Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM
9A – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management’s
evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
Our
management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of
our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. In designing and evaluating the disclosure
controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can
provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls
and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment
in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
Based
on management’s evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls
and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information
we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported
within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management,
including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
Changes
in internal control over financial reporting.
There
were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 that
have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s
report on internal control over financial reporting.
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for our company.
Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange
Act, as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, a company’s principal executive and principal financial officer
and effected by the our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
(1)
pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
company;
(2)
provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made in accordance with authorizations
of management and directors of the company; and
(3)
provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of
any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes
in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management recognizes that any
controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives
and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible enhancements to controls
and procedures.
We
conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control
— Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this
evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer conclude that, at December 31, 2021, our internal
control over financial reporting was effective.
88
This
annual report does not include an attestation report by EisnerAmper LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm regarding
internal control over financial reporting. As a smaller reporting company, our management’s report was not subject to attestation
by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide
only management’s report in this annual report.
ITEM
9B – OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM
9C – DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not
Applicable
PART
III
ITEM
10 – DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The
Board of Directors elects our executive officers annually. A majority vote of the directors who are in office is required to fill
vacancies. Each director shall be elected for the term of one year and until his successor is elected and qualified or until his
earlier resignation or removal. Our directors and executive officers are as follows:
NAME
AGE
CURRENT
POSITION
Seth Lederman
64
President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of
Directors
Richard Bagger
61
Director
Margaret Smith Bell
62
Director
Daniel Goodman
61
Director
David Grange
74
Director
Adeoye Olukotun
77
Director
Carolyn Taylor
62
Director
James Treco
66
Lead Director
Jessica Morris
44
Chief Operating Officer
Bradley Saenger
48
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Gregory Sullivan
56
Chief Medical Officer and Secretary
The
following information with respect to the principal occupation or employment of each nominee for director, the principal business
of the corporation or other organization in which such occupation or employment is carried on, and such nominee’s business
experience during the past five years, as well as the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that have led
the Board to determine that such Board members should serve on our Board, has been furnished to the Company by the respective
director nominees:
Seth
Lederman, MD became our President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and a Director in October 2011.
Dr. Lederman founded Tonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of us (“Tonix Sub”) in 2007 and has acted
as its Chairman of the Board of Directors since its inception and as President since 2010. Dr. Lederman is an inventor on key
patents and patent applications underlying our programs including: TNX-102 SL’s eutectic composition; TNX-102 SL’s
pharmacokinetic profile and related therapeutic properties, and the use of TNX-102 SL for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dr. Lederman served as an Associate Professor at Columbia University, between 1996 and 2017. As an Assistant Professor at Columbia,
Dr. Lederman discovered and characterized the CD40-ligand, or CD154 and invented therapeutic candidates to treat autoimmune diseases
and transplant rejection. TNX-1500 is a mAb directed against CD154 invented by Dr. Lederman. Dr. Lederman has
been a Manager of L&L Technologies LLC, or L&L, since 1996. In addition, Dr. Lederman has been the Managing Member of
Seth Lederman Co, LLC since 2007 and the Managing Member of Lederman & Co, LLC, or Lederman & Co, since 2002, both of
which are biopharmaceutical consulting and investing companies. Dr. Lederman has also been the Managing Member of Targent Pharmaceuticals,
LLC, or Targent, since 2000, and Managing Member of Plumbline LLC since 2002. Targent was a founder of Targent Pharmaceuticals
Inc. on which Board of Directors Dr. Lederman served from inception in 2001 until the sale of its assets to Spectrum Pharmaceuticals
Inc. in 2006. Between January 2007 and November 2008, Dr. Lederman was a Managing Partner of Konanda Pharma Partners, LLC, a Director
of Konanda Pharma Fund I, LP, and a Managing Partner of Konanda General Partner, LLC, which were related private growth equity
fund entities. As well, between 2007 and 2008, Dr. Lederman was Chairman of Validus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Fontus Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., which were portfolio companies of the Konanda private growth equity funds. Since 2011, Dr. Lederman has served as CEO and
Chairman of Leder Laboratories Inc., or Leder Labs, and Starling Pharmaceuticals Inc., or Starling, which are biopharmaceutical
development companies. Dr. Lederman was the chairman of Leder Laboratories, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leder Laboratories
Inc., between 2013 and 2018, when the entity was dissolved. In 2015, Dr. Lederman served as a member of the US – Japan Business
Council. Between 2006 and 2011, Dr. Lederman was a director of Research Corporation, a New York-based non-profit organization.
Dr. Lederman received his BA degree in Chemistry from Princeton University in 1979 and his MD from Columbia University in 1983.
Dr. Lederman’s significant experience with our patent portfolio and his experience as an entrepreneur, seed capital investor,
fund manager, and director of start-up biopharmaceutical companies were instrumental in his selection as a member of the Board.
89
Richard
Bagger became a Director in June 2020. Mr. Bagger has been a Partner and Executive Director of Christie 55 Solutions,
LLC, a New Jersey based consulting firm, since January 2020. Mr. Bagger has also been an Adjunct Faculty member at the Rutgers
University Eagleton Institute since 2018. From 2012 through 2019, Mr. Bagger was Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs
and Market Access for Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), a global biopharmaceutical company, as well as a member of its Executive
Committee. From 1993 to 2010, Mr. Bagger held roles of increasing responsibility with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), a global pharmaceutical
company, and served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Public Affairs and Policy, from 2006 to 2009. Prior to joining Pfizer,
Mr. Bagger was Assistant General Counsel of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, a health insurer, and practiced law with
the law firm of McCarter & English. Mr. Bagger served as Board Chair of the National Pharmaceutical Council for 2019 and is
a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He is also on the advisory board for the Lerner Center for
the Study of Pharmaceutical Management Issues at Rutgers University Business School. Mr. Bagger received an A.B. degree from Princeton
University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and a J.D. degree from Rutgers University Law School.
Mr. Bagger’s extensive healthcare and public policy experience were instrumental in his selection as a member of the Board.
Margaret
Smith Bell became a Director in September 2017. Ms. Bell has been retired for the last ten years. Previously, Ms. Bell
was a Vice President at Standard Life Investments where she was a portfolio manager and health care equity analyst. Ms. Bell was
also a Managing Director at Putnam Investments, and served as a senior health care analyst and a portfolio manager of the Putnam
Health Sciences Trust. Ms. Bell was an analyst and vice president at State Street Research and a research analyst at Alex. Brown
& Sons, Inc. Ms. Bell is a past member of the Board of Overseers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Ms. Bell holds a
B.A. from Wesleyan University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Bell’s extensive
healthcare and investment banking experience were instrumental in her selection as a member of the Board.
Daniel
Goodman, MD became a Director in May 2019. Dr. Goodman founded Riverside Pharmaceuticals, a drug discovery company,
in 2012 and has been its Chief Executive Officer since inception. Dr. Goodman co-founded PsychoGenics Inc., a preclinical neuropharmacology
company, in 1998, was its Chief Executive Officer from 1998 to 2000, and has served on its Board of Directors since 2000. Dr.
Goodman is also a practicing physician and has been President and cofounder of The Midtown Practice for Psychiatry PC since 2017
and President and founder of Daniel Goodman MD PC since 2003. Dr. Goodman graduated from Harvard Medical School and has an M.B.A.
from Columbia Business School. Dr. Goodman’s experience in drug discovery and development was instrumental in his selection
as a member of our Board.
