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 |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-11(c) or §240.14a-2 |
IGM Biosciences, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
April 27, 2023
Dear Stockholder:
We are pleased to invite you to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) of IGM Biosciences, Inc. (IGM or the Company), which will be conducted via live webcast on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/IGMS2023, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live and vote online by entering the control number located on your proxy card. Because the meeting is completely virtual and being conducted via the internet, stockholders will not be able to attend the meeting in person.
The attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement contain details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting.
Whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Therefore, we urge you to promptly vote and submit your proxy via the Internet, by phone, or by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope. If you decide to attend the Annual Meeting, you will be able to change your vote or revoke your proxy, even if you have previously submitted your proxy.
On behalf of the Company’s Board of Directors, we would like to thank you for your continued support of and interest in IGM.
Sincerely,
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Michael D. Loberg, Ph.D. |
Fred M. Schwarzer |
Chair of the Board of Directors |
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
IGM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
325 E. Middlefield Road
Mountain View, California 94043
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Time and Date |
Friday, June 23, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time
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Place |
The Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders, to be conducted via live webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting and vote online during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/IGMS2023.
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Items of Business |
• To elect three Class I directors to serve until the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. • To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. • To approve the amendment and restatement of the IGM Biosciences, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2018 Plan), which increases the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,160,000 shares. • To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
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Record Date |
April 25, 2023 (the Record Date). Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. |
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to submit your vote via the Internet, telephone or mail as soon as possible to ensure your shares are represented. For additional instructions for each of these voting options, please refer to the proxy card. Returning the proxy does not deprive you of your right to attend the Annual Meeting and to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. The proxy statement explains proxy voting and the matters to be voted on in more detail.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to Be Held on June 23, 2023. We expect to make our proxy statement and Annual Report to Stockholders available on or about April 27, 2023 on our investor relations website at https://investor.igmbio.com/ under “SEC Filings,” as well as at the following website: www.proxyvote.com. We are providing access to our proxy materials over the Internet under the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
By order of the Board of Directors, |
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Fred M. Schwarzer |
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Mountain View, California
April 27, 2023
We expect to mail a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to stockholders on or about April 27, 2023.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Stockholder Recommendations for Nominations to the Board of Directors |
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Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
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PROPOSAL NO. 2—RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
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Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT |
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IGM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, June 23, 2023
This proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for use at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders of IGM Biosciences, Inc. (the Annual Meeting), and any postponements, adjournments or continuations thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time via live webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/IGMS2023, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live and vote online by entering the control number on your proxy card. We expect to mail the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the Notice) containing instructions on how to access this proxy statement and our annual report on or about April 27, 2023 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The proxy materials and our 2022 annual report can be accessed by following the instructions in the Notice.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
The information provided in the “question and answer” format below addresses certain frequently asked questions but is not intended to be a summary of all matters contained in this proxy statement. Please read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting your shares. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not intended to be incorporated by reference into this proxy statement and references to our website address in this proxy statement are inactive textual references only.
What proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
There are three proposals scheduled to be voted on at the Annual Meeting:
At the time this proxy statement was mailed, our management and board of directors were not aware of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those set forth in this proxy statement and in the Notice.
How does our board of directors recommend that I vote?
Our board of directors recommends that you vote:
Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
Holders of our voting common stock (which we refer to herein as our common stock, unless otherwise noted) at the close of business on April 25, 2023, the record date for the Annual Meeting (the Record Date), are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock held as of the
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Record Date. As of the Record Date, there were 29,508,089 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Stockholders are not permitted to cumulate votes with respect to the election of directors.
Stockholders of Record—Shares Registered in Your Name. If, at the close of business on the Record Date, your shares were registered directly in your name with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, our transfer agent, then you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares, and the Notice was provided to you directly by us. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the individuals listed on the proxy card or to vote in person (including virtually) at the Annual Meeting. Throughout this proxy statement, we refer to these registered stockholders as “stockholders of record.”
Street Name Stockholders—Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker, Bank or Other Nominee. If, at the close of business on the Record Date, your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee on your behalf, then you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and the Notice was forwarded to you by your broker or nominee, who is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares by following the voting instructions your broker, bank or other nominee provides. If you do not provide your broker, bank or other nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares, your broker, bank or other nominee may, in its discretion, vote your shares with respect to routine matters but may not vote your shares with respect to any non-routine matters. Throughout this proxy statement, we refer to stockholders who hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee as “street name stockholders.”
How many votes are needed for approval of each proposal?
What is a quorum?
