Preliminary Proxy Statement
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

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   Preliminary Proxy Statement
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   Definitive Proxy Statement
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   Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

Delcath Systems, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than The Registrant)

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LOGO

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON [], 2017

Notice is hereby given that the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Delcath Systems, Inc. will be held on [●], 2017, at 9:30 a.m., local time, at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, located at 101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178, for the following purposes:

 

  (1) To vote on the election of Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D as a Class II director, to serve until the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified;

 

  (2) To cast a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers (“say-on-pay”);

 

  (3) To cast a non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of “say-on-pay”;

 

  (4) To ratify the appointment by our Audit Committee of Grant Thornton, LLP as Delcath’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017;

 

  (5) To approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our common stock, such split to combine a whole number of outstanding shares of our common stock in a range of not less than fifty shares and not more than five hundred shares, into one share of common stock in the discretion of the Board of Directors, and to grant authorization to the Board of Directors to determine, in its sole discretion, whether to implement the reverse stock split, as well as its specific timing; and

 

  (6) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

Each proposal will be effective upon its approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting and is not conditioned upon the approval by our stockholders of any other proposal. As each proposal will be presented to our stockholders at the Annual Meeting in the order presented herein, each such proposal that is approved will become effective in such order.

We are not aware of any other business to come before the meeting.

These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement which accompanies this Notice of Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 17, 2017 as the record date for the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record of Delcath common stock at the close of business on that date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Returning the proxy card does NOT deprive you of your right to attend the meeting and to vote your shares in person. The Proxy Statement explains proxy voting and the matters to be voted on in more detail. Please read the Proxy Statement carefully.

 

    By Order of the Board of Directors
   

/s/ Jennifer K. Simpson

New York, New York     Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D.
[●], 2017     President and Chief Executive Officer


Table of Contents

DELCATH SYSTEMS, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR

2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

     1  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     5  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     6  

Board of Directors

     6  

Board Independence

     6  

Attendance

     6  

Board Leadership Structure

     6  

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

     6  

Risk Assessment of Compensation Programs

     6  

Director Continuing Education

     7  

Board Committees

     7  

Recommendations by Stockholders of Director Nominees

     8  

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

     8  

Transactions with Related Persons

     9  

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     9  

Code of Ethics

     9  

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     10  

Information About Directors and Director Nominee

     10  

Board Nominees—Class II Director

     10  

Continuing Directors

     11  

Director Compensation—2016

     12  

Information About Our Executive Officers

     13  

Executive Compensation

     14  

Summary Compensation Table

     17  

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table—2016

     18  

PROPOSAL 2: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (“SAY-ON-PAY”)

     19  

PROPOSAL 3: FREQUENCY OF “SAY-ON-PAY”

     20  

PROPOSAL 4: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     21  

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

     21  

Pre-approval Policies: Audit and Non-Audit Services

     21  

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

     22  

PROPOSAL 5: REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

     23  

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

     33  

ANNUAL REPORT

     33  

ANNEX A

     A-1  


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LOGO

1633 Broadway, Suite 22C

New York, New York 10019

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

For the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on [], 2017

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Delcath Systems, Inc. (“Delcath,” “we,” “our,” “us” or “the Company”) to be voted at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on [•], 2017, at 9:30 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, located at 101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, proxy card and Delcath’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (the “Form 10-K”), is being first mailed on or about [•], 2017, to our stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for

the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on [], 2017

A copy of this Proxy Statement, the proxy card and our Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at:

[https://materials.proxyvote.com/24661P]

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

 

Purpose of the Annual Meeting.    At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will consider and vote on the following proposals:
  

•    the election of Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D as a Class II director, to serve until the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified (Proposal 1);

  

•    a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers (“say-on-pay”) (Proposal 2);

  

•    a non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of “say-on-pay” (Proposal 3);

  

•    the ratification of the appointment by our Audit Committee of Grant Thornton, LLP as Delcath’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 (Proposal 4);

  

•    an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our common stock, such split to combine a whole number of outstanding shares of our common stock in a range of not less than fifty shares and not more than five hundred shares, into one share of common stock in the discretion of the Board of Directors, and to grant authorization to the Board of Directors to determine, in its sole discretion, whether to implement the reverse stock split, as well as its specific timing (Proposal 5); and

 

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•    such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

Each proposal will be effective upon its approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting and is not conditioned upon the approval by our stockholders of any other proposal. As each proposal will be presented to our stockholders at the Annual Meeting in the order presented herein, each such proposal that is approved will become effective in such order.

Stockholders Entitled to Vote.    Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 17, 2017 (the “Record Date”) of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were [●] shares of Delcath common stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote.
Number of Votes.    You have one vote for each share of Delcath common stock held by you on the Record Date.
Voting.    You may vote your shares in person or by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person if you have already voted by proxy.
   Stockholders of Record. If you hold your shares in your own name as a holder of record, you can vote your common stock by:
  

•    completing the enclosed proxy card and returning it signed and dated in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. The persons named in the proxy card (the “proxies” or “proxy holders”) will vote your shares in accordance with your instructions in your completed and returned proxy card; or

  

•    attending the Annual Meeting and delivering your completed proxy card in person or by completing a ballot at the meeting. Ballots will be available at the meeting. Please bring proof of identification with you to the Annual Meeting.

   Beneficial Owners. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions from the holder of record on how to vote your shares. You must follow the instructions of your broker or other nominee in order for your shares to be voted. If your shares are not registered in your name and you plan to vote your shares in person at the meeting, you must obtain and bring with you to the meeting a “legal proxy” from the broker or other nominee holding your shares that confirms your beneficial ownership of the shares and gives you the right to vote your shares at the meeting.
Quorum.    A majority of our outstanding shares of common stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum. For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Annual Meeting, abstentions and “broker non-votes” (proxies from brokers or other nominees indicating that they have not received instructions from the beneficial owner(s) on a particular proposal(s) with respect to which the brokers or nominees do not have discretionary voting authority) will be treated as shares that are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

 

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Non-Routine Proposals; Broker Non-Votes.    Your broker or nominee will have discretionary authority to vote your shares with respect to “routine” proposals, but not with respect to “non-routine” proposals. It is therefore critical that you personally vote on the non-routine proposals as soon as possible.
  

•    Non-routine proposal. Proposal 1 (election of directors), Proposal 2 (“say-on-pay”) and Proposal 3 (frequency of “say-on-pay”) are non-routine proposals.

  

•    Routine proposal. Proposal 4 (ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm) and Proposal 5 (reverse stock split) are routine proposals.

Vote Required; Treatment of

Abstentions and Broker
Non-Votes.

   Proposal 1, the election of a Class II director—the nominee receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter at the Annual Meeting shall be elected as a director.
   Proposal 2, a non-binding, advisory resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers (“say-on-pay”)—an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter is required for approval of the advisory resolution.
   Proposal 3, a non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of “say-on-pay”—the frequency receiving the greatest number of votes—every year, every two years or every three years—will be the advisory frequency approved by our stockholders.
   Proposal 4, the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017—an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter is required for approval.
   Proposal 5, the reverse stock split—an affirmative vote of a majority of shares issued and outstanding is required for approval.
   Abstentions are included in the number of shares present or represented and entitled to vote on each matter. Broker “non-votes” are not considered entitled to vote for the particular matter and have the effect of reducing the number of affirmative votes required to achieve a majority for such matter by reducing the total number of shares from which the majority is calculated.
Voting of Proxies.    Our Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the director nominee listed in Proposal 1, FOR Proposal 2, ONE YEAR for Proposal 3, FOR Proposal 4 and FOR Proposal 5. Your shares of common stock will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained in your signed proxy card. If you return a signed proxy card without giving specific voting instructions with respect to a particular Proposal or Proposals to be acted upon at the meeting, proxies will be voted in favor of the Board of Directors’ recommendations with respect to that particular Proposal or those Proposals as set forth in this Proxy Statement.

 

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Other Matters.    We are not aware of any matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those described in this Proxy Statement. If any matters not described in this Proxy Statement are properly presented at the meeting, the proxy holders will use their own judgment to determine how to vote your shares. If the meeting is adjourned or postponed, the proxy holders can vote your shares on the new meeting date as well, unless you have subsequently revoked your proxy.
Revoking your Proxy.   

Stockholders of Record. You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by doing any one of the following things:

 

•    giving our Corporate Secretary a written notice of revocation (addressed to Barbra C. Keck, Corporate Secretary, Delcath Systems, Inc., 1633 Broadway, Suite 22C, New York, New York 10019) before or at the meeting; or

 

•    delivering a properly executed, later dated proxy card; or

 

•    attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person at the meeting. Your attendance at the meeting in and of itself will not be sufficient to revoke your proxy.

 

Beneficial Owners. If you instructed your broker or nominee to vote your shares, you can change your vote only by following your broker or nominee’s instructions for doing so.

Householding.    We are required to provide an Annual Report to all stockholders who receive this proxy statement. To reduce future costs to Delcath, if you are a stockholder of record and have more than one account in your name, or reside at the same address as other stockholders of record, you may authorize us to discontinue duplicate mailings of future Annual Reports, commonly referred to as “householding.” To do so, mark the designated box on each proxy card for which you wish to discontinue receiving an Annual Report. If you are voting via the Internet or by telephone, you can either follow the prompts when you vote or give instructions to discontinue duplicate mailings of future Annual Reports. Street name stockholders who wish to discontinue receiving duplicate mailings of future Annual Reports should review the information provided in the proxy materials mailed to them by their broker or nominee. If, now or in the future, you wish to receive a separate copy of the Annual Report, please notify us by sending a written request to our Corporate Secretary addressed to Barbra C. Keck, Corporate Secretary, Delcath Systems, Inc., 1633 Broadway, Suite 22C, New York, New York 10019, and we will deliver a separate copy.
Expenses and Solicitation.    The costs of solicitation of proxies, including printing and mailing costs, will be borne by Delcath. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, proxies may also be solicited personally by directors, officers and employees of Delcath, without additional compensation to these individuals. Delcath may request banks, brokers and other firms holding shares in their names that are beneficially owned by others to send proxy materials and obtain proxies from such beneficial owners, and will reimburse such banks, brokers and other firms for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table contains information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2017, held by: (i) each of our directors; (ii) each of our named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table; (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and (iv) each person or group known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding common stock. The information set forth in the table below excludes shares issuable upon exercise of our outstanding warrants held by certain investors that are presently exercisable, subject to limitations on exercisability for more than 4.9% or 9.9% of our outstanding shares of common stock, depending upon the particular investor. Except as indicated in the footnotes below, the address of the persons or groups named below is c/o Delcath Systems, Inc., 1633 Broadway, Suite 22C, New York, New York 10019.