Brigadier
General David Grange (U.S. Army retired) became a director in February 2018. BG Grange has been President and founder
of Osprey Global Solutions, LLC (“OGS”), a Service Disabled Veterans Organization, since 2011. BG Grange was Chief
Executive Officer of Pharm-Olam International, Ltd. (“Pharm-Olam”), a contract research organization, from April 2017
to October 2019. Prior to founding OGS, BG Grange was a member of the Board of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (Nasdaq:
PPDI), a contract research organization, from 2003 to 2009, and Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2011. Prior to PPDI he served
in the McCormick Tribune Foundation for 10 years most recently as Chief Executive Officer and President, where he also oversaw
the support of Veteran Programs. BG Grange served 30 years in the U.S. Army as a Ranger, Green Beret, Aviator, Infantryman and
a member of special operating units. At the Pentagon, he was Director of Army Current Operations, Readiness, and Mobilization.BG
Grange commanded the Ranger Regiment and the First Infantry Division (the Big Red One).BG Grange holds a master’s degree
in Public Service from Western Kentucky University. BG Grange’s extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry and
service with the U.S. military was instrumental in his selection as a member of our Board.
Adeoye
Olukotun, MD became a Director in September 2018. Dr. Olukotun is a board member of Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals. Dr
Olukotun is a member of management of Genesis Unicorn Corporation, a special acquisition company recently listed on Nasdaq (GENQU).
Dr. Olukotun has been the Chief Executive Officer of CR Strategies, LLC, a medical products consulting company, since 2000, and
was the Chief Executive Officer of EpiGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from 2014 to January of 2018. Dr. Olukotun
served as Vice Chairman of CardoVax, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from 2012 to 2016, and as its Chief Executive Officer from
2006 to 2012. He is also co-founder of VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, and served as the company’s
Chief Medical Officer from 2004 to 2008. Dr. Olukotun’s extensive medical background and experience in the pharmaceutical
industry was instrumental in his selection as a member of our Board.
Carolyn
Taylor became a Director in July 2021. Ms. Taylor was general counsel of Strike Protocols Inc., a financial technology
company, from 2019 to 2020, and held positions of varying responsibility, including partner, and most recently, of counsel, at
the law firm of Covington & Burling LLP from 1989 to 2000 and 2004 to 2015. From 2000 to 2003, Ms. Taylor served as Executive
Vice President and General Counsel of Longitude, Inc., a financial services company. Ms. Taylor graduated from Columbia Law School
and earned a B.A. from Brown University. Ms. Taylor’s broad transactional experience was instrumental in her selection as
a member of the Board.
90
James
Treco became a director in February 2019 and has been our Lead Director since March 2020. Mr. Treco has been a Managing
Partner at First Chicago Advisors, Inc., a boutique financial advisory firm where he advises executives and boards of directors
of a wide range of companies, from global, large-cap companies to emerging companies, from 2009 to 2012 and from 2014 to the present.
From 2012 to 2013 Mr. Treco was an investment banker with Gleacher & Company, a company that previously operated an investment
banking business, providing corporate and institutional clients with strategic and financial advisory services. Mr. Treco held
various positions of increasing responsibility at Salomon Brothers/Citigroup from 1984 to 2008, where he used his extensive experience
in the global capital markets to advise a wide range of clients. Mr. Treco holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.B.A. from
the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Treco’s extensive healthcare and investment banking experience
were instrumental in his selection as a member of the Board.
Jessica
Morris is our Chief Operating Officer and has worked for the Company since April 2013, first as a consultant (April
2013 – September 2013), then as SVP of Finance (September 2013 – October 2015), followed by Chief Administrative Officer
(October 2015 – January 2016), Acting Chief Financial Officer (January 2016 – February 2016), and Executive Vice President,
Operations (February 2016 – January 2018). Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Morris was a Vice President in investment management
at Zhong Rong Group. Previously, Ms. Morris was a Senior Associate in the Sponsor Finance Group at American Capital, a Vice President
of the mezzanine debt fund at Calvert Street Capital Partners, an Associate in the commercial finance department of Silicon Valley
Bank, and a Financial Analyst in the investment banking group at Deutsche Bank. Ms. Morris earned a B.S. in Commerce and a B.A.
in Music from the University of Virginia, where she was an Echols Scholar.
Bradley
Saenger, CPA became our Chief Financial Officer in February 2016. Mr. Saenger has worked for us since May 2014, as
the Director of Accounting (May 2014 – December 2015) and VP of Accounting (January 2016 – February 2016). Between
June 2013 and March 2014, Mr. Saenger worked for Shire Pharmaceuticals as a consultant in the financial analyst research and development
group. Since November 2015, Mr. Saenger has been a director of Tonix Pharma Holdings Limited. Between February 2013 and May 2013,
Mr. Saenger worked for Stewart Health Care System as a financial consultant. Between October 2011 and December 2012, Mr. Saenger
was an Associate Director of Accounting at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Between January 2005 and September 2011, Mr. Saenger worked
for Alere Inc., as a Manager of Corporate Accounting and Consolidations (2007 – 2011) and Manager of Financial Reporting
(2005 – 2006). Mr. Saenger also worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Shifren Hirsowitz, public accountants and auditors
in Johannesburg, South Africa, Investec Bank in Johannesburg, South Africa and Norman Sifris and Company, public accountants and
auditors in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Saenger received his Bachelor’s and Honors’ degrees in Accounting Science
from the University of South Africa. Mr. Saenger is a Chartered Accountant in South Africa and a Certified Public Accountant in
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Gregory
Sullivan, MD became our Chief Medical Officer on June 3, 2014 and our Secretary in March 2017. Prior to becoming
our Chief Medical Officer, he served on our Scientific Advisory Board since October 2010, and had also provided ad hoc consulting
services. Previously, Dr. Sullivan had been a member of the faculty of Columbia University since July 1999, where he served as
an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) until June 2014.
Between June 1997 and August 2014, Dr. Sullivan maintained a part-time psychiatry practice. He served as a Research Scientist
at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) from December 2006 to June 2014. He also served as a member of the Institutional
Review Board of the NYSPI from January 2009 to June 2014. As Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on several human studies
of PTSD, Dr. Sullivan has administered the recruitment, biological assessments, treatment, and safety of participants with PTSD
in clinical trials of the disorder. He has published more than 50 articles and chapters on research topics ranging from stress
and anxiety disorders to abnormal serotonin receptor expression in depression, PTSD and panic disorder. He is a recipient of grants
from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, NARSAD, the Dana Foundation,
and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Sullivan received a BA in Biology from the University of California, Berkeley,
and received his MD from the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Columbia University. He completed his residency training
in psychiatry at CUMC, and then a two-year NIMH-sponsored research fellowship in anxiety and affective disorders before joining
the faculty at Columbia.
Directors
serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers serve at the
discretion of the Board.
Board
Independence
The
Board has determined that (i) Seth Lederman has a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise
of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and is not an “independent director” as
defined in the Marketplace Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market and (ii) Richard Bagger, Margaret Smith Bell, Daniel Goodman, David
Grange, Adeoye Olukotun, Carolyn Taylor and James Treco are each an independent director as defined in the Marketplace Rules of
The NASDAQ Stock Market.
