SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-11(c) or
Section240.14a-12
STEMCELLS, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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STEMCELLS, INC.
3155 Porter Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94304
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 2, 2002
To the Stockholders of
STEMCELLS, INC.
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
StemCells, Inc. ("StemCells" or the "company") will be held on May 2, 2002 at
2 P.M. at 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94304 for the following purposes:
1. To elect Class II directors to serve until the 2005 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders;
2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the selection of Ernst &
Young LLP as independent public accountants for the company for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2002;
3. To consider and vote upon a proposal to amend the company's Certificate
of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common
Stock from 45,000,000 to 75,000,000; and
4. To transact any and all other business that may properly come before the
meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 25, 2002 as
the record date for determining those Stockholders who are entitled to notice of
and to vote at the meeting. The stock transfer books will not be closed between
the record date and the date of the meeting.
Representation of at least a majority of all outstanding shares of Common
Stock of StemCells is required to constitute a quorum. Accordingly, it is
important that your shares be represented at the meeting. WHETHER OR NOT YOU
PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND
RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Your proxy may be revoked at any
time prior to the time it is voted.
Please read the proxy material carefully. Your vote is important and the
company appreciates your cooperation in considering and acting on the matters
presented.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
IRIS BREST
SECRETARY
April 4, 2002
Palo Alto, California
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
STEMCELLS, INC.
The enclosed form of proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
of StemCells, Inc. (the "company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the "Annual Meeting") to be held on May 2, 2002 at 2 P.M. at the company's
headquarters at 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94304. The cost of
solicitation of proxies will be borne by the company. We have retained the
services of Georgeson Shareholder to assist with the solicitation of proxies on
our behalf, at an anticipated cost of $6,500. Directors, officers and employees
of the company may also solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile or in person for
no additional compensation. The company will reimburse banks, brokerage firms,
and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred
by them in sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2002 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment
thereof. There were 24,220,618 shares of our Common Stock, $.01 par value (the
"Common Stock"), outstanding on such date, each of which is entitled to one vote
for each share on the matters to be voted upon.
Shares of our Common Stock represented by proxies in the form enclosed which
are properly executed and returned to us and not revoked, will be voted as
specified therein by the stockholder. In the absence of contrary instructions,
or in instances where no specification is made, the shares will be voted FOR the
election as directors of the nominees as described herein under "Proposal Number
1--Election of Directors," FOR ratification of the selection of accountants as
described herein under "Proposal Number 2--Ratification of Selection of
Independent Public Accountants," FOR approval of an increase in the number of
authorized shares of our Common Stock as described herein under "Proposal 3--
Amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number
of authorized shares of Common Stock from 45,000,000 to 75,000,000," and in the
discretion of the named proxies, as to any other matter that may properly come
before the Annual Meeting. Any stockholder signing and delivering a proxy may
revoke it at any time before it is voted by delivering to the Secretary of the
company a written revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a date later than
the date of the proxy being revoked. Any record stockholder attending the Annual
Meeting in person may revoke his or her proxy and vote his or her shares at the
Annual Meeting.
A copy of our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2001 will be mailed, along with this Proxy Statement, on or about
April 4, 2002 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
QUORUM, REQUIRED VOTES, AND METHOD OF TABULATION
Consistent with Delaware law and under our Amended and Restated By-laws, a
majority of the shares entitled to be cast on a particular matter, present in
person or represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum as to such matter. We will
appoint election inspectors for the meeting to count votes cast by proxy or in
person at the Annual Meeting.
Election of directors by stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of
the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the election that are
present in person or represented by proxy. The approval of the proposal to
ratify the selection of accountants requires a majority of the votes properly
cast
to be affirmative. The election inspectors will count shares represented by
proxies that withhold authority to vote for a nominee for election as a director
or that reflect abstentions and "broker non-votes" (i.e., shares represented at
the meeting held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not
been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote and
(ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a
particular matter) only as shares that are present and entitled to vote on the
matter for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but neither
abstentions nor broker non-votes have any effect on the outcome of voting on the
election of directors or the selection of accountants.
The approval of the proposal to amend the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock
requires an affirmative vote from a majority of the outstanding Common Stock
entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, therefore,
would have the same effect as votes cast against this proposal.
Management does not know of any matters to be presented at this Annual
Meeting other than those set forth in this Proxy Statement and in the Notice
accompanying this Proxy Statement. If other matters should properly come before
the meeting, the proxy holders will vote such matters in their discretion. Any
stockholder has the right to revoke his or her proxy at any time before it is
voted.
2
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of our Common Stock as of March 25, 2002 by (i) each person known by
us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding Common Stock,
(ii) each director and nominee for director, (iii) each executive officer named
in the Summary Compensation Table and (iv) all executive officers and directors
of the company as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the
beneficial owners of the Common Stock listed below, based on information
furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to
such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable, and that there
are no other affiliations among the stockholders listed in the table.
PERCENTAGE
SHARES OF CLASS
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) BENEFICIALLY OWNED* BENEFICIALLY OWNED*
--------------------------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Mark J. Levin.............................................. 436,224(2) 1.6%
Ricardo Levy, Ph.D......................................... 2,571(3) **
Martin M. McGlynn.......................................... 133,333(4) **
Roger Perlmutter, M.D., Ph.D............................... 16,738(5) **
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D..................................... 148,910(6) **
Irving Weissman, M.D....................................... 883,393(7) 3.3%
Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D........................................ 152,195(8) **
Ronnda Bartel, Ph.D........................................ 0 **
George W. Dunbar, Jr....................................... 0 **
All directors and executive officers as a group (9
persons)................................................. 1,773,364 6.7%
Millennium Partners, LP.................................... 2,534,183(9) 9.9%
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* All numbers are based on information obtained by questionnaire or filings on
Forms 13D or 13G received by the company.
** Less than one percent.
(1) The address of all such persons, except Millennium Partners, LP, is c/o the
company, 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94304. The address of
Millennium Partners, LP, is 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10176.
(2) Includes 42,487 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable
within 60 days. Includes 224,033 shares issuable upon conversion of 6%
cumulative convertible preferred shares at the currently applicable
conversion price. Includes a warrant to purchase 37,500 shares exercisable
within 60 days. Includes 132,204 shares held directly.
(3) Includes 2,571 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable
within 60 days.
(4) Includes 133,333 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable
within 60 days.
(5) Includes 16,738 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable
within 60 days.
(6) Includes 148,910 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable
within 60 days.
(7) Includes 269,833 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable
within 60 days and 44,660 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants
exercisable within 60 days. Includes 224,033 shares
3
issuable upon conversion of 6% cumulative convertible preferred shares at
the currently applicable conversion price. Includes a total of
50,791 shares owned by trusts for the benefit of Dr. Weissman's children as
to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.
