UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
PROXY STATEMENT

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

No.__)


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þPreliminary Proxy Statement
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oDefinitive Proxy Statement
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oSoliciting Material Pursuant to sec. 240.14a-12Rule §240.14a-11(c) or §240.14a-2

MONSTER DIGITAL, INC.


9 Meters Biopharma, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


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

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MONSTER DIGITAL,9 Meters Biopharma, Inc.

8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120
Raleigh, North Carolina 27615
(919) 275-1933

Dear Stockholder:

It is my pleasure to invite you to the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of 9 Meters Biopharma, Inc. The meeting will be held on June 22, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the Company’s offices at 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, North, Carolina. At the meeting, you will be asked to vote on the matters set forth in our 2021 Proxy Statement and the accompanying notice of the Annual Meeting, including the election of a nominee recommended by our board of directors for election to our board.

Your board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the proposals set forth in our 2021 Proxy Statement and the accompanying notice of the Annual Meeting.

All stockholders are invited to attend the meeting in person. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 4, 2021, are entitled to vote at the meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting personally, and regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important that your shares be represented at the meeting. Your vote is important, and we urge you to vote as promptly as possible to ensure your shares are represented at the meeting, by casting your vote through the Internet, by telephone or by mail as described in your proxy card, in advance of the meeting. Instructions on how to vote are found in the section entitled “How do I vote?” starting on page 2 of the Proxy Statement.

We are pleased to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow us to furnish these proxy materials (including an electronic proxy card for the meeting) and our 2020 Annual Report to Stockholders (including our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K) to stockholders via the Internet. On or about May 12, 2021, we mailed to our stockholders of record a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement and 2020 Annual Report to Stockholders and how to vote. We believe that posting these materials on the Internet enables us to provide stockholders with the information they need to vote more quickly, while lowering the cost and reducing the environmental impact of printing and delivering annual meeting materials.

Special Note Regarding COVID-19. Given the public health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, we ask that each stockholder evaluate the relative benefits to them personally of in-person attendance at the Annual Meeting and take advantage of the ability to vote by proxy via Internet or telephone, as instructed in the proxy materials. If you elect to attend in person, we ask that you follow recommended guidance, mandates, and applicable executive orders from federal and state authorities, particularly as they relate to social distancing and attendance at public gatherings. If you are not feeling well or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, we ask that you vote by proxy for the meeting. Should further developments with COVID-19 necessitate that we change any material aspects of the Annual Meeting, we will make public disclosure of such changes. We thank you for your cooperation as we balance opportunities for stockholder engagement with the safety of our community and each of our stockholders.

Sincerely,
/s/ John Temperato
John Temperato
Chief Executive Officer





9 METERS BIOPHARMA, INC.
8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 275-1933


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 22, 2021


Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Monster Digital,9 Meters Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), to. The meeting will be held on June 15, 201722, 2021, at 1:10:00 p.m. Pacific Daylighta.m. Eastern Time at The Courtyard by Marriott, 191 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065.

The Annual Meeting of the Company is being held forCompany’s offices at 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, North, Carolina to consider and vote upon the following purposes:

1.To elect five (5) members to the Board of Directors to serve for one-year terms ending at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders;
2.To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;
3.To approves an amendment of our 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder from 970,350 shares to 1,370,350 shares;
4.To approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to authorize the Board of Directors, if it so chooses, to affect a reverse stock split by a ratio of not less than one-for-two (1:2) and not greater than one-for-four (1:4).
5.To ratify the appointment of CohnReznick LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2017; and
6.To transact such other business as may properly comematters and to transact such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Our Board has fixed the closemeeting or adjournment or postponement thereof:

1.Election of business on April 28, 2017 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for determining those stockholders who will be entitledone Class III director to voteserve a three-year term expiring at the Annual Meeting.

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2017, is enclosed with this notice. The following proxy statement and enclosed proxy card are being sent to each stockholder as of the Record Date. You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting, but if you do not expect to attend, or if you plan to attend, but desire the proxy holders to vote your shares, please date and sign your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage paid envelope. The giving of this proxy card will not affect your right to vote in person in the event you find it convenient to attend. Please return the proxy card promptly to avoid the expense of additional proxy solicitation. If you are a stockholder who owns shares through a nominee and attends the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to Be Held on
June 15, 2017: This Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016 are available athttps://MonsterDigital.com/pages/investor-relations

FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ David H. Clarke

David H. Clarke,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: May 3, 2017
Simi Valley, CA


MONSTER DIGITAL, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT

For Annual Meeting to be Held on
June 15, 2017, 1:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the board of directors (the “Board”) of Monster Digital, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our”, the “Company,” or “Monster Digital”), a Delaware corporation, in connection with the2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on June 15, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time at The Courtyard by Marriott, 191 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065 (the “Annual Meeting”). The approximate mailing date for this proxy statement and the enclosed proxyuntil such director’s successor is May 15, 2017.

The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to vote on the following items of business: (1) the election of five directors to our Board to serve one-year terms ending at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders; (2) approval on an advisory basis of the compensation of our named executive officers; (3) approvalelected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal;

2.Approval of an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of our 2012 Omnibus Incentive PlanIncorporation, as amended (our “Charter”), to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder from 970,350 shares to 1,370,350 shares; (4) approval of an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to authorize the Board of Directors, if it so chooses, to affect a reverse stock split by a ratio of not less than one-for-two (1:2)stock; and not greater than one-for-four (1:4); (5) ratification
3.Ratification of the appointment of CohnReznick LLPMayer Hoffman McCann P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017;2021.
These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. The board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of the director nominee listed in the accompanying Proxy Statement, “FOR” the approval of the amendment to our Charter to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, and (6) transaction“FOR” ratification of such other businessthe appointment of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Annual Report

Our annual report to stockholdersCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm.


The record date for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 will be concurrently provided to each stockholder at the time we send this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card and2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not to be considered a part of the proxy soliciting material.

Voting Information

Record Date; Quorum; Voting Rights

Holders of our common stockMay 4, 2021. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 28, 2017 (“that date may vote at the Record Date”meeting or any adjournment thereof. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. Please vote over the telephone or over the Internet as instructed in these materials, or request a proxy card and vote by mail, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the meeting. Even if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the meeting. Only stockholders and authorized guests of the Company may attend the meeting, and all attendees will be required to show a valid form of ID (such as a government-issued form of photo identification). Please note, however, that, if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder. Instructions on how to vote are found in the section entitled “How Do I Vote” starting on page 2 of the Proxy Statement.


In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials to each stockholder of record, we are furnishing proxy materials, including the Notice, this Proxy Statement, our 2020 Annual Report to Stockholders, including financial statements, and a proxy card for the meeting, by providing access to them on the Internet to save printing costs and benefit the environment. These materials were first available on the Internet on May 12, 2021. We mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials on or about May 12, 2021 to our stockholders of record and beneficial owners as of the close of business on May 4, 2021, the record date for the meeting. This Proxy Statement and the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contain instructions for accessing and reviewing our proxy materials on the Internet and for voting by proxy over the Internet. You will need to obtain your own Internet access if you choose to access the proxy materials and/or vote over the Internet. If you prefer to receive printed copies of our proxy materials, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contains instructions on how to request the materials by mail. You will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless you request them. If you elect to receive the materials by mail,



you may also vote by proxy on the proxy card or voter instruction card that you will receive in response to your request.

Special Note Regarding COVID-19. Given the public health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, we ask that each stockholder evaluate the relative benefits to them personally of in-person attendance at the Annual Meeting and take advantage of the ability to vote by proxy via Internet or telephone, as instructed in the proxy materials. If you elect to attend in person, we ask that you follow recommended guidance, mandates, and applicable executive orders from federal and state authorities, particularly as they relate to social distancing and attendance at public gatherings. If you are not feeling well or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, we ask that you vote by proxy for the meeting. Should further developments with COVID-19 necessitate that we change any material aspects of the Annual Meeting, we will make public disclosure of such changes.



By Order of the Board of Directors


/s/ John Temperato
John Temperato
Chief Executive Officer

Raleigh, North Carolina





TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page








QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING

Why am I receiving these materials?

The board of directors of 9 Meters is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), including at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. On or about May 12, 2021, we mailed the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, containing instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement and 2020 Annual Report to Stockholders and how to vote, to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. However, you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may follow the instructions below to submit your proxy over the Internet or the telephone, or you may request, complete, sign and return a proxy card via mail. Additional information on how you may vote can be found below under “How do I vote?”

How do I attend the Annual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting will be held on June 22, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the Company’s offices at 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, North Carolina. Information regarding how to request directions to the Annual Meeting may be found at the end of this Proxy Statement. Information on how to vote in person at the Annual Meeting is provided below. Only stockholders and authorized guests of the Company may attend the meeting, and all attendees will be required to show a valid form of ID (such as a government-issued form of photo identification). If you hold your shares in street name (i.e., through a bank or broker), you must also provide proof of share ownership, such as a letter from your bank or broker or a recent brokerage statement.

Special Note Regarding COVID-19. Given the public health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, we ask that each stockholder evaluate the relative benefits to them personally of in-person attendance at the Annual Meeting and take advantage of the ability to vote by proxy via Internet or telephone, as instructed in the proxy materials. If you elect to attend in person, we ask that you follow recommended guidance, mandates, and applicable executive orders from federal and state authorities, particularly as they relate to social distancing and attendance at public gatherings. If you are not feeling well or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, we ask that you vote by proxy for the meeting. Should further developments with COVID-19 necessitate that we change any material aspects of the Annual Meeting, we will make public disclosure of such changes. We thank you for your cooperation as we balance opportunities for stockholder engagement with the safety of our community and each of our stockholders.

Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 4, 2021, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement ofMeeting. On the Annual Meeting. Thererecord date, there were 8,005,011 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the Record Date. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, and the presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the outstanding[_______] shares of our common stock is necessaryoutstanding and entitled to constitutevote.

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If on May 4, 2021, your common shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc., then you are a quorum for the Annual Meeting. Ifstockholder of record. As a quorum is not presentstockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting we expect that the Annual Meeting will be adjourned to solicit additional proxies. Stockholders may not cumulate their votes.

Voting Your Proxy

Youror vote is important. Your shares can be voted at the Annual Meeting only if you are present in person or represented by proxy. Even ifWhether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote in advance. Please followany of the appropriatefollowing ways:

Via the Internet by accessing the proxy materials on the secured website www.proxyvote.com and following the voting instructions described below:

on that website;

Via telephone by calling toll free 1-800-690-6903 and following the recorded instructions; or
By requesting that printed copies of the proxy materials be mailed to you pursuant to the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability and completing, dating, signing, and returning the proxy card that you receive in response to your request.

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The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders' identities by use of a control number to allow stockholders to vote their shares and to confirm that stockholders' instructions have been properly recorded. Voting via the Internet or telephone must be completed by 11:59 PM EDT on June 21, 2021. If you submit or return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as recommended by our Board of Directors, as permitted by law.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

If on May 4, 2021,your shares were not held in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and these materials arebeing forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

What am I voting on?

There are three matters scheduled for a vote:

Election of one Class III director to serve a three-year term expiring at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal;

Approval of an amendment to our Charter to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock; and

Ratification of the appointment of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

What if another matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting?

Our board of directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.

How do I vote?

You may either vote “For” the nominee to our board of directors or you may “Withhold” your vote for the nominee. For the other matters to be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or you may abstain from voting, by checking the related box. The procedures for voting are as follows:

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name — 

If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting, vote over the telephone, vote over the Internet or you may vote by mail by completing, signing, dating and returningmail. Whether or not you plan to attend the accompanying proxy card in the prepaid envelope provided orAnnual Meeting, we urge you may vote electronically via the Internet. Toto vote by Internet, goproxy tohttps://secure.corporatestock.com/vote.phpand follow the instructions to cast ensure your vote. You will need to have your 12-digit control number located on your proxy card. Please do not return the enclosed paper ballot if you are voting by Internet.vote is counted. You may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy or given your proxy authorization. Stockholders of record mayproxy.

To vote in person, by attendingcome to the Annual Meeting with proper ID, and completingwe will give you a ballot distributedwhen you arrive.

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To vote over the telephone, dial toll-free at 1-800-690-6903 using a touch-tone telephone and follow the meeting.

recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the control number enclosed with your proxy materials. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 21, 2021, to be counted.


To vote over the Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the control number enclosed with your proxy materials. Your Internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 21, 2021, to be counted.

To vote by mail, you must request that printed copies of the proxy materials be mailed to you pursuant to the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability and then complete, date, sign and return the proxy card that you receive in response to your request. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct. If you submit or return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as recommended by our Board of Directors, as permitted by law.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker Bank or Other Agent — Stockholders who hold their shares beneficially in “street name” through a nominee (such as a bank or broker) may be able to

Bank

vote by telephone, the Internet or mail. To vote by Internet, go tohttp://www.proxyvote.com.You should follow the instructions you receive from your nominee to vote those shares. If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or, if requested, proxy materials have been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other agent who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder who owns shares through a nomineeof record. Simply complete and you attendmail the Annual Meeting,voting instruction form or follow the voting instructions in the proxy materials to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote over the Internet or telephone as instructed by your broker or bank. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, only if you must obtain a legalvalid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker trustee or nominee that holdsbank included with your mailed proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank, to request a proxy form.


We provide Internet and telephone proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares givingwith procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your use of the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting.

We are not aware of anyInternet or telephone, such as usage charges from Internet or telephone providers.


How many votes do I have?

On each matter to be presentedvoted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you owned as of May 4, 2021.

What happens if I do not vote?

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote over the Internet, over the telephone or in person at the Annual Meeting, or by completing a requested proxy card, your shares will not be voted.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank or other than that described in this proxy statement. If, however, other matters properly are brought before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, your proxy includes discretionary authority on the part of the individuals appointedagent how to vote your common stockshares, the question of whether your broker or actnominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on thosewhether the particular proposal is deemed to be a “routine” matter. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters accordingthat are considered to their best judgment, including adjournmentbe “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under current market rules and interpretations, “non-routine matters” are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation and certain corporate governance proposals, such as certain certificate of incorporation amendments that impact the Annual Meeting.

How the Board Recommends that You Vote

Our Board recommends the following votes:

(1)rights of stockholders, even if management-supported. Accordingly, your

3


broker or nominee may not vote your shares on Proposal 1 without your instructions, but may vote your shares on Proposal 2 and Proposal 3.

What if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote but do not make specific choices?

If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted “FOR” the election of the five (5) nominees for director named herein;

(2) “FOR” approval,nominee listed in an advisory vote, ofthis Proxy Statement, "FOR" the compensation paidamendment to our named executive officers;

(3) “FOR” approval of an amendment of our 2012 Omnibus Incentive PlanCharter to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, reserved for issuance thereunder from 970,350 shares to 1,370,350 shares;

(4) “FOR” approval of an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to authorize the Board of Directors, if it so chooses, to affect a reverse stock split by a ratio of not less than one-for-two (1:2) and not greater than one-for-four (1:4); and

(5) “FOR” ratification of the appointment of CohnReznick LLPMayer Hoffman McCann P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firmfirm. If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting, your proxy holder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his best judgment.


Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

We will pay for the year ending December 31, 2017.

Countingentire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, over the telephone or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We also will reimburse brokerage firms, banks, nominees and other persons holding shares for others for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners and obtaining their proxies.


What does it mean if I receive more than one set of proxy materials?

If you receive more than one set of proxy materials, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:

You may grant a subsequent proxy over the telephone or over the Internet.

You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.

You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to our Corporate Secretary at 9 Meters Biopharma, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27615.A revocation must be received no later than the beginning of voting at the Annual Meeting.

You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.

Your most current proxy card or telephone or Internet proxy received before the beginning of voting is the one that will be counted.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.

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What are “broker non-votes”?

As discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the broker, bank, custodian or other nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed to be “non-routine,” the broker or nominee cannot vote the shares. These un-voted shares are counted as “broker non-votes.”

What is the quorum requirement?

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. Under our Bylaws, a quorum will be present if stockholdersholdingat least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes (because there is at least one “routine” matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting) will also be considered present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum. On the record date, there were [_______] sharesoutstanding and entitled to vote.Thus, the holders of [_______] shares must be present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting to have a quorum.

How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

Votes

will be counted by the inspector of elections appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will separately count votes “For” and “Against,” abstentions or withheld votes, and, if applicable, broker non-votes. The following table describes the voting requirements for each proposal, including the vote required to approve each proposal and the effect that abstentions or broker non-votes will have on the outcome of the proposal:


Proposal NumberProposal DescriptionVote Required for ApprovalEffect of
Abstentions
Effect of
Broker Non-Votes
1Election of directorNominee receiving the most “For” votes (plurality voting)Withheld votes will have no effectNone
2Approval of an amendment to our Charter to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock"For" votes from the holders of a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meetingWill have the same effect as a vote against the proposalNo broker non-votes are expected
3Ratification of the selection of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.“For” votes from the holders of a majority of the votes cast and entitled to vote at the meetingNoneNo broker non-votes are expected

Your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructionscounted towards the quorum only if you vote over the telephone or the internet, request and submit a valid proxy card (or one is submitted on your duly executed and returned proxy card. Ifbehalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you submit the proxy card but do not indicate your voting instructions, your shares will be voted as follows:

(1) “FOR” the election of the five (5) nominees for director named herein;

(2) “FOR” approval, in an advisory vote of the compensation paid to our named executive officers;

(3) “FOR” approval of an amendment of our 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance thereunder from 970,350 shares to 1,370,350 shares;

(4) “FOR” approval of an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to authorize the Board of Directors, if it so chooses, to affect a reverse stock split by a ratio of not less than one-for-two (1:2) and not greater than one-for-four (1:4); and

(5) “FOR” ratification of the appointment of CohnReznick LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2017.

All properly executed proxies delivered pursuant to this solicitation and not revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions given. Representatives of our transfer agent will assist us in the tabulation of the votes.

Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

An abstention is the voluntary act of not voting by a stockholder who is present at a meeting and entitled to vote.

A “broker non-vote” occurs on a matter when a broker does not vote on a particular proposal because it has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares with respect to that proposal. Brokers that hold shares of common stock in a “street name” for customers that are the beneficial owners of those shares generally have discretionary authority to vote on


routine matters without specific instructions from their customers. However, brokers generally do not have discretionary voting power (i.e. they cannot vote) on non-routine matters without specific instructions from their customers. Proposals are determined to be routine or non-routine matters based on the rules of the various regional and national exchanges of which the brokerage firm is a member.