 

    Shares  Beneficially
Owned(1)
       
Name of Beneficial Owner:   Number     Percent  

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

   

Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D.(2)

    45,474       *  

John Purpura, M.S.(3)

    38,067     *  

Barbra C. Keck, M.B.A.(4)

    25,604     *  

Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D. (5)

    4,688     *  

Roger G. Stoll, Ph.D.(6)

    13,014     *  

William D. Rueckert(7)

    5,625     *  

Marco Taglietti, M.D.(8)

    16,875       *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (7 people)(9):

    149,347       *  

 

 * Less than 1%
(1) Except as indicated in these footnotes: (i) the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned; (ii) the number of shares beneficially owned by each person as of March 31, 2017, includes any vested and unvested shares of restricted stock and any shares of common stock that such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2017, upon the exercise of stock options; and (iii) for each person or group included in the table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group by the sum of the 118,457,971 shares of common stock outstanding on March 31, 2017, plus the number of shares of common stock that such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2017.
(2) Includes 3,098 shares of common stock, which Dr. Simpson has the right to acquire upon exercise of outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2017.
(3) Includes 2,439 shares of common stock, which Mr. Purpura has the right to acquire upon exercise of outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2017.
(4) Includes 1,549 shares of common stock, which Ms. Keck has the right to acquire upon exercise of outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2017, and 4 shares held in a joint account with her spouse.
(5) Includes 1,875 shares of common stock, which Dr. Koplewicz has the right to acquire upon exercise of outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2017.
(6) Includes 7,115 shares of common stock, which Dr. Stoll has the right to acquire upon exercise of outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2017
(7) Includes 3,125 shares of common stock, which Mr. Rueckert has the right to acquire upon exercise of outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2017.
(8) Includes 3,125 shares of common stock, which Dr. Taglietti has the right to acquire upon exercise of outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2017.
(9) Includes 22,326 shares of common stock, which certain directors and executive officers have the right to acquire upon exercise of outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2017.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board of Directors. We have five directors serving on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors oversees the business affairs of the Company and monitors the performance of management. In accordance with our corporate governance principles, our Board does not involve itself in day-to-day operations. The directors keep themselves informed through discussions with the Chairman of the Board, Roger G. Stoll, Jennifer K. Simpson, in her capacity as Director and Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and other key executives, and by reading the reports and other materials that management sends them and by participating in Board and committee meetings. Our directors hold office until their successors have been elected and qualified unless the director resigns or is removed or by reason of death or other cause is unable to serve in the capacity of director.

Board Independence. The Board has determined that three of our five directors (each of Harold S. Koplewicz, William D. Rueckert and Marco Taglietti) are “independent” directors within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing rules.

Attendance. The Board of Directors met 17 times in 2016 (including regularly scheduled and annual meetings). During 2016, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of: (i) the total number of meetings of the Board (held during the period for which he or she served as a director) and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served (held during the period that he or she served). It is Delcath’s policy that, absent unusual or unforeseen circumstances, all directors are expected to attend annual meetings of stockholders, and all attended our 2016 Annual Meeting.

Board Leadership Structure. Roger G. Stoll, Ph.D. was appointed Executive Chairman effective September 2014 and designated Chairman in connection with the appointment of Dr. Simpson as director effective October 2015. Dr. Stoll has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2008.

It is our policy to separate the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles. We believe this structure is appropriate for Delcath because it allows our President and CEO to concentrate on Delcath’s day-to-day operations, while providing for effective oversight by the Chairman, who is involved in strategic and key matters, such as business strategy, major transactions and the broader business of Delcath. For a company like Delcath that is focused on the development, approval and commercialization of a specialized product in an extremely technical, highly regulated and intensely competitive industry, we believe our President and CEO is in the best position to lead our management team, in part because of the depth of her experience in conducting clinical trials in oncology, and to respond to the current pressures and needs of a company the stage of growth and development of Delcath, with assistance from our Chairman who also focuses the Board’s attention on the broader issues of corporate business strategy and corporate governance. We believe that splitting the roles between Chairman, on the one hand, and President and CEO, on the other hand, minimizes any potential conflicts that may result from combining the roles of CEO, President and Chairman, and maximizes the effectiveness of our management and governance processes to the benefit of our stockholders. Our President and CEO and Chairman regularly consult with each other as part of this structure.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight. The Board as a whole is responsible for risk oversight, with reviews in certain areas being conducted by the relevant Board committees. Each of the Board’s committees oversees the management of risks associated with their respective areas of responsibility. In performing this oversight function, the committees are assisted by management which provides visibility about the identification, assessment and monitoring of potential risks and management’s strategy to mitigate such risks. Key members of management responsible for a particular area report directly to the Board committee charged with oversight of the associated function and, if the circumstances require, the whole Board. The Board committees review various risk exposures with the full Board and otherwise keep the full Board abreast of the committees’ risk oversight activities throughout the year, as necessary or appropriate.

Risk Assessment of Compensation Programs. Our Compensation and Stock Option Committee annually evaluates whether our compensation programs encourage excessive risk-taking by employees at the expense of

 

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long-term Company value. Based upon its assessment, including a review of the overall annual award limitations and individual annual limitations in the Delcath 2009 Stock Incentive Plan and the Compensation Committee’s role in the consideration and approval of certain awards, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee does not believe that our compensation programs encourage excessive or inappropriate risk-taking, motivate imprudent risk-taking or create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Director Continuing Education. We require our directors to attend, at least annually, educational programs provided by various universities, stock exchanges and other regulatory agencies to assist our directors in maintaining or enhancing their skills and abilities as directors and to update their knowledge and understanding of the pharmaceutical, medical device and biopharma industries and the regulatory environment in which Delcath operates and to which it is subject.

Board Committees. Our Board has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation and Stock Option Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. No individual director is the chairman of more than one committee.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s system of internal accounting and financial controls and the independent audit of the Company’s financial statements. Functions of the Audit Committee include:

 

   

the selection, evaluation and, where appropriate, replacement of our outside auditors;

 

   

an annual review and evaluation of the qualifications, performance and independence of our outside auditors;

 

   

the approval of all auditing services and permitted non-audit services provided by our outside auditors;

 

   

the review of the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal controls over financial reporting; and

 

   

the review and discussion with management and with our outside auditors of the Company’s financial statements to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee, William D. Rueckert (Chair), Harold S. Koplewicz (since April 6, 2016) and Marco Taglietti (since April 6, 2016) qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules. During 2016, the Audit Committee met 7 times. Each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing rules and otherwise meets the financial statement proficiency requirements of the NASDAQ listing rules. The Audit Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website; go to www.delcath.com, click on “Investors,” then “Corporate Governance.”

Compensation and Stock Option Committee. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) assists the Board of Directors in the discharge of the Board’s responsibilities with respect to the compensation of Delcath’s directors, executive officers, and other key employees and consultants. The Compensation Committee establishes our overall compensation philosophy and is authorized to approve the compensation payable to our executive officers, including our named executive officers, and other key employees, including all perquisites, equity incentive awards, cash bonuses, and severance packages. The Compensation Committee also administers certain of our employee benefit plans, including its equity incentive plans, and is responsible for assessing the independence of compensation consultants and legal advisors. The Compensation Committee has concluded that each of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, outside legal counsel to the Compensation Committee and the Company, as well as Pearl Meyer & Partners, compensation consultant to the Compensation Committee, qualified as independent. The Compensation Committee exercises sole power to retain compensation consultants and advisors and to determine the scope of the associated engagements.

The current members of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee are Marco Taglietti (Chair), Harold S. Koplewicz (since April 6, 2016) and William D. Rueckert (since April 6, 2016), each of whom is

 

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“independent” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing rules. During 2016, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee met 10 times. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website; go to www.delcath.com, click on “Investors,” then “Corporate Governance.”

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”) is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, and recommends to the Board the director nominees to be proposed by the Board for election by the stockholders (as well as any director nominees to be appointed by the Board to fill interim vacancies). The Nominating Committee also recommends the directors to be selected for membership on each Board committee.

The Nominating Committee is also responsible for developing and recommending to the Board appropriate corporate governance guidelines and policies, and for leading the Board in its annual review of the Board’s performance.

The current members of the Nominating Committee are Harold S. Koplewicz (Chair), William D. Rueckert and Marco Taglietti, each of whom is “independent,” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing rules. During 2016, the Nominating Committee met 1 time. The Nominating Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website; go to www.delcath.com, click on “Investors,” then “Corporate Governance.”

The Nominating Committee, with, when it deems it necessary, the assistance of a third-party search firm, identifies candidates for director nominees. In considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating Committee considers each candidate’s credentials as a whole, including, but not necessarily limited to, outstanding achievement in a candidate’s personal career, broad and relevant experience, integrity, sound and independent judgment, experience and knowledge of the business environment and markets in which the Company operates, business acumen, and willingness and ability to devote adequate time to Board duties. The Nominating Committee considers the diversity of its members in the context of the Board as a whole, including the personal characteristics, experience and background of directors and nominees to facilitate Board deliberations that reflect a broad range of perspectives.

Recommendations by Stockholders of Director Nominees. The Nominating Committee will consider any recommendation by a stockholder of a candidate for nomination as a director. If a stockholder wants to recommend a director candidate for consideration by the Nominating Committee, the stockholder should submit the name of the proposed nominee, together with the reasons why the stockholder believes the election of the candidate would be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders and the information about the nominee that would be required in a proxy statement requesting proxies to vote in favor of the candidate. The stockholder’s submission must be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to being nominated by the Board and the candidate’s agreement to serve if nominated and elected. Any such submission should be directed to the Nominating Committee at Delcath’s principal office, 1633 Broadway, Suite 22C, New York, New York 10019. If a stockholder intends to nominate a person for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting, the stockholder must provide Delcath with written notice of his or her intention no later than the deadline for receiving a stockholder proposal for inclusion in Delcath’s proxy statement for such meeting (as described below under the heading “Stockholder Proposals For the 2018 Annual Meeting”) and must otherwise comply with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Copies of any recommendation received in accordance with these procedures will be distributed to each member of the Nominating Committee. One or more members of the Nominating Committee may contact the proposed candidate to request additional information.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors. Any stockholder wishing to communicate with the Board or with any specified director should address his or her communication to the Board of Directors or to the particular director(s) in care of the Corporate Secretary, Delcath Systems, Inc., 1633 Broadway, Suite 22C, New York, New York 10019. All such written communication, other than items determined by our legal counsel to be inappropriate for submission to the intended recipient(s), will be submitted to the Board or to the particular director(s). Any stockholder communication not so delivered, will be made available upon request to any director. Examples of stockholder communications that would be considered inappropriate for submission

 

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include, without limitation, customer complaints, business solicitations, product promotions, job inquiries, junk mail and mass mailings, as well as material that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly unsuitable.

