votes abstained and 41,469,773 broker non-votes. Broker non-votes had no effect on the outcome of this proposal since the approval of this proposal is based on the number of votes actually cast. Votes by Socius were not counted in determining if a majority of the total votes cast on the proposal, voting in person or by proxy have approved the proposal. This proposal was approved.

Proposal 6. Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors

The Company’s shareholders voted on a proposal to ratify the selection of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2011. The results of the voting included 126,109,224 votes for, 3,680,274 votes against, 2,197,771 votes abstained and no broker-non votes. The appointment of Marcum LLP was ratified.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On August 31, 2012, the Company issued a press release entitled “Cell Therapeutics, Inc. Reports Outcome of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.” A copy of the press release is furnished and not filed pursuant to Item 7.01 as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

On September 5, 2012, the Company plans to issue a press release in Italy regarding the Amendment entitled “Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) Files Amendment to Articles of Incorporation.” A copy of the English translation of the press release is furnished and not filed pursuant to Item 7.01 as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Such information shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings, except to the extent expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  3.1    Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
  4.1    First Amendment to Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2012, between Cell Therapeutics, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent.
10.1    Cell Therapeutics, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.
99.1    Press Release, dated August 31, 2012, entitled “Cell Therapeutics, Inc. Reports Outcome of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.”
99.2    English translation of the Press Release, dated September 5, 2012, entitled “Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) Files Amendment to Articles of Incorporation.”


SIGNATURE

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.

 

  CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Date: September 4, 2012

  By:  

/s/ James A. Bianco, M.D.

    James A. Bianco
    President and Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  3.1    Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
  4.1    First Amendment to Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2012, between Cell Therapeutics, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent.
10.1    Cell Therapeutics, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.
99.1    Press Release, dated August 31, 2012, entitled “Cell Therapeutics, Inc. Reports Outcome of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.”
99.2    English translation of the Press Release, dated September 5, 2012, entitled “Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) Files Amendment to Articles of Incorporation.”

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND

RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Pursuant to the Washington Business Corporation Act, Chapter 23B.10, the undersigned officer of Cell Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (the “ Corporation ”), does hereby submit for filing these Articles of Amendment:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

SECOND: This amendment to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date (the “ Restated Articles ”) was approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on July 16, 2012.

THIRD: The increase in the Corporation’s authorized shares of stock reflected in this amendment to the Restated Articles was duly approved by the shareholders of the Corporation on August 31, 2012 in accordance with the provisions of RCW 23B.10.030 and RCW 23B.10.040.

FOURTH: Section 1 of Article II of the Restated Articles is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

“ARTICLE II”

Authorized Capital Stock

1. Classes . The Corporation shall be authorized to issue two classes of shares of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be One Hundred Fifty Million Three Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Three (150,333,333); the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock shall be One Hundred Fifty Million (150,000,000); and the total number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock shall be Three Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Three (333,333).

FOURTH: These Articles of Amendment shall be effective at on September 4, 2012.

* * *


I certify that I am a duly appointed and incumbent officer of the above named Corporation and I am authorized to execute this Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation on behalf of the Corporation.

EXECUTED this 4 th day of September, 2012.

 

CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.,

a Washington corporation

By:

 

/s/ James A. Bianco, M.D.

  James A. Bianco, M.D.
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 4.1

F IRST A MENDMENT

TO

S HAREHOLDER R IGHTS A GREEMENT

This F IRST A MENDMENT TO S HAREHOLDER R IGHTS A GREEMENT is made and entered into as of August 31, 2012 (this “ Amendment ”), to be effective as of September 2, 2012, between Cell Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (the “ Company ”), and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company (the “ Rights Agent ”). The capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings given to them in that certain Shareholder Rights Agreement, between the Company and Rights Agent, dated as of December 28, 2009 (the “ Rights Agreement ”).

R ECITALS

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Rights Agreement, the Company distributed a dividend of one Right for each share of Common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on January 7, 2010 (the “ Record Date ”);

WHEREAS , the Rights Agreement also authorized the issuance of one Right (as such number may be adjusted as set forth in the Rights Agreement) for each share of Common Stock issued between the Record Date and the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date;

WHEREAS , each Right originally represented the right to purchase one ten-thousandth of a share of a new series of preferred stock of the Company, designated the Series ZZ Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock and having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in a Certificate of Designation filed by the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington (which has since been incorporated into the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended);

WHEREAS , in connection with the 1-for-6 reverse split of the Common Stock, which was effective on May 15, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”) determined that certain adjustments to the terms of the Rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement were appropriate. The Board of Directors therefore approved resolutions authorizing the following adjustments to the terms of the Rights: (i) the number of ten-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock of the Company purchasable upon the exercise of each Right was increased from one ten-thousandth to six ten-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock; (ii) the Exercise Price of each Right was increased from $6.00 to $36.00; (iii) the Redemption Price of each Right was increased from $0.0001 to $0.0006; and (iv) each share of common stock outstanding has had issued to it one (1) Right;

WHEREAS , on August 7, 2012, the Board of Directors approved a 1-for-5 reverse split of the Common Stock, which shall be effective on September 2, 2012;

WHEREAS , for various reasons (including, without limitation, reverse splits of the Common Stock which have, pursuant the terms of the Rights Agreement, adjusted the number of one ten-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right), the Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its


shareholders to make certain changes to the Rights Agreement (as amended to date). These changes are reflected in this Amendment and include, without limitation, (i) changes to the definitions of “Acquiring Person” and “Beneficial Ownership”; (ii) a decrease in the Exercise Price from $36.00 to $14.00; (iii) a decrease in the number of one ten-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right from six ten-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock to one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, and (iv) a decrease in the Redemption Price from $0.0006 to $0.0001.

