UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

 

Filed by the Registrant  x

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o

 

Check the appropriate box:

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o

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

Definitive Additional Materials

o

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

 

 

(2)

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(3)

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

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6430 Rockledge Drive, Suite 503

Bethesda, MD 20817

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

to be held on August 31, 2010May 17, 2011

and Proxy Statement

 

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Spherix Incorporated (the “Company”) will be held on August 31, 2010,May 17, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time, at the Bethesda Marriott Suites, 6711 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, Maryland 20817.

 

The items of business are:

 

(1)                      Election of seven (7)six (6) Directors.

(2)                      For purposes of complyingAuthorization to issue securities in one or more non-public offerings in accordance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 563(d) in connection with one or more capital-raising transactions,5635.

(3)Approval of an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to authorize the Company to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of commona reverse stock (including preferred stock, options, warrants, convertible debt or other securities exercisable for or convertible into common stock) for aggregate consideration of not more than $12,000,000 million in cash and at a price not less than 80% of the market price of the Company’s common stock at the time of issuance, with such issuances to occur, if at all, within the three-month period commencing on the date of the approval of this proposal by the stockholders, and upon such terms as the Board of Directors shall deem to be in the best interests of the Corporation.split.

(3)(4)                      Ratification of the appointment of the independent accountants.

(4)(5)Authorization to adjourn the Annual Meeting if necessary or appropriate, including to solicit additional proxies in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Annual Meeting or adjournment or postponement thereof to approve any of the foregoing proposals.

(6)                      Transaction of other business that may properly come before the Meeting.

 

These items are more fully described in the following pages, which are hereby made part of this Notice.

 

The Company’s Proxy Statement, Proxy Card, and Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2010 accompany this Notice.

 

Pursuant to the By-Laws of the Company, the Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on July 2, 2010March 18, 2011 as the Record Date for determination of Stockholders entitled to Notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof.  Only Common Stockholders of record on the date so fixed are entitled to vote.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on August 31, 2010.May 17, 2011.  Our Proxy Statement is attached.  Financial and other information concerning the Company is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009,2010, including financial statements.  Under new rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we are providing access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a Proxy Card, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the internet.  The Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K are available on http://spherix.com/investors.html.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Katherine M. Brailer, Corporate Secretary

 

PLEASE EXECUTE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING.  IF YOU DO ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE PERSONALLY, YOUR PROXY WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE REVOKED AT THAT TIME.

 

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PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

AUGUST 31, 2010MAY 17, 2011

 

This Proxy Statement is being mailed on or about July 16, 2010,April 1, 2011, with the solicitation of Proxies in the accompanying form by the Board of Directors of Spherix Incorporated, a Delaware Corporation.  The Annual Meeting of its Stockholders will be held August 31, 2010,May 17, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time, at the Bethesda Marriott Suites, 6711 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, Maryland 20817.  The cost of solicitation of Proxies will be borne by the Company.  The Company will reimburse brokers, banks, and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending Company-supplied Proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock.  In addition to solicitations by mail, Directors, Officers, and employees of the Company may solicit Proxies personally or by telegraph or telephone without additional compensation.

 

All shares represented by Proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the choices specified on the Proxy, and where no choice is specified, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.  Thus, where no choice is specified, the Proxies will be voted for the election of Directors, for authorization for the issuance of additional shares of common stock (or securities convertible into shares of common stock) as set forth herein and for ratification of the appointment of independent accountants.  A Stockholder giving a Proxy will have the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised.  A Proxy will be revoked automatically if the Stockholder who executed it is present at the Annual Meeting and elects to vote in person.

 

Each Stockholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock, $.005 par value per share (“Common Stock”), held by the Stockholder at the close of business on July 2, 2010.March 18, 2011.  At that time, there were 21,355,872 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

In accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.  Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum for the transaction of business.  A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.  Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of the election of Directors.  An abstention will be counted as a vote against the approval of any other matter to come before the Annual Meeting.  Broker non-votes will not be voted for any other matter scheduled to come before the Annual Meeting.

 

It is anticipated that the Directors and Officers will vote their shares of Common Stock in favor of the Nominees for election to the Board of Directors listed herein,herein; for authorityauthorization to issue additional sharessecurities in one or more non-public offerings in accordance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5636; for approval of commonan amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to authorize a reverse stock (or securities convertible into shares of common stock) as set forth herein, andsplit; for ratification of the appointment of independent accountants listed herein.herein; and for authorization to adjourn the Annual Meeting if necessary or appropriate.

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

(Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

 

Directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  The Board of Directors has currently fixed the number of Directors at seven (7)six (6).  Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy intend to vote the shares represented by the Proxy for the election of the seven (7)six (6) Nominees listed below.  Although it is not contemplated that any Nominee will decline or be unable to serve as a Director, in such event, Proxies will be voted by the Proxy holder for such other persons as may be designated by the Board of Directors, unless the Board of Directors reduces the number of Directors to be elected.  Election of a Board of Directors requires a plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting.

 

The current Board of Directors consists of Mr. Douglas T. Brown, Dr. Claire L. Kruger, Dr. Gilbert V. Levin, Dr. Robert A. Lodder, Jr., Mr. Aris Melissaratos, Mr. Thomas B. Peter, and Dr. Robert J. Vander Zanden.  The Board of Directors has determined that a majority of its members, being Messrs. Brown, Melissaratos, Peter, and Vander Zanden, are independent Directors within the meaning of the applicable NASD rules.

 

The following table sets forth the Nominees for Membership on the 2010-20112011-2012 Spherix Board of Directors.  It also provides certain information about the Nominees as of July 2, 2010.March 18, 2011.

 

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Nominees for Election to Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

Director

Name

 

Age

 

Position

 

Since

 

Age

 

Position

 

Since

Douglas T. Brown

 

56

 

Director

 

2004

 

57

 

Director

 

2004

Claire L. Kruger

 

51

 

Director, and Chief Executive Officer

 

2007

 

52

 

Director, and Chief Executive Officer

 

2007

Gilbert V. Levin

 

86

 

Director, and Chairman Emeritus

 

1967

Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

 

51

 

Director, and President

 

2005

Aris Melissaratos

 

66

 

Director

 

2008

 

67

 

Director

 

2008

Thomas B. Peter

 

57

 

Director

 

2009

 

57

 

Director

 

2009

Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

 

51

 

Director, and President

 

2005

Robert J. Vander Zanden

 

64

 

Director, and Chairman of the Board

 

2004

 

65

 

Director, and Chairman of the Board

 

2004

 

Mr. Douglas T. Brown, a Board Member since 2004, is Senior Vice President and Manager of the Corporate Banking Government Contracting Group for PNC Bank N.A., Washington, DC.  Mr. Brown has been with PNC and its predecessor bank, Riggs Bank, since 2001 and previously worked for Bank of America, N.A. and its predecessor banks for 16 years as a Loan Officer, as well as a manager of Loan Officers in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Subsequent to 1990, the majority of Mr. Brown’s customers are companies that providedprovide services to the Federal Government and State governments.  Mr. Brown holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from American University and a graduate degree from The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware.  He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

Dr. Claire L. Kruger was elected to the Spherix Incorporated Board of Directors in August 2007, and was also elected Chief Executive Officer and Director of Health Sciences at that time.  Dr. Kruger received her Ph.D. in Toxicology from Albany Medical College, and her B.S. in Biology from Clarkson College.  With more than 20 years of consulting experience, her primary areas of expertise are in foods, consumer products and pharmaceuticals, where she provides scientific, regulatory, and strategic support to clients in both the US and international regulatory arenas.  Dr. Kruger has conducted toxicity evaluations of foods and food contaminants, as well as health risk assessments and exposure assessments of drugs, cosmetics, and pesticides.  Her clients include food, drug, and dietary supplement manufacturers, agricultural producers, biotechnology companies, trade associations, and law firms.  In her role as a consultant, Dr. Kruger has been involved in the safety evaluation of a variety of consumer products, providing oversight of product compliance with current and emerging scientific and regulatory guidance. She is not now, nor has she been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

Dr. Gilbert V. Levin founded Spherix Incorporated in 1967 and served the Company in a variety of capacities from incorporation until his retirement in August 2008.  He is currently Adjunct Professor in the Beyond Center of the College of Liberal Sciences, Arizona State University, and is an Honorary Professor at Cardiff University, Wales, UK.  Dr. Levin previously served in the public health departments of Maryland, California, and the District of Columbia and, subsequently, as a research scientist and corporate official.  Among his inventions are low-caloric sweeteners; biological nutrient removal (BNR) for municipal wastewater, rapid detection and identification of microorganisms; and the Labeled Release life detection experiment that landed on Mars in 1976 aboard NASA’s Viking Mission.  He holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and a Ph.D., all from The Johns Hopkins University, where he also served on its Board of Trustees and presently serves on its National Advisory Council for the Whiting School of Engineering. He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

