SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [] Check
the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[] Definitive Proxy Statement
[] Definitive Additional Materials
[] Soliciting Material Pursuant toss.240.14a-12
VITRO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No Fee required.
[] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(I)(4) and 0-11. 1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5) Total fee paid:
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[] 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:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) Filing Party:
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4) Date Filed:
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VITRO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
8100 Southpark Way, Building B-1
Littleton, Colorado 80120
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
April 10, 2001
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Vitro Diagnostics, Inc., a Nevada
corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the _________ Denver, Colorado
_____, phone (303) _____ on April 10, 2001, at 9:00 a.m., Denver Time, for the
following purposes:
1. To elect five members of the Board of Directors to serve until the next
annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected;
2. To approve Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, to generally
update the Articles;
3. To ratify the appointment of Cordovano and Harvey, P.C. as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2001; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 23,
2001 as the record date for the determination of the holders of the Company's
common stock, par value $.001, entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
meeting. Accordingly, only shareholders of record on the books of the Company at
the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at
the Annual Meeting and any adjournment and postponement thereof.
All shareholders are invited to attend the meeting in person. TO ENSURE
YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN,
DATE, AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED, PRE-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.
Any shareholder attending the annual meeting may revoke his or her proxy and
vote in person, even if that shareholder has returned a proxy.
A Proxy Statement explaining the matters to be acted upon at the meeting
follows. Please read it carefully.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
William J. Schmuhl, Jr., Secretary
[March 1, 2001]
PROXY STATEMENT
VITRO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
April 10, 2001
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
Proxies by the Board of Directors of Vitro Diagnostics, Inc., a Nevada
Corporation (the "Company"), for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
the Company to be held at _________ Denver, Colorado _____, phone (303) _____ on
April 10, 2001 at 9:00 a.m., Denver Time, and at any and all adjournments of
such meeting. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of Proxy are first
being sent to shareholders on or about [March 9, 2001].
If the enclosed Proxy is properly executed and returned in time to be voted
at the meeting, the shares represented will be voted in accordance with the
instructions contained therein. Executed Proxies that contain no instructions
will be voted FOR the election of all nominees named herein as directors, FOR
the adoption of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and FOR the
ratification of the appointment of Cordovano and Harvey, P.C. as auditors.
Shareholders who execute Proxies for the Annual Meeting may revoke their
Proxies at any time prior to their exercise by delivering written notice of
revocation to the Company, by delivering a duly executed Proxy bearing a later
date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person.
The cost of the meeting, including the cost of preparing and mailing this
Proxy Statement and Proxy, will be borne by the Company. The Company may use the
services of its directors, officers, employees and contractors to solicit
Proxies, personally or by telephone, but at no additional salary or
compensation. The Company will also request banks, brokers and others who hold
common stock of the Company in nominee names to distribute Proxy soliciting
materials to beneficial owners and will reimburse such banks and brokers for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses which they may incur in so doing.
Only holders of record of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per
share, on February 23, 2001 are entitled to receive notice and to vote at the
Annual Meeting. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. On February
23, 2001 there were a total of 8,534,835 shares of common stock outstanding. The
presence in person or by proxy of not less than one-third of the outstanding
common stock will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the
Annual Meeting.
Brokers who hold common stock in street name and do not receive
instructions from their clients on how to vote on a particular proposal are
permitted to vote on routine proposals but not on non-routine proposals. The
absence of votes on non-routine proposals is "broker nonvotes." Abstentions and
broker nonvotes will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a
1
quorum, but will have no effect on the election of directors, the ratification
of the appointment of auditors, the adoption of amended and restated Articles of
Incorporation or any other matter voted on at the meeting because they will not
be counted as votes for or against any matter.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE RETURN YOUR MARKED PROXY CARD PROMPTLY SO
YOUR SHARES CAN BE REPRESENTED, EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN
PERSON.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal 1 on Proxy Card)
Directors and Executive Officers
- --------------------------------
The Board of Directors currently consists of five members, each of whom is
nominated to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his
successor is elected and qualified. The following table reflects the directors
and executive officers of the Company as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
All of the current directors are nominees for reelection at the Annual Meeting.
