UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.  )
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
2100 Powell Street, Suite 900
720
Emeryville, California 94608
NOTICE OF 20212024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held Onon May 28, 202123, 2024
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The Annual Meeting will be held virtually on May 28, 2021,23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2021. DVAX2024. The Annual Meeting will be held online only, and you will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. You will be able to vote your shares electronically by Internet or by phone and submit questions online during the Annual Meeting by logging in to the website listed above using the 16-digit control number included in your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied our proxy materials. Online check-in will begin at 8:45 a.m. Pacific Time and should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. The Annual Meeting is being convened for the following purposes:
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To elect our three nominees for Class III directors to hold office until the 20242027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
2.

To approve the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2014 Employee Stock Purchase2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 1,000,000.11,400,000.
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To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statementproxy statement accompanying this Notice.
4.

To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.2024.
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To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.
In addition, you will also be asked to conduct other business, if any, as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
These items of business are more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.proxy statement.
The record date for the Annual Meeting is April 6, 20211, 2024 (the “Record Date”). Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held Virtually at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on May 28, 202123, 2024 at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2021.DVAX2024.
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 20202023 are available at www.proxyvote.com.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the proposals identified above.
 
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By Order of the Board of Directors
 
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Kelly MacDonaldRyan Spencer
 
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Chief FinancialExecutive Officer
Emeryville, California

April 16, 202111, 2024
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the proxy mailed to you, or vote over the Internet or by phone as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting. Even if you have voted by proxy card or over the Internet or by phone, you may still vote electronically during the Annual Meeting.
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

2100 Powell Street, Suite 900
720
Emeryville, California 94608
PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 20212024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be Held on May 28, 202123, 2024
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Why did I receive a notice regarding the availability of proxy materials on the Internet?
We have sent you the proxy notice because the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Dynavax Technologies Corporation (the “Company,” “Dynavax,” “we”“we,” or “us”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”).
In accordance with the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials, including our annual report, we have decided to provide access to these materials via the Internet. Accordingly, on or about April 16, 2021,11, 2024, we will begin mailing a Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”), to stockholders of record as of April 6, 20211, 2024 (the “Record Date”), and will have posted our proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice (www.proxyvote.com). As more fully described in the Notice, all stockholders may choose to access our proxy materials on that website, and any stockholder may request a printed set of such materials as follows:
by telephone: call 1-800-579-1639 free of charge and follow the instructions;
by Internet: go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions; or
by e-mail: send an e-mail message to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. Please send a blank e-mail and insert the 16-Digit Control Number located in your Notice in the subject line.
Please note that you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote before the Annual Meeting by Internet, by phone or by proxy using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time.
Will I receive any proxy materials by mail other than the Notice?
No, you will not receive any other proxy materials by mail unless you request a paper copy of the proxy materials.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be held virtually on May 28, 202123, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2021.DVAX2024. The Annual Meeting will be held online only. During the meeting, you will be able to vote your shares electronically by Internet and submit questions online by logging in to the website listed above using the 16-digit control number included in the Notice, or you may vote before the meeting by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. You may also vote by phone before the meeting by calling 1-800-690-6903. Online check-in for the Annual Meeting will begin at 8:45 a.m. Pacific Time and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. You may submit questions during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2021.DVAX2024. We will respond to as many appropriate inquiries at the Annual Meeting as time allows.
You may vote your shares electronically before the meeting by Internet, by phone or by proxy using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time, and you do not need to access the virtual Annual Meeting to vote if you submitted your vote via Internet, phone or proxy card in advance of the Annual Meeting.
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Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 114,563,212130,862,916 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. A list of our stockholders of record will be open for examination by any stockholder beginning ten days
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prior to the Annual Meeting at our headquarters located at 2100 Powell Street, Suite 900,720, Emeryville, California 94608. If you would like to view the list, please contact our Corporate Secretary to schedule an appointment by calling (510) 848-5100 or writing to him at the address above. In addition, the list will be available for inspection by stockholders on the virtual meeting website during the Annual Meeting.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If, on the Record Date, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote by Internet before or during the Annual Meeting, or before the Annual Meeting by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. You may also vote by phone before the meeting by calling 1-800-690-6903. Whether or not you plan to attend, we urge you to fill out and return the proxy card or vote by Internet or by phone before the Annual Meeting to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If, on the Record Date, your shares were not held not 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 the Notice is being forwarded to you by that organization. Simply follow the voting instructions in such notice to ensure that your vote is counted. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. To vote live at the Annual Meeting, follow the instructions after logging into the meeting website.
What am I voting on?
We are asking you to vote on four proposals:
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To elect our three nominees for Class III directors to hold office until the 20242027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
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To approve the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2014 Employee Stock Purchase2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 1,000,000.11,400,000.
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To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statementproxy statement accompanying this Notice.
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To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.2024.
In addition, you will also be asked to conduct other business, if any, as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
What is the Board’s recommendation?
The Board recommends that you vote “For” each of the four proposals.
What if another matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting?
The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with her or his best judgment.
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How do I vote?
You may either vote “For” all the nominees to the Board or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify. For each of the other matters to be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The procedures for voting are fairly simple:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by Internet before or during the Annual Meeting, by phone before the Annual Meeting or by proxy before the Annual Meeting using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote to ensure your vote is counted.
To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the proxy card that may be delivered and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
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To vote by phone, call 1-800-690-6903 free of charge and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the control number from the Notice. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 27, 202122, 2024 to be counted.
To vote through the Internet before the meeting, go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the on-screen instructions to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the control number from the Notice. Your Internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 27, 202122, 2024 to be counted.
To vote through the Internet during the meeting, please visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2021DVAX2024 and have available the 16-digit control number included in your Notice.
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 or other agent, you should have received a notice containing voting instructions from that organization rather than from Dynavax. Simply follow the voting instructions in such notice to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote live at the Annual Meeting, follow the instructions after logging into the meeting website.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the Record Date.
What happens if I do not vote?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote before the Annual Meeting by phone or by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time, or through the Internet before or at the Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether your broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the applicable stock exchange deems the particular proposal to be a “routine” matter. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under the rules and interpretations of the New York Stock Exchange, “non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on
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executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. We believe that Proposals 1, 2 and 3 will be considered “non-routine,” and that Proposal 4 will be considered “routine.” Accordingly, your broker or nominee may not vote your shares on Proposals 1, 2 or 3 without your instructions, but may vote your shares on Proposal 4.
What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted:
Proposal 1: “For” election of our three nominees as Class III directors;
Proposal 2: “For” approval of the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 1,000,000;
Proposal 3: “For” advisory approval of executive compensation; and
Proposal 4: “For” ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
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Proposal 1: “For” election of our three nominees as Class III directors;
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Proposal 2: “For” approval of the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000;
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Proposal 3: “For” advisory approval of executive compensation; and
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Proposal 4: “For” ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares usingat his or her best judgment.discretion.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. Furthermore, we have retained the services of Alliance Advisors, LLC in connection with stockholder outreach efforts discussed in this proxy statement, for which we estimate that we will pay a fee not to exceed $24,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?
If you receive more than one Notice, your shares may be registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each of the Notices to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.
You may submit a later-dated vote by telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials). Votes submitted by telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 27, 202122, 2024 to be counted.
You may grant a subsequent proxy through the Internet. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials).
You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 900,720, Emeryville, California 94608.
You may virtually attend the Annual Meeting and vote by Internet by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2021.DVAX2024. To attend the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included in your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
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Your most current proxy card or telephone vote or Internet proxy is the one that is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Agent
If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.
When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting?
To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by December 17, 202112, 2024 to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 900,720, Emeryville, California 94608. However, if our 20222025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held between April 28, 2022,23, 2025 and June 27, 2022,22, 2025, then the deadline will be a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials.
If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) that is not to be included in next year’s proxy materials, you must do so no later than the close of business on February 27, 2022,22, 2025 and no earlier than the close of business on January 28, 2022.23, 2025. However, if our 20222025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held between April 28, 2022,23, 2025 and June 27, 2022,22, 2025, then you must submit your proposal (or director nomination) not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must also comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b).
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How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
Proposal 1: to elect our three nominees for Class III directors, the three nominees receiving the most “For” votes from the holders of shares present (either in person
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Proposal 1: to elect our three nominees for Class III directors, the three nominees receiving the most “For” votes from the holders of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or represented by proxy) and cast for the election of directors will be elected. Only votes “For” will affect the outcome of the vote; “Withhold” votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. However, if a nominee receives a greater number of “Withhold” votes than “For” votes, such nominee will submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with our Majority Vote Policy discussed in more detail in the section entitled “Corporate Governance – Majority Vote Policy” in this proxy statement.
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Proposal 2: to approve the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000, such amendment and restatement must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of votes cast on the proposal (either virtually at the meeting or by proxy) at the meeting. Abstentions are not treated as votes cast and, therefore, will have no effect. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
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Proposal 3: to approve, on an advisory basis, the 2023 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, such advisory approval must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If you return your proxy and select “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
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Proposal 4: to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, such ratification must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If you return your proxy and select “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect. However, as we believe Proposal 4 will be elected. Only votes “For” will affect the outcome of the vote; “Withhold” votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. However, if a nominee receives a greater number of “Withhold” votes than “For” votes, such nominee will submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with our Majority Vote Policy discussed in more detail in the section entitled “Corporate Governance – Majority Vote Policy” in this proxy statement.
Proposal 2: to approve an amendment and restatement of the 2014 ESPP to increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2014 ESPP by 1,000,000, such amendment and restatement must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If you return your proxy and select “Abstain,” it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
Proposal 3: to approve, on an advisory basis, the 2020 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, such advisory approval must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If you return your proxy and select “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
Proposal 4: to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, such ratification must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If you return your proxy and select “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect. However, as Proposal 4 is considered a “routine” matter, we do not expect to receive any broker non-votes.
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What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid Annual Meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present virtually at the Annual Meeting in person or represented by proxy. On the record date,Record Date, there were 114,563,212130,862,916 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present virtually at the Annual Meeting in person or represented by proxy may adjourn the Annual Meeting to another date.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days following the voting. If we are unable to obtain final results in that time, we will announce the preliminary results and subsequently file a second current report on Form 8-K with the final results.
What proxy materials are available on the Internet?
The 20212024 proxy statement and 20202023 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at http:https://investors.dynavax.com/annuals-proxies.cfm.
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PROPOSAL 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORSRyan Spencer
Our Board is divided
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Chief Executive Officer
Emeryville, California
April 11, 2024
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the proxy mailed to you, or vote over the Internet or by phone as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting. Even if you have voted by proxy card or over the Internet or by phone, you may still vote electronically during the Annual Meeting.
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
2100 Powell Street, Suite 720
Emeryville, California 94608
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on May 23, 2024
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Why did I receive a notice regarding the availability of proxy materials on the Internet?
We have sent you the proxy notice because the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Dynavax Technologies Corporation (the “Company,” “Dynavax,” “we,” or “us”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”).
In accordance with the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials, including our annual report, we have decided to provide access to these materials via the Internet. Accordingly, on or about April 11, 2024, we will begin mailing a Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”), to stockholders of record as of April 1, 2024 (the “Record Date”), and will have posted our proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice (www.proxyvote.com). As more fully described in the Notice, all stockholders may choose to access our proxy materials on that website, and any stockholder may request a printed set of such materials as follows:
by telephone: call 1-800-579-1639 free of charge and follow the instructions;
by Internet: go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions; or
by e-mail: send an e-mail message to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. Please send a blank e-mail and insert the 16-Digit Control Number located in your Notice in the subject line.
Please note that you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote before the Annual Meeting by Internet, by phone or by proxy using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time.
Will I receive any proxy materials by mail other than the Notice?
No, you will not receive any other proxy materials by mail unless you request a paper copy of the proxy materials.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be held virtually on May 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. The Annual Meeting will be held online only. During the meeting, you will be able to vote your shares electronically by Internet and submit questions online by logging in to the website listed above using the 16-digit control number included in the Notice, or you may vote before the meeting by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. You may also vote by phone before the meeting by calling 1-800-690-6903. Online check-in for the Annual Meeting will begin at 8:45 a.m. Pacific Time and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. You may submit questions during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. We will respond to as many appropriate inquiries at the Annual Meeting as time allows.
You may vote your shares electronically before the meeting by Internet, by phone or by proxy using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time, and you do not need to access the virtual Annual Meeting to vote if you submitted your vote via Internet, phone or proxy card in advance of the Annual Meeting.
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Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 130,862,916 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. A list of our stockholders of record will be open for examination by any stockholder beginning ten days prior to the Annual Meeting at our headquarters located at 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California 94608. If you would like to view the list, please contact our Corporate Secretary to schedule an appointment by calling (510) 848-5100 or writing to him at the address above.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If, on the Record Date, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote by Internet before or during the Annual Meeting, or before the Annual Meeting by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. You may also vote by phone before the meeting by calling 1-800-690-6903. Whether or not you plan to attend, we urge you to fill out and return the proxy card or vote by Internet or by phone before the Annual Meeting to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If, on the Record Date, 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 the Notice is being forwarded to you by that organization. Simply follow the voting instructions in such notice to ensure that your vote is counted. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. To vote live at the Annual Meeting, follow the instructions after logging into the meeting website.
What am I voting on?
We are asking you to vote on four proposals:
1.
To elect our three classes, and each class has a three-year term. Vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the Board to fill a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall servenominees for the remainder of the full term of that class and until the director’s successor is elected and qualified.
Our Board presently has nine members. There are three Class III directors whose termto hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting of office expires in 2021: Francis R. Cano, Ph.D., Peter Paradiso, Ph.D.Stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and Peggy V. Phillips, each of whom is a nominee for directorqualified.
2.
To approve the amendment and currently a directorrestatement of the Company. Dr. Cano and Ms. Phillips were previously electedDynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000.
3.
To approve, on an advisory basis, the stockholders in 2018. Dr. Paradiso was nominated by our nominating and corporate governance committee and appointed to our Board in 2020 and this will be his first time standing for election. If each nominee is elected at the Annual Meeting, each of these nominees will serve until the 2024 Annual Meeting and until his or her successor is elected and has qualified, or, if sooner, until the director’s death, resignation or removal. We have a policy encouraging our directors’ attendance at our annual meetings. There were seven out of seven directors in attendance at our 2020 Annual Meeting.
Vote Required
Directors are elected by a pluralitycompensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice.
4.
To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
In addition, you will also be asked to conduct other business, if any, as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
What is the Board’s recommendation?
The Board recommends that you vote “For” each of the four proposals.
What if another matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting?
The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with her or his best judgment.
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How do I vote?
You may either vote “For” all the nominees to the Board or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify. For each of the other matters to be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The procedures for voting are simple:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by Internet before or during the Annual Meeting, by phone before the Annual Meeting or by proxy before the Annual Meeting using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote to ensure your vote is counted.
To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the proxy card that may be delivered and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
To vote by phone, call 1-800-690-6903 free of charge and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the control number from the Notice. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 22, 2024 to be counted.
To vote through the Internet before the meeting, go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the on-screen instructions to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the control number from the Notice. Your Internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 22, 2024 to be counted.
To vote through the Internet during the meeting, please visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024 and have available the 16-digit control number included in your Notice.
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 or other agent, you should have received a notice containing voting instructions from that organization rather than from Dynavax. Simply follow the voting instructions in such notice to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote live at the Annual Meeting, follow the instructions after logging into the meeting website.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the Record Date.
What happens if I do not vote?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote before the Annual Meeting by phone or by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time, or through the Internet before or at the Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether your broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the applicable stock exchange deems the particular proposal to be a “routine” matter. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under the rules and interpretations of the New York Stock Exchange, “non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on
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executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. We believe that Proposals 1, 2 and 3 will be considered “non-routine,” and that Proposal 4 will be considered “routine.” Accordingly, your broker or nominee may not vote your shares on Proposals 1, 2 or 3 without your instructions, but may vote your shares on Proposal 4.
What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted:
•
Proposal 1: “For” election of our three nominees as Class III directors;
•
Proposal 2: “For” approval of the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000;
•
Proposal 3: “For” advisory approval of executive compensation; and
•
Proposal 4: “For” ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares at his or her discretion.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. Furthermore, we have retained the services of Alliance Advisors, LLC in connection with stockholder outreach efforts discussed in this proxy statement, for which we estimate that we will pay a fee not to exceed $24,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?
If you receive more than one Notice, your shares may be registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each of the Notices to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.
You may submit a later-dated vote by telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials). Votes submitted by telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 22, 2024 to be counted.
You may grant a subsequent proxy through the Internet. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials).
You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California 94608.
You may virtually attend the Annual Meeting and vote by Internet by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. To attend the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included in your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
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Your most current proxy card or telephone vote or Internet proxy is the one that is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Agent
If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.
When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting?
To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by December 12, 2024 to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California 94608. However, if our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held between April 23, 2025 and June 22, 2025, then the deadline will be a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials.
If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) that is not to be included in next year’s proxy materials, you must do so no later than the close of business on February 22, 2025 and no earlier than the close of business on January 23, 2025. However, if our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held between April 23, 2025 and June 22, 2025, then you must submit your proposal (or director nomination) not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must also comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b).
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
•
Proposal 1: to elect our three nominees for Class III directors, the three nominees receiving the most “For” votes offrom the holders of shares present in person(either virtually at the meeting or represented by proxyproxy) and entitled to vote on the election of directors. The three nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld,cast for the election of directors will be elected. Only votes “For” will affect the nominees named below. Although the election of directors at the Annual Meeting is uncontested and directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, and we therefore anticipate that eachoutcome of the named nominees for directorvote; “Withhold” votes will be elected athave no effect on the Annual Meeting, under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, anyoutcome of the vote. However, if a nominee for director is required to submit an offer of resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee if such nominee for director (in an uncontested election) receives a greater number of “Withhold” votes than “For” votes. Invotes, such case, thenominee will submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will then consider all the relevant facts and circumstances and recommend to the Board the action to be takenin accordance with respect to such offer of resignation. Forour Majority Vote Policy discussed in more information on this policy seedetail in the section entitled “Corporate Governance – Majority Vote Policy.”Policy” in this proxy statement.
•
Proposal 2: to approve the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000, such amendment and restatement must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of votes cast on the proposal (either virtually at the meeting or by proxy) at the meeting. Abstentions are not treated as votes cast and, therefore, will have no effect. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
•
Proposal 3: to approve, on an advisory basis, the 2023 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, such advisory approval must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If any nominee becomes unavailableyou return your proxy and select “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
•
Proposal 4: to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for electionour fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, such ratification must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If you return your proxy and select “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as a result of an unexpected occurrence, your shares“Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect. However, as we believe Proposal 4 will be voted for the election ofconsidered a substitute nominee proposed by our Board. Each person nominated for election has agreed“routine” matter, we do not expect to serve if elected. Our Board has no reason to believe thatreceive any nominee will be unable to serve.broker non-votes.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE.
Set forth below is certain biographical information as of April 6, 2021, for the nominees and each person whose term as a director will continue after the Annual Meeting.
​
Name
​​
Age
​​
Position
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​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
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What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid Annual Meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present virtually at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy. On the Record Date, there were 130,862,916 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present virtually at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy may adjourn the Annual Meeting to another date.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days following the voting. If we are unable to obtain final results in that time, we will announce the preliminary results and subsequently file a second current report on Form 8-K with the final results.
What proxy materials are available on the Internet?
The 2024 proxy statement and 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at https://investors.dynavax.com/annuals-proxies.cfm.
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PROPOSAL 1
 
​​
76
​​
Director
​
​
Julie Eastland
​​
56
​​
Director
​
​
Andrew Hack, M.D., Ph.D.
​​
47
​​
Director
​
​
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
​​
74
​​
Director
​
​
Brent MacGregor
​​
57
​​
Director
​
​
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.
​​
70
​​
Director
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​
Peggy V. Phillips
​​
67
​​
Director
​
​
Natale Ricciardi
​​
72
​​
Director
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​
Ryan Spencer
​​
43
​​
Director and Chief Executive Officer
​
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CLASS III DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
Dr. Cano was appointed to our Board in November 2009. Dr. Cano has been President and Founder of Cano Biotech Corp., a consulting firm focusing on the vaccine business, since 1996 and also serves on the board of Biomerica, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of diagnostic products. Previously, Dr. Cano served on the board of Arbor Vita Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company. From 1993 to 1996, Dr. Cano was President and Chief Operating Officer for Aviron, a biopharmaceutical company, which was later acquired by MedImmune in 2001. As a Co-Founder of Aviron, he completed two rounds of venture financing, a licensing agreement with SmithKline Biologicals and in-licensed Flu-Mist influenza vaccine from the National Institutes of Health. For 21 years, Dr. Cano worked with the Lederle Laboratories Division of American Cyanamid, including as its Vice President and General Manager of the Biologicals unit. He earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Pennsylvania State University, served as a Research Associate at Rutgers Institute of Microbiology, and holds a M.S. in Microbiology and a B.S. in Biology from St. John’s University. The Board believes that Dr. Cano’s experience as a founder of and advisor to established vaccine businesses provides significant insights for the strategy of the Company with respect to key technical and operational issues in vaccine development and qualifies him to be nominated as a director.
Peter Paradiso, Ph.D.
Dr. Peter R. Paradiso was appointed to our Board in September 2020. Dr. Paradiso retired as Vice President of New Business and Scientific Affairs for Pfizer Vaccines, a Division of Pfizer Inc., where he worked from 2003 to 2012. In this position, Dr. Paradiso was responsible for global scientific affairs and strategic planning within the vaccine research and development group and for commercial oversight of products in development. From 2012 to present, Dr. Paradiso has been working as a consultant in the vaccine field. He has worked in vaccine development for over 30 years. He has published extensively in the field of pediatric vaccines, especially in the areas of glycoconjugates, combination vaccines and respiratory viral vaccines. Dr. Paradiso worked on the development of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for more than 20 years, including Prevenar and Prevenar 13 for which he holds patents worldwide. He worked towards achieving licensure and incorporation of Prevenar 13 into childhood National Immunization Programs on a global level and ultimately the licensure and introduction of Prevenar 13 for adults. He has also been involved in the development and global registration of vaccines for Haemophilus influenzae type b, acellular pertussis, rotavirus, Neisseria meningitidis group C, and influenza. Dr. Paradiso currently serves as a member of CEPI’s R&D and Manufacturing Investment Committee (RDMIC), which has been established to make investment decisions for vaccine R&D and manufacturing under the COVAX pillar of the ACT-Accelerator. In addition, he is Chairman of a Procurement Reference Group (PRG) to advise UNICEF and GAVI on the procurement of rotavirus vaccines. Dr. Paradiso previously served as a member HHS’s National Vaccine Advisory Committee, the Advisory Council on Immunization for New York State and as liaison member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Dr Paradiso served as an advisor to the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on vaccines and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization’s (GAVI) Task Force on Research and Development. Dr. Paradiso was named as a Top 50 Vaccine Influencer by Vaccine Nation in 2013, received the University of Vermont Medical College’s Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award for 2014 and was honored as a Vaccine Hero by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in their Art of Saving a Life campaign. Dr. Paradiso received a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in biochemistry from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and a BS in Chemistry from St. Lawrence University. The Board believes that Dr. Paradiso’s extensive experience in vaccine development can provide significant insights for the strategy of the Company with respect to key technical and operational issues in vaccine development and qualifies him to be nominated as a director.
Peggy V. Phillips
Ms. Phillips has been a member of our Board since August 2006. Ms. Phillips served on the board of directors of several biopharmaceutical companies: PhaseRx, Inc. from 2016 to 2018, Tekmira Pharmaceuticals from 2014 to 2015, Portola Pharmaceuticals from 2006 to 2013, as well as the Naval Academy Foundation from 2003 to 2011. From 1996 until 2002, she served on the board of directors of Immunex Corporation, a biotechnology company, and, from 1999, she served as its Chief Operating Officer until the company was acquired by Amgen in 2002. During her career at Immunex, she held positions of increasing responsibility in research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing. As Senior Vice President for Pharmaceutical Development and General Manager for Enbrel ® from 1994 until 1998, she was responsible for clinical development and regulatory affairs as well as the launch, sales and marketing of the product. Prior to joining Immunex, Ms. Phillips worked at Miles Laboratories. Ms. Phillips holds a B.S. and a M.S. in
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microbiology from the University of Idaho. The Board believes that Ms. Phillips provides significant experience in development and commercialization of biotechnology products. Her background and experience with larger, complex organizations provides significant operational and strategic insights in assessing the strategy of the Company and qualifies her to be nominated as a director.
CLASS I DIRECTOR CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING
Andrew Hack, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Hack has served as a member of our Board since August 2019 and currently serves as Interim Chairperson of the Board. Dr. Hack serves as a Managing Director of Bain Capital Life Sciences, L.P. Before joining Bain Capital, Dr. Hack was the Chief Financial Officer of Editas Medicine, Inc., a gene editing company, from July 2015 to March 2019. Prior to joining Editas, from May 2011 to June 2015, Dr. Hack was a portfolio manager at Millennium Management LLC, an institutional asset manager, or Millennium, where he ran a healthcare fund focused on biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies. Before joining Millennium, Dr. Hack was a healthcare analyst at HealthCor Management, L.P., a registered investment advisor, or HealthCor, from December 2008 to May 2011. Prior to HealthCor, Dr. Hack served as a healthcare analyst for hedge fund Carlyle-Blue Wave Partners and as principal of the MPM BioEquities Fund, a hedge fund that was affiliated with MPM Capital. Dr. Hack began his investment career covering the biotechnology sector at investment banks Banc of America Securities LLC and Rodman & Renshaw, LLC. Previously, Dr. Hack was Director of Life Sciences and co-founder of Reify Corporation, a life science tools and drug discovery company. Dr. Hack serves as a director of Allena Pharmaceutical, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company and Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company. Dr. Hack received his B.A. in biology with special honors from the University of Chicago, where he also received his M.D. and Ph.D. We believe Dr. Hack’s financial background and extensive and diverse experience in the life sciences industry qualify him to serve on our Board.
Julie Eastland
Ms. Eastland was appointed to our Board in July 2020. Ms. Eastland has served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ReCode Therapeutics since October 2020, a private-held genetics medicine company focused on delivery of novel, anti-viral lipid nanoparticles therapeutics for respiratory diseases. Prior to ReCode, from August 2018 to January 2020, Ms. Eastland served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of Rainier Therapeutics, a private biopharmaceutical company focused on FGFR3 bladder cancer. Prior to Rainier she served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of Cascadian Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company, from September 2010 through its acquisition by Seattle Genetics in March 2018. Prior to Cascadian, Ms. Eastland served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Operations of VLST Corporation, a privately-held biotechnology company, from January 2006 to September 2010 and held various financial and strategic management positions at publicly traded biotechnology companies including Dendreon and Amgen. Ms. Eastland received an M.B.A. from Edinburgh University Management School and a B.S. in finance from Colorado State University. She also serves on the boards of Harpoon Therapeutics and Graybug Vision. We believe that Ms. Eastland’s experience as a financial executive in the biopharmaceutical industry qualifies her to serve as a director.
Brent MacGregor
Mr. MacGregor was appointed to our Board in July 2020. Mr. MacGregor is currently CEO of Medical Developments International Ltd., as Australian-based company with marketed products in pain management and respiratory ailments. Mr. MacGregor previously served as Senior Vice-President, Global Commercial Operations at Seqirus, a CSL Limited company. At Seqirus, Mr. MacGregor led a global team of 280 people in sales, marketing, commercial development, public policy and business development for a portfolio of seasonal influenza vaccines, an intra venous anti-viral product, a suite of in-licensed vaccines and pharmaceutical products, and a pandemic and pre-pandemic business. Prior to Seqirus, Mr. MacGregor was President and Global Head of Novartis Influenza Vaccines, where he led integrated global operations of its influenza portfolio, through its acquisition by CSL Ltd. Mr. MacGregor held several roles while at Sanofi Pasteur where he spent 17 years with his final role as President, Sanofi Pasteur KK, Tokyo, Japan. Mr. MacGregor received an M.B.A. from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, a Master of Arts from University of Reading, Reading, England and a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. We believe that Mr. MacGregor’s experience as a vaccine executive qualifies him to serve as a director.
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CLASS II DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
Dr. Kisner has been a member of our Board since July 2010. From 2003 to 2010, Dr. Kisner served as a partner at Aberdare Ventures and prior to that as President and CEO of Caliper Technologies, leading its evolution from a start-up focused on microfluidic lab-on-chip technology to a publicly traded, commercial organization. Prior to Caliper, he was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biomedical pharmaceutical company. Previously, Dr. Kisner was Division Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development for Abbott Laboratories and Vice President of Clinical Research and Development at SmithKline Beckman Pharmaceuticals. In addition, he held a tenured position in the Division of Oncology at the University of Texas, San Antonio School of Medicine and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Additionally, he is currently serving on the boards of Oncternal Therapeutics, a biotechnology company, Histogen, Inc., a therapeutics company, and Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company. Dr. Kisner previously served as Chairman of the board for Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company, until March 2015, and as a director of Lpath, Inc., a pharmaceutical company. He holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and an M.D. from Georgetown University. Our Board believes that Dr. Kisner’s background with larger, complex technology-based organizations as well as his significant experience with corporate transactions, including investing in venture-backed life science companies provides the Board with insights for setting strategy of the Company and qualifies him to serve as a director.
Natale Ricciardi
Mr. Ricciardi has been a member of our Board since June 2013. Mr. Ricciardi spent his entire 39-year career at Pfizer Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, retiring in 2011 as a member of the Pfizer Executive Leadership Team. While holding the positions of President, Pfizer Global Manufacturing, and Senior Vice President of Pfizer Inc. from 2004 until 2011, Mr. Ricciardi was directly responsible for all of Pfizer’s internal and external supply organization, a global enterprise that grew to more than 100 manufacturing facilities supplying small and large molecule pharmaceuticals, vaccines, consumer, nutrition and animal health products. Mr. Ricciardi maintained responsibility for global manufacturing activities from 2004 through 2011. Previously, from 1999 to 2004, he had oversight for Pfizer’s U.S. manufacturing operations and from 1995 to 1999 was Vice President of Manufacturing for Pfizer’s Animal Health Group. Mr. Ricciardi serves on the board of directors of Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc., a public company that sells, manufactures and distributes consumer healthcare products. He also serves on the board of directors of Rapid MicroBiosystems, Inc., a private company that provides automated, growth-based, rapid microbial detection technology. He is currently on the Strategic Advisory Board of HealthCare Royalty Partners. Mr. Ricciardi served on the boards of the National Association of Manufacturers and Mediacom Communications Corporation until its privatization in 2011. Mr. Ricciardi earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from The City College of New York and an MBA in Finance and International Business from Fordham University. Our Board believes Mr. Ricciardi’s 39-year career at Pfizer Inc., a leading pharmaceutical company, including as a member of the Pfizer Executive Leadership Team and direct responsibility for all of Pfizer’s internal supply organization, including global manufacturing, provides the Board with insights for reviewing the operations of the Company and qualifies him to serve as a director.
Ryan Spencer
Mr. Spencer has been a member of our Board since December 2019. Mr. Spencer joined Dynavax in 2006 and has served as our
​​
Chief Executive Officer since December 2019,
Emeryville, California
April 11, 2024
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the proxy mailed to you, or vote over the Internet or by phone as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting. Even if you have voted by proxy card or over the Internet or by phone, you may still vote electronically during the Annual Meeting.
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
2100 Powell Street, Suite 720
Emeryville, California 94608
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on May 23, 2024
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Why did I receive a notice regarding the availability of proxy materials on the Internet?
We have sent you the proxy notice because the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Dynavax Technologies Corporation (the “Company,” “Dynavax,” “we,” or “us”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”).
In accordance with the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials, including our annual report, we have decided to provide access to these materials via the Internet. Accordingly, on or about April 11, 2024, we will begin mailing a Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”), to stockholders of record as of April 1, 2024 (the “Record Date”), and will have posted our proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice (www.proxyvote.com). As more fully described in the Notice, all stockholders may choose to access our proxy materials on that website, and any stockholder may request a printed set of such materials as follows:
by telephone: call 1-800-579-1639 free of charge and follow the instructions;
by Internet: go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions; or
by e-mail: send an e-mail message to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. Please send a blank e-mail and insert the 16-Digit Control Number located in your Notice in the subject line.
Please note that you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote before the Annual Meeting by Internet, by phone or by proxy using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time.
Will I receive any proxy materials by mail other than the Notice?
No, you will not receive any other proxy materials by mail unless you request a paper copy of the proxy materials.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be held virtually on May 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. The Annual Meeting will be held online only. During the meeting, you will be able to vote your shares electronically by Internet and submit questions online by logging in to the website listed above using the 16-digit control number included in the Notice, or you may vote before the meeting by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. You may also vote by phone before the meeting by calling 1-800-690-6903. Online check-in for the Annual Meeting will begin at 8:45 a.m. Pacific Time and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. You may submit questions during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. We will respond to as many appropriate inquiries at the Annual Meeting as time allows.
You may vote your shares electronically before the meeting by Internet, by phone or by proxy using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time, and you do not need to access the virtual Annual Meeting to vote if you submitted your vote via Internet, phone or proxy card in advance of the Annual Meeting.
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Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 130,862,916 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. A list of our stockholders of record will be open for examination by any stockholder beginning ten days prior to the Annual Meeting at our headquarters located at 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California 94608. If you would like to view the list, please contact our Corporate Secretary to schedule an appointment by calling (510) 848-5100 or writing to him at the address above.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If, on the Record Date, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote by Internet before or during the Annual Meeting, or before the Annual Meeting by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. You may also vote by phone before the meeting by calling 1-800-690-6903. Whether or not you plan to attend, we urge you to fill out and return the proxy card or vote by Internet or by phone before the Annual Meeting to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If, on the Record Date, 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 the Notice is being forwarded to you by that organization. Simply follow the voting instructions in such notice to ensure that your vote is counted. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. To vote live at the Annual Meeting, follow the instructions after logging into the meeting website.
What am I voting on?
We are asking you to vote on four proposals:
1.
To elect our three nominees for Class III directors to hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and as interim co-President between May and December 2019. Atqualified.
2.
To approve the time of his appointment as interim co-President in May 2019, Mr. Spencer served as Senior Vice President, Commercial where he was instrumental in leading the launch and commercialization of HEPLISAV-B. Throughout his time at Dynavax since November 2006, Mr. Spencer has held a variety of positions with increasing responsibility, building from a foundation in corporate finance to business strategy and investor relations, including Senior Director Strategic Planning until his promotion in September 2016 to Senior Product Director, followed by promotions in February 2017 to Vice President Corporate Strategy & Commercialization and in May 2019 to Senior Vice President, Commercial. Prior to joining Dynavax, Mr. Spencer was the Assistant Controller at QRS Corporation, a publicly-held technology company, and was a member of the audit practice at Ernst & Young. Mr. Spencer earned a B.A. in Business Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara. Our Board believes that Mr. Spencer’s prior experience, including his financial and commercialization experience, his tenure at Dynavax and his role as a Chief Executive Officer qualifies him to serve as a director.
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PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The Board is requesting stockholder approval of an amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2014 Employee Stock Purchase2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 ESPP”). We refer to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000.
3.
To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice.
4.
To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
In addition, you will also be asked to conduct other business, if any, as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
What is the Board’s recommendation?
The Board recommends that you vote “For” each of the four proposals.
What if another matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting?
The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with her or his best judgment.
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How do I vote?
You may either vote “For” all the nominees to the Board or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify. For each of the other matters to be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The procedures for voting are simple:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by Internet before or during the Annual Meeting, by phone before the Annual Meeting or by proxy before the Annual Meeting using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote to ensure your vote is counted.
To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the proxy card that may be delivered and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
To vote by phone, call 1-800-690-6903 free of charge and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the control number from the Notice. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 22, 2024 to be counted.
To vote through the Internet before the meeting, go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the on-screen instructions to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the control number from the Notice. Your Internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 22, 2024 to be counted.
To vote through the Internet during the meeting, please visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024 and have available the 16-digit control number included in your Notice.
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 or other agent, you should have received a notice containing voting instructions from that organization rather than from Dynavax. Simply follow the voting instructions in such notice to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote live at the Annual Meeting, follow the instructions after logging into the meeting website.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the Record Date.
What happens if I do not vote?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote before the Annual Meeting by phone or by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time, or through the Internet before or at the Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether your broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the applicable stock exchange deems the particular proposal to be a “routine” matter. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under the rules and interpretations of the New York Stock Exchange, “non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on
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executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. We believe that Proposals 1, 2 and 3 will be considered “non-routine,” and that Proposal 4 will be considered “routine.” Accordingly, your broker or nominee may not vote your shares on Proposals 1, 2 or 3 without your instructions, but may vote your shares on Proposal 4.
What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted:
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Proposal 1: “For” election of our three nominees as Class III directors;
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Proposal 2: “For” approval of the amendment and restatement of the 2014 ESPP in this proxy statement asDynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the “Amended 2014 ESPP”.
The Amended 2014 ESPP contains the following material change from the 2014 ESPP:
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Amended 2014 ESPP will be 1,850,000 shares, which is an increase of 1,000,000 shares over the current maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the 2014 ESPP.
Approval of the Amended 2014 ESPP will allow us to continue to provide our employees with the opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in the Company through their participation in the Amended 2014 ESPP, thereby encouraging them to remain in our service and more closely aligning their interests with those of our stockholders.
If this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders, an additional 1,000,000 shares of our common stock will be available for issuance under the Amended 2014 ESPP. As of April 6, 2021, a total of 151,667 shares of our common stock remained available for issuance under the 2014 ESPP. We do not maintain any other employee stock purchase plans. As of April 6, 2021, a total of 114,563,212 shares of our common stock were outstanding.
Summary of the Amended 2014 ESPP
A summary of the principal features of the Amended 2014 ESPP follows below. The summary is qualified by the full text of the Amended 2014 ESPP that is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement.
Purpose
The purpose of the Amended 2014 ESPP is to provide a means by which our employees may be given an opportunity to purchase shares of our common stock, to assist us in retaining the services of our employees, to secure and retain the services of new employees and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for our success. The rights to purchase common stock granted under the Amended 2014 ESPP are intended to qualify as options issued under an “employee stock purchase plan” as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Administration
The Board has the power to administer the Amended 2014 ESPP and may also delegate administration of the Amended 2014 ESPP to a committee comprised of one or more members of the Board. The Board has delegated administration of the Amended 2014 ESPP to the Compensation Committee, but may, at any time, revest in itself some or all of the powers previously delegated to the Compensation Committee. Each of the Board and the Compensation Committee is considered to be a Plan Administrator for purposes of this Proposal 2. The Plan Administrator has the power to construe and interpret both the Amended 2014 ESPP and the rights granted under it. The Plan Administrator has the power, subject to the provisions of the Amended 2014 ESPP, to determine when and how rights to purchase our common stock will be granted, the provisions of each offering of such rights (which need not be identical), and whether employees of any of our parent or subsidiary companies will be eligible to participate in the Amended 2014 ESPP.
Stock Subject to Amended 2014 ESPP
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Amended 2014 ESPP is 1,850,000 shares, which is equal to the sum of (i) 50,000 shares that were approved at our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, (ii) an additional 200,000 shares that were approved at our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, (iii) an additional 600,000 shares that were approved at our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders and (iv) an additional 1,000,000 shares that are subject to approval by our stockholders under this Proposal 2 . If any rights granted under the Amended
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2014 ESPP terminate without being exercised in full, the shares of common stock not purchased under such rights again become available for issuance under the Amended 2014 ESPP. The shares of common stock purchasable under the Amended 2014 ESPP will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired common stock, including shares repurchased by us on the open market.
Offerings
The Amended 2014 ESPP will be implemented by offerings of rights to purchase our common stock to all eligible employees. The Plan Administrator will determine the duration of each offering period, provided that in no event may an offering period exceed 27 months. The Plan Administrator may establish separate offerings which vary in terms (although not inconsistent with the provisions of the Amended 2014 ESPP or the requirements of applicable laws). Each offering period will have one or more purchase dates, as determined by the Plan Administrator prior to the commencement of the offering period. The Plan Administrator has the authority to alter the terms of an offering prior to the commencement of the offering period, including the duration of subsequent offering periods. When an eligible employee elects to join an offering period, he or she is granted a right to purchase shares of our common stock on each purchase date within the offering period. On the purchase date, all contributions collected from the participant are automatically applied to the purchase of our common stock, subject to certain limitations (which are described further below under “Eligibility”).
The Plan Administrator has the discretion to structure an offering so that if the fair market value of our common stock on the first trading day of a new purchase period within the offering period is less than or equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the first day of the offering period, then that offering will terminate immediately as of that first trading day, and the participants in such terminated offering will be automatically enrolled in a new offering beginning on the first trading day of such new purchase period.
Eligibility
Any individual who is employed by us (or by any of our parent or subsidiary companies if such company is designated by the Plan Administrator as eligible to participate in the Amended 2014 ESPP) may participate in offerings under the Amended 2014 ESPP, provided such individual has been employed by us (or our parent or subsidiary, if applicable) for such continuous period preceding the first day of the offering period as the Plan Administrator may require, but in no event may the required period of continuous employment be equal to or greater than two years. In addition, the Plan Administrator may provide that an employee will not be eligible to be granted purchase rights under the Amended 2014 ESPP unless such employee is customarily employed for more than 20 hours per week and more than five months per calendar year. The Plan Administrator may also provide in any offering that certain of our employees who are “highly compensated” as defined in the Code are not eligible to participate in the Amended 2014 ESPP.
No employee will be eligible to participate in the Amended 2014 ESPP if, immediately after the grant of purchase rights, the employee would own, directly or indirectly, stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of our stock or of any of our parent or subsidiary companies, including any stock which such employee may purchase under all outstanding purchase rights and options. In addition, no employee may purchase more than $25,000 worth of our common stock (determined based on the fair market value of the shares at the time such rights are granted) under all our employee stock purchase plans and any employee stock purchase plans of our parent or subsidiary companies for each calendar year during which such rights are outstanding.
As of April 6, 2021, we had approximately 252 employees.
Participation in the Amended 2014 ESPP
An eligible employee may enroll in the Amended 2014 ESPP by delivering to us, within the time specified in the offering, an enrollment form authorizing contributions as specified by the Plan Administrator, which may be up to 10% of such employee’s earnings during the offering period. Each participant will be granted a separate purchase right for each offering in which he or she participates. Unless an employee’s participation is discontinued, his or her purchase right will be exercised automatically at the end of each purchase period at the applicable purchase price.
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Purchase Price
The purchase price per share at which shares of our common stock are acquired pursuant to purchase rights on each purchase date during an offering period will not be less than the lower of (i) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the first day of the offering period or (ii) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the applicable purchase date.
As of April 6, 2021, the closing price of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $10.12 per share.
Payment of Purchase Price; Payroll Deductions
The purchase of shares during an offering period generally will be funded by a participant’s payroll deductions accumulated during the offering period. A participant may change his or her rate of contributions, if and as permitted in the offering. All contributions made for a participant are credited to his or her account under the Amended 2014 ESPP and deposited with our general funds.
Purchase Limits
In connection with each offering made under the Amended 2014 ESPP, the Plan Administrator may specify (i) a maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be purchased by any participant pursuant to such offering, (ii) a maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be purchased by any participant on any purchase date pursuant to such offering, (iii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of our common stock thatauthorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000;
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Proposal 3: “For” advisory approval of executive compensation; and
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Proposal 4: “For” ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares at his or her discretion.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. Furthermore, we have retained the services of Alliance Advisors, LLC in connection with stockholder outreach efforts discussed in this proxy statement, for which we estimate that we will pay a fee not to exceed $24,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?
If you receive more than one Notice, your shares may be registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each of the Notices to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.
You may submit a later-dated vote by telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials). Votes submitted by telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 22, 2024 to be counted.
You may grant a subsequent proxy through the Internet. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials).
You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California 94608.
You may virtually attend the Annual Meeting and vote by Internet by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. To attend the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included in your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
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Your most current proxy card or telephone vote or Internet proxy is the one that is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Agent
If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.
When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting?
To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by December 12, 2024 to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California 94608. However, if our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held between April 23, 2025 and June 22, 2025, then the deadline will be a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials.
If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) that is not to be included in next year’s proxy materials, you must do so no later than the close of business on February 22, 2025 and no earlier than the close of business on January 23, 2025. However, if our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held between April 23, 2025 and June 22, 2025, then you must submit your proposal (or director nomination) not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must also comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b).
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
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Proposal 1: to elect our three nominees for Class III directors, the three nominees receiving the most “For” votes from the holders of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or represented by proxy) and cast for the election of directors will be purchasedelected. Only votes “For” will affect the outcome of the vote; “Withhold” votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. However, if a nominee receives a greater number of “Withhold” votes than “For” votes, such nominee will submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by all participants pursuantour Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with our Majority Vote Policy discussed in more detail in the section entitled “Corporate Governance – Majority Vote Policy” in this proxy statement.
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Proposal 2: to such offering, and/or (iv) a maximumapprove the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be purchased by all participants on any purchase date pursuant to such offering. If the aggregate purchase of shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of purchase rights granted under such offering would exceed any such maximum aggregate number, then, in the absence of any action by the Plan Administrator otherwise, a pro rata allocation of available shares of our common stock will be made in as nearly a uniform manner as will be practicable and equitable.
Withdrawal
Participants may withdraw from a given offering by delivering a withdrawal form to us and terminating their contributions. Such withdrawal may be elected at any time prior to the end of an offering, except as otherwise provided by the Plan Administrator. Upon such withdrawal, we will distribute to the employee his or her accumulated but unused contributions without interest, and such employee’s right to participate in that offering will terminate. However, an employee’s withdrawal from an offering does not affect such employee’s eligibility to participate in subsequent offeringsauthorized for issuance under the Amended 2014 ESPP.
Terminationplan by 11,400,000, such amendment and restatement must receive “For” votes from the holders of Employment
Except as requireda majority of votes cast on the proposal (either virtually at the meeting or by law, a participant’s outstanding purchase rights under any offering underproxy) at the Amended 2014 ESPP will terminate immediately upon either (i) termination of the participant’s employment with us (or any of our parent or subsidiary companies if such company is designated by the Plan Administrator as eligible to participate in the Amended 2014 ESPP) or (ii) any other circumstance or event that causes the participant to no longer be eligible to participate in the offering. In such event, we will distribute to the participant his or her accumulated but unused contributions without interest.
Restrictions on Transfer
Rights granted under the Amended 2014 ESPPmeeting. Abstentions are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or, if permitted by us, by a beneficiary designation. During the lifetime of the participant, such rights may only be exercised by the participant.
Changes in Capitalization
In the event of certain changes in our capitalization, the Plan Administrator will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Amended 2014 ESPP; (ii) the class(es) and number of securities subject to, and the purchase price applicable to outstanding offerings and purchase rights; and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities that are the subject of the purchase limits under each ongoing offering.
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Effect of Certain Corporate Transactions
In the event of a corporate transaction (as defined in the Amended 2014 ESPP and described below), each outstanding purchase right under the Amended 2014 ESPP will be assumed or continued or a similar right will be substituted for such purchase right by the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent or subsidiary), unless the Plan Administrator determines to shorten any offering periods then in progress by setting a new purchase date prior to the corporate transaction. If the Plan Administrator sets such a new purchase date, then the Plan Administrator will notify each participant in writing at least 10 business days prior to the new purchase date that the purchase date for the participant’s outstanding purchase rights has been changed to such new purchase date and that either: (i) the participant’s outstanding purchase rights will be exercised automatically on such new purchase date, unless the participant withdraws from the applicable offering prior to such new purchase date, and such purchase rights will terminate immediately after such exercise; or (ii) in lieu of such exercise, we will pay to the participant on such new purchase date an amount in cash, cash equivalents, or property as determined by the Plan Administrator that is equal to the difference in the fair market value of the shares of common stock subject to the participant’s outstanding purchase rights on such new purchase date and the applicable exercise price due had such purchase rights been exercised automatically on such new purchase date, and such purchase rights will terminate immediately after such payment.
For purposes of the Amended 2014 ESPP, a corporate transaction generally will be deemed to occur in the event of the consummation of: (i) a merger or consolidation in which we are not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state in which we are incorporated; (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets (including the capital stock of our subsidiary corporations); (iii) our complete liquidation or dissolution; (iv) any reverse merger or series of related transactions culminating in a reverse merger (including, but not limited to, a tender offer followed by a reverse merger) in which we are the surviving entity but in which securities possessing more than 40% of the total combined voting power of our outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such merger or the initial transaction culminating in such merger but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Plan Administrator determines will not be a corporate transaction; or (v) acquisition in a single or series of related transactions by any person or related group of persons (other than us or by an employee benefit plan sponsored by us) of beneficial ownership of securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of our outstanding securities but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Plan Administrator determines will not be a corporate transaction.
Duration, Amendment and Termination
The Plan Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Amended 2014 ESPP at any time. However, except in regard to certain capitalization adjustments, any amendment must be approved by our stockholders if such approval is required by applicable law or listing requirements.
Any outstanding purchase rights granted before an amendment, suspension or termination of the Amended 2014 ESPP will not be materially impaired by any such amendment, suspension or termination, except (i) with the consent of the employee to whom such purchase rights were granted, (ii) as necessary to comply with any laws, listing requirements or governmental regulations (including Section 423 of the Code), or (iii) as necessary to obtain or maintain favorable tax, listing or regulatory treatment.
Federal Income Tax Information
The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income taxation consequences to participants and us with respect to participation in the Amended 2014 ESPP. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any local, state or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside. The information is based upon current federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Because the tax consequences to any participant may depend on his or her particular situation, each participant should consult the participant’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local, and other tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an option or the disposition of common stock acquired under the Amended 2014 ESPP. The Amended 2014 ESPP is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code and is not subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
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Rights granted under the Amended 2014 ESPP are intended to qualify for favorable federal income tax treatment associated with rights granted under an employee stock purchase plan which qualifies under the provisions of Section 423 of the Code.
A participant will be taxed on amounts withheld for the purchase of shares of our common stock as if such amounts were actually received. Otherwise, no income will be taxable to a participant as a result of the granting or exercise of a purchase right until a sale or other disposition of the acquired shares. The taxation upon such sale or other disposition will depend upon the holding period of the acquired shares.
If the shares are sold or otherwise disposed of more than two years after the beginning of the offering period and more than one year after the shares are transferred to the participant, then the lesser of the following will be treated as ordinary income: (i) the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of such sale or other disposition over the purchase price; or (ii) the excess of the fair market value of the shares as of the beginning of the offering period over the purchase price (determined as of the beginning of the offering period). Any further gain or any loss will be taxed as a long-term capital gain or loss.
If the shares are sold or otherwise disposed of before the expiration of either of the holding periods described above, then the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date over the purchase price will be treated as ordinary income at the time of such sale or other disposition. The balance of any gain will be treated as capital gain. Even if the shares are later sold or otherwise disposed of for less than their fair market value on the purchase date, the same amount of ordinary income is attributed to the participant, and a capital loss is recognized equal to the difference between the sales price and the fair market value of the shares on such purchase date. Any capital gain or loss will be short-term or long-term, depending on how long the shares have been held.
There are no federal income tax consequences to us by reason of the grant or exercise of rights under the Amended 2014 ESPP. We are entitled to a deduction to the extent amounts are taxed as ordinary income to a participant for shares sold or otherwise disposed of before the expiration of the holding periods described above (subject to the requirement of reasonableness and the satisfaction of tax reporting obligations).
Plan Benefits under 2014 ESPP
The following table sets forth, for each of the individuals and various groups indicated, the total number of shares of our common stock that have been purchased under the 2014 ESPP as of April 6, 2021.
2014 ESPP
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Name and Position
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Number of Shares
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Ryan Spencer
CEO and Director
​​
7,848
​
​
David F. Novack
President and Chief Operating Officer
​​
8,671
​
​
Michael Ostrach
Former Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer
​​
—
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical and Regulatory Affairs
​​
4,086
​
​
All current executive officers as a group
​​
20,605
​
​
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group
​​
—
​
​
Each nominee for election as a director:
​​
​
​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
​​
—
​
​
Peter Paradiso, Ph.D.
​​
—
​
​
Peggy V. Phillips
​​
—
​
​
Each associate of any executive officers, current directors or director nominees
​​
—
​
​
Each other person who received or is to receive 5% of purchase rights
​​
—
​
​
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group
​​
677,728
​
14
New Plan Benefits under Amended 2014 ESPP
Participation in the Amended 2014 ESPP is voluntary and each eligible employee will make his or her own decision regarding whether and to what extent to participate in the Amended 2014 ESPP. In addition, we have not approved any grants of purchase rights that are conditioned on stockholder approval of this Proposal 2. Accordingly, we cannot determine the benefits or amounts that will be received in the future by individual employees or groups of employees under the Amended 2014 ESPP. Our non-employee directors will not be eligible to participate in the Amended 2014 ESPP. Mr. Ostrach retired from the Company effective March 31, 2021votes cast and, therefore, will have no effect. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
•
Proposal 3: to approve, on an advisory basis, the 2023 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, such advisory approval must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If you return your proxy and select “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
•
Proposal 4: to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, such ratification must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If you return your proxy and select “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect. However, as we believe Proposal 4 will be considered a “routine” matter, we do not be eligibleexpect to participate in the Amended 2014 ESPP.receive any broker non-votes.
5
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid Annual Meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present virtually at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy. On the Record Date, there were 130,862,916 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present virtually at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy may adjourn the Annual Meeting to another date.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days following the voting. If we are unable to obtain final results in that time, we will announce the preliminary results and subsequently file a second current report on Form 8-K with the final results.
What proxy materials are available on the Internet?
The 2024 proxy statement and 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at https://investors.dynavax.com/annuals-proxies.cfm.
6
PROPOSAL 1
 
