SCHEDULE 14A
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant toss.240.14a-11(c) orss.240.14a-12
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
-------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
William T. Hart - Attorney for Registrant
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3)
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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CEL-SCI CORPORATION
8229 Boone Blvd.
Suite 802
Vienna, Virginia 22l82
(703) 506-9460
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MARCH 31, 2003
To the Shareholders:
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the shareholders of
CEL-SCI Corporation (the "Company") will be held at the Hilton Munchen Park, Am
Tucherpark 7, 80538 Munich, Germany on March 31, 2003, at 11:00 A.M., for the
following purposes:
(1) to elect the directors who shall constitute the Company's Board of
Directors for the ensuing year;
(2) to approve the adoption of the Company's 2003 Incentive Stock Option
Plan which provides that up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock may be issued
upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Incentive Stock Option
Plan.
(3) to approve the adoption of the Company's 2003 Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan which provides that up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock may be issued
upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan.
(4) to approve the adoption of the Company's 2003 Stock Bonus Plan which
provides that up to 500,000 shares of common stock may be issued to persons
granted stock bonuses pursuant to the Stock Bonus Plan.
(5) to approve the issuance of such number of shares of common stock as may
be required by the terms of convertible securities and warrants issued by the
Company.
(6) to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003;
to transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
This year the Company decided to have its Annual Meeting in Germany so that
the large number of shareholders who reside in Europe could attend. In future
years the Company plans to rotate the location of its Annual Meetings between
Virginia, Maryland and Europe.
February 12, 2003 is the record date for the determination of shareholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting. Shareholders are entitled to
one vote for each share held. As of February 12, 2003, there were 47,886,326
issued and outstanding shares of the Company's common stock.
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
February 28, 2003 By /s/ Geert R. Kersten
-------------------------------
Geert R. Kersten
Chief Executive Officer
_______________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED
PROXY CARD, AND SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD.
TO SAVE THE COST OF FURTHER SOLICITATION, PLEASE MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
8229 Boone Blvd.
Suite 802
Vienna, Virginia 22l82
(703) 506-9460
PROXY STATEMENT
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Company's directors for voting
at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on March 31, 2003, and at any
and all adjournments of such meeting. If the proxy is executed and returned, it
will be voted at the meeting in accordance with any instructions, and if no
specification is made, the proxy will be voted for the proposals set forth in
the accompanying notice of the annual meeting of shareholders. Shareholders who
execute proxies may revoke them at any time before they are voted, either by
writing to the Company at the address set forth above or in person at the time
of the meeting. Additionally, any later dated proxy will revoke a previous proxy
from the same shareholder. This proxy statement was mailed to shareholders of
record on or about March 3, 2003.
There is one class of capital stock outstanding. Provided a quorum
consisting of one-third of the shares entitled to vote is present at the
meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock voting
in person or represented by proxy is required to elect directors. Cumulative
voting in the election of directors is not permitted. The adoption of any other
proposals to come before the meeting will require the approval of a majority of
votes cast at the meeting.
Shares of the Company's common stock represented by properly executed
proxies that reflect abstentions or "broker non-votes" will be counted as
present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the annual
meeting. "Broker non-votes" represent shares held by brokerage firms in
"street-name" with respect to which the broker has not received instructions
from the customer or otherwise does not have discretionary voting authority.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as having voted against the
proposals to be considered at the meeting.
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, as of January 31, 2003, information with
respect to the shareholdings of (i) each person owning beneficially 5% or more
of the Company's common stock (ii) each officer who received compensation in
excess of $100,000 during the Company's most recent fiscal year and (iii) all
officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each owner has
sole voting and investment powers over his shares of common stock.
Number of Percent of
Name and Address Shares (1) Class (3)
---------------- ---------- ----------
Maximilian de Clara 1,228,172 2.6%
Bergstrasse 79
6078 Lungern,
Obwalden, Switzerland
Geert R. Kersten 2,704,959 (2) 5.5%
8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 802
Vienna, VA 22182
Patricia B. Prichep 769,340 1.6%
8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 802
Vienna, VA 22182
Number of Percent of
Name and Address Shares (1) Class (3)
---------------- ---------- ----------
Eyal Talor, Ph.D. 570,185 1.2%
8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 802
Vienna, VA 22182
Daniel H. Zimmerman, Ph.D. 571,130 1.2%
8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 802
Vienna, VA 22182
Alexander G. Esterhazy 50,000 *
20 Chemin du Pre-Poiset
CH- 1253 Vandoeuvres
Geneve, Switzerland
C. Richard Kinsolving 94,489 *
P.O. Box 20193
Bradenton, FL 34204-0193
Peter R. Young 16,250 *
8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 802
Vienna, VA 22182
All Officers and Directors 6,004,525 11.8%
as a Group (8 persons)
* Less than 1%
(1) Includes shares issuable prior to March 31, 2003 upon the exercise of
options or warrants granted to the following persons:
Options or Warrants Exercisable
Name Prior to March 31, 2003
Maximilian de Clara 484,999
Geert R. Kersten 1,780,000
Patricia B. Prichep 494,667
Eyal Talor, Ph.D. 292,500
Daniel H. Zimmerman, Ph.D. 308,001
Alexander G. Esterhazy 50,000
C. Richard Kinsolving, Ph.D. 50,000
Peter R. Young, Ph.D. --
(2) Amount includes shares held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Kersten's minor
children. Geert R. Kersten is the stepson of Maximilian de Clara.
(3) Amount includes shares referred to in (1) above but excludes shares which
may be issued upon the exercise or conversion of other options, warrants
and other convertible securities previously issued by the Company.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Unless the proxy contains contrary instructions, it is intended that the
proxies will be voted for the election of the current directors listed below to
serve as members of the board of directors until the next annual meeting of
shareholders and until their successors shall be elected and shall qualify.
All current directors have consented to stand for re-election. In case any
nominee shall be unable or shall fail to act as a director by virtue of an
unexpected occurrence, the proxies may be voted for such other person or persons
as shall be determined by the persons acting under the proxies in their
discretion.
Certain information concerning the Company's officers and directors follows:
Name Age Position
Maximilian de Clara 73 Director and President
Geert R. Kersten, Esq. 44 Director, Chief Executive Officer and
Treasurer
Patricia B. Prichep 50 Senior Vice President of Operations and
Secretary
Dr.Eyal Talor 46 Senior Vice President of Research and
Manufacturing
Dr. Daniel H. Zimmerman 60 Senior Vice President of Research,
Cellular Immunology
Alexander G. Esterhazy 57 Director
Dr. C. Richard Kinsolving 67 Director
Peter R. Young 57 Director
Mr. Maximilian de Clara, by virtue of his position as an officer and
director of the Company, may be deemed to be the "parent" and "founder" of the
Company as those terms are defined under applicable rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The principal occupations of the Company's officers and directors, during
the past several years, are as follows:
Maximilian de Clara. Mr. de Clara has been a Director of the Company since
its inception in March l983, and has been President of the Company since July
l983. Prior to his affiliation with the Company, and since at least l978, Mr. de
Clara was involved in the management of his personal investments and personally
funding research in the fields of biotechnology and biomedicine. Mr. de Clara
attended the medical school of the University of Munich from l949 to l955, but
left before he received a medical degree. During the summers of l954 and l955,
he worked as a research assistant at the University of Istanbul in the field of
cancer research. For his efforts and dedication to research and development in
the fight against cancer and AIDS, Mr. de Clara was awarded the "Pour le Merit"
honorary medal of the Austrian Military Order "Merito Navale" as well as the
honor cross of the Austrian Albert Schweitzer Society.