Name Age Position
- -------------------------- --- ----------------------------------
Ronald L. Goode, Ph.D(1) 57 Chairman of the Board of Directors
James R. Musick, Ph.D 55 President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
Erik D. Van Horn 33 Vice President and Director
Henry C. Schmerler(1) 60 Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer
and Director
William J. Schmuhl, Jr.(1) 57 Secretary and Director
- -------------------------
(1) Members of the Audit and Compensation Committees.
- -------------------------
The following information summarizes the business experience for the last
five years of the officers and directors of the Company, as well as, where
relevant, the educational background of such individuals:
James R. Musick, Ph.D. was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company on August 7, 2000. From September 1, 1989 until August 7, 2000,
Dr. Musick served as Vice President, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company. He has also served as a director of the Company since September 1,
1989. Dr. Musick received a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences in 1968 and
a doctorate in Biological Sciences in 1975 from Northwestern University in
Evanston, Illinois.
2
Erik D. Van Horn was appointed Vice President of the Company on August 7,
2000. He has also been Production Manager and a director of the Company since
March of 1993. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from
the University of Colorado in 1990.
Ronald L. Goode, Ph.D., a former executive in the pharmaceutical industry,
has served as a director of the Company since August 7, 2000 and was elected
Chairman of the Board on September 14, 2000. He currently is president and sole
shareholder of Pharma-Links, Inc., a consulting business focusing on strategic
alliances and other collaborative relationships within the pharmaceutical
industry, a position he has held since 1999. Dr. Goode's Ph.D. was earned in
microbial genetics at the University of Georgia. From 1997 to 1999, Dr. Goode
was president and chief executive officer of Unimed Pharmaceuticals, a Delaware
corporation with securities traded on the Nasdaq National Market System. Prior
to that, Dr. Goode held a variety of executive positions with two major
pharmaceutical firms (G.D. Searle and Company and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals),
including senior vice president of licensing and business development of G.D.
Searle from 1995 to 1997 and president of Searle International from 1991 to
1995. In addition, Dr. Goode was Vice-President of Clinical and Scientific
Affairs for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals from 1985 to 1986.
Henry C. Schmerler has served as a director of the Company since August 7,
2000 and was elected Treasurer on September 14, 2000. He also served as
Secretary from September 14, 2000 to December 1, 2000. Mr. Schmerler has acted
as a financial consultant since 1994. Prior to that, he was an executive with
Dun and Bradstreet Corporation, where he held various positions over the course
of thirty years including Vice President of Business Development (1991 - 1994),
Vice President of Customer Relations (1989 - 1991), President of the Credit
Clearing House (1986 - 1989) and President of the National Credit Office (1983 -
1986). Mr. Schmerler received a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Hobart
College, Geneva, New York in 1962.
William J. Schmuhl, Jr. has served as a director and Secretary of the
Company since December 1, 2000. He serves as president and chief executive
officer of Heywood Williams, Inc., a $600 million multi-division manufacturer
and distributor of building products. He has held that position since 1996. He
has been employed with Heywood Williams or one of its predecessors since 1978,
and served as president and chief executive officer of Bristol Corporation, a
$160 million subsidiary between 1990 and 1996. Prior to that, Mr. Schmuhl acted
as a business consultant with Cromwell Management Corporation. He also taught
accounting and business law and acted as department chair of the Department of
Business Administration and Economics at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame,
Indiana. Prior to that, Mr. Schmuhl practiced as an accountant and as an
attorney. He received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1965
and Juris Doctorate in 1967 from the University of Notre Dame, and an MBA from
the University of Chicago in 1972.
Each director will serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and
until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his resignation or
removal. Officers of the Company serve at the pleasure of the Board of
Directors. There is no family relationship between any of the Company's
directors or executive officers.
3
If a quorum is present, directors are elected by a plurality of votes (i.e.
the five candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the
Board of Directors). The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR
the nominees listed above.