WHEREAS , pursuant to Section 27 of the Rights Agreement, prior to the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the Board of Directors so directs, supplement or amend any provision of the Rights Agreement as the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable without the approval of any holders of certificates representing shares of Common Stock of the Company; and

WHEREAS , all acts necessary to make this Amendment a valid agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms have been done and performed, and the execution and delivery of this Amendment by the Company has been in all respects duly authorized by the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements set forth in the Rights Agreement and in this Amendment and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Amendments to Section 1 .

(a) The definition of “Acquiring Person” in Section 1(a) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end of Section 1(a):

“A Person shall be deemed to be “ Acting in Concert ” with another Person for purposes of this Agreement if such Person knowingly acts (whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, arrangement or understanding) in concert with, or towards a common goal relating to the management, governance or control of the Company in parallel with, such other Person where (A) each Person is conscious of the other Person’s conduct or intent and this awareness is an element in their decision-making processes and (B) at least one additional factor suggests that such Persons intend to act in concert or in parallel, which such additional factors may include, without limitation, exchanging information (whether publicly or privately), attending meetings, conducting discussions, or making or soliciting invitations to act in concert or in parallel; provided , however , that a Person shall not be deemed to be Acting in Concert with any other Person solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made generally to all holders of shares Common Stock pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. A Person Acting in Concert with another Person shall be deemed to be Acting in Concert with any third party who is also Acting in Concert with such other Person. Any determination as to whether a Person is Acting in Concert with any other Person shall be conclusively determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion.”

 

2


(b) The definition of “Beneficial Owner”, “Beneficially Own” and “Beneficial Ownership” in Section 1(d) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by:

(i) Deleting the word “or” at the end of Section 1(d)(ii)(C);

(ii) Amending and restating Section 1(d)(iii) in its entirety to read as follows:

“(iii) which are Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates (i) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in clause (B) of Section 1(d)(ii) of this Agreement) or disposing of any securities of the Company, or (ii) is Acting in Concert; or”

(iii) Adding the following new clause (iv) after Section 1(d)(iii) and before the words “ provided , however , that”:

“(iv) which are the subject of, or the reference securities for, or that underlie, any Derivative Interest of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, with the number of shares of Common Stock deemed Beneficially Owned being the notional or other number of shares of Common Stock specified in the documentation evidencing the Derivative Interest as being subject to be acquired upon the exercise or settlement of the Derivative Interest or as the basis upon which the value or settlement amount of such Derivative Interest is to be calculated in whole or in part, or, if no such number of shares of Common Stock is specified in such documentation, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion to be the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Derivative Interest relates;”.

(c) Section 1 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following definition, which shall be inserted in Section 1 in alphabetical order:

Derivative Interest ” shall mean any derivative securities (as defined under Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act) that increase in value as the value of the underlying equity increases, including a long convertible security, a long call option and a short put option position, in each case, regardless of whether (x) such interest conveys any voting rights in such security, (y) such interest is required to be, or is capable of being, settled through delivery of such security or (z) transactions hedge the economic effect of such interest.

2. Amendment to Section 7(b) . Sections 7(b) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“(b) The Exercise Price for each one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be Fourteen United States Dollars (U.S.

 

3


$14.00), shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 of this Agreement and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in accordance with Section 7(c) below.”

3. References to “one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock” . For the avoidance of doubt, all references in the Rights Agreement to “one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock” shall be “one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock” as of the date of this Amendment.

4. References to “redemption price of $0.0001 per Right” . For the avoidance of doubt, all references in the Rights Agreement to “redemption price of $0.0001 per Right” shall be “redemption price of $0.0001 per Right” as of the date of this Amendment.

5. Right Certificate . The form of Right Certificate attached to the Rights Agreement and all other related documents shall be modified, where appropriate, to make reference to this First Amendment and reflect the amendments contained herein.

6. Effectiveness . This Amendment shall be deemed effective as of the date first written above, as if executed on such date. Except as expressly provided herein, the Rights Agreement is not being amended, modified or supplemented in any respect, and it remains in full force and effect.

7. Miscellaneous .

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided, or unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Rights Agreement.

(b) This Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal and substantive laws of the State of Washington and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal and substantive laws of such State applicable to contracts made and performed entirely within such State, except as otherwise indicated in Section 32 of the Rights Agreement.

(c) If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Amendment is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Amendment shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 3(c) will affect the ability of the Company under the provisions of Section 27 of the Rights Agreement to supplement or amend this Amendment to replace such invalid, void or unenforceable term, provision, covenant or restriction with a legal, valid and enforceable term, provision, covenant or restriction.

(d) Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Amendment are inserted for convenience only and will not control of affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

(e) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts

 

4


shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Amendment transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.

[ Signature Pages Follow. ]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed as an instrument under seal and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

ATTEST:    CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Louis A. Bianco

   By:  

/s/ James A. Bianco, M.D.

Name:   Louis A. Bianco    Name:   James A. Bianco, M.D.
Title:   Executive Vice President, Finance and    Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
  Administration     
ATTEST:   

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Rights Agent

By:  

/s/ Colleen Shea-Keating

   By:  

/s/ Dennis V. Moccia

Name:  

Colleen Shea-Keating

   Name:  

Dennis V. Moccia

Title:  

Contract Administration Consultant

   Title:  

Manager, Contract Administration

Exhibit 10.1

CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.

2007 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Effective as of June 20, 2003 and amended and restated as of July 16, 2012

(All share numbers in this document are presented before giving effect to the Company’s one-for-five

reverse stock split effective September 2, 2012.)

SECTION 1

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

1.1  Background . The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Cash Awards.

1.2  Purpose of the Plan . The Plan is intended to attract, motivate, and retain (a) employees of the Company and its Affiliates, (b) consultants who provide significant services to the Company and its Affiliates, and (c) directors of the Company who are employees of neither the Company nor any Affiliate. The Plan also is designed to encourage stock ownership by Participants, thereby aligning their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders.

