DEF 14A 1 ny20024289x1_def14a.htm DEF 14A

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒     Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:

☐ | ​ | ​ | Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ | ​ | ​ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☒ | ​ | ​ | Definitive Proxy Statement
☐ | ​ | ​ | Definitive Additional Materials
☐ | ​ | ​ | Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

Ardelyx, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

☒ | ​ | ​ | No fee required
| ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
☐ | ​ | ​ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
| ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
☐ | ​ | ​ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

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ARDELYX, INC.
400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 210, Waltham, MA 02451
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 14, 2024
To the Stockholders of Ardelyx, Inc.:
The 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or the 2024 Annual Meeting, of Ardelyx, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or the Company, will be held on June 14, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The 2024 Annual Meeting will be held entirely online. You will be able to attend the meeting online where you will be able to listen to the meeting live and vote. The 2024 Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

(1) | To elect two Class I directors to hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified;

(2) | To approve the Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan;

(3) | To approve the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

(4) | To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement accompanying this notice pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or Say-on-Pay;

(5) | To ratify the selection, by the Audit and Compliance Committee of our board of directors, of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024; and

(6) | To transact such other business as may properly come before the 2024 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Only stockholders who owned the Company’s common stock at the close of business on April 15, 2024 may vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting or any adjournments that take place.
You are cordially invited to attend the virtual 2024 Annual Meeting online via live audio-only webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ARDX2024. Whether or not you plan to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting online, please vote as soon as possible. You may vote over the internet or by a toll-free telephone number, or by mailing a complete, signed and dated proxy card or voting instruction card in the envelope provided. Please note that any stockholder attending the 2024 Annual Meeting may vote online at the 2024 Annual Meeting, even if the stockholder has already voted over the internet or by phone or returned a proxy card or voting instruction card by mail.

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Our board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of the director nominees named in Proposal No. 1 of the proxy statement, “FOR” the approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan, as described in Proposal No. 2 of the proxy statement, “FOR” the approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as described in Proposal No. 3 of the proxy statement, “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the Say-on-Pay proposal as described in Proposal No. 4 of the proxy statement and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024 as described in Proposal No. 5 of the proxy statement.

| ​ | ​ | By Order of the Board of Directors:
| ​ | ​ | /s/ Elizabeth Grammer
| ​ | ​ | Elizabeth Grammer, Esq.
| ​ | ​ | Chief Legal and Administrative Officer

Waltham, Massachusetts
April 29, 2024

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| ​ | ​ | Page
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE VOTING PROCESS | ​ | ​ | 1
PROPOSAL NO. 1 | ​ | ​ | 7
PROPOSAL NO. 2 | ​ | ​ | 10
PROPOSAL NO. 3 | ​ | ​ | 20
PROPOSAL NO. 4 | ​ | ​ | 25
PROPOSAL NO. 5 | ​ | ​ | 26
REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | ​ | ​ | 28
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | ​ | ​ | 29
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | ​ | ​ | 35
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | ​ | ​ | 36
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | ​ | ​ | 38
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | ​ | ​ | 40
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | ​ | ​ | 49
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS | ​ | ​ | 50
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | ​ | ​ | 50
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN | ​ | ​ | A-1
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN | ​ | ​ | B-1

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ARDELYX, INC.
400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 210
Waltham, MA 02451
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 14, 2024
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 14, 2024
This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 are available on our website at www.ardelyx.com and at www.proxyvote.com. The references to our web address contained in this proxy statement do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through our website.
Unless the context requires otherwise, in this proxy statement the terms “Ardelyx,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” refer to Ardelyx, Inc.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE VOTING PROCESS
Why am I receiving these proxy materials?
We have delivered paper proxy materials to you, because the board of directors of Ardelyx is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or the 2024 Annual Meeting, or any adjournments that take place. The 2024 Annual Meeting will be held online on June 14, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time via live audio-only webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ARDX2024. As a stockholder, you are invited to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting online and are requested to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting to vote.
What is included in the proxy materials?
The proxy materials include:

• | This proxy statement, which includes information regarding the proposals to be voted on at the 2024 Annual Meeting, the voting process, corporate governance, the compensation of our directors and certain executive officers, and other required information;

• | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023; and

• | The proxy card or a voting instruction card for the 2024 Annual Meeting.

The proxy materials are being mailed on or about May 1, 2024, and are available at www.ardelyx.com.
Who can vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2024, or the Record Date, will be entitled to vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting. On this Record Date, there were 233,976,572 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If, at the close of business on April 15, 2024, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote online at the 2024 Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting, please vote as soon as possible by internet, telephone or by mail as instructed below to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If, at the close of business on April 15, 2024, your shares were not held in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization
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holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the 2024 Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent how to vote the shares in your account. If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, dealer or other similar organization, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by internet or telephone as instructed by your broker or other agent. To vote online at the 2024 Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or other agent included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form. In order to login to the online 2024 Annual Meeting, you will need the unique account number which appears in your proxy materials and the instructions that accompanied the proxy materials. In the event that you do not have a control number, please contact your broker, bank, or other nominee as soon as possible so that you can be provided with a control number.
What proposals are scheduled for a vote?
There are five proposals scheduled for a vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting:

• | Proposal No. 1 – To elect two Class I directors to hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified;

• | Proposal No. 2 – To approve the Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan;

• | Proposal No. 3 – To approve the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

• | Proposal No. 4 – To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, or Say-on-Pay; and

• | Proposal No. 5 – To ratify the selection, by the Audit and Compliance Committee of our board of directors, of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

How do I vote?
For Proposal No. 1, you may either vote “FOR” all nominees to the board of directors or you may “WITHHOLD” your vote for any nominee you specify. For Proposals No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 you may either vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” or you may abstain from voting.
The procedures for voting are as follows:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote online at the virtual 2024 Annual Meeting or vote by internet, telephone or by mail. Whether or not you plan to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting online, please vote as soon as possible to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the 2024 Annual Meeting online and vote online even if you have already voted by proxy.

• | By Attending the 2024 Annual Meeting Online. You may vote online at the 2024 Annual Meeting by attending the 2024 Annual Meeting online via live audio-only webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ARDX2024.

• | To vote by proxy by internet or telephone. You may submit your proxy by following the instructions provided with your proxy materials and on your proxy card or voting instruction card.

• | To vote by proxy by mail. You may submit your proxy by mail by completing and signing your proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed envelope. Your shares will be voted as you have instructed.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, dealer or other similar organization, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted.
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Alternatively, you may vote by internet or telephone as instructed by your broker or other agent. To vote online at the 2024 Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or other agent included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of the Company’s common stock you owned as of April 15, 2024.
What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?
If you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted “FOR” the election of each nominee for director (Proposal No. 1), “FOR” the approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (Proposal No. 2), “FOR” the approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal No. 3) “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the Say-on-Pay proposal (Proposal No. 4) and “FOR” the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 (Proposal No. 5). If any other matter is properly presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these mailed proxy materials, our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other means of communication. Directors, officers and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We have engaged Morrow Sodali, LLC, or Morrow, as the proxy solicitor for the 2024 Annual Meeting for an approximate fee of $25,000 plus fees for additional services, if needed. We have also agreed to reimburse Morrow for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
If you receive more than one proxy card, your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. In order to vote all the shares you own, you must return each proxy card.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting. If you are the stockholder of record of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:

• | You may submit another properly completed proxy, bearing a date later than the date of the original proxy.

• | You may send a timely written notice, bearing a date later than the date of the original proxy, that you are revoking your proxy to the Company’s Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at the following email address: general-counsel@ardelyx.com.

• | You may attend the virtual 2024 Annual Meeting and vote online. Simply attending the 2024 Annual Meeting online will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.

If your shares are held in “street name” by your broker or other agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or agent to change your vote.
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present in attendance at the virtual 2024 Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 233,976,572 shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Accordingly, the holders of 116,988,287 shares must be present at the 2024 Annual Meeting to have a quorum. Your shares will be counted toward the quorum at the 2024 Annual Meeting only if you vote online at the meeting, or you submit a valid proxy vote.
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Abstentions and broker non-votes (as described below) will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the chairperson of the meeting or the holders of a majority of shares present and entitled to vote at the meeting or represented by proxy may adjourn the 2024 Annual Meeting to another date.
How are votes counted?
With respect to the election of directors (Proposal 1), you may vote “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” authority to vote for each of the nominees for the Board. If you “WITHHOLD” authority to vote with respect to one or more director nominees, your vote will have no effect on the election of such nominees. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of the nominees.
With respect to the approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (Proposal 2), you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.” Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.
With respect to the approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal 3), you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.” Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.
With respect to the Say-on-Pay proposal (Proposal 4), you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.” Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.
With respect to the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as of our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024 (Proposal 5), you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.” Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.
Votes will be counted by the Inspector of Elections appointed for the 2024 Annual Meeting. The Inspector of Elections will separately count “FOR” votes for the election of directors (Proposal 1), “FOR” and “AGAINST” votes, abstentions and, if any, broker non-votes for the approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (Proposal 2), “FOR” and “AGAINST” votes, abstentions and, if any, broker non-votes for the approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal 3) “FOR” and “AGAINST” votes, abstentions and, if any, broker non-votes for the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the Say-on-Pay (Proposal 4) and “FOR” and “AGAINST” votes, abstentions and, if any, broker non-votes for the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 (Proposal 5).
If your shares are held by your broker or other agent as your nominee (that is, held beneficially in “street name”), you will need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker or other agent to vote your shares. If you do not give voting instructions to your broker or other agent, your broker or other agent can only vote your shares with respect to “routine” matters (as described below).
What are “broker non-votes”?
If you hold shares beneficially in street name and do not provide your broker with voting instructions, your shares may constitute “broker non-votes.” Broker non-votes occur on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. These matters are referred to as “non-routine” matters. Proposal No. 1 to elect directors, Proposal No. 2 to approve the Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan, Proposal No. 3 to approve the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Proposal No. 4 to approve the Say-on-Pay are “non-routine” matters, but Proposal No. 5 to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 is a “routine” matter.
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How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

• | Proposal No. 1 - To elect two Class I directors to hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, which means that the two nominees receiving the most “FOR” votes (from the votes of shares present in attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors) will be elected. “WITHHOLD” votes and broker non-votes will not be counted towards the vote total for this proposal.

• | Proposal No. 2 – To approve the Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan. This proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes), which means the number of shares voted “FOR” the proposal must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose, and will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.

• | Proposal No. 3 – To approve the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. This proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes), which means the number of shares voted “FOR” the proposal must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose, and will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.

• | Proposal No. 4 - To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the Say-on-Pay proposal. The Say-on-Pay proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes), which means the number of shares voted “FOR” the proposal must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose, and will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.

Because the vote on Proposal No. 4 is advisory, it will not be binding on the board of directors, the compensation committee of the board of directors or the Company. With respect to Proposal No. 4, the board of directors will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions about executive compensation.

• | Proposal No. 5 - To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. The ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024 requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes), which means the number of shares voted “FOR” the proposal must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose, and will have no effect on the vote for this proposal. Because Proposal No. 5 is considered a “routine” matter, no broker non-votes are expected in connection with this proposal.

How do I attend the Virtual Annual Meeting?
This year’s Annual Meeting will be held entirely online. Stockholders of record as of April 15, 2024 will be able to attend and participate in the 2024 Annual Meeting online via live audio-only webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ARDX2024. You will be able to vote your shares electronically by Internet and submit questions online during the meeting by logging in to the website listed above and using the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. The virtual meeting has been designed to provide the same rights to participate as you would have at an in-person meeting.
Even if you plan to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting online, we recommend that you also vote by proxy as described herein so that your vote will be counted if you decide not to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting.
Access to the Audio Webcast of the 2024 Annual Meeting. The live audio webcast of the 2024 Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Online check-in will begin at 8:15 a.m. Eastern Time and should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. We encourage our stockholders to access the meeting prior to the start time.
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Log in Instructions. To attend the online 2024 Annual Meeting, you will need to login at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ARDX2024. To attend the 2024 Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included in on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.
Voting. You may vote online during the 2024 Annual Meeting. To do so, go to www.virtualshareholder.com/ARDX2024 and have available the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.
Submitting Questions During the virtual 2024 Annual Meeting. During the 2024 Annual Meeting, you will be able to submit questions in the question box provided at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ARDX2024. We will respond to as many inquiries at the 2024 Annual Meeting as time allows.
Technical Assistance. Beginning 15 minutes prior to the start of and during the virtual 2024 Annual Meeting, we will have a support team ready to assist stockholders with any technical difficulties they may have accessing or hearing the virtual meeting. If you encounter difficulties accessing the virtual 2024 Annual Meeting during check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the 2024 Annual Meeting website log-in page.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the 2024 Annual Meeting?
We will disclose final voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days after the 2024 Annual Meeting. If final voting results are unavailable at that time, then we intend to file a Current Report on Form 8-K to disclose preliminary voting results and file an amended Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days after the date the final voting results are available.
When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting?
To be considered for inclusion in the proxy materials for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, your proposal must be submitted in writing by January 1, 2025, to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at Ardelyx, Inc., 400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 210, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451. However, if the meeting is more than 30 days before or after June 14, 2025, then the deadline will be a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials for that meeting.
If you wish to submit a proposal before the stockholders or nominate a director at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, but you are not requesting that your proposal or nomination be included in the proxy materials for that meeting, then you must follow the procedures set forth in our Amended and Restated Bylaws and, among other things, notify the Company’s Corporate Secretary in writing between February 14, 2025 and March 16, 2025. However, if the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after June 14, 2025, notice must be received not later than the 90th day prior to the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders is first made. You are also advised to review our Amended and Restated Bylaws, which contain additional requirements regarding advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations. In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under our Amended and Restated Bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, no later than no later than 60 days prior to the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting (no later than April 15, 2025 for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders). If the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders is changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary of the 2024 Annual Meeting, then notice must be provided by the later of 60 days prior to the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders is first made.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors is divided into three classes. Each class consists, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors, and each class has a three-year term. Except as otherwise provided by law, vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by individuals elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the board of directors to fill a vacancy in a particular class, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
Our board of directors currently consists of eight directors divided into the following three classes:

• | The Class I directors are William A. Bertrand, Jr., Esq., Onaiza Cadoret-Manier and Jan Lundberg, Ph.D., and their terms will expire at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;

• | The Class II directors are David Mott and Michael Raab, and their terms will expire at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and

• | The Class III directors are Robert Bazemore, Muna Bhanji, R.Ph, and Richard Rodgers, and their terms will expire at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Two of our current Class I directors, William A. Bertrand, Jr., Esq. and Onaiza Cadoret-Manier, have been nominated to serve as Class I directors and have agreed to stand for election. Dr. Lundberg has not been nominated for re-election and will cease being a director at the conclusion of the 2024 Annual Meeting. The size of the Board will be reduced to seven members effective immediately following the 2024 Annual Meeting.
If the nominees for Class I are elected at the 2024 Annual Meeting, then each nominee will serve for a three-year term expiring at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. If a choice is specified on the proxy card by a stockholder, the shares will be voted as specified. If a choice is not specified on the proxy card, and authority to do so is not withheld, the shares will be voted “FOR” the election of the two nominees for Class I above. If any of the nominees becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, shares that would have been voted for the nominee will instead be voted for the election of a substitute nominee proposed by our management or the board of directors. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected. Our management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
The following is a brief biography and discussion of the specific attributes, qualifications, experience and skills of each nominee for director and each director whose term will continue after the 2024 Annual Meeting, including information with respect to their ages as of March 31, 2024. Our board of directors and management encourage each nominee for director and each continuing director to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH
OF THE TWO CLASS I NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
CLASS I NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR - To be elected for a three year term expiring at the 2027Annual Meeting of Stockholders
William Bertrand, Jr., Esq., age 59, has served on our board of directors since October 2015. Mr. Bertrand has served as the Chief Operating Officer at Adaptimmune Therapeutics Plc (Nasdaq: ADAP) since March 2017. From October 2015 to September 2016, Mr. Bertrand served as the Executive Vice President, General Counsel of Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: INFI). From July 2013 to August 2015, Mr. Bertrand held a variety of positions with Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company, including Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Acting Chief Operating Officer, and most recently, General Manager of Salix Pharmaceuticals following its acquisition by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE: VRX) in April 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Bertrand completed a 12 year career at Medimmune Limited, a biotechnology company and subsidiary of AstraZeneca Plc (NYSE: AZN), serving in numerous roles of increasing responsibility, including as Executive Vice President and General Counsel from 2008 to 2013. Mr. Bertrand received his B.S. in Biology from Wayne State University and his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We believe that Mr. Bertrand is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his legal and compliance background and significant life science industry experience.
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Onaiza Cadoret-Manier, age 60, has served on our board of directors since March 2020. From March 2022 to March 2024, Ms. Cadoret-Manier served as Chief Global Product Strategy and Operations Officer at Ionis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: IONS), and previously served as Chief Corporate Development and Commercial Officer at Ionis Pharmaceuticals from January 2020 to March 2022. Ms. Cadoret-Manier was previously the Chief Commercial Officer for Grail Biosciences, an early detection genomics company, from June 2018 until June 2019. Prior to Grail, from April 2011 until June 2018, she was Vice President of the Respiratory Franchise at Genentech, a biopharmaceutical company. Ms. Cadoret-Manier also has held multiple senior management positions overseeing corporate strategy, alliances, and marketing and sales for numerous disease areas for Genentech, Pfizer and Amylin Pharmaceuticals. Ms. Cadoret-Manier serves on the board of directors of Ventyx Biosciences (Nasdaq: VTYX). She has an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting from City University of New York Queens College. We believe that Ms. Cadoret-Manier is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her extensive commercial and strategic operational experience with life sciences companies.
CLASS II DIRECTORS - To continue in office until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
David Mott, age 58, has served on our board of directors since March 2009 and as the chairperson of the board of directors since March 2014. Mr. Mott is currently a private investor through Mott Family Capital. Mr. Mott served as a general partner of New Enterprise Associates, or NEA, an investment firm focused on venture capital and growth equity investments from September 2008 to February 2020, where he led the healthcare investing practice. From 1992 until 2008, Mr. Mott worked at MedImmune Limited, a biotechnology company and subsidiary of AstraZeneca Plc (NYSE: AZN), and served in numerous roles during his tenure, including from October 2000 to July 2008 as President and Chief Executive Officer, and previously as Chief Financial Officer, and as President and Chief Operating Officer. During that time, Mr. Mott also served as Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca Plc from June 2007 to July 2008 following AstraZeneca Plc’s acquisition of Medimmune Limited in June 2007. Prior to joining MedImmune Limited, Mr. Mott was a Vice President in the healthcare investment banking group at Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co. Inc. Mr. Mott received a B.A. in Economics and Government from Dartmouth College. Mr. Mott serves as the chairperson of the board of directors for Adaptimmune (Nasdaq: ADAP), and Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRSN), and serves on the board of directors of Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX). Additionally, he served as the chairperson of the board of directors of Imara Inc. from April 2016 to its acquisition by Enliven Therapeutics, Inc (Nasdaq: ELVN) in February 2023, and as the chairperson of the board of directors of Epizyme, Inc. (Nasdaq: EPZM) from December 2009 to its acquisition by Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) in August 2022.We believe that Mr. Mott is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive experience in the life sciences industry as a senior executive, his investment experience, strategic leadership track record and service on other boards of directors of life sciences companies.
Michael Raab, age 59, has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since March 2009 and as a director since 2008. From 2002 to 2009, Mr. Raab was a partner at NEA, where he focused on investments in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining NEA, Mr. Raab spent 15 years in commercial and operating leadership roles in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, including serving as Senior Vice President, Therapeutics and General Manager of the Renal Division at Genzyme Corporation, or Genzyme, a biotechnology company. Mr. Raab also spent two years with Genzyme’s diagnostic products and services division. Before Genzyme, Mr. Raab held business development and sales and marketing positions at Repligen Corporation, a life sciences company, and Bristol-Myers Corporation. Mr. Raab is currently the chairperson of the board of directors of Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: FOLD) and Tempest Therapeutics (Nasdaq CM: TPST). Mr. Raab also currently serves as a member of the Emerging Companies Section Governing Board and the Health Section Governing Board of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Mr. Raab received a B.A. from DePauw University. We believe Mr. Raab is qualified to serve on our board of directors based on his role as our President and Chief Executive Officer, his senior management experience in the life sciences sector, his investment experience and his current and past service on other boards of directors of public companies.
CLASS III DIRECTORS - To continue in office until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Robert Bazemore, age 56, has served on our board of directors since June 2016. Mr. Bazemore served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Epizyme, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from September 2015 until the company was acquired by Ipsen S.A. (EPN: IPN) in August 2021. Prior to joining Epizyme, Mr. Bazemore served as Chief Operating Officer of Synageva BioPharma Corp., which was acquired by Alexion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALXN) for $8.4 billion in July 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Bazemore was
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President of Janssen Biotech, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ). Mr. Bazemore currently serves on the board of directors of Nuvation Bio, Inc. (NYSE: NUVB). Additionally, he served on the board of directors of Neon Therapeutics, Inc. from November 2018 to its acquisition by Biopharmaceuticals New Technologies, or BioNTech (Nasdaq: BNTX), in May 2020. Mr. Bazemore received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Georgia. We believe that Mr. Bazemore is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his significant life science industry experience, including as a chief executive officer, and service on the boards of directors of life sciences companies.
Muna Bhanji, R.Ph, age 61, has served on our board of directors since March 2021. Ms. Bhanji has served as the founder and principal of Tiba Global Access, LLC, an independent senior advisory practice focused on commercialization and market access strategy development, since January 2021. Ms. Bhanji previously served in roles of increasing responsibility at Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK) between 1986 and January 2021. Most recently, Ms. Bhanji served as Senior Vice President, Global Market Access from 2010 until 2021 and as Senior Vice President, Hospital & Specialty Franchises from 2014 until 2017. Ms. Bhanji currently serves on the boards of directors of Veracyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCYT), Cytokinetics Incorporated (Nasdaq: CYTK), Intellia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NTLA), Lumanity, a portfolio company of Arsenal Capital Partners, and Corus International, an international humanitarian organization committed to poverty alleviation. Ms. Bhanji received her B.Sc. in Pharmacy from the Rutgers School of Pharmacy, and her M.B.A. from Saint Joseph’s University. We believe that Ms. Bhanji is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her extensive U.S. and global commercial and operational experience within the pharmaceutical industry.
Richard Rodgers, age 57, has served on our board of directors since March 2014. From March 2010 until August 2013, Mr. Rodgers was co-founder, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of Tesaro, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, which was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) in January 2019. Mr. Rodgers previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Abraxis BioScience, Inc., a biotechnology company, from June 2009 to February 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Rodgers served as Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of MGI PHARMA, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 2004 until its acquisition by Eisai Co. Ltd. (OTC: ESALF), a pharmaceutical company, in January 2008. Mr. Rodgers has held finance and accounting positions at several private and public companies, including Arthur Anderson & Co. Mr. Rodgers currently serves as a director of Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCUP), and Sagimet Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMT). Mr. Rodgers received a B.S. in Financial Accounting from St. Cloud State University and his M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business. We believe that Mr. Rodgers is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his financial background, significant industry experience, and service on other boards of directors of publicly-traded life sciences companies.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
Introduction
Our stockholders are being asked to approve the amendment and restatement of our 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The proposed amended and restated 2014 Plan is referred to herein as the “Restated Plan.” Our board of directors approved the Restated Plan on April 29, 2024, subject to stockholder approval. The Restated Plan will become effective as of the date our stockholders approve the Restated Plan.
Overview of Proposed Amendments
Increase in Share Reserve and Elimination of Evergreen. We strongly believe that an employee equity compensation program is a necessary and powerful incentive and retention tool that benefits all stockholders. As of April 15, 2024, the total number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan since inception was 39,457,566. As of April 15, 2024, the aggregate number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under the 2014 Plan was 29,089,596 and a total of 2,004,490 shares of common stock remained available under the 2014 Plan for future issuance. The 2014 Plan contained an “evergreen provision” that allowed for an annual increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 Plan on January 1 of each year during the ten year term of the 2014 Plan, beginning on January 1, 2015, equal to the lesser of 4% of our outstanding common stock on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or a smaller amount determined by our board of directors. The automatic increases pursuant to the evergreen provision of the 2014 Plan have been made since 2015, and these increases are included in the shares available for issuance under the 2014 Plan set forth above.
The 2014 Plan also provides that the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan may be increased from time to time by the number of shares of common stock subject to awards granted under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Prior Plan”), that are repurchased, forfeited, expire or are cancelled on or after the effective date of the 2014 Plan.
Pursuant to the Restated Plan, an additional 19,000,000 shares will be reserved for issuance under the Restated Plan over the existing share reserve available under the 2014 Plan. Additionally, the evergreen provision has been removed from the Restated Plan such that any increase to the total number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Restated Plan must be approved by our stockholders. In addition to increases as a result of repurchases, forfeitures, expirations and cancellations of awards under the Prior Plan, shares reserved for issuance under the Restated Plan will be increased by the number of shares of common stock subject to awards granted under our 2016 Employment Commencement Incentive Plan (the “Inducement Plan”) that are repurchased, forfeited, expire or are cancelled on or after the effective date of the Restated Plan. No new awards will be made under the Inducement Plan after the effective date of the Restated Plan.
All of the foregoing share numbers may be adjusted for changes in our capitalization and certain corporate transactions, as described below under the heading “Adjustments.”
Addition of Incentive Stock Option Limitation. The Restated Plan contains a limit of 58,457,566 shares that may be issued upon exercise of incentive stock options, or ISOs, following the effective date of the Restated Plan.
Prohibition on Liberal Share Recycling. The Restated Plan prohibits shares tendered or withheld for the payment of tax obligations on an award or in payment of the exercise price of an option from being added back to the share reserve, in addition to prohibiting other practices considered to be liberal share recycling.
Removal of Fixed Term; Extension of Period to Grant Incentive Stock Options. Under the 2014 Plan, no new awards could be made after June 23, 2024. The Restated Plan will not have a fixed term and will continue until terminated by our board of directors or the share reserve thereunder is exhausted. However, in no event may ISOs be granted under the Restated Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date the Restated Plan was approved by our board of directors.