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board is divided into three classes, and each class has a three-year term. Vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the Board to fill a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class and until the director’s successor is elected and qualified.
Our Board presently has nine members. Natale Ricciardi and Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph.D. previously served on our Board and their services concluded in 2023; Mr. Ricciardi’s term expired effective immediately prior to our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and Dr. Hack resigned from our Board effective August 30, 2023. There are currently three Class III directors whose term of office expires in 2024: Francis R. Cano, Ph.D., Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D. and Peggy V. Phillips. Each of Drs. Cano and Paradiso and Ms. Phillips is a nominee for director and currently a director of the Company, previously elected by the stockholders at our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
If each nominee is again elected at the Annual Meeting, each of these nominees will serve until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successor is elected and has qualified, or, if sooner, until the director’s death, resignation or removal. We have a policy encouraging our directors’ attendance at our annual meetings. There were six out of ten then-serving directors in attendance at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Vote Required
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the holders of shares present virtually at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. The three nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of the nominees named herein. Although the election of directors at the Annual Meeting is uncontested and directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, and we therefore anticipate that each of the named nominees for director will be elected at the Annual Meeting, under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, any nominee for director is required to submit an offer of resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee if such nominee for director (in an uncontested election) receives a greater number of “Withhold” votes than “For” votes. In such case, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will then consider all the relevant facts and circumstances and recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such offer of resignation. For more information on this policy, see the section entitled “Corporate Governance – Majority Vote Policy.” If any nominee becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, your shares will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee proposed by our Board. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected. Our Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
Set forth below is certain biographical information as of April 1, 2024, regarding the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to believe that each director or nominee should serve on the Board. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
​
Name
​​
Age
​​
Position
​
​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
​​
79
​​
Director
​
​
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.
​​
73
​​
Director
​
​
Peggy V. Phillips
​​
70
​​
Director
​
CLASS III DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
Dr. Cano has been a member of our Board since November 2009. Dr. Cano has been President and Founder of Cano Biotech Corp., a consulting firm focusing on the vaccine business, since 1996. Previously, Dr. Cano served on the board of Biomerica, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of diagnostic products from 2000 to 2022. From 1993 to 1996, Dr. Cano was President and Chief Operating Officer for Aviron, a biopharmaceutical
7
company, which developed the live influenza vaccine Flu-Mist and was later acquired by MedImmune in 2001. As a Co-Founder of Aviron, he completed two rounds of venture financing, a licensing agreement with SmithKline Biologicals and in-licensed Flu-Mist influenza virus from the National Institutes of Health. For 21 years, Dr. Cano worked with the Lederle Laboratories Division of American Cyanamid, including as its Vice President and General Manager of the Biological Division. He earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Pennsylvania State University, served as a Research Associate at Rutgers Institute of Microbiology, and holds a M.S. in Microbiology and a B.S. in Biology from St. John’s University. Dr. Cano’s major breakthrough was being the chief scientist to use conjugate technology and develop Prevnar to protect against otitis media in children and pneumonia in adults. The Board believes that Dr. Cano’s experience as a founder of and advisor to established vaccine businesses provides significant insights for the strategy of the Company with respect to key technical and operational issues in vaccine development and qualifies him to be nominated as a director.
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.
Dr. Paradiso has been a member of our Board since September 2020. Dr. Paradiso has worked in vaccine development for over 30 years. Since 2012, he is currently the sole proprietor of Paradiso Biologics Consulting, LLC. and serves as a member of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) and Co-chair of the CEPI-NIAID Steering Committee for Broadly Protective Coronavirus Vaccines. Dr. Paradiso retired from Pfizer Vaccines, a Division of Pfizer, Inc. in 2012 where he served as Vice President, New Business and Scientific Affairs. In this position, Dr. Paradiso was responsible for global scientific affairs and strategic planning within the vaccine research and development group and for commercial oversight of products in development. Dr. Paradiso received a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in biochemistry from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and a B.S. in Chemistry from St. Lawrence University. Our Board believes that Dr. Paradiso’s extensive experience in vaccine development can provide significant insights and qualifies him to be nominated as a director.
Peggy V. Phillips
Ms. Phillips has been a member of our Board since August 2006. Ms. Phillips served on the board of directors of several biopharmaceutical companies: PhaseRx, Inc. from 2016 to 2018, Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (now known as Arbutus Biopharma) from 2014 to 2015, Portola Pharmaceuticals from 2006 to 2013, as well as the Naval Academy Foundation from 2003 to 2011. From 1996 until 2002, she served on the board of directors of Immunex Corporation, a biotechnology company, and, from 1999, she served as its Chief Operating Officer until the company was acquired by Amgen in 2002. During her career at Immunex, she held positions of increasing responsibility in research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing. As Senior Vice President for Pharmaceutical Development and General Manager for Enbrel® from 1994 until 1998, she was responsible for clinical development and regulatory affairs as well as the launch, sales and marketing of the product. Prior to joining Immunex, Ms. Phillips worked at Miles Laboratories. Ms. Phillips holds a B.S. and a M.S. in microbiology from the University of Idaho. Our Board believes that Ms. Phillips provides significant experience in development and commercialization of biotechnology products. Our Board believes that Ms. Phillips’s background and experience with large, complex organizations provides significant operational and strategic insights in assessing the strategy of the Company and qualifies her to be nominated as a director.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE.
8
Information About Our Continuing Directors
Set forth below is certain biographical information as of April 1, 2024, for the remaining members of our Board whose term as a director will continue after the Annual Meeting.
​
Name
​​
Age
​​
Position
​
​
Julie Eastland
​​
59
​​
Director
​
​
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
​​
77
​​
Director
​
​
Brent MacGregor
​​
60
​​
Director
​
​
Scott Myers
​​
57
​​
Director
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
46
​​
Chief Executive Officer, Director
​
​
Elaine Sun
​​
53
​​
Director
​
CLASS I DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING
Julie Eastland
Ms. Eastland has been a member of our Board since July 2020. Ms. Eastland served as the Chief Executive Officer of Harpoon Therapeutics, a publicly traded oncology company, from November 2021 and as a member of its board of directors from October 2018 until its acquisition by Merck Sharpe & Dohme in March 2024. Prior to Harpoon, Ms. Eastland served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ReCode Therapeutics, a privately-held genetics medicine company focused on delivery of novel, anti-viral lipid nanoparticles therapeutics for respiratory diseases, from October 2020 to November 2021. Prior to ReCode, Ms. Eastland served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of Rainier Therapeutics, a private biopharmaceutical company focused on FGFR3 bladder cancer, from September 2018 to January 2020. Prior to Rainier, she served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of Cascadian Therapeutics, a publicly traded company, from 2010 to March 2018, when Cascadian was sold to Seattle Genetics, primarily for tucatinib, a HER2 targeted breast cancer therapy now marketed as Tukysa. Prior to Cascadian, Ms. Eastland served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Operations of VLST Corporation from 2006 to 2010, a privately-held biotechnology company, and held various financial and strategic management positions at publicly traded biotechnology companies including Dendreon and Amgen. Ms. Eastland received an M.B.A. from Edinburgh University Management School and a B.S. in finance from Colorado State University. Our Board believes that Ms. Eastland’s experience as a financial executive in the biopharmaceutical industry qualifies her to serve on our Board.
Brent MacGregor
Mr. MacGregor has been a member of our Board since July 2020. Since November 2020, Mr. MacGregor has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Medical Developments International Ltd., an Australian-based company with marketed products in pain management and respiratory ailments. He previously served as Senior Vice-President, Global Commercial Operations at Seqirus, a CSL Limited company, from January 2016 to June 2020. At Seqirus, Mr. MacGregor led a global team of 280 people in sales, marketing, commercial development, public policy and business development for a portfolio of seasonal influenza vaccines, an intra venous anti-viral product, a suite of in-licensed vaccines and pharmaceutical products, and a pandemic and pre-pandemic business. Prior to Seqirus, Mr. MacGregor was President and Global Head of Novartis Influenza Vaccines from January 2015 to January 2016, where he led integrated global operations of its influenza portfolio, through its acquisition by CSL Ltd. He was President of Novartis Vaccines US and Head of North America from 2012 to 2014. Mr. MacGregor held several roles while at Sanofi Pasteur where he spent 17 years with his final role as President, Sanofi Pasteur KK, Tokyo, Japan. Mr. MacGregor received an M.B.A. from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, a Master of Arts from University of Reading, Reading, England and a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. Our Board believes that Mr. MacGregor’s experience as a vaccine executive qualifies him to serve on our Board.
9
Scott Myers
Mr. Myers has been the Chairperson of our Board since October 2021. From February 2023 to November 2023, he served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Viridian Therapeutics, a public biotechnology company. Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer and served on the board of directors of AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from April 2020 to November 2020, where he led its turnaround and strategic exit to Covis Pharma, S.à.r.l., a specialty pharmaceutical company. Mr. Myers served as chairman of the board and CEO of Rainier Therapeutics, Inc., an oncology biotechnology company focused on late-stage bladder cancer, from June 2018 to January 2020. He also served as Rainier’s Chief Executive Officer from September 2018 to January 2020 and led Rainier’s asset sale of vofatamab to Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Prior to Rainier, Mr. Myers served as Chief Executive Officer, President and Director for Cascadian Therapeutics, Inc., an oncology company, from April 2016 through its acquisition by Seattle Genetics in March 2018. Mr. Myers is chairman of the board of directors of Ironshore Pharmaceuticals, a private, commercial stage, ADHD company. He was previously chairman of the board of directors of Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded oncology company, until its acquisition by Merck Sharpe & Dohme in March 2024, and he was previously a director of Selecta Biosciences Inc., a gene therapy-rare disease company, until October 2023.
Mr. Myers holds a B.A. in Biology from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago (Booth). Our Board believes that Mr. Myers’s extensive experience as a life sciences executive qualifies him to serve on our Board.
Elaine Sun
Ms. Sun has been a member of our Board since December 2021. Since March 2022, Ms. Sun has served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Mammoth Biosciences, Inc., a CRISPR gene editing company. Previously, Ms. Sun served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., a public commercial-stage biotechnology company, from March 2020 to February 2022. Prior to joining Halozyme, from January 2017 to December 2019, Ms. Sun served in senior management positions at SutroVax, Inc. (now known as Vaxcyte, Inc.), a public life sciences company specializing in developing novel vaccines, most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. From 2013 to December 2016, Ms. Sun was an independent financial advisory consultant for private and public healthcare companies. Previously, Ms. Sun served as Managing Director and Head of West Coast Healthcare at Evercore Partners, a leading independent investment banking advisory firm, where she led Evercore’s U.S. life sciences efforts, and Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Ms. Sun received her M.B.A. degree from Harvard Business School and her B.A. degree from Wellesley College. Our Board believes that Ms. Sun’s financial expertise and experience in the life sciences industry qualifies her to serve on our Board.
CLASS II DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
Dr. Kisner has been a member of our Board since July 2010. From 2003 to 2010, Dr. Kisner served as a partner at Aberdare Ventures and prior to that as President and Chief Executive Officer of Caliper Technologies, leading its evolution from a start-up focused on microfluidic lab-on-chip technology to a publicly traded, commercial organization. Prior to Caliper, he was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biomedical pharmaceutical company. Previously, Dr. Kisner was Division Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development for Abbott Laboratories and Vice President of Clinical Research and Development at SmithKline Beckman Pharmaceuticals. In addition, he held a tenured position in the Division of Oncology at the University of Texas, San Antonio School of Medicine and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Additionally, he is currently serving on the board of Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc., a San Diego based cancer therapeutics company. Dr. Kisner previously served as Chairman of the board for Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company, until March 2015, and as a director of Histogen, Inc., Lpath, Inc., Conatus Pharmaceuticals and Zynerba Pharmaceuticals. He holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and an M.D. from Georgetown University. Our Board believes that Dr. Kisner’s background with larger, complex technology-based organizations as well as his significant experience with corporate transactions, including investing in venture-backed life science companies, provides the Board with insights for setting strategy of the Company and qualifies him to serve on our Board.
10
Ryan Spencer
Mr. Spencer has been a member of our Board since December 2019. Mr. Spencer joined Dynavax in 2006 and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since December 2019 and as interim Chief Financial Officer since March 2024. Mr. Spencer previously served as interim co-President between May and December 2019. At the time of his appointment as interim co-President in May 2019, Mr. Spencer served as Senior Vice President, Commercial where he was instrumental in leading the launch and commercialization of HEPLISAV-B. Throughout his time at Dynavax since November 2006, Mr. Spencer has held a variety of positions with increasing responsibility, building from a foundation in corporate finance to business strategy and investor relations, including Senior Director Strategic Planning until his promotion in September 2016 to Senior Product Director, followed by promotions in February 2017 to Vice President Corporate Strategy & Commercialization and in May 2019 to Senior Vice President, Commercial. Prior to joining Dynavax, Mr. Spencer was the Assistant Controller at QRS Corporation, a publicly-held technology company, and was a member of the audit practice at Ernst & Young. Mr. Spencer earned a B.A. in Business Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara. Our Board believes that Mr. Spencer’s prior experience, including his financial and commercialization experience, his tenure at the Company and his role as a Chief Executive Officer qualifies him to serve on our Board.
11
PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board is requesting stockholder approval of an amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 EIP”). We refer to such amendment and restatement of the 2018 EIP in this proxy statement as the “Amended 2018 EIP.”
The Amended 2018 EIP contains the following material changes from the 2018 EIP:
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Amended 2018 EIP will not exceed 41,440,250 shares (plus the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares (as defined below), as such shares become available from time to time), which is an increase of 11,400,000 shares over the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the 2018 EIP.
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options under the Amended 2018 EIP will be 44,000,000 shares, which is an increase of 11,400,000 shares over the aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options under the 2018 EIP.
Why We Are Asking Our Stockholders to Approve the Amended 2018 EIP
We are seeking stockholder approval of the Amended 2018 EIP primarily to increase the number of shares available for the grant of stock options, restricted stock unit awards and other awards by 11,400,000 shares, which will enable us to have a competitive equity incentive program to compete with our peer group for key talent.
Our stockholders’ approval of the Amended 2018 EIP will allow us to continue to grant stock options, restricted stock unit awards and other awards at levels determined appropriate by the Board or Compensation Committee. The Amended 2018 EIP will also allow us to further utilize a broad array of equity incentives in order to secure and retain the services of our employees and directors, and to continue to provide long-term incentives that align the interests of our employees and directors with the interests of our stockholders.
Stockholder Approval
If this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders, the Amended 2018 EIP will become effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting. In the event that our stockholders do not approve this Proposal 2, the Amended 2018 EIP will not become effective and the 2018 EIP will continue in its current form.
Why You Should Vote for the Amended 2018 EIP
The Amended 2018 EIP Combines Compensation and Governance Best Practices
The Amended 2018 EIP includes provisions that are designed to protect our stockholders’ interests and to reflect corporate governance best practices including:
•
Stockholder approval is required for additional shares. The Amended 2018 EIP does not contain an annual “evergreen” provision. The Amended 2018 EIP authorizes a fixed number of shares, so that stockholder approval is required to issue any additional shares from the plan.
•
Repricing is not allowed. The Amended 2018 EIP prohibits the repricing of stock options and stock appreciation rights without prior stockholder approval.
•
No discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights. All stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended 2018 EIP must have an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option or stock appreciation right is granted.
•
Reasonable share counting provisions. In general, when awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP lapse or are canceled, the shares reserved for those awards will be returned to the share reserve and be available for future awards. However, any shares received from the exercise of stock options or withheld for taxes will not be returned to our share reserve.
12
•
Minimum vesting requirements. The Amended 2018 EIP provides that no award may vest until at least 12 months following the date of grant of such award, except that shares up to 5% of the share reserve of the Amended 2018 EIP may be issued pursuant to awards that do not meet such vesting requirements.
•
Limit on non-employee director compensation. The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation granted or paid by us to any individual for service as a non-employee director of the Board with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed (i) a total of $200,000 with respect to any such cash compensation and (ii) $800,000 in total value with respect to any such equity-based compensation (including awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP and any other equity-based awards), provided that for any individual who is first appointed or elected to the Board during any fiscal year of the Company, the limit for such individual’s equity-based compensation will be $1,200,000 with respect to such fiscal year, in each case calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes.
•
Restrictions on dividends. The Amended 2018 EIP provides that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to any shares of our common stock subject to an award before the date such shares have vested, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of the applicable award agreement (including any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to us on the date such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by us due to a failure to vest.
•
Specific disclosure of award vesting upon a corporate transaction or change in control. The Amended 2018 EIP specifically provides that if a corporate transaction or change in control (each, a “Transaction”) occurs and the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan (as defined below), or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated prior to the Transaction, the vesting of such awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to performance stock awards, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the target level of performance).
Overhang
The following table provides certain information regarding our equity incentive program.
​
​​
As of April 1, 2024
​
​
Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options
​​
11,292,277
​
​
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options
​​
$11.05
​
​
Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options
​​
4.39 years
​
​
Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding full value awards
​​
6,813,431
​
​
Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2018 EIP(1)
​​
3,046,897
​
​
Total number of shares of common stock outstanding
​​
130,862,916
​
​
Per-share closing price of common stock as reported by Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
​​
$12.58
​
(1)
As of April 1, 2024, there were no shares of common stock available for grant under any of our other equity incentive plans.
We Manage Our Equity Incentive Award Use Carefully and Dilution Is Reasonable
We continue to believe that equity incentive awards such as stock options and restricted stock unit awards are a vital part of our overall compensation program. Our compensation philosophy reflects broad-based eligibility for equity incentive awards, and we grant awards to substantially all of our employees. However, we recognize that equity incentive awards dilute existing stockholders, and, therefore, we must responsibly manage the growth of our equity compensation program. We are committed to effectively monitoring our equity compensation share reserve, including our “burn rate,” to ensure that we maximize stockholders’ value by granting the appropriate number of equity incentive awards necessary to attract, reward, and retain employees. In addition, the vesting of some of our equity awards granted to our named executive officers are contingent on meeting pre-defined performance criteria, thereby ensuring alignment with value creation.
13
The following table shows our responsible historical dilution and burn rate percentages.
​
As of December 31
​​
2023
​​
2022
​​
2021
​
​
Full Dilution(1)
​​
15.99%
​​
18.27%
​​
13.50%
​
​
Gross Burn Rate (as discussed in greater detail below)(2)
​​
3.96%
​​
3.64%
​​
5.17%
​
(1)
Full Dilution is calculated as (shares available for grant + shares subject to outstanding equity incentive awards)/(weighted average common stock outstanding + shares available for grant + shares subject to outstanding equity incentive awards).
(2)
Gross Burn Rate is calculated as (shares subject to options granted + shares subject to other equity incentive awards granted)/weighted average common stock outstanding.
The Size of Our Share Reserve Increase Request Is Reasonable
If this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders, we will have 11,400,000 new shares available for grant after our Annual Meeting for a total of approximately 14,446,897 shares available for grant after our Annual Meeting (based on shares available under the 2018 EIP as of April 1, 2024) (plus the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares (as defined below), as such shares become available from time to time), and absent any unforeseen circumstances, we anticipate returning to stockholders for additional shares in 2025 or 2026.
Burn Rate
The following table provides detailed information regarding the activity related to our equity incentive plans for fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021.
​
​​
Fiscal
Year 2023
​​
Fiscal
Year 2022
​​
Fiscal
Year 2021
​
​
Total number of shares of common stock subject to stock options granted
​​
1,981,830
​​
2,099,947
​​
3,893,732
​
​
Total number of shares of common stock subject to full value awards granted
​​
3,111,870
​​
2,502,797
​​
2,114,629
​
​
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding
​​
128,733,497
​​
126,398,474
​​
116,264,340
​
​
Burn Rate
​​
3.96%
​​
3.64%
​​
5.17%
​
Description of the Amended 2018 EIP
A summary of the principal features of the Amended 2018 EIP follows below. The summary is qualified by the full text of the Amended 2018 EIP that is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement.
Purpose
The Amended 2018 EIP is designed to secure and retain the services of our employees and directors, provide incentives for our employees and directors to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its affiliates, and provide a means by which our employees and directors may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in the value of our common stock.
Types of Awards
The Amended 2018 EIP provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance stock awards, and other stock awards.
Shares Available for Awards
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Amended 2018 EIP will not exceed 41,440,250 shares (which is the sum of (i) 140,250 shares (the number of unallocated shares that were available for grant under the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 EIP”) as of the effective date of the 2018 EIP), (ii) 5,000,000 additional shares that were reserved as of the effective date of the 2018 EIP, (iii) 2,300,000 shares that were approved at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (iv) 7,600,000 shares that were approved at the
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2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (v) 15,000,000 shares that were approved at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and (vi) 11,400,000 newly requested shares), plus the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares (as defined below), as such shares become available from time to time.
The term “Prior Plans” refers to the following: (i) the 2011 EIP; (ii) the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2017 Inducement Award Plan; and (iii) the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2021 Inducement Award Plan.
The term “Prior Plans’ Returning Shares” refers to the following shares of our common stock subject to any outstanding stock award granted under any of the Prior Plans: (i) any shares subject to such stock award that are not issued because such stock award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to such stock award that are not issued because such stock award is settled in cash; and (iii) any shares issued pursuant to such stock award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by us because of a failure to vest.
The following shares of our common stock (collectively, the “Amended 2018 EIP Returning Shares”) will also become available again for issuance under the Amended 2018 EIP: (i) any shares subject to a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP that are not issued because such stock award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP that are not issued because such stock award is settled in cash; and (iii) any shares issued pursuant to a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP that are forfeited back to or repurchased by us because of a failure to vest.
The following shares of our common stock will not become available again for issuance under the Amended 2018 EIP: (i) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP or any Prior Plan (including any shares subject to such award that are not delivered because such award is exercised through a reduction of shares subject to such award); (ii) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP or any Prior Plan; (iii) any shares repurchased by us on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise, strike or purchase price of a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP or any Prior Plan; and (iv) in the event that a stock appreciation right granted under the Amended 2018 EIP or any Prior Plan is settled in shares, the gross number of shares subject to such award.
The number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended 2018 EIP will be reduced by: (i) one share for each share issued pursuant to an Appreciation Award (as defined below) granted under the Amended 2018 EIP; (ii) 1.28 shares for each share issued pursuant to a Full Value Award (as defined below) granted under the Amended 2018 EIP prior to May 30, 2019; and (iii) 1.40 shares for each share issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP on or after May 30, 2019.
The number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended 2018 EIP will be increased by: (i) one share for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or Amended 2018 EIP Returning Share subject to an Appreciation Award; (ii) 1.28 shares for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or Amended 2018 EIP Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returned to the Amended 2018 EIP prior to May 30, 2019; and (iii) 1.40 shares for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or Amended 2018 EIP Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returns to the Amended 2018 EIP on or after May 30, 2019.
The term “Appreciation Award” refers to a stock option or stock appreciation right with an exercise or strike price that is at least 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The term “Full Value Award” refers to a stock award that is not an Appreciation Award.
Eligibility
All of our (including our affiliates’) employees and non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the Amended 2018 EIP and may receive all types of awards other than incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP only to our (including our affiliates’) employees.
As of April 1, 2024, we (including our affiliates) had approximately 413 employees and eight non-employee directors.
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Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit
The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation granted or paid by us to any individual for service as a non-employee director of the Board with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed: (i) a total of $200,000 with respect to any such cash compensation; and (ii) $800,000 in total value with respect to any such equity-based compensation (including awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP and any other equity-based awards), provided that for any individual who is first appointed or elected to the Board during any fiscal year of the Company, the limit for such individual’s equity-based compensation will be $1,200,000 with respect to such fiscal year, in each case calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes.
Administration
The Amended 2018 EIP will be administered by our Board, which may in turn delegate authority to administer the Amended 2018 EIP to a committee. Our Board has delegated concurrent authority to administer the Amended 2018 EIP to our Compensation Committee, but may, at any time, re-vest in itself some or all of the power delegated to our Compensation Committee. Our Board and Compensation Committee are each considered to be a Plan Administrator for purposes of this Proposal 2.
Subject to the terms of the Amended 2018 EIP, the Plan Administrator may determine the recipients, the types of awards to be granted, the number of shares of our common stock subject to or the cash value of awards, and the terms and conditions of awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP, including the period of their exercisability and vesting. The Plan Administrator also has the authority to provide for accelerated exercisability and vesting of awards. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Plan Administrator also determines the fair market value applicable to a stock award and the exercise or strike price of stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended 2018 EIP.
The Plan Administrator may also delegate to one or more officers the authority to designate employees who are not officers to be recipients of certain stock awards and the number of shares of our common stock subject to such stock awards. Under any such delegation, the Plan Administrator will specify the total number of shares of our common stock that may be subject to the stock awards granted by such officer. The officer may not grant a stock award to himself or herself.
Repricing; Cancellation and Re-Grant of Stock Awards
Under the Amended 2018 EIP, the Plan Administrator does not have the authority to reprice any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right by reducing the exercise or strike price of the stock option or stock appreciation right or to cancel any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right that has an exercise or strike price greater than the then-current fair market value of our common stock in exchange for cash or other stock awards without obtaining the approval of our stockholders. Such approval must be obtained within 12 months prior to such an event.
Minimum Vesting Requirements
Under the Amended 2018 EIP, no award may vest until at least 12 months following the date of grant of such award, except that shares up to 5% of the share reserve of the Amended 2018 EIP may be issued pursuant to awards that do not meet such vesting requirements.
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
The Amended 2018 EIP provides that dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited with respect to any shares of our common stock subject to an award, as determined by the Plan Administrator and contained in the applicable award agreement; provided, however, that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to any such shares before the date such shares have vested, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of the applicable award agreement (including any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to us on the date such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by us due to a failure to vest.
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Stock Options
Stock options may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP pursuant to stock option agreements. The Amended 2018 EIP permits the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options (“ISOs”) and non-statutory stock options (“NSOs”).
The exercise price of a stock option granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and, in some cases (see “Limitations on Incentive Stock Options” below), may not be less than 110% of such fair market value.
The term of stock options granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may not exceed seven years from the date of grant and, in some cases (see “Limitations on Incentive Stock Options” below), may not exceed five years from the date of grant. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates (referred to in this Proposal 2 as “continuous service”) terminates (other than for cause and other than upon the participant’s death or disability), the participant may exercise any vested stock options for up to three months following the participant’s termination of continuous service. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s continuous service terminates due to the participant’s disability or death (or the participant dies within a specified period, if any, following termination of continuous service), the participant, or his or her beneficiary, as applicable, may exercise any vested stock options for up to 12 months following the participant’s termination due to the participant’s disability or for up to 18 months following the participant’s death. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s continuous service is terminated for cause (as defined in the Amended 2018 EIP), all stock options held by the participant will terminate upon the participant’s termination of continuous service and the participant will be prohibited from exercising any stock option from and after such termination date. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, the term of a stock option may be extended if the exercise of the stock option following the participant’s termination of continuous service (other than for cause and other than upon the participant’s death or disability) would be prohibited by applicable securities laws or if the sale of any common stock received upon exercise of the stock option following the participant’s termination of continuous service (other than for cause) would violate our insider trading policy. In no event, however, may a stock option be exercised after its original expiration date.
Acceptable forms of consideration for the purchase of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of a stock option under the Amended 2018 EIP will be determined by the Plan Administrator and may include payment: (i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to us; (ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; (iii) by delivery to us of shares of our common stock (either by actual delivery or attestation); (iv) by a net exercise arrangement (for NSOs only); or (v) in other legal consideration approved by the Plan Administrator.
Stock options granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may vest and become exercisable in cumulative increments, as determined by the Plan Administrator at the rate specified in the stock option agreement (subject to the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above). Shares covered by different stock options granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may be subject to different vesting schedules as the Plan Administrator may determine.
The Plan Administrator may impose limitations on the transferability of stock options granted under the Amended 2018 EIP in its discretion. Generally, a participant may not transfer a stock option granted under the Amended 2018 EIP other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to approval by the Plan Administrator, pursuant to a domestic relations order or an official marital settlement agreement. However, the Plan Administrator may permit transfer of a stock option in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. In addition, subject to approval by the Plan Administrator, a participant may designate a beneficiary who may exercise the stock option following the participant’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no option may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.
Limitations on Incentive Stock Options
The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of shares of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. The stock options or portions of stock options that exceed this limit or
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otherwise fail to qualify as ISOs are treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any affiliate unless the following conditions are satisfied:
the exercise price of the ISO must be at least 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant; and
the term of the ISO must not exceed five years from the date of grant.
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs under the Amended 2018 EIP is 44,000,000 shares.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock appreciation rights may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP pursuant to stock appreciation right agreements. Each stock appreciation right is denominated in common stock share equivalents. The strike price of each stock appreciation right will be determined by the Plan Administrator, but will in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The term of stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may not exceed seven years from the date of grant. The Plan Administrator may also impose restrictions or conditions upon the vesting of stock appreciation rights that it deems appropriate (subject to the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above). The appreciation distribution payable upon exercise of a stock appreciation right may be paid in shares of our common stock, in cash, in a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the stock appreciation right agreement. Stock appreciation rights will be subject to the same conditions upon termination of continuous service and restrictions on transfer as stock options under the Amended 2018 EIP.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP pursuant to restricted stock award agreements. A restricted stock award may be granted in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to us, the participant’s services performed for us or any of our affiliates, or any other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Plan Administrator. Shares of our common stock acquired under a restricted stock award may be subject to forfeiture to or repurchase by us in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Plan Administrator (subject to the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above). Rights to acquire shares of our common stock under a restricted stock award may be transferred only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock award agreement; provided, however, that no restricted stock award may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval. Upon a participant’s termination of continuous service for any reason, any shares subject to restricted stock awards held by the participant that have not vested as of such termination date may be forfeited to or repurchased by us.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Restricted stock unit awards may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements. Payment of any purchase price may be made in any form of legal consideration acceptable to the Plan Administrator. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by the delivery of shares of our common stock, in cash, in a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Restricted stock unit awards may be subject to vesting in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Plan Administrator (subject to the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above). Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s restricted stock unit award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s termination of continuous service for any reason.
Performance Stock Awards
A performance stock award is a stock award that is payable (including that may be granted, may vest, or may be exercised) contingent upon the attainment of pre-determined performance goals during a performance period. A performance stock award may require the completion of a specified period of continuous service. The
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length of any performance period, the performance goals to be achieved during the performance period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such performance goals have been attained will be determined by the Plan Administrator (subject to the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above). In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the performance stock award agreement, the Plan Administrator may determine that cash may be used in payment of performance stock awards.
Performance goals under the Amended 2018 EIP will be based on any one or more of the following performance criteria: (i) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); (iv) total stockholder return; (v) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (vi) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (vii) stock price or stock price performance; (viii) margin (including gross margin); (ix) net income (before or after taxes); (x) operating income; (xi) operating income after taxes; (xii) pre-tax profit; (xiii) operating cash flow; (xiv) sales or revenue targets; (xv) increases in revenue or product revenue; (xvi) expenses and cost reduction goals; (xvii) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (xviii) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (xix) market share; (xx) cash flow; (xxi) cash flow per share; (xxii) share price performance; (xxiii) debt reduction; (xxiv) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (xxv) customer satisfaction; (xxvi) stockholders’ equity; (xxvii) capital expenditures; (xxviii) debt levels; (xxix) operating profit or net operating profit; (xxx) workforce diversity; (xxxi) growth of net income or operating income; (xxxii) billings; (xxxiii) submission to, or approval by, a regulatory body (including but not limited to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) of an applicable filing for a product candidate or other product development milestones; (xxxiv) acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, licenses or collaborations; (xxxv) spin-offs, split-ups, reorganizations, recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (debt or equity) or refinancings; (xxxvi) manufacturing or process development, clinical trial, regulatory, intellectual property, compliance or research objectives; and (xxxvii) any other measures of performance selected by the Plan Administrator.
Performance goals may be based on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, affiliates or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. The Plan Administrator is authorized to make appropriate adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated performance goals; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (v) to exclude the effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture; (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and/or the award of an annual cash incentive under our Annual Incentive Program; (x) to exclude the effect of any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss or other extraordinary item; and (xi) to make other appropriate adjustments selected by the Plan Administrator.
In addition, the Plan Administrator retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon the attainment of any performance goals and to define the manner of calculating the performance criteria it selects to use for a performance period.
Other Stock Awards
Other forms of stock awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, our common stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other stock awards under the Amended 2018 EIP. Subject to the terms of the Amended 2018 EIP (including the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above), the Plan Administrator will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such other stock awards will be granted, the number of shares of our common stock to be granted and all other terms and conditions of such other stock awards.
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Clawback/Recoupment
Awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP will be subject to recoupment in accordance with the following, as applicable: (i) the Dynavax Technologies Corporation Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (the “Recoupment Policy”); (ii) any clawback policy that we are required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which our securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law; and (iii) any other clawback policy that we adopt. A copy of the Recoupment Policy can be found in the investors section of our website, www.dynavax.com under investors-corporate governance. In addition, the Plan Administrator may in its discretion impose other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an award agreement, including a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares or other cash or property upon the occurrence of cause.
Changes to Capital Structure
In the event of certain capitalization adjustments, the Plan Administrator will appropriately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Amended 2018 EIP; (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs; and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding stock awards.
Corporate Transaction and Change in Control
The following provisions will apply to outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and any Prior Plan in the event of a corporate transaction (as defined in the Amended 2018 EIP and described below) or a change in control (as defined in the Amended 2018 EIP and described below) unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the award, in any other written agreement between us or one of our affiliates and the participant, or in our director compensation policy. For purposes of this Proposal 2, the term “Transaction” will mean such corporate transaction or change in control.
In the event of a Transaction, any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) may assume or continue any or all outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan, or may substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards (including, but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of shares issued pursuant to any outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan may be assigned by the Company to the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company). The terms of any such assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Plan Administrator.
In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan, or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Transaction (the “Current Participants”), the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to performance stock awards, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the target level of performance) to a date prior to the effective time of the Transaction (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction) as the Plan Administrator will determine (or, if the Plan Administrator does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the Transaction), and such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Transaction in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Plan Administrator, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such awards will lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction).
In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan, or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants other than the Current Participants, such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Transaction in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Plan Administrator; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Transaction.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any outstanding award under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan held by a participant will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Transaction, the Plan Administrator may provide that the participant may not exercise such award but instead will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Plan Administrator, equal in value to the excess, if any, of (i) the value of the property the participant would have received upon the exercise of such award immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction, over (ii) any exercise price payable by the participant in connection with such exercise.
Unless provided otherwise in the participant’s award agreement, in any other written agreement or plan with us or one of our affiliates, or in our director compensation policy, outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and any Prior Plan will not be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a change in control.
For purposes of the Amended 2018 EIP, a corporate transaction generally will be deemed to occur in the event of the consummation of: (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets; (ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of our outstanding securities; (iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation; or (iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.
For purposes of the Amended 2018 EIP, a change in control generally will be deemed to occur in the event: (i) a person, entity or group acquires, directly or indirectly, our securities representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of our then outstanding securities, other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation, or similar transaction; (ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation, or similar transaction and, immediately after the consummation of such transaction, our stockholders immediately prior thereto do not own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity or the parent of the surviving entity in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of our outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction; (iii) there is consummated a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets, other than a sale or other disposition to an entity in which more than 50% of the entity’s combined voting power is owned by our stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of our outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition; or (iv) over a period of 12 months or less, a majority of our Board becomes comprised of individuals whose nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of the Board members or their approved successors.
Plan Amendments and Termination
The Plan Administrator has the authority to amend or terminate the Amended 2018 EIP at any time. However, except as otherwise provided in the Amended 2018 EIP or an award agreement, no amendment or termination of the Amended 2018 EIP may materially impair a participant’s rights under his or her outstanding awards without the participant’s consent.
We will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to the Amended 2018 EIP as required by applicable law and listing requirements. No incentive stock options may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP after April 8, 2028, which is the tenth anniversary of the date the 2018 EIP was originally adopted by the Board.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences to participants and us with respect to participation in the Amended 2018 EIP. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any local, state or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside. The information is based upon current federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Because the tax consequences to any participant may depend on his or her particular situation, each participant should consult the participant’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an award or the disposition of stock acquired under the Amended 2018 EIP. The Amended 2018 EIP is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and is not subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Our ability to realize the benefit of any tax deductions described below depends on our generation of taxable income as well as the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of our tax reporting obligations.
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Nonstatutory Stock Options
Generally, there is no taxation upon the grant of an NSO if the stock option is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date. Upon exercise, a participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. If the participant is employed by us or one of our affiliates, that income will be subject to withholding taxes. The participant’s tax basis in those shares will be equal to their fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock option, and the participant’s capital gain holding period for those shares will begin on that date.
We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.
Incentive Stock Options
The Amended 2018 EIP provides for the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options,” as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Under the Code, a participant generally is not subject to ordinary income tax upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. If the participant holds a share received upon exercise of an ISO for more than two years from the date the stock option was granted and more than one year from the date the stock option was exercised, which is referred to as the required holding period, the difference, if any, between the amount realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of that share and the participant’s tax basis in that share will be long-term capital gain or loss.
If, however, a participant disposes of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO before the end of the required holding period, which is referred to as a disqualifying disposition, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of the disqualifying disposition equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. However, if the sales proceeds are less than the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant will not exceed the gain, if any, realized on the sale. If the amount realized on a disqualifying disposition exceeds the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, that excess will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on whether the holding period for the share exceeds one year.
For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the amount by which the fair market value of a share of stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price of the stock option generally will be an adjustment included in the participant’s alternative minimum taxable income for the year in which the stock option is exercised. If, however, there is a disqualifying disposition of the share in the year in which the stock option is exercised, there will be no adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes with respect to that share. In computing alternative minimum taxable income, the tax basis of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO is increased by the amount of the adjustment taken into account with respect to that share for alternative minimum tax purposes in the year the stock option is exercised.
We are not allowed a tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of an ISO or the disposition of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO after the required holding period. If there is a disqualifying disposition of a share, however, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant, provided that either the employee includes that amount in income or we timely satisfy our reporting requirements with respect to that amount.
Restricted Stock Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock award will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have the right to sell the stock), the recipient generally will not recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes vested over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days following his or her receipt of the stock award, to recognize ordinary income, as of the date the recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date the award is granted over any amount paid by the recipient for the stock.
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The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from a restricted stock award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized either when the stock is received or when the stock becomes vested.
We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the restricted stock award.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock unit award structured to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption to Section 409A of the Code will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is delivered equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. To comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the stock subject to a restricted stock unit award may generally only be delivered upon one of the following events: a fixed calendar date (or dates), separation from service, death, disability or a change in control. If delivery occurs on another date, unless the restricted stock unit award otherwise complies with or qualifies for an exemption to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, in addition to the tax treatment described above, the recipient will owe an additional 20% federal tax and interest on any taxes owed.
The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from a restricted stock unit award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized when the stock is delivered.
We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the restricted stock unit award.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Generally, if a stock appreciation right is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date, the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the stock or cash received upon such exercise. We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock appreciation right.
Section 162(m) Limitations
Under Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”), compensation paid to any publicly held corporation’s “covered employees” that exceeds $1 million per taxable year for any covered employee is generally non-deductible. Awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP will be subject to the deduction limit under Section 162(m) and will not be eligible to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) pursuant to the transition relief provided by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
New Plan Benefits under Amended 2018 EIP
​
Name and Position
​​
Number of Shares
​
​
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer and Director
​​
(1)
​
​
David F. Novack
President and Chief Operating Officer
​​
(1)
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
​​
(1)
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical and Regulatory Affairs
​​
(1)
​
​
All current executive officers as a group
​​
(1)
​
​
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group
​​
(2)
​
​
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group
​​
(1)
​
(1)
Awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP to our executive officers and other employees are discretionary and are not subject to set benefits or amounts under the terms of the Amended 2018 EIP, and our Board and our Compensation Committee have not granted any awards under the Amended 2018 EIP subject to stockholder approval of this Proposal 2. Accordingly, the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to our executive officers and other employees under the Amended 2018 EIP are not determinable.
23
(2)
Awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP to our non-employee directors are discretionary and are not subject to set benefits or amounts under the terms of the Amended 2018 EIP, and our Board and our Compensation Committee have not granted any awards under the Amended 2018 EIP subject to stockholder approval of this Proposal 2. However, pursuant to our current compensation program for non-employee directors, and based on the current composition of our Board, on the date of each annual meeting of our stockholders, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to awards that will automatically be granted to all of our current directors who are not executive officers as a group will be 240,000 shares (which consists of a stock option and a restricted stock unit award, together equal to the stock option equivalent of 30,000 shares of our common stock, for each of our current non-employee directors). On and after the date of the Annual Meeting, any such stock options and restricted stock unit awards will be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP if this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders. For additional information regarding our current compensation program for non-employee directors, please see “Director Compensation” below.
Awards Granted under the 2018 EIP
The following table sets forth, for each of the individuals and various groups indicated, the total number of shares of our common stock subject to awards that have been granted under the 2018 EIP as of April 1, 2024.
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
​
Name and Position
​​
Number of Shares
​
​
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer and Director
​​
2,551,550
​
​
David F. Novack
President and Chief Operating Officer
​​
1,421,220
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
​​
410,360
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical and Regulatory Affairs
​​
731,420
​
​
All current executive officers as a group
​​
5,507,550
​
​
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group
​​
994,998
​
​
Each nominee for election as a director:
​​
​
​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
​​
135,714
​
​
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.
​​
124,464
​
​
Peggy V. Phillips
​​
135,714
​
​
Each associate of any executive officers, current directors or director nominees
​​
—
​
​
Each other person who received or is to receive 5% of awards
​​
—
​
​
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group
​​
20,043,203
​
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares presentvotes cast on the proposal (either in personvirtually at the meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting will be required to approve this Proposal 2. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation ofare not treated as votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and, therefore, will have the same effect as negative votes.no effect. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this Proposal 2 has been approved.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2.
15
24
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATIONEquity Compensation Plan Information
The following table shows provides certain information about our equity compensation plans as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.2023.
​
Plan Category
​​
Number of
securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
​​
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights(3)
​​
Number
of securities remaining
available for future
issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
the first column)
​
​
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
2011 Equity Incentive Plan
​​
3,426,009
​​
$18.64
​​
—
​
​
2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan(1)
​​
—
​​
$—
​​
255,583
​
​
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
​​
6,721,119
​​
$6.66
​​
8,349,853
​
​
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
2017 Inducement Award Plan(2)
​​
151,777
​​
$17.55
​​
—
​
​
Total:
​​
10,298,905
​​
$11.57
​​
8,605,436
​
​
Plan Category
​​
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
​​
Weighted-
average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights(3)
​​
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
the first column)
​
​
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
2011 Equity Incentive Plan
​​
837,398
​​
$16.52
​​
—
​
​
2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan(1)
​​
—
​​
$—
​​
722,405
​
​
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
​​
7,299,555
​​
$9.81
​​
9,388,428
​
​
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
2017 Inducement Award Plan(2)
​​
94,000
​​
$17.38
​​
—
​
​
2021 Inducement Award Plan(4)
​​
1,888,305
​​
$11.66
​​
—(5)
​
​
Total:
​​
10,119,258
​​
$10.78
​​
10,110,833
​
(1)