Board of Directors' Meetings and Committees
- -------------------------------------------
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2000 (hereinafter "last fiscal
year"), the Company's Board of Directors held ____ meetings and took action
______ times by unanimous written consent. Messrs. Musick and Van Horn were
directors during the entire last fiscal year and participated in each decision
made by the Board. Messrs. Goode and Schmerler were directors from August 7,
2000 through the end of the last fiscal year and participated in each decision
made by the Board during that time period. (See "Changes in Control")
The Board of Directors of the Company maintains a standing Audit and
Compensation Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and
evaluating the Company's financial controls and financial reporting obligations.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the
duties and performance of the Company's officers and key employees and making
recommendations concerning their compensation. The Compensation Committee also
oversees the Company's stock option plan. The members of the Audit and
Compensation Committees are Messrs. Goode, Schmerler and Schmuhl.
There were no meetings of the Audit and Compensation Committees during the
last fiscal year, as the committees were only recently appointed.
Management Remuneration
- -----------------------
The following table summarizes the total compensation of the chief
executive officer; any person who served as the chief executive officer during
the last fiscal year, and any other executive officers whose compensation from
the Company exceeded $100,000 during that period (the "Named Officers"):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION
Long Term
Compensation
Annual Securities
Year Ended Compensation Underlying
Name October 31, Salary Options
- -------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
James R. Musick, President 2000 $ 57,708 0
and Chief Executive Officer
Roger Hurst* 2000 43,281 0
1999 55,876 31,848
1998 53,920 100,000
4
* Mr. Hurst, former President and Chief Executive Officer, resigned from the
Company effective August 7, 2000 and the compensation reflected is through
that date. See "Changes in Control" and "Certain Transactions - Disposition
of Assets" for additional transactions between Mr. Hurst and the Company.
Option Grants For 2000
- ----------------------
No stock options were granted to any of the Named Officers during the last
fiscal year.
Year End Option Values
- ----------------------
The following table sets forth the value of unexercised options held by the
Named Officers at October 31, 2000 and the value of common stock acquired by Mr.
Hurst during the last fiscal year. The last sales price of the Company's common
stock on October 31, 2000 was $1.00.
Value of
Number of unexercised
Shares Unexercised in-the-money
Acquired Value Options at options at
Name on Exercise Realized($) fiscal year end fiscal year end
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger D. Hurst 600,000 $1,340,000 31,848 $ 11,943(1)
James R. Musick 0 0 31,848 $ 11,943(1)
- -------------------------
(1) Based upon the difference between the exercise price of $.625 and the last
reported sale price of the Company's common stock of $1.00 per share on
October 31, 2000.
- -------------------------
Stock Option Plan
- -----------------
The Company adopted a new Equity Incentive Plan on October 9, 2000 (the
"New Plan") for the benefit of key personnel and others providing significant
services to the Company. An aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock have
been reserved for issuance under the New Plan. The New Plan will replace the
1992 Equity Incentive Plan (the "1992 Plan"). The 1992 Plan will remain
effective only so long as options remain outstanding under the 1992 Plan. No new
options will be granted under the 1992 Plan, and the only shares that will be
issued under the 1992 Plan are those shares underlying currently outstanding
options.
During the last fiscal year, the Company issued 62,248 shares of common
stock through the cashless exercise of 82,656 options issued under the 1992
Plan. An additional 17,500 shares were sold for $1,400 through the exercise of
17,500 options at $.08 per share. At the fiscal year end, 1,194,844 options
remained outstanding under the 1992 Plan. Subsequently, on or about December 1,
2000, the Company issued 275,088 shares of common stock through the cashless
exercise of 357,480 options, and 323,500 options expired. Currently, [481,364]
options remain outstanding under the 1992 Plan, with exercise prices ranging
from $.07 to $1.50 per share.
5
The New Plan authorizes total stock awards of up to 1,000,000 shares of the
Company's common stock. Awards may take the form of incentive stock options,
non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, stock bonuses and other
stock grants. If a stock award made under the New Plan expires, terminates, is
canceled or settled in cash without the issuance of all shares of common stock
covered by the award, those shares will be available for future awards under the
New Plan. Awards may not be transferred except by will or the laws of descent
and distribution. No awards may be granted under the Proposed Plan after
September 30, 2010.