• | Other Amendments. The Restated Plan makes certain changes to the 2014 Plan intended to reflect compensation and governance best practices or to conform the plan to our current practices as follows:

• | Limitations on Dividend Payments on Unvested Awards. The Restated Plan provides that dividends and dividend equivalents may not be paid on awards subject to vesting conditions unless and until such conditions are met.

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• | Removal of Section 162(m) Provisions. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code, prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”), allowed performance-based compensation that met certain requirements to be tax deductible regardless of amount. This qualified performance-based compensation exception was repealed as part of the TCJA. We have removed certain provisions from the Restated Plan which were otherwise required for awards to qualify as performance-based compensation under the Section 162(m) exception prior to its repeal, but have retained the limit on the number of shares subject to awards that may be granted to an individual in any calendar year and the limit on the amount of cash that may be paid pursuant to awards granted to an individual in any calendar year.

• | Tax Withholding. The Restated Plan permits the plan administrator to allow for the withholding or surrender of shares in satisfaction of tax withholding with respect to awards with a value up to the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction at the time of such withholding (or such other rate as may be required to avoid the liability classification of the applicable award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America).

The Restated Plan is not being amended in any material respect other than to reflect the changes described above.
Equity Incentive Awards Are Critical to Long-Term Stockholder Value Creation
We believe that the adoption of the Restated Plan is essential to our success. Equity awards are intended to motivate high levels of performance, align the interests of our directors, employees and consultants with those of our stockholders by giving directors, employees and consultants the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in our company and providing a means of recognizing their contributions to the success of our company. Our board of directors and management believe that equity awards are necessary to remain competitive in our industry and are essential to recruiting and retaining the highly qualified employees who help our company meet its goals.
Our equity incentive program is broad-based. As of April 15, 2024, all of our employees had received grants of equity awards, and all seven of our non-employee directors had received grants of equity awards. We do not typically make new grants of equity awards to our consultants. We believe we must continue to offer a competitive equity compensation plan in order to attract, retain and motivate the industry-leading talent imperative to our continued growth and success.
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Outstanding Awards Under Existing Plans — Ability to Grant Future Equity Awards is Limited
The table below presents information about the number of shares that were subject to various outstanding equity awards under our equity plans, and the shares remaining available for issuance under each such plan, each at April 15, 2024. As of April 15, 2024, there were no outstanding equity awards under the Prior Plan and no shares were reserved for future issuance under the Prior Plan. The existing 2014 Plan and the Inducement Plan are the only equity incentive plans we currently have in place under which we can grant awards (other than the shares available for purchase under our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the 2014 ESPP). After June 23, 2024, despite shares remaining available for issuance under the 2014 Plan, under the terms of the 2014 Plan, we will no longer be permitted to make grants under the 2014 Plan unless the Restated Plan is approved. If the Restated Plan is approved, we will no longer make grants under the Inducement Plan following the effective date of the Restated Plan.

| ​ | ​ | Number of Shares | ​ | ​ | As a % of Shares Outstanding(1) | ​ | ​ | Dollar Value(2)
Inducement Plan | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Options outstanding | ​ | ​ | 4,250,814 | ​ | ​ | 1.82% | ​ | ​ | $28,905,535
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options | ​ | ​ | $4.5411 | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Weighted average exercise remaining term of outstanding options | ​ | ​ | 8.90 | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Restricted stock units outstanding | ​ | ​ | 2,346,364 | ​ | ​ | 1.00% | ​ | ​ | $15,955,275
Shares available for future issuance under the Inducement Plan | ​ | ​ | 5,294,251 | ​ | ​ | 2.26% | ​ | ​ | $36,000,907
| ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
2014 Plan | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Options outstanding | ​ | ​ | 23,509,514 | ​ | ​ | 10.05% | ​ | ​ | $159,864,695
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options | ​ | ​ | $5.4232 | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Weighted average exercise remaining term of outstanding options | ​ | ​ | 7.45 | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Restricted stock units outstanding | ​ | ​ | 5,580,082 | ​ | ​ | 2.38% | ​ | ​ | $37,944,558
Shares available for future issuance under the 2014 Plan | ​ | ​ | 2,004,490 | ​ | ​ | 0.86% | ​ | ​ | $13,630,532
| ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Restated Plan | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Proposed increase to share reserve under Restated Plan (over existing share reserve under 2014 Plan | ​ | ​ | 19,000,000 | ​ | ​ | 8.12% | ​ | ​ | $129,200,000

(1) | Based on 233,976,572 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2024.

(2) | Based on the closing price of our common stock on April 15, 2024 of $6.80 per share.

Background for the Determination of the Share Reserve under the Restated Plan
In determining whether to approve the Restated Plan, our board of directors considered that:

• | In setting the size of the share reserve under the Restated Plan, as described above, our board of directors also considered the historical amounts of equity awards granted by our company in the past three years. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, equity awards representing a total of approximately 7,401,833 shares, 6,137,663 shares, and 8,208,310 shares, respectively, were granted under our 2014 Plan, for an annual equity burn rate of 3.73%, 4.71% and 3.53%, respectively. This level of equity awards represents a 3-year average burn rate attributable to our 2014 Plan of 3.99% of common shares outstanding. Equity burn rate is calculated by dividing the number of shares subject to equity awards granted during the fiscal year by the number of common shares outstanding at the end of the fiscal year.

• | We expect the share authorization under the Restated Plan to provide us with enough shares for awards for approximately two years, assuming we continue to grant awards consistent with our current practices and historical usage, as reflected in our historical burn rate, and further dependent on the price of our shares and hiring activity during the next few years, forfeitures of outstanding awards, and

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noting that future circumstances may require us to change our current equity grant practices. We cannot predict our future equity grant practices, the future price of our shares or future hiring activity with any degree of certainty at this time, and the share reserve under the Restated Plan could last for a shorter or longer time.

• | In 2021, 2022 and 2023, our end of year overhang rate (excluding shares available for issuance under our 2014 ESPP) was 7.87%, 11.52% and 9.85%, respectively. If the Restated Plan is approved, we expect our overhang rate attributable to the Restated Plan at the end of 2024 will be approximately 18.02%. Overhang for this purpose is calculated by dividing (1) the sum of the number of shares subject to equity awards outstanding at the end of the fiscal year plus shares remaining available for issuance for future awards at the end of the fiscal year (excluding shares available for issuance under our 2014 ESPP) by (2) the number of shares outstanding at the end of the fiscal year.

• | In light of the factors described above, and the fact that the ability to continue to grant equity compensation is vital to our ability to continue to attract and retain employees in the extremely competitive labor markets in which we compete, our board of directors has determined that the size of the share reserve under the Restated Plan is reasonable and appropriate at this time.

Other Key Features of the Restated Plan
The Restated Plan reflects a broad range of compensation and governance best practices, with some of the key features of the Restated Plan as follows:

• | No Increase to Shares Available for Issuance without Stockholder Approval. Without stockholder approval, the Restated Plan prohibits any alteration or amendment that operates to increase the total number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Restated Plan (other than adjustments in connection with certain corporate reorganizations and other events).

• | No Repricing of Awards. Other than pursuant to the provisions of the Restated Plan described below under the headings “Adjustments” and “Corporate Transactions,” the plan administrator may not without the approval of the company’s stockholders (1) lower the exercise price of an option or SAR after it is granted or (2) cancel an option or SAR when the exercise price exceeds the fair market value of the underlying shares in exchange for cash or another award.

• | Limitations on Dividend Payments on Unvested Awards. Dividends and dividend equivalents may not be paid on awards subject to vesting conditions unless and until such conditions are met. Dividend equivalents may not be paid on stock options or SARs.

• | No In-the-Money Option or Stock Appreciation Right Grants. The Restated Plan prohibits the grant of options or SARs with an exercise or base price less than 100% of the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant.

• | No Liberal Share Recycling. The Restated Plan prohibits shares tendered or withheld for the payment of tax obligations on an award or in payment of the exercise price of an option from being added back to the share reserve, in addition to prohibiting other practices considered to be liberal share recycling.

• | Independent Administration. The compensation committee of our board of directors, which consists of two or more non-employee directors, generally will administer the Restated Plan. The full board of directors will administer the Restated Plan with respect to awards granted to members of the board. The compensation committee may delegate certain of its duties and authorities to a committee of one or more directors or officers of the company for awards to certain individuals, within specific guidelines and limitations. However, no delegation of authority is permitted with respect to awards made to individuals who (1) are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (2) are officers of the company and have been delegated authority to grant or amend awards under the Restated Plan.

• | No Automatic Change in Control Vesting for Awards. The Restated Plan does not have automatic accelerated vesting provisions for awards in connection with a change of control (other than in connection with the non-assumption of awards).

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• | Limitations on Grants to Directors. The Restated Plan provides for limitations on grants to non-employee directors such that the sum of the grant date fair value of all equity awards and the maximum amount that may become payable pursuant to all cash-based awards granted to a non-employee director as compensation for services as a non-employee director during any fiscal year of the company may not exceed $1,000,000.

Stockholder Approval
In general, stockholder approval of the Restated Plan will implement the foregoing share reserve increase and extension of the term while (1) complying with the terms of the 2014 Plan regarding amendments, (2) meeting the stockholder approval requirements of Nasdaq, and (3) allowing us to grant ISOs. If the Restated Plan is not approved by our stockholders, the Restated Plan will not become effective, the 2014 Plan will continue in full force and effect with respect to any equity awards outstanding as of June 23, 2024, but no additional awards may be granted under the 2014 Plan after June 23, 2024, despite the availability of shares available for issuance thereunder.
Summary of the Restated Plan
The principal features of the Restated Plan are summarized below, but the summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Restated Plan itself, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement.
Securities Subject to the Restated Plan
As of April 15, 2024, a total of 2,004,490 shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance under the 2014 Plan. Pursuant to the Restated Plan, the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance as of the effective date of the Restated Plan will be increased by 19,000,000 shares.
If any shares subject to an award under the Restated Plan, the Prior Plan or the Inducement Plan are forfeited, expire or are settled for cash, any shares subject to such award will, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, be available for future grants under the Restated Plan. However, the following shares may not be used again for grant under the Restated Plan: (1) shares tendered or withheld to satisfy the exercise price of an option; (2) shares tendered or withheld to satisfy the tax withholding obligations with respect to an award; (3) shares subject to a SAR that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the SAR on its exercise; and (4) shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of options. If any shares of restricted stock are forfeited by a participant or repurchased by us pursuant to the Restated Plan, Prior Plan or Inducement Plan, such shares shall again be available for future grant or sale under the Restated Plan. The payment of dividend equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding awards shall not be counted against the shares of stock available for issuance under the Restated Plan.
To the extent permitted by applicable law or any exchange rule, and subject to certain other restrictions, shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards or shares available under a pre-existing plan of an entity acquired by the company or any of its subsidiaries that was approved by shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition will not be counted against the shares available for grant under the Restated Plan.
In no event will more than 58,457,455 shares of common stock be issuable pursuant to the exercise of ISOs following the effective date of the Restated Plan.
Administration
The Restated Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Compensation Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more of our officers the authority to grant or amend awards to participants other than our senior executives who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, subject to certain other limitations. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Compensation Committee will consist solely of two or more members of the Board, each of whom is a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and an “independent director” under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or other principal securities market on which shares of our common stock are traded).
The Compensation Committee has general authority to administer the Restated Plan, including the power to determine eligibility, the types and sizes of awards, the price and timing of awards and the acceleration or waiver
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of any vesting restriction, as well as the authority to delegate such administrative responsibilities. However, the full Board will conduct the general administration of the Restated Plan with respect to any awards to non-employee members of the Board.
Eligibility
Options, SARs, restricted stock and other awards under the Restated Plan may be granted to individuals who are then our officers or employees or are the officers or employees of any of our subsidiaries. Such awards may also be granted to our non-employee directors and consultants but only employees may be granted ISOs. As of April 15, 2024, we had seven non-employee directors, 315 employees, and 12 consultants, each of whom would have been eligible for awards under the Restated Plan had it been in effect on such date. We do not typically make new grants of equity awards to our consultants. The closing share price per share for our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on April 15, 2024 was $6.80.
Awards
The Restated Plan provides for the grant of stock options, both incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, SARs, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance share awards, dividend equivalents, performance bonus awards, and other performance-based awards to eligible individuals. Certain awards under the Restated Plan may constitute or provide for a deferral of compensation, subject to Section 409A of the Code, which may impose additional requirements on the terms and conditions of such awards. All awards under the Restated Plan are or will be set forth in award agreements, which detail the terms and conditions of the awards, including any applicable vesting and payment terms and post-termination exercise limitations. Awards other than cash awards are generally settled in shares of our common stock, but the plan administrator may provide for cash settlement of any award. No determination has been made as to the types or amounts of awards that will be granted to specific individuals pursuant to the Restated Plan, except as set forth below under “New Plan Benefits.” See the “2023 Summary Compensation Table” and “2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” in this Proxy Statement for information on prior awards to our NEOs identified in those tables.
Stock Options. Stock options, including incentive stock options, as defined under Section 422 of the Code, and nonqualified stock options may be granted pursuant to the Restated Plan. The option exercise price of all stock options granted pursuant to the Restated Plan will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock options may be exercised as determined by the Compensation Committee, but in no event may a stock option have a term extending beyond ten years after the date of grant. Incentive stock options granted to any person who owns, as of the date of grant, stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of Company stock, however, shall have an exercise price that is not less than 110% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant and may not have a term extending beyond the fifth anniversary of the date of grant. The aggregate fair market value of the shares with respect to which options intended to be incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by an employee in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000, or such other amount as the Code provides.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights may also be granted under the Restated Plan. Stock appreciation rights typically will provide for payments to the holder based upon increases in the price of our common stock over the exercise price per share, which will be no less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. SARs may be exercised as determined by the Compensation Committee, but in no event may a SAR have a term extending beyond ten years after the date of grant. Upon exercise of a SAR, payment may be made in cash or check or other property acceptable to the Compensation Committee.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock is an award of nontransferable shares of our common stock that remains forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met and which may be subject to a purchase price. Holders of restricted stock will have voting rights and will have the right to receive dividends; however, dividends may not be paid until the applicable shares of restricted stock vest. RSUs are contractual promises to deliver shares of our common stock in the future, which may also remain forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met. Delivery of the shares underlying these awards may be deferred under the terms of the award or at the election of the participant if the plan administrator permits such a deferral.
Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents represent the right to receive the equivalent value of dividends paid on shares of our common stock and may be granted alone or in tandem with awards. Dividend equivalents are credited as of dividend payments dates during the period between the date an award is granted and the date such
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award vests, is exercised, is distributed, or expires, as determined by the plan administrator. The Restated Plan requires that any dividend equivalents be paid only to the extent the underlying award vests.
Performance Awards. Performance awards include any of the awards that are granted subject to vesting and/or payment based on the attainment of specified performance goals. Performance awards may include any of the awards enumerated in this summary or other incentive awards paid in cash or stock.
The Compensation Committee will determine the methods by which payments by any award holder with respect to any awards may be paid, the form of payment, including, without limitation: (1) cash or check; (2) shares (including in the case of payment of the exercise price of an award, shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the award) or shares held for such period of time as may be required by the Compensation Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences, in each case, having a fair market value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required; or (3) other property acceptable to the Compensation Committee (including through the delivery of a notice that the award holder has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of common stock then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an award and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to us in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required, provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to us upon settlement of such sale). However, no participant who is a member of the Board of Directors or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act will be permitted to pay the exercise price of an option in any method that would violate the prohibitions on loans made or arranged by us as set forth in Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
Limitations on Awards
The sum of the grant date fair value of all equity awards and the maximum amount that may become payable pursuant to all cash-based awards that may be granted as compensation for services as a non-employee director may not exceed $1,000,000 in any calendar year.
Tax Withholding
The Restated Plan permits the plan administrator to allow for the withholding or surrender of shares in satisfaction of tax withholding with respect to awards with a value up to the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction at the time of such withholding (or such other rate as may be required to avoid the liability classification of the applicable award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America).
No Repricing
In no case (except due to an adjustment to reflect a stock split or similar event or any repricing that may be approved by stockholders) may any adjustment be made to a stock option or a SAR award under the Restated Plan (by amendment, cancellation and re-grant, exchange, or other means) that would constitute a repricing of the per-share exercise or base price of the award.
Transferability
Generally, awards granted under the Restated Plan will not be transferable by a participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Compensation Committee, pursuant to a domestic relations order. Generally, stock options and SARs will be exercisable during a participant’s lifetime only by him or her, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a domestic relations order; after the death of a participant, any exercisable portion of an option or SAR may be exercised by his personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution. However, the Compensation Committee has the authority to permit a participant to transfer an award other than an incentive stock option to a permitted transferee, subject to the terms and conditions in the Restated Plan. In no event may an award be transferable for consideration absent stockholder approval.
Forfeiture, Recoupment and Clawback Provisions
Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to awards under the Restated Plan, the plan administrator has the right to provide, in an award agreement or otherwise, that an award shall be
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subject to the provisions of any recoupment or clawback policies implemented by us, including, without limitation, any recoupment or clawback policies adopted to comply with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
Adjustment Provisions
Certain transactions with our stockholders not involving our receipt of consideration, such as a stock split, spin-off, stock dividend, or certain recapitalizations may affect the share price of our common stock (which transactions are referred to collectively as “equity restructurings”). In the event that an equity restructuring occurs, the class, number of shares, and exercise or grant price of outstanding awards will be equitably adjusted, and the plan administrator will make such further equitable adjustments as it may deem appropriate to reflect the equity restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Restated Plan. Other types of transactions may also affect our common stock, such as a dividend or other distribution, reorganization, merger, or other changes in corporate structure. In the event that there is such a transaction, which is not an equity restructuring and the plan administrator determines that an adjustment to the plan and any outstanding awards would be appropriate to prevent any dilution or enlargement of benefits under the Restated Plan, the plan administrator will equitably adjust the Restated Plan as to the class of shares issuable and the maximum number of shares of our stock subject to the Restated Plan, as well as the maximum number of shares that may be issued to an employee during any calendar year, will adjust any outstanding awards as to the class, number of shares, and price per share of our stock in such manner as it may deem equitable and may provide for the cash-out, substitution, assumption or acceleration of outstanding awards.
Effect of Certain Corporate Transactions
For purposes of the Restated Plan, a “change in control” generally means certain transactions in which a person acquires 50% or more of our total voting power; certain changes in the composition of the Board over a two-year period; a merger or consolidation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in our voting securities outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent at least 50% of the total voting power represented by our voting securities or such surviving entity’s voting securities outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation (or the voting securities of the parent of the entity which survives such merger or consolidation); a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, subject to certain exceptions; or approval by our stockholders of a plan of complete liquidation. The Board, in its sole discretion, may adopt a change-in-control program to determine the vesting schedule, exercisability, and other terms of outstanding awards on or after a change in control.
The Board may terminate, amend, or modify the Restated Plan at any time; however, stockholder approval will be obtained for any amendment to increase the number of shares available under the Restated Plan. In addition, absent stockholder approval, no option or SAR may be amended to reduce the per share exercise price of the shares subject to such option or SAR below the per share exercise price as of the date the option or SAR was granted and, except to the extent permitted by the Restated Plan in connection with certain changes in capital structure, no option, SAR, cash, or other award may be granted in exchange for, or in connection with, the cancellation or surrender of an option or SAR having a higher per share exercise price.
In no event may incentive stock options be granted pursuant to the Restated Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the date the Board approved the Restated Plan.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a general summary under current U.S. law of the material federal income tax consequences with respect to the Restated Plan. This summary deals with the general U.S. tax principles that apply and is provided only for general information. Some kinds of taxes, such as foreign, state, and local income taxes, as well as gift and estate tax considerations, are not discussed. Tax laws are complex and subject to change and may vary depending on individual circumstances and from locality to locality, and the summary does not discuss all aspects of income taxation that may be relevant in light of a holder’s personal investment circumstances.
With respect to nonqualified stock options, we are generally entitled to deduct, and the optionee recognizes taxable income in an amount equal to, the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise. A participant receiving incentive stock options will not recognize taxable income upon grant. Additionally, if applicable holding period requirements are met, the participant will not recognize taxable income at the
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time of exercise. However, the excess of the fair market value of the common stock received over the option price is an item of tax preference income potentially subject to the alternative minimum tax. If stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option is held for a minimum of two years from the date of grant and one year from the date of exercise, the gain or loss (in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value on the date of sale and the exercise price) upon disposition of the stock will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss, and we will not be entitled to any deduction. If the holding period requirements are not met, the incentive stock option will be treated as one that does not meet the requirements of the Code for incentive stock options, and the tax consequences described for nonqualified stock options will apply.
The current federal income tax consequences of other awards authorized under the Restated Plan generally follow certain basic patterns: SARs are taxed and deductible in substantially the same manner as nonqualified stock options; nontransferable restricted stock subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and restricted stock units will result in income recognition equal to the excess of the fair market value over the price paid, if any, only at the time the restrictions applicable to such awards lapse (unless, with respect to an award of restricted stock, the recipient elects to accelerate recognition as of the date of grant); and stock-based performance awards, dividend equivalents, and other types of awards are generally subject to tax at ordinary income rates at the time of payment. In each of the foregoing cases, the Company will generally have a corresponding deduction at the time the participant recognizes income, subject to Section 162(m) with respect to covered employees.
New Plan Benefits
Other than with respect to annual grants of options to our non-employee directors pursuant to the Restated Plan that will be made immediately following the date of the annual meeting, assuming stockholder approval of the Restated Plan, all future grants of awards under the Restated Plan are subject to the discretion of the plan administrator and it is not possible to determine the benefits that will be received in the future by participants in the Restated Plan. The equity awards to be granted to each non-employee director on the date of the annual meeting under the Restated Plan in accordance with the non-employee director compensation policy are described below under “—Director Compensation.”
Plan Benefits Under the 2014 Plan
As of April 15, 2024, each of our named executive officers and the other groups identified below have received the following option and RSU grants under the 2014 Plan since its inception that are outstanding:

| ​ | ​ | Stock Options Granted and Outstanding (#) | ​ | ​ | Restricted Stock Units/Shares of Restricted Stock Granted and Outstanding (#)
Michael Raab President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ​ | ​ | 5,309,609 | ​ | ​ | 704,392
Elizabeth Grammer, Esq. Chief Legal and Administrative Officer | ​ | ​ | 1,460,524 | ​ | ​ | 197,879
Laura Williams, M.D. Chief Medical Officer | ​ | ​ | 800,127 | ​ | ​ | 186,827
All current executive officers as a group (8 persons) | ​ | ​ | 12,639,704 | ​ | ​ | 2,046,987
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group (7 persons) | ​ | ​ | 2,118,476 | ​ | ​ | —
William A. Bertrand, Jr., Esq., nominee for director | ​ | ​ | 352,532 | ​ | ​ | —
Onaiza Cadoret-Manier, nominee for director | ​ | ​ | 247,892 | ​ | ​ | —
Each associate of any directors, executive officers or nominees | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Each other person who received or is to receive 5 percent of such options, warrants or rights | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
All employees who are not executive officers as a group (307 persons) | ​ | ​ | 8,751,334 | ​ | ​ | 3,533,095

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers
Our directors and executive officers (including our named executive officers) have substantial interests in the matters set forth in the Restated Plan Proposal since equity awards may be granted to them in the future under the Restated Plan.
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Vote Required
Approval of the Restated Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
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PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Introduction
Our stockholders are being asked to approve the amendment and restatement of our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The proposed amended and restated ESPP is referred to herein as the “A&R ESPP.” Our board of directors approved the A&R ESPP on April 29, 2024, subject to stockholder approval. The A&R ESPP will become effective as of the date our stockholders approve the A&R ESPP.
Overview of Proposed Amendments
Increase in Share Reserve and Elimination of Evergreen. The ESPP became effective on June 14, 2014 when it was first approved by Company stockholders. As of April 15, 2024, a total of 2,940,132 shares of our common stock have been reserved for issuance under the ESPP, and the aggregate number of shares of common stock that remained available under the ESPP for future issuance was 894,481, which the A&R ESPP increases by 3,000,000 shares of common stock. However, if the A&R ESPP is not approved, only 184,723 shares will be available for future issuance under the ESPP. The ESPP contained an “evergreen provision” that allowed for an annual increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the ESPP on January 1 of each year during the ten year term of the ESPP, beginning on January 1, 2015, equal to the lesser of 1% of our outstanding common stock on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or a smaller amount determined by our board of directors. The automatic increases pursuant to the evergreen provision of the ESPP are included in the shares available for issuance under the ESPP set forth above. Under the A&R ESPP, no evergreen increases will be made.
Background on Share Request
The purpose of the A&R ESPP is to assist our employees in acquiring a stock ownership interest in the Company pursuant to a plan which is intended to increase employee proprietary interest in our success and to encourage them to remain in the employment of the Company. We believe that the A&R ESPP aligns employee interests with those of our stockholders, is an important component of the benefits we offer to our employees and serves as a key recruiting and retention tool in a competitive market. Since adoption of the A&R ESPP in 2014, we averaged approximately 60 employees participating in the A&R ESPP in each offering period.
The A&R ESPP currently operates using consecutive 6-month offering periods. If approved by our stockholders, the increase in shares for the A&R ESPP will go into effect for the first offering that commences after stockholder approval, currently scheduled for September 1, 2024.
Under the A&R ESPP, eligible employees purchase our common stock at a discount through accumulated payroll deductions. The A&R ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code.
A copy of the proposed A&R ESPP is included as Annex B to this Proxy Statement.
In its determination to approve the 3,000,000 share increase to the A&R ESPP, our Board and Compensation Committee reviewed an analysis prepared by Pearl Meyer, its compensation consultant, which included an analysis of our historical share usage, certain dilution metrics and the costs of the A&R ESPP. Specifically, our Board and Compensation Committee considered the following:

• | During the offering period that ended on February 29, 2024, we issued a total of 253,312 shares of our common stock. Further, participating employees for the Offering Period ending February 29, 2024 elected to contribute an average of 3.9% of their eligible earnings to purchase shares under the A&R ESPP. As such, our Board and Compensation Committee believe that the A&R ESPP acts as an important incentive to both newly hired and existing employees to invest in our common stock and aligning their interests with the interests of our stockholders.

• | Our Board and Compensation Committee considered the dilutive effect of the share increase to the A&R ESPP and sought to balance such dilutive effect with the benefits of providing sufficient shares to promote employee participation. We anticipate the additional 3,000,000 shares under the A&R ESPP plus our current share reserve would provide sufficient shares in the plan reserve for approximately three years after the Annual Meeting.

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In light of the factors described above, and our Board’s and our Compensation Committee’s assessment that the ability to continue to offer the opportunity to purchase shares of our common stock is important to our ability to continue to attract and retain employees in the labor markets in which we compete, our Board and our Compensation Committee have determined that the size of the increase in the share reserve under the A&R ESPP is reasonable and appropriate at this time.
Summary of the A&R ESPP
The A&R ESPP is designed to allow eligible employees of the Company to purchase shares of our common stock with their accumulated payroll deductions. The A&R ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code.
The principal provisions of the A&R ESPP are summarized below. This summary is qualified by reference to the full text of the A&R ESPP, which is attached as Annex B to this Proxy Statement.
Administration
Subject to the terms and conditions of the A&R ESPP, the Compensation Committee administers the A&R ESPP. The Compensation Committee can delegate administrative tasks under the A&R ESPP to the services of an agent and/or employees to assist in the administration of the A&R ESPP. The administrator will have the discretionary authority to administer and interpret the A&R ESPP. Interpretations and constructions of the administrator of any provision of the A&R ESPP or of any rights thereunder will be conclusive and binding on all persons. We bear all expenses and liabilities incurred in the A&R ESPP administration.
Shares Available for Awards
The maximum number of shares of our common stock that will be authorized for sale under the A&R ESPP, inclusive of the 3,000,000 share increase, is 5,940,132 shares of common stock. The shares reserved for issuance under the A&R ESPP may be authorized but unissued shares or reacquired shares.
Eligibility
Employees eligible to participate in the A&R ESPP for a given offering period generally include employees who are employed by us or one of our designated subsidiaries on the first day of the offering period, or the enrollment date. Our employees (and, if applicable, any employees of our subsidiaries) who customarily work less than five months in a calendar year or are customarily scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week will not be eligible to participate in the A&R ESPP. Finally, an employee who owns (or is deemed to own through attribution) 5% or more of the combined voting power or value of all our classes of stock or of one of our subsidiaries are not allowed to participate in the A&R ESPP.
As of April 15, 2024, we had approximately 315 employees who could have been eligible to participate in the A&R ESPP, and our non-employee directors and consultants are not eligible to participate in the A&R ESPP.
Participation
Employees may enroll under the A&R ESPP by completing a payroll deduction form permitting the deduction from their compensation of at least 1% of their compensation but not more than 15% of their compensation. Such payroll deductions may be expressed as either a whole number percentage or a fixed dollar amount, and the accumulated deductions will be applied to the purchase of shares on each purchase date.
Offering
Under the A&R ESPP, participants are offered the option to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount during a series of successive and overlapping offering periods, the duration and timing of which will be determined by the A&R ESPP administrator. However, in no event may an offering period be longer than 27 months in length. The offering periods are each comprised of one or more equal length or shorter purchase periods. Currently, each offering period and purchase period is 6 months.
The option purchase price will be the lower of 85% of the closing trading price per share of our common stock on the first trading date of an offering period in which a participant is enrolled or 85% of the closing trading price per share on the purchase date. Our closing trading price of our common stock as of April 15,2024 was $6.80.
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Under the A&R ESPP, participants may not purchase shares of our common stock at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of fair market value of our stock (determined at the time the option to purchase shares under the A&R ESPP is granted) for each calendar year in which the option is outstanding (as determined in accordance with Section 423 of the Code).
Unless a participant has previously canceled his or her participation in the A&R ESPP before the purchase date, the participant will be deemed to have exercised his or her option in full as of each purchase date. Upon exercise, the participant will purchase the number of whole shares that his or her accumulated payroll deductions will buy at the option purchase price, subject to the participation limitations listed above.
A participant may cancel his or her payroll deduction authorization at any time prior to the end of the offering period. Upon cancellation, the participant will have the option to either (i) receive a refund of the participant’s account balance in cash without interest or (ii) exercise the participant’s option for the current offering period for the maximum number of shares of common stock on the applicable purchase date, with the remaining account balance refunded in cash without interest. Following at least one payroll deduction, a participant may also decrease (but not increase) his or her payroll deduction authorization once during any offering period. If a participant wants to increase or decrease the rate of payroll withholding, he or she may do so effective for the next offering period by submitting a new form before the offering period for which such change is to be effective.
A participant may not assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of (other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution) payroll deductions credited to a participant’s account or any rights to exercise an option or to receive shares of our common stock under the A&R ESPP, and during a participant’s lifetime, options in the A&R ESPP shall be exercisable only by such participant. Any such attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition will not be given effect.
Adjustments
In the event of any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of our common stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the common stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of common stock effected without receipt of consideration by us, we will proportionately adjust the aggregate number of shares of our common stock offered under the A&R ESPP, the number and price of shares which any participant has elected to purchase under the A&R ESPP and the maximum number of shares which a participant may elect to purchase in any single offering period. If there is a proposal to dissolve or liquidate us, then the A&R ESPP will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, and any offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new purchase date to take place before the date of our dissolution or liquidation. We will notify each participant of such change in writing at least ten business days prior to the new exercise date. If we undergo a merger with or into another corporation or sell all or substantially all of our assets, each outstanding option will be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or the parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. If the successor corporation refuses to assume the outstanding options or substitute equivalent options, then any offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new purchase date to take place before the date of our proposed sale or merger. We will notify each participant of such change in writing at least ten business days prior to the new exercise date.
Amendment and Termination
The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the A&R ESPP at any time. However, the Board may not amend the A&R ESPP without obtaining shareholder approval within 12 months before or after such amendment to the extent required by applicable laws.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a general summary under current law of the principal United States federal income tax consequences related to the purchase of shares under the A&R ESPP. This summary deals with the general federal income tax principles that apply and is provided only for general information. Certain taxes, such as state, local and foreign income taxes and federal employment taxes, are not discussed. This summary is not intended as tax advice to participants, who should consult their own tax advisors.
The A&R ESPP, and the right of participants to make purchases thereunder, is intended to qualify under the provisions of Section 423 of the Code. Under the applicable Code provisions, no income will be taxable to a
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participant until the sale or other disposition of the shares purchased under the A&R ESPP. This means that an eligible employee will not recognize taxable income on the date the employee is granted an option under the A&R ESPP. In addition, the employee will not recognize taxable income upon the purchase of shares. Upon such sale or disposition, the participant generally will be subject to tax in an amount that depends upon the length of time such shares are held by the participant prior to disposing of them. If the shares are sold or disposed of more than two years from the date of grant and more than one year from the date of purchase, or if the participant dies while holding the shares, the participant (or his or her estate) will recognize ordinary income measured as the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of such sale or disposition (or death) over the purchase price or (ii) an amount equal to the applicable discount from the fair market value of the shares as of the date of grant. Any additional gain will be treated as long-term capital gain. If the shares are held for the holding periods described above but are sold for a price that is less than the purchase price, there is no ordinary income and the participating employee has a long-term capital loss for the difference between the sale price and the purchase price.
If the shares are sold or otherwise disposed of before the expiration of the holding periods described above, the participant will recognize ordinary income generally measured as the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date the shares are purchased over the purchase price and we will be entitled to a tax deduction for compensation expense in the amount of ordinary income recognized by the employee. Any additional gain or loss on such sale or disposition will be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the shares were held following the date they were purchased by the participant prior to disposing of them. If the shares are sold or otherwise disposed of before the expiration of the holding periods described above but are sold for a price that is less than the purchase price, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of purchase over the purchase price (and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction), but the participant generally will be able to report a capital loss equal to the difference between the sales price of the shares and the fair market value of the shares on the date of purchase.
New Plan Benefits
The number of shares of our common stock that may be purchased under the A&R ESPP is dependent upon the fair market value of our common stock on the first day of the offering period and purchase date, the voluntary election by each eligible employee to participate and the amount each participant has elected to contribute to an offering period, and is not currently determinable.
The following table states the amounts which were received by each of the named individuals and groups under our A&R ESPP from its inception through April 15, 2024.

| ​ | ​ | Number of Shares (#)
Michael Raab President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ​ | ​ | 29,061
Elizabeth Grammer, Esq. Chief Legal and Administrative Officer | ​ | ​ | 28,192
Laura Williams, M.D. Chief Medical Officer | ​ | ​ | 15,690
All current executive officers as a group (8 persons) | ​ | ​ | 152,068
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group (7 persons)(1) | ​ | ​ | —
William A. Bertrand, Jr., Esq., nominee for director | ​ | ​ | —
Onaiza Cadoret-Manier, nominee for director | ​ | ​ | —
Each associate of any directors, executive officers or nominees | ​ | ​ | —
Each other person who received or is to receive 5 percent of such options, warrants or rights | ​ | ​ | —
All employees who are not executive officers as a group (302 persons) | ​ | ​ | 1,893,583

(1) | Non-executive officer directors are not eligible to participate in the A&R ESPP.

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers
Our non-employee directors are not eligible to participate in the A&R ESPP. Our executive officers (including our named executive officers) have substantial interests in the matters set forth in the this proposal since our executive officers may participate in the A&R ESPP.
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Vote Required
Approval of the Restated Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
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PROPOSAL NO. 4
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we are providing stockholders an opportunity to cast a non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, or NEOs (sometimes referred to as a “Say-on-Pay” vote). Accordingly, you have the opportunity to vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” or to “ABSTAIN” from voting on the following non-binding resolution at the 2024 Annual Meeting:
“Resolved, that the stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in the proxy statement.”
In deciding how to vote on this proposal, you are encouraged to review the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure. As described in detail in the sections entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Details of our Compensation Program,” our compensation programs are designed to reward, motivate, attract and retain top talent by rewarding performance based upon achievement of pre-approved annual goals and objectives. A portion of each NEO’s compensation is contingent upon overall corporate performance as well as specific performance metrics particular to each NEO’s position and consistent with the NEO’s role on the management team. We believe that our compensation programs align the interests of our NEOs with that of our stockholders and provide motivation for high performance levels from our NEOs.
Vote Required
Approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our NEOs, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of common stock present online live or represented by proxy at the 2024 Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose, and will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.
While your vote on this proposal is advisory and will not be binding on the board of directors, the compensation committee, the Company, and the board of directors value the opinions of the stockholders on executive compensation matters and will take into consideration the outcome of the vote when making future executive compensation decisions, to the extent they can determine the cause or causes of any significant negative voting results. Unless the board of directors modifies its determination on the frequency of future Say-on-Pay advisory votes, the next Say-on-Pay advisory vote will be held at the fiscal 2025 annual meeting of stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
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PROPOSAL NO. 5
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The audit and compliance committee of our board of directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP, or EY, as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024, and is seeking ratification of such selection by our stockholders at the 2024 Annual Meeting. EY has audited our financial statements since the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Representatives of EY are expected to be present in attendance online at the 2024 Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Neither our Amended and Restated Bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of EY as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, the audit and compliance committee is submitting the selection of EY to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If our stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the audit and compliance committee will reconsider whether or not to retain EY. Even if the selection is ratified, the audit and compliance committee in its discretion may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares cast at the 2024 Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of EY.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 5.
Audit and Related Fees
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, EY billed the approximate fees set forth below. All fees included below were approved by the audit and compliance committee.

| ​ | ​ | Year Ended December 31,
| ​ | ​ | 2023 | ​ | ​ | 2022
Audit Fees(1) | ​ | ​ | $2,190,710 | ​ | ​ | $1,570,125
Audit-Related Fees | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Tax Fees(2) | ​ | ​ | $2,936 | ​ | ​ | $18,650
All Other Fees(3) | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Total All Fees | ​ | ​ | $2,193,646 | ​ | ​ | $1,588,775

(1) | This category consists of fees and expenses for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, reviews of our interim quarterly reports, accounting and financial reporting consultations, and the issuance of consents and comfort letters in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. In 2023, Audit Fees also included fees and expenses covering the integrated audit of our annual financial statements and of our internal controls over financial reporting.

