UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

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. 1)

 

Filed by the Registrantx

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

xPreliminary Proxy Statement
¨
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as Permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
¨
Definitive Proxy Statement
¨
Definitive Additional Materials
¨Solicitation
Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or rule 14a-12under § 240.14a-12

 

Hemispherx Biopharma, IncAIM ImmunoTech Inc..

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

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

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)all boxes that apply):

 

xNo fee required.required
¨
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
Fee computed on table belowin exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:
4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5)Total fee paid:

¨Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

¨Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1)Amount Previously Paid:
(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)Filing Party:
(4)Date Filed:0-11

 

 

 

 

 PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT, DATED OCTOBER 24, 2023 – SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

AIM IMMUNOTECH INC.

2117 SW Highway 484

Ocala, Florida 34473

(352) 448-7797

NOTICE OF 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 1, 2023

 

June __, 2016

Dear Fellow Stockholders,

You are cordially invited to attend Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc.’sNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (the “Company” or “AIM”) will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 10:11:00 a.m. (local time), Eastern Time, in a virtual meeting format, via live webcast (including any adjournments, postponements or continuations thereof, the “Annual Meeting”).

It is an honor to The Annual Meeting will be writing my first letter to our stockholders as Hemispherx’s President and Chief Executive Officer. As steward of your Company, my primary focus is to achieve long-term company growth through prudent execution of strong and effective business strategies. My plans for Hemispherx when I became CEOconducted in February were to 1) aggressively seek out-licensing opportunities and/or senior co-development partnerships for our product candidates in the disease indications which have been in early to late stage in-vivo testing and to maximize their overall value, 2) use licensing fees to advance development of prioritized unlicensed indications, 3) monetize underutilized assets and 4) strict adherence to the newly adopted financial austerity measures. Since February, we have aggressively beenexecuting this plan.

In executing this new business strategy, we have been reexamining our fundamental priorities in terms of direction, corporate culture and our ability to fund operations. As a result, there have been significant changes at the Company in the past few months. We have made several changes to the Company’s executive management teamvirtual format to provide effective and competent leadership that, management believes, will properly positionstockholders the Companyopportunity to achieve its commercial goals and increase stockholder value. Recent actions include listing for sale underutilized assets, aggressively pursuing international salesparticipate, irrespective of clinical grade materials, and implementing a strong financial austerity plan. We are committed to a focused business plan oriented toward out-licensing opportunities and/or finding senior co-development partners with the capital and expertise needed to commercialize the many potential therapeutic aspects of our experimental drug Ampligen® and our approved drug Alferon®. Hemispherx’s new management’s primary objectives are to create stockholder value and deliver much needed therapies to patients.

On March 15, 2016, we received written notice from the NYC MKT LLC that we are not in compliance with the continued listing standards because our Common Stock has been selling for a low price per share for a substantial period of time. The Company has until September 15, 2016 to demonstrate compliance. The Board of Directors has determined that, absent a substantial increase in the price of our common stock, our common stock likely will be delisted from NYSE MKT.

Our Board of Directors believes that, continued listing on the NYSE MKT is crucial to our ability to finally succeed now that we have made significant management and business changes.

To permit Hemispherx to execute on our initiatives, I am asking in this proxy for stockholders to authorize, at the board’s discretion if necessary, a reverse stock split. As you know, our common stock is currently listed on NYSE MKT.

We believe that the delisting of our common stock would adversely affect Hemispherx and its stockholders. Among other things, we believe that delisting may negatively impact the liquidity, marketability and trading price of our common stock and adversely affect new management’s ability to execute on their business plan to unlock the value of our assets. The Board of Directors believes that a reverse stock split, if needed, would help regain compliance with NYSE MKT’s minimum bid price requirement and potentially provide a number of other benefits to Hemispherx and its existing stockholders, including, but not limited to

·increasing interest by brokers and institutional investors and
·decreasing transaction costs.

For these reasons and as described in greater detail in the enclosed proxy statement, the Board of Directors is seeking your approval to authorize the Board to effect a reverse stock split and to set the exact ratio of any reverse split within a range of8-to-1 to 12-to-1as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.location.

 

Please remember that, as a stockholder, your vote is extremely important to the Company no matter how many shares you own.For certain very important resolutions, failure to vote or specifically direct your broker to vote, would be considered the same as a “NO” vote.

So, whether or not you plan to attend theThe Annual Meeting please take a few moments to vote. You can vote by completing, signing, dating and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card. Alternatively, you may vote through the Internet or by telephone as directed on your proxy card. Many of our stockholders will receive the proxy notification electronically via email from their bank or broker. Please check your email, including spam filter, for notification or by logging into your bank/brokerage account and checking your message center. If you receive more than one proxy card because you own shares that are registered differently, please vote all of the shares shown on all of your proxy cards.

To our European stockholders: Most of you do not receive notice of the meeting or the materials to vote your shares from your bank or brokerage firm, however, as stockholders in a US company, it is imperative that you participate in this process and vote your shares. Please contact your bank or broker immediately and request a document of ownershipbe held for the number of shares owned of Hemispherx on the record date of June 20, 2016. Your bank/broker does not need to freeze your shares in order to vote. Hemispherx will pay the cost for the issuance of the letter of ownership. Simply return this document issued by your bank/broker along with a signed and dated proxy card found on the company’s website athttp://ir.hemispherx.net/Annual_Shareholder_Meeting toir@hemispherx.net. If you have any questions, please contact Dianne Will at the contact information below.

If you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares, please call our proxy solicitor, Morrow and Co toll free at 855-251-9340 or non-US callers can call 203-658-9400 or Dianne Will, Corporate Affairs for Hemispherx at 518-398-6222 orir@hemispherx.net. Collect calls will be accepted.

I thank each of you for your support, and we look forward to unlocking the value of our assets.following purposes:

 

 Sincerely,
1./s/ Thomas K. Equels
Thomas K. Equels, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON August 17, 2016

This proxy statementTo elect four directors to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) to serve until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, until their successors are duly elected and our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our March 31, 2016 Quarterly Report

on Form 10-Q are available at http://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/annualmeeting.asp.

HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC
1617 JFK Blvd., Suite 500
Philadelphia, PA 19013
(215) 988-0080

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 17, 2016

Date:August 17, 2016qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal;
  
Time:10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time.2.To ratify, by non-binding advisory vote, the selection of BDO USA, P.A. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023;
  
Place:Embassy Suites Hotel, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103.

Purposes:

1.To elect four members to the Board of Directors of Hemispherx to serve until their respective successors are elected and qualified;

2.To ratify the selection by Hemispherx’s Audit Committee of RSM US LLP, independent registered public accountants, to audit the financial statements of Hemispherx for the year ending December 31, 2016;

3.To authorize Hemispherx’s Board of Directors to amend Hemispherx’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect, at its sole discretion, a reverse stock split of outstanding shares of Hemispherx’s Common Stock by a ratio in the range of 8-to-1 to 12-to-1 (the “Reverse Stock Split”), with the Board having the discretion as to whether or not the Reverse Stock Split is to be effected, and with the exact ratio to be set within the above range, as determined by the Board in its discretion;

4.To approve, by non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers;
4.To recommend, by non-binding advisory vote, the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation; and

5.To transact such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.Annual Meeting.

 

Who Can Vote:Stockholders of record at the close of business on Monday, June 20, 2016.October 2, 2023.
  
How You Can You Vote:You may cast your vote via mail, telephone or the Internet. Certain stockholders may only be able to vote by mail. You may also vote in personvirtually at the annual meeting.Annual Meeting.
  

Who May Attend:

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting.Annual Meeting by visiting www.cesonlineservices.com/aim23_vm, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions, and vote. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you must pre-register at www.cesonlineservices.com/aim23_vm by 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 30, 2023.

Your vote will be especially important this year. As you may be aware, Ted D. Kellner (together with the other participants in his solicitation, the “Dissident Group”) submitted documents to the Company purporting to provide notice (the “Purported Nomination Notice”) of Mr. Kellner’s intent to nominate director candidates for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting. The Company has informed the Dissident Group that the Purported Nomination Notice is invalid due to its failure to comply with the Company’s Restated and Amended Bylaws (the “Bylaws”). Mr. Kellner has sued the Company and its directors in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court of Chancery”) seeking, among other remedies, a declaratory judgment that the Purported Nomination Notice was valid. The Delaware Court of Chancery has scheduled a trial for October 30 to November 1, 2023.

Unless the litigation results in a finding that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, any director nominations attempted by Mr. Kellner will be disregarded, and no proxies or votes in favor of his purported nominees will be recognized or tabulated at the Annual Meeting. As Mr. Kellner’s nominations will not be recognized as valid nominations under Delaware law unless otherwise so determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, the WHITE proxy card accompanying this Proxy Statement does not include the names of Mr. Kellner’s purported nominees on a “universal proxy card.” However, if the litigation results in a finding that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, then the Company will amend the Proxy Statement and the accompanying WHITE proxy card to reflect those developments and to include the names of Mr. Kellner’s nominees on a WHITE universal proxy card, and the Company will mail the revised proxy statement and a WHITE universal proxy card to stockholders. In addition, in this scenario, no proxies or votes received on the Company’s previously circulated WHITE proxy card will be recognized or tabulated at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, if you vote on the Company’s WHITE proxy card accompanying this Proxy Statement and the result of the litigation is that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, your votes will not be recognized or tabulated, and you will have to vote again for your vote to be counted.

Despite the Board’s determination that the Purported Nomination Notice is invalid, you may receive solicitation materials from the Dissident Group. OUR BOARD URGES YOU TO VOTE ONLY ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD FOR ALL OF OUR BOARD’S PROPOSED NOMINEES (NANCY K. BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS, WILLIAM M. MITCHELL AND STEWART L. APPELROUTH), TO DISREGARD ANY MATERIALS SENT TO YOU BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE DISSIDENT GROUP, AND NOT TO SIGN, RETURN, OR VOTE ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE DISSIDENT GROUP. The Company is not responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by the Dissident Group in solicitation materials filed or disseminated by or on behalf of the Dissident Group or any other statements that the Dissident Group may make.

A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, for 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting during ordinary business hours at 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473, the Company’s principal place of business.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR ALL” OF THE BOARD’S NOMINEES
(NANCY K. BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS, WILLIAM M. MITCHELL AND STEWART L. APPELROUTH)
ON PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSAL 2, “FOR” PROPOSAL 3 AND “1 YEAR” ON PROPOSAL 4
USING THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD.

THE BOARD DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY OF MR. KELLNER’S PURPORTED NOMINEES AND URGES YOU TO DISREGARD ANY MATERIALS SENT TO YOU BY THE DISSIDENT GROUP AND NOT TO SIGN, RETURN OR VOTE ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY THE DISSIDENT GROUP.

If you vote, or have previously voted, using a proxy card sent to you by or on behalf of the Dissident Group, you can subsequently revoke that proxy by following the instructions on the enclosed WHITE proxy card to vote via the Internet or by telephone or by completing, signing and dating the WHITE proxy card and mailing it in the postage-paid envelope provided. Only your latest dated vote will count. Any proxy may be revoked prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

Whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting. We encourage you to please vote TODAY to ensure your voice is heard. You may vote by marking, signing and dating the enclosed WHITE proxy card and returning it in the postage-paid envelope. Stockholders may also vote via the Internet or by telephone.

Regardless of the number of shares of common stock of the Company that you own, your vote is important. Thank you for your continued support, interest and investment in AIM ImmunoTech.

 

 By Order of the Board of Directors
  
 \s\ Thomas K. Equels/s/ William M. Mitchell
 Thomas K. EquelsWilliam M. Mitchell
 Secretary and Executive Vice Chairman of the Board

 

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaOcala, Florida

June __, 2016[●], 2023

 

This Notice of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the accompanying Proxy Statement are first being made available to stockholders of record as of October 2, 2023, on or about [●], 2023.

 

If you have any questions or require any assistance in voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor:

 

Morrow Sodali LLC

509 Madison Avenue Suite 1206

New York, NY 10022

Stockholders Call Toll Free: (800) 662-5200

Banks, Brokers, Trustees, and Other Nominees Call Collect: (203) 658-9400

Email: AIM@investor.MorrowSodali.com

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting

to Be Held at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Friday, December 1, 2023.

 

We urge you to promptly vote your shares

by completing, signing, dating and returning

your The Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement, the accompanying WHITE proxy card in the enclosed envelope, or

voting by Internet or telephone.

We encourage you to take advantage of Internet or telephone voting.

Bothand our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekat
https://aimimmuno.com/stockholder-meeting/.

QUICKÇÇEASYÇÇIMMEDIATE

 

 

 

PROXY STATEMENTEXPLANATORY NOTE

 

HEMISPHERAIM ImmunoTech Inc. (the “Company” or “AIM”) is a “smaller reporting company.” As defined by Item 10 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and has elected to provide in this Proxy Statement certain scaled disclosures permitted under the Exchange Act for smaller reporting companies. Under the scaled disclosure obligations, the Company is not required to provide, among other things, a Compensation Discussion and Analysis, a compensation committee report and certain other tabular and narrative disclosure related to executive compensation.X BIOPHARMA, INC.

1617 JFK Boulevard

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT, DATED OCTOBER 24, 2023 – SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

INTRODUCTIONAIM IMMUNOTECH INC.

2117 SW Highway 484

Ocala, FL 34473

 

INTRODUCTION

This proxy statement (including all appendices attached hereto, this “Proxy Statement”) is furnished to stockholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the annual meeting of stockholders of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (“Hemispherx”, “we” or “us”) to be held on August 17, 2016, and at any adjournments (the “Annual Meeting”). The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Board of HemispherxDirectors”) of AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (“AIM,” the “Company,” “we” or “us”) for use at the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (including any adjournments, postponements or continuations thereof, the “Annual Meeting”).

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, including under “Executive Compensation.” References to “2022,” “2021,” “2020,” “2019” and is revocable by the stockholder by notifying Hemispherx’s Corporate Secretary at any timelike refer to the fiscal year ending, or ended, on December 31 of that year. As this summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, we encourage you to carefully read the entire Proxy Statement for more information before it is voted, or by votingvoting.

THE ANNUAL MEETING

2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Time and Date:On December 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time.
Place:Via live webcast by visiting www.cesonlineservices.com/aim23_vm. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you must pre-register at www.cesonlineservices.com/aim23_vm by 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 30, 2023.
Record Date:The close of business on October 2, 2023 (the “Record Date”).
Proxy Materials:The Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement, the accompanying WHITE proxy card, and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K are first being sent to stockholders of record as of the Record Date on or about [●], 2023.

Proposals and Board Recommendations for Voting

PROPOSAL

RECOMMENDATION
ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD
PAGE
Proposal 1 – Elect four directors to serve on the Board of Directors until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removalFOR ALL[●]
Proposal 2 – Ratify, on a non-binding advisory basis, the selection of BDO USA, P.A. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023FOR[●]
Proposal 3 – Approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, our named executive officer compensationFOR[●]
Proposal 4 – Recommend, by non-binding advisory vote, the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation1 YEAR[●]

1

Your vote will be especially important this year. As you may be aware, Ted D. Kellner (together with the other participants in personhis solicitation, the “Dissident Group”) submitted documents to the Company purporting to provide notice (the “Purported Nomination Notice”) of Mr. Kellner’s intent to nominate director candidates for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting. ThisThe Company has informed the Dissident Group that the Purported Nomination Notice is invalid due to its failure to comply with the Company’s Restated and Amended Bylaws (the “Bylaws”). Mr. Kellner has sued the Company and its directors in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court of Chancery”) seeking, among other remedies, a declaratory judgment that the Purported Nomination Notice was valid. The Delaware Court of Chancery has scheduled a trial for October 30 to November 1, 2023.

Unless the litigation results in a finding that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, any director nominations attempted by Mr. Kellner will be disregarded, and no proxies or votes in favor of his purported nominees will be recognized or tabulated at the Annual Meeting. As Mr. Kellner’s nominations will not be recognized as valid nominations under Delaware law unless otherwise so determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, the WHITE proxy card accompanying this Proxy Statement does not include the names of Mr. Kellner’s purported nominees on a “universal proxy card.” However, if the litigation results in a finding that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, then the Company will amend the Proxy Statement and the accompanying WHITE proxy card to reflect those developments and to include the names of Mr. Kellner’s nominees on a WHITE universal proxy card, and the Company will mail the revised proxy statement and a WHITE universal proxy card to stockholders. In addition, in this scenario, no proxies or votes received on the Company’s previously circulated WHITE proxy card will be recognized or tabulated at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, if you vote on the Company’s WHITE proxy card accompanying proxy are being distributedthis Proxy Statement and the result of the litigation is that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, your votes will not be recognized or tabulated, and you will have to stockholders beginning on or about June 27, 2016. The principal executive offices of Hemispherx are located at 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, telephone (215) 988-0080.vote again for your vote to be counted.

 

ImportantDespite the Board’s determination that the Purported Nomination Notice Regardingis invalid, you may receive solicitation materials from the AvailabilityDissident Group. OUR BOARD URGES YOU TO VOTE ONLY ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD FOR ALL OF OUR BOARD’S PROPOSED NOMINEES (NANCY K. BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS, WILLIAM M. MITCHELL AND STEWART L. APPELROUTH), TO DISREGARD ANY MATERIALS SENT TO YOU BY THE DISSIDENT GROUP, AND NOT TO SIGN, RETURN, OR VOTE ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY O THE DISSIDENT GROUP. The Company is not responsible for the accuracy of Proxy Materials for

any information provided by the 2016 Annual MeetingDissident Group in solicitation materials filed or disseminated by or on behalf of Stockholders to Be Held on August 17, 2016the Dissident Group or any other statements that the Dissident Group may make.

 

This proxy statement, our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our March 31, 2016 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are available electronically at http://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/annualmeeting.asp.OUR BOARD DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY OF MR. KELLNER’S PURPORTED NOMINEES AND URGES YOU TO DISREGARD ANY MATERIALS SENT TO YOU BY THE DISSIDENT GROUP AND NOT TO SIGN, RETURN OR VOTE ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY THE DISSIDENT GROUP.

 

Rules adoptedIf you vote, or have previously voted, using a proxy card sent to you by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) allow companies to send stockholders a notice of Internet availability of proxy materials, rather than mail them full sets of proxy materials. This year, we chose to mail full packages of materials to stockholders. However, in the future we may take advantageor on behalf of the Internet distribution option. If, inDissident Group, you can subsequently revoke that proxy by following the future, we choose to send such notices, they would contain instructions on how stockholders can access our notice of annual meeting andthe enclosed WHITE proxy statementcard to vote via the Internet. It would also contain instructions on how stockholders could request to receive their materials electronicallyInternet or in printed form on a one-time or ongoing basis.

PROXY SOLICITATION AND COSTS

Hemispherx has borne the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this proxy solicitation material along with related communication with stockholders. Hemispherx may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners. Proxies may be solicited by certain of Hemispherx’s Directors, Officers and employees, without additional compensation, personally, by telephone or by facsimile. We have hiredcompleting, signing and dating the firm of Morrow & Company LLC to assistWHITE proxy card and mailing it in the solicitation of proxiespostage-paid envelope provided. Only your latest dated vote will count. Any proxy may be revoked prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

WE URGE YOU TO COMPLETE, DATE, AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED, OR VOTE VIA THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE AS INSTRUCTED ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING.

For more information and up-to-date postings, please go to www.aimimmuno.com. Information on behalf of the Board of Directors. Morrow & Company LLC has agreedour website is not, and will not be deemed to perform this service forbe, a proposed fee of $9,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses. The total estimated costpart of this solicitationProxy Statement or incorporated into any of our other filings with the SEC. If you need assistance with voting or have any questions, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC, our proxy solicitor assisting us in connection with the Annual Meeting. Stockholders may call toll free at (800) 662-5200. Banks and brokers may call collect at (203) 658-9400.

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote as soon as possible so that your shares are represented. We urge you to vote TODAY either by completing, signing and dating the enclosed WHITE proxy card and promptly mailing it in the postage pre-paid envelope provided or by following the instructions on the enclosed WHITE proxy card to vote via the Internet or by telephone. Returning your WHITE proxy card will not prevent you from voting at the Annual Meeting but will ensure that your vote is approximately $75,000.counted if you are unable to attend.


2

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

 

Why am I receiving these proxy materials?

 

You received these proxy materials because you are a Stockholderstockholder of the Company. The Board is providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on August 17, 2016. As a Stockholder of the Company, youDecember 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, via live webcast at www.cesonlineservices.com/aim23_vm. These materials were first sent or made available to stockholders on or about [●], 2023 by mail. You are entitled to vote on the important proposals described in this proxy statement. Since it is not practical for all Stockholdersinvited to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, the Board is seeking your proxyare requested to vote on these matters.the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.

 

These materials also include a WHITE voting instruction form or WHITE proxy card for the Annual Meeting. WHITE voting instruction forms and WHITE proxy cards are being solicited on behalf of the Board. The Company’s proxy materials include detailed information about the matters that will be discussed and voted on at the Annual Meeting and provide updated information about the Company that you should consider in order to make an informed decision when voting your shares.

When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?

The Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on December 1, 2023, via live webcast at www.cesonlineservices.com/aim23_vm. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you must pre-register at www.cesonlineservices.com/aim23_vm by 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 30, 2023. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders as of the Record Date, their authorized representatives, and guests of the Company. Access to the Annual Meeting may be granted to others at the discretion of the Company and the chair of the Annual Meeting.

Please have your voting instruction form, proxy card or other communication containing your control number available and follow the instructions to complete your registration request. Upon completing registration, participants will receive further instructions via email, including unique links that will allow them to access the meeting.

Stockholders may log into the meeting platform beginning at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time, on December 1, 2023. We encourage you to log in prior to the meeting start time. If you are a beneficial holder, you must obtain a “legal proxy” from your broker, bank or other nominee in order to vote at the Annual Meeting. If you need assistance with registration, voting or have any questions, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC, our proxy solicitor assisting us in connection with the Annual Meeting.

We will provide stockholders the opportunity to ask questions. Questions submitted during the meeting pertinent to meeting matters will be answered during the meeting, subject to time constraints. Instructions for submitting questions and making statements will be posted on the virtual meeting website. The question-and-answer session will be conducted in accordance with certain rules of conduct. The rules of conduct will be available at https://aimimmuno.com/stockholder-meeting/ prior to the date of the Annual Meeting and may include certain procedural requirements.

Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we strongly urge you to vote in advance either by completing, signing, and dating the enclosed WHITE voting instruction form or WHITE proxy card and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided or by voting via the Internet or by telephone, as soon as possible. This will ensure your vote will be counted if you later are unable or decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.

What if I experience technical issues with the virtual meeting platform?

We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have while accessing the virtual Annual Meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during check-in or during the Annual Meeting, please call the technical support number that will be included in the reminder email you will receive the day before the meeting. We encourage you to access the virtual meeting prior to the start time. If you need assistance with registration, voting or have any questions, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC, our proxy solicitor assisting us in connection with the Annual Meeting.

3

What is a proxy?

 

A proxy is your legal designation of another person (“proxy”(your “proxy”) to vote the shares of common sharesstock you own at the Annual Meeting. By completing and returning the proxy card(s), which identifiesidentify the individuals or trustees authorized to act as your proxy, you are giving each of those individual’sindividuals authority to vote your shares of common sharesstock as you have instructed. By voting via proxy, each Stockholderstockholder is able to cast his or her vote without having to attend the Annual Meeting in person.Meeting.

 

Why did I receive more than one proxy card?

 

You will receive multiple proxy cards if you hold your shares of common sharesstock in different ways (e.g., different names, trusts, custodial accounts, joint tenancy, etc.)tenancy) or in multiple accounts. If your shares of common sharesstock are held by a broker or bank (i.e., in “Street Name”“street name”), you will receive your WHITE proxy card and other voting information directly from your brokerage firm, bank, trust, or other nominee. It is important that you complete, sign, date and return each WHITE proxy card you receive, or vote usingvia the telephone,Internet or by using the Internettelephone as described in the instructions included with your WHITEproxy card(s). You also may receive materials, including a proxy statement and proxy card from Mr. Kellner and the other members of the Dissident Group.

 

Why might I be receiving proxy materials from Mr. Kellner and the Dissident Group?

As further described in the “Background of the Solicitation” section of this Proxy Statement, on August 3, 2023, Mr. Kellner submitted the Purported Nomination Notice on behalf of the Dissident Group. The Purported Nomination Notice purported to provide the Company notice of Mr. Kellner’s intent to nominate director candidates for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting.

The Company has informed the Dissident Group that the Purported Nomination Notice is invalid due to its failure to comply with the Bylaws. Mr. Kellner has sued the Company and its directors in the Delaware Court of Chancery, seeking, among other remedies, declaratory judgment that the Purported Nomination Notice was valid. The case is pending, and the Delaware Court of Chancery has scheduled a trial for October 30 to November 1, 2023.

Unless the result of the litigation is that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, any director nominations made by Mr. Kellner will be disregarded, and no proxies or votes in favor of his purported nominees will be recognized or tabulated at the Annual Meeting. Nonetheless, you may receive proxy solicitation materials from, or on behalf of, Mr. Kellner and the other members of the Dissident Group, including opposition proxy statements and proxy cards. As Mr. Kellner’s nominations will not be recognized as valid nominations under Delaware law unless otherwise so determined by a Delaware court, the WHITE proxy card accompanying this Proxy Statement does not include the names of Mr. Kellner’s purported nominees on a “universal proxy card.” However, if the result of the litigation is that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, then the Company will amend this Proxy Statement and the accompanying WHITE proxy card to reflect those developments and to include the names of the purported dissident nominees on a WHITE universal proxy card and mail the revised proxy statement and WHITE universal proxy card to stockholders. In addition, in this scenario, no proxies or votes received on the Company’s previously circulated WHITE proxy card will be recognized or tabulated at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, if you vote on the Company’s WHITE proxy card accompanying this Proxy Statement and the result of the litigation is that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, your votes will not be recognized or tabulated, and you will have to vote again for your vote to be counted.

We strongly urge you NOT to sign or return any proxy cards sent by or on behalf of the Dissident Group even if the Dissident Group’s proxy card provides an option to vote for the Board’s nominees. If you have already voted using a proxy card sent to you by the Dissident Group, you can revoke it by (1) executing and delivering the enclosed WHITE proxy card, voting via the Internet using the Internet address on the enclosed WHITE proxy card or voting by telephone using the toll-free number on the enclosed WHITE proxy card or (2) voting electronically at the Annual Meeting. Only your last-dated proxy submitted will count, and any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting.

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What should I do if I receive a proxy card or other proxy materials from the Dissident Group?

As noted above, the Company has informed Mr. Kellner and the Dissident Group that the Purported Nomination Notice is invalid due to its failure to comply with the Bylaws. Unless the result of the litigation is that the Purported Nomination Notice is valid, any director nominations made by Mr. Kellner will be disregarded, and no proxies or votes in favor of his purported nominees will be recognized or tabulated at the Annual Meeting. Nonetheless, you may receive proxy solicitation materials from, or on behalf of, Mr. Kellner and the other members of the Dissident Group, including opposition proxy statements and proxy cards.

The Board strongly urges you not to sign or return any proxy card sent to you by the Dissident Group even if the Dissident Group’s proxy card provides an option to vote for the Board’s nominees. If you vote on any proxy card other than the WHITE proxy card provided to you by the Company, you may risk your vote not being counted as a valid vote by proxy card.

If you have any questions or need assistance voting, please contact the Company’s proxy solicitor Morrow Sodali LLC (“Morrow Sodali”) at (800) 662-5200 or AIM@investor.MorrowSodali.com.

What matters will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

We are aware of four matters that stockholders may vote on at the Annual Meeting. The following items are each listed on the WHITE proxy card:

1.The election of four directors to serve on the Board until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal (Proposal 1);
2.The ratification, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the selection of BDO USA, P.A. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 (Proposal 2);
3.Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation (Proposal 3); and
4.

To recommend, by non-binding advisory vote, the frequency of executive compensation votes (Proposal 4).

We will also transact such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Could other matters be decided at the Annual Meeting?

The Board does not intend to present to the Annual Meeting any business other than the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. Our Board is not aware of any other business to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the individuals named as proxies, or their duly constituted substitutes acting at the Annual Meeting, will be authorized to vote or otherwise act thereon in accordance with their judgment on such matters to the extent authorized by Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act.

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What are the Board’s voting recommendations?

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote your shares using the WHITE proxy card:

FOR ALL of the Board’s nominees to be elected to serve on the Board until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal (Proposal 1);
FOR the ratification, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the selection of BDO USA, P.A. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 (Proposal 2);

FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation (Proposal 3); and

1 Year as the frequency for future stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation (Proposal 4).

All shares represented by validly executed WHITE proxy cards received prior to the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting will be voted by the designated proxy holders and, where a stockholder specifies by means of the WHITE proxy card a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL OF OUR BOARDS NOMINEES LISTED ON THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD. If you indicate on your WHITE proxy card, via the Internet or by telephone, that you want to withhold authority to vote for a particular nominee, then your shares will not be voted for that nominee.

We do not expect any additional matters to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting other than the matters described in this Proxy Statement. However, by either signing, dating and returning your WHITE proxy card or following the instructions on the enclosed WHITE proxy card to submit your proxy and voting instructions via the Internet or by telephone, you will give to the persons named as proxies discretionary voting authority, to the extent authorized by Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. The proxies will vote on any such matter in accordance with their best judgment to the extent authorized by Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act.

Do I have to attend the meetingAnnual Meeting to vote?

 

No. If you want to have your vote count at the meeting,Annual Meeting, but not actually attend the meeting, in person, you may vote by granting a proxy or, or—for shares held in street name, beneficial owners (i.e., “street name” stockholders)—by submitting voting instructions to your broker or nominee. In most instances, you will be able to do this overvia the Internet, by telephone or by mail.

 

In the United States, if you are not in possession of your voting proxy or instruction form, please contact your broker or bank for assistance in obtaining a duplicate control number.

 

Do Europeans holding Company Common Stock have to vote a different way?

 

Yes. Europeans must contact their custodian bank or broker directly, as European banks and brokerage houses do not necessarily forward the Proxyproxy materials to stockholders. As we are a Delaware corporation, there is no need for your bank or brokerage house to block your shares. Banks and brokerage houses simply need to certify the number of shares owned by their clients on June 20, 2016,October 2, 2023, the record date,Record Date, and cast votes on your behalf by August 16, 2016 (7November 30, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. US EDT)., Eastern Time.

 

The proxy materials are available at: http:https://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/annualmeeting.asp.aimimmuno.com/stockholder-meeting/.


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How may I obtain a printed copy of the proxy materials?

To receive, free of charge, a separate copy of the Notice and this Proxy Statement or the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, stockholders may write or call our offices at the following address or telephone number:

AIM ImmunoTech, Inc.

Attn: Investor Relations

2117 SW Highway 484

Ocala, Florida 34473

(352) 448-7797

Beneficial owners (i.e., “street name” stockholders) may contact their brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization to request information.

What is the record dateRecord Date and what does it mean?

 

TheOur Board established June 20, 2016October 2, 2023 as the record dateRecord Date for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on August 17, 2016.December 1, 2023. Stockholders who own common shares of the Companyrecord at the close of business on the record dateRecord Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

What is the difference between a “Registered Stockholder”“registered stockholder” and a “Street Name Stockholder”?“street name stockholder?”

 

These terms describe how your shares of common sharesstock are held.

If your shares of common sharesstock are registered directly in your name with ContinentalEQ (formerly American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”or “AST”), the Company’s transfer agent, agent—you are a “Registered Stockholder”stockholder of record (also known as a “registered stockholder”).

If your shares of common sharesstock are held in the name of a brokerage, bank, trust, or other nominee as a custodian, you are a “Street Name Stockholder”beneficial owner (i.e., a “street name” stockholder). As a beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct the broker, bank, or other nominee on how to vote the shares of common stock in your account. Please refer to the voting instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee to direct it how to vote your shares. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, because you are not the stockholder of record, you will not be able to vote the shares of which you are the beneficial owner electronically at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from the stockholder of record authorizing you to vote the shares.

 

How many shares of common sharesstock are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

As of June 7, 2016,October 2, 2023, the Record Date, there were approximately 248,199,08648,797,564 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote on all matters. There is no cumulative voting, and the holders of the Company’s common stock vote together as a single class. Delaware law does not provide stockholders any dissenters’ or appraisal rights with respect to the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.

 

How many votes must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?