Geert R. Kersten, Esq. Mr. Kersten was Director of Corporate and Investment
Relations for the Company between February 1987 and October 1987. In October of
1987, he was appointed Vice President of Operations. In December 1988, Mr.
Kersten was appointed Director of the Company. Mr. Kersten also became the
Company's Treasurer in 1989. In May 1992, Mr. Kersten was appointed Chief
Operating Officer and in February 1995, Mr. Kersten became the Company's Chief
Executive Officer. In previous years, Mr. Kersten worked as a financial analyst
with Source Capital, Ltd., an investment advising firm in McLean, Virginia. Mr.
Kersten is a stepson of Maximilian de Clara, who is the President and a Director
of the Company. Mr. Kersten attended George Washington University in Washington,
D.C. where he earned a B.A. in Accounting and an M.B.A. with emphasis on
International Finance. He also attended law school at American University in
Washington, D.C. where he received a Juris Doctor degree.
Patricia B. Prichep has been the Company's Senior Vice President of
Operations since March 1994. Between December 1992 and March 1994, Ms. Prichep
was the Company's Director of Operations. Ms. Prichep became the Company's
Secretary in May 2000. From June 1990 to December 1992, Ms. Prichep was the
Manager of Quality and Productivity for the NASD's Management, Systems and
Support Department. Between 1982 and 1990, Ms. Prichep was Vice President and
Operations Manager for Source Capital, Ltd.
Eyal Talor, Ph.D. has been the Company's Senior Vice President of Research
and Manufacturing since March 1994. From October 1993 until March 1994, Dr.
Talor was Director of Research, Manufacturing and Quality Control, as well as
the Director of the Clinical Laboratory, for Chesapeake Biological Laboratories,
Inc. From 1991 to 1993, Dr. Talor was a scientist with SRA Technologies, Inc.,
as well as the director of SRA's Flow Cytometry Laboratory (1991-1993) and
Clinical Laboratory (1992-1993). During 1992 and 1993, Dr. Talor was also the
Regulatory Affairs and Safety Officer For SRA. Since 1987, Dr. Talor has held
various positions with the John Hopkins University, including course coordinator
for the School of Continuing Studies (1989-Present), research associate and
lecturer in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases (1987-1991),
and associate professor (1991-Present).
Daniel H. Zimmerman, Ph.D. has been the Company's Senior Vice President of
Cellular Immunology since January 1996. Dr. Zimmerman founded CELL-MED, Inc. and
was its president from 1987-1995. From 1973 to 1987 Dr. Zimmerman served in
various positions at Electronucleonics, Inc. including Scientist, Senior
Scientist, Technical Director and Program Manager. From 1969-1973 Dr. Zimmerman
was a Senior Staff Fellow at NIH.
Alexander G. Esterhazy has been an independent financial advisor since
November 1997. Between July 1991 and October 1997 Mr. Esterhazy was a senior
partner of Corpofina S.A. Geneva, a firm engaged in mergers, acquisitions and
portfolio management. Between January 1988 and July 1991 Mr. Esterhazy was a
managing director of DG Bank in Switzerland. During this period Mr. Esterhazy
was in charge of the Geneva, Switzerland branch of the DG Bank, founded and
served as vice president of DG Finance (Paris) and was the President and Chief
Executive officer of DG-Bourse, a securities brokerage firm.
C. Richard Kinsolving, Ph.D. has been a Director of the Company since April
2001. Since February 1999 Dr. Kinsolving has been the Chief Executive Officer of
BioPharmacon, a pharmaceutical development company. Between December 1992 and
February 1999 Dr. Kinsolving was the President of Immuno-Rx, Inc., a company
engaged in immuno-pharmaceutical development. Between December 1991 and
September 1995 Dr. Kinsolving was President of Bestechnology, Inc. a nonmedical
research and development company producing bacterial preparations for industrial
use. Dr. Kinsolving received his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Emory University
(1970), his Masters degree in Physiology/Chemistry from Vanderbilt University
(1962), and his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Tennessee Tech. University
(1957).
Peter R. Young has been a Director of the Company since August 2002. Dr.
Young has been a senior executive within the pharmaceutical industry in the
United States and Canada for most of his career. Over the last 20 years he has
primarily held positions of Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer
and has extensive experience with acquisitions and equity financings. Since
November 2001 Dr. Young has been the Chief Operating Officer of Immune Therapies
International, Inc., which has its principal operations in Tucson, Arizona.
Immune Therapies International treats patients requiring immune system therapy
to fight serious diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and hepatitis. Dr.
Young received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Bristol,
England (1969), and his Bachelor's degree in Honors Chemistry, Mathematics and
Economics also from the University of Bristol, England (1966).
The Company's Board of Directors met six times during the year ending
September 30, 2002. All of the Directors attended each of these meetings either
in person or by telephone conference call.
All of the Company's officers devote substantially all of their time to
the Company's business. Messrs. Esterhazy, Kinsolving and Young, as directors,
devote only a minimal amount of time to the Company.
The Company has an audit committee and a compensation committee. The
members of the audit committee are Alexander G. Esterhazy, C. Richard Kinsolving
and Peter Young. The members of the compensation committee are Maximilian de
Clara, Alexander Esterhazy and C. Richard Kinsolving.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth in summary form the compensation received
by (i) the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and (ii) by each other
executive officer of the Company who received in excess of $100,000 during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2002.
Other
Annual All
Compen- Restricted Other
pensa- Stock Options Compen-
Name and Princi- Fiscal Salary Bonus sation Awards Granted sation
pal Position Year (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
------------ --------- ----- ----- ------ --------- -------- -------
Maximilian de Clara, 2002 $363,000 -- $46,079 $ 89,334 75,000 --
President 2001 $357,167 -- $52,186 $262,000 95,000 $ 64
2000 $345,583 -- $72,945 $550,000 60,000 $ 64
Geert R. Kersten, 2002 $346,324 -- $15,044 $ 10,929 105,000 --
Chief Executive 2001 $265,175 -- $10,462 $ 8,313 655,000 $4,114
Officer and 2000 $303,049 -- $15,349 $ 10,375 60,000 $4,114
Treasurer
Patricia B. Prichep 2002 $140,464 -- $3,000 $5,597 90,500 --
Senior Vice President 2001 $104,505 -- $3,000 $6,270 260,000 $ 63
of Operations and 2000 $114,430 -- $3,000 $6,998 23,000 $ 63
Secretary
Eyal Talor, Ph.D. 2002 $187,075 -- $3,000 $5,702 85,000 --
Senior Vice President 2001 157,420 -- $3,000 $9,269 200,000 $ 63
of Research and 2000 $150,334 -- $3,000 $9,020 50,000 $ 63
Manufacturing
Daniel Zimmerman, 2002 $143,583 -- $3,000 $5,763 91,000 --
Ph.D., 2001 $117,145 -- $3,000 $6,962 175,000 $ 64
Senior Vice President 2000 $124,165 -- $3,000 $7,450 20,000 $ 64
of Cellular Immunology
(1) The dollar value of base salary (cash and non-cash) received. During the
year ended September 30, 2002, $468,703 of the total salaries paid to the
persons shown in the table were paid in restricted shares of the Company's
common stock.