A quorum is the minimum number of shares required to be present at the Annual Meeting for the annual meeting of stockholders to be properly held under our amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law. A majority of the shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, in person (including virtually) or by proxy, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions, withhold votes, and broker non-votes are counted as shares present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. If there is no quorum, a majority of the shares present at the Annual Meeting may adjourn the meeting to a later date.
Why is the annual meeting held virtually?
We believe that a virtual annual meeting allows for participation by a broader group of stockholders and reduces the costs to stockholders associated with holding an in-person meeting. The virtual meeting format is intended to facilitate a level of transparency as close as possible to an in-person meeting.
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What do I need to do to attend the Annual Meeting?
You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually and vote your shares electronically at the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/IGMS2023. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need the control number included on your Notice, proxy card or instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. The Annual Meeting webcast will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at 7:45 a.m. Pacific Time, and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures.
Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?
Our board of directors is providing these proxy materials to you in connection with its solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting, which will take place on June 23, 2023. Stockholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and are requested to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), we have elected to furnish our proxy materials, including this proxy statement and our annual report, primarily via the Internet. The Notice containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials is first being mailed on or about April 27, 2023 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders may request to receive all future proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by e-mail by following the instructions contained in the Notice. We encourage stockholders to take advantage of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet to help reduce the environmental impact and cost of our annual meetings of stockholders.
How do I vote and what are the voting deadlines?
Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record, you can vote in one of the following ways:
Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you also vote by proxy so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.
Street Name Stockholders. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you will receive voting instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee. You must follow the voting instructions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee in order to instruct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares. The availability of Internet and telephone voting options will depend on the voting process of your broker, bank or other nominee. As discussed above, if you are a street name stockholder, you may not vote your shares live at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee.
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Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?
Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy or change your proxy instructions at any time before your proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting by:
Street Name Stockholders. If you are a street name stockholder, you must contact the broker, bank or other nominee holding your shares and follow their instructions to change your vote or revoke your proxy.
What is the effect of giving a proxy?
Proxies are solicited by and on behalf of our board of directors. Fred Schwarzer and Misbah Tahir have been designated as proxy holders by our board of directors. When a proxy is properly dated, executed and returned, the shares represented by such proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder. If the proxy is dated and signed, but no specific instructions are given, the shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors. If any matters not described in this proxy statement are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will use their own judgment to determine how to vote your shares. If the Annual Meeting is postponed or adjourned, the proxy holders can vote your shares on the new meeting date, unless you have properly revoked your proxy, as described above.
What if I do not specify how my shares are to be voted?
Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record and you submit a proxy but you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted:
Street Name Stockholders. If you are a street name stockholder and you do not provide your broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares with voting instructions, then your broker, bank or other nominee will determine if it has discretion to vote on each matter. Brokers do not have discretion to vote on non-routine matters. Proposal No. 1 (election of directors) and Proposal No. 3 (approval of the 2018 Plan, as amended) are non-routine matters, while Proposal No. 2 (ratification of appointment of independent registered public accounting firm) is a routine matter. As a result, if you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, then your broker, bank or other nominee may not vote your shares with respect to Proposal Nos. 1 and 3, which would result in a “broker non-vote,” but may, in its discretion, vote your shares with respect to Proposal No. 2. For additional information regarding broker non-votes, see “—What are the effects of abstentions and broker non-votes?” below.
What are the effects of abstentions and broker non-votes?
An abstention represents a stockholder’s affirmative choice to decline to vote on a proposal. If a stockholder indicates on its proxy card that it wishes to abstain from voting its shares, or if a broker, bank or other nominee holding its customers’ shares of record causes abstentions to be recorded for shares, these shares will be considered present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As a result, abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum and will also count as votes against a proposal in cases where approval of the proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting (e.g., Proposal No. 2) to be
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approved. However, because the outcome of Proposal No. 1 will be determined by a plurality vote, abstentions will have no impact on the outcome of such proposal as long as a quorum exists.
A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker, bank or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. Broker non-votes, if any, will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast in cases where approval of the proposal requires the affirmative vote of a plurality or majority of the shares present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting (e.g., Proposal Nos. 1, 2 and 3). Therefore, a broker non-vote in such cases will make a quorum more readily attainable but will not otherwise affect the outcome of the vote on any proposal.
How are proxies solicited for the Annual Meeting and who is paying for such solicitation?