Abstentions and broker non-votes will count toward the presence of a quorum. Refer to each proposal for a discussion of the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes on the results of each proposal.

Revoking Your Proxy

Any proxy given may be revoked by the person giving it at any time prior to its use by notifying the Corporate Secretary of the Company in writing of such revocation, by duly executing and delivering another proxy bearing a later date, or by attending and voting in person at the Annual Meeting. The Company’s address for this purposemeeting. If there is 2655 First Street, Suite 250, Simi Valley, California 93065.

Postponementno quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present at the meeting in person or Adjournmentrepresented by proxy may adjourn the meeting to another date.


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How can I find out the results of the Annual Meeting

Ifvoting at the Annual Meeting were to be postponed or adjourned, your proxy would still be valid and will be voted at the postponed or adjourned meeting. You would still be able to revoke your proxy until it was voted.

Voting Results of the Annual Meeting

The preliminaryMeeting?


Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. TheIn addition, final voting results will be tallied by the inspector of elections and published in a Current Reportcurrent report on Form 8-K whichthat we willexpect to file with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting.

Solicitation of Proxies

The cost of this solicitation of proxies will be borne by If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after the Company. The Company will solicit stockholders by mail. The Company may, inAnnual Meeting, we intend to file a limited number of circumstances, useForm 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the services of its officers and regularly engaged employeesfinal results are known to solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, without additional compensation. The Company will reimburse banks, brokerage firms, other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred in sending proxy materialsus, file an amended Form 8-K to beneficial ownerspublish the final results.


Where can I find more information about 9 Meters?

We file periodic reports with the SEC pursuant to Section 15(d) of the common stockSecurities Exchange Act of 1934. Our SEC filings are available from the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically. Our filings with the SEC are also available without charge on our website (http://www.9meters.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after filing.

Who should I contact if I have questions or need assistance voting?

If you have any questions or need assistance with voting, please contact our Corporate Secretary at 9 Meters Biopharma, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27615, or at (919) 275-1933.

JOBS Act Explanatory Note

We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable federal securities laws and are therefore permitted to take advantage of certain reduced public company reporting requirements. As an emerging growth company, we provide in this Proxy Statement the scaled disclosure permitted under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, including the compensation disclosures required of a “smaller reporting company,” as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act. In addition, as an emerging growth company, we are not required to conduct votes seeking approval, on an advisory basis, of the Company.

Delivery of Proxy Materials to Households

“Householding” is a program, approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which allows companies and intermediaries (e.g. brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports by delivering only one package of stockholder proxy material to any household at which two or more stockholders reside. If you and other residents at your mailing address own sharescompensation of our common stock in “street name,” your broker or bank may have notified you that your household will receive only one copy of our proxy materials. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be “householding” materials to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, or if you are receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account. If you hold shares of our common stock in your own name as a holder of record, “householding” will not apply to your shares.

Interest of Executive Officers and Directors

None of the Company’snamed executive officers or directors or anythe frequency with which such votes must be conducted. We will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of their associates has any interest in any(i) December 31, 2021, (ii) the last day of the mattersfiscal year in which our annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more, (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous rolling three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be acted upona “large accelerated filer” as defined in the Exchange Act.


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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our board of directors is divided into three classes. Each class consists, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors and each class has a three-year term. At the recommendation of our nominating and corporate governance committee, our board of directors proposes that the Class III nominee below be elected as a Class III director for a three-year term expiring at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

Information about our directors, including the nominee, their ages as of May 4, 2021, occupations and length of board service are provided in the tables below. Additional biographical descriptions are set forth in the text below the tables and include the primary individual experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each director that led to the conclusion that such director should serve as a member of our board of directors at this time.

Nominee for Election to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting except, with respect to potential grants under the 2012 Plan, and with respect to each director, to the extent that a director is named as a

The nominee for election to the Board.

board of directors, and his Class and term of service, is set forth below.

Name of Director/NomineeAgeClassDirector Since
Mark Sirgo, Pharm.D. (1)(2)(3)
67Class III2020

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board currently consists of five (5) directors whose terms expire as________________________

(1) Member of the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, five (5) directors will be elected at our Annual Meeting. Our Bylaws give the Board the authority to establish, increase or decrease the number of directors.

Upon recommendationaudit committee

(2) Member of the Nominating Committee,compensation committee
(3) Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee

Mark Sirgo, Pharm.D.

Dr. Sirgo joined our Board has nominated David H. Clarke, Jonathan Clark, Robert Machinist, Christopher Miner,in April 2020 upon completion of the RDD Merger and Steven Barre for election to our Board. If elected, each nominee will servewas appointed as Board chairman. In January 2019, Dr. Sirgo was appointed Chief Executive Officer of ArunA Bio, a private central nervous system and neurodegenerative disorder development company. Dr. Sirgo serves as a director until our annual meeting of stockholders inBioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDSI), a position he has held since August 2005. He also has served as the Vice Chairman of the BDSI board since October 2016.He was President of BDSI from January 2005 to January 2018 and untilChief Executive Officer from August 2005 to January 2018. He joined BDSI in August 2004 as Senior Vice President of Commercialization and Corporate Development upon its acquisition of Arius Pharmaceuticals, of which he was a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. He also previously served as BDSI’s Executive Vice President, Corporate and Commercial Development and its Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Sirgo has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including 16 years in clinical drug development, 7 years in marketing, sales, and business development, and 12 years in executive management positions. Prior to his or her successor is elected and qualified.

Unless you otherwise instruct us, your properly executed proxy that is returnedinvolvement with Arius Pharmaceuticals, from 2003 to 2004, he spent 16 years in a timely manner will be votedvariety of positions of increasing responsibility in both clinical development and marketing at Glaxo, Glaxo Wellcome, and GlaxoSmithKline, including Vice President of International OTC Development and Vice President of New Product Marketing. Dr. Sirgo was responsible for electionmanaging the development and FDA approval of eachZantac 75 while at Glaxo Wellcome, among other accomplishments. From 1996 to 1999, Dr. Sirgo was Senior Vice President of these five nominees. EachGlobal Sales and Marketing at Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc., a leading contract service provider to the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Sirgo served on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the nominees currently servesCompensation Committee of Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLXP), a specialty pharmaceutical company specializing in gastrointestinal products, from 2008 until its sale in 2015. Dr. Sirgo was added to the Board of Directors of Biomerica, Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRA), a diagnostics and therapeutic company, in July 2016, and served as Chairman of the Board of RDD Pharma from April 2018 until the RDD Merger. Dr. Sirgo received his BS in Pharmacy from The Ohio State University and his Doctorate from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science.


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We believe that Dr. Sirgo’s extensive executive experience in the pharmaceutical industry qualifies him to serve on our Board.

Continuing Directors

DirectorAgeClassTerm
Michael Constantino58Class I2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Lorin K. Johnson, Ph.D.68Class I2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Michael Rice56Class II2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
John Temperato56Class II2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Michael Constantino
Mr. Constantino joined our Board in June 2020. Mr. Constantino is a retired Ernst & Young LLP assurance partner who served in the Research Triangle Park Region of North Carolina for over 30 years. From 2009 to 2012, he served as the Office Managing Partner for the combined Raleigh/Greensboro office with over 200 employees. He was responsible for leading a growing practice that included assurance, advisory and each has advisedtax services focused on public and privately held entrepreneurial companies representing many industries. During his career with the Companyfirm, he worked with several companies including life sciences companies (biotechnology, medical device and pharmaceuticals), contract research organizations, technology, manufacturing and transportation companies, and large SEC registrants. Mike assisted clients with over 20 initial public offerings, debt offerings, mergers and acquisition transactions, and private equity offerings. He worked closely with companies across the development continuum from start-up to mature public entities and assisted management teams and boards of his willingnessdirectors with SEC compliance matters, Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls, global operations and strategic planning. Currently, he is the Chair of the Board for the NC State Foundation and Chair of the Board of The Green Chair Project. Mike holds a B.A. in both Accounting and Business Management from NC State University and is a North Carolina CPA.

We believe that Mr. Constantino’s extensive experience as a CPA and with SEC compliance matters and Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls qualifies him to serve on our Board.

Lorin K. Johnson, Ph.D.

Dr. Johnson joined our Board in January 2018. He is the founder and Chief Scientist of Glycyx PharmaVentures Ltd., a biopharma investment and development company. In 1989, he co-founded Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLXP), a specialty pharmaceutical company specializing in gastrointestinal products, and held senior leadership positions prior to its $15.8 billion acquisition by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSEA: VRX) in April 2015. Prior to Salix, Dr. Johnson served as Director of Scientific Operations and Chief Scientist at Scios, Inc. (formerly California Biotechnology, Inc). Since June 2019, he has been a board member of Edesa Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: EDSA), a biopharmaceutical company in the fields of inflammation, infectious disease and gastroenterology. He is also a board member of Glycyx MOR, LTD and Kinisi Therapeutics, Ltd., both GI specialty pharma companies based on the Isle of Man, as well as Intact Inc., a GI specialty drug delivery company based in Belmont, CA. In addition to his career in industry, Dr. Johnson has served as an Assistant Professor of Pathology at Stanford University Medical Center and held academic positions at Stanford University School of Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco. He is the co-author of 75 journal articles and book chapters and is the co-inventor on 22 issued patents. Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, San Francisco.

We believe that Dr. Johnson’s extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and life science industries, both as an executive and investor, qualifies him to serve on our Board.
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Michael Rice

Mr. Rice joined our Board in February 2021. Mr. Rice is president and co-founder of LifeSci Advisors, LLC, a life sciences investor relations consultancy, and co-founder of LifeSci Capital, a research-driven investment bank, positions he has held since March 2010. Mr. Rice is also a founding member of LifeSci Communications, LLC, a corporate communications and public relations firm. From June 2019 to December 2020, Mr. Rice also served as Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Company’s Board, if elected. If, however, anyboard of these nominees should be unable or should failLifeSci Acquisition Corp. until its merger with Vincerx Pharma, Inc. (f/k/a Vincera Pharma, Inc.). Prior to actco-founding LifeSci Advisors and LifeSci Capital, Mr. Rice was the co-head of health care investment banking at Canaccord Adams from April 2007 to November 2008, where he was involved in debt and equity financing. Mr. Rice was also was a Managing Director at ThinkEquity Partners from April 2005 to April 2007, where he was responsible for managing Healthcare Capital Markets. Prior to that, from August 2003 to March 2005, Mr. Rice served as a Managing Director at Bank of America, serving large hedge funds and private equity healthcare funds. Previously, he was a Managing Director at JPMorgan/Hambrecht & Quist. Mr. Rice has been a director of Navidea Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSEA: NAVB) since May 2016 and served as a director of RDD from January 2016 until the Company’s merger with RDD in May 2020. Michael received his B.A. from the University of Maryland. Michael holds Series 7, 24, 63, and 79 licenses.

We believe Mr. Rice’s long-running healthcare investment and advisory experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

John Temperato

Mr. Temperatojoined our Board in April 2020 upon completion of the RDD Mergerand also was appointed our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Temperato served as the Chief Executive Officer of RDD from March 2019 until April 2020. Prior to joining RDD, Mr. Temperato held various leadership roles, including most notably U.S. President & Chief Operating Officer with Atlantic Healthcare, President & Chief Operating Officer/Chief Commercial Officer with Melinta Therapeutics, and Senior Vice President of Sales and Managed Markets with Salix Pharmaceuticals. Notably, at Salix Pharmaceuticals (Salix), Mr. Temperato played a critical role in the successful commercialization and growth of their broad GI portfolio and executed over ten launches during his tenure at the company driving growth of company revenues from $119 million in 2004 to $2 billion in 2015. Across his career, Mr. Temperato has been instrumental in defining and executing capital efficient go-to-market strategies, business development strategy and overseeing the commercialization and life-cycle management for small molecules, devices, and biologics. Additionally, he has developed strategies for reimbursement and external healthcare policy. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

We believe that Mr. Temperato’s extensive executive experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries qualifies him to serve on our Board.

Required Vote

Provided there is a quorum for the meeting, the director nominee becausereceiving the highest number of an unexpected occurrence, your proxy willaffirmative votes of our common stock present or represented and entitled to be voted for such other personthem will be elected as the holders of your proxy, acting in their discretion, may determine. You can find information about the nominees below under the section “Board of Directors and Executive Officers.”

Vote Required

You may vote in favor or withhold your vote as to any or all of the nominees. If a quorum exists at the Annual Meeting, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares present or in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to votedirector. Votes withheld will have no legal effect on the election of directors is requiredthe director. Under applicable exchange listing rules, brokers are not permitted to vote shares held for a customer on “non-routine” matters without specific instructions from the election of each nominee for director. There is no cumulative voting for the Board. If stockholders do not specify the manner in which their shares represented by a validly executed proxy solicited by the Board are to be voted on this proposal,customer. As such, shares will be voted in favor of all of the nominees. Shares that are withheldbroker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors. Broker non-votes will not be counted and also will have no effect on the result of the vote.

this Proposal One.


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF
THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.NAMED NOMINEE.

9


PROPOSAL NO. 2CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS


Board Leadership Structure

ADVISORY VOTE ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

As required pursuant to Section 14A

Our board of directors does not have a policy regarding the separation of the Securities Exchange Actroles of 1934, we are giving our stockholders the opportunity to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation. We currently include this advisory vote on our executive compensation every three years.

Our namedchief executive officer compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain our named executive officers, who are critical to our success. The Compensation Committee believes an effective compensation program is one that is designed to align the interests of executive officers with those of our stockholders by tying long-term incentive compensation to financial performance and ultimately to the creation of stockholder value. The Compensation Committee believes that it has taken a responsible approach to compensating our named executive officers.

Please read the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement for additional details about our executive compensation program.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this proxy statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we will ask our stockholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Monster Digital, Inc. hereby approve, on an advisory basis, the compensationchairman of the named executive officers, as disclosed in Monster Digital, Inc.’s proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.”

The say-on-pay vote is advisory and therefore not binding on the Company, our Compensation Committee or our Board. However, our Board and our Compensation Committee value the views of our stockholders expressed in their votes and will consider the outcome of this vote when determining future compensation arrangements for our named executive officers.

Vote Required

This vote is advisory and therefore is not binding on us, our Board or our Compensation Committee. The affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for advisory approval of this proposal. If stockholders do not specify the manner in which their shares represented by a validly executed proxy solicited by the Board are to be voted on this proposal, such shares will be voted “for” this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as voting against the proposal. Brokers are not authorized to vote without instructions on this proposal and therefore, broker non-votes will not be deemed votes cast and will have no effect on the vote outcome.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE RULES OF THE SEC.


PROPOSAL 3

APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY’S 2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

General

We are asking our stockholders to approve an amendment of our 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”). We use the 2012 Plan to attract and retain key talent, encourage stock ownership by our employees, non-employee directors and consultants, to better align with governance best practices, and to receive a federal income tax deduction for certain compensation paid under the 2012 Plan. The proposed amendment of the 2012 Plan will increase the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the plan by 400,000 shares. The purpose of amending the 2012 Plan is to enable us to continue to attract and retain talented employees, non-employee directors and consultants.board. Our board of directors believes that it is in the proposed increase of 400,000 sharesbest interests of our common stock represents a reasonable amount of potential equity dilution and allows uscompany to continue awarding equity incentives, which are an important component of our overall compensation program. The board unanimously approved the amendment and restatement of the 2012 Plan, subjectmake that determination from time to approval of our stockholders at this annual meeting. As of April 20, 2017, the closing sales price of a share of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market was $0.76. As of April 20, 2017, the potential number of participants in the 2012 Plan was approximately 20. As of April 20, 2017, a total of 234,949 shares of our common stock remained available for issuance under the 2012 Plan.

We believe strongly that the approval of the amendment of the 2012 Plan is essential to our success. Our employees are our most valuable assets. Stock options, stock appreciation rights and the other awards permitted under the 2012 Plan are vital to our ability to attract and retain outstanding and highly skilled employees, especially in the competitive labor markets in which we compete. These awards also are crucial to our ability to motivate employees to achieve our goals. The terms of the 2012 Plan are designed to allow us to continue to attract, retain and motivate people whose skills and performance are critical to our success. We will continue to monitor the environment in which we operate and make changes to our equity compensation program to help us meet our goals, including achieving long-term stockholder value.

Subject to stockholder approval, we plan to register the additional 400,000 shares reserved under the 2012 Plan on a Registration Statement on Form S-8.

A general description of the principal terms of the 2012 Plan is set forth below. This description is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the 2012 Plan.

2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan

We have adopted a 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). An aggregate of 970,350 shares of our common stock is reserved for issuance and available for awards under the Plan, including incentive stock options granted under the Plan. The Plan administrator may grant awards to any employee, director, consultant or other person providing services to us or our affiliates. As of March 17, 2017, options to acquire an aggregate of 10,100 shares and 16,834 shares of common stock at a per share exercise price of $31.92 and $4.50, respectively, have been granted under the Plan. In addition, an aggregate of 708,467 stock and restricted stock grants have been made under the Plan.

The Plan shall be initially administered by the Board. The Plan administrator has the authority to determine, within the limits of the express provisions of the Plan, the individuals to whom awards will be granted, the nature, amount and terms of such awards and the objectives and conditions for earning such awards. The Board may at any time amend or terminate the Plan, provided that no such action may be taken that adversely affects any rights or obligations with respect to any awards previously made under the Plan without the consent of the recipient. No awards may be made under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of its effective date.

Awards under the Plan may include incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted shares of common stock, restricted stock Units, performance share or Unit awards, other stock-based awards and cash-based incentive awards.


Stock Options.  The Plan administrator may grant to a participant options to purchase our common stock that qualify as incentive stock options for purposes of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (“incentive stock options”), options that do not qualify as incentive stock options (“non-qualified stock options”) or a combination thereof. The terms and conditions of stock option grants, including the quantity, price, vesting periods, and other conditions on exercise will be determined by the Plan administrator. The exercise price for stock options will be determined by the Plan administrator in its discretion, but non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of one share of our company’s common stock on the date when the stock option is granted. Additionally, in the case of incentive stock options granted to a holder of more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock on the date of grant, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of one share of common stock on the date the stock option is granted. Stock options must be exercised within a period fixed by the Plan administrator that may not exceed ten years from the date of grant, except that in the case of incentive stock options granted to a holder of more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock on the date of grant, the exercise period may not exceed five years. At the Plan administrator’s discretion, payment for shares of common stock on the exercise of stock options may be made in cash, shares of our common stock held by the participant or in any other form of consideration acceptable to the Plan administrator (including one or more forms of “cashless” or “net” exercise).