91
Board
Leadership Structure
Our
CEO also serves as the chairman of the Board. An independent director serves as the Board’s lead director. This structure
allows one person to speak for and lead both the Company and the Board, while also providing for effective independent
board oversight through an independent lead director. Having Dr. Lederman, our CEO, serve as Chairman creates clear and unambiguous
authority, which is essential to effective management. Our Board and management can respond more effectively to a clearer line
of authority. By designating our CEO as its Chairman, our Board also sends as an important signal to our employees and shareholders
about who is accountable. Further, since Dr. Lederman is the founder of our Company and is an inventor on key patents and patent
applications underlying our programs, we believe that Dr. Lederman is best-positioned to set our Board’s agenda and provide
leadership.
We
have established the position of lead director, which is filled by Mr. Treco. The lead director has the following responsibilities,
as detailed in the Lead Director charter, adopted by the Board (and also performs any other functions the Board may request):
●
Board leadership —
provides leadership to the Board in any situation where the chairman’s role may be, or may be perceived to
be, in conflict, and also chairs meetings when the chairman is absent;
●
Leadership of
independent director meetings — leads independent director meetings, which take place without any management
directors or Tonix employees present;
●
Additional meetings —
calls additional independent director meetings as needed;
●
Chairman-independent
director liaison — regularly meets with the chairman and serves as liaison between the chairman and
the independent directors;
●
Stockholder communications —
makes himself available for direct communication with our stockholders;
●
Board agenda,
schedule & information — works with the chairman regarding meeting agendas, meeting schedules and information
sent to directors for Board meetings, including the quality, quantity, appropriateness and timeliness of such information;
and
●
Advisors and
consultants — recommends to the Board the retention of outside advisors and consultants who report directly
to the Board on Board-wide issues.
Board
Role in Risk Oversight
Risk
is an integral part of the Board and Board committee deliberations throughout the year. While the Board has the ultimate oversight
responsibility for the risk management process, various committees of the Board also have responsibility for risk management.
In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial risk, including internal controls, and receives financial risk assessment
reports from management. Risks related to the compensation programs are reviewed by the Compensation Committee. The Board is advised
by these committees of significant risks and management’s response through periodic updates.
Stockholder
Communications with the Board
The
Company’s stockholders may communicate with the Board, including non-executive directors or officers, by sending written
communications addressed to such person or persons in care of Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp., Attention: Secretary, 26 Main
Street, Suite 101, Chatham, New Jersey 07928. All communications will be compiled by the Secretary and submitted to the addressee.
If the Board modifies this process, the revised process will be posted on the Company’s website.
Meetings
and Committees of the Board
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Board held 11 meetings, the Audit Committee held eight meetings, the Compensation
Committee held nine meetings and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held six meetings. The Board and Board committees
also approved certain actions by unanimous written consent.
Board
Committees
The
Board has standing Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. Information concerning the membership
and function of each committee is as follows:
92
Board Committee Membership
Name
Audit
Committee
Compensation
Committee
Nominating and
Corporate
Governance Committee
Richard Bagger
*
Margaret Smith Bell
*
**
Daniel Goodman
*
*
David Grange
*
*
Adeoye Olukotun
*
Carolyn Taylor
*
James Treco
**
**
* Member
of Committee
** Chairman
of Committee
Audit
Committee
Our
Audit Committee consists of Margaret Smith Bell, Daniel Goodman and James Treco, Chair of the Committee. Our Board has determined
each of the members are “independent” as that term is defined under applicable SEC rules and under the current listing
standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Mr. Treco is our audit committee financial expert.
Our
Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: (i) reviewing the independence, qualifications, services, fees, and performance
of the independent auditors, (ii) appointing, replacing and discharging the independent auditor, (iii) pre-approving the professional
services provided by the independent auditor, (iv) reviewing the scope of the annual audit and reports and recommendations submitted
by the independent auditor, and (v) reviewing our financial reporting and accounting policies, including any significant changes,
with management and the independent auditor. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Compensation
Committee
Our
Compensation Committee consists of Margaret Smith Bell, Chair of the Committee, David Grange, Carolyn Taylor and Adeoye Olukotun.
Our Board has determined that all of the members are “independent” under the current listing standards of the NASDAQ
Stock Market. Our Board has adopted a written charter setting forth the authority and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee.
Our
Compensation Committee has responsibility for, among other things, evaluating and making decisions regarding the compensation
of our executive officers, assuring that the executive officers are compensated effectively in a manner consistent with our stated
compensation strategy, producing an annual report on executive compensation in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated
by the SEC and periodically evaluating and administering the terms and administration of our incentive plans and benefit programs.
In addition, our Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding incentive compensation plans
that require shareholder approval, director compensation, the Company’s compensation discussion and analysis (“CD&A”)
and the related executive compensation information for inclusion in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and proxy statement,
and employment and severance agreements relating to the chief executive officer.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Richard Bagger, Daniel Goodman, David Grange and James Treco, Chair
of the Committee. The Board has determined that all of the members are “independent” under the current listing standards
of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has responsibility for assisting the Board in, among other things, effecting the
organization, membership and function of the Board and its committees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies
and evaluates the qualifications of all candidates for nomination for election as directors, and seeks director nominees that
complement and enhance the effectiveness of the existing Board to ensure that its members have varied and relevant backgrounds,
skills, knowledge, perspectives and experiences. Our Board currently includes two female directors and one director who contributes
racial/ethnic diversity. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing, recommending
and evaluating corporate governance standards and a code of business conduct and ethics.
Nomination
of Directors
As
provided in its charter and our Company’s corporate governance principles, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks
to identify director candidates based on input provided by a number of sources, including (1) the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee members, (2) our other directors, (3) our shareholders, (4) our Chief Executive Officer or Chairman, and (5) third parties
such as professional search firms. In evaluating potential candidates for director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
considers the entirety of each candidate’s credentials.
93
Qualifications
for consideration as a director nominee may vary according to the particular areas of expertise being sought as a complement to
the existing composition of the Board. However, at a minimum, candidates for director must possess:
●
high personal and
professional ethics and integrity;
●
the ability to exercise
sound judgment;
●
the ability to make
independent analytical inquiries;
●
a willingness and
ability to devote adequate time and resources to diligently perform Board and committee duties; and
●
the appropriate
and relevant business experience and acumen.
In
addition to these minimum qualifications, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also takes into account when considering
whether to nominate a potential director candidate the following factors:
●
whether the person
possesses specific industry expertise and familiarity with general issues affecting our business;
●
whether the person’s
nomination and election would enable the Board to have a member that qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert”
as such term is defined by the SEC in Item 401 of Regulation S-K;
●
whether the person
would qualify as an “independent” director under the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market;
●
the importance of
continuity of the existing composition of the Board to provide long term stability and experienced oversight; and
●
the importance of
diversified Board membership, in terms of both the individuals involved and their various experiences and areas of expertise.