(8) Includes 125,361 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable
within 60 days. Includes a total of 26,834 shares owned by trusts for the
benefit of Dr. Tsukamoto and her family members.
(9) Includes 1,382,853 shares held outright. Includes 522,725 shares issuable
upon the exercise of warrants. Includes 2,012,833 shares issuable upon the
conversion of shares of 3% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. Of the
shares described above, 500,125 shares held outright, 350,877 shares
issuable upon the exercise of warrants and 2,012,833 shares issuable upon
the conversion of shares of 3% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock are
owned by Riverview Group, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of Millennium.
Under the terms of the warrants issued to Millennium and Riverview as well
as the certificate of designations for the preferred stock, the warrants
cannot be exercised, nor the preferred stock converted, if doing so would
result in Millennium having aggregate beneficial ownership of more than
9.99% of the total issued and outstanding shares of the Company's Common
Stock. Millennium therefore is the beneficial owner of 2,534,183 shares as
of December 21, 2001, the date of its most recently filed Schedule 13G, and
disclaims beneficial ownership of 1,384,228 shares of Common Stock as of
that date.
4
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
During 2001, the Board of Directors was composed of Mr. Levin and Drs.
Perlmutter, Schwartz and Weissman for the entire year, Mr. McGlynn after his
appointment on February 2, 2001 and Dr. Levy after his appointment on
September 26, 2001. The Board has two standing committees--the Compensation and
Stock Option Committee (the "Compensation Committee") and the Audit
Committee--as well as the Single Member Committee established on July 30, 2001
under the company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan. The company has no nominating
committee. The Compensation Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2001 and was composed of Mr. Levin and Dr. Schwartz. The
Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board and the company's
management concerning salaries in general, determines executive compensation and
approves incentive compensation for company employees and consultants. The
company's Audit Committee held two meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2001 and was composed of Drs. Schwartz and Perlmutter throughout
the year, Mr. Levin from June 11, 2001 through November 2, 2001, and Dr. Levy
since his appointment on November 2, 2001. The Audit Committee reviews the
results and scope of the audit and other services provided by the company's
independent auditors.
Prior to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, each director who was not
an employee and who did not have a pre-existing consulting relationship with the
company received an annual retainer of $18,000 payable quarterly, in addition to
$1,500 for each Board meeting attended ($500 for each telephonic meeting) and
$500 for each Committee meeting attended if not contemporaneous with a Board
meeting. Upon election (or contemporaneously with the approval in 1998 of the
revised compensation plan with respect to those directors already serving), each
such director also received an option to purchase 20,000 shares of our Common
Stock exercisable at the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of
grant, such shares vesting in equal portions over three years on each
anniversary of the grant date. The compensation of the Chairman of the Board is
described under "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS." At a meeting
of the Board on February 23, 2000, in order to conserve cash and demonstrate
their continuing confidence in the company's future, the directors unanimously
adopted a resolution revising their compensation arrangements with the company,
for the period commencing January 1, 2000. Under the terms of this resolution,
the directors waived any and all cash payments that may accrue to them for their
quarterly retainer and meeting fees and received, in lieu of such cash payments,
compensation in the form of options to purchase shares of the company's Common
Stock at below market prices ($0.25 per share). The number of shares to be
distributed to the directors were calculated using the closing price of the
company's Common Stock for the date of the subject Board or Committee meeting
(if such Committee meeting was not held contemporaneously with a Board meeting)
or, with respect to the quarterly retainer payments, the closing price for the
last business day of the quarter, less the option price of $0.25 per share. All
options so issued to the directors vested immediately. Effective October 1,
2000, as a result of an amendment to his consulting agreement with the company,
Dr. Weissman received the same compensation as other non-employee members of the
Board. The Chairman of the Board receives a retainer of $35,000 annually (in
below-market options calculated as described above), in addition to meeting
payments and at-market options on the same basis as other directors. In
addition, the policy now provides that on the third anniversary of the original
appointment of each re-elected director, such member shall receive an option for
15,000 shares of our Common Stock to vest annually over three years. Shares of
Common Stock issued to directors in lieu of cash payments for Board service
shall be nonforfeitable, and a director shall have all of the rights of a
stockholder of the company with respect to such Common Stock. Directors are
reimbursed for their expenses in attending meetings of the Board of Directors
and meetings of committees of the Board of Directors.
5
The Board of Directors of StemCells held 11 meetings during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2001. During the time they held office, all of the directors
attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of all
committees on which they served, except that Dr. Levy was not able to attend the
only meeting of the Board of Directors held in 2001 after his appointment.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The current executive officer of the company who is not also a director of
the company is:
NAME AGE POSITION
---- -------- ------------------------------------------
Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D....................... 49 Vice President, Scientific Operations
Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D., joined the company in November 1997 as Senior
Director, Scientific Operations, and was appointed Vice President, Scientific
Operations in June 1998 and Vice President, Research and Development in
February 2002. From 1989 until she joined StemCells, Dr. Tsukamoto was employed
at SyStemix, Inc., where she served in various research capacities before
transitioning to the position of Director of Clinical Science. At
SyStemix, Inc., Dr. Tsukamoto assisted in the launch of its clinical research
program for the hematopoietic stem cell. She received her Ph.D. degree from the
University of California, Los Angeles and did postdoctoral research with
Dr. Harold Varmus at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Tsukamoto
is an inventor on six issued U.S. Patents related to the human hematopoietic
stem cell.
Martin McGlynn, President and CEO of the company, is its other executive
officer; Mr. McGlynn is a member of the Board of Directors.
All executive officers of the company are elected annually and serve at the
discretion of the Board of Directors.
6
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The following non-employee directors served on the Compensation and Stock
Option Committee in 2001: Mr. Levin and Dr. Schwartz. In 1989, 1990 and 1991
Mr. Levin was an executive officer of the company.
The company entered in a Consulting Services Agreement with John J. Schwartz
on July 27, 1998, as amended December 19, 1998, for strategic business advice
and counseling services, including assistance in the negotiation and
consummation of strategic collaboration transactions specified by the company.
Dr. Schwartz was elected to the Board of Directors on December 19, 1998 and
became a member of the Compensation Committee on that date. During the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1999, the company made payments to Dr. Schwartz under
the Consulting Services Agreement and the letter agreement dated December 19,
1998 and amended as of July 1, 1999 (the "Letter Agreement"), under which he
served as a Director and Chairman of the Board. (See "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions" herein for more information.) Both the Consulting Services
Agreement and the Letter Agreement were terminated as of March 31, 2001.