Stock Appreciation Rights.  The Plan administrator may grant to a participant an award of SARs, which entitles the participant to receive, upon its exercise, a payment equal to (i) the excess of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the exercise date over the SAR exercise price, times (ii) the number of shares of common stock with respect to which the SAR is exercised. The exercise price for a SAR will be determined by the Plan administrator in its discretion; provided, however, that in no event shall the exercise price be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.

Restricted Shares and Restricted Units.  The Plan administrator may award to a participant shares of common stock subject to specified restrictions (“restricted shares”). Restricted shares are subject to forfeiture if the participant does not meet certain conditions such as continued employment over a specified forfeiture period and/or the attainment of specified performance targets over the forfeiture period. The Plan administrator also may award to a participant Units representing the right to receive shares of common stock in the future subject to the achievement of one or more goals relating to the completion of service by the participant and/or the achievement of performance or other objectives (“restricted Units”). The terms and conditions of restricted share and restricted Unit awards are determined by the Plan administrator.

Performance Awards.  The Plan administrator may grant performance awards to participants under such terms and conditions as the Plan administrator deems appropriate. A performance award entitles a participant to receive a payment from us, the amount of which is based upon the attainment of predetermined performance targets over a specified award period. Performance awards may be paid in cash, shares of common stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Plan administrator.

Other Stock-Based Awards.  The Plan administrator may grant equity-based or equity-related awards, referred to as “other stock-based awards,” other than options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted Units, or performance awards. The terms and conditions of each other stock-based award will be determined by the Plan administrator. Payment under any other stock-based awards will be made in common stock or cash, as determined by the Plan administrator.

Cash-Based Awards.  The Plan administrator may grant cash-based incentive compensation awards, which would include performance-based annual cash incentive compensation to be paid to covered employees subject to Section 162(m) of the Code. The terms and conditions of each cash-based award will be determined by the Plan administrator.

Dividend Equivalents.  The Plan administrator may provide for the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to any shares of common stock subject to an award under the Plan.


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The table below summarizes the aggregate stock and option awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2016.

     
 Option Awards Stock Awards
Name Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
unexercisable
 Option
exercise price
 Option
expiration
date
 Number of
shares of
stock that have
not vested
 Market value
of shares of
stock that have
not vested
David Olert  16,834   4.50   7/7/2026   25,000(1)   43,750 
Marc Matejka(2)  18,000   4.50   7/7/2026   25,000   43,750 

(1)Mr. Olert was granted an additional 15,000 shares in January 2017.
(2)Mr. Matejka’s status as Vice President, Operations was terminated in March 2017 and all options and shares were forfeited.

Vote Required

This Proposal 3 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class on an as-converted to common stock basis. Stockholders may vote “for” or “against” the proposal, or they may abstain from voting on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as vote “against” this Proposal 3. The proxy holders will vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. If you have not given specific instructions to the contrary, your shares will be voted “FOR” the approval of this Proposal 3.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE AMENDMENT OF THE 2012 PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE FOR GRANT UNDER THE PLAN FROM 970,350 SHARES TO 1,370,350 SHARES IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF BOTH OUR STOCKHOLDERS AND THE COMPANY AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT.

PROPOSAL 4

REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

Introduction

Our Board has unanimously approved and recommended to our stockholders an amendment to our certificate of incorporation, as amended (“Certificate of Incorporation”), to authorize the Board of Directors, if it so chooses, to affect a reverse stock split by a ratio of not less than one-for-two (1:2) and not greater than one-for-four (1:4), with the exact ratio to be set as a whole number within this range determined by our Board and a related reduction in the authorized number of shares of our common stock based on the reverse stock split ratio set byposition and the direction of our company and the membership of our board of directors. Currently, these roles are held separately. Mr. Temperato serves as Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Sirgo serves as the Board (exceptChair. While the Board believes that separation of these positions serves our company well, and intends to maintain this separation where appropriate and practicable, the board does not believe that it is appropriate to prohibit one person from serving as both Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.


Role of Board in the case of a one-for-two ratio in which case no adjustment to the number of authorized shares of Common Stock will be made) (collectively, the “Reverse Stock Split”). If this Proposal 4 is approved, our Board may (but is not required to) effect the Reverse Stock Split on or before December 31, 2018, which is the endRisk Oversight

The audit committee of our fiscal year 2018, without further stockholder approval. Even if this Proposal 4board of directors is approved,primarily responsible for overseeing our Board may decide notrisk management on behalf of our board. The audit committee receives reports from management on a regular basis regarding our assessment of risks. In addition, the audit committee reports regularly to affect the Reverse Stock Split at all if it determines that the Reverse Stock Split is not an effective courseour board, which also considers our risk profile. The audit committee and our board of action to achieve corporate objectives.

The Reverse Stock Split will have no effectdirectors focus on the par valuemost significant risks we face and our general risk-management strategies. While our board, through our audit committee, oversees our risk management, management is responsible for day-to-day risk-management processes.


Each committee of our common stock. The Company will pay cashboard of directors meets in lieuexecutive session with key management personnel and representatives of any fractional shares resulting fromoutside advisors to oversee risks associated with their respective principal areas of focus. Our audit committee oversees management of financial risks. Our compensation committee oversees the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split will have the effectmanagement of reducing the number of outstanding shares of common stock by the chosen ratio and also will reduce the number of authorized shares of common stock by the chosen ratio, except in the case of a one-for-two reverse split ratio. The proposed form of amendmentrisks related to our Certificateexecutive compensation plans and arrangements. Our nominating and corporate governance committee manages risks associated with the independence of Incorporation to implementour board and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the Reverse Stock Splitmanagement of such risks, the entire board is attached to this proxy statement asAnnex A (the “Certificateregularly informed through committee reports about such risks.

Independence of Amendment”).

Directors

Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQThe Nasdaq Capital Market which has a continued listing requirement of $1.00 per share. The common stock has recently at times been trading below $1.00 per share. Our Board is submitting this Reverse Stock Split to our stockholders for approval with the primary intent of giving us the flexibility to increase the market price of our common stock to enhance our ability to maintain the listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market and to make our common stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors.

We value our listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market and will consider implementing the Reverse Stock Split in order to assist in maintaining such listing. In addition, we also believe that the low market price of our common stock impairs its acceptability to important segments of the financial community and the investing public. Many investors look upon low-priced stock as unduly speculative in nature and, as a matter of policy, avoid investment in such stocks. We believe that the low market price of our common stock has reduced the effective marketability of those shares because of the reluctance of many leading brokerage firms to recommend low-priced stock to their clients. Further, a variety of brokerage house policies and practices tend to discourage individual brokers within those firms from dealing in low-priced stocks. Some of those policies and practices pertain to the payment of brokers’ commissions and to time-consuming procedures that function to make the handling of low-priced stocks unattractive to brokers from an economic standpoint. Finally, the internal guidelines of many institutional investors prohibit the purchase of stock trading below certain minimum prices, typically $1.00 to $5.00.

In order to provide maximum flexibility, we are submitting this proposal with a range of exchange ratios of not less than one-for-two (1:2) and not greater than one-for-four (1:4). The need for the broad range is due to the volatility of the stock price which ranged from a high of $4.01 to a low of $0.76 during the twelve months prior to April 20, 2017.

We believe that enabling our Board to set the ratio within the stated range will provide us with the flexibility to implement the Reverse Stock Split in a manner designed to maximize the anticipated benefits for our stockholders. In determining whether to implement the Reverse Stock Split and selecting the exchange ratio, our Board will consider factors such as:

Maintaining the listing standards of NASDAQ Stock Market;
The status of the common stock listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market and the listing standards of other stock exchanges; and
The historical trading price and trading volume of our common stock;
The number of shares of our common stock outstanding;
The then prevailing trading price and trading volume for our common stock;
The anticipated impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading price of and market for our common stock; and
Prevailing general market and economic conditions.

Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our common stock through a reverse stock split is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price of our common stock. However, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our common stock will increase following the Reverse Stock Split or that the market price of our common stock will not decrease in the future. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the market price per share of our common stock after a reverse stock split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our common stock outstanding before the Reverse Stock Split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our common stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the Reverse Stock Split.


Our Board will have sole discretion as to the exact timing and precise exchange ratio of the Reverse Stock Split within the range of ratios specified in this Proposal 4 until December 31, 2018, which is the end of our fiscal year 2018. Our Board may also determine that the Reverse Stock Split is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and decide to abandon the Reverse Stock Split, at any time before, during or after the Annual Meeting and prior to its effectiveness, without further action by the stockholders.

Effect of the Reverse Split on Our Common Stock

Depending on the ratio for the Reverse Stock Split determined by our Board, a minimum of two and a maximum of four shares of existing common stock will be combined into one new share of common stock. In addition, the authorized number of shares of our common stock will be reduced based on the reverse stock split ratio set by the Board to the extent set forth in the table below. For example, if the Board determines to set the ratio to combine three shares of existing common stock into one new share of common stock, the authorized number of shares of common stock will be amended to be one-third of the existing number of authorized shares (i.e., equal to the adjustment to the outstanding shares in the reverse stock split). No change will be made to the number of authorized shares of common stock if the reverse stock split ratio is set by the Board at two shares combined into one share.

The table below shows, as of April 20, 2017, the number of authorized shares of common stock and the approximate number of outstanding shares of common stock (excluding Treasury shares) that would result from the listed hypothetical reverse stock split ratios (without giving effect to the treatment of fractional shares) based on the 8,005,011 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of such date:

  
Reverse Stock Split Ratio Approximate Number of
Outstanding Shares of
Common Stock Following the
Reverse Stock Split
 Number of Authorized Shares of
Common Stock Following the
Reverse Stock Split
[1-for-2] 4,002,506 100,000,000
[1-for-3] 2,668,337 100,000,000
[1-for-4] 2,001,253 100,000,000

The actual number of shares issued and outstanding after giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, will depend on the Reverse Stock Split ratio that is ultimately determined by our Board.

The Reverse Stock Split will affect all holders of our common stock uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in us, except that, as described below in “— Fractional Shares,” record holders of common stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Stock Split will receive cash in lieu of such fractional share. In addition, the Reverse Stock Split will not affect any stockholder’s proportionate voting power (subject to the treatment of fractional shares).

The Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of common stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.

The Reverse Stock Split will result in the number of authorized shares of common stock being reduced based on the equivalent of the Reverse Stock Split ratio determined by the Board other than in the case of a one-for-two reverse split in which case no change will be made to the number of authorized shares of common stock. Authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance as may be determined by our Board without further action by our stockholders, unless stockholder approval is required by applicable law or securities exchange listing requirements in connection with a particular transaction. These additional shares may be issued in the future for a variety of corporate purposes including, but not limited to, raising additional capital, corporate acquisitions and equity incentive plans. Except for a stock split or stock dividend, future issuances of common shares will dilute the voting power and ownership of our existing stockholders and, depending on the amount of consideration received in connection with the issuance, could also reduce stockholders’ equity on a per share basis.


The Reverse Stock Split could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect (for example, by enhancing our ability to approve future issuances that could dilute the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of our Board of Directors or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction involving the Company with another company). This Proposal 4 is not being made in response to any effort of which the Board is aware to accumulate shares of our common stock or obtain control of the Company nor does the Company currently have any plans, proposals or arrangements to issue for any purpose, including future acquisitions or financings, any of the newly available authorized shares of common stock resulting from a change in the authorized shares.

Procedure for Implementing the Reverse Stock Split

The Reverse Stock Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing (the “Effective Time”) of a certificate of amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The exact timing of the filing of the certificate of amendment that will affect the Reverse Stock Split will be determined by our Board based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most advantageous to us and our stockholders. In addition, our Board reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further action by the stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split if, at any time prior to filing the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, our Board, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split. If a certificate of amendment effecting the Reverse Stock Split has not been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware by the close of business on December 31, 2018, our Board will abandon the Reverse Stock Split.

After the Effective Time, our common stock will have a new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number, which is a number used to identify our equity securities, and stock certificates with the older CUSIP number will need to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP number by following the procedures described below.

Beneficial Holders of Common Stock (i.e., stockholders who hold in street name)

Upon the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split, we intend to treat shares held by stockholders through a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees will be instructed to affect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding our common stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who hold shares of our common stock with a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee and who have any questions in this regard are encouraged to contact their banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees.

Registered “Book-Entry” Holders of Common Stock (i.e., stockholders that are registered on the transfer agent’s books and records but do not hold stock certificates)

Certain of our registered holders of common stock may hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent. These stockholders do not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of the common stock. They are, however, provided with a statement reflecting the number of shares registered in their accounts.

Stockholders who hold shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent will not need to take action (the exchange will be automatic) to receive whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split common stock, subject to adjustment for treatment of fractional shares.

Exchange of Stock Certificates and Elimination of Fractional Share Interests

As soon as practicable after filing the certificate of amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation effecting a Reverse Stock Split with the Secretary of State of Delaware, stockholders will receive instructions for the exchange of their common stock certificates for new certificates representing the appropriate number of shares of common stock after the Reverse Stock Split. However, if permitted, the Company may elect to affect the exchange in the ordinary course of trading as certificates are returned for transfer. In either event, each current certificate representing shares of common stock will until so exchanged be deemed for all corporate


purposes after the filing date to evidence ownership of our common stock in the proportionately reduced number. An exchange agent may be appointed to act for stockholders in effecting the exchange of their certificates.

Stockholders shouldNOTdestroy any stock certificates or submit their stock certificates now. You should submit them only after you receive instructions from us or our exchange agent.

No service charges, brokerage commissions or transfer taxes will be payable by any stockholder, except that if any new stock certificates are to be issued in a name other than that in which the surrendered certificate(s) are registered it will be a condition of such issuance that (1) the person requesting such issuance pays all applicable transfer taxes resulting from the transfer (or prior to transfer of such certificate, if any) or establishes 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.

Fractional Shares

We do not currently intend to issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Therefore, we will not issue certificates representing fractional shares. In lieu of issuing fractions of shares, we intend to pay cash as follows:

If a stockholder’s shares are held in street name, payment for the fractional shares will be deposited directly into the stockholder’s account with the organization holding the stockholder’s shares.
If the stockholder’s shares are registered directly in the stockholder’s name, payment for the fractional shares will be made by check, sent to the stockholder directly from our transfer agent upon receipt of the properly completed and executed transmittal letter and original stock certificates.
The amount of cash to be paid for fractional shares will be equal to the product obtained by multiplying:
The average closing price of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Capital Market for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the Reverse Stock Split, or if our common stock is not at such time traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market, then as reported on the primary trading market for our common stock; and
The amount of the fractional share.

Those stockholders who hold less than the number of shares set forth in the Reverse Stock Split ratio would be eliminated as a result of the payment of fractional shares in lieu of any fractional share interest in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. The Board reserves the right to aggregate all fractional shares for cash and arrange for their sale, with the aggregate proceeds from such sale being distributed to the holders of fractional shares on a pro rata basis.

Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Employee Plans, Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Units, Warrants, and Convertible or Exchangeable Securities

Based upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio determined by our Board, proportionate adjustments are generally required to be made to the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all outstanding options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the holders to purchase, exchange for, or convert into, shares of common stock. This would result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities upon exercise, and approximately the same value of shares of common stock being delivered upon such exercise, exchange or conversion, immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as was the case immediately preceding the Reverse Stock Split. The number of shares deliverable upon settlement or vesting of restricted stock awards will be similarly adjusted, subject to our treatment of fractional shares. The number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to these securities will be proportionately based upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio determined by the Board, subject to our treatment of fractional shares.


Accounting Matters

This proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation will not affect the par value of our common stock per share, which will remain $0.0001 par value per share. As a result, as of the Effective Time, the stated capital attributable to common stock will be proportionately reduced based on the applicable ratio used in the Reverse Stock Split and the additional paid-in capital account on our balance sheet will not be materially affected due to the Reverse Stock Split. Reported per share net income or loss will be higher because there will be fewer shares of common stock outstanding.

Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following summary describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to holders of our common stock.

Unless otherwise specifically indicated herein, this summary addresses the tax consequences only to a beneficial owner of our common stock that is a citizen or individual resident of the United States, a corporation organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis in respect of our common stock (a “U.S. holder”). A trust may also be a U.S. holder if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. An estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source may also be a U.S. holder.

This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to any particular investor, including tax considerations that arise fromMarket. Under Nasdaq rules, of general application to all taxpayers or to certain classes of taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be known by investors. This summary also does not address the tax consequences to (i) persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as banks, insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to mark to market and dealers in securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our common stock as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging,” “conversion” or other integrated investment transaction for federal income tax purposes, or (iii) persons that do not hold our common stock as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment). If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold our common stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.

This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.

The Reverse Stock Split should be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, a stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss on the Reverse Stock Split, except to the extent of cash, if any, received in lieu of a fractional share interest in the post-Reverse Stock Split shares. The aggregate tax basis of the post-split shares received will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-split shares exchanged therefore (excluding any portion of the holder’s basis allocated to fractional shares), and the holding period of the post-split shares received will include the holding period of the pre-split shares exchanged.


A holder of the pre-split shares who receives cash will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the portion of the tax basis of the pre-split shares allocated to the fractional share interest and the cash received. Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and will be short term if the pre-split shares were held for one year or less and long term if held more than one year.

No gain or loss will be recognized by us as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.

No Appraisal Rights

Stockholders have no rights under Delaware law or under our charter documents to exercise dissenters’ rights of appraisal with respect to the Reverse Stock Split.

Vote Required

This Proposal 4 requires the affirmative vote ofindependent directors must comprise a majority of the outstanding sharesboard, and each member of our common stockaudit committee, compensation committee and Preferred Stock voting togethernominating and corporate governance committee must be independent. Under Nasdaq rules, a director will only qualify as a single class on an as-converted to common stock basis. Stockholders may vote “for” or “against” the proposal, or they may abstain from voting on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as vote “against” this Proposal 4. The proxy holders will vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. If you have not given specific instructions to the contrary, your shares will be voted “FOR” the approval of this Proposal 4.

Board Recommendation

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROPOSAL 4.


PROPOSAL NO. 5

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Audit Committee has recommended the reappointment of CohnReznick LLP (“Cohn”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. The Company appointed Cohn as its independent registered public accounting firm in June 2014.

The stockholders are being requested to ratify the reappointment of Cohn at the Annual Meeting. If the selection is not ratified, it is contemplated that the appointment of Cohn for 2017 may be permitted to stand in view of the difficulty and the expense involved in changing independent auditors on short notice, unless the Audit Committee finds other compelling reasons for making a change. Even“independent director” if, the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee and the Board may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interestsopinion of the Company and its stockholders. The Company anticipates that a representative of Cohn will attend the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate stockholder questions.