The New Plan is administered by the Company's Board of Directors, which may
delegate its authority to a committee of the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors has the authority to select individuals to receive awards, to
determine the time and type of awards, the number of shares covered by the
awards, and the terms and conditions of such awards in accordance with the terms
of the Plan. In making such determinations, the Board of Directors may take into
account the recipient's current and potential contributions and any other
factors the Board of Directors considers relevant. The recipient of an award has
no choice regarding the form of a stock award. The Board of Directors is
authorized to establish rules and regulations and make all other determinations
that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the New Plan.
All options granted pursuant to the New Plan shall be exercisable at a
price not less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
grant. Unless otherwise specified, the options expire ten years from the date of
grant. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, 46,000 options have been issued
under the New Plan at exercise prices ranging from $____ to $1.19, all of which
are still outstanding.
Compensation of Directors
- -------------------------
Each member of the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company
received options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock upon appointment to
the Board and is entitled to receive an additional 10,000 options upon
reelection for each additional term. However, as each existing member of the
Board received options in December, no further annual grants will be made until
the Company's annual meeting for the 2001 fiscal year. Additionally,
non-employee Board members receive options for 2000 shares of common stock for
each meeting attended in person and 500 shares of common stock for each meeting
attended by telephone.
The Chairman of the Board received options to purchase 5,000 shares upon
his appointment and chairmen of each standing committee of the Board receive
options for 2,500 shares upon their appointment. Upon election or reelection as
Chairman of the Board or chairman of a standing committee, the member is
entitled to receive options for an additional 5,000 shares or 2,500 shares,
respectively. All of these options are exercisable at a price equal to the
closing bid price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant and for a
period of ten years thereafter. During the last fiscal year, a total of [35,000]
options were granted to Directors.
Each director is also entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable and
necessary expenses incurred on behalf of the Company.
6
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------
The following table sets forth information with respect to the ownership of
the Company's common stock by all officers and directors individually, all
officers and directors as a group, and all beneficial owners known to the
Company to hold more than five percent (5%) of the Company's common stock. As of
February 23, 2001, a total of 8,534,835 shares of common stock, the Company's
only class of voting stock, were issued and outstanding.
The following shareholders have sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares, unless it is indicated otherwise.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Number of Shares %
Officers and Directors
- ----------------------------------------- ---------------- ----
James R. Musick (1,2) 1,342,198 15.73%
8100 Southpark Way
Unit B-1
Littleton, Colorado 80120
Erik Van Horn(3) 534,016 6.26%
8100 Southpark Way
Unit B-1
Littleton, Colorado 80120
Henry C. Schmerler(4) 186,500 2.19%
5095 Joewood Drive
Sanibel, Florida 33957
Ronald L. Goode(5) 94,000 1.10%
1051 Melody Road
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
William J. Schmuhl, Jr.(6) 47,800 *
1421 Honan Drive
Southbend, Indiana 46614
Officers and Directors as a group(1,2,3,4,5,6) 2,204,514 25.89%
(5 individuals)
Five Percent Shareholders
- -------------------------
Roger D. Hurst 1,159,027 13.58%
8100 Southpark Way
Unit B-1
Littleton, CO 80120
The James R. Musick Trust 855,209 10.02%
Lloyd Hansen(7) 1,380,000 16.17%
2646 S.W. Mapp Rd
STE #304
Palm City, FL 34990
World Wide Capital Investors, LLC 2,370,000 27.77%
P.O. Box 8
Westcliffe, CO 81252
7
- -------------------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Includes 31,848 shares of common stock underlying an option exercisable at
$.625 until June 6, 2009.
(2) Includes 855,209 shares held by The James R. Musick Trust, of which Mr.
Musick is a trustee and beneficiary.
(3) Includes 530,516 shares of common stock underlying options exercisable at
prices ranging from $.07 to $.625 and expiring through 2009.
(4) Includes 36,500 shares of common stock underlying options exercisable at
prices ranging from $1.094 to $1.50 and expiring in 2010. Also includes
125,000 shares owned by a limited liability company in which Mr. Schmerler
is a member, representing the individual's pro-rata share of common stock
owned by that entity.
