|
Filed
by the Registrant x Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
|
|
Check
the appropriate box:
|
¨
|
Preliminary
Proxy Statement
|
¨
|
Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
|
x
|
Definitive
Proxy Statement
|
¨
|
Definitive
Additional Materials
|
¨
|
Soliciting
Material under Rule 14a-12
|
|
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate
box):
|
x
|
No
fee required.
|
¨
|
Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
|
|
(1)
|
Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
|
(2)
|
Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
|
(3)
|
Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was
determined):
|
|
(4)
|
Proposed
maximum aggregate value of
transaction:
|
|
(5)
|
Total
fee paid:
|
¨
|
Fee
paid previously with preliminary
materials.
|
¨
|
Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registrant statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
|
|
(1)
|
Amount
Previously Paid:
|
|
(2)
|
Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement
No.:
|
|
(3)
|
Filing
Party:
|
|
(4)
|
Date
Filed:
|
Sincerely
yours,
|
||
Bruce
S. Morra
|
||
President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
1.
|
To
elect six directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of
stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and
qualified.
|
|
2.
|
To
approve an increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be
issued under our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan by 3,000,000
shares.
|
|
3.
|
To
ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent audit firm
for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2009.
|
|
4.
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
|
By
order of the Board of Directors,
|
|||
Bruce
S. Morra
|
|||
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|||
Bothell,
Washington
|
|||
April
29, 2009
|
2
|
|
3
|
|
5
|
|
11
|
|
12
|
|
13
|
|
13
|
|
18
|
|
20
|
|
20
|
|
20
|
|
22
|
|
22
|
|
22
|
|
22
|
Name
|
Principal
Occupation
|
Age
|
Director Since
|
Randall
L-W. Caudill
|
Financial
Consultant
|
62
|
2002
|
Herbert
L. Lucas, Jr.
|
Private
Investor
|
82
|
1991
|
Wayne
L. Pines
|
FDA-related
Regulatory and Media Consultant
|
65
|
2004
|
Jeffrey
B. Reich
|
Vice
President of Cramer, Rosenthal & McGlynn
|
47
|
2007
|
Michael
N. Taglich
|
President
of Taglich Brothers, Inc.
|
43
|
2003
|
Bruce
S. Morra
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer of SCOLR Pharma, Inc.
|
55
|
2007
|
|
•
|
the
stockholder’s name and address;
|
|
•
|
a
representation that the stockholder is entitled to vote at the annual
meeting and a statement of the number of shares beneficially owned by the
stockholder;
|
|
•
|
a
description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder
and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or
persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the
stockholder;
|
|
•
|
any
other information relating to each nominee that would be required to be
disclosed in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the SEC’s proxy rules;
and,
|
|
•
|
the
consent of each nominee to serve as a director if so
elected.
|
|
•
|
options
to purchase more than 500,000 shares of common
stock;
|
|
•
|
more
than 300,000 shares of restricted stock on which the restrictions are
based on performance goals;
|
|
•
|
performance
shares that could result in the employee receiving more than
300,000 shares of common stock;
or
|
|
•
|
performance
units that could result in the employee receiving more than
$2,500,000.
|
|
•
|
a
sale or exchange by the stockholders in a single or series of related
transactions of more than 50% of our voting
stock;
|
|
•
|
a
merger or consolidation in which we are a
party;
|
|
•
|
the
sale, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets;
or
|
|
•
|
our
liquidation or dissolution.
|
|
•
|
increase
the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued
under the Plan (except in the case of stock splits,
etc.);
|
|
•
|
change
the class of persons eligible to receive incentive stock options;
or
|
|
•
|
make
any other amendment that would require the approval of our stockholders
under applicable law, regulation or
rule.
|
Fiscal 2008
|
Fiscal 2007
|
|||||||
(In
thousands of
U.S.
dollars)
|
||||||||
Audit
Fees(1)
|
$
|
158,260
|
$
|
294,105
|
||||
Audit-Related
Fees(2)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
Tax
Fees(3)
|
17,086
|
10,960
|
||||||
All
Other Fees(4)
|
—
|
—
|
(1)
|
Audit
fees represent amounts billed for each of the years presented for
professional services rendered in connection with (i) the audit of
our annual financial statements, (ii) the review of our quarterly
financial statements, or (iii) those services normally provided in
connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements including
comfort letters, consents and other services related to SEC matters. This
information is presented as of the latest practicable date for this proxy
statement.