Audit Fees

Audit fees include fees for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements, fees for the reviewing of the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements, and fees for services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. In 2016 and 2015 this included reviews related to our Public Offering. The aggregate fees billed by CohnReznick LLP for the professional services rendered to the Company for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years 2016 and 2015, reviews of quarterly consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q and our Form S-1 filings were $389,000 and $464,000, respectively.

All other Fees

There were no other fees for services by CohnReznick LLP in the fiscal years 2016 and 2015.

Determination of Auditor Independence

There were no non-audit services provided by CohnReznick LLP that would need to be considered in determining auditor independence.

Pre-Approval Policy

In accordance with our Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services and permitted non-audit services, if any, to be performed for us by our independent auditor, subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit. The scope of the pre-approval includes pre-approval of all fees and terms of engagement, including those performed for purposes of providing comfort letters and statutory audits. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

Our Audit Committee regularly reviews and determines whether specific non-audit projects or expenditures with our independent registered public accounting firm potentially affect its independence.


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The information contained in this Report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing (except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference), and shall not otherwise be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (except to the extent that we specifically request that this information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate this information by reference).

The Audit Committee consists of three non-employee directors who are independent under the standards adopted by our Board and applicable NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and SEC regulations. The Audit Committee represents and assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight and evaluation of the quality and integrity of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of the Company’s registered public accounting firm, CohnReznick LLP, and the performance of the Company’s internal controls and of its public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management and internal finance staff and Cohn, with and without management present, the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. The Audit Committee has also discussed with Cohn the results of the independent auditors’ examinations and the judgments concerning the quality, as well as the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters that the Company is required to discuss with the independent auditors under applicable rules, regulations or generally accepted auditing standards (including the Auditing Standard No. 16 as issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board).

In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Cohn required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding their communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Cohn their independence from the Company and management, including whether their provision of non-audit services to us is compatible with maintaining their independence, the scope of the audit and the fees paid to Cohn during the year.

Based on our review and the discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 for filing with the SEC.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Robert Machinist, Chairman
Christopher Miner
Steven Barre


Vote Required

You may vote in favor or against this proposal or you may abstain from voting. Assuming a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of Cohn as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2017. If stockholders do not specify the manner in which their shares represented by a validly executed proxy solicited by the Board are to be voted on this proposal, such shares will be voted in favor of the ratification of the appointment of Cohn as our independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes cast against this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected because brokers and other nominees that do not receive instructions are entitled to vote on this matter. However, should a broker non-vote occur, it will not be counted as a vote cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote (i.e. it will be neither a vote “for” nor “against” the proposal).

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF COHNREZNICK LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Our executive officers and directors, their respective positions and their respective ages as of April 20, 2017 are as follows:

NameAgePosition(s)
David H. Clarke75Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director
Jonathan Clark57Interim President and Director
David Olert63Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Stephen R. Brownsell46Executive Vice President
Robert B. Machinist62Director
Christopher M. Miner65Director
Steven Barre57Director

David H. Clarke — Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Clarke has served as Chief Executive Officer and President since December 2015 and has served as a director since September 2015. Mr. Clarke also serves on the board of Omega Protein, Inc., an animal and human nutritional company listed on the NYSE. Mr. Clarke was chairman of Hong Kong-based United Pacific Industries, Limited, a conglomerate listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. He also served as a director of United Pacific Industries, Limited from 2004 to 2014. Previously he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jacuzzi Brands from June 1995 through October 2006.

Mr. Clarke also spends a portion of his time managing the business and affairs of GSB Holdings, Inc., a family-owned entity engaged in real estate development and investments only in investments and which is not involved in any industries in which our company currently competes. Although he may potentially face a conflict regarding the allocation of time between our business and the other business interests of GSB Holdings, Inc. Mr. Clarke has agreed to devote as much time to the management of our business and affairs as is necessary for the proper conduct of our business and affairs. We expect Mr. Clarke will devote at least 90% of his time to our operations.

Jonathan Clark — Interim President and Director.  Mr. Clark joined ourcompany’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with such person’s exercise of independent judgment in July 2016 and became our Interim President in October 2016. From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Clark wascarrying out the Chief Executive Officer and Presidentresponsibilities of Priority Posting and Publishing, Inc., a real estate services provider to trustees, law firms and banking related organizations. From 1988 to 2009 he held a number of executive positions, including President and Chief Executive Officer of Sundance Spas, Inc. Mr. Clark holds doctorate degrees in Psychology from the American Behavioral Studies Institute and a Bachelor of Business Degree from California State University — Fullerton.

David Olert — Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.  Mr. Olert has served as the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance since September 2015. Prior to his appointment, he served as Chief Financial Officer for InterMetro Communications a publicly traded long-distance provider, since July 2007. Mr. Olert is a certified public accountant and holds a Masters of Business Administration from William Howard Taft University and a Bachelors in Computer Science Concentration from Barry University.

Stephen R. Brownsell — Executive Vice President.  Mr. Brownsell was recently promoted to Executive Vice President and previously served as a Vice President since joining the Company in October 2016. Mr. Brownsell is a management executive with over twenty years of international marketing experience. Previously, from August 2009, he was Vice President, Marketing, Business Development and Business Strategy at Priority Posting and Publishing, Inc. Prior to that, he held multiple marketing executive positions that included a position as a marketing executive at Hilton International Hotels. Mr. Brownsell is a graduate of Oxford University in the UK and has a Master’s Degree from Wake Forest University.

Robert B. Machinist — Director.  Mr. Machinist joined ourdirector.


Our board of directors in July 2016. Mr. Machinist ishas undertaken a review of its composition, the Chairmancomposition of CIFC Corp.its committees and has been a memberthe independence of that board since December 2004. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Advisors of MESA, a merchant bank specializing in mediaeach director. Based upon information requested from and entertainment industry transactions. Mr. Machinist also runs a privateprovided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family investment company. In addition, he is a member of the boards of directors of United Pacific Industries, a publicly listed Hong Kong company, and Maimonides Medical Center. He was the Chairman of Atrinsic, a publicly-listed interactive media


company, through 2008. From 1998 to December 2001, Mr. Machinist was managing director and head of investment banking for the Bank of New York and its Capital Markets division. From January 1986 to November 1998, he was president and one of the principal founders of Patricof & Co. Capital Corp. (and its successor companies), a multinational investment banking business, until its acquisition by the Bank of New York. Mr. Machinist received a B.A. from Vassar College.

Christopher M. Miner — Director.  Mr. Miner joined our board of directors in July 2016. Since January 2014, Mr. Miner has been a member ofrelationships, the board of director of Ascentra Holdings, Inc. (formerly Interush Holdings), a multi-level marketer, acting as its President from October 2015 through December 2016. Subsequently, Mr. Miner retained the Ascentra director position through March and is currently on the board of the Ascentra Philippine subsidiary. Mr. Miner most recently served as a director to Craig Wireless, Ltd. a publicly traded telecommunications company. He joined Craig Wireless as a consultant in 2010, was elected to the board in 2011 and served through February 2012, continuing as consultant until end of 2012. Mr. Miner was previously director of Cali-West, a manufacturing, construction and service company in the car care industry until 2010 when he sold the business. For nearly eight years Mr. Miner was active on the board of Herbalife International, a public reporting Health and Wellness Company. Mr. Miner was part of the special committee that managed the sale of Herbalife in 2002 and also chaired or participated in audit, compensation, and finance committees. Early technology engagements included serving as CFO of a NASDAQ reporting company, Technology Marketing Inc., and integration of several acquisitions substantially increasing company performance and valuation. In 1989 he founded Workstation Technologies, an international development company and marketer of compression and videoconferencing products to major telecommunication and computer manufacturers. Mr. Miner earned a Masters in Business Administration from the California State University in 1976 and Bachelors from the University of New York in 1973.

Steven C. Barre — Director.  Mr. Barre joined our board of directors in November 2016. Mr. Barre is currently the Founder and President of Verona Group Inc., a real estate investment company. From 2008 to 2012, he was a member of the Board of Directors at Tigrent Inc., an educational program provider, and he served as its Chief Executive Officer from 2010 to 2012. Prior to this, Mr. Barre was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of NYSE listed Jacuzzi Brands, Inc. Mr. Barre earned a B.S. from Cornell University and a JD from Columbia Law School.

Each of our officers serves at the discretion of our board of directors. Each of our directors holds office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

Director Independence

Our Board has determined that each of Mr. Constantino, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Rice and Dr. Sirgo does not have a relationship that would interfere with the non-managementexercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors Robert Machinist, Christopher Mineris “independent” as that term is defined under applicable Nasdaq rules. In making these determinations, the board considered the current and Steven Barre, who collectively constitute a majorityprior relationships that each non-employee director has with us and all other facts and circumstances the Board deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our Board, is an “independent” director as definedcapital stock by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market currently in effect and approved by the SEC and all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. All members of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees satisfy the “independence” standards applicable to members of each such committee. Our Board made this affirmative determination regarding these directors’ independence based on discussion with the directors and on its review of the directors’ responses to a standard questionnaire regarding employment and compensation history; affiliations, family and other relationships; and transactions with the Company. The Board considered relationships and transactions between each director or any member of his immediate family and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The purpose of the Board’s review with respect to each director was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent under the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules.

non-employee director.


Board Committees

Our


As described above, our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Our board of directors may establish other committees to facilitate the management of our business. The composition and functions of each committeeof our audit, compensation and nominating
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and corporate governance committees are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors.

Each of these committees is governed by a formal written charter approved by our board, and a copy of each such charter is available on our website at: http://9meters.com/investors/corporate-governance. However, the reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on or available through our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this Proxy Statement.


Audit Committee


Our audit committee consists of Steven Barre, Robert MachinistMr. Constantino (Chair) and Christopher Miner, with Mr. Machinist acting asDrs. Johnson and Sirgo. Dr. Nissim Darvish was a member of the chair. The audit committee consists solelyuntil July 2020, when Mr. Constantino joined the board of directors whichand the audit committee. Prior to Mr. Constantino joining the audit committee, the Chair was Dr. Sirgo. Each of Mr. Constantino and Drs. Johnson and Sirgo, and Dr. Darvish during his period of service on the audit committee, satisfy the independence requirements underof Rules 5605(a)(2) and 5605(c)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standardsrules and Rule 10A-3(b)(1)Section 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act. The chairaudit committee met four times during 2020. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Constantino is an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined by the SEC rules implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and possesses financial sophistication, as defined under applicable Nasdaq rules. Our board of directors has also determined that each member of our audit committee is a person whocan read and understand fundamental financial statements in accordance with applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules. To arrive at these determinations, our board of directors has determined is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of SEC regulations. Each member of our audit committee is a person who our board of directors has determined has the requisite financial expertise required under the applicable requirements of Nasdaq. In arriving at this determination, the board examinesexamined each audit committee member’s scope of experience and the nature of their employmenthis experience in the corporate finance sector.

The primary functions of this committee includes:

reviewing and approving the engagementresponsibilities of our audit committee include:

selecting and retaining, compensating, overseeing and, if necessary, terminating the independent registered public accounting firm with respect to performits performance of audit services and any permissible non-audit services;
evaluating
pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit and tax services provided by any independent registered public accounting firm;

reviewing and discussing with the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm critical accounting policies and deciding whether to retain their services;practices, alternative treatments of financial information and other material written communications;
monitoring the rotation of partners on the engagement team of our independent registered public accounting firm;
reviewing our annual and quarterly financial statements and reports and discussing the statements and reports with ourthe independent registered public accounting firm and management including a reviewour annual financial statements and, following completion of disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;”
considering and approving or disapproving all related party transactions;
the audit, reviewing separately with ourthe independent registered public accounting firm and management significant issuesany problems or difficulties encountered during the audit;

recommending that may arise regardingthe audited financial statements be included in our Forms 10-K and producing the Audit Committee Report required to be included in our proxy statements;

reviewing any other relevant reports or other financial information prepared by management and directing the independent registered public accounting principles andfirm to use its best efforts to perform a review of interim financial statement presentation, as well as matters concerning the scope, adequacy and effectivenessinformation prior to our disclosure of such financial information;

coordinating our board of directors’ oversight of our internal control over financial controls;reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;
conducting an annual
periodically reviewing our Investment Policy for compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and recommending any changes to the Board;

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discussing our policies with respect to risk assessment ofand risk management, including guidelines and policies to govern the performance of the audit committee and its members, and the adequacy of its charter; andprocess by which our exposure to risk is handled;

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding financial(i) accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
matters;

reviewing and approving, or making recommendations to our board of directors regarding, our policies and procedures for reviewing and approving or ratifying related person transactions, and reviewing, approving and overseeing any related person transactions;


monitoring compliance with our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”), investigating any alleged breach or violation of the Code, enforcing the provisions of the Code, and reviewing the Code periodically and recommending any changes to the Board; and

performing an annual review and evaluation of the performance of the audit committee and an annual review of its charter.

Compensation Committee


Our compensation committee consists of Robert Machinist, Steven BarreDr. Johnson (Chair), Mr. Rice and Christopher Miner, withDr. Sirgo. Mr. Miner acting asConstantino was a member of the chair.compensation committee from July 2020, when Mr. Constantino joined the board of directors, until February 2021, when Mr. Rice joined the board and the compensation committee. Each of Dr. Johnson, Mr. Rice and Dr. Sirgo, and Mr. Constantino during his period of service on the compensation committee, satisfy the independence requirements of Rules 5605(a)(2) and 5605(d)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market listing rules. The compensation committee consists solelymet four times during 2020.

The responsibilities of directors whomour compensation committee include:

reviewing and approving, or recommending that our board of directors has determinedapprove, the compensation of our chief executive officer and all other executive officers;

periodically reviewing and making recommendations to our board of directors with respect to director compensation;

reviewing and approving, or recommending that our board of directors approve, incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans;

if required (which it currently is not), reviewing and discussing with management our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” recommending that such disclosure be included in our Form 10-K or proxy statement and producing the Compensation Committee Report on executive officer compensation to be independent under Nasdaq listing standards,included in our Form 10-K or proxy statement;

reviewing and approving, or making recommendations to our board of directors regarding, any employment agreements and any severance arrangements or plans, including any benefits to be provided in connection with a “non-employee director” as definedchange in Rule 16b-3 promulgated undercontrol, for our chief executive officer and other executive officers;

overseeing the Exchange Actmanagement of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements; and

performing an annual review and evaluation of the performance of the compensation committee and an “outside director” as that term is defined in Section 162(m)annual review of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,its charter.

Our compensation committee reviews and approves, or the Code. The functions of this committee includes:

determiningrecommends for our board’s approval, the compensation and other terms of employment of our chief executive officer and our other executive officers. Our compensation committee meets without the
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presence of executive officers and reviewing andwhen approving corporate performance goals and objectives relevant to such compensation;
reviewing and recommending to the full board of directorsor deliberating on the compensation of our directors;
evaluatingchief executive officer but may, in its discretion, invite our chief executive officer to be present during the approval of, or deliberations with respect to, compensation for our other executive officers. Our compensation committee also periodically reviews and administering the equity incentive plans, compensation plans and similar programs advisable for us, as well as reviewing and recommendingmakes recommendations to our board of directors regarding the adoption, modification or terminationcompensation of our plans and programs;
establishing policies with respect to equity compensation arrangements;
if required, reviewing with management our disclosures under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and recommending to the full board its inclusion in our periodic reports to be filed with the SEC; and
reviewing and evaluating, at least annually, the performance of thedirectors. Our compensation committee may form and delegate authority to one or more subcommittees as it deems appropriate from time to time.

Our compensation committee has the adequacyauthority, in its sole discretion, to retain or obtain the advice of its charter.such compensation consultants, legal counsel or other advisors as it deems necessary or appropriate. Our compensation committee has not engaged any external compensation consultants.


Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee


Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Steven Barre, Robert MachinistMr. Rice (Chair), Mr. Constantino and Christopher Miner, with Mr. Barre acting as the chair. Our nominatingDrs. Johnson and corporate governance committee consists solely of directors whom our board of directors has determined to be independent under Nasdaq listing standards. The functions of this committee includes:

reviewing periodically and evaluating director performance on our board of directors and its applicable committees, and recommending to our board of directors and management areas for improvement;
interviewing, evaluating, nominating and recommending individuals for membership on our board of directors;
reviewing and recommending to our board of directors any amendments to our corporate governance policies; and
reviewing and assessing, at least annually, the performanceSirgo. Dr. Darvish was a member of the nominating and corporate governance committee until his resignation from the board in February 2021, thereafter Mr. Rice was appointed to the committee and was also appointed as Chair. Dr. Sirgo joined the adequacynominating and corporate governance committee in September 2020 and Mr. Constantino joined the committee in February 2021. Each of Messrs. Rice and Constantino and Drs. Johnson and Sirgo, and Dr. Darvish during his period of service on the nominating and corporate governance committee, satisfy the independence requirements of Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market listing rules. Due in part to significant corporate changes, including board composition, during the year, the nominating and corporate governance did not meet during 2020.

The responsibilities of our nominating and corporate governance committee include:

identifying and screening individuals qualified to become members of our board of directors;

recommending the number of members that shall serve on our board of directors;

evaluating and reviewing the qualifications and independence of existing and prospective directors;

selecting and approving the director nominees to be submitted to a stockholder vote at our Annual Meeting of stockholders;

developing and recommending corporate governance guidelines to our board of directors;

periodically reviewing our board of directors’ leadership structure;

overseeing the review by our board of directors, from time to time, of succession planning for senior executives;

overseeing the evaluation of our board of directors and its committees; and

performing an annual review and evaluation of the performance of our nominating and corporate governance committee and an annual review of its charter.

Code

Our nominating and corporate governance committee identifies persons as candidates to serve on the board of Business Conductdirectors and Ethics

selects, or recommends that our board of directors select, the nominees for directorships to be filled by our board of directors or by our stockholders at an annual or special meeting. In evaluating the suitability of individual candidates, our nominating and corporate governance committee may take into account many factors, including, among others, personal and professional integrity, ethics and values, experience in corporate management, strong finance experience, practical and mature business judgment, experience relevant to our industry, experience as a board member or executive officer of another publicly held company, relevant academic expertise or other proficiency in an area of our operations, diversity of expertise and experience in substantive

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matters pertaining to our business relative to other board members and diversity of background and perspective, including, but not limited to, with respect to age, gender, race, place of residence and specialized experience. Neither our board of directors nor our nominating and corporate governance committee has developed a policy with respect to diversity in identifying nominees for director, other than to consider diversity when assessing nominees. Our nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates each person in the context of our board of directors as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that can best effect and perpetuate the success of our company and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment, using its diversity of experience in these various areas.

Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consider stockholder recommendations of candidates on the same basis as it considers all other candidates. Stockholder recommendations should be submitted to us under the procedures discussed in “Stockholder Communications with the Board,” and should include the full name of the proposed nominee, a description of the proposed nominee’s business experience for at least the previous five years, complete biographical information and a description of the proposed nominee’s qualifications as a director. Any such submission must be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

Board Meetings and Attendance

Our board of directors has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. Our code of business conduct and ethics will be available on our website atwww.monsterdigital.com. We intend to disclose any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, on our website to the extent required by the applicable rules and exchange requirements. The inclusion of our website address in this report does not include or incorporate by reference into this report the information on or accessible through our website.

Attendance of Directors at Board Meetings and Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Duringmeets throughout the year ended December 31, 2016, our Board met five times. Eachon a set schedule and also holds special meetings and acts by written consent from time to time. During 2020, the board of directors held nine meetings and each director attended at least 75% of the current directors who was on the Board during 2016 attended 100% of the aggregate total number of meetings held by the Boardboard of directors and those committees of the Boardeach committee on which he served during 2016.

the period each director was appointed during 2020. Additionally, Dr. Sirgo and Mr. Temperato attended the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 30, 2020. We do not have a stated policy regarding director attendance at annual stockholder meetings, but strongly encourage our directors to attend each such meeting.

Stockholder Communications with the Board


Stockholders who wish to communicate with our board of directors may do so by sending written communications to our Corporate Secretary addressed as follows: 9 Meters Biopharma, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27615. The communications will be reviewed by the Corporate Secretary. Our Corporate Secretary will forward such communication to the board or to any individual director to whom the communication is addressed unless the communication is unduly frivolous, hostile, threatening or similarly inappropriate, in which case our Corporate Secretary shall discard the communication.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

We have adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that applies to our directors, officers (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions) and other employees. Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is available on the “Corporate Governance Overview” page of the “Investors” section of our website, which may be accessed by navigating to www.9meters.com/corporate-governance/. We intend to post on our website and (if required) file on Form 8-K all disclosures that are required by applicable law, the rules of the SEC or the Nasdaq listing standard, concerning any amendment to, or waiver from, our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. However, the reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on or available through our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this Proxy Statement.

Currently, the Company does not have any practices or policies regarding hedging transactions.

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PROPOSAL 2

TO AMEND OUR CHARTER TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

The board of directors has adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to our Charter, to increase the number of shares of capital stock from 360,000,000 to 560,000,000 authorized for issuance and increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance from 350,000,000 to 550,000,000 (the “Charter Amendment”). As of the record date, the Company had [_______] shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and [_______] shares of common stock reserved for issuance.

Background

The board of directors believes that the increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock is necessary to provide the Company with a policysufficient number of authorized shares of common stock available for general corporate purposes including, but not limited to: (i) issuing shares of common stock to attract and retain employees and consultants and (ii) retaining the flexibility to pursue future potential strategic transactions requiring share issuances. Our reserve of authorized but unissued common stock was substantially reduced when we completed the RDD Merger in April 2020 and our acquisition of Naia Rare Diseases, Inc. in May 2020, when we strengthened our balance sheet with our May 2020 offering of preferred stock, which has since converted into common stock, and by our December 2020 and April 2021 offerings of common stock.

The board of directors believes that having an increased amount of authorized shares of common stock available for issuance in the future will give the Company greater flexibility and allow such shares of common stock to be issued without the expense and delay of an additional special meeting of stockholders, unless such approval is expressly required by applicable law.

Effects

The terms of the additional shares of common stock will be identical to those of the currently outstanding common stock and will not affect the relative voting power or equity interest of any stockholder, except to the extent we issue shares of common stock in the future. This amendment to increase the authorized shares of common stock will not change the current number of shares or the par value of common stock outstanding.

We do not have any current plans, proposals or arrangements, written or otherwise, to issue any of the additional authorized shares of common stock other than as disclosed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including potential issuance of shares of common stock upon the exercise of outstanding warrants and options. However, we might decide to seek additional financing through equity or debt issuances to provide additional capital to sustain our operations. The issuance of any shares of common stock, or securities convertible into common stock, in connection with any such financing, might dilute the proportionate ownership and voting power of existing stockholders and depress the market price of our common stock. Although the future issuance of additional shares of common stock would dilute the relative ownership interests of existing stockholders, the board of directors believes that having the flexibility to issue additional shares in appropriate circumstances could increase the overall value of the Company to its directorsstockholders.

No further stockholder approval would be required prior to attend the Annual Meetingissuance of Stockholders.

Board Leadership Structure

The Company doesthe additional shares of common stock authorized by the amendment, except as may be required in particular cases by our Charter, the Delaware General Corporation Law or other applicable law, regulatory agencies or Nasdaq Listing Rules. There are no cumulative voting, preemptive, subscription or conversion rights associated with our shares of common stock, which means that current stockholders do not have a policy regarding whetherright to purchase any new issue of common stock, or securities that are convertible into common stock, in order to maintain their proportionate ownership interests in the ChairmanCompany.


Although this proposal to increase the authorized common stock has been prompted by business and Chief Executive Officer roles shouldfinancial considerations and not by the threat of any hostile takeover attempt, the additional shares of common stock that would become available for issuance if this proposed amendment is approved could also be combinedused by the board of
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directors, subject to its fiduciary duties, to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or separated. Rather,to delay or prevent changes in control.

If adopted, the Charter Amendment will become effective upon the filing of an amendment to our Board retains flexibilityCharter with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which we intend to choose its Chairman in any way that it deems bestdo promptly after stockholder approval is obtained.

The general description of the amendment set forth herein is a summary only and the full text of the proposed Charter Amendment is attached as Annex A to this Proxy Statement.

Required Vote

Provided there is a quorum for the Company at any given time. The Company currently has a combined Chairman and CEO position. David H. Clarke serves as our Chairmanmeeting, approval of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes that Mr. Clarke’s in-depth knowledge ofCharter Amendment requires the businesses and operations of the Company best equips him to lead Board meetings and focus the Board discussions on the most critical issues, as well as fostering greater communication between the Company’s management and the Board.

The Board believes that other aspects of the current leadership structure ensure effective independent Board leadership and oversight of management. For example, the independent directors meet in executive sessions without the CEO or other members of management present. Executive sessions are led by our lead independent director Mr. Robert Machinist. An executive session is typically held in conjunction with each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting and other sessions may be called by the Audit Committee Chairman in his own discretion or at the request of the Board. Except as set forth above, the independent directors did not meet in executive session in 2016.

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Our Company faces a variety of risks, including investment risk, liquidity risk, and operational risk. Our Board believes an effective risk management system will (1) timely identify the material risks that the Company faces, (2) communicate necessary information with respect to material risks to senior executives and, as appropriate, to the Board or committee thereof, (3) implement appropriate and responsive risk management strategies consistent with the Company’s risk profile, and (4) integrate risk management into Company decision-making. It is management’s responsibility to manage the day-to-day risks that we face and bring to the Board’s attention the most material risks to the Company.

The Board has oversight responsibility of the processes established by management to report and monitor systems for material risks applicable to the Company, with the oversight of certain risk areas delegated to board committees. For example, our Compensation Committee is responsible for assessing risks associated with our compensation programs and arrangements. Our Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing management of certain financial, accounting and regulatory risks. The Board encourages management to promote a corporate culture that incorporates risk management into the Company’s corporate strategy and day-to-day business operations. The Board also works, with the input of the Company’s executive officers, to assess and analyze the most likely areas of future risk for the Company.

The Director Nomination Process

The Nominating Committee considers nominees from all sources, including stockholders. Stockholder nominees are evaluated by the same criteria used to evaluate potential nominees from other sources. Our Board will consistaffirmative vote of a majority of directors who qualifythe shares outstanding which are entitled to vote on the proposal as “independent” directors within the meaning of the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, asrecord date. Abstentions will have the same may be amended from time to time. Minimally, nominees should haveeffect as a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards. They should have demonstrated business experience and the ability to exercise sound judgment in matters related to the current and long-term objectives of the Company, and should be willing and able to contribute positively to the decision-making process of the Company. In addition, a nominee should not have, nor appear to have, a conflict of interest that would impair the nominee’s ability to represent the interests of the Company or to fulfill the responsibilitiesvote against this Proposal 2. The approval of a director.

Althoughcharter amendment to increase the Board does not maintain a formal policy regarding diversity, the value of diversity on our Boardshares authorized is considered and the particular or unique needs of the Company shall be taken into account at the time a nominee is being considered. The Nominating Committee seeks a broad range of perspectives and considers both the personal characteristics (gender, ethnicity, age) and experience (education, industry, professional, public service) of directors and prospective nominees to the Board. Our Nominating Committee and Board


believe that a diverse representation on the Board fosters a healthy, comprehensive, and balanced deliberative and decision-making process that is essential to the continued effective functioning of the Board and continued success of the Company.

Additionally, the Nominating Committee considers the respective qualifications needed for directors serving on various committees of the Board, and serving as chairs of such committees, should be taken into consideration. In recruiting and evaluating nominees, the Nominating Committee considers the appropriate mix of skills and experience and background needed for members of the Board and for members of each of the Board’s committees, so that our Board and its committees have the necessary resources to perform their respective functions effectively. The Nominating Committee also believes that a prospective nominee should be willing to limit the number of other corporate boards on which he or she serves so that the proposed director is able to devote adequate time to his or her duties to the Company, including preparing for and attending Board and committee meetings. In addition, the re-nomination of existing directors is not viewed as automatic, but based on continuing qualification under the criteria set forth above. In addition, the Nominating Committee will consider the existing director’s performance on the Board and on any committee on which such director serves, which will include attendance at Board and committee meetings.

Director Nominees by Stockholders

The Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended in good faith by our stockholders as long as these nominees for the appointment to the Board meet the requirements set forth above. Possible candidates who have been suggested by stockholders are evaluated by the Board in the same manner as are other possible candidates. Stockholders wishing to suggest a qualified director candidate for review and consideration by the Nominating Committee must provide a written statement to our corporate secretary that includes the following information: a statement that the proposing stockholder is recommending a candidate for consideration by the Nominating Committee; the candidate’s credentials and contact information; and the candidate’s written consentexpected to be considered a candidate. Such information can be sent to Monster Digital, Inc., 2655 Park Center Drive, Unit C, Simi Valley, California 93065, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

The Nominating Committee“routine” matter on which brokers may requestvote without specific instructions from the customer, so no broker non-votes are expected in connection with this Proposal 2.


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 2.

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PROPOSAL 3

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Our audit committee has selected Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. (“MHM”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, and has further information aboutdirected that we submit our audit committee’s selection of MHM as our independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by our stockholders at the stockholder recommended candidate in order to comply with any applicable laws, rules or regulations or toAnnual Meeting. MHM audited the extent that such information is requiredfinancial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020. Representatives ofMHM are expected to be providedpresent at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by suchtelephone, depending on the COVID-19 situation. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Neither our Bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder pursuant to any applicable laws, rules or regulations. If a stockholder submits a director recommendation in compliance with the procedure described above, the Nominating Committee will conduct an initial evaluationratification of the proposed nominee and,selection of MHM as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. However, we are submitting the selection of MHM to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If our stockholders fail to ratify the selection, our audit committee will reconsider the retention of MHM. Even if the selection is ratified, our audit committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if it determines the proposed nominee may bethat such a qualified candidate, the Nominating Committee and one or more members of our management team will interview the proposed nominee to determine whether he or she might be suitable to be a director. If the Nominating Committee determines the proposed nomineechange would be a valuable additionin the best interests of 9 Meters and its stockholders.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Substantially all of MHM personnel, who work under the control of MHM shareholders, are employees of wholly-owned subsidiaries of CBIZ, Inc., which provides personnel and various services to our Board, based on the criteria for board membership described above and our Board’ specific needs at the time, it will recommend to our Board such person’s nomination. In connection with its evaluation, the Nominating Committee may request additional information from the proposed nominee and/or the proposing stockholder.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of the officers and directors.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

MHM in an alternative practice structure. The following table sets forthrepresents aggregate fees billed to the compensation we paid to our executive officersCompany by MHM, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20162020 and 2015:

      
Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
 Bonus
($)
 Stock Awards
($)
 All Other
Compensation
($)
 Total
($)
David H. Clarke
Executive Chairman of the Board(1)

  2015         905,707(2)   50,000(3)   955,707 
  2016                
David Olert
Chief Financial Officer
  2015   44,115         2,347(5)   46,462 
  2016   198,596   46,250      13,574(5)   258,420 
Marc Matejka(4)
Vice President — Operations
  2015   69,231         4,316(5)   73,547 
  2016   170,211         9,529(5)   179,740 
Stephen R. Brownsell(6)
Executive Vice President

  2015                
  2016   40,808         2,400(7)   43,208 
Jonathan Clark(8)
Interim President and Director
  2015                
  2016   55,000         3,000(7)   58,000 
Jawahar Tandon
Chief Executive Officer(9)
  2015   250,000         60,112(10)   310,112 
  2016   9,615         16,021(10)   25,636 
Thomas Dulek
Chief Financial Officer(11)
  2015            99,999(12)   99,999 
  2016                
Vivek Tandon
President and Chief Operating Officer(13)
  2015   225,000         19,277(14)   244,277 
  2016   190,844         14,495(14)   205,339 
                              

(1)Mr. Clarke resigned as our Executive Chairman of the Board in December 2015 and currently serves as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
(2)An aggregate of 164,974 shares were issued to Mr. Clarke in 2015. As described further in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Fair Value Measurements”, factors included in the valuation of common stock include the present value of future cash flows, capital structure, valuation of comparable companies, exiting licensing agreements and the growth prospects for our product line. These factors were incorporated into an income approach and a market approach in order to derive an overall valuation of our common stock of $5.49 with respect to such issuances.
(3)Represents unpaid expenses incurred further to the consulting contract and will be converted into shares of common stock and warrants further to the Conversion.
(4)Mr. Matejka’s status as Vice President, Operations was terminated in March 2017.
(5)Represents medical premiums.
(6)Mr. Brownsell joined the Company in October, 2016.
(7)Represents automobile expense allowance.
(8)Mr. Clark became the Interim President of the Company in October, 2016.
(9)Mr. Tandon resigned as Chief Executive Officer in December 2015 and became our Chairman of the Board. Mr. Tandon’s employment agreement with our company was terminated effective with his resignation as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Tandon resigned as Executive Chairman of the Board in June 2016. He is currently a consultant.
(10)Consists of payments by us for medical and dental premiums of $27,748, automobile expenses of $17,764 and country club membership of $14,600 in 2015 and medical and dental insurance premiums of $16,021 in 2016. Mr. Tandon’s automobile expense and country club reimbursement was discontinued for 2016.
2019.

Fiscal Year Ended
20202019
(in thousands)
Audit Fees (1)
$349$287
Audit-related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
Total Fees$349$287

(11)Mr. Dulek’s status as Chief Financial Officer was terminated in June 2015.
(12)Although named Chief Financial Officer of our company, Mr. Dulek rendered services as a consultant; all amounts are classified as consulting payments.
(13)Vivek Tandon served as President and Chief Operating Officer from October 2014 through December 2015 when he resigned from such positions
(1) Audit fees consist of fees billed for the professional services rendered to the Company for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, reviews of the quarterly financial statements during the periods, the issuance of consent and comfort letters in connection with registration statement filings, and all other services that are normally provided by the accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements.

All fees described above were approved by our audit committee.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Our audit committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The policy generally pre-approves specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services and tax services up to specified amounts. Pre-approval may also be given as part of our audit committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual, explicit, case-by-case basis before the independent auditor is engaged to provide each service. The pre-approval of services may be delegated to one or more of our audit committee’s members, but the decision must be reported to the full audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.

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Our audit committee has determined that the rendering of services other than audit services by MHM to date are compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Required Vote

Provided there is a quorum for the meeting, ratification of the appointment of MHM as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting which are entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this Proposal 3. Since the ratification of the appointment of MHM is considered a “routine” matter on which brokers may vote without specific instructions from the customer, no broker non-votes are expected in connection with this Proposal 3.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 3.

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD1

The principal purpose of the audit committee is to assist the board of directors in its oversight of 9 Meters’ accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of 9 Meters’ consolidated financial statements. 9 Meters’ audit committee is responsible for appointing, evaluating, retaining and, when necessary, terminating 9 Meters’ independent registered public accounting firm and approving the audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm.

Management is responsible for 9 Meters’ internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of 9 Meters’ consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) to obtain reasonable assurance that 9 Meters’ consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement and expressing an opinion on the conformity of such financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

In this context, the audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, with management and Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. The audit committee has discussed with Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC. The audit committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants’ communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firm’s independence.

Based on its discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the audit committee in place in March 2021 recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed on March 22, 2021.




Submitted by the Audit Committee

Michael Constantino, Chairman
Lorin Johnson, Ph.D.
Mark Sirgo, M.D.






1The information contained in the following report of 9 Meters’ audit committee is not considered to be “soliciting material,” “filed” or incorporated by reference in any past or future filing by 9 Meters under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933 unless and only to the extent that 9 Meters specifically incorporates it by reference.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

For information regarding Mr. Temperato, our Chief Executive Officer, please see his biography above under "Directors."

Edward J. Sitar.

Mr. Sitar, age 60, became our Executive Vice President — Operations. His current annual salary is $180,000.
(14)Includes automobile expenses of $19,277 in 2015 and medical and dental insurance premiums of $14,495 in 2016. Mr. Tandon’s automobile expense reimbursement was discontinued for calendar 2016.