As of December 31, 2020,2023, an aggregate of 255,583722,405 shares remained available for future issuance under the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and as of April 6, 2021, up to a maximum of 151,667 shares may be purchased in the current purchase period.Plan.
(2)

In order to induce qualified individuals to join our Company, on November 28, 2017, our Board adopted the 2017 Inducement Award Plan or the 2017(the “2017 Inducement Plan,Plan”), which provided for the issuance of up to 1,200,000 shares of Company common stock to new employees of the Company. Stockholder approval of the 2017 Inducement Plan was not required under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(c)(4). Upon the effectiveness of the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, no additional awards were granted under the 2017 Inducement Plan. All shares currently subject to awards outstanding under the 2017 Inducement Plan, which awards expire or are forfeited, are included in the reserve for the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to the extent such shares would otherwise return to such plan. Awards granted under the 2017 Inducement Plan have a term of 10 years. Exercisability, option price and other terms are determined by the plan administrator, but the option price cannot be less than 100% of fair market value of those shares on the date of grant. Stock options granted under the 2017 Inducement Plan generally vest over a period of four years, with the exception of performance-based awards which will vest upon achievement of certain performance conditions.
(3)

1,794,1534,910,044 shares subject to restricted stock units (RSUs)(“RSUs”) were granted under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and 2018 Equity Incentive Plan. Since these awards have no exercise price, they are not included in the weighted-average exercise price calculation.
(4)
In January 2021, our Board adopted the 2021 Inducement Award Plan (the “2021 Inducement Plan”), under which we initially reserved 1,500,000 shares of common stock, and which we later approved to increase to an aggregate of 3,250,000 shares of common stock for issuance to be used exclusively for grants of awards to individuals who were not previously employees or directors of the Company. Stockholder approval of the 2021 Inducement Plan was not required under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(c)(4). The 2021 Inducement Plan provides for the issuance of nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock awards, RSUs, stock appreciation rights, performance stock awards and other stock awards exclusively to individuals who were not previously employees or directors of the Company, or who had experienced a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to the individual’s entry into employment with us within the meaning of Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(c)(4). The terms of awards under the 2021 Inducement Plan are substantially similar to those of the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, including the treatment of awards upon change in control transactions. As of December 31, 2023, options to purchase 1,888,305 shares were outstanding under the 2021 Inducement Plan. All options granted under the 2021 Inducement Plan have a maximum term of seven years. Awards under the 2021 Inducement Plan may be amended by the Board at any time or from time to time in accordance with the terms of the 2021 Inducement Plan and applicable law.
(5)
The Board terminated the 2021 Inducement Plan effective as of April 3, 2022, and therefore, there were no shares available for grant under the 2021 Inducement Plan as of December 31, 2023.
16
25
PROPOSAL 3

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), Dynavax stockholders are being asked to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement, which is commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay vote.” This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers, which results from our compensation philosophy, policies and practices as discussed in this proxy statement. The compensation of our named executive officers subject to the say-on-pay vote is described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying tables, and the related narrative disclosure contained in this proxy statement.
Our Compensation Committee is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation programs. Our Compensation Committee firmly believes that Dynavax’s executive compensation programs should reward our named executive officers for performance, and that when key performance objectives are not achieved, the compensation of our named executive officers should reflect as much. We believe that the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy, reflects this philosophy. In addition, our Compensation Committee believes that the compensation programs for our named executive officers have been instrumental in helping Dynavax be able to attract, retain and motivate our executive team, thereby enabling our company to be in a position to move forward with our business strategy.
Our Board of Directors is now asking our stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement by casting a non-binding advisory vote “For” the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to Dynavax’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”
Although this vote is advisory and the outcome is not binding on our Board, the views expressed by our stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to us. As a result, the Board and the Compensation Committee will carefully review the results of this vote, and they will consider these results in making future decisions about our executive compensation programs and arrangements.
Unless our Board modifies its policy on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers, which are currently submitted to stockholders on an annual basis,We expect that the next advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers will be held at the 2022 annual meeting2025 Annual Meeting of stockholders.Stockholders.
Vote Required
Approval of this advisory proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares present (either in personvirtually at the Annual Meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this Proposal 3 has been approved.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 3.
17
26
PROPOSAL 4

 

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP or (“Ernst & Young,Young”), as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.2024. Ernst & Young has audited our financial statements since 2002. Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. Ernst & Young will have an opportunity to make a statement if it so desires and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present (either in personvirtually at the Annual Meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved; however, we believe that Proposal 4 iswill be considered a “routine” matter, and therefore no broker non-votes are expected in connection with this Proposal 4.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 4.
AUDIT FEES
In connection with the audit of our 20202024 financial statements, we entered into an engagement agreement with Ernst & Young which sets forth the terms by which Ernst & Young will perform audit services for us.
The following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20202023 and 20192022 by Ernst & Young, our principal auditors. The Audit Committee pre-approved all service fees described below.
​
​​
Fiscal Year Ended
​
​
​​
2020
​​
2019
​
​
Audit Fees(1)
​​
$1,729,615
​​
$1,475,391
​
​
Audit Related Fees
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Tax Fees(2)
​​
72,167
​​
46,550
​
​
All Other Fees(3)
​​
2,000
​​
1,995
​
​
Total Fees
​​
$1,803,782
​​
$1,523,936
​
​
​​
Fiscal Year Ended
​
​
​​
2023
​​
2022
​
​
Audit Fees(1)
​​
$1,791,849
​​
$1,550,060
​
​
Audit Related Fees
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Tax Fees(2)
​​
65,210
​​
104,793
​
​
All Other Fees(3)
​​
2,000
​​
3,900
​
​
Total Fees
​​
$1,859,059
​​
$1,658,753
​
(1)

Audit fees include fees for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and interim reviews of our quarterly financial statements, including compliance with the provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as well as fees related to registration statements, consents and other services related to SEC matters. In each of 2019 and 2020, audit fees included fees related to a comfort letter in connection with an equity offering.
(2)

Tax fees include Section 382 study and other tax advisory services.
(3)

All other fees represent subscription fees for an online accounting research tool and related database.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Our Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young. Under the policy, the Audit Committee pre-approves specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services, tax services and all other services up to specified amounts. Pre-approval may be given as part of the Audit Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm or on an interim basis by the Audit Committee Chair, as needed and on a case-by-case basis before the independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to provide each service.
The Audit Committee has determined that services rendered by Ernst & Young are compatible with maintaining the principal auditors’ independence.
18
27
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers as of April 6, 2021:1, 2024:
​
Name
​​
Age
​​
Position
​
​
Ryan Spencer(1)
​​
4346
​​
Chief Executive Officer and Director(2)
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
5962
​​
President and Chief Operating Officer
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​​
3740
​​
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer(2)
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
6770
​​
Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical and Regulatory Affairs
​
​
John L. Slebir
​​
58
​​
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
​
(1)

Please see “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors” in this proxy statement for more information about Mr. Spencer.
(2)
On March 29, 2024, we appointed Ryan Spencer to serve in a temporary capacity as interim Chief Financial Officer while Ms. MacDonald is on maternity leave. Ms. MacDonald’s maternity leave is anticipated to end in early August 2024, at which time Ms. MacDonald will resume her role as Chief Financial Officer.
David F. Novack – President and Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Novack joined Dynavax in March 2013 as Senior Vice President, Operations and Quality, served as an interim co-President between May and December 2019, and has served as our President and Chief Operating Officer since December 2019. Mr. Novack was formerly with Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics where he served since 2009 as the Global Head of Technical Operations and Supply Chain for Diagnostics and previously from 2007 to 2009 as the Global Head of Vaccine Manufacturing Strategy. Prior to Novartis, Mr. Novack was the Vice President, Business Development for Vaxin, Inc., a vaccine company, from 2004 to 2006. From 1993 until 2004, Mr. Novack worked at MedImmune, formerly Aviron, serving in several capacities including business development, manufacturing, contract operations, and most recently as Senior Director, Supply Chain Operations.supply chain. Previously, from 1989 to 1993, Mr. Novack was with American Cyanamid Company in various roles. Mr. Novack received a B.S. in Biology from State University of New York and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.
Kelly MacDonald – Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Ms. MacDonald joined Dynavax in March 2021 as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Financial Officer. Prior to Dynavax, Ms. MacDonald was formerly withworked at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Ironwood”), from 2013 to 2021 inwhere she spent nearly eight years and held roles of increasing responsibility, most recentlyresponsibility. In her final role at Ironwood, Ms. MacDonald served as Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President, Finance where she led the company’sCompany’s corporate accounting and finance processes, enterprise risk management, treasury and capital allocation strategy. While at Ironwood, she also heldhad various other finance and accounting managerial roles where she provided financial advice on the company’s strategic planning, accounting policies, R&D portfolio management, global business development, product launches and commercial execution. Prior to joining Ironwood,that, Ms. MacDonald spent nearly seven years at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP, ultimately serving as a Manager in the Health Industries Assurance Practice, primarily serving clients in life sciences and technology sectors. Ms. Macdonald is a CPA and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fairfield University.
Robert Janssen, M.D. – Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical and Regulatory Affairs
Dr. Janssen was appointed Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical and Regulatory Affairs in January 2018. Dr. Janssen was appointed Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs in July 2013. He served as Dynavax’s Vice President, Medical Affairs since November 2012 and was previously Senior Director, Clinical Development at Dynavax from 2010 through 2012, during which time he was extensively involved with Phase 3 clinical development of HEPLISAV-B and its U.S. and European licensing applications. Prior to joining Dynavax, Dr. Janssen was Vice President, Medical Affairs at Gilead from 2008 to 2010 where he was responsible for oversight of physician and health care provider education focused on HIV and hepatitis B therapies. Until 2008, Dr. Janssen spent 23 years at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), most recently as the Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention from 2000 to 2008. Under his leadership, the CDC first explored HIV treatment as a mode of HIV prevention and launched several of the earliest Phase 3 trials of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Dr. Janssen received a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Humanities from Stanford University and his
28
M.D. degree from the University of Southern California. He is a neurologist with training in virology received at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Janssen has been the beneficiary of numerous honors and awards during his career. He has published over 130150 scientific articles in a variety of journals and has served as a reviewer for leading scientific journals.
John L. Slebir – Senior Vice President, General Counsel
Mr. Slebir joined Dynavax in June 2021 and currently serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel. Mr. Slebir has more than 20 years of experience in life sciences and 30 years of corporate law practice. Prior to Dynavax, Mr. Slebir worked at VIVUS, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 2009 to June 2021 in roles of increasing responsibility within the organization. In his final role at VIVUS, Mr. Slebir served as Senior Vice President, Business Development, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary. While at VIVUS, Mr. Slebir was involved in broad aspects of the company’s commercial and clinical development partnering efforts, commercial and supply chain alliance management, corporate governance, securities laws and periodic reporting, risk management, commercial and regulatory compliance and submissions, director and executive compensation, and intellectual property protection. Before joining VIVUS, Mr. Slebir served for over 10 years as an attorney at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., specializing in corporate securities and corporate governance. Mr. Slebir holds a B.A. in Communications from San Diego State University and a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.
19
29
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis discusses our executive compensation philosophy and practices and provides an overview of the Compensation Committee’s 20202023 decisions for the following named executive officers (“NEOs”) whose compensation is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and other related tables contained in this proxy statement::
Ryan Spencer, Chief Executive Officer and Director;
David F. Novack, President and Chief Operating Officer;
Michael S. Ostrach, formerKelly MacDonald, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer; and
Robert Janssen, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical and Regulatory Affairs; andAffairs.
Overview
Our Business Overview
We are a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company focused ondedicated to developing and commercializing novel vaccines. innovative vaccines in areas of significant unmet need, leveraging our demonstrated expertise and capabilities in vaccines and our proven, proprietary vaccine adjuvant technology. We are currently focused on our efforts to drive long-term shareholder value by maximizing utilization of our HEPLISAV-B® hepatitis B vaccine, expanding our own portfolio of innovative vaccine candidates leveraging our proven adjuvant technology, and leveraging our CpG 1018® adjuvant supply strategy through both commercial and research collaborations.
Our first marketed product, HEPLISAV-B® (Hepatitis [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted)Adjuvanted], is approved byin the United States, Foodthe European Union and Drug Administration (“FDA”)Great Britain for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults age 18 years and older. HEPLISAV-B is the only two-dose hepatitis B vaccine for adults approved in the U.S. In Phase 3 trials, HEPLISAV-B demonstrated faster and higher rates of protection with two doses in one month compared to another currently approved hepatitis B vaccine, which requires three doses over six months, with a similar safety profile. We have worldwide commercial rights to HEPLISAV-B and we market it in the United States. We received Marketing Authorization approval of HEPLISAV-B in February 2021 from the European Commission following a positive recommendation in December 2020 from the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”HBV”) Committee for Medicinal Products (“CHMP”) for Human Use for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults age 18 years and older. We expect to launch HEPLISAV-B in the European Union (“EU”) in late 2021, initially focusing on one or a few key countries where it would be commercially feasible to market HEPLISAV-B on our own or through third-parties.
We also manufacture and sell CpG 1018, the adjuvant used in HEPLISAV-B. We developed CpG 1018 to provide an increased vaccine immune response, as demonstrated in HEPLISAV-B. We are working to expand the use of CpG 1018 to support the potential development and large-scale manufacturing of additional vaccines for our own vaccine development programs as well as through collaborations with multiple vaccine companies and academic groups. We have several current collaborations that are focused on adjuvanted vaccines for COVID-19, several of which are in clinical development. In September 2020, we also entered into a commercial supply agreement with our collaborator Valneva Scotland Limited (“Valneva”) to supply them with CpG 1018 to produce as many as 60 to 100 million doses of their vaccine in 2021, and up to an additional 90 million doses through 2024. Our tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) booster vaccine candidate, also adjuvanted with CpG 1018, is in a Phase 1 study, and a CpG 1018 based influenza vaccine is also expected to enter clinical development during 2021.
Corporate Developments in 2020 and Early 2021
During 2020, our business was focused on continued commercialization of HEPLISAV-B in the U.S., entering into arrangements with our collaborators who are focused on developing COVID-19 vaccines of their own, advancing our CpG 1018 adjuvant as a broadly useful vaccine adjuvant platform, achieving our Marketing Authorization Application (“MAA”) for HEPLISAV-B in Europe, collaborating with other vaccine developers to help develop novel vaccines using CpG 1018 for pertussis and influenza, as well as other potential vaccine candidates targeted at other indications. CpG 1018 was approved by the FDA as a component of HEPLISAV-B. During 2020 we also executed on our 2019 decision to wind down our immuno-oncology (“I/O”) business by entering into an asset purchase agreement pursuant to which we sold our SD-101 I/O assets for cash plus development milestone payments and royalties on potential future net sales.
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Given that full commercialization of a new vaccine takes several years and the long product development cycles in our business, we believe delivery of long-term value to our stockholders is the best measure of our performance.
In addition to executing on our strategic focus, Messrs. Spencer and Novack, our other NEOs, and our broader leadership team devoted substantial time and energy last year ensuring an orderly transition of the Company through the period of significant change, including but not limited to converting to a nearly fully remote workforce in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, pursuing licensure of HEPLISAV-B in Europe, scaling our available capacity to supply CpG 1018 and other changes associated with our the new strategic focus, the impact from COVID-19 restrictions and associated needs.
Currently, we believe the potential net sales for total U.S. adult hepatitis B vaccines is over $400 million annually and could reach up to approximately $600 million in net sales annually. Our field sales force of approximately 65 people is sized to cover approximately 70% of hepatitis B vaccine sales in the U.S.
In furtherance of our strategic focus, our NEOs focused on executing our HEPLISAV-B business strategy by continuing to work toward successful commercialization of HEPLSIAV-B, bolstering our in-house sales force, enhancing our sales strategy, further developing a distribution network, and working to achieve sufficient manufacturing capacity to help ensure we successfully meet demand and that such manufacturing was done in accordance with applicable quality requirements. With respect to growing our adjuvant sales, our NEOs acted nimbly throughout the year to increase our capacity to supply CpG 1018 for ourselves and for our collaborators, and entered into numerous preclinical and clinical collaborations, some of which are currently in clinical trials and some of which have already yielded commercial supply agreements and revenue. Under these commercial agreements, we are selling CpG 1018 as an adjuvant for vaccines developed by our collaborators. In addition, we recognized the importance of completing our post-marketing safety study as well as our study of the use of HEPLISAV-B in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Our NEOs also focused on vaccine development, growing our pipeline and completing the wind-down of our immuno-oncology program.
Despite the significant challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe that 2020 was a year of many positive developments for our Company that positioned us for future success. For example, we believe that our orientation toward a pure-play vaccine business as well as efforts to scale our adjuvant business have positioned the Company well for the future. And for HEPLISAV-B, we continued the commercialization process with further significant strides in our sales efforts, we increased our market share in field targeted accounts, we demonstrated continued compliance with quality requirements, and all despite the headwinds provided by the pandemic. We also completed our post-marketing safety study and are awaiting final results. We believe that each of these developments served to lay a foundation for future commercial success for HEPLISAV-B and CpG 1018 through continued advocacy and adoption efforts.
HEPLISAV-B
For 2020, we note several key accomplishments pertaining to HEPLISAV-B. From a product sales perspective, we achieved annual HEPLISAV-B product revenues, net of $36.0 million in 2020, as compared to $34.6 million in 2019, despite a significant decrease in adult vaccine utilization due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We increased our market share in field targeted accounts from 20% to 26%, and we converted two major national retail pharmacy chains.
In addition, as a result of substantial efforts expended during 2020, we received Marketing Authorization approval of HEPLISAV-B in February 2021 from the European Commission following a positive recommendation in December 2020 from the European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults aged 18 years and older.
We are advancing a pipeline of differentiated product candidates that leverage our CpG 1018 adjuvant to develop improved vaccines in indications with unmet medical needs. These programs include vaccine candidates under development for shingles, Tdap and plague.
Overview of 2023 Performance
We believe that 2023 was another highly transformative year for Dynavax, where we made substantial progress against our core strategic priorities:
Drive growth in HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted];
Advance our differentiated pipeline programs into clinical trial initiations and data readouts; and
Identify strategic opportunities to accelerate growth, while maintaining a disciplined allocation of capital aligned with corporate strategy to deliver long-term value through internal and external innovation.
We successfully executed on these key objectives over the course of the year, as described in greater detail below. Highlights include once again producing all-time high revenue for our HEPLISAV-B vaccine, successfully moving forward several clinical programs, continuing our disciplined approach to corporate development, improving our capital position by generating positive cash flow and increasing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities by more than $100 million, to a balance of $742 million at fiscal year-end. We believe these accomplishments have put us in a strong position to further advance the business and strategy during 2024 and beyond.
Key 2023 Highlights and Performance Against Core Priorities
During the 2023 performance year and early 2024, we achieved the following in connection with our plans to launch HEPLISAV-B in the European Union in late 2021, initially focusing on one or a few key countries where it would be commercially feasible to market HEPLISAV-B on our own or through third-parties.core priorities described above:
During 2020 we also made progress on our open-label, single-arm studyMaximize Growth of HEPLISAV-B in[Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted]
Further leveraging the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (“ACIP”) recommendation that all adults with end-stage renal disease who are initiating or undergoing hemodialysis. The primary endpoints were to evaluate the immunogenicity induced by HEPLISAV-B at week 20 as measured by seroprotection rate and to evaluate the safety of HEPLISAV-B with respect to clinically significant adverse events. In the trial, four doses of HEPLISAV-B induced a seroprotection rate of 89.3 percent at week 20, with high anti-HBs antibodies. Interimaged 19-59 should be vaccinated against hepatitis B (“ACIP
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safety data showedRecommendation”), during 2023, we refined our sales approach and marketing efforts, further prioritized key market segments, and realigned our sales organization to focus on expanding our market share in integrated delivery networks and large clinics (“IDNs”) and retail pharmacy, two of the largest and fastest growing segments we market to.
These efforts resulted in total market share growth over the year, increasing HEPLISAV-B is well tolerated and no safety concerns were observed. We currently expect thatshare of the last patient visit will be in September 2021. Final safety data is expectedtotal U.S. market to be available byapproximately 42%, compared to approximately 35% at the end of 2022, and making HEPLISAV-B the year. Themarket leader by share of U.S. Market. Additionally, our share in the IDN segment increased to approximately 56% compared to 47% at the end of 2022. Our share of the retail pharmacy segment increased to approximately 58% compared to approximately 43% at the end of 2022.
HEPLISAV-B market share gains, coupled with hepatitis B market expansion, drove HEPLISAV-B net product revenue to $213 million, representing a 69% increase compared to 2022 and another all-time high for the brand.
Advance our Differentiated Pipeline Programs into Clinical Trial Initiations and Data Readouts
Our shingles vaccine program, Z-1018, is an investigational vaccine candidate being developed for the prevention of shingles in adults aged 50 and older. In January 2023, we completed our Phase 1 clinical trial and in June 2023 we presented trial results at the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases’ 2023 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research. In December 2023, we received Type B meeting feedback from the FDA on the Z-1018 clinical development plan and submitted an Investigational New Drug Application (“IND”) to the FDA to support the initiation of a Phase 1/2 trial of Z-1018, upon IND clearance, in the first half of 2024.
Our Tdap vaccine program, Tdap-1018, is an investigational vaccine candidate intended for active booster immunization against Tdap. We completed a pertussis challenge study in nonhuman primates demonstrating protection from disease upon challenge and robust Type 1 T helper (Th1) cell responses in nonhuman primates in December 2023, and in early 2024, we received Type B meeting feedback from the FDA on our Tdap-1018 clinical development plan.
We are developing a plague (rF1V) vaccine candidate adjuvanted with CpG 1018 adjuvant, in collaboration with, and fully funded by, the U.S. Department of Defense (“DoD”). We successfully completed Part 1 of the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the immunogenicity, safety, and effectiveness of HEPLISAV-Btolerability in adults on hemodialysis have not been established.
of a plague (rF1V) vaccine candidate adjuvanted with CpG 1018 in January 2023. In December 2019,July 2023, we filedexecuted a report oncontract modification with the DoD to support advancement of the plague vaccine candidate into a cumulative analysis (comprising both required interim analyses) of our post-marketingnonhuman primate challenge study, of HEPLISAV-B for review by the FDA. The study is assessing the rates of occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (“AMI”) in persons receiving HEPLISAV-B compared with Engerix-B. The interim report assesses unadjudicated events of AMI. The event rates in this interim analysis were similar between the two treatment arms. The independent data monitoring committee concurred this analysis showed no evidence of an increase in AMI events in the HEPLISAV-B arm. The studywhich was initiated in August 20182023, with the agreement now totaling $33.7 million through 2025. We also completed enrollment and concludeddosing in November 2020. Part 2 of the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability in 2023.
Identify Strategic Opportunities to Accelerate Growth, While Maintaining a Disciplined Allocation of Capital
Strategic opportunities evaluation, corporate development strategy
We expectenhanced our corporate development team with new hires expert in areas including strategic finance, strategic marketing and new product planning
We further defined our evaluation process to receive final results towardstreamline our reviews and analyses of potential growth opportunities
We engaged external advisors and expert consultants to supplement our team as needed
We evaluated numerous opportunities, but so far declined to execute on any of them
Acceleration of Growth, Disciplined Allocation of Capital
As noted above, during 2023 we refined our sales approach to help leverage the middleACIP Recommendation. This helped drive hepatitis B market expansion through marketing and education efforts, and captured additional share of 2021.the expanding U.S. hepatitis B market. Through these efforts, HEPLISAV-B became the leader in the U.S. hepatitis B market leader by share of
CpG 1018 COLLABORATION ACTIVITY
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CpG 1018 is
U.S. market, with HEPLISAV-B net product revenue reaching $213 million for the proprietary Dynavax adjuvant containedyear. HEPLISAV-B’s estimated share of the U.S. hepatitis B market increased seven points to approximately 42%. HEPLISAV-B’s estimated IDN segment share increased nine points to approximately 56% and retail pharmacy segment share increased 15 points to approximately 58%.
During 2023, we also exercised a disciplined approach to capital allocation, invested in HEPLISAV-B, which demonstrated higher rates of immunogenicity with lower dosesthe business strategically and managed the business to cashflow-positive. In the process, we added over $120 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, and brought our year-end balance to over $742 million, compared to prior existing hepatitis-b vaccines. With our strategic transformation to focus on our vaccine business, CpG 1018 represents a valuable asset$624 million at the end of Dynavax. That value grew substantially during 2020, as evidenced by the numerous collaborations we entered into during the year and by the number of trials for COVID-19 vaccines utilizing CpG 1018 that were initiated during the year. These efforts culminated in our first CpG 1018 revenue and in September 2020, we announced a commercial supply agreement with Valneva that has potential to yield up to $230 million in CpG 1018 sales in 2021. We are continuing to seek to leverage CpG 1018 to develop new and improved vaccines of our own as well as through collaborative efforts with our partners. In February 2021, we announced an agreement with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (“CEPI”) under which CEPI agreed to provide financing of up to $99 million in order to further support development, manufacturing and distribution of vaccines to help end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could potentially comprise hundreds of millions of doses. We have an on-going collaboration with Serum Institute of India, Ltd., the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, to develop vaccines containing CpG 1018, including an improved pertussis vaccine.2022.
FINANCING
In May 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering that provided proceeds of approximately $75.4 million, net of issuance costs of $5.1 million. This and other financing activities undertaken during the year helped strengthen our balance sheet and put us in a better position to invest in our own future.
I/O ASSET SALE
We wound down our immuno-oncology (“I/O”) program in 2019. In 2020 we also entered into an asset purchase agreement pursuant to which we sold the bulk of our SD-101 I/O assets for cash plus development milestone payments and royalties on potential future net sales.
Compensation Governance Highlights
What we do
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What we do not do
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Design executive compensation program to align pay with performance
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No excessive change in control or severance payments (noand no single trigger change in control cash severance multiplier greater than 1.75x base + target bonus)payments
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Prohibit hedging and discourage pledging by executive officers and directors (no pledging occurred in 2020)
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No repricing of underwater stock options without stockholder approval
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Grant equity awards with performance-based vesting of greater than one year
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No tax gross-ups
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Conduct an annual say-on-pay vote
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No excessive perquisites
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Seek input from, listen to and respond to stockholders, incorporating relevant changes to compensation approach as appropriate
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No guaranteed bonuses
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Maintain a clawback policy
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Consideration of Our Prior Say-on-Pay Votes and Related Stockholder Engagement
Fostering long-term relationships and maintaining trust and dialog with our stockholders has been a key priority for us. In 2016, our Board of Directors adopted, and our stockholders approved, a policy that we would hold a say-on-pay vote on a yearly basis.basis, a practice we have maintained. Since adjusting toinitiating an annual say-on-pay practice, we have experienced
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continued favorable voting results with our say-on-pay practices. The results ofresults. In the past three years’ votingyears, our stockholders have been 95%, 75%, and 92% in fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively, of stockholders votingvoted in favor of our pay practices.practices, with approximately 95%, 93% and 92% support for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively.
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We routinely seekengage with our stockholders and obtain feedback from our stockholders throughout the course of the year. In addition to seeking input through our say-on-pay vote, we also seek feedback from the governance teams of our largest institutional stockholders each year pertaining to executive compensation.compensation, governance as well as other topics of interest to them. We also consider feedback from Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis (together, the “Proxy Advisory Firms”), in addition to the say-on-pay voting results of the prior year’s say-on-pay proposal as noted above. These outreach and feedback mechanisms complement the many touchpoints our investor relations team has with shareholders throughout the year. In late 2020addition, on a more informal basis, we also engage with our shareholders through industry and corporate governance conferences and informal exchanges in other settings.