|
(2)
|
Audit-related
fees represent amounts we were billed in each of the years presented for
assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the
performance of the annual audit or quarterly reviews. This category
primarily includes services relating to internal control assessments and
accounting-related consulting. Grant Thornton LLP rendered no such
services during the last two years.
|
(3)
|
Tax
fees represent amounts we were billed in each of the years presented for
professional services rendered in connection with tax compliance, tax
advice, and tax planning.
|
(4)
|
All
other fees represent amounts we were billed in each of the years presented
for services not classifiable under the other categories listed in the
table above.
|
AUDIT
COMMITTEE
|
||
Herbert
L. Lucas (Chairman)
|
||
Randall
L-W. Caudill
|
||
Jeffrey
B. Reich
|
Name
|
Position
|
Age
|
Position Since
|
Bruce
S. Morra
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
55
|
2009
|
Richard M. Levy
|
Vice
President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
|
50
|
2005
|
Alan M. Mitchel
|
Senior
Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs and Chief Legal
Officer
|
52
|
2005
|
Stephen J. Turner
|
Vice
President and Chief Technical Officer
|
38
|
2003
|
Name
and Principle Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Stock
Awards ($) (1)
|
Option
Awards
($)
(1)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (2)
|
All
Other Compensation ($) (3)
|
Total
($)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Daniel
O. Wilds (6)
|
2008
|
$
|
350,821
|
$
|
41,280
|
$
|
66,348
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
53,702
|
(4)
|
$
|
512,151
|
|||||||||||
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
2007
|
|
350,023
|
248,289
|
34,125
|
6,000
|
(5)
|
638,437
|
|||||||||||||||||
2006
|
335,000
|
260,336
|
163,313
|
6,000
|
(5)
|
764,649
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Richard
M. Levy
|
2008
|
226,800
|
21,930
|
102,652
|
—
|
4,537
|
355,919
|
||||||||||||||||||
Vice
President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
|
2007
|
216,023
|
127,418
|
37,800
|
3,344
|
384,585
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2006
|
185,000
|
124,028
|
66,500
|
2,000
|
377,528
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Alan
M. Mitchel
|
2008
|
295,936
|
25,800
|
141,688
|
—
|
4,600
|
468,024
|
||||||||||||||||||
Senior
Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs and Chief Legal
Officer
|
2007
|
281,822
|
300,062
|
35,225
|
4,260
|
621,369
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2006
|
260,925
|
269,307
|
123,937
|
4,185
|
658,354
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen
J. Turner
|
2008
|
252,788
|
12,225
|
114,643
|
—
|
3,875
|
383,561
|
||||||||||||||||||
Vice
President and Chief Technical Officer
|
2007
|
240,773
|
160,603
|
30,094
|
3,511
|
434,981
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2006
|
25,000
|
174,091
|
90,000
|
3,000
|
492,091
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
|
Valuation
based on the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes pursuant to FAS 123(R). The assumptions used with respect to the
valuation of option grants are set forth in Note 14 to our consolidated
financial statements.
|
(2)
|
Consists
of a bonus based on the achievement of specified targets determined by our
board of directors prior to the beginning of the fiscal
year.
|
(3)
|
Except
as otherwise indicated, consists of matching contributions to the SCOLR
Pharma 401(k) Plan.
|
(4)
|
Consists
of $5,750 car allowance and $47,952 earned personal time paid out upon
termination.
|
(5)
|
Consists
of car allowance.
|
(6)
|
Mr.