 

For the 2016 Annual Meeting, under our Bylaws, the required quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meetingAnnual Meeting is 40% of the shares of common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting, in personAnnual Meeting or by proxy. The reduced quorum for this meeting is required by the stipulation and agreement of settlement of the lawsuit filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Kastis v. Carter, et al. No. 8657 (Del. Ch.).

 

For purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, each share of common sharestock is deemed to entitle the holder to one vote per share. Properly signed proxies that

Your shares will be counted for purposes of determining if there is a quorum if you:

Are entitled to vote and are present at the virtual Annual Meeting; or
Have properly voted via the Internet, by telephone or by submitting a proxy card or voting instruction form by mail.

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Abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) are marked “abstain” are knowncounted as “abstentions.” Commonpresent for purposes of establishing a quorum at the Annual Meeting. However, if you receive proxy materials from or on behalf of both the Company and the Dissident Group, then brokers holding shares that are held in street name andyour account will not be permitted to exercise discretionary authority regarding any of the proposals to be voted on oneat the Annual Meeting. As a result, there would be no broker non-votes by such brokers. If you receive proxy materials from or moreon behalf of both the Company and the Dissident Group and you do not submit any voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, then your shares will not be counted in determining the outcome of any of the items beforeproposals at the Annual Meeting, but are otherwise voted on at least one item, are known as “broker non-votes”. Proposals No. 2 and 3 are the only routine matter that maynor will your shares be voted on by brokers on this year’s ballot.

Both abstentions andcounted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. For additional information regarding broker non-votes, are counted as shares present forplease see “How do abstentions, against votes, broker non-votes, withhold votes and unmarked WHITE proxy cards affect the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions are also counted as shares presentvoting results?” in this Proxy Statement. A properly executed and entitled to be voted. Broker non-votes, however, are not counted as shares entitled to be votedvalid proxy marked “withhold” with respect to the matter on which the broker has expressly not voted.

Whoelection of a director nominee will count the votes?

An attorney from the officebe counted for purposes of Silverman Shin & Byrne PLLC, our securities counsel, or its designee, will determinedetermining if there is a quorum is present and will tabulate the votes and serve as the Company’s inspector of election at the Annual Meeting.

 


What vote is required to approve each proposal?

 

Each shareProposal 1 – Election of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters. Abstentions, broker non-votes, andDirectors. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by holders of shares not in attendance and not votedrepresented by proxy or present at the Annual Meeting will not be counted as votes cast “for” or “against” a candidate and will have no effect with regardentitled to vote on the election of Directors in Proposal 1. However, because Proposals No. 2, 3 and 4, are based ondirectors. Therefore, the affirmative vote of at least a majority offour nominees for director who receive the most votes cast by the shares represented and votingby proxy or present at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present, abstentions will haveand entitled to vote in the same effect as votes against such proposals.

The four nominees in Proposal No. 1 receiving the highest number of votes cast by the holders of common stock represented and voting at the meetingelection will be elected as Hemispherx’s Directors and constitute the entire Board of Directors of Hemispherx.

The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shares represented and voting at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present is necessary for approval of Proposals No. 2 and 4.Meeting.

 

ApprovalProposal 2 – Ratification of Proposal No. 3 requires theSelection of BDO USA, P.A. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock.stock, represented by proxy or present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, is required to ratify, on a non-binding advisory basis, the selection of BDO USA, P.A. (Proposal 2). If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) will consider the results and any information submitted by the stockholders in determining whether to retain BDO USA, P.A. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

 

Proposal 3 – Advisory Vote on Our Named Executive Compensation. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of our common stock, represented by proxy or present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, is required to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the executive compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 3). Although the advisory vote on Proposal 3 is non-binding—as provided by law—the Compensation Committee of our Board (the “Compensation Committee”) will review the results of the vote and take them into account in making a determination concerning executive compensation.

Proposal 4 – Recommendation, by non-binding advisory vote, on the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation. The voting frequency option that receives the highest number of votes cast by stockholders at the Annual Meeting will be deemed the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been selected by stockholders. Although the advisory vote on Proposal No. 4 is non-binding, as provided by law, our Compensation Committee will review the results of the vote and consider this sentiment when determining futuretake them into account in making a determination concerning the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation.

 

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How do abstentions, against votes, broker non-votes, withhold votes and unmarked proxy cards affect the voting results?

Withhold votes, if any, will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1. Broker discretionary voting is not permitted on Proposal 1, and broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1.

An abstention will have the same effect as a vote “against” Proposal 2. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 2. Broker discretionary voting will also not be permitted on Proposal 2 if the Dissident Group delivers its proxy materials to your broker, bank or other nominee on your behalf. If the Dissident Group does not provide you with a proxy card or voting instruction form, your broker, bank or other nominee will be able to vote your shares with respect to Proposal 2, and broker non-votes will not be applicable.

An abstention will have the same effect as a vote “against” Proposal 3. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 3. Broker discretionary voting is not permitted on Proposal 3.

Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 4. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 4. Broker discretionary voting is not permitted on Proposal 4.

If you receive proxy materials from or on behalf of both the Company and the Dissident Group, then brokers holding shares in your account will not be permitted to exercise discretionary authority regarding any of the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. As a result, there would be no broker non-votes at the Annual Meeting.

Unmarked WHITE Proxy Cards. If you submit a validly executed WHITE proxy card or WHITE voting instruction form, but do not specify how your shares are to be voted with respect to a particular proposal, then your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board on any such proposal, that is:

FOR ALL of the Board’s nominees to be elected to serve on the Board until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal (Proposal 1);
FOR the ratification, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the selection of BDO USA, P.A. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 (Proposal 2); and
FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation (Proposal 3).
1 YEAR, on a non-binding advisory basis, for the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation (Proposal 4).

If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the individuals named as proxies therein, or their duly constituted substitutes acting at the Annual Meeting, will be authorized to vote or otherwise act thereon in accordance with their judgment on such matters to the extent authorized by Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act.

Where will I be able to find voting results of the Annual Meeting?

 

Voting results will be tallied by the inspector of election. The Company intendswill retain the inspector of election to announce preliminary voting results atcount the votes and serve as independent inspector for the Annual Meeting andMeeting. The Company will publish final votingreport the preliminary results in a Current Report on Form 8-K, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) within four business days afterfollowing the Annual Meeting.

Meeting and will report the final results as soon as practicable following certification by the inspector of election.

 

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How do I vote my shares of common shares?stock?

Whether you are a stockholder of record or a beneficial owner holding any of your shares of common stock in “street name,” such as in a stock brokerage account with a broker or through a bank or other nominee, you may vote in the following ways:

By PhoneBy Internet

Vote by dialing the number on the WHITE proxy card or WHITE voting instruction form and following the easy voice prompts.

Follow the instructions included on the WHITE proxy card or WHITE voting instruction form.
By MailAt the Virtual Annual Meeting
If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you will receive a WHITE proxy card and you may vote the proxy by filling out the WHITE proxy card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.Attend the virtual Annual Meeting and vote your shares electronically during the meeting. If you hold any shares in “street name,” you may not vote at the meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from the organization that holds your shares.

Even if you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares on the WHITE proxy card TODAY by Internet or mail to ensure that your votes are counted at the Annual Meeting.

The deadline for voting via the Internet or by telephone will vary depending upon how you vote your shares. Please follow the instructions shown on your WHITE proxy card or WHITE voting instruction form.

 

If you are a Stockholder asnot the stockholder of record, please refer to the record date, you canvoting instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee to direct it how to vote your shares in one of the following manners:

by completing, signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy card(s); or

by telephone or internet by following the instructions shown on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form.

Registered Stockholders may Your vote in person by attendingis important. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. IfHowever, if you are a street name Stockholder andnot the stockholder of record, you wish tomay not vote these shares electronically at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from the stockholder of record authorizing you to vote the shares of common stock.

Certain of our stockholders hold their shares in more than one account and may receive separate WHITE proxy cards or WHITE voting instruction forms for each of those accounts. To ensure that all of your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you submit every WHITE proxy card or WHITE voting instruction form you receive.

The Dissident Group has notified the Company that the Dissident Group intends to file its own proxy statement with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of the Company. Accordingly, you may do so by obtaining a “legal proxy”receive solicitation materials from the Dissident Group seeking your Broker. Accordingly, you would need to bring this legal proxy to the meeting in order to vote in person at the meeting.favor of Mr. Kellner’s purported nominees.

 

Please referIf you do receive any materials other than from the Company, our Board urges you NOT to sign or return any proxy card sent to you by the specific instructions set forth onDissident Group even if the Dissident Group’s proxy materials you received.card provides an option to vote for the Board’s nominees. Our Board recommends a vote FOR ALL of the Board’s nominees by submitting the enclosed WHITE proxy card.


Can I change my vote after I have mailed in my proxy card(s) or submitted my vote usingvia the Internet or by telephone?

 

Yes, ifIf you are a registered Stockholder,stockholder of record, you canmay revoke your proxy or change your vote in any one of the following ways:

sending a written notice to the Corporate Secretary of the Company that is received prior to the Annual Meeting and stating that you revoke your proxy;by:

Voting again at a later time via the Internet or by telephone;
Signing, dating, and returning a new proxy card or voting instruction form with a later date;

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signing
Signing, dating, and mailing an instrument revoking the proxy to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473; or
Attending the Annual Meeting and voting.

If you are a beneficial owner of your shares and dating a new proxy card(s) and submitting the proxy card(s)you have instructed your bank, broker, or other nominee to the Company’s Corporate Secretary or CST so that it is received prior to the Annual Meeting;

voting by telephone or by using the Internetvote your shares, you may change your vote prior to the Annual Meeting by following directions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee to change such voting instructions. If you hold shares in accordance with the instructions provided with the proxy card(s); or

attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Your mere presence“street name,” your attendance at the Annual Meeting will not revoke your proxy. You must take affirmative actionvoting instructions. In the absence of a revocation, shares represented by proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting in order to revoke your proxy.

If you are a Street Name Stockholder, you must contact your broker, bank, trust, or other nominee in order to revoke your proxy. If you wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must contact your broker and request a document called a “legal proxy”. You must bring this legal proxy obtained from your broker, bank, trust, or other nominee to the Annual Meeting in order to vote in person.Meeting.

 

How will my proxy be voted?

 

If you complete, sign, date and return your WHITE proxy card(s) or vote by telephonevia the Internet or by using the Internet,telephone, your proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you are a stockholder of record, and you sign and date your WHITE proxy card(s) but do not indicate how you want to vote, your shares of common sharesstock will be voted as theour Board recommends for each of the proposals.


What if my common shares If you are held in “Street Name” by my broker?

You should instructa beneficial owner (i.e., a “street name” stockholder), and you sign and date your brokerWHITE proxy card(s) but do not indicate how you would likewant to vote, then the organization that holds your shares of common stock may generally vote on “routine” matters (also referred to as “discretionary matters”) but cannot vote on “non-routine” matters (also referred to as “non-discretionary matters”), as determined by using the written instruction formapplicable SEC and envelope provided by your broker. If you do not provide your broker with instructions, under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), rules. Please see What if my shares of common stock are held in “street name” by my broker? below.

If you vote, or have previously voted, using a proxy card or voting instruction form sent to you by the Dissident Group, you may change your broker may, but is not requiredvote by completing, signing, dating, and returning the enclosed WHITE proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided, or by voting via the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions on the WHITE proxy card or WHITE voting instruction form. Please note that submitting a proxy card sent to vote your common sharesyou by the Dissident Group will revoke votes you have previously made via the Company’s WHITE proxy card.

Voting on a proxy card or voting instruction form sent to you by the Dissident Group—even to withhold with respect to certain “routine” matters. However, on other matters, whenany of Mr. Kellner’s purported nominees—is not the broker has not receivedsame as voting instructions from its customers, the broker cannot vote the sharesfor our Board’s nominees on the matter andWHITE voting instruction form or WHITE proxy card because a “broker non-vote” occurs. Proposals No. 2 and 3vote to withhold with respect to any of Mr. Kellner’s purported nominees on the Dissident Group’s voting instruction form or proxy card will revoke any WHITE voting instruction form or WHITE proxy card you may have previously submitted.

What if my shares of common stock are the only routine matter to be voted onheld in “street name” by the Stockholders on this year’s ballot. Proposals No. 1 and 4 are not considered routine matters under the NYSE rules. This means that brokers may not vote your common shares on such proposals if you have not given your broker specific instructions as to how to vote. my broker?

Please be sure to give specific voting instructions to your broker so that your vote can be counted. If you hold your shares of common sharesstock in your broker’s name and wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must contact your broker and request a document called a “legal proxy.” You must bringobtain this legal proxy to the Annual Meeting in order to vote in person.

What areat the Board’s recommendations on how I should vote my common shares?

The BoardAnnual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, management strongly recommends that you vote your common shares as follows:prior to attending the meeting.

 

If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, then the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on “routine” matters but cannot vote on “non-routine” matters, as determined by applicable SEC and NYSE rules. If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, that organization will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to vote on this matter with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.” Each of Proposal 1, Proposal 3 and Proposal 4 included in this Proxy Statement is considered a non-routine matter, and therefore brokers, banks or other nominees will not have authority to vote your shares on these proposals if you do not provide them with specific voting instructions.

1.FOR the election of each of the four Director nominees (see Proposal 1);11
2.FOR the ratification of RSM US LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2016 (see Proposal 2);
3.Authorizing the Board of Directors to amend Hemispherx’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect, at its sole discretion, a reverse stock split of outstanding shares of Hemispherx’s Common Stock by a ratio in the range of 8-to-1 to 12-to-1 (the “Reverse Stock Split”), with the Board having the discretion as to whether or not the Reverse Stock Split is to be effected, and with the exact ratio to be set within the above range, as determined by the Board in its discretion;
4.FOR the advisory resolution approving the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as described in this Proxy Statement (see Proposal 4)

 

The ratification of the appointment of registered public accounting firm (Proposal 2) is considered a “routine” proposal, and brokers have discretion to vote on that matter even if no instructions are received from the “street name” holder. However, to the extent that the Dissident Group provides a proxy card or voting instruction form to stockholders who hold their shares in “street name,” brokers will not have discretionary voting authority to vote on any of the proposals presented at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes are not counted in the tabulations of the votes cast or present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on any of the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of the proposals. Accordingly, if the Dissident Group provides a proxy card or voting instruction form to stockholders who hold their shares in “street name,” Proposal 2 included in this Proxy Statement will be a non-routine matter, and therefore brokers, banks or other nominees will not have authority to vote your shares.

If, however, the Dissident Group does not provide a proxy card or voting instruction form to stockholders who hold their shares in “street name,” then Proposal 2 would be considered a routine matter, and your broker, bank or other nominee would be able to vote on the matter if you do not provide them with specific voting instructions. However, in that event, it is possible that a broker may choose not to exercise discretionary authority with respect to the Proposal 2. In that case, if you do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to Proposal 2, your broker may not vote with respect to such proposal.

Does the Company have cumulative voting?

 

No.

 

Who may attend the Annual Meeting?

 

All StockholdersAttendance at the virtual Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders as of the Record Date, their authorized representatives, and guests of the Company. Access to the Annual Meeting may be granted to others at the discretion of the Company and the chair of the Annual Meeting. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you must pre-register at www.cesonlineservices.com/aim23_vm by 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 30, 2023.

Please have your voting instruction form, proxy card or other communication containing your control number available and follow the instructions to complete your registration request. If you are eligiblea beneficial holder, you must obtain a “legal proxy” from your broker, bank or other nominee to participate in the Annual Meeting. Upon completing registration, participants will receive further instructions via email, including unique links that will allow them to access the meeting.

Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we strongly urge you to vote in advance either by completing, signing, and dating the enclosed WHITE voting instruction form or WHITE proxy card and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided or by voting via the Internet or by telephone, as soon as possible. This will ensure your vote will be counted if you later are unable or decide not to attend the Annual Meeting. However, only those Stockholders

Is a list of stockholders of record atavailable?

The Company’s list of stockholders as of the close of business on June 20, 2016 areRecord Date and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Do I need an admission ticket to attend the Annual Meeting?

Admission tickets are not required to attend the Annual Meeting. If you are a Registered Stockholder, properly mark your proxy to indicate that youMeeting will be attending the Annual Meeting. If you hold your common shares through a nominee or you are a Street Name Stockholder, you are required to bring evidence of share ownershipavailable for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, (e.g., account statement, broker verification).for 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting during ordinary business hours at 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473, the Company’s principal place of business.

Is my vote confidential?

Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except:

As necessary to meet applicable legal requirements;


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To allow for the tabulation and certification of votes; and
To facilitate a proxy solicitation.

Who can answer my questions?is paying the costs of the proxy solicitation?

The Company will bear the cost of the proxy solicitation by the Company and Board. For additional information regarding the cost of this solicitation, please see the section “Solicitation of Proxies” in this Proxy Statement.

Who should I call if I have questions about the Annual Meeting?

 

If you have any questions regarding any of the proposals or how to vote your shares,require assistance voting, or if you need additional copies of the proxy materials, please contact:contact our proxy solicitation firm Morrow Sodali at:

Morrow Sodali LLC

509 Madison Avenue Suite 1206

New York, NY 10022

Stockholders Call Toll Free: (800) 662-5200

Banks, Brokers, Trustees, and Other Nominees Call Collect: (203) 658-9400

Email: AIM@investor.MorrowSodali.com

 

Dianne Will, Corporate Affairs

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for Hemispherx,518-398-6222(collect calls will be accepted) or via emailthe Annual Meeting:

The Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement, the Accompanying WHITE Proxy Card, and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K are available atir@hemispherx.net; or https://aimimmuno.com/stockholder-meeting/.

Morrow & Co., LLC, Hemispherx’s proxy solicitor for the Annual Meeting, in the U.S. toll free at(800) 662-5200 or non-U.S. voters can call203-658-9400.
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DEADLINE FOR RECEIPTBACKGROUND OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALSTHE SOLICITATION

 

Proposals of stockholders to be considered for inclusion inIn connection with the Proxy Statement and proxy card for the 2017Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received(the “2022 Annual Meeting”), a group of interconnected individuals, including at least two convicted felons, made two unsuccessful attempts to replace a majority of the Board.

Now, the nomination efforts being publicly led by Ted D. Kellner and Todd Deutsch pursuant to the Purported Nomination Notice with respect to the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (for purposes of the Background of the Solicitation, the “2023 Annual Meeting”) involve many of the same individuals that were involved in the failed April 2022 and July 2022 nomination efforts. The Company believes these individuals continue to present misleading and incomplete information—and withhold information—about who is working with Ted D. Kellner, Todd Deutsch and non-stockholder Robert Chioini to conceal their true intentions with respect to the Company and their concerted efforts to take control of the Board for their own benefit. In the Company’s view, these individuals do not have the best interests of all stockholders at heart, and their actions to date should give stockholders serious pause.

The Board strongly urges you to vote on the Company’s WHITE proxy card “FOR ALL” of the Board’s four proposed nominees, Nancy K. Bryan, Thomas K. Equels, William M. Mitchell, and Stewart L. Appelrouth, to safeguard the Company and its promising clinical trials from disruption by the group currently being led by Messrs. Chioini, Deutsch, and Kellner. Voting for the Board’s nominees will help ensure that the current Board will be able to continue to act in the best interests of all AIM stockholders and be positioned to capitalize on important upcoming clinical milestones. Ultimately, supporting the Board’s nominees is the best way to protect your investment.

April 2022 Nomination Efforts

In the first failed attempt to take control of the Board, AIM stockholder Walter Lautz submitted a Rule 14a-8 shareholder proposal (the “Lautz Proposal”) to the Company on April 18, 2022 purporting to nominate Robert Chioini and Daniel Ring for election to the Board.

The Board rejected the Lautz Proposal because Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act explicitly states that a basis for excluding a shareholder proposal is if the proposal “[s]eeks to include a specific individual in the company’s proxy materials for election to the board of directors.” The Company later sought and obtained an SEC no-action letter affirming that the Board had a basis for excluding the Lautz Proposal.

The Company subsequently learned that Franz Tudor was behind the drafting of the Lautz Proposal and had initiated the April 2022 nomination efforts by suggesting to Mr. Lautz that Messrs. Chioini and Ring would be interested in being nominated for election to the Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting.

Franz Tudor is an AIM stockholder and convicted felon—having pleaded guilty to insider trading criminal charges and settled insider trading civil charges—who began interfering in the Company’s Secretary,business affairs after the Company denied his offer to provide “business development” consulting services in 2020. Upon AIM’s application, a Florida court issued an injunction indefinitely enjoining Mr. Tudor from contacting the Company’s business relations in August 2021. The Company believes that injunction, along with Mr. Tudor’s prior criminal conviction, may explain why Mr. Tudor has preferred to work behind the scenes with other individuals with respect to their various efforts to take control of AIM without paying a control premium. Mr. Tudor is also a long-time acquaintance of Mr. Chioini, having provided consulting services to Mr. Chioini during his tenure as the CEO of two companies—Rockwell Medical, Inc. and SQI Diagnostics, Inc. Mr. Chioini was fired as CEO of Rockwell Medical, where he also served on the board of directors, for misconduct. Based on press releases issued by Rockwell Medical at Hemispherx Biopharma,the time, we believe Mr. Chioini behaved in a manner following his termination that was highly inappropriate and unbecoming of a fiduciary of a public company, including Mr. Chioini refusing to accept his termination and filing a Form 8-K without authorization.

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July 2022 Nomination Efforts

In connection with the second failed attempt to take control of the Board, Mr. Lautz declined Mr. Tudor’s mid-June 2022 offer to participate in a second attempt at nominating director candidates, telling Mr. Tudor that he “can’t be the face of this partaking.” The following week, Mr. Lautz checked on Mr. Tudor’s efforts to find a new public face of the nomination efforts in a text message, “[W]ere you able to find someone to be the face of the activist?” Tudor replied, “We are still looking.” The Company became aware of these communications between Messrs. Lautz and Tudor through the 2022 Discovery Process (as defined below).

Soon after, Messrs. Tudor and Chioini identified a new individual to serve as the “face” of the nomination efforts through their new director candidate Michael Rice, who would replace Daniel Ring on the nominee slate. Mr. Rice had served as an advisor to Rockwell Medical during Mr. Chioini’s tenure as CEO. On the same day that the SEC confirmed AIM had a basis for excluding the Lautz Proposal, an individual the Delaware Court of Chancery later described as Michael Rice’s “surfing buddy,” Jonathan Jorgl, acquired 1,000 shares of AIM common stock.

Then, on July 8, 2022, Mr. Jorgl, as a holder of 1,000 shares, delivered to the Company a notice (the “Jorgl Notice”) of his intention to nominate his director candidates, Mr. Chioini and Michael Rice, to replace a majority of the Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting.

The Board rejected the Jorgl Notice for failing to comply with AIM’s bylaws, and Mr. Jorgl sued the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery, seeking a preliminary injunction and a finding that the Jorgl Notice and his purported nominations were valid. In the case Jonathan Thomas Jorgl v. AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103 no2022 WL 16543834 (Del. Ch. Oct. 28, 2022) (the “2022 Delaware Litigation”), the Court denied Mr. Jorgl’s motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the July 2022 nomination efforts. In the Court’s memorandum opinion, the Court stated that the Jorgl Notice “was—at best—misleading” and that the associated discovery process (“2022 Discovery Process”) “indicated that a web of individuals had worked together to bring Jorgl’s nomination forward.”

The Company held the 2022 Annual Meeting as scheduled on November 3, 2023, where all three members of the Board were re-elected.

Through the 2022 Delaware Litigation and the 2022 Discovery Process, the Company learned about a number of significant agreements, arrangements and understandings among many individuals to, among other things, conceal the identity and role of certain individuals who were heavily involved in orchestrating or supporting the July 2022 nomination efforts—many of whom the Company believes continue to be actively involved in the 2023 nominations efforts.

As just one example, the Jorgl Notice failed to disclose the involvement of Mr. Chioini’s long-time business associate, convicted felon Michael Xirinachs, who was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $353,000 in restitution after he pleaded guilty in June 2022 to wire fraud charges involving fraudulent securities trading and promotion, material misrepresentations to investors, and the misuse of funds. Despite the Jorgl Notice and the additional soliciting materials filed by Mr. Jorgl’s group with the SEC on July 21 and August 16, 2022 omitting any reference to Mr. Xirinachs as a participant in the solicitation or nomination efforts, the Company later learned he was involved in planning, funding, and developing legal strategies for the July 2022 nomination efforts publicly led by Mr. Jorgl. Messrs. Chioini and Xirinachs—neither of whom are AIM stockholders—agreed to jointly fund the July 2022 nomination efforts and related litigation, and Mr. Jorgl would not be responsible for any of the costs of those efforts. Messrs. Chioini and Xirinachs ultimately became responsible for $2 million in related expenses. According to the Purported Nomination Notice, as of August 2023, Messrs. Chioini and Xirinachs still owed approximately $1.3 million to legal counsel Baker & Hostetler LLP (“BakerHostetler”) and other advisors. The Purported Nomination Notice also stated that Messrs. Chioini and Xirinachs were on a payment plan with BakerHostetler for the outstanding expenses from the July 2022 nomination efforts and related litigation and that Mr. Chioini has attempted to persuade Mr. Xirinachs to pay his share of the expenses. Messrs. Kellner, Deutsch and Chioini have stated that they intend to seek to have AIM pay or reimburse all of those expenses for the failed 2022 nomination efforts if they are elected.

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Efforts of Ted Kellner and Todd Deutsch at AIM

The Company learned from the discovery materials in the 2022 Delaware Litigation that, since at least October 2021, Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner have communicated about the Company regarding plans and proposals to, among other things, materially change the Company’s business and corporate structure and to change the present Board and management team. According to the Purported Nomination Notice, Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner have had a “strong business and personal relationship for the past 25-plus years” and have invested in the same companies on numerous occasions.

The Company learned through the 2022 Discovery Process that Mr. Kellner emailed Mr. Deutsch on November 4, 2021 to ask, “Have you and Franz [Tudor] drafted the letter we were intending to send to the AIM management team?” Accordingly, the Company believes that Messrs. Deutsch, Kellner and Tudor have been actively working together with respect to the Company since at least Fall 2021 in an attempt to effect a change in, or influence, the control of the Company.

The Company estimates that by mid-December 2021, Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner had acquired aggregate beneficial ownership over more than 5% of the AIM common stock. However, they did not file a Schedule 13D reporting greater than 5% ownership until Summer 2023.

By Spring 2022, Mr. Deutsch was frequently forwarding e-mails regarding AIM to and from each of Mr. Kellner and Franz Tudor within minutes of receipt. Messrs. Deutsch and Tudor have known each other for over 15 years, having worked together at the Galleon Group (“Galleon”) hedge fund in the 2000s. Galleon, a multi-billion-dollar New York hedge fund, was at the center of a 2009 insider trading scandal that led to the shuttering of Galleon and more than 50 convictions and guilty pleas as part of a wide-ranging insider trading probe. Mr. Deutsch—the head trader at the Galleon Captain’s Fund—left Galleon around June 2008. While Mr. Tudor departed Galleon before Mr. Deutsch’s departure, Mr. Tudor became ensnared in the Galleon insider trading probe. Subsequently, Mr. Tudor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and cooperated with investigators, including by wearing a recording device to tape conversations with his alleged insider trading co-conspirators. The SEC issued an injunction against Mr. Tudor that permanently enjoined him from, among other things, engaging in certain activities related to “penny stocks”. Like a number of other SEC injunctions issued at the time, the SEC injunction against Mr. Tudor was later partially vacated on July 5, 2019 to remove the bar on association with any investment advisor, municipal securities dealer, or transfer agent. The rest of the SEC injunction against Mr. Tudor remains in force.

On April 19, 2017, with2022, the day after Mr. Lautz submitted the Lautz Proposal, Mr. Deutsch emailed Mr. Kellner a profile on the Company’s business, prospects and clinical studies to be used for pitching investors to invest in AIM. Through the 2022 Discovery Process, the Company received a copy of Mr. Kellner’s notes on that email that included a handwritten note saying “what do we own? 15 – 18%?” in apparent reference to an anticipated meeting date in August 2017.undefined group of AIM stockholders’ aggregate beneficial ownership over shares of AIM common stock. Mr. Kellner also wrote notes suggesting that he believed Mr. Tudor had written the contents of Mr. Deutsch’s April 19, 2022 email.

 

PursuantAfter the first person Mr. Tudor chose to be the “face” of his takeover effort, Mr. Lautz, failed in his attempt to nominate Messrs. Chioini and Ring in April 2022, Mr. Tudor updated Mr. Deutsch on the renewed efforts and arrangements being made for a proxy fight at the 2022 Annual Meeting and the need for funding assistance. As Mr. Tudor scrambled to line up a second nomination attempt, he wrote a June 2, 2022 email to Mr. Deutsch, saying “If you would like to send to Ted [Kellner]. . . . I have 2 strong candidates to run and get control of the [Board]. . . . I have a shareholder who is will[ing] to have their name as the lead but so far have not been able to find anyone to front the $150K.” Mr. Deutsch promptly forwarded the email to Mr. Kellner.

On June 16, 2022, an outside counsel of the Company sent a letter to Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner, notifying them of the Company’s serious concerns that they were violating federal securities laws, including Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and seeking proof of their ownership and the ownership of any other members of their 13D group. The Company received a copy of Mr. Kellner’s handwritten notes on a copy of that letter through the 2022 Discovery Process. The notes included a list of Mr. Kellner’s written-down questions, including “Proceed w/ vote new board?” and “[I] thought collectively we had 20%?”

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By the time that Mr. Jorgl submitted the Jorgl Notice on July 8, 2022, Messrs. Kellner and Tudor were in direct communication with each other about the nomination efforts.

On July 9, 2022—before Mr. Jorgl’s purported nominations under the Jorgl Notice were made public—Messrs. Kellner and Tudor had a call during which Mr. Tudor updated Mr. Kellner on the effort to nominate two director candidates to take control of the Board and Company. Mr. Kellner took notes on the call, writing “Franz [Tudor] submitted 2 new directors on Friday July 8th: 1. Mike Rice 2. Rob Chioini”.

On July 15, 2022, the Company filed a lawsuit against Messrs. Chioini, Deutsch, Jorgl, Kellner, Lautz, Rice and Tudor in the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida, seeking (1) a declaration that these defendants violated Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act; and (2) an injunction forcing the defendants to remedy their ongoing violations of federal securities law (the “Federal Securities Action”).

As noted above, on July 29, 2022, Mr. Jorgl brought suit (the 2022 Delaware Litigation) against the Company and its directors in the Delaware Court of Chancery after the Board rejected Mr. Jorgl’s nomination notice due to its failure to comply with the Company’s bylaws.

According to the Purported Nomination Notice, around October 2022, Mr. Deutsch hired Mr. Tudor to provide “part-time back-office support services” to Mr. Deutsch because “he needed a job and has limited resources”. To the Company’s knowledge, Mr. Tudor is still employed by Mr. Deutsch.

After the Delaware Court of Chancery denied Mr. Jorgl’s motion for preliminary injunction in the 2022 Delaware Litigation, Mr. Kellner attended the 2022 Annual Meeting in person and briefly spoke with representatives of the Company, including Chief Executive Officer Thomas K. Equels and Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Peter W. Rodino III.

On November 9, 2022, AIM filed an amended complaint in the Federal Securities Action, providing additional information about the defendants’ failures to comply with federal securities law. On the same day, AIM also issued a press release announcing the initiation of a process to identify two additional directors with a focus on diverse candidates who possess biotechnology commercialization experience and a plan to engage a nationally recognized independent compensation consultant to evaluate the Company’s current executive compensation plans. The Compensation Committee did not ultimately engage a second compensation consultant and instead requested that its previously engaged, nationally recognized compensation consultant conduct a new assessment of the Company’s executive compensation as further described on page [●].

On November 13, 2022, representatives of BakerHostetler delivered a letter on behalf of their clients Messrs. Chioini and Rice, recommending that the Board “appoint Mr. Chioini and Mr. Rice to the Board and appropriate committees promptly.”

On November 23, 2022, Walter Lautz filed a motion to dismiss AIM’s amended complaint in the Federal Securities Action. Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner, along with the former’s family office, filed their own motion to dismiss on November 23, 2022.

On a December 5, 2022 call between a representative of BakerHostetler and a representative of the Company’s outside counsel Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP (“Potter Anderson”), the representative of BakerHostetler communicated the view of Messrs. Chioini and Rice that if an agreement on mutually agreeable director candidates to join the Board could not be reached between the Company and Messrs. Chioini and Rice before the December 2022 holidays, then BakerHostetler’s clients Chioini and Rice planned to conduct a proxy contest in 2023 and would be “better organized next year” and were “ready to come out guns blazing.”