Our board of directors is soliciting proxies for use at the Annual Meeting by means of the proxy materials. We will bear the entire cost of proxy solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, printing, mailing and distribution of the proxy materials. Copies of solicitation materials will also be made available upon request to brokers, banks and other nominees to forward to the beneficial owners of the shares held of record by such brokers, banks or other nominees. The original solicitation of proxies may be supplemented by solicitation by telephone, electronic communication or other means by our directors, officers, employees or agents. No additional compensation will be paid to these individuals for any such services, although we may reimburse such individuals for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation. We do not plan to retain a proxy solicitor to assist in the solicitation of proxies.
If you choose to access the proxy materials and/or vote over the Internet, you are responsible for Internet access charges you may incur. If you choose to vote by telephone, you are responsible for telephone charges you may incur.
What does it mean if I received 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 each Notice to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Is my vote confidential?
Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements, to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote, or to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.
I share an address with another stockholder, and we received only one paper copy of the proxy materials. How may I obtain an additional copy of the proxy materials?
We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding,” under which we can deliver a single copy of the Notice and, if applicable, our proxy materials to multiple stockholders who share the same address unless we received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. This procedure reduces our printing and mailing costs. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to be able to access and receive separate proxy cards. Upon written or oral request, we will promptly deliver a separate copy of the Notice and, if applicable, our proxy materials to any stockholder at a shared address to which we delivered a single copy of any of these documents. To receive a separate copy, or, if you are receiving multiple copies, to request that we only send a single copy of next year’s Notice and, if applicable, proxy materials, you may contact us as follows:
IGM Biosciences, Inc.
Attention: Secretary
325 E. Middlefield Road
Mountain View, California 94043
(650) 965-7873
Stockholders who hold shares in street name may contact their brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other nominee to request information about householding.
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How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting. In addition, we will disclose final voting results on 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, we will file an amendment to the Form 8-K to disclose the final results.
What is the deadline to propose actions for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate individuals to serve as directors?
Stockholder Proposals
Stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders by submitting their proposals in writing to our Secretary in a timely manner. For a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, our Secretary must receive the written proposal at our principal executive offices not later than December 29, 2023. In addition, stockholder proposals must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. Stockholder proposals should be addressed to:
IGM Biosciences, Inc.
Attention: Secretary
325 E. Middlefield Road
Mountain View, California 94043
Our amended and restated bylaws also establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders who wish to present a proposal before an annual meeting of stockholders but do not intend for the proposal to be included in our proxy statement. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that the only business that may be conducted at an annual meeting is business that is (i) specified in our proxy materials with respect to such meeting, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of our board of directors, or (iii) properly brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder of record entitled to vote at the annual meeting who has delivered timely written notice to our Secretary, which notice must contain the information specified in our bylaws. To be timely for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, our Secretary must receive the written notice at our principal executive offices:
In the event that we hold our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders more than 25 days before or after the first anniversary of the date of the Annual Meeting, then notice of a stockholder proposal that is not intended to be included in our proxy statement must be received no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before such annual meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of the following two dates:
If a stockholder who has notified us of his, her or its intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting does not appear to present his, her or its proposal at such annual meeting, we are not required to present the proposal for a vote at such annual meeting.
In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act.
Recommendation or Nomination of Director Candidates
Stockholders holding at least $2,000 in market value, or one percent (1%), of the outstanding shares of our common stock continuously for at least 12 months prior to the date of the submission of the recommendation or nomination may propose director candidates for consideration by our corporate governance and nominating committee. Any such recommendations should include the nominee’s name and qualifications for membership on our board of directors and
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should be directed to our Secretary at the address set forth above. For additional information regarding stockholder recommendations for director candidates, see the section titled “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance—Stockholder Recommendations for Nominations to the Board of Directors.”
In addition, our bylaws permit stockholders to nominate directors for election at an annual meeting of stockholders. To nominate a director, the stockholder must provide the information required by our bylaws. In addition, the stockholder must give timely notice to our Secretary in accordance with our bylaws, which, in general, require that the notice be received by our Secretary within the time period described above under “Stockholder Proposals” for stockholder proposals that are not intended to be included in a proxy statement.
Availability of Bylaws
A copy of our amended and restated bylaws may be obtained by accessing our public filings on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also contact our Secretary at our principal executive office for a copy of the relevant bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our business affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors, which currently consists of nine (9) members. Our board of directors has affirmatively determined that eight (8) of our nine (9) directors qualify as “independent” within the meaning of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq). Our board of directors is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, a class of directors will be elected for a three-year term to succeed the same class whose term is then expiring.