Employment Agreements and Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangements

We have an Executive Employment Agreement with David Olert, our Chief Financial Officer. FurtherOfficer in July 2019. Most recently he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Ammon Analytical Laboratory, a company focused on specialty testing for the drug treatment community, from April 2017 to thisNovember 2018. Previously, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Cancer Genetics, Inc. (CGIX), a company focused on precision medicine for oncology, from March 2014 until February 2017. Prior to his service at Cancer Genetics, he served from January 2013 to December 2013 as the Chief Financial Officer-New Business of Healthagen, an Aetna company offering health products and services, and served as Chief Financial Officer of ActiveHealth Management from August 2010 to December 2012. From April 2001 to May 2010, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cadent Holdings, Inc., a privately-held company that provided three-dimensional digital scanning services for dentists and orthodontists. From August 1998 to April 2001, Mr. Sitar served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of MIM Corporation, now BioScrip, Inc., a publicly traded specialty pharmaceutical and pharmacy benefit management service provider. From May 1996 to August 1998, Mr. Sitar was the Vice President of Finance for Vital Signs, Inc., a publicly traded manufacturer and distributor of single use medical products. From June 1993 to April 1996, Mr. Sitar was the Controller of Zenith. From 1982 through July 1993, he was with Coopers & Lybrand, a public accounting firm. He holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of Scranton and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This Executive Compensation section describes the material elements of our compensation program for our “named executive officers” during 2020. For 2020, our “named executive officers” consists of the two individuals who served as our principal executive officer during 2020, the only other person serving as an executive officer as of December 31, 2020, plus an individual who was an executive officer during 2020 but was not an executive officer on December 31, 2020. Our named executive officers for 2020 were:

Mr. Temperato, who has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer (our “CEO”) since April 2020;
Dr. Laumas,who was our President and Chief Executive Officer (our “former CEO”) from February 2019 until April 2020;
Edward J. Sitar, who has served as our Chief Financial Officer (our “CFO”) since June 2019; and
Patrick Griffin, M.D., F.A.C.P., who serves as our Chief Medical Officer (our “CMO”), but due to a reorganization of management following the RDD Merger, stopped serving as an executive officer in April 2020, but remains serving as our CMO.





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Summary Compensation Table
Name and
Principal
 Position
YearSalary
($)
Bonus(1)
($)
Stock Awards(2)
($)
Option
Awards(3)
($)
Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation(4)
($)
All Other Compensation
($)
Total
($)
John Temperato2020$328,708 $— $326,577 $1,253,588 $159,375 $— $2,068,248 
President and Chief Executive Officer (5)
2019$— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
Edward J. Sitar2020$311,000 $— $— $381,810 $86,400 $— $779,210 
Chief Financial Officer(6)
2019$142,500 $213,750 $— $256,608 $— $— $612,858 
Sandeep Laumas, M.D.2020$115,974 $— $— $209,436 $— $206,085 $531,495 
Former Chief Executive Officer & Former Executive Chairman (7)
2019$275,000 $212,438 $— $200,152 $— $— $687,590 
Patrick Griffin, M.D., F.A.C.P.2020$393,250 $— $129,643 $319,889 $107,300 $— $950,082 
Chief Medical Officer (8)
2019$388,125 $125,000 $183,375 $448,441 $— $— $1,144,941 

(1)During May 2020, the compensation committee awarded cash bonuses to certain executives and senior employees for 2019 performance (the “2019 Bonus”). The 2019 Bonus was determined as a percentage of the executive’s annual base salary.
(2)The amount in the “Stock Awards” column reflects the grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the calendar year computed in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. The grant date fair value, which is based on the value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, does not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the executives upon the vesting of the restricted stock units or the sale of the common stock underlying the award.
(3)The amounts in the “Option Awards” column reflect the aggregate Black-Scholes grant date fair value of stock options granted during the calendar year computed in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. The assumptions that were used to calculate the value of these awards are discussed in Notes 1 and 9 to the accompanying financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2021. These amounts do not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the named executive officer upon the vesting of the stock options, the exercise of the stock options or the sale of the common stock underlying such stock options.
(4)During February 2021, the compensation committee awarded non-equity incentive plan compensation to certain executives and senior employees for 2020 performance (the “2020 Bonus”). See section entitled “Employment Agreements with Our Named Executive Officers” below for further details of non-equity incentive plan compensation that may be awarded under those agreements.
(5)Mr. Temperato was appointed as Chief Executive Officer effective April 30, 2020, upon closing of the RDD Merger.
(6)Mr. Sitar was appointed as Chief Financial Officer effective July 1, 2019.
(7)Dr. Laumas was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman on February 19, 2019 and served in those roles through April 30, 2020. Upon closing of the RDD Merger on April 30, 2020, Dr.
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Laumas resigned from his positions as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman but continues his service on the Board until the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Other compensation represents severance payments to Dr. Laumas in accordance with his employment agreement and payment of NC Continuation of Insurance Coverage premiums.
(8)Dr. Griffin was appointed as Chief Medical Officer effective February 16, 2019, but due to a reorganization of management following the RDD Merger, stopped serving as an executive officer in April 2020, but remains serving as our CMO.
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
The primary elements of compensation for our named executive officers consisted of base salary, equity-based compensation awards and other compensation such as discretionary bonuses and annual non-equity incentive bonuses. Our named executive officers are also able to participate in employee benefit plans and programs that we offer to our other full-time employees on the same basis. Each of our named executive officers is (or was) compensated by us pursuant to an executive employment agreement, the terms of which are described below under “Employment Agreements with Our Named Executive Officers.”
Base Salary
The base salary payable to our named executive officers was intended to provide a fixed component of compensation that reflected the executive’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities.
Bonus
Although we did not have a written bonus plan, the Board had the authority, in its discretion, to award bonuses to its executive officers on a case-by-case basis. Each 2019 Bonus was granted as a percentage of the executive’s base salaries to reward the executive officers for company and individual success in 2019 and specifically as related to the RDD Merger.

Pursuant to their respective employment agreements, each named executive officer is eligible for an annual non-equity incentive award, based on goals established by the Board. In 2020, the Board set goals related to various operational and financial objectives. The Board determined that the goals for each of Mr. Temperato, Mr. Sitar and Dr. Griffin were met 100% which entitled them to the awards set out in the Summary Compensation Table above.
Equity Awards
We currently have two equity incentive plans, the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended. In 2018, we adopted the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Omnibus Plan”), and will no longer award options under the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. In addition, pursuant to the RDD Merger Agreement, we assumed previously issued option grant agreements awarded to RDD employees upon consummation of the RDD Merger on April 30, 2020. For information about stock option awards granted to our named executive officers, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-end” table below. We believe that equity grants provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance, create an ownership culture and help to align the interests of our executives and stockholders. In addition, we believe that equity grants with a time-based vesting feature promote executive retention by incentivizing executives to continue employment during the vesting period.

Health, Welfare and Additional Benefits

Each of our named executive officers was eligible to participate in our employee benefit plans and programs, including medical, dental and vision benefits, to the same extent as our other full-time employees, subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of those plans.

2020 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

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The following table presents the outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2020.
Option AwardsStock Awards
Name
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
Option
Expiration
Date
Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#)Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($)
John Temperato375,000(1)625,000 $0.70 4/30/2030— $— 
(2)310,345 $0.62 7/6/2030— $— 
(2)639,655 $1.07 11/27/2020— $— 
(3)650,000 $1.07 11/27/2020— $— 
246,743(4)— $0.74 4/30/2025— $— 
(5)— $— 203,667 $217,924 
Edward J. Sitar350,000(6)— $1.17 7/1/2029— $— 
176,156(7)— $0.60 4/24/2030— $— 
46,875(1)78,125 $0.70 4/30/2030— $— 
(2)550,000 $0.62 7/6/2030— $— 
(3)225,000 $0.62 7/6/2030— $— 
Sandeep Laumas, M.D.113,059(8)— $2.08 3/20/2027— $— 
99,869(9)— $2.34 8/29/2027— $— 
400,000(10)— $0.89 2/18/2029— $— 
389,294(7)— $0.60 4/24/2030— $— 
20,833(11)129,167 $0.62 7/6/2030— $— 
Patrick Griffin, M.D., F.A.C.P.500,000(12)— $1.65 5/16/2029— $— 
56,250(1)93,750 $0.70 4/30/2030— $— 
(2)525,000 $0.62 7/6/2030— $— 
(3)225,000 $0.62 7/6/2030— $— 
(1) This option was granted under the Omnibus Plan, and 25% of these options vested on April 30, 2020, with the remainder vesting monthly over the next 48 months.
(2) This option was granted under the Omnibus Plan, and 25% of these options will vest on July 6, 2021, with the remainder vesting monthly over the next 36 months.
(3) This option was granted under the Omnibus Plan, and vest upon satisfaction of certain performance criteria at the discretion of the Board.
(4) This option was granted by RDD Pharma, Ltd. and was assumed by the Company pursuant to the RDD Merger Agreement upon consummation of the RDD Merger on April 30, 2020.
(5) This grant of RSUs vests in full on November 25, 2021, contingent upon Mr. Olert is paid aTemperato’s continued service with the Company.
(6) This option was granted under the Omnibus Plan, and 7.5% vested on December 31, 2019. The remainder of the options vesting was accelerated upon completion of the RDD Merger on April 30, 2020.
(7) This option was granted under the Omnibus Plan, and was fully vested on the date of grant, April 24, 2020.
(8) This option was granted under the Private Innovate Plan and vests monthly over four years, with the first installment vesting on February 28, 2017. Upon completion of the RDD Merger on April 30, 2020, the remaining unvested shares were accelerated and immediately vested.
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(9) This option was granted under the Private Innovate Plan and vests monthly over three years, with the first installment vesting on July 1, 2017. Upon completion of the RDD Merger on April 30, 2020, the remaining unvested shares were accelerated and immediately vested.
(10) This option was granted under the Omnibus Plan, and 25% of the options vested on February 19, 2019, with the remainder vesting monthly over the next 48 months. Upon completion of the RDD Merger on April 30, 2020, the remaining unvested shares were accelerated and immediately vested.
(11) This option was granted under the Omnibus Plan, and vest in equal installments over 36 months beginning on July 6, 2020.
(12) This option was granted under the Omnibus Plan, and 25% of the options vested on February 15, 2019, with the remainder vesting monthly over the next 48 months. Upon completion of the RDD Merger on April 30, 2020, the remaining unvested shares were accelerated and immediately vested.

Employment Agreements with Our Named Executive Officers

John Temperato

We entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Temperato, effective April 30, 2020, which included provisions with respect to, among other things, base salary. Pursuant to the executive employment agreement with Mr. Temperato, he receives an initial base salary of $195,000. On July 7, 2016,$450,000 per year, subject to review and adjustment by the Board from time to time. Effective January 1, 2021, Mr. OlertTemperato’s salary was granted 25,000increased to $537,100. Upon execution of the employment agreement, the Board approved an option grant to Mr. Temperato to purchase 1,000,000 shares of restricted stock under our PlanCommon Stock, which vested 25% upon grant, with the remainder vesting in 48 equal month installments, provided that Mr. Temperato remains an employee of the Company as well as 16,835 stock options under the Plan at a per share price of $4.50. Mr. Olert received an additional 15,000 shares of restricted stock in January 2017.

In addition, Mr. Olert’s Executive Employment Agreement contains the following provisions:

* The agreement is for a one year term but renews automatically on the anniversary date of each year unless terminated by either party with 30 days’ notice.

* The Agreement provides thatsuch vesting date. Mr. Olert shall beTemperato is eligible to earnreceive an annual non-equity incentive cash award with a bonus. It is currently anticipated that the Compensation Committee will set the bonus plan within 60 daystarget amount of the beginning40% of each fiscal year. Within 45 days following the end of the calendar year, the Board shall determine whether and in what amount Mr. Olert has earned bonus for the prior calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, determination of Mr. Olert’s entitlement to Bonus and amounts shall behis base salary, as determined exclusively by the Board in its sole discretion. General factorsdiscretion (and pro-rated for 2020). Mr. Temperato is also eligible to participate in the board may considerCompany’s other employee benefit plans in his bonus determination include our company’s financial performance,effect from time to time on the levelsame bases as are generally made available to other senior executive employees of responsibility, and contribution and performancethe Company.


If the employment of Mr. Olert. EvaluationTemperato is terminated by the Company without “Cause” or by Mr. Temperato for “Good Reason” (each as defined in the employment agreement), in each case subject to Mr. Temperato entering into and not revoking a separation agreement, Mr. Temperato will be eligible to receive 12 months of thesehis then-current salary, the prorated amount of his target year-end annual non-equity incentive award, and other factors is subjectiveaccelerated vesting of his unvested options and no fixed, relative weights are assignedrestricted stock unit awards that were scheduled to vest in the 12 months following termination.

Effective November 27, 2020, the Board cancelled certain stock option awards to Mr. Temperato that were intended to be granted to Mr. Temperato on July 6, 2020 (collectively, the “Original Stock Options”) under the 2012 Plan. The purpose of the cancellation was to correct an inadvertent error that occurred when the Company included a number of shares in the Original Stock Options that exceeded the previous annual individual award limit under the 2012 Plan of 1.5 million shares of common stock. The individual award limit was increased by the Board in November 2020 to 4 million shares of Company common stock.Following the increase of the individual award limit, and in lieu of the Original Stock Options that were granted in excess of the prior individual award limit, the Board granted Mr. Temperato the following new stock awards: 639,655 shares of common stock, subject to time-based vesting, and 650,000 shares of common stock, subject to performance-based vesting, each at an exercise price of $1.07. Additionally, the Board granted Mr. Temperato 203,667 shares of restricted stock, vesting on November 25, 2021, contingent upon his continued relationship with the Company, in order to compensate him for the lost value of the Original Stock Options due to the factors given.

* increased exercise price of the new options.The Agreementportion of the Original Stock Options relating to 310,345 shares of common stock that were not in excess of the prior individual award limit remain in effect. Prior option grants made to Mr. Temperato in April 2020 and June 2020 also remain in effect.


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Edward J. Sitar

We entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Sitar effective July 1, 2019. Pursuant to the executive employment agreement with Mr. Sitar, Mr. Sitar receives an annual base salary of $285,000, subject to periodic increase as the Company may determine. Effective January 1, 2021, Mr. Sitar’s salary was increased to $371,500. Mr. Sitar’s employment agreement provides that one-third ( 1/3)Mr. Sitar will receive an initial grant of options to purchase up to 350,000 shares of the restrictedCompany’s common stock, which award will vest with respect to 7.5% of the shares on the six-month anniversary of July 1, 2019, 7.5% of the shares on the one-year anniversary of July 1, 2019, and stock options granted thereunder shall vestthe remainder of the shares in 36 equal monthly installments on the last day of each successive month thereafter. In addition to Mr. Sitar’s initial equity award, Mr. Sitar is eligible to participate in (i) any equity compensation plan or similar program established by the Company and (ii) any bonus or similar incentive plans established by the Company that may be applicable to executives of the Company at Mr. Sitar’s level, with participation in such bonus or similar incentive plans based on a target of 30% - 50% of Mr. Sitar’s base salary. Mr. Sitar is also generally eligible to participate in employee benefit and bonus programs established by us from time to time that may be applicable to our executives, with a target bonus opportunity of between 25% and 50% of his base salary.

If we terminate Dr. Sitar’s executive employment agreement for any reason other than for “cause,” or if Mr. Sitar terminates his executive employment agreement for “Good Reason,” then Mr. Sitar is entitled to receive 6 months of his then-current salary (provided that such termination occurs on or after the 12-month anniversary of the date thereof. Any unvested shares of restricted stockemployment) and stock optionsup to 3 months of reimbursement of additional costs he incurs in the amount proportionalconnection with continuation of health insurance benefits, provided that Mr. Sitar executes and does not revoke a release and settlement agreement in a form satisfactory to the time held will vest upon any termination of Mr. Olert’sus.

Sandeep Laumas, M.D.

On March 11, 2018, we entered into an amended and restated executive employment other than termination of the Agreement by our company for “cause” or due to the voluntary resignation by theagreement with Dr. Laumas. Under this amended and restated executive in the absence of “good reason”. Mr. Olert may be ableemployment agreement, Dr. Laumas was entitled to receive additional stock options and/or restricted stockan annual base salary of $275,000, subject to periodic increase, and was generally eligible to participate in employee benefit and bonus programs established by us from time to time atthat may be applicable to our executives. If we were to terminate the sole discretionamended and restated executive employment agreement other than “for cause,” or if Dr. Laumas were to terminate the executive employment agreement for “Good Reason,” then Dr. Laumas was entitled to receive 12 months of his then-current base salary and up to 12 months of continuation of health insurance benefits, provided that he executed and did not revoke a release and settlement agreement in a form satisfactory to us.

On February 18, 2019, the Board appointed Dr. Laumas to the additional position of Chief Executive Officer. In connection with this appointment, we entered into an amendment to Dr. Laumas’s amended and restated executive employment agreement that provided that any subsequent cessation of Dr. Laumas’s status as Chief Executive Officer would not constitute “Good Reason” under his executive employment agreement.

In May 2020, in connection with the RDD Merger, the Company entered into a separation agreement with Dr. Laumas (in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of the Compensation CommitteeCompany, not in his capacity as a director) for his full release of any claims against the Company to the maximum extent permitted by law, in exchange for certain severance benefits. Pursuant to the separation agreement, effective on the closing date of the Merger, Dr. Laumas resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer and received severance pay of $275,000, payable in installments over the Board.

* As long12-month period following separation, and 12 months of COBRA supplement.


Patrick Griffin, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Dr. Griffin was appointed as Mr. Olert remainsChief Medical Officer effective February 15, 2019, and provided consulting services as head of clinical development from November 2018 until February 2019. The Company entered into an executive employment agreement with Dr. Griffin in February 2019.

Pursuant to the executive employment agreement with Dr. Griffin, Dr. Griffin receives an annual base salary of $375,000 and received a full-time employeeperformance bonus of $75,000 during 2019 upon dosing the first patient in our company, he shall be entitledPhase 3
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clinical trial in celiac disease. Effective January 1, 2021, Dr. Griffin’s salary was increased to apply$430,200. Dr. Griffin is also generally eligible to participate in such executiveemployee benefit plans and bonus programs as we mayestablished by us from time to time offer or providethat may be applicable to our executives, with a target non-equity incentive plan cash award opportunity of our company at similar levels, including, but not limited to, any life insurance, healthbetween 25% and accident, medical and dental, disability and retirement plans and programs.

* In the event of the termination of the Agreement by us without “cause” or due to the voluntary resignation by Mr. Olert for “good reason”, he shall be entitled to a severance payment equal to  1/350% of his then Base Salary, payable in accordance with our customary payroll practices.

CEO Compensation

Mr. Clarke serves as Chief Executive Officer without cash compensation, other than reimbursementbase salary.


During 2019, Dr. Griffin received an initial grant of his reasonable work-related expenses. He does not have an employment agreement with the Company. We issued Mr. Clarke 84,170options to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock, with 25% vesting on the date of grant and the remainder vesting over four years. In addition, Dr. Griffin received an initial grant of 100,000 restricted stock units, with 25% vesting immediately on the date of grant and the remainder vesting over one year.