Dr. Robert A. Lodder, Spherix Incorporated Board Member since 2005, was elected President in August 2007.  He served as a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky Medical Center, and holds joint appointments in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the Department of Chemistry at Kentucky.  Dr. Lodder received his B.S. degree cum laude in Natural Science in 1981, and his M.S. in Chemistry in 1983 from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio.  He received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 1988 from Indiana University.  He was a founder of InfraReDx, Inc. in 1998 and Prescient Medical, Inc. in 2004.  Neither of these companies are public, and they do not engage in business with Spherix.  He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

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Mr. Aris Melissaratos was elected to the Spherix Board of Directors in February 2008.  He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the President of The Johns Hopkins University with responsibilities for technology transfer, corporate partnerships, and enterprise development.  From 2003 to 2007, he served as Secretary of Business and Economic Development for the State of Maryland, driving the state’s unemployment figures to an impressive 3.6% and positioning Maryland for leadership in the emerging “knowledge economy.”  He worked for Westinghouse Electric Corporation for 32 years, culminating as the corporation’s Chief Technology Officer and Vice President for Science and Technology, responsible for running Westinghouse’s research and development functions.  He also served as the Chief Operations Officer for the company’s Defense Electronics Group, where he was responsible for managing 16,000 employees (9,000 engineers) and $3.2 billion dollars of sales.  After Westinghouse, he became Vice President of Thermo Electron Corporation and CEO of its Coleman Research Corporation and Thermo Information Solutions subsidiaries.  He formed Armel Scientifics, LLC, which invested in over 30 start-up companies in Life Sciences and Advanced Technology.  He holds a B.E.S. in electrical engineering from The Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Science in engineering management from George Washington University, and has completed the program for Management Development at the Harvard University School of Business.  He completed

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the course work for a Ph.D. in International Politics at the Catholic University of America but did not complete the dissertation.  Mr. Melissaratos currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Avatech Solutions, Inc. in Owings Mills, MD, a software and technology firm; and as a member of the Advisory Board of Stronghold Advisors, a middle-market advisory firm in the Mid-Atlantic region, in Columbia, MD.  Neither of these companies engage in business with Spherix.

 

Mr. Thomas B. Peter was elected to the Spherix Board of Directors in May 2009.  He spent his entire 33-year career in the pharmaceutical industry.  Most recently he served as a Regional Vice President for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).  Prior to that, Mr. Peter had significant experience dealing with managed care organizations, serving as Director of National Accounts Sales at GSK, and before that position, worked as a Group Marketing Director.  Mr. Peter is a biology major graduate of Gettysburg College and a Master’s graduate of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.  He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

Dr. Robert J. Vander Zanden, Board Member since 2004, was elected Chairman of the Board in 2009.  Having served as a Vice President of R&D with Kraft Foods International, he brings a long and distinguished career in applied technology, product commercialization, and business knowledge of the food science industry to Spherix.  Dr. Vander Zanden holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and an M.S. in Inorganic Chemistry from Kansas State University, and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin — Platteville, where he was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2002.  In his 30-year career, he has been with ITT Continental Baking Company as a Product Development Scientist; with Ralston Purina’s Protein Technology Division as Manager Dietary Foods R&D; with Keebler as Group Director, Product and Process Development (with responsibility for all corporate R&D and quality); with Grupo Gamesa, a Frito-Lay Company, as Vice President, Technology; and with Nabisco as Vice President of R&D for their International Division.  With the acquisition of Nabisco by Kraft Foods, he became the Vice President of R&D for Kraft’s Latin American Division.  Dr. Vander Zanden retired from Kraft Foods in 2004.  He currently holds the title of Adjunct Professor and Lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Clemson University, where he also is a member of their Industry Advisory Board.  His focus on achieving product and process innovation through training, team building and creating positive working environments has resulted in his being recognized with many awards for product and packaging innovation.  Dr. Vander Zanden is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Brown, Melissaratos, Peter, and Vander Zanden, constituting a majority of the Nominees, are independent Directors within the meaning of the applicable NASD rules.

 

The by-laws provide that a Stockholder of the Company entitled to vote for the election of Directors may nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors by providing written notice to the Secretary of the Company not less than 10 and not more than 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.  Such notice shall include (i) the name and address of the Stockholder and of each person to be nominated, (ii) a representation that the Stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such Meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the Meeting to nominate each person specified, (iii) a description of all understandings between the Stockholder and each nominee and other person (naming such person) pursuant to which the nomination is to be made by the Stockholder, (iv) such other information regarding each nominee as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had the nominee been

4



nominated by the Board of Directors and (v) the consent of each nominee to serve as a Director of the Company if so elected.  The Chairman of the Meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures.

 

Except as noted above, no Director serves as a director of any other publicly-held company.  There is not and has not been for the previous two fiscal years any relationship between the Company and any company in which any Director has a 1% or greater interest.

 

Board of Directors and Committee Meetings in Board Year 2009-20102010-2011

 

The Company’s Board of Directors held three (3)two (2) regular meetings from November 3, 2009 to May 25, 2010;26, 2010 through March 18, 2011; and four (4)eight (8) special meetings.  The Board of Directors has five (5)six (6) Committees:  Audit, Compensation & Benefits, Executive, Nominating, Pricing, and Strategic Planning.  The Committees generally meet quarterly.

4



 

The Audit Committee members are Mr. Brown, Chair; Mr. Melissaratos, and Dr. Vander Zanden.  The Committee has authority to review the financial records of the Company, deal with its independent auditors, recommend to the Board policies with respect to financial reporting, and investigate all aspects of the Company’s business.  There were six (6)four (4) Audit Committee meetings during this time period.  The Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.  Each member of the Audit Committee satisfies the independence requirements and other established criteria of the NASD and the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Board of Directors believes that, while the members of its Audit Committee have substantial financial and management experience and are fully qualified to carry out the functions of the Audit Committee, none of its members meets the requirements of an audit committee financial expert as defined in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

 

The Compensation & Benefits Committee oversees the Company’s executive compensation and recommends various incentives for key employees to encourage and reward increased corporate financial performance, productivity and innovation.  Its members are Mr. Melissaratos, Chair; Mr. Peter, and Dr. Vander Zanden.  There were three (3)two (2) meetings during this time period.  The Compensation Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.

 

The Executive Committee may act on behalf of the Board of Directors on matters requiring action in the interim between meetings of the full Board.  Its members are Dr. Vander Zanden, Chair; Dr. Kruger, and Dr. Lodder.  Three (3)Two (2) meetings were held by this Committee during this time period.

 

The Nominating Committee recommends to the Board, for adoption by the Board, the proposed Board for election by the Stockholders.  Its members are Mr. Peter, Chair; Mr. Brown, and Mr. Melissaratos, who held one (1) meeting during this time period.  The Nominating Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.  The Nominating Committee does not have any formal minimum qualifications for Director candidates.  The Nominating Committee identifies candidates by first evaluating current members of the Board who are willing to continue in service.  If any member of the Board does not wish to continue in service or if the Board decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the Nominating Committee then identifies the desired skills and experience of a new candidate(s).

 

Among other factors, when considering a prospective candidate, the Nominating Committee considers a candidate’s business experience and skills, science and technology attributes pertinent to Company business, personal integrity and judgment, and possible conflicts of interest.  To date, the Nominating Committee has not utilized the services of any search firm to assist it in identifying Director candidates.  The Nominating Committee’s policy is to consider Director candidate recommendations from its Stockholders which are received prior to any Annual Meeting, including confirmation of the candidate’s consent to serve as a Director.  Upon receipt of such a recommendation, the Nominating Committee will solicit appropriate information about the candidate in order to evaluate the candidate, including information that would need to be described in the Company’s Proxy Statement if the candidate were nominated.  Candidates recommended by Stockholders will be evaluated on the same basis as other candidates.

 

The Pricing Committee acts as the Board’s agent to evaluate and approve potential Placement Agent, Securities Purchase, Warrant, and other stock sale agreements.  Its members are Mr. Brown, Chair; Mr. Melissaratos, Mr. Peter, and Dr. Vander Zanden.  There were two (2) Pricing Committee meetings during this time period.

The Strategic Planning Committee uses the experience and expertise of its members to assist the Board of Directors by presenting for approval strategic long-term plans for our businesses.  All members of the Board of Directors are also members of the Strategic Planning Committee.  Four (4) meetingsOne (1) meeting of this Committee werewas held and were attended by all members.during this time period.