SECTION 2

DEFINITIONS

The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

2.1 “ 1934 Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the 1934 Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.2 “ Affiliate ” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.

2.3 “ Affiliated SAR ” means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option, and which automatically will be deemed to be exercised at the same time that the related Option is exercised.

2.4 “ Annual Revenue ” means the Company’s or a business unit’s net sales for the Fiscal Year, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however, that prior to the Fiscal Year, the Committee shall determine whether any significant item(s) shall be excluded or included from the calculation of Annual Revenue with respect to one or more Participants.

2.5 “ Award ” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Cash Awards.

2.6 “ Award Agreement ” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan.

2.7 “ Board ” or “ Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.8 “ Cash Award ” means the right to receive cash as described in Section 8.

2.9 “ Cash Position ” means the Company’s level of cash, cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale.

2.10 “ Change in Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d 3 of the Exchange Act), directly or

 

1


indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;

(b) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;

(c) A change in the composition of the Board occurring within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” means directors who either (A) are Directors as of the effective date of the Plan, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company); or

(d) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

2.11 “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.12 “ Committee ” means the Board or a committee appointed by the Board (pursuant to Section 3.1) to administer the Plan.

2.13 “ Company ” means Cell Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation, or any successor thereto. With respect to the definitions of the Performance Goals, the Committee may determine that “Company” means Cell Therapeutics, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

2.14 “ Consultant ” means any consultant, independent contractor, or other person who provides significant services to the Company or its Affiliates, but who is neither an Employee nor a Director.

2.15 “ Director ” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.16 “ Disability ” means a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Committee in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Committee from time to time.

2.17 “ Earnings Per Share ” means as to any Fiscal Year, the Company’s or a business unit’s Net Income, divided by a weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common equivalent shares deemed outstanding, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

2.18 “ Employee ” means any employee of the Company or of an Affiliate, whether such employee is so employed at the time the Plan is adopted or becomes so employed subsequent to the adoption of the Plan.

2.19 “ Exercise Price ” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to the exercise of an Option.

2.20 “ Fair Market Value ” means the last quoted per share selling price for Shares on The NASDAQ Capital Market on the relevant date, or if there were no sales on such date, the closing bid on the relevant date. If there are neither bids nor sales on the relevant date, then the Fair Market Value shall mean the arithmetic mean of the highest and lowest quoted selling prices on the last market trading day before the relevant date, as determined by the Committee. In any instance where the relevant date falls on a weekend day, a date The NASDAQ Capital Market is closed for trading or any other non-trading day, Fair Market Value shall mean the last quoted per share selling price on the last market trading day before the relevant

 

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date. If there are neither bids nor sales on the last market trading day before the relevant date, then the Fair Market Value shall mean the arithmetic mean of the highest and lowest quoted selling prices on the most recent market trading day before the relevant date. Notwithstanding the preceding, for federal, state, and local income tax reporting purposes, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee (or its delegate) in accordance with uniform and nondiscriminatory standards adopted by it from time to time. If Shares are not traded on any established stock exchange or quoted on a national market system and are not quoted by a recognized securities dealer, the Committee (following guidelines established by the Board or Committee) will determine Fair Market Value in good faith.

2.21 “ Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company.

2.22 “ Freestanding SAR ” means a SAR that is granted independently of any Option.

2.23 “ Grant Date ” means, with respect to an Award, the date that the Award was granted.

2.24 “ Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option to purchase Shares which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

2.25 “ Individual Objectives ” means as to a Participant, the objective and measurable goals set by a “management by objectives” process and approved by the Committee (in its discretion).

2.26 “ Misconduct ” means, at any time within (a) the term of an Option granted hereunder, (b) within one (1) year after a Participant’s Termination of Service, or (c) within one (1) year after exercise of any portion of an Option granted hereunder, whichever is the latest, the commission of any act in competition with any activity of the Company (or any Affiliate) or any act contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company (or any Affiliate), including, but not limited to: (a) conviction of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, (b) violation of Company (or any Affiliate) policies, (c) accepting employment with or serving as a consultant, advisor or in any other capacity to an entity that is in competition with or acting against the interests of the Company (or any Affiliate), including employing or recruiting any present, former or future employee of the Company (or any Affiliate), (d) misuse of any trade or business secrets or confidential, secret, privileged, or non-public information relating to the Company’s (or any Affiliate’s) business or breach of the Company’s Confidentiality Agreement, or (e) participating in a hostile takeover attempt of the Company. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to be inclusive of all acts or omissions that the Company (or any Affiliate) may consider as Misconduct for purposes of the Plan.

2.27 “ Net Income ” means as to any Fiscal Year, the income after taxes of the Company for the Fiscal Year determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, provided that prior to the Fiscal Year, the Committee shall determine whether any significant item(s) shall be included or excluded from the calculation of Net Income with respect to one or more Participants.

2.28 “ Nonemployee Director ” means a Director who is an employee of neither the Company nor of any Affiliate.

2.29 “ Nonqualified Stock Option ” means an option to purchase Shares which is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

2.30 “ Operating Cash Flow ” means the Company’s or a business unit’s sum of Net Income plus depreciation and amortization less capital expenditures plus changes in working capital comprised of accounts receivable, inventories, other current assets, trade accounts payable, accrued expenses, product warranty, advance payments from customers and long-term accrued expenses, determined in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles.

2.31 “ Operating Income ” means the Company’s or a business unit’s income from operations but excluding any unusual items, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

2.32 “ Option ” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

2.33 “ Participant ” means an Employee, Consultant, or Nonemployee Director who has an outstanding Award.

 

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2.34 “ Performance Goals ” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Committee (in its discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award. As determined by the Committee, the Performance Goals applicable to an Award may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement using one or more of the following measures: Annual Revenue, Cash Position, Earnings Per Share, Individual Objectives, Net Income, Operating Cash Flow, Operating Income, Regulatory Approval, Return on Assets, Return on Equity, Return on Sales, Stock Price and Total Shareholder Return. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award.