Transactions with Related Persons. We have adopted a written policy for the review and approval or ratification of transactions between Delcath and Related Parties (as defined below). Under the policy, our Nominating Committee will review the material facts of proposed transactions involving Delcath in which a Related Party will have a direct or indirect material interest. The Nominating Committee will either approve or disapprove Delcath’s entry into the transaction or, if advance approval is not feasible, will consider whether to ratify the transaction. The Nominating Committee may establish guidelines for ongoing transactions with a Related Party, and will review such transactions at least annually. If the aggregate amount of the transaction is expected to be less than $200,000, such approval or ratification may be made by the Chair of the Committee. In determining whether to approve or ratify a transaction with a Related Party, the Nominating Committee (or Chair) will consider, among other factors, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party and the extent of the Related Party’s interest in the transaction.

Certain transactions are deemed pre-approved under the policy, including compensation of executive officers and directors (except that employment of an immediate family member of an executive officer requires specific approval), and transactions with a company at which the Related Party’s only relationship is as a non-officer employee, director, or less than 10% owner if the aggregate amount involved does not exceed 2% of such company’s total annual revenues (or, in the case of charitable contributions by Delcath, 2% of the charity’s total annual receipts). Pre-approval is not required if the amount involved in the transaction is not expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year.

For purposes of the policy, a Related Party is generally anyone who since the beginning of the last full fiscal year is or was an executive officer, director or director nominee, owner of more than 5% of the common stock, or immediate family member of any of such persons.

No related person transactions occurred during 2016.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. During 2016, Marco Taglietti and William D. Rueckert served as members of our Compensation and Stock Option Committee. Laura A. Philips and Dennis H. Langer, former directors, each served on the Compensation and Stock Option Committee until their resignations on April 3, 2016 and April 4, 2016, respectively. None of the current members or members serving during 2016 of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee is a current or former officer or employee of Delcath at the time of their service on the Compensation and Stock Option Committee, nor did any Compensation and Stock Option Committee member engage in any “related person” transaction that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. During 2016, none of Delcath’s executive officers served on the compensation committee (or equivalent) or on the board of directors of another entity whose executive officers served on the Compensation and Stock Option Committee or our Board of Directors.

Code of Ethics. We maintain a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (Code) that applies to all employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller and persons performing similar functions, and including our independent directors, who are not employees of the Company, with regard to their Delcath-related activities. The Code incorporates guidelines designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Code also incorporates our expectations of our employees that enable us to provide accurate and timely disclosure in our filings with the SEC and other public communications. In addition, the Code incorporates guidelines pertaining to topics such as complying with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; insider trading; reporting Code violations; and maintaining accountability for adherence to the Code. The full text of our Code is published on our web site at http://delcath.com/investors/governance. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of our Code, or waivers of such provisions granted to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer and persons performing similar functions on our web site.

 

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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Following the Annual Meeting, we expect our Board of Directors to consist of five directors divided into three equal classes. Directors hold office for staggered terms of three years (and until their successors are elected and qualified). One of the three classes is elected each year to succeed the directors whose terms are expiring. At the Annual Meeting, one Class II director will be elected to the Board. Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D. is currently serving as a Class II director and has been nominated for re-election to the Board as a Class II director by our Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee. The nominee has consented to be named as a nominee and to serve if elected. Should the nominee become unable to serve as a director (which the Board does not expect), the Board may designate a substitute nominee. In that case, the persons named as proxies will vote for the substitute nominee designated by the Board. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in this Proxy Statement.

VOTE REQUIRED

Assuming a quorum is met, the nominee receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter shall be elected as directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF HAROLD S. KOPLEWICZ, M.D.

This proposal will be effective upon its approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting and is not conditioned upon the approval by our stockholders of any other proposal. As each proposal will be presented to our stockholders at the Annual Meeting in the order presented herein, if this proposal is approved by our stockholders, it will become effective FIRST.

Information About Directors and Director Nominee. The following table sets forth certain information about our director standing for re-election and about our directors whose terms will continue after the Annual Meeting.

 

Name

   Age     

Position with Delcath

   Director
Since
 

Class II Director—Nominee to serve as director for the term expiring at the 2020 Annual Meeting

        

Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D.

     64      Director      2006  

Class I Directors— Term expiring at the 2019 Annual Meeting

        

William D. Rueckert

     64      Director      2014  

Marco Taglietti, M.D.

     57      Director      2014  

Class III Directors—Terms expiring at the 2018 Annual Meeting

        

Roger G. Stoll, Ph.D.

     74      Chairman      2008  

Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D.

     48      Director      2015  

Board Nominee—Class II Director

Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., was appointed a Director in September 2006 and served as Chairman of the Board from February 2007 to September 2013. He is one of the nation’s leading child and adolescent psychiatrists, honored by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. In November 2009, he founded and became the President of the Child Mind Institute, the nation’s only independent nonprofit dedicated to transforming mental

 

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health care for the world’s children. In May 2006, he was appointed by then-New York Governor George Pataki to the position of Director of the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, where he was the third person to hold this position since the institution’s founding in 1952. During his tenure, which ended January 2011, he doubled the amount of federal funding for NKI. In 2007, Dr. Koplewicz became the first Vice Dean of External Affairs at the NYU Langone Medical Center. Under his leadership, over $500 million in philanthropic support was raised for the Medical Center. Dr. Koplewicz founded the NYU Child Study Center in 1997 and served as its Director for twelve years. Under his leadership, the NYU Child Study Center made remarkable contributions to the field through expert clinical care, a robust research portfolio, and advocacy for child mental health. A graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Koplewicz completed his psychiatric residency at New York Hospital Westchester Division, a fellowship in Child Psychiatry at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, a NIHM Research Fellowship at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and the Executive Program in Health Policy and Management at Harvard University’s School of Public Health. He has served as a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners and as a Commissioner of the New York State Commission on Youth, Crime and Violence and Reform of the Juvenile Justice System. Since 1997, he has been Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Pyschopharmacology. He has also served as a member of the of the working group organized by the U.S. Assistant Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to address the effects of terrorism on children’s mental health. The Nominating Committee considered Dr. Koplewicz’s experience and qualifications, in addition to his leadership skills and valuable insights in the medical field, as well as the overall composition of the Board, in making the determination that Dr. Koplewicz should be a nominee for director of Delcath.

Continuing Directors

Class I Directors—Terms Expiring at the 2019 Annual Meeting.

William D. Rueckert was appointed as a Director in December 2014. Mr. Rueckert has served on many public and private corporate boards in both the life science and banking industries. He is currently President of Oyster Management Group, LLC, an investment partnership specializing in community banking. From 2007 until 2012 he served on the board of Novogen Ltd. (ASX, NASDAQ) a biotechnology company based in Sydney, Australia. He acted as Chairman from 2010 until 2012, and as acting CEO led the restructuring of the company, spinning off its major subsidiary, Marshall Edwards, Inc. (now MEI Pharma, Inc. NASDAQ.) He is currently a director of MEI Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ), a San Diego based company that is developing novel oncology therapies. Until its sale to H. Lundbeck A/S, he was a director of Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. (NASDAQ) whose drug candidate, Northera, was approved by the FDA in 2014. He has also served on the boards of several banks including Westport Bank and Trust, Lafayette American Bank and Hudson United Bank (all NASDAQ.) He currently serves on the board of Fairfield County Bank, a mutually owned, community bank based in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and Bleachers, Inc., a privately held company that streams live and archived sports and entertainment events from independent schools. Among his civic associations, Mr. Rueckert is a Director and President of the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Teachers College, Columbia University, a Director of the Y Retirement Fund, a Trustee of International House, an Emeritus Director of the YMCA of Greater New York, a Trustee of the American University of Beirut and a Director of Wave Hill, Inc. He earned a BA in Spanish in 1977 from the University of New Hampshire. The Nominating Committee considered Mr. Rueckert’s experience and qualifications, in addition to his relevant executive management and operational pharmaceutical experience, as well as the overall composition of the Board, in making the determination that Mr. Rueckert should serve as director of Delcath.

Dr. Marco Taglietti, M.D. was appointed as a Director in December 2014. Dr. Taglietti serves as CEO and on the Board of Directors of NASDAQ-listed SCYNEXIS, Inc., a pharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel anti-infectives; and NephroGenex, Inc., a pharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutics to treat kidney disease. Prior to its acquisition in February 2014, Dr. Taglietti served as Executive Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Medical Officer of Forest Laboratories. He also served as President of the Forest Research Institute. Prior

 

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to joining Forest Labs in 2007, Dr. Taglietti held the position of Senior Vice President, Head of Global Research and Development, at Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. for three years. He joined Stiefel after 12 years at Schering-Plough Corporation where he last held the position of Vice President, Worldwide Clinical Research for Anti-Infectives, Oncology, CNS, Endocrinology and Dermatology. Dr. Taglietti began his career at Marion Merrell Dow Research Institute. He received his medical degree and board certifications from the University of Pavia in Italy. The Nominating Committee considered Dr. Taglietti’s experience and qualifications, in addition to his relevant executive management and operational pharmaceutical experience, as well as the overall composition of the Board, in making the determination that Dr. Taglietti should serve as director of Delcath.