The company believes the terms of these agreements were and are no less
favorable to the company than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third
parties.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
As noted in the section immediately above, Dr. Schwartz, currently a member
and Chairman of the Board of Directors, was retained in July 1998 under a
Consulting Services Agreement to serve as a consultant to the company rendering
strategic business advice and counseling services, including assistance in the
negotiation and consummation of strategic collaboration transactions specified
by the company. The Consulting Services Agreement provided for compensation to
Dr. Schwartz in the amount of $50,000 in cash for services rendered during the
period of September 27, 1997 through July 26, 1998, plus a fully vested option
to purchase 20,000 shares of the company's Common Stock at $1.281, the fair
market value of the company's Common Stock at the time of the grant. For
services rendered during other periods during the term of the Consulting
Services Agreement, Dr. Schwartz was entitled to total cash compensation of
$120,000, an option to purchase 76,000 shares of the company's Common Stock with
an exercise price equal to the closing bid price for the shares on July 27,
1998, and an option to purchase 48,000 shares of the company's Common Stock at
the fair market value of the company's Common Stock on July 27, 1999, vesting at
a rate of 2,000 shares per month. In addition, the Consulting Services Agreement
provided that in the event that, at a time when Dr. Schwartz was not a member of
the Board but the Consulting Services Agreement was still in effect,
Dr. Schwartz materially participated in the negotiation and consummation of a
strategic collaboration transaction specified by the company, he would have been
be entitled to receive additional compensation equal to 3% of the transaction
consideration, payable half in cash and half in the form of an option or warrant
to purchase shares of the company's Common Stock at $.20 per share, the number
of shares being calculated based on the fair market value of the company's
Common Stock ten days prior to the first public announcement of the consummation
of, the execution of a letter of intent for or the existence of discussions
concerning the collaboration transaction. On December 19, 1998, the day he
became a member of the Board of Directors, there were no such strategic
collaboration transactions that would have given rise to additional
compensation.
7
On December 19, 1998, Dr. Schwartz became a member of the Board and its
Chairman and his compensation for services in this capacity was provided for
under the terms of a Letter Agreement, which also incorporated certain
compensation provided for under the Consulting Services Agreement. Under the
Letter Agreement, as amended July 1, 1999, Dr. Schwartz in his capacity as
Chairman was required to provide us with thirty (30) business days of services
per quarter, and was entitled to receive $132,000 in cash per year, plus $1,500
per Board or Committee meeting and $500 per telephonic meeting. He also received
an option to acquire 40,000 shares of the company's Common Stock under the 1992
Equity Incentive Plan, with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on
the date of the grant. Dr. Schwartz terminated both the Letter Agreement and the
Consulting Services Agreement as of March 31, 2001. (See "Employment and
Severance Agreements.") He currently continues to serve in his position as
Chairman and member of the Board of Directors under the terms of the
compensation policy discussed further herein under "Information Concerning the
Board and its Committees."
Dr. Weissman, a member of the Board of Directors, was retained in
September 1997 to serve as a consultant to us. Pursuant to his Consulting
Agreement, Dr. Weissman has agreed to provide consulting services to us and to
serve on our Scientific Advisory Board. We agreed to pay Dr. Weissman $50,000
per year for his services and granted him an option to purchase 500,000 shares
of Common Stock for $5.25 per share, of which 31,250 shares vested at the date
of grant. Originally, the remainder of the option would have vested upon the
occurrence of certain milestones related to the company's stem cell research
program and in the event of certain changes of control. We agreed to amend the
option on October 27, 2000 so that the shares would become exercisable over
eight years from the original grant date (so the option is currently exercisable
for 200,000 shares) or in the event of certain changes of control. We recorded a
compensation expense of $823,759 during the fourth quarter of 2000 as a result
of this change in the vested portion of the option. For the year 2001 we have
recorded a compensation expense of $346,420. The deferred compensation expense
associated with the unvested portion of the grant was recorded as $551,944. We
plan to revalue the options using the Black-Scholes method on a quarterly basis
and recognize additional compensation expense accordingly. The company also
agreed to nominate Dr. Weissman for a position on the Board of Directors. The
Consulting Agreement contains confidentiality, noncompetition, and assignment of
invention provisions and is for a term of fifteen years, subject to earlier
termination by us for cause or frustration of purpose and earlier termination by
Dr. Weissman for good reason.
In April 2000, we sold 750 shares of our 6% cumulative convertible preferred
stock plus a warrant to purchase 37,500 shares of our Common Stock to each of
Dr. Weissman and Mr. Levin for $750,000, for a total of $1,500,000, on terms
more favorable to us than we were able to obtain from outside investors. The
face value of the shares is convertible at the option of the holder into Common
Stock at $3.77 per share. The holders of the preferred stock have liquidation
rights equal to their original investments plus accrued but unpaid dividends.
Any unconverted preferred stock will be converted into Common Stock on
April 13, 2002. The warrants expire on April 13, 2005.
Dr. Weissman was interim Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the
Board of Managers of Celtrans, LLC, a privately-owned biotechnology company that
is also a tenant in the building in which we are located. Because our premises
include an animal facility with more capacity than we currently require for our
own use, we have entered a space-sharing agreement with Celtrans under which
Celtrans or, with our approval, a subtenant of Celtrans, may use part of the
animal facility. Celtrans pays us $16,122 per
8
month under the space-sharing agreement, at the same rate per square foot as we
receive from Stanford University, with which we also have an agreement for
sharing the animal facility.
In February 2002, the Board of Directors awarded Martin McGlynn, President
and CEO of the company, a cash bonus of $75,000 plus an option for 25,000 shares
with an exercise price of $2.96, equal to the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date of the grant, vesting one quarter after a year of further
service and the remainder 1/48th each month for the next three years of service.
We have entered into consulting agreements with Levin & Co, Inc., a company
in which Mr. Levin's wife is a principal, for recruiting services rendered to
the Company. Mr. Levin is a member of the Board of Directors. During the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2001, we made payments of $123,465 pursuant to these
agreements. We believe the terms of these agreements are no less favorable to us
than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
On August 3, 2000, we completed a $4 million Common Stock financing
transaction with Millennium Partners, LP at $4.33 per share. In the purchase
agreement, we granted Millennium an option to purchase up to an additional
$3 million of our Common Stock. Millennium exercised its option to purchase
$1 million of our Common Stock on August 23, 2000 at $5.53 per share. On
June 8, 2001, Millennium Partners, LP exercised its remaining option to purchase
$2 million of our Common Stock at $4.3692 per share. As a result of the
financing agreement, Millennium received five year warrants to purchase 101,587
shares of Common Stock at $4.725 per share, 19,900 shares of Common Stock at
$6.03 per share, and 50,352 shares at $4.7664 per share. We may call the
warrants at any time at $7.875, $10.05 and $7.944 per underlying share
respectively. In addition to these warrants, we issued Millennium adjustable
warrants in connection with the original $4 million purchase, each of which
entitled Millennium to receive additional shares on eight dates beginning six
months from the respective closing dates and every three months thereafter. The
exercisable price per share under the adjustable warrant was $0.01. Millennium
exercised the first of the adjustable warrants to purchase 463,369, 622,469, and
25,804 shares on March 30, 2001, July 26, 2001 and August 15, 2001 respectively
at $0.01 per share. On December 4, 2001, we entered into an agreement with
Millennium under which we issued 176,101 shares of our Common Stock as a final
cashless exercise of all outstanding adjustable warrants that Millennium was
entitled to or would be entitled to. Immediately following delivery of these
shares, any further right to acquire Common Stock under these adjustable
warrants were cancelled by the agreement.
