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): May 5, 2017

 

CESCA THERAPEUTICS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

333-82900

 

94-3018487

(State or Other Jurisdiction

 

(Commission

 

(IRS Employer

of Incorporation)

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

2711 Citrus Road, Rancho Cordova, California

 

95742

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (949) 753-0624

 

N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 


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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company      ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 



 

 
 

 

 

Item 5.02.

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

 

Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options and Option Agreement

 

On May 10, 2017, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cesca Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”) approved a form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options and Option Agreement pursuant to which the Company may grant stock options to its employees, officers, non-employee directors, consultants and advisors under the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2016 Plan”). This form is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Grant of Stock Options to Non-Employee Directors

 

On May 10, 2017, the Company granted to each of Russell Medford, Mahendra S. Rao, Joseph Thomis, James Xu, and Mark Westgate (the non-employee directors of the Company), under the 2016 Plan, an option to purchase 13,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.19 (the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market on the date of grant). The number of options granted to each non-employee director pursuant to the foregoing grant was reduced by the number of options (if any) already received during the 2017 calendar year. Each granted option vests in 24 equal monthly installments, provided that, on the date of grant, each such non-employee director received vesting credit as if his option was granted as of the later of November 3, 2016 or the date on which he became a director of the Company. Each option expires on the ten year anniversary of the date of grant, subject to early termination upon the occurrence of certain termination events.

 

 

Item 5.07.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

The Company held its annual meeting of stockholders on May 5, 2017 (the “Annual Meeting”). The Company previously filed with the SEC its Definitive Proxy Statement and related materials pertaining to the Annual Meeting on March 23, 2017. On the record date of March 16, 2017, there were 9,902,316 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding and eligible to vote. At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders (i) elected the seven (7) persons identified below to serve as directors of the Company to hold office until the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, (ii) approved the 2016 Plan, (iii) approved the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, (iv) approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement, and (v) approved, on an advisory basis, the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation. The final results of stockholder voting on the five (5) proposals were as follows:

 

1.

To approve the election of the following individuals as directors to the Board of Directors:

 

Xiaochun Xu        

For

    6,820,725  

Withhold

    8,756  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

Mahendra S. Rao

       

For

    6,820,516  

Withhold

    8,965  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

Vivian Liu

       

For

    6,820,191  

Withhold

    9,290  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

James Xu

       

For

    6,819,210  

Withhold

    10,271  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

 
 

 

 

Joseph Thomis

       

For

    6,820,659  

Withhold

    8,882  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

Russell Medford

       

For

    6,820,441  

Withhold

    9,040  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

Mark Westgate

       

For

    6,819,833  

Withhold

    9,648  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

2.

To approve the 2016 Plan:

 

For

    6,788,667  

Against

    31,901  

Abstain

    8,913  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

3.

To ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017:

 

For

    8,179,437  

Against

    20,935  

Abstain

    22,113  

Broker Non-Votes

    0  

Uncast

    0  

 

4.

To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement:

 

For

    6,792,884  

Against

    27,325  

Abstain

    9,272  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

5.

To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation:

 

1 Year

    572,826  

2 Years

    4,903  

3 Years

    6,244,887  

Abstain

    6,865  

Broker Non-Votes

    1,393,004  

Uncast

    0  

 

Following the Annual Meeting, the Board considered the vote of the stockholders at the Annual Meeting regarding the frequency of future stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation and determined that the Company will hold an advisory vote on its executive compensation every three years until the next required vote on the frequency of such advisory votes, or until the Board determines that a different frequency is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

 

 
 

 

 

Item 9.01 .

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.1

 

Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options and Option Agreement under the Cesca Therapeutics Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

 

 
 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

   

CESCA THERAPEUTICS INC.

   

(Registrant)

     

Dated: May 11, 2017

 

/s/ Vivian Liu

   

Vivian Liu, Chief Operating Officer

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

Option Number: [ ________ ]

 

CESCA THERAPEUTICS INC.

Notice of Grant of Stock Options and Option Agreement

 

 

[NAME]

[ADDRESS]

 

Dear Participant:

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Cesca Therapeutics Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”), you have been granted an [Incentive/Non-Qualified] Stock Option to purchase [______] shares of common stock (the “Option”) as outlined below.

