Unassociated Document
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20549
SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant
to
Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
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NuWay
Medical, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified
In
Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy
Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
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was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
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NOTICE
OF 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON DECEMBER 20, 2006
To
Our
Stockholders:
You
are
cordially invited to attend the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2006
Annual Meeting”) of NuWay Medical, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
which will be held at Residence Inn by Marriott, 2855 Main Street, Irvine,
California 92614, at 10:00 a.m. local time on December 20,
2006,
for the purposes of considering and voting upon the following
matters:
1. |
A
proposal to elect five directors to our Board of Directors (the “Board”);
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2. |
A
proposal to approve the acquisition of the assets of IOWC Technologies
Inc. (“IOWC”), and the issuance of shares of our common stock to
IOWC;
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3. |
A
proposal to approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation
to
change our name from NuWay Medical, Inc. to BLTI Holdings, Inc.,
in
connection with completion of the transactions with
IOWC;
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4. |
A
proposal to
authorize the Board to effect a reverse stock split of our common
stock at
a specific ratio to be determined by the Board within a range from
1-for-10 to 1-for-100.
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5. |
A
proposal to increase the authorized capital stock of the Company
from
100,000,000 shares of common stock to 200,000,000 shares of common
stock
and from 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock to 50,000,000 shares
of
preferred stock;
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6. |
A
proposal to adopt the NuWay Medical, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan;
and
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7. |
A
proposal to ratify the appointment of Jeffrey S. Gilbert as our
independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2006.
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These
matters are described more fully in the proxy statement accompanying this
notice.
Our
stockholders will also act upon such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Board is not aware
of any other business to be presented to a vote of the stockholders at the
2006
Annual Meeting.
The
Board
has fixed the close of business on November 7, 2006 as the record date (the
“Record Date”) for determining those stockholders who will be entitled to notice
of and to vote at the 2006 Annual Meeting. The stock transfer books will remain
open between the Record Date and the date of the 2006 Annual
Meeting.
Representation
of at least a majority in voting interest of our common stock either in person
or by proxy is required to constitute a quorum for purposes of voting on each
proposal to be voted on at the 2006 Annual Meeting. Accordingly, it is important
that your shares be represented at the 2006 Annual Meeting. WHETHER OR NOT
YOU
PLAN TO ATTEND THE 2006 ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Your proxy may
be
revoked at any time prior to the time it is voted at the 2006 Annual
Meeting.
Please
read the accompanying proxy material carefully. Your vote is important and
we
appreciate your cooperation in considering and acting on the matters
presented.
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By
Order
of the Board of Directors, |
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/s/
Dennis Calvert |
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Dennis Calvert |
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President
and
Chief Executive Officer |
November
__, 2006
Irvine,
California
Table
of Contents
To
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
2006
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Of
NUWAY
MEDICAL, INC.
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Page
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Voting
Rights and Solicitation
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1 |
General
Note About References to Shares of Our Stock
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2 |
Proposal
One: Election of Directors
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3 |
Corporate
Governance
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5 |
Executive
Compensation
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8 |
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
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10 |
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
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11 |
Proposal
Two: Approval of Acquisition of the Assets of IOWC Technologies,
Inc. and
Issuance of Common Stock to IOWC and Kenneth Code
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14 |
Report
of Independent Auditor and Financial Statements
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28 |
Proposal
Three: Proposal to Change the Company’s Name
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38 |
Proposal
Four: Proposal to Authorize Our Board of Director to Effectuate
a Reverse
Stock Split in an Amount to be Determined by the Board between
1 for 10
and 1 for 100
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39 |
Proposal
Five: Proposal to Increase Ou Authorized Capital from 100,000,000
to
200,000,000 Shares of Common Stock and from 25,000,000 to 50,000,000
Shares of Preferred Stock
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43 |
Proposal
Six: Proposal to Adopt the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan
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46 |
Proposal
Seven: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors
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51 |
Report
of Compensation Committee
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51 |
Report
of Audit Committee
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53 |
Stockholders
Proposals
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54 |
Annual
Report on 10K-SB
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55 |
Other
Matters
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55 |
Appendix
A: Form of Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
of
Nuway Medical Inc.
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A-1 |
Appendix
B: Form of 2006 Equity Incentive Plan
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B-1 |
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
2006
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
NUWAY MEDICAL, INC.
To
Be Held on December 20, 2006
This
proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by our Board
of
Directors (the “Board”) of proxies to be voted at the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the “2006 Annual Meeting”), which will be held at 10:00 a.m. local
time on December 20,
2006 at
Residence Inn by Marriott, 2855 Main Street, Irvine, California 92614, or at
any
adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Notice”). This
proxy statement and the proxy card are first being delivered or mailed to
stockholders on or about November 20,
2006.
Our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005, as amended, on Form
10-KSB/A (the “10-KSB") and the Quarterly Report for the nine-months ended
September 30, 2006 on Form 10-QSB (the “10-QSB”) are being mailed to
stockholders concurrently with this proxy statement. Neither the 10-KSB nor
the
10-QSB is to be regarded as proxy soliciting material or as a communication
by
means of which any solicitation of proxies is to be made. The Company’s
executive offices are located at 2603 Main Street, Suite 1155, Irvine,
California 92614 and its telephone number at that location is (949)
235-8062.
VOTING
RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION
The
close of business on November 7, 2006 was the record date (the “Record Date”)
for stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2006 Annual Meeting.
As of the Record Date, we had [__________] shares of common stock, par value
$0.00067 per share, and no shares of Series A preferred stock, par value $0.0067
per share, issued and outstanding. All of the shares of our common stock
outstanding on the Record Date, and only those shares, are entitled to vote
on
each of the proposals to be voted upon at the 2006 Annual Meeting. Holders
of
common stock of record entitled to vote at the 2006 Annual Meeting will have
one
vote for each share of common stock so held with regard to each matter to be
voted upon.
All
votes
will be tabulated by the inspector of elections appointed for the 2006 Annual
Meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes,
abstentions and broker non-votes.
The
holders of a majority in voting interest of the common stock outstanding and
entitled to vote at the 2006 Annual Meeting shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the 2006 Annual Meeting. The voting interest of
shares of the common stock represented in person or by proxy will be counted
for
purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the 2006 Annual Meeting.
Shares which abstain from voting as to a particular matter will be treated
as
shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the
voting interest present and entitled to vote with respect to any particular
matter, but will not be counted as votes cast on such matter. If a broker or
nominee holding stock in “street name” indicates on a proxy that it does not
have discretionary authority to vote as to a particular matter, those shares
will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to such
matter and will not be counted as a vote cast on such matter.
In
voting
with regard to Proposal One (election of directors) stockholders may vote in
favor of all the nominees, withhold their votes as to all nominees or withhold
their votes as to a specific nominee. The vote required by Proposal One is
governed by Delaware law and is a plurality of the votes cast by the holders
of
shares entitled to vote, provided a quorum is present. As a result, in
accordance with Delaware law, votes that are withheld and broker non-votes
will
not be counted and will have no effect on the voting for election of directors.
In
voting with regard to Proposal Two (issuance of common stock as part of the
transactions with IOWC Technologies Inc.), Proposal Six (approval of the new
stock option plan) and Proposal Seven (ratification of appointment of our
independent auditor), stockholders may vote in favor of each such proposal
or
against each such proposal or may abstain from voting. The vote required to
approve Proposals Two, Six and Seven is governed by Delaware law, and the
minimum vote required to approve each such proposal is a majority of the total
votes cast on such proposal, provided a quorum is present. As a result, in
accordance with Delaware law, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be
counted and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal.
In
voting
with regard to Proposal Three (authorizing the name change), Proposal Four
(authorizing reverse stock split) and Proposal Five (increase in authorized
capital stock), stockholders may vote in favor of each such proposal or against
each such proposal or may abstain from voting. The vote required to approve
Proposals Three, Four and Five is governed by Delaware law, and the minimum
vote
required is majority of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote
at the 2006 Annual Meeting, provided a quorum is present. As a result, in
accordance with Delaware law, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the
effect of a vote “Against” each such proposal.
Shares
of our common stock represented by proxies in the accompanying form which are
properly executed and returned to us will be voted at the 2006 Annual Meeting
in
accordance with the stockholders’ instructions contained therein. In the absence
of contrary instructions, shares represented by such proxies will be voted
FOR
each of Proposal One, Proposal Two, Proposal Three, Proposal Four, Proposal
Five, Proposal Six and Proposal Seven. Management does not know of any matters
to be presented at the 2006 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 2006 Annual Meeting, the proxyholders
will vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Any
stockholder has the right to revoke his, her or its proxy at any time before
it
is voted at the 2006 Annual Meeting by giving written notice to our Secretary
and by executing and delivering to the Secretary a duly executed proxy card
bearing a later date, or by appearing at the 2006 Annual Meeting and voting
in
person.
The
entire cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Proxies will
be
solicited principally through the use of the mails, but, if deemed desirable,
may be solicited personally or by telephone, or special letter by our officers
and regular employees for no additional compensation. Arrangements may be made
with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send
proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of our common stock, and
such persons may be reimbursed for their expenses.
GENERAL
NOTE ABOUT REFERENCES TO SHARES OF OUR STOCK:
Unless
expressly stated otherwise, all references in this proxy statement to numbers
of
shares of our common or preferred stock are to such amount prior to a proposed
reverse stock split which is being presented to the stockholders as Proposal
Four.
PROPOSAL
ONE
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
Composition
of Board of Directors
Our
bylaws provide that the Board shall consist of not less than two and not more
than seven directors. The Board currently consists of four members. The Board
has fixed the size of the Board to be elected at the 2006 Annual Meeting at
five
members. Two of our four incumbent directors were appointed to the Board at
various times in accordance with Delaware law because the Company has been
unable to hold an annual meeting of stockholders since at least December 2003.
The Company last attempted to hold such a meeting at such time, but was
unsuccessful due to lack of a quorum. It is the Board’s intention that, on a
going-forward basis, our directors will be elected by our stockholders at each
annual meeting of stockholders and will serve until their successors are elected
and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. There are no
family relationships among any of our current directors, the nominees for
directors and our executive officers.
The
proxyholders named on the proxy card intend to vote all proxies received by
them
in the accompanying form FOR the election of the nominees listed below, unless
instructions to the contrary are marked on the proxy. These nominees have been
selected by the Board. All of the nominees are currently members of the Board.
If elected, each nominee will serve until the annual meeting of stockholders
to
be held in 2007 or until his successor has been duly elected and
qualified.
In
the
event that a nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time
of
the 2006 Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who shall
be
designated by the present Board to fill the vacancy. In the event that
additional persons are nominated for election as directors, the proxyholders
intend to vote all proxies received by them for the nominees listed below,
unless instructions are given to the contrary. As of the date of this proxy
statement, the Board is not aware of any nominee who is unable or will decline
to serve as a director.
The
Board
does not currently have a nominating committee primarily because capital
constraints, nature of Company’s business as a public shell and size of the
current Board make constituting and administering such a committee excessively
burdensome. With respect to the nominees considered at 2006 Annual Meeting
every
director of the Company participated in the decisions relating to the nomination
of directors.
Nominees
for Election as Directors
The
following is certain information as of October 16, 2006 regarding the nominees
for election as directors:
Name
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Position
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Age
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Director
Since
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Dennis
Calvert
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President,
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and
Chairman
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43
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2002
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Joseph
Provenzano
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Director
and Corporate Secretary
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37
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2002
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Gary
Cox (1)(2)
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Director
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45
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2003
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Dennis
E. Marshall (1)(2)
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Director
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62
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2006
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Kenneth
R. Code
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Nominee
for Director
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59
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---
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(1)
Member of Audit Committee
(2)
Member of Compensation Committee
Biographical
Information Regarding Directors and Nominees
Dennis
Calvert
is our
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Interim Chief
Financial Officer. Dennis Calvert was appointed a director in June 2002, and
has
served as President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2002, Corporate
Secretary from September 2002 until March 2003, and Interim Chief Financial
Officer since March 2003. Mr. Calvert holds a B.A. in Economics from Wake Forest
University, where he was a varsity basketball player on full scholarship. Mr.
Calvert also studied at Columbia University and Harding University. He was
an
honor student in high school with numerous leadership awards. He is also an
Eagle Scout. Mr. Calvert has an extensive entrepreneurial background as an
operator, investor and consultant. From June 2002 to September 2002 he served
as
president of Med Wireless, Inc. In 1998 he was a founder, president and board
member of Utelecom Communications, Inc. where he led the acquisition of four
companies and secured a line of credit for $7.5 million. He remains an owner
and
board member of that firm. He was an investor and served as a manager of Beep
for Free.com, LLC beginning in the year 2000, a consumer products and technology
related company. Mr. Calvert resigned as the manager of Beep For Free.com,
LLC
in June 2002 and the company ceased operations in December 2002. Mr. Calvert
was
a founder and chairman of ZZYZX Technologies, Inc., a company that designed
and
produced high tech equipment. ZZYZX was sold in 2001. From 1990 to 1996 Calvert
served as head of mergers and acquisitions for Medical Asset Management, Inc.,
a
company that acquired and managed medical-related businesses. During his tenure
he participated in more than 50 acquisitions and served in numerous positions
with the Company. Prior, he was a founder and officer of a medical recruiting
and consulting firm named Merritt Hawkins and Associates from 1987 to 1990.
Earlier, he was a top producing sales associate for a leading physician
recruitment firm, Jackson and Coker, Inc. and served as a sales associate for
Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Company from 1985 to 1986.
Joseph
Provenzano
has been
a director since June 2002 and assumed the role of Corporate Secretary in March
2003. He began his corporate career in April 1988 as a Personnel Manager and
Recruiter for First American Travel, a marketing company in Southern California.
From June 1991 to September 1995 he worked as a technician within the Commercial
and Residential security industry. From September 1995 to September 1996 he
was
employed by two major Southern California moving and storage companies as head
of marketing. From September 1996 to April 2001 he owned a marketing company
called Pre-Move Marketing Services (PMSA), offering advertising and direct
marketing products for the moving and storage industry. From April 2001 to
March
2003 he worked with Camden Holdings, Inc., an investment holding company to
manage their mergers and acquisitions department, participating in more than
50
corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Gary
Cox
has been
a director since May 2003. Mr. Cox has more than 14 years in the healthcare
field as consultant to hospitals and medical groups. Since December 2005, Mr.
Cox has been an executive search consultant with Management Recruiters
International, an executive search firm specializing in the biotechnology
industry. In addition, since 1995, he has also been providing search and
consulting services to hospitals and clinics throughout the United States.
Previously, Mr. Cox served for more than 10 years with firms in the United
Kingdom in various executive recruiting, sales and marketing positions. He
holds
a technical degree in engineering from Leicester University in England. He
was
also a competitive athlete
and
played for a number of professional soccer (football) clubs in England in his
early career.
Dennis
E. Marshall
has been
a director of the Company since April 28, 2006. Marshall has over 35 years
of
experience in real estate, asset management, management level finance, and
operations-oriented management. Since 1981, Mr. Marshall has been a real estate
investment broker in Orange County, California, representing buyers and sellers
in investment acquisitions and dispositions. From March 1977 to January 1981,
Mr. Marshall was a real estate syndicator at McCombs Corporation as well as
the
assistant to the Chairman of the Board. While at McCombs Corporation, Mr.
Marshall became the Vice President of Finance, where he financially monitored
numerous public real estate syndications. From June 1973 to September 1976,
Mr.
Marshall served as an equity controller for the Don Koll Company, an investment
builder and general contractor firm, at which Mr. Marshall worked closely with
institutional equity partners and lenders. Before he began is career in real
estate, Mr. Marshall worked at Arthur Young & Co. (now Ernst & Young)
from June 1969 to June 1973, where he served as Supervising Senior Auditor
and
was responsible for numerous independent audits of publicly held corporations.
During this period, he obtained Certified Public Accountant certification.
Mr.
Marshall earned a degree in Accounting from the University of Texas, Austin
in
1966 and earned a Master of Science Business Administration from the University
of California, Los Angeles in 1969. Mr. Marshall serves as Chairman of the
Audit
and Compensation Committees.
Kenneth
R. Code
is the
founder of IOWC. Mr. Code is a nominee for director and will also serve as
our
subsidiary's Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Code and IOWC have entered into
several agreements with the Company regarding the BioLargo Technology and Mr.
Code is the Company’s single largest stockholder. See Proposal Two for more
information regarding the Transactions with IOWC. From December 2000 to present,
Mr. Code has been the President of IOWC, a company which is engaged in the
research and development of advanced disinfection technology. From December
2000
through October 2003, Mr. Code also served as a director and Vice Chairman
of
BioLargo Technologies Inc., where he was engaged in pre-commercial efforts
to
seat inorganic disinfection technologies into the non-woven air-laid industry.
Mr. Code has authored several publications concerning, and has filed several
patent applications applying, disinfection technology. Mr. Code graduated from
the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Agreements
with Director Nominees
Under
the
terms of agreements between the Company and Mr. Code, the Board has agreed
to
appoint Mr. Code as the Company’s Chief Technology Officer pursuant to a
long-term employment agreement and has agreed to appoint Mr. Code to the Board
effective upon closing of the Transactions, if he is not elected to the Board
by
the stockholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting. See PROPOSAL TWO.
See
the discussion concerning agreements with Mr.
Provenzano under the caption "Other Agreements with Directors" set forth
below.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
Our
corporate website, www.nuwaymedical.net,
contains the charters for the Company’s Audit and Compensation Committees and
certain other corporate governance documents and policies including the
Company’s Code of Ethics. Any changes to these documents and any waivers granted
with respect to our code of ethics will be posted on our website. In addition,
we will provide a copy of any of these documents without charge to any
stockholder upon written request made to Secretary, NuWay Medical, Inc., 2603
Main Street, Suite 1155, Irvine, California 92614. The information on our
website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this proxy statement
or
incorporated by reference into this or any other filing we make with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Board
of Directors
Director
Independence
The
Board
has determined that each of Messrs. Cox and Marshall is independent as defined
under NASDAQ Marketplace rules.
Meetings
of the Board
The
Board
held four meetings and acted by written consent twice during 2005. Each of
the
incumbent directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings
of
the Board and committees on which the director served in 2005. Each of our
directors is encouraged to attend the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders
and to be available to answer any questions posed by stockholders to such
director. Because our Board the Company intends to hold one of its regular
meetings in conjunction with our 2006 Annual Meeting, unless one or more members
of the Board is unable to attend, all of the members of the Board are expected
to be present for the 2006 Annual Meeting.
Communications
with the Board
The
following procedures have been established by the Board in order to facilitate
communications between our stockholders and the Board:
· |
Stockholders
may send correspondence, which should indicate that the sender is
a
stockholder, to the Board or to any individual director, by mail
to
Corporate Secretary, NuWay Medical, Inc., 2603 Main Street, Suite
1155,
Irvine, California 92614.
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· |
Our
Secretary will be responsible for the first review and logging of
this
correspondence and will forward the communication to the director
or
directors to whom it is addressed unless it is a type of correspondence
which the Board has identified as correspondence which may be retained
in
our files and not sent to directors. The Board has authorized the
Secretary to retain and not send to directors communications that:
(a) are
advertising or promotional in nature (offering goods or services),
(b)
solely relate to complaints by clients with respect to ordinary course
of
business customer service and satisfaction issues or (c) clearly
are
unrelated to our business, industry, management or Board or committee
matters. These types of communications will be logged and filed but
not
circulated to directors. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence,
the Secretary will not screen communications sent to directors.
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· |
The
log of stockholder correspondence will be available to members of
the
Board for inspection. At least once each year, the Secretary will
provide
to the Board a summary of the communications received from stockholders,
including the communications not sent to directors in accordance
with the
procedures set forth above.
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Our
stockholders may also communicate directly with the presiding or “lead”
director, or with the non-management directors as a group, by mail addressed
to
Lead Director, c/o Corporate Secretary, NuWay Medical, Inc., 2603 Main Street,
Suite 1155, Irvine, California 92614.
The
Company’s Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention
and treatment of complaints regarding questionable accounting, internal
controls, and financial improprieties or auditing matters. Any of the Company’s
employees may confidentially communicate concerns about any of these matters
by
mail
addressed to Audit Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary, NuWay Medical, Inc.,
2603
Main Street, Suite 1155, Irvine, California 92614.
All
of
the reporting mechanisms are also posted on our website. Upon receipt of a
complaint or concern, a determination will be made whether it pertains to
accounting, internal controls or auditing matters and, if it does, it will
be
handled in accordance with the procedures established by the Audit
Committee.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
The
Board
has established an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.
The
Audit
Committee meets with management and the Company’s independent public accountants
to review the adequacy of internal controls and other financial reporting
matters. Steven V. Harrison II, who resigned as a director on April 6, 2006,
served as Chairman of the Audit Committee during 2005 and through the date
of
his resignation. On April 28, 2006, Mr. Marshall was appointed as Chairman
of
the Audit Committee. Mr. Cox also serves on the Audit Committee. The Board
has
determined that Mr. Marshall qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert”
as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act
of
1934, as amended. The
Audit
Committee met seven times during 2005.
The
Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) reviews the compensation
for all officers and directors and affiliates of the Company. The Committee
also
administers the Company’s equity incentive option plan. Mr. Harrison was
Chairman of the Compensation Committee during 2005 and through April 6, 2006.
On
April 28, 2006, Mr. Marshall was appointed as Chairman of the Compensation
Committee. Mr. Cox also serves on the Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee did not meet during 2005, because of the Company’s
limited functions and operations during 2005 and the additional fact that
employment agreements were in place for the Company’s few officers.
The
Company does not have a Nominating Committee primarily because capital
constraints, the Company’s pre-operational state and the size of the current
Board make constituting and administering such a committee excessively
burdensome and costly. With respect to the nominees considered at 2006 Annual
Meeting, every incumbent director of the Company participated in the decisions
relating to the nomination of directors.
In
October 2004, the Board adopted a written code of ethics that applies to its
principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting
officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.
Compliance
with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors,
certain officers and persons holding 10% or more of the Company’s common stock
to file reports regarding their ownership and regarding their acquisitions
and
dispositions of the Company’s common stock with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company
with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To
our
knowledge, based solely upon review of Forms 3, 4, and 5 (and amendments
thereto) and written representations provided to the Company by executive
officers, directors and stockholders beneficially owning 10% or greater of
the
outstanding shares, the Company believes that such persons filed pursuant to
the
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission on a timely basis.
Director
Compensation
Each
director who is not an officer or employee of the Company receives an annual
retainer of $40,000, paid in cash or common stock of the Company, in the sole
discretion of the Company. As of September 30, 2006, there was accrued and
unpaid salary in the amount of $46,463 for former director Steven Harrison,
$92,500 for director Gary Cox and $16,667 for
director Dennis Marshall. The Company intends to pay these accrued amounts
in
stock if the stockholders approve an increase in the authorized capital stock
of
the Company. See PROPOSAL FIVE.
Other
Agreements with Directors
The
Company entered into an employment agreement with Joseph Provenzano in March
2003. Mr. Provenzano’s employment agreement provides for him to be employed for
five years at an annual salary of $130,800. The employment agreement provides
that, at the Company’s discretion, the Company may choose to pay up to $4,900 of
Mr. Provenzano’s monthly salary in the form of stock in lieu of cash. Mr.