On December 4, 2001, we issued 5,000 shares of 3% Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock to Riverview Group, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Millennium Partners. This preferred stock is convertible into shares of our
Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.00 per share of Common Stock; there is
a mandatory redemption provision under which any preferred stock remaining on
December 4, 2003, is redeemed on that date. The conversion price may be below
the trading market price of the stock at the time of conversion. Also on
December 4, 2001, in connection with the preferred stock agreement, we issued to
Riverview Group a warrant to purchase 350,877 shares of our Common Stock at a
price of $3.42 per share. The warrant expires on December 4, 2005.
9
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the compensation paid by us to our Chief
Executive Officer and our Vice President, Scientific Operations during the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 and the two other most
highly compensated executive officers who served in such capacity during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 but who were not serving in such capacities
as of the end of such fiscal year. There were no other persons serving as
executive officers at the end of such fiscal year.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
-----------------------
AWARDS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION -----------------------
-------------------------------------- RESTRICTED SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) COMPENSATION($) AWARDS($) OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- --------------- ---------- ---------- ------------
MARTIN MCGLYNN ............. 2001 264,423 68,750 -- -- 475,000 147,367(2)
President and Chief
Executive Officer(1)
GEORGE W. DUNBAR, JR. ...... 2001 9,615 50,000 -- -- 2,000 --
Acting President and Chief 2000 186,538 -- -- 37,031
Executive Office (3) 1999 48,000
ANN TSUKAMOTO, PH.D. ....... 2001 183,800 -- -- -- 45,500 6,430(4)
VP, Scientific Operations 2000 159,054 -- -- -- -- 4,783(4)
RONNDA BARTEL, PH.D. ....... 2001 89,274 -- -- -- -- 7,441(6)
VP, Scientific 2000 129,668 -- -- -- 3,245(7)
Development(5)
--------------------------
(1) Mr. McGlynn became President and Chief Executive Officer effective as of
January 15, 2001.
(2) Represents relocation expense of $142,117 and $5,250 of fair market value of
the company matching contributions of Common Stock to Mr. McGlynn's account
in our 401 (k) Plan.
(3) Mr. Dunbar became Acting President and Chief Executive Officer effective as
of February 1, 2000, and resigned from that position effective as of
January 15, 2001.
(4) Represents $5,250 and $4,783 of fair market value of the company matching
contributions of Common Stock to Dr. Ann Tsukamoto's account in our 401(k)
Plan for the years 2001 and 2000 respectively. The figure for 2001 also
includes $1,180 which represents premiums we paid on a term life insurance
policy for Dr. Tsukamoto.
(5) Dr. Ronnda Bartel resigned from her position on July 13, 2001.
(6) Represents relocation expense of $4,800 and $2,641 of fair market value of
the company matching contributions of Common Stock to Dr. Bartel's account
in our 401 (k) Plan.
(7) Represents $3,245 of fair market value of the company matching contributions
of Common Stock to Dr. Ronnda Bartel's account in our 401 (k) Plan.
10
EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
Martin McGlynn joined the company as President and Chief Executive Officer
on January 15, 2001. Under the terms of an agreement between Mr. McGlynn and us,
Mr. McGlynn is entitled to an annual base salary of $275,000 per year,
reviewable annually by the Board of Directors, and a bonus, in the Board's sole
discretion, of up to 25% of his base salary. Mr. McGlynn was granted an option
to purchase 400,000 shares of our Common Stock with an exercise price equal to
the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of his employment.
One-fourth of these options will vest on the first anniversary of his employment
and the remaining three-fourths will vest in equal monthly installments during
his second through fourth years of employment. The Board may, in its sole
discretion, grant Mr. McGlynn a bonus option to purchase up to an additional
25,000 shares. The vesting under the option is subject to acceleration in the
event of certain changes of control. We also agreed to pay Mr. McGlynn a $50,000
relocation bonus and to reimburse him for relocation expenses. Our agreement
with Mr. McGlynn provides that if his employment is terminated by the company
without cause or by Mr. McGlynn for good reason, he will be entitled to
severance payments equal to one year's base salary and he will receive
healthcare benefits under our plans for one year after termination. If
Mr. McGlynn's employment is terminated as a result of his disability, he will
receive up to six months' base salary. If we terminate Mr. McGlynn's employment
for cause or if he resigns, he will not be entitled to any severance or other
benefits.
Dr. Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D., joined the company in November 1997 as Senior
Director, Scientific Operations, was appointed Vice President, Scientific
Operations in June 1998, and Vice President, Research and Development in
February 2002. Dr. Tsukamoto's base salary is no longer controlled by a formal
agreement, and company policy now maintains a target cash bonus of 15% of base
salary for employees at her level, although the agreement between Dr. Tsukamoto
and us provides only for a 10% target bonus. Any bonus is in the Board's sole
discretion. Our agreement with Dr. Tsukamoto, as amended in July 2000, provides
that if her employment is terminated by us without cause at any time, she will
be entitled to severance payments of current salary and benefits continuation
under COBRA for a period of twelve months after the effective date of
termination and to accelerated vesting of time-based options granted under our
1992 Equity Incentive Plan. If we terminate Dr. Tsukamoto's employment for cause
or if she resigns, she will not be entitled to any severance or other benefits.
Under the terms of two agreements dated as of November 17, 1999 and
effective as of November 8, 1999, the first between the company and ICEO, LLC
("ICEO") and the second between the company and George W. Dunbar, Jr., a member
of ICEO, Mr. Dunbar agreed to serve as Acting President of StemCells
California, Inc., the company's wholly owned subsidiary. Pursuant to the terms
of his agreement with the company, Mr. Dunbar was entitled to an annual salary
of $175,000 and was granted a stock option to purchase 48,000 shares of the
company's Common Stock that vested at the rate of 4,000 shares per month
commencing on December 6, 1999 and continuing until November 6, 2000. Pursuant
to the terms of the agreement between ICEO and the company, ICEO was entitled to
receive annual compensation of $75,000 for so long as Mr. Dunbar continued to
serve in his role as Acting President of StemCells California, Inc. or in any
other interim role with the company. In addition, ICEO was granted a stock
option to purchase 48,000 shares of the company's Common Stock that vested at
the rate of 4,000 shares per month commencing on December 6, 1999 and continuing
until November 6, 2000. Additionally, the agreements provided that the Board
consider once per quarter the grant of an option for an additional 3,000 shares
for Mr. Dunbar and 3,000 for ICEO if it were determined that the services
rendered by Mr. Dunbar during the
11
preceding quarter exceeded expectations. Options for 9,000 such additional
shares were granted by the Board to each of ICEO and Mr. Dunbar. As a member of
ICEO, Mr. Dunbar was entitled to receive, once annually, a distribution of his
assigned allocable percentage of net taxable income and net long-term gain with
respect to the pooled income and gain from shares of stock or exercised options
received by ICEO from its clients, including that received from the company.