On December 14, 2022, AIM responded to Messrs. Lautz’s, Deutsch and Kellner’s motions to dismiss in the Federal Securities Action.

On January 20, 2023, Mr. Jorgl filed a motion to dismiss AIM’s amended complaint in the Federal Securities Action. In relevant part, Mr. Jorgl attested that he transferred his 1,000 shares in AIM to an undisclosed third party (whose name he redacted in court filings), the day before filing his motion, which he contended mooted AIM’s claims against him. AIM responded to Mr. Jorgl’s motion on February 10, 2023.

17

On March 28, 2023, the Board adopted the Restated and Amended Bylaws all stockholder proposals may be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders only upon timely notice thereof, in writing,(the “Bylaws”) and appointed Nancy K. Bryan to the SecretaryBoard as an independent director of the Company. ToThe Board determined that updating AIM’s bylaws was advisable following the July 2022 nominations efforts of Mr. Jorgl and the other members of the group of individuals publicly fronted by him attempted to evade and circumvent the requirements of AIM’s advance notice bylaws, including that group’s efforts to actively conceal the significant role and involvement of two felons in the scheme. The bylaw amendments included, among other things, updates to the advance notice provision to ensure the provision was consistent with prevailing norms for publicly traded corporations and would be timely,less susceptible to attempts to circumvent the bylaws and conceal material information from the Board and the Company’s stockholders. The amendments set forth in the Bylaws were summarized in and attached to the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023.

Also on March 31, 2023, the magistrate judge in the Federal Securities Action recommended denying Mr. Lautz’s and Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner’s motions to dismiss on all grounds. The magistrate judge also recommended dismissing the Company’s claims against Mr. Jorgl based on his transfer of shares to an unidentified third party.

The 2023 Nomination Efforts

On July 24, 2023, representatives of BakerHostetler, who had represented Messrs. Jorgl, Chioini, Rice, and Xirinachs, among others, in the July 2022 nomination efforts and were now representing Mr. Kellner (among others), requested copies of the Company’s director and officer questionnaire (the “D&O Questionnaire”) and written representation and agreement, each as required by the Bylaws to be submitted in connection with a stockholder’s notice, for all stockholder proposals other than the nomination of director candidates to the Board.

On July 27, 2023, Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner filed a Schedule 13D (the “Initial 13D”) with the SEC, disclosing beneficial ownership in the aggregate of approximately 6.5% of the outstanding Common Stock. In the Initial 13D, they disclosed, among other things, their group’s intention to nominate individuals for election to the Board at the 2023 Annual Meeting.

On July 31, 2023, the Company furnished copies of the D&O Questionnaire and the written representation and agreement to representatives of BakerHostetler.

On August 3, 2023, the day before the deadline to submit stockholder nominations under the Bylaws, representatives of BakerHostetler delivered a letter (the “Purported Nomination Notice”) to the Company on behalf of Mr. Kellner, dated as of August 4, 2023, purporting to provide notice of Mr. Kellner’s intent to nominate Messrs. Chioini, Deutsch and Chioini for election to the Board at the 2023 Annual Meeting. This represented the third attempt to nominate Mr. Chioini for election to the Board in under 16 months. In addition, the Purported Nomination Notice, among other things, stated that Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner’s group intended to seek reimbursement from the Company of the costs incurred in connection with the 2023 nominations efforts as well as the costs incurred by Messrs. Chioini and Xirinachs in connection with the 2022 Annual Meeting. The Company believes the 2023 nominations efforts are partially motivated by a desire to recoup the significant expenses incurred by Messrs. Chioini and Xirinachs in connection with the unsuccessful 2022 nomination efforts and related litigation—to the detriment and expense of other stockholders.

On August 7, 2023, Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner filed Amendment No. 1 to the Initial 13D, which disclosed the submission of the Purported Nomination Notice.

On August 8, 2023, the Company filed a motion to reconsider the Federal Securities Action. The court had dismissed the Federal Securities Law Action on July 10, 2023 on mootness grounds because the 2022 Annual Meeting, including the election of directors, had already occurred. The Company filed its motion for the court to reconsider the dismissal of the Federal Securities Action because (1) the Initial 13D disclosing Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner’s intention to nominate director candidates for director, shall be deliveredelection at the 2023 Annual Meeting failed to correct the material deficiencies prompting AIM’s initial complaint, (2) Mr. Kellner has since submitted the Purported Nomination Notice, and (3) a number of related activities surrounding the 2023 Annual Meeting occurred in the interim including the threat to run a “better organized” proxy contest in 2023 issued by a representative of BakerHostetler on behalf of its clients Messrs. Chioini and Rice in December 2022. The court denied the Company’s motion to reconsider on September 27, 2023. Separately, Mr. Lautz moved for reconsideration of the court’s order pursuant to the SecretaryPrivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 on August 7, 2023, and Mr. Jorgl moved for attorneys’ fees under Rule 11 on September 12, 2023. On October 10, 2023, the court granted-in-part Mr. Lautz’s motion, postponed ruling on Mr. Jorgl’s motion and scheduled a hearing on November 2, 2023.

18

The Board held Board meetings on August 8, 2023 and August 21, 2023, with representatives of outside counsel Potter Anderson and Kirkland & Ellis LLP (“Kirkland & Ellis”) present, to discuss the Purported Nomination Notice, including its compliance (or lack thereof) with the requirements of the Bylaws.

On August 14, 2023, representatives of Abrams and Bayliss LLP (“Abrams”), Delaware counsel to Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner, delivered their clients’ demand for books and records (the “220 Demand”) pursuant to Section 220 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

On August 21, 2023, representatives of Potter Anderson delivered a letter to representatives of Abrams rejecting many of the requests in the 220 Demand for failing to state a proper purpose and because of the impermissibly broad nature of certain requests. In the letter, the representatives of Potter Anderson noted that the Company would be amenable to providing the requested stocklist materials, subject to the associated payment and entry into a customary confidentiality agreement. Between August 30 and September 14, 2023, representatives of Abrams and Potter Anderson negotiated the confidentiality agreement, which the Company executed on September 14, 2023 and Messrs. Kellner and Deutsch executed on or about September 21, 2023.

At a reconvened Board meeting on August 22, 2023, after careful consideration and Board discussion, the Board unanimously resolved to reject the Purported Nomination Notice on the grounds that it did not comply with the Bylaws and directed representatives of Potter Anderson and Kirkland & Ellis to communicate the rejection to Mr. Kellner and his representatives.

On August 23, 2023, representatives of Potter Anderson delivered a letter (the “Rejection Letter”) on behalf of the Board and Company to representatives of BakerHostetler rejecting the Purported Nomination Notice. The Company also issued a press release announcing the rejection of the Purported Nomination Notice and filed a Form 8-K with the SEC, attaching both the press release and the Rejection Letter as exhibits thereto. The Rejection Letter noted numerous deficiencies and failures to comply with clear Bylaw requirements in the Purported Nomination Notice including, among other things, (1) failures by Mr. Kellner to adequately and accurately describe certain agreements, arrangement and understandings between members of his activist group and certain third parties with respect to the nominations and any nominations made during the past 24 months; (2) failures to comply with numerous requirements of applicable law; and (3) false responses by the purported nominees in their respective D&O Questionnaires, including the failure to disclose adverse recommendations by proxy advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis with respect to the purported nominees on at least nine separate occasions.

On August 25, 2023, Mr. Kellner filed suit against the principal executive officesCompany and the members of the Board in the Delaware Court of Chancery (the “2023 Delaware Litigation”) seeking a declaratory judgment that, among other things, the Purported Nomination Notice is valid under the Bylaws and the Bylaws were improperly adopted. The Company vigorously opposes the allegations in Mr. Kellner’s complaint and filed the Company’s answer and counterclaims on September 11, 2023. The trial before the Delaware Court of Chancery is scheduled for October 30 through November 1, 2023.

On August 28, 2023, Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner filed Amendment No. 2 to the Initial 13D and issued a press release disclosing the 2023 Delaware Litigation and announcing their intent to proceed with Mr. Kellner’s purported nominations, notwithstanding the Board’s rejection of the Purported Nomination Notice.

On August 31, 2023, representatives of BakerHostetler delivered a letter to the Company, stating the Purported Nomination Notice constituted the notice required from Mr. Kellner by the SEC’s universal proxy rules. That same day, representatives of Kirkland & Ellis delivered a letter to representatives of BakerHostetler putting the firm on notice of potential claims (the “Claims Notice”) that the Company was exploring bringing against believed clients of BakerHostetler for their concerted efforts against the Company. Representatives of BakerHostetler responded to the Claims Notice on September 5, 2023.

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On September 14, 2023, representatives of Potter Anderson delivered a letter (the “September 14th Letter”), on behalf of the Company to representatives of BakerHostetler announcing the Company’s intent to solicit proxies in favor of the election of the following director nominees of the Board at the 2023 Annual Meeting: Stewart L. Appelrouth, Nancy K. Bryan, Thomas K. Equels and William M. Mitchell. The September 14th Letter indicated that because the Purported Nomination Notice did not less than sixty (60) nor more than ninety (90) days priorconstitute valid notice of nominations pursuant to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, thatBylaws, as indicated in the event thatRejection Letter, Mr. Kellner’s nominations would be disregarded at the annual meeting is called for a date that is2023 Annual Meeting and the Company was therefore not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date,required to comply with the stockholder’suniversal proxy rules. The September 14th Letter expressly disclaimed the applicability of certain notice in order to be timely must be so received not later thanrequirements under the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice,SEC’s universal proxy rules with respect to a stockholder proposal for nomination of candidates for director, shall be deliveredMr. Kellner’s purported nominees but indicated that it was being sent solely to reserve the Secretary atCompany’s right to comply with the principal executive offices ofuniversal proxy rules if the Company not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prioris required to so comply by applicable law, including through the anniversary datedecision of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, the stockholder’s notice in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10thDelaware court.) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Provided, however, in the event that the stockholder proposal relates to the nomination of candidates for director and the number of Directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of

On October 10, 2023, the Company at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement byfiled this preliminary proxy statement with the SEC in connection with the 2023 Annual Meeting.

On October 13, 2023, the Dissident Group filed its preliminary proxy statement with the SEC in connection with the 2023 Annual Meeting.

On October 24, 2023, the Company naming all offiled this revised preliminary proxy statement with the nominees for director or specifyingSEC in connection with the size of the increased Board of Directors at least one hundred days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Company. All stockholder proposals must contain all of the information required under the Company’s Bylaws, a copy of which is available upon written request, at no charge, from the Secretary. The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.2023 Annual Meeting.


INFORMATION CONCERNING BOARD MEETINGS

 

The Board of Directors is responsible for the management and direction of HemispherxAIM and for establishing broad corporate policies. A primary responsibility of the Board is to provide effective governance over the Company’s affairs for the benefit of its stockholders. In all actions taken by the Board, the Directorsdirectors are expected to exercise their business judgment in what they reasonably believe to be the best interests of the Company. In discharging that obligation, Directorsdirectors may rely on the honesty and integrity of the Company’s senior Executivesexecutives and its outside advisers and auditors.

 

The Board of Directors and various committees of the Board meet periodically throughout the year to receive and discuss operating and financial reports presented by the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer, (“CFO”) as well as reports by other members of Senior Management,senior management, experts and other advisers. Members of the BoardDirectors are expected to personally attend Board meetings in person, unless the meeting is held by teleconference. The Board held sixnine meetings in 20152022 and executed eightsixteen unanimous consents. All Directors then in office were in attendance for the meetings.meetings, as well as for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on November 3, 2022.

 

In 2015,2022, the non-employee (independent) members of the Board of Directors met two times with nodirectors did not meet without employee Directorsdirectors or management personnel present. The Interested persons who wish to contact the Lead Independent Director,Chairman of the Board or other non-employee Directors can do so by sending written comments through the Office of the Secretary of the Company at Hemispherx Biopharma,AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103.2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473. The Office will either forward the original materials as addressed or provide Directorsdirectors with summaries of the correspondence, with the originals available for review at the Directors’directors’ request.

 

CONDUCT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

The Chairman of our Board (or any person designated by our Board) has broad authority to conduct the annual meeting of stockholdersAnnual Meeting in an orderly manner. This authority includes establishing rules of conduct for stockholders who wish to address the meeting, including limiting questions to the order of business and to a certain amount of time. Copies of these rules will be made available at https://aimimmuno.com/stockholder-meeting/ prior to the meeting.Annual Meeting. To ensure that the meeting is conducted in a manner that is fair to all stockholders, the Chairman (or such person designated by our Board) may also may exercise broad discretion in recognizing stockholders who wish to speak in determining the extent of discussion on each item of business and in managing disruptions or disorderly conduct. Instructions for submitting questions and making statements will be posted on the virtual meeting website.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Our Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines. These guidelines address items such as the standards, qualifications and responsibilities of our directors and director candidates and corporate governance policies and standards applicable to us in general. In addition, we have a code of conduct that applies to all our employees, including our executive officers and our directors. Both the guidelines and theThe code of conduct areis posted under “Corporate Governance” in the Investors section of our website at http:https://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/corp_governance.htm.aimimmuno.com/corporate-governance. We will disclose under “Corporate Governance” in the Investors section of our website any amendments to, or any waivers under, the code of conduct that are required to be disclosed by the rules of the SEC. The charters of each ofOur Board has four standing committees: the Board’s Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Disclosure Controls Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating CommitteesNomination Committee. The Board also has an Executive Committee, which did not meet in 2022. Each committee operates under a written charter, which are postedavailable on our website.website https://aimimmuno.com/corporate-governance. Detailed information on our Board and its committees can be found within the attached document.


BOARD STRUCTURE

The Board currently separates the roles of Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Company. Periodically, our Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee assesses these roles and the board leadership structure to ensure the interests of the Company and its stockholders are best served.

Currently, the independent Chairman position is held by William Mitchell, and our CEO is Thomas K. Equels.

The current separation of the Chairman and CEO roles allows the CEO to focus his time and energy on operating and managing the Company and leverage the experience and perspectives of the Chairman. The Chairman sets the agenda for, and presides over, board meetings and independent sessions and coordinates the work of the committees of our Board, providing independent oversight and streamlining the CEO’s duties. The Board believes this governance structure promotes balance between the Board’s independent authority to oversee our business and the CEO and his management team who manage the business on a day-to-day basis.

INFORMATION CONCERNING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

 

The Board of Directors maintains the following committees:

 

Executive Committee

 

In February 2016, our Board formed the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee reports to the Board, and its purpose is to aid the Board in handling matters which, in the opinion of the Chairman of the Board, should not be postponed until the next scheduled meeting of the Board. Mr. Equels, our Chief Executive Officer, is the chairmanchair of the Committee and is a member of the Committee along with two of our three independent directors, Ms. Bryan, Mr. RodinoAppelrouth and Dr. Mitchell. The full text of the Executive Committee Charter, as approved by the Board, is available on our website: www.aimimmuno.com in the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance.” The Committee did not meet in 2022. On March 28, 2023, Ms. Bryan was appointed as an additional member of this committee.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee consists of the following three directors, each of whom is “independent” under applicable NYSE American rules, a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and an “Outside Director” as defined under the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”): Dr. William Mitchell, M.D. (Chair), Stewart L. Appelrouth and Nancy K. Bryan. On March 28, 2023, Ms. Bryan was appointed as an additional member of this committee.

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The Compensation committee oversees implementation and administration of the Company’s compensation and employee benefits programs with the goal of attracting, retaining and motivating executives and officers, as well as other employees, to improve their performance and the Company’s financial performance. In 2015,that regard, the Compensation Committee (1) reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation; (2) evaluates the performance and compensation of the Company’s officers and executives and reviews the compensation of all other non-officer executives of the Company that are considered highly paid; (3) reviews and approves employment agreements, severance agreements, change of control agreements, deferred compensation agreements, perquisites and similar compensation arrangements of the Company’s executive officers; (4) makes recommendations to the Board on the compensation of non-employee members of the Board; (5) administers the Company’s incentive and equity-based compensation plans, including approving the grant of equity awards under such plans, reviewing such plans and making recommendations to the Board regarding the adoption, amendment or termination of such plans; (6) selects and determines the fees and scope of work of its compensation consultants; and (7) reviews the Company’s compensation strategy to assure that it continues to advance the Company’s objectives and promote stockholder value. The full text of the Compensation Committee’s Charter, as approved by the Board, is available on our website: www.aimimmuno.com in the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance.”

The Compensation Committee has directly engaged Steven Hall & Partners, LLC (“SH&P”), a nationally recognized independent compensation consultant, as the Company’s independent outside compensation consultant. In November 2022, the Compensation Committee asked SH&P to conduct a new assessment of the Company’s executive compensation programs and how the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer compared against comparable companies. SH&P conducted a marketplace assessment and presented a report to the Compensation Committee in December 2022 comparing the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer with the executive compensation programs of a five-company comparator group. The comparator group consisted of four clinical stage and one commercial stage pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with comparable revenues and other comparable financial metrics to AIM. The SH&P report provided an overview of compensation levels for certain executive officer positions in the competitive marketplace and reported that the annual total compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer ranked second to last and last among the comparator group for those positions, respectively.

This Committee formally met fivefour times in 2022, and all committee members were in attendance for the meetings. Our General Counsel, and Chief Financial Officer and Director of Human Resources support the Compensation Committee in its work. The Compensation Committee is currently composed of Committee Chair, Dr. William M. Mitchell, Director, and Peter W. Rodino III, Esq., Director.

 

For detailed information on the CompensationCorporate Governance and Nomination Committee and its responsibilities, please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in “COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS” below. The Compensation Committee consists of directors, each of whom is “independent” under applicable NYSE MKT rules. The full text of the Compensation Committee Charter, as approved by

In 2022, the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee is available on our website: http://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/corp_governance.htm.

Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee

In 2015, the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee formally met one time.three times. All committee members were in attendance for the meeting.meetings. The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee consists of Dr. William M. Mitchell Director and Committee Chair(Chair), Nancy K. Bryan and Mr. Peter W. Rodino III, Esq., Director.Stewart L. Appelrouth. On March 28, 2023, Ms. Bryan was appointed as an additional member of this committee.

 

All of the members of the Committee meet the independence standards contained within the NYSE MKTAmerican Company Guide and the HemispherxAIM’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. The full text of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee Charter as well as the Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website: http:https://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/corp_governance.htm.aimimmuno.com/corporate-governance/.

 

As discussed below, the Committee is responsible for recommending candidates to be nominated by the Board for election by the stockholders or to be appointed by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies consistent with the criteria approved by the Board. It also is responsible for periodically assessing Hemispherx’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and making recommendations to the Board for amendments, recommending to the Board the compensation of Directors, taking a leadership role in shaping corporate governance, and overseeing an annual evaluation of the Board.


The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee is responsible for (1) assisting the Board in identifying, recommending, assessing, recruiting and selecting candidates who are eligible under the qualification standards set forth in Hemispherx’s Corporate Governance Guidelines to serve as members of the Board.Board, including in connection with filling vacancies; (2) assisting the Board in developing criteria for identifying and selecting individuals for nomination to the Board; (3) advising the Board with respect to the Board’s composition, procedures and committees; (4) reviewing, assessing and recommending appropriate Corporate Governance Guidelines; (5) reviewing the charter of each committee of the Board and recommending to the Board the number, identity and responsibilities of each committee; (6) reviewing the Company’s business practices as they relate to preserving the good reputation of the Company; (7) developing and recommending to the Board procedures for succession planning for Company executives and continuity of the Board; and (8) assessing the effectiveness of the Board in meeting the long-terms interest of the stockholders. The Committee is authorized to retain search firms and other consultants to assist it in identifying candidates and fulfilling its other duties. The Committee is not limited to any specific process in identifying candidates and will consider candidates suggested by stockholders. In recommending Board candidates, the Committee considers a candidate’s: (1) general understanding of elements relevant to the success of a publicly traded company in the current business environment; (2) understanding of Hemispherx’s business; and (3) diversity in educational and professional background. The Committee also gives consideration to a candidate’s judgment, competence, dedication and anticipated participation in Board activities, experience, geographic location and special talents or personal attributes.

 

Stockholders who wish to suggest qualified candidates should write to the Corporate Secretary, Hemispherx Biopharma,AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 1617 JKF Blvd., Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103,2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473, stating in detail the qualifications of such persons for consideration by the Committee. Director candidates should demonstrate the qualifications, experience and skills for Board members which are important to AIM’s business and its future, as outlined in Proposal 1 below.

 

The Company aspires to the highest standards of ethical conduct;conduct, reporting results with accuracy and transparency;transparency and maintaining full compliance with the laws, rules and regulations that govern the Company’s business. Hemispherx’sAIM’s Corporate Governance Guidelines embody many of our policies and procedures which are at the foundation of our commitment to best practices. The guidelines are reviewed annually and revised, if deemed necessary, to continue to reflect best practices.

 

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Disclosure Controls Committee

 

In August 2011, our Board formed theThe Disclosure Controls Committee (“DCC”DCC).  The DCC reports to the Audit Committee and is responsible for procedures and guidelines on managing disclosure information. The full text of the DCC’s Charter, as approved by the Audit Committee, as well as the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee Charter, is available on our website:http://ir.hemispherx.net/Governance.   In accordance with its Charter, the DCC provides the Audit Committee with a quarterly and year-end process review, presented the results of its activities and made recommendations to improve functionality.

The purpose of the DCC is to make certain that information required to be publicly disclosed is properly accumulated, recorded, summarized and communicated to the Board Management and the public.management. This process is intended to allow for timely decisions regarding communications and disclosures and to help ensure that we comply with related SEC rules and regulations. Wayne S. Springate, Senior Vice PresidentThe DCC is responsible for (1) implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures; (2) reviewing and evaluating the Company’s interactions with the FDA and other similar regulatory bodies; and (3) reviewing with the Audit Committee earnings and other press releases and periodic reports and proxy statements of Operations acts as the DCC'sCompany that are to be filed with the SEC. Robert Dickey, our CFO, is the DCC’s Investor Relations Coordinator and Chairperson.Chair. The other members of the DCC are Thomas K. Equels asPeter Rodino, our COO and General Counsel; Adam Pascale as Chief Financial Officer;Counsel, William Mitchell, one of our Independent Directors, Dr. David R. Strayer, as Chief Scientific Officer, Diane Young, our Clinical Project Manager, Jodie Pelz, our Director of Finance, and William M. Mitchell as Independent Director. Ann Marie Coverly, Director of HR and Administration Human Resources and Investor Relations Manager, servesserving as the DCC’s Deputy Investor Relations Coordinator since June 2014.  During 2015,Coordinator. The full text of the DCC’s Charter, as approved by the Board, is available on our website: www.aimimmuno.com in the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance.” The DCC actively met 65 times either telephonically, or electronically.  During 2015, the Committee reviewed 53 separate disclosure items on which each was voted upon by a quorum of two-third DCC members.  Quorum was reached for all items voted uponnumerous occasions in 2015.2022.

 

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Audit Committee and Audit Committee Expert

 

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors consists of Peter Rodino III, Committee Chairman, William Mitchell, M.D.Stewart L. Appelrouth (Chair) and Iraj E. Kiani, N.D., Ph.D. Mr. Rodino, Dr. Mitchell, and Dr. Kiani are allas of March 28, 2023, Nancy K. Bryan was appointed as an additional member of the Audit Committee. All three members have been determined by the Board of Directors to be Independent Directors as required under Section 803(2) of the NYSE: MKTAmerican Company Guide and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The Board has determined that Mr. RodinoAppelrouth qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert”expert,” as that term is defined by Section 803B(2) of the NYSE: MKTAmerican Company Guide and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

We believe Mr. Rodino, Dr. Mitchell, Mr. Appelrouth and Dr. KianiMs. Bryan to be independent of management and free of any relationship that would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment as members of this Committee. The principal functions of the Audit Committee are to (i)(1) assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to the annual independent audit of our consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting, the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm and the evaluation of the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance; (ii)(2) select the independent registered public accounting firm, oversee the work of the independent registered public accounting firm, pre-approve all auditing services of the independent registered public accounting firm and evaluate the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance; (3) prepare the reports or statements as may be required by NYSE MKTAmerican or the securities laws; (iii)(4) assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to the integrity of our financial statements and financial reporting process and our system of internal accounting and financial controls; (iv)(5) discuss the financial statements and reports with management including any significant adjustments, management judgments and estimates, new accounting policies and disagreements with management; and (v) review disclosures by ourthe independent registered public accounting firm, concerning relationships with usincluding critical accounting policies and practices, the performance of our independent accountants.

The Audit Committee engagedCompany’s disclosures in the services of a consultantCompany’s Annual Report and any significant financial reporting that arose in 2015 who meets the SEC criteria of a Financial Expert to enhance the current structure and expertisepreparation of the Committee. In 2011, after an extensive search,audited financial statements; and (6) oversee the Audit Committee selected Stewart L. Appelrouth, a Florida and North Carolina licensed Certified Public Accountant to directly support the efforts of the Audit Committee on an as-needed basis. Mr. Appelrouth is a Certified Valuation Analyst, Accredited in Business Valuation and a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Accounting. Mr. Appelrouth has a Masters’ Degree in Finance from Florida International University and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Florida State University. He is one of the founding partners of Appelrouth Farah & Co., which serves Southern Florida as a full service accounting and international business advisory firm specializing in auditing, domestic and international taxation, litigation support, forensic accounting, fraud examination and business valuation. The Firm is affiliated with MGI, a worldwide association of independent auditing and accounting firms.Disclosure Control Committee. The Audit Committee is currently reviewingauthorized to engage independent counsel and other candidates to facilitateadvisors as it deems necessary.

This Audit Committee formally met six times in 2022 with all committee members in attendance. Our General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer support the current structure and expertiseAudit Committee in its work. The full text of the CommitteeAudit Committee’s Charter, as approved by the Board, is available on our website: www.aimimmuno.com in 2016.the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance.”

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Audit Committee Report

 

The primary responsibility of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is to assist the Board of Directors in discharging its oversight responsibilities with respect to financial matters and compliance with laws and regulations. The primary methods used by the Audit Committee to fulfill its responsibility with respect to financial matters are:

 

To appoint, evaluate, and as the Committee may deem appropriate, terminate and replace the Company’s independent registered public accountants;

To monitor the independence of the Company’s independent registered public accountants;

To determine the compensation of the Company’s independent registered public accountants;

To pre-approve any audit services, and any non-audit services permitted under applicable law, to be performed by the Company’s independent registered public accountants;

To review the Company’s risk exposures, the adequacy of related controls and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management;

To monitor the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting processes and systems of control regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance and information systems;

To facilitate and maintain an open avenue of communication among the Board of Directors, Management and the Company’s independent registered public accountants; and

To provide oversight of the DCC to monitor their successful implementation of that Committee’s Charter, policies and procedures.
To appoint, evaluate, and as the Audit Committee may deem appropriate, terminate, and replace the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;
To monitor the independence of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;
To determine the compensation of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;
To pre-approve any audit services, and any non-audit services permitted under applicable law, to be performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;
To review the Company’s risk exposures, the adequacy of related controls and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management;
To monitor the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting processes and systems of control regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance and information systems;
To facilitate and maintain an open avenue of communication among the Board, management and the Company’s independent registered public accountants; and
To provide oversight of the DCC to monitor their successful implementation of the DCC’s charter, policies and procedures.

 

During 2015, the Audit Committee was composed of three Directors, and the Board has determined that each of those Directors is independent as that term is defined in Sections 121(B)(2)(a) of the NYSE MKT Company Guide. This Committee formally met nine times in 2015 with all committee members in attendance for the meetings. Our General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer support the Audit Committee in its work. The full text of the Audit Committee Charter, as approved by the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee, is available on our website: http://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/corp_governance.htm.

In discharging its responsibilities during the last fiscal year relating to internal controls, accounting and financial reporting policies and auditing practices, the Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accountants, RSM US LLP ("RSM"accounting firm, BDO USA, P.A. (“BDO), the overall scope and process for its audit. The Audit Committee regularly meetsmet with RSM,BDO, with and without Managementmanagement present, to discuss the results of its examinations, the evaluationsconsideration of our internal controls and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

 

The Audit Committee also undertook all required discussions with RSMBDO during the 2015 fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 of such matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as amended, and other standardsthe applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”), rules of the SEC and other applicable regulations. The Audit Committee received from RSMBDO the written and oral disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight BoardPCAOB regarding RSM’sBDO’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and discussed with RSMBDO the independence of their firm.

 

The Audit Committee has met and held discussions with Management.management. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with Management Hemispherx’smanagement AIM’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2022, as well as the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2015.2022.

 

This report is respectfully submitted by the current members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.Board.


Peter W. Rodino, III,

Stewart K. Appelrouth, Committee ChairmanChair

Dr. William M. Mitchell

Dr. Iraj E. Kiani

Special Litigation Committee

On July 23, 2013, pursuant to its authority under its Amended and Restated Bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Board created a Special Litigation Committee of the Board of Directors for which Peter Rodino, III, Esq. and Dr. Iraj E. Kiani were appointed as Members. The Board delegated to the Special Litigation Committee the power and authority to investigate the allegations made in a shareholder derivative lawsuit filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Kastis v. Carter, et al. No. 8657 (Del. Ch.) (the "Lawsuit") on June 18, 2013, including any allegations made in any subsequent legal action, and to take appropriate action in light of the allegations and the results of the Committee's review, analysis and investigation. Pursuant to Section 141(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Board delegated to the Special Litigation Committee, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the exclusive power and authority of the Board to take any and all actions it deems necessary or appropriate to accomplish its functions without limitation, including:

a.to retain, at the expense of Company (or of the Company's D&O insurance carrier(s) to the extent such expenses are covered under the applicable policy) legal counsel, financial advisers, accountants, or other consultants and advisers as the Special Litigation Committee may deem to be necessary or appropriate on such terms as the Committee may approve and to direct such counsel and advisers to take any action that they may consider necessary or appropriate to assist the Committee in carrying out its responsibilities;

b.to conduct interviews with any current or former employee, Officer, Director, agent or adviser of the Company, or any other person, as it may deem to be useful or appropriate;

c.to have access to all information of the Company which the Special Litigation Committee believes necessary or appropriate to assist it in its work;

d.to determine whether it is in the best interests of the Company that the Lawsuit continue or that the Lawsuit be dismissed, and, if the Special Litigation Committee determines that it is in the best interests of the Company that the Lawsuit be dismissed, to seek the Court's approval for dismissal of the Lawsuit;

e.Committee Members are authorized and empowered to determine its own procedures, to hold meetings (including telephonic meetings) at such locations as it determines to be appropriate, to act by unanimous written consent of its Members in lieu of a meeting and to appoint a Chair of the Committee, all to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws; and

f.Committee Members are authorized, empowered and directed, for and on behalf of the Company, to take and cause to be taken such actions, and to make, sign, execute, acknowledge and deliver and cause to be made, signed, executed, acknowledged and delivered such agreements, certificates, orders, directions, requests, receipts and other instruments, as the Committee may deem to be necessary or appropriate.

This Committee did not formally meet in 2015.Nancy K. Bryan (since March 28, 2023)

 

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Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

 

The Board evaluates its leadership structure and role in risk oversight on a periodic basis. The Board determines what leadership structure it deems appropriate based on factors such as the experience of the applicable individuals, the current business environment of our Company and other relevant factors. As further discussed below, after considering these factors, the Board and Company made significant changes to its board leadership and role in risk oversight in 2015.

On September 16, 2015, our Board appointed Mr. Peter Rodino as Lead Director. In addition, Mr. Rodino and William Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D.were each appointed to the Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Rodino, Dr. Mitchell and Iraj E. Kiani were each appointed to the Audit Committee.

On February 17, 2016, our Board, by majority vote, terminated the employment of Dr. Carter, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. As a result, Dr. Carter also is no longer a director. Dr. Mitchell, one of our independent directors, was appointed Chairman of the Board. In recent months, we have been reexamining our fundamental priorities in terms of direction, corporate culture and our ability to fund operations.

On February 19, 2016, our Board of Directors also made several changes to our executive management team in light of the termination of Dr. Carter, to provide effective and competent leadership that will properly position us to achieve our commercial goals and increase stockholder value. In this regard, Adam Pascale was named Chief Financial Officer in addition to his current responsibilities as Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Pascale has been employed us for 18 years, with more than two decades of public accounting experience and prior public company experience. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Finance from Rutgers University. Mr. Pascale served for several years as a CPA prior to joining the Company, and is a member of both the American and the Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Equels, our President, resigned as Chief Financial Officer to make way for Mr. Pascale.