(2) The dollar value of bonus (cash and non-cash) received.
(3) Any other annual compensation not properly categorized as salary or bonus,
including perquisites and other personal benefits, securities or property.
Amounts in the table represent automobile, parking and other transportation
expenses, plus, in the case of Maximilian de Clara and Geert Kersten,
director's fees of $8,000.
(4) During the periods covered by the table, the value of the shares of
restricted stock issued as compensation for services to the persons listed
in the table. In the case of Mr. de Clara, the shares were issued in
consideration for past services rendered to the Company. In the case of Mr.
Kersten the shares were issued in lieu of directors' fees and as the
Company's contribution on behalf of Mr. Kersten to the Company's 401(k)
retirement plan. In the case of all other persons listed in the table, the
shares were issued as the Company's contribution on behalf of the named
officer to the Company's 401(k) retirement plan.
As of September 30, 2002, the number of shares of the Company's common
stock, owned by the officers included in the table above, and the value of
such shares at such date, based upon the market price of the Company's
common stock were:
As of September 30, 2002, the number of shares of the Company's common
stock, owned by the officers included in the table above, and the value of such
shares at such date, based upon the market price of the Company's common stock
were:
Name Shares Value
Maximilian de Clara 525,421 $ 95,296
Geert R. Kersten 667,762 $ 120,197
Patricia B. Prichep 206,484 $ 37,167
Eyal Talor, Ph.D. 192,527 $ 34,655
Daniel Zimmerman, Ph.D. 214,391 $ 38,590
Dividends may be paid on shares of restricted stock owned by the Company's
officers and directors, although the Company has no plans to pay dividends.
(5) The shares of Common Stock to be received upon the exercise of all stock
options granted during the periods covered by the Table. Includes certain
options issued in connection with the Company's Salary Reduction Plans as well
as certain options purchased from the Company. See "Options Granted During
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2002" below.
(6) All other compensation received that the Company could not properly report
in any other column of the Table including annual Company contributions or other
allocations to vested and unvested defined contribution plans, and the dollar
value of any insurance premiums paid by, or on behalf of, the Company with
respect to term life insurance for the benefit of the named executive officer,
and the full dollar value of the remainder of the premiums paid by, or on behalf
of, the Company. Amounts in the table represent life insurance premiums.
Long Term Incentive Plans - Awards in Last Fiscal Year
None.
Employee Pension, Profit Sharing or Other Retirement Plans
During 1993 the Company implemented a defined contribution retirement
plan, qualifying under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and covering
substantially all the Company's employees. Prior to January 1, 1998 the
Company's contribution was equal to the lesser of 3% of each employee's salary,
or 50% of the employee's contribution. Effective January 1, 1998 the plan was
amended such that the Company's contribution is now made in shares of the
Company's common stock as opposed to cash. Each participant's contribution is
matched by the Company with shares of common stock which have a value equal to
100% of the participant's contribution, not to exceed the lesser of $1,000 or 6%
of the participant's total compensation. The Company's contribution of common
stock is valued each quarter based upon the closing price of the Company's
common stock. The fiscal 2002 expenses for this plan were $71,824. Other than
the 401(k) Plan, the Company does not have a defined benefit, pension plan,
profit sharing or other retirement plan.
Compensation of Directors
Standard Arrangements. The Company currently pays its directors $2,000 per
quarter, plus expenses. The Company has no standard arrangement pursuant to
which directors of the Company are compensated for any services provided as a
director or for committee participation or special assignments.
Other Arrangements. The Company has from time to time granted options to
its outside directors. See Stock Options below for additional information
concerning options granted to the Company's directors.
Employment Contracts.
In March 2002 the Company entered into a new three-year employment
agreement with Mr. de Clara which expires March 31, 2005. The new employment
agreement, which is essentially the same as Mr. de Clara's two prior employment
agreements, provides that the Company will pay Mr. de Clara an annual salary of
$363,000 during the term of the agreement. In the event that there is a material
reduction in Mr. de Clara's authority, duties or activities, or in the event
there is a change in the control of the Company, then the agreement allows Mr.
de Clara to resign from his position at the Company and receive a lump-sum
payment from the Company equal to 18 months salary. For purposes of the
employment agreement, a change in the control of the Company means the sale of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, or a
change in a majority of the Company's directors.
Effective August 1, 2000, the Company entered into a three-year employment
agreement with Mr. Kersten. The employment agreement provides that during the
term of the employment agreement the Company will pay Mr. Kersten an annual
salary of $336,132, subject to minimum annual increases of 5% per year. In the
event there is a change in the control of the Company, the agreement allows Mr.
Kersten to resign from his position at the Company and receive a lump-sum
payment from the Company equal to 24 months salary. For purposes of the
employment agreement a change in the control of the Company means: (1) the
merger of the Company with another entity if after such merger the shareholders
of the Company do not own at least 50% of voting capital stock of the surviving
corporation; (2) the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company; (3)
the acquisition by any person of more than 50% of the Company's common stock; or
(4) a change in a majority of the Company's directors which has not been
approved by the incumbent directors.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Company has a compensation committee comprised of all of the Company's
directors, with the exception of Mr. Kersten and Peter Young. During the year
ended September 30, 2002, Mr. de Clara was the only officer participating in
deliberations of the Company's compensation committee concerning executive
officer compensation.
During the year ended September 30, 2002, no director of the Company was
also an executive officer of another entity, which had an executive officer of
the Company serving as a director of such entity or as a member of the
compensation committee of such entity.
Stock Options
The following tables set forth information concerning the options granted
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, to the persons named below, and
the fiscal year-end value of all unexercised options (regardless of when
granted) held by these persons.
Options Granted During Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2002
Potential Realizable
Value at Assumed
% of Total Annual Rates of Stock
Options Price Appreciation
Granted to Exercise for Option Term (1)
Options Employees in Price Per Expiration -------------------
Name Granted(#) Fiscal Year Share Date 5% 10%
------ ---------- ------------- ------- ---------- ----- ------
Maximilian de Clara 75,000 8.73% 0.54 3/14/12 $25,500 $64,500
Geert R. Kersten 75,000 8.73% 0.54 3/14/12 $25,500 $64,500
30,000 (2) 3.49% 0.54 3/14/12 $10,200 $25,800
--------
105,000
========
Patricia B. Prichep 30,000 3.49% 1.00 12/3/11 $18,900 $47,700
10,500 (2) 1.22% 0.54 3/14/12 $ 3,750 $ 9,030
50,000 5.82% 0.33 4/26/12 $10,500 $26,000
------
90,500
=======
Eyal Talor, Ph.D. 35,000 4.07% 1.00 12/3/11 $22,050 $55,650
50,000 5.82% 0.33 4/26/12 $10,500 $26,000
------
85,000
=======
Daniel Zimmerman, 30,000 3.49% 0.54 3/14/12 $10,200 $25,800
Ph.D. 11,000 (2) 1.28% 0.54 3/14/12 $ 3,740 $ 9,460
50,000 5.82% 0.33 4/26/12 $10,500 $26,000
------
91,000
======
(1) The potential realizable value of the options shown in the table assuming
the market price of the Company's Common Stock appreciates in value from the
date of the grant to the end of the option term at 5% or 10%.