Provenzano is also eligible to receive incentive bonuses, stock ownership
participation and employee related benefits. The employment agreement further
provides that Mr. Provenzano receive annual increases of 5% of his base income,
that bonuses will be payable based on the greater of a performance scale
established by the Compensation Committee, assigned by the Board, or 1.5% of
the
annual increase in market capitalization value. The compensation plan includes
those benefits of car allowance and insurance benefits and a standard vacation
package. The agreement has certain minimum performance standards and calls
for a
severance package equal to one year’s base compensation, plus an additional one
half year’s compensation for each year of service beginning in 2003. Standard
confidentiality, Company ownership rights to property and assets and arbitration
clauses are included in the agreement.
During
2005, the Company and Mr. Provenzano agreed to suspend his employment agreement
and not be required to make accruals thereunder for unpaid amounts, until such
time as the Company as the Company required his services, upon commencement
of
activities. The Company expects that this will happen during 2007, at which
time
he will have the balance of approximately two-and-half years of the employment
agreement remaining. Mr. Provenzano continues to serve as Corporate
Secretary.
Because
the Compensation Committee did not meet during 2005, the Board did not modify
any action or recommendation made by the Compensation Committee with respect
to
executive compensation for the 2005 fiscal year. It is the opinion of the
Compensation Committee that the executive compensation policies and plans
provide the necessary total remuneration program to properly align the Company’s
performance and the interests of the Company’s stockholders through the use of
competitive and equitable executive compensation in a balanced and reasonable
manner, for both the short and long term.
Equity-Based
Director Compensation
Mr.
Provenzano received a stock grant of 4 million shares under his employment
agreement in lieu of $40,000, and Messrs. Cox and Harrison each received a
grant
of 1 million shares for $20,000 accrued and unpaid director fees.
Condition
to Closing of the Transactions
The
election of Mr. Code as a director is one of several conditions to the closing
of the Transactions with IOWC. Accordingly, if the stockholders do not elect
Mr.
Code as a director and that condition is not waived by IOWC, the Transactions
with IOWC will not be consummated.
Recommendation
of the Board
The
Board
unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR
election
of each of the nominees identified above.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The
following table sets forth the cash compensation paid by the Company to the
chief executive officer, who was the only person who received compensation
in
excess of $100,000 (the “Named Executive Officer”) during 2005 and 2004:
|
|
Annual
Compensation
|
|
|
|
Long-term
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
|
Payouts
|
|
|
|
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Annual
Salary
|
|
Other
Annual Compensation
|
|
Restricted
Stock Awards
|
|
Securities
Underlying Options/SARs
|
|
TIP
Payouts
|
|
Other
Compensation
|
|
Dennis
Calvert,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief
Executive
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
168,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Officer
|
|
|
2004
|
|
$ |
168,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Employment
Agreements
The
Company entered into an employment agreement with Dennis Calvert in December
2002. Mr. Calvert’s employment agreement provides for him to be employed for
five years at an annual salary of $168,000. The employment agreement further
provides that Mr. Calvert work with the Company on a full time basis, that
the
office be located in Orange County, California, that he receive annual increases
of 10% of his base income, that bonuses will be payable based on the greater
of
a performance scale established by the Compensation Committee, assigned by
the
Board, or 3% of the annual increase in market capitalization value. The
compensation plan includes benefits of a car allowance, insurance and a standard
vacation package. The agreement has certain minimum performance standards and
calls for a severance package equal to one year’s base compensation, plus an
additional one half year’s compensation for each year of service beginning in
2003. Standard confidentiality, Company ownership rights to property and assets
and arbitration clauses are included in the agreement. In contemplation of
a
proposed amendment to Mr. Calvert’s employment agreement, the Board of Directors
approved an increase in Mr. Calvert’s cash compensation, effective January 1,
2006, to $184,800 per year.
The
Company intends to enter into a new employment agreement with Mr. Calvert in
the
near future. Management has prepared a proposal setting forth the suggested
terms of this new employment agreement for consideration by the Compensation
Committee of the Company's Board. Management's proposal would include, among
other things, that Mr. Calvert would continue to be employed as the President,
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company for a
five-year term, at an annual base salary of $184,800 for 2006, with 10%
increases for each subsequent calendar year of the agreement. In addition,
the
proposal includes terms which would enable Mr. Calvert to receive bonuses
granted in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Additionally,
it is proposed that Mr. Calvert would be issued, upon signing, 57,090,400 shares
of the Company’s common stock and a stock grant equal to an
additional 165,977,920 shares of the Company’s common stock, such grant to
vest in equal installments over each year of the employment agreement; provided,
however, that such vesting will accelerate in the event of termination without
cause or a change of control of the Company. Mr. Calvert will also be eligible
to participate in the Company’s stock option plan then in effect and any bonus
plan that may be adopted in the future. The Compensation Committee is expected
to review Management's proposal described in the preceding sentense at its
next
meeting.
Transactions
Relating to New Millennium Promissory Note
As
of
September 30, 2006, the Company owed an aggregate principal amount of $900,000,
plus approximately $278,000 accrued and unpaid interest, to an entity controlled
by Dennis Calvert, our chief executive officer, president and chairman of the
Board. A description of the promissory and the transactions related to it are
set forth below in “Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions.”
Options
Granted During Last Fiscal Year
No
options were granted to the Named Executive Officers during 2005.
Equity
Compensation Plans
2002
Consultant Equity Plan
In
August
2002, the Company’s Board approved the formation of the 2002 Consultant Equity
Plan (the “2002 Plan”), designed to allow consultants to be compensated with
shares of Company common stock for services provided to the Company. A total
of
1,500,000 shares under the 2002 Plan were registered with the SEC. The 2002
Plan
was amended by the Company’s Board in December 2002. A total of 3,500,000
additional shares were registered with the SEC on a Form S-8 registration
statement on December 27, 2002. Approval of the 2002 Plan was not submitted
to
the vote of the stockholders. Persons eligible to receive stock awards under
the
2002 Plan included “consultants” that provide bona fide consulting services to
the Company, excluding any services incident to the raising of capital or
promotion or maintenance of a market for the Company’s securities. The
2002
Plan was terminated by the Board on December 16, 2004. From August 2002 through
February 2003, the Company issued all but 84,452 of the 5,000,000 shares
available under the 2002 Plan to approximately 26 consultants, employees and
directors.
2003
Stock Compensation Plan
In
February 2003, the Board approved the 2003 Stock Compensation Plan (“2003 Plan”)
as a means of providing directors, key employees and consultants additional
incentive to provide services to the Company. The 2003 Plan was terminated
by
the Board at its meeting on December 16, 2004. The 2003 Plan set aside up to
15,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for these purposes, which shares
were registered with the SEC on a Form S-8 registration statement on February
27, 2003. Approval of the 2003 Plan was not submitted to a vote of the
stockholders. The Board administered the 2003 Plan. The 2003 Plan allowed the
Board to award grants of shares of the Company’s common stock or options to
purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. From
February through September 2003, the Company issued 14,863,230 shares under
the
2003 Plan to 27 directors, employees and consultants.
In
March
2003, the Board approved, and the Company issued, 3,000,000 shares of common
stock to Dennis Calvert, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
as consideration for his services. The Board subsequently modified its approval
of this issuance to make it conditioned upon stockholder approval of the
transaction because of NASDAQ Marketplace Rules governing change of control
transactions. Mr. Calvert returned the 3,000,000 shares to the Company. On
December 9, 2003, the Company attempted to conduct a stockholder meeting to
approve the terms of the issuance of 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock to Dennis Calvert. The Company was unable to obtain a quorum at the
meeting. The meeting was adjourned to December 30, 2003, but again the Company
was unable to obtain a quorum. On November 1, 2006, the Board canceled this
transaction, with Mr. Calvert’s consent, and the 3,000,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock will not be issued to Mr. Calvert.
2004
Equity Plan
On
March
10, 2004, the Board approved the Company’s 2004 Equity Plan as a means of
providing directors, key employees and consultants additional incentive to
provide services for the Company. Both stock options and stock grants may be
made under this plan. The Plan sets aside up to 20,000,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock for these purposes, which were registered with the SEC.
Approval of this plan was not submitted to the vote of the stockholders. The
Board administers this plan. The plan allows the Board to award grants of common
shares or options to purchase common shares. As plan administrator, the board
has sole discretion to set the price of the options. The Board may at any time
amend or terminate the plan. It does not expire on its terms.
During
2005, the Company issued 10,390,000 shares to five consultants, directors,
and
employees. None of these shares have been registered with the SEC, and alls
such
shares are therefore restricted securities. In 2005 there was $103,390 of
expenses recorded related to the issuance of these shares. Of this amount
$13,900 related to consulting services, $30,000 related to legal services,
$20,000 related to Board expense, and $40,000 related to salary
expense.
2006
Equity Incentive Plan
On
November 1, 2006,
the
Board approved to Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, which the Company’s
stockholders are being asked to approve at the 2006 Annual Meeting. See PROPOSAL
SIX.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2005, with
respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company
were
authorized for issuance.
Plan
category
|
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants
and rights
|
|
Weighted
average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and
rights
|
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future
issuance
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
14,320,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
14,320,000
|
|
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of
shares of the Company’s common stock as of October 16, 2006, 2006 by (i) all
stockholders known to the Company to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of
the
outstanding common stock; (ii) each director and executive officer of the
Company individually and (iii) all directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group.
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)(2)
|
|
Amount
of Beneficial Ownership (3)(4)
|
|
Percent
of Class (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5%
Holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth
R. Code (6)
|
|
|
15,515,913
|
|
|
19.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors
and Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph
Provenzano (7)
|
|
|
8,224,936
|
|
|
10.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dennis
Calvert (8)
|
|
|
4,782,107
|
|
|
6.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dennis
Marshall (9)
|
|
|
800,000
|
|
|
1.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary
Cox
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
2.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
directors and officers as a group (4 persons)
|
|
|
15,
807,043
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
(1)
Except
as noted in any footnotes below, each person has sole voting power and sole
dispositive power as to all of the shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
(2)
Unless
otherwise indicated, the address for each person is 2603 Main Street, Suite
1155, Irvine, California 92614.
(3)
Other
than as footnoted below, none of these security holders has the right to acquire
any amount of the shares within sixty days from options, warrants, rights,
conversion privilege, or similar obligations.
(4)
The
amount owned is based on issued common stock, as well as stock options, warrants
and convertible notes which are exercisable or convertible within 60 days
following September 30, 2006.
(5)
Percentage ownership is based on 78,368,736 shares of common stock outstanding
on October 16, 2006. 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, warrants and
convertible notes currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or
convertible within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for determining the number
of
shares beneficially owned and for computing the percentage ownership of the
person holding such options, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the
percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote,
and
subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the
table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common
stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
(6)
On
August 14, 2006, the Company issued 15,515,913 shares of its Common Stock to
Mr.
Code, as additional consideration for his entering into a Research and
Development Agreement with the Company. See PROPOSAL TWO.
(7)
Mr.
Provenzano is our Corporate Secretary.
(8) Does
not include shares "issuable upon conversion of the New Millennium Note
discusssed under the caption CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTION
-
Transaction with Dennis Calvert and New Millennium Capital Partners
LLC.
(9)
This
amount consists of 400,000 shares issuable upon conversion of the Company’s 10%
Convertible Notes due January 31, 2007 and 400,000 shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of warrants.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Transactions
with Dennis Calvert and New Millennium Capital Partners LLC
In
conjunction with the acquisition of a technology license from Med Wireless,
Inc.
on August 21, 2002, the Company assumed a $1,120,000 note (the “Note”) with
interest at 10% per annum payable by Med Wireless to Summitt Ventures, Inc.
The
Note is secured by the Company’s assets and was originally due on June 15, 2003.
On March 26, 2003, Summitt Ventures sold the Note, together with 4,182,107
shares of the Company’s common stock, to New Millennium Capital Partners LLC
(“New Millennium”), a limited liability company controlled and owned in part by
the Company’s CEO and president, Dennis Calvert, in exchange for a $900,000
promissory note (the “New Millennium Note”) issued by New Millennium in favor of
Summitt Ventures. The New Millennium Note is secured by all of the stock of
the
Company owned by New Millennium and Mr. Calvert. On March 26, 2003, the Board
voted to enter into an amendment to the Note (the “Original Note Amendment”) to
provide for conversion of the Note into restricted common stock of the Company
(at a conversion price discounted 37.5% to the then market price of $0.08).
New
Millennium agreed to the Note Amendment. Subsequent to the vote by the Board
to
convert the Note, the Company received notification from Nasdaq’s Listing
Qualifications Department that converting the Note without stockholder approval
violated certain Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. In response to this notification,
the
Board, with the concurrence of New Millennium, voted to amend its resolution
and
withhold issuance of the shares to New Millennium pending stockholder approval
for the conversion. To allow time for a stockholder vote with respect to the
conversion, New Millennium agreed to extend the terms of the Note, from June
15,
2003 to October 1, 2003.
At
the
Company’s June 6, 2003 Board meeting, and prior to a stockholder vote on the
conversion, Mr. Calvert, on behalf of New Millennium, and the Company, through
the unanimous action of the Board (with Mr. Calvert abstaining), agreed that,
in
light of the then-market conditions (namely the significant increase in the
trading price of the Company’s common stock since March 26, 2003, the date on
which the conversion of the Note to equity was originally approved by the Board,
from $0.08 to $0.28 as of June 6, 2003), it would be inequitable for New
Millennium to convert the Note (together with accrued interest thereon) at
the
originally agreed to $0.05 per share price. In this regard, Mr. Calvert, on
behalf of New Millennium, and the Company orally agreed to rescind the agreement
to convert the Note. In addition, New Millennium orally agreed with the Company
to extend the maturity date of the Note to a first payment due October 1, 2003
in the amount of $100,000 and the balance of the principal due on April 1,
2004,
with interest due according to the original terms of the Note (to correspond
to
the payment terms of the New Millennium Note), and furthermore to reduce the
Company’s obligation on the Note to the extent that New Millennium is able to
reduce its obligation on the New Millennium Note.
Due
to
the Company’s lack of liquidity, the Company was unable to repay the first
$100,000 installment of the Note when it became due on October 1, 2003. To
address this issue, the Board appointed a committee (the “Special Committee”)
consisting of Joseph Provenzano and Steve Harrison, who was a member of the
Board at that time, to negotiate revised terms and conditions of the Note with
Mr. Calvert. Mr. Calvert informed the Special Committee that in order to
accommodate the Company’s working capital needs, Mr. Calvert would be willing to
convert the Note into the Company’s equity. Due to the Company’s lack of
liquidity, and because the terms of the conversion were negotiated on behalf
of
the Company by disinterested members of the Board and management, the Board
determined not to seek a third-party fairness opinion on the terms of the
proposed conversion. However, the Board did instruct the Special Committee
to
ensure that the Special Company presented any proposed loan conversion
transaction to the Company’s stockholders with a requirement that a majority
vote of the disinterested stockholders be required for approval.
Pursuant
to a series of negotiations between Mr. Calvert and the Special Committee,
the
Special Committee and Mr. Calvert agreed to once again provide for the
conversion of the Note into equity. The parties agreed that the Note (together
with accrued interest thereon) would be cancelled and converted into shares
of
the Company’s common stock at a per share price equal to $0.036 (a 20% discount
to the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $0.045 on October 16,
2003, the date an agreement between the Special Committee and Mr. Calvert was
reached).
In
arriving at the conversion price, the Special Committee determined that a 20.0%
discount to market price was appropriate based on a number of factors, including
that (i) with the quantity of the shares that would be issued, a block of shares
that size could not be liquidated without affecting the market price of the
shares, and (ii) the shares would be “restricted shares” and could therefore not
be sold in the public markets prior to two years from the date of the
conversion, and thereafter would be subject to the volume and manner of sale
limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.
The
stockholders meeting was held on December 9, 2003, but adjourned without a
vote,
because not enough shares to constitute a quorum were represented. The
stockholders meeting was rescheduled for December 30, 2003, at which a quorum
was also not present. Because this was the second attempt to obtain a quorum,
and more than 4,000,000 additional shares were required to be voted to obtain
a
quorum, the Board adjourned the meeting indefinitely. As a result, the Note
was
not converted into common stock and the outstanding principal amount, together
with accrued and unpaid interest, remains as a liability of the
Company.
In
conjunction with the Company’s January 31, 2004 purchase of Premium Medical
Group (“PMG”) (later rescinded in October 2004), and as a condition to that
transaction, the Premium Medical Group shareholders (the “PMG Shareholders”)
required the Company to convert the note so as to eliminate the obligation
from
the Company’s balance sheet. At a meeting on February 10, 2004, the Board voted
to convert the note into 30,869,992 shares of its common stock, at a conversion
price of $0.04, discounted 20% from the then market price of $0.05. New
Millennium agreed to this conversion. In arriving at a conversion price, the
Board determined that a 20% discount to market price was appropriate based
on a
number of factors, including (i) the holding period of the stock will be two
years, and thus is not liquid until that point, and (ii) the amount of the
stock
issued would make it impossible to liquidate the stock at the current market
price. This discount was equal to the discount proposed to the stockholders
in
December 2003 at the abandoned stockholders meeting, and less than the discount
used by the board at the first conversion attempt in April 2003.
The
Board
approved the conversion knowing that, since its conversion was a condition
imposed by the PMG Shareholders, they (who would hold 45% of the Company’s
common stock at the time of such meeting) would provide the additional shares
necessary to obtain a quorum and formal stockholder approval. Stockholder
approval was also necessary to increase the number of authorized shares
necessary to convert the Note. However, due to lack of operational capital,
the
Company was unable to remain current in its SEC filings, and thus was unable
to
hold the required stockholder meeting.
In
October 2004, the Company, PMG and the PMG Shareholders rescinded the Stock
Purchase Agreement. Because the Board’s decision to convert the Note was based
in part on the requirements of the PMG Stock Purchase Agreement, the board
on
October 28, 2004, determined not to convert the Note. Considering that the
Company at the time was a shell corporation with no operations, Mr. Calvert
also
agreed to extend the maturity of the Note indefinitely until the Company’s
status changed.
On
April
28, 2006, the Board and Mr. Calvert agreed to amend the New Millennium Note
to
(i) extend the due date to January 15, 2008; (ii) waive any payments of interest
until the New Millennium Note becomes due; (iii) reduce the principal amount
of
the New Millennium Note from $1,120,000 to $900,000, equal to a 19.6% reduction,
and New Millennium’s basis in said Note; and (iv) correspondingly reduce the
accrued but unpaid interest due under the terms of the New Millennium Note
from
$317,956 to $255,636, also equal to a 19.6% reduction.
Other
Transactions with Mr. Calvert
At
Mr.
Calvert’s request, the Company intends to issue up to 33,779,600 shares of
common stock to Mr. Calvert, in connection with his conversion of accrued but
unpaid compensation in the amount of $334,221 as
of
September 30, 2006. This conversion and issuance is subject to approval by
the
stockholders of an increase in the authorized capital stock of the Company.
See
PROPOSAL SIX.
Other
Transactions with Mr.
Provenzano
See
discussion concerning agreements with Mr. Provenzano
under the caption "Other Agreements with Directors" set forth
above.
Transactions
with Mr. Code
Mr.
Code,
a nominee as director, is the beneficial owner of 15,515,913 shares of our
common stock, which he received in connection with his entry into a research
and
development agreement with the Company in August 2006, as part of a series
of
transactions we have undertaken and intend to undertake with IOWC and Mr. Code.
See PROPOSAL TWO for the details of these transactions.
Proposed
Stock Issuances to Directors
Each
director who is not an officer or employee of the Company receives an annual
retainer of $40,000, paid in cash or common stock of the Company, at the
Company's sole discretion. As of September 30, 2006, there was accrued and
unpaid salary in the amount of $46,463 for former director Steven Harrison,
$92,500 for director Gary Cox and $16,667 for
director Dennis Marshall. The Company intends to pay these accrued amounts
in
stock if the stockholders approve an increase in the authorized capital stock
of
the Company. See PROPOSAL FIVE.
PROPOSAL
TWO
APPROVAL
OF ACQUISITION OF THE ASSETS OF IOWC TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND ISSUANCE OF COMMON
STOCK TO IOWC AND KENNETH CODE
General
The
Company has been operating as a public shell company since June 2003 and, as
of
the date of this proxy statement, has no continuing business operations. The
10-KSB, which was mailed to the stockholder at the same time as this proxy
statement, contains a discussion of the Company’s past business activities and
stockholders are urged to read Part I, Item 1, “Business” carefully.
As
previously disclosed in the Company’s public filings with the SEC, the Company
has been seeking to acquire a business with ongoing operations. In furtherance
of that strategy, the Company conducted a search for suitable candidates and
in
July 2005 identified certain technologies for use in products designed for
distribution in the food, medical, disaster relief and biohazardous material
transportation industries as a potential acquisition candidate, which
technologies and the anticipated consequences to the Company if the Transaction
are not consummated are described in more detail below.
Because
Mr. Code is interested in the outcome of Proposal Two, Mr. Code will not vote
any stock he beneficially owns on this Proposal Two at the 2006 Annual Meeting.
The
Proposal and Reasons for Stockholder Vote
The
Company is requesting stockholders to approve the acquisition of substantially
all of the assets of IOWC Technologies Inc., a federally registered Canadian
corporation (“IOWC”) and the issuance and sale of 553,475,300 shares of the
Company’s common stock to IOWC, as part of a series of transactions (the
“Transactions”) intended to transfer to the Company certain technology and
rights (‘the BioLargo Technology”) relating to a process whereby disinfecting
chemistry is incorporated into absorbent materials, liquids, powders, tablets
or
other delivery methods that can be then incorporated into products in several
industries. If the Transactions are not consummated, the Company will remain
a
public shell with no continuing business operations. The Transactions and the
anticipated consequences to the Company if the Transactions are not
consummated are described more fully below.
Nasdaq
Marketplace Rule 4350 requires stockholder approval in connection with the
issuance of or potential issuance which will result in a change of control
of
the issuer. The Company believes that the issuances related to the Transactions
constitute a change in control of the Company, and as such it is appropriate
for
the Company to seek the approval of its stockholders prior to issuing its
shares. While the Company’s common stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market and the Company is not subject to Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, the Company
believes that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders
for
the stockholders of the Company to be given the opportunity to vote on the
issuance of shares of common stock of the Company in connection with the
Transactions. Moreover, the Company believes that if the Company were to apply
for listing on a significant market such as Nasdaq, the fact that the Company
complied with such rules would be deemed a positive factor in its application.
It is important to note, however, that the Company has no current plans to
apply
for listing on Nasdaq or any other trading market and there is no assurance
that, even if the Company were to do so, that the Company’s stock would be
accepted for trading on any such market.
Proposals
Required for Approval of Proposal Two
In
Proposal Two, the Company is requesting the stockholders to approve the issuance
of 553,475,300 shares of the Company’s common stock. In order for the Company to
issue this number of shares, the stockholders must also approve Proposal Four,
which requests the stockholders to grant
the
Board authority to amend and restate our Certificate of Incorporation to effect
a reverse stock split of our common stock in an amount to be determined by
the
Board, but between a 1-for-10 and a 1-for-100
reverse split. For example, effecting a reverse split of the Company’s common
stock at a minimum of 1-for-10, the actual issuance requested by this Proposal
Two would be one-tenth the stated amount, or a maximum of 55,347,530 shares.
This number of shares is within the limits of the number of shares authorized
by
the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation.
BioLargo
Technology and BioLargo Products
IOWC
and
Code have developed and own the BioLargo Technology, consisting of certain
intellectual property (including two U.S. Patents (Patent Numbers 6146725 and
6328929), relating to a process whereby disinfecting chemistry is incorporated
into absorbent materials, liquids, powders, tablets or other delivery methods,
that can be then incorporated into products in multiple industries. Several
patent applications have recently been filed with the United States Patent
and
Trademark Office relating to this technology listing Code as inventory and
BLTI
as assignee pursuant to the Research and Development Agreement discussed
below.