On February 25, 2016, our Board appointed Thomas K. Equels, our current President, as our Chief Executive Officer. In that capacity, he is the principal executive officer of the Company. The Board believes that these changes fosters clear accountability, effective decision-making and consistency in strategy.

Lead Independent Director. In 2015, the Board established a strong, independent, clearly-defined Lead Independent Director and on September 16, 2015, our Board appointed Mr. Peter Rodino as Lead Independent Director for the remainder of this term.

The Lead Independent Director presides at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present and serves as liaison between the Chairman and the Independent Directors; is involved in establishing the agendas for meetings of the Board of Directors, including the nature of information presented at such meetings; and has the authority to call meetings of the Independent Directors. The role of the Lead Independent Director includes the following duties:

1.determining the appropriate schedule of Board meetings after consultation with the CEO, Chairman of the Board and other Board members, as necessary;

2.determining the appropriate schedule of Board meetings after consultation with the CEO, Chairman of the Board and other Board members, as necessary;

3.consulting with the CEO, Chairman of the Board and other Board members on the agenda for the Board along with oversee the preparation of the agenda;

4.assessing the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information from the Company’s Management to the Independent Directors to ensure that it is sufficient for the Independent Directors to satisfy their duties; and

5.directing Management to include in the materials prepared for the Board any materials that the Lead Independent Director deems important.

In addition, and on an as needed basis, the Board of Directors holds executive sessions of the Independent Directors to assure effective independent oversight. In 2015, the Independent Directors met in sessions related to the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nomination Committees.

 

The Board is also responsible for oversight of our risk management practices while Managementmanagement is responsible for the day-to-day risk management processes. Our Executive Managementexecutive management team evaluates enterprise risks and shares their assessment of such risks with the Audit Committee or the full Board for oversight. In addition, financial risks and our internal control environment are overseen by the Audit Committee, and the Compensation Committee considers how risks taken by Managementmanagement could impact the value of executive compensation.

 

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

 

Hemispherx’sOur Board of Directors adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for Officers, (“Code”), Directors, and employees that went into effect on May 19, 2003 and was amended on October 15, 2009.employees. This Code has been presented and reviewed by each Officer, Director,officer, director, employee, agent, and key consultant. You may obtain a copy of this Code by visiting our web sitewebsite at http://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/corp_governance.htm.www.aimimmuno.com in the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance” or by written request to our Office Administratoroffice at 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103.2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, FL 34473. Our Board of Directors is required to approve any waivers of the Code for Directors or executive Officers, and we are required to disclose any such waiver in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days. On an annual basis, this Code is reviewed and signed by each officer, director, employee, and strategic consultant with none of the amendments constituting a waiver of provision of the Code of Ethics on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions.

 

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In April 2005, the Board of Directors adopted a set of stock ownership guidelines for Directors and Officers. The Board believes that Directors and Officers more effectively represent the interest of Hemispherx’s stockholders if they are stockholders themselves. At this time, all of our Directors and Officers are stockholders and this guideline was adopted to assure that the present Directors and Officers continue to participate as well as future Directors and Officers. The full text of the Stock Ownership Guidelines, as approved by the Board, is available on our website: http://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/corp_governance.htm.

Communication with the Board of Directors

 

Interested parties wishing to contact the Board of Directors of the Company may do so by writing to the following address: AIM ImmunoTech Board of Directors, c/o Thomas K. Equels,Peter W. Rodino III, Corporate Secretary, 2601 S. Bayshore Dr., Suite #600, Miami, FL 33133.2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473. All letters received will be categorized and processed by the Corporate Counsel or Secretary and then forwarded to the Company’s Board of Directors.Board.

 

Director Attendance at Annual Meetings of Stockholders

 

Directors are encouraged, but not required, to attend the Annual Meeting absent unusual circumstances, although we have no formal policy on the matter. The Directors, whoAll of the directors attended the 20152022 Annual Meeting, were Dr. Carter, Mr. Equels, Dr. Mitchell and Mr. Rodino.Meeting.


INFORMATION CONCERNING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following sets forth biographical information about each of our Executive Officersexecutive officers as of the date of this report:

 

Name Age Position
Thomas K. Equels, Esq.M.S., J.D. 6271 Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer Secretary and General CounselPresident
Adam PascalePeter W. Rodino, III, Esq. 6871Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director Government Relations, General Counsel and Secretary
Robert Dickey, IV67 Chief Financial Officer
David R. Strayer, M.D.70Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director
Wayne S. Springate44Senior Vice President of Operations

 

THOMAS K. EQUELS, M.S., J.D., has been a director and serves as our Executive Vice Chairman (since 2008), Chief Executive Officer (since 2016) and President (since 2015). Mr. Equels was the owner of, and former President and Managing Director of, the Equels Law Firm headquartered in Miami, Florida that focused on litigation. For biographical information about Thomas K.over a quarter century, Mr. Equels please seerepresented national and state governments as well as companies in the discussion underbanking, insurance, aviation, pharmaceutical and construction industries. Mr. Equels received his Juris Doctor degree with high honors from Florida State University. He received his Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from Troy University and also obtained his Masters’ of Science Degree from Troy University. Mr. Equels began his professional career as a military pilot. He served in Vietnam and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the heading “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors”.Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and fifteen Air Medals. In 2012, he was Knighted by Pope Benedict.

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DAVID R. STRAYER, M.D.PETER W. RODINO, III, Esq., was a director of the Company from July 2013 until September 30, 2016, when Mr. Rodino resigned as a member of our Board to permit him to serve AIM in a new capacity. Effective October 1, 2016, AIM retained Mr. Rodino as Executive Director for Governmental Relations, and as General Counsel and, as of October 16, 2019, Mr. Rodino assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Rodino has been AIM’s Secretary since November 2016. Mr. Rodino has broad legal, financial, and executive experience. In addition to being President of Rodino Consulting LLC and managing partner at several law firms during his many years as a practicing attorney, he served as Chairman and CEO of Crossroads Health Plan, the first major Health Maintenance Organization in New Jersey. He also has had experience as an investment executive in the securities industry and acted as trustee in numerous Chapter 11 complex corporate reorganizations. Previously, as founder and president of Rodino Consulting, Mr. Rodino provided business and government relations consulting services to smaller companies with a focus on helping them develop business plans, implement marketing strategies and acquire investment capital. Mr. Rodino holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University and a J.D. degree from Seton Hall University.

ROBERT DICKEY, IV has been our Medical DirectorChief Financial Officer since 1986. On February, 19, 2016, Dr. Strayer was appointed as Chief Scientific Officer upon Dr. Carter’s termination. HeApril 4, 2022. Mr. Dickey has more than 25 years of experience in C-suite financial leadership for life science and medical device companies, both private and public, ranging from preclinical development to commercial operations and across a variety of disease areas and medical technologies. Mr. Dickey has served as Professor of MedicineManaging Director at the Medical College of PennsylvaniaForesite Advisors since March 2020 assuming responsibility for CFO advisory, financial analysis, capital raising, and Hahnemann University. Dr. Strayer is Board Certified in Medical Oncologytransactional support/execution for public offerings and Internal Medicine with research interests in the fields of cancerM&A services at life science companies and immune system disorders. He haswas previously a Managing Director at Danforth Advisors from August 2018 to March 2020. Both Foresite Advisors and Danforth Advisors provide financial support and investment advisory services. Mr. Dickey served as principal investigator in studies funded bya member on the Leukemia Societyboard of America, the American Cancer Society, and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Strayer attended the School of Medicinedirectors at the University of California at Los Angeles where he received his M.D. in 1972.

WAYNE S. SPRINGATE was promotedEmmaus Life Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, from July 2019 to Senior Vice President of Operations on May 1, 2011. Mr. Springate joined Hemispherx in 2002 as Vice President of Business Development when Hemispherx acquired Alferon N Injection® and its New Brunswick, NJ manufacturing facilities. He led the consolidation of our Rockville facility to our New Brunswick location as well as coordinated the relocation of manufacturing polymers from South Africa to our production facility in New Brunswick. He was also responsible for preparing and having a successful Preapproval Inspection by the FDA for our New Brunswick manufacturing plant in connection with the filing of our Ampligen® NDA. Currently he is managing a capital improvement budget to enhance our Alferon® facility in accordance with cGMP. Previously, Mr. SpringateAugust 2022; served as President for World Fashion Concepts in New York and oversaw operations at several locations throughout the United States and overseas. Mr. Springate assists the CEO in details of operations on a daily basis and is involved in all aspects of manufacturing, warehouse management, distribution and logistics.

ADAM PASCALE was promoted to Chief Financial Officer on February 22, 2016. He will continue to be the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Pascale has been employed with Company for 18 years, with more than two decades of public accounting experience and prior public company experience. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Finance from Rutgers University. Mr. Pascale served for several years as a CPA prior to joining Hemispherx, and is a member on the board of both the Americandirectors at Sanuthera, Inc., a privately held medical device company, from 2013 to 2017, and the Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. Thomas K. Equels, President of the Company, resignedwas employed as Chief Financial Officer of Motif Bio Plc., a NASDAQ and London AIM exchange-listed antibiotics company, from January 2017 to make way forFebruary 2018. Earlier in his career, Mr. Pascale.Dickey spent 18 years in investment banking, primarily at Lehman Brothers, with a background split between mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions. Mr. Dickey was a senior vice president of the Company from 2008 until 2013. Throughout his career he has demonstrated C-level (CFO, COO and CEO) and Board level experience in public, private, revenue stage and development stage life sciences and medical device companies and has played a leading role in two start-ups. His prior career as an investment banker included 14 years at Lehman Brothers. Mr. Dickey is experienced in all stages of the business lifecycle, including start-up, high-growth and turnarounds, and in building businesses and achieving an exit. He also has international experience, expertise in public and private financings, M&A, partnering/licensing transactions, project management and Chapter 11 reorganizations, as well as interacting with boards, VC’s, shareholders and Wall Street. Dickey has an MBA from The Wharton School and an AB from Princeton University.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

Our policy is to require that any transaction with a related party required to be reported under applicable SEC rules, other than compensation related matters and waivers of our code of business conduct and ethics, be reviewed and approved or ratified by a majority of independent, disinterested Directors. We have adopted procedures in which the Audit Committee shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations on an annual and case-by-case basis with the approval of this Committee required for all such transactions.


We have employment agreements with certain of our executive officers and have granted such Officers and Directors options and warrants to purchase our common stock, as discussed under the heading “Stock Options” below.

For his Board fees, Dr. William A. Carter, Hemispherx’ former Chief Executive Officer, received approximately $182,000, $182,000 and $180,000 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, classified as general and administrative expense. Dr. Carter also received consulting fees of approximately $332,000, $415,000 and $327,000 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, classified as research and development expense. For the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013, compensation was granted or paid related to the Executive Performance Incentive Program related to the ATM, as set forth in Section 3(c)(ii) of his Employment Agreement, for approximately $262,000, $641,000, and $12,000 to Dr. Carter. Dr. Carter's compensation related to this program was classified entirely as research and development.

In 2012, William Kramer was hired as a Clinical Research Associate. Mr. Kramer is the Son-In-Law of Dr. William A. Carter, and was paid approximately $0, $68,000 and $70,000 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Additionally, on an as-needed basis, the Company utilized the services of Kramer Environmental Management, Inc. to develop standard operating procedures, compliance assessments, testing and obtain permits related to environmental issues.

Katalin Kovari, M.D. was paid approximately $26,000, $27,000 and $26,000 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively for her part-time services to the Company as Assistant Medical Director. Dr. Kovari is the spouse of William A. Carter, CEO.

Since 2011, Peter Kovari was utilized as a part-time independent contractor for Hemispherx Biopharma Europe to undertake projects as a Clinical Programmer. Mr. Kovari is the nephew of Dr. Katalin Kovari and was paid approximately $11,000, $18,000 and $22,000 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Thomas Equels was elected to the Board of Directors at the Annual Stockholders Meeting on November 17, 2008 and joined the Company as General Counsel effective June 1, 2010. Mr. Equels had provided external legal services for several years through May 31, 2010 and Equels Law Firm continues to support the Company. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company paid Equels Law Firm approximately $42,000, $303,000 and $181,000, respectively, for services rendered. Upon analysis in the Fall of 2011 by the Audit Committee’s Financial Expert, it was deemed that the hourly rates charged by Equels Law to the Company were reasonable when compared to the fee structure of a possible arms-length transaction from comparable firms in practice in the same market and of the similar size. The hourly rate fees from Equels Law Firm remained the same for 2013, 2014 and 2015. For his Board fees, Mr. Equels received approximately $182,000, $182,000 and $180,000 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In December 2012, with the approval of the Audit Committee, the Company began renting an office at Equels Law Firm for $3,000 per month for dedication to and utilization by Hemispherx personnel, other than Mr. Equels. For 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company paid Equels Law Firm $0, $0 and $36,000, respectfully, for office rent based on a proration of the Firm’s current leasing fee less the cost for common area.

For the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013, compensation was granted or paid related to the Executive Performance Incentive Program related to the ATM, as set forth in Section 3(c)(ii) of his Employment Agreement, for approximately $262,000, $641,000, and $12,000 to Mr. Equels. Mr. Equels' compensation related to this program was classified entirely as general and administrative expense.

COMPLIANCE WITHDELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT16(A) REPORTS

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our Officersdirectors, officers and Directors, and persons who ownbeneficial owners of more than ten10 percent of a registered class of equity securities,the Company’s common stock to file reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission reflecting their initial positionSEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5.all Section 16(a) reports they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such Forms 4 and 5reports received by us, we believe thatthe Company, and on written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes the persons subject to Section 16(a) reporting complied with applicable SEC filing requirements during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, all2022.

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OTHER MATTERS

Solicitation of Proxies

The Company will bear the costs of calling and holding the Annual Meeting and the Board’s and other participants’ solicitation of proxies therefor. These costs will include, among other items, the expense of preparing, assembling, printing, and mailing the proxy materials to stockholders of record and beneficial owners and reimbursements paid to brokerage firms, banks, and other fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy materials to stockholders and obtaining voting instructions of beneficial owners. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, directors, officers, and certain regular employees may solicit proxies on behalf of the Board, without additional compensation, personally or by telephone. The regular employees will be administrative personnel. We may also solicit proxies by e-mail from stockholders who are our employees or who previously requested to receive proxy materials electronically. As a result of the potential proxy solicitation by the Dissident Group, we may incur additional costs in connection with our solicitation of proxies. The Company has retained Morrow Sodali to solicit proxies. Under our agreement with Morrow Sodali, Morrow Sodali will receive a fee of up to $125,000 plus the reimbursement of reasonable expenses. Morrow Sodali expects that approximately 15 of its employees will assist in the solicitation. Morrow Sodali will solicit proxies by mail, telephone, facsimile and/or email. Excluding amounts normally expended by our Company for a solicitation for an election of directors in the absence of a contest and costs represented by salaries and wages of our OfficersCompany’s employees and Directors had compliedofficers, our aggregate expenses, including those of Morrow Sodali, related to our solicitation of proxies are expected to be approximately $[●], of which approximately $[●] has been incurred as of the date of this Proxy Statement. These expenses are expected to include additional fees payable to our proxy solicitor; fees of outside counsel and other advisors to advise our Company in connection with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements on a timely basis with regard to transactions occurring in 2015.


COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERSthe solicitation; and the costs of retaining an independent inspector of election.

 

If you have any questions or require any assistance in voting your shares, please call:

Morrow Sodali LLC

Stockholders Call Toll Free: (800) 662-5200

Banks, Brokers, Trustees and Other Nominees Call Collect: (203) 658-9400

Stockholder List

The Company’s list of stockholders as of the close of business on the Record Date will be available for inspection by the Company’s stockholders for at least 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting. If you wish to inspect the stockholder list, please submit your request, along with proof of ownership, by email to Dianne Will at stockholderslist@aimimmuno.com to schedule an appointment during ordinary business hours.

Householding Of Materials

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements. This means that only one copy of this Proxy Statement will be, or may have been, sent to multiple Stockholders in the same household unless we received contrary instructions from any stockholder in that household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of this Proxy Statement to any stockholder upon written or oral request to: AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala FL 34473, Attention: Secretary or by phone at (352) 448-7797. Any stockholder who wants to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement, or of the Company’s proxy statements or annual reports in the future, or any stockholder who is receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, should contact the stockholder’s bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or the stockholder may contact us at the address and telephone number above.

Deadlines for Notice of Stockholder Actions to be Considered at the 2024 Annual Meeting

Shareholder Proposals under Rule 14a-8

Pursuant to the various rules promulgated by the SEC, stockholders interested in submitting a proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials and for presentation at the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”) may do so by following the procedures set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. In general, to be eligible for inclusion in our proxy materials, Rule 14a-8 shareholder proposals must be received by the Company’s Corporate Secretary at the Company’s principal executive officers (located at 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473) no later than [●].

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Stockholder Proposals

Any stockholder of record of the Company who desires to submit a proposal of business (other than shareholder proposals in accordance with Rule 14a-8) for action at the 2024 Annual Meeting must deliver written notice of an intent to make such proposal of business to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at c/o Corporate Secretary, AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473 no earlier than August 2, 2024 and no later than September 2, 2024. However, if the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of the date of the prior year’s annual meeting, then such notice must be delivered to the Company’s Secretary no later than the close of business of the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting was made, whichever occurs first. Any such notice must also comply with the timing, disclosure, procedural and other requirements as set forth in the Bylaws.

Stockholder Nominations for Director Candidates

Any stockholder of record of the Company who desires to nominate one or more director candidates at the 2024 Annual Meeting or submit a proposal of business (other than shareholder proposals in accordance with Rule 14a-8) for action at the 2024 Annual Meeting must deliver written notice of an intent to make such director nomination and/or make such proposal of business to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at c/o Corporate Secretary, AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473 no earlier than August 2, 2024 and no later than September 2, 2024. However, if the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of the date of the prior year’s annual meeting, then such notice must be delivered to the Company’s Secretary no later than the close of business of the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting was made, whichever occurs first. Any such notice must also comply with the timing, disclosure, procedural and other requirements as set forth in the Bylaws.

In addition to satisfying the requirements under the Bylaws described in the immediately preceding paragraph, to comply with the universal proxy rules under the Exchange Act, any stockholder who intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Board’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act in accordance with the time period set forth immediately above for providing notice of stockholder nominations for director candidates.

Annual Report

Our Annual Report is being furnished together with this Proxy Statement. You can review and download a copy of our Annual Report by accessing our website, https://aimimmuno.com/sec-filings, or stockholders may request paper copies, without charge, by writing to AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, FL 34473, Attention: Secretary. The Company’s filings with the SEC also are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The information on the Company’s website and the SEC’s website are not part of this Proxy Statement.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Proxy Statement includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as “believes,” “hopes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,” “anticipates” and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The Company’s forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and actual results could vary materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements due to risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company urges investors to consider specifically the various risk factors identified in its most recent Form 10-K, and any risk factors or cautionary statements included in any subsequent Form 10-Q or Form 8-K, filed with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Proxy Statement. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Proxy Statement.

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PROPOSALS TO STOCKHOLDERS

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At the Annual Meeting, four directors are to be elected to either serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until each director’s respective earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.

Unless otherwise specified, the enclosed WHITE proxy card will be voted in favor of the election of Nancy K. Bryan, Thomas K. Equels, William M. Mitchell and Stewart L. Appelrouth if you sign and return it. Information is furnished below with respect to all nominees of the Board.

The Board has examined the relationship between each of our non-employee directors and the Company and has determined that each of Ms. Bryan and Messrs. Appelrouth and Mitchell qualifies as an “independent” director under the independence standards of the NYSE American rules and SEC rules. Mr. Equels does not qualify as an independent director because he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

We believe our directors represent a desirable diversity of backgrounds, skills, education and experiences, and they all share the personal attributes of dedication to be effective directors. In recommending Board candidates, Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee considers a candidate’s: (1) general understanding of elements relevant to the success of a publicly traded company in the current business environment; (2) understanding of our business; and (3) diversity in educational and professional background. The Committee also considers a candidate’s judgment, competence, dedication and anticipated participation in Board activities along with experience, geographic location and special talents or personal attributes. The following are qualifications, experience and skills for Board members which are important to AIM’s business and its future:

Leadership Experience: We seek directors who have demonstrated strong leadership qualities. Such leaders bring diverse perspectives and broad business insight to our Company. The relevant leadership experience that we seek includes a past or current leadership role in a large or entrepreneurial company, a senior faculty position at a prominent educational institution or a past elected or appointed senior government position.

Industry or Academic Experience: We seek directors who have relevant industry experience, both with respect to the disease areas where we are developing new therapies as well as with the economic and competitive dynamics of pharmaceutical markets, including those in which our drugs will be prescribed.

Scientific, Legal or Regulatory Experience: Given the highly technical and specialized nature of biotechnology, we desire that certain of our directors have advanced degrees, as well as drug development experience. Since we are subject to substantial regulatory oversight, both here and abroad by the FDA and other agencies, we also desire directors who have legal or regulatory experience.

Finance Experience: We believe that our directors should possess an understanding of finance and related reporting processes, particularly given the complex budgets and long timelines associated with drug development programs.

Each nominee has provided a consent to being named as a nominee of the Board in a proxy statement and stating that such nominee consents to serve if elected as a director, and the Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve. However, if, before the election, any nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve (a situation that we do not anticipate), the proxy holders will vote the proxies for the remaining nominees and for substitute nominees chosen by the Board (unless the Board reduces the number of directors to be elected). If any substitute nominees are designated, we will file an amended proxy statement that, as applicable, identifies each substitute nominee, discloses that such nominee has consented to being named in the revised proxy statement and to serve if elected, and includes certain biographical and other information about such nominee required by the rules of the SEC.

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The Board recommends using the enclosed WHITE proxy card to vote FOR ALL of the Board’s nominees for director. Ted D. Kellner has notified the Company that he and the other members of the Dissident Group intend to seek your proxy to vote in favor of Mr. Kellner’s purported nominees. Accordingly, you may receive solicitation materials from the Dissident Group seeking your proxy to vote in favor of Mr. Kellner’s purported nominees.

The Company has provided you with the enclosed WHITE proxy card. Our Board recommends that you vote FOR ALL of the nominees proposed by our Board. If you receive any proxy materials other than from the Company, our Board strongly recommends that you DISREGARD any such materials. If you vote, or have already voted, using a proxy card sent to you by Mr. Kellner or another member of the Dissident Group, you have every right to change your vote and we urge you to revoke that proxy by voting FOR ALL of our Board’s nominees by submitting the enclosed WHITE proxy card. Only your latest dated vote will be counted.

The following material contains information concerning the Board’s nominees, including their period of service as a director, their recent employment, other directorships, including those held during the past five years with a public company or registered investment company, age as of the Annual Meeting, and director qualifications relevant to the Board’s determination that each nominee should serve as a director in light of our business as an immuno-pharma company and our structure. The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee recommended to the Board that it nominate each of Nancy K. Bryan, Thomas K. Equels, William M. Mitchell and Stewart L. Appelrouth for election or re-election as a director at the Annual Meeting. On November 9, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing the Board’s initiation of a process to identify two additional directors with a focus on diverse candidates who possess biotechnology commercialization experience. Following that announcement and with the Board’s permission, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Equels spoke with several individuals whom he believed would meet the Board’s preferred criteria for a new director. Ultimately, Mr. Equels recommended that the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee and the Board consider Ms. Bryan as a director candidate because she was a highly qualified executive with extensive biotechnology commercialization expertise. After the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee and the Board completed their customary candidate evaluation processes over the following few months, they determined to appoint Ms. Bryan as a director on March 28, 2023. Mr. Equels and Ms. Bryan became acquainted at life sciences industry events hosted by BioFlorida, Inc., where Ms. Bryan serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, and when Mr. Equels later joined the 30+-member board of directors of BioFlorida. Mr. Equels is not compensated for his service on the board of directors of BioFlorida, which is a member-driven association focused on the advancement of the life sciences industry in the State of Florida.

In addition to the information set forth below, Appendix A sets forth information relating to our directors, nominees for directors, and certain of our officers who may be considered “participants” in our solicitation under applicable SEC rules by reason of their position as directors of the Company, as nominees for directors, or because they may be soliciting proxies on our behalf.

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR

THOMAS K. EQUELS has been a director and serves as the Company’s Executive Vice Chairman (since 2008), Chief Executive Officer (since 2016) and President (since 2015). Mr. Equels was the owner and former President and Managing Director of the Equels Law Firm headquartered in Miami, Florida that focused on litigation. For over a quarter century, Mr. Equels represented national and state governments as well as companies in the banking, insurance, aviation, pharmaceutical and construction industries. Mr. Equels received his Juris Doctor degree with high honors from Florida State University. He received his Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from Troy University and also obtained his Master of Science Degree from Troy University. Mr. Equels began his professional career as a military pilot. He served in Vietnam and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and fifteen Air Medals. In 2012, he was Knighted by Pope Benedict. Mr. Equels is a member of the Board of Directors of BioFlorida Inc., a life science industry organization representing 6,700 establishments and research organizations in the biopharmaceutical, medical technology, and bioagriculture sectors that collectively employ 94,000 Floridians.

THOMAS K. EQUELS, Esq. – Director Qualifications:

Leadership Experience – Military, Owner and former President, Managing Director of Equels Law Firm, Court appointed receiver in numerous industries;
Industry Experience – legal counsel, General Counsel, CFO and CEO to the Company; and
Scientific, Legal or Regulatory Experience – Law degree with over 25 years as a practicing attorney specializing in litigation, development of clinical trials, creating intellectual property concepts, and established plan to finance drug development.

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WILLIAM M. MITCHELL, M.D., Ph.D., has been a director since July 1998 and Chairman of the Board since February 2016. Dr. Mitchell is a Professor of Pathology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and is a board-certified physician. Dr. Mitchell earned a M.D. from Vanderbilt and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, where he served as House Officer in Internal Medicine, followed by a Fellowship at its School of Medicine. Dr. Mitchell has published over 250 papers, reviews and abstracts that relate to viruses, anti-viral drugs, immune responses to viral infection, detection in blood of cancer DNA (i.e., the liquid biopsy), and other biomedical topics. Dr. Mitchell has worked for and with many professional societies that have included the American Society of Investigative Pathology, the International Society for Antiviral Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the American Chemical Society, and the American Society of Microbiology. Dr. Mitchell is a member of the American Medical Association. He has served on numerous government review committees, among them the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health, including the initial AIDS and Related Research Review Group. Dr. Mitchell previously served as one of the Company’s directors from 1987 to 1989.

WILLIAM M. MITCHELL, M.D., Ph.D. – Director Qualifications:

Leadership Experience – Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Chronix Biomedical, a company involved in next generation DNA sequencing for medical diagnostics, from 2006 until its acquisition/merger by the public company, Oncocyte, in April 2021 and was the former Chairman of its Medical Advisory Board. Additionally, he has served on multiple governmental review committees of the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for the European Union, including key roles as Chairman;
Academic Experience – Well published physician scientist with extensive investigative experience on virus, immunology and cancer issues relevant to the Company’s scientific business; and
Scientific, Legal or Regulatory Experience – M.D., Ph.D. and professor at a top-ranked school of medicine, and inventor of record on numerous U.S. and international patents who is experienced in regulatory affairs through filings with the FDA.

STEWART L. APPELROUTH, CPA was appointed as a director of the Company and head of the Audit Committee in August 2016 and has been a certified public accountant and partner at Appelrouth Farah & Co., P.A., Certified Public Accountants and Advisors since he co-founded the firm in 1985. Appelrouth Farah & Co. joined Citrin Cooperman Advisors, LLC in March 2022. Mr. Appelrouth is also a certified forensic accountant and possesses 40 years of experience in Accounting and Consulting. He is a member of or has affiliations with organizations including the AICPA, American College of Forensic Examiners, FINRA Arbitrator, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and InfraGard Member, a national information sharing program between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the private sector. Mr. Appelrouth graduated from Florida State University in 1975 and received his master’s degree in Finance from Florida International University in 1980.

STEWART L. APPELROUTH – Director Qualifications:

Leadership Experience – has served in leadership positions on numerous private and non-profit boards of directors and other organizations;
Industry Experience – Partner at certified public accounting and advisory firm; Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner;
Regulatory Experience – FINRA Arbitrator; and
Financial Expert – over 40 years of accounting and audit experience.

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NANCY K. BRYANwas appointed as a director of the Company in March 2023. Ms. Bryan is an established leader with more than 25 years of experience in the life sciences industry. She has served on executive leadership teams and played key roles in companies’ successes, including marketing, sales, business development, financing and communications. Ms. Bryan has served as the President and CEO of BioFlorida Inc., an association supporting the advancement of life sciences in Florida, since 2013. Prior to joining BioFlorida as its President and CEO in 2013, Ms. Bryan began her career with major pharmaceutical companies including Merck, GlaxoSmithKline and Bayer Pharmaceuticals. She then went on to serve in a number of executive leadership positions in specialty pharmaceuticals and smaller, start-up biotech companies, including Indevus Pharmaceuticals and NPS Pharmaceuticals. Throughout her career, Bryan helped develop, launch and commercialize many products including blockbusters (Zantac, Levitra), major biologics (Tysabri) and orphan drugs for rare diseases (Valstar for bladder cancer, Supprelin LA for central precocious puberty), and helped establish franchises in a wide variety of therapeutic areas, including Oncology, Anti-infectives, GI and Autoimmune (MS, CD). She has established a successful track record introducing strategic and tactical solutions to develop global markets as well as launch, grow and turn around established and underperforming drugs, resulting in greater revenue, market share, profitability and stockholder value. Additionally, Ms. Bryan has been recognized for outstanding leadership experience in the specialty, biologics and primary care markets, establishing franchises in a wide variety of therapeutic areas, including Oncology, GI, Urology, Endocrinology, Cardiology, Vaccines, Anti-infectives and Autoimmune (IBD, MS, RA).

Ms. Bryan holds a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Columbia University, and her academic honors include Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma.

NANCY K. BRYAN – Director Qualifications:

Leadership Experience – President and CEO of BioFlorida; served on executive leadership teams and played a key role in companies’ successes including marketing, sales, business development, financing initiatives and investor and PR communications; and
Scientific, Legal or Regulatory Experience – 25 years of experience in the life sciences in commercial positions of increasing responsibility involving primary care, biologics and specialty markets; throughout her career, she has developed, launched and commercialized many products, major biologics and orphan drugs for rare diseases and has established franchises in a wide variety of therapeutic areas including: Oncology, Anti-infectives, GI and Autoimmune (MS,CD).

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR ALL” OF THE BOARD’S NOMINEES (NANCY K. BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS, WILLIAM M. MITCHELL AND STEWART L. APPELROUTH) TO BE ELECTED TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS ON THE BOARD.

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PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has appointed the firm of BDO USA, P.A. to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm of AIM for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. BDO has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since January 19, 2021. Our Bylaws do not require that the stockholders ratify the appointment of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, as a matter of good corporate practice, the Board is requesting that the stockholders ratify the appointment of BDO as a means of soliciting stockholders’ opinions.

All audit and professional services are approved in advance by the Audit Committee to assure such services do not impair the auditor’s independence from us. The total fees by BDO for 2022 were $517,000, and total fees for 2021 were $485,000.

The following table shows the aggregate fees for professional services rendered during the year ended December 31, 2022.

  2022 
Description of Fees:    
Audit Fees $503,000 
Audit-Related Fees   
Tax Fees  14,000 
All Other Fees   
Total $517,000 

Audit Fees

Audit fees include the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of our financial statements included in our quarterly reports and services in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.

Audit-Related Fees

Audit-related fees represent the fees for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements. Audit-related fees include professional services related to the Company’s filing of SEC Form S-3 and S-8 (i.e., stock shelf offering procedures).

The Audit Committee has determined that BDO’s rendering of these audit-related services and all other fees were compatible with maintaining auditor’s independence. The Board of Directors considered BDO to be well qualified to serve as our independent public accountants. The Committee also pre-approved the charges for services performed in 2022 and 2021.

The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing and accounting services and the terms thereof (which may include providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwriting) and non-audit services (other than non-audit services prohibited under Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act or the applicable rules of the SEC or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) to be provided to us by the independent auditor; provided, however, the pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provisions of non-audit services for us if the “de minimis” provisions of Section 10A (i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act are satisfied. This authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated to one or more members of the Audit Committee, who shall present all decisions to pre-approve an activity to the full Audit Committee at its first meeting following such decision.