2.35 “ Period of Restriction ” means the period during which the transfer of Restricted Stock is subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock grant are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. With respect to Restricted Stock granted pursuant to Section 7, such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, in its discretion.

2.36 “ Plan ” means the Cell Therapeutics, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as set forth in this instrument and as hereafter amended from time to time.

2.37 “ Regulatory Approval ” means the approval, or recommendation to approve, of regulatory agencies in the United States or Europe for such drug candidates as specified by the Plan Administrator for purposes of the Award.

2.38 “ Restricted Stock ” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7.

2.39 “ Restricted Stock Units ” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equivalent to the Fair Market Value of one Share (or a fraction or multiple of such value), payable in cash, property or Shares. Restricted Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, except as otherwise provided for by the Committee. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify such vesting, payment and other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

2.40 “ Return on Assets ” means the percentage equal to the Company’s or a business unit’s Operating Income before incentive compensation, divided by average net Company or business unit, as applicable, assets, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

2.41 “ Return on Equity ” means the percentage equal to the Company’s Net Income divided by average shareholder’s equity, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

2.42 “ Return on Sales ” means the percentage equal to the Company’s or a business unit’s Operating Income before incentive compensation, divided by the Company’s or the business unit’s, as applicable, revenue, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

2.43 “ Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act, and any future regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such regulation.

2.44 “ Section 16 Person ” means a person who, with respect to the Shares, is subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act.

2.45 “ Shares ” means the shares of common stock of the Company.

2.46 “ Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, that pursuant to Section 6 is designated as an SAR.

2.47 “ Stock Price ” means the stock price or market value of a share of the Company’s common stock and any amount determined by reference to such stock price or market value.

2.48 “ Subsidiary ” means any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain then owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

 

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2.49 “ Tandem SAR ” means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option, the exercise of which shall require forfeiture of the right to purchase an equal number of Shares under the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the Option, the SAR shall be canceled to the same extent).

2.50 “ Termination of Service ” means (a) in the case of an Employee, a cessation of the employee-employer relationship between the Employee and the Company or an Affiliate for any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability or the disaffiliation of an Affiliate, but excluding any such termination where there is a simultaneous reemployment by the Company or an Affiliate; (b) in the case of a Consultant, a cessation of the service relationship between the Consultant and the Company or an Affiliate for any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability, or the disaffiliation of an Affiliate, but excluding any such termination where there is a simultaneous re-engagement of the consultant by the Company or an Affiliate; and (c) in the case of a Nonemployee Director, a cessation of the Director’s service on the Board for any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, death, Disability or non-reelection to the Board.

2.51 “ Total Shareholder Return ” means the total return (change in share price plus reinvestment of any dividends) of a Share.

SECTION 3

ADMINISTRATION

3.1  The Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. If the Committee is not the Board then the Committee shall consist of not less than two (2) Directors who shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Board of Directors. If the Committee is not the Board, then the Committee shall be comprised solely of Directors who both are (a) “non-employee directors” under Rule 16b-3, and (b) “outside directors” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

3.2  Authority of the Committee . It shall be the duty of the Committee to administer the Plan in accordance with the Plan’s provisions. The Committee shall have all powers and discretion necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and to control its operation, including, but not limited to, the power to (a) determine which Employees, Consultants and Directors shall be granted Awards, (b) prescribe the terms and conditions of the Awards, (c) interpret the Plan and the Awards, (d) adopt such procedures and subplans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees and Directors who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the United States, (e) adopt rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, and (f) interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.

3.3  Delegation by the Committee . The Committee, in its sole discretion and on such terms and conditions as it may provide, may delegate (a) all or any part of its authority and powers under the Plan to one or more Directors, and (b) more limited authority and powers under the Plan to one or more officers of the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its authority and powers (a) with respect to Section 16 Persons, or (b) in any way which would jeopardize the Plan’s qualification under Section 162(m) of the Code or Rule 16b-3.

3.4  Decisions Binding . All determinations and decisions made by the Committee, the Board, and any delegate of the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by law.

SECTION 4

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

4.1  Number of Shares . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the total number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan shall not exceed 47,610,180 Shares. Shares issued under the Plan may be either authorized but unissued Shares or treasury Shares. In addition, (a) the maximum number of Shares subject to those Options and SARs that are granted during any calendar year to any individual under this Plan shall be 13,500,000 Shares and (b) the maximum number of Shares which may

 

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be subject to Awards (other than Options and SARs) intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (including Awards payable in Shares and Awards payable in cash where the amount of cash payable upon or following vesting of the Award is determined with reference to the Fair Market Value of a Share at such time) that are granted to any one individual in any one calendar year shall 13,500,000 Shares.

4.2  Awards Settled in Cash, Reissue of Awards and Shares . If an Award is settled in cash, or is cancelled, terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason (with the exception of the termination of a Tandem SAR upon exercise of the related Option, or the termination of a related Option upon exercise of the corresponding Tandem SAR), any Shares subject to such Award again shall be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan. Shares that are exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company as full or partial payment in connection with any Award under the Plan, as well as any Shares exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company or one of its Affiliates to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any Award, shall not be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan. To the extent that Shares are delivered pursuant to the exercise of a SAR or Option granted under the Plan, the number of underlying Shares as to which the exercise related shall be counted against the applicable share limits under Section 4.1, as opposed to only counting the Shares issued. (For purposes of clarity, if a SAR relates to 100,000 Shares and is exercised at a time when the payment due to the Participant is 15,000 Shares, 100,000 Shares shall be charged against the applicable Share limits under Section 4.1 with respect to such exercise.)