(2) Options were granted in accordance with the Company's Salary Adjustment
Plan. Pursuant to the Salary Adjustment Plan, any employee of the Company was
allowed to receive options (exercisable at market price at the time of grant) in
exchange for a one-time reduction in such employee's salary.
Option Exercises and Year-End Option Values
Value (in $) of
Unexercised
Number of In-the-Money
Unexercised Options at Fiscal
Options (3) Year-End (4)
Shares ------------ ---------------
Acquired On Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise (1) Realized (2) Unexercisable Unexercisable
---- ------------ ------------ ------------- ----------------
Maximilian de Clara -- -- 439,999/135,000 0/0
Geert R. Kersten -- -- 1,725,000/165,000 0/0
Patricia Prichep -- -- 465,168/114,832 0/0
Eyal Talor 272,500/101,666 0/0
Daniel Zimmerman -- -- 281,001/110,999 0/0
(1) The number of shares received upon exercise of options during the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2002.
(2) With respect to options exercised during the Company's fiscal year ended
September 30, 2002, the dollar value of the difference between the option
exercise price and the market value of the option shares purchased on the date
of the exercise of the options.
(3) The total number of unexercised options held as of September 30, 2002,
separated between those options that were exercisable and those options that
were not exercisable.
(4) For all unexercised options held as of September 30, 2002, the market value
of the stock underlying those options as of September 30, 2002.
Stock Option and Bonus Plans
The Company has Incentive Stock Option Plans, Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plans and Stock Bonus Plans. All Stock Option and Bonus Plans have been approved
by the stockholders. A summary description of these Plans follows. In some cases
these Plans are collectively referred to as the "Plans".
Incentive Stock Option Plan. The Incentive Stock Option Plans collectively
authorize the issuance of up to 2,100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
to persons who exercise options granted pursuant to the Plan. Only Company
employees may be granted options pursuant to the Incentive Stock Option Plan.
To be classified as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue
Code, options granted pursuant to the Plans must be exercised prior to the
following dates:
(a) The expiration of three months after the date on which an option holder's
employment by the Company is terminated (except if such termination is due to
death or permanent and total disability);
(b) The expiration of 12 months after the date on which an option holder's
employment by the Company is terminated, if such termination is due to the
Employee's permanent and total disability;
(c) In the event of an option holder's death while in the employ of the Company,
his executors or administrators may exercise, within three months following the
date of his death, the option as to any of the shares not previously exercised;
The total fair market value of the shares of Common Stock (determined at
the time of the grant of the option) for which any employee may be granted
options which are first exercisable in any calendar year may not exceed
$100,000.
Options may not be exercised until one year following the date of grant.
Options granted to an employee then owning more than 10% of the Common Stock of
the Company may not be exercisable by its terms after five years from the date
of grant. Any other option granted pursuant to the Plan may not be exercisable
by its terms after ten years from the date of grant.
The purchase price per share of Common Stock purchasable under an option
is determined by the Committee but cannot be less than the fair market value of
the Common Stock on the date of the grant of the option (or 110% of the fair
market value in the case of a person owning more than 10% of the Company's
outstanding shares).
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans. The Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans
collectively authorize the issuance of up to 5,760,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock to persons that exercise options granted pursuant to the Plans. The
Company's employees, directors, officers, consultants and advisors are eligible
to be granted options pursuant to the Plans, provided however that bona fide
services must be rendered by such consultants or advisors and such services must
not be in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising
transaction. The option exercise price is determined by the Committee but cannot
be less than the market price of the Company's Common Stock on the date the
option is granted.
Stock Bonus Plan. Up to 1,440,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted
under the Stock Bonus Plan. Such shares may consist, in whole or in part, of
authorized but unissued shares, or treasury shares. Under the Stock Bonus Plan,
the Company's employees, directors, officers, consultants and advisors are
eligible to receive a grant of the Company's shares, provided however that bona
fide services must be rendered by consultants or advisors and such services must
not be in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising
transaction.
Other Information Regarding the Plans. The Plans are administered by the
Company's Compensation Committee ("the Committee"), each member of which is a
director of the Company. The members of the Committee were selected by the
Company's Board of Directors and serve for a one-year tenure and until their
successors are elected. A member of the Committee may be removed at any time by
action of the Board of Directors. Any vacancies which may occur on the Committee
will be filled by the Board of Directors. The Committee is vested with the
authority to interpret the provisions of the Plans and supervise the
administration of the Plans. In addition, the Committee is empowered to select
those persons to whom shares or options are to be granted, to determine the
number of shares subject to each grant of a stock bonus or an option and to
determine when, and upon what conditions, shares or options granted under the
Plans will vest or otherwise be subject to forfeiture and cancellation.
In the discretion of the Committee, any option granted pursuant to the
Plans may include installment exercise terms such that the option becomes fully
exercisable in a series of cumulating portions. The Committee may also
accelerate the date upon which any option (or any part of any options) is first
exercisable. Any shares issued pursuant to the Stock Bonus Plan and any options
granted pursuant to the Incentive Stock Option Plan or the Non-Qualified Stock
Option Plan will be forfeited if the "vesting" schedule established by the
Committee administering the Plan at the time of the grant is not met. For this
purpose, vesting means the period during which the employee must remain an
employee of the Company or the period of time a non-employee must provide
services to the Company. At the time an employee ceases working for the Company
(or at the time a non-employee ceases to perform services for the Company), any
shares or options not fully vested will be forfeited and cancelled. At the
discretion of the Committee payment for the shares of Common Stock underlying
options may be paid through the delivery of shares of the Company's Common Stock
having an aggregate fair market value equal to the option price, provided such
shares have been owned by the option holder for at least one year prior to such
exercise. A combination of cash and shares of Common Stock may also be permitted
at the discretion of the Committee.
Options are generally non-transferable except upon death of the option
holder. Shares issued pursuant to the Stock Bonus Plan will generally not be
transferable until the person receiving the shares satisfies the vesting
requirements imposed by the Committee when the shares were issued.
The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time, and from time to
time, amend, terminate, or suspend one or more of the Plans in any manner they
deem appropriate, provided that such amendment, termination or suspension will
not adversely affect rights or obligations with respect to shares or options
previously granted. The Board of Directors may not, without shareholder
approval: make any amendment which would materially modify the eligibility
requirements for the Plans; increase or decrease the total number of shares of
Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plans except in the case of a
reclassification of the Company's capital stock or a consolidation or merger of
the Company; reduce the minimum option price per share; extend the period for
granting options; or materially increase in any other way the benefits accruing
to employees who are eligible to participate in the Plans.
Summary. The following sets forth certain information, as of December 31,
2002, concerning the stock options and stock bonuses granted by the Company.