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Tax Fees

Tax fees include tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

The Audit Committee has determined that BDO’s rendering of these audit-related services and all other fees were compatible with maintaining auditor’s independence. The Board considered BDO to be well qualified to serve as our independent public accountants.

The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing and accounting services and the terms thereof (which may include providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwriting) and non-audit services (other than non-audit services prohibited under Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act or the applicable rules of the SEC or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) to be provided to us by the independent auditor; provided, however, the pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provisions of non-audit services for us if the “de minimis” provisions of Section 10A (i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act are satisfied. This authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated to one or more members of the Audit Committee, who shall present all decisions to pre-approve an activity to the full Audit Committee at its first meeting following such decision.

Ratification

If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will consider any information submitted by the stockholders in determining whether to retain BDO as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2022. Even if the appointment of BDO is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Representatives from BDO are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF BDO USA, P.A.
AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023.

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PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE COMPENSATION OF OUR NEOS

We are asking our stockholders to provide advisory approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”), as we have described at length below. While this vote is advisory and not binding on our Company relating to the compensation of our NEOs, your vote will provide an important indication of investor sentiment to our Compensation Committee regarding our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices. As a result of the vote, the Compensation Committee will be able to consider this sentiment when determining future executive compensation.

Your vote is requested. We believe that the information we have provided within the “Compensation Discussion and AnalysisAnalysis” and “Executive Compensation” sections of this proxy statement demonstrates that our executive compensation program was designed to ensure management’s interests are aligned with our stockholders’ interests to support long-term value creation. Accordingly, the Board recommends that stockholders approve the following advisory resolution:

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of AIM ImmunoTech Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the individuals identified in the Summary Compensation Table, as disclosed in the AIM ImmunoTech Inc. Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including Item 402 of Regulation S-K (which disclosure includes the compensation tables and the accompanying footnotes and narratives within the “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” section of this Proxy Statement).

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

This discussion and analysis describes our executive compensation philosophy, process, plans and practices as they relate to our “Named Executive Officers” (“NEO”)NEOs listed below and gives the context for understanding and evaluating the more specific compensation information contained in the narratives, tables and related disclosures that follow. Please note that Dr. Carter’s employment was terminated on February 17, 2016 and also is no longer a director. For the purposes of discussion and analysis, Dr. Carter wasthe following NEOs are included in the narratives, tables and related disclosures that follow:

 

Dr. William A. Carter, former Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), President and Chief Scientific Officer (“CSO”);
Thomas K. Equels, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and President;
Robert Dickey IV, Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”);
Peter Rodino, Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), General Counsel and Company Secretary (“CS”); and
Ellen Lintal, Former CFO.

In November 2020, we entered into an employment agreement with Thomas K. Equels, Chief Executive Officer, President,the agreement runs for five years with a base salary of $850,000. Mr. Equels will be awarded a year-end target bonus of $350,000. In March 2021, subsequent to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, we entered into employment agreements with Peter Rodino and General Counsel;Ellen Lintal. The agreements run for three years and

Dr. David Strayer, Chief Scientific Officer (“CSO”) one year (with an automatic renewal for successive three-year terms thereafter), respectively. Compensation is divided into both short- and Medical Director.

Overviewlong-term compensation. Short-term (cash) compensation will consist of Our Business Environment

Hemispherx is a specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvaniabase salary of $425,000 and engaged in the clinical development of new drug therapies$350,000, respectively. Mr. Rodino’s and Ms. Lintal’s employment agreements provide for a year-end target bonus based on natural immune system enhancing technologiesperformance and goals established by the Compensation Committee. Long-term compensation will be provided by 100,000 non-qualified yearly stock options with one-year vesting commencing on November 30, 2021. In addition, Mr. Equels, Mr. Rodino and Ms. Lintal shall each be entitled to awards (“Event Awards”) equal to 3% for the treatment of viralMr. Equels and immune based chronic disorders. We were founded in the early 1970s doing contract research1% for the National Institutes of Health. Since that time, we have established a strong foundation of laboratory, pre-clinicalMr. Rodino and clinical data with respect to the development of natural interferon and nucleic acids to enhance the natural antiviral defense systemMs. Lintal of the human body“Gross Proceeds” from specific events such as licensing agreements or “therapeutic indication” (each, an “Event”). Gross Proceeds means those cash amounts paid to us by the other parties for licensing agreements, therapeutic acquisitions or any other one-time cash generating event. Therapeutic indications are, for example, target organ specific pathologically defined cancer indications, vaccine enhancers, broad spectrum antiviral indications, or medical entities associated with persistent severe fatigue. Mr. Equels, Mr. Rodino and Ms. Lintal also will each be entitled to aid the development of therapeutic productsan award (an “Acquisition Award”) equal to 3% for the treatment of certain chronic diseases.

Our flagship products include Alferon N Injection®Mr. Equels and the experimental therapeutic Ampligen®. Alferon N Injection® is approved1% for a category of STD infection,Mr. Rodino and Ampligen® represents an experimental RNA being developed for globally important viral diseases and disordersMs. Lintal of the immune system. Hemispherx' platform technology includes components for potential treatmentGross Proceeds, upon the sale of various severely debilitating and life threatening diseases. Alferon® LDO (Low Dose Oral) is a formulation under development targeting influenza.

In September 2014, we initiated a seriesour Company or substantially all of collaborations designed to determineits assets (an “Acquisition”). An Event Award or Acquisition Award shall be paid in cash within 90 days of our receipt of the potential effectiveness of Alferon® N and Ampligen® as potential preventative and/or therapeutic treatments for Ebola related disorders. Our two platform drugs Alferon® N and Ampligen®, have certain unique structural attributes and developmental histories which suggest potential incremental value with respect to inclusion in various Ebola therapeutic cocktails under development. Ampligen®, an experimental therapeutic, is a new class of specifically-configured ribonucleic acid (RNA) compounds targeted as potential treatment of diseases with immunologic defects and/or viral causation. Ebola virus specifically inhibits the dsRNA within cells via a sequestration process. Such RNA would otherwise cause a robust antiviral response to be mounted: Ampligen may be able to overcome this deficiency in host response. Positive results against Ebola in vitro have been reported toGross Proceeds. On April 4, 2022, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Ms. Lintal, pursuant to which Ms. Lintal provides accounting and financial related consulting services and receives a consulting fee equal to $300 per hour and monthly COBRA expenses. At the end of the initial term on December 31, 2022, Ms. Lintal was issued 50,000 non-qualified stock options with a one-year vesting period. The agreement expired on June 30, 2023 and was not renewed. On March 1, 2022, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Foresite Advisors, LLC, a company wholly owned by the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) and other research/academic institutions. Clinical trial data will be necessaryRobert Dickey IV, for $375 per hour pursuant to establish human efficacy of Ampligen® for Ebola viruses.which Mr. Dickey serves as our new Chief Financial Officer effective April 4, 2022.

 

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Governance of Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee consists of the following two directors, each of whom is “independent” under applicable NYSE MKT rules, a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and an “Outside Director” as defined under the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”): Dr. William Mitchell, M.D. (Chair) and Peter W. Rodino. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations concerning salaries and compensation for senior management and other highly paid professionals or consultants to Hemispherx. The full text of the Compensation Committee’s Charter, as approved by the Board, is available on our website:www.hemispherx.net in the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance”.

This Committee formally met five times in 2015 and all committee members were in attendance for the meetings with the exception of one meeting. Our General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Human Resources support the Compensation Committee in its work.

Results of Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At the September 16, 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Stockholders did not approve the annual, non-binding advisory vote on Executive Compensation.

Our Compensation Committee reviews its executive compensation policies annually and takes into account the results of prior say-on-pay advisory votes. After reviewing the results of the 2011 say-on-pay advisory vote, the Committee had:

Developed Company-wide goals and objectives with the intent to increase Stockholder value, enhance the “pay for performance” concept, attempted to address the needs of patients and enhance financial factors such as raising capital, reestablishing revenue streams, cost containment and/or improving the results of operations;
Attempted to reinforce a Pay for Performance environment for the Executive Team with emphasis of sharing the economic goals of the Stockholders;
Reviewed the Executive Team’s Company-wide goals and individual’s specific goals in relation to each job performance for each given year. In its review of each member of the Executive Team, the Committee utilized a weighted-average rating process regarding the goals and responsibilities specific to each individual as well as their contribution in meeting Company’s overall goals;
Reviewed peer group financial data of comparable publicly-traded companies for 2011 and 2010 with emphasis on a comparison of executive compensation as a factor to various Balance Sheet ratios to determine reasonableness to the respective companies;
Considered the change in the market value of the Company’s stock during the year in relation to Management’s efforts and ability to impact the results;
Mandated that the standard terms of future employee options issued by the Company require that such options not vest sooner than one year from the date of issuance and that, to the extent that any such options have not vested on the date of an Executive’s termination, the options will expire;
Issued new options to employees at the rate of 110% of the Company’s NYSE MKT stock market trading value at the time of award; and
Adopted a policy to facilitate compliance with Dodd-Frank’s Claw-Back Compensation Recoupment provisions.

The Committee reviewed the results of the 2015 say-on-pay advisory vote and its executive compensation policies. In January 2016, in an effort to better incentivize top management and align top management’s compensation with their performance on behalf of the Company, the Committee created the 2016 Senior Executive Deferred Cash Performance Award Plan. The two participants were Dr. William A. Carter, the Company’s former Chairman of the Board, former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, and Thomas K. Equels, the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, Secretary, and General Counsel. See Item 7-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations; Liquidity and Capital Resources;The Executive Plan” in PART II.

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Process

Our Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the compensation of our NEO included in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. For purposes of determining compensation for our NEO, our Compensation Committee takes into account the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for overseeing our incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, under which stock option grants have been made to employees, including the NEO, as well as non-employee Directors and strategic consultants.

The following table summarizes the roles of each of the key participants in the executive compensation decision-making process:

Compensation CommitteeFulfills the Board of Directors' responsibilities relating to compensation of Hemispherx’ NEO, other non-officer Executives and non-Executives.
Oversees implementation and administration of Hemispherx’ compensation and employee benefits programs, including incentive compensation and equity compensation plans.
Reviews and approves Hemispherx’ goals and objectives and, in light of these, evaluates each NEO's performance and sets their annual base salary, annual incentive opportunity, long-term incentive opportunity and any special/supplemental benefits or payments.
Reviews and approves compensation for all other non-officer Executives of Hemispherx including annual base salary, annual incentive opportunity, long-term incentive opportunity and any special/supplemental benefits or payments.
In consultation with the CEO and CFO, reviews the talent development process within Hemispherx to ensure it is effectively managed and sufficient to undertake successful succession planning.
Reviews and approves employment agreements, severance arrangements, issuances of equity compensation and change in control agreements.
Chairman and CEOPresents to the Compensation Committee the overall performance evaluation of, and compensation recommendations for, each of the NEO and other non-officer Executives.
Chief Financial Officer and Director of Human ResourcesReports directly or indirectly to the Chief Executive Officer.
Assists the Compensation Committee with the data for competitive pay and benchmarking purposes.
Reviews relevant market data and advises the Compensation Committee on interpretation of information, including cost of living statistics, within the framework of Hemispherx.
Informs the Compensation Committee of regulatory developments and how these may affect Hemispherx’ compensation program.

Objectives and Philosophy of Executive Compensation

 

The primary objectives of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors with respect to Executiveexecutive compensation are to attract and retain the most talented and dedicated Executivesexecutives possible, to tie annual and long-term cash and stock incentives to achievement of measurable performance objectives, and to align Executives'executives’ incentives with stockholder value creation.

At the 2022 Annual Meeting, the stockholders did not approve the annual, non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation.

To achieve these objectives and factor the results of prior advisory votes on executive compensation, the Compensation Committee expects to implement and maintain compensation plans that tie a substantial portion of Executives'executives’ overall compensation to key strategic financial and operational goals such as the establishment and maintenance of key strategic relationships, the development of our products, the identification and advancement of additional products, and the performance of our common stock price. The Compensation Committee evaluates individual Executiveexecutive performance with the goal of setting compensation at levels the Compensation Committee believes are comparable with Executivesexecutives in other companies of similar size and stage of development operating in the biotechnology industry while taking into account our relative performance, our own strategic goals, governmental regulations, and the results of Stockholder Advisory Votesstockholder advisory votes regarding executive compensation.


Use of Compensation Data

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE ON THE PROXY CARD “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

 

Our compensation plans are developed by utilizing publicly available compensation data for national and regional companies in the biopharmaceutical industry as well as web sites that specialize in compensation and/or employment data. We believe that the practices of this group of companies and/or data obtained from employment industry organizations, provide us with appropriate compensation benchmarks necessary to review the compensation recommendations by the CEO, CFO and/or Human Resources Department. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Committee did not engage the services of an independent compensation consultant, but alternatively utilized web-based organizations and data bases such as Salary.com, to help them analyze compensation data and compare our programs with the practices of similar national and/or regional companies represented in the biopharmaceutical industry. In February 2016, the Board of Directors, based upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee approved the engagement of an independent compensation consultant to ensure compensation arrangements are in line with industry standards. The Compensation Committee recommended the consultant based upon candidates suggested to it by its independent counsel.

Elements of Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee has adopted a mix among the compensation elements in order to further our compensation goals. The elements include:

Base salary (impacted by cost of living adjustments);
Variable compensation consisting of a cash bonus based upon individual and overall Company performance;
Performance incentive bonus based on the accomplishment of Company sales milestones or activity;
Long-term bonus incentive programs consisting of the Employee Bonus Pool Program;
Stock option grants with exercise prices set in excess of fair market value at the time of grant and, effective December 2011, not vesting sooner than one year from the date of issuance; and
Adoption of a policy to facilitate compliance with Dodd-Frank’s Claw-Back Compensation Recoupment provisions.

Executive compensation consists of the following elements:

Base Salary

Base salaries for our Executives are established based on the scope of their responsibilities, taking into account competitive market compensation paid by other companies for similar positions. Generally, we believe that Executive base salaries should be targeted near the median of the range of salaries for executives in similar positions with similar responsibilities at comparable companies, in line with our compensation philosophy. For those NEO with employment agreements, base salary is determined and set forth in the agreement and the Compensation Committee reviews the base salary prior to renewal of such agreement. Base salaries for the other NEO are normally reviewed annually, and adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and experience. While this review process would normally occur in the fourth quarter of each year, in recent years this review has occurred when NEO’s employment agreements required restatement, amendment or replacement. However, after analysis of overall Company compensation, the Committee authorized a non-discriminatory and universally applied cost of living increase to the base salaries of all full-time employees of record effective December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 at the rates of 0.0%, 1.5% and 0.0%, respectively. Additional changes to our NEO’s base salaries could be undertaken in a future determination by the Compensation Committee at its discretion. During 2015 and 2014, none of the employment contracts of NEOs were created, amended or restated. Dr. Strayer does not currently have an employment agreement with the Company.


On December 23, 2015, pursuant to a resolution of the Compensation Committee of our Board, we notified Dr. William A. Carter, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer and chief scientific officer, that we were not renewing his Amended and Restated Engagement Agreement dated June 11, 2010 (the “Agreement”). As a result, the Agreement terminated on December 31, 2015 per its terms. We have agreed to continue to pay Dr. Carter a base fee at the rate of $331,750 per year, payable monthly, for services that he renders to us as a consultant. We have the right to terminate these payments on 30 days’ written notice. Pursuant to the Agreement, Dr. Carter provided consulting services related to patent development. Dr. Carter’s employment agreement remains unchanged. Subsequent to December 31, 2015, Dr. Carter’s employment was terminated on February 17, 2016 and also is no longer a director.

Annual Bonus

Our compensation program includes eligibility for an annual performance-based cash bonus in the case of all NEO and certain senior, non-officer Executives. The amount of the cash bonus depends on the level of achievement of the stated corporate, department, and individual performance goals, with a target bonus generally set as a percentage of base salary. As provided in their respective employment agreement, during the year ended December 31, 2015, the following NEO were eligible for an annual performance bonus based on their salaries, the amount of which, if any, is determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion based on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee:

Dr. William Carter, former Chairman & CEO (bonus opportunity up to 25%);
Thomas Equels, President, General Counsel, Litigation Counsel, Secretary and Executive Vice Chairman of the Board (bonus opportunity up to 25%).

Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels have agreed not to take a bonus for 2015 and no bonus shall be awarded.

The Compensation Committee utilizes annual incentive bonuses to compensate NEO and certain senior, non-officer executives (the “Executive Team”) for attainment or success towards overall corporate financial and/or operational goals along with achieving individual annual performance objectives. These objectives will vary depending on the individual Executive, but generally relate to strategic factors such as establishment and/or maintenance of key strategic relationships, development of our products, identification, research and/or development of additional products, enhancing financial factors such as raising capital, cost containment and/or improving the results of operations. The Compensation Committee, in light of established individual and Company-wide goals and objectives, evaluated the performance of each NEO, key executive and overall staff in order to determine each respective annual incentive opportunity including an analysis by the Compensation Committee that provides the following information:

1.The Company-wide goals and objectives along with individual performance goals for each NEO used to determine annual bonuses for the fiscal year;
2.How each goal individually or in totality was weighted, if applicable, to the extent that any of the performance goals were quantitatively and/or quantitatively measurable;
3.The threshold, target, and maximum levels of achievement of each performance goal, if applicable;
4.The intended relationship between the level of achievement of Company-wide performance goals and the amount of bonus to be awarded;
5.The intended relationship between the level of achievement of each NEO’s individual performance goals and the amount of bonus to be awarded;
6.The evaluation by the Committee of the level of achievement by each NEO of the Company-wide and individual performance goals applicable to him/her individually;
7.If applicable, whether the Committee reviewed any report(s) from compensation consultant(s) and/or web based organizations and data bases;
8.The adequate disclosure of the percentage of base salary awarded in the form of an incentive bonus to each NEO as a result of their or the Company’s performance; and
9.If applicable, how the Company’s compensation policies and practices relate to the Company’s risk management.

The Compensation Committee also undertook the initial steps to review and reestablish goals and objectives for the Executive Team regarding mid-year bonuses in 2014. On an overall basis, all bonus eligible member of the Executive Team would share the following Company-wide goals:


A.Regulatory approval and sales of Ampligen for the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in any country or regional jurisdiction;
B.Significant regulatory advancement for the approval of Ampligen for any non-CFS indication in any country jurisdiction. These indications include cancer vaccines, vaccines for infectious indications including bioterror/biowarfare, burns or other inducers of traumatic immunodeficiency;
C.Regulatory approval and sales of Alferon for the treatment of any non-CFS indication in any country jurisdiction;
D.Any merger, acquisition, or partnership that quantitatively improves the value of the company;
E.Any governmental grant and/or contact, singly or in the aggregate for R & D or commercial product;
F.Continued productive interaction with the FDA concerning issues necessary for approval of Ampligen for CFS;
G.Continued progress towards non-USA approval of Ampligen® for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome;
H.An overall strategic plan for Ampligen® and Alferon® to be submitted to the Board;
I.Strategic plans for the marketing and partners for Ampligen® to be submitted to the Board;
J.Continued development of enhancement of vaccines requiring Ampligen®;
K.Success in the protection of Company Intellectual Property;
L.Continued development of Alferon® LDO;
M.Progress in the return to commercialization of Alferon N Injection®;
N.Continued development of Ampligen® and Alferon N Injection® for treatment of influenza;
O.Maintaining the overall financial strength of the Company and operations consistent with the budget;
P.Implementation of research & development partnerships;
Q.Implementation of Ampligen® clinical trials in cancer with commercial partner(s);
R.Implementation of Ampligen® clinical trials in cancer with academic partner(s);
S.Increase in clinical trials of Alferon N Injection® and additional indications; and,
T.Acquisition of complimentary pharmaceutical technologies and/or drugs/vaccines.

 On an annual basis and at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, with input from the CEO or the Executive’s direct supervisor, the Committee evaluates the individual performance of each member of the Executive Team as to his/her achievement and/or contribution towards meeting the overall Company-wide goals along with his/her accomplishments specific to his/her job description. The outcome of the Committee’s analysis is utilized to determine if a bonus is warranted, and if so, the dollar amount or percentage of the Executive Team member’s year-end base pay rate to be awarded.

Prior to year-end or during the first fiscal quarter of the subsequent year, the Compensation Committee would complete their analysis utilizing any internal and external documentation desired, including but not limited to reports from independent analysts and/or corporate benchmarking organizations. Upon analysis completion, the Compensation Committee made formal recommendations to the Board based on their findings with regard to bonuses for the respective year ended. Due to the subjective nature of the Company-wide goals regarding the success and analysis of an Executive in meeting or exceeding elements of his/her specific job duties, the goals were not designed to be weighted in value or quantitative in nature. The bonuses were designed to be awarded based on a subjective cumulate nature of the goals deemed attainable, employee performance and progress towards achievement. The bonus threshold was designed to range from zero percent to twenty-five percent, with a target bonus of approximately twenty or twenty-five percent, calculated from the individual’s year-end base pay rate.

In June and July 2014, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Executive Team’s Company-wide goals as detailed in the Committee’s March 2014 meeting minutes along with specific goals documented in each individual’s job description. Upon individual review of each member of the Executive Team, the Committee concluded that the Executive Team members had excelled in meeting their goals and responsibilities as documented in each individual’s job description as well as made significant progress in meeting corporate goals with outstanding success. Additionally, the Committee observed that the employees had worked tirelessly over the first half of 2014 and that a performance bonus would be desirable to acknowledge the persistence, loyalty, effort and dedication of the Senior Management team.


 The Compensation Committee in light of pre-established individual, along with position appropriate Company-wide goals (A. through T. as disclosed above) and objectives, undertook a weighted-average evaluation of the performance of each key executive in order to determine respective annual incentive opportunities considering base salary and fees, short and long-term incentive opportunity and any special/supplemental benefits or payments. Based upon all the foregoing and the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board approved the following 2014 Performance Bonuses be granted to the following NEO at the rate of 25% of their respective 2014 year-end base compensation:

William Carter (former Chairman, CEO, President, Chief Scientific Officer as of February 17, 2016) for $250,691;
Thomas Equels (Executive Vice Chairman, current Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary & General Counsel) for $134,203;
David Strayer (Chief Scientific Officer & Medical Director) for $67,369;

There were no Performance Bonuses granted and/or paid to the NEO's for the year ended 2015 & 2013.

Employee Appraisal and Merit Bonus Program

 In 2012, the Compensation Committee approved an Employee Appraisal and Merit Bonus Program for those employees not eligible for the key employee annual bonus. This Program incorporates a team concept by conducting appraisals for eligible employees in each department throughout the calendar year and then averaging the total scores per department in order to determine year-end, department-wide merit bonuses. This Program is annually renewed and at the ultimate discretion of the Compensation Committee based on various factors, including the Company’s overall accomplishment of milestones and access to Working Capital.

For the year ended 2013 and 2015, no bonuses related to this program were granted to employees. In 2014, bonuses related to this program were granted to employees amounting to approximately $58,000.

Executive Performance Incentive Bonus

As an element of their employment contracts, William Executive Plan (former Chairman, CEO, President, Chief Scientific Officer as of February 17, 2016) and Thomas Equels (Executive Vice Chairman, current Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and General Counsel) are eligible for performance incentive bonus based on a percent, 2.5% and 5.0% respectively, of the Gross Proceeds paid to the Company as a result of sales of Alferon N Injection®, Alferon® LDO, Ampligen® or other Company products, or from any joint ventures or corporate partnering arrangements. For bonus purposes, Gross Proceeds is defined as cash amounts paid to the Company by the other parties to the joint venture or corporate partnering arrangement, but shall not include any amounts paid to the Company as reimbursement of expenses incurred; and any amounts paid to the Company in consideration for the Company's assets (i.e., plant, property, equipment, investments, etc.), equity or other securities. After the termination of this Agreement, for any reason, Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels shall be entitled to receive the incentive bonus based upon Gross Proceeds received by the Company during the three-year period commencing on the termination of their Agreement with respect to any joint ventures or corporate partnering arrangements entered into by the Company during the term of the Agreement. Furthermore, Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels shall be entitled to a 5% bonus related to any sale of the Company, or any sale of a substantial portion of Company assets not in the ordinary course of its business. The aggregate incentive bonus hereunder as set forth above shall be capped not to exceed $5,000,000 annually.


No such bonuses shall be awarded from ATM sales or similar stock transactions.

 During 2012, the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors sought out and received an opinion of independent legal counsel regarding the elements of the Executive Performance Incentive Bonus created by the current employment contracts of William Carter and Thomas Equels in relation to the shares of Company stock sold through the Maxim ATM. It was the opinion of independent counsel that Section 3(c)(ii) of Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels respective agreements could reasonably be interpreted to require the Company to pay them a 5% bonus on the net proceeds resulting from the sale of securities of the Maxim ATM Offering as either (a) constitutes any sale of the Company, or (b) is a sale of substantial portion of Company assets not in the ordinary course of its business. On November 26, 2012, all of the members of the Compensation Committee authorized the payment of bonus for the Company stock sold through the Maxim ATM based on the contractual obligation and opinion of independent counsel. For the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013, compensation was granted or paid related to the Executive Performance Incentive Program, as set forth in Section 3(c)(ii) of their respective Employment Agreements, for approximately $262,000, $641,000, and $12,000 to each Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels.


On November 23, 2015, Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels waived their rights under their respective employment agreements to any future payment of any incentive bonus related to the sale of the Company’s stock or other securities by, or on behalf of, the Company pursuant to the Maxim Equity Distribution Agreement or any similar or successor ATM equity distribution agreement including the Chardan Agreement. Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels voluntarily provided these waivers in an effort to preserve cash and to help the Company to ensure its short term commercialization goals.

Long-Term Bonus Incentive Programs

The Compensation Committee believes that team oriented performance by our NEO, non-officer Executive officers and all employees, consistent with our short and long-term goals, can be achieved through the use of goal or result oriented bonus programs. For the year ending 2015, the Employee Bonus Pool Program continued to exist to provide our employees, including our NEO and certain senior, non-officer Executives, with incentives to help align their financial interests with that of Hemispherx and its stockholders. For the year ending 2015, no compensation was granted or paid in relation to Long-Term Bonus Programs.

Base Pay Supplement and Employee Bonus Pool Programs

All Participants in the Employee Plan and Executive Plan created in January 2016 will be awarded an amount (the “Approval Award”) equal to 30% of the pre-tax amount of their base annual salary as then in effect upon FDA Approval of Ampligen (the “Approval”). The Approval Award will be paid within three months following the Approval. In addition, all Participants in either plan will be awarded an amount (the “Pre-Approval Award”) equal to 30% of the pre-tax amount of their annual salary as then in effect upon the successful pre-approval inspection by the FDA of the Alferon facility (the “Pre-Approval”). The Pre-Approval Award will be paid within three months following the Pre-Approval. A Participant will not qualify for the Approval or Pre-Approval Award if the Participant’s employment is terminated prior to such Approval or Pre-Approval due to (i) termination by the Company for Cause or (ii) voluntary termination by the Participant. See Item 7-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations; Liquidity and Capital Resources;Base Pay Supplement” in PART II.

An element of the prior 2009’s Employee Wage or Hours Reduction Program was the establishment of a Bonus Pool (the “Pool”) in the case of FDA Approval (“Approval”) of Ampligen®. This bonus is to award to each employee of record at January 1, 2009 a pretax sum of 30% in wages, calculated on their base salary per annum compensation at the time of the Approval, and awarded within three months of Approval. Participants who terminate their employment prior to the Approval will not qualify for this bonus. For the year ended 2015, no compensation was granted or paid related to the Employee Bonus Pool Program.

Stock Options

The Compensation Committee believes that long-term performance is achieved through an ownership culture that encourages such performance by our NEO, non-officer Executives and all employees through the use of stock and stock-based awards. Our stock plans have been established to provide our employees, including our NEO and senior non-officer Executives, with incentives to help align their interests with the interests of stockholders. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee believes that the use of stock and stock-based awards offers the best approach to achieving long-term performance goals because:


Stock options align the interests of Executives and employees with those of the stockholders, support a pay-for-performance culture, foster employee stock ownership, and focus the management team on increasing value for the stockholders;
Stock options are performance based. All the value received by the recipient of a stock option is based on the growth of the stock price; and
Stock options help to provide a balance to the overall executive compensation program as base salary and our discretionary annual bonus program focus on short-term compensation.

We have historically elected, and continue to use, stock options as the primary long-term equity incentive vehicle. We have adopted stock ownership guidelines and our stock compensation plans have provided the principal method, other than through direct investment for our executives to acquire equity in our Company. The Compensation Committee believes that the annual aggregate value of these awards should be set near competitive median levels for comparable companies. However, in the early stage of our business, we provided a greater portion of total compensation to our Executives through our stock compensation plans than through cash-based compensation.

 In determining the number of stock options to be granted to NEO, non-officer Executives and employees, we take into account the individual's position, scope of responsibility, ability to affect profits and stockholder value and the individual's historic and recent performance and the value of stock options in relation to other elements of the individual's total compensation.

Our stock plans authorize us to grant options to purchase shares of common stock to our NEO, employees, Directors and consultants. Our Compensation Committee oversees the administration of our stock option plan. The Compensation Committee reviews and recommends approval by our Board of Directors of stock option awards to NEO based upon a review of competitive compensation data, its assessment of individual performance, a review of each Executive's existing long-term incentives and retention considerations. Periodic stock option grants are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee to eligible NEO and employees and, in appropriate circumstances, the Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of the CEO.

As a reinforcement to employees that one of the Company’s priorities continues to be that of increasing shareholder value, the Compensation Committee and Board have historically granted the replacement of expired stock options to all current employees at the same number of shares and exercise price as had been originally issued.

Effective as of December 2011, the Compensation Committee mandated that the standard terms of options to be issued to individuals in their role as Company employees to require that such options not vest sooner than one year from the date of issuance and that, to the extent that any such options have not vested on the date of an Executive’s termination, the options shall be void as to such unvested portion.

The following Options were issued to NEO in their role as employees during 2015:

On June 6, 2015, we granted options to William A. Carter, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, consistent with his employment agreement, to purchase 500,000 ten year options to purchase common stock at $0.25 per share which vest in entirety in one year; and

On June 6, 2015, we granted options to Thomas K. Equels, Executive Vice Chairman, Secretary and General Counsel, consistent with his employment agreement 300,000 ten year options to purchase common stock at $0.25 per share which vest in entirety in one year.

The following Options were issued to NEO in their role as employees during 2014:

On June 6, 2014, we granted options to William A. Carter, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, consistent with his employment agreement, to purchase 500,000 ten year options to purchase common stock at $0.36 per share which vest in entirety in one year;

On June 6, 2014, we granted options to Thomas K. Equels, Executive Vice Chairman, Secretary and General Counsel, consistent with his employment agreement 300,000 ten year options to purchase common stock at $0.36 per share which vest in entirety in one year; and

On June 6, 2014, we granted options to Wayne Springate, SVP Operations, consistent with his employment agreement 50,000 ten year options to purchase common stock at $0.36 per share which vest in entirety in one year.

The following Options were issued to NEO in their role as employees during 2013:

On June 6, 2013, we granted options to William A. Carter, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, consistent with his employment agreement, to purchase 500,000 ten year options to purchase common stock at $0.31 per share which vest in entirety in one year; and

On June 6, 2013, we granted options to Thomas K. Equels, Executive Vice Chairman, Secretary and General Counsel, consistent with his employment agreement 300,000 ten year options to purchase common stock at $0.31 per share which vest in entirety in one year.

The Equity Incentive Plan of 2009 authorizes the grant of non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and other stock awards. A maximum of 15,000,000 shares of common stock is reserved for potential issuance pursuant to awards under the Equity Incentive Plan of 2009. In September 2015, the Company's shareholders approved the following amendments to the 2009 Plan: (1) increased the number of shares authorized to be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan from 15,000,000 to 22,000,000; (2) required a gradual vesting period of options issued under the Equity Incentive Plan over a three year period; (3) revised the definition of “change in control” to make it less “liberal” by amending the provision that a change in control occurs upon stockholder approval of a merger, consolidation or sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets (a “Business Combination”) to state that such a change in control occurs upon the consummation of the Business Combination; and (4) clarified that the definition of change in control has a double trigger – For a Participant to get the benefit resulting from a change in control, such Participant must have been terminated other than for cause within a two year period. Unless sooner terminated, the Equity Incentive Plan of 2009 will continue in effect for a period of 10 years from its effective date.