If
the
Transactions are completed, the Company intends to use the BioLargo Technology
to develop certain products for use in distribution in the food, medical,
disaster relief and biohazardous material transportation industries. For the
purposes of this proxy statement the term “BioLargo Products” means any product
designed, manufactured, conceived or contemplated, either at the present time,
or in the future, based on the BioLargo Technology or any derivation
thereof.
It
is
expected that the BioLargo Technology will enable the Company to offer a
portable product that comparably addresses four precautions -- containment,
isolation, neutralization and disposal -- against disease transmission as
established by the Center for Disease Control. The BioLargo Technology has
been
reviewed and validated in several third party studies. The Company believes
that
the BioLargo Technology and derivative products may be applied in approximately
30 products in several vertical markets.
The
Company believes that the primary initial markets for its products are likely
to
be:
· |
Packaging
for Blood and Bio-hazardous Material
Transport
|
· |
Meat
and Poultry Packing
|
· |
Disaster
Relief Efforts, Soil and Sand Remediation, and Water
Treatment
|
The
Company plans to pursue its primary revenues from licensing its BioLargo
Technology. It has multiple products available for immediate distribution,
namely absorbent pads and materials to be used for clean up of or as a
precautionary measure from spills of liquids, including hazardous materials.
The
Company is actively developing additional products for distribution by working
with manufacturers, other technology developers and potential customers.
The
BioLargo Technology places inorganic compounds (similar in composition and
dosage to what is used in everyday common vitamins) into absorbent products
like
bed pads, blood pads, diapers, surgical drapes, transportation packages for
protective liners, wound dressings, bandages and
other
delivery methods.
Management
believes that the BioLargo Technology offers the following
features:
· |
Increased
Holding Power -
The technology can increase the holding power of absorbent material
up to
6 times, depending on product
configuration.
|
· |
Price-The
actual cost of raw materials and installation of the BioLargo Technology
chemistry is less than $0.10 per metric ton.
|
· |
Generally
Regarded As Safe (GRAS) - The
chemistry used is understood by the Food and Drug Administration
and
scientific community as non-toxic, and safe, in the dosages used
as well
as the methodology of its delivery.
|
· |
Disinfection
- The
chemical composition of the technology installed into products, deploys
an
additive germ killing strategy, that includes a flashing of Iodine,
(the
so-called “Gold Standard” by which all disinfecting strategies are
compared) a lowering of PH levels-creating an acidic environment,
oxidation, and flocculation, a binding reaction to lock in the
microbes.
|
· |
Isolation
- The
chemistry reacts when insulted by a liquid, and is absorbed by the
super
absorbent material in the pad, and is effectively ‘bound’ into the
product, thereby isolating it from any
escape.
|
· |
Bio-Degradable
-
The chemistry accelerates
decomposition.
|
· |
Containment
- The
chemistry when added to a super absorbent materials acts to contains
microbial particles, so they cannot
escape.
|
· |
Inorganic
Solution
-
The use of Iodine is strategic to the Company’s products in that it is the
most effective disinfecting solution, covering a broad range of materials
upon which it is effective, and as an Inorganic Solution, organic
microbes
are unable to develop resistance to its killing
power.
|
· |
Disposal
- It
renders products safe to handle.
|
Letter
of Intent
In
July
2005, the Company entered into a letter of intent (“LOI”) with IOWC. The LOI set
out the terms for the acquisition of certain assets of IOWC consisting of
certain intellectual property, including two United States patent and two
license and/or distributor agreements pursuant to which IOWC had licensed
certain of its technologies for use in products designed for distribution in
the
food, medical and biohazardous material transportation industries. In connection
with the transactions contemplated by the LOI, the Company agreed to issue
up to
51% of its common stock to IOWC. The LOI provided that the transactions
contemplated by the LOI would be completed pursuant to the terms of an asset
purchase agreement as well as a research and development agreement. In addition,
the LOI required certain stockholders approvals as a condition to the closing
of
the transactions contemplated by the LOI including approval of the issuance
of
the shares of the Company’s common stock to IOWC, a reverse stock split and an
increase in the authorized capital stock of the Company.
As
the
parties worked toward preparing the documentation called for by LOI and as
the
Company began to prepare the proxy materials needed for its stockholders
meeting, it became increasingly clear to the parties that the length of time
and
the costs involved in preparing documentation for a stockholders meeting would
likely jeopardize the chances that the transactions contemplated by the LOI
could be completed in a manner benefiting both parties. Accordingly, in late
2005 the parties began to explore alternative strategies that would enable
them
to begin to realize the benefits of the transactions contemplated by the LOI
while at the same time allow the Company to call a meeting of its stockholders
for the purpose of approving the issuance of its shares.
Marketing
and Licensing Agreement
In
furtherance of the proposed transactions with IOWC, on December 31, 2005, the
Company entered into a Marketing and Licensing Agreement (“M&L Agreement”)
with IOWC and Code (collectively “BioLargo”).
Pursuant
to the M&L Agreement the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary
BioLargo Life Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (“BLTI”), acquired
certain rights from BioLargo to develop, market, sell and distribute products
that were developed, and are in development, by BioLargo
relating
to the BioLargo Technology and BioLargo Products.
Licenses
Granted to BLTI
Pursuant
to the terms of the M&L Agreement, IOWC granted to BLTI. a license, with
respect to the BioLargo Technology and the BioLargo Products to further develop
the technology, to further develop existing and new products based on that
technology, and to produce, market, sell and distribute any such products,
through its own means, or by contract or assignment to third parties or
otherwise, including without limitation:
· |
Technology
Development Rights. Exclusive
worldwide right to expand and improve upon the existing BioLargo
Technology, to conduct research and development activities based
on the
BioLargo Technology, and to contract with third parties for such
research
and development activities; and any improvements on the BioLargo
Technology, or any new technology resulting such efforts of BLTI,
shall be
owned solely by BLTI.
|
· |
Product
Development Rights.
Exclusive worldwide right to expand and improve upon the existing
BioLargo
Products, to conduct research and development activities to create
new
products for market, and to contract with third parties for such
research
and development activities. Any new products created by BLTI resulting
from these efforts shall be owned solely by
BLTI.
|
· |
Marketing
Rights.
Exclusive right to market, advertise, and promote the BioLargo Technology
and the BioLargo Products in any market and in any manner it deems
commercially reasonable.
|
· |
Manufacturing
Rights.
A
transferable, worldwide exclusive right to manufacture, or have
manufactured, BioLargo Products.
|
· |
Selling
Rights.
A
transferable, worldwide exclusive right to sell BioLargo Technologies
and
BioLargo Products.
|
· |
Distribution
Rights.
A
transferable, worldwide exclusive right to inventory and distribute
BioLargo Products.
|
· |
Licensing
Rights.
A
transferable, worldwide exclusive right to license BioLargo Technologies
and BioLargo Products to third
parties.
|
Assigned
Agreements
Pursuant
to the terms of the M&L Agreement, BioLargo also assigned to BLTI its rights
and obligations with respect to the following Agreements (collectively, the
“Assigned Agreements”):
· |
Agreement
dated October 15, 2004 by and between Kenneth R. Code, IOWC, BioLargo
Technologies, Inc., or IOWC’s assigns and Craig Sundheimer and Lloyd M.
Jarvis.
|
· |
Agreement
dated January 15, 2005 by and between Kenneth R. Code, IOWC and Food
Industry Technologies, Inc.
|
· |
Letter
of Intent dated November 15,
2004 by and between Kenneth R. Code and IOWC and GTS Research, Inc.
|
Pursuant
to the terms of the M&L Agreement the Company is to receive any and all
royalties, payments, license fees, and other consideration generated by the
Assigned Agreements as of January 1, 2006. As part of the assignment, IOWC
agreed to transfer its 20% interest in BioLargo, LLC to BLTI. In October 2006,
the Company terminated the license agreement with BioLargo, LLC, for cause.
Subsequently, the Company and IOWC agreed that the 20% interest in BioLargo,
LLC
would not be transferred by IOWC to BLTI but BLTI would have the option to
acquire such 20% interest for nominal consideration for seven years (the “Option
Agreement”).
Consulting
Agreement
On
June
20, 2006, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement (the “Consulting
Agreement”) with Code. Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement; the Company has
engaged the services of Code, effective January 1, 2006, to advise the Company
in research and development and technical support, and to provide other services
and assistance to the Company in matters relating to the Company’s business.
The
Consulting Agreement contains provisions requiring Code to devote substantially
all of his business time to the Company; prohibiting Code from directly or
indirectly engaging in any business activity that would be competitive with
the
business of the Company or its affiliates, including its wholly-owned subsidiary
BioLargo Life Technologies, Inc.; providing that during the term of the
Consulting Agreement and for one year post-termination, Code will not solicit
the Company’s employees or customers; and other standard provisions typical for
a consulting agreement. The Consulting Agreement also provides that the Company
shall retain the exclusive right to use or distribute all creations which may
be
created during the term of the Consulting Agreement. The Consulting Agreement
terminates on January 1, 2007, unless terminated earlier as provided therein.
During the term of the Consulting Agreement, Code shall be paid $15,400 per
month, prorated for partial months, and shall be entitled to reimbursement
for
authorized business expenses incurred in the performance of his duties.
It
is
anticipated that the Consulting Agreement will be replaced with an employment
agreement between the Company and Mr. Code, pursuant to which Mr. Code will
be
employed as BLTI’s Chief Technology Officer. See “Other Agreements - Code
Employment Agreement” below.
Research
and Development Agreement
On
August
11, 2006, the Company and BLTI entered into a Research and Development
Agreement, which agreement amended was amended on August 14, 2006 (collectively,
the “R&D Agreement”), with IOWC and Code. Pursuant to the R&D Agreement,
IOWC and Code will provide its research and development services and expertise
in the field of disposable absorbent products to the Company and
BLTI.
The
R&D Agreement provides that the Company and BLTI will own, and the Company
and BLTI will have the exclusive right to commercially exploit, the intellectual
property developed, created, generated, contributed to or reduced to practice
pursuant to the R&D Agreement. In addition, IOWC and Code have agreed that
during the term of the R&D Agreement and for one year after termination they
will not compete with, and will not provide services to any person or entity
which competes with, any aspect of BLTI’s business.
The
R&D Agreement terminates on December 31, 2006, unless terminated earlier as
provided therein. During the term of the R&D Agreement, but only after
mutually acceptable research facilities are established for the performance
of
IOWC’s services (as of this date, no acceptable research facilities have been
established), IOWC shall be paid (i) a fee of $5,500 per month for each month
during which no services are being performed pursuant to the R&D Agreement
to offset for laboratory and/or office and IOWC employee expenses and (ii)
such
additional amounts as the parties may agree in connection with specific research
projects conducted pursuant to the R&D Agreement.
As
further consideration to Code to enter into the R&D Agreement, on August 14,
2006 the Company issued to Code 15,515,913 shares of its Common Stock (the
“Code
Stock”), or approximately 19.9% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common
stock immediately following the issuance of the Code Stock.
The
Company’s stockholders are not
being
asked to approve the issuance of the Code Stock by the Company. However,
because Mr. Code is interested in the outcome of this Proposal Two, as the
principal stockholder of IOWC, neither the Code Stock nor any other stock of
the
Company which Mr. Code beneficially owns will vote on Proposal Two at the 2006
Annual Meeting.
IOWC
and
Code have agreed to protect, maintain and keep confidential any proprietary
or
confidential information of the Company and BLTI and have executed a
non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement in favor of the
Company.
Other
Agreements
The
M&L Agreement also provides that the parties will enter into certain
additional agreements in furtherance of the LOI, including (i) an asset purchase
agreement (“Asset Purchase Agreement”) whereby the Company will acquire the two
U.S. patents held by IOWC and certain other assets of IOWC; and (ii) an
employment agreement with Mr. Code (the “Code Employment Agreement”).
The
following are summaries only of the likely provisions of the Asset Purchase
Agreement to be entered into by the Company, BLTI, IOWC and Ken Code, and the
Code Employment Agreement to be entered into between BLTI and Mr. Code. The
Company has approved the consummation of the transaction on the terms and
subject to the conditions so summarized, but the other parties to the agreements
have not, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, and other than the number
of
shares to be issued to IOWC, approved these terms and conditions in their
entirety. Thus these summaries are neither complete nor necessarily a summary
of
the final terms between and among the parties with respect to the subject matter
thereof, which may be still subject to negotiation.
Asset
Purchase Agreement
Sale
of Assets.
Pursuant
to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Code and IOWC will sell, transfer
and assign all of their rights, title and interests to two US patents and
related intellectual property, as well as the records related to the patents
and
intellectual property.
In
addition to the Code Stock issued in August 2006 and as further and full payment
for IOWC’s obligations set forth in the M&L Agreement, pursuant to the Asset
Purchase Agreement, the Company will deliver to IOWC the following common stock
(collectively, the “IOWC Stock”) upon the approval of the issuance of the IOWC
Stock by the Company’s stockholders, which amounts shall be based upon the total
outstanding common stock after the issuances of this stock consideration, as
well as the conversion into common stock of the Company’s existing
debt:
· |
Licensing
Rights.
As
full payment for the license granted to BLTI, and without taking
into
account the effects of a reverse split of the Company’s common stock as
described in Proposal Four, the Company will deliver to IOWC 411,558,557
shares of the Company’s common
stock.
|
· |
Assigned
Agreements.
As
full payment for the assignment of the Assigned Agreements, and without
taking into account the effects of a reverse split of the Company’s common
stock as described in Proposal Four, the Company will deliver to
IOWC an
additional 127,725,069 shares of the Company’s common
stock.
|
· |
Asset
Purchase Agreement. As
full payment for the transfer of any intellectual property under
the terms
of the Asset Purchase Agreement, and without taking into account
the
effects of a reverse split of the Company’s common stock as described in
Proposal Four, the Company will deliver to IOWC an additional 14,191,674
shares of the Company’s common
stock.
|
· |
Total
Consideration. The
total common stock to be issued to IOWC for all components of the
Transactions, without taking into account the effects of a reverse
split
of the Company’s common stock as described in Proposal Four, shall equal
553,475,300 shares of the Company’s common stock. Separately, Mr. Code has
already been issued 15,515,913 shares of the Company’s common stock in
connection with the R&D Agreement.
|
The
Company’s stockholders are being asked to approve the issuance of 553,475,300
shares of the Company’s common stock, which comprises the IOWC Stock, at the
2006 Annual Meeting. A
reverse
split must be effectuated prior to the issuance to IOWC because the Company’s
Certificate of Incorporation only allows the issuance of 100,000,000 shares
of
its common stock (or 200,000,000 if Proposal Five is approved). The
Company’s stockholders are not
being
asked to approve the issuance of the 15,515,913 shares of the Company’s common
stock previously issued to Mr. Code, which comprise the Code Stock.
Representations
and Warranties.
As part
of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Code and IWOC, jointly and severally, will
make
certain representations and warranties to BLTI with respect to, among other
things:
· title
to
the assets being sold;
· sufficiency
of the assets for the future conduct of business by BLTI;
· intellectual
property matters;
· litigation
and proceedings
· compliance
with laws; and
· required
consents.
The
Asset
Purchase Agreement also contains additional representations and warranties
of
Code and/or IOWC, and of BLTI, standard for asset purchase transactions.
The
representations and warranties of the parties contained in the Asset Purchase
Agreement will survive for four years after the closing at which time they
will
expire.
Conditions
to Closing.
The
Asset Purchase Agreement provides certain conditions to the obligations of
the
parties, which must either be satisfied or waived before the closing can occur.
The
Transactions are subject to approval by IOWC's board of directors and
stockholders, approval by the Company's Board and approval by the Company's
stockholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the following matters:
· |
an
amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation increasing
the
number of authorized shares of its common
stock;
|
· |
the
issuance of the number of shares of common stock to IOWC required
pursuant
to the Transactions;
|
· |
authorization
for the Board to reverse split of the Company's common stock, in
a ratio
it deems appropriate; and
|
· |
the election of Mr. Code to the Company's
Board. |
The
consummation of the Transactions with IOWC is subject to various other
conditions, in addition to those described hereinabove, such as contractual
conditions customary for transactions of this nature. The Company currently
expects to consummate the transactions in the fourth quarter of 2006, assuming
the Company’s stockholders approve Proposals One, Two, Three, Four and Five and
all other conditions to the consummation of the Transactions with IOWC are
satisfied.
Indemnification.
Under
the Asset Purchase Agreement, IOWC and Code will, jointly and severally,
indemnify BLTI and each of its officers, directors, employees, agents and
affiliates, and each of their successors and assigns from and against any and
all costs, losses, claims, liabilities, fines, penalties, consequential damages
(other than lost profits), and expenses (including interest which may be imposed
in connection therewith and court costs and reasonable fees and disbursements
of
counsel) incurred in connection with, arising out of, resulting from or incident
to:
|
· |
liabilities
or claims arising out of the assets or the business of IOWC before
the
closing;
|
|
· |
liabilities
or claims after the closing relating to IOWC or
Code;
|
|
· |
breach
of the representations or warranties made by IOWC or
Code;
|
|
· |
default
in any agreements made by IOWC or
Code;
|
|
· |
taxes
of any kind arise out of or result from the transactions contemplated
by
the Asset Purchase Agreement; and
|
|
· |
liabilities
or claims relating employee
matters.
|
BLTI
will
also indemnify IOWC and Code and their officers, directors, employees, agents
and affiliates, and each of their successors and assigns from and against any
and all costs, losses, claims, liabilities, fines, penalties, consequential
damages (other than lost profits), and expenses (including interest which may
be
imposed in connection therewith and court costs and reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with, arising out of, resulting
from or incident to:
· |
breach
of the representations and warranties made by BLTI;
and
|
· |
default
in any agreement made by BLTI.
|
The
Asset
Purchase Agreement provides the mechanism by which the parties must notify
each
other of any claims, the methods for resolution of such and requires the parties
to arbitrate any unresolved claims.
Termination.
The
Asset Purchase Agreement provides that the parties by mutual agreement may
terminate the Asset Purchase Agreement. In addition, either party may
unilaterally terminate the Asset Purchase Agreement if that party determines
that the conditions to closing of the other party will not be satisfied or
if
the other party has breached a representation or warranty and fails to cure
such
breach within five days after receiving notice of such breach.
The
Asset
Purchase Agreement also allows, BLTI to terminate the Asset Purchase Agreement
if:
· |
it
is not satisfied, in its sole discretion, with the results of its
due
diligence investigations; and
|
· |
it
has not obtained on terms and conditions satisfactory to it, in its
sole
discretion, all of the financing it needs to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement and fund the working
capital
requirements of BLTI after the
closing.
|
Miscellaneous.
The
Asset Purchase Agreement also contains customary provisions relating to
governing law, assignment of rights and obligations, attorneys’ fees, force
majeure and other matters standard for asset purchase transactions.
Code
Employment Agreement
The
Code
Employment Agreement is anticipated to provide that Mr. Code will be appointed
Chief Technology Officer of BLTI, and receive (i) base compensation of $184,000
annually (with an automatic 10% annual increase) and (ii) a bonus equal to
equal
to 3% of the licensing revenues received by BLTI, plus (iii) such other
amounts that the Board of Directors of BLTI may determine from time to time.
In
addition, Mr. Code will be eligible to participate in incentive plans, stock
option plans, and similar arrangements as determined by the Board of Directors
of BLTI. Mr. Code is also eligible to receive heath insurance premium payments
for himself and his family, a car allowance of $800 per month, paid vacation
of
four weeks per year plus an additional two weeks per year for each full year
of
service during the term of the agreement up to a maximum of ten weeks per year,
and disability insurance. Mr. Code will also be entitled to participate in
any
other plans and arrangements, which provide for sick leave, vacation, or
personal days, provided to or for the officers of BLTI from time to time. The
employment agreement will have a term of five years, unless earlier terminated
in accordance with its terms.
The
Code
Employment Agreement is also anticipated to provide that Mr. Code’s employment
may be terminated by BLTI due to disability, for cause or without cause. Mr.
Code’s employment may be terminated if he is unable to return to his duties
within 30 days after notice of termination is given to him. During the
disability period, Mr. Code is eligible to receive his salary and benefits.
If
Mr. Code’s employment is terminated for cause he will be eligible to receive his
accrued base compensation and vacation compensation through the date of
termination. If Mr. Code’s employment is terminated without cause, then he will
be eligible to receive the greater of (i) one year’s compensation plus an
additional one half year for each year of service since the effective date
of
the employment agreement or (ii) one year’s compensation plus an additional one
half year for each year remaining in the term of the agreement.
The
Code
employment agreement requires Code to keep certain information confidential,
not
to solicit customers or employees of BLTI or interfere with any business
relationship of BLTI.
Mr.
Code
will also be nominated for election to the Board of the Company and appointed
to
the board of directors of BLTI.
Reasons
for the Transactions
The
Board
has determined that the terms of the issuance of common stock to IOWC and Code
in connection with the Transactions are fair, and in the best interests of,
the
Company and its stockholders. The Board consulted with management, as well
as
its legal counsel and financial advisors, in reaching its decision to approve
the Transactions. The Board considered a number of factors in its deliberations,
including the following:
· |
Viability
of the BioLargo Technology
|
· |
Commercial
viability when deployed in a licensing
strategy
|
· |
Potential
future revenue
|
· |
Existing
license agreements already executed
|
· |
Availability
of third party validations of the Technology
claims
|
· |
Prospects
for future technology developments
|
· |
Potential
target licensing partnerships
|
· |
Commitment
by Code to serve as CTO
|
· |
Prospects
for customer acceptance of the
products
|
· |
Diversity
of industry applications
|
· |
Potential
for contribution to public health and disaster
relief
|
· |
Worldwide
market opportunity
|
The
Board
also considered potential negative factors relating to the Transactions,
including the following:
· |
The
significant dilution of existing stockholders resulting from issuances
to
IOWC and Code;
|
· |
the
risk that the benefits sought to be achieved by the Transactions
would not
be realized;
|
· |
the
risk that the Transactions may not be completed in a timely manner,
if at
all;
|
· |
the
other risks and uncertainties discussed above under “Risk Factors” in the
10-KSB.
|
The
foregoing discussion of information and factors considered and given weight
by
the Board is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of the variety of factors
considered in connection with its evaluation of the Transactions, the Board
did
not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative
weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its determinations and
recommendations.
Management
of the Company after the Transactions; Appointment to the Board of Mr.
Code
It
is
expected that Mr. Calvert will remain as President and CEO of the Company under
a newly executed long-term employment agreement.
The
Board
has agreed to appoint Mr. Code as BLTI's Chief Technology Officer pursuant
to a
long-term employment agreement and has agreed to appoint Mr. Code to the Board
effective upon closing of the Transactions, if he is not elected to the Board
by
the stockholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting. In addition, the Company is in
the
process of negotiating employment and/or consulting agreements with third
parties, including an interim CFO, marketing and corporate development
professionals. There is no assurance however that the Company will be able
to
attract and retain any such employees.