Wilds resigned from his position on December 12,
2008.
|
Estimated
Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Name
|
Grant
Date
|
Threshold
($)
|
Target
($)
|
Maximum
($)
|
All
Other Stock Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Shares of Stock
(#)
|
All
Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
|
Exercise
or Base Price of Option Awards ($)
|
Grant
Date Fair Value of Stock and Option
Awards
($)
|
|||||||||||
Daniel
O. Wilds
|
11/12/2004
|
(3)
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
227,500
|
$
|
—
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||||
12/10/2007
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
100,000
|
1.25
|
70,845
|
||||||||||||
2/11/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
32,000
|
—
|
1.29
|
41,280
|
||||||||||||
6/4/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
100,000
|
1.17
|
66,348
|
||||||||||||
Richard
M. Levy
|
12/15/2005
|
(3)
|
—
|
75,600
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||
12/10/2007
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
55,000
|
1.25
|
38,965
|
||||||||||||
2/11/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
17,000
|
—
|
1.29
|
21,930
|
||||||||||||
6/4/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
93,000
|
1.17
|
61,073
|
||||||||||||
12/5/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
77,792
|
0.81
|
40,949
|
||||||||||||
Alan
M. Mitchel
|
1/10/2005
|
(3)
|
—
|
140,900
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||
12/10/2007
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
65,000
|
1.25
|
46,049
|
||||||||||||
2/11/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
20,000
|
—
|
1.29
|
25,800
|
||||||||||||
6/4/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
122,000
|
1.17
|
80,944
|
||||||||||||
12/5/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
115,397
|
0.81
|
60,744
|
||||||||||||
Stephen
J. Turner
|
12/13/2005
|
(3)
|
—
|
120,375
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||
12/10/2007
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
30,000
|
1.25
|
21,253
|
||||||||||||
2/11/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
9,500
|
—
|
1.29
|
12,255
|
||||||||||||
6/4/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
104,000
|
1.17
|
69,002
|
||||||||||||
12/5/2008
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
86,706
|
0.81
|
45,641
|
Option
|
Stock
Awards
|
|||||||||
Name
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) (1)
Unexercisable
|
Exercise
Price
($)
|
Expiration
Date
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights
That Have Not Vested
|
Awards:
Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have
Not Vested
|
||||
Daniel
O. Wilds (5)
|
250,000
|
—
|
$
|
2.10
|
8/6/2013
|
32,000
|
$20,800
|
(6)
|
||
300,000
|
—
|
(2)
|
3.21
|
11/10/2014
|
||||||
33,333
|
—
|
(1)
|
1.25
|
12/9/2017
|
||||||
Richard
M. Levy
|
150,000
|
—
|
(3)
|
4.49
|
12/14/2015
|
17,000
|
$11,050
|
|||
18,333
|
36,667
|
(1)
|
1.25
|
12/9/2017
|
||||||
—
|
93,000
|
(2)
|
1.17
|
6/3/2018
|
||||||
77,792
|
—
|
(4)
|
0.81
|
12/4/2018
|
||||||
Alan
M. Mitchel
|
200,000
|
—
|
(2)
|
4.50
|
1/9/2015
|
20,000
|
$13,000
|
|||
53,333
|
6,667
|
(1)
|
5.70
|
4/27/2016
|
||||||
21,666
|
43,334
|
(1)
|
1.25
|
12/9/2017
|
||||||
122,000
|
(2)
|
1.17
|
6/3/2018
|
|||||||
115,397
|
—
|
(4)
|
0.81
|
12/4/2018
|
||||||
Stephen
J. Turner
|
23,000
|
—
|
0.66
|
2/8/2011
|
9,500
|
$6,175
|
||||
15,000
|
—
|
0.56
|
5/23/2011
|
|||||||
50,000
|
—
|
1.05
|
5/14/2013
|
|||||||
55,000
|
—
|
3.15
|
4/14/2014
|
|||||||
60,000
|
—
|
4.80
|
12/5/2014
|
|||||||
53,332
|
6,668
|
(1)
|
5.70
|
4/27/2016
|
||||||
9,999
|
20,001
|
(1)
|
1.25
|
12/9/2017
|
||||||
104,000
|
(2)
|
1.17
|
6/3/2018
|
|||||||
86,706
|
—
|
(4)
|
0.81
|
12/4/2018
|
(1)
|
The
option vests at the rate of 1/3 of the underlying shares on the first
anniversary of the date of grant and 1/36 of the shares each month
thereafter.
|
(2)
|
The
option vests at the rate of 1/36 of the underlying shares on the initial
vesting date of grant and 1/36 of the shares each month
thereafter.
|
(3)
|
The
option vested with respect to 25,000 of the underlying shares on the date
of grant, with the remaining option vesting at the rate of 1/3 of the
underlying shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 1/36
of the shares each month thereafter.
|
(4)
|
The
options were fully vested at the time of the grant.
|
(5)
|
Mr.