After reviewing the terms of our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company had issued to Dr. Carter, in excess of the number of securities permitted under the Plan. The Plan permits a maximum of 3,000,000 shares covered by the Plan to be issued pursuant to Plan Awards to any one Plan Participant. While this limitation was imposed to comply with the requirements for the exception for qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, none of the Awards granted to Dr. Carter was Section 162(m) qualified performance-based compensation. To rectify this issue, on December 8, 2015, Dr. Carter graciously returned to the Company a sufficient number of securities issued under the Plan to bring it back into compliance with the terms of the Plan. The Company has agreed in the future to consider some form of non-stock compensation to Dr. Carter for his return of these securities.

Claw-Back Compensation Recoupment Provisions

Effective December 2011, all Executive compensation including and without limitation to base salary, bonuses, stock options, and fringe benefits, shall be subject to recoupment from the Employee by the Company pursuant to the Company’s Executive Compensation Recoupment Policies adopted December 1, 2011, as may be amended by the Company’s Board of Directors from time to time to remain in compliance with the claw-back compensation recoupment provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.


Other Compensation

We provide the following benefits to our NEO generally on the same bases as benefits provided to all full-time employees:

Health, vision and dental insurance;
Life insurance;
Short and long-term disability insurance; and
401(k) with Company matching of up to 6% of employee’s contribution or to the extent of IRS regulations, whichever is lower.

The Compensation Committee believes that these benefits are consistent with those offered by other companies, specifically those provided by our peers. Occasionally, certain Executives separately negotiate other benefits in addition to the benefits described above. The following additional benefits were provided in 2012 NEO as an element of their respective employment:

Dr. William Carter, former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer:

Automobile allowance;
Reimbursement of home office, computer, internet, phone and telefax expenses;
Health, vision and dental insurance fully paid by the Company; and
Supplementary life and disability insurance policies.

Thomas Equels, General Counsel:

Automobile allowance;
Predetermined allowance for the Company’s utilization of Florida offices of Equels Law Firm;
Reimbursement of home office, computer, internet, phone and telefax expenses;
Health, vision and dental insurance fully paid by the Company; and
Supplementary life and disability insurance policies.

401(k) Plan

In December 1995, we established a defined contribution plan, effective January 1, 1995, entitled the Hemispherx Biopharma employees 401(k) Plan and Trust Agreement. All of our full-time employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan following one year of employment. Subject to certain limitations imposed by Federal Tax laws, participants are eligible to contribute up to 15% of their salary (including bonuses and/or commissions) per annum. Through March 14, 2008, Participants' contributions to the 401(k) plan were matched by Hemispherx at a rate determined annually by the Board of Directors. Each participant immediately vests in his or her deferred salary contributions, while our contributions will vest over one year.

Effective March 15, 2008 and continuing through December 31, 2009, we halted our matching of 401(k) contributions provided to the account for each eligible participant. Effective January 1, 2010, our Compensation Committee reestablished Hemispherx’ 100% matching of up to 6% of the 401(k) contributions provided to the account for each eligible participant, to the dollar extent permitted by IRS regulations, including without exception each eligible Named Executive Officer.


Severance

In determining whether to approve and setting the terms of severance arrangements, the Compensation Committee recognizes that Executives, especially highly ranked Executives, often face challenges securing new employment following termination. Upon termination of employment, the following NEO currently are entitled to receive severance payments under their employment and/or engagement agreements:

William A. Carter, former Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Scientific Officer; and
Thomas K. Equels, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, current Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary and General Counsel.

The Compensation Committee believes that severance agreements provided to these individuals are generally in line with severance packages offered to executive officers of companies of similar size. Alternately, Dr. David Strayer is currently not covered under an existing severance agreement. Any severance benefits payable to them under similar circumstances would be determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. See “Estimated Payments Following Severance — Named Executive Officers”.

Conclusion

Our compensation policies are designed to retain and motivate our Executive Officers, other non-officer Executives and non-Executives and to ultimately reward them for outstanding individual and corporate performance.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors oversees our compensation program on behalf of the Board. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed and discussed with Management the Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in this Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

In reliance on the review and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and Hemispherx’ Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with Hemispherx’ 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Dr. William M. Mitchell, Committee Chairman

Mr. Peter W. Rodino

The foregoing Compensation Committee report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under these acts, except to the extent we incorporate by reference into such filings.

Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) and 409A & 409(b)

One of the factors the Compensation Committee considers in connection with compensation matters is the anticipated tax treatment to Hemispherx and to the Executives of the compensation arrangements. The deductibility of certain types of compensation depends upon the timing of an executive’s vesting in, or exercise of, previously granted rights. Moreover, interpretation of, and changes in, the tax laws and other factors beyond the Compensation Committee’s control also affect the deductibility of compensation. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee will not necessarily limit executive compensation to that deductible under Section 162(m) or 409A & 409(b) of the Code. The Compensation Committee will consider various alternatives to preserving the deductibility of compensation payments and benefits to the extent consistent with its other compensation objectives.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

Our Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, consisting of Dr. William M. Mitchell, the Committee Chair, and Peter W. Rodino are all independent directors. There are no interlocking relationships.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table provides information on the compensation during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015, 20142022 and 20132021 of Thomas K. Equels, our Chief Executive Officer and President, Ellen Lintal, our former Chief Financial Officer, Robert Dickey IV, our Chief Financial Officer, and Peter Rodino, our Chief MedicalOperating Officer, Executive Director for Governmental Relations, General Counsel & Secretary, constituting the Company’s Named Executive Officers, based on the year ended 2015 for each fiscal year.December 31, 2022.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name & Principal
Position
 Year Salary /
Fees (3)
  Bonus  Stock
Awards
  Option
Awards
(3) (9)
  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
  Change
in
Pension
Valued
and
NQDC
Earnings
($)
  All Other
Compensation
  Total
(3)
 
William A. Carter, former 2015 $1,185,225  $262,092(4) $  $75,864(1)(8) $     $173,498(10) $1,696,679 
CEO, President & CSO (1) (3) 2014 $1,185,225  $891,479(4)(7)    $135,030(1)(5)       $153,141(10) $2,364,875 
  2013 $1,167,711  $12,444(4)    $125,699(1)       $147,662(10) $1,453,516 
                                   
Thomas K. Equels 2015 $719,273  $262,092(4)    $45,518(2)       $94,971(11) $1,121,854 
CEO, President, General 2014 $719,273  $774,990(4)(7)    $69,199(2)       $104,987(11) $1,668,449 
Counsel (2) (3) 2013 $708,644  $12,444(4)    $86,826(2)       $95,250(11) $903,164 
                                   
David Strayer 2015 $269,475  $     $        $44,865(12) $314,340 
CSO & Medical Director 2014 $269,475  $67,369(7)    $746(6)       $29,744(12) $367,334 
  2013 $265,493  $     $        $25,602(12) $291,095 
Name and Principal Position Year  Salary
($)
  

Bonus

($)

  

Option

Awards

($)(1)

  Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Compensation ($)
  All Other Compensation ($)  Total
($)
 
Thomas K Equels 2022   850,000   300,000   111,556      90,472   1,352,028 
CEO & President (2)(3) 2021   850,000   352,500   473,038      86,106   1,761,644 
                            
Ellen Lintal 2022   90,417      32,110      126,699   249,226 
Former CFO (4)(7) 2021   350,000   102,500   132,346      49,893   634,739 
                            
Robert Dickey IV 2022   37,815   10,000            47,815 
CFO (5) 2021                   
                            
Peter Rodino 2022   425,000   150,000   69,295      55,003   699,298 
COO, General Counsel &Secretary (6) 2021   425,000   102,500   132,346          —   57,949   717,795 

 

Notes:

(1)Dr. Carter renewed his Employment Agreements on June 11, 2010, which was amended on July 15, 2010, then amended and restated on December 6, 2011, that granted himAll option awards were valued using the annual Option to purchase 500,000 shares of Hemispherx common stock as an element of his Employment Agreement. Subsequent to December 31, 2015, Dr. Carter’s employment was terminated on February 17, 2016 and also is no longer a director.Black-Scholes method.

(2)Mr. Equels transitioned from the role of external to internal General Counsel and Litigation Counsel effective June 1, 2010 with an Employment Agreement of June 11, 2010, which was amended on July 15, 2010, then amended and restated December 6, 2011, that granted him the annual Option to purchase 300,000 shares of Hemispherx common stock as an element of his Employment Agreement. Subsequent to December 31, 2015, Mr. Equels was appointed Chief Executive Officer on February 25, 201636

(3)(2)For Named Executive Officers, who are also Directors that receive compensation for their services as a Director, the Salary/Fees and Option Awards columns include compensation that was received by them for their role as a member of the Board of Directors. As is required by Regulation S-K, Item 402(c), compensation for services as a Director have been reported within the “Summary Compensation Table” (above) for fiscal years of 2015, 20142022 and 20132021 as well as reported separately in the “Compensation of Directors” section (see below) for calendar year 2015.

(4)On November 26, 2012, the Compensation Committee authorized the payment of a bonus of 5% on the net dollar proceeds resulting from the sale of Company stock sold through the Maxim ATM to Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels based on the contractual obligation and opinion of independent legal counsel, as set forth in Section 3(c)(ii) of their respective Employment Agreements. Amounts include for 2013, 2014 and 2015, compensation was granted or paid to each Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels, respectively, pursuant to this bonus. On November 23, 2015, they waived their rights to any future payments of any incentive bonuses related to the sale of the Company’s stock pursuant to any ATM equity distribution agreement.
(5)On December 8, 2014, the Compensation Committee granted 10 year term replacement options to purchase 320,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.60 per share that vest over a 12 month period to Dr. Carter. These options were forfeited on December 9, 2015. See (8) below.
(6)On December 8, 2014, the Compensation Committee granted 10 year term replacement options to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.90 per share that vest over a 12 month period to Dr. Strayer.
(7)On July 3, 2014, our Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors awarded bonuses to certain NEO and senior, non-officer Executives in recognition for their achievement towards our Company-wide and individual goals in 2014.
(8)After reviewing the terms of our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company had issued to Dr. Carter, in excess of the number of securities permitted under the Plan. The Plan permits a maximum of 3,000,000 shares covered by the Plan to be issued pursuant to Plan Awards to any one Plan Participant. To rectify this issue, on December 8, 2015, Dr. Carter graciously returned to the Company a sufficient number of securities issued under the Plan to bring it back into compliance with the terms of the Plan.
(9)The value was obtained using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (formerly SFAS 123R). See Note 2(j) Stock-Based Compensation in the financial statements.2022.

 

(10)Dr. Carter’s All Other Compensation Consists of:

  2015  2014  2013 
Life and Disability Insurance $114,627  $93,295  $84,709 
Healthcare Insurance  13,271   14,246   17,653 
Company Car Expenses / Car Allowance  30,000   30,000   30,000 
Outside Office Expenses         
401(k) Matching Funds  15,600   15,600   15,300 
  $173,498  $153,141  $147,662 

In February 2016, it was discovered that Dr. Carter had been using Company personnel for personal, non-business related, matters. The valuePursuant to his current employment agreement, Mr. Equels is entitled to 3% of these services are not included above as they have not been totally quantified. However, the Company does not believe that the value is material. As Dr. Carter was terminated, this issue should not arise“Gross Proceeds” (as defined in the future.employment agreement) for “significant events” (as described in the employment agreement) There were no payments during 2022 and 2021.

 

(11)(3)Mr. Equels’ All Other CompensationCompensations consists of:

 

  2015  2014  2013 
Life and Disability Insurance $31,429  $35,280  $19,420 
Healthcare Insurance  29,942   36,107   42,530 
Car Expenses / Allowance  18,000   18,000   18,000 
Outside Office Expenses         
401(k) Matching Funds  15,600   15,600   15,300 
  $94,971  $104,987  $95,250 

  2022  2021 
Life & Disability Insurance $31,375  $22,037 
Healthcare Insurance  26,764   26,479 
Car Expenses/Allowance  18,000   18,000 
401(k) Matching Funds  14,333   19,500 
Total $90,472  $86,016 

(4)(12)Dr. Strayer’sMs. Lintal’s All Other CompensationCompensations consists of:

 

  2015  2014  2013 
Life and Disability Insurance $  $  $ 
Healthcare Insurance  29,265   14,144   10,302 
401(k) Matching Funds  15,600   15,600   15,300 
  $44,865  $29,744  $25,602 

Grants of Plan Based Awards

Name Grant Date
(2)
 Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
  All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)
  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
of
Underlying
Options
(#)(2)
  Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)
 
    Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
             
                                 
William A. Carter,                                          
Former CEO 6/6/2015     200,553   250,691      75,617(3)          500,000  $0.25  $115,331 
                                           
Thomas K. Equels,                                          
Current CEO 6/6/2015     107,362   134,203      45,370(3)        300,000  $0.25  $69,199 
                                           
David Strayer,                              
CSO & Medical Director     —    53,895    67,369    —    —    —    —    —   —   — 

Notes:

(1)For 2015, the Compensation Committee continued its practice of not establishing or estimating possible future payouts to the NEO under a Cash Bonus Plan. All Bonuses are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Utilizing existing Employment Agreements as a benchmark and the respective employees’ Base Salary at January 1, 2015, the “Target” was estimated at 20% of the Base Salary and “Maximum” was estimated at 25% of Base Salary. There were no Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards granted and/or paid to the NEO's for the year ending 2015.
(2)Consists of stock options granted during 2015 under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan. The stock options have a ten-year term and an exercise price equal to 110% of the NYSE MKT closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. The value was obtained using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (formerly SFAS 123R).
(3)Consists of stock options contractually required per the NEO’s respective Employment Agreement to be granted during 2015 under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan. The stock options have a ten-year term and an exercise price equal to 110% of the NYSE MKT closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. For the purpose of this schedule, a NYSE MKT closing price at December 31, 2015 of $0.08 was assumed with an estimated exercise price of $0.25. The value was obtained using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (formerly SFAS 123R).

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

  Option Awards    Stock Awards 
Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
  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
($)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights
that

Have Not
Vested
(#)
 
William  1,450,000         2.20  9/17/2018            
Carter, former  1,000,000         2.00  9/9/2017            
Chief  190,000         4.00  2/18/2018            
Executive  1,400,000         3.50  9/30/2017            
Officer  500,000         0.66  6/11/2020            
   500,000         0.41  7/15/2021            
   500,000         0.31  6/11/2022            
   500,000         0.31  6/6/2023            
   500,000         0.36  6/6/2024            
      500,000      0.25  6/6/2025            
                                   
Thomas  300,000         0.66  6/11/2020            
Equels,  300,000         0.41  6/24/2021            
President and Chief  100,000         0.29  6/6/2022            
Executive Officer  300,000         0.31  6/11/2022            
   300,000         0.31  6/6/2023            
   150,000         0.25  8/2/2023            
   300,000         0.36  6/6/2024            
      300,000      0.25  6/6/2025            
                                   
David  50,000         2.00  9/9/2017            
Stayer,  50,000         4.00  2/18/2018            
CSO & Medical  10,000         4.03  4/13/2022            
Director  20,000         2.37  1/23/2017            
   10,000         1.90  12/8/2024            
   15,000         2.20  11/20/2016            
   25,000         1.30  12/6/2017            

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

  2022  2021 
Consulting Fees $108,000   

 
Life & Disability Insurance 803  $3,014 
Healthcare Insurance  12,146   12,978 
Car Expenses/Allowance  3,600   14,400 
401(k) Matching Funds  2,150   19,500 
Total $126,699  $49,892 

 

(5)Option AwardsStock Awards
Name and Principal Position

Number of Shares

Acquired on
Exercise (#)

Value Realized
on

Exercise ($)

Number of Shares

Acquired on
Vesting (#)

Value

Realized

on Vesting ($)

William A. Carter,
Former Chief Executive Officer
Thomas K. Equels,
CEO, President and General Counsel
David Strayer,
CSO and Medical DirectorMr. Dickey’s All Other Compensations consists of:

 

   2022   2021 
Life & Disability Insurance $  $ 
Healthcare Insurance      
Car Expenses/Allowance      
401(k) Matching Funds      
Total $  $ 

Payments on Disability

(6)Mr. Rodino’s All Other Compensations consists of:

  2022  2021 
Life & Disability Insurance $2,450  $2,521 
Healthcare Insurance  23,820   21,528 
Car Expenses/Allowance  14,400   14,400 
401(k) Matching Funds  14,333   19,500 
Total $55,003  $57,949 

37

(7)On April 4, 2022, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Ms. Lintal, who stepped down as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on April 4, 2022.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Option Awards
Name Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable  Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable  Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)  Option Exercise
Price ($)
  Option Expiration Date 
Thomas K Equels  568         163.68   6/6/2023 
President and Chief Executive Officer  284         132.00   8/2/2023 
  568         190.08   6/6/2024 
   568         132.00   6/8/2025 
   568         73.92   6/8/2026 
   6,818         24.64   6/8/2027 
   323         21.56   6/15/2027 
   323         21.56   6/30/2027 
   412         21.12   7/15/2027 
   472         18.48   7/31/2027 
   485         18.04   8/15/2027 
   556         15.84   8/31/2027 
   8,446         16.28   2/13/2028 
   2,841         16.72   4/12/2028 
   6,818         13.20   5/16/2028 
   5,682         13.20   5/16/2028 
   3,666         13.64   7/18/2028 
   6,457         9.68   10/17/2028 
   23         9.68   11/14/2028 
   9,685         9.68   1/28/2029 
   300,000         3.05   8/12/2030 
   300,000         1.96   11/11/2030 
   300,000         1.71   11/11/2031 
      300,000(1)     0.41   11/30/2032 
Total  955,563   300,000          
                    
Ellen Lintal  23         9.68   11/14/2029 
Former Chief Financial Officer  75,000         1.85   12/9/2030 
   100,000          1.44   11/30/2031 
   50,000         0.70   3/3/2032 
Total  225,023              
                     
Robert Dickey IV  50,000         0.70   3/3/2032 
Chief Financial Officer                    
Total  50,000             
                     
Peter Rodino  285         132.00   8/2/2023 
COO, General Counsel and Secretary  285         68.65   6/21/2026 
   151         21.56   6/15/2027 
   151         21.56   6/30/2027 
   192         21.12   7/15/2027 
   220         18.48   7/31/2027 
   226         18.04   8/15/2027 
   259         15.84   8/31/2027 
   3,941         16.28   2/13/2028 
   2,273         16.72   4/12/2028 
   2,652         13.20   5/16/2028 
   1,711         13.64   7/18/2028 
   3,013         9.68   10/17/2028 
   23         9.68   11/14/2028 
   4,520         9.68   1/28/2029 
   75,000         1.85   12/9/2030 
   100,000         1.44   11/30/2031 
   50,000         0.70   3/3/2032 
      100,000(2)     0.41   11/30/2032 
Total  244,902   100,000          

(1)These options will vest on November 30, 2023.
(2)These options will vest on November 30, 2023.

38

 

At December 31, 2015, we hadPotential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Payments on Termination Due to Disability

Mr. Equels’ employment agreements with Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels which entitled them Base Salary andagreement entitles him to his base salary, applicable benefits otherwise due and payable through the last day of the month in which disability occurs and for an additional twelve-monthtwo-year period. Each current NEO hasAll of his unvested options vest too. On March 24, 2021, we entered into employment agreements with Mr. Rodino and Ms. Lintal which entitled them to their base salary, applicable benefits otherwise due and payable through the last day of the month in which disability occurs and for an additional two-year period. All of each NEO’s unvested options vest too. In addition, each Mr. Equels and Mr. Rodino have the same shortshort- and long-term disability coverage which is available to all eligible employees. The coverage for short-term disability provides up to six months of full salary continuation up to 60% of weekly pay, less other income, with a $1,500 weekly maximum limit. The coverage for group long-term disability provides coverage at the exhaustion of short-term disability benefits of full salary continuation up to 60% of monthly pay, less other income, with a $10,000 monthly maximum limit. The maximum benefit period for the group long-term disability coverage is 60 months for those age 60 and younger at the time of the claim with the coverage period proportionately reduced with the advanced age of the eligible employee to a minimum coverage period of 12 months for those of 69 years old and older as of the date of the claim. For the period June 2010 through 2015 pursuant to their respective employment agreements and payable by us, Dr. Carter isDecember 2022, Mr. Equels was entitled to receive total disability coverage of $500,000$400,000 pursuant to his employment agreement and Mr. Equels ispayable by us.

Payments on Termination Due to Death

Pursuant to their employment agreements, the NEOs are entitled to receive total disability coverage of $400,000.

Payments on Death

At December 31, 2015, we had employment agreements with Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels which entitled them Base Salarytheir base salary and applicable benefits otherwise due and payable through the last day of the month in which death occurs and for an additional twelve-monthtwo-year period. Each NEO hasIn addition, all of their unvested options vest. Mr. Equels and Mr. Rodino have coverage of group life insurance, along with accidental death and dismemberment benefits, consistent to the dollar value available to all eligible employees. The benefit is equal to two times current salary or wage with a maximum limit of $300,000, plus any supplemental life insurance elected and paid for by the NEO. For the period June 2010 and through 2015 pursuant to their respective employment agreements and payable by us, Dr. Carter is entitled to receive total death benefit coverage of $6,000,000 andDecember 2022, Mr. Equels is entitled to receive total death benefit coverage of $3,000,000.$3,000,000 pursuant to his employment agreement and payable by us.

 

Estimated Payments Following Severance and Change in Control Benefits — Named Executive Officers (NEO)

 

At December 31, 2015, we hadPursuant to his employment agreements with Dr. Carter andagreement, Mr. Equels whichis entitled them to severance benefits on certain types of employment terminations not related to a change in control. Dr. Strayercontrol or termination not for cause. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Rodino is entitled to severance benefits upon a termination by the Company without cause. Mr. Dickey is not covered by an employment agreement with severance benefits and therefore would only receive severance as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. Ms. Lintal is not entitled to severance under her consulting agreement.


Mr. Equels’ and Mr. Rodino’s employment agreement terms will automatically be extended for three additional years following a change in control, except where such change in control occurs as a result of certain “significant events” as described in their employment agreements. Additionally, any purchase rights represented by an Option not then vested shall, upon a change in control, become vested.

Upon the occurrence of a qualifying termination following a change in control, Mr. Equels and Mr. Rodino would each receive (x) his respective base salary and benefits, (y) his options to be issued annually, and (z) his automobile allowance, in each case for the remaining term of his employment agreement plus a three-year extension in the term. The dollar amounts below assume thatemployment agreement with Mr. Equels provides for an initial term through December 31, 2025. The employment agreement with Mr. Rodino provides for an initial term through March 31, 2024. Mr. Equels and Mr. Rodino are entitled to 3% for Mr. Equels and 1% for Mr. Rodino of the termination occurred on January 1, 2016. “Gross Proceeds” (as defined in their employment agreements) for “significant events” (as described in their employment agreements). In addition, Mr. Equels is entitled to 3% of the “Gross Proceeds” from any sale of the Company or substantially all of its assets, while Mr. Rodino is entitled to 1% of the “Gross Proceeds” from any sale of the Company or a substantial portion of its assets not in the ordinary course of its business. The terms of Ms. Lintal’s employment agreement and consulting agreement, neither of which remain in effect, are described above.

The actual dollar amounts to be paid can onlywould be determined at the time of the NEO’s separation from Hemispherxus based on their prevailing compensation and employment agreements along with any determination by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.

 

Name Event Cash
Severance
($)
  Value of
Stock
Awards That
Will Become
Vested (1)
($)
  Continuation
of
Medical
Benefits
($)
  Additional
Life
Insurance
($)
  Total
($)
 
William A. Carter, former Involuntary (no cause)(2)  613,387   6,737         620,124 
Chief Executive Officer Termination (for cause)               
  Death or disability  613,387   6,737         620,124 
  Termination by employee or retirement  613,387   6,737         620,124 
                       
Thomas K. Equels, current Involuntary (no cause)  554,811   6,737         561,548 
CEO, President, General Counsel Termination (for cause)               
  Death or disability  554,811   6,737         561,548 
  Termination by employee or retirement  554,811   6,737         561,548 
                       
David Strayer Involuntary (no cause)               
CSO & Medical Director Termination (for cause)               
  Death or disability               
  Termination by employee or retirement               

Notes:

(1)Consists of stock options contractually required per the employee’s respective Employment Agreement to be granted during each calendar year of the term under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan. The stock options have a ten-year term and an exercise price equal to 110% of the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. For the purpose of this schedule, a NYSE MKT closing price at December 31, 2015 of $0.08 was utilized with an estimated exercise price of $0.09. The value was obtained using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (formerly SFAS 123R).39
(2)Cash severance calculated based on actual termination date of Dr. Carter on February 17, 2016 through the end of Dr. Carter’s employment agreement which expires on December 31, 2016.

Payments On Termination in Connection with a Change in Control Named Executive Officers

At December 31, 2015, we had employment agreements with Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels which entitled them to severance benefits on certain types of employment terminations related to a change in control thereby the term of their respective agreements would automatically be extended for three additional years. Dr. Strayer is not covered by an employment agreement and therefore would only receive severance from a change in control as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. Any specific benefits for these two NEO would be determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.

The dollar amounts in the chart below assume that change in control termination occurred on January 1, 2016, based on the employment agreements that existed at that time. The actual dollar amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of the NEO’s separation from Hemispherx based on their prevailing compensation and employment agreements along with any determination by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.

Estimated Benefits on Termination Following a Change in Control — December 31, 2015

The following table shows potential payments to the NEO if their employment terminates following a change in control under contracts, agreements, plans or arrangements at December 31, 2015. The amounts assume a January 1, 2016 termination date regarding base pay and use of the opening price of $0.08 on the NYSE MKT for our common stock at that date.

34 

 

��

Name Aggregate
Severance
Pay
($)
  PVSU
Acceleration
(2) ($)
  Early
Vesting
of
Restricted
Stock (4) (5)
($)
  Early
Vesting
of Stock
Options
and SARs
(3) ($)
  Acceleration
and
Vesting of
Supplemental
Award (5) ($)
  Welfare
Benefits
Continuation
($)
  Outplacement
Assistance
($)
  Parachute
Tax
Gross-up
Payment
($)
  Total
($)
 
William A. Carter  2,804,056(1)            87,580(4)           2,891,636 
Thomas K. Equels  2,219,244(1)            55,243(4)           2,274,487 
David Strayer                           

 

Notes:

(1)This amount represents the base salary and benefits for remaining term of the NEO’s employment agreement plus a three-year extension in the term upon the occurrence of a termination from a change in control. The existing employment agreements with Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels have a term through December 31, 2016. Subsequent to December 31, 2015, Dr. Carter’s employment was terminated on February 17, 2016 and also is no longer a director; therefore, no payment would be due upon a change of control.
(2)This amount represents the payout of all outstanding performance-vesting share units (“PVSU”) awarded on a change in control at the target payout level with each award then pro-rated based on the time elapsed for the applicable three-year performance period.
(3)This amount is the intrinsic value [fair market value on January 1, 2016 ($0.08 per share) minus the per share exercise price of 110%] of all unvested stock options for each NEO, including Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR”). Any option with an exercise price of greater than fair market value was assumed to be cancelled for no consideration and, therefore, had no intrinsic value.
(4)This amount represents the options to be issued annually for the remaining term of the NEO’s employment agreement plus a three-year extension in the occurrence of termination from a change in control. The calculation was based on a NYSE MKT closing price for December 31, 2014 of $0.08 with an estimated exercise price of $0.09 (110% prior NYSE MKT closing value). The value was obtained using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (formerly SFAS 123R).
(5)Any purchase rights represented by the Option not then vested shall, upon a change in control, shall become vested.

Definition of “Change in Control” for each agreement, a “Change in Control” is defined generally as any such event that requires a report to the SEC, but includes any of the following:

Any person or entity other than Hemispherx, any of our current Directors or Officers or a Trustee or fiduciary holding our securities, becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our outstanding securities;
An acquisition, sale, merger or other transaction that results in a change in ownership of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our stock or the sale/transfer of more than 75% of our assets;
A change in the majority of our Board of Directors over a two-year period that is not approved by at least two-thirds of the Directors then in office who were Directors at the beginning of the period; or
Execution of an agreement with Hemispherx, which if consummated, would result in any of the above events.

Definition of “Constructive Termination”. A “Constructive Termination” generally includes any of the following actions taken by Hemispherx without the Executive’s written consent following a change in control:

Significantly reducing or diminishing the nature or scope of the executive’s authority or duties;
Materially reducing the executive’s annual salary or incentive compensation opportunities;
Changing the executive’s office location so that he must commute more than 50 miles, as compared to his commute as of the date of the agreement;
Failing to provide substantially similar fringe benefits, or substitute benefits that were substantially similar taken as a whole, to the benefits provided as of the date of the agreement; or

Failing to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to Hemispherx to assume and agree to perform the obligations under the agreement.

However, no constructive termination occurs if the executive:

Fails to give us written notice of his intention to claim constructive termination and the basis for that claim at least 10 days in advance of the effective date of the executive’s resignation; or
We cure the circumstances giving rise to the constructive termination before the effective date of the executive’s resignation.

Available Information

Our Internet website is www.hemispherx.net and you may find our SEC filings in the “Investor Relations” under “SEC Filings”. We provide access to our filings with the SEC, free of charge through www.sec.gov, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC. Our Internet website and the information contained on that website, or accessible from our website, is not intended to be incorporated into this Proxy Statement or any other filings we make with the SEC.

Post-Employment Compensation

We have agreements with the following NEOs who have benefits upon termination as a condition of their respective employment agreements: Dr. William Carter, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Scientific Officer; and Thomas K. Equels, our Executive Vice Chairman, Secretary and General Counsel.

 

The following is a description of post-employment compensation payable to the respective NEO. If aan NEO does not have a specific benefit, they will not be mentioned in the subsection. In such event, the NEO does not have any such benefits upon termination unless otherwise required by law.

 

Termination for Cause

 

All of our NEONEOs can be terminated for cause. For Dr. CarterMr. Equels and Mr. Equels,Rodino, “Cause” means willful engaging by the NEO in illegal conduct, gross misconduct or gross violation of the Company’sour Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for Officers, which is demonstrably and materially injurious to theour Company. For purposes of their respective agreements, no act, or failure to act, on employee's part shall be deemed "willful" unless done intentionally by employee and not in good faith and without reasonable beliefMr. Equels’ agreement provides that employee's action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, employeehe shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until the Company deliverswe initiate a process by delivery to the employeehim a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quartersa majority of the Directorsdirectors of the Board at a meeting ofspecifying the Board called and heldgrounds for such purpose (aftertermination. After reasonable notice to employeeMr. Equels and an opportunity for Employee, together with counsel,him to be heard, before the Board)issues shall be adjudicated by a retired Florida judge or a Florida certified mediator mutually acceptable to the Board of Directors and Mr. Equels. Termination requires a finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board, employeeMr. Equels was guilty of conductintentional and material misconduct according to the standards set forth above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.detail supported by legally admissible evidence and utilizing the legal standard of beyond reasonable doubt. Under Mr. Dickey’s and Ms. Lintal’s consulting agreements, “Cause” shall include a breach of the terms of the consulting agreement which is not cured within 30 days of written notice of such default or the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or deliberate disregard of a rule or policy of the Company. In the event that theiran NEO’s employment is terminated for Cause, the Companywe shall pay them,such NEO, at the time of such termination, only the compensation and benefits otherwise due and payable to themhim or her through the last day of theirhis actual employment by, the Company.


Termination Without Causeor service to, us.

 

Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels are each entitled to the compensation and benefits otherwise due and payable to them through the last day of the then current term of their respective agreements.Termination without Cause

In the event that theyMr. Equels or Mr. Rodino are terminated at any time without "Cause" the Company“Cause,” we shall pay to them,Mr. Equels or Mr. Rodino, as applicable, at the time of such termination, the compensation and benefits otherwise due and payable through the last day of the then current term of their Agreement.his employment agreement. However, benefit distributions that are made due to a “separation from service” occurring while they arehe is a Named Executive Officer shall not be made during the first six months following separation from service. Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to themhim during such period shall be accumulated and paid to them in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the “separation from service”.service.” All subsequent distributions shall be paid in the manner specified.

 

Death or Disability

Dr. CarterMr. Equels and Mr. EquelsRodino can be terminated for death or disability. For each, “Disability” means theirthe NEO’s inability effectively to effectively carry out substantially all of theirhis duties under their agreement by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. In the event theirhis employment is terminated due to his death or disability, the Companywe will pay to eachhim (or their respective estate as the case may be), at the time of such termination, the Base Salary andhis base salary, applicable benefits, otherwise due and payable through the last dayimmediate vesting of the month in which such termination occurs and for an additional 12 month period.