Class III Directors—Terms Expiring at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Roger G. Stoll, Ph.D. was appointed as a Director in December 2008, Executive Chairman in September 2014 and has served as our Chairman since October 1, 2015. From 2002 to 2008, he served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCBB: CORX). In August 2008, he was appointed Executive Chairman of its board. He retired from Cortex Pharmaceuticals in August, 2012. From 2001 to 2002, he was a consultant to several east coast venture capital firms and startup ventures. From 1998 to 2001, he was Executive Vice President of Fresenius Medical Care-North America, in charge of the dialysis products division and the diagnostic systems business units, which included hemodialysis machines and dialysis filters equipment. From 1991 to 1998, Dr. Stoll was Chief Executive of Ohmeda, a global leader in anesthetic agents, critical care drugs and related operating room equipment and devices. He also served on the boards of directors of St. Jude Medical and the BOC Group, plc. From 1986 to 1991, Dr. Stoll held several executive management positions at Bayer, AG, including Executive Vice-President and General Manager for its worldwide Diagnostic Business Group. Prior to that, Dr. Stoll worked for American Hospital Supply Corp., where he rose from Director of Clinical Pharmacology to President of its American Critical Care Division. He began his pharmaceutical career at the Upjohn Company in 1972. Dr. Stoll obtained his B.S. in Pharmacy from Ferris State University, obtained a Ph.D. in Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism at the University of Connecticut and was a post-doctoral fellow for two years at the University of Michigan. From 2008 and until its sale to H. Lundbeck A/S, Dr. Stoll served on the board of directors of Chelsea Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CHTP) and was a member of that board’s audit and compensation committees. Dr. Stoll in the past also served on the boards of Questcor and Agensys, HIMA and PMA (now PhRMA). Dr. Stoll also serves on the School of Pharmacy Advisory Board of the University of Connecticut. The Nominating Committee considered Dr. Stoll’s experience and qualifications, in addition to his relevant executive management and operational pharmaceutical and medical device experience, as well as the overall composition of the Board, in making the determination that Dr. Stoll should serve as director of Delcath.

In addition, information concerning Jennifer K. Simpson, one of our Directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer, is provided under “—Information About Executive Officers”

Director Compensation—2016. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors appropriate director compensation programs for service as directors, committee chairs, and committee members.

In lieu of per-meeting fees, non-employee directors of the Company are paid an annual retainer of $43,000 and certain additional annual retainers for chairing or serving as a member of the committees of the Board as follows:

 

Name

   Annual Retainer  

Board Service

   $ 43,000  

Chair of Audit Committee

   $ 20,000  

Member of Audit Committee

   $ 8,000  

Chair of Compensation and Stock Option Committee

   $ 12,000  

Member of Compensation and Stock Option Committee

   $ 5,000  

Chair of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

   $ 8,000  

Member of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

   $ 4,000  

 

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Dr. Stoll receives an annual retainer fee as Director and Chairman of the Board of $68,000. Additionally, we reimburse all non-employee directors for their reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board of Directors or any committees of the Board. Due to the low number of shares remaining available for issuance under the Company’s Delcath 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors did not grant any equity awards to non-employee directors during 2016 which in no way should create any negative inference concerning the Compensation and Stock Option Committee’s evaluation of their performance.

The following table sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each non-employee director who served on our Board of Directors in 2016.

 

Name

   Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
     Stock
Awards
     Option
Awards
     All Other
Compensation
     Total  

Harold S. Koplewicz. M.D.

   $ 60,750      $ —        $ —          —      $ 60,750  

Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D.

   $ 14,000      $ —        $ —          —      $ 14,000  

Laura A. Philips, Ph.D., M.B.A.

   $ 15,750      $ —        $ —          —      $ 15,750  

William D. Rueckert

   $ 70,750      $ —        $ —          —      $ 70,750  

Roger G. Stoll, Ph.D.

   $ 68,000      $ —        $ —          —        $ 68,000  

Marco Taglietti, M.D.

   $ 63,250      $ —        $ —          —      $ 63,250  

Information About Our Executive Officers. The following table provides information concerning the current executive officers of Delcath.

 

Name

  

Age

    

Office Currently Held

Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D.

     48     

President and Chief Executive Officer

Barbra C. Keck, M.B.A.

     39     

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

John Purpura

     55     

Executive Vice President, Global Head of Operations

The following is a brief description of the business experience of the following officers:

Jennifer K. Simpson was appointed as a Director in October 2015. Dr. Simpson joined Delcath as Executive Vice President, Global Marketing in March 2012 and was promoted to Executive Vice President, Global Head of Business Operations in April 2013 and Interim Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Business Operations in September 2013. In September 2014, Dr. Simpson was named Interim President and Chief Executive Officer and named President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2015. From May 2011 to March 2012, Dr. Simpson served as the Vice President, Global Marketing, Oncology Brand Lead at ImClone Systems, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company), where she was responsible for all product commercialization activities and launch preparation for one of the late-stage assets. From June 2009 to May 2011, Dr. Simpson served as the Vice President, Product Champion and from 2008 to 2009 as the Associate Vice President, Product Champion for ImClone’s product Ramucirumab. From 2006 to 2008, Dr. Simpson served as Product Director, Oncology Therapeutics Marketing at Ortho Biotech (now Janssen Biotech), a Pennsylvania-based biotech company that focuses on innovative solutions in immunology, oncology and nephrology. Earlier in her career, Dr. Simpson spent over a decade as a hematology/oncology nurse practitioner and educator. Dr. Simpson earned a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh, an M.S. in Nursing from the University of Rochester, and a B.S. in Nursing from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Barbra C. Keck joined Delcath as Controller in January 2009, was promoted to Vice President in October 2009, to Senior Vice President in March 2015 and to Chief Financial Officer in February 2017. Prior to joining Delcath, she was an audit assistant with Deloitte & Touche, LLP from August 2008 to December 2008. From June 2006 to August 2008, Ms. Keck was the Assistant to the Vice President and Dean of Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business, and from September 2005 to May 2006 she was the Donor Relations and Communications Manager for Young Audiences New York. From 2002 to 2005, Ms. Keck was the Manager, UD

 

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Arts Series at the University of Dayton, where she also served as the Manager, Arts and Cultural Events from 1999 to 2002. Between those positions, from 2002 to 2003, she was the Director of Teacher Programs at the Muse Machine. Ms. Keck served as the General Manager of Dayton Bach Society and the Manager of UD Arts Series from 1999 to 2002. She earned her M.B.A. in Accountancy from Baruch College and Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Dayton.

John Purpura joined Delcath as Executive Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance in November 2009 and was promoted to Executive Vice President, Global Head of Operations on July 19, 2016. Prior to joining Delcath, he was with Bracco Diagnostics (formerly E-Z-EM, Inc.) as Vice President and then Executive Director of International Regulatory Affairs from 2007 to 2008 and Head of Regulatory Affairs for North America and Latin America from 2008 to 2009. Prior to E-Z-EM, Inc., Mr. Purpura had an 11-year career with Sanofi-Aventis, ultimately serving as Associate Vice President for Regulatory CMC from 2005 to 2007. From 1985 to 1995, he had various quality and regulatory management roles with Bolar Pharmaceuticals, Luitpold Pharmaceuticals and Eon Labs Manufacturing. He earned his M.S. in Management  & Policy and B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Biology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Executive Compensation

Our Compensation and Stock Option Committee is responsible for formulating and establishing our overall compensation philosophy with respect to our executive officers. The Company believes that a strong executive management team comprised of talented individuals in key positions at the Company is critical to the development and growth of our business and to increasing stockholder value. Accordingly, a key objective of executive compensation is to attract and retain talented and experienced individuals, while motivating them to perform and make decisions consistent with the Company’s business objectives, goals and culture. We emphasize pay-for-performance by linking executive compensation to Company performance. For each executive, the amount of pay that is actually realized is primarily driven by the Company’s performance and each executive’s contribution to that performance.

Our Compensation Committee engaged an independent compensation consulting firm, Pearl Meyer, to assist with the formulation of our executive compensation programs for 2016.

Our Compensation Committee considers the input it receives from our stockholders when designing and evaluating our executive compensation practices. At our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the 2015 compensation of our executive officers described in our 2016 proxy statement. Approximately 74% of the votes present or represented and entitled to vote on the matter were voted “For” such advisory “say-on-pay” approval.

Compensation Components. The three primary components of executive compensation are base salary, annual incentive cash awards and long-term equity incentive awards:

 

   

Base Salary. We pay our executive officers a base salary, which our Compensation Committee reviews and determines annually. Base salaries are used to compensate our executive officers for performing the core responsibilities of their positions and to provide them with a level of security with respect to a portion of their total compensation. Base salaries are set in part based on the executive’s unique skills, experience and expected contribution to the Company, as well as individual performance, including the impact of such performance on our business results, and the period of the executive’s performance. Decisions regarding base salary increases take into account the executive’s current base salary, third-party benchmark and survey data, and the salary compensation paid to executive officers within and outside the Company, as well as the Company’s overall performance, its ability to afford such increases, its success in achieving its operational and strategic goals and objectives, and the executive officer’s contribution to Company performance.

 

   

Annual Incentive Cash Awards. Annual incentive compensation is intended to establish a direct correlation between annual cash awards and the performance of the Company. The Company’s Annual

 

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Incentive Plan (“AIP”) is an annual incentive cash bonus plan designed to align the interests of participants with the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The AIP is designed to strengthen the link between a participant’s pay and his or her overall performance and the Company’s performance, focus participants on critical individual and corporate objectives, offer a competitive cash incentive, and encourage and reward performance and competencies critical to the Company’s success.

 

   

Long-Term Incentive Compensation. In addition to using base salaries and annual incentive cash bonuses, which our Compensation and Stock Option Committee views as short-term compensation, a portion of our executive compensation is in the form of long-term equity compensation. Our Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) is an annual equity-based incentive plan designed to align participants’ interests with those of the Company and its stockholders by rewarding participants for their contributions to the long-term success of the Company. The LTIP is designed to incentivize Company leaders to focus on the long-term performance of the Company, offer participants competitive, market-based long-term incentive award opportunities, and strengthen the link between a participant’s compensation and his or her overall performance and the Company’s overall long-term performance. We believe the LTIP assists us in achieving an appropriate balance between our short- and long-term.

Base Salary. Effective February 21, 2017, Barbra Keck, previously the Senior Vice President of Finance, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Company, became the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In connection with her promotion to Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Keck’s annual base salary was increased from $247,200 in 2016 to $300,000 in 2017.

The following table summarizes the amount of base salary and year-over-year increase for each of our named executive officers for 2015 and 2016.

 

Executive

   Hire Date      2015 Base
Salary
     Percent
Increase
in 2016
    2016 Base
Salary
 

Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D.

     3/23/2012      $ 427,000        3.0 %   $ 439,810  

Barbra C. Keck, M.B.A.

     1/5/2009      $ 240,000        3.0 %   $ 247,200  

John Purpura, M.S.

     11/16/2009      $ 270,569        13.5 %   $ 307,000  

Annual Incentive Plan. Under the AIP, annual incentive target award opportunities are expressed as a percentage of a participant’s actual base salary for the performance year, beginning January 1. The following table sets forth, for each executive, the applicable target bonus percentage of base salary to which each executive could have been entitled, as well as the actual bonus earned based on company performance in 2016:

 

     Target Incentive
Bonus Opportunity
     2016 Incentive Award
Earned
 

Executive

   Target Bonus
Expressed as %
of Base Salary
    Dollars ($)      Actual Payout
as a % of
Target Bonus
    Dollars ($)  

Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D.