 
In early 2021,2024, we reached out to engage with the governance teams of our 2521 largest investors, representing 71%approximately 66.1% of our shares outstanding.outstanding, and we also received unsolicited inbound requests for conversations from other stockholders. We spoke with 100% of the stockholders that wanted to provideengage with us with feedback at that time about our executive compensation practices. practices, governance practices or otherwise. The investors with whom we met represented approximately 31.51% of outstanding shares as of the Record Date.

 
During these discussions, which included an opportunity for detailed questions, none of our stockholders expressed any significant concerns about our executive compensation practices. The bulkpractices, although the Proxy Advisory Firms and certain stockholders expressed a preference for us to increase the percentage of the stockholders, while appreciating the outreach, did not feel a need to talk at the time. Additionally, we considered feedback from Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis.executives’ equity
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awards with performance-based vesting. Based on this combined feedback, we maintainedin 2023, the following practices for our long-term equity incentive awards: (1) we allocated 25%Compensation Committee increased the performance-based portion of the aggregate target award valueNEOs’ equity awards from 12.5% to 30% for 2023. This percentage represents the portion of the stock option equivalents awarded to each NEO in the form of performance-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”), with the remaining 75% allocated in the formthat is tied to a performance metric rather than time-based vesting. Stock option equivalents are calculated as (number of time-based stock options the long-termgranted) plus (full value awards divided by 1.4). We further increased this proportion to 33% in 2024. We determined not to make any other changes to our executive compensation policies or processes as a result of which is determined by long-term stock performance;our say-on-pay vote and (2) we set performance goals that could realistically be expected to take longer than a year to be completed for the performance-based RSUs.stockholder feedback. We will monitor and continually evaluate our compensation program going forward considering our stockholders' views, evolving market dynamics and our transforming business needs including recruitment and retention.
Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
We believe our NEOs’ compensation should align our executives’ successinterests with that of our stockholders over the long-term through achievement of strategic corporate objectives that are fundamental to our business and that are intended to create long-term stockholder value. Our executive compensation programs are designed to be competitive withwithin our industry and within our peer group to enable us to attract, motivate, reward, and retain outstanding talent. Our compensation programs are based on the following key principles:
Link a significantdirect and meaningful proportion of pay with performance and the achievement of our strategiccorporate and individual goals;
AlignClearly align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders through equity compensation;
Achieve a mix of cash and equity within overall compensation that is competitive in the industry in which we compete for executive talent; and
Recognize individual contributions, teamwork and corporate performance.
Compensation-Setting Process
Role of the Compensation Committee and Management
The Compensation Committee oversees and administers our executive compensation programs. The Compensation Committee acts pursuant to a charter adopted by our Board, which can be found atin the investors section of our website, www.dynavax.com. The Compensation Committee generally determines the compensation to be paid to the executive officers, including our NEOs.www.dynavax.com under investors-corporate governance. Either the Compensation Committee or the independent members of our Board, upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee, approve certainthe compensation of our CEO, and referencesChief Executive Officer. References in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis to our Board approving our CEO’sChief Executive Officer’s compensation refer to the independent members of our Board.
The Compensation Committee (and the board of directors, with respect to our CEO) approves our corporate goals and the individual goals, ofwhere applicable, for our NEOs after considering the Company’sChief Executive Officer’s recommendations on these matters. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the base salaries, short-term cash incentivesincentive opportunities and equity compensation of our NEOs and periodically reviews other elements of our compensation.compensation programs. Compensation decisions are based primarily on the following:
Peer and Industry Data – The Compensation Committee uses peer and industry data provided by its consultant, Arnosti Consulting Inc. (“Arnosti”), as a
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Peer and Industry Data — The Compensation Committee uses peer and industry data provided by its compensation consultant as points of reference in setting base salaries and target cash compensation, as well as in determining appropriate levels and mix of equity compensation and determining the type and portion of compensation tied to corporate and individual performance goals.
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Annual Performance Reviews — The Chair of the Compensation Committee conducts annual performance reviews of our Chief Executive Officer taking into consideration feedback obtained during the course of the year from the independent members of our Board and the Chief Executive Officer’s direct reports. Our Chief Executive Officer conducts and presents the performance reviews of the other NEOs to the Compensation Committee after the end of each fiscal year. In reviewing and determining the compensation of each NEO, the Compensation Committee also considers individual factors, such as potential for future contributions to Company growth, industry experience and retention concerns.
Annual Performance Reviews – The Chair of the Compensation Committee conducts annual performance reviews of our CEO taking into consideration feedback obtained during the course of the
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year from the independent members of our Board and the CEO’s direct reports. Our CEO conducts and presents the performance reviews of the other NEOs to the Compensation Committee after the end of each fiscal year. In reviewing and determining the compensation of each NEO, the Compensation Committee also considers individual factors, such as potential for future contributions to Company growth, industry experience and retention concerns.
CEO Recommendations – The Compensation Committee seeks input from our CEO for
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Recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer — The Compensation Committee seeks input from our Chief Executive Officer in setting the salary, and target cash compensation levels and equity awards for the other NEOs, and also for purposes of setting annual performance metrics and target amounts under our annual incentive program.
Role of Compensation Consultant
Arnosti has been the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant since 2010, and the Compensation Committee meets regularly with Arnosti, both with and without management present, depending upon the topic being discussed.
During the first quarter of 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee reviewed whether the work of Arnosti as a compensation consultant raised any conflict of interest, taking into consideration the following factors:
The provision of other services to the Company;
The amount of fees paid to Arnosti by the Company;Company relative to Arnosti total revenue;
Arnosti’s policies and procedures that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest;
Any business or personal relationship of Arnosti or the individual compensation advisors employed by Arnosti with a member of the Compensation Committee, or with an executive officer of the Company; and
Any Company stock owned by Arnosti or the individual compensation advisors contracted by Arnosti.
Based on the Compensation Committee’s review of this information, it determined the work of Arnosti and the individual compensation advisors contracted by Arnosti as compensation consultant to the Compensation Committee, did not create any conflict of interest. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to direct, terminate or continue Arnosti’s services, althoughand the Company pays the cost for Arnosti’s services.
In 2020,2023, Arnosti provided advice to the Compensation Committee on several different aspects of its responsibilities related to our compensation programs and practices. Specifically, during 2020,2023, Arnosti assisted the Compensation Committee as follows:
Provided recommendations to the Compensation Committee on refining our peer group;
Provided general information concerning executive compensation trends and developments;
Reviewed and analyzed compensation levels of our NEOs in comparison to those of our peer companies;
Provided the Board with a review of competitive data from the peer group on Board compensation; and
Reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for inclusion in our proxy statement.
2020In late 2023, the Compensation Committee engaged the services of Alpine Rewards, LLC (“Alpine”). Arnosti has been working to transition the provision of these services to Alpine since that time and is expected to have completed the transition during the second quarter of 2024.
2023 Peer Group and Use of Market Data
Our Compensation Committee primarily uses relevant publicly disclosed market data for a general understanding of executive market compensation practices and our positioning within the market, including positioning within our peer group. Our Compensation Committee believes that over-reliance on benchmarking could result in compensation that is unrelated to the value delivered by the NEOs because compensation benchmarking does not take the specific performance of the NEOs, or the performance of the Company in its unique circumstances, into account.
Our Compensation Committee does not have a specific target compensation level for the NEOs or otherwise use a formulaic approach to setting pay at a particular positioning within the market data; rather, the Compensation Committee reviews a range of market data reference points including relevant Aon Radford Global Life Sciences survey data as well as disclosed data from the Company’s peer group with respect to total target cash compensation (includingincluding both base salary and the annual target performance bonus) and equity compensationbonus. With regards to market
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(valued baseddata on equity compensation the Compensation Committee considers both disclosed grant date fair value and also considered as shares as a percentage of total common shares outstanding)outstanding to support its compensation decisions.
For 2020,2023, our Compensation Committee approved a peer group of biotechnology companies at a similar stage of their life-cyclelife cycle with which we compete for executive and board talent that were of similar size to the Company in terms of market capitalization (targeting .3x0.3x to 3x our own market capitalization, with some exceptions for companies it felt were nonetheless good comparators), product portfolio, pipeline and number of employees. To align with our strategic plan at that time, which included commercialization of HEPLISAV-B in the U.S., pursuing licensure for HEPLISAV-B in and Europe, and obtaining a favorable policy recommendation from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (“ACIP”) for HEPLISAV-B in the U.S., our peer group included companies that:
Were commercial-stage companies having already filed for an IND;investigational new drug;
Were pure-play vaccine developers; and
Had their own manufacturing operations, where possible.possible
The change in our peer group from 20192022 to 20202023 included removing 1513 companies for various reasons including market caps or revenue that were out of range or because such companies were not yet in, or not very close to, commercial stage.range. The companies that were removed were Acadia, Acceleron, Aduro, Alder, Amicus, Arcus, Array,Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ardelyx, Inc., Akebia Therapeutics, Inc., Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Chemocentryx, Inc., Clovis Oncology, Inc., Epizyme, Holzyme, Insmed, The Medicines Company, Pacira, Repligen Supernus,Inc., Heron Therapeutics, Inc., Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc., Macrogenics, Inc., Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and TG Therapeutics.Theravance Biopharma, Inc. The following 7nine companies were added to the peer group: AMAG, Ardelyx, Adamas, Akebia, Karyopharm, Rigel,Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Agenus, Inc., Alector, Inc., Fibrogen, Inc., Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pacira Biosciences, Inc., Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., Travere Therapeutics, Inc. and Retrophin.Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As of September 2019,August 2022, the point at which the Compensation Committee approved the 20202022-2023 peer group, the companies in the 20202022-2023 peer group had market capitalizations ranging between $127$475.5 million to $2.2$9.5 billion, and the median market capitalization of our peer group was $427 million.$1.6 billion. At the same point in time, our market capitalization was $372 million.$2.066 billion. The following table lists our 20202022-2023 peer group:group which was applicable to performance year 2023 compensation:
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AcordaAcadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Agenus, Inc.
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Alector, Inc.
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Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.
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Adamas Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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AkebiaCorcept Therapeutics, Inc.
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AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Ardelyx, Inc.
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Biocryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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ChemoCentryx, Inc.
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Clovis Oncology, Inc.
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Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Five Prime Therapeutics Inc.
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Heron Therapeutics,Fibrogen, Inc.
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Immunogen, Inc.
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Karyopharm Therapeutics,Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Macrogenics,Mannkind Corp.
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Pacira Biosciences, Inc.
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Radius Health, Inc.
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MomentaSarepta Therapeutics, Inc.
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Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Novavax,Travere Therapeutics, Inc.
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Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Puma Biotechnology, Inc.
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Retrophin, Inc.
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Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Theravance Biopharma,Zogenix, Inc.
Elements of Executive Compensation
Our executive team continues to manage a changing and increasingly complex business.business as we advance a differentiated vaccine pipeline and identify strategic opportunities to accelerate growth. We strive to recognize these efforts by compensating our NEOs for the demands and risks associated with our business through three primary elements that are designed to reward performance in a simple and straightforward manner – base salaries, annual performance-based cash incentives and long-term equity incentive awards.
During our annual stockholder outreach in recent years, including in 2023 and in early 2024, our key stockholders expressed support fordid not express any significant concerns about the elements of our executive compensation program, including our continued use of a mix of time-based stock options and performance-based RSUs. As reflected inand time-based RSUs, but encouraged us to increase the chart below,proportion of performance-vesting equity, which we utilizeddid as described above.
During 2023, we provided performance-based vesting for a portionRSUs, or “PSUs” as part of our 2020 long-term equity incentive awards.compensation mix, and our PSUs once again included meaningful performance goals that must be met within a designated performance period for any vesting to occur.
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The table below summarizes the purpose and key characteristics of each of our compensation elements.
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Element
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Purpose
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Key Characteristics
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Base Salary
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Provides a fixed level of compensation for performing the essential elements of the job; gives executives a degree of certainty in light ofwhile having a majority of their total compensation at risk.
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Fixed compensation that is reviewed annually and adjusted if and whenas appropriate; reflects each NEO’s performance, experience, skills, level of responsibility and the breadth, scope and complexity of the position as well as the competitive marketplace for executive talent specific to our industry.
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Element
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Purpose
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Key Characteristics
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Annual Cash Incentive Program
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Motivates executive officers to achieve corporate and, as applicable, individual business goals,objectives, which we believe serve to increase stockholder value, while providing flexibility to respond to opportunities and changing market conditions.value.
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Annual cash incentive based on corporate performance, and, as applicable, individual performance compared to pre-established goals.goals and actual accomplishments. For 2020,2023, each of our Chief Executive Officer’s and President and Chief Operating Officer’s annual incentive was based on corporate goals and accomplishments only.

 

Corporate goals focus on overarching objectives for the Company which willwe believe support building and maintaining long-term value, while individual objectives are aligned to corporate objectives and other strategic priorities of the Company.

 

Corporate goals are aligned with our business strategy and weighted by relative importance so that overall corporate achievement can be objectively measured.
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Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards (Stock Options)
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Motivates executive officers to achieve our business objectives by tying incentives to the appreciation of our common stock over the long term.long-term.
​​
Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant vesting over three years; theyears. The ultimate value realized, if any, depends on the appreciation of our common stock price following the grant. If our stock price does not appreciate, there is no value realized. Each stock option granted has a seven-year term. In determining the aggregate size of equity grants in any given year, the Compensation Committee generally considers the same factors described above under “Base Salaries”Salary” as well as the criticality of the executive to the long-term achievement of corporate goals.

 

In 2020,2023, we targeted roughly 75%70% of our NEO’sNEOs’ annual equity grant valuein terms of option equivalents to be time-based options.

 

From time to time, we may also use special grants of stock options to encourage retention or for other purposes as determined by the Board. No such special stock options were granted to NEOs in 2020.2023.
​
37
​
Element
​​
Purpose
​​
Key Characteristics
​
​
Long-Term Equity Incentives (RSUs)Incentive Awards (Time-Based Restricted Stock Units, or RSUs, and Performance-Based RSUs, or PSUs)
​​
Motivates executive officers to achieve our corporate objectives by tying compensation to the performance of our common stock over the long term;long-term; provides motivation for our executive officers to remain with the Company by mitigating near-term swings in incentive values during periods whenof market volatility weighs on our stock price.volatility.
​​
Restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards may vest based on continued service over a specified period of time and/or achievement of performance goals; the ultimate value realized varies withis a function of our common stock price. During 20202023, we only granted performance RSUsPSUs to NEOs. We did not grant any time-based RSUs to our NEOs.

 

In 2020,2023, we targeted roughly 25%30% of our NEO’sNEOs’ annual grant valueoption equivalents granted to be performance-based RSU awards vesting
​
26
​
Element
​​
Purpose
​​
Key Characteristics
​
​
​​
​​
PSU awards. PSUs generally vest upon the Compensation Committee’s certification of achievement of pre-established performance goals over performance periods as discussed below.
In determining the exact number of PSUs, we use a conversion factor that recognizes that the implied value of a PSU is greater than that of a stock option as discussed above.
 

From time to time, we may also use special RSUFor grants made in early 2024, the Compensation Committee further increased the performance-based portion of the NEOs’ equity awards to encourage retention or for other purposesrepresent 33% of annual option equivalent grants as determined by the Board. No such special RSUs were granted to NEOs in 2020.described above.
​
​
Other Compensation
​​
Our executive officers generally participate in the same benefits offered to all other employees, which promote employee health and welfare and assist in attracting and retaining our executive officers.
​​
Indirect compensation elementelements consisting of programs such as medical, vision, dental, life and accidental death, long-term care and disability insurance as well as a 401(k) plan with a Company matching contribution, and other plans and programs made available to all regular full-time employees.
 
In addition, we provide our executive officers with supplemental long-term disability insurance benefits which we believe are reasonable in amount and customary in our industry.
​
​
Severance and Change in Control Benefits
​​
Serves our retention objectives by helping our named executive officers maintain continued focus and dedication to their responsibilities to maximize stockholder value, including in the event of a transaction that could result in a change in control of our Company.
​​
Provides protection in the event of a termination of employment under specified circumstances, including following a change in control of our Company as described below under “Potential Payments Upon Change in Control or Involuntary Termination.”
​
20202023 Executive Compensation Decisions
Overview of Target Compensation Structure
We use the above-mentioned compensation elements to create compensation packages that are heavily weighted toward variable, at-risk pay to help align pay to performance. For 2023, the Compensation Committee used its judgment, as well as market data and input from Arnosti, to establish an appropriate mix of fixed and variable pay, as well as short-term and long-term incentive compensation, and cash and equity compensation, for
38
each NEO. The balance between these components may change from year to year based on corporate strategy and objectives, market conditions, and other considerations. For 2023, our CEO and other NEOs had the following target pay mix, which may not sum to one hundred percent due to rounding:


 
Total Target Cash Compensation – Base Salaries and Target Bonus Percentages
When determining 20202023 base salary and target bonus percentage adjustments, the Compensation Committee considered each individual’s performance and criticality to the business, each individual’s industry expertise, experience and tenure, internal pay equity, annual salary budget and retention concerns.objectives. The Compensation Committee also reviewed a range of market data reference points, (including the 10th, 25th, 50th, 60th, 75th and 90th percentiles of market andincluding disclosed peer group data)and survey data, with respect to total target cash compensation (including both base salary and the annual target performance bonus).
39
In the early part of 2023, the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to our CEO, Mr. Spencer) evaluated the 2022 compensation of each of our then-serving NEOs and approved base salary increases as shown in the table below. Unless otherwise noted below, the target bonuses and 2023 base salaries were effective as of January 1, 2023.
The increases in total target cash that the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to Mr. Spencer) decidedapproved varied in amounts for each NEO, based on individual considerations for each NEO applying the factors listed above and the resulting amounts that for 2020 each NEO’s target bonus percentage would remain the same as in 2019 and base salaries would be increased as shown in the table below, except for Mr. Spencer’s, which was increased from 50% to 60% effective January 1, 2020 in connection with his promotion to Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Novack’s, which was increased from 50% to 55% effective January 1, 2020 in connection with his promotion to President and Chief Operating Officer. In determining NEO compensation, the Compensation Committee considers disclosed peer group(and the Board with respect to Mr. Spencer) felt was appropriate to provide adequate retentive and survey data;incentive value to each NEO’s industry experience, expertise, and tenure withNEO.
For Mr. Spencer, the Company; internal pay equity;Compensation Committee and the Company’s annual salary budget.
​
Name
​​
2020 Base Salary
​​
% Increase
from Prior
Year(1)
​​
2020 Target
Bonus
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
$515,000
​​
0%
​​
60%
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
$495,000
​​
0%
​​
55%
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach
​​
$464,398
​​
3%
​​
50%
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
$466,930
​​
3%
​​
50%
​
(1)
Because Messrs. Spencer and Novack received raises in connection with their promotions in late 2019, no additional increase was included as part of our 2020 merit cycle. Mr. Ostrach and Dr. Janssen received merit increases for 2020 based on prior year performance, and consistent with past practice.
Board approved the 12.6% increase in total target cash compensation primarily due to its desire to make his compensation more competitive with that of other Chief Executive Officers at peer companies. For Ms. MacDonald, the Compensation Committee approved the 11.8% increase in total target cash compensation primarily due to its desire to make her compensation more competitive with that of other Chief Financial Officers at peer companies.
27
The Compensation Committee approved increases for each of Mr. Novack and Dr. Janssen that were intended to provide merit increases to keep their salaries competitive with their peers. The increases for each of Mr. Novack and Dr. Janssen are representative of the longer tenures of Mr. Novack and Dr. Janssen as senior executives and the Compensation Committee’s determination that their total compensation was previously market competitive.
​
Name
​​
2023 Base Salary
​​
% Increase
from Prior
Year Salary
​​
2023 Target
Bonus
​​
% Increase from
Prior Year Total
Cash Target
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
$760,000
​​
9.4%
​​
75%
​​
12.6%
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
$570,296
​​
4.5%
​​
60%
​​
4.5%
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​​
$475,000
​​
11.8%
​​
50%
​​
11.8%
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
$521,434
​​
4.3%
​​
50%
​​
4.3%
​
20202023 Annual Cash Incentive Program – Structure, Goals and Payout Decision
Structure. Neither Mr. Spencer nor Mr. Novack carriedhad individual goals separate from the Company’s corporate objectives for 2020.2023. We believe that this aligned their incentive compensation fully with the completion of corporate goals that measure business performance and are intended to drive long termlong-term stockholder value. For our other NEOs, their annual cash incentive payout is typically based on the achievement of pre-established corporate and individual goals. Our Chief Executive Officer typically recommends individual goals for each of the other NEOs, which are aligned with our business strategy and linked with corporate goals, and our Compensation Committee approves these goals. The individual goals for the NEOs are in addition to the general responsibilities each officer has for managing his or her respective functional or operational area. For 2020, Mr. Ostrach and Dr. Janssen’s respective annual cash incentive payouts were based on a weighting of 80% corporate and 20% individual goals.
2020 Corporate Goals. Heading into 2020, our focus was balanced between advancing HEPLISAV-B as a leading hepatitis-B vaccine in the U.S. and working toward a favorable policy recommendation from the ACIP, as well as furthering our efforts to obtain marketing authorization of HEPLISAV-B from the European Commission and plan for commercialization of the vaccine in Europe, and prioritizing our vaccine business including developing new potential applications of CpG 1018 and beginning to build a pipeline of potential product candidates. In early 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee established corporate and, for NEOs other than Messrs. Spencer and Novack, individual goals to align NEO annual cash incentive compensation with respective performance toward these goals. For 2023, Ms. MacDonald’s and Dr. Janssen’s respective annual cash incentive opportunity was based on a weighting of 80% corporate and 20% individual goals.
Accordingly, ourOur corporate goals were focused on increasing HEPLISAV-B product revenue, improving manufacturing yields, completing our post-marketing safety study for HEPLISAV-B, obtaining European marketing authorization, preparing to launch European marketing activities directly or with a partner, starting to develop a pipeline of potential vaccine candidates, entering collaborations with other vaccine developers to use CpG 1018included base goals and stretch goals. Base goals in their product candidates, strengthening our balance sheet and financial position, and executing upon our business plan which included maintaining specified cash and equivalents on hand at year end and controlling cash usage to stay within the approved budget.
At the time these goalsaggregate were set to be appropriately difficult to require substantial effort during the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy, the U.S. had just detected its first case of COVID-19 on U.S. soil,year to help create long-term value and we had little appreciation for the magnitude of the global impact the pandemic would have onto advance our business in particular, andthe best interests of stockholders. The base goals were designed to represent, if fully achieved, what would be, in our view, a very successful year for the Company. We also provided stretch goals as an additional incentive toward over-achievement. The stretch goals, if achieved, were intended to provide a total bonus opportunity in excess of 100% that rewards total value creation, including achievement and/or exceeding our base objectives. The maximum possible payout, based on the restachievement of the world in general. With respect to adult vaccines, during the first half of 2020, we operated in an environment that was hyper-focused on personal isolation and COVID-19 treatment and prevention. Closures and other safeguards made it nearly impossible to proceed with business-as-usual. While adult vaccine utilization was down across the board in 2020, we began to recognize opportunities to collaborate with vaccine developers working on COVID-19 vaccines. We recognized an opportunity to supply them with our CpG 1018 adjuvant, which could create an additional revenue stream to help offset reductions in HEPLISAV utilization.
During the year, we continued to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, including the impact of COVID-19 on the United States generally, and on adult vaccine utilization in particular. We also evaluated the related effects on the Company’s ability to sell HEPLISAV-B during the pandemic. Two key trends emerged: (1) our buyers were initially inaccessible due to shelter-in-place orders and other COVID-19 precautions, and (2) even if distancing orders were relaxed at times, patients were not visiting hospitals to receive hepatitis vaccines. This was a trend that affected not just HEPLISAV-B utilization, but all adult vaccines. Recognizing the severe challenge that COVID-19 presented, the Compensation Committee revised the Company’s HEPLISAV-B revenue goal downward in August of 2020. This allowed management to focus its attention on objectives that were realistic and achievable in the face of unprecedented pandemic. It also allowed management the room necessary to pivot toward the opportunities that COVID-19 uniquely provided for our business, but were unforeseen when the original goals were set.
Other than the HEPLISAV-B revenue goal, no other corporate or individual goal was changed. The HEPLISAV-B net sales goal was a corporate goal, and the change did not provide any special benefit to NEOs in particular. We did not have any layoffs or salary reductions during 2020 that affected our broader employee base. All employees in the Company shared the same corporate goals and hadany applicable individual goals, is subject to a cap of 175% of each individual’s target bonus, in accordance with the terms of our bonus plan. All goals, stretch goals included, were set at the same corporate achievement factor appliedtime, in early 2023, were tied to their bonuses.
28
As a resultspecific performance metrics and were not adjusted during the year. No purely discretionary bonuses or accelerators were provided as part of this shift in focus, we were able to increase our number of CpG 1018 collaboration agreements far in excess of our original goal of two, and in September 2020, we entered into a commercial supply agreement with one of our collaborators, Valneva, to supply them with CpG 1018. Under this agreement we could sell CpG 1018 sufficient to produce as many as 60 to 100 million doses of Valneva’s vaccine in 2021, and up to an additional 90 million doses through 2024. We believe the work done last year to focus on establishing additional collaborations could yield even more revenue-producing commercial supply agreements.2023 bonus program at its outset.
Because we are a fully-integratedfully integrated biopharmaceutical company with a marketed product and ongoing vaccine development program, our corporate goals were directly aligned with specific strategic objectives with an eye towardincorporating matters that management could actually influence or control: Plan to advancecontrol. We believe that our HEPLISAV-B U.S. sales, work to ensure long-term growth of HEPLISAV-B salesfocus on these goals, and our respective
40
performance in the U.S., drive long-term growthpursuing them, properly aligned management’s interests with those of our vaccine business including through adjuvant collaborations,stockholders and helped to strengthen our financial position and organization. These are all programs that we continue to believe will create long-term value for stockholders.
increase potential stockholder value. In February 2021,2024, the Compensation Committee evaluated the accomplishments and performance of the Company against these pre-established corporate goals, including the revised HEPSLIAV-B net sales goal.goals. With respect to each of the categories of corporate goals below, the Compensation Committee took into consideration each of the goals identified and the level of completion in making an overall determination of goal achievement for each category.
2023 Corporate Goals and Achievements. For 2023, our corporate strategy focused on three strategic priorities: (i) Drive growth in HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted], (ii) Advance our differentiated pipeline programs into clinical trial initiations and data readouts; and (iii) Identify strategic opportunities to accelerate growth, while maintaining a disciplined allocation of capital aligned with corporate strategy to deliver long-term value through internal and external innovation.
Accordingly, our corporate goals were designed to further build on these pillars and to help strengthen our overall financial position, our organizational capabilities and our culture. After its consideration of the Company’s performance, as more specifically described in the following chart, the Compensation Committee rated our overall 20202023 corporate goal achievement at 111%125%.
​
Corporate Goal
​​
Weight
​​
Corporate Achievement
​​
Corporate Achievement Percentage
​
​
Advance HEPLISAV-B Sales
 
• Achieve 25% market share in field
targeted accounts.
• Achieve $28-30 million in
HEPLISAV-B full-year net sales.
• Convert at least one national account with >15,000 dose historical annual opportunity.
​​
50%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goals in this category at an overall percentage of 106.5%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
 
•  26% market share achieved,
versus 20% one year prior.
•  HEPLISAV-B net sales of $36.0 million despite overall
reduced vaccine utilization.
•  Converted two national accounts.
​​
106.5%
​
​
Ensure long-term growth of HEPLISAV-B sales in the U.S.
• Stay on track to achieve policy
goals for 2021.
• Complete HBV-24 enrollment.
• Achieve 25% increase in HBsAg manufacturing yield.
​​
20%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goal in this category at an overall percentage of 106.7%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
 
• Efforts have kept us on track for positive policy recommendation
from ACIP.
• HBV-24 enrollment completed on
time.
• Exceeded goal by increasing yield nearly 60% over baseline.
​​
106.7%
​
​
Corporate Goal
​​
Weight*
​​
Corporate Achievement
​​
Corporate Achievement Percentage
​​
Overall Weighted Achievement
​
​
Drive HEPLISAV-B Growth
 
• Achieve U.S. sales target of
$164-$173 million (30%).
• Achieve fourth quarter total market share greater than 38.5% (15%).
 ○ Stretch: Achieve U.S. sales target of $190 million (+15%)
​​
45%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goals in this category at an overall percentage of 100%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
•  HEPLISAV-B net sales of $213 million, a 69% increase over prior year. (assessed 100% plus 15% additional for stretch goal achievement)
•  Approximately 42% total market share achieved, representing considerable growth versus 35% at the end of 2022. (assessed 133%)
•  (assessed 144% overall)
​​
144%
​​
65%
​
​
Advance our existing pipeline
• Achieve GMP supply of shingles antigen by Q4 (5%).
• Start Tdap challenge study by Q4 (10%).
• Complete plague phase 2 study enrollment in Q2 (2.5%).
• Complete immunogenicity proof of concept and antigen selection in certain preclinical studies (2.5%).
​​
20%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goal in this category at an overall percentage of 70%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
•  GMP shingles material available (assessed 100%)
•  Important advancements made in Tdap study while awaiting challenge dose study (assessed 20%)
•  Plague enrollment completed on time, DoD funding increased to $33.7 million to initiate a nonhuman primate challenge study, and significant other achievements (assessed 200%)
•  Preclinical study goals progressed (assessed 80%)
•  (assessed 70% overall)
​​
70%
​​
14%
​
29
41
​
Corporate Goal
​​
Weight
​​
Corporate Achievement
​​
Corporate Achievement Percentage
​
Corporate Goal
​​
Weight*
​​
Corporate Achievement
​​
Corporate Achievement Percentage
​​
Overall Weighted Achievement
​
​
Vaccine Business
• Develop ex-U.S. supply strategy.
• Respond to EMA review to support European approval by Q1 2021.
• Execute Pertussis development plan.
• Enter into at least two additional in-house development programs, external collaborations for CpG 1018, development partnerships or acquisitions.
​​
20%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goal in this category at an overall percentage of 127%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
• Ex-US supply strategy goals met by successfully addressing identified business continuity risks, compliance and capacity requirements. Phased approach provides cost savings while maintaining flexibility in execution.
 