(5) Includes 44,000 shares underlying options exercisable at prices ranging
from $1.094 to $1.50 and expiring in 2010.
(6) Includes 14,500 shares of common stock underlying options exercisable at
$1.19 until December 01, 2010. Also includes 33,300 shares owned by a
limited liability company in which Mr. Schmuhl is a member, representing
the individual's pro-rata share of common stock owned by that entity.
(7) Includes 40,000 shares owned by Mr. Hansen's children and 200,000 owned by
the Barnabus Trust, of which Mr. Hansen is a trustee and beneficiary.
- -------------------------
Changes in Control and Voting Agreement
- ---------------------------------------
Effective August 7, 2000, the Company entered into a number of agreements,
as a result of which it experienced a change in control. Roger D. Hurst, former
President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, resigned from
those positions and James R. Musick succeeded Mr. Hurst as the President. Two
individuals, Mssrs. Goode and Schmerler, were added to the Board of Directors,
one to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Hurst and one to fill
a new position. An additional position was added to the Board and filled by
William J. Schmuhl, Jr., by election of the shareholders on December 1, 2000. In
addition, certain of the Company's shareholders agreed to vote common stock of
the Company in favor of the election and retention of certain directors,
including the foregoing individuals.
Also effective August 7, 2000, the Company sold certain assets formerly
used in its business to a private company controlled by Mr. Hurst. At the same
time, Mr. Hurst resigned his position as President, Chief Executive Officer and
8
a director of the Company. In accordance with the terms of a shareholders'
agreement executed on the same date, remaining members of the Board of Directors
voted to increase the Board to four individuals. Messrs. Henry Schmerler and
Ronald Goode were then elected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of
Mr. Hurst and the vacancy created by the expansion of the Board. Simultaneously,
the Board elected James R. Musick, formerly the Company's Vice President and
Secretary, as President on an interim basis pending further consideration by the
Board. Erik Van Horn was elected Vice President and Secretary.
Pursuant to the terms of the shareholders' agreement, World Wide Capital
Investors, LLC ("WWC"), the owner of 2,370,000 shares of the Company's common
stock, Messrs. Musick and Van Horn agreed to vote their shares for the election
of Messrs. Musick, Schmerler, Goode, Van Horn and William J. Schmuhl, Jr. for a
period of 3 years. Also in conjunction with the shareholders' agreement, Messrs.
Hurst and Musick granted a proxy with regard to 1,400,000 shares of their common
stock to Ronald Goode or Henry Schmerler to vote as determined by a majority
vote of the Board of Directors. The shareholders' agreement represented a
compromise between the Company's then management and WWC with regard to the
efforts of WWC to nominate and elect certain individuals to the Company's Board
of Directors and otherwise exercise control of the Company.
The Company knows of no other arrangements, including the pledge of
securities by any person, which would result in a change of control of the
Company.
Certain Transactions
- --------------------
Disposition Of Assets
Also effective August 7, 2000, pursuant to the terms of a purchase
agreement, the Company sold all of the assets of its diagnostic operation to
AspenBio, Inc., a private Colorado corporation ("purchaser") controlled by Mr.
Hurst. This transaction was effective for accounting purposes on July 31, 2000.
In exchange for the assets, the purchaser agreed to pay the Company $700,000 and
assume a majority of its debts and liabilities. At closing, the Company received
$250,000 cash and a promissory note in the principal amount of $450,000 payable
September 7, 2000. The Note was paid in full on September 7, 2000. In addition,
the purchaser assumed all of the Company's debts and liabilities except for
certain excluded liabilities associated with the business and assets which it
retained, which debts and liabilities were valued at $________. The purchaser
has paid all material liabilities or obtained releases for the Company for the
outstanding liabilities. See MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION OR RESULTS OF OPERATION and the Financial Statements contained in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for a more complete description of this
transaction.