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders provided such recommendations
are submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth below. In order to provide for an orderly and informed review and selection
process for director candidates, the Board has determined that shareholders who wish to recommend director candidates for consideration
by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee must comply with the following:
●
The recommendation
must be made in writing to the Corporate Secretary at Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.;
●
The recommendation
must include the candidate’s name, home and business contact information, detailed biographical data and qualifications,
information regarding any relationships between the candidate and the Company within the last three years and evidence of
the recommending person’s ownership of the Company’s common stock;
●
The recommendation
shall also contain a statement from the recommending shareholder in support of the candidate; professional references, particularly
within the context of those relevant to board membership, including issues of character, judgment, diversity, age, independence,
expertise, corporate experience, length of service, other commitments and the like; and personal references; and
●
A statement from
the shareholder nominee indicating that such nominee wants to serve on the Board and could be considered “independent”
under the Rules and Regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the SEC, as in effect at that time.
All
candidates submitted by shareholders will be evaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee according to the criteria
discussed above and in the same manner as all other director candidates.
94
Code
of Ethics
We
have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees.
Involvement
in Certain Legal Proceedings
Except
as disclosed below, our directors and executive officers have not been involved in any of the following events during the past
ten years:
1.
any bankruptcy petition
filed by or against such person or any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at
the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;
2.
any conviction in
a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
3.
being subject to
any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently
or temporarily enjoining him from or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities
or to be associated with any person practicing in banking or securities activities;
4.
being found by a
court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission to have violated a Federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended,
or vacated;
5.
being subject of,
or a party to, any Federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed,
suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of any Federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation,
any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail
or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
6.
being subject of
or party to any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization,
any registered entity or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over
its members or persons associated with a member.
In
January 2013, the Chief Operating Officer filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7 of Title 11 under the United States
Code in the U. S. Bankruptcy Court in New York, New York. The petition was discharged in April 2013.
ITEM
11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation
Philosophy and Practices
We
believe that the performance of our executive officers significantly impacts our ability to achieve our corporate goals. We, therefore,
place considerable importance on the design and administration of our executive officer compensation program. This program is
intended to enhance stockholder value by attracting, motivating and retaining qualified individuals to perform at the highest
levels and to contribute to our growth and success. Our executive officer compensation program is designed to provide compensation
opportunities that are tied to individual and corporate performance.
Our
compensation packages are also designed to be competitive in our industry. The Compensation Committee from time-to-time consults
with compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors in designing our compensation program, including in evaluating
the competitiveness of individual compensation packages and in relation to our corporate goals.
Our
overall compensation philosophy has been to pay our executive officers an annual base salary and to provide opportunities, through
cash and equity incentives, to provide higher compensation if certain key performance goals are satisfied. We believe that many
of our key practices and programs demonstrate good governance. The main principles of our fiscal year 2021 compensation strategy
included the following:
●
An
emphasis on pay for performance . A significant portion of our executive officers’ total compensation is variable and at
risk and tied directly to measurable performance, including pre-specified corporate, strategic or developmental goals, which aligns
the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders;
●
Performance
results are linked to Company and individual performance . When looking at performance over the year, we equally
weigh individual performance as well as that of the Company as a whole. Target annual compensation is positioned
to allow for above-median compensation to be earned through an executive officer’s and the Company’s extraordinary
performance;
95
●
Equity
as a key component to align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. Our Compensation Committee
believes that keeping executives interests aligned with those of our stockholders is critical to driving toward achievement of
long-term goals of both our stockholders and the Company. Accordingly, a significant portion of our executives’ compensation
are stock based, including stock options that are exercisable at a percentage above market value at the time of grant; and
●
Peer
group positioning . While the Compensation Committee considers the level of compensation paid by the companies
in our peer group as a reference point that provides a framework for its compensation decisions, in order to maintain
competitiveness and flexibility, the Compensation Committee does not target compensation at a particular level relative
to the peer group; nor does the Compensation Committee employ a formal benchmarking strategy or rely upon specific peer–derived
targets.
In
2021, we also continued practices that demonstrate good governance and careful stewardship of corporate assets, including:
●
Limited
personal benefits . Our executive officers are eligible for the same benefits as our non-executive salaried employees,
and they do not receive any additional perquisites.
●
No
retirement benefits . We do not provide our executive officers with a traditional retirement plan, or with any supplemental
deferred compensation or retirement benefits.
●
No
tax gross-ups . We do not provide our executive officers with any tax gross-ups.
●
No
single-trigger cash change in control benefits . We do not provide cash benefits to, or accelerate the vesting of unvested equity grants issued to, our executives upon a change in control,
absent an actual termination of employment.
At
our annual meeting in May 2019, we conducted our tri-annual advisory vote on executive compensation, commonly referred to as a
“say-on-pay” vote. At that time, a majority of the votes affirmatively cast on the advisory say-on-pay proposal were
voted in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee understood this level of approval
to indicate strong stockholder support for our executive compensation policies and programs generally, and as a result, our Compensation
Committee made no fundamental changes to our executive compensation programs. We will hold our next say-on-pay vote at the 2022
annual meeting. Our Compensation Committee and our Board will consider shareholder feedback through the say-on-pay vote and remains
committed to engaging with shareholders and are open to feedback from shareholders.
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table provides certain summary information concerning compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our Chief Executive
Officer, and the two next most highly paid executive officers for fiscal years 2021 and 2020.
Name & Principal
Position
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($)
Option
Awards
($) (1)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
Change in
Pension Value and
Non-Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
Seth Lederman
2021
675,000
506,250
—
6,527,139
—
—
—
7,708,389
Chief Executive Officer
2020
614,250
460,688
—
2,799,884
—
—
—
3,874,822
Bradley Saenger
2021
425,000
170,000
—
1,174,885
—
—
—
1,769,885
Chief Financial Officer
2020
404,250
181,913
—
505,645
—
—
—
1,091,808
Gregory Sullivan
2021
440,000
176,000
—
1,631,785
—
—
—
2,247,785
Chief Medical
Officer
2020
420,000
256,200
—
706,220
—
—
—
1,382,420
(1)
Represents
the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB,
Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 718, “Stock Compensation.” For the relevant assumptions used
in determining these amounts, refer to Note 14 to our audited financial statements.
96
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2021
The
following table provides information with regard to each grant of plan-based award made to a named executive officer under any
plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Name
Grant Date
All Other Option Awards:
Number of Securities
Underlying Options (#)
Exercise or
Base Price of
Option Awards ($/Share)
Grant Date Fair Value of
Stock and Option Awards
($) (1)
Seth Lederman
2/23/2021
3,000,000
1.22
3,285,830
2/23/2021
3,000,000
1.53
(2)
3,241,309
Bradley
Saenger
2/23/2021
540,000
1.22
591,449
2/23/2021
540,000
1.53
(2)
583,436
Gregory
Sullivan
2/23/2021
750,000
1.22
821,458
2/23/2021
750,000
1.53
(2)
810,327
(1)
Represents
the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(2)
Represents an exercise price at
a 125% premium of the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at December 31, 2021
The
following table presents information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31,
2021.