     50.0 %   $ 219,905        68.0 %   $ 149,535  

Barbra C. Keck, M.B.A.

     35.0 %   $ 86,520        68.0 %   $ 58,834  

John Purpura, M.S.

     45.0 %   $ 138,150        68.0 %   $ 93,942  

For 2016, AIP goals were based entirely on Company performance as noted in the table below to focus all the executives on the same critical challenges facing the Company.

 

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Company performance in 2016 was measured based upon achievement of objectives in the following areas: (1) Clinical Trials; (2) Capital; and (3) Sales. The table below summarizes the corporate performance in 2016, the assigned weighting and the actual achievement for each area:

 

Performance

Measure

  Weighting    

Summary of Target Goals

 

Actual Performance

  Percentage
Earned
(as% of
Target
Goals)
 

Clinical Trials

    45.0  

•    Treatment of patients and completion of preliminary activities to support a new regulatory path

 

•    FOCUS Trial initiated, accrual/treatment of patients ongoing; preliminary activities for ICC development completed

    19.50 %

Cash Management

    5.0  

•    Achieve average quarterly cash burn rate in accordance with approved budget.

 

•    Actual operating cash spend of $4.4 - $5.0 per quarter exceeded our target goal.

    5.00 %

Capital

    45.0  

•    Raise sufficient, unrestricted funds to meet the Company’s needs through 2Q 2017.

 

•    Actual cash balance was $4.4 million at December 31, 2016.

    38.50 %

Sales

    5.0  

•    Achieve sales for 2016 of at least $2.1 million.

 

•    Actual sales were $2.0 million for 2016.

    5.00 %

Total Percentage Earned (as a % of Target Goals)

    68.00 %

Long Term Incentive Plan. Grants under the LTIP are typically comprised of a mix of restricted stock and stock option awards granted in the first quarter of each year with the number of shares subject to the awards designed to deliver a competitive value targeted at the mid-market of the executive compensation comparison group. These guidelines are reviewed periodically based on prevailing compensation comparison group levels, however, and the Compensation and Stock Option Committee then uses these guidelines to determine long-term equity incentive awards for our named executive officers based upon a holistic assessment of Company and individual performance for the prior year and its view of the appropriate incentives to best help achieve the Company’s business objectives. Our ability to provide awards at the mid-market level has been difficult to do in the past few years due to share availability. Such awards in the past few years have typically been at or below the market 25th percentile.

There were no long-term equity awards to our named executive officers in 2016. Due to the lack of available shares for issuance under the Company’s Delcath 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors did not grant any long-term equity awards to our named executive officers in 2016 which in no way should create any negative inference concerning the Compensation and Stock Option Committee’s evaluation of their performance.

 

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Summary Compensation Table.

The following table sets forth the total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to: (i) each person who served as a principal executive officer during 2016, and (ii) our two other most highly-compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers on December 31, 2016, including our principal financial officer, during 2016. We refer to these individuals as our “named executive officers.”

 

Name & Position

  Year     Salary
($)
    Bonus
($)
    Stock
Awards
($)(2)
    Option
Awards
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
    All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 

Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D.

    2016       439,810       149,535                               589,345  

President and Chief

Executive Officer

    2015       427,000       108,885       239,636       60,729               836,251  

Barbra C. Keck, M.B.A.

    2016       247,200       58,834                               306,034  

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary(1)

    2015       240,000       42,840       87,019       22,105                   391,964  

John Purpura, M.S.

    2016       291,442       93,942                               385,384  

Executive Vice President Global Head of Operations

    2015       270,569       55,196       119,595       30,325               475,685  

 

(1) Effective February 21, 2017, Ms. Barbra C. Keck, previously the Senior Vice President of Finance, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Company, became the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
(2) Due to the lack of available shares for issuance under the Company’s Delcath 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors did not grant any long-term equity awards to our named executive officers in 2016 which in no way should create any negative inference concerning the Compensation and Stock Option Committee’s evaluation of their performance.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table—2016.

The following table sets forth information relating to unexercised options and unvested restricted shares held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2016.

 

Name

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
    Option
Exercise Price
($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
    Number of
Shares of Stock
That Have Not
Vested (#)
    Market Value
of Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($)
 

Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D.

    234       —         811.52       3/23/2022       —         —    
    156       —         545.28       3/11/2023       —         —    
    726       —         76.80       11/14/2023       —         —    
    1,982       3,963       19.04       6/10/2025       8,390       7,719  

Barbra C. Keck, M.B.A.

    292       —         1,397.76       10/12/2019       —         —    
    39       —         1,643.52       3/10/2021       —         —    
    54       —         1,177.60       2/28/2022       —         —    
    54       —         545.28       3/11/2023       —         —    
    388       —         76.80       11/14/2023       —         —    
    723       1,441       19.04       6/10/2025       3,047       2,803  

John Purpura, M.S.

    585     —         1,090.56       11/16/2019       —         —    
    109     —         1,643.52       3/10/2021       —         —    
    156     —         1,177.60       2/28/2022       —         —    
    156     —         545.28       3/11/2023       —         —    
    443     —         76.80       11/14/2023       —         —    
    989     1,979       19.04       6/10/2025       4,188       3,853  

 

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PROPOSAL 2: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (“SAY-ON-PAY”)

In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we are providing our stockholders with the opportunity to vote on a non-binding, advisory resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and our compensation philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, we ask our stockholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation of Delcath’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

The total compensation of our named executive officers consists primarily of base salary, annual incentive cash bonuses and long-term equity incentive awards in the form of stock options and restricted stock awards, as well as other benefits that are available to all Delcath employees. Base salary and annual incentive cash bonuses are viewed as short-term compensation to reward our named executive officers for meeting individual and company performance objectives, while stock options and restricted stock awards are viewed as rewards for improving corporate performance over the long term and increasing stockholder value.

The compensation philosophy and programs for our named executive officers are described in detail under the heading “Executive Compensation”

VOTE REQUIRED

Advisory approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted for the purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “against” the proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. A failure to vote by not returning a signed proxy will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THIS “SAY-ON-PAY” RESOLUTION.

The resolution that is the subject of this Proposal 2 is advisory in nature and, therefore, is not binding on Delcath, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee or our Board of Directors. However, the views expressed by our shareholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to us and our Board and the Compensation and Stock Option Committee intends to take the results of the vote on this Proposal 2 into account when considering future decisions regarding the compensation of our named executive officers.

This proposal will be effective upon its approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting and is not conditioned upon the approval by our stockholders of any other proposal. As each proposal will be presented to our stockholders at the Annual Meeting in the order presented herein, if this proposal is approved by our stockholders, it will become effective SECOND.

 

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PROPOSAL 3: FREQUENCY OF “SAY-ON-PAY”

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are providing our stockholders with the opportunity to vote to determine whether we should submit a non-binding, advisory vote resolution, similar to Proposal 2 of this Proxy Statement, to our stockholders to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, every year, every two years or every three years. We are required to include this non-binding, advisory resolution for consideration by our stockholders at least once every six years.

After careful consideration, our Board of Directors has determined that a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers every year is the most appropriate choice for Delcath and therefore, our Board recommends that you vote for the submission to our stockholders of the non-binding, advisory say-on-pay resolution every year.

Our Board believes an annual frequency will provide our stockholders with a meaningful amount of time to evaluate our executive compensation programs, and the appropriateness and effectiveness of those programs in achieving our goal of aligning executive compensation with Delcath’s overall performance. An annual frequency will provide our stockholders with a meaningful evaluation period, and provide us with the opportunity to make adjustments in our compensation components, including the appropriate mix of short- and long-term compensation, as appropriate and consistent with our compensation philosophies and objectives.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR A FREQUENCY OF EVERY YEAR FOR SAY-ON-PAY.

On this Proposal 3, stockholders may vote for one of the following choices: every year, every two years, every three years, or abstain. By selecting one of these alternatives, stockholders are voting to approve the choice voted for (or abstain from this vote), and are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation.

The vote on this Proposal 3 is advisory in nature and, therefore, is not binding on Delcath, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee or our Board of Directors. However, the Board of Directors and the Compensation and Stock Option Committee intend to take the results of the vote on this Proposal 3 into account when determining how frequently to submit advisory votes on executive compensation to our stockholders in the future.

This proposal will be effective upon its approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting and is not conditioned upon the approval by our stockholders of any other proposal. As each proposal will be presented to our stockholders at the Annual Meeting in the order presented herein, if this proposal is approved by our stockholders, it will become effective THIRD.

 

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PROPOSAL 4: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has appointed Grant Thornton, LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as Delcath’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. Grant Thornton also served as Delcath’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Although ratification by our stockholders is not required by law or by our by-laws, the Audit Committee believes that submission of its selection to stockholders is a matter of good corporate governance. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time if the Audit Committee believes that such a change would be in Delcath’s best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders. If our stockholders do not ratify the selection of Grant Thornton, the Audit Committee will take that fact into consideration, together with such other factors as it deems relevant, in determining its next selection of an independent registered public accounting firm.

Representatives of Grant Thornton are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, and will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she (or they) so desires and to respond to appropriate questions.

The aggregate fees billed by Grant Thornton for services rendered as our independent registered public accounting firm during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively:

 

     Fiscal Year  
     2016      2015  

Audit Fees

   $ 326,500      $ 305,835  

Audit-Related Fees

     —        —  

Tax Fees

     —        —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 326,500      $ 305,835  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Audit Fees. These are fees for services rendered in connection with the audit of the annual financial statements included in our annual reports on Forms 10-K; the review of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q; the audit of our internal control over financial reporting; and for services that are normally provided by an independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

Pre-approval Policies: Audit and Non-Audit Services. The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit services and the terms of such services and permissible non-audit services provided by Delcath’s independent registered public accounting firm, prior to its engagement for the provision of such services. The Chair of the Audit Committee has been delegated the authority by the committee to pre-approve interim services by Delcath’s independent registered public accounting firm; provided the Chair reports all such pre-approvals to the entire Audit Committee at the next Committee meeting. There were no non-audit services provided to Delcath by our independent registered public accounting firm for 2015 and 2016 that required review by the Audit Committee.

VOTE REQUIRED

The ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 will require approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of outstanding shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders may vote either for or against or abstain from voting on the proposal to ratify the selection of Grant Thornton as our independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted for the purposes of

 

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determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “against” the proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. A failure to vote by not returning a signed proxy will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. In the event that the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection of audit firms, but may decide not to change its selection. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time if it determines that such a change would be in our stockholders’ best interest.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON, LLP AS DELCATH’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017.