Upon the recommendation of our corporate governance and nominating committee, we are nominating Julie Hambleton, M.D., William Strohl, Ph.D. and Jakob Haldor Topsøe as Class I directors at the Annual Meeting. If elected, Drs. Hambleton and Strohl and Mr. Topsøe will each hold office for a three-year term until the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2026 or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
The following table sets forth the names, ages as of March 31, 2023 and certain other information for each of the directors with terms expiring at the Annual Meeting (who are also nominees for election as a director at the Annual Meeting), and for each of the continuing directors:
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Director |
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Director Nominees |
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Julie Hambleton, M.D. (1)(4) |
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65 |
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Director |
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2018 |
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2023 |
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2026 |
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William Strohl, Ph.D. (4) |
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I |
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70 |
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Director |
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2018 |
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2023 |
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2026 |
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Jakob Haldor Topsøe |
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I |
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54 |
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Director |
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2018 |
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2023 |
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2026 |
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Continuing Directors |
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Kathleen Behrens, Ph.D. (1)(2)(3) |
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II |
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70 |
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Director |
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2019 |
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2024 |
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— |
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Michael Loberg, Ph.D. (1)(2)(3)(4) |
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II |
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75 |
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Chair of the Board |
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2015 |
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2024 |
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— |
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Christina Teng Topsøe (2)(3) |
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II |
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42 |
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Director |
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2018 |
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2024 |
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— |
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Felix J. Baker, Ph.D (4) |
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III |
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54 |
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Director |
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2021 |
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2025 |
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— |
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Michael Lee |
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III |
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44 |
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Director |
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2019 |
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2025 |
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— |
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Fred Schwarzer |
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III |
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71 |
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Chief Executive Officer, |
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2003 |
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2025 |
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— |
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Director Nominees
Class I Directors
Julie Hambleton, M.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2018. Dr. Hambleton served as Interim President & CEO, Arch Oncology, a private company, from August 2020 to March 2021. From June 2018 until her retirement in April 2020, Dr. Hambleton served as Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Head of Development at IDEAYA Biosciences, an oncology medicine company. From September 2017 to May 2018 and from March 2016 to May 2016, Dr. Hambleton served as an independent strategic consultant for various life sciences companies. From May 2016 to September 2017, she served as Vice President, Head U.S. Medical at Bristol-Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical company. From August 2015 to February 2016, Dr. Hambleton served as Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer at Five Prime Therapeutics, a biotechnology company, and as Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer from December 2012 to August 2015. From April 2010 to November 2012, Dr. Hambleton served as Vice President, Clinical Development at Clovis Oncology, and from 2003 to 2010, Dr. Hambleton held increasing roles of responsibility in BioOncology at Genentech. Dr. Hambleton has served on the board of directors of SpringWorks Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company, since May 2020 and Erasca, Inc., a biotechnology company, since March 2021. Dr. Hambleton completed her hematology-oncology training at the University of California, San Francisco, where she then served on the faculty from 1993 to 2003.
Dr. Hambleton received an M.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a B.S. in Nursing from Duke University and was board-certified in Hematology and Internal Medicine.
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We believe Dr. Hambleton is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of her extensive career in the biotechnology industry, her executive and leadership experience and her medical expertise in hematology and internal medicine.
William Strohl, Ph.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2018. In August 2016, Dr. Strohl founded BiStro Biotech Consulting, a biotechnology consulting company, of which he also serves as President. From February 2016 to August 2016, Dr. Strohl served as Vice President and Biologics Fellow at Janssen BioTherapeutics, the therapeutic biologics organization within the Janssen Research & Development division of Johnson & Johnson, a multinational medical devices and pharmaceutical company, and served as its Vice President and Head from October 2013 to February 2016. Prior to that, from April 2008 to October 2013, Dr. Strohl served as Head of Antibody Discovery at Janssen BioTherapeutics. Dr. Strohl has also held various roles at Merck, a pharmaceutical company, including leading Natural Products Biology and leading Biologics discovery efforts and was a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and the Program of Biochemistry at The Ohio State University. Dr. Strohl received a B.S. in Biology from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Louisiana State University.
We believe Dr. Strohl is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive career in the biotechnology industry, his leadership experience and his educational background in biology, chemistry and microbiology.
Jakob Haldor Topsøe has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2018. Since June 2015, Mr. Topsøe has served as Chairman of the board of directors of Topsøe Holding A/S, and has served on the board of directors of Topsoe A/S, a Danish catalysis and chemical processing company and a subsidiary of Topsøe Holding A/S, since October 2010 and as its Vice Chairman since August 2016. Since January 2009, Mr. Topsøe has served as Partner at AMBROX Capital, a Danish investment management firm, and as Associate Partner since September 2016. From 1996 to 2008, Mr. Topsøe was employed in various functions within Alfred Berg/ABN Amro Bank including Head of Equities, Denmark. Mr. Topsøe served as a member of the board of directors of Motortramp, a Danish provider of marine transportation services, and Dampskibsselskabet Orients Fond, a Danish charitable foundation, from 2017 to October 2020. Mr. Topsøe received a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Finance) from the Copenhagen Business School.