Name
Number of
Securities
underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Option
Exercise
Price ($/Sh)
Option
Expiration
Date
Seth Lederman
35
—
$
30,000.00
5/9/2022
68
—
$
10,200.00
2/12/2023
71
—
$
15,880.00
2/11/2024
100
—
$
9,870.00
6/17/2024
100
—
$
6,680.00
10/29/2024
189
—
$
5,950.00
2/25/2025
8
—
$
5,950.00
2/25/2025
110
—
$
5,030.00
2/9/2026
—
110
(1)
$
5,030.00
2/9/2026
160
—
$
550.00
3/1/2027
1,567
—
$
340.00
2/13/2028
1,567
—
$
425.00
2/13/2028
2,195
132
(2)
$
18.90
2/26/2029
2,194
133
(2)
$
23.60
2/26/2029
11,175
1,801
(3)
$
20.50
5/6/2029
11,175
1,801
(3)
$
25.60
5/6/2029
73,335
46,665
(4)
$
0.40
2/25/2030
73,335
46,665
(4)
$
0.50
2/25/2030
1,055,555
944,445
(5)
$
0.77
5/4/2030
1,055,555
944,445
(5)
$
0.96
5/4/2030
—
3,000,000
(6)
$
1.22
2/23/2031
—
3,000,000
(6)
$
1.53
2/23/2031
Bradley Saenger
11
—
$
9,870.00
6/17/2024
11
—
$
6,680.00
10/29/2024
13
—
$
5,950.00
2/25/2025
15
—
$
5,030.00
2/9/2026
—
60
(1)
$
2,420.00
5/27/2026
20
—
$
2,420.00
5/27/2026
48
—
$
550.00
3/1/2027
392
—
$
340.00
2/13/2028
392
—
$
425.00
2/13/2028
492
25
(2)
$
18.90
2/26/2029
491
26
(2)
$
23.60
2/26/2029
2,482
402
(3)
$
20.50
5/6/2029
2,482
402
(3)
$
25.60
5/6/2029
14,670
9,330
(4)
$
0.40
2/25/2030
14,670
9,330
(4)
$
0.50
2/25/2030
190,000
170,000
(5)
$
0.77
5/4/2030
190,000
170,000
(5)
$
0.96
5/4/2030
—
540,000
(6)
$
1.22
2/23/2031
—
540,000
(6)
$
1.53
2/23/2031
Gregory Sullivan
27
—
$
9,870.00
6/17/2024
27
—
$
6,680.00
10/29/2024
27
—
$
5,950.00
2/25/2025
30
—
$
5,030.00
2/9/2026
—
30
(1)
$
5,030.00
2/9/2026
75
—
$
550.00
3/1/2027
588
—
$
340.00
2/13/2028
588
—
$
425.00
2/13/2028
732
44
(2)
$
18.90
2/26/2029
731
45
(2)
$
23.60
2/26/2029
3,722
604
(3)
$
20.50
5/6/2029
3,722
604
(3)
$
25.60
5/6/2029
23,835
15,165
(4)
$
0.40
2/25/2030
23,835
15,165
(4)
$
0.50
2/25/2030
263,890
236,110
(5)
$
0.77
5/4/2030
263,890
236,110
(5)
$
0.96
5/4/2030
—
750,000
(6)
$
1.22
2/23/2031
—
750,000
(6)
$
1.53
2/23/2031
(1)
The
shares subject to this stock option vest 1/3rd upon the date(s) that certain stock price goals are achieved. The stock price
goals are such date(s) when the Company’s common stock has an average closing sales price equal to or exceeding each
of $6,000.00, $7,000.00 and $8,000.00 per share for 20 consecutive trading days, subject to a one year minimum service period
prior to vesting.
(2)
The shares subject
to this stock option vested as to 1/3 of the shares on February 26, 2020, with the remaining shares vesting on an equal monthly
basis over the following 24 months.
(3)
The shares subject
to this stock option vested as to 1/3 of the shares on May 6, 2020, with the remaining shares vesting on an equal monthly
basis over the following 24 months.
(4)
The shares subject
to this stock option vested as to 1/3 of the shares on February 25, 2021, with the remaining shares vesting on an equal monthly
basis over the following 24 months.
(5)
The shares subject
to this stock option vested as to 1/3 of the shares on May 4, 2021, with the remaining shares vesting on an equal monthly
basis over the following 24 months.
(6)
The
shares subject to this stock option vested as to 1/3 of the shares on February 23, 2022, with the remaining shares vesting
on an equal monthly basis over the following 24 months.
97
Option
Exercises and Stock Vested
No
options were exercised by any of the named executive officers and no named executive officers held restricted stock units during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table provides certain information with respect to our equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2021.
Plan
Category
Number
of securities 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 securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column
A) (2)
(C)
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
25,780,262
$ 1.83
16,085,803
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
—
—
—
Total
25,780,262
$ 1.83
16,085,803
(1)
Consists of the Company’s
2012 Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2017
Stock Incentive Plan, the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, the 2019 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, the Amended
and Restated 2020 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(the “ESPP”).
(2)
Consists of shares
available for future issuance under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan and our ESPP. As of December 31, 2021, 16,085,796 shares
of common stock were available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan and 7 shares of common stock were available
for issuance under the ESPP.
98
Employment
Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-In-Control Arrangements
Employment
Agreement with Seth Lederman
On
February 11, 2014, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Lederman Agreement”) with Dr. Seth Lederman
to continue to serve as our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.
The
base salary for Dr. Lederman under the Lederman Agreement was $425,000 per annum and as of January 1, 2022, the base salary is
$675,000. The Lederman Agreement has an initial term of one year and automatically renew for successive one year terms
unless either party delivers written notice not to renew at least 60 days prior to the end of the current term.
Pursuant
to the Lederman Agreement, if the Company terminates Dr. Lederman’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Lederman
Agreement) or Dr. Lederman resigns for Good Reason (as defined in the Lederman Agreement), Dr. Lederman is entitled to the following
payments and benefits: (1) his fully earned but unpaid base salary through the date of termination at the rate then in effect,
plus all other benefits, if any, under any group retirement plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, equity award plan or
agreement, health benefits plan or other group benefit plan to which Dr. Lederman may be entitled to under the terms of such plans
or agreements; (2) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to 12 months of his base salary as in effect immediately
prior to the date of termination; (3) continuation of health benefits for Dr. Lederman and his eligible dependents for a period
of 12 months following the date of termination; and (4) the automatic acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of
outstanding unvested stock awards as to the number of stock awards that would have vested over the 12-month period following
termination had Dr, Lederman remained continuously employed by the Company during such period.
Pursuant
to the Lederman Agreement, if Dr. Lederman’s employment is terminated as a result of death or permanent disability, Dr.
Lederman or his estate, as applicable, is entitled to the following payments and benefits: (1) his fully earned but unpaid base
salary through the date of termination at the rate then in effect; (2) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to six months
of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination; and (3) the automatic acceleration of the vesting
and exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards.
If
Dr. Lederman is terminated without Cause or resigns for Good Reason during the period commencing 90 days prior to a Change in
Control (as defined below) or 12 months following a Change in Control, Dr. Lederman shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of
the severance benefits described above, the following payments and benefits: (1) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to
36 months of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, except that, if and while Dr. Dr.
Lederman is still entitled to the Sale Bonus (as defined below), it will only be 18 months; (2) continuation of health benefits
for Dr. Lederman and his eligible dependents for a period of 24 months following the date of termination, except that, if and
while Dr. Lederman is still entitled to the Sale Bonus it will only be 12 months; and (3) the automatic acceleration of the
vesting and exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards.
