UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

KURA ONCOLOGY, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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KURA ONCOLOGY, INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 24, 2020

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Kura Oncology, Inc., a Delaware corporation, to be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the safety of all of our people, including our stockholders, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance that has been issued, we have determined that the Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via the internet, with no physical in-person meeting. You will be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online by visiting www.proxydocs.com/KURA, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions, and vote. The Annual Meeting is being held f or the following purposes:

These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.

Our Board of Directors has fixed the record date for the Annual Meeting for April 27, 2020. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

To participate in the Annual Meeting, please visit www.proxydocs.com/KURA for virtual meeting registration details. To register, you will need the control number located in the gray box included on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, your proxy card or the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Stockholders who attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the internet will have the opportunity to participate fully in the meeting. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. We currently intend to resume holding in-person meetings under normal circumstances.

Your vote is extremely important regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual meeting, we urge you to cast your vote as soon as possible. You may vote your shares via the internet or via a toll-free telephone number by following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or the proxy card. In addition, if you received paper copies of the proxy materials by mail, you can also vote by mail by following the instructions on the proxy card. Submitting a proxy card will not prevent you from attending the Annual Meeting and voting at the Annual Meeting, if you so desire. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in your name.

The Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement and 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at the following website: www.proxydocs.com/KURA.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

April 28, 2020

3033 Science Park Road, Suite 220

San Diego, California 92121

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

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KURA ONCOLOGY, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held on June 24, 2020

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING

 

Why did I receive a notice regarding the availability of proxy materials on the internet?

We have sent you a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) because the Board of Directors (sometimes referred to as the “Board”) of Kura Oncology, Inc. (sometimes referred to as “we,” “us,” the “Company” or “Kura”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting (the “Annual Meeting”). Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the internet. Accordingly, we have sent a Notice to our stockholders of record. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice.

We intend to mail the Notice on or about May 15, 2020 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Will I receive any other proxy materials by mail?

We may send you a proxy card, along with a second notice, on or after May 25, 2020.

 

What is the format of the Annual Meeting?

 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the safety of all of our people, including our stockholders, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance that has been issued, we have determined that the Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via the internet, with no physical in-person meeting. We intend to resume holding in-person meetings under normal circumstances. A summary of the information you need to attend the Annual Meeting online is provided below:

 

Can I attend the Annual Meeting?

 

We will be hosting the Annual Meeting via live webcast on the internet.  You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.  Any stockholder can listen to and participate in the Annual Meeting live via the internet at  www.proxydocs.com/KURA . The webcast will start at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time on June 24, 2020. Stockholders may vote and submit questions while connected to the Annual Meeting on the internet.

 

What do I need in order to be able to participate in the Annual Meeting online?

 

You will need the control number located in the gray box included on your Notice, your proxy card or the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials in order to be able to vote your shares or submit questions during the Annual Meeting.   If you do not have your control number, you will be able to listen to the meeting only—you will not be able to vote or submit questions during the meeting.  Instructions on how to connect and participate in the Annual Meeting via the internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at www.proxydocs.com/KURA.

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Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 27, 2020 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On this record date, there were 45,433,279 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If on April 27, 2020 your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the proxy card that may be mailed to you, or vote by proxy over the telephone or on the internet as instructed below, to ensure your vote is counted.

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

If on April 27, 2020 your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and the Notice is being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

What am I voting on?

There are four matters scheduled for a vote:

What vote is required to approve each proposal and how are the votes counted?

Proposal 1: Election of Directors: Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the holders of shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting – that is, the three nominees receiving the highest number of “For” votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, are not counted for purposes of electing directors and will have no effect on the results of this vote.

Proposal 2: Ratification of the Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: The affirmative vote of a majority of shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. Abstentions will have the effect of votes against this proposal. Brokers generally have discretionary authority to vote on the ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm, thus we do not expect any broker non-votes on this proposal.

Proposal 3: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation: The advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers will be considered to be approved if it receives “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. We value the opinions expressed by our stockholders in this advisory vote, and the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, which is responsible for overseeing and administering our executive compensation programs, will consider the outcome of this vote when designing our compensation programs and making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers. Abstentions will have the effect of votes against this proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this proposal.

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Proposal 4: Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Advisory Votes on Executive Compens ation: The determination, on an advisory basis, of our stockholder’s preference regarding the frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive compensation requires a plurality vote of the shares of our common stock present or represented by proxy a t the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote – that is, the frequency receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be considered the frequency preferred by the stockholders . Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this proposal.

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

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

How do I vote?

For the election of directors, you may either vote “For” the three nominees to the Board of Directors or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify. For Proposals 2 and 3, you may vote “For” or “Against” or you may abstain from voting for the proposal. For Proposal 4, you may vote “1 year,” “2 years,” or “3 years”, or you may abstain from voting on the proposal. The procedures for voting are as follows:

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote at the Annual Meeting, vote by proxy over the telephone, vote by proxy through the internet, or vote by proxy using the proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote even if you have already voted by proxy.

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

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you should have received a Notice containing voting instructions from that organization rather than from Kura. Simply follow the voting instructions in the Notice to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the internet as instructed by your broker, bank or other agent. To vote at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker, bank or other agent included with these proxy materials, or contact that organization to request a proxy form.

We provide internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions . However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your internet access, such as usage charges from internet access providers and telephone companies.

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How many votes do I have?

On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of April 27, 2020.

What happens if I do not vote?

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

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

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

If you are a beneficial owner of shares, your bank, broker or other agent, as the record holder of the shares, is required to vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. If no voting instructions are provided, these record holders can vote your shares only on discretionary, or routine, matters and not on non-discretionary, or non-routine, matters. Uninstructed shares which cannot be voted on non-routine matters result in what are commonly referred to as “broker-non-votes.” Proposal 2, to ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm is a routine matter and the other proposals are non-routine matters. If you do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, such bank, broker or agent (1) will be entitled to vote your shares on Proposal 2 to ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm and (2) will not be entitled to vote your shares on the other proposals.

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

If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted, as applicable, “For” the election of all nominees for director named in this proxy statement, “For” the ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, “For” the approval of the compensation for our executive officers, and “1 year” as the preferred frequency of having a Say-on-Pay proposal.

If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting, your proxy holder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.

What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?

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

Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

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

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Your most current proxy card or telephone or internet proxy is the one that is counted.

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

If your shares are held by your broker, bank or other agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other agent with respect to changing your vote.

When are stockholder proposals and director nominations due for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders?

To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by January 15, 2021, to the attention of our Secretary at 3033 Science Park Road, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92121 . If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders that is not to be included in next year’s proxy materials, your written request must be received by our Secretary between February 24, 2021 and March 26, 2021, provided that, if our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is earlier than May 25, 2021 or later than July 24, 2021, your written request must be received by our Secretary not earlier than the close of business on the 120 ^th day prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90 ^th  day prior to such Annual Meeting or the 10 ^th  day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. You are also advised to review our Amended and Restated Bylaws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.

What are “broker non-votes”?

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

As a reminder, if you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name , in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other agent by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other agent .

What is the quorum requirement?

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were 45,433,279 shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of at least 22,716,640 shares must be present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting to have a quorum.

Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy may adjourn the Annual Meeting to another date.

How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K that we expect to file within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after the Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8-K to publish the final results.

 

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Each class consists, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors, and each class has a three-year term. Vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class and until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified.

Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven members. There are three directors in Class III, whose term of office expires at the Annual Meeting: Steven H. Stein, M.D., Mary T. Szela and Diane Parks. Dr. Stein, Ms. Szela and Ms. Parks have been nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting. Proxies may not be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in this Proxy Statement. Dr. Stein, Ms. Szela and Ms. Parks, each current directors of the Company, were each recommended for nomination to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. If elected at the Annual Meeting, each of these nominees for director would serve for a three-year term until our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. It is our policy to invite directors and nominees for director to attend the Annual Meeting. All of our directors attended the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders other than Diane Parks who was appointed to our Board of Directors subsequent to the date of our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the holders of shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, the three nominees receiving the most “For” votes (among votes properly cast at the Annual Meeting or by proxy) will be elected. If no contrary indication is made, shares represented by executed or authenticated proxies will be voted “For” the election of the three nominees named above or, if any nominee becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, “For” the election of a substitute nominee designated by our Board of Directors. Each nominee has agreed to serve as a director if elected and we have no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to assemble a Board of Directors that, as a whole, possesses the appropriate balance of professional and industry knowledge, financial expertise and high-level management experience necessary to oversee and direct the Company’s business. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors also seek to attain diversity and balance among directors of race, gender, geography, thought, viewpoints, and backgrounds. To those ends, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has identified and evaluated nominees in the broader context of the Board of Directors’ overall composition, with the goal of recruiting members who complement and strengthen the skills of other members through diversity and who also exhibit integrity, collegiality, sound business judgment and other qualities that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee views as critical to effective functioning of the Board of Directors. The brief biographies below include information, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, regarding the specific and particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each director/nominee that led the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to recommend that person as a nominee. However, each of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may have a variety of reasons why he or she believes a particular person would be an appropriate nominee for the Board of Directors, and these views may differ from the views of other members.

Nominees for Election for a Three-year Term Expiring at the 2023 Annual Meeting

Steven H. Stein, M.D. , 53, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since January 2017. Dr. Stein has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Incyte Corporation, a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, since March 2015. Prior to that, from May 2011 to February 2015, Dr. Stein served as Senior Vice President, U.S. Clinical Development & Medical Affairs at Novartis Oncology U.S., a healthcare company. Dr. Stein worked at GlaxoSmithKline plc as Vice President, Global Oncology, Clinical Development and also as Head of Medicines Development for Hematology and Supportive Care. Dr. Stein earned his M.D. from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Dr. Stein’s extensive experience in research and development activities, the design and conduct of clinical trials, management of a global, clinical development organization, engagement with research analysts and public stockholders as well as the duties and responsibilities of being a member of an executive leadership team of a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors .

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Mary T. Szela , 56, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since November 2018. Ms. Szela has served as Chief Executive Officer and P resident and a member of the Board of Directors of TriSalus Life Sciences (formerly Surefire Medical, Inc.), a privately-held medical device company, since January 2018. From January 2016 to November 2016, Ms. Szela served as Chief Executive Officer of Aeg erion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, and served on its Board of Directors. In November 2016, Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. merged with QLT Inc. to form Novelion Therapeutics Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical compan y, where, until November 2017, Ms. Szela served as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of its Board of Directors. Ms. Szela served as the Chief Executive Officer of Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. (“Melinta”) , a publicly-held antibiotic development company, from April 2013 to August 2015. She also served on the Board of Directors of Melinta from January 2013 to August 2015, Receptos, Inc. , a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, from June 2014 to July 2015, and Novo Nordisk AS , a publicly-held global heal thcare company, from March 2014 to March 2017. Previously, Ms. Szela joined Abbott Laboratories (“Abbott”) in 1987 and held several leadership positions, including Senior Vice President of Global Strategic Marketing from January 2010 to May 2012 and Senior Vice President of U.S. pharmaceuticals from September 2008 to December 2009. Prior to Abbott, Ms. Szela worked for the University of Illinois Hospital. Ms. Szela earned a B.S. in Nursing and an M.B.A. from the University of Illinois.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Ms. Szela’s extensive experience as a member of senior management and boards of directors of multiple biopharmaceutical companies as well as her expertise in pharmaceutical company operations, development and commercial strategy, strategic partnering and commercial operations qualifies her to serve on our Board of Directors.

Diane Parks , 67, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2019. From February 2016 to July 2018, Ms. Parks served as Senior Vice President, Head of U.S. Commercial for Kite Pharma, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, which was acquired by Gilead Sciences, Inc., where she developed and executed the strategic plan for the commercial launch of Yescarta®, the first CAR-T therapy approved for large B-cell lymphoma. From October 2014 to October 2015, Ms. Parks served as Vice President, Head of Global Marketing for Pharmacyclics, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, which was acquired by AbbVie, Inc., where she was responsible for the marketing strategy and launch of Imbruvica®. From 2007 to 2014, she served as Vice President, Sales for Amgen, Inc., a publicly-held biotechnology company, where she successfully led the hospital and nephrology sales teams. From 1999 to 2002, she served as Senior Vice President, Specialty Biotherapeutics and Managed Care for Genentech, Inc., a publicly-held biotechnology company, which was acquired by F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG. She currently serves on the boards of Calliditas Therapeutics AB, a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, Soligenix, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, and TriSalus Life Sciences (formerly Surefire Medical, Inc.), a privately-held medical device company. Ms. Parks earned an M.B.A. from Georgia State University and a B.S. from Kansas State University.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Ms. Parks’ extensive experience as a member of senior management and boards of directors of multiple biopharmaceutical companies as well as her expertise in leading the overall strategy, organization and operations for oncology product commercial launches qualifies her to serve on our Board of Directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE.

Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2021 Annual Meeting

Troy E. Wilson, Ph.D., J.D. , 51, has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as the chairman of our Board of Directors since March 2015. Dr. Wilson co-founded Kura Oncology in August 2014 and served as the President and Chief Executive Officer as well as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors from August 2014. Dr. Wilson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wellspring Biosciences, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, and its parent company Araxes Pharma LLC, or Araxes, from July 2012 to March 2019 and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Avidity Biosciences, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, from November 2012 to February 2019. Dr. Wilson served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Intellikine, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, from April 2007 to January 2012 and from August 2007 to January 2012, respectively, until its acquisition by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors of Puma Biotechnology, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, since October 2013, and a member of the Board of Directors of Zosano Pharma, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, since June 2014. Dr. Wilson holds a J.D. from New York University and graduated with a Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry and a B.A. in biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley.

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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Commi ttee and the Board of Directors believe that Dr. Wilson’s experience in building and operating biopharmaceutical companies, oncology drug discovery and development, strategic partnering, capital raising and investor relations in the pharmaceutical industry as well as his experience serving in executive roles and on other boards of directors qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors, including serving as our chairman.

Faheem Hasnain , 61, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2015 and as our Lead Independent Director since March 2020. Mr. Hasnain has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gossamer Bio, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, since January 2018 and served as Chief Executive Officer from January to July 2018. He has also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly-held biotechnology company, since February 2019. Previously, Mr. Hasnain was the President, Chief Executive Officer and on the Board of Directors of Receptos, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, from November 2010 until the company’s acquisition by Celgene Corporation in August 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Hasnain was the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Facet Biotech Corporation, a publicly-held biology driven antibody company with a focus in multiple sclerosis and oncology. He held that position from December 2008 until the company’s acquisition by Abbott Laboratories in April 2010. Previously, Mr. Hasnain was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of PDL BioPharma, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, from October 2008 until Facet Biotech was spun off from PDL BioPharma in December 2008. From October 2004 to September 2008, Mr. Hasnain served at Biogen Inc., a publicly-held biotechnology company specializing in neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders and cancer, most recently as Executive Vice President in charge of the oncology/rheumatology strategic business unit. Prior to Biogen, Mr. Hasnain held roles with Bristol Myers Squibb Co, where he was President of the Oncology Therapeutics Network, and for 14 years at GlaxoSmithKline plc and its predecessor organizations. He has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tocagen Inc., a publicly-held gene therapy company, since November 2014, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vital Therapies, Inc., a publicly-held biotherapeutic  company, since September 2017 and a director since August 2016. From October 2010 to November 2014, he served on the Board of Directors of Ambit Biosciences Corporation, a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, and from November 2010 to November 2014, served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of Tercica, Inc. and Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Hasnain received a B.H.K. and B.Ed. from the University of Windsor Ontario in Canada.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr. Hasnain’s extensive experience as a member of senior management and boards of directors of multiple biopharmaceutical companies as well as his experience building and operating biopharmaceutical companies, development and commercialization of oncology products, strategic partnering and capital raising and investor relations in the biopharmaceutical industry qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2022 Annual Meeting

Robert E. Hoffman , 54, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since March 2015. Mr. Hoffman has served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Heron Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly-held biotechnology company, since April 2017. Prior to joining Heron Therapeutics, Inc., Mr. Hoffman served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly-held pharmaceutical company, from September 2016 to April 2017. Mr. Hoffman served as Chief Financial Officer of AnaptysBio, Inc., a publicly-held biotechnology company, from July 2015 to September 2016. Mr. Hoffman was the Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Arena”), a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, from June 2012 to July 2015, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Arena from August 2011 to June 2012 and previously from December 2005 to March 2011 and in a number of roles of increasing responsibility from 1997 to December 2005. From March 2011 to August 2011, Mr. Hoffman served as Chief Financial Officer for Polaris Group, a biopharmaceutical drug company. Mr. Hoffman serves as a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Small Business Advisory Committee and the steering committee of the Association of Bioscience Financial Officers. Mr. Hoffman is also a member and a former director and President of the San Diego Chapter of Financial Executives International. Mr. Hoffman has been a member of the Board of Directors of DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly-held biotechnology company, since April 2018, and ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a publicly-held biotechnology company, since October 2018. Previously, Mr. Hoffman was a member of the Board of Directors of CombiMatrix Corporation, a publicly-held molecular diagnostics company, from 2013 to 2017, MabVax Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, from 2014 to 2017, and Aravive, Inc., a publicly-held biotechnology company, from October 2018 to April 2020. Mr. Hoffman holds a B.B.A. from St. Bonaventure University, and is licensed as a C.P.A. (inactive) in the State of California.

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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr. Hoffman’s experience as a member of sen ior management and boards of directors of multiple biopharmaceutical companies as well as his experience in key accounting and finance functions including financial planning and analysis, budgeting, audit, operations and SEC reporting qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Thomas Malley , 51, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2015. Mr. Malley has served as President of Mossrock Capital, LLC (“Mossrock”), a privately-held investment firm, since May 2007. Mr. Malley worked for Janus Mutual Funds in positions of increasing responsibility from April 1991 to May 2007. From January 1999 to May 2007, Mr. Malley served as the portfolio manager of the Janus Global Life Sciences Fund and also led the Janus Healthcare team of analysts. From 1991 to 1998 Mr. Malley served as an equity analyst for Janus covering, among others, healthcare and biotechnology stocks. Mr. Malley has been a director of BeiGene, Ltd., a publicly-held biotechnology company, since January 2016 and has also been a director of Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals Corp., a publicly-held biotechnology company, since December 2016. Previously, he served as a director of OvaScience, Inc., a publicly-held life sciences company, from 2012 to 2017, Synageva BioPharma Corp., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, from 2006 to 2015, until its acquisition by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Puma Biotechnology, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, from 2011 to 2015, and Cougar Biotechnology, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, from 2007 to 2009, until its acquisition by Johnson and Johnson. Mr. Malley holds a B.S. in Biology from Stanford University.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr. Malley’s extensive experience as an equity analyst, portfolio manager and serving as a member of other boards of directors of publicly-traded companies in the biopharmaceutical industry qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

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INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTO RS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Independence of the Board of Directors

As required under the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed company’s Board of Directors must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by the Board of Directors of such company. Our Board of Directors consults with our counsel to ensure that the Board of Directors’ determinations are consistent with relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” including those set forth in pertinent listing standards of Nasdaq, as in effect from time to time.

Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and our company, our senior management and our independent auditors, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that all of our directors, other than Dr. Wilson, are independent within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. In making this determination, the Board of Directors found that none of these directors had a material or other disqualifying relationship with our company.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Board of Directors has a Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Wilson, who has authority to, among other things, call and preside over meetings of the Board of Directors, set meeting agendas, and determine materials to be distributed to the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the Chairman has substantial ability to shape the work of the Board of Directors. In addition, we have a separate chair for each committee of the Board of Directors. The chairs of each committee are expected to report at least annually to the Board of Directors on the activities of their committee in fulfilling their responsibilities as detailed in their respective charters or specify any shortcomings should that be the case. We have chosen to combine the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors positions. We believe that this Board of Directors leadership structure is the most appropriate for us. Because we are a small company, it is more efficient to have the leadership of the Board of Directors in the same hands as the Chief Executive Officer. The challenges faced by us at this stage—obtaining financing and implementing our business plan—are most efficiently dealt with by one person who is familiar with both the operational aspects as well as the strategic aspects of our business.

Our Board of Directors also believes that strong, independent Board leadership is a critical component of effective corporate governance and, therefore, the Board of Directors recently established the position of Lead Independent Director, adopted a Lead Independent Director Charter and appointed Mr. Hasnain to serve as our Lead Independent Director.

The Lead Independent Director is elected annually by a majority of the independent directors upon receiving a recommendation from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Lead Independent Director’s responsibilities are set forth in the Lead Independent Director Charter include:

 

 

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Our Lead Independent Director Charter can be found on our website at www.kuraoncology.com . The independent directors regularly meet in executive sessions in connection with regular meetings of the Board of Directors.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors has adopted a formal process by which stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors or any of its directors. Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors may do so by sending written communications addressed to the Secretary of Kura Oncology, Inc., 3033 Science Park Road, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92121 . Each communication must set forth: the name and address of the stockholder on whose behalf the communication is sent and the number of our shares that are owned beneficially by such stockholder as of the date of the communication. Each communication will be reviewed by our Secretary to determine whether it is appropriate for presentation to the Board of Directors or such director. Communications determined by our Secretary to be appropriate for presentation to the Board of Directors or such director will be submitted to the Board of Directors or such director on a periodic basis.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.kuraoncology.com . If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grant any waiver from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to any executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website.