Each option represents the right to purchase one share of the Company's Common
Stock. The total shares reserved under each Plan includes shares authorized by
the 2003 Plans which are being submitted to the Company's shareholders for their
approval at the March 31, 2003 meeting.
Total Shares
Shares Reserved for Shares Remaining
Reserved Outstanding Issued as Options/Shares
Name of Plan Under Plans Options Stock Bonus Under Plans
------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- -------------
Incentive Stock Option
Plans 4,100,000 1,251,000 N/A 2,762,315
Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plans 7,760,000 4,073,434 N/A 2,589,105
Stock Bonus Plans 1,940,000 N/A 1,090,700 849,300
Of the shares issued pursuant to the Company's Stock Bonus Plans 353,584
shares were issued as part of the Company's contribution to its 401(k) plan.
The following table shows the weighted average exercise price of the
outstanding options granted pursuant to the Company's Incentive and
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans. The Company's Incentive and Non-Qualified
Stock Option Plans have been approved by the Company's shareholders.
Number of Securities
Remaining Available
Number of For Future Issuance
Securities Under Equity
to be Issued Weighted-Average Compensation Plans
Upon Exercise Exercise Price (Excluding Securities
of Outstanding of Outstanding Reflected in
Plan category Options (a) Options Column (a))
-------------- -------------- --------------- -------------------
Incentive Stock 1,251,100 $1.62 762,315
Option Plans
Non-Qualified Stock 4,073,434 $1.10 589,105
----------- ------- ---------
Option Plans
5,324,534 $1.23 1,351,420
=========== ======= =========
In January 2000 the Company issued Mr. de Clara 200,000 shares of common
stock for past services provided to the Company. In September 2001 the Company
issued Mr. de Clara an additional 200,000 shares of common stock for past
services provided to the Company. In October 2001 the Company issued Mr. de
Clara an additional 75,071 shares of common stock for past services provided to
the Company.
Compensation Committee
During the year ending September 30, 2002 the Company had a Compensation
Committee which, was comprised of Maximilian de Clara, Alexander Esterhazy and
C. Richard Kinsolving. During the year ended September 30, 2002 the Compensation
Committee did not formerly meet as a separate committee, but rather held its
meetings in conjunction with the Company's Board of Director's meetings.
During the year ended September 30, 2002, Mr. de Clara was the only officer
participating in deliberations of the Company's compensation committee
concerning executive officer compensation. During the year ended September 30,
2002, no director of the Company was also an executive officer of another
entity, which had an executive officer of the Company serving as a director of
such entity or as a member of the compensation committee of such entity.
The following is the report of the Compensation Committee:
The key components of the Company's executive compensation program include
annual base salaries and long-term incentive compensation consisting of stock
options. It is the Company's policy to target compensation (i.e., base salary,
stock option grants and other benefits) at approximately the median of
comparable companies in the biotechnology field. Accordingly, data on
compensation practices followed by other companies in the biotechnology industry
is considered.
The Company's long term incentive program consists exclusively of periodic
grants of stock options with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of
the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant. To encourage retention, the
ability to exercise options granted under the program is subject to vesting
restrictions. Decisions made regarding the timing and size of option grants take
into account Company and individual performance, "competitive market" practices,
and the size of the option grants made in prior years. The weighting of these
factors varies and is subjective. Current option holdings are not considered
when granting options.
In March 2002 the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement
with Maximilian de Clara, the Company's President. The March 2002 employment
agreement, which is essentially the same as Mr. de Clara's two prior employment
agreements, provides that during the employment term the Company will pay Mr. de
Clara a salary of $363,000. In renewing Mr. de Clara's employment contract the
Compensation Committee considered various factors, including Mr. de Clara's
performance in his area of responsibility, Mr. de Clara's experience in his
position, and Mr. de Clara's length of service with the Company.
Effective August 1, 2000, the Company entered into a three-year employment
agreement with Geert R. Kersten. The employment agreement provides that during
the term of the employment agreement the Company will pay Mr. Kersten an annual
salary of $336,132, subject to the minimum annual increases of 5% per year.
During the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002 the cash compensation paid to
Mr. Kersten was based on his employment contract. Since the term of the
employment contract established the compensation paid to Mr. Kersten, there was
no relationship between the Company's performance and Mr. Kersten's compensation
for the last completed fiscal year.
During the year ended September 30, 2001 Mr. de Clara and Mr. Kersten, in
accordance with the Company's salary reduction program, agreed to reduce a
portion of the compensation payable in fiscal 2001 pursuant to their employment
contracts in exchange for stock options and restricted shares of the Company's
common stock.
During the year ending September 30, 2002, the compensation paid to the
Company's other executive officers was based on a variety of factors, including
the performance in the executive's area of responsibility, the executive's
individual performance, the executive's experience in his or her role, the
executive's length of service with the Company, the achievement of specific
goals established for the Company and its business, and, in certain instances,
to the achievement of individual goals.
Financial or stockholder value performance comparisons were not used to
determine the compensation of the Company's other executive officers since the
Company's financial performance and stockholder value are influenced to a
substantial degree by external factors and as a result comparing the
compensation payable to the other executive officers to the Company's financial
or stock price performance can be misleading.
During the year ended September 30, 2002 the Company granted options for the
purchase of 446,500 shares of the Company's common stock to the Company's
executive officers. In granting the options to the Company's executive officers,
the Board of Directors considered the same factors which were used to determine
the cash compensation paid to such officers.
During the year ended September 30, 2002 the Company issued restricted
shares of its common stock to the following directors in lieu of director's
fees: Maximilian de Clara (25,489 shares), Geert R. Kersten (25,489 shares), C.
Richard Kinsolving (25,489 shares) and Peter Young (16,250 shares). Except as
otherwise disclosed in this proxy statement, during the year ended September 30,
2002 the Company did not issue any shares of its common stock to the Company's
officers or directors in return for services provided to the Company.
The foregoing report has been approved by the members of the Compensation
Committee:
Maximilian de Clara
Alexander Esterhazy
C.Richard Kinsolving
Stockholder Return Performance Graph
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in
the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's common stock with the
cumulative total return of the Amex Market Value Index and a Biotechnology peer
group for the five fiscal years ending September 30, 2002.
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return Among
Cel-Sci Corporation, the Amex Market Value, and a Peer Group
The members of the Peer Group used for purposes of the following
comparison, and their respective trading symbols, are: Antex Biologics, Inc.
(ANX), Epimmune, Inc. (EPMN) and Neoprobe Corp. (NEOP).
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG CEL-SCI CORPORATION, THE AMEX COMPOSITE INDEX
AND A PEER GROUP
160
140
*
*
120
* *
100 +
*
80
60
40 + +
+
20 +
= = =
=
0 +
9/97 9/98 9/99 9/00 9/01 9/02
+ CEL-SCI CORPORATION
* AMEX COMPOSITE
= PEER GROUP
* $100 invested on 9/30/97 in stock or index-including reinvestment of
dividends. Fiscal year ending September 30.