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Any Stockholder may communicate in writing by mail at any time with the entire Board of Directors or any individual Director (addressed to “Board of Directors” or to a named Director), c/o Spherix Incorporated, ATTN:  K. Brailer, 6430 Rockledge Drive, Suite 503, Bethesda, MD 20817, or via e-mail at info@spherix.com.  All communications will be promptly relayed to the appropriate Directors.  The Corporate Secretary will coordinate all responses.

 

It is the policy of the Board of Directors that its members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting.  The 20092010 Annual Meeting was attended by all Directors except for Dr. Levin who was unable to attend because of a minor illness.Directors.

5



 

The Company has adopted a worldwide Code of Ethics, which is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.

 

Corporate Governance

 

The Audit Committee members are Mr. Brown, Chair; Mr. Melissaratos, and Dr. Vander Zanden.  The Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.  Each member of the Audit Committee satisfies the independence requirements and other established criteria of NASDAQ and the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Board of Directors believes that, while the members of its Audit Committee have substantial financial and management experience and are fully qualified to carry out the functions of the Audit Committee, none of its members meets the requirements of an audit committee financial expert as defined in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

 

Executive Officers

 

The Executive Officers of the Company are elected annually by the Board of Directors and are listed in the following table.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Robert L. Clayton

 

47

 

CFO and Treasurer

Claire L. Kruger

 

5152

 

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Robert A. Lodder

 

51

 

President

 

Drs. Kruger and Lodder’s professional experience are discussed above.

 

Mr. Robert L. Clayton was elected to the Office of CFO and Treasurer in August 2007, and was electedNovember 2009.  He previously served as Interim CFO, Director of Finance, and Treasurer in May 2005.  Mr. Clayton previously served as Controller.  Prior to joining Spherix, he was a Senior Auditor for the public accounting firmPublic Accounting Firm Rubino & McGeehin Chartered.  Mr. Clayton holds a B.S. in business and management from the University of Maryland and a C.P.A. from the District of Columbia.  He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Regarding Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers, and anyone who beneficially owns ten percent (10%) or more of the Company’s common stock, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of common stock.  Such persons are required by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

Based solely upon a review of (i) copies of the Section 16(a) filings received by the Company during or with respect to 20092010 and (ii) certain written representations of its Officers and Directors, the Company believes that

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each filing required to be made pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during and with respect to 20092010 and 20102011 to date was filed in a timely manner.

6



 

Code of Ethics

 

The Company has adopted a worldwide Code of Ethics, which is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.

 

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

We strive to pay our named executive officers at or near the median paid by comparable companies.  In 2007, the Compensation Committee hired an outside company, Equilar, Inc., to compare the total compensation of our executives to the total compensation of fourteen (14) companies identified by Equilar, Inc. to be peer companies to us.  The Equilar Report on Executive Compensation showed that our executives are not compensated at the same level as colleagues in peer companies.  Based upon our fiscal health, however, it washas been determined by the Compensation Committee that in 2008 and 2009 no special efforts should be made to bring executive total compensation to equivalent levels of those in peer companies.  The Compensation Committee recommended to the Board the salary adjustments for our executive officers.  In 2010, the Board approved annual salaries for Dr. Kruger, Dr. Lodder and Mr. Clayton of $270,000, $220,000 and $200,000, respectively.  For 2011, the Board approved annual salaries for Dr. Kruger, Dr. Lodder and Mr. Clayton of $278,100, $226,600 and $206,000, respectively.

 

The following Summary of Compensation table sets forth the compensation paid by the Company during the two years ended December 31, 2009,2010, to all Executive Officers earning in excess of $100,000 during any year.

 

Summary of Compensation

Name and
Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

Bonus
($)

 

Stock
Award
($)(1)

 

Option
Award
($)(2)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)

 

Change in
Pension Value
and Non-
Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)

 

All Other
Compen-
sation ($)

 

Total ($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Non-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Equity

 

Qualified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

Option

 

Incentive Plan

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

Name and

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus

 

Award

 

Award

 

Compensation

 

Compensation

 

All Other

 

 

 

Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

($)

 

($)(1)

 

($)(2)

 

($)(3)

 

Earnings ($)

 

Compensation ($) 

 

Total ($)

 

C. Kruger

 

2009

 

190,000

 

 

10,850

 

 

95,000

 

 

 

295,850

 

 

2010

 

270,000

 

 

 

 

135,000

 

 

 

405,000

 

CEO and COO

 

2008

 

186,667

 

 

18,600

 

 

76,000

 

 

 

281,267

 

 

2009

 

190,000

 

 

10,850

 

 

95,000

 

 

 

295,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Lodder

 

2009

 

170,000

 

 

 

 

59,500

 

 

 

229,500

 

 

2010

 

220,000

 

 

 

 

88,000

 

 

 

308,000

 

President

 

2008

 

166,667

 

 

22,500

 

 

68,000

 

 

 

257,167

 

 

2009

 

170,000

 

 

 

 

59,500

 

 

 

229,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Clayton

 

2009

 

228,031

 

 

 

940

 

 

 

 

228,971

 

 

2010

 

200,000

 

 

 

118

 

70,000

 

 

 

270,118

 

CFO and Treasurer

 

2008

 

224,625

 

 

 

940

 

 

 

 

225,565

 

 

2009

 

228,031

 

 

 

940

 

 

 

 

228,971

 

 


(1)          On August 1, 2007, C. Kruger was granted 30,000 shares in restricted stock with a market price on the date of grant of $1.86.  The restricted stock vested in equal amounts of 10,000 shares on August 1, 2007, August 1, 2008 and August 1, 2009.  On August 16, 2007, R. Lodder was granted 15,000 shares in restricted stock with a market price of the date of grant of $2.00.  The restricted stock vested in equal amounts of 7,500 shares on March 1, 2008 and September 1, 2008.

(2)          On February 17, 2006, R. Clayton was granted stock options for 2,000 shares, respectively.shares.  Information regarding forfeiture and assumptions made in the valuation are disclosed in Note 7.8 of the Company’s Annual Financial Statements (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K dated December 31, 2010).

(3)          Awards pursuant to the May 12, 2005 Spherix Incorporated Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

7



 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable

 

Option
Exercise
Price ($)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
that have
not Vested
(#)

 

Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock that
have not
Vested ($)

 

C. Kruger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Lodder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Clayton

 

1,000

 

500

(1)

$

2.20

 

2/15/2011

 

 

 


(1)Vested on 2/16/2010.

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

Market

 

 

 

Number of

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

of Shares

 

Value of

 

 

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

 

 

 

 

or Units

 

Shares or

 

 

 

Underlying

 

Underlying

 

 

 

 

 

of Stock

 

Units of

 

 

 

Unexercised

 

Unexercised

 

Option

 

Option

 

that have

 

Stock that

 

 

 

Options (#)

 

Options (#)

 

Exercise

 

Expiration

 

not Vested

 

have not

 

 Name 

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

Price ($)

 

Date

 

(#)

 

Vested ($)

 

C. Kruger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Lodder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Clayton

 

2,000

 

 

$

2.20

 

2/15/2011

 

 

 

 

Potential Payment Upon Termination or Change in Control

 

We have agreed to pay our officers one year salary and health and welfare (COBRA) benefits upon termination by us or following a change of control.

 

Unless otherwise agreed by the Board of Directors, the other named Executive Officersstaff members would be entitled to severance upon termination of employment pursuant to the Company’s severance policy.  The policy provides:

 

Completed Service Years

 

Severance Pay

> 1 year

 

10 days

1 but less than 2 years

 

15 days

2 but less than 3 years

 

20 days

3 but less than 4 years

 

25 days

4 or more years

 

30 days

 

No other named Executive Officer has any commitment for payments upon a change of control of the Company.

 

8



Director Compensation

 

The following table summarizes the compensation paid to non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2009.2010.