• Exceeded EMA goals, received CHMP positive opinion in Q4, tracked to the most aggressive timeline and managed a favorable outcome in European label negotiations.
• Pertussis development plan made significant progress ahead of schedule and continues on an appropriate track.
• Exceeded collaborations goal by entering into collaborations far in excess of our goal, which yielded 6 human clinical trials started so far, produced the Valneva commercial supply agreement and resulted in our first CpG 1018 revenue.
​​
127%
​
Advance business development and corporate development focus
• Present comprehensive evaluation of at least three late-stage/commercial opportunities to the Strategic Advisory Committee (10%).
 ○ Stretch goal: Execute a late stage/commercial transaction (+15%).
​​
10%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goal in this category at an overall percentage of 145%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
•  Number of evaluations completed and presented, infrastructure and processes established to streamline further efforts (assessed 145%)
​​
145%
​​
14.5%
​
​
Financial
• End 2020 with specified cash and equivalents based on approved plan.
• Develop debt refinancing strategy.
• Increase organizational strength and capabilities through implementation of employee development, education, and communication programs to strengthen the connection and alignment to our objectives and to our vision leading to an increase in pride and ownership in our company and our results.
​​
10%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goal in this category at an overall percentage of 111%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
 
• Cash and equivalents exceeded the goal significantly.
• Evaluated multiple debt refinancing options and established a strategy for refinancing, while continuing to watch market dynamics.
• Exceeded organizational goal by implementing multiple
​​
111%
​
Maintain a strong financial position
• Manage operating expenses to within 5% of budget for planned activities (5%).
• Exit 2023 with sufficient capital to fund planned operations to profitability and pay off existing debt (5%).
​​
10%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goal in this category at an overall percentage of 120%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
•  Operating expenses were 1% favorable compared to operating plan including all GAAP items, and 4% favorable excluding one-time write-down of receivables as an extraordinary event.
•  Significant positive cashflow in 2023 and visibility to cash-flow positive in 2024.
•  (assessed 120% overall)
​​
120%
​​
12%
​
​
Continue to strengthen organization capabilities and culture
• Advance DEI commitments, launch employee resource groups, build a multi-year DEI roadmap to further increase engagement across the organization, formalize ESG committee and develop ESG roadmap (5%).
• Maintain compliance excellence across GxP, SOX, commercial promotion, and internal training (5%).
​​
10%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goal in this category at an overall percentage of 130%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
•  Substantial progress and achievement made across all in-scope functions and initiatives that were well in excess of expectations for the year.
•  (assessed 130% overall)
​​
130%
​​
13%
​
30
42
​
Corporate Goal
​​
Weight
​​
Corporate Achievement
​​
Corporate Achievement Percentage
​
Corporate Goal
​​
Weight*
​​
Corporate Achievement
​​
Corporate Achievement Percentage
​​
Overall Weighted Achievement
​
​
 
​​
 
​​
programs regarding employee recognition, leadership training, wellness, communications, employee development and training initiatives.
​​
 
​
Maintain future CpG revenue potential
• Maintain long-term value opportunity for CpG 1018 COVID vaccine supply business and ensure long-term supply capability.
​​
5%
​​
The Compensation Committee determined that we achieved the goal in this category at an overall percentage of 130%. In determining this percentage, the Compensation Committee considered several factors, including:
•  Long-term supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant for HEPLISAV-B as well as possible future demand from COVID collaborators secured.
•  Significant yield/process improvements and efficiency gains.
• (assessed 130% overall)
​​
130%
​​
6.5%
​
​
Total
​​
100%
​​
 
​​
111%
​
• Total
​​
100%
​​
 
​​
 
​​
125%
​
*
percentages in this column represent target base goals, and do not include amounts attributable to stretch goals.
20202023 Individual Goals. As described above, Messrs. Spencer and Novack did not have individual goals, and their respective incentive compensation was based solely on achievement of our corporate goals.
At the beginning of each year, our Chief Executive Officer typically recommends individual goals for each of the remainingother NEOs, which are aligned with our business strategy and linked withto corporate goals, and our Compensation Committee approves these goals. The individual goals for ourthe NEOs include critical responsibilities thatassigned to each NEO has that go beyond the corporate goals and are significant to our success. Established in February 2020,2023, the 20202023 individual goals for the NEOs named below focused on objectives linked to their functional expertise and responsibility as well as our then-current business strategy. These specific goals were in addition to the general responsibilities each NEO had for managing his or her respective functional operational area, including througharea.
43
While individual goals and performance results relate to advancing our corporate goals and business strategy, the period of significant change as we adapted to the pandemic by moving to a nearly fully remote workforce.
Our Compensation Committee in recognition of the fact that 80% of the incentive payout forstructures individual goals to be targeted to each NEO named in the table below isapplicable NEO’s expertise and responsibility and evaluates achievement based on corporate goal achievement, believes it is also of importance to assess theeach applicable NEO’s individual achievement portion of the goal grading in a manner that is reflective ofefforts and performance against the individual goals.results. Thus, as is the case with respect to the 2020 individual2023 goals, there willcan be circumstances where the individual goal grading exceeds themay exceed corporate goal grading,achievement, and there willcan be instances where the corporate goal grading willachievement may surpass the individual goal grading. In early 2021,February 2024, based on the recommendation of Mr. Spencer, as well as the observations by Compensation Committee members of these officers and its own assessment of each NEO’s effectiveness, the Compensation Committee determined the level of achievement of each NEO’s 20202023 individual goals as follows:
​
Name
​​
Individual Goals
​​
Individual Achievement
​​
Individual Achievement Percentage
​
​
Michael S. OstrachKelly MacDonald
​​
Finance:

• End 2020 with specified operating
capital basedDeliver target financial metrics to maintain strong investment discipline by prioritizing pipeline and commercial investment opportunities and executing on approved plan.
plans to achieve self-sustainability (20%)
• Develop debt refinancing strategy.
“best-in-class” Investor Relations and Corporate Communications functions (20%)
• Control net cash usage within budget.
• Determine whether to,Prepare high-quality SEC filings without significant deficiency or material weakness; Enhance SOX and if necessary, implement, financial system upgradeEnterprise Risk Management functions including automating or
replacement strategy.
• Add at least one additional sell side analyst, preferably bulge bracket.
Investor Relations:
streamlining existing functions and processes; Execute global tax strategy and enhance treasury management function (20%)
• Develop patent strategies for specified
programs; file apps as appropriate.
robust strategic finance function; Deliver financial expertise to support evaluation of strategic opportunities to accelerate growth; Complete cost of capital analysis and provide recommendations (20%)
• Reduce non-vaccine IP portfolio to minimum necessary toIncrease organizational and bench strength within finance, develop succession plans and professional development plans for staff and support
outboarding.
• Complete existing oncology opportunities. DEI initiatives and (20%)
​​
Met all goals, and exceeded goals for the year as follows:


• Acted as a key contributor to our I/O
divestiture efforts.
Delivered actual expenses within 1% of the operating plan
• Acted as a key contributor to our coronavirus
collaborations.
Developed comprehensive long-range planning process
• Managed net useContinued improvements in Controllership function, including reducing financial close to 5 days, implementing internal audit function, and reducing and automating SOX controls
• Built strategic finance capabilities to support corporate development activities
• Co-led our DEI efforts resulting in the establishment of cash within approved operating budget with ending cash level above target.our first employee resource group
​​
105%
​
31
​
Name
​​
Individual Goals
​​
Individual Achievement
​​
Individual Achievement Percentage135%
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
Advance HEPLISAV Clinical Studies• Drive HEPLISAV-B revenue growth by, among other things, overseeing production and Regulatory Filings

submission of hemodialysis sBLA in Q1 and supporting marketing, regulatory and advocacy/education initiatives relating to hepatitis vaccination (35%)
• On track to achieve ACIP favorable policy recommendationAdvance our pipeline (45%)
○ Submit shingles pre-IND meeting in 2021:
 − Provide 2 significant data updates to the working group.
 − Write manuscript for effective seroprotection rates.
 − Establish scientific data package to support preferential
recommendation.
Q3
• HBV-24:Stretch goal: submit in Q2
○ Submit Tdap pre-IND meeting request in Q2; obtain scientific advice from regulatory authorities, first patient in for challenge study in Q4
○ Complete plague Phase 2 enrollment
 − Draft manuscript for 1Q21
submission
in Q2
• HBV-26: complete interim analysis
Advance business and submit to FDA
• Respond to EMA review to support
approvalcorporate development functions including by Q1 2021
• Submit Safetyreviewing/synthesizing clinical and commercial lifecycles of CpG manuscript
Advance HEPLISAV Medical Affairs
Plan
• Create policy plan to facilitate ACIP decision-making for universal adult
hepatitis-B vaccination.
• Submit CEA manuscript.
• Approve at least twopotential new ISRs
consistent in priority areas of interest.
• Engage and enlist three prioritized medical societies to recognize HEPLISAV-B.
Advance Vaccine Pipeline:
• Execute Pertussis development plan.
• Complete phase-1 enabling animal
studies for Pertussis
• FPI phase 1 Pertussis trial on track for Q1 2021 start (subject to animal
study results).
• Enter into either one additional in-house development program, one external collaboration for 1018, or one strategic development partnership
or acquisition.
• Support vaccine business development through scientific review of opportunities and engagement of key stakeholders.
Oncology
• Close out MEL-01.
• Complete I-SPY2 trial.products; make recommendations (20%)
​​
Met all goals, and exceeded goals for the year as
follows:


• Acted as a key technical contributorHemodialysis sBLA submitted in coronavirus
collaborations
Q1. EMA approved.
• Drove ongoing
Kaiser study
Hepatitis B vaccine coverage is increasing, Dynavax supports through advocacy and education
• Acted as key contributor in connection with our EU approval of HEPLISAV-B achieved on most aggressive timeline.MAA approved by MHRA
• Pregnancy data submitted for USPI
• Successful FDA pre-IND meetings for both Shingles and Tdap
• Fully supported business development and corporate development efforts to assess potential partners, and provided substantial clinical and regulatory input
​​
105%125%
​
44
After making these determinations regarding levels of corporate and individual performance achieved against the pre-established performance goals, the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to Mr. Spencer)
32
reviewed and approved the annual cash incentive payouts noted below. As noted above, for the NEOs other than Messrs. Spencer and Novack, the cash incentive payouts were based 80% on achievement of corporate goals and 20% on individual performance. Other than increases made in connection with the promotions of Messrs. Spencer and Novack, which were each effective January 1, 2020 and described above, there were no other changes to the NEOs’ target annual cash incentive percentages between 2019 and 2020.
​
2020 Actual Annual Cash Incentive Paid
​
​
​​
2020 Target Annual Cash Incentive
​​
Achievement of Corporate Goals
​​
Achievement of Individual Goals
​​
​
​
Name
​​
% of Base
Salary
​​
$(1)
​​
% of Target
Annual Cash
Incentive
​​
$(1)
​​
% of Target
Annual Cash
Incentive
​​
$(1)
​​
Total(1)
​
​
Ryan Spencer(2)
​​
60%
​​
$309,000
​​
111%
​​
NA
​​
NA
​​
NA
​​
$342,990
​
​
David F. Novack(2)
​​
55%
​​
$272,250
​​
111%
​​
NA
​​
NA
​​
NA
​​
$302,198
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach(3)
​​
50%
​​
$232,199
​​
111%
​​
$206,192
​​
105%
​​
$48,762
​​
$254,955
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
50%
​​
$233,465
​​
111%
​​
$207,316
​​
105%
​​
$49,028
​​
$256,345
​
​
​​
​​
​​
2023 Actual Annual Cash Incentive Paid
​​
​
​
​​
2023 Target Annual
Cash Incentive
​​
Achievement of Corporate Goals
​​
Achievement of Individual Goals
​​
​
​
Name
​​
% of Base
Salary
​​
$(1)
​​
% of Target
Annual Cash
Incentive
​​
$(1)
​​
% of Target
Annual Cash Incentive
​​
$(1)
​​
Total(1)
​
​
Ryan Spencer(2)
​​
75%
​​
$570,000
​​
125 %
​​
$712,500
​​
NA
​​
NA
​​
$712,500
​
​
David F. Novack(2)
​​
60%
​​
$342,178
​​
125 %
​​
$427,722
​​
NA
​​
NA
​​
$427,722
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​​
50%
​​
$237,500
​​
125%
​​
$237,500
​​
135%
​​
$64,125
​​
$301,625
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
50%
​​
$260,717
​​
125%
​​
$260,717
​​
125%
​​
$65,179
​​
$325,896
​
(1)

Amounts are rounded to nearest dollar.
(2)

Messrs. Spencer and Novack did not have separate individual goals, onlygoals. Their incentive cash compensation was tied 100% to achievement of corporate goals.
(3)
Notwithstanding the announcement of Mr. Ostrach’s planned retirement, Mr. Ostrach remained continuously employed with us through the determination date and was therefore eligible to receive his annual incentive award.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards
2023 Equity Awards
In making annual long-term equity incentive awards to our NEOs in early 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee considered each NEO’s total optionsequity outstanding as of December 31, 2019, his2022, individual performance during 2019,2022, the potential amount that could be realized at different hypothetical stock prices upon exercise of those awards and each NEO’s percentage of ownership of the Company. The Compensation Committee also reviewed market and peer group data reference points (including the 10th, 25th, 50th, 60th, 75th and 90th percentiles of market and peer group data) with respect to an approximation of grant date fair value and shares as a percentage of total common shares outstanding. Additionally, the Compensation Committee considered the mix of stock options and RSUs granted in 2019.2022. The Compensation Committee made final determinations based on its judgment in accordance with our pay-for-performance philosophy and the need to retain and motivate these highly experienced and essential members of our management team.
For 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to Mr. Spencer) determined to grant each NEO’s annual long-term incentive compensation with a mix of time-based stock options and performance-based RSUs. The Compensation Committee’s determination to grant stock options and RSUs to each NEOPSUs. Specifically, in 2020 was partially based upon the Compensation Committee’s grant of both time-and performance-based stock options in 2019 as part of each NEO’s annual long-term incentive compensation. As a result, the Compensation Committee determined that a mix of time-based stock options and performance-based RSUs was most appropriate for 2020 grants.
In February 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee approved annual equity grants for the NEOs in the form of stock options and performance-based RSUs,PSUs, with the stock options representing 75%roughly seventy percent and the PSUs representing roughly thirty percent, of the aggregate target awardoption equivalents granted. This particular mix was chosen in order to provide appropriate retention incentives and the opportunity for our NEOs to realize value directly in line with our stock price, particularly in light of historic volatility in our stock price, as well as to respond to investor feedback.
The PSUs granted in 2023 would, subject to and performance-based RSUs representingqualified by the remaining 25%terms of the aggregate target award value. The time-based stock options vest over three years, with one-third of the shares vesting on February 1, 2021 and the remainder vesting in equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to the NEO’s continuous service with us through the vesting date.
The performance-based RSUsgrant agreement, vest solely upon the Compensation Committee’s certification of achievement of performance goals relating to advancement of HEPLISAV-B. Our view is that these goals were appropriately difficult to achieveour relative total stockholder return ranking (as defined in the prescribedgrant agreement) is equal to or greater than the 50th percentile during the performance period starting January 1, 2023 and requiredending December 31, 2025 (“Performance Period”). To calculate the relative ranking, the Company’s total stockholder return will be compared to the returns of the other companies comprising the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index during the entire Performance Period. No shares can vest under these awards if the Company’s relative ranking is below the thirty-fifth percentile. Seventy percent can vest at a threshold of at least the thirty-fifth percentile, one hundred percent can vest at the fiftieth percentile, and a maximum of two hundred percent can vest at or above a ninetieth percentile relative total stockholder return ranking, provided, however, that the maximum portion that can vest is the target amount, 50%, if the Company’s actual total stockholder return is negative, regardless of whether the company achieves a higher than target relative ranking. Stock options granted to each of the NEOs to stretch well beyondvest over three years, with one-third vesting on the Company’s natural trajectory to achieve them. The goals were:
Achieve HEPLISAV-B net sales targetanniversary of a specified dollar amount in a quarter prior togrant, and the end of 2022 (75%); and
Support efforts with respect to a favorable ACIP policy recommendation for HEPLISAV-B prior to the end of 2022 (25%).remainder vesting monthly.
33
45
The table below describes the aggregate grant date fair value of these stock options and RSUsPSUs granted to our NEOs in fiscal year 2020. We made these grants based on share guidelines. To2023. Our Compensation Committee used its subjective judgement to determine the extentsize of awards it believed were appropriate for each named executive officer, weighing the values in the table below appear lower than in prior years, that is a functionfactors described above each NEO’s current equity holdings and its desire to provide strong retentive value. Each of the stock price on the date of grant, rather than a reflection of the NEO’s perceived performance or value.2023 equity awards listed below were granted in February 2023.
​
Name
​​
Grant Date Fair Value
of February 2020
Time-Based Stock
Option Awards
​​
Grant Date Fair Value
of February 2020
Performance-Based
RSU Awards
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
$455,338
​​
$206,451
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
$523,742
​​
$189,700
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach
​​
$381,896
​​
$135,500
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
$381,896
​​
$135,500
​
​
Name
​​
Time-Based Stock
Option Awards
(# of shares)
​​
Time-Based RSU
Awards
(# of shares)
​​
Performance-Based
RSU Awards
(# of shares)
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
280,000
​​
—
​​
125,000
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
150,000
​​
—
​​
48,500
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​​
100,000
​​
—
​​
30,000
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
80,000
​​
—
​​
24,000
​
Other Executive Compensation Matters
Equity Compensation Policies
Our Compensation Committee approves equity awards for NEOs and authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to approve equity awards for all other employees below the level of vice president based on approved pools for annual and new hire grants. Awards for seniorexecutives who are vice president and above and are not NEOs are approved either at a regularly-scheduledregularly scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee or by unanimous written consent. The effective date of the grant is generally the date of the meeting, or the date the last personcommittee member executes the unanimous written consent.
The exercise price of stock options is not less than the closing price of our common stock on theas reported by Nasdaq CapitalStock Market LLC on the grant date of the stock option. We have no practice of timingdo not time grants of stock options or restricted stock awardsRSUs to coordinate with the release of material non-public information, and we have not timed the release of material non-public information for purposes of affecting the value of the compensation awarded to our NEOs or any other employee.
We encourage our NEOs to hold a significant equity interest in our Company, but we have not set specific stock ownership guidelines.
Compensation Recovery Policy
Amounts paid and awards granted under our equity plans will be subjectIn November 2023, we adopted the Dynavax Technologies Corporation Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (the “Recoupment Policy”), which is intended to recoupment in accordancecomply with the Dodd-FrankDodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any applicable regulationsrelated Nasdaq listing standards. A copy of the Recoupment Policy can be found in the investors section of our website, www.dynavax.com under the Act, any clawback policy the Company adopts or as is required by applicable law.investors-corporate governance. In addition, as a public company subject to the provisions of Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, if we are required as a result of misconduct to restate our financial results due to our material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer may be legally required to reimburse us for any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation they receive. In addition,
Tax and Accounting Implications
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Under Financial Accounting Standard Board ASC Topic 718 (“ASC 718”), we are required to estimate and record an expense for each award of equity compensation over the vesting period of the award. We record share-based compensation expense on an ongoing basis according to ASC 718. The accounting impact of our compensation programs is one of many factors that the Compensation Committee considers in determining the structure and size of our executive compensation programs.
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Under Section 162(m), compensation paid to each of the Company’s “covered employees” that exceeds $1 million per taxable year is generally non-deductible.
46
Although the Compensation Committee will complycontinue to consider tax implications as one factor in determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee also looks at other factors in making its decisions and retains the flexibility to provide compensation for the Company’s NEOs in a manner consistent with the requirementsgoals of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street ReformCompany’s executive compensation program and Consumer Protection Act once the SEC final regulations onbest interests of the subject become effective.Company and its stockholders, which may include providing for compensation that is not deductible by the Company due to the deduction limit under Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee also retains the flexibility to modify compensation that was initially intended to be exempt from the deduction limit under Section 162(m) if it determines that such modifications are consistent with the Company’s business needs.
Compensation Risk Analysis
During fiscal 2020,2023, our Compensation Committee reviewed our compensation policies as generally applicable to our employees in order to determine whether any such programs were likely to present a material risk to the Company. As part of its assessment, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the allocation of compensation among base salary and short- and long-term compensation, our approach to establishing Company-wide and individual financial, operational and other performance targets, and the nature of our key performance metrics. As a result of this review and analysis, the Compensation Committee’sCommittee determined that our policies and programs do not encourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking, and that the level of risk that they do encourage is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
34
Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on Executive CompensationReport
In early 2021,2023, the Compensation Committee discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, contained in this proxy statement. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.2023.
The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is furnished to, but not deemed “filed” with, the SEC and is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, other than the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, where it shall be deemed to be “furnished,” whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Ms. Peggy V. Phillips, Chairperson

Mr. Natale Ricciardi
Dr. Peter Paradiso, Ph.D.
Dr. Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
35
47
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to, or earned by, our NEOs during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 20192023, 2022 and 2018.2021.
​
Name and Principal Position
​​
Year
​​
Salary
​​
Stock
Awards(1)
​​
Option
Awards(2)
​​
Non-Equity
Incentive
Compensation(3)
​​
All Other
Compensation(4)
​​
Total
​
​
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive
Officer and Director
​​
2020
​​
$515,000
​​
$206,451
​​
$455,338
​​
$342,990
​​
$2,000
​​
$1,521,779
​
​
2019
​​
$391,212
​​
$654,375
​​
$1,957,520
​​
$152,375
​​
$2,000
​​
$3,157,482
​
​
David F. Novack
President and Chief Operating Officer
​​
2020
​​
$495,000
​​
$189,700
​​
$523,742
​​
$302,198
​​
$2,000
​​
$1,512,640
​
​
2019
​​
$465,886
​​
$272,220
​​
$1,701,362
​​
$229,382
​​
$2,000
​​
$2,670,850
​
​
2018
​​
$401,700
​​
$—
​​
$1,083,000
​​
$210,892
​​
$2,000
​​
$1,697,592
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach
Former Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and
Chief Business Officer
​​
2020
​​
$464,398
​​
$135,500
​​
$381,896
​​
$254,955
​​
$2,000
​​
$1,238,749
​
​
2019
​​
$450,872
​​
$230,340
​​
$611,433
​​
$209,665
​​
$2,000
​​
$1,504,310
​
​
2018
​​
$439,875
​​
$—
​​
$2,904,000
​​
$216,639
​​
$2,000
​​
$3,562,514
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Senior Vice President and Chief
Medical Officer
​​
2020
​​
$466,930
​​
$135,500
​​
$381,896
​​
$256,345
​​
$2,000
​​
$1,242,671
​
​
2019
​​
$453,330
​​
$272,220
​​
$722,602
​​
$210,798
​​
$2,000
​​
$1,660,950
​
​
2018
​​
$438,000
​​
$—
​​
$1,083,000
​​
$216,810
​​
$2,000
​​
$1,739,810
​
​
Name and Principal Position
​​
Year
​​
Salary
​​
Bonus
​​
Stock
Awards(1)
​​
Option
Awards(2)
​​
Non-Equity
Incentive
Compensation(3)
​​
All Other
Compensation
​​
Total
​
​
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive
Officer and Director
​​
2023
​​
$760,000
​​
—
​​
$2,281,250
​​
$2,043,300
​​
$712,500
​​
$13,686(4)
​​
$5,810,736
​
​
2022
​​
$695,000
​​
—
​​
$1,522,500
​​
$2,820,265
​​
$544,880
​​
$11,355
​​
$5,594,000
​
​
2021
​​
$600,000
​​
—
​​
$1,605,608
​​
$1,720,450
​​
$588,000
​​
$5,431
​​
$4,519,489
​
​
David F. Novack
President and Chief Operating Officer
​​
2023
​​
$570,296
​​
—
​​
$885,125
​​
$1,094,625
​​
$427,722
​​
$15,563(5)
​​
$2,993,331
​
​
2022
​​
$545,738
​​
—
​​
$645,540
​​
$1,208,685
​​
$366,736
​​
$13,124
​​
$2,779,823
​
​
2021
​​
$519,750
​​
—
​​
$935,025
​​
$1,013,100
​​
$436,590
​​
$13,635
​​
$2,918,100
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
​​
2023
​​
$475,000
​​
—
​​
$547,500
​​
$729,750
​​
$301,625
​​
$11,930(6)
​​
$2,065,805
​
​
2022
​​
$425,000
​​
—
​​
$389,760
​​
$729,240
​​
$240,550
​​
$8,716
​​
$1,793,266
​
​
2021
​​
$312,500
​​
$15,000
​​
$—
​​
$2,250,920
​​
$221,875
​​
$4,042
​​
$2,804,337
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President
​​
2023
​​
$521,434
​​
—
​​
$438,000
​​
$583,800
​​
$325,896
​​
$14,193 (7)
​​
$1,883,323
​
​
2022
​​
$500,176
​​
—
​​
$316,680
​​
$604,343
​​
$277,598
​​
$11,983
​​
$1,710,780
​
​
2021
​​
$480,938
​​
—
​​
$534,300
​​
$574,090
​​
$329,443
​​
$6,793
​​
$1,925,564
​
(1)

Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs granted in the fiscal year in accordance with ASC 718. See note 15 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in our annual reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 202122, 2024 for a discussion of assumptions we made in determining the compensation costs included in this column. With regard to awards with performance-based vesting (“performance-based RSUs” or “PSUs”), the grant date fair value assumes the highest level of achievement had been met. For further discussion of these performance-based RSUs,PSUs, see the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 20202023 Executive Compensation Decisions – Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards.”
(2)

Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted in the fiscal year in accordance with ASC 718. See note 15 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in our annual reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 202122, 2024 for a discussion of assumptions we made in determining the compensation costs included in this column.
(3)

Represents the annual cash incentive bonuses earned pursuant to our annual cash incentive bonus plan for services rendered in the fiscal year. For further discussion see the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 20202023 Executive Compensation Decisions – 20202023 Annual Cash Incentive Program – Structure, Goals and Payout Decision.”
(4)

Represents $2,000Includes (i) $6,500 in 401(k) matching contribution for each NEO made by the Company in the fiscal year.year and (ii) $7,186 of premiums for supplemental long-term disability insurance that is provided to certain members of our management.
(5)
Includes (i) $6,500 in 401(k) matching contribution made by the Company in the fiscal year and (ii) $9,063 of premiums for supplemental long-term disability insurance that is provided to certain members of our management.
(6)
Includes (i) $6,500 in 401(k) matching contribution made by the Company in the fiscal year and (ii) $5,430 of premiums for supplemental long-term disability insurance that is provided to certain members of our management.
(7)
Includes (i) $6,500 in 401(k) matching contribution made by the Company in the fiscal year and (ii) $7,693 of premiums for supplemental long-term disability insurance that is provided to certain members of our management.
36
48
GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS
The following table shows certain information regarding grants of plan-based awards to our NEOs during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.2023.
​
Name
​​
Grant Date
​​
Date of Board
or
Compensation
Committee
Action to Grant
Award
​​
Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
Target(1)
($)
​​
Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
Target(2)
(#)
​​
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock
or Units
(#)
​​
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
​​
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Share)
​​
Grant Date
Fair Value
of RSU and
Option
Awards(3) ($)
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$309,000
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/13/2020
​​
2/13/2020
​​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
130,000
​​
$5.22
​​
$455,338
​
​
2/13/2020
​​
2/13/2020
​​
 
​​
39,550
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$206,451
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$272,250
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/12/2020
​​
2/12/2020
​​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
144,000
​​
$5.42
​​
$523,742
​
​
2/12/2020
​​
2/12/2020
​​
 
​​
35,000
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$189,700
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$232,199
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/12/2020
​​
2/12/2020
​​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
105,000
​​
$5.42
​​
$381,896
​
​
2/12/2020
​​
2/12/2020
​​
 
​​
25,000
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$135,500
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$233,465
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/12/2020
​​
2/12/2020
​​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
105,000
​​
$5.42
​​
$381,896
​
​
2/12/2020
​​
2/12/2020
​​
 
​​
25,000
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$135,500
​
​
Name
​​
Grant
Date
​​
Estimated Future Payments
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
​​
Estimated Future
Payouts Under
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)
​​
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock
or Units
(#)
​​
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
​​
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Share)
​​
Grant Date
Fair Value
of RSU and
Option
Awards(3)
($)
​
​
Target
($)
​​
Maximum
($)
​​
Threshold
(#)
​​
Target
(#)
​​
Maximum
(#)
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
—
​​
$712,500
​​
$1,246,875
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/16/2023
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
280,000
​​
$11.12
​​
$2,043,300
​
​
2/16/2023
​​
—
​​
—
​​
87,500
​​
125,000
​​
250,000
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$2,281,250
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
—
​​
$427,722
​​
$748,514
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/16/2023
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
150,000
​​
$11.12
​​
$1,094,625
​
​
2/16/2023
​​
—
​​
—
​​
33,950
​​
48,500
​​
97,000
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$885,125
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​​
—
​​
$301,625
​​
$527,844
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/16/2023
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
100,000
​​
$11.12
​​
$729,750
​
​
2/16/2023
​​
—
​​
—
​​
21,000
​​
30,000
​​
60,000
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$547,500
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
—
​​
$325,896
​​
$570,318
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/16/2023
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
80,000
​​
$11.12
​​
$583,800
​
​
2/16/2023
​​
—
​​
—
​​
16,800
​​
24,000
​​
48,000
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
$438,000
​
(1)

Represents the target and maximum level of cash incentive award in fiscal year 20202023 as further described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Elements of Executive Compensation”; our annual cash incentive program does not specify minimum or maximum levels.a threshold level.
(2)

Represents the numberthreshold, target and maximum level of PSUs granted in the fiscal year that are subject to performance-based vesting, as described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
(3)

Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of optionsawards granted in fiscal year 20202023 in accordance with ASC 718. See Note 15 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in our annual reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 202122, 2024 for a discussion of the assumptions we made in determining the compensation costs included in this column. With regard to awards with performance-based vesting,PSUs, the grant date fair value assumes the highest level of achievement had been met, as reported in the “Summary Compensation Table.” For further discussion of these performance-based RSUs,PSUs, see the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 20202023 Executive Compensation Decisions – Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards.”
NARRATIVE DISCLOSURE TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS TABLE
The material terms of NEO annual compensation and the explanations of the amounts of base salary, annual cash-based incentives, and equity-based awards in proportion to total compensation are described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in this proxy statement. Our severance and change in control benefits are described under “Summary of Change in Control and Involuntary Termination Arrangements” in this proxy statement.
As discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the fiscal year 20202023 cash incentive amounts were paid pursuant to the annual cash incentive compensation program, based on the achievement of certain corporate and, as applicable, individual goals. Equity-based awards were granted in 2020 under our 2018 Plan and represent a mix of time-based options and time-based and performance-based options,RSUs, as described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”Analysis” and were granted under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan and, in the case of Ms. MacDonald in 2021, the 2021 Inducement Plan. The terms of awards granted under the 2021 Inducement Plan are substantially similar to those of the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, including the treatment of awards upon termination of service and upon a change in control transaction.
37
49
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END
The following table shows certain information regarding outstanding equity awards for NEOs as of December 31, 2020.2023.
​
​
​
Option Awards
​
Stock Awards
​
​
​
Option Awards
​
Stock Awards
​
​
Name
​
​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
​
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
​
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
​
Vesting
Commencement
Date
​
Option
Expiration
Date
​
Number of
Shares or
Units that
Have Not
Vested (#)
​
Market
Value
of Stock
that
Have Not
Vested ($)(1)
​
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested (#)
​
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights that
Have Not
Vested ($)
​
Name
​
​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
​
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
​
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
​
Vesting
Commencement
Date
​
Option
Expiration
Date
​
Number of
Shares or
Units that
Have Not
Vested (#)
​
Market
Value
of Stock
that
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
​
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested (#)
​
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested
($)(1)
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​
 
​
4,500
​
—
​
—
​
$31.40
​
1/6/2011
​
1/5/2021
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
Ryan Spencer
​
(8)
​
3,500
​
—
​
—
​
$16.70
​
2/6/2014
​
2/5/2024
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
4,500
​
—
​
—
​
$36.80
​
2/1/2012
​
1/31/2022
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(8)
​
9,500
​
—
​
—
​
$16.00
​
2/9/2015
​
2/8/2025
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
2,000
​
—
​
—
​
$42.60
​
10/22/2012
​
10/21/2022
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(8)
​
2,000
​
—
​
—
​
$30.49
​
9/10/2015
​
9/9/2025
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
5,250
​
—
​
—
​
$30.60
​
2/6/2013
​
2/5/2023
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(8)
​
56,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.45
​
2/1/2018
​
1/31/2025
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
3,500
​
—
​
—
​
$16.70
​
2/6/2014
​
2/5/2024
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(9)
​
50,000
​
—
​
—
​
$3.81
​
6/14/2019
​
6/13/2026
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
9,500
​
—
​
—
​
$16.00
​
2/9/2015
​
2/8/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(9)
​
400,000
​
—
​
—
​
$6.80
​
12/16/2019
​
12/15/2026
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
2,000
​
—
​
—
​
$30.49
​
9/10/2015
​
9/9/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(9)
​
130,000
​
—
​
—
​
$5.22
​
2/13/2020
​
2/12/2027
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
52,888
​
3,112
​
—
​
$16.45
​
2/1/2018
​
1/31/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(3)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
29,750
​
$415,905
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
25,000
​
25,000
​
—
​
$3.81
​
6/14/2019
​
6/13/2026
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(2)(9)
​
236,111
​
13,889
​
—
​
$9.59
​
2/4/2021
​
2/3/2028
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
133,332
​
266,668
​
—
​
$6.80
​
12/16/2019
​
12/15/2026
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(2)(9)
​
213,888
​
136,112
​
—
​
$12.74
​
2/10/2022
​
2/9/2029
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(6)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
41,666
​
$185,414
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(5)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
41,666
​
$582,491
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
—
​
130,000
​
—
​
$5.22
​
2/13/2020
​
2/12/2027
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(6)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
62,500
​
$873,750
​
​
 
​
(7)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
 
​
 
​
39,550
​
$175,998
​
 
​
(2)(9)
​
—
​
280,000
​
—
​
$11.12
​
2/16/2023
​
2/15/2030
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
David F. Novack
​
 
​
30,000
​
—
​
—
​
$21.40
​
3/25/2013
​
3/24/2023
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(7)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
125,000
​
$1,747,500
​
​
 
​
 
​
22,000
​
—
​
—
​
$17.10
​
2/4/2014
​
2/3/2024
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
David F. Novack
​
(8)
​
22,000
​
—
​
—
​
$17.10
​
2/4/2014
​
2/3/2024
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
75,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.00
​
2/9/2015
​
2/8/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(8)
​
75,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.00
​
2/9/2015
​
2/8/2025
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
64,000
​
—
​
—
​
$21.99
​
2/4/2016
​
2/3/2023
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(8)
​
80,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.45
​
2/1/2018
​
1/31/2025
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
75,555
​
4,445
​
—
​
$16.45
​
2/1/2018
​
1/31/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(8)
​
18,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.45
​
2/1/2018
​
1/31/2025
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(3)
​
18,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.45
​
—
​
1/31/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(9)
​
104,000
​
—
​
—
​
$10.47
​
2/22/2019
​
2/21/2026
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
63,555
​
40,445
​
—
​
$10.47
​
2/22/2019
​
2/21/2026
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(9)
​
25,000
​
—
​
—
​
$3.81
​
6/14/2019
​
6/13/2026
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
12,500
​
12,500
​
—
​
$3.81
​
6/14/2019
​
6/13/2026
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(9)
​
200,000
​
—
​
—
​
$6.80
​
12/16/2019
​
12/15/2026
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
66,666
​
133,334
​
—
​
$6.80
​
12/16/2019
​
12/15/2026
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(9)
​
144,000
​
—
​
—
​
$5.42
​
2/12/2020
​
2/11/2027
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
—
​
144,000
​
—
​
$5.42
​
2/12/2020
​
2/11/2027
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(2)(9)
​
141,666
​
8,334
​
—
​
$9.41
​
2/3/2021
​
2/2/2028
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(5)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
 
​
 
​
35,000
​
$155,750
​
 
​
(4)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
17,500
​
$244,650
​
—
​
—
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach
​
 
​
25,000
​
—
​
—
​
$31.40
​
1/6/2011
​
1/5/2021
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(2)(9)
​
91,666
​
58,334
​
—
​
$12.74
​
2/10/2022
​
2/9/2029
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
18,000
​
—
​
—
​
$34.80
​
1/31/2012
​
1/30/2022
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(5)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
17,666
​
$246,971
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
20,000
​
—
​
—
​
$30.80
​
2/5/2013
​
2/4/2023
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(6)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
26,500
​
$370,470
​
​
 
​
 
​
27,000
​
—
​
—
​
$17.10
​
2/4/2014
​
2/3/2024
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(2)(9)
​
—
​
150,000
​
—
​
$11.12
​
2/16/2023
​
2/15/2030
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
67,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.00
​
2/9/2015
​
2/8/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(7)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
48,500
​
$678,030
​
​
 
​
 
​
29,000
​
—
​
—
​
$28.45
​
8/27/2015
​
8/26/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
Kelly MacDonald
​
(2)(10)
​
320,833
​
29,167
​
—
​
$8.90
​
3/1/2021
​
2/29/2028
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
84,000
​
—
​
—
​
$21.99
​
2/4/2016
​
2/3/2023
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(2)(9)
​
55,305
​
35,195
​
—
​
$12.74
​
2/10/2022
​
2/9/2029
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
71,695
​
8,305
​
—
​
$16.45
​
2/1/2018
​
1/31/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(5)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
10,666
​
$149,111
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(3)
​
18,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.45
​
—
​
1/31/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(6)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
16,000
​
$223,680
​
​
 
​
(4)
​
75,000
​
75,000
​
—
​
$18.40
​
3/21/2018
​
3/20/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(2)(9)
​
—
​
100,000
​
—
​
$11.12
​
2/16/2023
​
2/15/2030
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
53,778
​
34,222
​
—
​
$10.47
​
2/22/2019
​
2/21/2026
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(7)(9)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
30,000
​
$419,400
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
—
​
105,000
​
—
​
$5.42
​
2/12/2020
​
2/11/2027
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​
(8)
​
18,000
​
—
​
—
​
$17.10
​
2/4/2014
​
2/3/2024
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
(5)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
 
​
 
​
25,000
​
$111,250
​
 
​
(8)
​
56,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.00
​
2/9/2015
​
2/8/2025
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​
 
​
2,250
​
—
​
—
​
$31.40
​
1/6/2011
​
1/5/2021
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(8)
​
80,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.45
​
2/1/2018
​
1/31/2025
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
2,500
​
—
​
—
​
$36.80
​
2/1/2012
​
1/31/2022
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(8)
​
18,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.45
​
2/1/2018
​
1/31/2025
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
15,000
​
—
​
—
​
$41.40
​
10/31/2012
​
10/30/2022
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(9)
​
104,000
​
—
​
—
​
$10.47
​
2/22/2019
​
2/21/2026
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
18,000
​
—
​
—
​
$17.10
​
2/4/2014
​
2/3/2024
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(9)
​
105,000
​
—
​
—
​
$5.42
​
2/12/2020
​
2/11/2027
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
56,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.00
​
2/9/2015
​
2/8/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
(2)(9)
​
80,277
​
4,723
​
—
​
$9.41
​
2/3/2021
​
2/2/2028
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
​
 
​
 
​
80,000
​
—
​
—
​
$21.99
​
2/4/2016
​
2/3/2023
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
75,555
​
4,445
​
—
​
$16.45
​
2/1/2018
​
1/31/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
​
 
​
(3)
​
18,000
​
—
​
—
​
$16.45
​
—
​
1/31/2025
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
63,555
​
40,445
​
—
​
$10.47
​
2/22/2019
​
2/21/2026
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
​
 
​
(2)
​
—
​
105,000
​
—
​
$5.42
​
2/12/2020
​
2/11/2027
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
 
​
​
 
​
(5)
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
—
​
 
​
 
​
25,000
​
$111,250
​
50
​
​​
​​
Option Awards
​​
Stock Awards
​
​
Name
​​
​​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
​​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
​​
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
​​
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
​​
Vesting
Commencement
Date
​​
Option
Expiration
Date
​​
Number of
Shares or
Units that
Have Not
Vested (#)
​​
Market
Value
of Stock
that
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
​​
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested (#)
​​
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested
($)(1)
​
​
 
​​
(4)(9)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
10,000
​​
$139,800
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
 
​​
(2)(9)
​​
45,833
​​
29,167
​​
—
​​
$12.74
​​
2/10/2022
​​
2/9/2029
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
 
​​
(5)(9)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
8,666
​​
$121,151
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
 
​​
(6)(9)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
13,000
​​
$181,740
​
​
 
​​
(2)(9)
​​
—
​​
80,000
​​
—
​​
$11.12
​​
2/16/2023
​​
2/15/2030
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
 
​​
(7)(9)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
24,000
​​
$335,520
​
(1)

Represents the aggregate fair value of RSUs (including PSUs) based on the last closing price per share as of December 31, 20202023, of $4.45.$13.98.
38
(2)

Options vest at the rate of 1/3rd of the shares on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date, with 1/36th of the total number of shares vesting each month thereafter.
(3)

Options fully vested upon achievement of performance goals.
(4)
Options vest 50% on March 21, 2020 and the remainder will vest on March 21, 2021.
(5)
This RSU wasThese RSUs were granted on February 12, 20204, 2021 and are subject to performance-based vesting.
(6)
This RSU was granted on February 22, 2019 prior to Mr. Spencer becoming an NEO. The RSU vestsvest over three years with one-third vesting on each annual anniversary date.
(7)
(4)
This RSU wasThese RSUs were granted on February 13, 20203, 2021 and are subjectvest over three years with one-third vesting on each annual anniversary date.
(5)
These RSUs were granted on February 10, 2022 and vest over three years with one-third vesting on each annual anniversary date.
(6)
These PSUs were granted on February 10, 2022. These PSUs vest if the Company’s relative total stockholder return ranking is equal to performance-based vesting.or greater than the 50th percentile before the end of 2024. To calculate the relative ranking, the Company’s total stockholder return will be compared to the returns of the other companies comprising the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index during the performance period of January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024. No shares can vest under these awards if the Company’s relative ranking is below the 50th percentile.
(7)
These PSUs were granted on February 16, 2023. These PSUs vest if the Company’s relative total stockholder return ranking is equal to or greater than the 50th percentile before the end of 2025. To calculate the relative ranking, the Company’s total stockholder return will be compared to the returns of the other companies comprising the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index during the performance period of January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025. No shares can vest under these awards if the Company’s relative ranking is below the 50th percentile.
(8)
Granted under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.
(9)
Granted under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan.
(10)
Granted under the 2021 Inducement Award Plan.
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table provides information on stock awards that vested, including the number of shares acquired upon vesting and the value realized, determined as described below, for the named executive officersNEOs in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.2023.
​
​​
Option Awards
​​
Stock Awards
​
​
Name
​​
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
​​
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
​​
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
​​
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
—
​​
—
​​
33,646
​​
$89,498
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
—
​​
—
​​
79,763
​​
$323,517
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach
​​
—
​​
—
​​
80,304
​​
$213,609
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
—
​​
—
​​
81,375
​​
$216,458
​
​
​​
Option Awards
​​
Stock Awards
​
​
Name
​​
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
​​
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)(1)
​​
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
​​
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2)
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
—
​​
—
​​
60,472
​​
$626,490
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
160,000
​​
$1,505,490
​​
35,084
​​
$363,470
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​​
—
​​
—
​​
5,334
​​
$55,260
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
44,827
​​
$251,322
​​
20,584
​​
$213,250
​
(1)