Role of the Board of Directors in Risk Oversight

Our Audit Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing our risk management processes on behalf of the full Board of Directors. The Audit Committee receives reports from management at least annually regarding our assessment of risks. In addition, the Audit Committee reports regularly to the full Board of Directors, which also considers our risk profile. The Audit Committee and the full Board of Directors focus on the most significant risks we face and our general risk management strategies. While the Board of Directors oversees our risk management, company management is responsible for day-to-day risk management processes. Our Board of Directors expects company management to consider risk and risk management in each business decision, to proactively develop and monitor risk management strategies and processes for day-to-day activities and to effectively implement risk management strategies adopted by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. We believe this division of responsibilities is the most effective approach for addressing the risks we face and that our Board of Directors leadership structure, which also emphasizes the independence of the Board of Directors in its oversight of our business and affairs, supports this approach.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors held five meetings and acted by unanimous written consent without a meeting eight times during 2019. Each Board member attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which he or she served, held during the portion of the last fiscal year for which he or she was a director or committee member, respectively.

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Information Regarding Committees of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The following table provides membership and meeting information for fiscal year 2019 for each of the committees of the Board of Directors:

 

 

 

Each of the committees has authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of each committee meets the applicable Nasdaq rules and regulations regarding “independence” and that each member is free of any relationship that would impair his or her individual exercise of independent judgment with regard to us.

Below is a description of each committee of the Board of Directors.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors was established by the Board in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) to oversee our corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial statements. For this purpose, the Audit Committee performs several functions which include, among other things:

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The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Hoffman, Hasnain and Malley. Mr. Hoffman serves as the chair of our Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met four times and acted by unanimous written consent without a meeting one time during 2019. Our Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director under Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Nasdaq listing standards and under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Each member of our Audit Committee can read and understand fundamental financial statements in accordance with Nasdaq audit committee requirements. In arriving at this determination, the Board of Directors has examined each Audit Committee member’s scope of experience and the nature of their employment in the corporate finance sector.  Subject to and effective upon the successful election of our three nominees for the Board at the Annual Meeting on June 24, 2020, Ms. Szela shall join the Audit Committee.

Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Hoffman qualifies as an Audit Committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations and meets the financial sophistication requirements of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. In making this determination, our Board of Directors has considered Mr. Hoffman’s formal education and the nature and scope of his experience with public companies. Both our independent registered public accounting firm and management periodically meet privately with our Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee charter can be found on our website at www.kuraoncology.com in the Corporate Governance section.

Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 with management of the Company. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firm’s independence. Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

 

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Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Hasnain and Hoffman and Dr. Stein. Mr. Hasnain serves as the chair of our Compensation Committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of our Compensation Committee is a non-employee director, as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and satisfies the Nasdaq independence requirements. The Compensation Committee met five times and acted by unanimous written consent without a meeting two times during 2019. The Compensation Committee has a charter that is reviewed and updated annually, or as may be warranted from time to time. The functions of the Compensation Committee include, among other things:

Typically, we will plan for the Compensation Committee to meet quarterly and with greater frequency if necessary. The agenda for each meeting is usually developed by the Chair of the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee meets regularly in executive session. However, from time to time, various members of management and other employees as well as outside advisors or consultants may be invited by the Compensation Committee to make presentations, to provide financial or other background information or advice or to

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otherwise participate in Compensation Committee meetings. The Chief Executive Officer may not participate in, or be present during, any deliberations or determinations of the Compensation Committee regarding his compensation or individual performance objectives. The charter of the Compensation Committee grants the Compensation Committee full access to all our books, records, facilities and personnel. In addition, under the charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to obtain, at our expense, advice and assistance from internal and external legal, accounting or other advisors and other external resources that the Compensation Committee considers necessary or appropriate in the performance of its duties. The Compensation Committee has direct responsibility for the oversight of the work of any advisers engaged for the purpose of advising the Compensation Committee. In particular, the Compensation Committee has the authority, in its sole discretion, to retai n compensation consultants to assist in its evaluation of executive and director compensation, including the authority to approve the consultant’s reasonable fees and other retention terms. Under its charter, the Compensation Committee may select, or recei ve advice from, a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Compensation Committee, other than in-house legal counsel and certain other types of advisers, only after taking into consideration six factors, prescribed by the SEC and Nasd aq, that bear upon the adviser’s independence; however, there is no requirement that any adviser be independent.

The Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee, makes the significant adjustments to annual compensation, determines bonus and equity awards and establishes new performance objectives at one or more meetings held during the first quarter of the year. Generally, the Compensation Committee’s process comprises two related elements: the determination of compensation levels and the establishment of performance objectives for the current year. For executives other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee solicits and considers evaluations and recommendations submitted to the Compensation Committee by the Chief Executive Officer. In the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the evaluation of his performance is conducted by the Board of Directors upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee, which determines any adjustments to his compensation as well as awards to be granted. For all executives, as part of its deliberations, the Compensation Committee may review and consider, as appropriate, materials such as financial reports and projections, operational data, tax and accounting information, tally sheets that set forth the total compensation that may become payable to executives in various hypothetical scenarios, executive and director stock ownership information, company stock performance data, analyses of historical executive compensation levels and current Company-wide compensation levels and recommendations of the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant, including analyses of executive compensation paid at other companies identified by the consultant.

Our Compensation Committee enlists the services of a third-party company to conduct an analysis of our compensation practices compared with current market practices. In June 2019, our Compensation Committee engaged the services of Radford to review our peer group and conduct a review and analysis of our executive compensation compared with current market practices, to be used for setting 2019 executive compensation levels. The 2019 peer group was chosen based on several characteristics including: comparable stage in key product and corporate development and similar growth and performance potential. Radford reports directly to the Chair of the Compensation Committee. After considering all of the factors required by applicable Nasdaq rules, the Compensation Committee determined that Radford is independent. Subject to and effective upon the successful election of our three nominees for the Board at the Annual Meeting on June 24, 2020, Mses. Szela and Parks shall join the Compensation Committee, Mr. Hoffman shall cease to be on the Compensation Committee and Ms. Szela shall become the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee charter can be found on our website at www.kuraoncology.com in the Corporate Governance section.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

As noted above, our Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Hasnain and Hoffman and Dr. Stein. None of the members of our Compensation Committee during 2019 has at any time been our officer or employee. None of the members of our Compensation Committee during 2019 had a relationship that must be described under the SEC rules relating to disclosure of related person transactions. None of our executive officers serve, or in the past fiscal year has served, as a member of the board of directors or the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving on our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for:

The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Messrs. Malley and Hoffman and Dr. Stein. Mr. Malley serves as the chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met three times during 2019. Subject to and effective upon the successful election of our three nominees for the Board at the Annual Meeting on June 24, 2020, Ms. Parks shall join the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the candidates for director, both individually and collectively, have the integrity, experience, judgment, commitment (including having sufficient time to devote to us and level of participation), skills, diversity and expertise appropriate for us. In assessing the directors, both individually and collectively, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers our current needs and the needs of the Board of Directors, to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience, capability, race, gender, geography, thought, viewpoints, backgrounds, skills, and expertise. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee retains the right to modify these qualifications from time to time. Candidates for director nominees are reviewed in the context of the current composition of the Board of Directors, our operating requirements and the long-term interests of stockholders. In conducting this assessment, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers diversity (including with respect to race, gender, geography, thought, viewpoints, and backgrounds), age, skills and such other factors as it deems appropriate given our current needs and the needs of the Board of Directors, to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience and capability. In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to expire, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews these directors’ overall service to us during their terms, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance and any other relationships and transactions that might impair the directors’ independence. In the case of new director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also determines whether the nominee is independent for Nasdaq purposes, which determination is based upon applicable Nasdaq listing standards, applicable SEC rules and regulations and the advice of counsel, if necessary. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then uses its network of contacts to compile a list of potential candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm. Any search firm retained to assist the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in seeking candidates for the Board of Directors will be instructed to seek to include diverse candidates in terms of race, gender, geography, thought, viewpoints, backgrounds, skills, experience, and expertise from, among other areas, professional and academic areas relevant to the Company’s area of focus. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee conducts any appropriate and necessary inquiries into the backgrounds and qualifications of possible candidates after considering the function and needs of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets to discuss and consider the candidates’ qualifications and then selects a nominee for recommendation to the Board of Directors by majority vote.

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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Commi ttee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not intend to alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates, including the minimum criteria set forth above, based on whether or not the candidate was recommended by a stockholder. Stockholders who wish to recommend individuals for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to become nominees for election to the Board of Directors may do so by delivering a wr itten recommendation to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at the following address: 3033 Science Park Road, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92121 , Attn: Secretary, no later than the 90th day and no earlier than the 120th day prior to the one year anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting. Submissions must include, among other things, (1) the name and address of the stockholder on whose behalf the submission is made; (2) number of our shares that are owned beneficially by such stockholder a s of the date of the submission; (3) the full name of the proposed candidate; (4) description of the proposed candidate’s business experience for at least the previous five years; (5) complete biographical information for the proposed candidate; (6) a desc ription of the proposed candidate’s qualifications as a director and (7) any other information required by our Amended and Restated Bylaws. We may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as we may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as our independent director or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter can be found on our website at www.kuraoncology.com in the Corporate Governance section.

Directors Skills and Qualifications

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the seven members of the Board of Directors have the skills, experience, diversity and character to execute the Board’s responsibilities. The following is a summary of those qualifications:

 

 

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PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 and has further directed that management submit the selection of independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Neither our Amended and Restated Bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes (if any) are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved.

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

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table shows the aggregate fees for services provided for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for those periods. All fees described below were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

 

In connection with the audit of the 2019 financial statements, we entered into an engagement agreement with Ernst & Young LLP, which sets forth the terms under which Ernst & Young LLP performed audit services for us.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

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

The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of services other than audit services by Ernst & Young LLP is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

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PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and Section 14A of the Exchange Act, our stockholders are entitled to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules.