Mr. Dunbar was also appointed Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of
the company effective as of February 1, 2000, with no adjustment to his or
ICEO's compensation or stock options. In the event that during the period of his
service as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer or within 120 days from
the termination of such services, Mr. Dunbar were to have become a permanent
employee of the company in any capacity, the company would have been obligated
under the ICEO agreement to pay ICEO a fee equal to one-third of the then
targeted first year's compensation for Mr. Dunbar. As of November 6, 2000, the
agreement with ICEO terminated, and the Board entered a new agreement with
Mr. Dunbar under which he received a one-time cash bonus of $50,000, an option
to purchase that number of shares equal to $50,000 divided by the difference
between the closing price of one share of the company's Common Stock on the date
of the grant and $1.094, vesting immediately, compensation at the rate of
$250,000 per year, and an option to purchase 8,000 shares per month of the
company's stock at $1.094 per share, vesting proportionally over the month so
long as he continued to serve as Acting President and CEO. Mr. Dunbar served in
that capacity until January 15, 2001. The Board extended the time for exercise
of Mr. Dunbar's vested but unexercised options until October 15, 2001.
12
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
As of the date hereof, the Audit Committee consists of Drs. Schwartz,
Perlmutter and Levy. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent
(as defined in the NASDAQ's listing standards). The Board of Directors has
adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee.
The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of
Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing financial
reports and other financial information provided by the company to any
governmental body or the public, the company's systems of internal controls
regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance and ethics that management and
the Board have established, and the company's auditing, accounting and financial
processes generally. The Audit Committee annually recommends to the Board of
Directors the appointment of a firm of independent auditors to audit the
financial statements of the company and meets with such personnel of the company
to review the scope and the results of the annual audit, the amount of audit
fees, the company's internal accounting controls, the company's financial
statements contained in the company's Annual Report to Stockholders and other
related matters.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the financial
statements for fiscal year 2001 audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the company's
independent auditors. The Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP
various matters related to the financial statements, including those matters
required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing
Standards, AU 380). The Audit Committee has also received the written
disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1,
Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and has discussed with Ernst &
Young LLP its independence. We received the following information concerning the
fees of the independent accountants for the year ended December 31, 2001, and
have considered whether the provision of these services is compatible with
maintaining the independence of the independent accountants:
Audit Fees (including review of 10-Qs)...................... $169,456
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation
Fees...................................................... $ 0
All Other Fees (i.e., tax returns and review of other SEC
filings).................................................. $ 53,284
Based upon such review and discussions the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2001 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Dr. Schwartz
Dr. Perlmutter
Dr. Levy
13
NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY SET FORTH IN ANY OF THE COMPANY'S
PREVIOUS FILINGS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, THAT MIGHT INCORPORATE FUTURE FILINGS,
INCLUDING THIS PROXY STATEMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, THE FOLLOWING REPORT AND
THE PERFORMANCE GRAPH ON PAGE 17 SHALL NOT BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO ANY
SUCH FILINGS.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
As of the date hereof, the Committee consists of Mr. Levin and
Drs. Schwartz and Levy.
The reorganization and rationalization of the company's operations begun in
2000 continued throughout 2001 and presented many unique challenges and periods
of uncertainty for the company and its employees and executive officers.
Throughout this period the company used it best efforts to continue to apply a
consistent philosophy of compensation for all employees, including executive
officers. This philosophy is based on the premise that the achievements of the
company result from the coordinated efforts of all individuals working toward
common objectives within each of the then existing projects of the company's
respective business units. The company strives to achieve those objectives
through teamwork focused on meeting or exceeding strategic, scientific and
business goals and the expectations of the company's shareholders. For the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, there were different levels of achievement
of strategic, scientific and business goals among the company's business units
and the company attempted to ensure that rewards and compensation awarded to the
company's employees, including executive officers, reflected those differences.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The goals of the compensation program are to reward individual and team
performance and to encourage future performance by aligning compensation with
scientific and business objectives and performance and to enable the company to
attract, retain and reward executive officers who contribute to the long-term
success of the company. The company's compensation program for executive
officers is based on four principles:
- We pay competitively.
- We are committed to a compensation program that helps attract and retain
the best people in the industry. To ensure that our compensation is
competitive, we regularly compare our compensation levels with those
companies we consider comparable and set our compensation parameters based
on this review. We use the industry standard data from the Radford surveys
to calibrate our cash compensation at approximately the 60th percentile of
biotech companies' pay practices, in part reflecting the cost of living
differential of the Bay Area. In 2001 we undertook a study to evaluate our
competitiveness in the areas of base pay, incentive pay, and equity
participation, and made appropriate adjustments to our compensation plan
for 2002.
- We compensate our executive officers for performance.
- Executive officers are rewarded based upon both corporate performance and
individual performance. Corporate performance is evaluated by reviewing
the extent to which strategic and business plan goals are met. Individual
performance is evaluated by reviewing organizational and management
development progress against set objectives and the degree to which
teamwork and company values are fostered by the individual's actions.
14
In early stage biopharmaceutical companies, performance is best judged by
success in achievement of scientific and technical milestones, product
development progress (including progress toward and through clinical trials),
strategic human resources development, capitalization and financing goals, and
commercialization goals. These are the bases currently used by the Committee.
- We strive for fairness in the administration of pay.
- We strive to achieve a balance of the compensation paid to a particular
individual and the compensation paid to other executive officers both
inside the company and at comparable companies.
- We believe that all employees, including executive officers, should
understand and constructively participate in the performance evaluation
process, which operates as follows:
1. At the beginning of the performance cycle, the evaluating manager
(who in the case of executive officers is the Chief Executive
Officer), in conjunction with the employee, sets objectives and key
goals for the employee based upon company goals previously
established by senior management.
2. The evaluating manager gives the employee ongoing feedback about the
employee's performance against established goals.
3. At the end of the performance cycle, the employee submits a summary
of the employee's accomplishments against key goals and the manager
reviews and evaluates this summary.
4. The evaluating manager compares the evaluation results to the results
of evaluations of peers within the company.
5. The Chief Executive Officer and the Human Resources Director review
results of all evaluations except that of the Chief Executive
Officer. These evaluations are subsequently discussed between the
evaluating manager and the employee. In the case of the evaluation of
the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee serves as the evaluating
manager.
6. For executive officers, the results of the performance evaluation are
discussed with the Committee, which reviews these results and
approves (subject to their review) recommendations for compensation
made by the Chief Executive Officer.