We believe Mr. Topsøe is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his investment experience, leadership experience and background and his affiliation with our lead investor.
Continuing Directors
Class II Directors
Kathleen Behrens, Ph.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since January 2019. Since December 2009, Dr. Behrens has served as an independent life sciences consultant and investor. From January 2012 to June 2014, she served as the Co-Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer and director of the KEW Group, a private oncology services company. From 1996 to December 2009, Dr. Behrens served in various roles at RS Investments, an investment management and research firm, including as a General Partner for selected venture funds. Prior to this, from 1983 to 1996, she served as a General Partner and Managing Director at Robertson Stephens & Co. Since March 2009, Dr. Behrens has served as a member of the board of directors of Sarepta Therapeutics, a medical research and drug development company, and as Chairwoman since April 2015, as well as chair of its audit committee and a member of its research and development committee. She has served as Chairwoman of the board of directors of MiMedx Group, a biomedical company, since June 2019, and as a member of its nominating and governance committee and audit committee. Dr. Behrens served on the board of directors of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company, from June 2009 until its sale to Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2012. She previously served as a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) from 2001 to early 2009 and as Chairwoman of its subcommittee on Personalized Medicine. She has also spent time as a public-market biotechnology securities analyst and a venture capitalist focusing on healthcare, technology and related investments. She also previously served on the Board on Science, Technology and Economic Policy for the National Research Council and as a Director, President and Chairwoman of the National Venture Capital Association. Dr. Behrens received a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis.
We believe Dr. Behrens is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of her extensive experience in the life sciences field, her executive and board leadership experience and her medical expertise in biology and microbiology.
Michael Loberg, Ph.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since September 2015, and as Chair of our board of directors since August 2018. Dr. Loberg previously served on the board of directors of ArQule, a
9
biopharmaceutical company, from January 2007 to January 2020, and on the board of directors of Inotek Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company, from March 2006 to July 2014 and as its Interim Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2009. Previously, he served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of NitroMed, a pharmaceutical company, from September 1997 to March 2006 and as its President from September 2003 to March 2006. From 1979 to 1997, Dr. Loberg held a number of senior management positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb, including President of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Oncology and Immunology, U.S. Primary Care, Northern Europe, Specialty Pharmaceuticals and Squibb Diagnostics divisions, as well as Director and Vice President, E.R. Squibb & Sons Research and Development. Dr. Loberg received a B.S. in Chemistry from Trinity College and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis.
We believe Dr. Loberg is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive career in the pharmaceutical industry, leadership skills and life sciences public company experience.
Christina Teng Topsøe has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2018, and previously served as an observer on our board of directors beginning in 2013. Since March 2013, Ms. Topsøe has served on the board of directors of Topsoe A/S, and has served on the board of directors of Topsøe Holding A/S, its holding company, since June 2015. Ms. Topsøe previously was a lawyer at Allen & Overy LLP and Simpson Thacher and Bartlett LLP. Ms. Topsøe pursued a B.A. in Chinese Studies from the University of Copenhagen, studied Chinese Language and Literature at Peking University, and received an LL.B. from the University of London and an M.B.A. from London Business School and Columbia Business School.
We believe Ms. Topsøe is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of her leadership experience and perspective as an entrepreneur and her affiliation with our lead investor.
Class III Directors
Felix J. Baker, Ph.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since January 2021. Dr. Baker is a Managing Member of Baker Bros. Advisors LP (“BBA”), a biotechnology-focused investment adviser to fund partnerships whose investors are primarily endowments and foundations, which Dr. Baker founded, together with his brother Julian Baker, in 2000. Dr. Baker has served on the boards of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Seagen, Inc. since July 2003, Kodiak Sciences, Inc. since September 2015, Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. since October 2015, and Talis Biomedical Corporation since July 2013, and he previously served on the board of Alexion Pharmaceuticals from June 2015 to February 2021. Dr. Baker holds a B.S and a Ph.D. in Immunology from Stanford University, where he also completed two years of medical school.
We believe Dr. Baker is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his background, knowledge of our industry, extensive investment and leadership experience and his affiliation with one of our investors.