Termination by Officer and Employee

All NEO employment agreements have the right to terminate their respective agreement upon thirty (30) days or less of prior written notice of termination. In such event, Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels are specifically entitled to fees due to them through the last day of the month in which such termination occurs and for 12 months thereafter. All others NEO are entitled to the fees due to them through the last day of the month in which such termination occurs.

Change in Control

As an element of their employment agreements, Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels are entitled to benefits upon a Change in Control or Constructive Termination that include that any unvested Options immediately vest and the term of their respective employment agreements automatically extend for an additional three years.stock options. In the event of a Change in Control, the Company is responsible for thepermanent disability, we will provide an additional two years of base salary or benefits for remaining term of the NEO’s employment agreement plus an automatic three-year extension in the term of the agreement. The existing employment agreements with Dr. Carter and Mr. Equels have a term through December 31, 2016.salary.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

Our Compensation, Audit and Corporate Governance and Nomination Committees, consist of Dr. Iraj E. Kiani, Compensation Committee Chair,Nancy K. Bryan, Dr. William M. Mitchell, Compensation Chair and Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee Chair, and Peter W. Rodino,Stewart L. Appelrouth, Audit Committee Chair, all of whom are independent Board of Director members.

 

Hemispherx reimbursesWe reimburse Directors for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending board, committee, stockholder and special meetings along with other Company business-related expenses. Hemispherx doesWe do not provide retirement benefits or other perquisites to non-employee Directors under any current program.

 

40

Commencing as of January 1, 2013, a 2.1% cost of living increase was granted to Board member Directors' fee compensation, increasing 2012's annual retainer from $176,068 to $179,766 for 2013. Commencing as of January 1, 2014, a 1.5% cost of living increase was granted to Board member Directors' fee compensation, increasing 2014's annual retainer from $176,766 to $182,462 for 2014.

There was no cost of livingcost-of-living increase granted in 2015. Directors' fees will continue to be paid quarterly in cash at the end of each calendar quarter.2021 or 2022.


All Directors other than Mr. Equels have been granted options to purchase common stock under our Stock Option Plans and/or Warrants to purchase common stock. Mr. Equels did not receive any compensation for his service as Director. We believe such compensation and payments are necessary in order for us to attract and retain qualified outside directors. To the extent that share compensation would exceed 1,000,000 shares in the aggregate for the ten-year period commencing January 1, 2003, as previously approved by Resolution of the Board of September 9, 2003,Options shares for sharestock compensation were issued under the our 20072009 and 20092018 Equity Incentive Plans.

 

Director Compensation – 20152022

 

Name and
Title of
Director
 Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
  Stock
Award
($)
  Option
Awards
($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
  Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)
  All Other
Compensation
As
Director
($)
  Total
($)
 
W. Carter, former Chairman  182,462(2)                 182,462 
T. Equels, Executive Vice Chairman & Secretary  182,462(2)                 182,462 
W. Mitchell, Chairman of the Board (1)  182,462                  182,462 
Peter W. Rodino, Director (1)  182,462                     182,462 
I. Kiani, Director (1)  182,462                  182,462 
Name and Title of Director Year  Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
$
  Stock Award
$
  Option Award
$
  Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
$
  Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
$
  

All Other Compensation As Director
$

  Total
$
 
W. Mitchell  2022   182,462      50,703            233,165 
Chairman of the Board                                
S. Appelrouth  2022   182,462      50,703            233,165 
Director                                

 

Notes:In March 2023, the Board reduced annual cash compensation from $182,462 to $125,000 to make room for more Board members.

Pay Versus Performance

Year  

Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (1)

  

Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (1) (2) (3)

  

Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs (1)

  

Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (1) (2)

 

Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On Total Shareholder Return (4)

  

Net Income (Loss)(5)

 
2022   1,352,028   1,235,379   332,113   288,865 $17.32 $(19,445,000)
2021   1,761,644   1,550,193   676,267   598,706 $51.40 $(19,127,000)

(1)Independent Director ofThe PEO and the Company.non-PEO NEOs for each year are as follows:
(2)
Only includes2022: Thomas K. Equels, PEO. Ellen Lintal was our PFO until April 3, 2022, and her compensation receivedfor 2022 (including her consulting fees) has been included in the role as member of the Board of Directors and does not include compensation received in the capacity of a Named Executive Officer. As is required by Regulation S-K, Item 402(c), compensation as a Director has also been reported within the “Summary Compensation Table” regarding Named Executive Officerand “Compensation Actually Paid.” Robert Dickey became our PFO to replace Ellen Lintal on April 4, 2022, and his compensation from that date through year-end has been included in the “Summary Compensation Table” and “Compensation Actually Paid.” Peter Rodino served as the other NEO for the entire year.
2021: Thomas K. Equels, PEO; Ellen Lintal and Peter Rodino, NEOs.
(2)The dollar amounts reported in the “Compensation Actually Paid to PEO” column represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to the PEO, as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the PEO during fiscal yearsthe applicable year. In accordance with SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to total compensation to determine the compensation actually paid to the PEO:

Year Summary  Compensation  Table Total for  PEO  Less: Summary  Compensation  Table Reported  Value of Equity  Awards(a)  

Plus:

Equity  Award Adjustments(b)

  Equals:  Compensation  Actually Paid  to PEO 
2022 $1,352,028  $(111,556)  $(5,093)  $1,235,379 
2021 $1,761,644  $(473,038)  $261,587  $1,550,193 

(a)Represents the aggregate grant-date fair value of 2015, 2014 and 2013 (see above).equity awards as reported in the “Option Awards” columns in the “Summary Compensation Table” for the applicable year.

 

41

38 

(b)The equity award adjustments for each applicable year were as set forth in the table below. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:

Year  Year End Fair  Value of Outstanding and Unvested  Equity Awards  Granted in the  Covered Year  Year over Year  Change in Fair  Value of  Outstanding  and Unvested  Equity Awards  Granted in  Prior Years  Vesting Date Fair Value  of  Equity  Awards  Granted in  the Covered  Year that Vested in the Covered Year  Change in Fair  Value of Equity  Awards Granted  in Prior Years  that Vested  in the Covered Year (From Prior Year End to Vesting Date)  Fair Value  at the End  of the Prior  Year of  Equity  Awards that  Failed to  Vest in the Covered Year  Value of  Dividend  Equivalents  Accrued or  other Earnings  Paid on Stock  Awards not  Otherwise  Reflected in  Fair Value  Total Equity  Award  Adjustments 
2022  $79,433  $  $7,221  $(91,747) $  $  $(5,093)
2021  $212,949  $  $42,590  $6,048  $  $  $261,587 

The dollar amounts reported in the “Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs” column represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the NEOs as a group (excluding the PEO), as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the NEOs (excluding the PEO) during the applicable year. In accordance with the SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for the NEOs as a group (excluding the PEO) or each year to determine the compensation actually paid:

Year Average
Reported

Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO NEOs
  Less: Summary
Compensation
Table Average
Reported Value of
Equity Awards  
 Plus: Average
Equity Award
Adjustments(x)
 Equals: Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non-PEO NEOs
 
2022 $332,113  $(33,801) $(9,447) $288,865 
2021 $676,267  $(132,346) $54,785 $598,706 

(x)The amounts deducted or added in calculating the total average equity award adjustments are as follows (figures in columns other than “Total Average Equity Award Adjustments” are rounded to the nearest dollar):

Year Average
Year End
Fair Value of
Outstanding and Unvested
Equity
Awards
Granted in
the Covered
Year
  Year over
Year
Average
Change in
Fair Value of
Outstanding
and Unvested
Equity Awards
Granted in
Prior Years   
  Vesting Date
Fair Value  of Equity  Awards  Granted in  the Covered  Year that Vested
in the Covered Year
  Change in
Fair Value
of Equity
Awards
Granted in
Prior Years
that Vested
in the Covered Year
(From Prior
Year End to
Vesting Date)
  Fair Value at
the End of
the Prior
Year of
Equity
Awards that
Failed to
Vest in the
Covered Year
  Average
Value of
Dividend
Equivalents
Accrued or
other Earnings
Paid on Stock
Awards not
Otherwise
Reflected in
Fair Value  
  Total Average
Equity Award
Adjustments
 
2022 $10,431 $  $8,826  $(28,703)  $  $  $(9,447) 
2021 $78,081  $  $7,098  $(30,394)  $  $  $54,785 

(3)In calculating the “compensation actually paid” amounts reflected in these columns, the fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of the equity award adjustments included in such calculations was computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The valuation assumptions used to calculate such fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant.
(4)The values disclosed in this TSR column represent the measurement period value of an investment of $100 in the Company’s shares as of December 31, 2020, and then valued again on each of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022.

42

(5)Represents the amount of net income (loss) reflected in the Company’s audited GAAP financial statements for each applicable fiscal year. The Company’s net comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $19,445,000 and $19,080,000, respectively.

One objective of the “Pay Versus Performance” table is to illustrate how performance-based features in our executive compensation program operate to index pay to performance. As further explained below, we believe that the table reflects an alignment of compensation actually paid with the decline in the performance of the Company’s common stock.

Compensation Actually Paid versus Company Total Shareholder Return

As outlined in the table, decreases in the compensation values for our PEO and non-PEO NEOs over the two-year period 2021 through 2022 align with decreases in the Company’s total shareholder return over this same period. This is due primarily to an emphasis in the design of the Company’s compensation programs on structuring of short-term and long-term compensation for the NEOs. The NEOs are awarded a year-end target bonus based on performance and goals. Long-term compensation is provided by non-qualified yearly stock options within yearly vesting. The ultimate value of these equity awards, and the resulting impact on compensation actually paid, aligns with the Company’s total shareholder return performance. As the overall total shareholder return performance has declined, there has been a corresponding decline in the compensation actually paid.

Compensation Actually Paid versus Company Net Income

As outlined in the table, decreases in the compensation values for our PEO and non-PEO NEOs over the two-year period 2021 through 2022 align with net losses over this same period. However, over the periods covered in this analysis, the Company has been primarily focused on the clinical and regulatory development of Ampligen and, accordingly, we have not historically used net income (loss) as a performance measurement in our executive compensation. As a pre-commercial stage company, the Company’s performance is attributable to the successful execution of our regulatory, clinical, research and commercial goals. Therefore, while the Board monitors the Company’s net income (loss), we do not currently believe there is a meaningful relationship between our net loss and compensation actually paid to our NEOs during the periods presented.

43

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

Our policy is to require that any transaction with a related party required to be reported under applicable SEC rules, other than compensation related matters and waivers of our code of business conduct and ethics, be reviewed and approved or ratified by a majority of independent, disinterested directors. We have adopted procedures in which the Audit Committee shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations on an annual and case-by-case basis with the approval of the Audit Committee required for all such transactions.

We have employment agreements with certain of our executive officers and have granted such officers and directors options and warrants to purchase our common stock.

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth as of June 7, 2016,the Record Date, October 2, 2023, the number and percentage of outstanding shares of common stock beneficially owned by:

Each person, individually or as a group, known to us to be deemed the beneficial owners of five percent or more of our issued and outstanding common stock;
Each of our Directors and the Named Executives Officers; and
All of our officers and directors as a group.

Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner
 Shares Beneficially
Owned
  % Of Shares
Beneficially Owned
 
William A. Carter, M.D.  8,266,600(1)(2)  3.24%
         
Thomas K. Equels  4,025,744(3)  1.61%
         
Peter W. Rodino III
17400 Sterling Lake Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967
  150,000(4)  * 
         
William M. Mitchell, M.D.
Vanderbilt University
Department of Pathology
Medical Center North
21st and Garland
Nashville, TN 37232
  716,025(5)(6)  * 
         
Iraj E. Kiani, Ph.D.
Orange County Immune Institute
18800 Delaware Street
Huntingdon Beach, CA 92648
  880,886(7)  * 
         
Wayne S. Springate
783 Jersey Ave.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
  390,333(8)  * 
         
David R. Strayer, M.D.  467,681(9)  * 
         
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons)  14,897,269   5.75%

* Ownership of less than 1%

(1)Dr. Carter was our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. On February 17, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company, by majority vote, terminated the employment of Dr. Carter, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. As a result, Dr. Carter also is no longer a director. He beneficially owns 1,225,585 shares of common stock and beneficially owns 7,040,000 shares issuable or issued upon exercise of:

Options Plan  Date
Issued
 Exercise
Price
  Number
Of Shares
  Expiration
Date
  2004  9/10/2007 $2.00   1,000,000  9/9/2017
   2004  10/1/2007 $3.50   1,400,000  9/30/2017
   2004  2/18/2008 $4.00   190,000  2/18/2018
   2007  9/17/2008 $2.20   1,450,000  9/17/2018
   2009  6/11/2010 $0.66   500,000  6/11/2020
   2009  7/15/2011 $0.41   500,000  7/15/2021
   2009  6/11/2012 $0.31   500,000  6/11/2022
   2009  6/6/2013 $0.31   500,000  6/6/2023
   2009  6/6/2014 $0.36   500,000  6/6/2024
   2009  6/6/2015 $0.25   500,000  6/6/2025
Total Options            7,040,000   

(2)Katalin Kovari, M.D, is the spouse of Dr. Carter and accordingly all shares owned by each are deemed to be beneficially owned by the other. Dr. Kovari owns 1,015 shares of common stock.
(3)Mr. Equels is Executive Vice Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary and General Counsel who beneficially owns 1,484,548 shares of common stock and beneficially owns 2,050,000 shares issuable or issued upon exercise of:

Options Plan  Date
Issued
 Exercise
Price
  Number
Of Shares
  Expiration
Date
   2009  6/11/2010 $0.66   300,000  6/11/2020
   2009  6/24/2011 $0.41   300,000  6/24/2021
   2009  6/5/2012 $0.29   100,000  6/6/2022
   2009  6/11/2012 $0.31   300,000  6/11/2022
   2009  6/6/2013 $0.31   300,000  6/6/2023
   2009  8/2/2013 $0.25   150,000  8/2/2023
   2009  6/6/2014 $0.36   300,000  6/6/2024
   2009  6/6/2015 $0.25   300,000  6/6/2025
Total Options            2,050,000   

Warrants Plan  Date
Issued
 Exercise
Price
  Number
Of Shares
  Expiration
Date
Total Warrants  2009  2/1/2009 $0.51   491,196  2/1/2019

(4)Mr. Rodino is a member of our Board of Directors who beneficially owns 150,000 shares issuable upon exercise of:

Options Plan  Date
Issued
 Exercise
Price
  Number
Of Shares
  Expiration
Date
   2009  8/2/2013 $0.25   150,000  8/2/2023
Total Options            150,000   

(5)Dr. Mitchell is our Chairman of the Board who owns 104,364 shares of common stock and beneficially owns 412,000 shares issuable upon exercise of:

Options Plan  Date
Issued
 Exercise
Price
  Number
Of Shares
  Expiration
Date
   2004  9/10/2007 $2.00   100,000  9/9/2017
   2004  9/17/2008 $6.00   12,000  9/17/2018
   2009  6/5/2012 $0.29   100,000  6/6/2022
   2009  8/2/2013 $0.25   150,000  8/2/2023
   2009  9/9/2014 $2.60   50,000  9/9/2024
Total Options            412,000   

(6)Dr. Mitchell beneficially owns 199,661 shares of common stock of which 99,824 shares are held by Shirley Mitchell (Spouse), 49,174 shares are held by the Aesclepius Irrevocable Trust (Shirley Mitchell Trustee), and 50,663 shares are held by the Aesclepius Irrevocable Trust II (William Mitchell Trustee).
(7)Dr. Kiani is a member of our Board of Directors who owns 630,886 shares of common stock and beneficially owns 250,000 shares issuable upon exercise of:

Options Plan  Date
Issued
 Exercise
Price
  Number
Of Shares
  Expiration
Date
   2009  6/5/2012 $0.29   100,000  6/6/2022
   2009  8/2/2013 $0.25   150,000  8/2/2023
Total Options            250,000   

(8)Mr. Springate is our Senior Vice President of Operations and owns 103,521 shares of common stock and beneficially owns 286,812 shares issuable upon exercise of:

Options Plan  Date
Issued
 Exercise
Price
  Number
Of Shares
  Expiration
Date
   2004  11/20/2006 $2.20   5,000  11/20/2016
   2004  5/1/2007 $1.78   20,000  5/1/2017
   2004  12/6/2007 $1.30   20,000  12/6/2017
   2009  5/31/2011 $0.55   90,000  5/31/2021
   2009  6/5/2012 $0.29   50,000  6/5/2022
   2009  5/9/2013 $0.24   50,000  5/9/2023
   2009  6/6/2014 $0.36   50,000  6/6/2024
   2009  12/8/2014 $1.90   1,812  12/8/2024
Total Options            286,812   

(9)Dr. Strayer is our Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director that has ownership of 287,681 shares of common stock and beneficially owns 180,000 shares issuable upon exercise of:

Options Plan  Date
Issued
 Exercise
Issued
  Number
Of Shares
  Expiration
Date
   2004  11/20/2006 $2.20   15,000  11/20/2016
   2004  1/23/2007 $2.37   20,000  1/23/2017
   2004  9/10/2007 $2.00   50,000  9/9/2017
   2004  12/6/2007 $1.30   25,000  12/6/2017
   2004  2/18/2008 $4.00   50,000  2/18/2018
   2009  4/13/2012 $4.03   10,000  4/13/2022
   2009  12/8/2014 $1.90   10,000  12/8/2024
Total Options            180,000   

41 

PROPOSALS TO STOCKHOLDERS

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Each nominee to the Board of Directors will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders, or until his earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.

Unless otherwise specified, the enclosed proxy will be voted in favor of the election of Thomas K. Equels, William M. Mitchell, Peter W. Rodino, III and Sam Garruto. Information is furnished below with respect to all nominees.

We believe our Board Members represent a desirable diversity of backgrounds, skills, education and experiences, and they all share the personal attributes of dedication to be effective directors. In recommending Board candidates, Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee considers a candidate’s: (1) general understanding of elements relevant to the success of a publicly traded company in the current business environment; (2) understanding of our business; and (3) diversity in educational and professional background. The Committee also gives consideration to a candidate’s judgment, competence, dedication and anticipated participation in Board activities along with experience, geographic location and special talents or personal attributes. The following are qualifications, experience and skills for Board members which are important to Hemispherx’ business and its future:

Leadership Experience: We seek directors who have demonstrated strong leadership qualities. Such leaders bring diverse perspectives and broad business insight to our Company. The relevant leadership experience that we seek includes a past or current leadership role in a large or entrepreneurial company, a senior faculty position at a prominent educational institution or a past elected or appointed senior government position.

Industry or Academic Experience: We seek directors who have relevant industry experience, both with respect to the disease areas where we are developing new therapies as well as with the economic and competitive dynamics of pharmaceutical markets, including those in which our drugs will be prescribed.

Scientific, Legal or Regulatory Experience: Given the highly technical and specialized nature of biotechnology, we desire that certain of our directors have advanced degrees, as well as drug development experience. Since we are subject to substantial regulatory oversight, both here and abroad by the FDA and other agencies, we also desire directors who have legal or regulatory experience.

Finance Experience: We believe that our directors should possess an understanding of finance and related reporting processes, particularly given the complex budgets and long timelines associated with drug development programs.

Messrs. Equels and Rodino and Dr. Mitchel have been directors of the Company. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee recommended Mr. Garruto to be a nominee for Director, replacing Dr. Kiani. Mr. Garruto was recommended to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee by Mr. Rodino, one of our independent directors.

THOMAS K. EQUELS, Esq.,has been a Director and serves as our Executive Vice Chairman (since 2008), Chief Executive Officer (since 2016), President (since 2015), Secretary (since 2008) and General Counsel (since 2010). For the period December 2, 2013 when Charles T. Bernhardt resigned as Chief Financial Officer through February 2016, Mr. Equels served as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Equels resigned as Chief Financial Officer on February 21, 2016 upon Adam Pascale, being promoted to the same position. Mr. Equels is the President and Managing Director of the Equels Law Firm headquartered in Miami, Florida that focuses on litigation. For over a quarter century, Mr. Equels has represented national and state governments as well as companies in the banking, insurance, aviation, pharmaceutical and construction industries. Mr. Equels received his Juris Doctor degree with high honors from Florida State University. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Troy University and also obtained his Masters' Degree from Troy. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association and the American Bar Association.


THOMAS K. EQUELS, Esq.- Director Qualifications:

Leadership Experience – President, Managing Director of Equels Law Firm;
Industry Experience –legal counsel to Hemispherx; and
Scientific, Legal or Regulatory Experience - Law degree with over 25 years as a practicing attorney specializing in litigation.

PETER W. RODINO IIIwas appointed a Director in July 2013.On September 16, 2015, the Board appointed Mr. Rodino as Lead Directorand he also serves as Chairman and Financial Expert of the Audit Committee, a member of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Governance and Nomination Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Rodino has broad legal, financial, and executive experience. In addition to being President of Rodino Consulting LLC and managing partner at several law firms during his many years as a practicing attorney, he served as Chairman and CEO of Crossroads Health Plan, the first major Health Maintenance Organization in New Jersey. He also has had experience as an investment executive in the securities industry and acted as trustee in numerous Chapter 11 complex corporate reorganizations. For approximately 20 years, as founder and president of Rodino Consulting, Mr. Rodino has provided business and government relations consulting services to smaller companies with a focus on helping them develop business plans, implement marketing strategies and acquire investment capital. Mr. Rodino holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University and a J.D. degree from Seton Hall University.

PETER W. RODINOIII- Director Qualifications:

Leadership Experience – Managing partner at several law firms during his many years as a practicing attorney;
Industry Experience - Chairman and CEO of Crossroads Health Plan, the first major Health Maintenance Organization in New Jersey;
Scientific, Legal or Regulatory Experience – Investment executive in the securities industry and acted as trustee in numerous Chapter 11 complex corporate reorganizations; and
Finance Experience – Business and government relations consulting services to smaller companies with a focus on helping them develop business plans, implement marketing strategies and acquire investment capital.

WILLIAM M. MITCHELL, M.D., Ph.D., has been a Director since July 1998. On February 17, 2016, Dr. Mitchell was appointed as Chairman of the Board upon Dr. Carter’s termination. Dr. Mitchell is a Professor of Pathology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and is a board certified physician. Dr. Mitchell earned a M.D. from Vanderbilt and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, where he served as House Officer in Internal Medicine, followed by a Fellowship at its School of Medicine. Dr. Mitchell has published over 200 papers, reviews and abstracts that relate to viruses, anti-viral drugs, immune responses to HIV infection, and other biomedical topics. Dr. Mitchell has worked for and with many professional societies that have included the American Society of Investigative Pathology, the International Society for Antiviral Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the American Society of Microbiology. Dr. Mitchell is a member of the American Medical Association. He has served on numerous government review committees, among them the National Institutes of Health, AIDS and Related Research Review Group. Dr. Mitchell previously served as one of our Directors from 1987 to 1989.

WILLIAM M. MITCHELL, M.D., Ph.D. - Director Qualifications:

Leadership Experience – Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Chronix Biomedical and is Chairman of its Medical Advisory Board. Additionally, he has served on multiple governmental review committees of the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for the European Union, including key roles as Chairman;
Academic and Industry Experience – Well published medical researcher with extensive investigative experience on virus and immunology issues relevant to the scientific business of Hemispherx along with being a Director of an entrepreneurial diagnostic company (Chronix Biomedical) that is involved in next generation DNA sequencing for medical diagnostics; and

Scientific, Legal or Regulatory Experience - M.D., Ph.D. and professor at a top ranked school of medicine, and inventor of record on numerous U.S. and international patents who is experienced in regulatory affairs through filings with the FDA.

SAM GARRUTO, CPA is a certified public accountant, possesses 40 years of experience in Accounting and Consulting and is one of the foremost authorities in Healthcare Consulting and accounting. A retired audit partner with CohnReznick, one of the Top 11 accounting firms in the U.S., he functioned as an audit partner as well as a business development specialist for audit/tax and consulting engagements and as a client relationship strategist. He joined CohnReznick in 1998 where he pioneered entry into new markets which included healthcare, insurance and biotech.

Mr. Garruto is experienced with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for both public and best practices by private companies and the new rules governing healthcare reform (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Kessler Foundation. He has previously served as the Chairman of the Audit and Compliance Committee for Children’s Specialized Hospital. Mr. Garruto acted as the financial advisor in the sale of one of the largest private hospitals in the nation (Kessler Rehabilitation Corporation) to a public company. He was the Chairman of the Board of one of New Jersey’s largest Preferred Provider Organizations (Consumer Health Network) and Vice Chairman of New Jersey’s first privately owned Health Maintenance Organization (Crossroads Health Plan). Both companies were sold under his leadership and guidance to public companies. Mr. Garruto graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1970 and did his Post Graduate work at Rutgers University. The Board has determined Mr. Garruto to be an Independent Director as required under Section 803(2) of the NYSE: MKT Company Guide and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

SAM GARRUTO - Director Qualifications:

Leadership Experience –has served in leadership positions on numerous Boards and other organizations;
Industry Experience –foremost authority in Healthcare accounting and consulting. Serves on the Board of Trustees of the Kessler Foundation;
Regulatory Experience – experienced with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and new rules on Healthcare reform; and
Financial Expert – over 40 years of accounting and audit experience.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS PROPOSAL NO. 1 TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HEMISPHERX AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL FOUR OF THE ABOVE-NAMED NOMINEE DIRECTORS OF HEMISPHERX.

44 

PROPOSAL NO. 2

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has appointed the firm of RSM US LLP (“RSM”) as independent registered public accountants of Hemispherx for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, subject to ratification by the stockholders. RSM has served as Hemispherx's independent registered public accountant since November 2006.

All audit and professional services are approved in advance by the Audit Committee to assure such services do not impair the auditor’s independence from us. The total fees by RSM for 2015 and 2014 were $327,000 and $275,500 respectively. The following table shows the aggregate fees for professional services rendered during the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

  Amount ($) 
  2015  2014 
Description of Fees:        
Audit Fees $269,000  $256,000 
Audit-Related Fees  58,000   13,000 
Tax Fees      
All Other Fees      
Total $327,000  $275,500 

Audit Fees

Audit fees include the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of our financial statements included in our quarterly reports and services in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.

Audit-Related Fees

Represents the fees for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements. Audit-related fees include professional services related to the Company’s filing of SEC Form S-3 and S-8 (i.e., stock shelf offering procedures).

The Audit Committee has determined that RSM’s rendering of these audit-related services and all other fees were compatible with maintaining auditor’s independence. The Board of Directors considered RSM to be well qualified to serve as our independent public accountants. The Committee also pre-approved the charges for services performed in 2014 and 2013.

The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing and accounting services and the terms thereof (which may include providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwriting) and non-audit services (other than non-audit services prohibited under Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act or the applicable rules of the SEC or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) to be provided to us by the independent auditor; provided, however, the pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provisions of non-audit services for us if the “de minimus” provisions of Section 10A (i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act are satisfied. This authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated to one or more members of the Audit Committee, who shall present all decisions to pre-approve an activity to the full Audit Committee at its first meeting following such decision.


Representative(s) of RSM are scheduled to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS PROPOSAL NO. 2 TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HEMISPHERX AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL THEREOF.

46 

PROPOSAL NO. 3

AUTHORIZE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO AMEND CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF OUR OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.

General

The Board has recommended that our stockholders amend our current Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Current Certificate”) to authorize a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock at a ratio of not less than 8-to-1 and not more than 12-to-1, with the Board having the discretion as to whether or not the Reverse Stock Split is to be effected, and with the exact ratio of any reverse split (the “Ratio”) to be set within the above range as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. If this proposal is approved by our stockholders, the Board would have the discretion to file a certificate of amendment (the “Reverse Stock Split Amendment”) to the Current Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware effecting the Reverse Stock Split or to abandon the Reverse Stock Split altogether.

The Reverse Stock Split Amendment will effect the Reverse Stock Split by reducing the number of outstanding shares of common based on the Ratio selected by the Board, but will not increase the par value of Common Stockand will not change the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock. If implemented, the number of shares of our Common Stock owned by each of our stockholders will be reduced by the same proportion as the reduction in the total number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding, so that the percentage of our outstanding Common Stock owned by each of our stockholders will remain approximately the same, except to the extent that the Reverse Stock Split could result in some or all of our stockholders receiving one share of Common Stock in lieu of a fractional share. The proposed amendment to the Current Certificate (the “Reverse Stock Split Amendment”) under this Proposal No. 3 is set forth in Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.

A copy of the Current Certificate was filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, File No. 1-13441, as filed with the SEC on September 16, 2011.

While we have the right to issue preferred stock, no shares of preferred stock are issued or outstanding and we do not have any current plans to issue preferred stock. The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the Company’s authorized but unissued preferred stock.

Background and Purpose of the Proposed Reverse Stock Split

As of the date of the mailing of this proxy statement, our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “HEB.” On March 15, 2016, we receivedwritten notice from the NYC MKT LLC that we are not in compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Section 1003(f)(v) of the NYSE MKT Company Guide because our Common Stock has been selling for a low price per share for a substantial period of time. The NYSE MKT has determined that the continued listing of our Common Stock is predicated on us effecting a reverse stock split of our Common Stock or otherwise demonstrating “sustained price improvement within a reasonable period of time”. While the NYSE MKT does not define the foregoing, the notice from NYSE MKT notes that the closing price of our Common Stock closed at or below $0.20 per share since July 17, 2015 and, more recently, had a 30 day average closing price of $0.14. The Company has until September 15, 2016 to demonstrate compliance.

In the event that NYSE MKT determines that we have not timely cured the foregoing deficiency, it most likely will initiate delisting proceedings.


Our Board of Directors believes that, continued listing on the NYSE MKT is crucial to our ability to finally succeed now that we have made significant management and business changes.

The Board has considered the potential harm to us and our stockholders should NYSE MKT delist our Common Stock from The NYSE MKT. The Board believes that delisting from NYSE MKT would significantly affect the ability of our stockholders to trade our securities and adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing through the public or private sale of equity securities. Delisting would also negatively affect the value and liquidity of our Common Stock because alternatives, such as the OTC Bulletin Board or one of the OTC Markets marketplaces, are generally considered to be less efficient markets. An investor likely would find it less convenient to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations in seeking to buy, our Common Stock on an over-the-counter market. Many investors likely would not buy or sell our Common Stock due to difficulty in accessing over-the-counter markets, policies preventing them from trading in securities not listed on a national exchange or other reasons. Delisting also could have other negative results, including the potential loss of confidence by employees, the loss of institutional investor interest and fewer business development opportunities. If our Common Stock is delisted from the NYSE MKT, the Board believes that the trading market for our Common Stock could become significantly less liquid, which could reduce the trading price of our Common Stock and increase the transaction costs of trading in shares of our Common Stock.

Our Board also believes that the increased market price of our Common Stock expected as a result of implementing a reverse stock split could improve the marketability and liquidity of our Common Stock and could encourage interest and trading in our Common Stock. A reverse stock split could allow a broader range of institutions to invest in our stock (namely, funds that are prohibited from buying stocks whose price is below a certain threshold), potentially increasing the liquidity of our Common Stock. A reverse stock split could help increase analyst and broker interest in our stock as their policies can discourage them from following or recommending companies with low stock prices. Because of the trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks, many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. Some of those policies and practices may make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Additionally, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, a low average price per share of Common Stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were higher.

The primary purpose of the Reverse Stock Split is to decrease the total number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding and increase the market price of our Common Stock. The Board intends to effect the Reverse Stock Split only if it believes that a decrease in the number of shares outstanding is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders and is likely to improve the trading price of our Common Stock and improve the likelihood that we will be allowed to maintain our listing on the NYSE MKT.If stockholders approve the Reverse Stock Split no further action on the part of the stockholders will be required to either effect or abandon the Reverse Stock Split.

If the Reverse Stock Split proposal is approved by our stockholders, the Board will have the discretion to implement the Reverse Stock Split or to not effect the Reverse Stock Split at all. If stockholders approve the Reverse Stock Split at the Annual Meeting, the Board currently intends to effect the Reverse Stock Split immediately following the Meeting unless it determines that doing so would not have the desired effect of maintaining the listing of our Common Stock on the NYSE MKT. If the trading price of our Common Stock increases without the Reverse Stock Split, the Reverse Stock Split may not be necessary. Following the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, there can be no assurance that the market price of our Common Stock will rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of outstanding shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split or that the market price of the post-split Common Stock will show “sustained price improvement”. There also can be no assurance that our Common Stock will not be delisted from the NYSE MKT for other reasons.