4.3  Adjustments in Awards and Authorized Shares . In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee (in its sole discretion) to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall in such manner as it may deem equitable, (a) adjust the number and class of Shares (or other securities) that may be delivered under the Plan under Section 4.1, and the number, class, and price of Shares (or other securities) subject to outstanding Awards or (b) make provision for a cash payment or for the assumption, substitution or exchange of any or all outstanding Awards or the cash, securities or property deliverable to the holder of any or all outstanding Awards, based upon the distribution or consideration payable to holders of the Shares upon or in respect of such event. The specific adjustments shall be determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the preceding, the number of Shares subject to any Award always shall be a whole number.

SECTION 5

STOCK OPTIONS

5.1  Grant of Options . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Directors at any time and from time to time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination thereof, and the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Shares subject to each Option.

5.2  Award Agreement . Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Exercise Price, the expiration date of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, any conditions to exercise the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine. The Award Agreement shall also specify whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

5.3  Exercise Price . Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.3, the Exercise Price for each Option shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.3.1  Nonqualified Stock Options . In the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option, the Exercise Price shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.

 

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5.3.2  Incentive Stock Options . In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Exercise Price shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date; provided, however, that if on the Grant Date, the Employee (together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Exercise Price shall be not less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.

5.3.3  Substitute Options . Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2, in the event that the Company or an Affiliate consummates a transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees, Directors or Consultants on account of such transaction may be granted Options in substitution for options granted by their former employer. If such substitute Options are granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion and consistent with Section 424(a) of the Code, may determine that such substitute Options shall have an exercise price less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Grant Date.

5.4  Expiration of Options .

5.4.1  Expiration Dates . Each Option shall terminate no later than the first to occur of the following events:

(a) The date for termination of the Option set forth in the written Award Agreement, or

(b) If no date for the termination of the Option is set forth in the written Award Agreement (other than reference to Section 5.4.1(c)), (a) the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service if such Termination of Service is a result of death or Disability, or (b) three (3) months from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service for any other reason; or

(c) The expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date.

5.4.2  Committee Discretion . Subject to the limits of Section 5.4.1, the Committee, in its sole discretion, (a) shall provide in each Award Agreement when each Option expires and becomes unexercisable, and (b) may, after an Option is granted, extend the maximum term of the Option (subject to Section 5.8.4 regarding Incentive Stock Options).

5.5  Exercisability of Options . Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. After an Option is granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the exercisability of the Option.

5.6  Payment . Options shall be exercised by the Participant’s delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company (or its designee), setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares, including satisfaction of any applicable withholding taxes.

Upon the exercise of any Option, the Exercise Price shall be payable to the Company in full in cash or its equivalent. The Committee, in its sole discretion, also may permit exercise (a) by tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Exercise Price (such previously acquired Shares must have been held for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for the financial reporting purposes, unless otherwise determined by the Committee), or (b) by any other means which the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines to both provide legal consideration for the Shares, and to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan.

As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment for the Shares purchased, including satisfaction of any applicable withholding taxes, the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s designated broker), Share certificates (which may be in book entry form) representing such Shares.

5.7  Restrictions on Share Transferability . The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option as it may deem advisable, including, but not limited

 

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to, restrictions related to applicable federal securities laws, the requirements of any national securities exchange or system upon which Shares are then listed or traded, or any blue sky or state securities laws.

5.8  Certain Additional Provisions for Incentive Stock Options .

5.8.1  Exercisability . The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Grant Date(s)) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Employee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value exceeds such $100,000 limit, such options shall be treated as nonqualified stock options. In reducing the number of options treated as Incentive Stock Options to meet the $100,000 limit, the most recently granted Options shall be reduced first. To the extent a reduction of simultaneously granted options is necessary to meet the $100,000 limit, the Committee may, in the manner and to the extent permitted by law, designate which Shares are to be treated as shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option.

5.8.2  Termination of Service . No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more than three (3) months after the Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason other than Disability or death, unless (a) the Participant dies during such three-month period, and/or (b) the Award Agreement or the Committee permits later exercise. No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more than one (1) year after the Participant’s Termination of Service on account of death or Disability, unless the Award Agreement or the Committee permit later exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the post-termination exercise period exceeds the limitations under Section 422 of the Code, the Option will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option at such time that the applicable time limit is exceeded.

5.8.3  Company and Subsidiaries Only . Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to persons who are employees of the Company or a Subsidiary on the Grant Date.

5.8.4  Expiration; Other Terms . No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised after the expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date; provided, however, that if the Option is granted to an Employee who, together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Option may not be exercised after the expiration of five (5) years from the Grant Date. There shall be imposed in any Award Agreement relating to Incentive Stock Options such other terms and conditions as from time to time are required in order that the option be an “incentive stock option” as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.

SECTION 6

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

6.1  Grant of SARs . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, an SAR may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee may grant Affiliated SARs, Freestanding SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination thereof.

6.1.1  Number of Shares . The Committee shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant.

6.1.2  Exercise Price and Other Terms . The Committee, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan. However, the exercise price of a Freestanding SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date. The exercise price of Tandem or Affiliated SARs shall equal the Exercise Price of the related Option.

6.2  Exercise of Tandem SARs . Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable. With respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an Incentive Stock Option: (a) the Tandem SAR shall expire no later than the expiration of the underlying Incentive Stock Option;

 

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(b) the value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR shall be for no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the Exercise Price of the underlying Incentive Stock Option and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying Incentive Stock Option at the time the Tandem SAR is exercised; and (c) the Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Incentive Stock Option exceeds the Exercise Price of the Incentive Stock Option.

6.3  Exercise of Affiliated SARs . An Affiliated SAR shall be deemed to be exercised upon the exercise of the related Option. The deemed exercise of an Affiliated SAR shall not necessitate a reduction in the number of Shares subject to the related Option.