7. Decisions on cash compensation and, where appropriate, stock options
or other long-term incentive compensation are based on the employee's
evaluation compared with the evaluations of all employees of the
company. Base pay decisions are also influenced by the employee's
position relative to market compensation as reflected in the Radford
surveys or other sources, in light of the company's policy of paying
well-performing employees at approximately the 60th percentile of pay
for comparable positions at biotech companies in the Bay Area.
COMPENSATION VEHICLES
The company uses a simple total compensation program consisting of cash and
equity-based compensation. Having a compensation program that allows the company
to successfully attract and retain
15
executive officers permits it to enhance shareholder value, motivate
technological innovation and foster teamwork. The vehicles used are:
CASH-BASED COMPENSATION
SALARY--The company sets base salaries for executive officers by reviewing
the base salary for individuals in competitive positions in the market and
adjusting annually with increases that reflect individual performance.
ANNUAL CASH BONUS--Executive officers and the Chief Executive Officer are
eligible to receive an annual cash bonus upon the attainment of predetermined
corporate objectives approved by the Committee at the beginning of the year,
with progress against them reviewed at year-end to determine the appropriate
bonus payment. At full achievement of objectives, the Chief Executive Officer
would be targeted to receive a bonus of 25% of his annual base salary and the
other executive officers to receive 15% of their respective annual base
salaries. The amount actually paid in any one year may be more or less than the
targeted bonus based on over or under achievement of objectives and the
Committee's discretion. In 2001, the Chief Executive received a bonus of
$68,750.
EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
STOCK OPTION PROGRAM--The purpose of our stock option program is to provide
additional incentives to all employees including executive officers, to maximize
shareholder value. We believe strongly in the use of stock options because they
align employee interests directly with shareholder value. The option program
also utilizes vesting periods to encourage executive officers to remain with the
company and to encourage long-term increases in company stock value. We grant
stock options to all employees upon hiring and anticipate that we will continue
to use stock options as an incentive vehicle to encourage employee equity
participation in our future. We have also implemented a program of cash awards
for excellence in performance and attainment of goals.
Although provided for under our incentive plans, we do not currently use
stock appreciation rights as a compensation vehicle.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The only executive officers of the company for the majority of 2001 were
Martin McGlynn, who served as the company's President and CEO, and Ann
Tsukamoto, who was Vice President, Scientific Operations and who has since been
promoted to Vice President, Research and Development. Their compensation is
described under "Employment and Severance Agreements" above.
COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
Mark J. Levin
Ricardo B. Levy
John J. Schwartz
16
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
NOTE: THE STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE SHOWN ON THE GRAPH BELOW IS NOT NECESSARILY
INDICATIVE OF FUTURE STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE.
The graph below compares the cumulative total returns on the company's
Common Stock with the cumulative total returns of the Amex Biotechnology Stock
Index and the S&P 500 Index for the period from the company's initial public
offering until December 31, 2001. (1)
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS ON COMMON STOCK OF STEMCELLS, INC.,
THE AMEX BIOTECHNOLOGY STOCK INDEX AND S&P 500 INDEX
FOR THE PERIOD FROM THE COMPANY'S INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING UNTIL DECEMBER 31,
2001
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
DOLLARS
MAR '92 DEC '92 DEC '93 DEC '94 DEC '95 DEC '96 DEC '97 DEC '98 DEC '99 DEC '00 DEC '01
COMPANY 100 79.49 125.64 46.15 175.64 92.31 41.03 15.07 15.07 28.58 39.89
S&P 200 INDEX 100 110.41 121.53 119.88 160.48 192.99 252.84 263.53 314.99 323.71 281.49
AMEX BIOTECH STOCK INDEX 100 94.41 64.07 45.41 74.88 80 89.88 159.9 338.09 343.1 314.03
------------------------
(1) Based on the closing price of the company's Common Stock on the first day of
trading on the NASDAQ National Market System. Cumulative total returns
assume reinvestment of all dividends and a hypothetical investment of $100
on March 26, 1992.
17
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table provides information on option grants in 2001 to the
named executive officers.
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
------------------------------------------------------- ASSUMED ANNUAL
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF RATES OF STOCK PRICE
SECURITIES TOTAL OPTIONS EXERCISE APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO OF BASE TERM(3)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION -------------------------------
NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR(1) ($/SHARE)(2) DATE 0% ($) 5% ($) 10% ($)
---- ---------- -------------- ------------ ---------- -------- -------- ---------
Martin McGlynn................ 400,000 44.16% $2.875 1/15/11 -- 723,229 1,832,804
75,000 8.28% $2.090 10/2/11 -- 98,579 249,819
Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D........... 12,500 1.38% $3.100 6/26/11 19,375 55,930 112,011
3,000 0.33% $4.290 8/2/11 -- 8,094 20,511
30,000 3.31% $2.620 10/22/11 -- 49,431 125,268
Ronnda Bartel, Ph.D........... (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) (4)
George W. Dunbar.............. 2,000 0.22% $1.094 1/8/11 2,188 6,263 11,268
------------------------
(1) The company granted options covering 905,749 shares of Common Stock to
employees in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
(2) The exercise price may be paid by delivery of already-owned shares and tax
withholding obligations related to exercise may be paid by offset of the
underlying shares, subject to certain conditions.
(3) As suggested by the Commission's rules on executive compensation disclosure,
the company has presented option values based on arbitrary growth rates. The
company does not necessarily agree that the information presented properly
values the options described.
(4) Dr. Bartel was granted an option for 10,000 shares of Common Stock on
June 26, 2001, but the option was subsequently cancelled.
18
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL
YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table provides information about option exercises in 2001 by
the named executive officers and the value of such officers' unexercised options
at December 31, 2001.
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
SHARES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-
ACQUIRED OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END MONEY OPTIONS AT
ON VALUE (1) (#) FISCAL YEAR END ($)
NAME EXERCISE (#) REALIZED ($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE (2)
---- ------------ ------------ -------------------------- -----------------------------
Martin McGlynn.......... 0 -- 0/475,000 0/$351,000
Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D..... 0 -- 121,149/35,601 $152,720/$37,381
Ronnda Bartel, Ph.D..... 23,541 64,707 0/0 0/0
George W. Dunbar........ 45,031 132,225 0/0 0/0
------------------------
(1) December 31, 2001.
(2) The closing price of the company's Common Stock on December 31, 2001 (the
last trading day of 2001) on the NASDAQ National Market System was $3.49.
The numbers shown reflect the value of options accumulated over all years of
employment.