Consequences
if Stockholders Do Not Approve Transactions
Please
see the information regarding Proposals One, Two, Three, Four and Five contained
in this proxy statement, each of which addresses conditions to the consummation
of the Transactions. If
the
stockholders do not approve the election of
Mr. Code
as a director (see Proposal One), and each of Proposals Two, Three, Four and
Five, the
Transactions with IOWC will not be consummated. In
such
event, the M&L Agreement, the R&D Agreement and
the
Option Agreement will terminate. The Consulting Agreement expires on its terms
on December 31, 2006. Pursuant to the R&A Agreement, Mr. Code must return
the Code Stock to the Company upon termination of the R&D
Agreement. Additionally, upon termination of the M&L Agreement, all
rights granted by BioLargo to the Company (or its subsidiary BLTI) shall revert
to BioLargo. Additionally, pursuant to the LOI, amounts advanced by
the Company to BioLargo would be converted into stock of IOWC at $1.00
per share. The parties are currently negotiating the classification of sums
expended by the Company pursuant to the Agreements, and whether such sums would
constitute an "advance" pursuant to letter of the intent. As of September 30,
2006, the Company believes these sums are in excess of $750,000. If the
Transactions are not consummated, the Company will remain a public shell with
no
continuing business operations and the restoration of the parties to the
conditions that existed prior to the commencement of the Transactions may be
time consuming and costly and may involve disputes among the parties, including
disputes as to the calculation of the equity interest in IOWC to be
received by the Company.
Pro-Forma
Capitalization and Significant Dilution to Existing
Stockholders
Stockholders
are cautioned that the certain matters presented to them at the 2006 Annual
Meeting, if approved, will cause substantial and significant dilution to their
stockholdings in the Company. These matters include principally Proposal Two.
However, if Proposal Five is approved by the stockholders (increase in
authorized capital stock), then the Company intends to (i) mandatorily convert
certain convertible notes into shares of common stock, (ii) issue common stock
to several individuals with respect to whom the Company has accrued and unpaid
obligations for a variety of services and (iii) issue common stock in connection
with a new employment agreement with Mr. Calvert.
The
table
below sets forth the Company’s capitalization as it is currently and what it
would be if all matters presented to the stockholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting
are approved. This
table DOES NOT take into account the effect of a reverse split of the common
stock as set forth in Proposal Four (which, if approved, would reduce the
issuances by a minimum of 10-for-1):
Stockholder
or Group
|
Capitalization
Prior to 2006 Annual Meeting
|
Pro
Forma Capitalization Assuming Approval of All
Proposals(7)
|
|
Shares
|
%
|
Shares
|
%
|
Existing
Stockholders (1)
|
45,813,737
|
58.5%
|
46,161,844
|
5.0%
|
Kenneth
Code and IOWC
|
15,515,913
|
19.8%
|
568,991,213(2)
|
61.0%
|
Officers
(other than Mr. Calvert), Current and Former Non-employee Directors
|
12,256,979
|
15.6%
|
25,623,646(3)
|
2.7%
|
Dennis
Calvert
|
4,782,107
|
6.1%
|
95,652,107(4)
|
10.3%
|
Convertible
Noteholders (5)
|
---
|
---
|
158,892,545
|
17.0%
|
Deferred
Payments to Consultants (6)
|
---
|
---
|
37,074,167
|
4.0%
|
TOTAL
|
78,368,736
|
100.0%
|
932,395,522
|
100.0%
|
(1) |
Excludes
shares held by Messrs. Calvert, Code, other Officers, IOWC, and Current
and Former Non-employee Directors.
|
(2) |
Includes
553,475,300 shares of common stock to be issued to IOWC in connection
with
the Transactions.
|
(3) |
Includes
an aggregate 13,366,667 shares of common stock to be issued to officers
(other than Mr. Calvert), and former and current non-employee directors
in
connection with the conversion of an aggregate $166,667 of accrued
and
unpaid salary or director fees through December 31,
2006.
|
(4) |
Includes
(i) 33,779,600 shares of common stock to be issued to Mr. Calvert
in
connection with the conversion of $334,221 of accrued and unpaid
salary
through December 31, 2006; and (ii) 57,090,400 shares of common stock
to
be issued to Mr. Calvert in connection with the initial grant under
a new
employment agreement proposed to be entered into between the Company
and Mr. Calvert.
|
(5) |
Consists
of an aggregate 158,892,545 shares of common stock to be issued to
various
holders of convertible notes with respect to which the Company has
the
right to cause mandatory
conversion.
|
(6) |
Consists
of an aggregate of 37,074,167 shares of common stock to be issued
to
various consultants whom the Company either has the right to pay
in shares
or believes will accept payment in shares, for services previously
rendered to the Company, in the accrued and unpaid aggregate amount
of
$607,160.
|
(7) |
Although
this table assumes the approval of all proposals, the total shares
listed
do not take into account the effect of the approval of Proposal Four,
which authorizes the board to effect a reverse-split of the Company’s
common stock by a minimum ratio of 10-for-1. If a 10-for-1 ratio
reverse-split were approved by the Board, the total issued and outstanding
stock would equal 93,239,553
shares.
|
In
addition, the Company will need to raise additional funds in the form of equity,
which will likely cause further dilution in the percentage ownership of its
stockholders. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to raise
additional capital on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Risks
Relating to the Transactions
In
addition to the significant dilution that will occur to our existing
stockholders and other risks that are set out in the 10-KSB, the Transactions
involve other significant risks including technology risks. The technology
that
the Company is acquiring from IOWC is at an early stage of development. There
is
a risk that our technologies will not be commercially feasible or, even if
our
technologies are commercially feasible, they may not be commercially accepted.
In addition, potential products will require extensive research, development
and
testing before they can be commercialized. These potential products, if any,
also may involve lengthy regulatory reviews and require regulatory approval
before they can be sold. There is no assurance, however, that any of our
potential products will prove to be safe and effective, meet regulatory
standards or continue to meet such standards if already approved. There is
also
a risk that we may not be able to produce any of our potential products in
commercial quantities at acceptable costs, or market them successfully. Failure
to achieve commercial feasibility, demonstrate safety, achieve clinical
efficacy, obtain regulatory approval or, together with partners, successfully
market products will negatively impact our revenues and results of operations.
As a company in the development stage and with an unproven business strategy,
IOWC’s limited history of operations makes evaluation of the BioLargo Technology
as a business difficult.
IOWC
has
limited operating history, and since its incorporation in 2000 has been, and
continues to be, involved in development of products using the BioLargo
Technology, establishing manufacturing, and marketing of these products to
consumers and industry partners. Once we complete the transactions with IOWC,
we
may not attain profitable operations and our management may not succeed in
realizing our business objectives.
The
commercial viability of the BioLargo Technology is unproven and we may not
be
able to attract customers.
Only
a
limited number of customers have purchased products using the BioLargo
Technology in the medical
pad and bio-hazardous material transport packaging
application to date and no consumer has purchased products using the BioLargo
Technology in the wound
dressings, food or other potential product applications
identified
by the Company.
Accordingly, the commercial viability of products using the BioLargo Technology
is not known at this time. If commercial opportunities are not realized from
the
sale of products using the BioLargo Technology, our ability to generate revenue
would be adversely affected and our business model would have to be abandoned.
We
expect to incur future losses and may not be able to achieve profitability.
Although
we expect to generate revenue eventually from sales of products using the
BioLargo Technology, we anticipate net losses and negative cash flow to continue
for the foreseeable future until such time as our products are brought to
market, and for a period of time thereafter. We intend to significantly expand
our research and development efforts. Consequently, we will need to generate
significant additional revenue or seek additional funding to fund our
operations. This has put a proportionate corresponding demand on capital. Our
ability to achieve profitability is entirely dependent upon our research and
development efforts to deliver a viable product and the Company’s ability to
successfully bring it to market. Although our management is optimistic that
we
will succeed with marketing products using the BioLargo Technology, we cannot
be
certain as to timing or whether we will generate sufficient revenue to be able
to operate profitably. If we cannot achieve or sustain profitability, we may
not
be able to fund our expected cash needs or continue our operations.
If
we are not able to devote adequate resources to product development and
commercialization, we may not be able to develop our products.
Certain
of the BioLargo Technology products are still under various stages of
development. Because we have limited resources to devote to product development
and commercialization, any delay in the development of one product or
reallocation of resources to product development efforts that prove unsuccessful
may delay or jeopardize the development of other product candidates. Although
our management believes that, once the Transactions close, it can finance
product development through private placements and other capital sources, if
we
do not develop new products and bring them to market, our ability to generate
revenues will be adversely affected.
Some
of the products using the BioLargo Technology will require regulatory
approval.
The
products in which the BioLargo Technology may be used and incorporated have
both
regulated and non-regulated applications. The regulatory approvals for certain
applications may be difficult, impossible, time consuming and or expensive
to
obtain. While the management believes such approvals are available for the
applications contemplated, until those approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or other regulatory
bodies, if required, at the federal and state levels, as may be required are
obtained, then the Company may not be able to generate commercial revenues.
Certain
specific regulated applications and its use therein require highly technical
analysis, additional third party validation and will require regulatory
approvals from organizations like the FDA.
If
our products and services do not gain market acceptance, it is unlikely that
we
will become profitable.
The
market for products that that are used to transport bio-hazardous material
and
serve as an absorbent pad or clean up device, and for food
applications is
evolving and we have many successful competitors. Multiple manufacturers,
including Johnson & Johnson, Sealed Air, and Kendall Tyco, have historically
used various technologies, including protective boxes, styrofoam boxes, gel
packs, absorbent materials, bed pads, drapes, and clean up pads, to package
for transport blood products, and to sanitize, deodorize, and clean up, as
well
as protect workers and patients in healthcare and other applicable environments.
At this time, the BioLargo Technology is unproven in its commercial use, and
the
use of the BioLargo Technology by others is limited. The commercial success
of
products using the BioLargo Technology will depend upon the adoption of the
BioLargo Technology by bio-hazardous material transporters, bio-hazardous
material storage and testing companies, healthcare workers, hospitals, nursing
homes, infectious disease experts and consumers as an approach to reduce the
risk of disease transfer and disease containment and related bio-hazardous
materials handling. Market acceptance may depend on many factors, including:
· |
the
willingness and ability of consumers and industry partners to adopt
new
technologies;
|
· |
the
willingness of governments to mandate reduction of the rates of incidence
of disease transfer, reduction of risk of spills and leaks associated
with
bio-hazardous materials and as a general safety measure, as well
as
regulatory approvals (FDA) in certain applications where the
technology may be used;
|
· |
our
ability to convince potential industry partners and consumers that
the
BioLargo Technology is an attractive alternative to other technologies
for
reduction of disease transfer and as a protective and safety device
against bio-hazardous materials;
|
· |
our
ability to manufacture products and provide services in sufficient
quantities with acceptable quality and at an acceptable cost;
and
|
· |
our
ability to place and service sufficient quantities of our
products.
|
If
products using the BioLargo Technology do not achieve a significant level of
market acceptance, demand for our products will not develop as expected and
it
is unlikely that we will become profitable.
Any
revenues that we may earn in the future are unpredictable, and our operating
results are likely to fluctuate from quarter to quarter.
We
believe that our future operating results will fluctuate due to a variety of
factors, including:
· |
delays
in product development;
|
· |
market
acceptance of our new products;
|
· |
changes
in the demand for, and pricing, of our
products;
|
· |
competition
and pricing pressure from competitive
products;
|
· |
manufacturing
delays; and
|
· |
expenses
related to, and the results of, proceedings relating to our intellectual
property.
|
A
large
portion of our expenses, including expenses for our facilities, equipment and
personnel, is relatively fixed and not subject to significant reduction. In
addition, we expect our operating expenses will continue to increase
significantly in the remainder of 2006 and into 2007, as we begin our research
and development, production and marketing activities. Although we expect to
generate revenues from sales of our products in the future, revenues may decline
or not grow as anticipated and our operating results could be substantially
harmed for a particular fiscal period. Moreover, our operating results in some
quarters may not meet the expectations of stock market analysts and investors.
In that case, our stock price most likely would decline.
We
may face costly intellectual property disputes.
Our
ability to compete effectively will depend in part on our ability to develop
and
maintain proprietary aspects of our technology and either to operate without
infringing the proprietary rights of others or to obtain rights to technology
owned by third parties. Pending patent applications relating to the BioLargo
Technology may not result in the issuance of any patents or any issued patents
that will offer protection against competitors with similar technology. Patents
we receive may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented in the future or
the
rights created by those patents may not provide a competitive advantage. We
also
rely on trade secrets, technical know-how and continuing invention to develop
and maintain our competitive position. Others may independently develop
substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise
gain access to our trade secrets.
There
are potential claims from prior business affiliates of
IOWC.
Given
the
history of the development of the BioLargo Technology, and the Code’s assignment
of the two patents registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office
to a third party company pursuant to an agreement that Code believes was
breached and terminated, there could be claims or rights of ownership to the
BioLargo Technology asserted by third parties. In the event of a legal dispute,
a lengthy and costly legal defense would be required to defend against any
such
claims, and notwithstanding the Company’s position in these potential disputes,
the Company cannot predict the outcome of such litigation. Loss of our ownership
of the BioLargo Technology would have a serious adverse affect on our business
and plan of operations. Any financial settlement of claims, including royalties
we might have to pay to third parties, could have a serious adverse affect
on
our results of operations in future periods.
IOWC
Financial Information
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
To
the
Board of Directors and Stockholders
IOWC
Technologies Inc.
I
have
audited the balance sheets of IOWC Technologies Inc. (the "Company") as of
December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' deficit and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. My responsibility
is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based
on my
audits.
I
conducted my audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
of
the United States of America. Those standards require that I plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatements. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. I believe that my audits provide a reasonable
basis for my opinion.
In
my
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of IOWC Technologies Inc. as of
December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the results of their operations and their
cash
flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company
will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated
financial statements, the Company has limited liquid resources, recurring
losses, and is seeking to implement its business plan, which requires the
Company to be acquired or develop a business. These matters raise
substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's
plans in regard to these matters are also discussed in Note 1.
The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result
from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/
JEFFREY S. GILBERT
Los
Angeles, California
October
19, 2006
See
accompanying notes to financial statements
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
BALANCESHEET
As
of
September 30, 2006 (unaudited),
and
as
of December 31, 2005 and 2004
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
September
30,
2006
|
|
December
31,
2005
|
|
December
31,
2004
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
40,558
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
5,397
|
|
Total
Current Assets
|
|
|
40,558
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
5,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
|
|
40,558
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
5,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
Payable and Accrued Expenses
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
Current Liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Stock, No Par Value, 120 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
Additional
Paid in Capital
|
|
|
715,814
|
|
|
566,430
|
|
|
410,510
|
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
|
|
(675,257
|
)
|
|
(566,431
|
)
|
|
(405,114
|
)
|
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
|
|
|
40,558
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
5,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
|
|
$
|
40,558
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
5,397
|
|
See
accompanying notes to financial statements
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS
For
the
Years Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
For
the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)
|
|
September
30,
2006
|
|
September
30,
2005
|
|
December
31,
2005
|
|
December
31,
2004
|
|
Revenue
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
License
Revenue
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
and Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
General and Administrative
|
|
|
(108,826
|
)
|
|
(76,184
|
)
|
|
(161,317
|
)
|
|
(193,575
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from operations
|
|
|
(108,826
|
)
|
|
(76,184
|
)
|
|
(161,317
|
)
|
|
(193,575
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
Before Income Taxes
|
|
|
(108,826
|
)
|
|
(76,184
|
)
|
|
(161,317
|
)
|
|
(193,575
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision
for Income Taxes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Loss
|
|
$
|
(108,826
|
)
|
$
|
(76,184
|
)
|
$
|
(161,317
|
)
|
$
|
(193,575
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to financial statements
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
STATEMENT
OF CASH FLOWS
For
the
Years Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
For
the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006, and 2005 (unaudited)
|
|
September
30,
2006
|
|
September
30,
2005
|
|
December
31,
2005
|
|
December
31,
2004
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Income (Loss)
|
|
$
|
(108,826
|
)
|
$
|
(76,184
|
)
|
$
|
(161,317
|
)
|
$
|
(193,575
|
)
|
Adjustments
to Reconcile Net Income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Used In Operating Activities
|
|
|
(108,826
|
)
|
|
(76,184
|
)
|
|
(161,317
|
)
|
|
(193,575
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No
cash used in of from investing activities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions
|
|
|
149,384
|
|
|
70,787
|
|
|
155,920
|
|
|
198,972
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations
|
|
|
40,558
|
|
|
(5,397
|
)
|
|
(5,397
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
5,397
|
|
|
5,397
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - ENDING
|
|
$
|
40,558
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
5,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to financial statements
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
STATEMENTS
OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIENCY
For
the
Year Ended December 31, 2005
For
the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of
|
|
No
Par
|
|
Additional
Paid
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Value
|
|
In
Capital
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE
AT December 31, 2003
|
|
|
120
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
$
|
211,538
|
|
$
|
(211,539
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
198,972
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
Loss for the year ended December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(193,575
|
)
|
BALANCE
AT December 31, 2004
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
410,510
|
|
|
(405,114
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
155,920
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
Loss for the year ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(161,317
|
)
|
BALANCE
AT December 31, 2004
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
566,430
|
|
|
(566,431
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
149,384
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
Loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2006
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(108,826
|
)
|
BALANCE
AT September 30, 2006 (unaudited)
|
|
|
120
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
$
|
715,814
|
|
$
|
675,257
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to financial statements
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Notes
to
the Financial Statements
Note
1. Organization and Business
Organization
IOWC
Technologies Inc., (the “Company”), was formed December 2000 in Edmonton,
Alberta, under the Business Corporations Act of Canada. Kenneth R. Code
(“Code”)
is its sole owner and sole Director. See also Note 4.
Business
Code
is
listed as the inventor of two patents on file with the United States Patent
and
Trademark office: (i) number 6,146,725, entitled “Absorbent Composition”; and
(ii) number 6,328,929, entitled “Method of Delivering Disinfectant in an
Absorbent Substrate”. These patented technologies incorporate anti-infective
agents into fabric-type absorbent webs to make products that neutralize
bio-hazardous materials, are biodegradable, and may be disposed of in the
normal
waste stream, for use in products designed for distribution in the food,
medical
and biohazardous material transportation industries. As of December 31,
2005,
Code had transferred all of his right, title and interest in the two patents
to
the Company.
The
Company’s sole business objective is to develop relationships to license this
technology for third party use.
The
financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which
contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities
and
commitments in the normal course of our business. The Company had a net
loss of
$108,826 and $76,184 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006
and
2005, respectively. The Company had a net loss of $193,575 and $161,317
for the
twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively.
As
of
September 2006, the Company has limited liquidity and capital resources.
These
factors raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going
concern. Ultimately, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is
dependent upon its ability to attract new sources of capital, establish
relationships to enter into marketing and license agreements, and achieve
a
reasonable threshold of operating efficiencies and achieve profitable
operations.
Note
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
a)
Principles
of Consolidation.
There
are
no subsidiaries.
b)
Property
and Equipment.
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Notes
to
the Financial Statements
Maintenance
and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. There were no capital
expenditures.
c)
Use
of
Estimates.
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management
to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of
the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period reported.
Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used when
accounting for stock-based transactions, uncollectible accounts receivable,
asset depreciation and amortization, and taxes, among others.
d) Revenue
Recognition.
The
Company generated $ -0- revenue in 2004 and 2005. The Company generated
$ -0-
revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
e)
Common
Stock.
All
common stock of the Company is owned by Code, also its sole Director and
President.
Note
3. Pending Sale of Assets
On
July
25, 2005, the Company executed a letter of intent (“LOI”) with NuWay Medical
Inc. (“NuWay”), pursuant to which NuWay will acquire certain of the Company’s
assets (the “Purchased Assets”), consisting of certain intellectual property,
including two United States patents (collectively, the “BioLargo Technology”).
The BioLargo Technology relates
to a process whereby disinfecting chemistry is incorporated into absorbent
materials, liquids, powders, tablets or other delivery methods, that can
be then
incorporated into products in multiple industries.
For the purposes of these Notes, the term “BioLargo Products” means any product
designed, manufactured, conceived or contemplated, either at the present
time,
or in the future, based on the BioLargo Technology or any derivation
thereof.
As
the
parties worked toward preparing the documentation called for by LOI and
as the
NuWay began to prepare the proxy materials needed for its stockholders
meeting
(required to approve the issuance of stock to the Company),
it
became increasingly clear to the parties that the length of time and the
costs
involved in preparing documentation for a stockholders meeting would likely
jeopardize the chances that the transactions contemplated by the LOI could
be
completed in a manner benefiting both parties. Accordingly, in late 2005
the
parties began to explore alternative strategies that would enable them
to begin
to realize the benefits of the transactions contemplated by the LOI while
at the
same time allow NuWay to call
a
meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of approving the issuance of
its
shares.
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Notes
to
the Financial Statements
In
furtherance of the proposed transactions with NuWay, on December 31, 2005,
the
Company and Code executed a Marketing and Licensing Agreement (“M&L
Agreement”) with NuWay (through NuWay’s subsidiary BioLargo Life Technologies,
Inc., “BLTI”). Pursuant to the M&L Agreement BLTI acquired certain rights
(“Rights”) from the Company and Code to develop, market, sell and distribute
products that were developed, and are in development, relating to the BioLargo
Technology and BioLargo Products.
Pursuant
to the terms of the M&L Agreement,
the
Company granted to BLTI a license, with respect to the BioLargo Technology
and
the BioLargo Products, to further develop the technology, to further develop
existing and new products based
on that
technology, and to produce, market, sell and distribute any such products,
through its own means, or by contract or assignment to third parties or
otherwise, including without limitation:
· |
Technology
Development Rights. Exclusive
worldwide right to expand and improve upon the existing BioLargo
Technology, to conduct research and development activities based
on the
BioLargo Technology, and to contract with third parties for such
research
and development activities; and any improvements on the BioLargo
Technology, or any new technology resulting from such efforts of
BLTI,
shall be owned solely by BLTI.
|
· |
Product
Development Rights.
Exclusive worldwide right to expand and improve upon the existing
BioLargo
Products, to conduct research and development activities to create
new
products for market, and to contract with third parties for such
research
and development activities. Any new products created by BLTI resulting
from these efforts shall be owned solely by
BLTI.
|
· |
Marketing
Rights.
Exclusive right to market, advertise, and promote the BioLargo
Technology
and the BioLargo Products in any market and in any manner it deems
commercially reasonable.
|
· |
Manufacturing
Rights.
A
transferable, worldwide exclusive right to manufacture, or have
manufactured, BioLargo Products.
|
· |
Selling
Rights.
A
transferable, worldwide exclusive right to sell BioLargo Technologies
and
BioLargo Products.
|
· |
Distribution
Rights.
A
transferable, worldwide exclusive right to inventory and distribute
BioLargo Products.
|
· |
Licensing
Rights.
A
transferable, worldwide exclusive right to license BioLargo Technologies
and BioLargo Products to third parties.
|
Pursuant
to the terms of the M&L Agreement, the Company also assigned to BLTI its
rights and obligations with respect to the following
Agreements (collectively, the “Assigned Agreements”):
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Notes
to
the Financial Statements
· |
Agreement
dated October 15, 2004 by and between Kenneth R. Code, the Company,
BioLargo Technologies, Inc., or IOWC’s assigns and Craig Sundheimer and
Lloyd M. Jarvis.
|
· |
Agreement
dated January 15, 2005 by and between Kenneth R. Code and the Company
and
Food Technologies, Inc.
|
· |
Letter
of Intent dated November 2004 by and between Kenneth R. Code and
the
Company and GTS Research, Inc.
|
Pursuant
to the terms of the M&L Agreement, the Company transferred its right to
receive any and all royalties, payments, license fees, and other consideration
generated by the Assigned Agreements as of January 1, 2006. As part of
the
assignment, the Company agreed to transfer its 20% interest in BioLargo,
LLC to
BLTI. In October 2006, NuWay terminated the license agreement with BioLargo,
LLC, for cause. Subsequently, the Company
and NuWay agreed that the 20% interest in BioLargo, LLC would not be transferred
by -the Company to BLTI but BLTI would have the option to acquired such
20%
interest for nominal consideration for seven years.