Wilds resigned on December 12, 2008 and under his Employment Agreement has
one year to exercise any vested stock options at that
date.
|
(6)
|
In
February 2009, under the terms of the agreement, the restricted stock
units issued to Mr. Wilds were
repurchased.
|
Name
|
Number of Shares
Acquired
on
Exercise
($)
|
Value
Realized
on
Exercise
($)
|
||||||
None
|
Executive
Officer
|
Salary Lump
Sum Payment ($)
|
Health
Benefits ($)
|
Acceleration
of
Stock
Options
Vesting ($)
|
|||||||||
Daniel
O. Wilds (1)
|
$560,438
|
$14,000
|
$0
|
|||||||||
Richard
M. Levy
|
277,830
|
16,000
|
0
|
|||||||||
Alan
M. Mitchel
|
258,903
|
16,000
|
0
|
|||||||||
Stephen
J. Turner
|
324,751
|
16,000
|
0
|
|
•
|
each
non-employee director (who does not serve as chairman of the board)
receives an annual retainer of $25,000 and an annual stock option grant
for 17,500 shares of our common
stock;
|
|
•
|
the
chairman of the board receives an annual retainer of $35,000 and an annual
stock option grant for 22,500 shares of our common
stock;
|
|
•
|
the
chairman of the audit committee receives an additional annual retainer of
$5,000; and,
|
|
•
|
each
non-employee director is reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with attendance at board and committee
meetings.
|
Director
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
|
|||
Non-employee director
|
$
|
20,000
|
||
Chairman of the Board
|
30,000
|
|||
Audit Committee Chairman
|
20,000
|
|||
Director who is also an employee
|
—
|
Director
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
|
Stock
Option Awards (#)
|
Value
of Option Awards ($) (1)
|
Total
Compensation for Board Service ($)
|
||||||||||||
Non-employee director
|
$
|
25,000
|
17,500
|
$
|
14,746
|
$
|
39,746
|
|||||||||
Chairman of the Board
|
35,000
|
22,500
|
18,959
|
53,959
|
||||||||||||
Audit Committee Chairman
|
30,000
|
17,500
|
14,746
|
44,746
|
||||||||||||
Director who is also an employee
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
1
|
Based
on FAS 123R fair value as of June 5,
2008.
|
Name
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in
Cash (1)
($)
|
Option
Awards
(2) ($)
|
Option
Awards (#)
|
All
Other Compensation ($)
|
Total ($)
|
|||||||||||||||
Randall
L-W. Caudill
|
$
|
25,000
|
$
|
14,746
|
17,500
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
57,246
|
|||||||||||
Dr.
Reza Fassihi (4)
|
25,000
|
14,746
|
17,500
|
48,000
|
(3)
|
105,246
|
||||||||||||||
Herbert
L. Lucas, Jr.
|
26,667
|
14,746
|
17,500
|
—
|
58,913
|
|||||||||||||||
Dr.
Bruce S. Morra
|
25,000
|
14,746
|
17,500
|
—
|
57,246
|
|||||||||||||||
Wayne
L. Pines
|
25,000
|
14,746
|
17,500
|
—
|
57,246
|
|||||||||||||||
Dr.
Jeffrey B. Reich
|
25,000
|
14,746
|
17,500
|
—
|
57,246
|
|||||||||||||||
Michael
N. Taglich
|
35,000
|
18,959
|
22,500
|
76,459
|
||||||||||||||||
Gregory
L. Weaver (4)
|
28,333
|
14,746
|
17,500
|
—
|
60,579
|
(1)
|
Reflects
fees earned and paid in 2008.
|
(2)
|
The
grant date fair value for stock options was developed using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model in accordance with SFAS No. 123R.
The grant date fair values were developed solely for the purpose of
comparative disclosure in accordance with Securities and Exchange rules
using the same valuation model and assumptions as applied for purposes of
our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and are
not intended to predict future performance or future prices of our stock.