The market price of our Common Stock is dependent upon our performance and other factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding. If the Reverse Stock Split is effected and the market price of our Common Stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of the Reverse Stock Split. Furthermore, the reduced number of shares that will be outstanding after the Reverse Stock Split could significantly reduce the trading volume and otherwise adversely affect the liquidity of our Common Stock.


If our stockholders do not approve the Reverse Stock Split proposal and the minimum closing bid price of our Common Stock does not otherwise show “sustained price improvement”, we expect that our Common Stock will be delisted from the NYSE MKT.

We have not proposed the Reverse Stock Split in response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate our shares of Common Stock or obtain control of Hemispherx, nor is it a plan by management to recommend a series of similar actions to our Board or our stockholders. Notwithstanding the decrease in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split, our Board does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, we have not proposed the Reverse Stock Split, with its corresponding proportionate increase in the authorized and unissued number of shares of Common Stock, with the intention of using the additional shares for anti-takeover purposes, although we could theoretically use the additional shares to make more difficult or to discourage an attempt to acquire control of the Company.

We do not believe that our officers or directors have interests in this proposal that are different from or greater than those of any other of our stockholders.

Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

If the Reverse Stock Split is approved and implemented, the principal effect will be to proportionately decrease the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock based on the Reverse Stock Split ratio selected by our Board. Pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split, each holder of our Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split (“Old Common Stock”) will become the holder of fewer shares of our Common Stock (“New Common Stock”) after consummation of the Reverse Stock Split.

Although the Reverse Stock Split will not, by itself, impact our assets or prospects, the Reverse Stock Split could result in a decrease in the aggregate market value of our Common Stock. The Board believes that this risk is outweighed by the benefits of continued listing of our Common Stock on the NYSE MKT.

If effected, the Reverse Stock Split will result in some stockholders owning “odd-lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock. Brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd-lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions in “round-lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.

The Reverse Stock Split will affect all stockholders equally and will not affect any stockholder’s proportionate equity interest in the Company, except for those stockholders who receive an additional share of our Common Stock in lieu of a fractional share. None of the rights currently accruing to holders of our Common Stock will be affected by the Reverse Stock Split. Following the Reverse Stock Split, each share of New Common Stock will entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share and will otherwise be identical to Old Common Stock. The Reverse Stock Split also will have no effect on the number of authorized shares of our common stock. The shares of New Common Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable.

The par value per share of the Common Stock will remain unchanged at $0.001 per share after the Reverse Stock Split. As a result, on the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split, if any, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to the Common Stock will be reduced proportionately based on the Reverse Stock Split ratio selected by the Board of Directors, from its present amount, and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. After the Reverse Stock Split, net income or loss per share and other per share amounts will be increased because there will be fewer shares of our Common Stock outstanding. In future financial statements, net income or loss per share and other per share amounts for periods ending before the Reverse Stock Split would be recast to give retroactive effect to the Reverse Stock Split. As described below under “Effects of the Reverse Stock Split on Outstanding Options and Warrants to Purchase Common Stock,” the per share exercise price of outstanding option awards and warrants would increase proportionately, and the number of shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants would decrease proportionately, in each case based on t the Reverse Stock Split ratio selected by the Board of Directors. We do not anticipate that any other accounting consequences would arise as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.


We are currently authorized to issue a maximum of 350,000,000 shares of our Common Stock. As of the June 7, 2016, there were 248,199,086 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding. Although the number of authorized shares of our common stock will not change as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding will be reduced based on the Reverse Stock Split ratio selected by the Board. Thus, the Reverse Stock Split will effectively increase the number of authorized and unissued shares of our common stock available for future issuance by the amount of the reduction effected by the Reverse Stock Split. Conversely, with respect to the number of shares reserved for issuance under our Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”), our Board will adjust such reserve in accordance with the terms of the 2009 Plan. As of June 7, 2016, there were 22,000,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 2009 Plan, of which 7,113,025 remained available for future awards, and following the Reverse Stock Split, if any, such reserve will be reduced based on the Reverse Stock Split ratio selected by the Board of Directors.

Following the Reverse Stock Split, the Board will have the authority, subject to applicable securities laws, to issue all authorized and unissued shares without further stockholder approval, upon such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our Current Certificate of Incorporation restricts the number of authorized shares that we can issue for fund raising purposes absent additional stockholder approval (the “Issuance Limitations”). As of June 7, 2016, 5,365,463 of our authorized but unreserved shares of Common Stock are subject to this restriction. Please see “Increase of Shares of Common Stock Available for Future Issuance” below.

As of June 7, 2016, 248,199,086 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, 22,000,000 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options under the 2009 Plan, 7,113,025 unissued shares of Common Stock were reserved for future issuance under our 2019 Plan, 1,766,196 unissued shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon the future exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock, and 71,018,539 unissued shares of Common Stock were reserved for future issuance under our Equity Distribution Agreement with Chardan Capital Markets, leaving approximately 8,209,905 shares of Common Stock unissued and unreserved. Our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of additional shares of Common Stock in excess of our remaining authorized shares of Common Stock without effecting the Reverse Stock Split is limited.

Effects of the Reverse Stock Split on Outstanding Options and Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

If the Reverse Stock Split is effected, all outstanding options and warrants entitling their holders to purchase shares of our Common Stock will be proportionately reduced by our Board in the same ratio as the reduction in the number of shares of outstanding Common Stock, except that any fractional shares resulting from such reduction will be rounded down to the nearest whole share. Correspondingly, the per share exercise price of such options or warrants will be increased in direct proportion to the Reverse Stock Split ratio selected by the Board, so that the aggregate dollar amount payable for the purchase of the shares subject to the options and warrants will remain unchanged.

Shares of Common Stock Issued and Outstanding

With the exception of the number of shares issued and outstanding, the rights and preferences of the shares of our Common Stock prior and subsequent to the Reverse Stock Split will remain the same. After the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split, we do not anticipate that our financial condition, the percentage ownership of management, the number of our stockholders, or any aspect of our business would materially change as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.

Our Common Stock is currently registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and as a result, we are subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. If effected, the proposed Reverse Stock Split will not affect the registration of our Common Stock under the Exchange Act or our periodic or other reporting requirements thereunder.

Increase of Shares of Common Stock Available for Future Issuance

As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, there will be a reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding, and, effectively, an associated increase in the number of authorized shares that would be unissued and available for future issuance after the Reverse Stock Split. Such shares could be used for any proper corporate purpose approved by the board of directors including, among other purposes, future financing transactions.


We do not currently have any plans, proposals or understandings to issue the additional shares that would be available if the Reverse Stock Split is approved and effected.

Holders of our Common Stock have no preemptive or other subscription rights.

Effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split

The Reverse Stock Split, if approved by our stockholders, will become effective upon the filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of a certificate of amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation in the form approved by the Board. The exact timing of the filing of the Reverse Stock Split Amendment will be determined by the Board based upon its evaluation of when such action will be most advantageous to the Company and our stockholders. The Board reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further action by our stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split if, at any time prior to filing such Reverse Stock Split Amendment, the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. The Board currently intends to effect the Reverse Stock Split unless it determines that doing so would not have the desired effect of maintaining the listing of our Common Stock on the NYSE MKT.

Effect on Registered and Beneficial Stockholders

Upon the Reverse Stock Split, the Company intends to treat stockholders holding shares of our Common Stock in “street name” (that is, held through a bank, broker or other nominee) in the same manner as stockholders of record whose shares of Common Stock are registered in their names. Banks, brokers or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding shares of our Common Stock in “street name;” however, these banks, brokers or other nominees may apply their own specific procedures for processing the Reverse Stock Split. If you hold your shares of our Common Stock with a bank, broker or other nominee, and have any questions in this regard, we encourage you to contact your nominee.

Effect on “Book-Entry” Stockholders of Record

Our stockholders of record may hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form. These stockholders will not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of our Common Stock. They are, however, provided with a statement reflecting the number of shares of Common Stock registered in their accounts.

If you hold registered shares of Old Common Stock in a book-entry form, you do not need to take any action to receive your shares of New Common Stock in registered book-entry form, if applicable. A transaction statement will automatically be sent to your address of record as soon as practicable after the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split indicating the number of shares of New Common Stock you hold.

Effect on Registered Certificated Shares

Some stockholders of record hold their shares of our Common Stock in certificate form or a combination of certificate and book-entry form. If any of your shares of our Common Stock are held in certificate form, you will receive a transmittal letter from the Company’s transfer agent as soon as practicable after the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, if any. The transmittal letter will be accompanied by instructions specifying how to exchange your certificate representing the Old Common Stock for a statement of holding or a certificate of New Common Stock.

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STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.

Fractional Shares

Fractional shares will not be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Each stockholder who would otherwise hold a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Stock Split will receive one share of Common Stock in lieu of such fractional share.

No Appraisal Rights

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to appraisal or dissenter’s rights with respect to the Reverse Stock Split, and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.

Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to U.S. holders (as defined below). This discussion is included for general information purposes only and does not purport to address all aspects of U.S. federal income tax law that may be relevant to U.S. holders in light of their particular circumstances. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and current Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, and any such change could affect the continuing validity of this discussion.

STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, OR FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.

This discussion does not address tax consequences to stockholders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding companies, U.S. holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, partnerships (or other flow-through entities for U.S. federal income purposes and their partners or members), persons who acquired their shares in connection with employment or other performance of services, broker-dealers, foreign entities, nonresident alien individuals and tax-exempt entities. This summary also assumes that the Old Common Stock shares were, and the New Common stock shares will be, held as a “capital asset,” as defined in Section 1221 of the Code.

As used herein, the term “U.S. holder” means a holder that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

·an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
·a corporation or other entity taxed as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof;
·an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or
·a trust (A) if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more “U.S. persons” (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has a valid election in effect to be treated as a U.S. person.

Other than with respect to any stockholder that receives a full share in lieu of a fractional share, a stockholder generally will not recognize a gain or loss by reason of such stockholder’s receipt of shares of New Common Stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split solely in exchange for shares of Old Common Stock held by such stockholder immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split. A stockholder’s aggregate tax basis in the shares of New Common Stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split (including any fractional shares) will equal the stockholder’s aggregate basis in the Old Common Stock exchanged therefore and will be allocated among the shares of New Common Stock received in the Reverse Stock Split on a pro-rata basis. Stockholders who have used the specific identification method to identify their basis in the shares of Old Common Stock held immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split should consult their own tax advisers to determine their basis in the shares of New Common Stock received in exchange therefor in the Reverse Stock Split. A stockholder’s holding period in the shares of New Common Stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split will include the stockholder’s holding period in the shares of Old Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefore, provided the shares of Old Common Stock surrendered are held as capital assets at the time of the Reverse Stock Split.


The tax treatment of the receipt of a full share of New Common Stock in lieu of a fractional share is unclear. Stockholders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the consequences to them of receiving such a full share in lieu of a fractional share.

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

Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation

Assuming a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock is required for the approval of Proposal No. 3. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for purposes of determining if a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a negative vote on the outcome of this proposal. No appraisal rights are available under Delaware Law or under the Current Certificate or the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws to any stockholder who dissents from this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS

THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 3.

53 

PROPOSAL NO. 4

ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE APPROVING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We are asking our stockholders to provide advisory approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”), as we have described at length in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement. While this vote is advisory and not binding on our Company relating to the compensation of our NEOs that almost entirely are contractually committed with generally no opportunity to revisit these prior decisions, your vote will provide investor sentiment to our Compensation Committee regarding our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices. As a result of the vote, the Committee will be able to consider this sentiment when determining future executive compensation. For information on our 2015 executive compensation program, please see the “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” section.

Results of Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At the September 16, 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Stockholders did not approve the annual, non-binding advisory vote on Executive Compensation.

Our Compensation Committee reviews its executive compensation policies annually and takes into account the results of prior say-on-pay advisory votes. After reviewing the results of the 2011 say-on-pay advisory vote, the Committee had:

Developed Company-wide goals and objectives with the intent to increase Stockholder value, enhance the “pay for performance” concept, attempted to address the needs of patients and enhance financial factors such as raising capital, reestablishing revenue streams, cost containment and/or improving the results of operations;
Attempted to reinforce a Pay for Performance environment for the Executive Team with emphasis of sharing the economic goals of the Stockholders;
Reviewed the Executive Team’s Company-wide goals and individual’s specific goals in relation to each job performance for each given year. In its review of each member of the Executive Team, the Committee utilized a weighted-average rating process regarding the goals and responsibilities specific to each individual as well as their contribution in meeting Company’s overall goals;
Reviewed peer group financial data of comparable publicly-traded companies for 2011 and 2010 with emphasis on a comparison of executive compensation as a factor to various Balance Sheet ratios to determine reasonableness to the respective companies;
Considered the change in the market value of the Company’s stock during the year in relation to Management’s efforts and ability to impact the results;
Mandated that the standard terms of future employee options issued by the Company require that such options not vest sooner than one year from the date of issuance and that, to the extent that any such options have not vested on the date of an Executive’s termination, the options will expire;
Issued new options to employees at the rate of 110% of the Company’s NYSE MKT stock market trading value at the time of award; and
Adopted a policy to facilitate compliance with Dodd-Frank’s Claw-Back Compensation Recoupment provisions.

The Committee reviewed the results of the 2015 say-on-pay advisory vote and its executive compensation policies. In January 2016, in an effort to better incentivize top management and align top management’s compensation with their performance on behalf of the Company, the Committee created the 2016 Senior Executive Deferred Cash Performance Award Plan. The two participants were Dr. William A. Carter, the Company’s former Chairman of the Board, former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, and Thomas K. Equels, the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, Secretary, and General Counsel. See Item 7-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations; Liquidity and Capital Resources;The Executive Plan” in PART II.

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Process

Our Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the compensation of our NEO included in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. For purposes of determining compensation for our NEO, our Compensation Committee takes into account the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for overseeing our incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, under which stock option grants have been made to employees, including the NEO, as well as non-employee Directors and strategic consultants.

The following table summarizes the roles of each of the key participants in the executive compensation decision-making process:

Compensation CommitteeFulfills the Board of Directors' responsibilities relating to compensation of Hemispherx’ NEO, other non-officer Executives and non-Executives.
   
 Oversees implementationEach of our directors and administration of Hemispherx’ compensationNEOs; and employee benefits programs, including incentive compensation and equity compensation plans.
   
 ReviewsAll of our officers and approves Hemispherx’ goals and objectives and, in light of these, evaluates each NEO's performance and sets their annual base salary, annual incentive opportunity, long-term incentive opportunity and any special/supplemental benefits or payments.directors as a group.
   
 Reviews and approves compensation for all other non-officer ExecutivesThe total number of Hemispherx including annual base salary, annual incentive opportunity, long-term incentive opportunity and any special/supplemental benefits or payments.
In consultation with the CEO and CFO, reviews the talent development process within Hemispherx to ensure it is effectively managed and sufficient to undertake successful succession planning.
Reviews and approves employment agreements, severance arrangements, issuancesshares of equity compensation and change in control agreements.
Chairman and CEOPresents to the Compensation Committee the overall performance evaluation of, and compensation recommendations for, eachcommon stock as of the NEO and other non-officer Executives.
Chief Financial Officer and Director of Human ResourcesReports directly or indirectly to the Chief Executive Officer.
Assists the Compensation Committee with the data for competitive pay and benchmarking purposes.
Reviews relevant market data and advises the Compensation Committee on interpretation of information, including cost of living statistics, within the framework of Hemispherx.
Informs the Compensation Committee of regulatory developments and how these may affect Hemispherx’ compensation program.Record Date, October 2, 2023, was 48,797,564.

 

Name and Address of Shares Beneficially  % Of Shares Beneficially 
Beneficial Owner Owned  Owned 
The Kellner Group (collectively, Messrs. Todd Deutsch and Ted. D. Kellner)    3,159,100(1)  6.5%
         
Thomas K. Equels, Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President  [●](2)  [●]%
         
Peter W. Rodino III, Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, Secretary    [●](3)  * 
         
William M. Mitchell, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors    [●](4)  * 
         
Stewart L. Appelrouth, Director    [●](5)  * 
         
Nancy K. Bryan, Director    [●]   * 
         
Robert Dickey IV, Chief Financial Officer    [●](6)  * 
         
Ellen Lintal, Former Chief Financial Officer  [●](7)  * 
         
All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons)    [●]   [●]%

* Less than 1%

55 

44

 

 

Objectives(1) Represents shares of common stock beneficially owned as of August 28, 2023, based on a Schedule 13D/A filed on August 28, 2023, by Messrs. Deutsch and PhilosophyKellner. Messrs. Deutsch and Kellner list their address as c/o Baker & Hostetler LLP, 127 Public Square, Suite 2000, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, Attn: John J. Harrington. Represents 1,716,100 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Deutsch and 1,443,000 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Kellner.

(2) For Mr. Equels, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise of Executiveoptions and excludes [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options not vested or not exercisable within the next 60 days.

(3) For Mr. Rodino, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options and excludes [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options not vested or not exercisable within the next 60 days.

(4) For Dr. Mitchell, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options and excludes [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options not vested or not exercisable within the next 60 days. Also includes [●] shares of common stock owned by his spouse and [●] shares owned by family trusts.

(5) For Mr. Appelrouth, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options and excludes [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options not vested or not exercisable within the next 60 days.

(6) For Mr. Dickey IV, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options.

(7) For Ms. Lintal, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options. Ms. Lintal stepped down as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on April 4, 2022.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The primary objectives of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors with respect to Executive compensation are to attract and retain the most talented and dedicated Executives possible, to tie annual and long-term cash and stock incentives to achievement of measurable performance objectives, and to align Executives' incentives with stockholder value creation. To achieve these objectives, the Compensation Committee expects to implement and maintain compensation plans that tie a substantial portion of Executives' overall compensation to key strategic financial and operational goals such as the establishment and maintenance of key strategic relationships, the development of our products, the identification and advancement of additional products and the performance offollowing table gives information about our common stock price. The Compensation Committee evaluates individual Executive performance withthat may be issued upon the goalexercise of settingoptions, warrants and rights under all of our equity compensation at levels the Committee believes are comparable with Executives in other companiesplans as of similar size and stage of development operating in the biotechnology industry while taking into account our relative performance, our own strategic goals, governmental regulations and the results of Stockholder Advisory Votes regarding executive compensation.December 31, 2022.

 

Use of Compensation Data

Our compensation plans are developed by utilizing publicly available compensation data for national and regional companies in the biopharmaceutical industry as well as web sites that specialize in compensation and/or employment data. We believe that the practices of this group of companies and/or data obtained from employment industry organizations, provide us with appropriate compensation benchmarks necessary to review the compensation recommendations by the CEO, CFO and/or Human Resources Department. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Committee did not engage the services of an independent compensation consultant, but alternatively utilized web-based organizations and data bases such as Salary.com, to help them analyze compensation data and compare our programs with the practices of similar national and/or regional companies represented in the biopharmaceutical industry. In February 2016, the Board of Directors, based upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee approved the engagement of an independent compensation consultant to ensure compensation arrangements are in line with industry standards. The Compensation Committee recommended the consultant based upon candidates suggested to it by its independent counsel.

Elements of Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee has adopted a mix among the compensation elements in order to further our compensation goals. The elements include:

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
(excluding
securities
reflected in
column (a))
 
  (a)   (b)  (c) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:  2,599,370  $4.03   466,120 
             
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:  288,077  $9.10    
             
Total  2,887,447  $4.54   466,120 

 

Base salary (impacted by cost of living adjustments);
Variable compensation consisting of a cash bonus based upon individual and overall Company performance;
Performance incentive bonus based on the accomplishment of Company sales milestones or activity;
Long-term bonus incentive programs consisting of the Employee Bonus Pool Program;
Stock option grants with exercise prices set in excess of fair market value at the time of grant and, effective December 2011, not vesting sooner than one year from the date of issuance; and
Adoption of a policy to facilitate compliance with Dodd-Frank’s Claw-Back Compensation Recoupment provisions.

Your vote is requested. We believe that the information we've provided within the “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” section of this proxy statement demonstrates that our executive compensation program was designed appropriately and is working to ensure Management's interests are aligned with our stockholders' interests to support long-term value creation. Accordingly, the Board of Directors recommends that stockholders approve the program by approving the following advisory resolution:

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the individuals identified in the Summary Compensation Table, as disclosed in the Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including Item 402 of Regulation S-K (which disclosure includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, the compensation tables and the accompanying footnotes and narratives within the EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION section of this proxy statement).

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS PROPOSAL NO. 4 TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HEMISPHERX AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL THEREOF.

56 

45

 

 

GENERALPROPOSAL 4

 

Unless contrary instructions are indicatedADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Board provides stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the Proxy Statement, all sharesfrequency of common stock represented by valid proxies received pursuantfuture advisory votes to this solicitation (and not revoked before they are voted) will be voted FORapprove the electioncompensation of all Directors nominated, FORour named executive officers. This Proposal No. 2, FOR Proposal No. 3, and FOR Proposal No. 4.Four, commonly known as a “say on frequency” proposal, gives you the opportunity to indicate whether you prefer that we conduct future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers every year, every two years or every three years.

 

The Board has determined that our stockholders should vote on the compensation of Directors knowsour named executive officers each year. In reaching this recommendation, the Board considered that holding an annual advisory vote to approve executive compensation allows our stockholders to provide direct input on our compensation practices and policies as disclosed in our proxy statement each year. An annual advisory vote also provides our Compensation Committee with the opportunity to consider stockholder feedback when evaluating its compensation decisions and facilitates our efforts to communicate with our stockholders.

You will be able to specify one of no business other than that set forth abovefour choices with respect to be transacted at the meeting, but if other matters requiring a vote of the stockholders arise, the persons designated as proxies will vote the shares of common stock represented by the proxies in accordance with their judgment on such matters. If a stockholder specifies a different choicethis proposal on the proxy hiscard: one year, two years, three years or her sharesabstain. Although this advisory vote on the frequency of common stockfuture advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers is nonbinding, the Board will carefully review and consider the voting results when determining the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers.

The voting frequency option that receives the highest number of votes cast by stockholders will be voted in accordance withdeemed the specification so made.frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been selected by stockholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have No effect on the outcome of this proposal.

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR A “Annual Report on Form 10-K1 YEAR” FREQUENCY FOR
FUTURE STOCKHOLDER ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

 

46

Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, including financial statements, exhibits and any amendments thereto, as filed with the SEC may be obtained without charge upon written request to: Corporate Secretary, Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc., 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. You can also get copies of our filings made with the SEC, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, by visiting http://www.hemispherx.net and located under the tab entitled “Investor Relations”, which provides a link at http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/heb/sec-filings or the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html for a record of SEC filings.

 

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY.

WE URGE YOU TO FILL IN, SIGN AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM OFENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE PREPAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED, NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL YOUR HOLDINGS MAY BE.MANY SHARES YOU OWN.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE “FOR ALL” OF OUR BOARD’S NOMINEES (NANCY K. BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS, WILLIAM M. MITCHELL AND STEWART L. APPELROUTH) ON PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSAL 2, “FOR” PROPOSAL 3 AND “1 YEAR” ON PROPOSAL 4 USING THE WHITE PROXY CARD.

 

 By Order of the Board of Directors,
 Thomas  K. Equels,Peter W. Rodino, III, Secretary
  
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaOcala, Fla. 
June __, 2016[●], 2023

Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc.

VOTE BY INTERNET OR U.S. MAIL

We encourage you to take advantage of Internet voting.

Both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

QUICKÇÇEASYÇÇIMMEDIATE

As a stockholder of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc., you have the option of voting your shares electronically, through the Internet or on the telephone, eliminating the need to return the proxy card. Your electronic vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card. Votes submitted electronically by Internet or telephone must be received by 7:00 p.m., U.S. Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on August 16, 2016.

¨¨
INTERNET/MOBILE:ORMAIL:
http://cstproxyvote.com/
Use the Internet to vote your proxy.  Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site. Follow the prompts to vote your shares.Mark, sign, and date your proxy card, then detach it, and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE PROXY CARD IF YOU ARE
VOTING ELECTRONICALLY
 

 

FOLD AND DETACH HERE AND READ THE REVERSE SIDE

58 

47

 

Appendix A

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

Under applicable SEC rules and regulations, members of the Board, the Board’s nominees, and certain officers of the Company are “participants” with respect to the Company’s solicitation of proxies in connection with the Annual Meeting. The following sets forth certain information about the persons who are “participants.”

Directors and Nominees

The following table sets forth the names of our current directors and the Board’s nominees, as well as the names and principal business addresses of the corporation or other organization in which the principal occupations or employment of such directors and nominees is carried on. The principal occupations or employment of our current directors and the Board’s nominees are set forth under the heading “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors” in this Proxy Statement.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ALL
DIRECTORS AND “FOR” PROPOSALS 2, 3, and 4.
Name
 PROXYPrincipal Business Name 

Please mark

your votes

like this¨

1.Proposal No. 1 – Election of Directors.

FORall

Nominees listed

to the left

(except as marked

to the contrary)

WITHHOLD

AUTHORITY 

to vote for all

nominees listed  to the left

2. Proposal No. 2 – Ratification of the selection of RSM US LLP, as independent auditors of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2016.FORAGAINSTABSTAIN
¨¨¨
NOMINEES:(01) Thomas K. Equels¨¨ 3.Proposal No. 3 - To approve: (a) a possible reverse stock split and (b) the filing of an Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation effectuating the foregoingFORAGAINSTABSTAIN
(02) Peter W. Rodino¨¨¨¨
(03) William M. Mitchell¨4.Proposal No. 4 - Approval, by non-binding vote, of executive compensation.FORAGAINSTABSTAIN
(04) Sam Garutto¨¨¨¨
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike a line through that nominee’s name in the list above)In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

COMPANY ID:Principal Business Address
     
Thomas K. Equels PROXY NUMBER:AIM ImmunoTech Inc. 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473
William M. Mitchell, M.D.AIM ImmunoTech Inc.2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473
Stewart L. AppelrouthAIM ImmunoTech Inc.2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473
Nancy K. BryanAIM ImmunoTech Inc.2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473

Certain Officers

The following table sets forth the name and principal occupation of the Company’s officers who are “participants.” The principal occupation refers to such person’s position with the Company, and the business address of each such person is c/o AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473.

NamePrincipal Occupation
   
Thomas K. Equels Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
Peter W. Rodino, IIIChief Operating Officer, Executive Director for Government Relations, General Counsel and Secretary
Robert Dickey, IVChief Financial Officer

Information Regarding Ownership of the Company’s Securities by Participants

The number of Company securities beneficially owned by directors and named executive officers, including those who are “participants” in our solicitation of proxies, as of the Record Date is set forth in the “Principal Stockholders” section of this Proxy Statement.

Information Regarding Transactions in the Company’s Securities by Participants

The following table sets forth information regarding purchases and sales of the Company’s securities during the past two years by the persons listed above under “Directors and Nominees” and “Certain Officers” in this Appendix A. None of the purchase price or market value of the securities listed below is represented by funds borrowed or otherwise obtained for the purpose of acquiring or holding such securities.

Company Securities Purchased or Sold
(November 11, 2021 through October 2, 2023)
 
Name Transaction Date  Number of Securities  Transaction Description 
          
Stewart L. Appelrouth  11/11/2021   50,000   3 
   11/24/2021   19,379   1 
   3/3/2022   50,000   3 
   4/25/2022   24,500   1 
   11/30/2022   50,000   3 
   1/3/2023   80,646   1 
   3/10/2023**  68,208   4 
Robert Dickey, IV  3/3/2022   50,000   3 
Thomas K. Equels  11/11/2021   300,000   3 
   11/17/2021   9,416   1 
   11/19/2021   10,204   

1

 
   11/23/2021   11,194   

1

 
   11/24/2021   11,627   

1

 
   12/10/2021   11,811   

1

 
   12/13/2021   21,552   

1

 
   4/25/2022   49,020   1 
   7/18/2022   32,895   1 
   11/30/2022   300,000   3 
   1/3/2023   161,291   1 
   7/17/2023   16,950   1 
   8/24/2023   14,993   1 
   8/25/2023   8,222   1 
   9/29/2023   22,676   1 
William M. Mitchell, M.D.  11/11/2021   50,000   3 
   3/3/2022   50,000   3 
   11/30/2022   50,000   3 
Peter W. Rodino, III  11/30/2021   100,000   3 
   3/3/2022   50,000   3 
   4/25/2022   4,902   1 
   11/30/2022   

100,000

   3 
   

1/3/2023

   80,646   1 

Transaction Descriptions

1Open Market Purchase
 2ACCOUNT NUMBER:Grant, Award or Other Acquisition Pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d)
 3Option Award
 4
SignatureSignatureDate, 2016Transfer to Former Spouse in a Matrimonial Matter

 

Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint owners, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian,* Unless otherwise noted, all above transactions were completed with AIM ImmunoTech Inc. or corporate officer, please give title as such.


FOLD AND DETACH HERE AND READ THE REVERSE SIDEon the open market.

 

HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

August 17, 2016

PROXY CARD** Mr. Appelrouth also transferred options to his former spouse on 3/8/2023 in the following amounts: 143; 150; 163; 196; 196; 250; 287; 295; 338; 2,568; 1,136; 1,136; 1,728; 1,115; 1,963; 11; 2,356; 568; 25,000; 25,000; and 25,000.

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSMiscellaneous Information Regarding Participants

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Thomas K. Equels and each of them, with full power of substitution,Except as proxiesdescribed in this Appendix A or in this Proxy Statement, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. local time and at any adjournment thereof, and to vote allknowledge of the shares of common stock of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present, upon the matters set forth on the reverse side.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ALL DIRECTORS, “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 2, “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 3, AND “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 4. IF NO CONTRARY INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THOMAS K. EQUELS, WILLIAM A. MITCHELL, PETER W. RODINO, III AND SAM GARUTTO AS DIRECTORS.

FOR PROPOSAL NO. 2.

FOR PROPOSAL NO. 3.

FOR PROPOSAL NO. 4.

AND, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES, ON ALL OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.

SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE

(Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)

60 

Appendix "A"

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.

Under Section 242 of the

Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

The undersigned, being the duly elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the corporation, at a meeting of the Board of Directors duly called, adopted the following resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation:

“Article 'FOURTH' of the Certificate of Incorporation, which sets forth the capitalization of the Corporation, is amended to add subsection “D” and, as amended, subsection “D” reads as follows:Company:

 

Neither any participant nor any of their respective associates or affiliates (together, the D.Stock Split.Participant Affiliates”) is either a party to any transaction or series of transactions since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year or has knowledge of any current proposed transaction or series of proposed transactions (i) to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a participant, (ii) in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and (iii) in which any participant or Participant Affiliate had, or will have, a direct or indirect material interest.

As of 12:01 A.M. (Eastern Time) on August __, 2016 (the “Effective Time”), each [] (__) shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the respective holders thereof, be combined and converted into one (1) share of Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). No fractional shares shall be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional share interests of Common Stock as a result of the Reverse Stock Split shall be entitled to receive in lieu of such fractional share interests, upon the Effective Time, one whole share of Common Stock. There shall be no change to the par value or the number of authorized shares of Common Stock as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.”

SECOND: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed this __ day of August, 2016.

No participant or Participant Affiliate, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns any securities of the Company or any securities of any subsidiary of the Company, and no participant owns any securities of the Company of record but not beneficially.
  
Thomas K. Equels, President and Chief Executive OfficerNo participant has purchased or sold any securities of the Company within the past two years.
No participant or Participant Affiliate has entered into any agreement or understanding with any person with respect to any future employment by the Company or any of its affiliates or with respect to or any future transactions to which the Company or any of its affiliates will or may be a party.
There are no contracts, arrangements or understandings by any participant or Participant Affiliate presently, nor have there been any within the past year, with any person with respect to any securities of the Company, including, but not limited to, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees against loss or guarantees of profit, division of losses or profits, or the giving or withholding of proxies.
No participant has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting other than an interest, if any, as a stockholder of the Company or, with respect to each of the Board’s nominees, as a nominee for director.
Excluding any director or executive officer of the Company acting solely in that capacity, no person who is a party to an arrangement or understanding pursuant to which a nominee for election as director is proposed to be elected has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting other than an interest, if any, as a stockholder of the Company or, with respect to each of the Board’s nominees, as a nominee for director.

 

Other Information

 

There are no material proceedings to which any director or executive officer of the Company, or any of their associates is a party adverse to, or has a material interest adverse to, the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

Based on representations made to the Company by the participants, no participant has been the subject of a criminal conviction (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) within the last 10 years.

There are no family relationships between any directors of the Company, the Board’s nominees, and the executive officers of the Company.