 

Name

 

Fees Earned
Paid in Cash ($)

 

Stock Awards ($)

 

All Other
Compensation ($)

 

Total
($)

 

 

Fees Earned
Paid in Cash ($)

 

Options ($)

 

All Other
Compensation ($)

 

Total
($)

 

Douglas T. Brown

 

22,900

 

10,000

 

 

32,900

 

 

24,000

 

7,193

 

 

31,193

 

A. Paul Cox

 

4,900

 

 

 

4,900

 

Gilbert V. Levin

 

 

 

*

 

*

 

 

 

 

*

 

*

 

Aris Melissaratos

 

21,300

 

10,000

 

 

31,300

 

 

24,600

 

7,193

 

 

31,793

 

Thomas B. Peter

 

10,300

 

 

 

10,300

 

 

16,556

 

7,193

 

 

23,749

 

Robert J. Vander Zanden

 

23,500

 

10,000

 

 

33,500

 

 

30,800

 

7,193

 

 

37,993

 

 


*Under employment agreements with Dr. Gilbert V. Levin and Mrs. M. Karen Levin, our founders, we have agreed to provide Dr. and Mrs. Levin each with lifetime payments of $12,500 each quarter and to fund long-term lifetime healthcare and health insurance policies following their retirements on August 14, 2008 and January 4, 2006, respectively.  At December 31, 2009,2010, our liability for both Dr. and Mrs. Levin was estimated to be $480,000$450,000 for the lifetime payments and $240,000$245,000 for funding the long-term lifetime healthcare and health insurance policies based on actuarially determined amounts.  The non-current portion of these amounts is reported on the accompanying balance sheet as deferred compensation.  During 2009 and 2008,2010, we paid Dr. and Mrs. Levin a combined total of $135,000 and $123,000$140,000 in post-retirement benefits.  In addition,January 2011, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with Dr. and Mrs. Levin also received $87,000pursuant to which the Company agreed to make a one time lump sum payment of $450,000 to the Levins in salaries during 2008.  Dr.full satisfaction of the Company’s obligation to make a series of continuing payments to the Levins relating to their prior employment by the Company.  Per the terms of the agreement, Gilbert V. Levin continues to serveresigned as a member of the Board of Directors.Directors of the Company on January 13, 2011.

8



 

Non-employee directors receive the following annual compensation for service as a member of the Board:

 

Annual Retainer

 

$

5,000

 

To be paid in cash at May Board Meeting annually.

 

$

5,000

 

To be paid in cash at May Board Meeting annually.

Stock Options

 

$

10,000

 

Number of shares to be calculated by dividing $10,000 by the closing stock price the day of the May Board Meeting. Option will vest immediately and be exercisable for a period of five (5) years.

 

$

10,000

 

To be calculated by dividing $10,000 by the closing stock price the day the Stock Options are awarded; and at the May Board Meeting annually thereafter. The Options will vest in full on the day of award and will be exercisable for a period of five (5) years.

Board Meeting Fees

 

$

2,500

 

To be paid for all in-person Board Meetings. Members must be present to be paid.

 

$

2,500

 

To be paid for all in-person Board Meetings. Members must be present to be paid.

Committee Meeting Fees

 

$

800

 

To be paid for all in-person Committee Meetings. Members must be present to be paid.

 

$

800

 

To be paid for all in-person Committee Meetings. Members must be present to be paid.

Teleconference Fees

 

$

300

 

To be paid for all teleconferences called by either the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by the Chairman of the relevant Committee. Members must be on-line to be paid.

 

$

300

 

To be paid for all teleconferences called by either the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by the Chairman of the relevant Committee. Members must be on-line to be paid.

Additional Retainer

 

$

1,000

 

To be paid to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

$

1,000

 

To be paid to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

On January 13, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with Gilbert V. Levin and M. Karen Levin pursuant to which the Company agreed to make a one time lump sum payment to the Levins in full satisfaction of the Company’s obligation to make a series of continuing payments to the Levins relating to their prior employment by the Company.  The $450,000 lump sum payment was made to the Levins on January 31, 2011.  Per the terms of the agreement, Gilbert V. Levin resigned as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company on January 13, 2011.

 

Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management

 

The following table sets forth the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by all Executive Officers and Directors as a group as of July 2, 2010 Except for Dr. Levin, Director and Chairman Emeritus, and his wife, no person is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock. The ownership of Dr.��Levin is detailed below.March 18, 2011.

9



 

Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Executive Officers and Directors

Title of Class

Name of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of
Ownership

Percent Of
Class

Common

Douglas T. Brown

(2)

*

Common

Robert L. Clayton

(2)

*

Common

Claire L. Kruger

(2)

*

Common

Gilbert V. Levin

(1) (2)

%

Common

Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

(2)

*

Common

Aris Melissaratos

(2)

*

Common

Thomas B. Peter

(2)

*

Common

Robert J. Vander Zanden

(2)

*

Common

All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group

(2)

%

Title of Class

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and Nature of
Ownership

 

Percent Of
Class

 

Common

 

Douglas T. Brown

 

47,590

(1)

*

 

Common

 

Robert L. Clayton

 

(1)

*

 

Common

 

Claire L. Kruger

 

30,000

(1)

*

 

Common

 

Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

 

22,852

(1)

*

 

Common

 

Aris Melissaratos

 

25,053

(1)

*

 

Common

 

Thomas B. Peter

 

15,438

(1)

*

 

Common

 

Robert J. Vander Zanden

 

38,590

(1)

*

 

Common

 

All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group

 

179,523

(1)

0.7

%

 


*                 Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock.

(1)          Includes shares owned by M. Karen Levin.

(2)Included in the number of shares beneficially owned by D.T. Brown, R.L. Clayton, C.L. Kruger, G.V. Levin, R.A. Lodder, A. Melissaratos, T.B. Peter, R.J. Vander Zanden and All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group are 8,772, 0, 0, 0, 8,772, 8,772, 8,772 and 35,088 shares, respectively, which such persons have a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to stock options.

 

As of December 31, 2009,March 18, 2011, Dr. Levin, 3170 S. Ocean Boulevard, #602S, Palm Beach, FL 33480, beneficially owned in the aggregate 2,364,107 shares of Common Stock (           %(9.2% of the 17,150,64825,624,872 outstanding shares).  As principal stockholders, Dr. Levin and his wife are considered control persons with respect to us.

 

All directors and executive officers as a group, beneficial owners of 196,523 shares of Common Stock, owned %0.8% of the 25,624,872 outstanding shares. With the exception of Cede & Co., the holder of record for certain brokerage firms and banks, no other person is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding Common Stock.

 

9



In February 2001,December 2010, the Board of Directors adoptedCompany and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, entered into a First Amendment to Rights Agreement to amend the Rights Agreement (the “Agreement”).dated as of February 16, 2001 between the Company and the Rights Agent.  The Amendment extends the term of the Rights Agreement.  The Rights Agreement was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2010.  The Amendment extends the term of the Rights Agreement through December 31, 2012.

The Rights Agreement provides each Stockholder of record a dividend distribution of one “right” for each outstanding share of the Company’s Common Stock.  Rights become exercisable at the earlier of ten days following:  (1) a public announcement that an acquirer has purchased or has the right to acquire 10% or more of the Company’s Common Stock, or (2) the commencement of a tender offer which would result in an offeror beneficially owning 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company.  All rights held by an acquirer or offeror expire on the announced acquisition date, and all rights expire at the close of business on December 31, 2010.2012.  Each right entitles a Stockholder to acquire, at a stated purchase price, 1/100 of a share of the Company’s preferred stock, which carries voting and dividend rights similar to one share of its Common Stock.  Alternatively, a right holder may elect to purchase for the stated price an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price per share equal to one-half of the average market price for a specified period.  In lieu of the stated purchase price, a right holder may elect to acquire one-half of the Common Stock available under the second option.  The purchase price of the preferred stock fractional amount is subject to adjustment for certain events as described in the Agreement.  At the discretion of a majority of the Board and within a specified time period, the Company may redeem all of the rights at a price of $0.001 per right.  The Board may also amend any provisions of the Agreement prior to exercise.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

The current Board of Directors consists of Mr. Douglas T. Brown, Dr. Claire L. Kruger, Dr. Gilbert V. Levin, Dr. Robert A. Lodder, Jr., Mr. Aris Melissaratos, Mr. Thomas P. Peter, and Dr. Robert J. Vander Zanden.  The Board of Directors has determined that a majority of its members, being Messrs. Brown, Melissaratos, Peter, and Vander Zanden, are independent Directors within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ rules.  The Company’s Audit, Compensation, and Nominating Committees consist solely of independent Directors.

10



 

Audit Committee Report

 

The following report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this report by reference therein.

 

During fiscal year 2009,2010, in overseeing the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, the Audit Committee met with both management and the Company’s outside auditors to review and discuss all financial statements prior to their issuance and to discuss significant accounting issues.  Management advised the Committee that all financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Committee discussed the statements with both management and the outside auditors.  The Committee’s review included receipt of written disclosures and letters from the outside auditors as well as a discussion with the outside auditors of matters required pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114 (Communication With Audit Committees).

 

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent auditors the independent auditors’ independence.

 

On the basis of these reviews and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Board approve the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009,2010, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

This report is submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

 

Douglas T. Brown, Chair

 

Aris Melissaratos

10



 

Robert J. Vander Zanden

 

Independent Public Accountants

 

The following table sets forth the fees paid by the Company to Grant Thornton LLP for audit and other services provided in 20092010 and 2008:2009:

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit fees

 

$

140,000

 

$

131,000

 

 

$

146,000

 

$

140,000

 

Tax fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

140,000

 

$

131,000

 

 

$

146,000

 

$

140,000

 

 

The Audit Committee considered whether the provision of services referenced above is compatible with maintaining Grant Thornton’s independence. The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors.  These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services.  Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year.  The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.