If we terminate Dr. Griffin’s executive employment agreement for any reason other than for “cause,” or if Dr. Griffin terminates his executive employment agreement for “Good Reason,” then Dr. Griffin is entitled to receive 12 months of his then-current salary and up to 12 months of continuation of health insurance benefits, provided that Dr. Griffin executes and does not revoke a release and settlement agreement in May 2015 furthera form satisfactory to a consulting contract. Furtherus. Dr. Griffin is also entitled to David Clarke’s agreementreceive his annual non-equity incentive plan cash award for the year of termination as determined by the Board, pro-rated based on the number of days Dr. Griffin was employed during the year of termination.

2020 Director Compensation

The following table provides compensation information regarding our non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Name
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (1)
($)
Option Awards (2)
($)
Total
($)
Lorin K. Johnson, Ph.D.$74,167 $67,066 $141,233 
Mark Sirgo, Pharm.D.$62,500 $161,725 $224,225 
Michael Constantino$30,000 $70,281 $100,281 
Nissim Darvish, M.D., Ph.D. (3)
$35,000 $60,420 $95,420 
Sandeep Laumas, M.D. (4)
$25,000 $70,281 $95,281 
Roy Proujansky, M.D. (5)
$60,000 $8,936 $68,936 
Anthony E. Maida III, Ph.D., M.A., M.B.A. (6)
$106,667 $8,936 $115,603 
Saira Ramasastry, M.S., M. Phil. (6)
$93,333 $8,936 $102,269 

(1)Fees earned or paid in cash reflect the non-employee director compensation earned or paid in cash during the year ended December 31, 2020.
(2)The amounts in the “Option Awards” column reflect the aggregate Black-Scholes grant date fair value of stock options granted during the calendar year computed in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. The assumptions that were used to become Executive Chairmancalculate the value of these awards are discussed in Notes 1 and 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2021. These amounts do not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the directors upon the vesting of the stock options, the exercise of the stock options or the sale of the common stock underlying such stock options.
(3)Dr. Darvish resigned effective as of February 12, 2021.
(4)Dr. Laumas will not stand for re-election at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(5)Dr. Proujansky resigned effective as of June 30, 2020.
(6)This director resigned following the RDD Merger, effective April 30, 2020.

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The table below shows the aggregate number of option awards held as of December 31, 2020 by each of our non-employee directors who was serving as of that date.
NameOptions Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
Lorin K. Johnson, Ph.D.526,492 
Mark Sirgo,PharmD396,743 
Michael Constantino150,000 
Sandeep Laumas, M.D.1,152,222 

Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy

On September 21, 2018, we adopted a policy with respect to compensation of our non-employee directors, the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, which remained in effect until May 2020. Each non-employee director is eligible to receive annual cash and equity compensation for his or her service without further action by the Board, in October 2015 we issued Mr. Clarke an additional 67,337subject to continued service on the Board. Pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, our non-employee directors received the following annual retainers:

PositionRetainer
Board member$40,000 
Chairman of the Board35,000 
Audit Committee Chair25,000 
Audit Committee member7,500 
Compensation Committee Chair15,000 
Compensation Committee member7,500 
Nominating and Corporate Governance Chair15,000 
Nominating and Corporate Governance member7,500 

In addition, each non-employee director who serves on the Board as of the date of any annual meeting of our stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) will automatically be granted on the date of such Annual Meeting, options to purchase 25,000 shares of our common stock. In December 2015 Mr. Clarke becameThe annual equity awards will vest monthly over a period of three years, subject to continued service on our Chief Executive Officer and President and we issued him an additional 13,467Board. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, each non-employee director who is initially elected or appointed to the Board on any date other than the date of the Annual Meeting will automatically be granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock. Finally,10% of the underlying shares will vest immediately on the date of grant, with the remainder of shares vesting over 36 equal monthly installments.

Effective May 1, 2020, we revised our Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy by reducing some fees and lengthening the vesting for some option grants. Under the revised policy, our non-employee directors receive the following annual retainers, to be paid quarterly:

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PositionRetainer
Board member$37,500 
Chairman of the Board35,000 
Audit Committee Chair15,000 
Audit Committee member7,500 
Compensation Committee Chair10,000 
Compensation Committee member7,500 
Nominating and Corporate Governance Chair7,500 
Nominating and Corporate Governance member3,750 

Under the revised policy, each non-employee director who is initially elected or appointed to the Board on any date other than the date of the Annual Meeting will automatically be granted options to purchase 150,000 shares of our common stock. The initial equity awards will vest monthly over a period of three years, subject to continued service on our Board. In addition, each non-employee director who serves on the Board as of the date of any Annual Meeting will automatically be granted an option on the date of such Annual Meeting, with the number of options and vesting period to be determined by the Compensation Committee.

Directors may be reimbursed for travel, food, lodging and other expenses directly related to their service as directors. Directors are also entitled to the protection provided by their indemnification agreements and the indemnification provisions in January 2017, we issued him an additional 175,000our Charter and Bylaws.


28


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table and the related notes present information on the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock in recognitionas of his continued serviceMay 4, 2021, (except where otherwise indicated) by:
each person, or group of affiliated persons, who are known by us to the Company.


Non-Employee Director Compensation

Our board of directors has established a compensation program for our non-employee, independent directors. Each such director receives an initial share or stock option grants of up to 15,000 shares; subsequent equity grants will be subject to the review and approvalbeneficially own more than 5% of the full board of directors. It is currently intended that cash fees may also be paid to our non-employee independent directors at such time as our financial status improves in such amounts as will be determined by those disinterested board members.

In May 2016, we entered into a ten-week consulting agreement with Jonathan Orban, a former director. Further to the agreement, we agreed to pay Mr. Orban $250 per hour but no more than $10,000 per week. We also agreed to pay all of Mr. Orban’s expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his consulting duties in an amount not to exceed $20,000. The Agreement was mutually terminated in October 2016 and we paid Mr. Orban an aggregate of $80,000 in connection therewith. Mr. Orban no longer serves the Company in any capacity.

In June 2016, we entered into a one year consulting agreement with Jawahar Tandon, our former Chief Executive Officer and a former director. Further to the agreement, issued Mr. Tandon 125,000 restrictedoutstanding shares of our common stock. Mr. Tandon agreed with the underwriters pfcapital stock;

each of our initial public offering not to directly or indirectly sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell, pledge, transfer (excluding intra-family transfers, transfers to a trust for estate planning purposes or to his beneficiaries upon his death), or otherwise disposedirectors;
each of or enter into any transaction which may result in the disposition of any such shares without the prior written consent of Axiom Capital Management, Inc., as representative of the underwriters, for a period of twelve months after the date of this report. We also agreed to pay our named executive officers; and
all of Mr. Tandon’s pre-approved reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his consulting duties.

Advisory Board

We have created an advisory board to provide us with adviceour current directors and assistance on various matters regarding unmet industry needs and opportunities, customer feedback on existing products, proposed product offerings and assessment of other strategic corporate matters. None of the members of all advisory board can be an officer or employee of our company and we seek to have members which are opinion leaders in their respective fields. Our sole current advisory board member is Noel Lee, the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Monster, Inc. We have entered into an advisory board agreement with Mr. Lee whereby we are reimbursed for certain of his out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with company-related business. The agreement contemplatesexecutive officers as a perpetual term commencing August 2015 to continue until (i) either party elects to terminate the agreement at any time after August 2017 or (ii) we elect to terminate the agreement immediately upon Mr. Lee’s breach or suspected breach of certain of the confidentiality provisions of the agreement. In addition, Mr. Lee was issued a warrant to purchase up to 191,289 shares of our common stock at a per share exercise price of $14.85. We will seek to add other industry leaders to our advisory board in the future as opportunities present themselves.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2016 regarding compensation plans, including any individual compensation arrangements, under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.

   
Plan Category Number of
Securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 Number of
securities remaining
available for future
issuance under equity
compensation plans
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  26,934  $13.95   227,449 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders         
Total  26,934   NA   227,449 

As of April 20, 2017, there were 234,949 shares available for issuance pursuant to the Plan.

group.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and includes voting or investment power with respect to the rules of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage of ownership of that person, sharessecurities. Shares of common stock subject to options and warrants heldthat may be acquired by that person that are currently exercisablean individual or become exercisablegroup within 60 days of April 14, 2017May 4, 2021, pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants, are deemed to be outstanding even if they have not actually been exercised. Those shares, however,for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

The followingperson shown in the table.


Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, sets forth as of April 20, 2017 certain information with respect to beneficial ownership of our common stock based on 8,005,011 issued and outstanding shares of common stock, by:

Each person known to bewe believe that the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common stock of our company;
Each named executive officer;
Each director; and
All of the executive officers and directors as a group.

The number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 20, 2017 excludes 434,276 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons and entitiesstockholders named in thethis table have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to theall shares set forth opposite the stockholder’s name, subjectof common stock shown to community property laws, where applicable.be beneficially owned by them, based on information provided to us by such stockholders. Unless otherwise indicated, the address offor each stockholder listed inis: c/o 9 Meters Biopharma, Inc., 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27615.


Name and Address of Beneficial OwnerShares Beneficially Owned
Percent of
Outstanding(1)
Principal Stockholders:
OrbiMed Advisors, LLC (2)
32,503,255 12.6 %
Adage Capital Management, L.P. (3)
13,000,000 5.2 %
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
John Temperato (4)
2,064,415 *
Edward J. Sitar (5)
831,888 *
Sandeep Laumas, M.D. (6)
1,909,228 *
Lorin K. Johnson, Ph.D. (7)
591,925 *
Mark Sirgo, Pharm.D. (8)
1,646,694 *
Michael Constantino (9)
79,941 *
Michael Rice (10)
16,667 *
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons) (11)
7,140,758 2.8 %

* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the table is c/o Monster Digital, Inc., 2655 First Street, Suite 250, Simi Valley, California 93065.

shares of common stock outstanding
   
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Title Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1) Percent of
Class
Directors and Named Executive Officers
               
David H. Clarke  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board   857,181(1)   10.6
Jonathan Clark  Interim President and Director   250,000   3.0
Stephen R. Brownsell  Executive Vice President   135.000   1.7
David Olert  Senior Vice President, Finance and CFO   56,834(2)   
Robert B. Machinist  Director   15,000   
Christopher Miner  Director   15,000   
Steven Barre  Director   15,000   
Officers and Directors as a Group (total of 8 persons)       1,344,015(2)(3)   15.7
5% Stockholders:
          
Monster Inc.(4)       590,697   7.2
Noel Lee(4)(5)       590,697   7.2
29



*Represents
(1)The percentage of beneficial ownership is based on [ ] shares of common stock outstanding as of May 4, 2021.
(2)Based solely on a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on April 7, 2021 by OrbiMed Israel BioFund GP Limited Partnership (“OrbiMed BioFund”) and Orbimed Israel GP Ltd. (“OrbiMed Israel”). Consists of securities held by OrbiMed Israel Partners Limited Partnership (“OIP”): (i) 25,716,755 shares of common stock and (ii) warrants to purchase up to 6,786,500 shares of common stock. OrbiMed BioFund and OrbiMed Israel may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the securities held by OIP and share the power to direct the vote and to direct the disposition of securities. OrbiMed Israel exercises this investment power through an investment committee comprised of Carl L. Gordon, Jonathan T. Silverstein, Nissim Darvish (a former director of the Company), Anat Naschitz, and Erez Chimovits, each of whom disclaims beneficial ownership of less than 1%the securities held by OIP, except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The address of the outstanding common stock.principal office of OrbiMed BioFund and OrbiMed Israel is 89 Medinat Ha Yehudim St., Building E, 11th Floor, Herzliya 46766 Israel.
(1)
(3)Includes 442,191Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on December 28, 2020 by Adage Capital Partners, L.P. Consists of 13,000,000 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Clarke, 18,068 shares held by Leslie Clarke, Mr. Clarke’s wife, and 355,928 shares held by GBS Holdings, Inc., an entity which may be deemed controlled by Mr. Clarke but whichAdage Capital Partners, L.P. The address for Adage Capital Partners, L.P. is owned by Leslie Clarke and the children200 Clarendon Street, 52nd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
(4)Consists of Mr. Clarke. Also includes warrants to purchase 30,472(i) 1,077,522 shares of common stock held by Mr. Clarke and 45,522 shares of common stock held by GBS Holdings, Inc. Mr. Clarke may be deemed the indirect beneficial owner of these securities since he has shared sale, voting and investment control over the securities with his wife. The address of GSB Holdings, Inc. and Mr. Clarke is 14179 Laurel Trail, Wellington, Florida 33414.
(2)Includes stockTemperato, (ii) options to purchase 16,834 shares of common stock.

(3)Includes warrants to purchase 30,472715,493 shares of common stock held by Mr. ClarkeTemperato that are exercisable within 60 days of May 4, 2021, and 45,522(iii) warrants to purchase up to 271,400 shares of common stock.
(5)Consists of (i) 179,338 shares of common stock held by GBS Holdings, Inc.
(4)Represents 382,575 shares held by Monster, Inc. and warrantsMr. Sitar, (ii) options to purchase 208,122584,750 shares of common stock held by Noel Lee, the Chief Executive OfficerMr. Sitar that are exercisable within 60 days of May 4, 2021, and sole shareholder(iii) warrants to purchase up to 67,800 shares of Monster, Inc.common stock.
(5)
(6)Mr. Lee may be deemed the indirect beneficial ownerConsists of these securities since he(i) 60,400 shares of common stock held by Dr. Laumas, (ii) 758,373 shares held by Bearing Circle Capital LLC, (iii) options to purchase 1,048,055 shares of common stock held by Dr. Laumas that are exercisable within 60 days of May 4, 2021 and (iv) warrants to purchase up to 42,400 shares of common stock. Dr. Laumas is affiliated with Bearing Circle Capital and has sole sale, voting and investment controlpower over the securities. The addressshares held by Bearing Circle Capital. Dr. Laumas disclaims beneficial ownership of Monster, Inc.the shares held by Bearing Circle Capital LLC except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(7)Consists of (i) 84,800 shares of common stock held by Dr. Johnson, (ii) options to purchase 422,325 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of May 4, 2021, and (iii) warrants to purchase up to 84,800 shares of common stock.
(8)Consists of (i) 1,074,066 shares of common stock held by Dr. Sirgo, (ii) 21,485 shares of common stock held by Dr. Sirgo’s spouse; (iii) options to purchase 296,743 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of May 4, 2021, and (iv) warrants to purchase up to 254,400 shares of common stock.
(9)Consists of (i) 34,108 shares of common stock held by Mr. Lee is 455 Valley Drive, Brisbane, CA 94005.Constantino and (ii) options to purchase 45,833 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of May 4, 2021.
(10)Consists of options to purchase 16,667 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of May 4, 2021.
(11)Consists of (i) 3,290,092 shares of common stock, (ii) options to purchase 3,129,866 held by the Company’s current directors and executive officers that are exercisable within 60 days of May 4, 2021, and (iii) warrants to purchase up to 720,800 shares of common stock.

SECTION 16 (A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

The Company’s securities are currently registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As a result, and pursuant to Rule 16a-2, the Company’s directors and officers and holders of 10% or more of its common stock are currently required to file statements of beneficial ownership with regards to their ownership of equity securities under Sections 13 or 16 of the Exchange Act. We have been informed that David H. Clarke, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, has inadvertently failed to file reports as required by Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for our year ended December 31, 2016. These consisted of his failure to file Form 4s as required with respect to issuances of securities to him during fiscal 2016 after his appointment as President in September 2015, all as detailed in the sections herein entitled “Executive Compensation”, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”. We have been informed that Mr. Clarke has been made aware of these filing delinquencies and plans to make remedial filings as soon as practicable. Based on a review of written representations from our executive officers and directors and a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to us, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, directors, officers and more than 10% owners, other than Mr. Clarke, filed reports required by Section 16(a) of Exchange Act on a timely basis.


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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS


Related Party Loans

From time to time since inception, we have obtained certain related party loans from and advances Tandon Enterprises, Inc. a company controlled and owned by Jawahar Tandon, a director and our former Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Devinder Tandon, a former director. The proceeds of the loans provided us with working capital. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the net amount borrowed was $(151,000) and $460,000, respectively. However, as of June 22, 2016, we were indebted to Tandon Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $346,100. The loans and advances were non-interest bearing and had no maturity date. Tandon Enterprises, Inc. converted all outstanding net amounts lent and advanced to our company into shares of common stock and warrants immediately prior to consummation of our initial public offering at the initial public offering price of the shares of common stock so offered.

David H. Clarke, our Chief Executive Officer and one of our principal stockholders, agreed that a $100,000 promissory note owed to him by our company made in September 2015, which note bears interest at 5% per annum, plus any interest accrued but unpaid thereon, as well as an aggregate of approximately $50,000 owed to Mr. Clarke under his prior consulting arrangement with our company, the total amounts owing to Clarke known as the Clarke Obligation, automatically converted immediately prior to the consummation of our initial public offering into a number of shares of common stock and warrants equal to the principal amount of the Clarke Obligation divided by the initial public offering price of the shares so offered (33,333 shares of common stock and 33,333 warrants).

Other Arrangements

Tandon Enterprises, Inc. agreed that $346,100 owed to it by our company automatically converted immediately prior to the consummation of our initial public offering into a number of shares of common stock and warrants equal to the principal amount of the obligation divided by the initial public offering price of the shares so offered (76,911 shares of common stock and 76,911 warrants).

Consulting Agreements

In May 2016, we entered into a 10-week consulting agreement with Jonathan Orban, a director, which becomes effective on the effective date of our initial public offering. The Agreement may be extended. Further to the agreement, we agreed to pay Mr. Orban $250 per hour but no more than $10,000 per week. We also agreed to pay all of Mr. Orban’s expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his consulting duties in an amount not to exceed $20,000. This Agreement was terminated in October 2016 and in connection therewith we paid Mr. Orban the aggregate sum of $80,000.

In June 2016, we entered into a one year consulting agreement with Jawahar Tandon, our former Chief Executive Officer. Further to the agreement, we issued Mr. Tandon 125,000 restricted shares of our common stock. We also agreed to pay all of Mr. Tandon’s pre-approved reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his consulting duties.