19
PROPOSAL NUMBER 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The number of directors is currently fixed at six. Our Restated Certificate
of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws provide for the classification
of the Board of Directors into three classes, as nearly equal in number as
possible, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. Unless
otherwise instructed, the enclosed proxy will be voted to elect the nominees
named below, who are now Class II directors, as Class II directors for a term of
three years expiring at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater
number of persons than the number of nominees named below. It is expected that
the nominees will be able to serve, but if any are unable to serve, the proxy
will be voted for a substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board of
Directors. The nominees for election as Class II directors and the incumbent
Class I and III directors are as follows:
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS CLASS II DIRECTORS -- TERMS EXPIRE 2005
NAME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AGE POSITION
---- ---------------------------- -------- ----------------------------
Irving Weissman, M.D........ Professor, Stanford 62 Director
University
Ricardo B. Levy, Ph.D....... Chairman of the Board, 56 Director
Catalytica Energy Systems,
Inc.
Irving L. Weissman, M.D. was elected to the Board of Directors of the
company in September 1997. Dr. Weissman is the Karel and Avice Beekhuis
Professor of Cancer Biology, Professor of Pathology and Professor of
Developmental Biology at Stanford University. Dr. Weissman is a cofounder and
was a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of SyStemix, Inc. He has also
served on the Scientific Advisory Boards of Amgen Inc., DNAX and T-Cell
Sciences, Inc., all of which are biotechnology companies. Dr. Weissman is a
member of the National Academy of Sciences and also serves as Chairman of the
Scientific Advisory Board of the company.
Ricardo B. Levy is Chairman of the Board of Catalytica Energy
Systems, Inc., and has been a member of its Board of Directors since June 1995,
when the company was formed as a subsidiary of Catalytica, Inc. He also served
as director of Catalytica Pharmaceuticals Inc. from 1995 to 2000. Dr. Levy was a
founder of Catalytica, Inc. in 1974, serving as Chief Operating Officer from
1974 until 1991 and President and Chief Executive Officer until December 2000,
when Catalytica, Inc. and Catalytica Pharmaceuticals Inc. were sold to DSM N.V.
Before founding Catalytica, Inc., Dr. Levy was a founding member of Exxon's
chemical physics research team, and prior to that served as Chief Executive
Officer of Sudamericana C.A. in Quito, Ecuador. He currently also serves on the
Board of Directors of Pharmacopeia, Inc. and NovoDynamics, Inc. Dr. Levy holds
an M.S. from Princeton University, a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Stanford
University and is an alumnus of Harvard University's Executive Management
Program.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE
NOMINEES DESCRIBED ABOVE
20
INCUMBENT CLASS I DIRECTORS -- TERMS EXPIRE 2004
NAME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AGE POSITION
---- --------------------------------- -------- --------------------------
Mark J. Levin............. Chairman of the Board and Chief 51 Director
Executive Officer of Millennium
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D.... President, Quantum Strategies 68 Director, Chairman of the
Management Company. Board
Mark J. Levin, a founder of the company, has served as a director since the
company's inception. From inception until January 1990 and from May 1990 until
February 1991, Mr. Levin served as the company's President and acting Chief
Executive Officer. From November 1991 until March 1992, he served as Chief
Executive Officer of Tularik, Inc., a biotechnology company. From August 1991
until August 1993, Mr. Levin was Chief Executive Officer and a director of
Focal, Inc., a biomedical company. Mr. Levin is currently the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a
biotechnology company.
John J. Schwartz, Ph.D. was elected to the Board of Directors of the company
in December 1998 and was elected Chairman of the Board at the same time. He is
the former President and Chief Executive Officer of SyStemix, Inc. Dr. Schwartz
is currently President of Quantum Strategies Management Company, a registered
investment advisor located in Atherton, California. Prior to his positions at
SyStemix, he served as Assistant Professor, Vice President and General Counsel
at Stanford University in California. Dr. Schwartz was graduated from Harvard
Law School in 1958 and received his Ph.D. degree in physics from the University
of Rochester in 1965.
21
INCUMBENT CLASS III DIRECTORS -- TERMS EXPIRE 2003
NAME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AGE POSITION
---- -------------------------- -------- ----------------------------
Martin McGlynn.................. President and Chief 55 Director, Executive Officer
Executive Officer,
StemCells, Inc.
Roger Perlmutter, M.D., Ph.D.... Vice President, Research, 49 Director
Amgen, Inc.
Martin M. McGlynn joined the company on January 15, 2001 when he was
appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the company and of its
wholly-owned subsidiary, StemCells California, Inc. From 1994 until he joined
the company, Mr. McGlynn was President and Chief Executive Officer of
Pharmadigm, Inc., a privately held company in Salt Lake City, Utah, engaged in
research and development in the fields of inflammation and genetic immunization.
Mr. McGlynn received a bachelor of commerce degree from University College,
Dublin, Ireland in 1968, a diploma in industrial engineering from the Irish
Institute of Industrial Engineering in 1970, and a diploma in production
planning from the University of Birmingham, England in 1971.
Roger M. Perlmutter, M.D., Ph.D., was elected to the board of directors in
December 2000. Dr. Perlmutter is Executive Vice President, Research and
Development, of Amgen, Inc., a position he has held since January 2001. Prior to
joining Amgen, Dr. Perlmutter was Executive Vice President, Worldwide Basic
Research and Preclinical Development, Merck Research Laboratories, a division of
Merck & Co., Inc., a position he held since August 1999. He joined Merck in
February 1997 as Senior Vice President, Merck Research Laboratories, from
February 1997 to December 1998 and as Executive Vice President from
February 1999 to July 1999. Prior to joining Merck, Dr. Perlmutter was a
professor in the Departments of Immunology, Biochemistry and Medicine at the
University of Washington from January 1991 to January 1997 and served as
chairman of the Department of Immunology at the University of Washington from
May 1989 to January 1997. He also was an Investigator at the Howard Hughes
Medical Institute from October 1991 to January 1997. Dr Perlmutter has been a
member of the board of directors of The Irvington Institute for Immunological
Research since 1997 and of the Institute for Systems Biology since 1999.
Dr. Perlmutter is licensed to practice medicine in the State of California and
the State of Washington. He was graduated from Reed College in 1973 and received
his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri in
1979.
22
PROPOSAL NUMBER 2
The Company is asking the stockholders to ratify the selection of Ernst &
Young LLP as the Company's independent public accountants for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2002. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the shares represented and voting at the Annual Meeting will be required to
ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP.
In the event the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors will consider it as a direction to select
other auditors for the subsequent year. Even if the selection is ratified, the
Board at its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent
accounting firm at any time during the subsequent year if the Board determines
that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to attend the Annual
Meeting and is not expected to make a statement, but will be available to
respond to appropriate questions and may make a statement if such representative
desires to do so.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO
RATIFY THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2002.
23
PROPOSAL NUMBER 3
On February 12, 2002 the Board of Directors voted, subject to approval by
the stockholders, to amend Article 4 of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, the Company is authorized to issue from 45,000,000 to 75,000,000
shares (the "Share Amendment").