This proposal, commonly known as a “Say-on-Pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation as a whole. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation or any specific named executive officer, but rather the overall compensation of all of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. The compensation of our named executive officers is disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the related narrative disclosure contained in this proxy statement. As discussed in these disclosures, we believe that our compensation policies and decisions are based on principles that reflect a “pay-for-performance” philosophy and are strongly aligned with our stockholders’ interests and consistent with current market practices. Compensation of our named executive officers is designed to enable us to attract and retain talented and experienced executives to lead us successfully in a competitive environment.

Accordingly, our Board of Directors is asking our stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in this proxy statement, by casting a non-binding advisory vote “FOR” the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Kura Oncology, Inc. (the “Company”) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, narrative disclosures, and other related disclosure.”

Vote Required

Advisory approval of this Proposal 3 requires the vote of the holders a majority of the shares present at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon.

Because the vote is advisory, it is not binding on us, our Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors. Nevertheless, the views expressed by the stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to management and our Board of Directors and, accordingly, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee intend to consider the results of this vote in making determinations in the future regarding executive compensation arrangements.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

 

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PROPOSAL 4

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY STOCKHOLDER VOTES

TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Dodd-Frank Act and Section 14A of the Exchange Act enable our stockholders to indicate their preference at least once every six years regarding how frequently we should solicit a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in our proxy statement. Accordingly, as required by these rules, we also are asking our stockholders to provide their input with regard to the frequency of future advisory stockholder votes on the compensation for our named executive officers (such as Proposal 3 of this proxy statement). In particular, we are asking whether the advisory vote on executive compensation should occur once every year, every two years, or every three years.

After careful consideration of the frequency alternatives, our Board of Directors has determined that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation is the most appropriate alternative for us and our stockholders at this time. The Board of Director’s determination was influenced by the fact that the compensation of our named executive officers is evaluated, adjusted and approved on an annual basis. As part of the annual review process, the Board of Directors believes that stockholder sentiment should be a factor that is taken into consideration by the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee in making decisions with respect to executive compensation. By providing an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis, our stockholders will be able to provide us with direct input on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement every year. We understand that our stockholders may have different views as to what is the best approach for us, and we look forward to hearing from our stockholders on this agenda item every year.

Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board of Directors’ recommendation. Instead, stockholders may indicate their preference regarding the frequency of future non-binding advisory “say-on-pay” votes by selecting one year, two years or three years. Stockholders that do not have a preference regarding the frequency of future advisory votes may abstain from voting on the proposal. For the reasons discussed above, we are asking our stockholders to vote to hold advisory votes on the compensation for our named executive officers every year.

 You may cast your vote by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years, or abstain from voting in response to the resolution set forth below:

“RESOLVED, that the option of once every year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast for this resolution will be determined to be the preferred frequency with which Kura Oncology, Inc. (the “Company”) is to hold an advisory vote by stockholders to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, narrative disclosures, and other related disclosure.”

Vote Required

The choice of frequency that receives the highest number of votes from the shares present at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon will be considered the frequency preferred by the stockholders. You may vote for “1 Year,” “2 Years,” “3 Years,” or “ABSTAIN” on this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of this proposal.

Even though your vote is advisory and, therefore, will not be binding on us, our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee intend to consider the outcome of the vote when determining how often we should submit to stockholders an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR “1 YEAR” AS THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY STOCKHOLDER VOTES TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

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EX ECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers as of March 31, 2020.

 

 

The following is biographical information for our executive officers other than Dr. Wilson, whose biographical information is included under Proposal 1.

Marc Grasso, M.D. has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer since August 2018. Prior to joining us, he served as Managing Director at Stifel Financial Corp., an investment bank and financial services company, from March 2013 to July 2018, where he was responsible for building and managing Stifel’s west coast life sciences and biotechnology investment banking business. From June 2010 to February 2013, Dr. Grasso was Managing Director of Investment Banking in the Global Healthcare Group at UBS Group AG, focused on the biotechnology sector, and from May 2008 to June 2010 he was Managing Director of Investment Banking at Leerink Swann LLC (“Leerink”), a specialist investment bank focused on the healthcare sector, where he was instrumental in the west coast expansion of their franchise. Dr. Grasso joined Leerink from Morgan Stanley, where he served as an Executive Director of Investment Banking in the Global Healthcare Group. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he was Vice President of Investment Banking in the Global Healthcare Group of Credit Suisse First Boston. He began his career in investment banking at Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown Inc. Dr. Grasso received his M.D. from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he also performed research in molecular oncology. He obtained an A.B. in molecular biology with honors from Princeton University.

Kathleen Ford has served as our Chief Operating Officer since August 2019, and previously served as a consultant to us from January 2019 to August 2019. Prior to joining us, from 2012 to May 2017, she served as Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Operations, at Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, where she led clinical and development operations toward successful drug registrations in both the United States and Europe. From 2002 to 2009, she served in roles of increasing responsibility at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held pharmaceutical company, most recently as Vice President, Clinical Operations, where she led the global operational management of clinical trial activities in all phases of development. From 1993 to 2002, she served as Director of Clinical Operations at Alkermes plc, a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, where she managed the clinical development for two product approvals. Ms. Ford earned her R.N. from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing and her B.S.N. from Fitchburg State College.

James Basta, J.D. has served as our Chief Legal Officer and Secretary since November 2019. Prior to joining us, from 2006 to November 2019, he served in roles of increasing responsibility at Biogen, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, most recently as Senior Vice President, Chief Corporation Counsel, where he managed the legal representation for Biogen’s securities filings, board of directors, business development, finance and tax, corporate affairs, employment and information technology. Prior to joining Biogen in 2006, he was Partner at Baker & McKenzie LLP. Mr. Basta earned his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and his B.A. in Economics from Northwestern University.

Kirsten Flowers has served as our Chief Commercial Officer since January 2020. Prior to joining us, from August 2017 to October 2019, she served first as VP of Marketing and then as Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, at Array BioPharma, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, where she built and led the commercial organization that delivered the successful launch of Braftovi® + Mektovi® for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma in the United States. From 2004 to July 2016, she held various commercial leadership roles at Pfizer, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company, including serving as the U.S. commercial lead for the launch of the drug IBRANCE® in breast cancer and for the launch of INLYTA® in renal cell carcinoma. From 1997 to 2002, she worked in the pharmaceutical division of Procter & Gamble, a publicly-held consumer product company. Ms. Flowers earned her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and her B.S. in Molecular & Cellular Biology and Psychology from the University of Arizona.

 

Bridget Martell, M.A., M.D. has served as our Acting Chief Medical Officer since February 2020, and was previously our Vice President, Clinical Development since April 2018. From October 2017 to April 2018, Dr. Martell worked as an independent consultant to Kura as founder and managing director of BAM Consultants, LLC, a privately-held clinical development and medical affairs consultative services firm. From June 2015 to September 2017, she served as Senior Vice President, New Product Development at Juniper Pharmaceuticals, a publicly-held specialty pharmaceuticals company. Prior to that time , she held leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Pfizer, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company and Purdue Pharma L.P., a privately-held pharmaceutical company. Dr. Martell earned her B.S. in microbiology from Cornell University, her M.A. in molecular immunology from Boston University and her M.D. from the Chicago Medical School. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine and was an internal medicine chief resident and RWJ Faculty Clinical Scholar at Yale University. Dr. Martell is board certified in both internal and addiction medicine.

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Exe cutive Compensation

As of December 31, 2019, we ceased to be an emerging growth company and, therefore, this year’s Proxy Statement includes additional detail regarding executive compensation that was not required in previous proxy statements, including: this Compensation Discussion and Analysis; additional compensation tables for “Grants of Plan-Based Awards,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested,” and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control;” an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, which is included as Proposal 3 in this Proxy Statement; and an advisory vote on the preferred frequency of advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers, which is included as Proposal 4 in this Proxy Statement.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) provides an overview of our business performance in 2019 and highlights the material components of our executive compensation program during 2019. Since it describes our executive compensation program for 2019, this CD&A does not address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, our business and financial results, or our executive compensation for 2020. The Compensation Committee will consider such impacts when reviewing our 2020 executive compensation program which will be described in our proxy statement for next yea r’s annual meeting of stockholders.

This CD&A is intended to be read in conjunction with the tables following this section which provide further historical information for the current and former executives identified below. We refer to these executives collectively as our “Named Executive Officers”, or “NEOs”.

 

 

Executive Summary

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. Our pipeline consists of small molecule product candidates that target cancer signaling pathways where there is a strong scientific and clinical rationale to improve outcomes, and we intend to pair them with molecular or cellular diagnostics to identify those patients most likely to respond to treatment. We plan to advance our product candidates through a combination of internal development and strategic partnerships while maintaining significant development and commercial rights.

Our lead product candidate, tipifarnib, is a potent, selective and orally bioavailable inhibitor of farnesyl transferase. Tipifarnib was previously studied in more than 5,000 cancer patients and demonstrated compelling and durable anti-cancer activity in certain patients with a manageable side effect profile. We are currently evaluating tipifarnib in multiple solid tumor and hematologic indications.

2019 and Early 2020 Financial and Business Highlights

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Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

We operate in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving market, and we expect competition among companies in our market and adjacent spaces to continue to increase. Our ability to compete and succeed in this environment is directly correlated to our ability to recruit, incentivize, and retain talented executives. Our compensation philosophy is intended to attract and reward talented individuals who possess the skills necessary to expand our business and assist in the achievement of our other strategic goals and thereby create long-term value for our stockholders.

Consistent with our compensation philosophy, the primary objectives of our executive compensation programs are to:

 

Our executive compensation program generally consists of, and is intended to strike a balance among, the following three principal components: base salary, annual cash incentives, and long-term incentive compensation.

We also provide our executive officers with severance and change-in-control benefits, as well as other benefits available to all our employees, including retirement benefits under the Company’s 401(k) plan and participation in employee benefit plans.

We heavily weight our executives’ total compensation to “at-risk” pay. We believe focusing heavily on at-risk pay for our executives’ helps to properly focus our executives’ decisions, resources, and commitment to enterprise imperatives to advance the goals of the organization.

 

 

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How We Determine Executive Compensation

Pursuant to its charter and in accordance with applicable Nasdaq listing standards, our Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and approving the compensation arrangements of our executive officers and for establishing and maintaining our executive compensation policies and practices. The Compensation Committee is authorized to engage its own independent advisors to provide advice on matters related to executive compensation and general compensation programs, and for 2019 worked with Radford as its independent compensation consultant. Our Compensation Committee seeks input and receives advice from its independent compensation consultant as well as members of our executive management team when discussing and finalizing compensation- and governance-related decisions for our executive officers. For additional information on the Compensation Committee, see “Information Regarding Committees of the Board of Directors – Compensation Committee” in this Proxy Statement.