The value realized on exercise is determined by multiplying the number of shares of stock acquired upon the exercise by the difference between the exercise price and the market value of the underlying shares as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on the exercise date.
(2)
The value realized on vesting is determined by multiplying the number of shares of stock by the market value of the underlying shares as reported by the Nasdaq CapitalStock Market LLC on the vesting date.
PENSION BENEFITS
None of the NEOs participates in or has an account balance under any pension or qualified or non-qualified defined benefit retirement plan sponsored by the Company.
NON -QUALIFIED
51
NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
None of the NEOs participates in or has an account balance under any non-qualified defined contribution plan or other non-qualified deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company.
39
POTENTIALPOTENTAL PAYMENTS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL OR INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION
Summary of Change in Control and Involuntary Termination Arrangements.
To promote retention of certain key executives, our Board has authorized the Company to enter into MCSAsManagement Continuity and Separation Agreements with each NEO. We refer to such agreements in effect as of December 31, 20202023 as the “Management Agreements.” In order to be eligible to receive benefits under the Management Agreements, our NEOs and other officers must execute a general waiver and release of claims, and such release must become effective in accordance with its terms.
Change in Control.Certain Transactions without Termination.
NEOs do not receive an equity acceleration benefitPursuant to the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, in the event ofthat there had been a corporate transaction or change in control (unless there is termination(each as defined in the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan) on December 31, 2023, and if the surviving or acquiring corporation had elected not to assume, continue or substitute for equity awards that were outstanding under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, 2021 Inducement Award Plan and 2017 Inducement Award Planheld by each of employment without cause or for good reason)our current service providers, including our NEOs, the vesting of such awards would accelerate in full. The table below outlines the potential payments and benefits payable to each NEO in this event, assuming such event had occurred on December 31, 2023.
​
Name
​​
Transaction Where
Award is Not Assumed,
Continued or Substituted
Value of Accelerated
Stock Awards(1)
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
$2,902,697
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
$1,401,511
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​​
$850,601
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
$729,242
​
(1)
Represents the value of accelerated vesting of equity awards assuming the event took place on December 31, 2023. The value for RSUs (including PSUs) is calculated based on the closing price per share on December 31, 2023. The value for stock option awards is calculated based on the “spread” between the closing price per share on December 31, 2023 of $13.98 and the exercise price of the vested awards, to the extent such vested awards were “in the money.”
Pursuant to the terms of the Company,PSUs granted in February 2023, in the event that there had been a corporate transaction or change in control (each as described below.defined in the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan) on December 31, 2023, and if the surviving or acquiring corporation had elected to assume, continue or substitute for the PSUs, then (i) the vesting schedule of the PSUs would be revised as if the target number of PSUs would vest on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the NEO’s continued services; (ii) any portion of the PSUs that would have vested under such time-based schedule on or prior to the effective date of such transaction would become vested on such effective date; and (iii) any portion of the PSUs that would be unvested immediately following such effective date would vest in accordance with such time-based schedule. No associated acceleration value is disclosed in the table above this paragraph because the first vesting date under these circumstances would be February 2024.
Qualifying Termination in Connection with a Change in Control.
Under the Management Agreements, if, on or during the two-yearthree months preceding, or the twenty-four month period following, a change in control (as described below), the NEO’s employment is involuntarily terminated due to an “involuntary” termination without “cause” (and other than due to death or disability) or, if applicable, upon a resignation for “good reason” (as defined below) the NEO will, subject to the execution of a release of claims, be entitled to receive:
a lump-sum cash payment equal to a specified number of months (21(24 months for Mr. Spencer, 1821 months for Mr. Novack and 1518 months for our other NEOs) of the executive’s then-effective annual base salary;
52
a lump-sum cash payment equal to a specified percentage of the NEO’s target annual variable cash compensation (175%(200% of such target for Mr. Spencer, 150%175% for Mr. Novack, and 125%150% of such target for our other NEOs) for the year of termination;
cash payments equal to the value of the applicable COBRA premiums for up to the same number of months as the NEO receives in base salary payable in a single lump sum, as set forth in the first bullet, paid either monthly on employee’s behalf or to employee in a single lump sum (the “COBRA Payment”);
full acceleration of vesting of all outstanding equity awards at the time of such termination; and
the extension of exercisability of all stock options to purchase the Company’s common stock for a period of 3 yearsone year following termination of employment (but in any event not beyond each option’s expiration date).
In accordance with his Restated Management Agreement defined below, in the event of an involuntary termination prior to March 31, 2021 following a change in control, Mr. Ostrach’s entitlement to COBRA Payment will increase from 15 to 18 months.
In addition, if any payments or benefits would constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and such payments would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments will either be (1) provided to the NEO in full or (2) reduced to such lesser amount that would result in no portion of such payments being subject to the excise tax, whichever amount after taking into account all applicable taxes, including the excise tax, would result in the NEO’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of such payments.
The Management Agreements generally define a change in control to mean the occurrence of a change in the majority ownership of the voting securities of the Company; a merger that results in change in the majority ownership of the voting securities of the Company; the sale of all or substantially all of the assets; or over a period of 12 months or less, when a majority of our Board becomes comprised of individuals who were not serving on our Board as of a specified date, or whose nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of the directors who were serving on our Board as of such specified date.
40
The table below outlines the potential payments and benefits payable to each NEO in the event such executive’s termination in connection with a Change in Control of the Company, assuming such event had occurred on December 31, 2020.
​
Name
​​
Severance
Payment
​​
Continuation
of Benefits
​​
Value of
Accelerated
Stock Awards(1)
​​
Total
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
$1,442,000
​​
$31,217
​​
$377,411
​​
$1,850,628
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
$1,150,875
​​
$41,356
​​
$163,750
​​
$1,355,981
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach
​​
$870,746
​​
$41,356
​​
$111,250
​​
$1,023,352
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
$875,494
​​
$27,597
​​
$111,250
​​
$1,014,341
​
(1)
Represents the value of accelerated vesting of equity awards if the event took place on December 31, 2020. The value for RSUs is calculated based on the closing price per share on December 31, 2020. The value for stock option awards is calculated based on the “spread” between the closing price per share on December 31, 2020 of $4.45 and the exercise price of the vested awards, to the extent such vested awards were “in the money.”
Involuntary Termination.
Under the terms of the Management Agreements, upon an “involuntary” termination without “cause” or, if applicable, upon a resignation for “good reason” (as defined below), the NEO will, subject to the execution of a release of claims, be entitled to receive:
a lump-sum cash payment equal to the specified number of months (ranging from 12 to 21) of the executive’s then-effective annual base salary;
the COBRA Payment; and
for Messrs. Spencer and Novack, the extension of exercisability of all vested stock options to purchase the Company’s common stock for a period of 18 months, and 15 months, respectively (and 12 months for all other NEOs) following termination of employment (but in any event not beyond each option’s expiration date).
For purposes of the Management Agreements, “cause” generally means (1) gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of duties to the Company, where such gross negligence or willful misconduct has resulted or is likely to result in substantial and material damage to the Company or its subsidiaries; (2) repeated unexplained or unjustified absence from the Company; (3) a material and willful violation of any federal or state law; (4) commission of any act of fraud with respect to the Company; or (5) conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude causing material harm to the standing and reputation of the Company, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board.
For purposes of the Management Agreements, “good reason” generally means the NEO’s voluntary termination following (1) a material reduction or change in job duties, responsibilities, and requirements inconsistent with the NEO’s position with the Company and his or her prior duties, responsibilities, and requirements, or a material change in the level of management to which the NEO reports; (2) any material reduction of base compensation (other than in connection with a general decrease in base salaries for most officers of the successor corporation); or (3) the refusal to relocate to a facility or location more than 35 miles from the Company’s current location. The NEO must provide 90 days’ notice of the event giving rise to good reason, give the Company 30 days’days to cure (if curable), and any resignation for good reason must occur within 180 days after the occurrence of the event giving rise to such resignation right.
In addition,The Management Agreements generally define a change in September 2020,control to mean the occurrence of a change in the majority ownership of the voting securities of the Company; a merger that results in the stockholders of the Company immediately prior the transaction not owning more than 60% of the voting securities of the Company; the sale of all or substantially all of the assets; or over a period of 12 months or less, when a majority of our Board becomes comprised of individuals who were not serving on our Board as of a specified date, or whose nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of the directors who were serving on our Board as of such specified date.
The table below outlines the potential payments and Mr. Ostrach entered into an amended and restated management continuity and separation agreement (the “Restated Management Agreement”), which in additionbenefits payable to the above benefits, also provides thateach NEO in the event of an involuntarysuch NEO’s termination prior to March 31, 2021 that does not occur in connection with a change in control Mr. Ostrach will receive, in addition to a cash severance benefit equal to twelve months of his annual base salary, 100% of his bonus for 2020 (the “Actual Bonus”). Mr. Ostrach’s entitlement to COBRA Payment will increase from 12 to 18 months; and he will be eligible for an additional six months of vestingthe Company, assuming such event had occurred on all time-based stock options outstanding at the time of his Retirement.
In the event of Mr. Ostrach’s retirement on or after March 31, 2021 but no later than December 31, 2021 (“Retirement”): Mr. Ostrach2023.
​
Name
​​
Severance
Payment
​​
Continuation
of Benefits
​​
Value of
Accelerated
Stock Awards(1)
​​
Total
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
$2,660,000
​​
$46,449
​​
$4,650,197
​​
$7,356,647
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
$1,596,830
​​
$60,117
​​
$2,079,541
​​
$3,736,487
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​​
$1,068,750
​​
$19,027
​​
$1,270,001
​​
$2,357,778
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
$1,173,227
​​
$38,193
​​
$1,064,762
​​
$2,276,181
​
(1)
Represents the value of accelerated vesting of equity awards assuming the event took place on December 31, 2023. The value for RSUs (including PSUs) is calculated based on the closing price per share on December 31, 2023. The value for stock option awards is calculated based on the “spread” between the closing price per share on December 31, 2023 of $13.98 and the exercise price of the vested awards, to the extent such vested awards were “in the money.”
53
Qualifying Termination Not in Connection with a Change in Control.
Under the terms of the Management Agreements, upon an “involuntary” termination without “cause” (and other than due to death or disability) or, if applicable, upon a resignation for “good reason” (each as defined above), the NEO will, receive (i) 12 monthssubject to the execution of his annual base salary and (ii) the Actual Bonus. Mr. Ostrach willa release of claims, be entitled to 18receive:
a lump-sum cash payment equal to the specified number of months (18 months for Mr. Spencer, 15 months for Mr. Novack and 12 months for our other NEOs) of the executive’s then-effective annual base salary;
the COBRA Payment. Mr. Ostrach will receive an additional six months
Payment;
41
a lump-sum cash payment equal to the NEO’s target annual variable cash compensation for the year of vesting on all time-based stock options outstanding at the time of his Retirement; and the exercise period for stock options held by Mr. Ostrach and that are outstanding and vestedtermination, pro-rated as of the date of Retirement will end upon termination;
the earlieracceleration of (i) the date on which the original termvesting of suchtime-vesting stock options would otherwise expireto purchase the Company’s common stock for a specified number of months (18 months for Mr. Spencer, 15 months for Mr. Novack and (ii) 12 months for our other NEOs) following termination of employment (but in any event not beyond each option’s expiration date); and
the dateextension of his Retirement, unlessexercisability of all stock options to purchase the terms of the option agreement provideCompany’s common stock for a longer period.period of one year following termination of employment (but in any event not beyond each option’s expiration date).
The table below outlines the potential payments and benefits payable to each NEO, in the event of such NEO’s involuntary termination not in connection with a change in control assuming such event had occurred on December 31, 2020.2023.
​
Name
​​
Severance
Payment
​​
Continuation
of Benefits
​​
Value of
Accelerated
Stock Awards
​​
Total
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
$772,500
​​
$26,757
​​
$—
​​
$799,257
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
$618,750
​​
$34,463
​​
$—
​​
$653,213
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach
​​
$696,597
​​
$41,356
​​
$—
​​
$737,953
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
$466,930
​​
$22,078
​​
$—
​​
$489,008
​
​
Name
​​
Severance
Payment
​​
Continuation
of Benefits
​​
Value of
Accelerated
Stock Awards
​​
Total
​
​
Ryan Spencer
​​
$1,710,000
​​
$34,837
​​
$852,596
​​
$2,597,433
​
​
David F. Novack
​​
$1,055,048
​​
$42,941
​​
$408,337
​​
$1,506,326
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​​
$712,500
​​
$12,685
​​
$428,932
​​
$1,154,117
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.
​​
$782,151
​​
$25,462
​​
$249,240
​​
$1,056,853
​
42
54
PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE
Under SEC rules, we are required periodically to calculate and disclose the annual total compensation of our median employee, as well as the ratio of the annual total compensation of our median employee as compared to the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO Pay Ratio”). To identify
Pursuant to SEC rules, we are permitted to use the same median employee we identified in 2021 because we have determined that there have been no changes to our employee population or employee compensation arrangements in 2023 that we believe would significantly affect our CEO Pay Ratio disclosure. However, because our 2021 median employee is no longer employed by us, we substituted another employee with substantially similar compensation as our median employee we used the following methodology:
To determine our total population of employees, we included all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees as of December 31, 2020.
To identify our median employee from our employee population, we calculated the aggregate amount of each employee’s 2020 base salary (using a reasonable estimate of the hours worked and overtime actually paid during 2020 for hourly employees and actual salary paid for our remaining employees), the actual value of annual cash incentive awards earned in 2020, and the value of equity awards granted in 2020 using the same methodology we use for estimating the value of the equity awards granted to our named executive officers and reported in our Summary Compensation Table.
In making this determination, we annualized the compensation elements listed above of employees who were employed by us for less than the entire calendar year.
Compensation paid in foreign currencies was converted to U.S. dollars based on exchange rates in effect on December 31, 2020.
Using this approach, we determined our median employee.2023. Once the median employee was identified, we then calculated the annual total compensation of this employee for 20202023 in accordance with the requirements of the Summary Compensation Table.
For 2020,2023, the median of the annual total compensation of our employees (other than our Chief Executive Officer) was $164,291$198,591 and the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement,proxy statement, was $1,521,779.$5,810,736. Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total compensation of allour employees (other than our Chief Executive Officer) was approximately 9-to-1.29-to-1.
The CEO Pay Ratio above represents our reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules and applicable guidance. SEC rules and guidance provide significant flexibility in how companies identify the median employee, and each company may use a different methodology and make different assumptions particular to that company. As a result, and as explained by the SEC when it adopted these rules, in considering the pay ratio disclosure, stockholders should keep in mind that the rule was not designed to facilitate comparisons of pay ratios among different companies, even companies within the same industry, but rather to allow stockholders to better understand and assess each particular company’s compensation practices and pay ratio disclosures.
Neither the Compensation Committee nor our management used our CEO Pay Ratio measure in making compensation decisions.
43
55
ITEM 402(V) PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
The disclosure included in this section is prescribed by SEC rules and does not necessarily align with how the Company or the Compensation Committee view the link between the Company’s performance and NEO pay. For additional information about our pay-for-performance philosophy and how we align NEO compensation with Company performance, refer to the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 30.
Required Tabular Disclosure of Pay Versus Performance
The amounts set forth below under the headings “Compensation Actually Paid to PEO” and “Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs” have been calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. Use of the term “compensation actually paid” (“CAP”) is required by the SEC’s rules and as a result of the calculation methodology required by the SEC, such amounts differ from compensation actually received by the individuals and the compensation decisions described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section beginning on page 30.
​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based On:
​​
​​
​
​
Year
​​
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
PEO ($)(1&2)
​​
Compensation
Actually Paid to
PEO ($)(1&3)
​​
Average Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO NEOs
($)(1&2)
​​
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non-PEO NEOs
($)(1&3)
​​
Total
Shareholder
Return ($)(4)
​​
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder
Return ($)(4)
​​
Net Income
(thousands)
($)(5)
​​
HEPLISAV-B
Product
Revenue
(thousands)
($)(6)
​
​
(a)
​​
(b)
​​
(c)
​​
(d)
​​
(e)
​​
(f)
​​
(g)
​​
(h)
​​
(i)
​
​
2023
​​
$5,810,736
​​
$6,752,821
​​
$2,314,153
​​
$2,537,045
​​
$244.41
​​
$118.87
​​
($6,389)
​​
$213,295
​
​
2022
​​
$5,594,000
​​
$3,889,804
​​
$2,094,623
​​
$1,411,504
​​
$182.52
​​
$101.47
​​
$293,156
​​
$125,937
​
​
2021
​​
$4,519,489
​​
$9,202,304
​​
$2,410,600
​​
$3,623,574
​​
$245.98
​​
$126.45
​​
$76,713
​​
$61,870
​
​
2020
​​
$1,521,779
​​
$429,945
​​
$1,331,353
​​
$790,834
​​
$77.80
​​
$126.42
​​
($75,240)
​​
$36,030
​
1
NEOs included in these columns reflect the following:
Year
​​
PEO
​​
Non-PEO NEOs
2023
​​
Ryan Spencer
​​
David Novack, Kelly MacDonald, Robert Janssen
2022
​​
Ryan Spencer
​​
David Novack, Kelly MacDonald, Robert Janssen
2021
​​
Ryan Spencer
​​
David Novack, Kelly MacDonald, Michael Ostrach, Robert Janssen
2020
​​
Ryan Spencer
​​
David Novack, Michael Ostrach, Robert Janssen
2
Amounts reflect Summary Compensation Table Total Compensation for our PEO and average for our non-PEO NEOs for each corresponding year.
3
The following table details the adjustment to the Summary Compensation Table Total Compensation for our PEO, as well as the average for our other NEOs, to determine CAP, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. Amounts do not reflect actual compensation earned by or paid to our PEO or other NEOs during the applicable year.
​
Reconciliation of Summary Compensation Table Total to Compensation
Actually Paid
​​
Fiscal Year
2023
(For PEO)
​​
Fiscal Year 2023
(Average For
Non-PEO NEOs)1
​
​
Summary Compensation Table Total
​​
$5,810,736
​​
$2,314,153
​
​
(Minus): Grant date fair value of option and stock awards granted in fiscal year
​​
($4,324,550)
​​
($1,426,267)
​
​
(Minus): Change in pension value
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Plus: Pension service cost and associated prior service cost
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Plus: Fair value at fiscal year-end of outstanding and unvested option and stock awards granted in fiscal year
​​
$4,780,540
​​
$1,541,649
​
​
Plus/(Minus): Change in fair value of outstanding and unvested option and stock awards granted in prior fiscal years
​​
$416,569
​​
$116,832
​
​
Plus: Fair value at vesting of option and stock awards granted in fiscal year that vested during fiscal year
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Plus/(Minus): Change in fair value as of vesting date of option and stock awards granted in prior fiscal years for which applicable vesting conditions were satisfied during fiscal year
​​
$69,526
​​
($9,322)
​
​
(Minus): Fair value as of the spin-off date of option and stock awards granted in prior fiscal years that failed to meet applicable vesting conditions during fiscal year
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Plus: Value of dividends or other earnings paid on option and stock awards not otherwise reflected in total compensation
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Compensation Actually Paid
​​
$6,752,821
​​
$2,537,045
​
(a)
The amounts reflect the aggregate grant-date fair value reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
56
(b)
In accordance with Item 402(v) requirements, the fair values of unvested and outstanding equity awards to our NEOs were remeasured as of the end of each fiscal year, and as of each vesting date, during the years displayed in the table above. Fair values as of each measurement date were determined using valuation assumptions and methodologies (including volatility, dividend yield, and risk-free interest rates) that are generally consistent with those used to estimate fair value at grant under US GAAP. For options, fair values were estimated using the Black-Scholes formula. The range of estimates used in the option fair value calculations are as follows: (i) for 2023, expected life between 0.7 years – 4.5 years, volatility between 32% - 86%, dividend yield of 0%, and risk-free interest rate between 3.4% - 5.3%; (ii) for 2022, expected life between 1.5 years – 3.6 years, volatility between 69% - 103%, dividend yield of 0%, and risk-free interest rate between 0.8% - 4.5%; (iii) for 2021, expected life between 1.2 years – 4.6 years, volatility between 78% - 114%, dividend yield of 0%, and risk-free interest rate between 0.1% - 1.2%; (iv) for 2020, expected life between 1.3 years – 5.6 years, volatility between 63% - 100%, dividend yield of 0%, and risk-free interest rate between 0.1% - 1.6%.
For PSUs, fair values were estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model, using assumptions that are generally consistent with those used to estimate fair value at grant date. The fair values reflect the probable outcome of the performance vesting conditions as of each measurement date. See “Stock Compensation Plans” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the corresponding fiscal year, where we explain assumptions made in valuing equity awards at grant.
(c)
Amount of equity award adjustments may differ from amount reported in the table above due to rounding.
(d)
Neither the PEO, nor the Non-PEO NEOs participate in a pension plan. As such, the relevant pension numbers included in the table above are zero.
4
The amounts reflect the cumulative total shareholder return of our common stock (column (f)) and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (column (g)) at the end of each fiscal year. In each case, assume an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2019, and reinvestment of dividends, if any.
5
The dollar amounts reported represent the net income reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year.
6
As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we have determined that HEPLISAV-B product revenue is the Company-Selected Measure.
Required Disclosure of the Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Financial Performance Measures
As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following graphs to illustrate the relationship between the pay and performance figures that are included in the pay versus performance tabular disclosure above. In addition, the first graph below further illustrates the relationship between Company total shareholder return and that of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index. As noted above, “compensation actually paid” for purposes of the tabular disclosure and the following graphs were calculated in accordance with SEC rules and do not fully represent the actual final amount of compensation earned by or actually paid to our NEOs during the applicable years.

57


 
58
Required Tabular Disclosure of Most Important Measures
The most important financial performance measures used by the Company to link CAP to the Company’s NEOs for the most recently completed fiscal year to the Company’s performance are set forth below. For further information regarding these performance metrics and their function in our executive compensation program, please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 30.
HEPLISAV-B Vaccine Revenue
CpG 1018 Adjuvant Revenue
Relative TSR for Dynavax Common Stock Compared To Nasdaq Biotechnology Index
HEPLISAV-B Vaccine Market Share As Percent of U.S. Market For Hepatitis-B Vaccines
All information provided above under the “Item 402(v) Pay Versus Performance” heading will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
59
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
Our non-employee director compensation philosophy is based on the following guiding principles:
Aligningaligning the long-term interests of stockholders and directors; and
Compensatingcompensating directors appropriately and adequately for their time, effort and experience
The elements of director compensation consist of annual cash retainers and equity awards, as well as customary and usual expense reimbursement in attending Board and committee meetings. In an effort to align the long-term interests of our stockholders and non-employee directors, the mix of cash and equity compensation has historically been, and is currently, weighted more heavily to equity.
The Compensation Committee recommendsBoard approves changes to non-employee director compensation toafter considering recommendations of the Board, and the full Board reviews and approves or disapproves such compensation.Compensation Committee. When considering non-employee director compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee believes it is important to be informed as to current compensation practices of comparable publicly-heldpublicly held companies in the life sciences industry, especially to understand the demand and competitiveness for attracting and retaining an individual with each non-employee director’s specificthe expertise and experience.of highly qualified individuals. Thus, the Compensation Committee considershas previously considered recommendations from Arnosti, Consulting, Inc.and in the future will consider the feedback from Alpine, based on an analysis of director compensation at our peer group Board compensation.companies and observations regarding the practices of other companies. Our compensation arrangements for our non-employee directors are set forth in our Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (the “Director Compensation Policy”)., and our Board may approve additional cash and equity awards for our non-employee directors in its discretion. The Director Compensation Policy outlines cash and equity compensation automatically payable to non-employee members of the Board, unless such non-employee director declines receipt of such cash or equity compensation by written notice to us. The Compensation Committee reviews our non-employee director compensation relative to industry practices every year, and last amended it in November of 2019. No changes were made to Director compensation in 2020.year.
Previously, our stockholders approved a limit on the amount of non-employee director compensation permitted under ourOur 2018 Equity Incentive Plan. ThePlan provides that the aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation granted or paid, as applicable, by usthe Company to any individual for service as a non-employee director of the Board with respect to any fiscal year of the Company maywill not exceedexceed: (i) a total of $200,000 with respect to any such cash compensationcompensation; and (ii) $800,000 in total value with respect to any such equity-based compensation (including awards granted under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan and any other equity-based awards), provided that for any individual who is first appointed or elected to the Board as a non-employee director during any fiscal year of the Company, the limit for such individual’s equity-based compensation will be $1,200,000 with respect to such fiscal year, in each case calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes. ThisThe limit wason non-employee director compensation is not intended to serve as an increase in the annual amount of non-employee director compensation; rather, this action was approved for the purpose of limitinglimit is intended to provide a cap on the amount of compensation the Board can approve for non-employee directors each year.
CASH COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
During 2020,2023, under our Director Compensation Policy, each member of our Board who was not an employee or officer of the Company received the following cash compensation for Board services:
A $65,000$100,000 annual retainer for service as chairmanChair of the Board or, alternatively, a $40,000$50,000 annual retainer for service as a member of the Board.
A $20,000 annual retainer for the Chair of the Audit Committee and a $10,000 annual retainer for each additional member of the Audit Committee.
A $15,000 annual retainer for the Chair of the Compensation Committee and a $7,000 annual retainer for each additional member of the Compensation Committee.
A $10,000 annual retainer for the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and $5,000 annual retainer for each additional member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Cash compensation is paid on a quarterly basis, in advance, except that for new appointments to (whether to the Board or to a committee seat not previously held,held) the fees for that quarter are pro-rated based on the actual
60
number of days served during such quarter. We also reimburse our non-employee directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board and committees of our Board.
44
EQUITY AWARDSCOMPENSATION
During 2020,The below summarizes our equity compensation program for non-employee directors provided forunder the following equity compensation for Board services:Director Compensation Policy:
Each new director automatically receivedreceives an initial equity award (“Initial Grant”) consisting of a non-qualified stock option to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock upon the date each such person is elected or appointed to the Board.Board that vests in equal annual installments over three years, provided the director continues to provide services to us through each vesting date;
The Initial Grant consists of a non-qualified stock option and an RSU, together equal to the stock option equivalent of 60,000 shares of our common stock;
On the date of each annual meeting of the Company’sour stockholders, each non-employee director also automatically receivedreceives a subsequent equity award (“Subsequent Grant”), consisting of a non-qualified stock option to purchase 25,000 shares of Dynavax common stock. However, the non-employee director’s first Subsequent Grant was reduced to –
○75% of the Subsequent Grant, or 18,750 shares, if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election date to the annual meeting was between 7 and 10 months;
○50% of the Subsequent Grant, or 12,500 shares, if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election date to the annual meeting was between 4 and 7 months; and
○25% of the Subsequent Grant, or 6,250 shares, if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election date to the annual meeting was between 1 and 4 months.
Each Initial Grant vests in equal annual installments over three years on the anniversary of the grant date. Each Subsequent Grant that vests in full on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. date, provided the director continues to provide services to us through each vesting date; and
The exercise price per shareSubsequent Grant consists of eacha non-qualified stock option and an RSU, together equal to the stock option equivalent of 30,000 shares of our common stock.
Each Initial Grant and each Subsequent Grant under the Director Compensation Policy will be delivered such that approximately 75% of the value is delivered as a non-qualified stock option and approximately 25% of the value is delivered as an RSU, using the methodology for determining actual share amounts and the stock option to RSU award ratio most recently approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee. Also, under the Director Compensation Policy, a non-employee director’s first Subsequent Grant is equalreduced to the fair market value per share onfollowing:
75% of the Subsequent Grant if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election or appointment date to the annual meeting was 7 or more months but less than 10 months;
50% of grant.the Subsequent Grant if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election or appointment date to the annual meeting was 4 or more months but less than 7 months;
Our Board may approve additional cash25% of the Subsequent Grant if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election or appointment date to the annual meeting was 1 month or more but less than 4 months; and equity awards for our
0% of the Subsequent Grant if the service period from the non-employee directors in its discretion.director’s initial election or appointment date to the annual meeting was less than 1 month.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table shows certain information with respect to the cash and equity compensation of all non-employee directors of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, certain information with respect to the cash compensation of all non-employee directors of the Company:2023:
​
Name
​​
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash(1)
​​
Option
Awards(2)(3)
​​
Total
​
​
Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph.D.
​​
$85,000
​​
$62,376
​​
$147,376
​
​
Laura Brege(4)
​​
$7,500
​​
—
​​
$7,500
​
​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
​​
$49,212
​​
$83,168
​​
$132,380
​
​
Dennis A Carson, M.D.(4)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Julia M. Eastland
​​
$22,802
​​
$393,570
​​
$416,372
​
​
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
​​
$57,000
​​
$83,168
​​
$140,168
​
​
Brent MacGregor
​​
$20,234
​​
$393,570
​​
$413,804
​
​
Arnold L. Oronsky, Ph.D.
​​
$36,016
​​
$83,168
​​
$119,184
​
​
Peter R. Paradiso
​​
$10,769
​​
$157,580
​​
$168,349
​
​
Peggy V. Phillips
​​
$65,000
​​
$83,168
​​
$148,168
​
​
Natale Ricciardi
​​
$45,796
​​
$83,168
​​
$128,964
​
​
Name(1)
​​
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash(2)
​​
Stock
Awards(3)(4)
​​
Option
Awards(3)(4)
​​
Total
​
​
Scott Myers
​​
$100,000
​​
$59,998
​​
$163,735
​​
$323,733
​
​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
​​
$55,000
​​
$59,998
​​
$163,735
​​
$278,733
​
​
Julie Eastland
​​
$70,000
​​
$59,998
​​
$163,735
​​
$293,733
​
​
Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph D.(5)
​​
$45,000
​​
$—
​​
$—
​​
$45,000
​
​
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
​​
$67,000
​​
$59,998
​​
$163,735
​​
$290,733
​
​
Brent MacGregor
​​
$55,000
​​
$59,998
​​
$163,735
​​
$278,733
​
​
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.(6)
​​
$54,000
​​
$59,998
​​
$163,735
​​
$277,733
​
​
Peggy V. Phillips
​​
$75,000
​​
$59,998
​​
$163,735
​​
$298,733
​
​
Natale Ricciardi(7)
​​
$28,500
​​
$—
​​
$—
​​
$28,500
​
​
Elaine Sun(8)
​​
$55,000
​​
$59,998
​​
$163,735
​​
$278,733
​
(1)

Mr. Spencer was an employee director during 2023, and his compensation is fully reflected in the “Summary Compensation Table” above. Mr. Spencer did not receive any additional compensation in 2023 for services provided as a member of our Board.
(2)
Consists of fees earned or paid in 20202023 for Board and committee membership as described above.
61
(2)
(3)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options and RSUs, as applicable, granted in the fiscal year in accordance with ASC 718. See note 15 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in our annual reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021,22, 2024, for a discussion of assumptions we made in determining the compensation costs included in this column. These amounts do not necessarily correspond to the actual value recognized or that may be recognized by the non-employee directors.
(3)
(4)
As of December 31, 2020,2023, each then-serving non-employee director held outstanding stock options and RSUs to purchase the following numbernumbers of shares of our common stock: Mr. Myers held options to purchase 84,375 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering 20,089 shares of our common stock; Dr. Cano held options to purchase 135,550 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering 10,714 shares of our common stock; Ms. Eastland held options to purchase 120,000 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering 10,714 shares of our common stock; Dr. Kisner held options to purchase 154,950 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering 10,714 shares of our common stock; Mr. MacGregor held options to purchase 120,000 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering 10,714 shares of our common stock; Dr. Paradiso held options to purchase 113,750 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering 10,714 shares of our common stock; Ms. Phillips held options to purchase 154,950 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering 10,714 shares of our common stock; and Ms. Sun held options to purchase 78,750 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering 18,750 shares of our common stock. Dr. Hack heldand Mr. Ricciardi were no longer serving as non-employee directors as of December 31, 2023, so their outstanding stock options and RSUs to purchase 33,750 shares of our common stock. Dr. Cano held options to purchase 92,550 shares of our common stock. Ms. Eastland held options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock. Dr. Kisner held options to purchase 96,950 shares of our common stock. Mr. MacGregor held options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock. Dr. Oronsky held options to purchase 71,950 shares of our common stock. Mr. Paradiso held options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock. Ms. Phillips held options to purchase 96,950 shares of our common stock; and Mr. Ricciardi held options to purchase 82,750 shares of our common stock.stock have not been listed in this footnote.
(4)
(5)
Dr. Hack resigned from the Board and Audit Committee effective August 30, 2023.
(6)
Dr. Paradiso was a consultant during 2023, and his compensation includes $4,000 for consulting fees. Also, Dr. Paradiso was appointed to our Compensation Committee effective July 1, 2023.
(7)
Mr. Ricciardi’s term expired effective immediately prior to our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(8)
Ms. Brege and Dr. Carson leftSun was appointed to our Board in February 2020.Audit Committee effective April 1, 2023.
45
62
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
In February 2016, our Board adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that set forth key principles to guide the Board in its exercise of responsibilities and serve the interests of the Company and our stockholders. The Corporate Governance Guidelines were reviewed and updated by the Board in February 2018. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found on the Corporate Governance page under the Investorsheader “Investors” and, Media – Corporatewithin that, under the header “Corporate Governance sectionand Compliance” of our website at www.dynavax.com. In addition, these guidelines are available in print to any stockholder who requests a copy. Please direct all requests to our Corporate Secretary, Dynavax Technologies Corporation, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 900,720, Emeryville, California 94608.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE MATTERS
Our Commitment. We are committed to conducting our business in compliance with all applicable legal and ethical standards. In addition, we are committed to helping to protect the environment.
Our Approach. Our Board oversees our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) efforts and other governance matters generally through each of our standing Board committees. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees our governance strategy, efforts and policies, as well as providing general oversight of our ESG strategy, targets, policies, performance and reporting and reviewing and discussing with management our ESG related practices. Our Compensation Committee oversees the Company’s strategies, efforts and policies related to human capital management, including with respect to development, training, engagement and diversity of our employees. Our Audit Committee oversees corporate compliance matters and enterprise risk management, including the review of our risk management, risk assessment and major risk exposures with respect to financial, accounting, privacy, and cybersecurity and information technology risks. We also maintain a disclosure and risk committee composed of internal executive and senior leadership. Within our disclosure and risk committee process, we undertake specific review of enterprise risk management, ESG/sustainability and cyber risk matters through subcommittees that report out to, and discuss with, our Board and our standing Board committees regularly.
Our Core Values. Our core values are deeply ingrained principles that guide our Company’s actions and serve as our cultural cornerstones. As a developer and manufacturer of vaccines, we operate with the highest level of quality, integrity, and safety for the betterment of public health. These are paramount aspects of what we do every day. In addition, we strive to maintain a culture that is focused on creating an environment where each employee is valued by the organization and where our organization is valued by each employee. Below is a list of our core values.
•
Committed To Doing What Is Right: We approach all that we do with integrity and quality to ensure we maintain trust and credibility with patients, colleagues, and all of our stakeholders.
•
Celebrate Individuals: We recognize each team member as an individual, respecting who they are, and the combined value of everyone’s unique perspectives and experiences.
•
A Community Of Collaboration: We provide support and encouragement to each other, both personally and professionally, to create a community focused on working together to accomplish our shared goals.
•
Empower One Another To Make A Difference: We operate from a place of trust and high expectations inspiring one another to take ownership, venture beyond the obvious, and to bring our best every day.
•
Embrace The Challenge: Together, as one team focused on results, we confront challenges with confidence and enthusiasm, never letting obstacles or hard work deter us from driving innovation.
Ethics and Compliance. Our Ethics and Compliance program includes our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which sets forth our expectations of all of our directors, officers and employees globally that they conduct their business activities in a legal and ethical manner. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on our website under the header “Investors” and, within that, under the header “Corporate Governance and Compliance.” We have a Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, a Compliance Steering Committee and policies, procedures and training addressing specific aspects of our business, including advertising and promotion; engagements with healthcare providers; and regarding our business activities outside the United States to ensure they comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and all other applicable anti-corruption laws. We certify on an annual basis to having a comprehensive compliance program that meets the standards set forth under California law. This certification, which sets forth all of the elements of our healthcare compliance program, can be found on our website.
63
Product Safety and Quality. We have a comprehensive drug safety and pharmacovigilance system to fulfil our legal responsibilities in relation to pharmacovigilance and which is designed to monitor the safety of our products to detect any change to their risk-benefit profile. Our drug safety and pharmacovigilance team receive, review and perform analyses of safety information received globally from a number of sources, including but not limited to, clinical trials, scientific publications and literature, and post-marketing spontaneous reports to identify any safety trends or signals.
The objective of our product quality system is to ensure consistent, sustainable production of safe and effective products, while facilitating continuous improvement of our processes and systems. These objectives are formalized in the Company’s quality manual, which outlines the Company’s commitments to compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and safety and quality best practices, including current Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Distribution Practices, Good Laboratory Practices, Good Pharmacovigilance Practices, and Good Clinical Practices wherever appropriate. Our executive management has appointed a quality function, led by our Vice President of Quality, with the authority and responsibility for coordinating all aspects of our quality system and our Vice President of Quality reports directly to our President and Chief Operating Officer. In addition, all personnel involved in pharmaceutical product development, production and testing participate in training and qualification programs, designed to ensure that they have the necessary education, training and experience to perform their job functions.
Environmental. We have made, and will continue to make, expenditures for environmental compliance and protection. To that end, our headquarters is in a building certified as “Gold” level on the LEED Scorecard as set forth by the United States Green Building Committee. Additionally, we offer incentives to our employees to utilize public transit in order to reduce traffic congestion and pollution and there is a free shuttle from our building to public transportation. Our transition to a largely virtual environment has further helped reduce congestion and pollution. Our relatively small headquarters space (approximately 8,000 square feet) has further reduced our carbon footprint. In addition, we participate in our buildings active recycling program.
For the automobile fleet for our U.S. based sales force, we strive to keep the carbon footprint of the fleet low through replacing vehicles roughly every three years to take advantage of the latest technology regarding fuel economy. In addition, we participate in our buildings active recycling program. In our office and manufacturing facility in Germany, we offer incentives to our employees to lease bikes or e-bikes in order to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and we strive to reduce energy consumption with a variety of measures including obtaining more than 90% of electrical power from renewable sources. We continue to consider other ways in which we can conduct our business in an environmentally friendly manner.
Development, Training, Engagement and Diversity of Our Employees. Attracting and retaining top talent is key to the achievement of our strategic goals. The development and engagement of our employees is also a top priority of the human resources team. We perform annual performance reviews of all employees, and we seek employee feedback in a variety of ways, including annual employee surveys. In 2023, 32 leaders and key contributors completed a leadership development program, in addition to the 30 who participated in the prior year. Our senior management and human resources team periodically undertake comprehensive succession planning and talent development plan reviews, which include employees in senior director and above roles, and our leadership development program is designed to support the needs identified in these reviews. In addition, we have an extensive series of employee training programs on business ethics and compliance matters, including required annual trainings on our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Anti-Corruption Compliance Policy and certain cybersecurity topics. Also, depending on employee roles and departments, we also provide employee training programs on medical affairs, commercial, sales and other matters.
In 2023, with support from our Diversity Leadership Team comprised of employees from across our Company, we continued to advance our three Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) Commitments:
Fostering a culture where all employees are recognized and appreciated for the unique individuals they are and for their accomplishments in the workplace.
Providing education to our employees on the negative effects of unconscious bias.
Building and sustaining a team filled with a diversity of personal experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.
64
In support of our three DEI Commitments, we again partnered with external DEI consultants to develop and deliver unconscious bias training to our newly hired employees in 2023. Further, we train all hiring managers and those who interview candidates in the talent acquisition process on unconscious bias. Our human resources team oversees our DEI commitments and initiatives periodically and regularly reports to our senior management, including with respect to workforce demographic data. In 2023, we launched an internal DEI survey to all U.S. based employees, such that we can gather further information on our DEI initiatives and continue to work on our DEI commitments. We strive to create a diverse workforce and continue to work towards greater diversity in our workforce.
One of our corporate goals for 2023 was advancing our DEI commitments by launching employee resource and affinity groups formed to grow community and focus on a common interest or purpose. Also, in furtherance of these DEI efforts, we identified, as one of our corporate goals for 2024, further delivery on our DEI commitments by advancing key initiatives through each of our four DEI subcommittees: Recruitment, Employee Resource Groups, Community Involvement, and Development.
Community Involvement and Philanthropy. In 2023, we continued to partner with Life Science Cares, a non-profit organization that leverages the power of the life science industry to solve one of our most intractable social issues—poverty. We also held our second annual Community Involvement Day in the U.S. in late 2023. During this Community Involvement Day, all U.S. employees were encouraged to dedicate their day to volunteerism, and many employees volunteered at local non-profits across the country. We also found several ways to support the Emeryville Unified School District with two scholarship awards and guest speakers. We continue to provide all of our U.S. employees two paid days to volunteer in their local communities. Additionally, from time to time, we make donations to support a variety of charitable organizations which we believe align with our core values.
Vaccine Access. We are committed to developing and commercializing novel vaccines to help protect the world against infectious diseases, by utilizing proven, innovative adjuvant technology. We are currently focused on our efforts to drive long-term stockholder value by maximizing utilization of our HEPLISAV-B hepatitis B vaccine, advancing our CpG 1018 adjuvant supply strategy, most notably through earlier COVID-19 collaborations, and expanding our own portfolio of innovative vaccine candidates leveraging our proven adjuvant technology.
To support the fight against COVID-19, we collaborated with five other organizations, including partners operating in India and China, on their development of COVID-19 vaccines, by supplying them with CpG 1018 adjuvant under commercial supply agreements supported by two contract manufacturing organizations, with whom we developed and implemented plans to help scale-up activities to support pandemic-level production of our CpG 1018 adjuvant as necessary to support these and any future collaborations. By the end of 2022, all five of our collaborators had received emergency use authorization and/or full approval for their COVID-19 vaccines, and our pending supply obligations under our related supply agreements have been fully satisfied. In addition to contributing to worldwide vaccine production efforts, we are proud of supporting our partners’ efforts, where applicable, to manufacture and supply vaccines to developing and lower income countries, including an approved product in India. In 2021, we entered into an agreement and a subsequent amendment (the “CEPI Agreement”) with Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (“CEPI”) for the manufacture and reservation of a specified quantity of CpG 1018 adjuvant. The CEPI Agreement enables CEPI to direct the supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant to CEPI partner(s). We continue to work to identify other programs where CpG 1018 adjuvant can be utilized to enhance the immune response to a coronavirus vaccine or other vaccines targeted at serving a global unmet need.
STOCKHOLDER OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
Our Board of Directors and management team value the views of our stockholders and we proactively engage with our major stockholders on a regular basis throughout the year. In addition, we seek feedback from the governance teams of our largest institutional stockholders each year. We believe our outreach efforts help ensure that our stockholders are aware of our governance initiatives and provide us with valuable feedback in order to enhance our governance practices and disclosure to stockholders. We contacted the governance teams of our largest institutional stockholders in late 2020 and early 2021.2023. The bulk of the stockholders, while appreciating the outreach, did not feel
65
have questions or concerns they needed addressed in a need to talk at the time.call. We spoke with 100% of the stockholders that wanted to provide us with feedback at that time. During these discussions, which included an opportunity for detailed questions, our stockholders did not express concernswe engaged in meaningful dialog with these stockholder representatives about our compensation and corporate governance program.programs.
In response to external feedback, we increased the performance-linked equity to 30% of equity awards made to executives for 2023, further increased to 33% in 2024 and have enhanced our Environmental, Social and Governance disclosures immediately above.
MAJORITY VOTE POLICY
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines include a provision whereby any nominee for director in an uncontested election would submit an offer of resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, if such nominee receives a greater number of “Withhold” votes than “For” votes. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee would then consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances and recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such offer of resignation. Promptly following the Board’s decision, we would disclose that decision and an explanation of such decision in a filing with the SEC or a press release.
PLEDGING/HEDGING POLICY
We have a policy that prohibits our executive officers, directors and other members of management from engaging in short sales, transactions in put or call options, hedging transactions or other inherently speculative transactions with respect to our stock. No waivers of this policy were requested or provided during 2020.2023.
BOARD DIVERSITY
Due to the global and diverse nature of our business, our Board believes it is important to consider whether a Board candidate assists in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of backgrounds and experience, including with respect to age, gender, international background, race and specialized experience. Each year, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews its Board membership criteria and assesses the composition of the Board against the criteria. Below is an overview of our Board diversity as currently composed.
​
Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 1, 2024)
​
​
Total Number of Directors: 9
​​
​
​
​​
Female
​​
Male
​​
Non-
Binary
​​
Did Not
Disclose
Gender
​
​
Part I: Gender Identity
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Directors
​​
3
​​
6
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Part II: Demographic Background
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
African American or Black
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Alaskan Native or Native American
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Asian
​​
1
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Hispanic or Latinx
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
White
​​
2
​​
6
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Two or More Races or Ethnicities
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
LGBTQ+
​​
—
​
​
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background
​​
—
​
INDEPENDENCE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As required under the Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq listing standards, and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, a majority of the members of a listed company’s board of directors must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by the board of directors. In addition, applicable Nasdaq rules require that, subject to
66
specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating committees be independent within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq rules. Audit committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Consistent with these considerations, our Board undertook a review of the independence of each director and considered whether any director has a material relationship that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. After review of all relevant transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and the Company, its senior management and its independent registered public accounting firm, the Board has affirmatively determined that the following directors are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards: Ms. Eastland, Mr. Myers, Ms. Phillips, Mr. MacGregorMs. Sun and Mr. RicciardiMacGregor, as well as Drs. Cano, Hack, Kisner and Paradiso. In making this determination, our Board considered certain relationships and transactions that occurred in the ordinary course of business between the Company and entities with which some of our directors are or have been affiliated, including, (i) in August 2019, the purchase by Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund, L.P. and BCIP
46
Life Sciences Associates, L.P. (together, “Bain Life Sciences”) of our securities in an underwritten public offering in the aggregate amount of approximately $35 million, and the affiliation of Dr. Hack with Bain Life Sciences as a managing director of Bain Capital life Sciences Investors, LLC, the general partner of Bain Life Sciences and (ii) in March 2020, the execution of a registration rights agreement and warrant exchange agreement with Bain Life Sciences, and lastly, on May 27, 2020, the entities Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund L.P. and its affiliate purchased an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering at a price per share of $5.00 which is further described below under “Certain Transactions – Transactions With Related Persons.”affiliated. We also considered Dr. Paradiso’s relationship to CEPI, as a member of its R&D Manufacturing Investment Committee,Scientific Advisory Group, in light of the transaction entered into between the Company and CEPI in January of 2021, pursuant to which CEPI provided the Company, among other things, financing to manufacture our adjuvant, CpG 1018 adjuvant in the form of a forgivable loan that we can and have drawn upon, and that CEPI partners will be able to buy CpG 1018 adjuvant from us under certain prescribed terms as set forth in that same agreement. We also considered a consulting agreement Dr. Paradiso entered into with the Company in January 2023, pursuant to which Dr. Paradiso may receive $500 per hour for certain advisory services related to our research and development programs and the scientific evaluation of opportunities, as well as $250 per hour for associated travel time. In 2023, Dr. Paradiso’s aggregate compensation pursuant to this consulting agreement was $4,000, and we do not expect his aggregate compensation under this consulting agreement to vary significantly during 2024. The Board determined that none of these transactions would impair Dr. Hack’s or Dr. Paradiso’s independence or interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out director responsibilities. With respect to Dr. Paradiso, our Board determined that he was independent for purposes other than serving on the Audit Committee, of which he is not a member.
By virtue of his employment with the Company as Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Spencer is not an independent director.
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
Our Board is currently chaired on an interim-basis by Dr. Hack.Scott Myers. The duties of the chairmanchairperson include presiding over all meetings of the Board;Board, preparing the agenda for Board meetings in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer and other members of our Board;Board, and calling and presiding over meetings of non-employee directors; and managing the Board’s process for annual evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer.directors. Accordingly, the chairmanchairperson has substantial ability to shape the work of our Board. Our Board currently believes that separation of the positions of chairmanchairperson and Chief Executive Officer reinforces the independence of our Board in its oversight of our business and affairs. In addition, such separation helps create an environment that is more conducive to objective evaluation and oversight of management’s performance, increasing management accountability and improving the ability of our Board to monitor whether management’s actions are in the best interests of our Company and its stockholders.
Our Board also believes there may be advantages to having an independent chairmanchairperson for matters such as communications and relations between our Board, the Chief Executive Officer and other senior management and in assisting our Board in reaching consensus on particular strategies and policies. Having a chairmanchairperson separate from the Chief Executive Officer also allows the chairmanchairperson to focus on assisting the Chief Executive Officer and other senior management in seeking and adopting successful business strategies and risk management policies and in making successful choices in management succession.
BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT
Risk assessment and oversight are an integral part of our governance and management processes. Our Board 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
67
discussion and analysis of the risks facing the Company. For example, due to the public health concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, our management required that all employees work from home, except for those who had to be in the office in order to complete their job function, and we assessed and made plans for potential supply chain risk and other potential impact on the business globally. We continue to monitor potential impact of the evolving COVID-19 situation on our business. Throughout the year, senior management reviews these risks with the Board 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 does not have a standing risk management committee but rather administers this oversight function directly through our Board as a whole as well as through various standing committees of our Board that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure generally. Our Audit Committee has the responsibility to oversee our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures as well
47
as oversight of our enterprise risk management program. The Audit Committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, oversees our guidelines and policies with respect to risks relating to data privacy, technology and information security, oversees the performance of our internal audit function and approves or disapproves any related-persons transactions. Additionally, in January of 2021,Furthermore, our Audit Committee tookalso has responsibility for overseeing and assessing risk exposure relating to cybersecurity and our healthcare compliance program pertaining to healthcare laws, regulations and industry standards applicable to pharmaceutical companies, a roleroles that waswere previously administered by our full Board. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines, oversees our ESG and sustainability initiatives including compliance with applicable rules, and manages the process for annual director self-assessment and evaluation of the Board. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OurDuring 2023, (i) our full Board met 10six times, during fiscal year 2020.(ii) our Audit Committee met four times, (iii) our Compensation Committee met eight times and (iv) our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met five times. All Board members other than Arnie Oronsky attended at least 75% or more of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which the member served held during the period of service as a director or committee member. Dr. Oronsky passed away in November of 2020.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The following table provides membership and meeting information for fiscal year 20202023 for each of the Board committees:
​
Name
​​
Audit
​​
Compensation
​​
Nominating
​
​
Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph.D.(1)
​​
X*
​​
X*
​​
 