If
during the term of the Lederman Agreement or within 120 days after Dr. Lederman is terminated without Cause or resigns for Good
Reason, following a Change in Control, the Company consummates a Change in Control transaction in which the Enterprise Value (as
defined below) equals or exceeds $50 million, Dr. Lederman shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to 4.4% of the
Enterprise Value (the “Sale Bonus”). The Sale Bonus provision of the Lederman Agreement will terminate upon
the Company granting Dr. Lederman long-term incentive compensation mutually agreed to by the Board and Dr. Lederman.
For
purposes of the Lederman Agreement, “Cause” generally means (1) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or
dishonesty or some other illegal act that has a demonstrable material adverse impact on the Company or any successor or affiliate of
the Company, (2) conviction of, or entry into a plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to, a felony,
(3) unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets or any successor or
affiliate of the Company that has, or may reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse impact on any such entity; (4) gross
negligence, failure to follow a material, lawful and reasonable request of the Board or material violation of any duty of loyalty to
the Company or any successor or affiliate of the Company, or any other demonstrable material willful misconduct by Dr. Lederman,
(5) ongoing and repeated failure or refusal to perform or neglect of his duties as required by his employment agreement, which
failure, refusal or neglect continues for 30 days following Dr. Lederman’s receipt of written notice from the Board
stating with specificity the nature of such failure, refusal or neglect, provided that such failure to perform is not as a result of
illness, injury or medical incapacity, or (6) material breach of any Company policy or any material provision of
the Lederman Agreement.
99
For
purposes of the Lederman Agreement, “Good Reason” generally means (1) a material diminution in Dr.
Lederman’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities, (2) a material diminution in Dr. Lederman’s base
compensation, unless such a reduction is imposed across-the-board to the Company’s senior management, and such reduction is
not greater than 15%, (3) a material change in the geographic location at which Dr. Lederman must perform his duties,
(4) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company or any successor or affiliate of the
Company’s obligations to Dr. Lederman under the Lederman Agreement, or (5) the Company elects not to renew
the Lederman Agreement for another term.
For
purposes of the Lederman Agreement, “Change in Control” generally means:
●
A transaction
or series of transactions (other than public offerings) that results in any person or entity or related group of persons or
entities (other than the Company, its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or a person or entity that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, the Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than
40% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition;
●
(1)
a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (2) the sale, exchange or transfer of all or substantially
all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of transactions or (3) the acquisition of assets
or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:
○
which
results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent, directly
or indirectly, at least 60% of the combined voting power of the successor entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately
after the transaction, and
○
after
which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of the
Company or its successor; provided, however, that no person or group is treated as beneficially owning 40% or more of combined
voting power of the Company or its successor solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation
of the transaction.
For
purposes of the Lederman Agreement, “Enterprise Value” generally means (1) in a Change in Control in which consideration
is received by the Company, the total cash and non-cash consideration, including debt assumed, received by the Company, net of
any fees and expenses in connection with the transaction and (2) in a Change in Control in which consideration is payable to the
stockholders of the Company, the total cash and non-cash consideration, including debt assumed, payable to the Company’s
stockholders net of any fees and expenses in connection with the transaction. Enterprise Value also includes any cash
or non-cash consideration payable to the Company or to the Company’s stockholders on a contingent, earnout or deferred basis.
Employment
Agreement with Gregory Sullivan
On
June 3, 2014, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Sullivan Agreement”) with Dr. Gregory Sullivan
to serve as our Chief Medical Officer. The base salary for Dr. Sullivan under the Sullivan Agreement
was $225,000 per annum and as of January 1, 2022, the base salary is $461,120. The Sullivan Agreement had an initial
term of one year and automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party delivers written notice not to renew
at least 60 days prior to the end of the current term.
Pursuant
to the Sullivan Agreement, if the Company terminates Dr. Sullivan’s employment without Cause (as defined below) or Executive
resigns for Good Reason (as defined below), Dr. Sullivan is entitled to the following payments and benefits: (1) his fully
earned but unpaid base salary through the date of termination at the rate then in effect, plus all other benefits, if any,
under any group retirement plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, equity award plan or agreement, health benefits plan
or other group benefit plan to which Dr. Sullivan may be entitled to under the terms of such plans or agreements; (2) a lump
sum cash payment in an amount equal to 12 months of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination;
(3) continuation of health benefits for Dr. Sullivan and his eligible dependents for a period of 12 months following the
date of termination; and (4) the automatic acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards
as to the number of stock awards that would have vested over the 12-month period following termination had Dr. Sullivan remained
continuously employed by the Company during such period.
100
Pursuant
to the Sullivan Agreement, if Dr. Sullivan’s employment is terminated as a result of death or permanent disability, Sullivan or his estate, as applicable, is entitled to his fully earned but unpaid base salary through the end of the month in which
termination occurs at the rate then in effect.
For
purposes of the Sullivan Agreement, “Cause” generally means (1) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or
dishonesty or some other illegal act that has a demonstrable material adverse impact on the Company or any successor or affiliate of
the Company, (2) conviction of, or entry into a plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to, a felony,
(3) unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets or any successor or
affiliate of the Company that has, or may reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse impact on any such entity, (4) gross
negligence, failure to follow a material, lawful and reasonable request of the Company or material violation of any duty of loyalty
to the Company or any successor or affiliate of the Company, or any other demonstrable material misconduct by Dr. Sullivan,
(5) ongoing and repeated failure or refusal to perform or neglect of his duties as required by his employment agreement, which
failure, refusal or neglect continues for 30 days following Dr. Sullivan’s receipt of written notice from the Company
stating with specificity the nature of such failure, refusal or neglect, or (6) material breach of any Company policy or any
material provision of the Sullivan Agreement.
For
purposes of the Sullivan Agreement, “Good Reason” generally means (1) a material diminution in Dr.
Sullivan’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities, (2) a material diminution in the executive officer’s base
compensation, unless such a reduction is imposed across-the-board to the Company’s senior management and such reduction is not
greater than 15%, (3) a material change in the geographic location at which the executive officer must perform his duties,
(4) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company or any successor or affiliate of the
Company’s obligations to Dr. Sullivan under the Agreement, or (5) the Company elects not to renew
the Agreement for another term.
Employment
Agreement with Bradley Saenger
On
February 23, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Saenger Agreement”) with Mr. Bradley Saenger
to serve as our Chief Financial Officer. The base salary for Saenger under the Saenger Agreement
was $445,400 per annum as of January 1, 2022. The Saenger Agreement has an initial term of one year and automatically
renews for successive one year terms unless either party delivers written notice not to renew at least 60 days prior to the end
of the current term.
Pursuant
to the Saenger Agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Saenger’s employment without Cause (as defined below) or Executive
resigns for Good Reason (as defined below), Saenger is entitled to the following payments and benefits: (1) his fully earned
but unpaid base salary through the date of termination at the rate then in effect, plus all other benefits, if any, under any
group retirement plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, equity award plan or agreement, health benefits plan or other group
benefit plan to which Mr. Saenger may be entitled to under the terms of such plans or agreements; (2) a lump sum cash payment
in an amount equal to 12 months of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination;
(3) continuation of health benefits for Mr. Saenger and his eligible dependents for a period of 12 months following the
date of termination; and (4) the automatic acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards
as to the number of stock awards that would have vested over the 12-month period following termination had Saenger remained
continuously employed by the Company during such period.