Audit Committee
During the year ended September 30, 2002 the Company had an Audit Committee
comprised of Alexander Esterhazy, C. Richard Kinsolving and Peter Young. The
members of the Audit Committee are independent as independence is defined by
Section 121(A) of the American Stock Exchange's Listing Standards. The purpose
of the Audit Committee is to review and approve the selection of the Company's
auditors, review the Company's financial statements with the Company's
independent auditors, and review and discuss the independent auditors'
management letter relating to the Company's internal accounting controls. During
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, the Audit Committee met five times.
All members of the Audit Committee attended this meeting.
The following is the report of the Audit Committee.
(1) The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company's audited
financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2002 with the
Company's management.
(2) The Audit Committee discussed with the Company's independent auditors
the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Accounting
Standards (SAS) No. 61 "Communications with Audit Committee" as amended
by SASs 89 and 90.
(3) The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter
from the Company's independent accountants required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Standards Board Standard
No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and had
discussed with the Company's independent accountants the independent
accountants independence; and
(4) Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit
Committee 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 year ended September 30, 2002 for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
(5) During the year ended September 30, 2002 the Company paid Deloitte &
Touche, LLP, the Company's independent auditors, other audit related
fees of $33,000 for reviewing various registration statements filed by
the Company during the year. The Audit Committee is of the opinion that
these fees are consistent with Deloitte & Touche, LLP maintaining its
independence from the Company.
The foregoing report has been approved by the members of the Audit
Committee:
Alexander G. Esterhazy
C. Richard Kinsolving
Peter Young
The Company's Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the
Audit Committee, a copy of which is included as an appendix to this proxy
statement.
PROPOSAL TO ADOPT 2003 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
Shareholders are being requested to vote on the adoption of the Company's
2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan. The purpose of the 2003 Incentive Stock Option
Plan is to furnish additional compensation and incentives to the Company's
officers and employees.
The 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan, if adopted, will authorize the
issuance of up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock to persons that
exercise options granted pursuant to the plan. As of the date of this Proxy
Statement the Company had not granted any options pursuant to this plan.
Any options under the 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan must be granted
before January 20, 2013. If adopted, the 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan will
function and be administered in the same manner as the Company's other Incentive
Stock Option Plans. The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders of
the Company approve the adoption of the 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
Proposal to adopt 2003 non-qualified stock option plan
Shareholders are being requested to vote on the adoption of the Company's
2003 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan. The Company's employees, directors and
officers, and consultants or advisors to the company are eligible to be granted
options pursuant to the 2003 Non-Qualified Plan as may be determined by the
Company's Board of Directors, provided however that bona fide services must be
rendered by such consultants or advisors and such services must mot be in
connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising
transaction.
The 2003 Non-Qualified Plan, if adopted, will authorize the issuance of up
to 2,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock to persons that exercise
options granted pursuant to the Plan. As of the date of this Proxy Statement the
Company had options to purchase pursuant to the 2003 Non-Qualified Plan.
The 2003 Non-Qualified Plan will function and be administered in the same
manner as the Company's other Non-Qualified Plans. The Board of Directors
recommends that the shareholders of the Company approve the adoption of the 2003
Non-Qualified Plan.
PROPOSAL TO ADOPT 2003 STOCK BONUS PLAN
Shareholders are being requested to vote on the adoption of the Company's
2003 Stock Bonus Plan. The purpose of the 2003 Stock Bonus Plan is to furnish
additional compensation and incentives to the Company's officers and employees
and to allow the Company to continue to make contributions to its 401(k) plan
with shares of its common stock instead of cash.
Since 1993 the Company has maintained a defined contribution retirement
plan (also known as a 401(k) Plan) covering substantially all the Company's
employees. Prior to January 1, 1998 the Company's contribution to the 401(k)
Plan was made in cash. Effective January 1, 1998 the Company's employees
approved a change in the plan such that the Company's contribution is now made
in shares of the Company's common stock as opposed to cash. The Company's
contribution of common stock is made quarterly and is valued based upon the
price of the Company's common stock on the American Stock Exchange. The Board of
Directors is of the opinion that contributions to the 401(k) plan with shares of
the Company's common stock serves to further align the shareholder's interest
with that of the Company's employees.
The 2003 Stock Bonus Plan, if adopted, will authorize the issuance of up
to 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock to persons granted stock bonuses
pursuant to the plan. As of the date of this Proxy Statement the Company had not
granted any stock bonuses pursuant to the 2003 Stock Bonus Plan.
The 2003 Stock Bonus Plan will function and be administered in the same
manner as the Company's existing Stock Bonus Plans. The Board of Directors
recommends that the shareholders of the Company approve the adoption of the 2003
Stock Bonus Plans.
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE COMPANY'S
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES AND WARRANTS
In July and September 2002, the Company sold Series G convertible notes,
plus Series G warrants to a group of private investors for $1,300,000. The
Series G notes bear interest at 7% per year, are due and payable on July 12,
2004 and are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets. Interest is
payable quarterly. If the Company fails to make any interest payment when due,
the notes will become immediately due and payable.
At the holder's option the Series G notes are convertible into shares of
the Company's common stock equal in number to the amount determined by dividing
each $1,000 of note principal to be converted by the Conversion Price. The
Conversion Price is 76% of the average of the three lowest daily trading prices
of the Company's common stock on the American Stock Exchange during the 15
trading days immediately prior to the conversion date. The Conversion Price may
not be less than $0.18. However, if the Company's common stock trades for less
than $0.24 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days, the $0.18
minimum price will no longer be applicable. The Conversion Price will decline
from 76% to 60% if (i) on any trading day after September 9, 2002 the closing
daily price of the Company's common stock multiplied by the total number of
shares of common stock traded on that day is less than $29,977, (ii) the Company
defaults in the performance of any material covenant, condition or agreement
with the holders of the notes or, (iii) the Company's common stock is delisted
from the American Stock Exchange. As of January 10, 2003 Series G convertible
notes in the principal amount of $770,000 had been converted into 5,069,338
shares of the Company's common stock.
In January 2003, the Company sold Series H convertible notes, plus Series
H warrants to a group of private investors for $600,000. The Series H notes bear
interest at 7% per year, are due on January 7, 2005 and are secured by
substantially all of the Company's assets. Interest is payable quarterly with
the first interest payment due on April 1, 2003. If the Company fails to make
any interest payment when due, the notes will become immediately due and
payable. The Company has filed a registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission so that the shares of common stock issuable upon the
conversion of the Series H notes and the exercise of the Series H warrants may
be resold in the public market. Upon the effective date of this registration
statement the holders of the Series H notes have agreed to purchase an
additional $750,000 of notes from the Company. The additional $750,000 of notes
will have the same terms as the Series H notes sold in January 2003.
At the holder's option the Series H notes are convertible into shares of
the Company's common stock equal in number to the amount determined by dividing
each $1,000 of note principal to be converted by the Conversion Price. The
Conversion Price is 76% of the average of the three lowest daily trading prices
of the Company's common stock on the American stock Exchange during the 15
trading days immediately prior to the conversion date. The Conversion Price may
not be less than $0.16. However, if the Company's common stock trades for less
than $0.21 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days, the $0.16
minimum price will no longer be applicable. The Conversion Price will decline to
70% if the registration statement which the Company has agreed to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission has not been declared effective within 60
days after the date the registration statement is filed, or (ii) the closing
price of the Company's common stock equals or exceeds $.50 on any trading day.