(2) | This category consists of fees for professional services rendered by EY for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

(3) | This category consists of fees related to accessing EY’s online research database.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The audit and compliance committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services to be performed for the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm. This policy is set forth in the charter of the audit and compliance committee and available at http://ir.ardelyx.com/corporate-governance. The policy provides that before an independent registered public accounting firm is engaged by Ardelyx or its subsidiaries to render audit or non-audit services, the audit and compliance committee must review the terms of the proposed engagement and pre-approve the engagement. Pre-approval of the audit and compliance committee of audit and non-audit services is not required if the engagement for the services is entered into pursuant to the pre-approval policies and procedures established by the audit and compliance committee regarding the Company’s engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the audit and compliance committee is informed of each service provided and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the audit and compliance committee’s responsibilities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to management. The audit
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and compliance committee may delegate to one or more members the authority to grant pre-approvals, provided such approvals are presented to the audit and compliance committee at a subsequent meeting. Audit and compliance committee pre-approval of non-audit services (other than review and attest services) also will not be required if such services fall within available exceptions established by the SEC. The audit and compliance committee has considered the role of EY in providing audit and audit-related services to the Company and has concluded that such services are compatible with EY’s role as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The primary purpose of the audit and compliance committee is to oversee our accounting and our financial reporting processes on behalf of our board of directors and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The audit and compliance committee’s functions are more fully described in its charter, which is available on our website at http://ir.ardelyx.com/corporate-governance.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the audit and compliance committee reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The audit and compliance committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, or EY, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. In addition, the audit and compliance committee has discussed with EY their independence, and received from EY the written disclosures and the letter required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, “Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence.” Finally, the audit and compliance committee discussed with EY, with and without management present, the scope and results of EY’s audit of the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Based on these reviews and discussions, the audit and compliance committee has recommended to our board of directors that such audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for filing with the SEC.

| ​ | ​ | Audit and Compliance Committee
| ​ | ​ | Richard Rodgers, Chairperson
| ​ | ​ | William Bertrand, Jr., Esq.
| ​ | ​ | David Mott

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board Composition
Director Independence
Our board of directors currently consists of eight members. Our board of directors has determined that all of our directors, other than Mr. Raab, qualify as “independent” directors in accordance with the Nasdaq listing requirements. Mr. Raab is not considered independent because he is an employee of our company.
The Nasdaq independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the director is not, and has not been for at least three years, one of our employees, and that neither the director nor any of their family members has engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as required by Nasdaq rules, our board of directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director and director nominee that no relationships exist, which, in the opinion of our board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our board of directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director’s and each nominee’s business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. There are no family relationships among any of our directors, nominees for election to our board of directors or our executive officers.
As described more fully below, the board of directors has also determined that each current member of the compensation committee, the audit and compliance committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee meets the independence standards applicable to those committees prescribed by Nasdaq, the SEC and the Internal Revenue Service.
Classified Board of Directors
In accordance with our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our board of directors is divided into three classes with staggered, three-year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to directors whose terms then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following election.
Leadership Structure of the Board
Our Amended and Restated Bylaws and corporate governance guidelines provide our board of directors with flexibility to combine or separate the positions of Chairperson of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and/or the implementation of a lead director in accordance with its determination that utilizing one or the other structure would be in the best interests of our company. Mr. Mott currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board. In that role, Mr. Mott presides over the executive sessions of the board of directors in which Mr. Raab does not participate and serves as a liaison to Mr. Raab and management on behalf of the board of directors.
Our board of directors has concluded that our current leadership structure is appropriate at this time. However, our board of directors will continue to periodically review our leadership structure and may make such changes in the future as it deems appropriate.
Role of Board in Risk Oversight Process
General Risk Oversight
Risk assessment and oversight are an integral part of our governance and management processes. Our board of directors encourages management to promote a culture that incorporates risk management into our corporate strategy and day-to-day business operations. Management discusses strategic and operational risks at regular management meetings, and conducts specific strategic planning and review sessions during the year that include a focused discussion and analysis of the risks facing us. Throughout the year, senior management reviews these risks with the board of directors at regular board meetings as part of management presentations that focus on particular business functions, operations or strategies, and presents the steps taken by management to mitigate or eliminate such risks.
Our board of directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through our board of directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of
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our board of directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our board of directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure and our audit and compliance committee is responsible for overseeing our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures. The audit and compliance committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Our nominating and corporate governance committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines and considers and approves or disapproves any related-persons transactions. Our compensation committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking.
Cybersecurity Governance
Our board of directors also considers cybersecurity risk as part of its risk oversight function and has delegated to the audit and compliance committee oversight of cybersecurity and other information technology risks. The audit and compliance committee oversees management’s implementation of our cybersecurity risk management program, maintains a strategic role in coordinating cyber risk initiatives and policies, and confirming their efficacy.
The audit and compliance committee receives regular reports from management on our cybersecurity posture. In addition, management updates the audit and compliance committee, as necessary, regarding any material cybersecurity incidents, as well as any incidents with lesser impact potential.
The audit and compliance committee reports to the full board of directors regarding its activities, including those related to cybersecurity. The board of directors also receives periodic briefings from management on our cybersecurity program. The board of directors members receive presentations on cybersecurity topics from our IT Senior Director, internal security staff or external experts as part of the board of directors’ continuing education on topics that impact public companies.
Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees
During 2023, the board of directors met nine times, the audit and compliance committee met five times, the compensation committee met four times and the nominating and corporate governance committee met two times. In that year, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the board of directors and the committees on which they served. As required under Nasdaq rules and regulations, our independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent directors are present.
Board Committees
Audit and Compliance Committee
Our audit and compliance committee oversees our corporate accounting and financial reporting process, the audits of our financial statements, and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Among other matters, the audit and compliance committee:

• | appoints our independent registered public accounting firm;

• | evaluates the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance;

• | determines the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm;

• | reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit and the audit fee;

• | discusses with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the results of the annual audit and the review of our quarterly financial statements;

• | discusses with management and the independent registered public accounting firm regarding the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting;

• | approves the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform any proposed permissible audit and non-audit services;

• | monitors the rotation of partners of the independent registered public accounting firm on our engagement team as required by law;

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• | is responsible for reviewing our financial statements and our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations to be included in our annual and quarterly reports to be filed with the SEC;

• | reviews our critical accounting policies and estimates;

• | is responsible for being knowledgeable about the content and operation of our global compliance program and exercising oversight over its implementation and effectiveness; and

• | reviews the audit and compliance committee charter and the committee’s performance.

In 2023, Messrs. Rodgers, Bertrand and Mott served as members of the audit and compliance committee, and they comprise the current members of our audit and compliance committee. Mr. Rodgers serves as the chairperson of the committee. Each of the members of the committee during 2023 met, and each of the current members of our audit and compliance committee, meets the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Rodgers is an audit committee financial expert as defined under the applicable rules of the SEC and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq. Under the rules of the SEC, members of the audit committee must also meet heightened independence standards. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our audit and compliance committee during 2023 was, and each of the current members of our audit and compliance committee is an “independent director” under the heightened independence standards under the applicable rules of Nasdaq. Our audit and compliance committee has been established in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The audit and compliance committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and Nasdaq. A copy of the audit and compliance committee charter is available to security holders on the Company’s website at http://ir.ardelyx.com/corporate-governance.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee reviews and recommends policies relating to compensation and benefits of our officers, employees and directors. The compensation committee reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, evaluates the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives, and sets the compensation of these officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer, based on such evaluations. The compensation committee also periodically reviews the compensation of directors and makes recommendations to the board of directors. The board of directors retains the authority to determine and approve, upon the recommendation of the compensation committee, the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer. Our executive officers submit proposals to the board of directors and compensation committee regarding our executive and director compensation. The compensation committee’s charter permits it to delegate its authority and responsibilities to a subcommittee of compensation committee members, to the extent consistent with our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws. The compensation committee also approves grants of stock options and other awards under our stock plans. The compensation committee has delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to grant stock options to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock units under our 2014 Plan to existing and new non-senior management team employees, with such individual grants to be consistent with equity grant guidelines provided by our compensation consultant and approved by the compensation committee. The compensation committee reviews and evaluates, at least annually, the performance of the compensation committee and its members, including compliance of the compensation committee with its charter.
In 2023, Messrs. Mott, Bazemore, and Rodgers and Ms. Bhanji served as members of the compensation committee. Messrs. Mott, Bazemore, and Rodgers, and Ms. Bhanji comprise the current members of our compensation committee. Mr. Mott serves as the chairperson of the committee. Each of the members of our compensation committee during 2023 was, and each of the current members of our compensation committee is an “independent director” under the applicable rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Global Market, a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and an “outside director” as that term is defined in Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The compensation committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and Nasdaq. A copy of the compensation committee charter is available to security holders on the Company’s website at http://ir.ardelyx.com/corporate-governance.
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For fiscal year 2023, the compensation committee retained Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC, or Pearl Meyer, a national executive compensation consulting firm, to conduct market research and analysis on our various executive positions, to assist the committee in developing appropriate incentive plans for our executives on an annual basis, to provide the committee and our board of directors with advice and ongoing recommendations regarding material executive compensation decisions, to provide the committee with advice regarding appropriate compensation for our non-employee directors, and to review compensation proposals of management. In compliance with the disclosure requirements of the SEC regarding the independence of compensation consultants, Pearl Meyer addressed each of the six independence factors established by the SEC with the compensation committee. Its responses affirmed the independence of Pearl Meyer on executive and board of directors compensation matters. Based on this assessment, the compensation committee determined that the engagement of Pearl Meyer did not raise any conflicts of interest or similar concerns. The compensation committee also evaluated the independence of other outside advisors to the compensation committee, including outside legal counsel, considering the same independence factors and concluded their work for the compensation committee does not raise any conflicts of interest.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for making recommendations to our board of directors regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of our board of directors. In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance policies and reporting and making recommendations to our board of directors concerning governance matters.
In 2023, Drs. Block and Lundberg, Ms. Cadoret-Manier, and Mr. Bertrand served as members of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Dr. Lundberg, Ms. Cadoret-Manier and Mr. Bertrand comprise the current members of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Mr. Bertrand serves as the chairperson of the committee. In November 2023, Dr. Block resigned from the Board and all committees of the Board. Dr. Lundberg will no longer serve on the Board nor on any committee of the Board upon the expiration of his term. Each of the members of our nominating and corporate governance committee during 2023 was, and each of the current members of our nominating and corporate governance committee is an “independent director” under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq relating to nominating and corporate governance committee independence. The nominating and corporate governance committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and Nasdaq. A copy of the nominating and corporate governance committee charter is available to security holders on the Company’s website at http://ir.ardelyx.com/corporate-governance.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. The code of business conduct and ethics is available on our website at http://ir.ardelyx.com/corporate-governance. We expect that any substantive amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed on our website.
Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Policy
Our Policy for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation, or the Clawback Policy, is intended to comply with SEC and Nasdaq listing standards and maintain a culture of focused, diligent, and responsible management that discourages conduct detrimental to our growth. Accordingly, as set forth in the Clawback Policy, we are required to recover certain erroneously paid incentive-based compensation of our current and former executive officers in the event we are required to prepare a qualifying accounting restatement. The Clawback Policy provides that such erroneously paid incentive-based compensation may also be recovered from other compensation payable by us.
Director Attendance at Annual Meetings
Our board of directors has a policy of encouraging director attendance at our annual meetings of stockholders, but attendance is not mandatory. Our board of directors and management team encourage all of our directors to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting. All of our then-serving directors attended our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.
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Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
A stockholder may communicate with the board of directors, or an individual director, by sending written correspondence to the Company’s Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at Ardelyx, Inc., 400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 210, Waltham, Massachusetts 02541. The Chief Legal and Administrative Officer will review such correspondence and forward it to the board of directors, or an individual director, as appropriate.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2023, Messrs. Mott, Bazemore and Rodgers, and Ms. Bhanji served as members of our compensation committee. None of Messrs. Mott, Bazemore and Rodgers, and Ms. Bhanji has at any time been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past fiscal year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers on our board of directors or compensation committee.
Prohibition on Hedging, Pledging and Similar Transactions
All employees, officers, members of our board of directors and certain consultants of the Company are subject to our Insider Trading Compliance Policy. The policy prohibits the covered individuals from purchasing or selling any of our securities while in possession of material nonpublic information.
Our Insider Trading Compliance Policy also prohibits covered individuals, including our NEOs, from (i) making short sales of our securities, (ii) engaging in transactions in puts, calls or other options or derivative instruments related to our securities, (iii) engaging in any hedging or similar transaction designed to decrease the risks associated with holding our securities and (iv) purchasing our securities on margin or pledging our securities as collateral.
Board Diversity
Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for reviewing with the board of directors, on an annual basis, the appropriate characteristics, skills and experience required for the board of directors as a whole and its individual members. In evaluating the suitability of individual candidates (both new candidates and current members), the nominating and corporate governance committee, in recommending candidates for election, and the board of directors, in approving (and, in the case of vacancies, appointing) such candidates, will take into account many factors, including the following:

• | personal and professional integrity;

• | ethics and values;

• | experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company;

• | experience in the industries in which we compete;

• | diversity of expertise and experience in substantive matters pertaining to our business relative to other board members;

• | conflicts of interest; and

• | practical and mature business judgment.

Our nominating and corporate governance committee also considers numerous other qualities, skills and characteristics when evaluating director nominees, including whether the nominee has specific strengths that would augment existing skills and experience of the board, such as expertise and experience in healthcare commercialization and reimbursement, public policy, and finance and capital markets, and whether the nominee brings diversity or leadership experience as a board member or executive of another publicly held company. Our nominating and corporate governance committee may identify nominees using professional search firms that may utilize proprietary screening techniques to match candidates to the specific criteria of our nominating and governance committee. Our nominating and corporate governance committee considers diversity among the factors it considers in selecting candidates for nomination to the board recognizing the benefits to the Company of national origin, gender, race, and cultural diversity in board composition.
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Currently, our board of directors evaluates each individual in the context of the board of directors as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that can best maximize the success of the business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience in these various areas. Our nominating and corporate governance committee does not have a regard to the consideration of director candidates recommended by our stockholders and will evaluate such candidates on a case-by-case basis. Our nominating and corporate governance committee believes that it is in the best position to identify, review, evaluate, and select qualified candidates for Board membership, based on the comprehensive criteria for Board membership approved by the Board. Stockholders wishing to recommend a candidate for membership on our board of directors for the next fiscal year should follow the procedures described in this proxy statement under the headings “When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting?” and “Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors.”
Among our eight board members, two self-identify as women and two self-identify as Asian.

| ​ | ​ | Board Diversity Matrix as of 4/26/2024
Total Number of Directors | ​ | ​ | 8
| ​ | ​ | Female | ​ | ​ | Male | ​ | ​ | Non-Binary | ​ | ​ | Did Not Disclose Gender
Part I: Gender Identity | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Directors | ​ | ​ | 2 | ​ | ​ | 6 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Part II: Demographic Background | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
African American or Black | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Alaskan Native or Native American | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Asian | ​ | ​ | 2 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Hispanic or Latinx | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
White | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 6 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Two or More Races or Ethnicities | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
LGBTQ+ | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following is a description of transactions either entered into since January 1, 2023 or entered into prior to January 1, 2023 which have continuing obligations and to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved exceeds or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Indemnification Agreements and Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify each director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, penalties fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer.
Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions
Our board of directors has adopted a written related person transaction policy setting forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. This policy covers, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we were or are to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including, without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and employment by us of a related person. In reviewing and approving any such transactions, our audit and compliance committee is tasked to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with an unrelated third party and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction.
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NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
In 2023, our board of directors adopted the Third Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Program, or the Director Compensation Program. Our board of directors periodically reviews our non-employee director compensation program in consultation with Pearl Meyer and has amended and restated the program from time to time based on recommendations provided by Pearl Meyer. The Director Compensation Program provides for cash retainers and equity compensation for members of our board of directors who are not employed by us. We do not provide compensation to directors who are employees under the Director Compensation Program. Retainers are paid to our non-employee directors on or about the date of our annual stockholders meeting or, in respect of non-employee directors appointed to our board of directors after the annual stockholders meeting, on the date of appointment but pro-rated to reflect the number of whole or partial months remaining until the next annual stockholders meeting.
Under the Director Compensation Program, our non-employee directors receive an annual retainer of $50,000. Any non-employee chairperson receives an additional annual cash retainer in the amount of $35,000. Non-employee directors receive additional annual retainers of $10,000 for serving on the audit and compliance committee (or $20,000 for serving as the chair of the audit and compliance committee), $7,500 for serving on the compensation committee (or $15,000 for serving as the chair of the compensation committee) and $5,000 for serving on the nominating and corporate governance committee (or $10,000 for serving as the chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee).
Under the Director Compensation Program, each newly appointed or elected non-employee director is automatically granted an option to purchase the lesser of 200,000 shares of our common stock or that number of shares that results in the option having an expected grant date fair value of $300,000 as of the date of appointment or election. In addition, each non-employee director who has been serving on our board of directors for at least six months as of the date of any annual meeting of our stockholders and who will continue to serve as a non-employee director immediately following such meeting automatically is granted an option to purchase the lesser of 100,000 shares of our common stock or that number of shares that results in the option having an expected grant date fair value of $200,000. Each option has an exercise price per share equal to the closing trading price of our common stock on the date of grant or, if the date of grant is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day. Each initial non-employee director stock option vests and becomes exercisable as to 1/36th of the shares underlying the option on each monthly anniversary of the grant date, subject to the non-employee director’s continued service on our board of directors through the applicable vesting date. Each annual non-employee director stock option vests and becomes exercisable as to 1/12th of the shares underlying the option on each monthly anniversary of the grant date, subject to accelerated vesting immediately prior to the next annual stockholders meeting, in each case, subject to the non-employee director’s continued service on our board of directors through the applicable vesting date.
The Director Compensation Program also provides that all outstanding equity awards that are held by a non-employee director will become fully vested and/or exercisable as of immediately prior to the consummation of a change in control.
The Director Compensation Program includes the opportunity for non-employee directors to elect to receive fully vested stock awards in lieu of cash retainers. The number of shares of our common stock underlying the stock award is calculated by dividing the amount of the cash retainer by the closing trading price of a share of our common stock on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders (or the immediately preceding trading day if the date of our annual meeting of stockholders is not a trading day), rounded to the nearest whole share. For 2023, each of Messrs. Bertrand, Mott and Rodgers, Dr. Lundberg and Ms. Cadoret-Manier elected to receive a stock award in lieu of their respective 2023 annual cash retainers as calculated pursuant to the preceding sentence.
Members of our board of directors are also reimbursed for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses.
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2023 Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information for the year ended December 31, 2023 regarding the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our non-employee directors.

Name | ​ | ​ | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | ​ | ​ | Option Awards ($)(1) | ​ | ​ | All Other Compensation ($) | ​ | ​ | Total ($)
Robert Bazemore | ​ | ​ | $52,500 | ​ | ​ | $149,902 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | $202,402
William Bertrand, Jr., Esq. | ​ | ​ | $65,000(2) | ​ | ​ | $149,902 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | $214,902
Muna Bhanji, R.Ph | ​ | ​ | $52,500 | ​ | ​ | $149,902 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | $202,402
Geoffrey A. Block, M.D.(3) | ​ | ​ | $50,000 | ​ | ​ | $149,902 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | $199,902
Onaiza Cadoret-Manier | ​ | ​ | $50,000(2) | ​ | ​ | $149,902 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | $199,902
Jan Lundberg, Ph.D. | ​ | ​ | $50,000(2) | ​ | ​ | $149,902 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | $199,902
David Mott | ​ | ​ | $100,000(2) | ​ | ​ | $149,902 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | $249,902
Richard Rodgers | ​ | ​ | $72,500(2) | ​ | ​ | $149,902 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | $222,402

(1) | The amounts reported in the Option Awards column represent the grant date fair value of the stock options granted to the non-employee members of our board of directors during 2023 as computed in accordance with ASC 718. The assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value of the stock option reported in the Option Awards column are set forth in Note 13 to the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2024. The amounts reported in this column exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting provisions. Note that amounts reported in this column reflect the accounting cost for these stock options, and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by the directors from the options. In June 2023, each of our non-employee directors was granted an annual option to purchase 49,237 shares of our common stock pursuant to the Director Compensation Program with an exercise price per share of $3.92 and a grant date fair value of $149,902.

The following table sets forth for the number of shares of our common stock subject to outstanding options held by each of our non-employee directors as of December 31, 2023.

Name | ​ | ​ | Shares Subject to Outstanding Option(2)
Robert Bazemore | ​ | ​ | 310,352
William Bertrand, Jr., Esq. | ​ | ​ | 325,532
Muna Bhanji, R.Ph | ​ | ​ | 212,924
Geoffrey A. Block, M.D. | ​ | ​ | 288,032
Onaiza Cadoret-Manier | ​ | ​ | 247,892
Jan Lundberg, Ph.D. | ​ | ​ | 285,532
David Mott(a) | ​ | ​ | 390,532
Richard Rodgers | ​ | ​ | 345,532

(a) | Includes stock options to purchase 110,000 shares of our common stock that Mr. Mott holds for the benefit of entities associated with New Enterprise Associates.

(b) | Includes for each director, except Geoff Block, unvested stock options to purchase 24,619 shares of common stock granted on June 15, 2023, which stock options vest in monthly installments and will be fully vested on June 14, 2024.

(2) | Pursuant to the Director Compensation Program, each of Messrs. Bertrand, Mott and Rodgers, Ms. Cadoret-Manier and Dr. Lundberg elected to receive a stock award in lieu of their respective 2023 annual cash retainers. The fully vested stock awards consisted of 16,581, 25,510, 18,494, 12,755 and 12,755 shares of our common stock for Messrs. Bertrand, Mott and Rodgers, Ms. Cadoret-Manier and Dr. Lundberg, respectively. The number of shares of our common stock issued was calculated by dividing the annual retainer otherwise payable in cash at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders as reported in this column by $3.92, which was the closing trading price of our common stock on the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, rounded down to the nearest whole share. The value of the cash fees the non-employee directors would have received had they not elected to receive stock awards is reported in this column.

(3) | Dr. Block resigned from our board of directors on November 13, 2023.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers as of March 31, 2024.