Pursuant
to the Saenger Agreement, if Mr. Saenger’s employment is terminated as a result of death or permanent disability, Saenger or
his estate, as applicable, is entitled to his fully earned but unpaid base salary through the end of the month in which termination
occurs at the rate then in effect.
For
purposes of the Saenger Agreement, “Cause” generally means (1) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or
dishonesty or some other illegal act that has a demonstrable material adverse impact on the Company or any successor or affiliate of
the Company, (2) conviction of, or entry into a plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to, a felony,
(3) unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets or any successor or
affiliate of the Company that has, or may reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse impact on any such entity, (4) gross
negligence, failure to follow a material, lawful and reasonable request of the Company or material violation of any duty of loyalty
to the Company or any successor or affiliate of the Company, or any other demonstrable material misconduct by Mr. Saenger,
(5) ongoing and repeated failure or refusal to perform or neglect of his duties as required by his employment agreement, which
failure, refusal or neglect continues for 30 days following Mr. Saenger’s receipt of written notice from the Company
stating with specificity the nature of such failure, refusal or neglect, or (6) material breach of any Company policy or any
material provision of the Saenger Agreement.
For
purposes of the Saenger Agreement, “Good Reason” generally means (1) a material diminution in Mr.
Saenger’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities, (2) a material diminution in the executive officer’s base
compensation, unless such a reduction is imposed across-the-board to the Company’s senior management and such reduction is not
greater than 15%, (3) a material change in the geographic location at which the executive officer must perform his duties,
(4) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company or any successor or affiliate of the
Company’s obligations to Mr. Saenger under the Agreement, or (5) the Company elects not to renew
the Agreement for another term.
101
Directors
Compensation Table
As
of May 2021, each of our non-employee directors, other than the lead director, receives an annual cash retainer of $50,000; the retainer
for the lead director is $70,000. Prior to May 2021, each of our non-employee directors received
an annual cash retainer of $35,000. In addition, during 2021, each of our non-employee directors received stock options to purchase
shares of our common stock valued at $250,000 as determined by the Black Scholes method on the date of grant, which vest on the next
annual meeting of stockholders. The following table sets forth summary information concerning the total compensation paid to our non-employee
directors in 2021 for services to our Company.
Name
Cash
Compensation ($)
Option
Awards ($) (1)
Total ($)
Richard
Bagger
$
45,000
$
250,000
$
295,000
Margaret Smith
Bell
$
45,000
$
250,000
$
295,000
Daniel Goodman
$
45,000
$
250,000
$
295,000
David Grange
$
45,000
$
250,000
$
295,000
Adeoye Olukotun
$
45,000
$
250,000
$
295,000
Carolyn Taylor
$
22,984
$
208,945
$
231,929
James Treco (2)
$
58,333
$
250,000
$
308,333
Total:
$
306,317
$
1,708,945
$
2,015,262
(1)
Represents the aggregate
grant date fair value of stock options granted in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For the relevant assumptions used in
determining these amounts, refer to Note 14 to our audited financial statements. These amounts do not necessarily correspond
to the actual value that may be recognized from the stock option grant.
(2)
Mr. Treco received
additional cash compensation for serving as lead director.
ITEM
12- SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 14, 2022:
●
by each person who
is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;
●
by each of our officers
and directors; and
●
by
all of our officers and directors as a group.
Unless
otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the following table, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power
and that person’s address is c/o Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp., 26 Main Street, Suite 101, Chatham, New Jersey 07928.
NAME
OF OWNER
TITLE
OF
CLASS
NUMBER
OF
SHARES OWNED (1)
PERCENTAGE
OF
COMMON STOCK (2)
5% Stockholders
BlackRock, Inc.
Common Stock
30,631,558
(3)
5.7
%
Directors and Executive
Officers
Seth Lederman
Common
Stock
5,355,942
(4)
1
%
Jessica Morris
Common
Stock
942,441
(5)
*
Bradley Saenger
Common
Stock
962,023
(6)
*
Gregory Sullivan
Common
Stock
1,417,130
(7)
*
Richard Bagger
Common
Stock
349,632
(8)
*
Margaret Smith Bell
Common
Stock
354,673
(9)
*
Daniel Goodman
Common
Stock
353,883
(10)
*
David Grange
Common
Stock
349,152
(11)
*
Adeoye Olukotun
Common
Stock
354,232
(12)
*
Carolyn Taylor
Common
Stock
237,437
(13)
*
James Treco
Common
Stock
402,382
(14)
*
Officers and Directors as a Group (11 persons)
Common
Stock
11,078,926
(15)
2.0
%
102
*
Denotes less than 1%
(1)
Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with
respect to securities. Shares of common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable
or convertible within 60 days of March 14, 2022 are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such
option or warrant but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.
(2)
Percentage based upon 533,928,624 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of March 14, 2022.
(3) Based solely on information contained in a Schedule
13G filed with the SEC on February 4, 2022. The mailing address of this beneficial owner is 55 East 52 nd street, New York,
NY 10055.
(4)
Includes 5,207,918 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days,
205 shares of common stock owned by Lederman & Co, 33 shares of common stock owned by L&L, 59 shares of common stock owned
by Targent, 30 shares of common stock owned by Leder Laboratories, Inc. (Leder Labs), 30 shares of common stock owned by Starling,
135,000 shares owned through a 401(k) account, 459 shares owned through an IRA account and 31 shares owned by Dr. Lederman’s
spouse. Seth Lederman, as the Managing Member of Lederman & Co and Targent, the Manager of L&L and the Chairman of Leder
Labs and Starling, has investment and voting control over the shares held by these entities.
(5)
Includes 942,424 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days.
(6)
Includes 942,380 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days.
(7)
Includes 1,317,907 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days.
(8)
Includes 339,632 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested
or become exercisable within 60 days.
(9)
Includes 349,282 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested
or become exercisable within 60 days.
(10)
Includes 348,882 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested
or become exercisable within 60 days.
(11)
Includes 349,152 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested
or become exercisable within 60 days.
(12)
Includes 348,882 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days
(13)
Includes 237,437 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days
(14)
Includes 392,382 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested
or become exercisable within 60 days.
(15)
Includes 10,776,277 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or vested or become exercisable
within 60 days, 205 shares of common stock owned by Lederman & Co, 33 shares of common stock owned by L&L, 59 shares of
common stock owned by Targent, 30 shares of common stock owned by Leder Labs, 30 shares of common stock owned by Starling, 135,000
shares owned through a 401(k) account of Dr. Lederman, 459 shares owned through an IRA account of Dr. Lederman, 31 shares owned
by Dr. Lederman’s spouse.
103
ITEM
13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
We
have adopted a written related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification,
review, consideration and oversight of “related-party transactions.” For purposes of our policy only, a “related-party
transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships)
in which we and any “related party” are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000.
Transactions
involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, consultant or director are not considered related-person transactions
under this policy. A related party is any executive officer, director or a holder of more than five percent of our common stock,
including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
Under
the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-party transaction, our Chief Compliance Officer must present
information regarding the proposed related-party transaction to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for review.
The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests of the
related parties, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available. To identify related-party
transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders.