Research
and Development Agreement
On
August
11,
2006,
the Company and Code entered into a Research and Development Agreement,
which
agreement was amended on August 14, 2006 (collectively, the “R&D
Agreement”), with NuWay and BLTI. Pursuant
to the R&D Agreement, the Company and Code will provide its research and
development services and expertise in the field of disposable absorbent
products
to NuWay and
BLTI.
The
R&D Agreement provides that the NuWay and BLTI will own, and NuWay and BLTI
will have the exclusive right to commercially
exploit,
the intellectual
property developed, created, generated, contributed to or reduced to practice
pursuant
to the
R&D Agreement. In addition, the Company and Code have agreed that during
the
term of the R&D Agreement and for one year after termination they will not
compete with, and will not provide services to any person or entity which
competes with, any aspect of BLTI’s business.
The
R&D Agreement terminates on December 31, 2006, unless terminated earlier
as
provided therein. During the term of the R&D Agreement, but only after
mutually acceptable research facilities are established for the performance
of
the Company’s services (which facilities have not been established as of
September 30, 2006), the Company shall be paid (i) a fee of $5,500 per
month for
each month during which no services are being performed pursuant to the
R&D Agreement to offset for laboratory and/or office and employee expenses
and (ii) such additional amounts as the parties may agree in connection
with
specific research projects conducted pursuant to the R&D
Agreement.
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Notes
to
the Financial Statements
As
further consideration to Code to enter into the R&D Agreement, on August 14,
2006 NuWay issued to Code 15,515,913 shares of its Common Stock (the “Code
Stock”), or approximately 19.9% of its issued and outstanding common stock
immediately following the issuance of the Code Stock.
The
M&L Agreement also provides that the parties will enter into certain
additional agreements in furtherance of the LOI, including
(i) an
asset purchase agreement (“Asset Purchase Agreement”) whereby the Company will
acquire the two U.S. patents held by the Company and certain other assets
of the
Company; and (ii) an employment agreement with Mr. Code (the “Code Employment
Agreement”).
NuWay
is
requesting its stockholders
to
approve the above described transactions and the issuance and sale of
553,475,300 shares of its common stock to the Company.
Note
4. Related Party Transactions
Sale
of Technology
In
September 2000, Code agreed to sell all right, title and interest to the
Technology to a third party company. This agreement included several conditions
of performance and in 2001 Code gave written notification claiming that
the
purchaser had breached the purchase agreement, based on its failure to
provide
an operating line of credit required by the asset purchase agreement and
agreements governing the entity. Code formally repudiated the contract.
This
notification was not acknowledged and no further communication has been
made
between companies.
The
Company believes that its ownership in this technology and related patents
are
unencumbered.
Unreimbursed
Business Expenses
In
2004
and 2005, and continuing into 2006, Code paid operating expenses on the
Company’s behalf. These contributions totaled $198,972 and $155,920 for 2004 and
2005, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 the expenses
totaled $149,384. All contributions were recorded as additional paid in
capital.
Note
5. Commitments and Contingencies
The
Company is not presently a party to any litigation.
IOWC
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Notes
to
the Financial Statements
Note
6. Subsequent Events.
In
October 2004, the Company entered into an agreement to license the technology
to
a third party company (“BioLargo LLC”) with no prior relation to the Company.
(This agreement was assigned to BLTI; see Note 3.) As partial consideration,
the
Company received a 20% ownership interest in BioLargo LLC. Pursuant to
this
agreement BioLargo LLC was granted exclusive rights to market and develop
the
technology for specific markets, and nonexclusive rights to market the
technology in other markets. BioLargo LLC failed to meet sales performance
requirements and failed to make required advance royalty payments, and
is
therefore in breach of the agreement. Per the terms of the Agreement, the
breach
has terminated the exclusivity provisions, and gives the Company the right
to
terminate all of BioLargo LLC’s rights in the agreement. The Company assigned
its rights in this agreement to NuWay in the M&L Agreement, and NuWay
exercised its right to terminate this agreement in October 2006.
Recommendation
of the Board
The
Board
unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR
the
issuance of shares of common stock described above in Proposal Two.
PROPOSAL
THREE
PROPOSAL
TO CHANGE THE COMPANY’S NAME
General
In
connection with the proposed acquisition, our Board approved, subject to
stockholder approval, an amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation
to change its name from NuWay Medical, Inc. to “BLTI
Holdings, Inc.”
The
text of the proposed amendment is set forth below. A form of the Certificate
of
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is attached as Appendix
A.
Description
of Amendment; Reasons for the Amendment
In
connection with the transactions contemplated with IOWC, the Board has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to change its name
so
that its name reflects the new business that is acquitting. In addition, it
is
an obligation of the Company to change its name in connection with the IOWC
transactions.
The
text
of the proposed amendment follows:
RESOLVED,
that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall be amended by
changing Article I thereof such that, as amended, said Article shall be and
read
as follows:
“The
name
of the corporation (which is hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”) is
“BLTI
Holdings, Inc.”
Right
to Abandon Name Change
Should
the Transactions with IOWC not be consummated for any reason, including its
abandonment by the Board or management of the Company, Proposal Three will
not
be implemented, even if it is approved by the stockholders.
Recommendation
of the Board
The
Board
unanimously recommends a vote FOR
the
proposed name change.
PROPOSAL
FOUR
PROPOSAL
TO AUTHORIZE OUR BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS TO EFFECTUATE
A
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
IN
AN AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED BY
THE
BOARD BETWEEN 1-for-10 AND 1-FOR-100
General
As
of
October 16, 2006, 78,368,736 shares of our common stock were outstanding and
the
per share closing price of our common stock on that date was $0.016. In order
to
reduce the number of shares of common stock outstanding, the Board has
unanimously adopted a resolution seeking stockholder approval to grant the
Board
authority to amend and restate our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a
reverse stock split of our common stock in an amount to be determined by the
Board, but between a 1-for-10 and a 1-for-100
reverse split. Approval of this reverse stock split proposal would give the
Board authority to implement the reverse stock split at any time it determined
prior to March 31, 2007. In addition, approval of this reverse stock split
proposal would also give the Board authority to decline to implement a reverse
stock split prior to such date or at all.
If
our
stockholders approve the reverse stock split proposal and the Board decides
to
implement the reverse stock split, we will file and amendment to the Certificate
of Incorporation (“Amendment”) with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware through which a to-be-determined number of shares of common stock
issued and outstanding will be converted into one fully paid and non-assessable
share of common stock, with any fractional shares that result from such reverse
stock split to be rounded up to the nearest whole share of common stock. The
reverse stock split, if implemented, would not change the number of authorized
shares of common stock or preferred stock or the par value of our common stock
or preferred stock, which is why we are making a separate proposal to increase
the number of authorized shares of our common stock and preferred stock. See
PROPOSAL FIVE.
Except
for any changes as a result of the treatment of fractional shares, each
stockholder will hold the same percentage of common stock outstanding after
the
reverse stock split as such stockholder did immediately prior to the
split.
Purpose
Over
the
past few years, the market price of our common stock has declined. In order
to
reduce the number of shares of our common stock outstanding and thereby attempt
to proportionally raise the per share price of our common stock, the Board
determined that a reverse stock split was desirable in order to: (i) encourage
greater investor interest in our common stock by making the stock price more
attractive to the many investors, particularly institutional investors, who
refrain from investing in lower priced stocks; and (ii) reduce trading fees
and
commissions incurred by stockholders, since these costs are based to a
significant extent on the number of shares traded.
The
Board
believes that the reverse stock split may help encourage greater interest in
our
common stock. The Board believes that the current market price of our common
stock may impair its acceptability to institutional investors, professional
investors and other members of the investing public. Many institutional and
other investors look upon stock trading at low prices as unduly speculative
in
nature and, as a matter of policy, avoid investing in such stocks. Various
brokerage house policies and practices also tend to discourage individual
brokers from dealing in low-priced stocks. Moreover, the analysts at many
brokerage firms do not monitor the trading activity or otherwise provide
research coverage of lower priced stocks. If effected, the reverse stock split
would reduce the number of outstanding shares of our common stock and increase
the trading price of our common stock. The Board believes that raising the
trading price of our common stock will increase the attractiveness of our common
stock to the investment community and possibly promote greater liquidity for
our
existing stockholders. Because broker commissions on low-priced stocks generally
represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher
priced stocks, the current share price of our common stock, in the absence
of
the reverse stock split, may continue to result in individual stockholders
paying transaction costs (commissions, markups or markdowns) which are a higher
percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price
was substantially higher. For this reason, individual and institutional
investors may be unwilling to purchase our common stock at its current market
price.
If
the
stockholders approve the reverse stock split proposal, the reverse stock split
will be effected, if at all, only upon a determination by the Board that the
reverse stock split is in the best interests of the Company at that time. This
determination will be made by the Board to create the greatest marketability
of
our common stock based on prevailing market conditions at that time. No further
action on the part of stockholders will be required to either implement or
abandon the reverse stock split. If the Board does not implement a reverse
stock
split prior to March 31, 2007, the authority granted in this proposal to
implement a reverse stock split on these terms will terminate. The Board
reserves its right to elect not to proceed with the reverse stock split if
it
determines, in its sole discretion, that the split is no longer in the best
interests of the Company or our stockholders.
Risks
Associated With the Reverse Stock Split
There
can
be no assurance that the total market capitalization of our common stock after
the proposed reverse stock split will be equal to or greater than the total
market capitalization before the proposed reverse stock split or that the per
share market price of our common stock following the reverse stock split will
either exceed or remain higher than the current per share market price. There
can be no assurance that the market price per new share of our common stock
(the
“New Shares”) after the reverse stock split will rise or remain constant in
proportion to the reduction in the number of old shares of our common stock
(the
“Old Shares”) outstanding before the reverse stock split. For example, based on
the closing market price of our common stock on October 16, 2006 of $0.016
per
share, if the Board decided to implement a 1-for-25 reverse stock split, there
can be no assurance that the post-split market price of our common stock would
be $0.40 per share or greater. Accordingly, the total market capitalization
of
our common stock after the proposed reverse stock split may be lower than the
total market capitalization before the proposed reverse stock split and, in
the
future, the market price of our common stock following the reverse stock split
may not exceed or remain higher than the market price prior to the proposed
reverse stock split. In many cases, the total market capitalization of a company
following a reverse stock split is lower than the total market capitalization
before the reverse stock split. There can be no assurance that the reverse
stock
split will result in a per share price that will attract institutional investors
and brokers. While the Board believes that a higher stock price may help
generate investor interest, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock
split will result in a per share price that will attract institutional investors
and brokers.
A
decline
in the market price for our common stock after the reverse stock split may
result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence of a
reverse stock split, and the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely
affected following a reverse stock split. The market price of our common stock
will also be based on our and other factors, some of which are unrelated to
the
number of shares outstanding. If the reverse stock split is affected and the
market price of our common stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute
number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater
than would occur in the absence of a reverse stock split. In many cases, both
the total market capitalization of a company and the market price of a share
of
such company’s common stock following a reverse stock split are lower than they
were before the reverse stock split. Furthermore, the liquidity of our common
stock could be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would
be
outstanding after the reverse stock split.
Principal
Effects Of The Reverse Stock Split
Corporate
Matters
If
approved and effectuated, the reverse stock split would have the following
effects:
· |
A
to-be-determined number of Old Shares owned by a stockholder would
be
exchanged for one New Share;
|
· |
The
number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding will
be
proportionately reduced;
|
· |
A
proportionate adjustments will be made to the per share exercise
price and
the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding
options
and warrants entitling the holders thereof to purchase shares of
our
common stock, which will result in approximately the same aggregate
price
being required to be paid for such options or warrants upon exercise
of
such options or warrants immediately preceding the reverse stock
split;
and
|
· |
the
number of shares reserved for issuance under our existing stock option
plans and employee stock purchase plans will be reduced
proportionately.
|
Fractional
Shares
No
scrip
or fractional certificates will be issued in connection with the reverse stock
split. Instead, any fractional share that results from the reverse stock split
will be rounded up to the next whole share of our common stock. If approved
and
affected, the reverse stock split will result in some stockholders owning “odd
lots” of less than 100 shares of our common stock. Brokerage commissions and
other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than
the
costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100
shares.
Authorized
Shares
Upon
the
effectiveness of the reverse stock split, the number of authorized shares of
common stock that are not issued or outstanding would increase due to the
reduction in the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.
As
of October 16, 2006, we had 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 25,000,000
shares of preferred stock authorized. Of this amount, there were 78,368,736
shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding
on such date. Authorized but unissued shares will be available for issuance,
and
we may issue such shares in financings or otherwise. If we issue additional
shares, the ownership interest of holders of our common stock may also be
diluted. Also, the issued shares may have rights, preferences or privileges
senior to those of our common stock.
Accounting
Matters
The
reverse stock split will not affect the par value of our common stock. As a
result, as of the effective time of the reverse stock split, the stated capital
on our balance sheet attributable to our common stock will be reduced
proportionately, and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited
with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share net income
or loss and net book value of our common stock will be restated because there
will be fewer shares of our common stock outstanding.
Procedure
For Effecting Reverse Stock Split And Exchange Of Stock
Certificates
If
the
stockholders approve the proposal to authorize the Board to implement the
reverse stock split and the Board decides to implement the reverse stock split
on or prior to March 31, 2007, we will file the Amendment with the Secretary
of
State of the State of Delaware to amend our existing Certificate of
Incorporation. The reverse stock split will become effective at the time
specified in the Amendment, which is referred to below as the “effective time.”
Beginning at the effective time, each certificate representing Old Shares will
be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of New Shares. The
text of the Amendments to affect the reverse stock split, if implemented by
the
Board, would be in substantially the form attached as Appendix A to this proxy
statements. In addition, the text of the form of Amendment attached to this
proxy statement is subject to modification to include such changes as may be
required by the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and
as
the Board deems necessary and advisable to effect the reverse stock split,
including the insertion of the effective time determined by the Board.
As
soon
as practicable after the effective time, stockholders will be notified that
the
reverse stock split has been affected. We expect that our transfer agent,
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“AST”), will act as exchange agent
for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Stockholders
may, but are not required to, exchange their certificates evidencing the Old
Shares for certificates evidencing the New Shares. Current stock certificates
shall remain valid but are deemed to represent New Shares at the appropriate
reverse split proportion. In the event that Stockholders wish to submit their
certificates to AST for exchange, they will not be responsible for any transfer
fees. Any Old Shares submitted for transfer, whether pursuant to a sale, other
disposition or otherwise, will automatically be exchanged for New Shares,
subject to normal transfer agent fees. STOCKHOLDERS
SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY
CERTIFICATE(S) UNLESS REQUESTED TO DO SO.
No
Dissenters’ Rights
Under
the
Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to
dissenters’ rights with respect to the reverse stock split, and the Company will
not independently provide stockholders with any such right.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences Of The Reverse Stock Split
The
following is a summary of certain material federal income tax consequences
of
the reverse stock split, does not purport to be a complete discussion of all
of
the possible federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split and
is
included for general information only. Further, it does not address any state,
local or foreign income or other tax consequences. Also, it does not address
the
tax consequences to holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as
banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding
companies, foreign entities, nonresident alien individuals, broker-dealers
and
tax-exempt entities. The discussion is based on the provisions of the United
States federal income tax law as of the date hereof, which is subject to change
retroactively as well as prospectively. This summary also assumes that the
Old
Shares were, and the New Shares will be, held as a “capital asset,” as defined
in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (i.e., generally, property
held
for investment). The tax treatment of a stockholder may vary depending upon
the
particular facts and circumstances of such stockholder. Each stockholder is
urged to consult with such stockholder’s own tax advisor with respect to the tax
consequences of the reverse stock split.
No
gain
or loss should be recognized by a stockholder upon such stockholder’s exchange
of Old Shares for New Shares pursuant to the reverse stock split. The aggregate
tax basis of the New Shares received in the reverse stock split (including
any
fraction of a New Share deemed to have been received) will be the same as the
stockholder’s aggregate tax basis in the Old Shares exchanged therefor. The
stockholder’s holding period for the New Shares will include the period during
which the stockholder held the Old Shares surrendered in the reverse stock
split.
Our
view
regarding the tax consequences of the reverse stock split is not binding on
the
Internal Revenue Service or the courts. ACCORDINGLY,
EACH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT
TO
ALL OF THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE REVERSE STOCK
SPLIT.
Condition
to Closing of the Transactions
The
approval of the reverse stock split one of several conditions to the closing
of
the Transactions with IOWC. Accordingly, if the stockholders do not approve
the
reverse stock split, the Transactions with IOWC will not be consummated.
However, subject to stockholder approval, the Board intends to complete the
reverse split even it the Transactions are not consummated, because the Board
believes that this will create a more manageable capital structure for the
Company and its future financing needs.
Recommendation
of the Board
The
Board
unanimously recommends a vote FOR
the
proposed authorization of our Board to affect a reverse split of the Company’s
Common Stock in an amount to be determined by the Board between 1-for-10 and
1-for-100.
PROPOSAL
FIVE
PROPOSAL
TO INCREASE OUR
AUTHORIZED
CAPITAL FROM 100,000,000 TO 200,000,000 SHARES
OF
COMMON STOCK AND FROM 25,000,000 TO 50,000,000 SHARES
OF
PREFERRED STOCK
General
The
Board
has approved an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase the
authorized number of shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000,
and
the authorized number of shares of preferred stock from 25,000,000 to
50,000,000, after giving effect to the reverse stock split that the stockholders
are being asked to approve, and directed that this amendment be considered
by
the stockholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting. A form of the Certificate of
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is attached as Appendix A. The
certificate of incorporation currently authorizes the Company to issue
100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.00067 par value per share. It also
authorizes the Company to issue 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, but the
proposed amendment would not affect this authorization. As of October 16, 2006,
there were 78,368,736 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock
issued and outstanding. Taking into account the shares issuable in connection
with the IOWC acquisition, the conversion of the outstanding promissory notes
and exercise of outstanding options and warrants, and the conversion of
promissory notes into common stock and exercise of warrants in connection with
the Company’s current private placement offering, the Company does not have
enough shares available to meet all of its share issuance obligations. The
number of authorized shares will not be reduced by any reverse stock split
discussed in Proposal Four above.
Reasons
for and Effects of the Proposal
The
Board
believes that it is desirable to increase the number of authorized shares of
common stock in order to (i) meet its current share issuance obligations and
(ii) ensure that there is a sufficient number available to provide the Company
with adequate flexibility to issue common stock for proper corporate purposes
that may be identified in the future.
Existing
Share Issuance Obligations
The
Company is obligated to issue additional shares of its commons stock (as
calculated prior to giving effect to any reverse stock split described in
Proposal Four above), among other transactions, as follows:
· |
158,892,545
shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding promissory
notes and debentures to investors;
|
· |
58,571,714
shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants issued
to the
holders of the Company’s outstanding notes and
debentures;
|
· |
33,779,600
shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Company’s
indebtedness to the Company’s CEO, Dennis Calvert, for accrued but unpaid
compensation in the amount of
$334,221;
|
· |
13,366,667
shares of common stock issuable to officers (other than Mr. Calvert)
and
former and current non-employee directors for accrued and unpaid
salary or
director fees, payable in stock;
|
· |
37,074,167
shares of common stock issuable to various consultants for accrued
and
unpaid compensation for services rendered to the Company; and
|
· |
553,475,300
shares of common stock issuable to IOWC as part of the Transactions,
assuming such issuance is approved by the stockholders at the 2006
Annual
Meeting.
|
As
a
result of the foregoing obligations alone, without the increase in authorized
stock, the Company would not have a sufficient number of shares of stock,
depending upon whether or not the authorization for a reverse split of the
Company’s common stock (Proposal Four) is approved and the ratio of such an
approved reverse split adopted by the Board.
In
addition, the Company is currently contemplating conducting a private offering
of convertible promissory notes which, if fully subscribed to, would require
the
Company to issue 36,363,636 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase
36,363,636 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the notes and exercise
of the warrants. While there can be assurance that the Company will be able
to
complete the private offering because of the many risks involved in such an
offering and risks related to the Company’s business, the Company believes that
having enough shares authorized to meet its share issuance obligations will
likely be looked upon favorably by investors.
Future
Issuances
The
additional shares could be used, among other things, for stock dividends, for
acquisitions of other companies, for public or private financings to raise
additional capital and for stock-based employee benefit plans. There are
currently no commitments or agreements for the issuance of additional shares
of
common stock, other than with respect to shares issuable in the acquisition,
conversion of the notes and its equity incentive plans.
If
the
proposed amendment is adopted, the newly authorized shares would be unreserved
(other than the shares to be issued in connection with the acquisition, propose
private placement of notes and warrants, conversion of the notes and equity
incentive plans) and available for issuance by the Company without further
stockholder action, except as provided by Delaware law or the rules of any
stock
exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company’s common stock may
then be listed or quoted. All of the additional shares resulting from the
proposed increase in the Company’s authorized common stock would be of the same
class if and when they are issued, and holders would have the same rights and
privileges as holders of shares of common stock presently issued and
outstanding, including the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights.
The
holders of Company common stock do not have preemptive rights to subscribe
to
additional securities that may be issued by the Company, which means that
current stockholders do not have a prior right to purchase any additional shares
in connection with a new issuance of capital stock of the Company in order
to
maintain their proportionate ownership of the Company’s common stock.
Accordingly, if the Board of the Company elects to issue additional shares
of
common stock, such issuance could have a dilutive effect on the earnings per
share, voting power, and equity ownership of current stockholders. In addition,
the holders of the Company common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting.
The
proposed increase in the authorized number of shares of common stock could
have
an anti-takeover effect. The availability for issuance of additional shares
of
common stock could discourage, or make more difficult, efforts to obtain control
of the Company because such shares could be issued to dilute the voting power
of
a person seeking control. For example, it may be possible for the Board to
delay
or impede a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest that it determines is not
in
the best interests of the Company and its stockholders by causing such
additional authorized shares to be issued to holders who might side with the
board in opposing such a takeover or change in control. By potentially
discouraging unsolicited takeover attempts, the proposed amendment may limit
the
opportunity for the Company’s stockholders to dispose of their shares at the
higher price generally available in takeover attempts or under a merger proposal
and may also have the effect of permitting the Company’s current management,
including the current Board, to retain its position and resist changes that
stockholders may wish to make if they are dissatisfied with the conduct of
the
Company’s business.
Condition
to Closing of the Transactions
The
approval of the increase in the authorized capital of the Company is one of
several conditions to the closing of the Transactions with IOWC. Accordingly,
if
the stockholders do not approve the increase in the authorized capital stock
and
that condition is not waived by IOWC, the Transactions with IOWC will not be
consummated. However, subject to stockholder approval, the Board intends to
complete the reverse split even it the Transactions with IOWC are not
consummated, because the Board believes that this will create a more manageable
capital structure for the Company and its future financing needs.