6.4  Exercise of Freestanding SARs . Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable on such terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

6.5  SAR Agreement . Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the exercise price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

6.6  Expiration of SARs . An SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 5.4 also shall apply to SARs.

6.7  Payment of SAR Amount . Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

(a) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times

(b) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

6.8 At the discretion of the Committee, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

SECTION 7

RESTRICTED STOCK

7.1  Grant of Restricted Stock . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Stock to Employees, Directors and Consultants in such amounts as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Committee, in its sole discretion shall determine the number of Shares to be granted to each Participant.

7.2  Restricted Stock Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, purchase price, if any, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Restricted Stock have lapsed.

7.3  Transferability . Except as provided in this Section 7, Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

7.4  Other Restrictions . The Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate, in accordance with this Section 7.4.

7.4.1  General Restrictions . The Committee may set restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance objectives (Company-wide, divisional, or individual), applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Committee in its discretion.

7.4.2  Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions . For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals must be established and approved by the Committee during the first 90 days of the performance period (and, in the case of performance periods of less than one year, in no event

 

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after 25% or more of the performance period has elapsed) and while performance relating to such target(s) remains substantially uncertain within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. Performance Goals shall be adjusted to mitigate the unbudgeted impact of material, unusual or nonrecurring gains and losses, accounting changes or other extraordinary events not foreseen at the time the targets were set unless the Committee provides otherwise at the time of establishing the targets. In granting Restricted Stock which is intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall follow such procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Restricted Stock under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals and certifying that the Performance Goals were satisfied). In addition, the Committee will have the discretion to determine the restrictions or other limitations of the individual awards granted under this Section 7.4.2 including the authority to reduce or eliminate Awards, in its sole discretion, if the Committee preserves such authority at the time of grant by language to this effect in its authorizing resolutions or otherwise.

7.4.3  Legend on Certificates . The Committee, in its discretion, may legend the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.

7.5  Dividends and Other Distributions . During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. In addition, any dividends as to the unvested portion of a Restricted Stock award that is subject to performance-based vesting requirements (or any dividend equivalents as to the unvested portion of a Restricted Stock Unit award that is subject to performance-based vesting requirements) will be subject to termination and forfeiture to the same extent as the corresponding portion of the Award to which they relate.

7.6  Voting Rights . During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

7.7  Return of Restricted Stock to Company . On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and again shall become available for grant under the Plan.

SECTION 8

CASH AWARDS

Cash Awards may be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan. After the Administrator determines that it will offer a Cash Award, it shall advise the Participant, by means of an Award Agreement, of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the Cash Award. The grant or vesting of a Cash Award may be made contingent on the achievement of Performance Goals in accordance with the terms of Section 7.4.2.

SECTION 9

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1  Change in Control .

9.1.1  Generally . In the event of a Change in Control, and except as the Committee (as constituted immediately prior to such Change in Control) may otherwise determine in its sole discretion, (i) all Awards granted hereunder shall become fully exercisable as of the date of the Change in Control, whether or not then exercisable; and (ii) all restrictions and conditions on any Award then outstanding shall lapse as of the date of the Change in Control.

9.1.2  Options and SARs . Notwithstanding Section 9.1.1, the Committee may provide for Options and SARs to be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In such case:

 

10


(a) Options and SARs, to the extent assumed or substituted, shall not become fully exercisable as of the date of the Change in Control. However, in the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or SAR, then the Options and SARs held by such Participant shall become one hundred percent (100%) exercisable. If an Option or SAR becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a Change in Control, the Company shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or SAR shall be fully vested and exercisable (subject to the consummation of the Change in Control) for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the expiration of such period.

(b) For the purposes of this Section 9.1.2, the Option or SAR shall be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Option or SAR immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Change in Control by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent, the Committee or the Board may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option or SAR, for each Share subject to the Option or SAR, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Shares in the Change in Control, as determined on the date of the Change in Control.

(c) With respect to Options and SARs that are assumed or substituted for, if within twelve (12) months following the Change in Control the Participant incurs a Termination of Service due to involuntary termination by the successor corporation or one of its affiliates for a reason other than Misconduct, then the Options and SARs held by such Participant shall become one hundred percent (100%) exercisable.

9.1.3  Restricted Stock . Notwithstanding Section 9.1.1, the Committee may provide for any vesting conditions or Company repurchase or reacquisition right with respect to outstanding Restricted Stock held by the Participant to be assigned to the successor corporation or a parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In such case:

(a) All vesting conditions and Company repurchase or reacquisition rights with respect to outstanding Restricted Stock held by the Participant, to the extent so assigned, shall not lapse as of the date of the Change in Control. However, in the event that the successor corporation or a parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation refuses to accept the assignment of any such vesting conditions or Company repurchase or reacquisition right, any such vesting conditions and Company repurchase or reacquisition right will lapse and the Participant will become one hundred percent (100%) vested in such Restricted Stock immediately prior to the Change in Control.

(b) If the vesting conditions and Company repurchase or reacquisition right with respect to Restricted Stock is assigned to the successor corporation and, within twelve (12) months following the Change in Control, the Participant incurs a Termination of Service due to involuntary termination by the successor corporation or one of its affiliates for a reason other than Misconduct, then such Participant’s Restricted Stock (or the property for which the Restricted Stock was converted upon the Change in Control) will immediately vest and any Company repurchase or reacquisition right will lapse and the Participant will become one hundred percent (100%) vested in such Restricted Stock (or the property for which the Restricted Stock was converted upon the Change in Control).

9.1.4  Cash Awards . Notwithstanding Section 9.1.1, the Committee may provide for Cash Awards to be assumed or an equivalent cash award substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In such case:

(a) All Company restrictions with respect to outstanding Cash Awards held by the Participant, to the extent so assigned, shall not lapse as of the date of the Change in Control. However, in the event that the successor corporation or a parent or Subsidiary of the successor

 

11


corporation refuses to accept the assignment of any such Company restrictions, such Company restrictions will lapse and the Participant will become one hundred percent (100%) vested in such Cash Awards immediately prior to the Change in Control.