Michael Lee has served as a member of our board of directors since July 2019. Mr. Lee has served as Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager at Redmile Group, an investment advisory firm since 2007. Prior to Redmile, Mr. Lee worked as a biotechnology investor at Steeple Capital, an investment management firm, and as an analyst at Welch Capital Partners, an investment advisory firm, and Prudential Equity Group, a financial services company. Mr. Lee has served on the board of directors of Fate Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company, since July 2018 and Shattuck Labs, a biotechnology company, since June 2020. Mr. Lee holds a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona.
We believe Mr. Lee is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his background, knowledge of our industry and extensive investment and leadership experience.
Fred Schwarzer has served as our Chief Executive Officer since July 2010 and has been a member of our board of directors since February 2003, serving as Chairman until August 2018. Mr. Schwarzer has also served as our President since December 2018, and previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President at different times between December 1999 and May 2003. Mr. Schwarzer was a founder of Charter Life Sciences, a venture capital firm specializing in life sciences investments, in 2003 and served as its Managing Partner from inception until August 2019. Mr. Schwarzer previously served as Chair of the board of directors of Inviragen, a biopharmaceutical company and developer of the DENVax dengue vaccine, from 2009 until Inviragen’s acquisition by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company in 2013. He also served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors of Heska Corporation, a biotechnology company focused primarily on the animal healthcare markets, from 1994 to 1998 and 1999 to 2001, respectively. Mr. Schwarzer received a B.A in Pre-Legal Studies from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.
We believe Mr. Schwarzer is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his expertise and experience as our Chief Executive Officer and President, his depth and expertise in the life sciences and venture capital industries, his leadership experience and his educational background.
10
Family Relationships
Christina Teng Topsøe and Jakob Haldor Topsøe, each a member of our board of directors, are first cousins. There are no other family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
Director Independence
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Under the listing standards of Nasdaq, independent directors must comprise a majority of our board of directors. In addition, the listing standards of Nasdaq require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of our audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees be independent. Audit committee members and compensation committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 and Rule 10C-1, respectively, under the Exchange Act. Under the listing standards of Nasdaq, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of that company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
To be considered to be independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3 and under the listing standards of Nasdaq, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors or any other board committee: (1) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries or (2) be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.
To be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10C-1 and under the listing standards of Nasdaq, the board of directors must affirmatively determine that each member of the compensation committee is independent, including a consideration of all factors specifically relevant to determining whether the director has a relationship to the company which is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a compensation committee member, including: (1) the source of compensation of such director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the company to such director and (2) whether such director is affiliated with the company, a subsidiary of the company or an affiliate of a subsidiary of the company.
Our board of directors has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director and considered whether any director has a material relationship with us that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our board of directors has determined that Drs. Baker, Behrens, Hambleton, Loberg, and Strohl, Messrs. Lee and Topsøe and Ms. Topsøe, representing eight of our nine directors, do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under the listing standards of Nasdaq. In addition, our board of directors has determined that all members of our audit, compensation, and corporate governance and nominating committees satisfy the independence standards for committee members established by applicable SEC rules and regulations and the listing standards of Nasdaq.
In making these determinations, our board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director, and the transactions involving them described in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party and Other Transactions.”
Board Leadership Structure
Our board of directors is currently chaired by Dr. Loberg. As a general policy, our board of directors believes that separation of the positions of Chair of our board of directors and Chief Executive Officer reinforces the independence of our board of directors from management, creates an environment that encourages objective oversight of management’s performance and enhances the effectiveness of our board of directors as a whole. As such, Mr. Schwarzer serves as our Chief Executive Officer and President while Dr. Loberg serves as the Chair of our board of directors but is not an officer.
11
Committees of our Board of Directors
Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee, a corporate governance and nominating committee and a research and clinical development committee. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of our board of directors are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. Our board of directors may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee consists of Drs. Behrens, Hambleton and Loberg, with Dr. Behrens serving as chair. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our audit committee satisfies the independence requirements under the listing standards of Nasdaq and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. Our board of directors has determined that Dr. Behrens is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of SEC rules and regulations. Each member of our audit committee can read and understand fundamental financial statements in accordance with applicable requirements. In arriving at these determinations, our board of directors examined each audit committee member’s scope of experience and the nature of their employment in the corporate finance sector.