 

11



 

AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE SECURITIES IN CONNECTION WITH CAPITAL-RAISING

TRANSACTIONSONE OR MORE NON-PUBLIC OFFERINGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH NASDAQ MARKETPLACE RULE 5635(d)5635

(ItemsItem 2 on the Proxy Card)

 

Our common stock is currently listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market and we are subject to the marketplace rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.  NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5635(d) requires us to obtain stockholdershareholder approval prior to the issuance of our common stock in connection with a transaction other than a public offeringcertain non-public offerings involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by the Company of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) (i) at a price less than the greater of book or market value, which together with sales by our officers, directors or substantial shareholders equals 20% or more of common stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance; or (ii) equal to 20% or more of the common stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance for less than the greater of book or market value of the stock.issuance.   Shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of warrants, options, debt instruments, preferred stock or other equity securities issued or granted in such a capital-raising transactionnon-public offerings will be considered shares issued in such a transaction in determining whether the 20% limit has been reached, except in certain circumstances such as issuing warrants that are not exercisable for a minimum of six months and have an exercise price that exceeds the market value.

We are seeking stockholder approval for the potential issuance of shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into our common stock, in one or more capital-raising transactions, or offerings, subject to the following limitations:

·The aggregate number of shares issued in the offerings will not exceed 15,000,000 shares of our common stock (including pursuant to preferred stock, options, warrants, convertible debt or other securities exercisable for or convertible into common stock);

·The total aggregate consideration will not exceed $12 million in cash;

·The maximum discount at which the shares of common stock may be offered will be 20% below the market price of our common stock at the time of issuance;

·Such offerings will occur, if at all, within the three-month period commencing on the date of the approval by the shareholders; and

·Such other terms as the board of directors shall deem to be in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders.

 

We intend to seek additional capital to implement our business strategy and enhance our overall capitalization.  We are continuing in an attempt to commercialize D-tagatose as a drug candidate. We have been attempting to develop D-tagatose as a drugcandidate for treatment ofboth Type 2 diabetes. We have recently announced that we are also seeking to develop D-tagatosediabetes as a treatment for triglycerides.  We need to raise additional funds to continue these development efforts.

 

We have not determined the particular terms for such prospective offerings.  Because we may seek additional capital that triggers the requirements of NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5635(d), we are seeking shareholder approval now, so that we will be able to move quickly in the near future to take full advantage of any opportunities that may develop in the equity markets.

We are seeking shareholder approval for the potential issuance of shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into our common stock, in one or more capital-raising transactions, or offerings, subject to the following limitations:

·The aggregate number of shares issued in the offerings will not exceed 15 million shares of our common stock, subject to adjustment for any reverse stock split effected prior to the offerings (including pursuant to preferred stock, options, warrants, convertible debt or other securities exercisable for or convertible into common stock);

·The total aggregate consideration will not exceed $12 million in cash;

·The maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock at the time of issuance;

·Such offerings will occur, if at all, on or before December 31, 2011;  and

·Such other terms as the board of directors shall deem to be in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders.

We expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-1 for a registered direct offering of our securities.  The registration statement will seek to register the issuance of newly-issued shares of our common stock or securities convertible into newly-issued shares of our common stock.  If the shareholders authorize the issuance of additional securities as set forth in this proxy statement, we could sell securities in a registered direct offering pursuant to the Form S-1 registration statement after it is declared effective by the SEC.

 

The issuance of shares of our common stock, or other securities convertible into shares of our common stock, in accordance with any offerings would dilute, and thereby reduce, each existing shareholder’s proportionate ownership in our common stock.  The board of directors has not yet determined the terms and conditions of any offerings.  As a result, the level of potential dilution cannot be determined at this time, but as discussed above, we may not issue more than 15,000,00015 million shares of common stock in the aggregate pursuant to the authority requested from shareholders under this proposal.proposal (subject to adjustment for any reverse stock split).  It is possible that if we conduct a non-public stock offering, some of the shares we sell could be purchased by one or more investors who could acquire a large block of our common stock.  This would concentrate voting power in the hands of a few shareholders who could exercise greater influence on our operations or the outcome of matters put to a vote of shareholders in the future.  Although we do not anticipate that the issuance of common stock pursuant to the

12



offerings will result in a “change in control” (as used in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5635), in the event it does, shareholder approval of the offerings will also constitute approval of

12



any change of control for the purposes of NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5635 and no additional shareholder approval will be required or sought.

 

We cannot determine what the actual net proceeds of the offerings will be until they are completed, but as discussed above, the aggregate dollar amount of the non-public offerings will be no more than $12 million.  If all or part of the Offeringsofferings is completed, the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including our continuing D-tagatose development efforts.  We currently have no arrangements or understandings regarding any specific transaction with investors, so we cannot predict whether we will be successful should we seek to raise capital through any offerings.

 

Assuming a quorum is present, approval of these prospective securities offerings requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast on this matter (in person or by proxy by the shares of common stock entitled to vote at the meeting)Meeting), in accordance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5635(e)(4).

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE OFFERINGS.AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE SECURITIES IN ONE OR MORE NON-PUBLIC OFFERINGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH NASDAQ MARKETPLACE RULE 5635.

 

13



 

APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF

INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED, OF SPHERIX INCORPORATED

TO AUTHORIZE A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

(Item 3 on the Proxy Card)

At the November 17, 2009 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders, the Stockholders granted the Company’s Board of Directors the authority to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock at any time within eighteen (18) months.  Accordingly, the Board of Directors has authority until mid-May 2011 to effect a reverse stock split at a ratio within a range of 1:5 to 1:20 and a reduction in the number of authorized shares of common stock at a corresponding ratio.  If the Board of Directors decides to implement the reverse stock split, it will become effective upon the filing of an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.  If the reverse stock split is implemented, the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock and the total number of authorized shares of common stock will be reduced in accordance with the ratio designated by the Board of Directors.

As is detailed below, the reverse stock split would be implemented in an attempt to avoid a delisting of the Company’s common stock from the NASDAQ Capital Market.

Further as noted below, the Company’s stock price has dropped below $1.00 per share and NASDAQ has initiated a process to delist the Company’s common stock.  In November, 2010, NASDAQ advised that if the price of the Company’s common stock did not increase above $1.00 per share during an initial cure period which will expire in late-May 2011, it will proceed with the delisting procedure.

The Board of Directors is currently evaluating whether to effect the reverse stock split pursuant to the authority granted by the Stockholders in November, 2009, or to request an extension of the cure period from NASDAQ for an additional one hundred eighty (180) days, or until mid-November 2011. As set forth below, the Company is requesting the Stockholders to authorize (i) in the event the Board of Directors seeks and obtains an extension of the cure period from NASDAQ, an extension of the authority to effect a reverse stock split granted in November 2009 and (ii) in the event the Board of Directors effects the currently authorized reverse stock split, a second stock split, if required.

Except for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares as described below, each Stockholder will hold the same percentage of common stock outstanding immediately following a reverse stock split as that Stockholder held immediately before the reverse stock split.

The form of the Certificate of Amendment to accomplish the initial reverse stock split is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.  The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Certificate of Amendment, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Background

The Company’s common stock is currently listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market.  In November 2010, NASDAQ initiated a process to delist the Company’s stock because the Company’s stock price dropped below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on NASDAQ.  NASDAQ granted the Company a cure period for the stock price to rebound which expires in late-May 2011.

At a Special Meeting of the Stockholders held on November 17, 2008, the Stockholders approved a reverse stock split and authorized the Board of Directors to implement a reverse stock split at its discretion at any time through mid-November 2009.  At the November 17, 2009, Annual Meeting, the Stockholders approved an amendment to extend the Board of Directors’ authority to effect a reverse stock split within 18 months.  The authority to effect such a reverse stock split expires on May 17, 2011.

The Board of Directors is currently evaluating whether to effect the reverse stock split or whether to request a one hundred eighty (180) day extension of the cure period from NASDAQ.

In the event the Company seeks a cure period extension and is granted the extension, the Company would have until mid-November 2011 for its stock price to rebound above $1.00 before NASDAQ would take any further action on the delisting.  However, the authority granted by the Stockholders to the Board of Directors to effect the reverse stock split currently expires on May 17, 2011, so the Board of Directors believes it is prudent to seek an

14



extension of this authority.  Without such an extension, if the Company’s stock price remains below the minimum bid price requirement, the Company would be required to hold a Special Meeting, at considerable cost, to obtain Stockholder approval of a reverse stock split.  Accordingly, the Board of Directors believes that it is preferable to seek extension of the authorization of a reverse stock split from the Stockholders at this Annual Meeting.