Dilutive
Effect of Increase in Authorized Capital Stock
By
itself, an increase in the Company’s authorized capital stock will not have any
dilutive effect on the Company’s stockholders. However, if Proposal Five is
approved by the stockholders, the Company intends to (i) mandatorily convert
certain convertible notes into shares of common stock, (ii) issue common stock
to several individuals with respect to whom the Company has accrued and unpaid
obligations for a variety of services and (iii) issue common stock in connection
with a new employment agreement with Mr. Calvert. In addition, if Proposal
Two
is approved by the stockholders, the Company will issue the IOWC Stock at the
closing of the Transactions with IOWC. Therefore, an indirect result of the
approval of Proposal Five will be significant dilution of the percentage of
the
Company owned by the existing stockholders. For more information about this
dilutive effect, including a table showing current and pro forma capitalization
of the Company, please see PROPOSAL TWO - Pro-Forma
Capitalization and Significant Dilution to Existing Stockholders.
Recommendation
of the Board
The
Board
unanimously recommends a vote FOR
the
proposed increase in the authorized capital stock of the Company.
PROPOSAL
SIX
PROPOSAL
TO ADOPT THE 2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
On
November 1, 2006, the Board adopted the NuWay Medical, Inc. 2006 Equity
Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”). At the 2006 Annual Meeting our stockholders
are being asked to approve the 2006 Plan. The following is only a summary of
the
2006 Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of
the
2006 Plan, a copy of which is attached as Appendix B to this proxy statement.
Purpose
The
Board
believes that the Company’s ability to award incentive compensation based on
equity in the Company is critical to its ability to attract, motivate and retain
key personnel. Approval of this proposal would provide 150,000,000 shares (on
a
pre-reverse split basis) to be used for grants under the 2006 Plan.
If
the
Transactions with IOWC are completed, we will need to attract, motivate and
retain personnel so that we can implement our new line of business. The
creativity and entrepreneurial drive of such employees and other personnel
who
provide services to the Company will be critical to our success. By giving
our
employees, consultants and directors an opportunity to share in the growth
of
our equity, we will align their interests with those of our stockholders. Our
employees, consultants and directors will understand that their stake in the
Company will have value only if, working together, we create value for our
stockholders. Awards under the 2006 Plan will generally vest over a period
of
time giving the recipient an additional incentive to provide services over
a
number of years and build on past performance.
Number
of Shares
The
2006
Plan freezes the number of shares available for awards under the 2004 Equity
Plan (collectively, the “Frozen Plan”) as of the date of the 2006 Annual
Meeting. As a result, effective on the date of the 2006 Annual Meeting, no
new
awards will be made under the Frozen Plan if the 2006 Plan is approved.
Under
the
2006 Plan, 150,000,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance
under awards. Any shares that are represented by awards under the 2006 Plan
that
are forfeited, expire, or are canceled or settled in cash without delivery
of
shares, or that are forfeited back to us or reacquired by us after delivery
for
any reason, or that are tendered to us or withheld to pay the exercise price
or
related tax withholding obligations in connection with any award under the
2006
Plan, will again be available for awards under the 2006 Plan. Only shares
actually issued under the 2006 Plan will reduce the share reserve. If we acquire
another entity through a merger or similar transaction and issue replacement
awards under the 2006 Plan to employees, officers and directors of the acquired
entity, those awards, to the extent permitted under applicable laws and
securities exchange rules, will not reduce the number of shares reserved for
the
2006 Plan.
The
2006
Plan imposes the following additional maximum limitations, which limitations
will be adjusted to take into account stock splits, reverse stock splits and
other similar occurrences following the date the 2006 Plan is approved by the
stockholders:
•
The
maximum number of shares that may be issued in connection with incentive stock
options granted to any one person in any calendar year intended to qualify
under
Internal Revenue Code Section 422 is 10,000,000 shares.
•
The
maximum number of shares that may be subject to stock options or stock
appreciation rights granted to any one person in any calendar year is 5,000,000
shares, except that this limit is 10,000,000 shares if the grant is made in
the
year of the recipient’s initial employment.
•
The
maximum number of shares that may be subject to restricted stock or restricted
stock units granted to any one person in any calendar year is
5,000,000 shares.
The
maximum number shares that may be subject to awards
granted to any one Participant in any calendar year of (i) performance shares,
and/or performance units (the value of which is based on the Fair Market Value
of a Shares), is 5,000,000 Shares; and (ii) of performance units (the value
of
which is not based on the Fair Market Value of a Share) that could result a
payment of more than $500,000.
The
Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may grant awards that exceed the
above limits (other than the limits on incentive stock options) if the Committee
determines that such awards will not be considered “qualified performance-based
compensation” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), but
only if and to the extent that such discretion does not disqualify
performance-based awards from qualifying as such under Internal Revenue Code
Section 162(m). For 2006, the individual limits described above will be reduced
by the number of shares subject to awards made during 2006 under the Frozen
Plan. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2006 Plan, and the
limits on the number of awards that may be granted to any one participant or
of
a particular type, as described above, are subject to adjustment to reflect
certain subsequent changes to our capital structure, such as stock splits,
stock
dividends and recapitalizations including the reverse stock split set forth
as
Proposal Four.
Administration
The
2006
Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee will have full power to administer the 2006 Plan and the decisions
of
the Compensation Committee will be final and binding upon all the participants.
The
Board
may delegate the Compensation Committee’s administrative authority to another
committee, or the Compensation Committee may delegate some of its authority
to
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Any such delegation may be made
only
to the extent the law allows. In no event may such delegation be made with
respect to awards granted to individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act unless the delegation is made to a committee composed entirely
of
non-employee directors.
Eligibility
The
selection of the participants in the 2006 Plan will generally be determined
by
the Compensation Committee. Employees and those about to become employees,
including those who are officers or directors of the Company or its subsidiaries
and affiliates, are eligible to be selected to receive awards under the 2006
Plan. In addition, non-employee service providers, including non-employee
directors, and employees of unaffiliated entities that provide bona fide
services to the Company as an independent contractor are eligible to be selected
to receive awards under the 2006 Plan. Non-employee directors of the Board
are
eligible for and shall receive automatic grants of options (as described in
more
detail below) without approval by the Compensation Committee.
As
of
November 3,
2006,
one named executive officer, three non-employee directors and approximately
one
other employee are eligible to be selected by the Compensation Committee to
receive grants under the 2006 Plan.
Types
of Awards
The
2006
Plan allows for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock awards and restricted stock units in any combination,
separately or in tandem. Subject to the terms of the 2006 Plan, the Compensation
Committee will determine the terms and conditions of awards (other than the
automatic option grants to non-employee directors), including the times when
awards vest or become payable and the effect of certain events such as
termination of employment.
Stock
Options.
The
Compensation Committee may grant either incentive stock options qualified with
respect to Internal Revenue Code Section 422 or options not qualified under
any
section of the Internal Revenue Code (“non-qualified options”). All stock
options granted under the 2006 Plan must have an exercise price that is at
least
equal to the fair market value of our underlying common stock on the grant
date.
As of November 1, 2006, the fair market value of a share of our common stock,
determined by the closing price per share on that date as quoted on the Pink
Sheets, was $0.02.
No stock
option granted under the 2006 Plan may have a term longer than ten years, except
that under the 2006 Plan the term may be extended for six months beyond the
date
of death in the event that an option recipient dies prior to the option’s
termination date. The exercise price of stock options may be paid in cash,
or,
if the Compensation Committee permits, by tendering shares of common stock,
or
by any other means the Compensation Committee approves. Our stock options may
contain a replenishment provision under which we issue a new option to an option
holder (called a “replenishment option”), in order to maintain his or her equity
stake in the company, if the option holder surrenders previously-owned shares
to
us in payment of the exercise price of an outstanding stock option. The
automatic replenishment option grant generally covers only the number of shares
surrendered, and expires at the same time as the option that was exercised
would
have expired.
Under
the
2006 Plan, either (i) the Board is responsible for determining the number of
shares that each non-employee director will be granted annually or (ii) each
non-employee director will receive an automatic initial grant of an option
for
250,000 shares on the date he or she first joins the Board (or a pro-rated
number if he or she joins the Board at a time other than at the annual
stockholders’ meeting), and an annual grant of an option for an additional
250,000 shares in each subsequent year on the date of the regular annual
stockholders’ meeting, beginning with the 2006 Annual Meeting. In addition, the
Compensation Committee may grant options for an additional number of shares
to
non-employee directors. The automatic options granted to non-employee directors
are exercisable in full on the first anniversary of the date of grant, or
earlier in the event of death, disability, retirement or a change of control
of
the Company. If the director resigns for other than death, disability, or
retirement prior to the first anniversary of the grant date, a pro rata portion
of the option will become vested on the date of such resignation. Automatic
non-employee director option grants expire on the tenth anniversary of the
grant
date or if earlier, on the 90th day after the director terminates service for
any reason.
Stock
Appreciation Rights.
The
Compensation Committee may grant stock appreciation rights which provide the
recipient the right to receive a payment (in cash, shares or a combination
of
both) equal to the difference between the fair market value of a specific number
of shares on the grant date and the fair market value of such shares on the
date
of exercise. Stock appreciation rights must expire no later than ten years
after
their grant date, except that under the 2006 Plan the term may be extended
for
six months beyond the date of death in the event that a recipient dies prior
to
the termination date of the SARs.
Restricted
Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
The
Compensation Committee may grant shares of restricted common stock with or
without payment of consideration by the recipient, or may grant restricted
stock
units. The Compensation Committee will determine whether restricted stock units
will be paid in cash, our common stock or a combination thereof. All or part
of
any restricted stock or restricted stock unit award may be subject to conditions
and restrictions, which the Compensation Committee will specify. There will
be a
restriction period of at least three years’ duration on stock and unit awards,
unless the vesting of such awards is contingent on the attainment of performance
goals, in which case the restriction period must be at least one year. The
Compensation Committee may specify that the restriction period will lapse in
the
event of the recipient’s termination of employment as a result of death,
disability or retirement. In addition, the Compensation Committee may provide
for a shorter restriction period if it determines in its sole discretion that
an
award of restricted stock or restricted stock units is made in lieu of cash
compensation (including without limitation cash bonus compensation).
Change
of Control
The
Compensation Committee may determine, in its discretion, whether an award issued
under the 2006 Plan will become vested or payable, either in whole or in part,
upon a change of control of the Company (as defined in the 2006 Plan). In
addition, each holder of an option or stock appreciation right, and each holder
of shares received under a restricted stock award, restricted stock unit award,
performance award or dividend equivalent award, if any, that vested or became
payable as a result of the change of control, may have the right for a period
of
30 days following the change of control to surrender the award or shares for
a
cash payment equal to:
· |
in
the case of an option or stock appreciation right, the difference
between
the higher of the fair market value of a share of our common stock
on the
date of surrender or the date of the change of control, and the grant
or
exercise price of the award; and
|
· |
in
the case of shares, the higher of the fair market value of a share
of our
common stock on the date of surrender or the date of the change of
control.
|
The
Compensation Committee may also cancel any options or stock appreciation rights
that are not exercised or surrendered during the 30-day period described above.
The
provisions of the 2006 Plan governing the ability of participants to surrender
awards upon a change of control for a cash payment will also apply to awards
made under the Frozen Plan. Accordingly, upon approval of the 2006 Plan, the
Frozen Plan will be deemed amended to incorporate these change of control
provisions.
Transferability
of Awards
Awards
granted under the 2006 Plan are not transferable, other than by will or pursuant
to state intestate laws, unless the Committee otherwise approves a transfer.
Foreign
Participation
The
Compensation Committee may provide for such special terms as it may consider
necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy
or
custom regarding awards granted to participants employed in foreign countries.
In addition, the Compensation Committee may approve such supplements to, or
amendments, restatements or alternative versions of, the 2006 Plan as it
determines is necessary or appropriate for such purposes. Any such amendment,
restatement or alternative versions that the Compensation Committee approves
for
purposes of using the 2006 Plan in a foreign country will not affect the terms
of the 2006 Plan for use in any other country.
Awards
All
awards which may be granted under the 2006 Plan are discretionary, and no awards
have been granted to date under the 2006 Plan. The Compensation Committee has
not considered specific awards to be made under the 2006 Plan; therefore, the
number of shares that will be covered by any awards or the individuals to whom
awards will be made cannot be determined at this time.
Amendments
The
Board
or Compensation Committee may alter, amend, suspend or discontinue the 2006
Plan
at any time, but no such action may be taken without stockholder approval if
such approval is required by law or listing requirements, or if such action
increases the number of shares that may be issued under the 2006 Plan or the
annual award limits, or eliminates the prohibition on stock option repricing.
The Compensation Committee may alter or amend awards under the 2006 Plan, but
no
such action may be taken without the consent of the participant if it would
materially adversely affect an outstanding award, and no such action may be
taken without prior stockholder approval if it would result in repricing a
stock
option to a lower exercise price other than to reflect a capital adjustment
of
our stock, such as a stock split. The Company has never repriced options in
the
past.
Term
of Plan
If
our
stockholders approve Proposal Six, the 2006 Plan will become effective as of
December 20, 2006, and will remain in effect until December 20, 2016, unless
it
is terminated earlier by the Board or the Compensation Committee. As mentioned
previously, no new awards will be made under the Frozen Plan if our stockholders
approve the 2006 Plan, although the Frozen Plan will continue in effect for
purposes of administering awards outstanding under such plan.
2006
Plan Benefits
Because
the value of benefits under the 2006 Plan will depend on the Compensation
Committee’s actions and because the value of option and other stock awards will
depend on the fair market value of common stock at various future dates, it
is
not possible to determine all benefits that will be received by employees,
officers, and directors if the 2006 Plan is approved by the
stockholders.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences
The
following summary is intended only as a general guide to the United States
federal income tax consequences under current law of incentive stock options
and
non-qualified stock options, which are authorized for grant under the 2006
Plan.
It does not attempt to describe all possible federal or other tax consequences
of participation in the 2006 Plan or tax consequences based on particular
circumstances. The tax consequences may vary if options are granted outside
the
United States.
Incentive
Stock Options.
An
option holder recognizes no taxable income for regular income tax purposes
as a
result of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option qualifying under
Internal Revenue Code Section 422. Option holders who dispose of the shares
acquired under an incentive stock option after two years following the date
the
option was granted and after one year following the exercise of the option
will
normally recognize a capital gain or loss upon a sale of the shares equal to
the
difference, if any, between the sale price and the purchase price of the shares.
If an option holder satisfies such holding periods upon a sale of the shares,
the Company will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax
purposes. If an option holder disposes of shares within two years after the
date
of grant or within one year after the date of exercise (a “disqualifying
disposition”), the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the
exercise date and the option exercise price (not to exceed the gain realized
on
the sale if the disposition is a transaction with respect to which a loss,
if
sustained, would be recognized) will be taxed as ordinary income at the time
of
disposition. Any gain in excess of that amount will be a capital gain. If a
loss
is recognized, there will be no ordinary income, and such loss will be a capital
loss. Any ordinary income recognized by the option holder upon the disqualifying
disposition of the shares generally will result in a deduction by the Company
for federal income tax purposes.
Non-Qualified
Stock Options.
Options
not designated or qualifying as incentive stock options will be non-qualified
stock options having no special tax status. An optionee generally recognizes
no
taxable income as the result of the grant of such an option. Upon exercise
of a
non-qualified stock option, the optionee normally recognizes ordinary income
in
the amount of the difference between the option exercise price and the fair
market value of the shares on the exercise date. If the optionee is an employee,
such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and
employment taxes. Upon the sale of stock acquired by the exercise of a
non-qualified stock option, any gain or loss, based on the difference between
the sale price and the fair market value on the exercise date, will be taxed
as
a capital gain or loss. No tax deduction is available to the Company with
respect to the grant of a non-qualified stock option or the sale of the stock
acquired pursuant to such grant. The Company generally should be entitled to
a
deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee
as a
result of the exercise of a non-qualified stock option.
Other
Considerations.
The
Internal Revenue Code allows publicly-held corporations to deduct compensation
in excess of $1 million paid to the corporation’s chief executive officer and
its four other most highly compensated executive officers in office at the
end
of the tax year if the compensation is payable solely based on the attainment
of
one or more performance goals and certain statutory requirements are satisfied.
We intend for compensation arising from grants of awards under the 2006 Plan
which are based on performance goals, including stock options and stock
appreciation rights granted at fair market value, to be deductible by us as
performance-based compensation not subject to the $1 million limitation on
deductibility.
Recommendation
of the Board
The
Board
unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR
the
proposal to adopt the 2006 Plan.
PROPOSAL
SEVEN
RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
The
Audit
Committee has appointed the Jeffrey S. Gilbert to act as our independent auditor
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, and such appointment is being
submitted to our stockholders for ratification at the 2006 Annual Meeting.
Mr.
Gilbert is considered by our management to be well qualified. If the
stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Mr. Gilbert, the Audit Committee
will reconsider the appointment. Mr. Gilbert intends to be present at the 2006
Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he desires
to do
so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Audit
and Other Fees
The
following table summarizes the fees charged by Mr. Gilbert for certain services
rendered to the Company and its subsidiaries during 2004 and 2005:
|
|
Amount
Billed and Paid
|
|
Type
of Fee
|
|
Fiscal
Year 2004
|
|
Fiscal
Year 2005
|
|
Audit
(1)
|
|
$
|
18,000
|
|
$
|
55,925
|
|
Audit-Related
(2)
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
4,050
|
|
Tax
(3)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
All
Other (4)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
26,000
|
|
$
|
59,975
|
|
______________________
(1)
This
category consists of fees for the audit of our annual financial statements
included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB and review of the
financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB.
This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose
during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of interim financial
statements, statutory audits required by non-U.S. jurisdictions and the
preparation of an annual “management letter” on internal control matters.
(2)
Represents services that are normally provided by the independent auditors
in
connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal
years, aggregate fees charged for assurance and related services that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit and are not reported as
audit
fees. These services include consultations regarding Sarbanes-Oxley Act
requirements, various SEC filings and the implementation of new accounting
requirements.
(3)
Represents aggregate fees charged for professional services for tax compliance
and preparation, tax consulting and advice, and tax planning.
(4)
Represents aggregate fees charged for products and services other than those
services previously reported as charged by former auditors.
Recommendation
of the Board
The
Board
unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the proposal to ratify the
appointment of Jeffrey S. Gilbert as our independent auditor for the fiscal
year
ending December 31, 2006.
REPORT
OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The
following Report of the Compensation Committee does not constitute soliciting
material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any
of
our other filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically
incorporate this report by reference therein. The Compensation Committee has
furnished this report on executive compensation for the 2005 fiscal year.
Compensation
Program and Philosophy
The
Compensation Committee administers the Company’s executive compensation program.
The Compensation Committee has the authority to review and determine the
salaries and bonuses of the executive officers of the Company, including the
Chief Executive Officer and the other Named Executive Officers, and to establish
the general compensation policies for such individuals. The Compensation
Committee also has the sole and exclusive authority to make discretionary option
grants to all of the Company’s employees under the Company’s equity incentive
plans.
The
Compensation Committee operates under a written charter. The duties and
responsibilities of a member of the Compensation Committee are in addition
to
his or her duties as a member of the Board. The charter reflects these various
responsibilities, and the Committee is charged with periodically reviewing
the
charter. The Committee’s membership is determined by the Board and is composed
entirely of independent directors. In addition, the Committee has the authority
to engage the services of outside advisors, experts and others, including
independent compensation consultants who do not advise the Company, to assist
the Committee. Mr. Harrison served as Chairman of the Compensation Committee
during 2005 and until April 6, 2006, when he resigned as a director. Mr.
Marshall has served as Chairman of the Compensation Committee since April 28,
2006. Mr. Cox also serves on the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee did not met during 2005, because
of the Company’s limited functions and operations during 2005 and the additional
fact that employment agreements were in place for the Company’s few
officers.
The
Compensation Committee believes that the compensation programs for the Company’s
executive officers should reflect the Company’s performance, support the short-
and long-term strategic goals and values of the Company, reward individual
contribution to the Company’s success and align the interests of the Company’s
executive officers with the interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Company
is engaged in a very competitive industry, and the Company’s success depends
upon its ability to attract and retain qualified executives through the
competitive compensation packages it offers to such individuals. To that end,
it
is the view of the Board that the total compensation program for executive
officers should consist of all or most of the following components:
· |
Equity-based
compensation
|
The
Committee does not rely solely on predetermined formulas or a limited set of
criteria when it evaluates the performance of the Company’s chief executive
officer and the Company’s other executive officers. In 2005, the Committee
considered management’s continuing achievement of its short- and long-term goals
versus its strategic imperatives. The principal factors that were taken into
account in establishing each executive officer’s compensation package for the
2005 fiscal year are described below. However, the Compensation Committee may
in
its discretion apply entirely different factors, such as different measures
of
financial performance, for future fiscal years. Moreover, all of the Company’s
Named Executive Officers have entered into employment agreements or arrangements
with the Company and many components of each such person’s compensation,
including both base salary and some portion of bonus, are set by such agreement
or arrangement.
Chief
Executive Officer Compensation
The
Company entered into an employment agreement with Dennis Calvert in December
2002. Mr. Calvert’s employment agreement provides for him to be employed for
five years at an annual salary of $168,000. The employment agreement further
provides that Mr. Calvert work with the Company on a full time basis, that
the
office be located in Laguna Hills, California, that he receive annual increases
of 10% of his base income, that bonuses will be payable based on the greater
of
a performance scale established by the Compensation Committee, assigned by
the
Board, or 3% of the annual increase in market capitalization value. The
compensation plan includes benefits of a car allowance, insurance and a standard
vacation package. The agreement has certain minimum performance standards and
calls for a severance package equal to one year’s base compensation, plus an
additional one half year’s compensation for each year of service beginning in
2003. Standard confidentiality, Company ownership rights to property and assets
and arbitration clauses are included in the agreement. In contemplation of
a
proposed amendment to Mr. Calvert’s employment agreement, the Board of Directors
approved an increase in Mr. Calvert’s cash compensation, effective January 1,
2006, to $184,800 per year. The Compensation Committee was not separately
involved in this decision, due to the small size of the Company, and ratified
this decision at its November 1, 2006 meeting.
The
Company intends to enter into a new employment agreement with Mr. Calvert in
the
near future, pursuant to which, among other things, Mr. Calvert would continue
to be employed as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief
Financial Officer of the Company for a five-year term, at an annual base salary
of $184,800 for 2006, with 10% increases for each subsequent calendar year
of
the agreement. In addition, he would be entitled to receive bonuses granted
in
the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Additionally,
Mr. Calvert would be issued, upon signing, 57,090,400 shares of the Company’s
common stock and a stock grant equal to an additional 165,977,920 shares of
the
Company’s common stock, such grant to vest in equal installments over each year
of the employment agreement; provided, however, that such vesting will
accelerate in the event of termination without cause or a change of control
of
the Company. Mr. Calvert will also be eligible to participate in the Company’s
stock option plan then in effect and any bonus plan that may be adopted in
the
future.
Equity-Based
Director
Compensation
In
2005, Mr. Provenzano received a stock grant of a 4
million shares under his employment agreement in lieu of $40,000 and Messrs.
Cox
and Harrison each received a grant of 1 million shares for $20,000 of accrued
and unpaid director fees.
Deductibility
of Executive Compensation
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code disallows a tax deduction to publicly-held
companies for compensation paid to certain of their executive officers, to
the
extent that compensation exceeds $1 million per covered officer in any fiscal
year. The limitation applies only to compensation which is not considered to
be
performance based. Non-performance based compensation paid to the Company’s
executive officers for the 2004 fiscal year did not exceed the $1 million limit
per officer, and the Compensation Committee does not anticipate that the
non-performance based compensation to be paid to the Company’s executive
officers for the 2006 fiscal year will exceed that limit. Because it is unlikely
that the cash non-performance based compensation payable to any of the Company’s
executive officers in the foreseeable future will approach the $1 million limit,
the Compensation Committee has decided at this time not to take any action
to
limit or restructure the elements of cash compensation payable to the Company’s
executive officers. The Compensation Committee will reconsider this decision
should the individual cash non-performance based compensation of any executive
officer ever approach the $1 million level.
|
Submitted by the Compensation
Committee: |
|
|
|
Dennis E. Marshall, Chair |
|
Gary Cox |
REPORT
OF AUDIT COMMITTEE
The
following report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material
and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any of our
other filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent
that we specifically incorporate this report by reference therein, and shall
not
be deemed to be soliciting material or otherwise deemed filed under either
such
Act.