In 2019, the Compensation Committee considered numerous factors in determining whether to make adjustments to the cash and equity compensation of our executive officers, including our NEOs. The Compensation Committee reviewed the performance of our executive officers, taking into consideration financial, operational, customer, strategic, product, and competitive factors, as well as the succession planning and retention objectives for our various executive officer positions. The Compensation Committee also considered data regarding the practices of our comparators provided by its independent compensation consultant. The initial compensation arrangements with our executive officers other than our CEO were the result of arm’s-length negotiations between us and each individual executive officer at the time of his or her hire or appointment.

Role of Management

The role of management is to design our executive compensation programs, policies, and governance and make recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding these matters. In this respect, management reviews the effectiveness of our compensation programs, including competitiveness and alignment with the Company’s performance goals. Management also recommends changes to our compensation programs to facilitate achievement of our performance goals and reviews and makes recommendations with respect to the adoption and approval of, or modifications to, company-wide equity incentive compensation plans. Except with respect to our CEO’s compensation, our CEO made recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding base salaries, cash incentive awards, equity incentive awards, and other awards for our executive officers, which were also taken into account by the Compensation Committee in making its decisions regarding executive compensation. Our CEO was not present for the discussions of our Compensation Committee regarding his performance and compensation. Following deliberation, the Compensation Committee approved the cash compensation and equity awards for each of our NEOs as described below and in the Summary Compensation Table.

Role of the Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee retained Radford to advise on our 2019 executive compensation programs, practices and decisions given Radford’s expertise in the life sciences industry and its knowledge of competitive practices in the space.

During 2019, Radford provided the following services as requested by the Compensation Committee:

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All other analyses related to setting executive compensation for 2019 were conducted internally. Internal analyses included gathering and analyzing data and reviewing and advising on the key compone nts of executive compensation. Base salaries, equity awards, and cash bonuses were among the items reviewed based on market data provided by Radford. During 2019, the Compensation Committee reviewed the fees provided to Radford relative to Radford’s revenu es, the services provided by Radford to the Compensation Committee, any relationships between Radford and its individual consultants and our executive officers, any stock ownership of the Company by Radford, and other factors relating to Radford’s independ ence, and concluded that Radford is independent within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards and that its engagement did not present any conflict of interest.

Compensation Peer Group and Market Data

With the assistance of Radford, in September 2018, our Compensation Committee selected our primary compensation peer group which we used for our 2019 compensation decisions. The compensation peer group was generally developed from companies with a focus on early-stage pre-commercial public life sciences companies. We selected publicly-traded companies that, at the time the peer group was selected in September 2018, were at similar stages of development, with similar therapeutic focus if possible, had a market valuation between $300 million and $2.1 billion, a headcount of under 125 employees and were located in biotech hubs.

Our primary compensation peer group for 2019 consisted of the following companies:

 

 

As guidelines for our executives, we set target cash compensation, when considering salary and annual cash incentive potential, and equity compensation, delivered through equity-based awards, after generally referencing the 50 ^th  percentile of compensation paid to executives within our compensation peer group. We target equity compensation for our executives, delivered through equity-based awards between the 50 ^th and 75 ^th percentiles of equity compensation paid to executives in our compensation peer group using a blended value and percent of company approach. We believe that our emphasis on equity compensation serves to retain our executives and align their interests with those of our stockholders. We also believe that generally referencing the 50 ^th percentile in setting salary and annual incentive compensation and between the 50 ^th and 75 ^th percentiles in setting equity compensation for our executives, appropriately reflects our position and performance. We may deviate from setting actual compensation levels at these target percentiles of the peer group with respect to our executives to reflect experience, performance levels and market factors as deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. In any given year, the Compensation Committee may consider the experience and performance levels of our executives and other factors deemed appropriate and make a subjective determination that it would be appropriate for any Named Executive Officer’s compensation elements or targeted total compensation and equity levels to deviate from the targeted percentile of the compensation paid to similarly situated officers employed by our peer companies.

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Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program

The key elements of our executive compensation program include base salary, annual cash incentive awards, equity-based awards, and health, welfare and retirement programs. Except with respect to annual cash incentive plan awards, which typically are expressed as a pre-determined percentage of each executive officer’s base salary, we do not use specific formulas or weightings in determining the allocation of the various pay elements. The following chart summarizes the three main elements of compensation, their objectives, and key features.

 

 

2019 Compensation Decisions

For 2019, the Compensation Committee conducted its regular annual review of our executive compensation program, including an evaluation of competitive market practices; conducted annual performance reviews for our executive officers; determined whether to make adjustments to our executive officers’ base salaries and target annual incentive opportunities; and granted annual equity awards. The Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved the 2019 compensation of Dr. Wilson.

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Base Salary

Base salaries are reviewed annually, typically in connection with our annual performance review process. The Compensation Committee does not apply specific formulas to determine increases to base salaries. Rather, adjustments to base salaries reflect individual responsibilities, performance and experience of our executives, internal equity considerations and market data reviewed annually. This strategy is consistent with our intent of offering base salaries that are cost-effective while remaining competitive.

In making decisions regarding salary increases, we also draw upon the expertise of the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant and the experience of members of our Board of Directors with other companies.

2019 Base Salaries

In January 2019 (unless noted otherwise), the Compensation Committee (and the Board of Directors, with respect to Dr. Wilson) reviewed the base salaries of our NEOs and made the below determinations regarding base salaries for 2019. The increases to the base salaries for Drs. Wilson, Grasso and Gualberto reflect standard merit increases by the Company. Mr. Farnam’s increase reflects a market adjustment.

 

 

Annual Incentive Opportunities

In addition to base salaries, our NEOs are eligible to receive annual incentives, which are designed to provide appropriate incentives to our executives to achieve defined annual corporate goals and individual goals and to reward our executives who significantly impact our corporate results.

Annual corporate goals are established by the Board of Directors at the beginning of each year to which they relate, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Compensation Committee. For all executives other than the CEO, individual performance goals are also established.

The actual annual incentive earned by each NEO is generally determined based on (i) the individual’s target incentive opportunity, as a percentage of base salary, (ii) achievement of corporate goals, and (iii) individual performance, which may be measured against pre-established individual performance goals specified for any particular year and/or a general individual performance assessment for such period.

At the close of the applicable fiscal year, the Compensation Committee reviews all facets of our corporate performance, including our achievement of Board-approved strategic objectives and completes a qualitative assessment of our performance based on a holistic retrospective assessment of our achievements. This conclusion reflects the Compensation Committee’s views as to whether the corporate goals were met, whether the executive has achieved his or her individual performance goals, and whether there were any other extraordinary factors that should be considered in determining the amount of annual incentive earned for the year. In making the final decision on the amount of annual incentives earned, if any, the Compensation Committee considers the review of the year-end financial results as well as the performance reviews for the executive officers given by the CEO with respect to the other NEOs. The Compensation Committee believes that maintaining discretion to evaluate corporate and individual performance at the close of the year based on the totality of the circumstances, and to award or fail to award annual incentive compensation without reliance on rote calculations under set formulas, is appropriate in responsibly discharging its duties given the rapidly evolving environment in which the Company makes strategic decisions. The Compensation Committee recommends, and our Board of Directors makes the final decisions with respect to annual incentives awarded to our CEO. Payouts of earned annual incentives, if any, are generally made in the year following the year of performance.

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2019 Annual Incentive Opportunities and Achievements

The 2019 target annual incentive opportunities for each of our NEOs is provided in the chart below. Such percentages were not changed from the 2018 levels for Drs. Grasso, Gualberto and Mr. Farnam because the Compensation Committee determined that such target levels continued to be appropriate following consideration of, among other things, market data provided by Radford. Dr. Wilson’s percentage changed from 50% in 2018 to 55% in 2019 as determined by the Board after consultation with Radford, taking into account the market data provided by Radford.  

 

 

For 2019, the corporate goals were weighted at 100% for Dr. Wilson and at 75% for the other NEOs, with the remaining 25% tied to individual performance. For 2019, o ur NEOs could earn up to 150% of their stated target bonus, provided that achievement of core corporate goals had to be at least equal to 85% in order for NEOs to obtain credit for achievement of specified extra credit goals.

Our corporate goals for 2019 were based on the following core areas:

 

The table below reflects each of the core corporate goal categories and their relative weightings approved by the Board of Directors at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, as well as the overall achievement percentage for 2019:

 

 

The table below reflects the target and actual annual incentive paid to our NEO’s for performance in 2019:

 

 

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Long-Term Incentive Program

Our long-term, equity-based incentive awards are designed to align the interests of our NEOs and our other employees, non-employee directors and consultants with the interests of our stockholders. Because vesting is generally subject to continued service over a period of several years following the date of grant, our equity-based incentives also serve as a retention device for NEOs and other service providers. We generally provide initial equity-based incentive awards in connection with the commencement of employment of our NEOs as an inducement to commencement of employment. We award annual equity-based incentive awards at or shortly following the end of each year. Awards are subject to vesting over a period of multiple years to provide long-term incentives to deliver sustained stockholder value and to facilitate retention.

The Compensation Committee views stock options as inherently performance-based compensation that provides a direct link between executive pay and stockholder return, as the value realized, if any, by the executive, is dependent upon, and directly proportionate to, appreciation in stock price over the exercise period and throughout the remaining term prior to exercise. Additionally, stock options will not provide value to the holder if the value of our stock price does not increase after the award is granted. An equity pay mix of 100% options is also common market practice for companies in our industry and stage of development. For these reasons, the Compensation Committee determined to continue the exclusive use of stock options for our 2019 annual awards.

2019 Equity Awards

In 2019, the Compensation Committee (and with respect to Dr. Wilson, our Board of Directors) approved the following annual stock options for our NEOs, which vest over a four-year period. The awards to Ms. Ford and Mr. Basta were granted in connection with their commencement of employment. The awards to Mr. Farnam were later forfeited upon the termination of his employment. In determining the grants to our NEOs in 2019, our Compensation Committee reviewed market data and considered a blended value and percent of Company approach.

 

 

Benefits Programs and Perquisites

Our NEOs are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, including our medical, dental, vision, group life and disability insurance plans, in each case on the same basis as our other employees. We pay the premiums for term life insurance and disability insurance for all of our employees, including our NEOs. In addition, we have an executive disability policy for our executive officers. None of our NEOs participates in or has account balances in qualified or non-qualified defined benefit, non-qualified defined contribution plans or defined benefit pension plans sponsored by us.