The Conversion Price will increase to 76% on the trading day following the date
that the closing price of the Company's common stock falls below $.50. The
Conversion Price will decline to 60% if (i) the registration statement which the
Company has agreed to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
been declared effective within 75 days after the date the registration statement
was filed, (ii) the Company defaults in the performance of any material
covenant, condition or agreement with the holders of the notes or, (iii) the
Company's common stock is delisted from the American Stock Exchange.
If the Company sells any additional shares of common stock, or any
securities convertible into common stock at a price below the then applicable
Conversion Price of the Series G or Series H notes, the Conversion Price of the
Series G or Series H notes will be lowered to the price at which the shares were
sold or the lowest price at which the securities are convertible, as the case
may be. If the Company sells any additional shares of common stock, or any
securities convertible into common stock at a price below the market price of
the Company's common stock, the Conversion Price of the Series G or Series H
notes will be lowered by a percentage equal to the price at which the shares
were sold or the lowest price at which the securities are convertible, as the
case may be, divided by the then prevailing market price of the Company's common
stock. However the Conversion Price will not be adjusted as the result of shares
issued in connection with a Permitted Financing. A Permitted Financing involves
shares of common stock issued or sold:
- in connection with a merger or acquisition;
- upon the exercise of options or the issuance of common stock to
the Company's employees, officers, directors, consultants and
vendors in accordance with the Company's equity incentive
policies;
- pursuant to the conversion or exercise of securities which were
outstanding prior to July 12, 2002 in the case of the Series G
notes and warrants or January 7, 2003 in the case of the Series
H notes and warrants;
- pursuant to the Company's equity line of credit;
- to key officers of the Company in lieu of their respective
salaries.
The Series G warrants allow the holders to purchase up to 900,000 shares
of the Company's common stock at a price of $0.18 per share at any time prior to
July 12, 2009. Every three months after December 9, 2002, the exercise price of
the Series G warrants will be adjusted to an amount equal to 110% of the
Conversion Price on such date, provided that the adjusted price is lower than
the warrant exercise price on that date.
The Series H warrants allow the holders to purchase up to 1,100,000 shares
of the Company's common stock at a price of $0.25 per share at any time prior to
January 7, 2010. Every three months after the effective date of the registration
statement which the Company has agreed to file the exercise price of the Series
H warrants will be adjusted to an amount equal to 110% if the Conversion Price
on such date, provided that the adjusted price is lower than the warrant
exercise price on that date.
If the Company sells any additional shares of common stock, or any
securities convertible into common stock at a price below the then applicable
exercise price of the Series G or Series H warrants, the exercise price of the
Series G and Series H warrants, (as the case may be) will be lowered to the
price at which the shares were sold or the lowest price at which the securities
are convertible. If the warrant exercise price is adjusted, the number of shares
of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrant will be increased by
the product of the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise
of the warrant immediately prior to the sale multiplied by the percentage by
which the warrant exercise price is reduced.
If the Company sells any additional shares of common stock, or any
securities convertible into common stock at a price below the market price of
the Company's common stock, the exercise price of the Series G or the Series H
warrants will be lowered by a percentage equal to the price at which the shares
were sold or the lowest price at which the securities are convertible, as the
case may be, divided by the then prevailing market price of the Company's common
stock. If the warrant exercise price is adjusted, the number of shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrant will be increased by the product
of the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the
warrant immediately prior to the sale multiplied by the percentage determined by
dividing the price at which the shares were sold by the market price of the
Company's common stock on the date of sale.
Neither the exercise price of the Series G or Series H warrants nor the
shares issuable upon the exercise of these warrants will be adjusted as the
result of shares issued in connection with a Permitted Financing.
The actual number of shares issuable upon the conversion of the Series G
and Series H notes and the exercise of the Series G and Series H warrants (if
any) will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the price of the
Company's common stock at certain dates.
AMEX Requirements
The Company's common stock trades on the American Stock Exchange. The
rules of the AMEX require a corporation, the securities of which are listed on
the AMEX, to obtain shareholder approval if 20% or more of a corporation's
common stock will be sold in a private offering and below the greater of the
book value or market price of the corporation's common stock.
The AMEX will consider the issuance of any common stock or upon the
conversion of the Series G or Series H notes to be a sale of the Company's
common stock at less than market price. In addition, if any of the Series G or
Series H warrants are exercised at a price below the market price of the
Company's common stock on the date the warrants were issued ($0.24 in the case
of the Series G warrants and $0.19 in the case of the Series H warrants), the
AMEX will consider these shares to have been sold at less than market price.
Consequently, the AMEX rule would prohibit the Company from issuing more
than the number of shares shown in the table below without prior shareholder
approval.
Number of Company's
Shares Which Were Maximum Number of
Outstanding on Date of Company's Shares Which
Agreement Pertaining Could Be Issued Prior to
to Each Financing Obtaining Shareholder Approval
----------------------- ------------------------------
Series G Notes and
Series G Warrants (1) 33,717,180 6,743,436
Series H Notes and
Series H Warrants (2) 46,741,331 9,348,265
(1) If any Series G warrants are exercised at a price which is less than $0.24
per share, the AMEX would consider the shares issued upon the exercise of
the warrant to have been sold at a price below market value.
(2) If any Series H warrants are exercised at a price which is less than $0.19
per share, the AMEX would consider the shares issued upon the exercise of
the warrant to have been sold at a price below market value.
It is possible, depending upon the future market price of the Company's
common stock, that shares of common stock in excess of those shown in the
foregoing table could be sold or issued pursuant to the term of the securities
described in the table.
In order to avoid any violation of the AMEX rules relating to the issuance
of shares below the market price of the Company's common stock:
o the terms of the Series G notes and the Series G warrants provide that no
more than 6,743,436 shares may be issued unless the Company obtains
shareholder approval for the issuance of such additional shares.
o the terms of the Series H notes and the Series H warrants provide that no
more than 9,348,265 shares may be issued unless the Company obtains
shareholder approval for the issuance of such additional shares.
If a majority of the shareholders voting at the annual meeting do not
approve the additional issuance of shares, the Company will be required to pay
the holders of the Series G notes and the Series G warrants 130% of the then
outstanding principal balance of the notes plus an amount equal to the then
market value of the shares which would otherwise be issuable upon the exercise
of the Series G or Series H warrants had shareholder approval been obtained.
The Company is requesting the Company's shareholders, if it should be
necessary, to approve the issuance of such number of common shares as may be
required by the terms of the Series G and Series H notes and the Series G and
Series H warrants. The Company's Board of Directors believes that approval of
this proposal is in the best interests of both the Company and its shareholders
and unanimously recommends that shareholders vote "FOR" this Proposal.
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has selected Deloitte & Touche, LLP, independent
certified public accountants, to audit the books and records of the Company for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003. Deloitte & Touche, LLP served as the
Company's independent public accountants for the fiscal year ended September 30,
2002. A representative of Deloitte & Touche, LLP is not expected to be present
at the shareholders' meeting.