Name | ​ | ​ | Age | ​ | ​ | Position(s)
Michael Raab | ​ | ​ | 59 | ​ | ​ | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Robert Blanks | ​ | ​ | 64 | ​ | ​ | Chief Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Officer
Elizabeth Grammer, Esq. | ​ | ​ | 60 | ​ | ​ | Chief Legal and Administrative Officer
Mike Kelliher | ​ | ​ | 47 | ​ | ​ | Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy
Justin Renz | ​ | ​ | 52 | ​ | ​ | Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Susan Rodriguez | ​ | ​ | 60 | ​ | ​ | Chief Commercial Officer
David Rosenbaum, Ph.D. | ​ | ​ | 63 | ​ | ​ | Chief Development Officer
Laura Williams, M.D., M.P.H. | ​ | ​ | 61 | ​ | ​ | Chief Medical Officer

The following biographical information is furnished with regard to our executive as of March 31, 2024:
Robert Blanks has served as our Chief Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Officer since January 2020 and formerly served as our head of regulatory affairs and quality assurance from July 2013 to January 2020. From 2009 to 2012, Mr. Blanks served as the Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls for Flexion Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLXN). In addition, Mr. Blanks served as the Vice President Quality Assurance for Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 2006 to 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Blanks served in positions of increasing responsibility for GelTex Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company, including most recently as Senior Director, Quality Affairs. Mr. Blanks has a B.S. in Biology from Bowdoin College, and an M.S. in Chemistry from Boston College.
Elizabeth Grammer, Esq., has served as our Chief Legal and Administrative Officer since January 2020, and formerly served as our General Counsel from May 2014 to January 2020, and as our vice president responsible for legal affairs from December 2012 until May 2014. Ms. Grammer has also served as a director of Sagimet Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMT) since May 2021. From 2006 to December 2012, Ms. Grammer served as an independent outside corporate counsel for public and private biotechnology companies, including Ardelyx from January 2010 until December 2012. From 2001 to 2006, Ms. Grammer served as Vice President and General Counsel of Trine Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. In addition, Ms. Grammer previously served as independent outside corporate counsel to GelTex Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company from 1998 until its acquisition by Genzyme Corporation, a biotechnology company, in 2020. Ms. Grammer received a B.A. from Boston University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.
Mike Kelliher has served as our Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy since March 2024. From November 2014 to March 2024, Mr. Kelliher worked at Horizon Therapeutics, a private biotechnology company acquired in October 2023 by Amgen, a public biotechnology company. Dr. Kelliher most recently served as Group Vice President, M&A and Business Development at Horizon Therapeutics from January 2022 to March 2024 and Vice President Business Development from April 2016 to December 2021. Prior to his time at Horizon, from 2009 to 2014, Mr. Kelliher held financial roles at Elan Corporation (now Perrigo Company), a public pharmaceutical company. Mr. Kelliher received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University College Cork (Ireland).
Justin Renz has served as our Chief Financial and Operations Officer since January 2023, and served as our Chief Financial Officer from June 2020 to January 2023. Beginning in 2017, Mr. Renz held various positions of increasing responsibility at Correvio Pharma Corp, most recently as its President and Chief Financial Officer at the time of its acquisition by Advanz Pharma in May 2020. From 2014 to 2017, Mr. Renz was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTPI). Prior to that, from 2006 to 2014, Mr. Renz held a variety of financial positions with Zalicus Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company, including most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the time of its acquisition by Epirus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2014. Mr. Renz received his B.A. in economics and accounting from the College of the Holy Cross, a M.S. in Taxation from Northeastern University and an M.B.A. from Suffolk University.
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Susan Rodriguez has served as our Chief Commercial Officer since May 2020. From 2014 to 2019, Ms. Rodriguez served as the founding Chief Executive Officer of Tolmar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a U.S. specialty pharmaceutical company, and from 2019 to 2020, she served as President of the branded division following formation of the global entity, Tolmar, Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Rodriguez held various positions of increasing responsibility at Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: ABT) from 1990 to 2014, most recently as Divisional Vice President of Global Marketing. Ms. Rodriguez serves on the board of directors of Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HRTX), Veradigm Inc. (Nasdaq: MDRX) and the Cuba Emprende Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization. Ms. Rodriguez received her B.A. and M.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
David Rosenbaum, Ph.D., has served as our Chief Development Officer since January 2017 and formerly served as our vice president responsible for drug development from January 2010 to January 2017. From 2003 to 2008, he was Vice President of Drug Development for Trine Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. In addition, Dr. Rosenbaum previously served as Vice President of Preclinical Research and Development at GelTex Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company. He received a B.A. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania, a M.S. in Toxicology from Albany Medical College and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Boston University School of Medicine.
Laura Williams, M.D., M.P.H., has served as our Chief Medical Officer since October 2021. Before that, Dr. Williams served as our Senior Vice President, Global Therapeutic Strategies and Patient Advocacy since November 2020. Dr. Williams serves on the board of directors of the National Kidney Foundation in northern California and the Pacific North West, as well as on the board of trustees of the American Kidney Fund. Previously, Dr. Williams served as a director of Imara, Inc. from June 2021 until its acquisition by Enliven Therapeutics, Inc (Nasdaq: ELVN) in February 2023. Prior to Ardelyx, Dr. Williams served as Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Biostatistics at AMAG Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company, from September 2017 to January 2020. Previously, Dr. Williams served as Vice President, Clinical Development at Myovant Sciences (NYSE: MYOV) from September 2016 to August 2017. Dr. Williams held roles of increasing responsibility at AbbVie Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ABBV) from January 2013 to July 2016, and at Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: ABT) from July 1998 to December 2012. Dr. Williams received a B.S. degree in Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies and Biochemistry from Mississippi State University, a M.D. from University of Iowa, and a M.P.H. degree in Epidemiology from University of Washington, where she also completed a clinical fellowship in Infectious Diseases. Dr. Williams completed her residency training in Internal Medicine at University of Michigan.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following is a discussion and analysis of compensation arrangements of our named executive officers, or NEOs. As a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f), we are not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies.
Our compensation committee, appointed by our board of directors, is responsible for establishing, implementing and monitoring our compensation philosophy and objectives. We seek to ensure that the total compensation paid to our executive officers is reasonable and competitive. Compensation of our executives is structured around the achievement of individual performance and near-term corporate targets as well as long-term business objectives.
Our NEOs for fiscal year 2023 were as follows:

• | Michael Raab, who serves as our President, Chief Executive Officer and Director;

• | Laura Williams, M.D., M.P.H., who serves as our Chief Medical Officer; and

• | Elizabeth Grammer, who serves as our Chief Legal and Administrative Officer.

2023 Summary Compensation Table
The following table contains information about the compensation earned by each of our named executive officers during our most recently completed fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Name and Principal Position | ​ | ​ | Year | ​ | ​ | Salary ($) | ​ | ​ | Bonus ($) | ​ | ​ | Stock Awards ($)(1) | ​ | ​ | Option Awards ($)(1) | ​ | ​ | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) | ​ | ​ | All other Compensation ($)(3) | ​ | ​ | Total ($)
Michael Raab President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ​ | ​ | 2023 | ​ | ​ | 700,000 | ​ | ​ | 330,000 | ​ | ​ | 687,500 | ​ | ​ | 2,395,694 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 4,950 | ​ | ​ | 4,118,144
​ | 2022 | ​ | ​ | 650,000 | ​ | ​ | 300,000 | ​ | ​ | 148,500 | ​ | ​ | 517,020 | ​ | ​ | 331,500 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 1,947,020
Laura Williams, M.D., M.P.H. Chief Medical Officer | ​ | ​ | 2023 | ​ | ​ | 483,600 | ​ | ​ | 181,210 | ​ | ​ | 214,500 | ​ | ​ | 748,121 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 1,627,431
​ | 2022 | ​ | ​ | 465,000 | ​ | ​ | 250,000 | ​ | ​ | 39,600 | ​ | ​ | 141,811 | ​ | ​ | 158,800 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 1,055,211
Elizabeth Grammer Chief Legal and Administrative Officer | ​ | ​ | 2023 | ​ | ​ | 463,300 | ​ | ​ | 200,000 | ​ | ​ | 214,500 | ​ | ​ | 748,121 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 4,950 | ​ | ​ | 1,630,871

(1) | The amounts reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns represent the grant date fair value of the restricted stock units and stock options granted to our named executive officers as computed in accordance with ASC 718. The assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value of the restricted stock units and stock options reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns are set forth in Note 13 to the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2024. The amounts reported in this column exclude the impact of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Note that the amounts reported in these columns reflect the accounting cost for these equity awards and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by the named executive officers from the equity awards.

(2) | The amounts reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column represent annual cash performance-based bonuses earned by our NEOs pursuant to the achievement of certain company performance objectives.

(3) | The amounts reported in the All Other Compensation column represent employer matching contributions under our 401(k) plan.

Narrative to Summary Compensation Table
2023 Salaries
Our NEOs each receive a base salary to compensate them for services rendered to our company. The base salary payable to each NEO is intended to provide a fixed component of compensation reflecting the executive’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities.
Effective as of January 1, 2023, the annual base salaries for Mr. Raab, Dr. Williams and Ms. Grammer were $700,000, $483,600 and $463,300, respectively.
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2023 Bonuses
We maintain an annual performance-based cash bonus program in which each of our NEOs participated in 2023. Each NEO’s target bonus is expressed as a percentage of base salary which in 2023 could be achieved based upon the achievement of corporate goals. The 2023 annual bonuses for Mr. Raab, Dr. Williams and Ms. Grammer were targeted at 60%, 40% and 40% of their respective base salaries. In 2023, Mr. Raab’s NEO’s target bonus was based 100% on the achievement of corporate performance objectives, approved by our compensation committee and board of directors, and Dr. Williams and Ms. Grammer’s target bonuses were each based 80% on the achievement of corporate performance objectives and 20% based upon the achievement of personnel objectives. In January 2024, our compensation committee and Board determined that the corporate objectives were achieved at 92% of target, but applied negative discretion to reduce Mr. Raab’s bonus by 15%. The compensation committee determined that Dr. Williams’ and Ms. Grammer’s personnel objectives had been achieved at 100%, and then applied positive discretion to increase Ms. Grammer’s bonus by 15%. The actual annual cash bonuses awarded to each NEO for 2023 performance are set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table in the column titled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”
Each year, the Compensation Committee or the Board may supplement the target bonuses earned by our NEOs with discretionary bonuses based on the compensation committee’s or the board of director’s assessment of individual contributions.
Equity Compensation
We use equity awards to motivate and reward our NEOs for long-term corporate performance based on the value of the Company’s common stock and, thereby, align the interests of our NEOs with those of our stockholders. We believe equity provides appropriate long-term incentive and retention of our executive officers.
In January 2023, the compensation committee granted to Mr. Raab, Dr. Williams and Ms. Grammer an option to purchase 1,124,000, 351,000 and 351,000 shares of our common stock, respectively, each with an exercise price of $2.75 per share. Also in January 2023, the Board granted to Mr. Raab, Dr. Williams and Ms. Grammer 250,000, 78,000 and 78,000 restricted stock units, respectively. Each option vests in substantially equal monthly installments over 4 years, and each award of restricted stock units vests in substantially equal quarterly installments over 4 years, in each case, subject to continued service to us.
Other Elements of Compensation
Retirement Savings and Health and Welfare Benefits
We maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan for our employees, including our NEOs, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Our NEOs are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the same terms as other full-time employees. We believe that providing a vehicle for tax-deferred retirement savings through our 401(k) plan adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes our employees, including our named executive officers, in accordance with our compensation policies. In 2023 the compensation committee and Board approved matching employer contributions under our 401(k) plan for all employees participating in the 401(k) plan, with all contributions to vest immediately, and the company match to be 0.5% of the first 3% of the employee’s contribution.
All of our full-time employees, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in our health and welfare plans. These health and welfare plans include medical, dental and vision benefits; short-term and long-term disability insurance; and supplemental life and AD&D insurance.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
We do not provide any perquisites or personal benefits to our NEOs not otherwise made available to other employees in 2023.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2023
The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding equity incentive plan awards for each named executive officer as of December 31, 2023.

Name | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ | Option Awards(1) | ​ | ​ | Stock Awards(2)
​ | Vesting Commencement Date | ​ | ​ | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | ​ | ​ | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | ​ | ​ | Option Exercise Price ($) | ​ | ​ | Option Expiration Date | ​ | ​ | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | ​ | ​ | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(3)
Michael Raab | ​ | ​ | 1/5/2023 | ​ | ​ | 257,583 | ​ | ​ | 866,417 | ​ | ​ | 2.75 | ​ | ​ | 1/5/2033 | ​ | ​ | 187,500 | ​ | ​ | 1,162,500
​ | 1/6/2022 | ​ | ​ | 335,416 | ​ | ​ | 364,584 | ​ | ​ | 0.99 | ​ | ​ | 1/6/2032 | ​ | ​ | 75,000 | ​ | ​ | 465,000
​ | 1/5/2021 | ​ | ​ | 377,678 | ​ | ​ | 140,281 | ​ | ​ | 6.35 | ​ | ​ | 1/5/2031 | ​ | ​ | 28,774 | ​ | ​ | 178,399
​ | 1/9/2020 | ​ | ​ | 545,846 | ​ | ​ | 11,614 | ​ | ​ | 7.60 | ​ | ​ | 1/9/2030 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 1/17/2019 | ​ | ​ | 455,000 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2.32 | ​ | ​ | 1/17/2029 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 7/26/2018 | ​ | ​ | 185,000 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 4.30 | ​ | ​ | 7/26/2028 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 1/16/2018 | ​ | ​ | 390,348 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 7.10 | ​ | ​ | 1/16/2028 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 8/9/2017 | ​ | ​ | 79,535 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 4.70 | ​ | ​ | 8/8/2027 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 1/19/2017 | ​ | ​ | 318,141 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 13.90 | ​ | ​ | 1/18/2027 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 1/15/2016 | ​ | ​ | 301,258 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 10.55 | ​ | ​ | 1/14/2026 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
| ​ | ​ | 1/6/2015 | ​ | ​ | 75,000 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 23.02 | ​ | ​ | 1/6/2025 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Laura Williams, M.D., M.P.H. | ​ | ​ | 1/5/2023 | ​ | ​ | 80,437 | ​ | ​ | 270,563 | ​ | ​ | 2.75 | ​ | ​ | 1/5/2033 | ​ | ​ | 58,500 | ​ | ​ | 362,700
​ | 1/6/2022 | ​ | ​ | 92,000 | ​ | ​ | 100,000 | ​ | ​ | 0.99 | ​ | ​ | 1/6/2032 | ​ | ​ | 20,000 | ​ | ​ | 124,000
| ​ | ​ | 11/2/2020(4) | ​ | ​ | 80,937 | ​ | ​ | 24,063 | ​ | ​ | 5.19 | ​ | ​ | 11/2/2030 | ​ | ​ | 5,832 | ​ | ​ | 36,158
Elizabeth Grammer | ​ | ​ | 1/5/2023 | ​ | ​ | 80,437 | ​ | ​ | 270,563 | ​ | ​ | 2.75 | ​ | ​ | 1/5/2033 | ​ | ​ | 58,500 | ​ | ​ | 362,700
​ | 1/6/2022 | ​ | ​ | 93,916 | ​ | ​ | 102,084 | ​ | ​ | 0.99 | ​ | ​ | 1/6/2032 | ​ | ​ | 21,000 | ​ | ​ | 130,200
​ | 1/5/2021 | ​ | ​ | 107,008 | ​ | ​ | 39,747 | ​ | ​ | 6.35 | ​ | ​ | 1/5/2031 | ​ | ​ | 8,152 | ​ | ​ | 50,542
​ | 1/9/2020 | ​ | ​ | 136,461 | ​ | ​ | 2,904 | ​ | ​ | 7.60 | ​ | ​ | 1/9/2030 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 1/17/2019 | ​ | ​ | 78,000 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2.32 | ​ | ​ | 1/17/2029 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 7/26/2018 | ​ | ​ | 54,730 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 4.30 | ​ | ​ | 7/26/2028 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 1/16/2018 | ​ | ​ | 117,104 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 7.10 | ​ | ​ | 1/16/2028 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 8/9/2017 | ​ | ​ | 19,884 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 4.70 | ​ | ​ | 8/8/2027 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 1/19/2017 | ​ | ​ | 79,535 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 13.90 | ​ | ​ | 1/18/2027 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 1/15/2016 | ​ | ​ | 102,701 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 10.55 | ​ | ​ | 1/14/2026 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
​ | 1/6/2015 | ​ | ​ | 11,450 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 23.02 | ​ | ​ | 1/6/2025 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —

(1) | Except as otherwise noted, each option vests and becomes exercisable in substantially equal monthly installments over four years from the vesting commencement date, subject to the holder continuing to provide services to us through each such date.

(2) | Except as otherwise noted, each award of restricted stock units vest in substantially equal quarterly installments over four years from the vesting commencement date, on each of February 19; May 19; August 19 and November 19, subject to the holder continuing to provide continued services to us through each such date.

(3) | Amounts calculated based on the $6.20 closing trading price of our common stock as of December 29, 2023, the last trading day of fiscal year 2023.

(4) | The option vests and becomes exercisable as to 25% of the shares subject to the option on the one year anniversary of the vesting commencement date, and as to 1/48th of the shares subject to the option each month thereafter, subject to the holder continuing to provide services to us through each such date, and the restricted stock unit award vests as to 25% of the restricted stock units subject to the award on November 19, 2021, and as to 1/16th of the shares subject to the restricted stock unit on each February 19; May 19; August 19 and November 19, subject to the holder continuing to provide services to us through each such date.

(5) | Executive Compensation Arrangements

We have entered into agreements with each of our NEOs in connection with their employment with us. These agreements set forth the terms and conditions of employment of each NEO, including base salary, initial equity award grants, and standard employee benefit plan participation. We also have entered into agreements with our NEOs that provide for severance benefits and payments upon certain terminations without cause or resignations for good reason. Specifically, in June 2014, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Raab, in October 2021we entered into a change in control severance agreement with Dr. Williams and in May 2018, we entered into a second amended and restated change in control severance agreement with Ms. Grammer.
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Under Mr. Raab’s amended and restated employment agreement, in the event Mr. Raab’s employment with us is involuntarily terminated for reason other than “cause” or he resigns for “good reason” (each, as defined below), in each case more than three months prior to or more than 12 months after a change in control, then Mr. Raab will receive: (i) continued payment of his annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to such termination for a period of 12 months; (ii) payment of healthcare continuation costs for him and his eligible dependents for up to 12 months following the date of such termination; and (iii) 12 months of accelerated vesting of any outstanding equity awards, with any options remaining exercisable until the earlier of 12 months following the date of termination or the original expiration date. In the event Mr. Raab’s employment with us is involuntarily terminated for reason other than cause or he resigns for good reason, in each case within three months prior to and 12 months after a change in control, then Mr. Raab will receive: (i) a lump sum amount equal to 1.5 multiplied by the sum of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to such termination and his target annual bonus for the year of termination; (ii) payment of healthcare continuation costs for him and his eligible dependents for up to 18 months following the date of such termination; and (iii) full accelerated vesting of any outstanding equity awards, with any options remaining exercisable until the earlier of 12 months following the date of termination or the original expiration date. The foregoing severance benefits are subject to Mr. Raab’s timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims against the Company and its affiliates.
Under each other NEO’s change in control severance agreements, in the event the named executive officer’s employment with us is involuntarily terminated for reason other than cause or they resign for good reason, in each case more than three months prior to or more than 12 months after a change in control, then they will receive: (i) continued payment of their annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to such termination for a period of nine months; and (ii) payment of healthcare continuation costs for them and their eligible dependents for up to 12 months following the date of such termination. In the event their employment with us is involuntarily terminated for reason other than cause or they resign for good reason, in each case within three months prior to and 12 months after a change in control, then they will receive: (i) a lump sum amount equal to the sum of their base salary as in effect immediately prior to such termination and their target annual bonus for the year of termination; (ii) payment of healthcare continuation costs for them and their eligible dependents for up to 12 months following the date of such termination; and (iii) full accelerated vesting of any outstanding equity awards, with any options remaining exercisable until the earlier of 12 months following the date of termination or the original expiration date. The foregoing severance benefits are subject to the named executive officer’s timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims against the Company and its affiliates and continued compliance with their confidential information agreement.
For the purposes of Mr. Raab’s amended and restated employment agreement and each of the other NEO’s change in control severance agreements, “cause” means (i) the named executive officer’s theft, dishonesty or falsification of any employment or company records that is non-trivial in nature; (ii) malicious or reckless disclosure of our confidential or proprietary information or any material breach by the named executive officer of their obligations under their proprietary information and inventions assignment agreement with us; (iii) the conviction of the named executive officer of a felony (excluding motor vehicle violations) or the commission of gross negligence or willful misconduct, where a majority of the non-employee members of the board of directors reasonably determines that such act or misconduct has (A) seriously undermined the ability of the board of directors or management to entrust them with important matters or otherwise work effectively with them, (B) substantially contributed to our loss of significant revenues or business opportunities, or (C) significantly and detrimentally affected the business or reputation of our company or any of our subsidiaries; and/or (iv) the willful failure or refusal by the named executive officer to follow the reasonable and lawful directives of the board of directors, provided such willful failure or refusal continues after their receipt of reasonable notice in writing of such failure or refusal and a reasonable opportunity of not less than 30 days to correct the problem.
For the purposes of Mr. Raab’s amended and restated employment agreement and each of the other NEO’s change in control severance agreements, “good reason” includes the occurrence of: (i) a material diminution in the NEO’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, which substantially reduces the nature or character of their position; (ii) a reduction (or material reduction, in the case of each named executive officer other than Mr. Raab) of their base salary as in effect immediately prior to such reduction; (iii) a relocation of their principal office to a location more than 50 miles from the location of our principal office as of immediately prior to such relocation, except for required travel by them on company business; or (iv) any material breach by us of any provision of the named executive officer’s employment agreement or offer letter which we do not cure within 30 days following written notice from the NEO, provided that in order for “good reason” to exist, each of the following
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conditions must be met: (i) the foregoing good reason conditions must have occurred without the named executive officer’s express written consent; (ii) the named executive officer must provide written notice to us of such condition within 30 days of the initial existence of the condition; (iii) the condition specified in such notice must remain uncorrected for 30 days after receipt of such notice; and (iv) the date of the named executive officer’s resignation of employment must occur within 60 days after the initial existence of the condition specified in such notice.
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Pay Versus Performance
Pay Versus Performance Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation provided to our NEOs and certain measures of Company performance in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, for services to our Company in all capacities. The Compensation Committee did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure below in making its pay decisions for any of the fiscal years shown.

Year | ​ | ​ | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO ($) | ​ | ​ | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO ($)(1) | ​ | ​ | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | ​ | ​ | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($)(1) | ​ | ​ | Value of Initial Fixed $100 investment Based on Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) ($)(2) | ​ | ​ | Net Loss ($ in millions)
2023 | ​ | ​ | 4,113,194 | ​ | ​ | 10,055,709 | ​ | ​ | 1,626,676 | ​ | ​ | 3,344,278 | ​ | ​ | 96 | ​ | ​ | (66)
2022 | ​ | ​ | 1,947,020 | ​ | ​ | 4,047,941 | ​ | ​ | 1,049,800 | ​ | ​ | 1,913,762 | ​ | ​ | 44 | ​ | ​ | (67)
2021 | ​ | ​ | 4,230,994 | ​ | ​ | 39,202 | ​ | ​ | 1,700,013 | ​ | ​ | 584,783 | ​ | ​ | 17 | ​ | ​ | (158)

(1) | Amounts represent compensation actually paid (“CAP”) to our CEO, Michael Raab, who was our Principal Executive Officer or “PEO” for each of the three years shown, and the average CAP to our remaining NEOs or “Non-PEO NEOs” for the relevant fiscal year, as determined under SEC rules, which includes Laura Williams, M.D., M.P.H and Elizabeth Grammer, Esq. for 2023, Laura Williams, M.D., M.P.H. and Susan Rodriguez for 2022 and Justin Renz, Robert Blanks, Elizabeth Grammer, Esq. and David Rosenbaum, Ph.D. for 2021.