The assets included in this sale were all of the assets formerly used by
the Company in its diagnostic operations. These assets include equipment,
furniture, fixtures, inventory, accounts receivable and intangible assets
associated with that business. These assets were formerly used by the Company to
produce and distribute antigens primarily for diagnostic purposes. Following the
sale, the Company retained patents and other intellectual property which it uses
or proposes to use in connection with its therapeutic business.
9
The value of the assets transferred in this sale was based on a variety of
factors considered by the Board of Directors. These factors included
negotiations between the parties, historical cash flow of the assets during the
preceding fiscal years, estimated replacement cost of certain assets and
estimates of the assets provided by third parties. The Board did not find it
suitable to and did not assign relative weights to the individual factors
considered in reaching a conclusion as to the estimated value of the assets.
However, the Board believes that each of those factors was material to a
determination of the sale price. The Board of Directors of the Company as then
constituted considered the terms of that transaction no less favorable than
could have been obtained from an unaffiliated third party.
In connection with the purchase agreement, the Company agreed to indemnify
Mr. Hurst and Mr. Hurst has indemnified the Company as to certain liabilities
related to the transaction. The indemnification includes liabilities of the
Company which were assumed by the purchaser.
Consulting Agreement
The Company executed an agreement on November 3, 2000 with Pharma-Links,
Inc. (the "Agreement"), a consulting company focusing on strategic alliances and
other collaborative relationships within the pharmaceutical industry. The
agreement allows Pharma-Links, Inc. to investigate and negotiate, if
appropriate, strategic alliances, joint ventures, partnerships, equity
investments, licenses, mergers, sales of assets or other business relationships
to develop the Company's products and technology. It contemplates that
Pharma-Links may make introductions to potential partners, provide counsel to
the Company in negotiating or structuring the relationship, make presentations
and negotiate on the Company's behalf. Pharma-Links is owned and operated by Dr.
Ronald Goode, a director of the Company.
The Agreement provides for payment of a fee to Pharma-Links, Inc. equal to
5% of the aggregate consideration received with respect to any agreement entered
into by the Company with a third-party pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the Agreement, and an additional 1% for each $10 million of such aggregate
consideration in excess of $30 million, subject to a maximum fee of 10% for any
aggregate consideration in excess of $80 million. The Board of Directors
considered the terms and conditions of this agreement no less favorable than
could have been obtained from an unaffiliated third party.
Other Events
- ------------
In connection with the compromise with WWC and the sale of assets to the
purchaser, the Company executed a settlement agreement and mutual release
relating to claims pending between the parties. Parties to the settlement
include the Company, purchaser, Hurst individually, WWC, Kyln Roth, a manager of
WWC, Musick and Van Horn individually. This agreement releases and discharges
each party from any and all claims pending between them except for claims
arising out of the shareholders' agreement, purchase agreement or other
documents referenced therein.
10
In conjunction with the settlement agreement, the Company and WWC executed
a registration rights agreement relating to common stock owned by WWC. This
agreement obligates the Company to register up to 2,370,000 shares of the
Company's common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission upon the
request of WWC and to keep that registration effective for a period of up to six
months. The Company agreed to pay all costs and expenses in connection with that
registration except commissions payable upon sale of the common stock by the
shareholder.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
The following sets forth each director, officer or beneficial owner of more
than ten percent of any class of equity securities of the registrant registered
pursuant to Section 12 that failed to file on a timely basis, Forms 3, 4 or 5 as
required by Section 16(a) during the most recent fiscal year or prior years.
The numbers of late Form 3, Form 4 and Form 5 reports, and the late Form 4
transactions reported are as follows:
Name of reporting Person Late Form 3 Late Form 4 Late Form 5 Transactions
- ------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
[Erik Van Horn 2 2 ]
[Lloyd Hansen* 1 ]
[World Wide Capital Investors, LLC ]
* Mr. Hansen is a beneficial owner of more than ten percent, but the Company
does not believe that Mr. Hansen has filed any reporting Forms in the most
recent fiscal years.
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
(Proposal 2 on Proxy Card)
The Board of Directors adopted the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation ("Proposed Articles") on February 5, 2001 and requests that the
shareholders ratify the adoption of those Articles. The complete text of the
Proposed Articles are included as Exhibit 3.1 to this proxy statement. The Board
recommends that the shareholders carefully review the Proposed Articles, and
recommends a vote FOR the Proposed Articles.