​
​
Laura Brege(1)
​​
X*
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Dennis A. Carson, M.D.
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Julie Eastland(1)
​​
X
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Arnold L. Oronsky, Ph.D.(1)
​​
X
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Brent MacGregor(2)
​​
X
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
​​
 
​​
X
​​
X*
​
​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.(3)
​​
 
​​
X
​​
X
​
​
Natale Ricciardi(2)(3)
​​
X
​​
X
​​
 
​
​
Peggy V. Phillips
​​
X
​​
X*
​​
 
​
​
Total Members
​​
3
​​
3
​​
3
​
​
Total Meetings
​​
4
​​
8
​​
8
​
​
Name
​​
Audit
​​
Compensation
​​
Nominating and
Corporate Governance
​
​
Scott Myers
​​
 
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
​​
 
​​
 
​​
Member
​
​
Julie Eastland
​​
Chair*
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph.D.(1)
​​
Member*
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
​​
 
​​
Member
​​
Chair
​
​
Brent MacGregor
​​
 
​​
 
​​
Member
​
​
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D. (2)
​​
 
​​
Member
​​
 
​
​
Peggy V. Phillips
​​
Member
​​
Chair
​​
 
​
​
Natale Ricciardi(3)
​​
 
​​
Member
​​
 
​
​
Elaine Sun(4)
​​
Member*
​​
 
​​
 
​
​
Total Members(5)
​​
3
​​
3
​​
3
​
​
Total Meetings
​​
4
​​
8
​​
5
​
*

Qualified Audit Committee ChairpersonFinancial Expert
(1)

Ms. Brege served as chairperson of ourResigned from the Board and Audit Committee until February 2020 when she lefteffective August 30, 2023
(2)
Appointed to the Compensation Committee effective July 1, 2023
(3)
Term expired effective immediately prior to our Board, and Dr. Hack became chairperson. Dr. Oronsky served on our Audit Committee until August2023 Annual Meeting of 2020 at which time Ms. Eastland was appointedStockholders
(4)
Appointed to the Audit Committee and Dr. Oronsky rotated off.effective April 1, 2023
(2)
(5)
Mr. MacGregor was appointed to our NominatingSee narrative disclosure below regarding the members of the Audit Committee and Corporate GovernanceCompensation Committee in August 2020 at which time Mr. Ricciardi rotated off.
(3)
Mr. Ricciardi was appointed to our Compensation Committee in August 2020 at which time Dr. Cano rotated off.
68
Below is a description of each committee of our Board. Each of the committees has authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. Our Board has determined that each member of each committee meets the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and related rules and regulations regarding “independence” and that each member is free of any relationship that would impair his or her individual exercise of independent judgment with regard to the Company.
Audit Committee
TheFor 2023, our Audit Committee for 2020 was initially comprisedcomposed of either three or four directors: Ms. BregeEastland (Chairperson),; Ms. Phillips served for the full year; Ms. Sun was appointed to our Audit Committee effective April 1, 2023; and Dr. Hack Dr. Oronsky and Ms. Phillips. Following Ms. Brege’s resignationresigned from the Board in February 2020, Dr. Hack became the Chairperson of theand Audit Committee. InCommittee effective August 2020, in connection with her appointment to the Board, Ms. Eastland replaced Dr. Oronsky on the committee. In March 2021, Ms. Eastland became
30, 2023.
48
Chairperson of the committee and Dr. Hack remained a member. In addition to determining that all members of the Audit Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Nasdaq listing standards), the Board determined that each of Ms. Eastland, and Dr. Hack and Ms. Sun qualified as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in applicable SEC rules. The Board made a qualitative assessment of Dr. Hack’seach of their level of knowledge and experience based on a number of factors, including histheir respective formal education and experience as a chief financial officer. The Audit Committee was established by the Board in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act to oversee the Company’s corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of its financial statements. During 2023, the Audit Committee met on four occasions.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter that is available on the Company’s website at http:https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance.
Among other things, the charter specifically requires our Audit Committee to:
review and monitor the policies and procedures adopted by the Company to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the fair and accurate presentation of the Company’s financial statements;
appoint, compensate, and oversee the work of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;
approve and monitor all audit and non-audit services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;
investigate, reviewconsider and report the propriety and ethical implications of any transactions between the Company andapprove or disapprove any related persons;party transaction as defined under the SEC Regulation S-K Item 404, to the extent required by SEC regulations and Nasdaq rules;
consult and discuss with management and the independent registered public accounting firm regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting;
establish, review, oversee and monitor compliance with procedures, as required under applicable law, for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters and the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;
overseereview the Company’s healthcare compliance program;risk management, risk assessment and major risk exposures with respect to financial, accounting, privacy, and cybersecurity and information technology risks;
review and evaluate the Company’s accounting principles and systems of internal controls; and
review and discuss the disclosure of the Company’s annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements, including reviewing the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”Operations” in its periodic reports to be filed with the SEC.
Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls and for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Ernst & Young, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for auditing or reviewing those financial statements. The Audit Committee monitors and reviews these processes.
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Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
During 2020, theThe Audit Committee met on four occasions. During these meetings the Audit Committee met with Ernst & Young, without the presence of the Company’s management. During the course of these meetings, we:
discussed with management and Ernst & Young management’s continued testing and evaluation of its system of internal control over financial reporting. We also reviewed Ernst & Young’s Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, or Annual Report, related to its audit of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting;
has reviewed and discussed with management and Ernst & Young the annual audited financial statements before filingfor the Annual Reportfiscal year ended December 31, 2023 with the SEC, addressing the acceptabilitymanagement of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as applicable auditing standards require us to discuss; the
49
Company. The Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Youngthe independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC and recommended toSEC. The Audit Committee has also received the Board that the financial statements should be included in the Annual Report;
reviewed and discussed with management and Ernst & Young the Company’s quarterly unaudited financial statements before the issuance of its quarterly financial results press releaseswritten disclosures and the filing of its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q withletter from the SEC;
discussed with management and Ernst & Young significant financial reporting matters, including liquidity and capital requirements, and theindependent registered public accounting for significant transactions;
appointed and oversaw the work and compensation of Ernst & Young, including the review of engagement agreement terms;
reviewed and provided guidance with respect to the external audit and the Company’s relationship with Ernst & Young by (1) reviewing Ernst & Young’s proposed audit scope, approach, compensation and independence; (2) obtaining written statements and disclosures from Ernst & Young regarding relationships and services with the Company which may impact independence asfirm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants’ communications with the audit committee concerning independence and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firm’s independence; (3) discussing with Ernst & Young the financial statements and audit findings, including any significant adjustments, management judgments and accounting estimates, significant new accounting policies and whether there were disagreements with management; and (4) obtaining assurance from Ernst & Young that the requirements of Section 10A of the Exchange Act have been met; and
reviewed, in conjunction with the Company’s legal counsel, all legal matters that could have a significant impactindependence. Based on the Company’s financial statements or compliance policies.
Based on our reviews and discussions as described above, and based onforegoing, the report of Ernst & Young, weAudit Committee has recommended to the Board and the Board approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC. We also approved, subject to stockholder ratification, the selection of Ernst & Young as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021. In making this recommendation, we considered whether Ernst & Young’s provision of services other than audit services is compatible with maintaining independence of our independent registered public accounting firm. Although we have the sole authority to appoint the independent registered public accounting firm, we continued the long-standing practice of recommending that the Board ask the stockholders at their Annual Meeting to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.2023.
The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Ms. Julie Eastland (Chairperson)
Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph.D.

Ms. Peggy V. Phillips
Ms. Elaine Sun
Compensation Committee
For 2020, Our2023, our Compensation Committee was initially composed of either two or three directors: Ms. Phillips (Chairperson); Dr. Kisner served for the full year; Mr. Ricciardi’s term expired effective immediately prior to our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and Drs. Kisner and Cano. In August 2020, Mr. RicciardiDr. Paradiso was appointed to the Compensation Committee, replacing Dr. Cano.effective July 1, 2023. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent as required by Nasdaq Rule 5605(d) (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards), are “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and are “non-employee directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
50
During 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee held eight meetings. The Compensation Committee acts on behalf of the Board to review, recommend for adoption, and oversee the Company’s compensation strategy, policies, plans and programs. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter that is available on the Company’s website at http:https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance. Among other things, the charter specifically requires our Compensation Committee to:
Annually review and approve the Company’s corporate performance goals and objectives relevant to Chief Executive Officer compensation, evaluate the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives, and recommend to the Board the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation level based on this evaluation. In determining the long-term incentive component of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, the Compensation Committee will consider the Company’s performance and relative stockholder return, the value of similar incentive awards to Chief Executive Officers at comparable companies, and the awards given to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in past years;
annually review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans;
annually review Director compensation and make recommendation to the Board;
administer the Company’s incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans as in effect and as adopted from time to time by the Board provided that the Board shall retain the authority to interpret such plans;
annually review and approve for the Company’s executive officers as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act: i) annual base salary levels; ii) annual incentive compensation levels; iii) long-term incentive compensation levels; and iv) employment agreements, severance agreements, change of control agreements/provisions and any other compensatory arrangements, in each case as, when and if appropriate;
make regular reports to the Board; and
perform such other functions and have such other powers consistent with the Compensation Committee Charter, the Company’s Bylaws and governing laws as the Compensation Committee or the Board may deem appropriate.
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Under its charter, our Compensation Committee may form, and delegate authority to, subcommittees, as appropriate. Our Compensation Committee has authorized and delegated authority to our Chief Executive Officer to grant stock options to employees and consultants who are not officers of the Company from pre-approved pools and in accordance with guidelines designated for new hire and annual grants. The purpose of this delegation is to enhance the flexibility of option administration within the Company and to facilitate the timely grant of options to non-executive employees, particularly new employees, within specified limits and values approved by our Compensation Committee.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, noneNone of the members of our Compensation Committee at any time has been one of our officers or employees or an officer or employee of one of our subsidiaries at any time during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.2023. None of our executive officers currently serve, or in the past 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 or Compensation Committee.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
For 2020,2023, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was initially composed of three directors: Drs. Kisner (Chairperson) and Cano and Mr. Ricciardi. In August 2020, Mr. MacGregor was appointed to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, replacing Mr. Ricciardi.MacGregor. All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying, reviewing and evaluating candidates to serve as directors of the Company (consistent with criteria approved by the Board), reviewing and evaluating incumbent directors and identifying with the Chief Executive Officer candidates for appointment or election to the Board.
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In identifying potential director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Board candidates through a variety of methods and sources. These include suggestions from current Board members, senior management, stockholders, professional search firms and other sources. At this time, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a policy with regard to the consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders. While the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have such a formal policy, itstockholders, but will consider such a recommendation, as reflected by its decision to recommend Mr. Ricciardi to the Board following a stockholder recommendation. Our Board believes that it is appropriate that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have such a policy because the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews all candidates in the same manner regardless of the source of the recommendation. In the case of a new director candidate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also determines whether the nominee is independent based upon applicable Nasdaq listing standards, applicable SEC rules and regulations and the advice of counsel, if necessary. Among the qualifications to be considered in the selection of candidates are broad experience in business, finance or administration, familiarity with the Company’s industry, and prominence and reputation. Since prominence and reputation in a particular profession or field of endeavor are what bring most persons to the Board’s attention, there is further consideration of whether the individual has the time available to devote to the work of the Board and one or more of its committees. In addition, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider whether the candidate assists in achieving a mix of members that represents a diversity of backgrounds and experience, including with respect to age, gender, international background, race and specialized experience. Each year, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews its Board membership criteria and assesses the composition of the Board against the criteria.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also provides general oversight of our ESG strategy, targets, policies, performance, and reporting, and reviews and discusses with management practices with respect to ESG matters that are expected to have a significant long- and short-term impact on the Company’s performance, business activities, or reputation.
The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee informally discussed committee business a number of times during the year, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held eightfive formal meetings during 2020.2023. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a written charter that is available to stockholders on the Company’s website at http:https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance.
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71
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stockholders may communicate with our Board by directing comments, concerns, and questions to the Corporate Secretary at Dynavax Technologies Corporation, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 900,720, Emeryville, California 94608. Communications will be distributed to the Board, or to any individual directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication. In that regard, our Board has requested that certain items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board be filtered, including product complaints or inquiries, new product suggestions, résumés and other forms of job inquiries, surveys, or business solicitations or advertisements. In addition, material that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly unsuitable will be excluded, with the provision that any communication that is filtered out must be made available to any non-employee director upon request. Stockholders may also communicate with our Board as a group through our website at https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance/contact-the-board. All communications directed to the Audit Committee in accordance with our whistleblower policy that relate to questionable accounting or auditing matters involving the Company will be promptly and directly forwarded to the chairperson of the Audit Committee. Every effort has been made to ensure that the views of stockholders are heard by the Board or individual directors, as applicable, and that appropriate responses are provided to stockholders in a timely manner.
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72
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Except as described below, sinceSince January 1, 2020,2023, there has not been, nor is there currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which the Company was or is to be a party in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any current director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of our common stock or any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest other than compensation arrangements, described under the sections entitled “Executive Compensation” and “ Director“Director Compensation,” and with respect to the indemnification agreements described below.
Related Persons Transactions and Indemnification
Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions
Our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related party transactions, which would include a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any “related person” are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000, not including transactions involving compensation for services provided to Dynavax as an employee, director, consultant or similar capacity by a related person. Related parties include any of our directors or executive officers, certain of our stockholders and their immediate family members. This obligation is set forth in writing in the Audit Committee charter. A copy of the Audit Committee charter is available on the Company’s website at http:https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance.
Where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, management would present information regarding the proposed related-person transaction to the Audit Committee (or, where Audit Committee approval would be inappropriate, to another independent body of the Board) for consideration and approval or ratification. The presentation would include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct and indirect, of the related persons, the benefits to Dynavax of the transaction and whether any alternative transactions were available. To identify related-person transactions in advance, the Audit Committee relies on information supplied by our executive officers and directors. In considering related-person transactions, the Audit Committee takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to (a) the risks, costs and benefits to Dynavax, (b) the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated, (c) the terms of the transaction, (d) the availability of other sources for comparable services or products and (e) the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from employees generally. In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval. In determining whether to approve, ratify or reject a related-person transaction, the Audit Committee considers, in light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is, or is not, consistent with the best interests of Dynavax and our stockholders, as the Audit Committee determines in the good faith exercise of its discretion.
Transactions With Related Persons
On May 27, 2020, the entities Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund L.P. and its affiliate purchased an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering at a price per share of $5.00. Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund L.P. purchased 907,145 of such shares for cash consideration of $4,535,725 and BCIP Life Sciences purchased 92,855 of such shares for cash consideration of $464,275. Bain Capital Life Sciences Investors, LLC is the general partner of Bain Life Sciences. Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph.D., a managing director of Bain Capital Life Sciences Investors, LLC, is on our Board.
On March 11, 2020, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Bain Life Sciences, pursuant to which we agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to register all of the shares of our common stock and Series B convertible preferred stock, and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, held by Bain Life Sciences as of the date of the registration rights agreement. We have agreed to provide Bain Life Sciences with customary indemnification in in connection with the registration and sale of Bain Life Sciences’ securities pursuant to the registration rights agreement.
On March 11, 2020, we also entered into a warrant exchange agreement with Bain Life Sciences pursuant to which we agreed that we would, upon future notice from Bain Life Sciences (and subject to certain other
54
conditions), exchange all or a portion of the common stock warrants held by Bain Life Sciences for warrants to purchase a new Series C convertible preferred stock. Such preferred warrants would be exercisable for a number of shares of Series C convertible preferred stock equal to (x) the number of shares of common stock for which the outstanding common warrants then remain exercisable, divided by (y) 1,000. In connection with such exchange, if any, we would be obligated to file a certificate of designation to specify the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series C convertible preferred stock. The Series C certificate of designation will provide that each share of Series C convertible preferred stock would be convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock, with a conversion price of $4.50, and would be on parity with, and would otherwise have substantially identical rights to, our Series B convertible preferred stock. Our obligations under the warrant exchange agreement also include the execution of a registration rights agreement, upon request of Bain Life Sciences, concurrent with the warrant exchange, if any, pursuant to which we would register the exchange securities in a manner substantially similar to the registration rights agreement described above.
Indemnity Agreements
We have entered into indemnity agreements with some of our officers and directors so that they will be free from undue concern about personal liability in connection with their service to the Company. The indemnity agreements provide, among other things, that the Company will indemnify such officer or director, under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, for expenses, damages, judgments, fines and settlements he or she may be required to pay in actions or proceedings which he or she is or may be made a party by reason of his or her position as a director, officer or other agent of the Company, and otherwise to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the 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-ten-percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners were in compliance, other than one report on Form 4 that was filed late by Brent MacGregor, one of our directors, covering one transaction which was required to report the receipt of an equity award, due July 19, 2020, but filed July 22, 2020.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
We have adopted the Dynavax Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors and employees. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at http:https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance and upon written request. We will provide a written copy of the Dynavax Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to anyone without charge, upon request written to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 900,720, Emeryville, California 94608, or contact Dynavax’s Corporate Secretary at (510) 848-5100. If we make any substantive amendments to or grant any waiver from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to any executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website. There have been no waivers under the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as of the date of filing of this proxy statement.
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73
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF

CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of the Company’s common stock as of January 31, 2021March 15, 2024 by: (i) each director and nominee for director; (ii) the NEOs; (iii) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group; and (iv) all those known by the Company to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of its common stock.
​
Name and Address of Beneficial Holder
​
Number of
Shares(2)
​
Percent of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(3)
​
Name and Address of Beneficial Holder
​
Number of
Shares(2)
​
Percent of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(3)
​
​
5% Stockholders
​
 
​
 
​
5% Stockholders
​
 
​
 
​
​
Federated Hermes, Inc.(4)
​
12,521,800
​
11.31%
​
BlackRock, Inc.(4)
​
23,396,930
​
17.88%
​
​
State Street Corporation(5)
​
10,887,296
​
9.88%
​
Federated Hermes, Inc.(5)
​
11,364,666
​
8.69%
​
​
Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund, L.P.(6)
​
10,895,773
​
9.99%
​
State Street Corporation(6)
​
9,495,785
​
7.26%
​
​
BlackRock, Inc.(7)
​
8,188,156
​
7.40%
​
The Vanguard Group(7)
​
9,275,788
​
7.09%
​
​
Chicago Capital LLC(8)
​
5,782,610
​
5.25%
​
Deep Track Capital, LP(8)
​
7,093,214
​
5.42%
​
​
NEOs and Directors(1)
​
 
​
 
​
NEOs and Directors(1)
​
 
​
 
​
​
Ryan Spencer(9)
​
404,417
​
*
​
Ryan Spencer(9)
​
1,498,730
​
1.13%
​
​
David F. Novack(10)
​
650,203
​
*
​
David F. Novack(10)
​
829,762
​
*
​
​
Michael S. Ostrach(11)
​
709,194
​
*
​
Kelly MacDonald(11)
​
464,455
​
*
​
​
Kelly MacDonald
​
—
​
*
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.(12)
​
405,137
​
*
​
​
Robert Janssen, M.D.(12)
​
508,278
​
*
​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.(13)
​
133,884
​
*
​
​
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.(13)
​
88,384
​
*
​
Julie Eastland(14)
​
97,500
​
*
​
​
Julia M. Eastland
​
—
​
*
​
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.(15)
​
133,950
​
*
​
​
Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph.D.(14)
​
10,895,773
​
9.99%
​
Brent MacGregor(16)
​
97,500
​
*
​
​
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.(15)
​
73,450
​
*
​
Scott Myers(17)
​
46,875
​
*
​
​
Brent MacGregor
​
—
​
*
​
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.(18)
​
94,250
​
*
​
​
Peter R. Paradiso(16)
​
3,000
​
*
​
Peggy V. Phillips(19)
​
160,183
​
*
​
​
Peggy V. Phillips(17)
​
106,584
​
*
​
Elaine Sun(20)
​
41,250
​
*
​
​
Natale Ricciardi(18)
​
57,750
​
*
​
All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)(21)
​
4,003,476
​
2.98%
​
​
All executive officers and directors as a group (13 persons)(19)
​
13,497,033
​
11.77%
​
**

Less than one percent.
(1)

The address of each of the NEOs and directors is c/o Dynavax Technologies Corporation, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 900,720, Emeryville, California 94608. John L. Slebir, our Senior Vice President, General Counsel, was appointed as an executive officer on March 29, 2024, and as such is not included in the above table.
(2)

To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this table, and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s name.
(3)

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Shares of our common stock subject to options currently exercisable or that will become exercisable within 60 days after January 31, 2021,March 15, 2024, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such options but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Applicable percentages are based on 110,189,859130,839,161 shares of our common stock outstanding as of January 31, 2021,March 15, 2024, adjusted as required by the rules of the SEC.
(4)
This information is based solely on Schedule 13G/A filed by Federated Hermes, Inc. on February 12, 2021, with the SEC. Federated Hermes, Inc. beneficially owns 12,521,800 shares and has sole dispositive or sole voting power. The address of the principal business and office of Federated Hermes, Inc. is, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779. The Schedule 13G/A provides information only as of December 31, 2020 and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 31, 2020 and January 31, 2021.
(5)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G filed by State Street Corporation on February 11, 2021, with the SEC. State Street Corp. beneficially owns 10,887,296 shares and has no sole dispositive or sole voting power. The address of the principal business and office of State Street Corp. is, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. The Schedule 13G provides information only as of December 31, 2020, and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 31, 2020 and January 31, 2021.
(6)
This information is based primarily on Schedule 13D/A filed by Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund, L.P. on May 28, 2020, with the SEC. Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund L.P. holds 7,733,411 shares of common stock, 3,756 shares of Series B preferred stock and warrants to purchase 2,645,566 shares of common stock. BCIP Life Sciences Associates, LP holds 791,589 shares of common stock, 384 shares of Series B preferred stock and warrants to purchase 270,684 shares of common stock. Also includes 5,000 options held by Dr. Hack for the benefit of Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund, L.P. As a result of the Beneficial Ownership Blocker, beneficial ownership is capped at 9.99% of the outstanding common stock of the issuer. The address of the principal business and office of Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund, L.P. is, 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. The Schedule 13G provides information only as of May 27, 2020.
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(7)
This information is based solely on Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock, Inc. on January 29, 202119, 2024, with the SEC. BlackRock, Inc. beneficially owns and has sole dispositive power over 8,188,15623,396,930 shares of common stock, of which 7,975,32523,396,930 shares are held with sole dispositive power and 22,945,978 shares are held with sole voting power. The address of the principal business and office of BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street,50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10055.10001. The Schedule 13G13G/A provides information only as of December 31, 20202023, and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 31, 20202023 and January 31, 2021.
March 15, 2024.
(8)
(5)
This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G13G/A filed by Chicago Capital LLCFederated Hermes, Inc. on February 23, 2021,January 17, 2024, with the SEC. Chicago Capital LLCFederated Hermes, Inc. beneficially owns 5,782,61011,364,666 shares and has sole dispositive orand sole voting power.power over all 11,364,666 shares. Federated Hermes, Inc.’s outstanding voting stock is held in the voting shares irrevocable trust for which Thomas R. Donahue, Ann C. Donahue and J. Christopher Donahue (the “Federated Hermes Trustees”) act as trustees. Each of the Federated Hermes Trustees has collective voting control over Federated Hermes, Inc. The address of the principal business and office of Chicago Capital LLCFederated Hermes, Inc. and each of the Trustees is 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3450, Chicago, IL 60603.1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779. The Schedule 13G13G/A provides information only as of December 31, 20202023, and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 31, 20202023 and March 15, 2024.
(6)
This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by State Street Corporation on January 25, 2024, with the SEC. State Street Corporation beneficially owns 9,495,785 shares and has no sole dispositive power and no sole voting power. The address of the principal business and office of State Street Corp. is 1 Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, MA 02114. The Schedule 13G/A provides information only as of December 31, 2021.2023, and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 31, 2023 and March 15, 2024.
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(7)
This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group on February 13, 2024, with the SEC. The Vanguard Group beneficially owns 9,275,788 shares and has sole dispositive power over 8,947,934 shares of common stock and no sole voting power. The address of the principal business of The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355. The Schedule 13G provides information only as of December 29, 2023, and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 29, 2023 and March 15, 2024.
(8)
This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by Deep Track Capital, LP on February 14, 2024, with the SEC. Deep Track Capital, LP beneficially owns 7,093,214 shares and has no sole dispositive power and no sole voting power. Deep Track Capital, LP’s outstanding voting stock is held in the voting shares irrevocable trust for which Deep Track Biotechnology Master Fund, Ltd. and David Kroin (the “Deep Track Trustees”) act as trustees. Each of the Deep Track Trustees has collective voting control over Deep Track Capital, LP. The address of the principal business of Deep Track Capital, LP is 200 Greenwich Ave, 3rd Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830. The Schedule 13G/A provides information only as of December 31, 2023, and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 31, 2023 and March 15, 2024.
(9)

Consists of 58,059229,843 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Spencer restricted stock awards to be converted into 20,833 shares of common stock within 60 days of January 31, 2021 and options to purchase 325,5251,268,887 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2021.March 15, 2024.
(10)

Consists of 134,89931,929 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Novack warrants to purchase 4,167 shares of common stock and options to purchase 511,137797,833 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2021.March 15, 2024.
(11)

Consists of 117,1677,692 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. OstrachMs. MacDonald and options to purchase 592,027456,763 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2021.March 15, 2024.
(12)

Consists of 128,64064,258 shares of common stock owned directly by Dr. Janssen and options to purchase 379,638340,879 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2021.March 15, 2024.
(13)

Consists of 16,66720,834 shares of common stock owned directly by Dr. Cano warrants to purchase 4,167 shares of common stock and options to purchase 67,550113,050 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2021.March 15, 2024.
(14)

This information is based primarily on Schedule 13D/A filed by Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund, L.P. on May 28, 2020, with the SEC. Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund L.P. holds 7,733,411Consists of options to purchase 97,500 shares of common stock 3,756 sharesexercisable within 60 days of Series B preferred stock and warrants to purchase 2,645,566 shares of common stock. BCIP Life Sciences Associates, LP holds 791,589 shares of common stock, 384 shares of Series B preferred stock and warrants to purchase 270,684 shares of common stock. Also includes 5,000 options held by Dr. Hack for the benefit of Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund, L.P. As a result of the Beneficial Ownership Blocker, beneficial ownership is capped at 9.99% of the outstanding common stock of the issuer. Bain Capital Life Sciences Investors, LLC (“BCLSI”) is the ultimate general partner of BCLS and governs the investment strategy and decision making process with respect to investments held by BCIPLS. Dr. Hack is a Managing Director of BCLSI. By virtue of these relationships, Dr. Hack may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power with respect to shares of common stock held by the Bain Life Sciences Entities. Dr. Hack disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.March 15, 2024.
(15)

Consists of 1,500 shares of common stock owned directly by Dr. Kisner and options to purchase 71,950132,450 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2021.March 15, 2024.
(16)

Consists of options to purchase 97,500 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(17)
Consists of options to purchase 46,875 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(18)
Consists of 3,000 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Paradiso.Dr. Paradiso and options to purchase 91,250 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(17)
(19)
Consists of 30,46827,733 shares of common stock owned directly by Ms. Phillips warrants to purchase 4,166 shares of common stock and options to purchase 71,950132,450 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2021.March 15, 2024.
(18)
(20)
Consists of options to purchase 57,75041,250 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2021.March 15, 2024.
(19)
(21)
Total number of shares includes common stock, Series B preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock, in aggregate, held as of January 31, 2021,March 15, 2024, by our executive officers and directors and entities affiliated with such executive officers and directors. Also includes restricted stock awards to be converted into 20,833 shares of common stock within 60 days of January 31, 2021 and options to purchase 2,082,5273,616,687 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2021.March 15, 2024.
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PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The chart below compares total stockholder return on an investment of $100 in cash on December 31, 2015, for: our common stock, the Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S. companies), and the Nasdaq Pharmaceutical Preparation Index. All values assume reinvestment of the full amount of all dividends.
Note: Dynavax management cautions that the stock price performance shown in the graph below should not be considered indicative of potential future stock price performance.

This Section is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of Dynavax Technologies Corporation under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
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HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other annual meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other annual meeting materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Dynavax stockholders will be “householding” the Company’s proxy materials. A single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, please notify your broker or Dynavax. Direct your written request to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 900,720, Emeryville, California 94608, or contact Dynavax’s Corporate Secretary at (510) 848-5100. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Annual Meeting materials at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
 
​​
By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 
​​


 
 
​​
Kelly MacDonald
Ryan Spencer
Chief FinancialExecutive Officer
April 16, 202111, 2024
​​
 
A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020,2023, is available without charge upon written request to: Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 900,720, Emeryville, California 94608.
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Appendix A

Amended and Restated 2014 ESPP
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 10, 2014
8, 2018
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 28, 2014
31, 2018
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 22, 2016
9, 2019
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 31, 2016
30, 2019
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 8, 2018
3, 2020
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 31, 2018
28, 2020
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 1, 2022
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 26, 2022
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: MARCH 30, 2021
19, 2024
[APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: , 2021]MAY 23, 2024]
1.

GENERAL; PURPOSE.GENERAL.
(a) Successor to and Continuation of 2011 Plan. The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). Following the Effective Date, no additional awards may be granted under the 2011 Plan or the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2017 Inducement Award Plan (the “2017 Inducement Plan”), and following April 3, 2022, no additional awards may be granted under the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2021 Inducement Award Plan (the “2021 Inducement Plan”) (each of the 2011 Plan, 2017 Inducement Plan and 2021 Inducement Plan, a “Prior Plan”). Any unallocated shares remaining available for grant under the 2011 Plan as of 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on the Effective Date (the “2011 Plan’s Available Reserve”) will cease to be available under the 2011 Plan at such time and will be added to the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)) and be then immediately available for grant and issuance pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan. From and after 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on the Effective Date with respect to awards granted under the 2011 Plan or 2017 Inducement Plan, and from and after 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on the date of the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders with respect to awards granted under the 2021 Inducement Plan, except as provided in Sections 9(c), 9(d) and 9(e), all outstanding stock awards granted under any of the Prior Plans (each, a “Prior Plan Award”) will remain subject to the terms of the applicable Prior Plan; provided, however, that the following shares of Common Stock subject to any outstanding Prior Plan Award (collectively, the “Prior Plans’ Returning Shares”) will immediately be added to the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)) as and when such shares become Prior Plans’ Returning Shares and will become available for grant and issuance pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan: (i) any shares subject to such stock award that are not issued because such stock award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to such stock award that are not issued because such stock award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; and (iii) any shares issued pursuant to such stock award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares. All Awards granted on or after 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on the Effective Date will be subject to the terms of this Plan.
(b) Eligible Award Recipients. Subject to Section 4, Employees and Directors are eligible to receive Awards.
(c) Available Awards.The Plan provides a means by which Eligible Employeesfor the grant of the following types of Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options; (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options; (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights; (iv) Restricted Stock Awards; (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards; (vi) Performance Stock Awards; and (vii) Other Stock Awards.
(d) Purpose. The Plan, through the granting of Awards, is intended to help the Company and certain designated Related Corporations may be given an opportunity to purchase shares of Common Stock. The Plan permits the Company to grant a series of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(b) The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of such Employees, toany Affiliate secure and retain the services of new Employees and toeligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Related Corporations.any Affiliate and provide a means by which such persons may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.
2.

ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Administration by Board.The Board will administer the Plan unless and until thePlan. The Board delegatesmay delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).
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(b) Powers of Board.The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i)To determine how and when Purchase Rights(A) who will be granted Awards, (B) when and how each Award will be granted, (C) what type of Award will be granted, (D) the provisions of each OfferingAward (which need not be identical).
(ii) To designate from time to time which Related Corporations of the Company, including when a Participant will be eligiblepermitted to participate inexercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Plan.Award, (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, an Award, and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to an Award.
(iii) (ii)To construe and interpret the Plan and Purchase Rights,Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan.Plan and Awards. The Board, in the exercise of this power,these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it deemswill deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.
(iv) (iii)To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Purchase RightsAwards granted under it.
(iv) To accelerate, in whole or in part, the Plan.time at which an Award may be exercised or vest (or at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued in settlement thereof).
(v)To suspend or terminate the Plan at any timetime. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award without his or her written consent.
(vi) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to make the Plan or Awards granted under the Plan compliant with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or exempt from or compliant with the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, if required by applicable law or listing requirements, and except as provided in Section 12.9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, or (E) materially expands the types of Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award without his or her written consent.
(vi) (vii)To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of (A) Section 422 of the Code regarding incentive stock options or (B) Rule 16b-3.
(viii) To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the Plan atterms of any time asone or more outstanding Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in the Plan (including this Section 12.2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, no amendment of an outstanding Award will materially impair a Participant’s rights under such Award without his or her written consent.
(vii) Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan to the contrary, unless prohibited by applicable law, the Board may amend the terms of any outstanding Award or the Plan, or may suspend or terminate the Plan, without the affected Participant’s consent, (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award or the Plan into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code or (D) to comply with other applicable laws or listing requirements.
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(ix)Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as itthe Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and its Related Corporations and to carry outthat are not in conflict with the intent thatprovisions of the Plan be treated as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.or Awards.
(viii) (x)To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees or Directors who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States.States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).
(c) Delegation to Committee.
(i) General.The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject,
however, to suchsubcommittee, as applicable). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board.Board or Committee (as applicable). The Committee may, at any time, abolish the subcommittee and/or revest in the Committee any powers delegated to the subcommittee. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated. Whether
(ii) Rule 16b-3 Compliance. The Committee may consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors in accordance with Rule 16b-3.
(d) Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following: (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Awards; and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board has delegated administrationresolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant an Award to himself or herself. Any such Awards will be granted on the form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation of authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value of the PlanCommon Stock pursuant to a Committee, the Board will have the final power to determine all questionsSection 13(w)(iii).
(e) Effect of policy and expediency that may arise in the administration of the Plan.
(d) Board’s Decision.All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
(f) Cancellation and Re-Grant of Awards. Neither the Board nor any Committee will have the authority to (i) reduce the exercise or strike price of any outstanding Option or SAR or (ii) cancel any outstanding Option or SAR that has an exercise or strike price (per share) greater than the then-current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in exchange for cash or other Awards under the Plan, unless the stockholders of the Company have approved such an action within 12 months prior to such an event.
(g) Minimum Vesting Requirements. No Award may vest (or, if applicable, be exercisable) until at least 12 months following the date of grant of the Award; provided, however, that shares of Common Stock up to 5% of the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)) may be issued pursuant to Awards that do not meet such vesting (and, if applicable, exercisability) requirements.
(h) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to any such shares before the date such shares have vested under the terms of such Award Agreement, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of such Award
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Agreement (including, but not limited to, any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to the Company on the date, if any, such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to a failure to meet any vesting conditions under the terms of such Award Agreement.
3.

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Share Reserve.
(i) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a)3(a)(iii) and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the maximumaggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued underpursuant to Awards from and after the PlanEffective Date will not exceed 1,850,000(A) 41,440,250 shares of Common Stock, which(which number is the sum of (i) 50,000the number of shares that were approved at(140,250) subject to the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,12011 Plan’s Available Reserve, (ii) an additional 200,000 shares that were approved at the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (iii) an additional 600,0005,000,000 shares that were approved at the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and (iv)(iii) an additional 1,000,0002,300,000 shares that were approved at the Company’s 20212019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.Stockholders, (iv) an additional 7,600,000 shares that were approved at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (v) an additional 15,000,000 shares that were approved at the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders), and (vi) an additional 11,400,000 shares that were approved at the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders), plus (B) the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares, if any, which become available for issuance under this Plan from time to time (such aggregate number of shares described in (A) and (B), the “Share Reserve”).
(ii) Subject to Section 3(b), the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan will be reduced by: (A) one share for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Appreciation Award granted under the Plan; (B) 1.28 shares for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Plan prior to May 30, 2019; and (C) 1.40 shares for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Plan on or after May 30, 2019.
(iii) Subject to Section 3(b), the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan will be increased by: (A) one share for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or 2018 Plan Returning Share (as defined in Section 3(b)(i)) subject to an Appreciation Award; (B) 1.28 shares for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or 2018 Plan Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returns to the Plan prior to May 30, 2019; and (C) 1.40 shares for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or 2018 Plan Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returns to the Plan on or after May 30, 2019.
(iv) For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Awards except as provided in Section 7(a). Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) or, if applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
(b) IfReversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.
(i) Shares Available for Subsequent Issuance. The following shares of Common Stock (collectively, the “2018 PlanReturning Shares”) will become available again for issuance under the Plan: (A) any Purchaseshares subject to an Award that are not issued because such Award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Award having been issued; (B) any shares subject to an Award that are not issued because such Award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; and (C) any shares issued pursuant to an Award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares.
(ii) Shares Not Available for Subsequent Issuance. The following shares of Common Stock will not become available again for issuance under the Plan: (A) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award or a Prior Plan Award (including any shares subject to such award that are not delivered because such award is exercised through a reduction of shares subject to such award (i.e., “net exercised”)); (B) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award or a Prior Plan Award; (C) any shares repurchased by the Company on the open market with the
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proceeds of the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award or a Prior Plan Award; and (D) in the event that a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan terminates without having been exercisedor a stock appreciation right granted under any of the Prior Plans is settled in full, the shares of Common Stock, not purchased underthe gross number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Purchase Right will again become available for issuance under the Plan.award.
(c) Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be 44,000,000 shares.
(d) Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation granted or paid, as applicable, by the Company to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed: (i) a total of $200,000 with respect to any such cash compensation; and (ii) $800,000 in total value with respect to any such equity-based compensation (including Awards and any other equity-based awards), provided that for any individual who is first appointed or elected to the Board as a Non-Employee Director during any fiscal year of the Company, the limit for such individual’s equity-based compensation will be $1,200,000 with respect to such fiscal year, in each case calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes.
(e) Source of Shares.The stock purchasableissuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market.market or otherwise.
4.

GRANT OF PURCHASE RIGHTS; OFFERING.ELIGIBILITY.
(a) The BoardEligibility for Specific Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees and Directors; provided, however, that Awards may not be granted to Employees and Directors who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless (i) the stock underlying such Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction) or (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Awards are otherwise exempt from time to time grant or provide foralternatively comply with Section 409A of the Code.
(b) Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price (per share) of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Offering (consistingsuch Option and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of onefive years from the date of grant.
5.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
Each Option or more Purchase Periods) on an Offering Date or Offering Dates selected by the Board. Each OfferingSAR Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options will deem appropriatebe separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will comply with the requirementbe issued for shares of Section 423(b)(5)Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Code that all Employees granted Purchase RightsOption fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will have the same rights and privileges.be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The terms and conditions of an Offering will be incorporated by reference into the Plan and treated as part of the Plan. The provisions of separate OfferingsOption or SAR Agreements need not be identical, butidentical; provided, however, that each OfferingAward Agreement will includeconform to (through incorporation of the provisions of this Planhereof by reference in the document comprising the Offeringapplicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the period during whichsubstance of each of the Offeringfollowing provisions:
(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be effective, whichexercisable after the expiration of seven years from the date of its grant or such shorter period will not exceed 27 months beginning withspecified in the Offering Date, and the substance ofAward Agreement.
(b) Exercise or Strike Price. Subject to the provisions contained in Sections 5 through 8, inclusive.
(b) If a Participant has more than one Purchase Right outstanding underof Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the Plan, unless heexercise or she otherwise indicates in forms delivered to the Company: (i)strike price (per share) of each form will apply to all of hisOption or her Purchase Rights under the Plan, and (ii) a Purchase Right with a lower exercise price (or an earlier-granted Purchase Right, if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices)SAR will be exercised to the fullest possible extent before a Purchase Right with a higher exercise price (or a later-granted Purchase Right if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised.
(c) The Board will have the discretion to structure an Offering so that ifnot less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share ofthe Common Stock on the first Trading Day of a new Purchase Period within that Offeringdate the Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price (per share) less than or equal to100% of the Fair Market
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Value of a share ofthe Common Stock on the Offering Datedate the Award is granted if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of, or substitution for, that Offering, then (i) that Offering will terminate immediately asanother option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of that first Trading Day,Section 409A of the Code and, (ii)if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Participants in such terminated OfferingCode. Each SAR will be automatically enrolleddenominated in a new Offering beginning on the first Trading Dayshares of such new Purchase Period.Common Stock equivalents.
5.
ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Purchase Rights(c) Payment of Exercise Price for Options. The exercise price of an Option may be granted onlypaid, to Employeesthe extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by one or more of the methods of payment set forth below that are specified in the Option Agreement. The Board has the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or that otherwise restrict the ability to utilize certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment.
(i) By cash (including electronic funds transfers), check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;
(ii) Pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board may designatethat, prior to the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Option, results in accordance with Section 2(b), to Employeeseither the receipt of a Related Corporation. Except as provided in Section 5(b), an Employee will not be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights unless, on the Offering Date, the Employee has been
1.
The 500,000 shares approved at the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders were adjusted to 50,000 shares pursuant to a 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective November 7, 2014.
in the employ ofcash (or check) by the Company or the Related Corporation, asreceipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the case may be, for such continuous period preceding such Offering Date as the Board may require, but in no event will the required period of continuous employment be equalaggregate exercise price to or greater than two years. In addition, the Board may provide that no Employee will be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights under the Plan unless, on the Offering Date, such Employee’s customary employment with the Company orfrom the Related Corporation is more than 20 hours per week and more than five months per calendar year or such other criteria as the Board may determine consistent with Section 423 of the Code.
(b) The Board may provide that each person who, during the course of an Offering, first becomes an Eligible Employee will, on a date or dates specified in the Offering which coincides with the day on which such person becomes an Eligible Employee or which occurs thereafter, receive a Purchase Right under that Offering, which Purchase Right will thereafter be deemed to be a part of that Offering. Such Purchase Right will have the same characteristics as any Purchase Rights originally granted under that Offering, as described herein, except that:
(i) the date on which such Purchase Right is granted will be the “Offering Date” of such Purchase Right for all purposes, including determination of the exercise price of such Purchase Right;
(ii) the period of the Offering with respect to such Purchase Right will begin on its Offering Date and end coincident with the end of such Offering; andsales proceeds;
(iii) the Board may provide that if such person first becomes an Eligible Employee within a specified period of time before the end of the Offering, he or she will not receive any Purchase Right under that Offering.
(c) No Employee will be eligible for the grant of any Purchase Rights if, immediately after any such Purchase Rights are granted, such Employee owns stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock ofBy delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or of any Related Corporation. For purposes of this Section 5(c), the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code will apply in determining the stock ownership of any Employee, and stock which such Employee may purchase under all outstanding Purchase Rights and options will be treated as stock owned by such Employee.
(d) As specified by Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, an Eligible Employee may be granted Purchase Rights only if such Purchase Rights, together with any other rights granted under all Employee Stock Purchase Plans of the Company and any Related Corporations, do not permit such Eligible Employee’s rights to purchase stock of the Company or any Related Corporation to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of Fair Market Value of such stock (determined at the time such rights are granted, and which, with respect to the Plan, will be determined as of their respective Offering Dates) for each calendar year in which such rights are outstanding at any time.
(e) Officers of the Company and any designated Related Corporation, if they are otherwise Eligible Employees, will be eligible to participate in Offerings under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may provide in an Offering that Employees who are highly compensated Employees within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code will not be eligible to participate.
6.
PURCHASE RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE.
(a) On each Offering Date, each Eligible Employee, pursuant to an Offering made under the Plan, will be granted a Purchase Right to purchase up to that numberattestation) of shares of Common Stock;
(iv) If an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock purchasable either withOption, by a percentage or with a maximum dollar amount, as designated by the Board, but in either case not exceeding 10% of such Employee’s earnings (as defined by the Board in each Offering) during the period that begins on the Offering Date (or such later date as the Board determines for a particular Offering) and ends on the date stated in the Offering, which date will be no later than the end of the Offering.
(b) The Board will establish one or more Purchase Dates during an Offering on which Purchase Rights granted for that Offering will be exercised and shares of Common Stock will be purchased in accordance with such Offering.
(c) In connection with each Offering made under the Plan, the Board may specify (i) a maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by any Participant“net exercise” arrangement pursuant to such Offering, (ii) a maximumwhich the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by any Participant on any Purchase Date pursuant to such Offering, (iii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by all
Participants pursuant to such Offering, and/or (iv) a maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by all Participants on any Purchase Date pursuant to such Offering. If the aggregate purchase of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of Purchase Rights granted undershares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such Offering would exceed any such maximum aggregate number, then,reduction in the absencenumber of any Board action otherwise, a pro rata (based on each Participant’s accumulated Contributions) allocation of thewhole shares to be issued. Shares of Common Stock availablewill no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or
(v) In any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
(d) Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be made in as nearlynot greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a uniform manner as will be practicable and equitable.
(d) The purchase pricenumber of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to Purchase Rights will be not less than the lesser of:
(i) an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the sharesnumber of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the Offering Date; or
(ii) an amount equal to 85%aggregate strike price of the Fair Market Value of the sharesnumber of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on the applicable Purchase Date.
7.
PARTICIPATION; WITHDRAWAL; TERMINATION.
(a) An Eligible Employeesuch date. The appreciation distribution may elect to authorize payroll deductions as the means of making Contributions by completing and delivering to the Company, within the time specifiedbe paid in the Offering, an enrollment form provided by the Company. The enrollment form will specify the amount of Contributions not to exceed the maximum amount specified by the Board. Each Participant’s Contributions will be credited to a bookkeeping account for such Participant under the Plan and will be deposited with the general fundsCommon Stock, in cash, in any combination of the Company except where applicable law requires that Contributions be deposited with a third party. If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may begin such Contributions with the first full payroll period beginning on the Offering Date. If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may thereafter decrease (including to zero)two or increase his or her Contributions. If specifically provided in the Offering, in addition to making Contributions by payroll deductions, a Participant may make Contributions through payment by cash or check prior to a Purchase Date.
(b) During an Offering, a Participant may cease making Contributions and withdraw from the Offering by delivering to the Company a withdrawal form provided by the Company. The Company may impose a deadline before a Purchase Date for withdrawing. Upon such withdrawal, such Participant’s Purchase Right in that Offering will immediately terminate and the Company will distribute to such Participant all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions without interest. A Participant’s withdrawal from that Offering will have no effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any other Offerings underform of consideration, as determined by the Plan, butBoard and contained in the Award Agreement evidencing such ParticipantSAR.
(e) Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will be requireddetermine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to deliver a new enrollment form to participatethe contrary, the restrictions set forth in subsequent Offerings.
(c) Upon either (i) terminationthis Section 5(e) on the transferability of a Participant’s employment relationship withOptions and SARs will apply. Notwithstanding the Companyforegoing or a Related Corporation that has been designated as eligible to participateanything in the Plan or (ii) any other circumstancean Award Agreement to the contrary, no Option or event that causes a Participant to no longerSAR may be eligible to participate in an Offering, the Company will distribute to such individual all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions without interest and such individual’s outstanding Purchase Rights under such Offering will terminate immediately (subjecttransferred to any post-employment participation period required by law).financial institution without prior stockholder approval.
For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be treated as continuing intact while an individual is on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company or a Related Corporation, if applicable, if the period of such leave does not exceed three months, or if longer, so long as the individual’s right to reemployment with the Company or a Related Corporation, if applicable, is provided either by statute or by contract.
(d) During a Participant’s lifetime, Purchase Rights will be exercisable only by such Participant. Purchase Rights are not transferable, by a Participant, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (and pursuant to Sections 5(e)(ii) and 5(e)(iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. Subject to the foregoing paragraph, the Board may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of the Option or ifSAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.
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(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.421-1(b)(2). If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.
(iii) Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company by(or the designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary designation as described in Section 10.
(e) Unless otherwise specified in the Offering,at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company will have no obligation to pay interest on Contributions.
that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.
8.
EXERCISE OF PURCHASE RIGHTS.
(a) On each Purchase Date, each Participant’s accumulated Contributions will be applied to the purchase of shares of Common Stock, up to the maximum(f) Vesting. The total number of shares of Common Stock permitted bysubject to an Option or SAR may vest and become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the Plantime or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of Performance Goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to Section 2(g) and any Option or SAR provisions governing the applicable Offering, at the purchase price specified in the Offering. No fractional shares will be issued unless specifically provided for in the Offering.
(b) If any amount of accumulated Contributions remains in a Participant’s account after the purchaseminimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.
(g) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such remaining amountOption or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is lessthree months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after such termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time period, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(h) Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the amount required to purchase one shareParticipant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the final Purchase Dateearlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Offering,Option or SAR following the termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(i) Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such remaining amountOption or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is 12 months
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following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after such termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time period, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(j) Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) a Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (for a reason other than death), then the Participant’s Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance, or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR (as applicable) is not exercised within the applicable time period, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(k) Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Participant’s Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.
(l) Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement, in another written agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company’s or Affiliate’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Award Agreements.
6.
PROVISIONS OF AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND SARS.
(a) Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse, or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash (including electronic funds transfers), check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
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(ii) Vesting. Subject to Section 2(g), shares of Common Stock awarded under a Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to or repurchase by the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.
(iii) Termination of Continuous Service. If a Participant’s accountContinuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of such termination under the terms of the Participant’s Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
(iv) Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under a Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or a Restricted Stock Award Agreement to the contrary, no Restricted Stock Award may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.
(b) Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. The terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the purchaseBoard, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(ii) Vesting. Subject to Section 2(g), at the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(iii) Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.
(iv) Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(v) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, any portion of the Participant’s Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested as of the date of such termination will be forfeited upon such termination.
(c) Performance Stock Awards.
(i) General. A Performance Stock Award is an Award that is payable (including that may be granted, vest or be exercised) contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of specified Performance Goals. A Performance Stock Award may, but need not, require the Participant’s completion of a specified period of Continuous Service. Subject to Section 2(g), the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash may be used in payment of Performance Stock Awards.
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(ii) Board Discretion. With respect to any Performance Stock Award, the Board retains the discretion to (A) reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon the attainment of any Performance Goals on the basis of any considerations as the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine and (B) define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for a Performance Period.
(d) Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof may be granted either alone or in addition to Awards granted under Section 5 and this Section 6. Subject to the next Offering underprovisions of the Plan unless(including, but not limited to, Sections 2(g) and 2(h)), the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Participant withdraws from or is not eligible to participate in such Offering, in which case such amountOther Stock Awards will be distributed to such Participant aftergranted, the final Purchase Date without interest. If the amount of Contributions remaining in a Participant’s account after the purchasenumber of shares of Common Stock is at least equal(or the cash equivalent thereof) to the amount required to purchase one whole share of Common Stock on the final Purchase Date of an Offering, then such remaining amount will not roll over to the next Offering and will instead be distributed in fullgranted pursuant to such Participant after the final Purchase DateOther Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Offering without interest.
(c) No Purchase Rights may be exercised to any extent unless the shares of CommonOther Stock to be issued upon such exercise under the Plan are covered by an effective registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act and the Plan is in material compliance with all applicable federal, state, foreign and other securities and other laws applicable to the Plan. If, on a Purchase Date, the shares of Common Stock are not so registered or the Plan is not in such compliance, no Purchase Rights will be exercised on such Purchase Date, and the Purchase Date will be delayed until the shares of Common Stock are subject to such an effective registration statement and the Plan is in material compliance, except that the Purchase Date will in no event be more than 6 months from the Offering Date. If, on the Purchase Date, as delayed to the maximum extent permissible, the shares of Common Stock are not registered and the Plan is not in material compliance with all applicable laws, no Purchase Rights will be exercised and all accumulated but unused Contributions will be distributed to the Participants without interest.Awards.
9.
7.
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Awards.
(b) Securities Law Compliance.The Company will seek to obtain from each federal, state, foreign or other regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan suchthe authority as may be required to grant Purchase RightsAwards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock thereunder.upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after commercially reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the grant of Purchase Rights or the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, and at a commercially reasonable cost, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to grant Purchase Rights and/or to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Purchase Rights.Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.
(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising an Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.
10.
8.
DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY.MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) TheUse of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.
(b) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company may, butof an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate or letter evidencing the Award is not obligatedcommunicated to, permitor actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to submitthe incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.
(c) Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a form designating a beneficiary who will receiveholder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock and/subject to an Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or Contributions from the Participant’s account under the Plan if the Participant dies before such shares and/or Contributions are delivered to the Participant. If a Participant is married and the designated beneficiary is not the Participant’s spouse, the Company may require spousal consent for such designation to be effective. The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit the Participant (subject to spousal consent, if applicable and required by the Company) to change such designationissuance of beneficiary. Any such designation and/or change must be on a form approved by the Company.
(b) If a Participant dies, and in the absence of a valid beneficiary designation, the Company will deliver any shares of Common Stock and/under, the Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.
(d) No Employment or ContributionsOther Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an
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Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, or (ii) the service of a Director pursuant to the executor or administratorbylaws of the estateCompany or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the Participant. Ifcorporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.
(e) Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company or any Affiliate is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no executorright with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or administratorextended.
(f) Incentive Stock Option Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).
(g) Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Award and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award has been appointed (toregistered under a then currently effective registration statement under the knowledgeSecurities Act or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Company),Common Stock.
(h) Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state, local or foreign tax withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Award; (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(i) Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).
(j) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may deliverdetermine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company or an Affiliate. The Board is authorized to make
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deferrals of Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.
(k) Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock and/are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or Contributionspayment of any amount under such Award that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months and one day following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment may be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six-month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.
(l) Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with the following, as applicable: (i) the Dynavax Technologies Corporation Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy; (ii) any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the Participant’s spouse, dependentslisting standards of any national securities exchange or relatives,association on which the Company’s securities are listed or if no spouse, dependentas is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or relative is known toother applicable law; and (iii) any other clawback policy that the Company then toadopts. In addition, the Board may impose such other personclawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board, in its discretion, determines necessary or appropriate, including, but not limited to, a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of Cause. No clawback, recovery or recoupment of compensation pursuant to any such policy or Award Agreement will be deemed an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company may designate.or an Affiliate.
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9.
ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.EVENTS.
(a) Capitalization Adjustments.In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a); (ii) the class(es)
and maximum number of securities subjectthat may be issued pursuant to and the purchase price applicableexercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to outstanding Offerings and Purchase Rights;Section 3(c); and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities that are theand price per share of stock subject of the purchase limits under each ongoing Offering.to outstanding Awards. The Board will make thesesuch adjustments and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Awards (other than Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase may be reacquired or repurchased by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Award is providing Continuous Service.
(c) Transactions.In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the provisions of this Section 9(c) will apply to each outstanding Award and Prior Plan Award, in each case unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Award or Prior Plan Award (as applicable), in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, or in any director compensation policy of the Company.
(i) Awards May Be Assumed. In the event of a Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent or subsidiary company) willmay assume or continue any or all
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outstanding Purchase Rights Awards and/or willPrior Plan Awards or may substitute similar rightsstock awards for any or all outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards (including, a rightbut not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to any outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards may be assigned by the Company to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company). For clarity, in the Corporate Transaction)event of a Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may choose to assume or continue only a portion of an outstanding Award or Prior Plan Award, to substitute a similar stock award for only a portion of an outstanding Purchase Rights, unlessAward or Prior Plan Award, or to assume or continue, or substitute similar stock awards for, the Board determines, in the exerciseoutstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards held by some, but not all, Participants. The terms of its sole discretion and in lieu ofany such assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Board.
(ii) Awards Held by Current Participants. In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards, or substitute similar stock awards for outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards, then with respect to shorten any Offerings then in progresssuch Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by setting a new Purchase DateParticipants whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the Corporateeffective time of the Transaction (the “New Purchase Date”). If(referred to as the Board sets“Current Participants”), the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such Awards and Prior Plan Awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to Performance Stock Awards, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the target level of performance) to a New Purchase Date pursuantdate prior to the preceding sentence, theneffective time of the Transaction (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction) as the Board will notify each Participant in writing, at least ten (10) businessdetermine (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the New Purchase Date, thateffective time of the Purchase Date for the Participant’s outstanding Purchase Rights has been changed to the New Purchase DateTransaction), and that either:
(i) the Participant’s outstanding Purchase Rightssuch Awards and Prior Plan Awards will beterminate if not exercised automatically on the New Purchase Date, unless the Participant withdraws from the applicable Offering(if applicable) prior to the New Purchase Dateeffective time of the Transaction in accordance with Section 7(b), and such Purchase Rights will terminate immediately after such exercise; or
(ii) in lieu of suchthe exercise the Company will pay to the Participant on the New Purchase Date an amount in cash, cash equivalents, or property asprocedures determined by the Board, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards and Prior Plan Awards will lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction).
(iii) Awards Held by Participants other than Current Participants. In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards, or substitute similar stock awards for outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards, then with respect to any such Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants other than Current Participants, such Awards and Prior Plan Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Transaction in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Board; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards and Prior Plan Awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Transaction.
(iv) Payment for Awards in Lieu of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any outstanding Award or Prior Plan Award held by a Participant will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Transaction, the Board may provide that the Participant may not exercise such Award or Prior Plan Award but instead will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board, equal in value to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of such Award or Prior Plan Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by the Participant in connection with such exercise. For clarity, such payment may be zero if the value of such property is equal to or less than the differenceexercise price. Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Common Stock in connection with the Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.
(d) Change in Control. Unless provided otherwise in the Fair Market ValueAward Agreement for an Award or award agreement for a Prior Plan Award (as applicable), in any other written agreement or plan between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, or in any director compensation policy of the sharesCompany, an Award or Prior Plan Award will not be subject to additional acceleration of Common Stockvesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control.
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(e) Prior Plan Awards. For clarity, with respect to any Prior Plan Award, the terms set forth in Sections 9(c) and 9(d) will supersede any terms set forth in the applicable Prior Plan regarding the treatment of such Prior Plan Award in the event of a Corporate Transaction (as defined in the applicable Prior Plan) or Change in Control (as defined in the applicable Prior Plan).
(f) Parachute Payments. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if any payment or benefit the Participant would receive pursuant to a Change in Control from the Company or otherwise (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the Participant’s outstanding Purchase Rights onexcise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the New Purchase DateCode (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” will be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable exercise price due hadmarginal rate), results in the Participant’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction will occur in the following order: (A) reduction of cash payments; (B) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (C) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (D) reduction of other benefits paid to the Participant. Within any such Purchase Rights been exercised automatically undercategory of payments and benefits (that is, (A), (B), (C) or (D)), a reduction will occur first with respect to amounts that are not “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 11(b)(i) above,409A of the Code and then with respect to amounts that are. In the event that acceleration of compensation from a Participant’s equity awards is to be reduced, such Purchase Rightsacceleration of vesting will terminatebe canceled, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, in the reverse order of the date of grant. The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control will perform the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Participant and the Company within 15 calendar days after the date on which the Participant’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Participant or the Company) or such payment.other time as reasonably requested by the Participant or the Company. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Participant and the Company.
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10.
AMENDMENT, TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a) The Board may amend the Plan at any time in any respect the Board deems necessaryTermination or advisable. However, except as provided in Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment of the Plan for which stockholder approval is required by applicable law or listing requirements, including any amendment that either (i) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (ii) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to become Participants and receive Purchase Rights, (iii) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan or materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be purchased under the Plan, (iv) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (v) expands the types of awards available for issuance under the Plan, but in each of (i) through (v) above only to the extent stockholder approval is required by applicable law or listing requirements.
(b) Suspension.The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Purchase RightsIncentive Stock Option may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the Adoption Date or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
(c) Any benefits, privileges, entitlements and obligations under any outstanding Purchase Rights granted before an amendment, suspension(b) No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not be materially impaired byimpair rights and obligations under any such amendment, suspension or terminationAward granted while the Plan is in effect except (i) with the written consent of the person to whom such Purchase Rights were granted, (ii)affected Participant or as necessary to comply with any laws, listing requirements, or governmental regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 423 of the Code and the regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder relating to Employee Stock Purchase Plans) including, without limitation, any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued or amended after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (iii) as necessary to obtain or maintain favorable tax, listing, or regulatory treatment. To be clear, the Board may amend outstanding Purchase Rights without a Participant’s consent if such amendment is necessary to ensure that the Purchase Right and/or the Plan complies with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.
Notwithstanding anythingotherwise permitted in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or any Offering Document to the contrary, the Board will be entitled to: (i) establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars; (ii) permit Contributions in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for mistakes in the Company’s processing of properly completed Contribution elections; (iii) establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the
Participant’s Contributions; (iv) amend any outstanding Purchase Rights or clarify any ambiguities regarding the terms of any Offering to enable the Purchase Rights to qualify under and/or comply with Section 423 of the Code; and (v) establish other limitations or procedures as the Board determines in its sole discretion advisable that are consistent with the Plan. The actions of the Board pursuant to this paragraph will not be considered to alter or impair any Purchase Rights granted under an Offering as they are part of the initial terms of each Offering and the Purchase Rights granted under each Offering.Award Agreement.
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11.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
TheThis Plan will become effective on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held in 2014, provided the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at such meeting. No Purchase Rights will be exercised unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval must be within 12 months before or after the date the Plan is adopted (or if required under Section 12(a), materially amended) by the Board.Effective Date.
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12.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.CHOICE OF LAW.
(a) Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Purchase Rights will constitute general funds of the Company.
(b) A Participant will not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, shares of Common Stock subject to Purchase Rights unless and until the Participant’s shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of Purchase Rights are recorded in the books of the Company (or its transfer agent).
(c) The Plan and Offering do not constitute an employment contract. Nothing in the Plan or in the Offering will in any way alter the at will nature of a Participant’s employment or be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on the part of any Participant to continue in the employ of the Company or a Related Corporation, or on the part of the Company or a Related Corporation to continue the employment of a Participant.
(d) The provisions of the Plan will be governed by the laws of the State of CaliforniaDelaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without resortregard to that state’s conflictsconflict of laws rules.
15.
13.
DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
As used in(a) “Adoption Date” means April 8, 2018, which is the date the Plan was adopted by the following definitionsBoard.
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(b) “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board will applyhave the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.
(c) “Appreciation Award” means (i) a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under any of the Prior Plans or (ii) an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, in each case with respect to which the exercise or strike price is at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the capitalizedstock option or stock appreciation right, or Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, on the date of grant.
(d) “Award” means an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Performance Stock Award or any Other Stock Award.
(e) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms indicated below:and conditions of an Award.
(a)(f) “Board”means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b)(g) “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Purchase RightAward after the date the Plan is adopted by the BoardAdoption Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or otherany similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto)No. 123 (revised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(c)(h) “CodeCause”will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(d) “Committee” means a committeeoccurrence of one or more members of the Boardfollowing: (i) the Participant’s theft, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any Company or Affiliate documents or records; (ii) the Participant’s material failure to whom authority has been delegatedabide by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(e) “Common Stock” means the common stockcode of conduct or other policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct) of the Company.
(f) “Company” means Dynavax Technologies Corporation, or an Affiliate; (iii) the Participant’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of the Company or an Affiliate (including, without limitation, the Participant’s improper use or disclosure of confidential or proprietary information of the Company or an Affiliate); (iv) any intentional act by the Participant which has a Delaware corporation.
(g) “Contributions” meansmaterial detrimental effect on the payroll deductionsreputation or business of the Company or an Affiliate; (v) the Participant’s repeated failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from the Company or an Affiliate, and other additional payments specifically provided for ina reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (vi) any material breach by the Offering that a Participant contributesof any employment or service agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which breach is not cured pursuant to fund the exerciseterms of a Purchase Right. A Participant may make additional payments intosuch agreement; or (vii) the Participant’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or moral turpitude, or which impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her account if specifically providedduties. The determination that a termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Offering, and then only ifCompany that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by the Participant has not already hadwill have no effect upon any determination of the maximum permitted amount withheld duringrights or obligations of the Offering through payroll deductions.Company or the Participant for any other purpose.
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(h)(i) “Corporate TransactionChange in Control” means the consummation,occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or consolidationsimilar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in whichControl will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company is notdirectly from the surviving entity, except forCompany, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the principalprimary purpose of which is to change the state in whichobtain financing for the Company is incorporated;through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;
(ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;
(iii) there is consummated a sale, transferlease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company (includingand its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the capitalconsolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or
(iv) over a period of 12 months or less, individuals who, on the Adoption Date, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards (as applicable) subject to such agreement; provided, however, that (1) if no definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply; and (2) no Change in Control (or any analogous term) will be deemed to occur with respect to Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards (as applicable) subject to such an individual written agreement without a requirement that the Change in Control (or any analogous term) actually occur.
If required for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event will an event be deemed a Change in Control if such event is not also a “change in the ownership of” the Company, a “change in the effective control of” the Company or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company, each as
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determined under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder). The Board may, in its sole discretion and without a Participant’s consent, amend the definition of “Change in Control” to conform to the definition of a “change in control event” under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
(j) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(k) “Committee” means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(l) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company’s subsidiary corporations);Company.
(iii) (m) “Company” means Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
(n) “Continuous Service” means that the complete liquidationParticipant’s service with the Company or dissolutionan Affiliate, whether as an Employee or Director, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee or Director or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Company;Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, thatif the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s or Affiliate’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.
(iv) any reverse merger(o) “Corporate Transaction” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, culminatingof any one or more of the following events:
(i) the consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(ii) the consummation of a reversesale or other disposition of at least 90% of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii) the consummation of a merger, (including, butconsolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not limited to,the surviving corporation; or
(iv) the consummation of a tender offer followed by a reverse merger) inmerger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving entitycorporation but in which securities possessing more than forty percent (40%)the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the total combined voting powermerger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
If required for compliance with Section 409A of the Company’s outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such merger or the initial transaction culminatingCode, in such merger but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Board determinesno event will notan event be deemed a Corporate Transaction; or
(v) acquisitionTransaction if such event is not also a “change in the ownership of” the Company, a single or series of related transactions by any person or related group of persons (other than“change in the effective control of” the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan)“change in the ownership of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3a substantial portion of the Exchange Act)assets of” the Company, each as determined under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder). The Board may, in its sole discretion and without a Participant’s consent, amend the definition of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%)“Corporate Transaction” to conform to the definition of a “change in control event” under Section 409A of the total combined voting power ofCode and the Company’s outstanding securities but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Board determines will not be a Corporate Transaction.regulations thereunder.
(i)(p) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(j)(q) “Eligible EmployeeDisability” means, an Employee who meetswith respect to a Participant, the requirements set forthinability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be
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expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the document(s) governingCode, and will be determined by the Offering for eligibility to participateBoard on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.
(r) “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held in the Offering,2018, provided that this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at such Employee also meets the requirements for eligibility to participate set forth in the Plan.meeting.
(k)(s) “Employee” means any person including an Officer or Director, who is “employed” for purposes of Section 423(b)(4) of the Codeemployed by the Company or a Related Corporation.an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.
(l)(t) “Employee Stock Purchase PlanEntity” means a plan that grants Purchase Rights intended to be options issued under an “employee stock purchase plan,” as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code.corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.
(m)(u) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(n)(v) “Exchange Act Person”means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company, or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.
(w) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) IfUnless otherwise provided by the Board, if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, then the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination,, as reported in sucha source as the Board deems reliable.
(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be the closing sales price for such stock on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(ii) (iii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be determined by the Board in good faith in compliance with applicable laws and in a manner that complies with SectionSections 409A and 422 of the Code.
(o) (x) “OfferingFull Value Award” means (i) a stock award granted under any of the grantPrior Plans or (ii) an Award, in each case that is not an Appreciation Award.
(y) “Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Eligible EmployeesSection 5 that is intended to be, and that qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Purchase Rights, withSection 422 of the exercise of those Purchase Rights automatically occurring at the end of one or more Purchase Periods. The terms and conditions of an Offering will generally be set forth in the “Offering Document” approved by the Board for that Offering.Code.
(p) (z) “Offering DateNon-Employee Director” means a date selected byDirector who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the BoardCompany or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an Offeringamount as to commence.which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation S-K”)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K, or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(aa) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
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(q) (bb) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Corporation within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(r) (cc) “ParticipantOption” means an Eligible Employee who holds an outstanding Purchase Right.
(s) “Plan” means this Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2014 EmployeeIncentive Stock Purchase Plan.
(t) “Purchase Date” means oneOption or more dates during an Offering selected by the Board on which Purchase Rights will be exercised and on which purchases of shares of Commona Nonstatutory Stock will be carried out in accordance with such Offering.
(u) “Purchase Period” means a period of time specified within an Offering, generally beginning on the Offering Date or on the first Trading Day following a Purchase Date, and ending on a Purchase Date. An Offering may consist of one or more Purchase Periods.
(v) “Purchase Right” means an optionOption to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(w) (dd) “Related CorporationOption Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Option evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ee) “Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(d).
(ff) “Other Stock Award Agreement”means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(gg) “Own,”“Owned,”“Owner,”“Ownership” A person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any “parent corporation”contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or “subsidiary corporation”otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
(hh) “Participant” means (i) with respect to any Award, a person to whom such Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award, and (ii) with respect to any Prior Plan Award, a person to whom such Prior Plan Award is granted pursuant to any Prior Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Prior Plan Award.
(ii) “Performance Criteria” means the one or more criteria that the Board will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following, as determined by the Board: (i) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); (iv) total stockholder return; (v) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (vi) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (vii) stock price or stock price performance; (viii) margin (including gross margin); (ix) net income (before or after taxes); (x) operating income; (xi) operating income after taxes; (xii) pre-tax profit; (xiii) operating cash flow; (xiv) sales or revenue targets; (xv) increases in revenue or product revenue; (xvi) expenses and cost reduction goals; (xvii) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (xviii) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (xix) market share; (xx) cash flow; (xxi) cash flow per share; (xxii) share price performance; (xxiii) debt reduction; (xxiv) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (xxv) customer satisfaction; (xxvi) stockholders’ equity; (xxvii) capital expenditures; (xxviii) debt levels; (xxix) operating profit or net operating profit; (xxx) workforce diversity; (xxxi) growth of net income or operating income; (xxxii) billings; (xxxiii) submission to, or approval by, a regulatory body (including but not limited to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) of an applicable filing for a product candidate or other product development milestones; (xxxiv) acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, licenses or collaborations; (xxxv) spin-offs, split-ups, reorganizations, recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (debt or equity) or refinancings; (xxxvi) manufacturing or process development, clinical trial, regulatory, intellectual property, compliance or research objectives; and (xxxvii) any other measures of performance selected by the Board. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
(jj) “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. The Board is authorized to make appropriate adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated Performance Goals; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (v) to exclude the
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effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company whether nowby reason of any stock dividend or subsequently established, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e)split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and/or the award of an annual cash incentive under the Company’s Annual Incentive Program; (x) to exclude the effect of any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss or other extraordinary item; and (f), respectively,(xi) to make other appropriate adjustments selected by the Board.
(kk) “Performance Period” means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Performance Stock Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Code.Board.
(x) (ll) “Performance Stock Award” means an Award granted under the terms and conditions of Section 6(c).
(mm) “Plan” means this Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan.
(nn) “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).
(oo) “Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(pp) “Restricted Stock Unit Award”means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).
(qq) “Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement”means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(rr) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(ss) “Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.
(tt) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(y) (uu) “Trading DayStock Appreciation Right” or “SAR”means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.
(vv) “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” or “SAR Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ww) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any day oncorporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the exchange(s)Company has a direct or market(s) on which sharesindirect interest (whether in the form of Common Stock are listed, including but not limitedvoting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.
(xx) “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the NYSE,Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the Nasdaq Global Select Market,total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital MarketCompany or any successors thereto, is open for trading.Affiliate.
(yy) “Transaction” means a Corporate Transaction or a Change in Control.
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