On March 25, 2002, the Company had 24,220,618 shares of Common Stock
outstanding and 14,931,031 shares of Common Stock reserved for specific
purposes, including issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options or for
future awards under its equity incentive plans and 401(k) plan, conversion of
either of the Company's series of preferred stock, the exercise of warrants to
purchase Common Stock issued by the Company, and draws upon its equity line. On
March 7, 2002, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 covering the
registration of 15,000,000 shares of our Common Stock (the "Shelf
Registration"). Based on the number of outstanding and reserved shares set out
above, if the shareholders do not approve the Share Amendment, we may not be
able to issue all of the shares covered by the Shelf Registration. The Company
currently does not have any definitive plans, commitments or understandings with
respect to the issuance of the additional shares of Common Stock that would be
authorized by the Share Amendment. The Board of Directors believes that it is
desirable to have available a substantial number of authorized but unissued
shares of Common Stock which may be issued from time to time, without further
action by the stockholders, to provide for stock splits or stock dividends,
stock options and other equity incentives, to be able to take advantage of
acquisition opportunities, to facilitate the consummation of license,
development or other similar agreements which would allow the Company to use
third party technology, to meet future capital needs and for other general
corporate purposes.
The issuance of additional authorized shares of Common Stock may dilute the
voting power and equity interest of present stockholders. It is not possible to
predict in advance whether the issuance of additional shares will have a
dilutive effect on earnings per share as it depends on the specific events
associated with a particular transaction. Shares of authorized but unissued
Common Stock may be issued from time to time by the Board of Directors without
further stockholder action unless such action is required by Delaware law, under
which the Company is incorporated, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation,
or the rules of the Nasdaq National Market System ("NASDAQ"). Additional
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock might be used in the context of a
defense against or response to possible or threatened hostile takeovers. The
Board of Directors has concluded, however, that the advantages of the additional
authorized shares outweigh any potential disadvantages. The Board of Directors
believes that approval of the increase in the authorized shares is in the best
interest of the stockholders because it would facilitate the Company's business
and financial purposes in the future without the necessity of delaying such
activities for further stockholder approvals, except as may be required in a
particular case by Delaware law, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, or
the rules of NASDAQ.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO
AMEND THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK THE COMPANY IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE FROM 45,000,000 TO 75,000,000.
24
OTHER INFORMATION
ACCOUNTING MATTERS
The Board of Directors has selected the independent accounting firm of
Ernst & Young LLP to audit the accounts of the Company for the year ending
December 31, 2002.
A representative of Ernst & Young LLP who audited the accounts of the
Company for the year ended December 31, 2001 is expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders and will be afforded the opportunity to make a
statement if he or she desires to do so and is expected to be available to reply
to appropriate stockholder inquiries.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of Stockholders submitted for consideration at the next Annual
Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Company (attention: Secretary)
no later than December 5, 2002.
FORM 10-K
THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2001 (WITHOUT EXHIBITS), AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST BY WRITING TO THE COMPANY
AT 3155 PORTER DRIVE, PALO ALTO, CA 94304, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's officers and
directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of
the Company's Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"). Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are
required by SEC regulations to furnish to the Company copies of all Forms 3, 4
and 5 they file. Based solely on the Company's review of copies of such forms it
has received, the Company believes that all of its officers, directors and
greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied on a timely basis with all
filing requirements applicable to them for the year ended December 31, 2001.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Items 7, 7A, 8 and 9 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 are incorporated herein by reference.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors knows of no business that will come before the
meeting for action except as described in the accompanying Notice of Meeting.
However, as to any such business, the persons designated as proxies will have
authority to act in their discretion.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Iris Brest
SECRETARY
April 4, 2002
25
DETACH HERE
PROXY
STEMCELLS, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, MAY 2, 2002
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned stockholder, by completing this card, hereby appoints
Martin McGlynn and Iris Brest, or either of them with power of substitution
to each, proxies of the undersigned to vote at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of StemCells, Inc. to be held on May 2, 2002 at 3155 Porter
Drive, Palo Alto, California at 2:00 p.m., local time, or at any adjournments
thereof, all of the shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of
StemCells, Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally
present. The undersigned instructs such proxies or their substitutes to act
on the following matters as specified by the undersigned, and to vote in such
manner as they may determine on any other matter that may properly come
before the meeting.
SEE REVERSE CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE SEE REVERSE
SIDE SIDE
VOTE BY TELEPHONE VOTE BY INTERNET
It's fast, convenient, and immediate! It's fast, convenient, and your vote is
Call toll-free on a touch-tone phone immediately confirmed and posted.
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683).
Follow these four easy steps: Follow these four easy steps:
1. Read the accompanying Proxy 1. Read the accompanying Proxy
Statement and Proxy Card. Statement and Proxy Card.
2. Call the toll-free number 2. Go to the Website
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683). http://www.eproxyvote.com/stem.
3. Enter your 14-digit Voter Control 3. Enter your 14-digit Voter Control
Number located on your Proxy Card Number located on your Proxy Card
above your name. above your name.
4. Follow the recorded instructions. 4. Follow the instructions provided.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT! YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Call 1-877-PRX-VOTE anytime! Go to http://www.eproxyvote.com/stem
anytime!
DO NOT RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD IF YOU ARE VOTING BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET.
DETACH HERE
/X/ Please mark
votes as in
this example.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner specified by
the undersigned stockholder(s), if no contrary direction is made, this proxy
will be voted FOR The election of the nominees for director named below, FOR
the ratification of the selection of public accountants, FOR the amendment of
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of
authorized shares of Common Stock and in the discretion of the named proxies
as to any other matter that may come before the meeting.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. To elect the following nominees as Class II directors: 2. To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young
Nominees: (01) Irving Weissman, M.D., LLP as independent public accountants of / / / / / /
(02) Ricardo B. Levy, Ph.D. the Company for the fiscal year ending
WITHHELD December 31, 2002.
FOR FROM
BOTH / / / / BOTH 3. To approve an amendment to the Company's
NOMINEES NOMINEES Certificate of Incorporation to increase / / / / / /
the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock from 45,000,000 to
75,000,000.
/ / 4. By my signature below, I confer to the named proxies
--------------------------------------- discretionary authority to vote upon such other business as may
(INSTRUCTION, To withhold authority to vote for any properly come before the meeting of any continuations and
individual nominee, write that nominee's name in the adjournments thereof.
space provided above.)
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF STEMCELLS, INC. RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR LISTED TO THE LEFT, A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION
OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND A VOTE FOR
THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT / /
Note: Please sign exactly as name appears on this card. All joint
owners should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator,
attorney, or guardian or as a custodian for a minor, please give
full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate
name and indicate the signer's title. If a partner, sign in
partnership name.
Signature:___________________________ Date:______________ Signature:___________________________ Date:______________