In connection with Mr. Basta’s commencement of employment with us, we paid him a one-time sign-on bonus of $100,000, and he is entitled to a one-time relocation payment of $100,000. In addition, we reimburse Drs. Wilson and Grasso and Ms. Ford for their commuting expenses from their places of residence to our offices, and we also provide tax gross up payments to Drs. Wilson and Grasso and Ms. Ford with respect to taxes on such commuting expense reimbursements. We do not provide any other perquisites or personal benefits to our NEOs.

All of our full-time employees in the United States, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan, which is a retirement savings defined contribution plan established in accordance with Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Pursuant to our 401(k) plan, employees may elect to defer their eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis, up to the statutorily prescribed annual limits and to have the amount of this reduction contributed to our 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan also permits us to make discretionary contributions and matching contributions, subject to established limits and a vesting schedule.

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Other Features of our Executive Compensation Program

Executive Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our NEOs that provide for the basic terms of their employment, including the details of their compensation as well as certain severance and change of control benefits. Each of our NEOs is employed at will and may be terminated at any time for any reason. The terms of the employment agreements are described in greater detail in the section entitled “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table — Agreements with our Named Executive Officers.”

Severance and Change in Control Benefits

Regardless of the manner in which our NEOs service terminates, our NEOs are entitled (or, in the case of Dr. Gualberto and Mr. Farnam, who ceased employment with us in February 2020 and August 2019, respectively, were entitled) to receive amounts previously earned during his or her term of service, including accrued and unpaid salary and unused vacation pay. Under the employment agreements for our NEOs, all severance payments are conditioned upon the executive providing a release of claims against us. If we terminate the executive’s employment without cause or the executive resigns for good reason more than 59 days prior to or 12 months after the closing of a corporate transaction, we will pay:

The employment agreements for our NEOs also provide that if we terminate the executive’s employment without cause or the executive resigns for good reason less than 59 days before, on or within 12 months after the closing of a corporate transaction, we will pay:

 

For purposes of our Named Executive Officer employment agreements:

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We believe that these severance benefits are an important element of our executive compensation and retention program, particularly in the context of a corporate transaction where provision of such benefits eliminates, or at least reduces, the reluctance of our executive officers to diligently consider and pursue potential transactions that may be in the best interests of our stockholders. We also believe that our severance benefit arrangements with our NEOs are consistent with compensation arrangements provided in a competitive market for executive talent and the events triggering payment represent appropriate hurdles for the severance benefits. We further believe that the benefits of such severance arrangements, including generally requiring a release of claims against us as a condition to receiving the severance benefits, are in the best interests of the company.

In addition, each of our current NEOs holds outstanding stock options under our Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) that were granted subject to our form of award agreement. The employment agreements with our NEOs provide for accelerated vesting of their equity awards upon an involuntary termination (both termination without cause and resignation for good reason) that occurs in connection with a change of control transaction. The Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors believe these accelerated vesting provisions are relatively common for companies in our industry at similar stages of development, based on the collective knowledge and experiences of the Compensation Committee members (and without reference to specific peer group data), and allow us to attract and retain highly qualified executive officers. In addition, we believe these accelerated vesting provisions will allow our NEOs to focus on closing a transaction that may be in the best interest of our stockholders even though the transaction may otherwise result in a termination of their employment and, absent such accelerated vesting, a forfeiture of their unvested equity awards.

Separation Agreement with Mr. Farnam

In August 2019, we entered into a separation agreement effecting Mr. Farnam’s termination of services. We paid him all accrued salary and any and all accrued and unused paid time off earned through his separation date, August 9, 2019. In addition, subject to certain conditions under the separation agreement, Mr. Farnam was entitled to a lump sum cash severance payment equal to 15 months’ base salary, COBRA premiums for up to 15 months following separation, partial acceleration of his outstanding equity awards (such that his awards were deemed vested through December 31, 2019) and six months of executive outplacement services.

Separation Agreement with Dr. Gualberto

In February 2020, we entered into a separation agreement effecting Dr. Gualberto’s resignation. We paid him all accrued salary and any and all accrued and unused paid time off earned through his separation date, February 9, 2020. The separation agreement provided for the terms of a transition services relationship between us and Dr. Gualberto that will continue for one year (unless terminated sooner), during which his outstanding equity awards shall continue to vest. Dr. Gualberto was not entitled to any severance benefits.

Other Compensation Policies

Clawbacks

As a public company, if we are required to restate our financial results due to our material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws as a result of misconduct, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer may be legally required to reimburse our Company for any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based c ompensation they receive in accordance with the provisions of Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In addition, we will comply with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and will adopt a compensation recovery policy once the SEC adopts final regulations on the subject.

Insider Trading Policy and Window Period Policy

Our insider trading policy prohibits our employees, including our executive officers, non-employee directors and consultants from engaging in short sales, transactions in put or call options, hedging transactions or other inherently speculative transactions with respect to our securities at any time. In addition, no officer, director, other employee or

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consultant may margin any of our securit ies, including without limitation, borrowing against such securities, at any time. Our window period policy provides that the Company’s employees, including our executive officers, and our non-employee directors are required to limit their transactions in the Company’s stock to defined time periods following public dissemination of quarterly and annual financial results, notify one or more designated pre-clearance individuals prior to engaging in transactions in the Company’s stock and observe other restric tions designed to minimize the risk of apparent or actual insider trading.

Compensation Policies and Practices as They Relate to Risk Management

With the assistance of the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee has determined that our compensation policies and practices for our employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our Company.

Accounting and Tax Considerations

Under Financial Accounting Standard Board ASC Topic 718 (“ASC 718”), the Company is required to estimate and record an expense for each award of equity compensation over the vesting period of the award. We record share-based compensation expense on an ongoing basis according to ASC 718. The accounting impact of our compensation programs are one of many factors that the Compensation Committee considers in determining the structure and size of our executive compensation programs.

Under Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”) , compensation paid to any publicly held corporation’s “covered employees” that exceeds $1 million per taxable year for any covered employee is generally non-deductible.

Prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Section 162(m) provided a performance-based compensation exception, pursuant to which the deduction limit under Section 162(m) did not apply to any compensation that qualified as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m). Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) was repealed with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, except that certain transition relief is provided for compensation paid pursuant to a written binding contract which was in effect on November 2, 2017 and which is not modified in any material respect on or after such date.

Compensation paid to each of the Company’s “covered employees” in excess of $1 million per taxable year generally will not be deductible unless it qualifies for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) pursuant to the transition relief described above. Because of certain ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Section 162(m), as well as other factors beyond the control of the Compensation Committee, no assurance can be given that any compensation paid by the Company will be eligible for such transition relief and be deductible by the Company in the future. Although the Compensation Committee will continue to consider tax implications as one factor in determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee also looks at other factors in making its decisions and retains the flexibility to provide compensation for the Company’s NEOs in a manner consistent with the goals of the Company’s executive compensation program and the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, which may include providing for compensation that is not deductible by the Company due to the deduction limit under Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee also retains the flexibility to modify compensation that was initially intended to be exempt from the deduction limit under Section 162(m) if it determines that such modifications are consistent with the Company’s business needs.

Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is furnished to, but not deemed “filed” with, the SEC and is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, other than the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10 ‑ K, where it shall be deemed to be “furnished,” whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this Proxy Statement. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee has recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and be incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2019.

 

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Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2019, 2018 a nd 2017

 

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table presents, for each of our named executive officers, information concerning grants of plan-based awards made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. This information supplements the information about these awards set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above.

 

 

 

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Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Agreements with Named Executive Officers

All of our Named Executive Officers have employment agreements with us that provide for, among other things, certain base salary, target bonus and severance payments to our Named Executive Officers as follows:

Dr. Wilson

In March 2016, we entered into an amended and restated executive employment agreement with Dr. Wilson, which replaced and superseded his previous executive employment agreement. Pursuant to his amended and restated executive employment agreement, Dr. Wilson is entitled to receive an annual base salary and he is eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based on a target amount of 50% of his annual base salary which the Board increased to 55% in January 2020, effective for his 2019 annual incentive amount. In January 2019, our Board of Directors approved increasing Dr. Wilson’s base salary to $542,000. Dr. Wilson also is eligible for severance benefits that are described in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below. We reimburse Dr. Wilson for his commuting expenses in connection with his commute to our San Diego office and in March 2019, our Board of Directors also agreed to provide Dr. Wilson with tax gross up payments with respect to taxes on the commuting expense reimbursement payments. Dr. Wilson’s employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time by either Dr. Wilson or by us with or without cause and without notice.

Dr. Grasso

We entered into an executive employment agreement with Dr. Grasso which became effective on the start of his employment with us in August 2018 and which was amended effective as of August 2018. Pursuant to his executive employment agreement, Dr. Grasso is entitled to receive an annual base salary and he is eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based on a target amount of 40% of his annual base salary. In January 2019, our Compensation Committee approved increasing Dr. Grasso’s base salary to $387,000 and in September 2019, our Compensation Committee approved increasing Dr. Grasso’s base salary to $390,000. Pursuant to his executive employment agreement, Dr. Grasso also received a one-time sign-on bonus of $100,000 and is entitled to reimbursement of his commuting expenses in connection with his commute to our San Diego office, of up to $3,000 per month. In March 2019, our Compensation Committee agreed to remove the $3,000 monthly cap and to also provide Dr. Grasso with tax gross up payments with respect to taxes on the commuting expense reimbursement payments. Dr. Grasso also is eligible for severance benefits that are described in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below. Dr. Grasso’s employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time by either Dr. Grasso or by us with or without cause and without notice.

Ms. Ford

We entered into an executive employment agreement with Ms. Ford which became effective on the start of her employment with us in August 2019. Pursuant to her executive employment agreement, Ms. Ford is entitled to receive an initial annual base salary of $400,000 and she is eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based on a target amount of 40% of her annual base salary. Ms. Ford also is eligible for severance benefits that are described in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below. Ms. Ford’s employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time by either Ms. Ford or by us with or without cause and without notice.

Mr. Basta

We entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Basta which became effective on the start of his employment with us in November 2019. Pursuant to his executive employment agreement, Mr. Basta is entitled to receive an initial annual base salary of $390,000 and beginning with the year ending December 31, 2020 he is eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based on a target amount of 40% of his annual base salary. Pursuant to his executive employment agreement, Mr. Basta also received a one-time sign-on bonus of $100,000 and he is entitled to a one-time relocation payment of $100,000 which he has not yet earned. Mr. Basta also is eligible for severance benefits that are described in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below. Mr. Basta’s employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time by either Mr. Basta or by us with or without cause and without notice.