Amounts represent the Summary Compensation Table Total Compensation for the applicable fiscal year adjusted as follows:

Fiscal Year (“FY”) | ​ | ​ | 2023
| ​ | ​ | PEO ($) | ​ | ​ | Average non- PEO NEOs ($)
Deduction for ASC 718 Fair Value as of Grant Date Reported under the Option Awards Columns in the Summary Compensation Table | ​ | ​ | 3,083,194 | ​ | ​ | 962,621
Increase based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during the FY that Remain Unvested as of FY End (“FYE”) | ​ | ​ | 5,253,623 | ​ | ​ | 1,640,267
Increase based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during the FY that Vested during the FY as of Vesting Date | ​ | ​ | 1,224,389 | ​ | ​ | 382,240
Increase/deduction based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Outstanding Unvested Prior FY Awards as of FYE Compared to Valuation as of Prior FYE | ​ | ​ | 1,791,455 | ​ | ​ | 477,368
Increase/deduction based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Prior FY Awards that Vested during the FY as of Vesting Date Compared to Valuation as of Prior FYE | ​ | ​ | 756,242 | ​ | ​ | 180,347
Total Adjustments | ​ | ​ | 5,942,515 | ​ | ​ | 1,717,601

(2) | Cumulative TSR is calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between our company’s share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by our company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period. No dividends were paid on our common stock in 2021, 2022 or 2023.

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Narrative Disclosure to Pay Versus Performance Table
Relationship Between Financial Performance Measures
The graphs below compare the compensation actually paid to our PEO and the average of the compensation actually paid to our remaining NEOs, with (i) our cumulative TSR, and (ii) our net income, in each case, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2023, with respect to all of our equity compensation plans in effect on that date:

Plan Category | ​ | ​ | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, and Rights (a) | ​ | ​ | Weighted- Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, and Rights (b) | ​ | ​ | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders(1)(2) | ​ | ​ | 20,409,960 | ​ | ​ | $4.3121 | ​ | ​ | 2,925,318(3)
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders(4) | ​ | ​ | 5,403,662 | ​ | ​ | $3.632 | ​ | ​ | 906,556
Total | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |

(1) | Includes the Ardelyx, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan, and the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to outstanding awards under the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan include: (A) 1,807,144 shares subject to outstanding restricted stock units and (B) 18,602,816 shares subject to stock options. The weighted average exercise price shown is for stock options; other outstanding awards had no exercise price.

(2) | As of December 31, 2023, the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan and the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan contain “evergreen” provisions, pursuant to which (i) the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan shall be increased on the first day of each year beginning in 2015 and ending in 2024, equal to the lesser of (A) four percent (4.0%) of the shares of stock outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, and (B) such smaller number of shares of stock as determined by our board of directors; provided, however, that no more than 10,683,053 shares of stock may be issued upon the exercise of incentive stock options, and (ii) the number of shares of common stock which will be authorized for sale under our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan shall be increased on the first day of each year beginning in 2015 and ending in 2024, equal to the lesser of (A) one percent (1.0%) of the shares of stock outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, provided, however, that no more than 2,230,374 shares of stock may be issued under the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and (B) such smaller number of shares of stock as determined by our board of directors. On January 1, 2024, an additional 9,298,127 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan as a result of the “evergreen” provision, and no additional shares were reserved for issuance under our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan as a result of the “evergreen” provision. No additional evergreen increases will occur under the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan or the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Unless the amendment and restatement of the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan is approved pursuant to Proposal 2, we will not be permitted to make additional grants under the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan after June 23, 2024.

(3) | Includes 438,035 shares that were available for future issuances as of December 31, 2023 under the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (of which 253,312 shares were issued with respect to the purchase period in effect as of December 31, 2023, which purchase period ended on February 29, 2024), which allows eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock with accumulated payroll deductions.

(4) | Includes the Ardelyx, Inc. 2016 Employment Commencement Incentive Plan. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to outstanding awards under the 2016 Employment Commencement Incentive Plan include: (A) 1,838,699 shares subject to outstanding restricted stock units and (B) 3,564,963 shares subject to stock options. The weighted average exercise price shown is for stock options; other outstanding awards had no exercise price.

Material Features of the 2016 Employment Commencement Incentive Plan
In November 2016, our board of directors adopted our 2016 Employment Commencement Incentive Plan, or the 2016 Plan, pursuant to Rule 5653(c)(4) of The Nasdaq Global Market. The principal purpose of the 2016 Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of the company by inducing new employees to commence employment with us, and by aligning the individual interests of new employees with the interests of our stockholders. Awards granted under the 2016 Plan are intended to constitute “employment inducement awards” under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and therefore, the 2016 Plan is intended to be exempt from the Nasdaq Listing Rules regarding shareholder approval of equity awards and stock purchase plans. A total of 1,000,000 shares of our common stock were initially reserved for issuance under the 2016 Plan. In March 2021, January 2022 and December 2022, our board of directors increased the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2016 Plan to 1,457,767 shares, 3,457,767 shares and 6,457,767 shares, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we had awards outstanding with respect to 5,403,662 shares under the 2016 Plan, and 905,556 shares remained available for future grants. On January 15, 2024, our board of directors increased the
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number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2016 Plan to 12,207,767 shares. The 2016 Plan provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, and other stock-based and cash-based awards. These awards may be granted to individuals who are then new employees, or are commencing employment with us or one of our subsidiaries following a bona fide period of non-employment with us, and for whom such awards are granted as a material inducement to commencing employment with us or one of our subsidiaries.
The 2016 Plan is administered by the compensation committee and the board of directors. In the event of a change in control in which the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute any outstanding award under the 2016 Plan, the vesting of such award will accelerate in full. The board of directors may terminate, amend, or modify the 2016 Plan at any time, provided that no termination or amendment may impair any rights under any outstanding award under the 2016 Plan without the consent of the holder.
In the event the amendment and restatement of the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan is approved pursuant to Proposal 2, then we will no longer make new grants under the 2016 Plan.
We have filed registration statements on Form S-8 with the SEC covering the shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2016 Plan.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information relating to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 15, 2024, by:

• | each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock;

• | each of our directors and nominees for director;

• | each of our named executive officers; and

• | all directors and executive officers as a group.

The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, director, nominee or executive officer is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any shares that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 15, 2024 through the exercise of stock options, warrants or other rights. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by that person.
The percentage of shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 233,976,572 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2024. Shares of our common stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 15, 2024 pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock options, and restricted stock units that are expected to vest and settle on or before June 14, 2024 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed is c/o Ardelyx, Inc., at 400 Fifth Ave., Suite 210, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451.

| ​ | ​ | Beneficial Ownership
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | ​ | ​ | Number of Outstanding Shares Beneficially Owned | ​ | ​ | Number of Shares Exercisable/ Releasable Within 60 Days | ​ | ​ | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | ​ | ​ | Percentage of Beneficial Ownership
5% and Greater Stockholders | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Janus Henderson Group plc(1) | ​ | ​ | 24,658,820 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 24,658,820 | ​ | ​ | 10.54%
State Street Corporation(2) | ​ | ​ | 17,102,598 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 17,102,598 | ​ | ​ | 7.31%
BlackRock, Inc.(3) | ​ | ​ | 16,776,055 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 16,776,055 | ​ | ​ | 7.17%
The Vanguard Group(4) | ​ | ​ | 13,026,046 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 13,026,046 | ​ | ​ | 5.57%
Named Executive Officers and Directors | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |
Michael Raab(5) | ​ | ​ | 631,905 | ​ | ​ | 3,737,538 | ​ | ​ | 4,369,443 | ​ | ​ | 1.84%
Elizabeth Grammer | ​ | ​ | 115,159 | ​ | ​ | 1,002,039 | ​ | ​ | 1,117,198 | ​ | ​ | *%
Laura Williams, M.D., M.P.H. | ​ | ​ | 193,311 | ​ | ​ | 363,306 | ​ | ​ | 556,617 | ​ | ​ | *%
David Mott(6) | ​ | ​ | 1,192,275 | ​ | ​ | 390,532 | ​ | ​ | 1,582,807 | ​ | ​ | *%
Robert Bazemore | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 310,532 | ​ | ​ | 310,532 | ​ | ​ | *%
William Bertrand, Jr., Esq. | ​ | ​ | 218,743 | ​ | ​ | 325,532 | ​ | ​ | 544,275 | ​ | ​ | *%
Muna Bhanji, R.Ph | ​ | ​ | 95,802 | ​ | ​ | 212,294 | ​ | ​ | 308,096 | ​ | ​ | *%
Onaiza Cadoret-Manier | ​ | ​ | 110,150 | ​ | ​ | 247,892 | ​ | ​ | 358,042 | ​ | ​ | *%
Jan Lundberg, Ph.D. | ​ | ​ | 146,794 | ​ | ​ | 285,532 | ​ | ​ | 432,326 | ​ | ​ | *%
Richard Rodgers | ​ | ​ | 238,320 | ​ | ​ | 345,532 | ​ | ​ | 583,852 | ​ | ​ | *%
All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)(7) | ​ | ​ | 3,817,141 | ​ | ​ | 10,602,113 | ​ | ​ | 14,419,254 | ​ | ​ | 5.90%

* | Indicates beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the total outstanding shares of common stock.

(1) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024 by Janus Henderson Group plc (“Janus Henderson”). Janus

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Henderson holds shared voting and dispositive power over 24,658,820 shares and does not hold sole voting or dispositive power over any shares. Janus Henderson has a 100% ownership stake in Janus Henderson Investors U.S. LLC (“JHIUS”). As a result of its role as investment adviser or sub-adviser to certain fund, individual and/or institutional clients, JHIUS may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares owned by Janus Henderson. However, JHIUS does not have the right to receive any dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the securities held in the by such fund, individual and/or institutional clients and disclaims any ownership associated with such rights. The principal business address of Janus Henderson is 201 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3AE, United Kingdom.

(2) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 30, 2024 by State Street Corporation (“State Street”). State Street holds shared voting power over 16,597,126 shares, holds shared dispositive power over 17,102,598 shares, and does not hold sole voting or sole dispositive power over any shares. SSGA Funds Management, Inc. is a subsidiary of State Street and holds shared voting power over 12,486,891 shares, holds shared dispositive power over 12,486,891 shares, and does not hold sole voting or sole dispositive power over any shares. The principal business address of State Street is State Street Financial Center, 1 Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, MA 02114-2016.

(3) | Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 26, 2024 by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock holds sole voting power over 16,398,617 shares, sole dispositive power over 16,776,055 shares, and does not hold shared voting or shared dispositive power over any shares. The principal business address of BlackRock is 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001.

(4) | Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024 by the Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”). Vanguard holds shared voting power over 330,094 shares, sole dispositive power over 12,505,435 shares, shared dispositive power over 520,611 shares and does not hold sole voting power over any shares. The principal business address of Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.

(5) | Consists of (i) 606,541 shares directly owned by Mr. Raab, (ii) 24,364 shares owned directly by Michael G. Raab, trustee of the Michael G. Raab Living Trust dated July 25, 2012, (iii) an aggregate of 1,000 shares owned directly by trusts for the benefit of Mr. Raab’s children, (iv) 3,675,656 shares subject to options that Mr. Raab may acquire within 60 days of April 15, 2024, and (v) 61,882 shares subject to restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of April 15, 2024.

(6) | Includes (i) 1,192,275 shares and (ii) 386,428 shares subject to options that Mr. Mott may acquire within 60 days of April 15, 2024. Of those, 87,566 shares and 110,000 shares subject to options that Mr. Mott may acquire within 60 days of April 15, 2024 are held by Mr. Mott for the benefit of entities associated with New Enterprise Associates. Mr. Mott disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares and options, except to the extent of his actual pecuniary interest therein.

(7) | Consists of (i) 3,817,141 shares, (ii) 10,426,308 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of April 15, 2024 and (iii) 175,085 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of April 15, 2024.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, during the year ended December 31, 2023, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were met, except for late Form 4s filed on February 24, 2023 due to administrative delays for each of David Rosenbaum, Justin Renz, Robert Felsch, Michael Raab, Elizabeth Grammer, Robert Blanks and Laura Williams.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Householding of Proxy Materials
The SEC has adopted rules known as “householding” that permit companies and intermediaries (such as brokers) to deliver one set of proxy materials to multiple stockholders residing at the same address. This process enables us to reduce our printing and distribution costs, and reduce our environmental impact. Householding is available to both registered stockholders and beneficial owners of shares held in street name.
Registered Stockholders
If you are a registered stockholder and have consented to householding, then we will deliver or mail one set of our proxy materials, as applicable, for all registered stockholders residing at the same address. Your consent will continue unless you revoke it, which you may do at any time by providing notice to the Company’s Corporate Secretary by telephone at (510) 745-1700 or by mail at Ardelyx, Inc., 400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 210, Waltham, MA 02451.
If you are a registered stockholder who has not consented to householding, then we will continue to deliver or mail copies of our proxy materials, as applicable, to each registered stockholder residing at the same address. You may elect to participate in householding and receive only one set of proxy materials for all registered stockholders residing at the same address by providing notice to the Company as described above.
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Street Name Holders
Stockholders who hold their shares through a brokerage may elect to participate in householding, or revoke their consent to participate in householding, by contacting their respective brokers.
Annual Reports
This proxy statement is accompanied by our 2023 Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, or the 10-K. The 10-K includes our audited financial statements. We have filed the 10-K with the SEC, and it is available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on our website at ir.ardelyx.com. In addition, upon written request to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at Ardelyx, Inc., 400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 210, Waltham, MA 02451, we will mail a paper copy of our 10-K, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules, to you free of charge.
Other Matters
As of the date of this proxy statement, our board of directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the 2024 Annual Meeting other than the matters described in this proxy statement. If other matters are properly brought before the 2024 Annual Meeting, then proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the board of directors or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holder.

| ​ | ​ | By Order of the Board of Directors:
| ​ | ​ | /s/ Elizabeth Grammer
| ​ | ​ | Elizabeth Grammer, Esq.
| ​ | ​ | Chief Legal and Administrative Officer