Alternatively, the Board of Directors may determine not to seek an extension from NASDAQ of the cure period (or NASDAQ may deny the extension request).  In such an event, the Board of Directors will likely effect the reverse stock split before the end of May 2011.  In this event, there is no guarantee that this action will raise the price of our common stock to avoid a NASDAQ delisting either initially or on a longer term basis.  Thus, it is possible that we might desire to effect a second reverse stock split prior to our next Annual Meeting in order to attempt to avoid a NASDAQ delisting.  Once again, the Board of Directors believes it is prudent to request authorization from the Stockholders now rather than incurring the additional cost which would be incurred in connection with a Special Meeting.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors is seeking authority to implement a reverse stock split under both of the above described scenarios.  The authority sought by the Board of Directors is consistent with the authority granted by the Stockholders at the November 17, 2008 Special Meeting, and extended on November 17, 2009, except that the Board of Directors is now requesting that this authority extend for a period ending May 31, 2012.  The balance of the provisions of the Proxy Statement describing this action is nearly identical to the disclosure set forth in the Proxy Statement issued in connection with the November 17, 2008 Special Meeting, and the November 17, 2009 Annual Meeting.

Purpose of the Reverse Stock Split

The Board of Directors’ primary objective in proposing the reverse stock split is to raise the per share trading price of the Company’s common stock in the event it becomes necessary to maintain and/or regain compliance with the NASDAQ $1.00 bid price listing standards.  In this event the Board believes that a higher price per share would better enable the Company to maintain the listing of its common stock on NASDAQ.  In addition, the Board believes that the reverse stock split could (i) better facilitate higher levels of institutional stock ownership, where investment policies generally prohibit investments in lower-priced securities and (ii) better enable the Company to raise funds to finance its planned operations.

If a delisting from NASDAQ were to occur, the Common Stock would then trade on the OTC Bulletin Board or in the “pink sheets.”  The alternative markets are generally considered to be less efficient than, and not as broad as, The NASDAQ Global Market or The NASDAQ Capital Market.  The Board has considered the potential harm to the Company of a delisting from NASDAQ and believes that a reverse stock split would help the Company regain compliance with NASDAQ’s minimum bid price listing standard.

However, there can be no assurance that a reverse stock split, if implemented, will have the desired effect of proportionately raising our common stock price over the long term, or at all.  The effect of a reverse stock split upon the market price of our common stock cannot be predicted with any certainty, and the history of similar stock splits for companies in similar circumstances is varied.  Under applicable NASDAQ rules, in order to regain compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement and maintain our listing on NASDAQ, the $1.00 bid price must be maintained for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive business days.  However, under NASDAQ rules, NASDAQ may, in its discretion, require us to maintain a bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a period in excess of ten (10) consecutive business days, but generally no more than twenty (20) consecutive business days, before determining that we have demonstrated an ability to maintain long-term compliance with the minimum bid price requirement.  Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our NASDAQ listing after a reverse stock split is effected or that the market price per share after the reverse stock split will exceed or remain in excess of the $1.00 minimum bid price for a sustained period of time.  The market price of our common stock may vary based on other factors which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding, including our future performance.  We also cannot assure you that our common stock will not be delisted due to a failure to meet other continued listing requirements even if after the reverse stock split the market price per share of our common stock remains in excess of $1.00.

The Board further believes that an increased stock price may encourage investor interest and improve the marketability of our common stock to a broader range of investors, thus enhancing its liquidity.  Because of the trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks, many brokerage firms and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage

15



individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers.  Some of these policies and practices pertain to the payment of brokers’ commissions and to time-consuming procedures that function to make the handling of lower-priced stocks unattractive to brokers from an economic standpoint.  Additionally, because brokers’ commissions on lower-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, the current share price of the common stock results in an individual Stockholder paying transaction costs that represent a higher percentage of total share value than would be the case if our share price were substantially higher.  This factor may also limit the willingness of institutions to purchase our stock.  The Board believes that the anticipated higher market price resulting from a reverse stock split would better enable institutional investors and brokerage firms with such policies and practices to invest in our common stock.

Furthermore, the Board believes that a reverse stock split, if implemented, could facilitate future efforts by the Company to raise capital.  As previously disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, the Company will need to raise additional capital and will likely elect to do so through the issuance of equity securities.  If we are delisted from NASDAQ, we will be ineligible to use SEC Form S-3 to register additional shares of our common stock either for issuance by the Company or for resale by others.  This will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to register any additional securities which may adversely affect our ability to raise additional funds.

The purpose of seeking Stockholder approval in the range of exchange ratios from 1:5 to 1:20 (rather than a fixed exchange ratio) is to provide the Board of Directors with the flexibility to achieve the desired results of the reverse stock split.  If the Stockholders approve this proposal, the Board would effect a reverse stock split only upon its determination that a reverse stock split would be in the best interests of the Company at that time.  If the Board were to effect a reverse stock split, the Board would set the timing for such a split and select the specific ratio within the range of 1:5 to 1:20.  No further action on the part of Stockholders would be required to either implement or abandon the reverse stock split.  If the Stockholders approve the proposal, and the Board determines to effect the reverse stock split, we would communicate to the public, prior to the effective date, additional details regarding the reverse stock split, including the specific ratio selected by the Board of Directors.  If the Board does not implement the reverse stock split by May 31, 2012, the authority granted in this proposal to implement the reverse stock split will terminate.  The Board of Directors reserves its right to elect not to proceed with the reverse stock split if it determines, in its sole discretion, that this proposal is no longer in the best interests of the Company.

Determination of Reverse Stock Split Ratio

In determining the range of reverse stock split ratios listed herein, the Board of Directors considered numerous factors, including:

·the historical and projected performance of our common stock and volume level before and after the reverse stock split;

·prevailing market conditions;

·general economic and other related conditions prevailing in our industry and in the marketplace generally;

·the projected impact of the reverse stock split ratio on trading liquidity in our common stock and our ability to continue our common stock’s listing on NASDAQ;

·our capitalization (including the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding);

·the prevailing trading price for our common stock and the volume level thereof;  and

·potential devaluation of our market capitalization as a result of a reverse stock split.

The Board of Directors will further consider these issues when it determines the precise reverse stock split ratio.

Effects of Reverse Stock Split

A reverse stock split refers to a reduction in the number of outstanding shares of a class of a corporation’s capital stock, which may be accomplished, as in this case, by reclassifying and combining all of our outstanding

16



shares of common stock into a proportionately smaller number of shares.  For example, if the reverse stock split is approved by our Stockholders and the Board of Directors elects a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, a Stockholder holding 10,000 shares of our common stock before the reverse stock split would hold 1,000 shares of our common stock immediately after the reverse stock split.  Each Stockholder’s proportionate ownership of our outstanding shares of common stock would remain the same, except that Stockholders who would otherwise receive fractional shares as a result of the reverse stock split will receive cash payments for such fractional share.  All shares of our common stock will remain fully paid and non-assessable.

The primary purpose of the proposed reverse stock split of our common stock is to combine the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock into a smaller number of shares so that the shares of our common stock will trade at a higher price per share than recent trading prices.  Although we expect that the reverse stock split will result in an increase in the market price of our common stock, the reverse stock split may not increase the market price of our common stock in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our common stock outstanding or result in the permanent increase in the market price, which is dependent upon many factors, including the Company’s performance, prospects and other factors detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC.  The history of similar reverse stock splits for companies in like circumstances is varied.  If the reverse stock split is accomplished and the market price of our common stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of a reverse stock split.

Our common stock is currently registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company is subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act.  The proposed reverse stock split will not affect the registration of the common stock under the Exchange Act.  If the proposed reverse stock split is implemented, the Common Stock will continue to be reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SPEX” (although Nasdaq would likely add the letter “D” to the end of the trading symbol for a period of 20 trading days to indicate that the reverse stock split has occurred).

Effect on Outstanding Options and Rights Agreement

The reverse stock split, when implemented, will affect the outstanding options to purchase our common stock.  Our equity incentive plan includes provisions for appropriate adjustments to the number of shares of common stock covered by the plan and by stock options and other grants of stock-based awards under the plan, as well as the per share exercise prices.  If our Stockholders approve the reverse stock split, an outstanding stock option to purchase one share of our common stock would thereafter evidence the right to purchase a fraction of a share of our common stock consistent with the reverse stock split ratio designated by the Board of Directors (rounding any fractional shares up to the nearest whole share), and the exercise price per share would be a corresponding multiple of the previous exercise price (rounded down to the nearest cent).  For example, if we effect a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, a pre-split option for 210 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $3.00 per share would be converted post-split into an option to purchase 21 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $30.00 per share.  Further, the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the plan will be reduced by the same ratio.