 

Granted To:

[NAME]

Grant Date:

[GRANT DATE]

Options Granted:

[______]

Exercise Price per Share:

$[______]

Expiration Date:

[EXPIRATION DATE]

Vesting Schedule:

[LIST EACH SPECIFIC TRANCHE AMOUNT AND THE VESTING DATES OR DESCRIBE OTHER APPLICABLE VESTING SCHEDULE]

 

 

Any portion of this Option not exercised prior to the Expiration Date will become null and void.

 

This Option grant is subject to all of the Terms and Conditions attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The capitalized terms used in this Option will have the same meanings as set forth in the Plan. A Summary of the Plan and a copy of the Plan is provided herewith.

 

CESCA THERAPEUTICS INC.   

PARTICIPANT

 

 

By: ____________________________(signature)

___________________________ (signature)

       Corporate Secretary 

 

Date: ___________ 

Date: _____________

 

Notice: All notices to be given by either party to the other will be in writing and may be transmitted by overnight courier; or mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested; or personal delivery; or facsimile transmission, provided , however , that notices of change of address or facsimile number will be effective only upon actual receipt by the other party. Notices will be delivered to Cesca Therapeutics Inc., 2711 Citrus Road, Rancho Cordova, California 9574 2, Attn: Corporate Secretary and to the Participant at the last known address of the Participant as provided to Cesca Therapeutics Inc.

 

 
 

 

 

Terms And Conditions Of

Option Agreement

 

Cesca Therapeutics Inc. is referred to as “Company” and the person to whom the Option is granted is referred to as Participa nt” .

 

1.      Plan Controls . The terms contained in the Plan are incorporated into and made a part of this Option and this Option will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Plan. In the event of any actual or alleged conflict between the provisions of the Plan and the provisions of this Option, the provisions of the Plan will be controlling and determinative.

 

2.      Manner of Exercise . The vested portion of this Option may be exercised from time to time, in whole or in part, by delivery to the Company at its principal office of a stock option exercise agreement (the “Exercise Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto (the “Form”), which need not be the same for each Participant, stating the number of Shares being purchased, the restrictions imposed on the Shares purchased under such Exercise Agreement, if any, and such representations and agreements regarding the Participant’s investment intent and access to information and other matters, if any, as may be required or desirable by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws. The Form must be duly executed by Participant and be accompanied by payment in cash, or by check payable to the Company, in full for the Exercise Price for the number of Shares being purchased. Alternatively, but only if the Committee or other party to whom the Committee properly delegates powers under Plan (the “Administrator”) authorizes at the time of exercise at its sole discretion, and where permitted by law (i) by surrender of Shares of the Company that have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months or lesser period if the surrender of Shares is otherwise exempt from Section 16 of the Exchange Act and if such Shares were purchased from the Company by use of a promissory note, such note has been fully paid with respect to such Shares, (ii) by forfeiture of Shares equal to the value of the exercise price pursuant to a “net exercise” as provided for in the Plan, (iii) by broker sale by following the required instructions therefor including as so authorized by the Administrator in its sole discretion instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay the exercise price and the amount of any required tax or other withholding obligations, or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing methods of payment or any other consideration or method of payment.

 

3.      Privileges Of Stock Ownership . Participant will not have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to any Shares until the Shares are issued to Participant. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of this Option. All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered will be subject to such stock transfer orders, legends and other restrictions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable, including restrictions under any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law, or any rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may be listed or quoted. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued.

 

4.      Notification of Disposition . Participant agrees to notify the Company in writing within 30 days of any disposition of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of this Option.

 

5.      Withholding . The Company may require the Participant to remit to the Company by cash or check payable to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local taxes and FICA withholding requirements whenever Shares are to be issued upon exercise of this Option or Shares are forfeited pursuant to a “net exercise”, or when under applicable tax laws, Participant incurs tax liability in connection with the exercise or vesting of this Option. Any such payment must be made promptly when the amount of such obligation becomes determinable. In lieu thereof, the Company may withhold the amount of such taxes from any other sums due or to become due from the Company as the Administrator will prescribe.

 

 
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To the extent permissible by law, and at its sole discretion, the Administrator may permit the Participant to satisfy any such withholding tax at the time of exercise, in whole or in part, with Shares up to an amount not greater than the Company’s minimum statutory withholding rate for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes. The Administrator may exercise its discretion, by (i) directing the Company to apply Shares to which the Participant is entitled as a result of the exercise of this Option, or (ii) delivering to the Company Shares owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months, unless the delivery of the Shares is otherwise exempt from Section 16 of the Exchange Act; but Participant may only satisfy his or her withholding obligation with Shares that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.