This proposal will be effective upon its approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting and is not conditioned upon the approval by our stockholders of any other proposal. As each proposal will be presented to our stockholders at the Annual Meeting in the order presented herein, if this proposal is approved by our stockholders, it will become effective FOURTH.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, with management and Grant Thornton, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. The Audit Committee also discussed with Grant Thornton the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 16, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T regarding “Communication with Audit Committees.” The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Grant Thornton’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Grant Thornton its independence from the Company.

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors,

William Rueckert (Chair)

April [●], 2017

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors and officers, and persons who are beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission reports of holdings and changes in beneficial ownership of Delcath’s equity securities. Based on a review of copies of reports furnished to Delcath or written representations that no reports were required, we believe that all reports were timely filed in 2016.

 

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PROPOSAL 5: REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

Overview

Our Board of Directors has determined that it is advisable and in our and our stockholder’s best interests that the Board of Directors be granted the authority to implement, in its sole discretion, a reverse stock split of the outstanding and treasury shares of our common stock at a specific exchange ratio set by the Board of Directors, such split to combine a whole number of outstanding shares of our common stock in a range of not less than fifty shares and not more than five hundred shares, into one share of common stock, at in the discretion of the Board of Directors. Accordingly, stockholders are asked to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split consistent with such terms and to grant authorization to the Board of Directors to determine, in its sole discretion, whether to implement the reverse stock split, as well as its specific timing and ratio (within the set of ratios listed above).

The Board of Directors strongly believes that the reverse stock split is necessary for the following reasons:

 

  1. To enable repayment of the Notes in shares of Common Stock

 

  2. To provide us with resources and flexibility with respect to our capital sufficient to execute our business plans and strategy.

 

  3. To maintain our listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors has unanimously approved a resolution proposing an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to allow for the reverse stock split and directed that it be submitted for approval at the Annual Meeting.

Should we receive the required stockholder approval for the Proposal, the Board of Directors will have the sole authority to elect, without the need for any further action on the part of our stockholders: (1) whether or not to effect a reverse stock split, and (2) if so, the number of whole shares, from 50 to 500, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, which will be combined into one share of our common stock. Notwithstanding approval of the reverse stock split by the stockholders, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, abandon the proposed amendment and determine prior to the effectiveness of any filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware not to effect the reverse stock split on or prior to [●], as permitted under Section 242(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law. If the Board of Directors does not implement a reverse stock split on or prior to [●] stockholder approval again would be required prior to implementing any reverse stock split.

In determining which reverse stock split ratio to implement, if any, following receipt of stockholder approval, the Board of Directors may consider, among other things, various factors, such as:

 

   

the historical trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock;

 

   

the then-prevailing trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock and the expected impact of the reverse stock split on the trading market for our Common Stock in the short- and long-term;

 

   

our ability to continue our listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market;

 

   

which reverse stock split ratio would result in the least administrative cost to us; and

 

   

prevailing general market and economic conditions.

Failure to approve the amendment could have serious, adverse effects on us and our stockholders. Without a sufficient number of authorized shares available for issuance, we may be unable to raise additional capital, establish strategic relationships with other companies or expand our business through acquisitions. As described in more detail under “Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split – To enable repayment of the Notes in shares of common stock,” the conversion price of the Notes (as defined below) is subject to a floor of $0.05 per share, which is not subject to adjustment as a result of a reverse stock split or other similar event. As a result of

 

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an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation approved by our stockholders on July 19, 2016, we have 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized under our Certificate of Incorporation. However, we have 161,083,213 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 21, 2017 and, as a result of requirements under the terms of the Notes that a number of shares determined by reference to the conversion price be reserved for issuance for conversion thereof, all of our remaining authorized shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon conversion thereof. Accordingly, we are unable to issue additional shares in capital raising transactions until we have amortized a greater portion of the principal due under the Notes. Following each issuance of shares of Common Stock in repayment of installments of principal under the Notes, the number of shares of Common Stock that we are required to reserve for issuance thereunder will decrease. Our ability to repay the Notes through issuances of shares of Common Stock is dependent upon the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, which we expect will only be satisfied or waived if the trading price of our shares of Common Stock is greater than the conversion price floor. The closing price of our Common Stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market has been below $0.20 per share since February 15, 2017 and was $0.06 per share on April 21, 2017. Repayment of principal amounts due under the Notes through the issuance of shares of Common Stock would ensure that we are not required to repay such amounts in cash and would reduce the number of shares that we are required to reserve for issuance thereunder. In addition, we could be delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market because shares of our Common Stock may continue to trade below the requisite $1.00 per share price needed to maintain our listing. If The NASDAQ Capital Market delists our Common Stock, our shares may then trade on the OTC Bulletin Board or other small trading markets, such as the pink sheets. In that event, our Common Stock could trade thinly as a microcap or penny stock, adversely decrease to nominal levels of trading and become avoided by retail and institutional investors, resulting in the impaired liquidity of our shares.

The text of the form of the proposed amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which assumes the approval of the Proposal and that the Board of Directors decides to implement the reverse stock split, is attached hereto as Annex A. By approving this Proposal, stockholders will approve a series of amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation pursuant to which any whole number of outstanding and treasury shares, from 50 to 500, could be combined into one share of Common Stock, and authorize the Board of Directors to file only one such amendment, as determined by the Board of Directors in the manner described herein, and to abandon each amendment not selected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also elect not to undertake any reverse stock split.

Certain of our officers and directors have an interest in the reverse stock split as a result of their ownership of Common Stock, as set forth in the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split

To enable repayment of the Notes in shares of common stock. The Notes issued in the Note Financing may be converted at the option of the holder thereof. In addition, we are required to make periodic repayments of the principal amount thereof in either shares of common stock or cash. Any repayment of the Notes in shares of common stock is at a discount to the then current trading price, subject to a minimum price floor of $0.05 per share. Our ability to make repayments in shares of common stock is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions in the terms of the Notes. Despite the 2016 Reverse Stock Split (as defined below), the Company’s ability to issue shares in payment of installments of principal has been dependent upon waivers of certain of such conditions. If the trading price of our common stock is near or below $0.05 per share, we may not satisfy such conditions, the holders of the Notes may have no economic incentive to waive such conditions and the holders of the Notes may require us to repay the Notes in cash. We may not have sufficient funds for such repayment in cash, which could result in the acceleration of the Notes and foreclosure and repossession of the cash proceeds from the original issuance of the Notes held in a restricted account. Any loss of such funds would materially adversely affect our ability to fund our operations.

To provide us with resources and flexibility with respect to our capital sufficient to execute our business plans and strategy. As of April 21, 2017, we had 161,083,213 shares of Common Stock outstanding, and, as a

 

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result of requirements under the terms of the Notes that a number of shares determined by reference to the conversion price be reserved for issuance for conversion thereof, all of our remaining authorized shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon conversion thereof. As described above, approval of the proposed reverse stock split is vital to our ability to repay the Notes through the issuance of shares of Common Stock. In turn, our ability to issue additional shares in capital raising transactions is dependent upon the repayment of the Notes in shares of Common Stock, resulting in a reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock required to be reserved for issuance upon future conversions thereof. Nevertheless, such issuances in repayment of the Notes will result in a greater number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and correspondingly fewer shares of Common Stock that are authorized and unissued. The Board of Directors wishes to increase the number of unused authorized common shares by decreasing the outstanding shares through the reverse stock split without a corresponding decrease in the number of authorized shares. This increase in unused authorized common shares will provide us greater flexibility with respect to our capital structure for various purposes as the need may arise from time to time. These purposes may include: raising capital, establishing strategic relationships with other companies, expanding our business through the acquisition of other businesses or products and providing equity incentives to employees, officers or directors. As we expect that we will seek to raise significant additional capital in future years to fund our clinical trials, we may need to issue a substantial number of shares in connection therewith.

The Board of Directors also believes that the increased market price of the Common Stock expected as a result of implementing a reverse stock split could improve the marketability and liquidity of the Common Stock and will encourage interest and trading in the Common Stock. A reverse stock split could allow a broader range of institutions to invest in our stock (namely, funds that are prohibited from buying stocks whose price is below a certain threshold), potentially increasing trading volume and liquidity of our Common Stock. A reverse stock split could help increase analyst and broker interest in our stock as their policies can discourage them from following or recommending companies with low stock prices. Because of the trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks, many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. Some of those policies and practices may make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Additionally, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, a low average price per share of Common Stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were higher.

The Board of Directors does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a series of plans or proposals of a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Securities Exchange Act.

To maintain our listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market. By potentially increasing our stock price, a reverse stock split would reduce the risk that our stock could be delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market. To continue our listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market, we must comply with NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, which requirements include a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share. On February 13, 2017, we were notified by the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Department that we do not comply with the $1.00 minimum bid threshold as our Common Stock has traded below the $1.00 minimum bid price for 30 consecutive business days. We were automatically provided with a 180-calendar day period within which to regain compliance, which ends on August 14, 2017. To regain compliance, our Common Stock must close at or above the $1.00 minimum bid price for at least 10 consecutive days or more at the discretion of NASDAQ. If we do not regain compliance by that date in accordance with terms of the notice, NASDAQ will provide written notice that our securities will be subject to delisting from The NASDAQ Capital Market or eligible for an additional 180-day grace period. Following the expiration of any such additional grace period and any such delisting determination, we may appeal the decision to a NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel. In the event of an appeal, our securities would remain listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market pending a written decision by the Panel following a hearing. In the event that the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel determines not to continue our listing and we are delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market, our Common Stock may be delisted and trade on the OTC Bulletin Board or other small trading markets, such as the pink sheets.

 

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The Board of Directors has considered the potential harm to us and our stockholders should NASDAQ delist our Common Stock from The NASDAQ Capital Market. Delisting could adversely affect the liquidity of our Common Stock since alternatives, such as the OTC Bulletin Board and the pink sheets, are generally considered to be less efficient markets. An investor likely would find it less convenient to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations in seeking to buy, our Common Stock on an over-the-counter market. Many investors likely would not buy or sell our Common Stock due to difficulty in accessing over-the-counter markets, policies preventing them from trading in securities not listed on a national exchange or other reasons.

The Board of Directors believes that a reverse stock split is a potentially effective means for us to maintain compliance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and to avoid, or at least mitigate, the likely adverse consequences of our Common Stock being delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market by producing the immediate effect of increasing the bid price of our Common Stock.