The ultimate values of these stock options will depend on our future
performance and the future market price of our common stock and cannot be
forecast with reasonable accuracy.
|
(3)
|
Reflects
payments of consulting fees of $4,000 per month. Effective April 1, 2009
the consulting agreement with Dr. Fassihi was amended to reduce his
consulting fee to $2,250 per month.
|
(4)
|
Effective
March 31, 2009 Dr. Fassihi and Mr. Weaver resigned from the
Board.
|
Plan
Category
|
Number
of Shares to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and Rights
(a)
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
(b)
|
Number
of Shares Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans (Excluding Shares Reflected in Column
(a))
(c)
|
|||||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by stockholders
|
7,615,481
|
$
|
2.73
|
630,156
|
||||||||
Equity
compensation plans not approved by stockholders
|
None
|
None
|
||||||||||
Total
|
7,615,481
|
630,156
|
|
•
|
each
shareholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our
common stock;
|
|
•
|
each
director and nominee for our board of
directors;
|
|
•
|
each
executive officer for whom compensation information is given in the
Summary Compensation Table in this proxy statement;
and,
|
|
•
|
all
of our directors and executive officers as a
group.
|
Name
of Beneficial Owner
|
Number
of Shares
Beneficially Owned(1)
|
Percent
of
Common Stock(2)
|
||||||
Randall
L-W. Caudill
|
182,441
|
*
|
||||||
Herbert
L. Lucas, Jr.
|
1,034,613
|
2.52
|
%
|
|||||
Dr. Bruce
S. Morra
|
299,582
|
*
|
||||||
Wayne
L. Pines
|
145,467
|
*
|
||||||
Dr.
Jeffrey B. Reich
|
94,860
|
*
|
||||||
Michael
N. Taglich(3)
|
702,211
|
1.71
|
%
|
|||||
Richard
M. Levy
|
315,364
|
*
|
||||||
Alan
M. Mitchel
|
459,091
|
1.12
|
||||||
Stephen
J. Turner
|
399,872
|
*
|
||||||
Daniel
O. Wilds (4)
|
692,333
|
1.68
|
%
|
|||||
All
directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)
|
4,325,834
|
10.53
|
%
|
*
|
Less
than 1%.
|
(1)
|
Except
as otherwise indicated, the persons named in this table have sole voting
and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as
beneficially owned by them. The number of shares of common stock shown as
beneficially owned by the persons named in this table includes common
stock underlying options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of
April 1, 2009 as follows:
|
Name
of Beneficial Owner
|
Number of Options/Warrants
|
|||
Randall
L-W. Caudill
|
167,426
|
|||
Herbert
L. Lucas, Jr.
|
323,676
|
|||
Dr.
Bruce S. Morra
|
564,583
|
|||
Wayne
L. Pines
|
144,926
|
|||
Dr.
Jeffrey B. Reich
|
86,667
|
|||
Michael
N. Taglich (3)
|
223,301
|
|||
Richard
M. Levy
|
375,792
|
|||
Alan
M. Mitchel
|
562,397
|
|||
Stephen
J. Turner
|
483,706
|
|||
Daniel
O. Wilds (4)
|
583,333
|
(2)
|
The
percentage of common stock is calculated on the basis of 41,098,270 shares
of common stock outstanding as of April 1, 2009, except that shares
of common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable, or
exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2009, are deemed outstanding
for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding the options
or warrants but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage
ownership of any other person.
|
(3)
|
Michael
N. Taglich is the General Partner of a partnership that beneficially owns
40,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 10,000 shares of
common stock. Mr. Taglich disclaims beneficial ownership of the
common stock owned by such partnership except to the extent of his
pecuniary interest therein. Also includes beneficial ownership of warrants
to purchase 7,000 shares of common stock held by Taglich Brothers, Inc.
Michael N. Taglich is a stockholder and executive officer of Taglich
Brothers, Inc. The 440,785 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr.
Taglich are pledged pursuant to a standard brokerage margin account
agreement.
|
(4)
|
Mr.
Wilds was our former Chief Executive Officer and President. He voluntarily
resigned on December 12, 2008. Information is based on the last report on
Form 4 filed by Mr. Wilds on November 19,
2008.
|
Investor
Relations
SCOLR
Pharma, Inc.
19204
North Creek Parkway
Suite
100
Bothell,
Washington 98011
(425)
368-1050
|
|||
By
Order of the Board of Directors
|
|||
Bruce
S. Morra
|
|||
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|||
April
29, 2009
|