 

6.      Exercise After Certain Events .

 

6.1.      Termination of All Services . If for any reason other than Retirement, permanent and total disability or death, Participant terminates all services to the Company, as an employee, consultant, advisor, or in a similar capacity, vested Options held at the date of such termination may be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time within three (3) months after the date of such termination (but in no event after the earlier of (i) the expiration of this Option and (ii) 10 years from the Grant Date).

 

6.2      Retirement . If Participant ceases all services to the Company as an employee, consultant, advisor or in a similar capacity as a result of Retirement, Participant need not exercise this Option within three (3) months of termination of such services but will be entitled to exercise vested Options held at the date of such termination within the maximum term of this Option. The term “Retirement” as used herein means such termination of services as will entitle Participant to early or normal retirement benefits under any then existing pension or salary continuation plans of the Company excluding 401(k) participants (except as otherwise covered under other pension or salary continuation plans).

 

6.3      Permanent Disability and Death . If Participant becomes permanently and totally disabled while rendering services to the Company as an employee, consultant, advisor or in a similar capacity, or dies in a work-related event while employed by the Company (including as an officer of the Company), vested Options then held may be exercised by Participant, Participant’s personal representative, or by the person to whom this Option is transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution, in whole or in part, at any time within 1 year after the termination of services because of the disability or death (but in no event after the earlier of (i) the expiration date of this Option, and (ii) 10 years from the Grant Date).

 

6.4      Cancellation of Awards . In the event Participant’s services to the Company have been terminated for “Cause”, he or she will immediately forfeit all rights to this Option. The determination by the Board that termination was for Cause will be final and conclusive. In making its determination, the Board will give Participant an opportunity to appear and be heard at a hearing before the full Board and present evidence on the Participant’s behalf.

 

7.      Restrictions on Transfer of Option . This Option will not be transferable by Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of Participant, only Participant, his guardian or legal representative may exercise this Option except that Participant may transfer this Option to a spouse pursuant to a property settlement, agreement, or court order incident to a divorce. In addition, at the discretion of the Administrator, this Option may be transferred without payment of consideration to the following family members of Participant, including adoptive relationships: a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, former spouse (whether by gift or pursuant to a domestic relations order), any person sharing the employee’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a family-controlled partnership, corporation, limited liability company and trust, or a foundation in which family members heretofore described control the management of assets. The assigned portion may only be exercised by the person or persons who acquire a proprietary interest in this Option pursuant to the assignment. The terms applicable to the assigned portion will be the same as those in effect for this Option immediately prior to such assignment and will be set forth in such documents issued to the assignee as the Administrator may deem appropriate. A request to assign an Option may be made only by delivery to the Company of a written stock option assignment request in a form approved by the Administrator, stating the number of Options and Shares underlying Options requested for assignment, that no consideration is being paid for the assignment, identifying the proposed transferee, and containing such other representations and agreements regarding the Participant’s investment intent and access to information and other matters, if any, as may be required or desirable by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws.

 

 
3

 

 

Participant may designate a beneficiary to exercise this Option after Participant’s death. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives Participant, payment will be made to Participant’s estate. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by Participant at any time, provided the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator.

 

8.      Dissolution, Liquidation and Merger .

 

8.1.      Company Not The Survivor . In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, a merger, consolidation, combination or reorganization in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, or a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company (as determined in the sole discretion of the Board), the Administrator, in its absolute discretion, may cancel this Option upon payment in cash or stock, or combination thereof, as determined by the Board, to Participant of the amount by which any cash and the fair market value of any other property which Participant would have received as consideration for the Shares covered by this Option if the Option had been exercised before such liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, combination, reorganization or sale exceeds the Exercise Price of this Option or negotiate to have this Option assumed by the surviving corporation. In addition to the foregoing, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a merger, consolidation, combination or reorganization, in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, the Administrator, in its absolute discretion, may accelerate the time within which this Option may be exercised.