Risks of the Proposed Reverse Stock Split

We cannot assure you that the proposed reverse stock split will increase our stock price and have the desired effect of maintaining compliance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. The Board of Directors expects that a reverse stock split of our Common Stock will increase the market price of our Common Stock so that we are able to regain and maintain compliance with the NASDAQ minimum bid price listing standard. However, the effect of a reverse stock split upon the market price of our Common Stock cannot be predicted with any certainty, and the history of similar stock splits for companies in like circumstances is varied. Our own 2016 Reverse Stock Split enabled us to regain compliance with the NASDAQ $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for less than a year and to effectively raise additional capital for period of similarly short duration. It is possible that the per share price of our Common Stock after the reverse stock split will not rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding resulting from the reverse stock split, and the market price per post-reverse stock split share may not exceed or remain in excess of the $1.00 minimum bid price for a sustained period of time, and the reverse stock split may not result in a per share price that would attract brokers and investors who do not trade in lower priced stocks. Even if we effect a reverse stock split, the market price of our Common Stock may decrease due to factors unrelated to the stock split. In any case, the market price of our Common Stock may also be based on other factors which may be unrelated to the number of shares outstanding, including our future performance. If the reverse stock split is consummated and the trading price of the Common Stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of the reverse stock split. Even if the market price per post-reverse stock split share of our Common Stock remains in excess of $1.00 per share, we may be delisted due to a failure to meet other continued listing requirements, including NASDAQ requirements related to the minimum number of shares that must be in the public float, the minimum market value of the public float and the minimum number of round lot holders.

The proposed reverse stock split may decrease the liquidity of our stock. The liquidity of our capital stock may be harmed by the proposed reverse stock split given the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the reverse stock split, particularly if the stock price does not increase as a result of the reverse stock split.

In addition, investors might consider the increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares to have an anti-takeover effect under certain circumstances, since the proportion allows for dilutive issuances which could prevent certain stockholders from changing the composition of the Board of Directors or render tender offers for a combination with another entity more difficult to successfully complete. The Board of Directors does not intend for the reverse stock split to have any anti-takeover effects.

Recent Prior Reverse Stock Split and Other Transactions

On July 19, 2016, at our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders approved a reverse stock split at one of six ratios of 1-for-10, 1-for-12, 1-for-14, 1-for-16, 1-for-18 or 1-for-20, in the discretion of our board of directors. On the same date, the Board of Directors determined to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock at a 1-for-16 ratio (the “2016 Reverse Stock Split”). The 2016 Reverse Stock Split became effective

 

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as of 9:00 a.m. EDT on July 21, 2016. At the same meeting, our stockholders approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of our authorized shares of Common Stock to 500,000,000.

The Company effected the 2016 Reverse Stock Split for some of the same reasons for which the Board of Directors is recommending the proposed reverse stock split. The trading price of the Common Stock was below the $1.00 minimum bid price required under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules for 30 consecutive business days. On July 22, 2016, the first trading day after the effectiveness of the 2016 Reverse Stock Split, the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market was $3.60 per share.

On September 29, 2016, the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market was $3.45 per share. On September 30, 2016, the Company announced the pricing of a public offering of 425,000 shares of Common Stock and 148,750 warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share, with such shares of Common Stock and warrants sold at a combined price of $3.00 per share and accompanying warrant. The trading price of the Common Stock has remained below $3.00 per share thereafter. However, the warrants have certain anti-dilution provisions resulting in the reduction of the exercise price therof. As of December 31, 2016, the warrants had an exercise price of $1.61. During the year ended December 31, 2016, 70,000 of such warrants had been exercised.

Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, the Company is required to repay the principal amount thereunder in installments of cash or shares of Common Stock beginning on January 12, 2017 and on each 20th trading day thereafter until the maturity thereof on December 29, 2017. The terms of the Notes require that installment payments in shares of Common Stock be made at a discount to the volume-weighted average trading price during a 20 trading day period prior to such payment. The Company issued shares of Common Stock as installment payments of principal (including certain early repayments at the option of the holders) under the Notes as follows:

 

Date

   Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
     Applicable
Conversion
Price
     Reduction in
Principal
 

January 12, 2017

     4,113,520      $ 0.36      $ 1,478,318  

February 10, 2017

     15,358,864      $ 0.20      $ 3,045,817  

March 13, 2017

     41,054,082      $ 0.11      $ 4,417,830  

April 10, 2017

     59,171,335      $ 0.06      $ 3,621,286  

From January 26, 2017 until February 1, 2017, the Company and the holders of the Notes agreed to a temporary reduction in the conversion price thereof to $0.32 per share in order to encourage voluntary conversion of Notes by the holders thereof. The Company issued an aggregate of 1,700,000 shares of Common Stock as a result of such conversions.

From February 23, 2017 until March 2, 2017, the Company and the holders of the Notes agreed to a temporary reduction in the conversion price thereof to $0.14 per share in order to encourage voluntary conversion of Notes by the holders thereof. The Company issued an aggregate of 900,000 shares of Common Stock as a result of such conversions.

The Notes contain a conversion price floor of $0.05 per share, which was not subject to adjustment in connection with the 2016 Reverse Stock Split and will not be subject to adjustment in connection with the proposed reverse stock split. In the absence of the 2016 Reverse Stock Split, it is likely that the Common Stock would have been de-listed, resulting in the breach of various provisions of the Notes and prohibiting the Company from satisfying certain conditions of the Notes permitting the payment of installments of principal through share issuances. Despite the 2016 Reverse Stock Split, the Company’s ability to issue shares in payment of installments of principal has been dependent upon waivers of certain of such conditions. Accordingly, on any trading day during which the closing price of the Common Stock was at or below $0.80 per share, assuming the 2016 Reverse Stock Split did not occur, such closing price would have been below the $0.05 per share

 

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conversion price floor and the holders of the Notes would have had no economic incentive to waive such conditions to receive shares of Common Stock at a price greater than or equal to the price at which they could be resold in the public market. As of the date of this proxy statement, the closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ has been less than $0.80 per share on each trading day since January 6, 2017.

Accordingly, the 2016 Reverse Stock Split contributed significantly to the Company’s ability to consummate the dilutive issuances described above.

In addition, the 2016 Reverse Stock Split did not, and the proposed reverse stock split, if approved by our stockholders, will not, affect our total number of authorized shares of Common Stock. As of April 21, 2017, there were 161,083,213 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, including 122,792,801 shares of Common Stock issued in the dilutive transactions described above, and 338,916,787 shares required to be reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Notes. Accordingly, of the 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized under our Certificate of Incorporation, none are currently available for issuance.

Although we do not have any specific capital raising transaction planned, we expect to continue to explore opportunities to raise capital to fund our operations. The Board of Directors believes that the consummation of the proposed reverse stock split is essential to our ability to maintain the listing of the Common Stock and raise sufficient capital to satisfy our liquidity requirements. Nevertheless, such capital raising transactions are likely to include the issuance of shares of Common Stock and/or securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock at a discount to prevailing market prices. Such transactions are likely to result in substantial further dilution to current holders of shares of Common Stock.

Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

After the effective date of the proposed reverse stock split, each stockholder will own a reduced number of shares of Common Stock. Except to the extent that whole shares will be exchanged in lieu of fractional shares as described below, the proposed reverse stock split will affect all stockholders uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in us and proportionate voting rights and other rights and preferences of the holders of Common Stock will not be affected by the proposed reverse stock split. The number of stockholders of record also will not be affected by the proposed reverse stock split, except to the extent that whole shares will be exchanged in lieu of fractional shares as described below.

The following table contains approximate information relating to the Common Stock under the proposed reverse stock split ratios, without giving effect to any adjustments for fractional shares of Common Stock, as of April 17, 2017:

 

Status

   Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Authorized
     Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Issued and
Outstanding
     Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Authorized
but Unissued
 

Pre-Reverse Stock Split

     500,000,000        

Post-Reverse Stock Split 1:50

     500,000,000        

Post-Reverse Stock Split 1:250

     500,000,000        

Post-Reverse Stock Split 1:500

     500,000,000        

We maintain a 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which we have granted stock options and restricted shares that are presently outstanding, and additional equity incentive compensation awards may be granted in the future under the Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, as applicable, will adjust the number of shares available for future grant under the Plan, the number of

 

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shares underlying outstanding awards, the exercise price per share of outstanding stock options and other terms of outstanding awards issued pursuant to the Plan to equitably reflect the effects of the reverse stock split.

In addition, proportionate adjustments will be made to the per share exercise price of all outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock.

If the proposed reverse stock split is implemented, it will increase the number of our stockholders who own “odd lots” of fewer than 100 shares of Common Stock. Brokerage commission and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions of more than 100 shares of Common Stock.

After the effective date of the reverse stock split, our Common Stock would have a new committee on uniform securities identification procedures (“CUSIP”) number, a number used to identify our Common Stock.

The Common Stock is currently registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act, and we are subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act. The proposed reverse stock split will not affect the registration of the Common Stock under the Securities Exchange Act. Our Common Stock would continue to be reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “DCTH,” although it is likely that NASDAQ would add the letter “D” to the end of the trading symbol for a period of twenty trading days after the effective date of the reverse stock split to indicate that the reverse stock split had occurred.

Effective Date

The proposed reverse stock split would become effective on the date of filing of a certificate of amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. On the effective date, shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and the shares of Common Stock held in treasury, in each case, immediately prior thereto will be combined and converted, automatically and without any action on the part of the stockholders, into new shares of Common Stock in accordance with the reverse stock split ratio determined by the Board of Directors within the limits set forth in this proposal.

Treatment of Fractional Shares

No fractional shares would be issued if, as a result of the reverse stock split, a registered stockholder would otherwise become entitled to a fractional share. Instead, stockholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of shares not evenly divisible by the ratio of the reverse stock split will automatically be entitled to receive an additional share of Common Stock. In other words, any fractional share will be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Record and Beneficial Stockholders

If the reverse stock split is authorized by the stockholders and the Board of Directors elects to implement the reverse stock split, stockholders of record holding some or all of their shares of our Common Stock electronically in book-entry form under the direct registration system for securities will receive a transaction statement at their address of record indicating the number of shares of our Common Stock they hold after the reverse stock split. Non-registered stockholders holding Common Stock through a bank, broker or other nominee should note that such banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures for processing the consolidation than those that would be put in place by us for registered stockholders. If you hold your shares with such a bank, broker or other nominee and if you have questions in this regard, you are encouraged to contact your nominee.