Accounting Firm Fees
The fees billed to the Company by Deloitte & Touche, LLP and its affiliates
were:
Total fees billed for professional services rendered for the
audit of the Company's financial statements for the year ended
September 30, 2002 and the reviews of the financial statements
included in the Company's Forms 10-Q for the year ended
September 30, 2002 $130,030
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees
for the year ended September 30, 2002 --
All other fees for the year ended September 30, 2002: *
Audit Related Fees $35,468
Other Non-Audit Related Fees --
* All other fees consist of audit related services for reviewing various
registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
by the Company during the year.
The Company's Board of Directors is of the opinion that the other fees
charged by Deloitte & Touche, LLP during fiscal 2002 ($35,468) are consistent
with Deloitte & Touche, LLP maintaining its independence from the Company.
AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending September 30,
2002 will be sent to any shareholder of the Company upon request. Requests for a
copy of this report should be addressed to the Secretary of the Company at the
address provided on the first page of this proxy statement.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any shareholder proposal which may properly be included in the proxy
solicitation material for the annual meeting of shareholders following the
Company's year ending September 30, 2003 must be received by the Secretary of
the Company no later than December 31, 2003.
GENERAL
The cost of preparing, printing and mailing the enclosed proxy, accompanying
notice and proxy statement, and all other costs in connection with solicitation
of proxies will be paid by the Company including any additional solicitation
made by letter, telephone or telegraph. Failure of a quorum to be present at the
meeting will necessitate adjournment and will subject the Company to additional
expense. The Company's annual report, including financial statements for the
2002 fiscal year, is included in this mailing.
The Company's Board of Directors do not intend to present and does not have
reason to believe that others will present any other items of business at the
annual meeting. However, if other matters are properly presented to the meeting
for a vote, the proxies will be voted upon such matters in accordance with the
judgment of the persons acting under the proxies.
Please complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy promptly. No postage is
required if mailed in the United States.
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
Audit Committee Charter
This Audit Committee Charter (the "Charter") has been adopted by the Board of
Directors ("the Board") of Cel-Sci Corporation ("the Company"). The Audit
Committee of the Board (the Committee) shall review and reassess this charter
annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
Role and Independence: Organization
The Committee's job is one of oversight. Management is responsible for the
preparation of the Company's financial statements and the independent auditors
are responsible for auditing those financial statements. The Committee and the
Board recognize that management and the independent auditors have more resources
and time, and more detailed knowledge and information regarding the Company's
accounting, auditing, internal control and financial reporting practices than
the Committee; accordingly the Committee's oversight role does not provide any
expert or special assurance as to the financial statements and other financial
information provided by the Company to its shareholders and others.
The Committee will assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for
oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing, internal
control and financial reporting practices of the Company. It may also have such
other duties as may from time to time be assigned to it by the Board. The
membership of the Committee shall consist of at least two directors, who are
each free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, may interfere
with such member's individual exercise of independent judgment. Each Committee
member shall also meet the independence and financial literacy requirements for
serving on audit committees, and at least one member shall have accounting or
related financial management expertise, all as set forth in the applicable rules
of the American Stock Exchange. The Committee shall maintain free and open
communication with the independent auditors and Company management.
One member of the Committee shall be appointed as the chair. The chair shall be
responsible for leadership of the Committee, including scheduling and presiding
over meetings, preparing agendas, and making regular reports to the Board.
The Committee shall meet at least once a year, prior to the issuance of the
Company's audited financial statements, or more frequently as the Committee
considers necessary.
Responsibilities
Although the Committee may wish to consider other duties from time to time, the
general recurring activities of the Committee in carrying out its oversight role
are described below. The Committee shall be responsible for:
o Recommending to the Board the independent auditors to be retained (or
nominated for share holder approval) to audit the financial statements of the
Company. Such auditors are ultimately accountable to the Board and the
Committee, as representatives of the shareholders.
o Evaluating, together with the Board and management, the performance of the
independent auditors and, where appropriate, replacing such auditors.
o Obtaining annually from the independent auditors a formal written statement
describing all relationships between the auditors and the Company, consistent
with Independence Standards Board Standard Number 1. The Committee shall
actively engage in a dialogue with the independent auditors with respect to
any relationship that may impact the objectivity and independence of the
auditors and shall take, or recommend that the Board take, appropriate
actions to oversee and satisfy itself as to the auditors' independence.
o Reviewing the audited financial statements and discussing them with
management and the independent auditors. These discussions shall include the
matters required to be discussed under Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS)
No. 61 "Communications with Audit Committee" as amended by SASs 89 and 90 and
consideration of the quality of the Company's accounting principles as
applied in its financial reporting, including a review of particularly
sensitive accounting estimates, reserves and accruals, judgmental areas,
audit adjustments (whether or not recorded), and other such inquiries as the
Committee or the independent auditors shall deem appropriate.
o Issuing annually a report to be included in the Company's proxy statement as
required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
o Discussing with management and/or the Company's general counsel any legal
matters (including the status of pending litigation) that may have a material
impact on the Company's financial statements, and any material reports or
inquiries from regulatory or governmental agencies.
Reviewing the annual management letter with the independent auditors and
discussing with management and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy
of and compliance with the Company's internal controls.
PROXY
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
This Proxy is solicited by the Company's Board of Directors
The undersigned stockholder of the Company, acknowledges receipt of the Notice
of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held March 31, 2003, 11:00 A.M.
local time, at the Hilton Munchen Park, Am Tucherpark 7, 80538 Munich, Germany
and hereby appoints Maximilian de Clara or Geert R. Kersten with the power of
substitution, as Attorneys and Proxies to vote all the shares of the undersigned
at said annual meeting of stockholders and at all adjournments thereof, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said Attorneys and Proxies may do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof. The above named Attorneys and Proxies are instructed
to vote all of the undersigned's shares as follows:
(1) To elect the directors who shall constitute the Company's Board of
Directors for the ensuing year.
___ FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below)
___ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE,
STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE LIST BELOW)
Nominees: Maximilian de Clara Geert R. Kersten Alexander G. Esterhazy
C. Richard Kinsolving Peter R. Young
(2) To approve the adoption of the Company's 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
____ FOR ____ AGAINST ____ ABSTAIN
(3) To approve the adoption of the Company's 2003 Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan. ____ FOR ____ AGAINST ____ ABSTAIN
(4) To approve the adoption of the Company's 2003 Stock Bonus Plan.
____ FOR ____ AGAINST ____ ABSTAIN
(5) To approve the issuance of such number of shares of common stock as may be
required by the terms of the Company's Series G and Series H notes and
Series G and Series H warrants.
____ FOR ____ AGAINST ____ ABSTAIN
(6) To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003.
____ FOR ____ AGAINST ____ ABSTAIN
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE
UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DISCRETION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
IN FAVOR OF ITEMS 1 THROUGH 6.
Dated this _____day of __________, 2003.
____________________________________
(Signature)
____________________________________
(Signature)
Please sign your name exactly as it appears on your stock certificate. If shares
are held jointly, each holder should sign. Executors, trustees, and other
fiduciaries should so indicate when signing.
Please Sign, Date and Return this Proxy so that your shares may be voted at the
meeting.