In considering related-party transactions, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into account the relevant
available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:
●
whether the transaction
was undertaken in the ordinary course of our business;
●
whether the related
party transaction was initiated by us or the related party;
●
whether the transaction
with the related party is proposed to be, or was, entered into on terms no less favorable to us than terms that could have
been reached with an unrelated third party;
●
the purpose of,
and the potential benefits to us from the related party transaction;
●
the approximate
dollar value of the amount involved in the related party transaction, particularly as it relates to the related party;
●
the related party’s
interest in the related party transaction, and
●
any other information
regarding the related party transaction or the related party that would be material to investors in light of the circumstances
of the particular transaction.
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall then make a recommendation to the Board, who will determine whether or not
to approve of the related party transaction, and if so, upon what terms and conditions. In the event a director has an interest
in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval.
During
the last two fiscal years, there have been no related party transactions.
ITEM
14 – PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Our
independent registered public accounting firm is EisnerAmper
LLP , Iselin, New Jersey , PCAOB ID: 274 .
Audit
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by our independent registered public accounting firm, for professional services rendered for the audit of
our annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, including review of our interim financial statements
as well as registration statement filings with the SEC and comfort letters issued to underwriters were $312,291 and $313,320,
respectively.
Audit-Related
Fees
We
did not incur fees to our independent registered public accounting firm for audit related fees during the fiscal years ended December
31, 2021 and 2020.
104
Tax
and Other Fees
We
did not incur fees to our independent registered public accounting firm for tax services during the fiscal years ended December
31, 2021 and 2020.
Pre-Approval
Policies and Procedures
Consistent
with SEC policies and guidelines regarding audit independence, the Audit Committee is responsible for the pre-approval of all
audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our principal accountants on a case-by-case basis. Our Audit Committee has
established a policy regarding approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our principal accountants.
Our Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category and service. Our Audit Committee has pre-approved all of the services
provided by our principal accountants.
PART
IV
ITEM
15 – EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(c)
Index to Exhibits
The
Exhibits listed below are identified by numbers corresponding to the Exhibit Table of Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The Exhibits
designated by an asterisk (*) are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed pursuant to
Item 15.
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Description
1.01
Form of Underwriting Agreement, filed herewith.
3.01
Articles of Incorporation, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 9, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
3.02
Articles of Merger between Tamandare Explorations Inc. and Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp., effective October 11, 2011, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 17, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
3.03
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on June 3, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
3.04
Certificate of Change of Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp., dated March 13, 2017 and effective March 17, 2017, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 16, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
3.05
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, effective June 16, 2017, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on June 16, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
3.06
Specimen Common Stock Certificate, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on May 24, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
3.07
Certificate of Amendment to Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on May 3, 2019.
3.08
Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on November 15, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
3.09
Form of Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Commission on January 17, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
105
4.01
Specimen Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on May 24, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.02
Form of Warrant, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Commission on November 14, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.03
Form of Warrant Agency Agreement, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Commission on November 14, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.04
Form of Warrant, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Commission on February 6, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference
4.05
Form of Warrant Agency Agreement, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Commission on February 6, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.06
Description of Registrant’s Securities, filed herewith.
10.01
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2012 Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 000-54879), filed with the Commission on April 3, 2013.*
10.02
Employment Agreement, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Seth Lederman, dated February 11, 2014, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 14, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.03
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Annex A to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-36019), filed with the Commission on May 2, 2014.*
10.04
Lease Amendment and Expansion Agreement, dated February 11, 2014, by and between 509 Madison Avenue Associates, L.P. and Tonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on February 27, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.05
Employment Agreement, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Gregory Sullivan, dated June 3, 2014, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 3, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.06
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Annex A to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-36019), filed with the Commission on March 25, 2016.*
10.07
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-36019), filed with the Commission on May 2, 2017.*
10.08
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-36019), filed with the Commission on April 19, 2018.*
10.09
Purchase Agreement, dated October 18, 2018, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 24, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.10
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2019 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-36019), filed with the Commission on March 18, 2019.*
10.11
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-36019), filed with the Commission on March 18, 2019.*
10.12
License Agreement, dated May 20, 2019, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 12, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
106
10.13
Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2019, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 23, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.14
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 19, 2019, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and TRImaran Pharma, Inc., filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 8, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.15
First Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement, dated August 19, 2019, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Wayne State University, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 8, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.16
Exclusive License Agreement, dated September 16, 2019, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 8, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.17
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2020
Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No.
001-36019), filed with the Commission on December 13, 2019.*
10.18
Research Collaboration Agreement between Tonix Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Southern Research Institute, dated November 7, 2018, filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 24, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.19
License Agreement, dated May 5, 2020, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals (Canada) Inc. and The Governors of the University of Alberta, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 10, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. †
10.20
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated June 11, 2020, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Trigemina, Inc., filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on May 12, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. †
10.21
Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement, dated June 11, 2020, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 10, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.22
Assignment and Agreement, dated June 11, 2020, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 10, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.23
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Seller named therein, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 10, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. †
10.24
Real Property Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 14, 2020, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and the Seller named therein, filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on November 9, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. †
10.25
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. Amended and Restated 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-36019), filed with the Commission on March 30, 2020.*
10.26
Employment Agreement, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Jessica Morris, dated February 23, 2021, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 26, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.27
Employment Agreement, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Bradley Saenger, dated February 23, 2021, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 26, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.28
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated March 5, 2021, between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and the Seller named therein, filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 15, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. †
107
10.29
License Agreement, dated April 14, 2021, between the Company and OyaGen, Inc., filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 10, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference †
10.30
Purchase Agreement, dated May 14, 2021, by and between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on May 14, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.31
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated July 26, 2021, between the Company and Southern Research , filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 9, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.32
Purchase Agreement, dated December 3, 2021, by and between Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. and Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 3, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.
14.01
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Employees, Executive Officers and Directors, filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on February 16, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
21.01
List of Subsidiaries.
23.01
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.
31.01
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.02
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.01
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
The following materials from Tonix Pharmaceuticals
Holding Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting
Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements
of Comprehensive Loss, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
104
The cover page from this Annual Report on Form 10-K,
formatted as Inline XBRL.
† Certain portions of this exhibit,
that are not material and would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed, have been redacted pursuant
to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.
* Denotes a management compensatory agreement
or arrangement.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING
CORP.
Date: March 14, 2022
By:
/s/ SETH
LEDERMAN
Seth Lederman
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive
Officer)
Date: March 14, 2022
By:
/s/ BRADLEY
SAENGER
Bradley Saenger
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
108
POWER
OF ATTORNEY
KNOW
ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Seth Lederman and Bradley
Saenger, jointly and severally, his or her attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities,
to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact,
or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
Position
Date
/s/ SETH
LEDERMAN
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
March 14, 2022
Seth Lederman
/s/ BRADLEY
SAENGER
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
March 14, 2022
Bradley Saenger
/s/ RICHARD
BAGGER
Director
March 14, 2022
Richard Bagger
/s/ MARGARET
SMITH BELL
Director
March 14, 2022
Margaret Smith Bell
/s/ DAVID
GRANGE
Director
March 14, 2022
David Grange
/s/ DANIEL
GOODMAN
Director
March 14, 2022
Daniel Goodman
/s/ ADEOYE
OLUKOTUN
Director
March 14, 2022
Adeoye
Olukotun
/s/ CAROLYN
TAYLOR
Director
March 14, 2022
Carolyn Taylor
/s/ JAMES
TRECO
Director
March 14, 2022
James Treco
109