Our audit committee oversees our corporate accounting and financial reporting process and assists our board of directors in monitoring our financial systems. Our audit committee is also responsible for, among other things:
Our audit committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of Nasdaq. A copy of the charter for our audit committee is available on our investor relations website at https://investor.igmbio.com/. During 2022, our audit committee held four meetings.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee consists of Drs. Behrens and Loberg and Ms. Topsøe, with Ms. Topsøe serving as chair. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our compensation committee is independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq and a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
Our compensation committee oversees our compensation policies, plans, and benefits programs. The compensation committee is also responsible for, among other things:
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Our compensation committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of Nasdaq. A copy of the charter for our compensation committee is available on our investor relations website at https://investor.igmbio.com/. During 2022, our compensation committee held four meetings.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Our corporate governance and nominating committee consists of Drs. Behrens and Loberg and Ms. Topsøe, with Ms. Topsøe serving as chair. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our corporate governance and nominating committee is independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq.
Our corporate governance and nominating committee oversees and assists our board of directors in reviewing and recommending nominees for election as directors. The corporate governance and nominating committee is also responsible for, among other things:
Our corporate governance and nominating committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the listing standards of Nasdaq. A copy of the charter for our corporate governance and nominating committee is available on our investor relations website at https://investor.igmbio.com/. During 2022, our corporate governance and nominating committee held three meetings.
Research and Clinical Development Committee
Our research and clinical development committee consists of Drs. Baker, Hambleton, Loberg and Strohl, with Drs. Hambleton and Strohl serving as co-chairs.
Specific responsibilities of our research and clinical development committee include:
Our research and clinical development committee operates under a written charter, and during 2022, the committee held three meetings.
Attendance at Board and Stockholder Meetings
During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, our board of directors held three meetings (including regularly scheduled and special meetings), and each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of our board of directors held during the period for which he or she has been a director and (ii) the total number
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of meetings held by all committees of our board of directors on which he or she served during the periods that he or she served on such committee.
Although we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of our board of directors at annual meetings of stockholders, we strongly encourage, but do not require, our directors to attend. All of our directors attended the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2022, Drs. Behrens and Loberg and Ms. Topsøe served on our compensation committee. None of the members of our compensation committee is currently, or has been at any time, one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served during the past fiscal year, as a member of the board of directors or the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or our compensation committee. Ms. Topsøe may be deemed to have an interest in certain transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). These transactions are disclosed in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party and Other Transactions,” and such disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.
Considerations in Evaluating Director Nominees
Our corporate governance and nominating committee uses a variety of methods, including engaging the services of outside consultants and search firms, to identify and evaluate director nominees. In its evaluation of director candidates, our corporate governance and nominating committee will consider the current size and composition of our board of directors and the needs of our board of directors and the respective committees of our board of directors. Some of the qualifications that our corporate governance and nominating committee considers include such factors as character, integrity, judgment, diversity (including, without limitation, diversity in terms of gender, race, ethnicity and
experience), age, independence, skills, education, expertise, business acumen, corporate experience, length of service, understanding of our business and other commitments, among other things. Nominees must also have the highest personal and professional ethics and integrity and skills that are complementary to those of the existing directors. Director candidates must have the ability to assist and support management and make significant contributions to our success based on proven achievement and competence in the nominee’s field and the ability to exercise sound business judgment. Nominees must also have an understanding of the fiduciary responsibilities that are required of a member of our board of directors and the commitment of time and energy necessary to diligently carry out those responsibilities. Members of our board of directors are expected to prepare for, attend, and participate in all board of directors and applicable committee meetings. Our corporate governance and nominating committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem, from time to time, are in our and our stockholders’ best interests.
The corporate governance and nominating committee considers the suitability of each director candidate, including current directors, in light of the current size and composition of our board. Although our board of directors does not maintain a specific policy with respect to board diversity, our board of directors believes that our board of directors should be a diverse body, and our corporate governance and nominating committee considers a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. In making determinations regarding nominations of directors, our corporate governance and nominating committee may take into account the benefits of diverse viewpoints. Our corporate governance and nominating committee also considers these and other factors as it oversees the annual board of director and committee evaluations. After completing its review and evaluation of director candidates, our corporate governance and nominating committee recommends to our full board of directors the director nominees for selection.
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Board of Directors Diversity Matrix
Our board of directors and corporate governance and nominating committee are committed to diversity of experience, gender, race and ethnicity, and seeks to ensure that there is diversity of thought among our directors. We believe that diversity of thought stems from many factors including professional experience, life experience, socio-economic background, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, skill set, and geographic representation. We believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of the directors, considered as a group, should provide a significant composite mix of experience, knowledge, abilities, and shareholder and community representation that will allow the board of directors to fulfill its responsibilities.