In addition the purchase price per share under our Rights Agreement dated February 2001, as amended, shall be adjusted to equal the result obtained by multiplying the purchase price immediately prior to implementing the reverse split (currently $16.00 per share) by the corresponding multiple.

Effect on Authorized and Outstanding Shares and Shares Subject to Options

Currently, we are authorized to issue up to a total of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, of which 25,624,872 shares were outstanding as of February 28, 2011.  Immediately following the effectiveness of the proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, the total authorized number of shares of common stock will be reduced consistent with the reverse stock split ratio designated by the Board of Directors.

The following table contains approximate information relating to the common stock under various of the proposed reverse stock split ratios, without giving effect to any adjustments for fractional shares of our common stock (in thousands):

 

 

Pre-Reverse Split

 

1-for-5

 

1-for-10

 

1-for-20

 

Authorized

 

50,000

 

10,000

 

5,000

 

2,500

 

Outstanding (February 28, 2011)

 

25,625

 

5,125

 

2,563

 

1,281

 

Reserved for future issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options (February 28, 2011)

 

35

 

7

 

4

 

2

 

Reserved for future issuance pursuant to outstanding warrants (February 28, 2011)

 

5,675

 

1,135

 

568

 

284

 

17



Currently we are authorized to issue up to a total of 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock; only one (1) share of our Class B Preferred Stock is outstanding (Convertible into 800 shares of Common Stock); and 500,000 shares of our Class A Preferred Stock have been reserved for issuance in connection with our stockholders’ rights agreement.  The proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, will not impact the total authorized number of shares of preferred stock.

No Fractional Shares

No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the reverse stock split.  If, as a result of the reverse stock split, a Stockholder of record would otherwise hold a fractional share, the Stockholder will receive a cash payment equal to the fraction multiplied by the closing sales price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market as of the effective date of the reverse stock split.  No transaction costs will be assessed to Stockholders for the cash payment.  Stockholders will not be entitled to receive interest for the period of time between the effective date of the reverse stock split and the date payment is made for fractional shares.

After the reverse stock split, then current Stockholders will have no further interest in the Company with respect to fractional shares.  Such Stockholders will only be entitled to receive the cash payment described above.  Such cash payments may reduce the number of post-split Stockholders; however, this is not the purpose of the reverse stock split.

Stockholders should be aware that under the escheat laws of the relevant jurisdictions, cash payments not timely claimed after the effective date of the reverse stock split may be required to be paid to designated agents for the relevant jurisdictions.

Effect on Par Value

The proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, will change the par value of our common stock to $0.01 per share.

Accounting Matters

Our stated capital, which consists of the par value per share of our common stock multiplied by the aggregate number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, will be reduced on the effective date of the reverse stock split.  Correspondingly, our additional paid-in capital, which consists of the difference between our stated capital and the aggregate amount paid to us upon the issuance of all currently outstanding shares of our common stock, will be increased by a number equal to the decrease in stated capital.  Further, net earnings/loss per share and book value per share will be increased as a result of the reverse stock split because there will be fewer shares of common stock outstanding.

Implementation of Reverse Stock Split; Certificate of Amendment

If our Stockholders approve the reverse stock split, the Board will be authorized but will not be required to proceed with the reverse stock split.  In determining whether to proceed with the reverse stock split, the Board will consider a number of factors, including market conditions, existing and expected trading prices of the Company’s common stock, the NASDAQ requirements, the Company’s additional funding requirements and the amount of the Company’s authorized but unissued common stock.  If the Board of Directors decides to effect the reverse stock split, it will designate the reverse stock split ratio within the designated range of 1:5 to 1:20.  The Certificate of Amendment attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement (or a revised version thereof in the event of a second reverse stock split)  will become effective when it is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

Notwithstanding approval of the reverse stock split by the Stockholders, our Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, abandon the proposed amendment and determine prior to the effectiveness of any filing with the

18



Secretary of State of the State of Delaware not to effect the reverse stock split.  If the Board fails to implement the amendments prior to May 31, 2012, Stockholder approval again would be required prior to implementing any subsequent reverse stock split.

Possible Disadvantages of Reverse Stock Split

Even though the Board of Directors believes that the potential advantages of a reverse stock split outweigh any disadvantages that might result, the following are some of the possible disadvantages of a reverse stock split:

·The reduced number of outstanding shares of our common stock resulting from a reverse stock split could adversely affect the liquidity of our common stock.

·A reverse stock split could result in a significant devaluation of the Company’s market capitalization and the trading price of our common stock, on an actual or an as-adjusted basis, based on the experience of other companies that have accomplished reverse stock splits.

·A reverse stock split may leave certain Stockholders with one or more “odd lots,” which are stock holdings in amounts of fewer than 100 shares of our common stock.  These odd lots may be more difficult to sell than shares of common stock in even multiples of 100.  Additionally, any reduction in brokerage commissions resulting from the reverse stock split, as discussed above, may be offset, in whole or in part, by increased brokerage commissions required to be paid by Stockholders selling odd lots created by the reverse stock split.

·There can be no assurance that the market price per new share of our common stock after the reverse stock split will remain unchanged or increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of old shares of our common stock outstanding before the reverse stock split.  For example, if the Board of Directors designates a 1-for-10 reverse stock split ratio when the market price of our stock is $0.70 per share, there can be no assurance that the post-split market price of our common stock would be $7.00 per share or greater.

·The total market capitalization of our common stock after the proposed reverse stock split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the proposed reverse stock split and, in the future, the market price of our common stock following the reverse stock split may not exceed or remain higher than the market price prior to the proposed reverse stock split.

·The amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, will reduce the number of authorized shares of common stock, and thereby reduce the number of shares we may issue in the future to fund operations.

Although the Company’s Board of Directors believes that a higher stock price may help generate investor interest, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split will result in a per share price that will attract institutional investors or investment funds or that such share price will satisfy the investing guidelines of institutional investors or investment funds.  As a result, the trading liquidity of our common stock may not necessarily improve.

Effect on Beneficial Holders of Common Stock

If the reverse stock split is effected, Stockholders holding certificated shares will be required to exchange their stock certificates for new book entry shares (“New Book-Entry Shares”) representing the appropriate number of shares of our common stock resulting from the reverse stock split.  Stockholders of record on the effective date will be furnished the necessary materials and instructions for the surrender and exchange of share certificates at the appropriate time by our transfer agent.  Stockholders will not have to pay any transfer fee or other fee in connection with such exchange.  As soon as practicable after the effective date, the transfer agent will send a letter of transmittal to each Stockholder advising such holder of the procedure for surrendering certificates representing the number of shares of our common stock prior to the reverse stock split (“Old Stock Certificates”) in exchange for New Book-Entry shares representing the number of shares of our common stock resulting from the reverse stock split.  As soon as practicable after the surrender to the transfer agent of any Old Stock Certificate, together with a duly executed letter of transmittal and any other documents the transfer agent may specify, the transfer agent will deliver to the

19



person in whose name such Old Stock Certificate has been issued New Book-Entry Shares registered in the name of such person.

Until surrender as contemplated herein, each Old Stock Certificate shall be deemed at and after the effective date to represent the number of full shares of our common stock resulting from the reverse stock split.  Until they have surrendered their Old Stock Certificates for exchange, Stockholders will not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions, if any, that may be declared and payable to holders of record.

Any Stockholder whose Old Stock Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen will be entitled to New Book-Entry Shares only after complying with the requirements that we and the transfer agent customarily apply in connection with lost, stolen or destroyed certificates.

No service charges, brokerage commissions or transfer taxes shall be payable by any holder of any Old Stock Certificate, except that if any New Book-Entry Shares are to be issued in a name other than that in which the Old Stock Certificates are registered, it will be a condition of such issuance that (1) the person requesting such issuance must pay to us any applicable transfer taxes or establish to our satisfaction that such taxes have been paid or are not payable, (2) the transfer complies with all applicable federal and state securities laws, and (3) the surrendered certificate is properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer.

Stockholders who hold uncertificated shares, either as direct or beneficial owners, will have their holdings electronically adjusted by our transfer agent (and, for beneficial owners, by their brokers or banks that hold in “street name” for their benefit, as the case may be) to give effect to the reverse stock split.