Waltham, Massachusetts
April 29, 2024
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Annex A
ARDELYX, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
ARTICLE 1.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Ardelyx, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Plan”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of Ardelyx, Inc. (the “Company”) by linking the individual interests of the members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants to those of the Company’s stockholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to the Company’s stockholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s operation is largely dependent. The Plan amends and restates the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Original 2014 Plan”) in its entirety, subject to stockholder approval of this Plan at the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders in 2024. In the event the Company’s stockholders fail to approve the Plan as set forth herein at the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders in 2024, then this Plan shall be deemed void ab initio and the Original 2014 Plan shall continue in effect in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE 2.
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.
2.1 “Administrator” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article 12 hereof. With reference to the duties of the Administrator under the Plan which have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 12.6 hereof, or as to which the Board has assumed, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.
2.2 “Affiliate” shall mean any Parent or Subsidiary.
2.3 “Applicable Accounting Standards” shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company’s financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.
2.4 “Applicable Law” shall mean any applicable law, including without limitation, (i) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (ii) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (iii) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.
2.5 “Award” shall mean an Option, a Restricted Stock award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, a Performance Award, a Dividend Equivalents award, a Deferred Stock award, a Deferred Stock Unit award, a Stock Payment award or a Stock Appreciation Right, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan (collectively, “Awards”).
2.6 “Award Agreement” shall mean any written notice, agreement, terms and conditions, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine consistent with the Plan.
2.7 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.8 “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(a) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any
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“person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or
(b) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new Director(s) (other than a Director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 2.9(a) or 2.9(c)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
(c) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:
(i) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
(ii) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 2.9(c)(ii) as beneficially owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or
(d) The Company’s stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any portion of an Award that provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by Section 409A.
The Committee shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority is in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.
2.9 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of any Award.
2.10 “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee of the Board or another committee or subcommittee of the Board, appointed as provided in Section 12.1 hereof.
2.11 “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share.
2.12 “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1 hereof.
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2.13 “Consultant” shall mean any consultant or advisor engaged to provide services to the Company or any Affiliate who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement or any successor Form thereto.
2.14 “Deferred Stock” shall mean a right to receive Shares awarded under Section 9.4 hereof.
2.15 “Deferred Stock Unit” shall mean a right to receive Shares awarded under Section 9.5 hereof.
2.16 “Director” shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.
2.17 “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 9.2 hereof.
2.18 “DRO” shall mean a “domestic relations order” as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.
2.19 “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.
2.20 “Eligible Individual” shall mean any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Administrator.
2.21 “Employee” shall mean any officer or other employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) of the Company or any Affiliate.
2.22 “Equity Restructuring” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding stock-based Awards.
2.23 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
2.24 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any given date, the value of a Share determined as follows:
(a) If the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Capital Market, Nasdaq Global Market and the Nasdaq Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(b) If the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(c) If the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.
2.25 “Greater Than 10% Stockholder” shall mean an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively).
2.26 “Holder” shall mean a person who has been granted an Award.
2.27 “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
2.28 “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.
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2.29 “Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.6 hereof.
2.30 “Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.31 “Option” shall mean a right to purchase Shares at a specified exercise price, granted under Article 5 hereof. An Option shall be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that Options granted to Non-Employee Directors and Consultants shall only be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
2.32 “Option Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4 hereof.
2.33 “Original 2014 Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1 hereof.
2.34 “Parent” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities ending with the Company if each of the entities other than the Company beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
2.35 “Performance Award” shall mean a cash bonus award, stock bonus award, performance award or incentive award that is paid in cash, Shares or a combination of both, awarded under Section 9.1 hereof.
2.36 “Performance Stock Unit” shall mean a Performance Award awarded under Section 9.1 hereof which is denominated in units of value including dollar value of shares of Common Stock.
2.37 “Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Holder, any “family member” of the Holder, as defined under the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act or any successor Form thereto, or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator, after taking into account Applicable Law.
2.38 “Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1 hereof.
2.39 “Prior Plan” shall mean the Ardelyx, Inc. 2016 Employment Commencement Incentive Plan.
2.40 “Program” shall mean any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.
2.41 “Restricted Stock” shall mean an award of Shares made under Article 7 hereof that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture or repurchase.
2.42 “Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a contractual right awarded under Article 8 hereof to receive in the future a Share or the Fair Market Value of a Share in cash.
2.43 “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.44 “Shares” shall mean shares of Common Stock.
2.45 “Share Limit” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a) hereof.
2.46 “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean a stock appreciation right granted under Article 10 hereof.
2.47 “Stock Appreciation Right Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.4 hereof.
2.48 “Stock Payment” shall mean (a) a payment in the form of Shares, or (b) an option or other right to purchase Shares, as part of a bonus, deferred compensation or other arrangement, awarded under Section 9.3 hereof.
2.49 “Subsidiary” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
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2.50 “Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
2.51 “Termination of Service” shall mean:
(a) As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Holder as a Consultant to the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.
(b) As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Holder who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Holder simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.
(c) As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Holder and the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding terminations where the Holder simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.
The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Terminations of Service, including, without limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute a Termination of Service; provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless the Administrator otherwise provides in the terms of the Program, the Award Agreement or otherwise, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service only if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section.
For purposes of the Plan, a Holder’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relations shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Affiliate employing or contracting with such Holder ceases to remain an Affiliate following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).
ARTICLE 3.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
3.1Number of Shares.
(a) Subject to Sections 13.1, 13.2 and 3.1(b) hereof, the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan is (i) 58,457,566 and (ii) any of the 6,500,000 Shares which as of the Effective Date are subject to awards under the Prior Plan that, on or after the Effective Date, terminate, expire or lapse for any reason without the delivery of Shares to the holder thereof or for which the Shares are forfeited or repurchased for the original purchase prices thereof (the “Share Limit”). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.1 to the contrary, the number of shares of Stock that may be issued or transferred pursuant to Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall not exceed an aggregate of 58,457,566 Shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 13.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares added to the Share Limit pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(ii) or Section 3.1(a)(iii) hereof shall be available for issuance as Incentive Stock Options only to the extent that making such Shares available for issuance as Incentive Stock Options would not cause any Incentive Stock Option to cease to qualify as such. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted under Applicable Law, Awards that provide for the delivery of Shares subsequent to the applicable grant date may be granted in excess of the Share Limit if such Awards provide for the forfeiture or cash settlement of such Awards to the extent that insufficient Shares remain under the Share Limit in this Section 3.1 at the time that Shares would otherwise be issued in respect of such Award.
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(b) If any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited or expire or such Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Shares subject to such Award shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, again be available for future grants of Awards under the Plan and shall be added back to the Share Limit. Any Shares repurchased by the Company pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof at the same price paid by the Holder or a lower price so that such Shares are returned to the Company shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan and shall be added back to the Share Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under Section 3.1(a) hereof and shall not be available for future grants of Awards: (i) Shares tendered by a Holder or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option; (ii) Shares tendered by the Holder or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award; (iii) Shares subject to Stock Appreciation Rights that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Rights on exercise thereof; and (iv) Shares purchased on the open market by the Company with the cash proceeds from the exercise of Options. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
(c) Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan and Shares subject to such Substitute Awards shall not be added back to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 3.1(b) above. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by its stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 3.1(b) above); provided that Awards using such available Shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.
3.2Stock Distributed. Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock, treasury Common Stock or Common Stock purchased on the open market.
3.3Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards to Non-Employee Directors. The maximum aggregate value of Awards (with such value determined as of the date of grant under Applicable Accounting Standards) that may be granted to any Non-Employee Director during any calendar year shall be $1,000,000.
ARTICLE 4.
GRANTING OF AWARDS
4.1Participation. The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom an Award shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. Except as provided in Section 4.6 hereof regarding the grant of Awards pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy, no Eligible Individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.
4.2Award Agreement. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for such Award, which may include the term of the Award, the provisions applicable in the event of the Holder’s Termination of Service, and the Company’s authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award. Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
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4.3Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
4.4At-Will Employment; Voluntary Participation. Nothing in the Plan or in any Program or Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Holder any right to continue in the employ of, or as a Director or Consultant for, the Company or any Affiliate, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any Affiliate, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Holder at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of employment or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Holder and the Company or any Affiliate. Participation by each Holder in the Plan shall be voluntary and nothing in the Plan shall be construed as mandating that any Eligible Individual shall participate in the Plan.
4.5Foreign Holders. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company and its Affiliates operate or have Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (any such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 hereof; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Code, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, any other securities law or governing statute, the rules of the securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded or any other Applicable Law. For purposes of the Plan, all references to foreign laws, rules, regulations or taxes shall be references to the laws, rules, regulations and taxes of any applicable jurisdiction other than the United States or a political subdivision thereof.
4.6Non-Employee Director Awards. The Administrator may, in its discretion, provide that Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors shall be granted pursuant to a written non-discretionary formula established by the Administrator (the “Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy”), subject to the limitations of the Plan. The Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy shall set forth the type of Award(s) to be granted to Non-Employee Directors, the number of Shares to be subject to Non-Employee Director Awards, the conditions on which such Awards shall be granted, become exercisable and/or payable and expire, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its discretion. The Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy may be modified by the Administrator from time to time in its discretion.
4.7Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.
ARTICLE 5.
GRANTING OF OPTIONS
5.1Granting of Options to Eligible Individuals. The Administrator is authorized to grant Options to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan.
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5.2Qualification of Incentive Stock Options. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who is not an Employee of the Company or any subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) of the Company. No person who qualifies as a Greater Than 10% Stockholder may be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan may be modified by the Administrator, with the consent of the Holder, to disqualify such Option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Holder during any calendar year under the Plan, and all other plans of the Company and any subsidiary or parent corporation thereof (each as defined in Section 424(f) and (e) of the Code, respectively), exceeds $100,000, the Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the respective options were granted. In addition, to the extent that any Options otherwise fail to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.
5.3Option Exercise Price. Except as provided in Article 13 hereof, the exercise price per Share subject to each Option shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or, as to Incentive Stock Options, on the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). In addition, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, such price shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code).
5.4Option Term. The term of each Option (the “Option Term”) shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Option Term shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted, or five (5) years from the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder. The Administrator shall determine the time period, including the time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Holder has the right to exercise the vested Options, which time period may not extend beyond the last day of the Option Term. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A or Section 422 of the Code and regulations and rulings thereunder, the Administrator may extend the Option Term of any outstanding Option, may extend the time period during which vested Options may be exercised following any Termination of Service of the Holder, and may amend any other term or condition of such Option relating to such a Termination of Service.
5.5Option Vesting.
(a) The period during which the right to exercise, in whole or in part, an Option vests in the Holder shall be set by the Administrator and the Administrator may determine that an Option may not be exercised in whole or in part for a specified period after it is granted. Such vesting may be based on service with the Company or any Affiliate, any performance criteria, or any other criteria selected by the Administrator. At any time after the grant of an Option, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the vesting of the Option, including following a Termination of Service; provided, that in no event shall an Option become exercisable following its expiration, termination or forfeiture.
(b) No portion of an Option which is unexercisable at a Holder’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator either in the Program, the Award Agreement or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Option.
5.6Substitute Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 5 to the contrary, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the shares subject to such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the excess of: (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (b) the aggregate exercise price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of
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the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Administrator) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate exercise price of such shares.
5.7Substitution of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may provide in the applicable Program or the Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to substitute a Stock Appreciation Right for such Option at any time prior to or upon exercise of such Option; provided that such Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable with respect to the same number of Shares for which such substituted Option would have been exercisable, and shall also have the same exercise price, vesting schedule and remaining Option Term as the substituted Option.
ARTICLE 6.
EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
6.1Partial Exercise. An exercisable Option may be exercised in whole or in part. However, an Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional Shares and the Administrator may require that, by the terms of the Option, a partial exercise must be with respect to a minimum number of Shares.
6.2Manner of Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable Option shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company, or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:
(a) A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed by the Holder or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;
(b) Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all Applicable Law. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars;
(c) In the event that the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 11.3 hereof by any person or persons other than the Holder, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator; and
(d) Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes to the stock administrator of the Company for the shares with respect to which the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by Section 11.1 and 11.2 hereof.
6.3Notification Regarding Disposition. The Holder shall give the Company prompt written or electronic notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option which occurs within (a) two (2) years from the date of granting (including the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code) of such Option to such Holder, or (b) one (1) year after the transfer of such shares to such Holder.
ARTICLE 7.
AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK
7.1Award of Restricted Stock.
(a) The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Individuals, and shall determine the terms and conditions, including the restrictions applicable to each award of Restricted Stock, which terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with the Plan, and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate.
(b) The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value, if any, of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock to the extent required by Applicable Law.
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7.2Rights as Stockholders. Subject to Section 7.4 hereof, upon issuance of Restricted Stock, the Holder shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all the rights of a stockholder with respect to said Shares, subject to the restrictions in the applicable Program or in each individual Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares; provided, however, that, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the Shares shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 7.3 hereof.
7.3Restrictions. All shares of Restricted Stock (including any shares received by Holders thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall, in the terms of the applicable Program or in each individual Award Agreement, be subject to such restrictions and vesting requirements as the Administrator shall provide. Such restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability and such restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times and pursuant to such circumstances or based on such criteria as selected by the Administrator, including, without limitation, criteria based on the Holder’s duration of employment, directorship or consultancy with the Company, Company or Affiliate performance, individual performance or other criteria selected by the Administrator. By action taken after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Administrator may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, accelerate the vesting of such Restricted Stock by removing any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the Program and/or the Award Agreement. Restricted Stock may not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are terminated or expire. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with respect to a share of Restricted Stock, dividends which are paid prior to vesting shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent the share of Restricted Stock vests.
7.4Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, if no price was paid by the Holder for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Holder’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled without consideration. If a price was paid by the Holder for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Holder the unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Holder for such Restricted Stock or such other amount as may be specified in the Program or the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator in its sole discretion may provide that in the event of certain events, including a Change in Control, the Holder’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified Termination of Service or any other event, the Holder’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock shall not lapse, such Restricted Stock shall vest and, if applicable, the Company shall not have a right of repurchase.
7.5Certificates for Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine. Certificates or book entries evidencing shares of Restricted Stock must include an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. The Company may, in its sole discretion, (a) retain physical possession of any stock certificate evidencing shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and/or (b) require that the stock certificates evidencing shares of Restricted Stock be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Holder deliver a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to such Restricted Stock.
7.6Section 83(b) Election. If a Holder makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Holder would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Holder shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE 8.
AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
8.1Grant of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual selected by the Administrator in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator.
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8.2Term. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of a Restricted Stock Unit award shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
8.3Purchase Price. The Administrator shall specify the purchase price, if any, to be paid by the Holder to the Company with respect to any Restricted Stock Unit award; provided, however, that value of the consideration shall not be less than the par value of a Share, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law.
8.4Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, vesting based upon the Holder’s duration of service to the Company or any Affiliate, Company performance, individual performance or other specific criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator.
8.5Maturity and Payment. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the maturity date applicable to each grant of Restricted Stock Units which shall be no earlier than the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the Holder (if permitted by the applicable Award Agreement); provided that, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, set forth in any applicable Award Agreement, and subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event shall the maturity date relating to each Restricted Stock Unit occur following the later of (a) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the end of calendar year in which the Restricted Stock Unit vests; or (b) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Restricted Stock Unit vests. On the maturity date, the Company shall, subject to Section 11.4(e) hereof, transfer to the Holder one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Restricted Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited, or, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares on the maturity date or a combination of cash and Common Stock as determined by the Administrator.
8.6Payment upon Termination of Service. An Award of Restricted Stock Units shall only be payable while the Holder is an Employee, a Consultant or a member of the Board, as applicable; provided, however, that the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion may provide (in an Award Agreement or otherwise) that a Restricted Stock Unit award may be paid subsequent to a Termination of Service in certain events, including a Change in Control, the Holder’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified Termination of Service.
8.7No Rights as a Stockholder. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, a Holder who is awarded Restricted Stock Units shall possess no incidents of ownership with respect to the Shares represented by such Restricted Stock Units, unless and until the same are transferred to the Holder pursuant to the terms of this Plan and the Award Agreement.
8.8Dividend Equivalents. Subject to Section 9.2 hereof, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be earned by a Holder of Restricted Stock Units based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date an Award of Restricted Stock Units is granted to a Holder and the maturity date of such Award.
ARTICLE 9.
AWARD OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS, DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS, STOCK PAYMENTS, DEFERRED STOCK, DEFERRED STOCK UNITS
9.1Performance Awards.
(a) The Administrator is authorized to grant Performance Awards, including Awards of Performance Stock Units, to any Eligible Individual. The value of Performance Awards, including Performance Stock Units, may be linked to any one or more performance criteria or other specific criteria determined by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Performance Awards, including Performance Stock Unit awards may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Administrator.
(b) Without limiting Section 9.1(a) hereof, the Administrator may grant Performance Awards to any Eligible Individual in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of objective performance goals, or such other criteria, whether or not objective, which are established by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator.
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9.2Dividend Equivalents.
(a) Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date an Award is granted to a Holder and the date such Award vests, is exercised, is distributed or expires, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, dividends or Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award that is subject to vesting and that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Award shall only be paid out to the Holder to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests.
(b) No Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
9.3Stock Payments. The Administrator is authorized to make Stock Payments to any Eligible Individual. The number or value of Shares of any Stock Payment shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based upon one or more performance criteria or any other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, determined by the Administrator. Shares underlying a Stock Payment which is subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions or criteria set by the Administrator will not be issued until those conditions have been satisfied. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a Holder of a Stock Payment shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Stock Payment until such time as the Stock Payment has vested and the Shares underlying the Award have been issued to the Holder. Stock Payments may, but are not required to, be made in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to such Eligible Individual.
9.4Deferred Stock. The Administrator is authorized to grant Deferred Stock to any Eligible Individual. The number of shares of Deferred Stock shall be determined by the Administrator and may (but is not required to) be based on one or more performance criteria or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, as the Administrator determines, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Shares underlying a Deferred Stock award which is subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions or criteria set by the Administrator will be issued on the vesting date(s) or date(s) that those conditions and criteria have been satisfied, as applicable. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a Holder of Deferred Stock shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Deferred Stock until such time as the Award has vested and any other applicable conditions and/or criteria have been satisfied and the Shares underlying the Award have been issued to the Holder.
9.5Deferred Stock Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant Deferred Stock Units to any Eligible Individual. The number of Deferred Stock Units shall be determined by the Administrator and may (but is not required to) be based on one or more performance criteria or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, as the Administrator determines, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Each Deferred Stock Unit shall entitle the Holder thereof to receive one share of Common Stock on the date the Deferred Stock Unit becomes vested or upon a specified settlement date thereafter (which settlement date may (but is not required to) be the date of the Holder’s Termination of Service). Shares underlying a Deferred Stock Unit award which is subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions or criteria set by the Administrator will not be issued until on or following the date that those conditions and criteria have been satisfied. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a Holder of Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Deferred Stock Units until such time as the Award has vested and any other applicable conditions and/or criteria have been satisfied and the Shares underlying the Award have been issued to the Holder.
9.6Term. The term of a Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent award, Stock Payment award, Deferred Stock award and/or Deferred Stock Unit award shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
9.7Purchase Price. The Administrator may establish the purchase price of a Performance Award, Shares distributed as a Stock Payment award, shares of Deferred Stock or Shares distributed pursuant to a Deferred Stock Unit award; provided, however, that value of the consideration shall not be less than the par value of a Share, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law.
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9.8Termination of Service. A Performance Award, Stock Payment award, Dividend Equivalent award, Deferred Stock award and/or Deferred Stock Unit award is distributable only while the Holder is an Employee, Director or Consultant, as applicable. The Administrator, however, in its sole discretion may provide that the Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent award, Stock Payment award, Deferred Stock award and/or Deferred Stock Unit award may be distributed subsequent to a Termination of Service in certain events, including a Change in Control, the Holder’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified Termination of Service.
ARTICLE 10.
AWARD OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
10.1Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) The Administrator is authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine consistent with the Plan.
(b) A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the Holder (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the Stock Appreciation Right (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right from the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose. Except as described in (c) below or in Section 13.2 hereof, the exercise price per Share subject to each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 10.1(b) hereof to the contrary, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the price per Share of the Shares subject to such Stock Appreciation Right may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the excess of: (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (ii) the aggregate exercise price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Administrator) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate exercise price of such shares.
10.2Stock Appreciation Right Vesting.
(a) The period during which the right to exercise, in whole or in part, a Stock Appreciation Right vests in the Holder shall be set by the Administrator and the Administrator may determine that a Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised in whole or in part for a specified period after it is granted. Such vesting may be based on service with the Company or any Affiliate, any performance criteria or any other criteria selected by the Administrator. At any time after grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the period during which a Stock Appreciation Right vests.
(b) No portion of a Stock Appreciation Right which is unexercisable at Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator either in the applicable Program or Award Agreement or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, including following a Termination of Service; provided, that in no event shall a Stock Appreciation Right become exercisable following its expiration, termination or forfeiture.
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10.3Manner of Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the stock administrator of the Company, or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:
(a) A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Stock Appreciation Right, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed by the Holder or other person then entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right or such portion of the Stock Appreciation Right;
(b) Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act and any other federal, state or foreign securities laws or regulations. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance; and
(c) In the event that the Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised pursuant to this Section 10.3 hereof by any person or persons other than the Holder, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right.
10.4Stock Appreciation Right Term. The term of each Stock Appreciation Right (the “Stock Appreciation Right Term”) shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted. The Administrator shall determine the time period, including the time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Holder has the right to exercise the vested Stock Appreciation Rights, which time period may not extend beyond the expiration date of the Stock Appreciation Right Term. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and regulations and rulings thereunder or the first sentence of this Section 10.4, the Administrator may extend the Stock Appreciation Right Term of any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, may extend the time period during which vested Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised following any Termination of Service of the Holder, and may amend any other term or condition of such Stock Appreciation Right relating to such a Termination of Service.
10.5Payment. Payment of the amounts payable with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to this Article 10 shall be in cash, Shares (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised), or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.
ARTICLE 11.
ADDITIONAL TERMS OF AWARDS
11.1Payment. The Administrator shall determine the methods by which payments by any Holder with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, including, without limitation: (a) cash or check, (b) Shares (including, in the case of payment of the exercise price of an Award, Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Award) or Shares held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences, in each case, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required, (c) delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Holder has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, or (d) other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator. The Administrator shall also determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Holders. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Holder who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment, with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
11.2Tax Withholding. The Company or any Affiliate shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Holder to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Holder’s FICA, employment tax or other social security contribution obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Holder arising as a result of the Plan. The Administrator shall determine the methods by which payments by any Holder with respect to the tax
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withholding obligations with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, which methods may include any of the methods permitted under Section 11.1 above. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement , may withhold, or allow a Holder to elect to have the Company withhold, Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares). The number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income or such higher rate as may be approved by the Administrator (which rates shall in no event exceed the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction at the time of such withholding (or such other rate as may be required to avoid the liability classification of the applicable award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America)); provided, however, that the number of Shares withheld, delivered or returned shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share sufficient to cover the applicable tax withholding obligation to the extent rounding up to the nearest whole share does not result in the liability classification of the applicable Award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise involving the sale of Shares to pay the Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.
11.3Transferability of Awards.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Sections 11.3(b) and 11.3(c) hereof:
(i) No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;
(ii) No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Holder or the Holder’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed, and any attempted disposition of an Award prior to the satisfaction of these conditions shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by clause (i) of this provision; and
(iii) During the lifetime of the Holder, only the Holder may exercise an Award (or any portion thereof) granted to such Holder under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO; after the death of the Holder, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by the Holder’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Holder’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a) hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Holder or a Permitted Transferee of such Holder to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is to become a Non-Qualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee (other than to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Holder) other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Holder (other than the ability to further transfer the Award); and (iii) the Holder (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including, without limitation documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under applicable federal, state and foreign securities laws and (C) evidence the transfer.
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(c) Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a) hereof, a Holder may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Holder and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Holder’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Holder, except to the extent the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Holder is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Holder’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than fifty percent (50%) of the Holder’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Holder’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Holder, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Holder’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Holder at any time; provided that the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator prior to the Holder’s death.
11.4Conditions to Issuance of Shares.
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such shares is in compliance with all Applicable Law, and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board or the Committee may require that a Holder make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with Applicable Law.
(b) All Share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any Share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.
(c) The Administrator shall have the right to require any Holder to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.
(d) No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by any Applicable Law, the Company shall not deliver to any Holder certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).
11.5Forfeiture and Claw-Back Provisions. Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in an Award Agreement or otherwise, or to require a Holder to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that:
(a) (i) Any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Holder upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award, must be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (x) a Termination of Service occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, or (y) the Holder at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or (z) the Holder incurs a Termination of Service for “cause” (as such term is defined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, or as set forth in a written agreement relating to such Award between the Company and the Holder); and