(b) If the Company restrictions with respect to a Cash Award are assigned to the successor corporation and, within twelve (12) months following the Change in Control, the Participant incurs a Termination of Service due to involuntary termination by the successor corporation or one of its affiliates for a reason other than Misconduct, then such Participant’s Cash Awards will immediately have any Company restrictions lapse and the Participant will become one hundred percent (100%) vested in such Cash Award.

9.2  Deferrals . The Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award. Any such deferral elections shall be subject to such rules and procedures as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, including rules and procedures that comply with Code Section 409A and the Guidance (as defined below).

9.3  No Effect on Employment or Service . Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant’s employment or service at any time, with or without cause. For purposes of the Plan, transfer of employment of a Participant between the Company and any one of its Affiliates (or between Affiliates) shall not be deemed a Termination of Service. Employment with the Company and its Affiliates is on an at-will basis only.

9.4  Participation . No Employee or Consultant shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.

9.5  Limitations on Awards . Subject to the provisions of this Section 9.5, no Participant may be granted Cash Awards intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) in any one fiscal year in an aggregate amount of more than $650,000, considered without regard to any Options, SARs or Restricted Stock that may have been granted or awarded to such Participant during the applicable fiscal year. Nothing in this Section 9.5 shall prevent the Committee from making any type of Award authorized for grant under the Plan outside of the Plan. In addition, nothing in this Section 9.5 shall prevent the Committee from granting Awards under the Plan that are not intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).

9.6  Indemnification . Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (a) any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan or any Award Agreement, and (b) from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or under any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

9.7  Successors . All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.

9.8  Beneficiary Designations . If permitted by the Committee, a Participant under the Plan may name a beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom any vested but unpaid Award shall be paid in the event of the Participant’s death. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the Participant and shall be effective only if given in a form and manner acceptable to the Committee. In the absence of any such designation, any vested benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the

 

12


Participant’s estate and, subject to the terms of the Plan and of the applicable Award Agreement, any unexercised vested Award may be exercised by the administrator or executor of the Participant’s estate.

9.9  Limited Transferability of Awards . Subject to Section 7.3, no Award granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or to the limited extent provided in Section 9.8. All rights with respect to an Award granted to a Participant shall be available during his or her lifetime only to the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may, in a manner specified by the Committee, (a) transfer a Nonqualified Stock Option to a Participant’s spouse, former spouse or dependent pursuant to a court-approved domestic relations order which relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments or marital property rights, and (b) transfer a Nonqualified Stock Option by bona fide gift and not for any consideration, to (i) a member or members of the Participant’s immediate family, (ii) a trust established for the exclusive benefit of the Participant and/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family, (iii) a partnership, limited liability company of other entity whose only partners or members are the Participant and/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family, or (iv) a foundation in which the Participant an/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family control the management of the foundation’s assets.

9.10  No Rights as Shareholder . Except to the limited extent provided in Sections 7.6 and 7.7 no Participant (nor any beneficiary) shall have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder of the Company with respect to any Shares issuable pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), unless and until certificates representing such Shares shall have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to the Participant (or beneficiary).

9.11  Tax Matters . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Code Section 409A and unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary for such Award to avoid the consequences described in Code Section 409A(a)(1), and to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law (and unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement), the Plan and the Award Agreements shall be interpreted in a manner that results in their conforming to the requirements of Code Section 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) and any Department of Treasury or Internal Revenue Service regulations or other interpretive guidance issued under Section 409A (whenever issued, the “Guidance”).

SECTION 10

AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, AND DURATION

10.1  Amendment, Suspension, or Termination . The Board, in its sole discretion, may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason. The amendment, suspension, or termination of the Plan shall not, without the consent of the Participant, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award already granted to such Participant; provided that such consent shall not be required if the Board determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the amendment, suspension or termination: (a) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy applicable law, to meet the requirements of any accounting standard or to avoid any adverse accounting treatment, or (b) in connection with any transaction or event described in Section 9.1, is in the best interests of the Company or its shareholders. The Board may, but need not, take the tax or accounting consequences to affected Participants into consideration in acting under the preceding sentence. No Award may be granted during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan. The Company shall obtain shareholder approval if necessary or desirable to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including of any governmental agencies and national securities exchanges. Decisions of the Board shall be final, binding and conclusive. For Awards to continue to be eligible to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), the Company’s shareholders must re-approve the material terms of the Performance Goals included in the Plan by the date of the first shareholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the shareholders most recently approved the Plan under Code Section 162(m).

10.2  Duration of the Plan . The Plan shall be effective as of June 20, 2003, and subject to Section 10.1 (regarding the Board’s right to amend or terminate the Plan), shall remain in effect thereafter.

 

13


However, no Incentive Stock Option may be granted under the Plan after ten years from the latest date the Company’s shareholders approve the Plan, including any subsequent amendment or restatement of the Plan approved by the Company’s shareholders.

10.3  Prohibition on Repricing . Notwithstanding the foregoing and except for an adjustment pursuant to Section 4.3 or a repricing approved by shareholders, in no case may the Committee (1) amend an outstanding Option or SAR to reduce the exercise price of the Award, (2) cancel, exchange, or surrender an outstanding Option or SAR in exchange for cash or other Awards for the purpose of repricing the Award, or (3) cancel, exchange, or surrender an outstanding Option or SAR in exchange for an option or SAR with an exercise that is less than the exercise of the original Award.