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Dr. Gualberto

In March 2016, we entered into an amended and restated executive employment agreement with Dr. Gualberto, which replaced and superseded his previous executive employment agreement. Pursuant to his amended and restated executive employment agreement, Dr. Gualberto’s was entitled to receive an annual base salary and he was eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based on a target amount of his annual base salary. Effective January 1, 2018, our Compensation Committee approved increasing his annual performance bonus target amount to 40%. In January 2019, our Compensation Committee approved increasing Dr. Gualberto’s base salary to $431,000. Dr. Gualberto also was eligible for severance benefits that are described in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below.

In February 2020, we entered into a separation agreement effecting Dr. Gualberto’s resignation. For information about Dr. Gualberto’s separation agreement , refer to “Executive Compensation— Other Features of our Executive Compensation Program —Separation Agreement with Dr. Gualberto” above.

Mr. Farnam

We entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Farnam which became effective on the start of his employment with us in July 2018. Pursuant to his executive employment agreement, Mr. Farnam was entitled to receive an annual base salary and he was eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based on a target amount of 40% of his annual base salary. In January 2019, our Compensation Committee approved increasing Mr. Farnam’s base salary to $387,000. Mr. Farnam was also is eligible for severance benefits that are described in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below.

In August 2019, we entered into a separation agreement effecting Mr. Farnam’s termination of services. For information about Mr. Farnam’s separation agreement , refer to “Executive Compensation— Other Features of our Executive Compensation Program —Separation Agreement with Mr. Farnam” above.

Equity Awards

We have granted equity awards to our Named Executive Officers under our 2014 Plan. For further information regarding such equity awards, including the vesting schedules, please see the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table and related footnotes above, the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End” table and related footnotes below and “Long-Term Incentive Program” in our CD&A above.

Option Repricings or Modifications

In connection with Mr. Farnam’s separation, the vesting of Mr. Farnam’s outstanding equity awards was partially accelerated, such that the awards were deemed vested through December 31, 2019. With the exception of the foregoing, we did not engage in any repricings or other modifications or cancellations to any of our Named Executive Officers’ option awards during 2019.

Salary and Annual Incentive Bonus Compared to Total Compensation

The ratio of salary and annual incentive bonus to total compensation in 2019 (each as set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” above) is set forth below for each Named Executive Officer.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table shows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, certain information regarding outstanding equity awards at fiscal year-end for our Named Executive Officers.

 

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information regarding options exercised during 2019 for our Named Executive Officers. No stock awards held by our Named Executive Officers vested during 2019.

 

 

Pension Benefits

Other than with respect to tax-qualified defined contribution plans such as our 401(k) plan, our Named Executive Officers do not participate in any plan that provides for retirement payments and benefits, or payments and benefits that will be provided primarily following retirement.

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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

None of our Named Executive Officers participate in or have account balances in qualified or nonqualified defined benefit plans sponsored by us that provide for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified . The Compensation Committee may elect to adopt qualified or nonqualified defined benefit plans in the future if it determines that doing so is in our best interests.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

For information regarding potential payments to our Named Executive Officers upon termination or a change of control, refer to “Executive Compensation— Other Features of our Executive Compensation Program —Severance and Change in Control Benefits” above.

The following table sets forth information regarding potential payments that would have been made to our Named Executive Officers on various termination or change in control events assuming such events occurred as of December 31, 2019.

 

 

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Equity Compensation Plans

Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan

Our Board of Directors and stockholders approved the 2014 Plan in March 2015, which became effective in April 2015. As of December 31, 2019, there were outstanding stock options to purchase 4,080,031 shares of our common stock and 800,835 shares of our common stock remaining available for the grant of stock awards under our 2014 Plan.

Stock Awards. The 2014 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options (“ISOs”), nonstatutory stock options (“NSOs”), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance-based stock awards, and other forms of equity compensation, which we refer to collectively as stock awards, all of which may be granted to employees, including officers, non-employee directors and consultants of us and our affiliates. Additionally, the 2014 Plan provides for the grant of performance cash awards. ISOs may be granted only to employees. All other awards may be granted to employees, including officers, and to non-employee directors and consultants.

Administration. Our Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has the authority to administer the 2014 Plan. Our Board of Directors may also delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to (1) designate employees (other than other officers) to be recipients of certain stock awards, and (2) determine the number of shares of common stock to be subject to such stock awards. Subject to the terms of the 2014 Plan, our Board of Directors or the authorized committee, referred to herein as the plan administrator, determines recipients, dates of grant, the numbers and types of stock awards to be granted and the terms and conditions of the stock awards, including the period of their exercisability and vesting schedule applicable to a stock award. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the plan administrator will also determine the exercise price, strike price or purchase price of awards granted and the types of consideration to be paid for the award.

The plan administrator has the authority to modify outstanding awards under our 2014 Plan. Subject to the terms of our 2014 Plan, the plan administrator has the authority to reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding stock award, cancel any outstanding stock award in exchange for new stock awards, cash or other consideration, or take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, with the consent of any adversely affected participant.

Stock Options. ISOs and NSOs are granted pursuant to stock option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions of the 2014 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2014 Plan vest at the rate specified by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator determines the term of stock options granted under the 2014 Plan, up to a maximum of ten years. Unless the terms of an participant’s stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an participant’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than disability, death or cause, the participant may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. The option term may be extended in the event that exercise of the option following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws or our insider trading policy. If an participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability or death, or an participant dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the participant or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, options generally terminate immediately upon the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term. Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan administrator and may include (1) cash, check, bank draft or money order, (2) a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (3) the tender of shares of our common stock previously owned by the participant, (4) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO, and (5) other legal consideration approved by the plan administrator.

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Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a domestic relations order. A participant may designate a beneficiary , however, who may exercise the option following the participant ’s death.

Corporate Transactions. In the event of certain specified significant corporate transactions, the plan administrator has the discretion to take any of the following actions with respect to stock awards:

Our plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards, even those that are of the same type, in the same manner.

Under the 2014 Plan, a corporate transaction is generally the consummation of (1) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (2) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation, or (4) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.

Change in Control. The plan administrator may provide, in an individual award agreement or in any other written agreement between a participant and us that the stock award will be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the event of a change in control. Under the 2014 Plan, a change in control is generally (1) the acquisition by a person or entity of more than 50% of our combined voting power other than by merger, consolidation or similar transaction; (2) a consummated merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately after which our stockholders cease to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity; (3) a consummated sale, lease or exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially of our assets; or (4) when a majority of our Board of Directors becomes comprised of individuals who were not serving on our Board of Directors on the date of adoption of the 2014 Plan, or the incumbent board, or whose nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of the incumbent board still in office.

Amendment and Termination. Our Board of Directors has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate our 2014 Plan, provided that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. No ISOs may be granted after March 6, 2025, which is the tenth anniversary of the date our Board of Directors amended and restated our 2014 Plan.

2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

General. Additional equity incentives may be provided through the 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which became effective in April 2015. The purpose of the ESPP is to retain the services of employees and secure the services of new and existing employees while providing incentives for such individuals to exert maximum efforts toward our success. The ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. Our Board of Directors administers the ESPP. Under the ESPP, all of our regular employees (including our Named Executive Officers) may participate and may contribute, normally through payroll deductions, up to 15% of their earnings for the purchase of our common stock. The ESPP is implemented through a series of offerings of purchase rights to eligible employees. Under the ESPP, we may specify offerings with a duration of not more than twenty-seven months, and may specify shorter purchase periods within each offering. Each offering will have one or more purchase dates on which our common stock will be purchased for employees participating in the offering. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, shares are purchased for accounts of employees participating in the ESPP at a price per share equal to the lower of (a) 85% of the fair market value of our common stock on the first date of an offering or (b) 85% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of purchase.

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Corporate Transactions . In the event of certain significant corporate transactions, including consummation of : (i) a sale or other disposition of all the Company’s assets, (ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of the Company’s outstanding securities, (iii)  a merger , consolidation or similar transaction where the Company does not survive the transaction or (iv) a merger , consolidation or similar transaction where the Company does survive the transaction but the shares of its common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction, any then-outstanding rights to purchase the Co mpany’s stock under the ESPP may be assumed, continued or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company) elects not to assume, continue or substitute for such purch ase rights, then the participants’ accumulated payroll contributions will be used to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock within 10 business days prior to such corporate transaction and such purchase rights will terminate immediately.

Amendment and Termination . The Board of Directors has the authority to amend or terminate the ESPP, provided that except in certain circumstances any such amendment or termination may not materially impair any outstanding purchase rights without the holder’s consent. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to the ESPP as required by applicable law or listing requirements.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2019, with respect to all of our equity compensation plans in effect on that date.

 

 

 

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SEC URITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAG EMENT

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2020, by: (i) each of our directors; (ii) each of our Named Executive Officers in the Summary Compensation Table; (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and (iv) all those known by us to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock.

The following table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13G filed with the SEC, and other sources. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe that each of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable percentages are based on 45,430,045 shares outstanding on March 31, 2020, adjusted as required by rules promulgated by the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for the following stockholders is c/o Kura Oncology, Inc., 3033 Science Park Road, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92121 .

 

 

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NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each of our non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

 

Our director compensation policy (the “Director Compensation Policy”) provides for both cash retainer fees and automatic, non-discretionary annual equity grants. Pursuant to the Director Compensation Policy, our non-employee directors receive the following compensation:

In March 2020, upon consultation with Radford, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Director Compensation Policy effective as of January 1, 2020, to increase the annual cash retainer from $38,000 to $40,000, to increase the annual cash retainer for services of the members and chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee from $3,750 to $4,000, to increase the initial option grant from 30,000 shares to 46,000 shares, and to increase the annual option grant from 13,000 shares to 23,000 shares.

Each of the initial and annual option grants described above will vest and become exercisable subject to the director’s continuous service to us, provided that each option will vest in full upon a change of control (as defined under our 2014 Plan). The term of each option will be ten years, subject to earlier termination as provided in the 2014 Plan, except that the post-termination exercise period will be for 12 months from the date of termination, if such termination is other than for cause or due to death or disability. The options will be granted under our 2014 Plan, the terms of which are described in more detail above under “Equity Compensation Plans—Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.”