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(b) All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Holder upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement.
11.6Prohibition on Repricing. Subject to Section 13.2 hereof, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (i) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its price per share, or (ii) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Stock Appreciation Right price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares.
11.7Leave of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder shall be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Holder shall not cease to be considered an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant, as applicable, in the case of any (a) leave of absence approved by the Company, (b) transfer between locations of the Company or between the Company and any of its Affiliates or any successor thereof, or (c) change in status (Employee to Director, Employee to Consultant, etc.), provided that such change does not affect the specific terms applying to the Holder’s Award.
ARTICLE 12.
ADMINISTRATION
12.1Administrator. The Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein) and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as both a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor rule and an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded; provided that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 12.l or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Except as may otherwise be provided in any charter of the Committee, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and, with respect to such Awards, the terms “Administrator” and “Committee” as used in the Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (b) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 12.6 hereof.
12.2Duties and Powers of Administrator. It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are not inconsistent therewith, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Program or Award Agreement; provided that the rights or obligations of the Holder of the Award that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not affected materially and adversely by such amendment, unless the consent of the Holder is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 13.10 hereof. Any such grant or award under the Plan need not be the same with respect to each Holder. Any such interpretations and rules with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule, or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.
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12.3Action by the Committee. Unless otherwise established by the Board or in any charter of the Committee, a majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.
12.4Authority of Administrator. Subject to the Company’s Bylaws, the Committee’s Charter and any specific designation in the Plan, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:
(a) Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;
(b) Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual;
(c) Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;
(d) Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any performance criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;
(e) Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;
(f) Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Holder;
(g) Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;
(h) Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;
(i) Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement;
(j) Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan; and
(k) Accelerate wholly or partially the vesting or lapse of restrictions of any Award or portion thereof at any time after the grant of an Award, subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects and Section 13.2(d) hereof.
12.5Decisions Binding. The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.
12.6Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to Article 12; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant awards to, or amend awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (b) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Board may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 12.6 hereof shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board and the Committee.
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ARTICLE 13.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
13.1Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.
(a) This Plan shall be effective on the date it is adopted by the Board (the “Effective Date”), provided, that the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan within twelve (12) months following the Effective Date.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 13.1, the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board or the Committee. However, without approval of the Company’s stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after the action by the Administrator, no action of the Administrator may, except as provided in Section 13.2 hereof, (a) increase the limits imposed in Section 3.1 hereof on the maximum number of shares which may be issued under the Plan, or (b) reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, or (c) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Stock Appreciation Right price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares. Except as provided in Section 13.10 hereof, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Holder, materially and adversely affect any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides. No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan, and in no event may any Incentive Stock Option be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.
13.2Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.
(a) In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of the Company’s stock or the share price of the Company’s stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1 hereof on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued under the Plan); (ii) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) for which grants are subsequently to be made to new and continuing Non-Employee Directors pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof; (iv) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (v) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.
(b) In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 13.2(a) hereof or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in Applicable Law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Holder’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:
(i) To provide for either (A) termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or other property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 13.2 the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the
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replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion having an aggregate value not exceeding the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested;
(ii) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;
(iii) To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of the Company’s stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future;
(iv) To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement; and
(v) To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.
(c) In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 13.2(a) and 13.2(b) hereof:
(i) The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted; and/or
(ii) The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1 hereof on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued under the Plan).
The adjustments provided under this Section 13.2(c) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Holder and the Company.
(d)Change in Control.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent Award substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation, in each case, as determined by the Administrator.
(ii) In the event that the successor corporation in a Change in Control and its parents and subsidiaries refuse to assume or substitute for any Award in accordance with Section 13.2(d)(i) hereof, each such non-assumed/substituted Award, except for any Performance Awards, shall become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable and shall be deemed exercised, immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, and all forfeiture restrictions on any or all such Awards shall lapse at such time. For the avoidance of doubt, the vesting of any Performance Awards not assumed in a Change in Control will not be automatically accelerated pursuant to this Section 13.2(d)(ii) and will instead vest pursuant to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement upon a Change in Control where the successor corporation and its parents and subsidiaries refuse to assume or substitute for any Award in accordance with Section 13.2(d)(i) hereof. If an Award vests and, as applicable, is exercised in lieu of assumption or substitution in connection with a Change in Control, the Administrator shall notify the Holder of such vesting and any applicable exercise period, and the Award shall terminate upon the Change in Control. For the avoidance of doubt, if the value of an Award that is terminated in connection with this Section 13.2(d)(ii) is zero or negative at the time of such Change in Control, such Award shall be terminated upon the Change in Control without payment of consideration therefor.
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(e) The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.
(f) No adjustment or action described in this Section 13.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code. Furthermore, no such adjustment or action shall be authorized to the extent such adjustment or action would result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act unless the Administrator determines that the Award is not to comply with such exemptive conditions.
(g) The existence of the Plan, the Program, the Award Agreement and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
(h) In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or the share price of the Common Stock including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Company in its sole discretion may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.
13.3Approval of Plan by Stockholders. The Plan will be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such stockholder approval; provided that such Awards shall not be exercisable, shall not vest and the restrictions thereon shall not lapse and no Shares shall be issued pursuant thereto prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the stockholders; and provided, further, that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of said twelve (12) month period, all Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.
13.4No Stockholders Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Holder shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Holder becomes the record owner of such Shares.
13.5Paperless Administration. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Holder may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
13.6Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Affiliate. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Affiliate: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Affiliate, or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.
13.7Compliance with Laws. The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Shares and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all Applicable Law, and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the
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Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.
13.8Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.
13.9Governing Law. The Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof or of any other jurisdiction.
13.10Section 409A. To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Program pursuant to which such Award is granted and the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan, the Program and any Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the Effective Date), the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under such Section.
13.11No Rights to Awards. No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Holders or any other persons uniformly.
13.12Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Holder pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Holder any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.
13.13Indemnification. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law, each member of the Committee or of the Board and any officer or other employee to whom authority to administer any component of the Plan is delegated shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
13.14Relationship to other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
13.15Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates.
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Annex B
ARDELYX, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
ARTICLE I.
PURPOSE, SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
1.1Purpose and Scope. The purpose of the Amended and Restated Ardelyx, Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”) is to assist employees of Ardelyx, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”) and its Designated Subsidiaries in acquiring a stock ownership interest in the Company pursuant to a plan which is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code and to help such employees provide for their future security and to encourage them to remain in the employment of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Plan amends and restates the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Original 2014 Plan”) in its entirety, subject to stockholder approval of this Plan at the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders in 2024. In the event the Company’s stockholders fail to approve the Plan as set forth herein at the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders in 2024, then this Plan shall be deemed void ab initio and the Original 2014 Plan shall continue in effect in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE II.
DEFINITIONS
Whenever the following terms are used in the Plan, they shall have the meaning specified below unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.
2.1 “Agent” means the brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution, entity or person(s), if any, engaged, retained, appointed or authorized to act as the agent of the Company or an Employee with regard to the Plan.
2.2 “Administrator” shall mean the Committee, or such individuals to which authority to administer the Plan has been delegated under Section 7.1 hereof.
2.3 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.4 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
2.5 “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.
2.6 “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company.
2.7 “Company” shall have such meaning as set forth in Section 1.1 hereof.
2.8 “Compensation” of an Employee shall mean the regular straight-time earnings or base salary paid to the Employee from the Company on each Payday as compensation for services to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary, before deduction for any salary deferral contributions made by the Employee to any tax-qualified or nonqualified deferred compensation plan, including overtime, shift differentials, vacation pay, salaried production schedule premiums, holiday pay, jury duty pay, funeral leave pay, paid time off, military pay, prior week adjustments and weekly bonus, but excluding bonuses and commissions, education or tuition reimbursements, imputed income arising under any group insurance or benefit program, travel expenses, business and moving reimbursements, income received in connection with any stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other compensatory equity awards and all contributions made by the Company or any Designated Subsidiary for the Employee’s benefit under any employee benefit plan now or hereafter established. Such Compensation shall be calculated before deduction of any income or employment tax withholdings, but shall be withheld from the Employee’s net income.
2.9 “Designated Subsidiary” shall mean each Subsidiary that have been designated by the Board or Committee from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan, including any Subsidiary in existence on the Effective Date and any Subsidiary formed or acquired following the Effective Date, in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof.
2.10 “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.5 hereof.
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2.11 “Eligible Employee” shall mean an Employee who (a) is customarily scheduled to work at least twenty (20) hours per week, (b) whose customary employment is more than five (5) months in a calendar year and (c) after the granting of the Option would not be deemed for purposes of Section 423(b)(3) of the Code to possess five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary. For purposes of clause (c), the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code with regard to the attribution of stock ownership shall apply in determining the stock ownership of an individual, and stock which an Employee may purchase under outstanding options shall be treated as stock owned by the Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may exclude from participation in the Plan as an Eligible Employee (x) any Employee that is a “highly compensated employee” of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code), or that is such a “highly compensated employee” (A) with compensation above a specified level, (B) who is an officer and/or (C) is subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and/or (y) any Employee who is a citizen or resident of a foreign jurisdiction (without regard to whether they are also a citizen of the United States or a resident alien (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Code)) if either (i) the grant of the Option is prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction governing such Employee, or (ii) compliance with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction would cause the Plan or the Option to violate the requirements of Section 423 of the Code; provided that any exclusion in clauses (x), and/or (y) shall be applied in an identical manner under each Offering Period to all Employees of the Company and all Designated Subsidiaries, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(e).
2.12 “Employee” shall mean any person who renders services to the Company or a Designated Subsidiary in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code. “Employee” shall not include any director of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary who does not render services to the Company or a Designated Subsidiary in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on military leave, sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company or Designated Subsidiary and meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2). Where the period of leave exceeds three (3) months, or such other period specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2), and the individual’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the first day immediately following such three (3)-month period, or such other period specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2).
2.13 “Enrollment Date” shall mean the first date of each Offering Period.
2.14 “Exercise Date” shall mean the last Trading Day of each Offering Period, except as provided in Section 5.2 hereof.
2.15 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.16 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(a) If the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Capital Market, Nasdaq Global Market and the Nasdaq Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a share of Common Stock as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a share of Common Stock on the date in question, the closing sales price for a share of Stock on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(b) If the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a share of Common Stock on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a share of Common Stock on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(c) If the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.
2.17 “Grant Date” shall mean the first Trading Day of an Offering Period.
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2.18 “New Exercise Date” shall have such meaning as set forth in Section 5.2(b) hereof.
2.19 “Offering Period” shall mean the six (6)-month period commencing on each March 1 and September 1 following the Effective Date, except as otherwise provided under Section 5.3 hereof; provided, however, that the first Offering Period commencing on or after the Effective Date shall commence and end on the dates determined by the Administrator. The duration and timing of Offering Periods may be changed by the Board or Committee, in its sole discretion. In no event may an Offering Period exceed twenty-seven (27) months.
2.20 “Option” shall mean the right to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan during each Offering Period.
2.21 “Option Price” shall mean the purchase price of a share of Common Stock hereunder as provided in Section 4.2 hereof.
2.22 “Original 2014 Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 hereof.
2.23 “Parent” means any entity that is a parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
2.24 “Participant” shall mean any Eligible Employee who elects to participate in the Plan.
2.25 “Payday” shall mean the regular and recurring established day for payment of Compensation to an Employee of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary.
2.26 “Plan” shall have such meaning as set forth in Section 1.1 hereof.
2.27 “Plan Account” shall mean a bookkeeping account established and maintained by the Company in the name of each Participant.
2.28 “Section 423 Option” shall have such meaning as set forth in Section 3.1(b) hereof.
2.29 “Subsidiary” shall mean any entity that is a subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. In addition, with respect to any sub-plans adopted under Section 7.1(d) hereof which are designed to be outside the scope of Section 423 of the Code, Subsidiary shall include any corporate or noncorporate entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect equity interest or significant business relationship.
2.30 “Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the principal securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed is open for trading or, if the Common Stock is not listed on a securities exchange, shall mean a business day, as determined by the Administrator in good faith.
2.31 “Withdrawal Election” shall have such meaning as set forth in Section 6.1(a) hereof.
ARTICLE III.
PARTICIPATION
3.1Eligibility.
(a) Any Eligible Employee who shall be employed by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary on a given Enrollment Date for an Offering Period shall be eligible to participate in the Plan during such Offering Period, subject to the requirements of Articles IV and V hereof, and the limitations imposed by Section 423(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
(b) No Eligible Employee shall be granted an Option under the Plan which permits the Participant’s rights to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Plan, and to purchase stock under all other employee stock purchase plans of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary subject to the Section 423 of the Code (any such Option or other option, a “Section 423 Option”), to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of fair market value of such stock (determined at the time the Section 423 Option is granted) for each calendar year in which any Section 423 Option granted to the Participant is outstanding at any time. For purposes of the limitation imposed by this subsection,
(i) the right to purchase stock under a Section 423 Option accrues when the Section 423 Option (or any portion thereof) first becomes exercisable during the calendar year,
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(ii) the right to purchase stock under a Section 423 Option accrues at the rate provided in the Section 423 Option, but in no case may such rate exceed $25,000 of fair market value of such stock (determined at the time such option is granted) for any one calendar year, and
(iii) a right to purchase stock which has accrued under a Section 423 Option may not be carried over to any other Section 423 Option; provided that Participants may carry forward amounts so accrued that represent a fractional share of stock and were withheld but not applied towards the purchase of Common Stock under an earlier Offering Period, and may apply such amounts towards the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock under a subsequent Offering Period.
The limitation under this Section 3.1(b) shall be applied in accordance with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
3.2Election to Participate; Payroll Deductions
(a) Except as provided in Section 3.3 hereof, an Eligible Employee may become a Participant in the Plan only by means of payroll deduction. Each individual who is an Eligible Employee as of an Offering Period’s Enrollment Date may elect to participate in such Offering Period and the Plan by delivering to the Company a payroll deduction authorization no later such period of time prior to the applicable Enrollment Date as determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(b) Subject to Section 3.1(b) hereof, payroll deductions (i) shall be equal to at least one percent (1%) of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday of the Offering Period following the Enrollment Date, but not more than the lesser of fifteen percent (15%) of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday of the Offering Period following the Enrollment Date or $25,000 per Offering Period; and (ii) may be expressed either as (A) a whole number percentage, or (B) a fixed dollar amount. Amounts deducted from a Participant’s Compensation with respect to an Offering Period pursuant to this Section 3.2 shall be deducted each Payday through payroll deduction and credited to the Participant’s Plan Account.
(c) Following at least one (1) payroll deduction, a Participant may decrease (to as low as zero) the amount deducted from such Participant’s Compensation only once during an Offering Period upon ten (10) calendar days’ prior written notice to the Company. A Participant may not increase the amount deducted from such Participant’s Compensation during an Offering Period.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the termination of an Offering Period, each Participant in such Offering Period shall automatically participate in the immediately following Offering Period at the same payroll deduction percentage or fixed amount as in effect at the termination of the prior Offering Period, unless such Participant delivers to the Company a different election with respect to the successive Offering Period in accordance with Section 3.1(a) hereof, or unless such Participant becomes ineligible for participation in the Plan.
3.3Leave of Absence. During leaves of absence approved by the Company meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2) under the Code, a Participant may continue participation in the Plan by making cash payments to the Company on his or her normal payday equal to his or her authorized payroll deduction.
ARTICLE IV.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
4.1Grant of Option. Each Participant shall be granted an Option with respect to an Offering Period on the applicable Grant Date. Subject to the limitations of Section 3.1(b) hereof, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to a Participant’s Option shall be determined by dividing (a) such Participant’s payroll deductions accumulated prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant’s Plan Account on such Exercise Date by (b) the applicable Option Price; provided that in no event shall a Participant be permitted to purchase during each Offering Period more than 3,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof). The Administrator may, for future Offering Periods, increase or decrease, in its absolute discretion, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that a Participant may purchase during such future Offering Periods. Each Option shall expire on the Exercise Date for the applicable Offering Period immediately after the automatic exercise of the Option in accordance with Section 4.3 hereof, unless such Option terminates earlier in accordance with Article 6 hereof.
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4.2Option Price. The “Option Price” per share of Common Stock to be paid by a Participant upon exercise of the Participant’s Option on the applicable Exercise Date for an Offering Period shall be equal to eighty five percent (85%) of the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on (a) the applicable Grant Date and (b) the applicable Exercise Date; provided that in no event shall the Option Price per share of Common Stock be less than the par value per share of the Common Stock.
4.3Purchase of Shares.
(a) On the applicable Exercise Date for an Offering Period, each Participant shall automatically and without any action on such Participant’s part be deemed to have exercised his or her Option to purchase at the applicable per share Option Price the largest number of whole shares of Common Stock which can be purchased with the amount in the Participant’s Plan Account. Any balance less than the per share Option Price that is remaining in the Participant’s Plan Account (after exercise of such Participant’s Option) as of the Exercise Date shall be carried forward to the next Offering Period, unless the Participant has elected to withdraw from the Plan pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof or, pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, such Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee. Any balance not carried forward to the next Offering Period in accordance with the prior sentence promptly shall be refunded to the applicable Participant. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall an amount greater than or equal to the per share Option Price as of an Exercise Date be carried forward to the next Offering Period.
(b) As soon as practicable following the applicable Exercise Date, the number of shares of Common Stock purchased by such Participant pursuant to Section 4.3(a) hereof shall be delivered (either in share certificate or book entry form), in the Company’s sole discretion, to either (i) the Participant or (ii) an account established in the Participant’s name at a stock brokerage or other financial services firm designated by the Company. If the Company is required to obtain from any commission or agency authority to issue any such shares of Common Stock, the Company shall seek to obtain such authority. Inability of the Company to obtain from any such commission or agency authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance of any such shares shall relieve the Company from liability to any Participant except to refund to the Participant such Participant’s Plan Account balance, without interest thereon.
4.4Transferability of Rights.
(a) An Option granted under the Plan shall not be transferable, other than by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant. No option or interest or right to the Option shall be available to pay off any debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempt at disposition of the option shall have no effect.
ARTICLE V.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO COMMON STOCK
5.1Common Stock Reserved. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.2 hereof, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that shall be made available for sale under the Plan is 5,940,132. Shares of Common Stock made available for sale under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares of Common Stock, or reacquired shares reserved for issuance under the Plan.
5.2Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.
(a)Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but not yet placed under Option, as well as the price per share and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each Option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the
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Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.
(b)Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the “New Exercise Date”), and shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Administrator. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed dissolution or liquidation. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 6.1 hereof.
(c)Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent Option substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, any Offering Periods then in progress shall be shortened by setting a New Exercise Date and any Offering Periods then in progress shall end on the New Exercise Date. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed sale or merger. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 6.1 hereof.
5.3Insufficient Shares. If the Administrator determines that, on a given Exercise Date, the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Options are to be exercised may exceed the number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for sale under the Plan on such Exercise Date, the Administrator shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares of Common Stock available for issuance on such Exercise Date in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all Participants exercising Options to purchase Common Stock on such Exercise Date, and unless additional shares are authorized for issuance under the Plan, no further Offering Periods shall take place and the Plan shall terminate pursuant to Section 7.5 hereof. If an Offering Period is so terminated, then the balance of the amount credited to the Participant’s Plan Account which has not been applied to the purchase of shares of Common Stock shall be paid to such Participant in one lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after such Exercise Date, without any interest thereon.
5.4Rights as Stockholders. With respect to shares of Common Stock subject to an Option, a Participant shall not be deemed to be a stockholder of the Company and shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder. A Participant shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company when, but not until, shares of Common Stock have been deposited in the designated brokerage account following exercise of his or her Option.
ARTICLE VI.
TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION
6.1Cessation of Contributions; Voluntary Withdrawal.
(a) A Participant may cease payroll deductions during an Offering Period and elect to withdraw from the Plan by delivering written notice of such election to the Company in such form and at such time prior to the Exercise Date for such Offering Period as may be established by the Administrator (a “Withdrawal Election”). A Participant electing to withdraw from the Plan may elect to either (i) withdraw all of the funds then credited to the Participant’s Plan Account as of the date on which the Withdrawal Election is received by the Company, in which case amounts credited to such Plan Account shall be returned to the Participant in one (1) lump-sum payment in cash within thirty (30) days after such election is received by the Company, without any interest thereon, and the Participant shall cease to participate in the Plan and the Participant’s Option for such Offering Period shall terminate; or (ii) exercise the Option for the maximum
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number of whole shares of Common Stock on the applicable Exercise Date with any remaining Plan Account balance returned to the Participant in one (1) lump-sum payment in cash within thirty (30) days after such Exercise Date, without any interest thereon, and after such exercise cease to participate in the Plan. Upon receipt of a Withdrawal Election, the Participant’s payroll deduction authorization and his or her Option to purchase under the Plan shall terminate.
(b) A participant’s withdrawal from the Plan shall not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the Participant withdraws.
(c) A Participant who ceases contributions to the Plan during any Offering Period shall not be permitted to resume contributions to the Plan during that Offering Period.
6.2Termination of Eligibility. Upon a Participant’s ceasing to be an Eligible Employee, for any reason, such Participant’s Option for the applicable Offering Period shall automatically terminate, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan, and such Participant’s Plan Account shall be paid to such Participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person or persons entitled thereto pursuant to applicable law, within thirty (30) days after such cessation of being an Eligible Employee, without any interest thereon.
ARTICLE VII.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
7.1Administration.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be composed of members of the Board. The Committee may delegate administrative tasks under the Plan to the services of an Agent and/or Employees to assist in the administration of the Plan, including establishing and maintaining an individual securities account under the Plan for each Participant.
(b) It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. The Administrator shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To establish Offering Periods;
(ii) To determine when and how Options shall be granted and the provisions and terms of each Offering Period (which need not be identical);
(iii) To select Designated Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof; and
(iv) To construe and interpret the Plan, the terms of any Offering Period and the terms of the Options and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. The Administrator, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, any Offering Period or any Option, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effect, subject to Section 423 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
(c) The Administrator may adopt rules or procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding handling of participation elections, payroll deductions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, payroll tax, withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates which vary with local requirements. In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Administrator under the Plan.
(d) The Administrator may adopt sub-plans applicable to particular Designated Subsidiaries or locations, which sub-plans may be designed to be outside the scope of Section 423 of the Code. The rules of such sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 5.1 hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan shall govern the operation of such sub-plan.
(e) All expenses and liabilities incurred by the Administrator in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Administrator may, with the approval of the Committee,
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employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or other persons. The Administrator, the Company and its officers and directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon all Participants, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Board or Administrator shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or the options, and all members of the Board or Administrator shall be fully protected by the Company in respect to any such action, determination, or interpretation.
7.2Designation of Subsidiary Corporations. The Board or Committee shall designate from among the Subsidiaries, as determined from time to time, the Subsidiary or Subsidiaries that shall constitute Designated Subsidiaries. The Board or Committee may designate a Subsidiary, or terminate the designation of a Subsidiary, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company.
7.3Reports. Individual accounts shall be maintained for each Participant in the Plan. Statements of Plan Accounts shall be given to Participants at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of payroll deductions, the Option Price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.
7.4No Right to Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any person (including any Participant) the right to remain in the employ of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary or to affect the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any person (including any Participant) at any time, with or without cause, which right is expressly reserved.
7.5Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) This Plan shall be effective on the date it is adopted by the Board (the “Effective Date”), provided, that the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan within twelve (12) months following the effective date.
(b) The Board may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time; provided, however, that without approval of the Company’s stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after action by the Board, the Plan may not be amended to increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan or change the designation or class of Eligible Employees; and provided, further that without approval of the Company’s stockholders, the Plan may not be amended in any manner that would cause the Plan to no longer be an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423(b) of the Code.
(c) In the event the Administrator determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Administrator may, to the extent permitted under Section 423 of the Code, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable, modify or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:
(i) altering the Option Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Option Price;
(ii) shortening any Offering Period so that the Offering Period ends on a new Exercise Date, including an Offering Period underway at the time of the Administrator action; and
(iii) allocating shares of Common Stock.
Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval or the consent of any Participant.
(d) Upon termination of the Plan, the balance in each Participant’s Plan Account shall be refunded as soon as practicable after such termination, without any interest thereon.
7.6Use of Funds; No Interest Paid. All funds received by the Company by reason of purchase of Common Stock under the Plan shall be included in the general funds of the Company free of any trust or other restriction and may be used for any corporate purpose. No interest shall be paid to any Participant or credited under the Plan.
7.7Term; Approval by Stockholders. No Option may be granted during any period of suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan. The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders
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within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Options may be granted prior to such stockholder approval; provided, however, that such Options shall not be exercisable prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the stockholders; provided, further that if such approval has not been obtained by the end of said twelve (12)-month period, all Options previously granted under the Plan shall thereupon terminate and be canceled and become null and void without being exercised.
7.8Effect Upon Other Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees of the Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume Options otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose, including, but not by way of limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, firm or association.
7.9Conformity to Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan and the participation in the Plan by any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemption rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
7.10Notice of Disposition of Shares. Each Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition or other transfer of any shares of Common Stock, acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option, if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two (2) years after the applicable Grant Date or (b) within one (1) year after the transfer of such shares of Common Stock to such Participant upon exercise of such Option. The Company may direct that any certificates evidencing shares acquired pursuant to the Plan refer to such requirement.
7.11Tax Withholding. The Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary shall be entitled to require payment in cash or deduction from other compensation payable to each Participant of any sums required by federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to any purchase of shares of Common Stock under the Plan or any sale of such shares.
7.12Governing Law. The Plan and all rights and obligations thereunder shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
7.13Notices. All notices or other communications by a participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.
7.14Conditions To Issuance of Shares.
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of an Option by a Participant, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such shares of Common Stock is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or traded, and the shares of Common Stock are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board or the Committee may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.
(b) All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered pursuant to the Plan and all shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state, or foreign securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed, quoted, or traded. The Committee may place legends on any certificate or book entry evidencing shares of Common Stock to reference restrictions applicable to the shares of Common Stock.
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(c) The Committee shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Option, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Committee.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company may, in lieu of delivering to any Participant certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock issued in connection with any Option, record the issuance of shares of Common Stock in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).
7.15Equal Rights and Privileges. Except with respect to sub-plans designed to be outside the scope of Section 423 of the Code, all Eligible Employees of the Company (or of any Designated Subsidiary) shall have equal rights and privileges under this Plan to the extent required under Section 423 of the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder so that this Plan qualifies as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code or the Treasury Regulations thereunder. Any provision of this Plan that is inconsistent with Section 423 of the Code or the Treasury Regulations thereunder shall, without further act or amendment by the Company or the Board, be reformed to comply with the equal rights and privileges requirement of Section 423 of the Code or the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
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