By way of background, the Company was originally formed as Labtek, Inc., a
Colorado corporation, on February 3, 1986. It merged with Imperial Management,
Inc., a Nevada corporation on December 8, 1986, with Imperial Management being
the surviving corporation. The new entity was, and continues to be, governed by
Nevada law and by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Imperial
Management. In 1987, the Company changed its name to Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. In
1988, the Company amended its Articles again to increase the number of
authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 to 500,000,000 shares. This
history of the merger and the name change has caused some confusion as to which
Articles and Bylaws actually govern the Company. Furthermore, the Articles have
not been substantially revised since the original merger. For this reason, the
Board believes an amendment and restatement of the Articles is necessary so that
one document with all of the accurate information regarding the Company,
including its current name, is available to govern the Company.
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The Proposed Articles are intended to update the current Articles of
Incorporation to be consistent with the current law and to cure certain
inconsistencies within the Articles themselves and between the Articles and the
Bylaws.
The material changes made by the Proposed Articles are summarized as
follows:
o The current Articles call for only one-third of the shares outstanding
to be represented in order to constitute a quorum for a vote of
shareholders. Management believes that it is appropriate for a
majority of the outstanding shares to be present in person or by proxy
in order to have a quorum. The Proposed Articles do not reflect a
quorum requirement, thereby allowing the bylaws or state law (which
reflects the majority standard) to designate the required quorum.
o The current Articles state in one section that a majority of the
quorum may take shareholder action, and elsewhere that a majority of
the holders of outstanding shares entitled to vote shall be required
to take action. Management believes that the appropriate standard,
consistent with that dictated by current law, is that a vote of the
majority of the shares represented at a meeting should be necessary to
take shareholder action. Again, the Proposed Articles will be silent,
permitting either the Bylaws or state law to dictate the appropriate
standard.
o Currently, the Articles contain a provision restricting the number of
shareholders if there are less than three directors, and require a
related restrictive legend on the share certificates. These
restrictive provisions reflect the law at the time the Articles were
originally drafted, and such restrictions are no longer legally
required, nor does the Board believe such restrictions offer any
benefit to the Company. These restrictions are not contained in the
Proposed Articles.
Because of the extensive amendments proposed to the Articles, the Board has
determined that it is appropriate to restate the Articles in full, rather than
to file the various changes as amendments to the 1986 Articles, as already
amended. If the Proposed Articles are adopted, they will become effective upon
filing with the Nevada Secretary of State.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to vote at the
annual meeting is required for the adoption of the proposed Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the
adoption of the proposed amended and restated Articles of Incorporation, and
proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be so voted in the absence of
instructions to the contrary.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
(Proposal 3 on Proxy Card)
On February 5, 2001, the Board of Directors approved the appointment of
Cordovano and Harvey, P.C. as the principal accountant and independent auditors
for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2001, and solicits the ratification of
this appointment by the shareholders. Cordovano and Harvey, P.C. has acted as
the principal accountant and independent auditor since October 9, 2000. Neither
such firm, any of its members nor any of their associates, has or has had during
the past four years, any financial interest in the business or affairs, direct
or indirect, or any relationship with the Company other than in connection with
their duties as auditors and accountants.
Prior to October 9, 2000, Larry O'Donnell, CPA, P.C. acted as the principal
accountant and independent auditors for the Company. During the Company's two
most recent fiscal years and the interim period up to October 9, 2000, there
were no disagreements with Larry O'Donnell, CPA, P.C. on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope and procedure which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Larry
O'Donnell, CPA, P.C., would have caused Larry O'Donnell, CPA, P.C. to make
reference to the matter in its report. Further, there were no reportable events
as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv)(B) of Regulation S-K.