Upon the reverse stock split, the Company intends to treat shares of common stock held by Stockholders in “street name,” that is, through a bank, broker or other nominee, in the same manner as Stockholders whose shares of common stock are registered in their names.  Banks, brokers or other nominees will be instructed to effect the reverse stock split for their beneficial holders holding the common stock in “street name.”  However, these banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures than registered Stockholders for processing the reverse stock split.  If a Stockholder holds shares of common stock with a bank, broker or other nominee and has any questions in this regard, the Stockholder is encouraged to contact the Stockholder’s bank, broker or other nominee.

Stockholders should not destroy any stock certificate(s) and should not submit any stock certificate(s) until requested to do so.

NASDAQ Capital Market

The Company’s common stock is currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.  NASDAQ requires that listed issuers continuously comply with certain continued listing standards.  Even if the reverse stock split causes our stock price to exceed the $1.00 minimum price requirement, there is no assurance that we will continually comply with this or any of the other NASDAQ continued listing standards.

One of the requirements for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market is maintaining stockholders’ equity of not less than $2.5 million.  As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s stockholders’ equity was approximately $4.4 million.  Given the Company’s ongoing costs of the clinical trials and its commercialization plans for D-tagatose, unless the Company is successful in raising additional equity, it is expected that at some point the Company’s stockholders’ equity will decrease below $2.5 million.  Such action will likely result in a NASDAQ delisting action.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following summary of the federal income tax consequences of a reverse stock split is based on current law, including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and is for general information only.  The tax treatment of a Stockholder may vary depending upon the particular facts and circumstances of such Stockholder, and the discussion below may not address all the tax consequences for a particular Stockholder.  For example, foreign, state and local tax consequences are not discussed below.  Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each Stockholder should consult his, her or its tax advisor to determine the particular tax consequences to him, her or it of a reverse stock split, including the application and effect of federal, state, local and/or foreign income tax and other laws.

Generally, a reverse stock split will not result in the recognition of gain or loss for federal income tax purposes (except to the extent of cash received in lieu of a fractional share).  The adjusted basis of the new shares of

20



common stock will be the same as the adjusted basis of old shares of common stock exchanged for such new shares of common stock, reduced by the amount of adjusted basis allocated to the fractional share for which cash is received.  The holding period of the new, post-split shares of common stock resulting from implementation of the reverse stock split will include the Stockholder’s respective holding period for the pre-split shares of common stock exchanged for the new shares of common stock.  A Stockholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the portion of the adjusted basis in the shares of old common stock allocated to the fractional share.  If the shares of old common stock allocated to the fractional share were held as a capital asset, the gain or loss generally will be taxed as capital gain or loss.  Such capital gain or loss will be short term if the pre-reverse stock split shares were held for one year or less and long term if held more than one year.

No Dissenters’ Rights

The holders of shares of common stock will have no dissenters’ rights of appraisal under Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or our Bylaws with respect to the Certificate of Amendment effectuating a reverse stock split.

Approval Required

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock of the Company outstanding on the record date is required to approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to accomplish a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock.  Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will not be counted as having been voted on the proposal, and therefore will have the same effect as negative votes.

The Board of Directors recommends that the Stockholders vote for Proposal 3.

21



RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

(Item 34 on the Proxy Card)

 

The Board of Directors has reappointed the firm of Grant Thornton LLP to be the Company’s independent accountants for the year 20102011 and recommends that Stockholders vote “FOR” ratification of that appointment.  A representative from Grant Thornton LLP will attend the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to answer questions.  If the Stockholders, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented at the Meeting, do not ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP, the selection of independent accountants will be reconsidered by the Board of Directors.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.

 

1422



ADJOURNMENT

(Item 5 On The Proxy Card)

At the Annual Meeting, we may ask our stockholders to vote on a proposal to adjourn the Annual Meeting if necessary or appropriate in the sole discretion of our Board of Directors, including to solicit additional proxies in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting to approve any of the other proposals.

If at the Annual Meeting the number of shares of our common stock present or represented by proxy and voting in favor of a proposal is insufficient to approve such proposal, then our Board of Directors may hold a vote on each proposal that has garnered sufficient votes, if any, and then move to adjourn the Annual Meeting as to the remaining proposals in order to solicit additional proxies in favor of those remaining proposals.

Alternatively, even if there are sufficient shares of our common stock present or represented by proxy voting in favor of all of the proposals, our Board of Directors may hold a vote on the adjournment proposal if, in its sole discretion, it determines that it is necessary or appropriate for any reason to adjourn the Annual Meeting to a later date and time. In that event, the Company will ask its stockholders to vote only upon the adjournment proposal and not any other proposal.

Any adjournment may be made without notice (if the adjournment is not for more than thirty days and a new record date is not fixed for the adjourned meeting), other than by an announcement made at the Annual Meeting of the time, date and place of the adjourned meeting.

Any adjournment of the Annual Meeting will allow our stockholders who have already sent in their proxies to revoke them at any time prior to their use at the Annual Meeting as adjourned.

If we adjourn the Annual Meeting to a later date, we will transact the same business and, unless we must fix a new record date, only the stockholders who were eligible to vote at the original meeting will be permitted to vote at the adjourned meeting.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” AUTHORIZATION TO ADJOURN THE ANNUAL MEETING IF NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE.

23



 

OTHER BUSINESS

(Item 46 on the Proxy Card)

 

As of the date of this statement, the management of Spherix Incorporated has no knowledge of any business that may be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, other than that described above.  As to other business, if any, that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, it is intended that the Proxy hereby solicited will be voted in respect of such business in accordance with the judgment of the Proxy holders.

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

Stockholders intending to present a proposal at the 20112012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit such proposals to the Company at Spherix Incorporated, ATTN:  K. Brailer, Corporate Secretary, 6430 Rockledge Drive, Suite 503, Bethesda, MD 20817, no later than December 31, 2010.2011.  The Company’s by-laws provide that any Stockholder wishing to nominate a Director must do so in writing delivered to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at least ten (10) days and not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.  For further details, please see the discussion under Item One hereof.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Katherine M. Brailer, Corporate Secretary

 

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THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

25



Please sign, date, and mail your

proxy card back as soon as possible!

 

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

August 31, 2010May 17, 2011

 

xPlease mark your votes as in this box.

 

 

FOR all nominees

WITHHOLD

 

listed to right

AUTHORITY

 

(except as marked

to vote for all

 

to the contrary
below)

nominees

 

below)

nominees
listed at right

1.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

o

o

 

INSTRUCTION:  To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), put an X in the “FOR all nominees” box and strike a line through the name(s) of nominee(s) not voted for in the list at the right.

 

Nominees:Douglas T. Brown
Claire L. Kruger
Gilbert V. Levin
Robert A. Lodder, Jr.
Aris Melissaratos
Thomas B. Peter
Robert J. Vander Zanden

Douglas T. Brown

 

Claire L. Kruger

Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

Aris Melissaratos

Thomas B. Peter

Robert J. Vander Zanden

 

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

2.

PROPOSAL TO AUTHORIZE THE COMPANY TO ISSUE UP TO 15,000,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOR AGGREGATE CONSIDERATION OF NOT MORE THAN $12,000,000 MILLION IN CASH

o

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

PROPOSAL2.AUTHORIZATION TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE CORPORATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010ISSUE SECURITIES IN ONE MORE NON-PUBLIC OFFERINGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH NASDAQ MARKETPLACE RULE 5635.

 

o

 

o

 

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATION OF AMENDMENT, AS AMENDED, TO AUTHORIZE A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.

o

o

o

 

4.PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE CORPORATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2011

o

o

o

5.AUTHORIZATION TO ADJOURN THE ANNUAL MEETING IF NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE

o

o

o

6.IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME UP BEFORE THE MEETING.

 

I plan to attend the Annual Meeting in Bethesda, MD, at 9:00 a.m. on August 31, 2010May 17, 2011  o

This proxy will be voted as specified hereon.  If no indication to the contrary is made hereon, this proxy will be voted for all nominees for Directors listed in Proposal 1 and for Proposals 2, 3, and 3.4.  SPHERIX’S DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A FOR VOTE ON EACH ITEM, AND SHARES WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated          

, 20102011

PLEASE SIGN HERE AND RETURN PROMPTLY

 

PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME

 

NUMBER OF SHARES VOTED

 



 

NOTE:  If signing as Attorney, Administrator, Executor, Guardian or Trustee, please add your title as such.

 



SPHERIX INCORPORATED

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROXY

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Katherine M. Brailer, Robert L. Clayton, Claire L. Kruger, or any of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby appointed Proxies of the undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock of Spherix Incorporated owned by the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on August 31, 2010,May 17, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time, at the Bethesda Marriott Suites, 6711 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, or any adjournment thereof, upon the proposals set forth on the reverse and, in their discretion, upon all other matters as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)