The
Audit
Committee is currently comprised of two independent directors, all of whom
are
independent under the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq. Steven V. Harrison II, who
resigned as a director on April 6, 2006, served as Chairman of the Audit
Committee during 2005 and through the date of his resignation. On April 28,
2006, Mr. Marshall was appointed as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Cox
also serves on the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Marshall
qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 401(h) of
Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The duties
and responsibilities of a member of the Audit Committee are in addition to
his
or her duties as a member of the Board. The Audit Committee operates under
a
written charter, a copy of which is available on the Company’s corporate
website. The Audit Committee met seven times during 2005.
The
Audit
Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:
· |
engage
the Company’s independent auditor,
|
· |
monitor
the independent auditor’s independence, qualifications and performance,
|
· |
pre-approve
all audit and non-audit services,
|
· |
monitor
the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting process and internal
control systems,
|
· |
provide
an open avenue of communication among the independent auditor, financial
and senior management of the Company and the Board,
and
|
· |
monitor
the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements,
contingent liabilities, risk assessment and risk
management.
|
Management
is responsible for the Company’s internal controls and the financial reporting
process. The Company’s independent auditor is responsible for performing an
independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
and issuing a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor
and oversee these processes.
In
carrying out these responsibilities, the Audit Committee monitored the scope
and
staffing of the Company’s internal management group that was previously
established by the Company and held meetings with the Company’s internal auditor
regarding the progress and completion of the implementation of the Company’s
internal controls and the scope of their audit of such internal
controls.
In
overseeing the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, the Audit
Committee held meetings with the Company’s internal auditor and independent
auditors, both in the presence of management and privately, to review and
discuss all financial statements prior to their issuance and to discuss the
overall scope and plans for their respective audits, the evaluation of the
Company’s internal controls and significant accounting issues. Management
advised the Audit Committee that all financial statements were prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of
America, and the Audit Committee discussed the statements with both management
and the Company’s independent auditors. In accordance with Section 204 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Statement on Auditing Standards (“SAS”) No.
61 (Communication With Audit Committees) as amended by SAS No. 90 (Audit
Committee Communications), the Audit Committee has discussed with the Company’s
independent auditors all matters required to be discussed under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the foregoing standards.
With
respect to the Company’s independent auditors, the Audit Committee, among other
things, discussed with Jeffrey S. Gilbert matters relating to its independence,
including the written disclosures made to the Audit Committee as required by
the
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with
Audit
Committees). The Audit Committee also reviewed and approved the audit and
non-audit fees of Mr. Gilbert.
On
the
basis of these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee (i) appointed Mr.
Gilbert as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the
2006 fiscal year and (ii) recommended to the Board that the Board approve the
inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements in the 10-KSB for filing
with the SEC.
|
Submitted by the Audit
Committee: |
|
|
|
Dennis E. Marshall, Chair |
|
Gary Cox |
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
From
time
to time stockholders present proposals that may be proper subjects for inclusion
in a proxy statement and for consideration at an annual meeting. Under the
rules
of the SEC, to be included in the proxy statement for our 2007 annual meeting
of
stockholders, proposals must be received by us no later than February 1,
2007.
ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB
We
originally filed our original Annual Report on Form 10-KSB on March 31, 2006,
our amended Form 10-KSB on May 1, 2006, and the 10-QSB for the quarterly period
ended September 30, 2006 on November [__], 2006, with the SEC. A copy of
the 10-KSB and 10-QSB has been mailed to all stockholders along with this proxy
statement. Stockholders may obtain additional copies of the 10-KSB and the
exhibits thereto, without charge, by writing to our Corporate Secretary, at
our
principal executive offices at 2603 Main Street, Suite 1155, Irvine, California
92614.
OTHER
MATTERS
Management
does not know of any matters to be presented at the 2006 Annual Meeting other
than those set forth herein and in the Notice accompanying this proxy statement.
If a stockholder vote is necessary to transact any other business at the 2006
Annual Meeting, the proxyholders intend to vote their proxies in accordance
with
their best judgment related to such business.
It
is
important that your shares be represented at the 2006 Annual Meeting, regardless
of the number of shares that you hold. YOU
ARE, THEREFORE, URGED TO EXECUTE PROMPTLY AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY
IN
THE ENVELOPE THAT HAS BEEN ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.
Stockholders who are present at the 2006Annual Meeting may revoke their proxies
and vote in person or, if they prefer, may abstain from voting in person and
allow their proxies to be voted.
|
By Order of the Board of
Directors, |
|
|
|
Dennis Calver, Chairman |
|
|
Irvine
California
|
|
November
___, 2006 |
|
Appendix
A
FORM
OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE
CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION OF
NUWAY
MEDICAL INC.
NuWay
Medical Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
State
of Delaware (the “Corporation”) hereby certifies as follows:
1.
This
Certificate of Amendment has been duly adopted in accordance with
Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by the
Board of Directors of the corporation.
2.
This
Certificate of Amendment has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections
222
and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by the
stockholders of the corporation.
3.
Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, this Certificate of Amendment amends the provisions of the
corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation as set forth herein.
4.
The Certificate of Incorporation of Coporation shall
be amended to provide as follows:
"The
name of the corporation is "BLTI Holdings,
Inc."
5.
The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation
shall be amended to provide as follows:
"The
total number of shares of capital stock which the
corporation is authorized to issue is 250,000,000 shares, 200,000,000 shares
of
which shall be Common Stock, and 50,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock
all
with a par value of $0.00067."
6.
The
currently effective Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby
amended to insert the following paragraphs:
“Effective
at 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on __________, 200_ (the “Effective Time”),
pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, every
________ shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $0.00067 per
share (the “Old Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time, will be automatically reclassified as and converted into
one
share of Common Stock, par value $0.00067 per share, of the Corporation (the
“New Common Stock”). Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, no
fractional shares of New Common Stock shall be issued to the holders of record
of Old Common Stock in connection with the foregoing reclassification of
shares
of Old Common Stock. In lieu thereof, any fractional share that results from
the
reclassification and conversion described in the preceding sentences will
be
rounded up to the next whole share of Common Stock.
Each
stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented
shares of Old Common Stock shall, from and after the Effective Time,
automatically and without the necessity of presenting the same for exchange,
represent that number of whole shares of New Common Stock into which the
shares
of Old Common Stock represented by such certificate shall have been
reclassified, provided, however, that each holder of record of a certificate
that represented shares of Old Common Stock shall receive, upon surrender
of
such certificate, a new certificate representing the number of whole shares
of
New Common Stock into which the shares of Old Common Stock represented by
such
certificate shall have been reclassified.
The
reclassification and conversion of Old Common Stock into New Common Stock
described in the preceding paragraphs shall not change the authorized number
of
shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation or the par value thereof.”
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment
to be
signed by ___________________________, its _________________________________,
this ___ day of ___________, 200_
|
|
|
NUWAY
MEDICAL INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
Its:
|
Appendix
B
NUWAY
MEDICAL, INC.
2006
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose,
History and Effective Date.
(a) Purpose.
The
Nuway Medical, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan has two complementary purposes:
(i) to attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as officers,
employees, directors or consultants and (ii) to increase stockholder value.
The
Plan will provide participants incentives to increase stockholder value by
offering the opportunity to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock or
receive monetary payments based on the value of such common stock on the
potentially favorable terms that this Plan provides.
(b) History.
Prior
to the effective date of this Plan, the Company had in effect the 2004 Plan,
which was originally effective March 10, 2004. Upon stockholder approval
of this
Plan, no new awards will be granted under the 2004 Plan.
(c) Effective
Date.
This
Plan will become effective, and Awards may be granted under this Plan, on
and
after the Effective Date. This Plan will terminate as provided in Section
11.
2. Definitions.
Capitalized
terms used in this Plan have the following meanings:
(a) “2004
Plan” means Nuway Medical, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.
(b) “Affiliate”
has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the
Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto.
(c) “Award”
means a grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares,
Performance Units, Restricted Stock, or Restricted Stock Units.
(d) “Award
Agreement” means a written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document
evidencing the grant of an Award in such form as the Committee determines.
(e) “Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) “Change
of Control” means the occurrence of any one of the following events:
(i) the
consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another
entity or any other corporate reorganization, if more than fifty percent
(50%)
of the combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity’s securities
outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization
is owned by Persons who were not stockholders of the Company immediately
prior
to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization;
(ii) the
sale,
transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets;
(iii) a
change
in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than fifty percent
(50%) of the incumbent directors are directors who either (A) had been directors
of the Company on the date twenty-four (24) months prior to the date of the
event that may constitute a Change of Control (the “original directors”) or (B)
were elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative
votes
of at least a majority of the aggregate of the original directors who were
still
in office at the time of the election or nomination and the directors whose
election or nomination was previously so approved; or
(iv) any
transaction as a result of which any Person is the “beneficial owner” (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the
total
voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities.
For purposes of this paragraph (iv), the term “Person” shall exclude (A) a
trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan
of
the Company or a Subsidiary and (B) a corporation owned directly or indirectly
by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions
as
their ownership of the common stock of the Company.
A
transaction shall not constitute a Change of Control if its sole purpose
is to
change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company
that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who
held
the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. The consummation
of the proposed transactions with IOWC Technologies, Inc. shall not constitute
a
Change of Control.
(g) “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a specific
provision of the Code includes any successor provision and the regulations
promulgated under such provision.
(h) “Committee”
means the Compensation Committee of the Board (or a successor committee with
the
same or similar authority).
(i) “Company”
means Nuway Medical, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.
(j) “Director”
means a member of the Board, and “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is
not also an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(k) “Disability”
has the meaning ascribed to the term in Code Section 22(e)(3), as determined
by
the Committee.
(l) “Disinterested
Persons” means the non-employee directors of the Company within the meaning of
Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under the Exchange Act.
(m) “Effective
Date” means the date the Company’s stockholders approve this Plan.
(n) “Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any reference to a
specific provision of the Exchange Act includes any successor provision and
the
regulations and rules promulgated under such provision.
(o) “Fair
Market Value” means, per Share on a particular date, (i) if the Stock is listed
for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the last reported sales price
on the
date in question as reported in The Wall Street Journal, or if no sales of
Stock
occur on the date in question, on the last preceding date on which there
was a
sale on such exchange; or (ii) if the Stock is not listed or admitted to
trading
on the New York Stock Exchange, the last reported sales price on the date
in
question on the principal national securities exchange on which the Stock
is
listed or admitted to trading, or if no sales of Stock occur on the date
in
question, on the last preceding date on which there was a sale on such exchange;
or (iii) if the Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, the last reported sales price on the date in question
in
the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) or such other
system then in use, or if no sales of Stock occur on the date in question,
on
the last preceding date on which there was a sale; or (iv) if on any such
date
the Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the last sales price on
the
date in question as furnished by a professional market making a market in
the
Stock selected by the Board for the date in question, or if no sales of Stock
occur on the date in question, on the last preceding date on which there
was a
sale; or (v) if on any such date no market maker is making a market in the
Stock, the price as determined in good faith by the Committee.
(p) “Incentive
Stock Option” means an Option that meets the requirements of Code Section 422.
(q) “Option”
means the right to purchase Shares at a specified price during a specified
period of time.
(r) “Participant”
means an individual selected by the Committee to receive an Award, and includes
any individual who holds an Award after the death of the original recipient.
(s) “Performance
Goals” means any goals the Committee establishes that relate to one or more of
the following for such period as the Committee specifies:
(i) Revenue;
(ii) Earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted (EBITDA
as
adjusted);
(iii) Income
before income taxes and minority interests;
(iv) Operating
income;
(v) Pre-
or
after-tax income;
(vi) Average
accounts receivable;
(vii) Cash
flow;
(viii) Cash
flow
per share;
(ix) Net
earnings;
(x) Basic
or
diluted earnings per share;
(xi) Return
on
equity;
(xii) Return
on
assets;
(xiii) Return
on
capital;
(xiv) Growth
in
assets;
(xv) Economic
value added;
(xvi) Share
price performance;
(xvii) Total
stockholder return;
(xviii) Improvement
or attainment of expense levels;
(xix) Market
share or market penetration;
(xx) Business
expansion, and/or acquisitions or divestitures.
The
Committee may specify at the time an Award is made that the Performance Goals
are to be measured for an individual, the Company, for the Company on a
consolidated basis, for any one or more Affiliates or divisions of the Company
and/or for any other business unit or units of the Company, and/or that the
Performance Goals are to be measured either in absolute terms or relative
to the
performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple
companies. In the case of Awards that the Committee determines will not be
considered “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), the
Committee may establish other Performance Goals not listed in this Plan.
(t) “Performance
Shares” means the right to receive Shares to the extent Performance Goals are
achieved.
(u) “Performance
Units” means the right to receive a payment, based on a number of units with a
specified value, to the extent Performance Goals are achieved.
(v) “Person”
has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified
and
used in Sections 14(d) and 15(d) thereof.
(w) “Plan”
means this Nuway Medical, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended
from time to time.
(x) “Restricted
Stock” means Shares that are subject to a risk of forfeiture and/or restrictions
on transfer, which may lapse upon the achievement or partial achievement
of
Performance Goals and/or upon the completion of a period of service.
(y) “Restricted
Stock Unit” means the right to receive a payment which right may vest upon the
achievement or partial achievement of Performance Goals and/or upon the
completion of a period of service, with each unit having a value equal to
the
Fair Market Value of one or more Shares, or the average of the Fair Market
Value
of one or more Shares over such period as the Committee specifies.
(z) “Retirement”
means, unless the Committee determines otherwise in an Award Agreement,
termination of employment from the Company and its Affiliates on or after
age 65
with five (5) years of continuous service with the Company and its Affiliates.
(aa) “Rule
16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 as promulgated by the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act.
(bb) “Section
16 Participants” means Participants who are subject to the provisions of Section
16 of the Exchange Act.
(cc) “Share”
means a share of Stock.
(dd) “Stock”
means the common stock of the Company.
(ee) “Stock
Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means the right to receive a payment equal to the
appreciation of the Fair Market Value of a Share during a specified period
of
time.
(ff) “Subsidiary”
means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of
corporations beginning with the Company if each such corporation owns stock
possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power
in one
of the other corporations in the chain.
3. Administration.
(a) Committee
Administration.
In
addition to the authority specifically granted to the Committee in this Plan,
the Committee has full discretionary authority to administer this Plan,
including but not limited to the authority to (i) interpret the provisions
of
this Plan, (ii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating
to
this Plan, (iii) correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan, any Award or Award Agreement in the manner and
to the
extent it deems desirable to carry this Plan, such Award or such Award Agreement
into effect and (iv) make all other determinations necessary or advisable
for
the administration of this Plan. All decisions, interpretations and other
actions of the Committee shall be final and binding on all Participants and
any
other individual with a right under the Plan or under any Award.
(b) Delegation
to Other Committees.
To the
extent applicable law permits, the Board may delegate to another committee
of
the Board any or all of the authority and responsibility of the Committee.
However, no such delegation is permitted with respect to Awards made to Section
16 Participants at the time any such delegated authority or responsibility
is
exercised. The Board also may delegate to another committee of the Board
consisting entirely of Non-Employee Directors any or all of the authority
and
responsibility of the Committee with respect to individuals who are Section
16
Participants. If the Board or Committee has made such a delegation, then
all
references to the Committee in this Plan include such other committee to
the
extent of such delegation.
(c) Indemnification.
In
addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members
of
the Board or the Committee, the members of the Board and the Committee shall
be
indemnified by the Company against all costs and expenses reasonably incurred
by
them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which they or any
of
them may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or
in
connection with the Plan or any Award, and against all amounts paid by them
in
settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal
counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment
in any such action, suit or proceeding, except a judgment based upon a finding
of bad faith; provided that upon the institution of any such action, suit
or
proceeding a Committee or Board member shall, in writing, give the Company
notice thereof and an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend
the
same before such Committee or Board member undertakes to handle and defend
it on
such member’s own behalf.
4. Eligibility.
The
Committee may designate any of the following as a Participant from time to
time:
any officer or other employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, an
individual that the Company or an Affiliate has engaged to become an officer
or
other employee, a Non-Employee Director, or a consultant or advisor who provides
bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate as an independent contractor.
The Committee’s designation of a Participant in any year will not require the
Committee to designate such person to receive an Award in any other year.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-Employee Director automatically will
be a
Participant with respect to the automatic grants described in Section 7(b)
to
the extent that such grants are made under Section 7(b).
5. Types
of Awards. Subject
to the terms of this Plan, the Committee may grant any type of Award to any
Participant it selects, but only employees of the Company or a Subsidiary
may
receive grants of Incentive Stock Options. Awards may be granted alone or
in
addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award (or any
other award granted under another plan of the Company or any Affiliate).
Awards
granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement except to
the
extent the Committee provides otherwise.
6. Shares
Reserved under this Plan.
(a) Plan
Reserve.
Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 16, an aggregate of 150,000,000 Shares
are
reserved for issuance under this Plan. The number of Shares reserved for
issuance under this Plan shall be reduced only by the number of Shares delivered
in payment or settlement of Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company
may issue only 150,000,000 Shares upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options.
(b) Replenishment
of Shares Under this Plan.
If an
Award lapses, expires, terminates or is cancelled without the issuance of
Shares
under the Award, or if Shares are forfeited under an Award, then the Shares
subject to such Award may again be used for new Awards under this Plan under
Section 6(a), including issuance as Incentive Stock Options. If Shares are
issued under any Award and the Company subsequently reacquires them pursuant
to
rights reserved upon the issuance of the Shares, or if previously owned Shares
are delivered to the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Award
or the
withholding taxes due as a result of the issuance or receipt of a payment
or
Shares under an Award, then such Shares may again be used for new Awards
under
this Plan under Section 6(a), but such Shares may not be issued pursuant
to
Incentive Stock Options.
(c) Participant
Limitations.
Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 13, with respect to Awards that are
intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section
162(m), no Participant may be granted Awards that could result in such
Participant:
(i) receiving
in any calendar year Options for, and/or Stock Appreciation Rights with respect
to, more than 5,000,000 Shares except that Options and/or Stock Appreciation
Rights granted to a new employee in the calendar year in which his or her
employment commences may not relate to more than 10,000,000 Shares;
(ii) receiving
in any calendar year Awards of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units
relating to more than 5,000,000 Shares;
(iii) receiving
in any calendar year Awards of Performance Shares, and/or Awards of Performance
Units (the value of which is based on the Fair Market Value of a Share),
for
more than 5,000,000 Shares; or
(iv) receiving
in any calendar year Awards of Performance Units (the value of which is not
based on the Fair Market Value of a Share) that could result in a payment
of
more than $500,000.
With
respect to Awards that are not intended to meet the requirements of
performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m), the Committee may
grant Awards in excess of the limits described in this subsection (c), but
only
if such discretion would not cause Awards that are intended to be
performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) from being treated
as
such.
7. Options.
(a) Discretionary
Grants.
Except
as provided in subsection (b) and subject to the terms of this Plan, the
Committee will determine all terms and conditions of each Option, including
but
not limited to:
(i) Whether
the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, or a “nonqualified stock option” which
does not meet the requirements of Code Section 422; provided that in the
case of
an Incentive Stock Option, if the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined
at the
time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options
are first exercisable by the Participant during any calendar year (under
this
Plan and under all other incentive stock option plans of the Company or any
Affiliate that is required to be included under Code Section 422) exceeds
$100,000, such Option automatically shall be treated as a nonqualified stock
option to the extent this limit is exceeded.
(ii) The
number of Shares subject to the Option.
(iii) The
exercise price per Share, which may not be less than the Fair Market Value
of a
Share as determined on the date of grant; provided that (i) no Incentive
Stock
Option shall be granted to any employee who, at the time the Option is granted,
owns (directly or indirectly, within the meaning of Code Section 424(d))
more
than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
of
the Company or of any Subsidiary unless the exercise price is at least 110
percent of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant; and (ii)
the
exercise price may vary during the term of the Option if the Committee
determines that there should be adjustments to the exercise price relating
to
achievement of Performance Goals and/or to changes in an index or indices
that
the Committee determines is appropriate (but in no event may the exercise
price
per Share be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share as determined on
the
date of grant).
(iv) The
terms
and conditions of exercise, which may include a requirement that exercise
of the
Option is conditioned upon achievement of one or more Performance Goals or
may
provide for an acceleration of the exercisability upon the Participant’s death,
Disability or Retirement.
(v) The
termination date, except that each Option must terminate no later than the
tenth
(10th) anniversary of the date of grant, and each Incentive Stock Option
granted
to any employee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns (directly or
indirectly, within the meaning of Code Section 424(d)) more than ten percent
(10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company
or of any Subsidiary must terminate no later than the fifth (5th) anniversary
of
the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may extend
the
term of an Option for up to six (6) months beyond the tenth (10th) anniversary
of the date of grant in the event a Participant dies prior to the Option’s
termination date.
(vi) The
exercise period following a Participant’s termination of employment or service.
In
all
other respects, the terms of any Incentive Stock Option should comply with
the
provisions of Code Section 422 except to the extent the Committee determines
otherwise.
(b) Automatic
Grant to Non-Employee Directors.
(i) Annual
Grants.
Subject
to the provisions of Section 7(b)(vii), upon the conclusion of each regular
annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders held each year, beginning with the
meeting held in 2006, each Non-Employee Director who is initially elected
as a
member of the Board at such meeting, and each Non-Employee Director who will
continue serving as a member of the Board thereafter, shall receive an Option
for 250,000 Shares. Such option shall be granted on the date of such meeting.
(ii) Initial
Grants.
Each
Non-Employee Director who first becomes a member of the Board after the
Effective Date and on a date other than the regular annual meeting of the
Company’s stockholders as described in clause (i) above, shall receive a
one-time grant of an Option for such number of Shares as is determined by
multiplying 250,000 Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
of months (calculated as 30 days) from the date the Non-Employee Director
first
joins the Board to the date of the next regularly-scheduled annual stockholders’
meeting and the denominator of which is twelve (12). Such Option shall be
granted on the date when such Non-Employee Director first joins the Board.
(iii) Exercisability.
Options
granted under this Section 7(b) shall become exercisable in full upon the
earliest of:
(A) the
first
(1st) anniversary of the date of grant provided the Non-Employee Director
is a
member of the Board on such date; provided that if the Non-Employee Director
resigns from the Board for any reason other than those specified in clause
(B)
prior to the first (1st)
anniversary of the grant date, a pro-rata portion of the Option (based on
the
ratio that the number of months (calculated as 30 days) that have elapsed
since
the grant date to the date of such resignation bears to twelve (12) shall
become
vested and exercisable;
(B) the
termination of such Non-Employee Director’s service because of death,
Disability, or retirement at or after age 65; or
(C) a
Change
of Control as specified in Section 13(c).
(iv) Exercise
Price.