Cancellation of Shares

Pursuant to the Conversion, Jawahar Tandon and Devinder Tandon offered in the aggregate to each holder who agreed to convert Bridge Notes into shares of common stock and warrants or who purchased shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, which automatically converts into shares of common stock and warrants, one share from Mssrs. Tandon’s beneficial holdings for each share of common stock issued further to the aforementioned Conversion (but excluding shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued further to the Conversion) (the “Conversion Additional Shares”). For the sake of expediency, we will issue the Conversion Additional Shares directly to such holders and Mssrs. Tandon (and Tandon Enterprises, Inc. as described below) will cancel in the aggregate an equivalent number of shares beneficially held by them for each Conversion Additional Share referenced further to the previous sentence. The D Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust beneficially owned 479,065 shares of common stock prior to the Conversion; as a result of the Conversion, all shares held by the D Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust were cancelled. Further to a Share Cancellation Agreement dated June 1, 2016 by and among our company, the D Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust, the J Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust and Tandon Enterprises, Inc. (the “Share Cancellation


Agreement”), Tandon Enterprises, Inc. and the J Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust agreed to cancel any shortfall in the number of shares that the D Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust would have been required to cancel further to the Conversion. As a result of the aforementioned shortfall, Tandon Enterprises Inc. canceled all 67,337 shares held by it prior to the Conversion and all 72,863 shares to be issued to it as described above further to the Conversion. Further to the Share Cancellation Agreement, the J Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust agreed to cancel any shortfall in the number of shares that Tandon Enterprises agreed to cancel to cover any referenced shortfall by the D Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust. The J Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust owned 647,651 shares of common stock prior to the Conversion; as a result of the Conversion, all shares held by the J Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust were cancelled. Further to the Share Cancellation Agreement, we agreed to issue any additional shares that the D Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust, the J Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust and Tandon Enterprises, Inc. could not cancel to cover shares that were required to be cancelled further to the Conversion. As all shares held by the D Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust, the J Tandon Irrevocable Family Trust and Tandon Enterprises, Inc. were cancelled further to the Conversion, and based upon the public offering price of $4.50 per share, we issued 134,043 shares of common stock to investors in the Conversion.

Arrangements with WestPark Capital

Reorganization

In August 2012, SDJ, the predecessor of Monster Digital, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Monster Digital (formerly known as WRASP 35, Inc. which changed its name to AOTS 35, Inc., a company wholly owned by WP Financial, an affiliate of WestPark Capital) further to a share exchange agreement. In connection with this reorganization, 100% of the issued and outstanding securities of SDJ were exchanged for securities of Monster Digital. An aggregate of 1,169,068 shares of common stock was issued to the shareholders of SDJ. Prior to the closing of the reorganization, the then-controlling stockholder of Monster Digital, WP Financial, agreed to the cancellation of an aggregate of 1,234,868 shares and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,871,991 shares of common stock held by it such that there were 198,670 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 39,392 shares of common stock owned by it immediately after the reorganization.

WP Financial did not receive any consideration for the cancellation of the shares and warrants. The cancellation of the shares and warrants was accounted for as a contribution to capital. The number of shares and warrants cancelled was determined based on negotiations between WP Financial and SDJ. The parties to the transaction acknowledged that a conflict of interest existed with respect to the negotiations for the terms of the reorganization due to, among other factors, the fact that WestPark was advising SDJ in the transaction. The shareholders of SDJ negotiated an estimated value of SDJ and its subsidiaries and an estimated value of Monster Digital (based on the mutually desired capitalization of the company resulting from the reorganization) which therefore determined the capitalization of Monster Digital following the reorganization.

In addition, we paid a $155,000 success fee to WestPark for services being provided in connection with the reorganization, including coordinating the reorganization process, interacting with the principals of Monster Digital pre-reorganization and negotiating the definitive agreement for the reorganization of SDJ with Monster Digital, conducting a financial analysis of SDJ, conducting due diligence on SDJ and managing the interrelationship of legal and accounting activities. We also paid a $95,000 fee to WestPark for providing the use of Monster Digital for the reorganization.

Richard Rappaport, the former President of each of AOTS 35, Inc. (renamed Monster Digital, Inc.) and its indirect controlling stockholder through his control of WP Financial prior to the reorganization, indirectly holds a 100% interest in WestPark, an underwriter for our initial public offering, due to the fact that he is the sole owner of the membership interests of the parent company of WestPark. Neither Mr. Rappaport nor WP Financial received any benefits in their individual capacities related to the transactions described above, except for WP Financial’s retention of shares in Monster Digital.

Private Placements

WestPark Capital acted as our placement agent in connection with a private placement from October 2015 to February 2016 of promissory notes consisting of $3.36 million loaned to our company a 22.5% loan organization fee payable on maturity, which is on the earlier of October 2016 or the closing date


of our initial public offering, and a flat fee interest rate of 15%. In connection therewith we paid WestPark Capital commission and expenses of $454,000.

WestPark Capital acted as our placement agent in connection with a private placement of up to $3.0 million of our Series A Preferred Stock which we commenced in March 2016. In connection therewith we paid Westpark Capital a 10% commission and a 3% non-accountable expense allowance, as well as certain legal and other expenses of Westpark Capital.

Westpark Capital is acting as a sales agent in connection with our current private placement of common stock and warrants. As of March 17, 2017, we paid Westpark Capital commission of approximately $31,000 further to this private placement.

Other Arrangements

In December 2013 and January 2014, David H. Clarke, our Chief Executive Officer, beneficially loaned Westpark Capital Financial Services LLC, the parent company of WestPark Capital, Inc., an aggregate of $350,000 evidenced by promissory notes bearing interest at 5% per annum and due five years from the date of issuance. In connection therewith Westpark Capital Financial Services LLC transferred to Mr. Clarke 7,659 shares of our common stock held by it and warrants to purchase up to 7,659 shares of our common stock held by it. The exercise price of the warrants is $14.85 and the warrants expire in 2017. All such loans and equity transfers were made by Westpark Capital Financial Services LLC prior to Mr. Clarke becoming our Chief Executive Officer. All such notes remain outstanding.

Prior to our initial public offering, Westpark Capital beneficially held over 5% of our common stock. WestPark Capital transferred 111,257 shares of the common stock held by it and warrants to purchase 35,537 shares of common stock to associated persons at WestPark Capital and to third parties further to prior contractual commitments; each of the transferees represented that he/she/it was an accredited investor.

PoliciesPerson Transaction Policy and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons

We have


The board has adopted a policy that our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as a director, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our common stock and any members of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons are not permitted to enter into awritten related person transaction policy setting forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. This policy covers, with us without the prior consentcertain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of our audit committee. Any request for us to enter into aRegulation S-K, any transaction, with an executive officer, director, nominee for election as a director, beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securitiesarrangement or relationship, or any memberseries of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons,similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we were or are to be a participant, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 in any fiscal year and sucha related person wouldhad, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, must first be presented to our audit committee for review, considerationincluding without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and approval.employment by us of a related person. In reviewing and approving or rejecting any such proposal,transactions, our audit committee is tasked to consider the materialall relevant facts of the transaction,and circumstances, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally availablecomparable to those that could be obtained in an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstancesarm’s length transaction and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. AllNotwithstanding anything therein to the contrary, the policy is to be interpreted only in such a manner as to comply with Item 404 of Regulation S-K.


Certain Related Person Transactions

Described below is each transaction occurring since January 1, 2019, and any currently proposed transaction to which we were or are to be a participant, respectively, and in which:

The amounts involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the transactions described above were entered into prior toaverage of our total assets at year-end for the adoptionlast two completed fiscal years; and

Any person (i) who since January 1, 2019 served as a director or executive officer of the Company or any member of such policy, but after presentation, considerationperson’s immediate family that had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation, termination and change of control arrangements that are described under the section titled “Executive Compensation” or (ii) who, at the time when a transaction in which such person had a direct or indirect material interest occurred or existed, was a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock or any member of such person’s immediate family.

Each of these transactions was approved pursuant to our related transaction policy.

Equity Financing:

On May 4, 2020, we closed the RDD Merger Financing and sold an aggregate of (i) 382,779 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, which converted into 38,277,900 shares of common stock on June 30, 2020, upon receipt of approval by our stockholders, and (ii) Preferred Warrants to purchase up to 382,779 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, which following the Automatic Conversion became exercisable for 38,277,900 shares of common stock. Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and members of our Board (collectively referred to as the “9 Meters Purchasers”), purchased an aggregate of 7,507,300 shares of common stock in the offering at the public offering price and on the same terms as the other purchasers in the offering. The underwriters received the same underwriting discount on the shares purchased by the 9 Meters Purchasers. The aggregate purchase price of the common stock units issued to the 9 Meters Purchasers was approximately $4.4 million.

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement in connection with our December 2020 offering, we issued an aggregate of 53,076,924 shares of common stock at a price of $0.65 per share. Of the shares issued in our December 2020 offering, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors purchased an aggregate of 446,153 shares of common stock in this offering at the public offering price and on the same terms as the other purchasers in the offering. The underwriters received the same underwriting discount on the shares purchased by our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
31


The aggregate purchase price of the common stock shares issued to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors was $290,000.

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement in connection with our April 2021 offering, we issued an aggregate of 34,500,000 shares of common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. Of the shares issued in our April 2021 offering, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors purchased an aggregate of 450,000 shares of common stock in this offering at the public offering price and on the same terms as the other purchasers in the offering. The underwriters received the same underwriting discount on the shares purchased by our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. The aggregate purchase price of the common stock shares issued to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors was $450,000.

Agreement with LifeSci Advisors

Michael Rice, a member of our Board since March 2021, is a Founding Partner of LifeSci Advisors, LLC and LifeSci Communications, LLC. Prior to his becoming a director, on April 1, 2020 we entered into a master services agreement with both LifeSci Advisors, LLC and LifeSci Communications, LLC, to provide investor relations and public relations services, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2020, we incurred approximately $139,000 in expenses with LifeSci Advisors, LLC and approximately $148,000 in expenses with LifeSci Communications, LLC. There were no expenses incurred with LifeSci Advisors, LLC or LifeSci Communications, LLC during the year ended December 31, 2019.

32


OTHER MATTERS

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. These persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.

To our knowledge, based solely on review of the forms furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock were complied with in 2020, except for a Form 4 for Dr. Johnson to report the grant on April 24, 2020 of an option to purchase up to 25,000 shares of common stock, which was due on April 28, 2020 and was filed on May 4, 2020, a Form 4 for Dr. Laumas to report the grant on April 24, 2020 of an option to purchase up to 389,294 shares of common stock, which was due on April 28, 2020 and was filed on May 4, 2020, and a Form 4 for Mr. Sitar to report the grant on April 24, 2020 of an option to purchase 176,156 shares of common stock, which was due on April 28, 2020 and was filed on May 4, 2020.

Stockholder Proposals

Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in the proxy statement for consideration at our next Annual Meeting of stockholders. To be eligible for inclusion in the 2022 proxy statement, your proposal must be received by us no later than January 12, 2022 and must otherwise comply with Rule 14a-8. While our board will consider stockholder proposals, we reserve the right to omit from the proxy statement stockholder proposals that we are not required to include under the Exchange Act, including Rule 14a-8.

Management’s proxy holders for the 2022 Annual Meeting of directors.

stockholders will have discretion to vote proxies given to them on any stockholder proposal of which we do not have notice prior to March 28, 2022.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

ProposalsUnder our Bylaws, in order to be Included in Proxy Statement

nominate a director or bring any other business before the stockholders at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are hereby notified that if they wish a proposal towill not be included in our proxy statement, you must notify us in writing, and form of proxy relating to the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, they must deliver a written copy of their proposal no later than April 1, 2018. If the date of next year’s annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the date of this year’s meeting, then the deadline is a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail proxy materials. Proposals must comply with the proxy rules relating to stockholder proposals, in particular Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in order to be included in our proxy materials.

Proposals to be submitted for the Annual Meeting

A stockholder may wish to have a proposal presented at the 2017 annual meeting, but not to have such proposal included in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. If notice of any such proposal is not received by the Company at its principal executive offices on or before September 20, 2017 (45 calendar days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of this proxy statement), then such proposal shall be deemed “untimely” for purposes of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14a-4(c).

If the date of our 2018 annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 days from the date of our 2017 annual meeting, stockholders’ written notices must be received by us no earlier than 90 days and no later than 120 days before the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting. Assuming the 2022 Annual Meeting were held on June 22, 2022, such notice would have to be received by us no earlier than February 22, 2022 and no later than March 24, 2022. If the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after June 22, 2022, then the notice must be delivered not earlier than 120days before such date for the 2022 Annual Meeting and not later than the later of (i) 90days before such date for the 2022 Annual Meeting or (ii) 10 days after the day on which we provided public disclosure of the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting.


For proposals not made in accordance with Rule 14a-8, you must comply with specific procedures set forth in our Bylaws and the nomination or proposal must contain the specific information required by our Bylaws. You may write to our Corporate Secretary at 9 Meters Biopharma, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27615, to deliver the notices discussed above and to request a reasonable time before we begincopy of the relevant Bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates pursuant to printthe Bylaws.

Householding of Proxy Materials

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and mailintermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of proxy materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for our 2018 annual meeting.

Mailing Instructions

Proposals shouldstockholders and cost savings for companies.

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A number of brokers with account holders who are 9 Metersstockholders will be householding 9 Meters’ proxy materials. A single set of proxy materials will be delivered to Monster Digital,multiple stockholders sharing an address, unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate set of proxy materials, please notify your broker or 9 Meters. Direct your written request to our Corporate Secretary at 9 Meters Biopharma. Inc. Attn: Corporate Secretary, 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27615, or at (919) 500-0658. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy materials at their addresses and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their brokers.

Annual Report

A copy of 9 Meters Biopharma, Inc.’s Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2021, is available on our website, www.9meters.com. A printed copy is also available without charge upon written request to 9 Meters Biopharma. Inc., 2655 First Street,Attn: Corporate Secretary, 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 250, Simi Valley, California 93065, Attention: Secretary. To avoid controversy and establish timely receipt by the Company, it is suggested that stockholders send their proposals by certified mail, return receipt requested.

STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD

Stockholders who wish120, Raleigh, NC 27615.


Requests for Directions to contact any of our directors either individually or as a group may do so by writing to c/o David Olert, Monster Digital, Inc., 2655 First Street, Suite 250, Simi Valley, California 93065, or by telephone at (805) 381-5469 specifying whether the communication is directed to the entire Board or to a particular director. Submitting stockholders should indicate they are a stockholder of our company. Company personnel will screen stockholder communications and depending on the subject matter, will forward the inquiry to the chairman of our Board, who may forward the inquiry to a particular director if the inquiry is directed towards a particular director; forward the inquiry to the appropriate personnel within our company (for instance, if it is primarily commercial in nature); attempt to handle the inquiry directly (for instance, if it is a request for information about our company or a stock-related matter); or not forward the inquiry if it relates to an improper or inappropriate topic or is otherwise irrelevant.


OTHER BUSINESS

The Board does not know of any other matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matter shall properly come before the Annual Meeting the proxy holders named in the proxy accompanying this Proxy Statement will have authority to vote all proxies in accordance with their discretion.

of Stockholders
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
/s/ David H. Clarke

David H. Clarke,
Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Board of Directors
Dated: May 3, 2017
Simi Valley, CA


ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

MONSTER DIGITAL, INC.

June 15, 2017, 1:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time

Please date, sign and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.

o Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.o

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:x

1.

TO ELECT FIVE DIRECTORS

Nominees
01 David H. Clarke  02 Jonathan Clark  03 Robert Machinist  04 Christopher Miner  05 Steven Barre

FOR
ALL
o
WITHHOLD
ALL
o
FOR ALL
EXCEPT
o
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.

2.

TO APPROVE THE ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

FOR
o
AGAINST
o
ABSTAIN
o

3.

TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY’S 2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE THEREUNDER FROM 970,350 SHARES TO 1,370,350 SHARES

FOR
o
AGAINST
o
ABSTAIN
o

4.

TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO AFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT BY A RATIO OF NOT LESS THAN ONE-FOR-TWO (1:2) AND NOT GREATER THAN ONE-FOR-FOUR (1:4)

FOR
o
AGAINST
o
ABSTAIN
o

5.

TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF COHNREZNIK LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017.

FOR
o
AGAINST
o
ABSTAIN
o

As to any other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof, the proxy holders are authorized to vote in accordance with their judgment.

Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting:   Mark here and indicate any change of address below.o

YESo         NOo

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.


Signature           Date           Signature (Joint Owners)                       Date

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED FOR ELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES, FOR THE RESOLUTION APPROVING OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION, AND FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF COHNREZNIK, LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2017. THIS PROXY ALSO CONFERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY ON THE PROXY HOLDERS TO VOTE AS TO ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY BE PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.


PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
MONSTER DIGITAL, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June 15, 2017
1:00 PM PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME

The undersigned stockholder(s) of MONSTER DIGITAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, each dated May 3, 2017, and hereby appoints David H. Clarke and David Olert, or either of them acting singly inwill be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the absenceCompany’s offices at 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, North Carolina. Requests for directions to the meeting location may be directed to 9 Meters Biopharma. Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27615.


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ANNEX A

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED
OF 9 METERS BIOPHARMA, INC.

(Pursuant to Section 242 of the other, with full power of substitution, as proxy and attorney-in-fact on behalf and in the name and place
General Corporation Law of the undersigned,State of Delaware)

9 Meters Biopharma, Inc., a corporation organized and hereby authorizes each of them to representexisting under and to vote allby virtue of the sharesGeneral Corporation Law of capital stock that the undersigned wouldState of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify as follows:

The Board of Directors of the Corporation duly adopted a resolution in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, setting forth an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended (the “Amendment”) and declaring said Amendment to be entitled to vote if personally presentadvisable. The stockholders of the Corporation duly approved said proposed Amendment at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Monster Digital,the Corporation held on _______ ___, 2021 in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The resolution setting forth the Amendment is as follows:

In order to effect the Amendment, the FIFTH ARTICLE of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

FIFTH: The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is five hundred and sixty million (560,000,000). These shares shall be divided into two classes with five hundred and fifty million (550,000,000) shares designated as common stock at $0.0001 par value (the “Common Stock”) and ten million (10,000,000) shares designated as preferred stock at $0.0001 par value (the “Preferred Stock”).

To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is expressly authorized to issue Preferred Stock in one or more classes or one or more series within any class and such classes or series shall have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and other rights, and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions, as the Board of Directors may determine, from time to time.

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation (which, as used herein, shall mean the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as amended from time to time, including the terms of any certificate of designations of any series of Preferred Stock) or any resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such series of stock adopted by the Board of Directors, the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

Holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share held at all stockholders’ meetings for all purposes, including the election of directors; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL. The Common Stock does not have cumulative voting rights.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the foregoing Certificate of Amendment is the act and deed of the Corporation and that the facts stated herein are true this ____ day of _______ 2021.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, 9 Meters Biopharma, Inc. has caused this Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to be heldexecuted by its duly authorized officer on June 15, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, at The Courtyard by Marriott located at 191 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, upon the matters as set forth in the Noticethis ____ day of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.

CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE

_______ 2021.




Edward J. Sitar
Chief Financial Officer


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