If the reverse stock split is authorized by the stockholders and the Board of Directors elects to implement the reverse stock split, stockholders of record holding some or all of their shares in certificate form will receive a letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable after the effective date of the reverse stock split. Our transfer agent will act as “exchange agent” for the purpose of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of pre-reverse stock split shares will be asked to surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing pre-reverse

 

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stock split shares in exchange for post-reverse stock split shares, including whole shares to be issued in lieu of fractional shares (if any) in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in the letter of transmittal. Until surrender, each certificate representing shares before the reverse stock split would continue to be valid and would represent the adjusted number of shares based on the exchange ratio of the reverse stock split rounded up to the nearest whole share. No new post-reverse stock split share certificates, including those representing whole shares to be issued in lieu of fractional shares, will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered such stockholder’s outstanding certificate(s) together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal to the exchange agent.

STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY PRE-SPLIT STOCK CERTIFICATE AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY ARE REQUESTED TO DO SO.

Accounting Consequences

The par value per share of Common Stock would remain unchanged at $0.01 per share after the reverse stock split. As a result, on the effective date of the reverse stock split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to the Common Stock will be reduced proportionally, based on the exchange ratio of the reverse stock split, from its present amount, and the additional paid-in capital account shall be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share Common Stock net income or loss and net book value will be increased because there will be fewer shares of Common Stock outstanding. The shares of Common Stock held in treasury will also be reduced proportionately based on the exchange ratio of the reverse stock split. We will reclassify prior period per share amounts and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the effect of the reverse stock split for any prior periods in our financial statements and reports such that prior periods are comparable to current period presentation. We do not anticipate that any other accounting consequences would arise as a result of the reverse stock split.

No Appraisal Rights

Our stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ or appraisal rights under the Delaware General Corporation Law with respect to the proposed amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to allow for the reverse stock split and we will not independently provide the stockholders with any such right if the reverse stock split is implemented.

Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequence of the Reverse Stock Split

The following is a summary of certain material United States federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split to our stockholders who are United States holders, as defined below. This summary is general in nature and does not purport to be a complete discussion of all of the possible federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split and is included for general information only. Further, it does not address any U.S. federal non-income, state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences. Also, it does not address the tax consequences to stockholders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding companies, real estate investment trusts, real estate mortgage investment conduits, foreign entities, nonresident alien individuals, broker-dealers, stockholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, partnerships (or other entities classified as partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, S corporations or other flow-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and tax-exempt entities. Other stockholders may also be subject to special tax rules, including but not limited to: stockholders that received Common Stock as compensation for services or pursuant to the exercise of an employee stock option, or stockholders who have held, or will hold, stock as part of a straddle, hedging constructive sale or conversion transaction for federal income tax purposes. This summary also assumes that you are a United States holder (defined below) who has held, and will hold, shares of Common Stock as a “capital asset,” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), i.e., generally, property held for investment. Finally, the following discussion does not address the tax consequences of transactions occurring prior to or after

 

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the reverse stock split (whether or not such transactions are in connection with the reverse stock split), including, without limitation, the exercise of options or rights to purchase Common Stock in anticipation of the reverse stock split.

The tax treatment of a stockholder may vary depending upon the particular facts and circumstances of such stockholder. You should consult with your own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of the reverse stock split. As used herein, the term United States holder means a stockholder that is, for federal income tax purposes: a citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation or other entity taxed as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state, including the District of Columbia; an estate the income of which is subject to federal income tax regardless of its source; or a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and of which one or more “U.S. persons” (as defined in the Code) has the authority to control all substantial decisions, or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

The following discussion is based on the Code, applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, potentially with retroactive effect which could adversely affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth herein. No ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or opinion of counsel has been obtained in connection with the reverse stock split, and there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service would not take a position contrary to that discussed herein, nor that such contrary position would not be sustained.

Other than in respect of a fractional share that is rounded up to a full share, no gain or loss should be recognized by a United States holder upon such stockholder’s exchange of pre-reverse stock split shares of Common Stock for post-reverse stock split shares of Common Stock pursuant to the reverse stock split. The aggregate tax basis of the post-reverse stock split shares received in the reverse stock split (including any whole share received in exchange for a fractional share) will be the same as the stockholder’s aggregate tax basis in the pre-reverse stock split shares exchanged therefore. The United States holder’s holding period for the post-reverse stock split shares will include the period during which the stockholder held the pre-reverse stock split shares surrendered in the reverse stock split. Although the matter is not clear, it us possible that United States holders whose fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split are rounded up to the nearest whole share will recognize gain, which may be characterized as either a capital gain or as a dividend, to the extent of the value of such rounded-up amount (i.e., less than one share).

No gain or loss will be recognized by us as a result of the reverse stock split.

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION IS INTENDED ONLY AS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DISCUSSION OF ALL POTENTIAL TAX EFFECTS RELEVANT THERETO. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT IN LIGHT OF YOUR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

Required Vote and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock.

Abstentions will be counted for the purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote AGAINST the proposal. A failure to vote by not returning a signed proxy will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

 

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL.

IF OUR STOCKHOLDERS DO NOT APPROVE THE PROPOSAL, WE WOULD LIKELY BE DELISTED FROM THE NASDAQ CAPITAL MARKET DUE TO OUR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM BID PRICE FOR OUR COMMON STOCK OF $1.00 PER SHARE AS REQUIRED BY NASDAQ’s LISTING RULES.

This proposal will be effective upon its approval by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting and is not conditioned upon the approval by our stockholders of any other proposal. As each proposal will be presented to our stockholders at the Annual Meeting in the order presented herein, if this proposal is approved by our stockholders, it will become effective FIFTH.

 

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

In order for a stockholder proposal to be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, the proposal must be received by the Corporate Secretary not later than 120 days before the anniversary of the date this Proxy Statement was first released to our stockholders, and must otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, in order for a stockholder to present a proposal or other matter or to nominate a person for election as a director at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholder must give Delcath written notice of the proposal or other matter to be presented at the meeting no later than 120 days before the anniversary of the date this Proxy Statement was first released to our stockholders, and must otherwise comply with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. If the date set for the 2018 annual meeting is more than 30 calendar days before or after [●], 2018, such notice must instead be received no later than 60 calendar days before the date set for such meeting. Proposals or notices of intent to present a proposal should be addressed to the Corporate Secretary, Delcath Systems, Inc., 1633 Broadway, Suite 22C, New York, New York 10019, and should be sent by overnight delivery or certified mail, return receipt requested. If a stockholder fails to provide timely notice of a proposal to be presented at the 2018 annual meeting, the proxies designated by the Board will have discretionary authority to vote on the proposals.

ANNUAL REPORT

A copy of Delcath’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (without exhibits) is being distributed with this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report on Form 10-K is available to the public at www.delcath.com and also available, without charge, by writing or telephoning President and Chief Executive Officer, Delcath Systems, Inc., 1633 Broadway, Suite 22C, New York, New York 10019, (212) 489-2100.

 

   

/s/ Jennifer K. Simpson

New York, New York     Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D.
[●], 2017     President, Director and Executive Officer

 

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ANNEX A

Amendments to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Effectuate Reverse Stock Split

Pursuant to Section 242 of the General

Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

DELCATH SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “Corporation”), does hereby certify as follows:

FIRST: Upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”) pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) of this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, each [●] shares of the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation in treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be combined into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock without any further action by the Corporation or the holder thereof, subject to the treatment of fractional interests as described below. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, no fractional shares will be issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Stockholders of record who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares, will be entitled to rounding up of their fractional share to the nearest whole share. No stockholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares. Each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Common Stock (“Old Certificates”) shall thereafter represent that number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Common Stock represented by the Old Certificate shall have been combined, subject to the adjustment for fractional shares as described above.

SECOND: The foregoing amendment was duly adopted in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

THIRD: This Certificate of Amendment shall become effective as of [●], 2017 at [●], New York City time.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, DELCATH SYSTEMS, INC., has caused this certificate to be duly executed in its corporate name this [●] Day of [●], 2017.

 

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Table of Contents

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

DELCATH SYSTEMS, INC.

[], 2017

Please mark, sign, date and

mail your proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

i Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. i

 

      20233000000000000000    7    061014   

 

PROPOSALS-The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” all the nominees listed in Proposal 1,
“FOR” Proposal 2, “ONE YEAR” for Proposal 3, “FOR” Proposal 4 and “FOR” Proposal 5.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE

 

Proposal 1.   Election of Class II director to hold office until the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.

     

 

 

Proposal 2.

 

 

 

Non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

 

 

FOR

 

 

AGAINST

 

 

ABSTAIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR THE NOMINEE

 

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

FOR THE NOMINEE

 

FOR ALL EXCEPT

(See instruction below)

 

            NOMINEE:

             ¡ Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D

     

 

Proposal 3.

 

 

Non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of future non-binding, advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

 

 

1 year

 

 

2 years

 

 

3 years

 

 

ABSTAIN

         

 

Proposal 4.

 

 

The ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2017.

 

 

FOR

 

 

AGAINST

 

 

ABSTAIN

         

 

Proposal 5.

 

 

The amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split.

 

 

FOR

 

 

AGAINST

 

 

ABSTAIN

 

INSTRUCTIONS:  To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: 🌑

 

       

 

The proxies are authorized to vote in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting, the Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting and a copy of Delcath’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given with respect to the Annual Meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

    

       

The shares represented by this proxy will be voted in the manner directed. In the absence of any direction, the shares will be voted FOR each nominee named in Proposal 1, FOR Proposal 2, ONE YEAR for Proposal 3, FOR Proposal 4 and FOR Proposal 5 and in accordance with the proxies’ discretion on such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

 

 

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may be submitted via this method.

 

       

 

       

Signature of Stockholder  

          Date:             Signature of Stockholder             Date:         
   

Note:   Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by a duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an authorized person.

 


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DELCATH SYSTEMS, INC.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

DELCATH SYSTEMS, INC.

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON [], 2017

The undersigned holder of common stock of DELCATH SYSTEMS, INC. (the “Company”), hereby constitutes and appoints Jennifer K. Simpson, Ph.D. and Barbra C. Keck, M.B.A., as proxies (the “proxies”) of the undersigned, with full power of substitution in each, and authorizes each of them to represent and to vote all of the undersigned’s shares of common stock of the Company, according to the number of votes and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of the Company, to be held at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178 on [●], 2017 at 9:30 A.M., local time, and at any adjournments and postponements thereof.

IMPORTANT: SIGNATURE REQUIRED ON THE REVERSE SIDE

 

     14475