SECTION 11

TAX WITHHOLDING

11.1  Withholding Requirements . Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

11.2  Withholding Arrangements . The Committee, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (a) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares, or (b) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld. If the Committee permits Award Shares to be withheld from the Award to satisfy applicable withholding obligations, the Fair Market Value of the Award Shares withheld, as determined as of the date of withholding, shall not exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates to the extent the Committee determines such limit is necessary or advisable in light of generally accepted accounting principles.

11.3  Liability for Applicable Taxes . Regardless of any action the Company or the Participant’s employer (the “Employer”) takes with respect to any or all income tax, social security, payroll tax, payment on account, other tax-related withholding or information reporting (“Tax-Related Items”), the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items legally due by Participant is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and that the Company and or the Employer (a) make no representations nor undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of an Award; and (b) do not commit to structure the terms or any aspect of any Award granted hereunder to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items. The Participant shall pay the Company or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Employer may be required to withhold as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to deliver any benefit under the Plan if the Participant fails to comply with his or her obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

SECTION 12

LEGAL CONSTRUCTION

12.1  Gender and Number . Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

12.2  Severability . In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

12.3  Requirements of Law . The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

12.4  Securities Law Compliance . With respect to Section 16 Persons, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b 3. To the extent any provision of the

 

14


Plan, Award Agreement or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.

12.5  Governing Law . The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Washington.

12.6  Captions . Captions are provided herein for convenience only, and shall not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO    www.CellTherapeutics.com

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. Reports Results of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

SEATTLE, August 31, 2012- Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ and MTA: CTIC) announced today the results from its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) held on Friday, August 31, 2012.

At the Annual Meeting, shareholders elected Richard L. Love, Mary O. Mundinger, DrPH, and Jack W. Singer, M.D. to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors until the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting. Shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares and authorized shares of common stock and approved an amendment to the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Plan”), to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan. Shareholders also approved the shares issued to S*BIO Pte Ltd. (“S*BIO”) in connection with, or to finance, the acquisition of assets of S*BIO and at the Company’s option, to issue shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock in lieu of cash for up to 50% of the milestone payments pursuant to the asset purchase agreement entered into with S*BIO on April 18, 2012. Shareholders additionally approved the issuance of shares of preferred stock and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the preferred stock, warrants and shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants, and at the Company’s option, the issuance of shares of common stock in lieu of cash upon exchange of such warrants issued to Socius CG II, Ltd. pursuant to the securities purchase agreement entered into in connection with the offering of Series 15 Convertible Preferred Stock on May 29, 2012. Shareholders ratified the selection of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2012.

About Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

Headquartered in Seattle, CTI is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing an integrated portfolio of oncology products aimed at making cancer more treatable. For additional information, please visit www.CellTherapeutics.com .

Sign up for email alerts and get RSS feeds at our Web site, http://www.CellTherapeutics.com/investors_alert

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, the outcome of which could materially and/or adversely affect actual future results. Specifically, the risks and uncertainties include that the Company may not issue shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock in lieu of cash to S*BIO for milestone payments, that the Company may not issue shares of common stock in lieu of cash upon exchange of warrants issued to Socius CG II, Ltd., the risk factors listed or described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, the Company’s most recent filings on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not intend to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Media contact:   Investors contact:   

 

3101 Western Ave. #600

Seattle, WA 98121

 

T 206.282.7100

F 206.284.6206


Page 2 of 2

 

 

Cell Therapeutics, Inc.    Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
Dan Eramian    Ed Bell
T: 206.272.4343    T: 206.272.4345
F: 206.272.4434    E: invest@ctiseattle.com
E: deramian@ctiseattle.com    www.celltherapeutics.com/investors
www.celltherapeutics.com/press_room   

 

3101 Western Ave. #600

Seattle, WA 98121

 

T 206.282.7100

F 206.284.6206

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

   www.CellTherapeutics.com

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) Files Amendment to Articles of Incorporation

September 5, 2012 Seattle —Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (“CTI”) (NASDAQ: CTIC and MTA: CTIC) today announced that it has filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington an amendment to CTI’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (as amended, the “Articles of Incorporation”) reflecting an increase in CTI’s total number of authorized shares from 76,999,999 to 150,333,333 and an increase in CTI’s total number of authorized shares of common stock from 76,666,666 to 150,000,000. The amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was approved by CTI’s shareholders at CTI’s annual meeting of shareholders held on August 31, 2012.

CTI has filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, including a copy of the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the offices of CTI’s Italian branch. A copy of the amendment and the aforesaid Current Report on Form 8-K is available on CTI’s website ( www.CellTherapeutics.com , in the “Investors” section).

About Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

Headquartered in Seattle, CTI is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing an integrated portfolio of oncology products aimed at making cancer more treatable. For additional information, please visit www.CellTherapeutics.com .

Sign up for email alerts and get RSS feeds at our Web site, http://www.CellTherapeutics.com/investors_alert .

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, the outcomes of which could materially and/or adversely affect actual future results and the market price of CTI’s securities. Specifically, the risks and uncertainties include CTI’s ability to continue to raise capital as needed to fund its operations in general, and, including, without limitation, competitive factors, technological developments, costs of developing, producing, and selling CTI’s product candidates, and the risk factors listed or

 

3101 Western Ave. #600

Seattle, WA 98121

 

T 206.282.7100

F 206.284.6206


Page 2 of 2

 

described from time to time in CTI’s filings with the SEC including, without limitation, CTI’s most recent filings on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K. Except as may be required by law, CTI does not intend to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

###

Media Contact:

Dan Eramian

T: 206.272.4343

C: 206.854.1200

E: deramian@ctiseattle.com

www.CellTherapeutics.com/press_room

Investors Contact:

Ed Bell

T: 206.282.7100

F: 206.272.4434

E: invest@ctiseattle.com

www.CellTherapeutics.com/investors

 

3101 Western Ave. #600

Seattle, WA 98121

 

T 206.282.7100

F 206.284.6206