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Representatives of Cordovano and Harvey, P.C. are expected to be present at
the annual meeting to respond to shareholders' questions and to make any
statements they consider appropriate.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to vote at the
annual meeting is required for the adoption of the proposed appointment of the
independent auditors. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the
ratification of appointment of the independent auditors, and proxies solicited
by the Board of Directors will be so voted in the absence of instructions to the
contrary.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2001 ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholders who wish to submit a proposal for action at the 2001 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders must do so in accordance with the regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. In order to be eligible to submit a
proposal, a shareholder must own and have owned, for one year prior to the date
of the annual meeting, at least 1% or $1,000 in market value of securities
entitled to be voted on the proposal, and must continue to hold such securities
through the date of the meeting. For proposals to be considered for inclusion in
the Proxy Statement for the 2001 annual meeting, they must be received by the
Company no later than December 10, 2001. It is anticipated that the next annual
meeting will be held in April of 2002. Such proposals should be directed to
Vitro Diagnostics, Inc., 8100 Southpark Way, Building B-1, Littleton, Colorado
80120, Attention: William J. Schmuhl, Jr., Secretary.
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the last fiscal year,
including financial statements and schedules, is included with this Proxy
Statement. The Company will provide a copy of any exhibits to the Form 10-KSB
without charge to any shareholder upon request.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any business to come before the
meeting other than those matters described above in this Proxy Statement. If,
however, any other matters should properly come before the meeting, it is
intended that holders of the Proxies will act in accordance with their judgment
on such matters.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
William J. Schmuhl, Jr., Secretary
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PROXY
VITRO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
April 10, 2001
9:00 A.M.
The undersigned hereby appoints Ronald L. Goode and James R. Musick, or
either of them, with full power of substitution, to act as Proxy for the
undersigned, and to vote all shares of common stock of the Company that the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the annual meeting of the Company's
stockholders to be held at [the Hotel Teatro, located at 1100 14th Street,
Denver, Colorado 80202, phone (303) 228-1100]. The annual meeting will begin at
9:00 a.m. Denver time, on April 10, 2001. The phone number of the Company is
(303) 794-2000.
This proxy is revocable and will be voted as directed, but if you do not
provide instructions, this proxy will be voted FOR the nominees for director set
forth below and FOR each of the proposals listed. If any other business is
presented at the annual meeting, including whether or not to adjourn the
meeting, this proxy will be voted by the Proxy in accordance with his judgment
of the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
So that your vote may be represented at the annual meeting, please complete
and sign this proxy as soon as possible. You may return this proxy in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope or you may fax it to the Company at (303)
798-8332.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees for director
set forth below, FOR the adoption of the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Cordovano and
Harvey, P.C. as auditors.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[X] Please indicate your votes by placing and "X" in the corresponding box.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal 1)
Indicate your vote with respect to the nomination of James R. Musick, Erik
D. Van Horn, Ronald L. Goode, Henry Schmerler and William J. Schmuhl, Jr.
as directors:
[ ] FOR all nominees
[ ] FOR all nominees EXCEPT the nominees written on the line below:
------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] WITHHOLD VOTE with respect to all the nominees
14
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
(Proposal 2)
Indicate your vote with respect to adoption of the proposed Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation.
[ ] FOR the proposed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
[ ] AGAINST the proposed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
[ ] ABSTAIN with respect to the proposed Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation
APPROVAL OF AUDITORS
(Proposal 3)
Indicate your vote with respect to Proposal 3 which ratifies the appointment of
Cordovano and Harvey, P.C. as the Company's independent accountants for the
fiscal year ending October 31, 2000.
[ ] FOR approval of the auditors
[ ] AGAINST approval of the auditors
[ ] ABSTAIN with respect to the approval of the auditors
The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company of (1) the Notice of
Annual Meeting of Stockholders dated March __, 2001, (2) the Proxy Statement
dated March ___, 2001 and (3) the Annual Report of the Company for the 2000
fiscal year prior to the execution of this proxy.
- -----------------------------------------------
Signature of Stockholder or Authorized Person:
- -----------------------------------------------
Title (if applicable):
Date:
------------------------------------------
INSTRUCTIONS: If you are signing as an individual, please sign exactly as your
name appears herein. If you are signing as an attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee, guardian, corporate officer or other authorized person, please give
your full title. If shares are held jointly, either stockholder may sign but
only one signature is required.
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