 

8.2.      Company is the Survivor . In the event of a merger, consolidation, combination or reorganization in which the Company is the surviving corporation, the Board will determine the appropriate adjustment of the number and kind of securities with respect to which outstanding Options may be exercised, and the exercise price at which outstanding Options may be exercised. The Board will determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, when the Company will be deemed to survive for purposes of the Plan.

 

9.      No Obligation To Employ . Nothing in the Plan or this Option will confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or a subsidiary, or to limit in any way the right of the Company or a subsidiary, to terminate Participant’s employment or other relationship at any time, with or without cause.

 

10.      Compliance With Code Section 162(m) . At all times when the Administrator determines that compliance with Code Section 162(m) is required or desired, this Option if granted to a named executive officer (as defined under the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC) will comply with the requirements of Section 162(m). In addition, in the event that changes are made to Section 162(m) to permit greater flexibility with respect to this Option, the Administrator may, subject to this provision make any adjustments it deems appropriate.

 

 
4

 

 

11.      Compliance With Code Section 409A . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if any provision of the Plan or this Option contravenes any regulations or Treasury guidance promulgated under Code Section 409A or could cause this Option or any Award to be subject to the interest and penalties under Section 409A, such provision of the Plan or this Option will be modified to maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A. In addition, in the event that changes are made to Section 409A to permit greater flexibility with respect to this Option, the Administrator may make any adjustments it deems appropriate.

 

12.      Code Section 280G . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the right to receive or benefit from this Option, either alone or together with payments that Participant has a right to receive from the Company, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Code Section 280G), all such payments will be reduced to the largest amount that will result in no portion being subject to the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999.

 

13.      Securities Law And Other Regulatory Compliance . The Company will not be obligated to issue any Shares upon exercise of this Option unless such Shares are at that time effectively registered or exempt from registration under the federal securities laws and the offer and sale of the Shares are otherwise in compliance with all applicable securities laws. The Company will be under no obligation to register the Shares with the SEC or to effect compliance with the registration, qualification or listing requirements of any state securities laws, stock exchange or automated quotation system, and the Company will have no liability for any inability or failure to do so. Upon exercising all or any portion of this Option, Participant may be required to furnish representations or undertakings deemed appropriate by the Company to enable the offer and sale of the Shares or subsequent transfers of any interest in such Shares to comply with applicable securities laws. Evidences of ownership of Shares acquired upon exercise of this Option will bear any legend required by, or useful for purposes of compliance with, applicable securities laws, the Plan or this Option.

 

14.      Arbitration .

 

14.1      General . Any controversy, dispute, or claim arising out of or relating to this Option which cannot be amicably settled within thirty (30) days (or such longer period as may be mutually agreed upon) from the date either the Company or Participant notifies the other in writing that such dispute or disagreement exists will be settled by arbitration. Said arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.

 

14.2      Injunctive Actions . Nothing herein contained will bar the right of either the Company or Participant to seek to obtain injunctive relief or other provisional remedies against threatened or actual conduct that will cause loss or damages under the usual equity rules including the applicable rules for obtaining preliminary injunctions and other provisional remedies.

 

15.      Tax Effect . The federal and state tax consequences of stock options are complex and subject to change. Each person should consult with his or her tax advisor before exercising this Option or disposing of any Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Option.

 

 
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16.      Entire Agreement . This Option including the Terms and Conditions and the Plan constitute the entire contract between the Company and Participant hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. They supersede any other agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied), which relate to the subject matter hereof.

 

17.      Severability . In the event that any portion of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, the remaining portions of this Agreement will remain valid and in full force and effect.

 

18.      Choice of Law . This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and performed in such State.

 

19.      Binding Effect . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, and successors.

 

 
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CESCA THERAPEUTICS INC.

Notice of Intent to Exercise Cesca Therapeutics Inc. Stock Options

 

 

To: Stock Administrator

 

 

I hereby give notice to Cesca Therapeutics Inc. of my intent to exercise the following stock options on ______________, 20 _ __:

 

(A)

(B)

(C)

(B X C)

Grant Date

Number of Options

Exercise Price

Payment Due

 

 

 

 


 

 

Method of Payment

 

_____          Personal Check

 

_____          Exchange of Previously Owned Shares

 

_____          Net Exercise

 

_____          Broker Check (Same Day Sale)

 

 Brokerage Company _________________________

 

Your method of payment may result in a tax liability including alternative minimum tax. You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisor before exercising your options.

 

 

 

 

 

Signature 

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name