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Director’s fees are prorated to the date the director is appointe d or elected. We have reimbursed and will continue to reimburse all of our non-employee directors for their travel, lodging and other reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board of Directors, subject to our travel policy.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, limits our directors’ liability to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware corporate law. Delaware corporate law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability:

These provisions eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders to recover monetary damages from a director for breach of his or her fiduciary duty of care as a director except in the situations described above. The limitations summarized above, however, do not affect our ability or that of our stockholders to seek non-monetary remedies, such as an injunction or rescission, against a director for breach of his or her fiduciary duty.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides a corporation with the power to indemnify any officer or director acting in his or her capacity as our representative who is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any lawsuit or other proceeding for expenses, judgment and amounts paid in settlement in connection with such lawsuit or proceeding. The indemnity provisions apply whether the action was instituted by a third party or was filed by one of our stockholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. We have provided for this indemnification in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, because we believe that it is important to attract qualified directors and officers.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors that require us to indemnify such persons against any and all expenses, including judgments, fines or penalties, attorney’s fees, witness fees or other professional fees and related disbursements and other out-of-pocket costs incurred, in connection with any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry or administrative hearing, whether threatened, pending or completed, to which any such person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of our company, provided that such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner that the director or officer reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests. The indemnification agreements also set forth procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification thereunder. We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification by such director, officer or controlling person of us in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being offered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. At the present time, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer, employee or other agent of ours in which indemnification would be required or permitted. We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding, which may result in a claim for such indemnification.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Pursuant to SEC rules, a “transaction” with a related person includes any transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which the Company was or is a participant and the related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest where the amount involved exceeds $120,000.

Since January 1, 2019, we have engaged in the following transactions with our respective directors, executive officers and holders of more than 5% of voting securities, which we refer to as principal stockholders, and affiliates or immediate family members of our respective directors, executive officers and principal stockholders, other than employment and compensation arrangements, certain of which are described in the section above titled “Executive Compensation.” We believe that all of these transactions were on terms as favorable as could have been obtained from unrelated third parties.

Employment and Separation Arrangements

We currently have written employment agreements with our executive officers. For information about our employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers, refer to “Executive Compensation—Agreements with our Named Executive Officers” above.

In August 2019, we entered into a separation agreement effecting John Farnam’s termination of services. For information about Mr. Farnam’s separation agreement , refer to “Executive Compensation— Other Features of our Executive Compensation Program —Separation Agreement with Mr. Farnam” above.

In February 2020, we entered into a separation agreement effecting Antonio Gualberto, M.D., Ph.D.’s resignation. For information about Dr. Gualberto’s separation agreement , refer to “Executive Compensation— Other Features of our Executive Compensation Program —Separation Agreement with Dr. Gualberto” above.

Stock Options Granted to Executive Officers and Directors

We have granted stock options to our executive officers and directors, as more fully described in “Executive Compensation—Grants of Plan-Based Awards”, “Executive Compensation—Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End” and “Non-Employee Director Compensation” above.

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into and intend to continue to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and our officers. The indemnification agreements, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and our Amended and Restated Bylaws require us to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

Services Agreements

Pursuant to our management services agreement with Araxes, Araxes pays us a monthly fee for the provision of management services including executive management services, general and administrative services, financial and tax related services and development of intellectual property. The monthly fee is based on costs incurred by us in the provision of management services to Araxes, plus a reasonable mark-up. Under this agreement, Araxes paid us a total of $245,000 for management services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, the agreement allows for Araxes to reimburse us an amount equal to the number of full-time equivalents (“FTEs”) performing research and development services for Araxes, at an FTE rate of approximately $374,000, plus actual expenses as reasonably incurred. Dr. Wilson, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is the sole managing member of Araxes and is a significant stockholder of each of us and Araxes.

Pursuant to our services agreement with Wellspring, a wholly owned subsidiary of A raxes, we pay Wellspring for the provision of various services, including research and development services, an amount equal to the number of FTEs performing the services, at an FTE rate of $ 400,000, plus actual expenses as reasonably incurred.

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We have a s ervices agreement with ALG Partners, Inc. (“ALG Partners”), a recruiting and temporary staffing agency. Kathleen Ford, our Chief Operating Officer, is an immediate family member of the president of ALG Partners.  Under the agreement, we paid ALG Partners ap proximately $134,000 for related party services provided during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

Sublease Agreements

In December 2016, we entered into a sublease with Wellspring, which was assigned to Araxes in August 2019, to lease approximately 5,216 square feet of office space located in San Diego, California for our executive offices for a base monthly rent of approximately $16,000. The sublease includes rent escalation of 3% per year. In addition to the base monthly rent, we are obligated to pay for operating expenses, amenities fees and other costs applicable to the subleased property. The sublease commenced in June 2017 and had an original expiration date of October 31, 2019. In March 2019, we entered into an amendment to our sublease agreement to extend the term of the sublease to April 30, 2020, unless terminated earlier. During the extended term, the base monthly rent was increased to approximately $24,000 effective November 1, 2019, corresponding to the increase in Araxes’s monthly rent . In April 2020, we entered into an amendment to our sublease agreement with Araxes to extend the term of the sublease to June 30, 2020, with no change to the amount of base monthly rent.

Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons

We have adopted a written related-party transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and oversight of “related-party transactions.” For purposes of our policy only, a “related-party transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any “related party” are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000.

Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, consultant or director are not considered related-party transactions under this policy. A related party is any executive officer, director, nominee to become a director or a holder of more than 5% of our common stock, including any of their immediate family members and affiliates, including entities owned or controlled by such parties.

Under the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, management must present information regarding the proposed related-party transaction to our Audit Committee (or, where review by our Audit Committee would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our Board of Directors) for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, all of the parties, the direct and indirect interests of the related parties, the purpose of the transaction, the material facts, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available, an assessment of whether the terms are comparable to the terms available from unrelated third parties and management’s recommendation. To identify related-party transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related-parties transactions, our Audit Committee or another independent body of our Board of Directors takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:

In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval.

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H OUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Kura stockholders will be “householding” our proxy materials. A single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials, please notify your broker or Kura. Direct your written request to Kura Oncology, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 3033 Science Park Road, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92121 or contact Investor Relations at (858) 500-8803. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.

OTHER MATTERS

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

 

 

 

A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO: SECRETARY, KURA ONCOLOGY, INC., 3033 Science Park Road, SUITE 220, SAN DIEGO, CA 92121 .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF KURA ONCOLOGY, INC.  Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Kura Oncology, Inc.  to be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2020  for Holders as of April 27, 2020  This proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors  Date: June 24, 2020  Time: 8:30 A.M. (Pacific Time)  Place: Annual Meeting to be held live via the Internet - please visit www.proxydocs.com/KURA for more details.  Please separate carefully at the perforation and return just this portion in the envelope provid ed.  VOTE BY:   INTERNET  TELEPHONE  Please make your marks like this: Use dark black pencil or pen only  Call  Before The Meeting Go To:  www.proxypush.com/KURA  • Cast your vote online.  • View Meeting Documents.  During the Meeting Go To: www.proxydocs. com/KURA  • Cast your vote online.  • View Meeting Documents.  866-829-5219  The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” all the nominees  for director listed below, “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3, and for “1 YEAR” in  Proposal 4.  • Use any touch-tone telephone.  • Have your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form ready.  • Follow the simple recorded instructions.  OR  1: Election of three Class III directors for  three-year terms:   MAIL  Directors  Recommend   Withhold  For  • Mark, sign and date your Prox y Card/Voting Instruction Form.  • Detach your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form.  • Return your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form in the  postage-paid envelope provided.  01 Steven H. Stein, M.D.  02 Mary T. Szela  03 Diane Parks  For  OR  For  For  The undersigned hereby appoints Troy E. Wilson, Ph.D., J.D. and James Basta, J.D. and each of them, as proxies  for the undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation, and authorizes them, and each of them, to vote  all the shares of stock of Kur a Oncology, Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting  of Stockholders to be held on June 24, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time. Annual Meeting to be held live via the Internet  - please visit www.proxydocs.com/KURA for more de tails. At any adjournment thereof upon the matters specified  and upon such other matters as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof, conferring  authority upon such proxies to vote in their best judgment on such other matters as may properly come before the  meeting and revoking any proxy previously given.  THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS  GIVEN, SHARES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR LISTED IN   PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 3, AND FOR “1 YEAR” IN PROPOSAL 4.   All votes must be received by 8:30 A.M. Pacific Time on June 24, 2020.   For Against Abstain  2: To ratify selection of Ernst & Young LLP as  our independent registered public account ing  firm for our fiscal year ending December 31,  2020.  3: Approval, on an advisory basis, of the  compensation of our Named Executive  Officers (“Say-On-Pay”) during the year  ended December 31, 2019.   4: Indication, on an advisory basis, of the  prefe rred frequency of holding future Say-on-Pay votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.  5: To transact any other business as may  properly come before the meeting or any  adjournment or postponement thereof.  For   For Against Abstain  For   1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS Abstain  1 Year  PROXY TABULATOR FOR  KURA ONCOLOGY, INC.  P.O. BOX 8016  CARY, NC 27512-9903  TO ATTEND the Annual Meeting of Kura Oncology, Inc.,  please visit www.proxydocs.com/KURA for virtual meeting  registration details.  Au thorized Signatures - This section must be completed for your Instructions to be executed.   Please Sign Here Please Date Above   Please Sign Here Please Date Above  Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. If held in joint tenancy, all person s  should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should  provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy.    Proxy — Kura Oncology, Inc.  Annual Meeting of Stockholders  Jun e 24, 2020, 8:30 a.m. (Pacific Time)  This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors   The undersigned appoints Troy E. Wilson, Ph.D., J.D. and James Basta, J.D. (the  “Named Proxies”) and each of them as proxies for the undersigned, with full   power of substitution, to vote the shares of common stock of Kura Oncology, Inc.,  a Delaware corporation (“the Company”), which the undersigned is entitled  to vote, and, in their best judgment, to vote upon such other business as may  properly come bef ore the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company  to be held live via the Internet - please visit www.proxydocs.com/KURA for  more details, on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time and all  adjournments thereof.  The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to take action on the following:  1. To elect the three Class III directors named in the proxy statement to serve  for three-year terms until the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  2. To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Boa rd of Directors of  Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for  our fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.  3. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named  Executive Officers (“Say-On-Pay”) during the year ended December 31,  2019.  4. To indicate, on an advisory basis, the preferred frequency of holding  future Say-on-Pay votes on the compensation of our Named Executive  Officers.  5. To transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting   or any adjournment or postponement thereof.   Our Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” all of the proposed  nominees for election to our Board of Directors, “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3, and  for “1 YEAR” in Proposal 4.  This proxy, when properly executed , will be voted in the manner directed  herein. If no direction is made but the proxy card is signed, this proxy will  be voted “FOR” all nominees for director, “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3, and  for “1 YEAR” in Proposal 4. In their best judgment, the Named Pro xies are  authorized to vote upon such other matters that may properly come before  the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.  You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box  (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need no t mark any box if you wish to vote  in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendation. The Named  Proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card.  Please separate carefully at the perforation and return just this portion in th e envelope provided.