The
Exercise Price for each Option granted under this Section 7(b) shall be equal
to
the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. The exercise price
may be
paid in cash, by tendering previously acquired Shares (that have been held
for
at least six months or acquired on the open market if so required to avoid
an
accounting expense to the Company), or by delivery (including by fax) to
the
Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise
form
together with irrevocable instructions to a broker-dealer to sell or margin
a
sufficient portion of the Shares and deliver the sale or margin loan proceeds
directly to the Company to pay for the exercise price.
(v) Term.
All
Options granted under this Section 7(b) shall terminate on the earlier of:
(A) the
tenth
(10th) anniversary of the date of grant; or
(B) the
date
that is ninety (90) days after the termination of such Non-Employee Director’s
service for any reason.
(vi) Adjustment.
Options
granted under this Section 7(b) shall be subject to adjustment as provided
in
Section 14.
(vii) Discretionary
Grants to Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee
or the Board may determine that the Non-employee Directors shall receive
discretionary grants of Options in accordance with Section 7(a) above in
lieu of
the automatic annual grants set forth in Section 7(b)(i) with respect to
any
given year. In such case, no automatic grants of Options shall be made under
Section 7(b)(i) for such year and all grants of Options, if any, for such
year,
shall be made in accordance with Section 7(a), except that the Board shall
determine all of the terms and conditions of such annual Option grant, if
any,
rather than the Committee.
8. Stock
Appreciation Rights. Subject
to the terms of this Plan, the Committee will determine all terms and conditions
of each SAR, including but not limited to:
(a) Whether
the SAR is granted independently of an Option or relates to an Option; provided
that if an SAR is granted in relation to an Option, then unless otherwise
determined by the Committee, the SAR shall be exercisable or shall mature
at the
same time or times, on the same conditions and to the extent and in the
proportion, that the related Option is exercisable and may be exercised or
mature for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option. Upon
exercise of any number of SARs, the number of Shares subject to the related
Option shall be reduced accordingly and such Option may not be exercised
with
respect to that number of Shares. The exercise of any number of Options that
relate to an SAR shall likewise result in an equivalent reduction in the
number
of Shares covered by the related SAR.
(b) The
number of Shares to which the SAR relates.
(c) The
grant
price, provided that the grant price shall not be less than the Fair Market
Value of the Shares subject to the SAR as determined on the date of grant.
(d) The
terms
and conditions of exercise or maturity, which may include a provision that
accelerates the exercisability of the SAR upon the Participant’s death,
Disability or Retirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Committee
determines otherwise in the Award Agreement, if on the date when the SAR
expires
or otherwise terminates, the grant price for the SAR is less than the Fair
Market Value of a Share, then the unexercised portion of the SAR that was
exercisable immediately prior to such date shall automatically be deemed
exercised.
(e) The
term,
provided that an SAR must terminate no later than 10 years after the date
of
grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may extend the term of
an
SAR for up to six (6) months beyond the tenth (10th)
anniversary of the date of grant in the event a Participant dies prior to
the
SAR’s termination date.
(f) Whether
the SAR will be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof.
9. Performance
Awards. Subject
to the terms of this Plan, the Committee will determine all terms and conditions
of each award of Performance Shares or Performance Units, including but not
limited to:
(g) The
number of Shares and/or units to which such Award relates, and with respect
to
Performance Units, whether the value of each unit will be based on the Fair
Market Value of one or more Shares, the average of the Fair Market Value
of one
or more Shares over such period as the Committee specifies, or such other
value
as the Committee specifies in the Award Agreement.
(h) One
or
more Performance Goals that must be achieved during such period as the Committee
specifies in order for the Participant to realize the benefit of such Award.
(i) Whether
all or a portion of the Performance Goals subject to an Award are deemed
achieved upon a Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement.
(j) With
respect to Performance Units, whether to settle such Award in cash, Shares,
or a
combination of cash and Shares.
10. Restricted
Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
Subject
to the terms of this Plan, the Committee will determine all terms and conditions
of each award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, including but
not
limited to:
(a) The
number of Shares and/or units to which such Award relates.
(b) The
period of time over which the restrictions imposed on Restricted Stock will
lapse and the vesting of Restricted Stock Units will occur, and whether,
as a
condition for the Participant to realize all or a portion of the benefit
provided under the Award, one or more Performance Goals must be achieved
during
such period as the Committee specifies; provided that, subject to the provisions
of Section 10(c), an Award that is subject to the achievement of Performance
Goals must have a restriction or vesting period of at least one year, and
an
Award that is not subject to Performance Goals must have a restriction or
vesting period of at least three years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
the
Committee determines in its sole discretion that an Award of Restricted Stock
or
Restricted Stock Units is granted to a Participant in lieu of cash compensation
(including without limitation bonus cash compensation), the Committee may
impose
such restriction or vesting period on such Award as it determines.
(c) Whether
all or any portion of the restrictions or vesting schedule imposed on the
Award
will lapse or be accelerated upon a Participant’s death, Disability or
Retirement.
(d) With
respect to Restricted Stock Units, whether to settle such Awards in cash,
Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares.
(e) With
respect to Restricted Stock, the manner of registration of certificates for
such
Shares, and whether to hold such Shares in escrow pending lapse of the
restrictions or to issue such Shares with an appropriate legend referring
to
such restrictions.
(f) Whether
dividends paid with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock will be immediately
paid or held in escrow or otherwise deferred and whether such dividends shall
be
subject to the same terms and conditions as the Award to which they relate.
11. Transferability.
Awards
are not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution,
unless and to the extent the Committee allows a Participant to: (a) designate
in
writing a beneficiary to exercise the Award after the Participant’s death; or
(b) transfer an Award.
12. Termination
and Amendment of Plan; Amendment, Modification or Cancellation of Awards.
(a) Term
of Plan.
This
Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date unless
the
Board or Committee earlier terminates this Plan pursuant to Section 12(b).
(b) Termination
and Amendment.
The
Board or the Committee may amend, suspend or terminate this Plan at any time,
subject to the following limitations:
(i) the
Board
must approve any amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan to the
extent
the Company determines such approval is required by: (A) action of the Board,
(B) applicable corporate law, (C) the listing requirements of any principal
securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then traded, or (D)
any
other applicable law;
(ii) stockholders
must approve any amendment of this Plan to the extent the Company determines
such approval is required by: (A) Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (B) the
Code,
(C) the listing requirements of any principal securities exchange or market
on
which the Shares are then traded, or (D) any other applicable law; and
(iii) stockholders
must approve any of the following Plan amendments: (A) an amendment to
materially increase any number of Shares specified in Section 6(a) or 6(c)
(except as permitted by Section 14); or (B) an amendment to the provisions
of
Section 12(e).
(c) Amendment,
Modification or Cancellation of Awards.
Except
as provided in Section 12(e) and subject to the requirements of this Plan,
the
Committee may modify or amend any Award or waive any restrictions or conditions
applicable to any Award or the exercise of the Award, and the terms and
conditions applicable to any Awards may at any time be amended, modified
or
canceled by mutual agreement between the Committee and the Participant, so
long
as any amendment or modification does not increase the number of Shares issuable
under this Plan (except as permitted by Section 14), but the Committee need
not
obtain Participant (or other interested party) consent for the cancellation
of
an Award pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(a) or the modification
of an
Award to the extent deemed necessary to comply with any applicable law or
the
listing requirements of any principal securities exchange or market on which
the
Shares are then traded, or to preserve favorable accounting treatment of
any
Award for the Company.
(d) Survival
of Authority and Awards.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the authority of the Board and the Committee
under this Section 12 will extend beyond the date of this Plan’s termination. In
addition, termination of this Plan will not affect the rights of Participants
with respect to Awards previously granted to them, and all unexpired Awards
will
continue in force and effect after termination of this Plan except as they
may
lapse or be terminated by their own terms and conditions.
(e) Repricing
Prohibited.
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, and except for the
adjustments provided in Section 14, neither the Committee nor any other person
may decrease the exercise price for any outstanding Option after the date
of
grant nor cancel or allow a Participant to surrender an outstanding Option
to
the Company as consideration for the grant of a new Option with a lower exercise
price or the grant of another type of Award the effect of which is to reduce
the
exercise price of any outstanding Option.
(f) Foreign
Participation.
To
assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in foreign
countries, the Committee may provide for such special terms as it may consider
necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy
or
custom. Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments,
restatements or alternative versions of, this Plan as it determines is necessary
or appropriate for such purposes. Any such amendment, restatement or alternative
versions that the Committee approves for purposes of using this Plan in a
foreign country will not affect the terms of this Plan for any other country.
In
addition, all such supplements, amendments, restatements or alternative versions
must comply with the provisions of Section 12(b)(ii).
13. Taxes.
(a) Withholding
Right.
The
Company is entitled to withhold the amount of any tax attributable to any
amount
payable or Shares deliverable under this Plan after giving the person entitled
to receive such amount or Shares notice as far in advance as practicable,
and
the Company may defer making payment or delivery if any such tax may be pending
unless and until indemnified to its satisfaction.
(b) Use
of Shares to Satisfy Tax Withholding.
The
Committee may permit a Participant to satisfy all or
a
portion of the federal, state and local withholding tax obligations arising
in
connection with an Award by electing to (i) have the Company withhold Shares
otherwise issuable under the Award, (ii) tender back Shares received in
connection with such Award or (iii) deliver other previously owned Shares,
in
each case having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount to be withheld.
However, the amount to be withheld may not exceed the total minimum federal,
state and local tax withholding obligations associated with the transaction
to
the extent required to avoid an expense on the Company’s financial statements.
The election must be made on or before the date as of which the amount of
tax to
be withheld is determined and otherwise as the Committee requires.
14. Adjustment
Provisions; Change of Control.
(a) Adjustment
of Shares.
If the
Committee determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in
the
form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization,
stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation,
split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other
securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase
Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate
transaction or event affects the Shares such that the Committee determines
an
adjustment to be appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits
or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan, then,
subject to Participants’ rights under Section 14(c), the Committee may, in such
manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and
type of
Shares subject to this Plan (including the number and type of Shares described
in Sections 6(a) and 6(c)), and which may after the event be made the subject
of
Awards under this Plan, (ii) the number and type of Shares subject to
outstanding Awards, and (iii) the grant, purchase, or exercise price with
respect to any Award. In any such case, the Committee may also (or in lieu
of
the foregoing) make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding
Award in exchange for the cancellation of all or a portion of the Award (without
the consent of the holder of an Award) in an amount determined by the Committee
effective at such time as the Committee specifies (which may be the time
such
transaction or event is effective), but if such transaction or event constitutes
a Change of Control, then (A) such payment shall be at least as favorable
to the
holder as the amount the holder could have received in respect of such Award
under Section 14(c) and (B) from and after the Change of Control, the Committee
may make such a provision only if the Committee determines that doing so
is
necessary to substitute, for each Share then subject to an Award, the number
and
kind of shares of stock, other securities, cash or other property to which
holders of Stock are or will be entitled in respect of each Share pursuant
to
the transaction or event in accordance with the last sentence of this subsection
(a). However, in each case, with respect to Awards of Incentive Stock Options,
no such adjustment may be authorized to the extent that such authority would
cause this Plan to violate Code Section 422(b). Further, the number of Shares
subject to any Award payable or denominated in Shares must always be a whole
number. Without limitation, subject to Participants’ rights under Section 14(c),
in the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination or
other
similar corporate transaction or event, whether or not constituting a Change
of
Control (other than any such transaction in which the Company is the continuing
corporation and in which the outstanding Stock is not being converted into
or
exchanged for different securities, cash or other property, or any combination
thereof), the Committee may substitute, on an equitable basis as the Committee
determines, for each Share then subject to an Award, the number and kind
of
shares of stock, other securities, cash or other property to which holders
of
Stock are or will be entitled in respect of each Share pursuant to the
transaction.
(b) Issuance
or Assumption.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, and without affecting the
number of Shares otherwise reserved or available under this Plan, in connection
with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or
reorganization, the Committee may authorize the issuance or assumption of
awards
under this Plan upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate.
(c) Change
of Control.
(i) The
Committee may specify, either in an Award Agreement or at the time of a Change
of Control, whether an outstanding Award shall become vested and/or payable,
in
whole or in part, as a result of a Change of Control.
(ii) If,
in
connection with the Change of Control, the Options and SARs issued under
the
Plan are not assumed, or if substitute Options and SARs are not issued, or
if
the assumed or substituted awards fail to contain similar terms and conditions
as the Award prior to the Change of Control or fail to preserve, to the extent
applicable, the benefit to be provided to the Participant as of the date
of the
Change of Control, including but not limited to the right of the Participant
to
receive shares upon exercise of the Option or SAR that are registered for
sale
to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with
the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, then each holder of an Option or
SAR
that is outstanding as of the date of the Change of Control shall have the
right, exercisable by written notice to the Company (or its successor in
the
Change of Control transaction) within 30 days after the Change of Control
(but
not beyond the Option’s or SAR’s expiration date), to receive, in exchange for
the surrender of the Option or SAR, an amount of cash equal to the excess
of the
greater of the Fair Market Value of the Shares determined on the Change of
Control date or the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of surrender
covered by the Option or SAR (to the extent vested and not yet exercised)
that
is so surrendered over the purchase or grant price of such Shares under the
Award. If the Committee so determines prior to the Change of Control, any
such
Option or SAR that is not exercised or surrendered prior to the end of such
30-day period will be cancelled.
(iii) If,
in
connection with the Change of Control, the Shares issued to a Participant
as a
result of the accelerated
vesting or payment of a Restricted Stock Award, Performance Share Award,
Restricted Stock Unit Award or Performance Unit Award under this subsection
(c)
are not registered for sale to the public pursuant to an effective registration
statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, then each
holder of such Shares shall have the right, exercisable by written notice
to the
Company (or its successor in the Change of Control transaction) within 30
days
after the Change of Control, to receive, in exchange for the surrender of
such
Shares an amount of cash equal to the greater of the Fair Market Value of
a
Share on the Change of Control date or the Fair Market Value of such Share
on
the date of surrender.
The
provisions of Sections 14(c)(ii) and (iii) shall govern the treatment of
awards
made under the 2004 Plan in the event of a Change of Control, and the 2004
Plan
is deemed amended accordingly.
(d) Parachute
Payment Limitation.
(iv) Scope
of Limitation.
This
Section 14(d) shall apply to an Award only if:
(C) the
independent auditors most recently selected by the Board (the “Auditors”)
determine that the after-tax value of such Award to the Participant, taking
into
account the effect of all federal, state and local income taxes, employment
taxes and excise taxes applicable to the Participant (including the excise
tax
under Code Section 4999), will be greater after the application of this Section
16(d) than it was before the application of this Section 14(d); or
(D) the
Committee, at the time of making an Award under the Plan or at any time
thereafter, specifies in writing that such Award shall be subject to this
Section 14(d) (regardless of the after-tax value of such Award to the
Participant).
If
this
Section 14(d) applies to an Award, it shall supersede any contrary provision
of
the Plan or of any Award granted under the Plan.
(v) Basic
Rule.
Except
as may be set forth in a written agreement by and between the Company and
the
holder of an Award, in the event that the Auditors determine that any payment
or
transfer by the Company under the Plan to or for the benefit of a Participant
(a
“Payment”) would be nondeductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes
because of the provisions concerning “excess parachute payments” in Code Section
280G, then the aggregate present value of all Payments shall be reduced (but
not
below zero) to the Reduced Amount. For purposes of this Section 14(d), the
“Reduced Amount” shall be the amount, expressed as a present value, which
maximizes the aggregate present value of the Payments without causing any
Payment to be nondeductible by the Company because of Code Section 280G.
(vi) Reduction
of Payments.
If the
Auditors determine that any Payment would be nondeductible by the Company
because of Code Section 280G, then the Company shall promptly give the
Participant notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed calculation
thereof
and of the Reduced Amount, and the Participant may then elect, in his or
her
sole discretion, which and how much of the Payments shall be eliminated or
reduced (as long as after such election the aggregate present value of the
Payments equals the Reduced Amount) and shall advise the Company in writing
of
his or her election within ten (10) days of receipt of notice. If no such
election is made by the Participant within such ten (10) day period, then
the
Company may elect which and how much of the Payments shall be eliminated
or
reduced (as long as after such election the aggregate present value of the
Payments equals the Reduced Amount) and shall notify the Participant promptly
of
such election. For purposes of this Section 14(d), present value shall be
determined in accordance with Code Section 280G(d)(4). All determinations
made
by the Auditors under this Section 14(d) shall be binding upon the Company
and
the Participant and shall be made within sixty (60) days of the date when
a
Payment becomes payable or transferable. As promptly as practicable following
such determination and the elections hereunder, the Company shall pay or
transfer to or for the benefit of the Participant such amounts as are then
due
to him or her under the Plan and shall promptly pay or transfer to or for
the
benefit of the Participant in the future such amounts as become due to him
or
her under the Plan.
(vii) Overpayments
and Underpayments.
As a
result of uncertainty in the application of Code Section 280G at the time
of an
initial determination by the Auditors hereunder, it is possible that Payments
will have been made by the Company that should not have been made (an
“Overpayment”) or that additional Payments that will not have been made by the
Company could have been made (an “Underpayment”), consistent in each case with
the calculation of the Reduced Amount hereunder. In the event that the Auditors,
based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service
against
the Company or the Participant that the Auditors believe has a high probability
of success, determine that an Overpayment has been made, such Overpayment
shall
be treated for all purposes as a loan to the Participant which he or she
shall
repay to the Company, together with interest at the applicable federal rate
provided in Code Section 7872(f)(2); provided, however, that no amount shall
be
payable by the Participant to the Company if and to the extent that such
payment
would not reduce the amount subject to taxation under Code Section 4999.
In the
event that the Auditors determine that an Underpayment has occurred, such
Underpayment shall promptly be paid or transferred by the Company to or for
the
benefit of the Participant, together with interest at the applicable federal
rate provided in Code Section 7872(f)(2).
(viii) Related
Corporations.
For
purposes of this Section 14(d), the term “Company” shall include affiliated
corporations to the extent determined by the Auditors in accordance with
Code
Section 280G(d)(5).
15. Miscellaneous.
(a) Other
Terms and Conditions.
The
grant of any Award may also be subject to other provisions (whether or not
applicable to the Award granted to any other Participant) as the Committee
determines appropriate, including, without limitation, provisions for:
(i) one
or
more means to enable Participants to defer the delivery of Shares or recognition
of taxable income relating to Awards or cash payments derived from the Awards
on
such terms and conditions as the Committee determines, including, by way
of
example, the form and manner of the deferral election, the treatment of
dividends paid on the Shares during the deferral period or a means for providing
a return to a Participant on amounts deferred, and the permitted distribution
dates or events (provided that if Shares would have otherwise been issued
under
an Award but for the deferral described in this paragraph, then such Shares
shall be treated as if they were issued for purposes of Sections 6(a));
(ii) the
payment of the purchase price of Options by delivery of cash or other Shares
or
other securities of the Company (including by attestation) having a then
Fair
Market Value equal to the purchase price of such Shares, or by delivery
(including by fax) to the Company or its designated agent of an executed
irrevocable option exercise form together with irrevocable instructions to
a
broker-dealer to sell or margin a sufficient portion of the Shares and deliver
the sale or margin loan proceeds directly to the Company to pay for the exercise
price;
(iii) conditioning
the grant or benefit of an Award on the Participant’s agreement to comply with
covenants not to compete, not to solicit employees and customers and not
to
disclose confidential information that may be effective during or after the
Participant’s employment or service, and/or provisions requiring the Participant
to disgorge any profit, gain or other benefit received in connection with
an
Award as a result of the breach of such covenant;
(iv) the
automatic grant of a new Option (the “replenishment Option”) to a Participant
who pays the exercise price of an existing Option in Shares; provided that
the
replenishment Option shall cover only that number of Shares that is used
to pay
the exercise price and shall expire at the same time as the original Option
to
which it relates;
(v) restrictions
on resale or other disposition of Shares, including imposition of a retention
period; and
(vi) compliance
with federal or state securities laws and stock exchange requirements.
(b) Employment
or Service.
The
issuance of an Award shall not confer upon a Participant any right with respect
to continued employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate, or
the
right to continue as a Director. Unless determined otherwise by the Committee,
for purposes of the Plan and all Awards, the following rules shall apply:
(i) a
Participant who transfers employment between the Corporation and any Affiliate
of the Company, or between the Company’s Affiliates, will not be considered to
have terminated employment;
(ii) a
Participant who ceases to be a Non-Employee Director because he or she becomes
an employee of the Company or an Affiliate shall not be considered to have
ceased service as a Director with respect to any Award until such Participant’s
termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates;
(iii) a
Participant who ceases to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company and immediately thereafter becomes a Non-Employee Director, a
non-employee director of any Affiliate, or a consultant to the Company or
any
Affiliate shall not be considered to have terminated employment until such
Participant’s service as a director of, or consultant to, the Company and its
Affiliates has ceased; and
(iv) a
Participant employed by an Affiliate of the Company will be considered to
have
terminated employment when such entity ceases to be an Affiliate of the Company.
(c) No
Fractional Shares.
No
fractional Shares or other securities may be issued or delivered pursuant
to
this Plan, and the Committee may determine whether cash, other securities
or
other property will be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares
or
other securities, or whether such fractional Shares or other securities or
any
rights to fractional Shares or other securities will be canceled, terminated
or
otherwise eliminated.
(d) Unfunded
Plan.
This
Plan is unfunded and does not create, and should not be construed to create,
a
trust or separate fund with respect to this Plan’s benefits. This Plan does not
establish any fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant
or
other person. To the extent any person holds any rights by virtue of an Award
granted under this Plan, such rights are no greater than the rights of the
Company’s general unsecured creditors.
(e) Requirements
of Law and Securities Exchange.
The
granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares in connection with an Award
are
subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals
by
any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement,
the
Company has no liability to deliver any Shares under this Plan or make any
payment unless such delivery or payment would comply with all applicable
laws
and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity,
and unless and until the Participant has taken all actions required by the
Company in connection therewith. The Company may impose such restrictions
on any
Shares issued under the Plan as the Company determines necessary or desirable
to
comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations or the requirements
of
any national securities exchanges.
(f) Governing
Law.
This
Plan, and all agreements under this Plan, will be construed in accordance
with
and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to any
conflict of law principles. The parties agree that the exclusive venue for
any
legal action or proceeding with respect to this Plan, any Award or any Award
Agreement, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this
Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement, shall be a court sitting in the County
of Los Angeles, or the Federal District Court for the Central District of
California sitting in the County of Los Angeles, in the State of California,
and
further agree that any such action may be heard only in a “bench” trial, and any
party to such action or proceeding shall agree to waive its right to assert
a
jury trial.
(g) Limitations
on Actions.
Any
legal action or proceeding with respect to this Plan, any Award or any Award
Agreement, must be brought within one year (365 days) after the day the
complaining party first knew or should have known of the events giving rise
to
the complaint.
(h) Construction.
Whenever any words are used herein in the masculine, they shall be construed
as
though they were used in the feminine in all cases where they would so apply;
and wherever any words are used in the singular or plural, they shall be
construed as though they were used in the plural or singular, as the case
may
be, in all cases where they would so apply. Title of sections are for general
information only, and this Plan is not to be construed with reference to
such
titles.
(i) Severability.
If any
provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement or any Award (i) is or becomes
or
is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or
as to
any person or Award, or (ii) would disqualify this Plan, any Award Agreement
or
any Award under any law the Committee deems applicable, then such provision
should be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if
it
cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of
the
Committee, materially altering the intent of this Plan, Award Agreement or
Award, then such provision should be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person
or
Award, and the remainder of this Plan, such Award Agreement and such Award
will
remain in full force and effect.