Board Diversity Matrix (As of March 31, 2023) |
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Total Number of Directors |
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9 |
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Female |
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Male |
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Did Not Disclose |
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Part I: Gender Identity |
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Directors |
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3 |
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6 |
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0 |
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Part II: Demographic Background |
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Asian |
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1 |
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1 |
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0 |
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White |
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2 |
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5 |
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0 |
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LGBTQ+ |
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0 |
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Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
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0 |
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Stockholder Recommendations for Nominations to the Board of Directors
Our corporate governance and nominating committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders holding no less than $2,000 in market value, or one percent (1%), of the outstanding shares of our common stock continuously for at least 12 months prior to the date of the submission of the recommendation or nomination, so long as such recommendations or nominations comply with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws, and applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those promulgated by the SEC. Our corporate governance and nominating committee will evaluate such recommendations in accordance with its charter, our amended and restated bylaws and our policies and procedures for director candidates, as well as the regular director nominee criteria described above. This process is designed to ensure that our board of directors includes members with diverse backgrounds, skills and experience, including appropriate financial and other expertise relevant to our business. Eligible stockholders wishing to recommend a candidate for nomination should contact our Secretary in writing. Such recommendations must include information about the candidate, a statement of support of the candidate by the recommending stockholder, evidence of the recommending stockholder’s ownership of our capital stock, a signed letter from the candidate confirming willingness to serve on our board of directors, information regarding any relationships between us and the candidate and any additional information required by our amended and restated bylaws. Our corporate governance and nominating committee has discretion to decide which individuals to recommend for nomination as directors.
Under our amended and restated bylaws, stockholders may also directly nominate persons for election to our board of directors. Any nomination must comply with the requirements set forth in our amended and restated bylaws and should be sent in writing to our Secretary at IGM Biosciences, Inc., 325 E. Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043. To be timely for the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, nominations must be received by our Secretary in compliance with the deadlines discussed above. See “Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting— What is the deadline to propose actions for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate individuals to serve as directors?” for more information.
Communications with the Board of Directors
Interested parties wishing to communicate with non-management members of our board of directors may do so by writing and mailing the correspondence to our Secretary at IGM Biosciences, Inc., 325 E. Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043. Our Secretary monitors these communications and will provide a summary of all received bona fide messages to our board of directors at each regularly scheduled meeting of our board of directors. Where the nature of a communication warrants, our Secretary may determine, in his or her judgment, to obtain the more immediate attention of the appropriate committee of the board of directors or non-management director, of independent advisors or of our management.
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This procedure does not apply to (a) communications to non-management directors from officers or directors who are stockholders, (b) stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (c) communications to our audit committee pursuant to our complaint procedures for accounting and auditing matters.
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our board of directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that address items such as the qualifications and responsibilities of our directors and director candidates and corporate governance policies and standards applicable to us in general. In addition, our board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive and senior financial officers. The full text of our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our investor relations website at https://investor.igmbio.com/. We will post any amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and any waivers of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for directors and executive officers on the same website or in filings under the Exchange Act.
Role of the Board in Risk Oversight
Our board of directors has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing the management of our risks. Our board of directors is responsible for general oversight of risks and regular review of information regarding our risks, including credit risks, liquidity risks and operational risks. Our compensation committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. Our audit committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to accounting matters and financial reporting. Our corporate governance and nominating committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks associated with the independence of our board of directors and potential conflicts of interest. Although each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, our entire board of directors is regularly informed through discussions from committee members about such risks. Our board of directors believes its administration of its risk oversight function has not negatively affected the board of directors’ leadership structure.
Director Compensation
In connection with our initial public offering, our board of directors adopted, and our stockholders approved, a compensation policy for our non-employee directors. This policy was developed with input from our compensation committee’s independent compensation consultant, Radford, regarding practices and compensation levels at comparable companies. It is designed to attract, retain and reward non-employee directors. Our compensation committee, with input from Radford, has made adjustments to our non-employee director compensation program, most recently in March 2023, in an effort to provide competitive compensation opportunities for our non-employee directors.
Under the outside director compensation policy, each non-employee director receives cash and equity compensation for his or her services as a member of our board of directors, as described below. We also reimburse our non-employee directors for reasonable, customary and documented travel expenses to meetings of our board of directors or its committees.
The director compensation policy includes a maximum annual limit of $750,000 or, in the first year of a non-employee director’s service on our board of directors, $1,000,000, of cash compensation and equity awards that may be paid, issued or granted to a non-employee director in any fiscal year. For purposes of these limitations, the value of an equity award is based on its grant date fair value (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP). Any cash compensation paid or equity awards granted to a person for his or her services as an employee, or for his or her services as a consultant (other than as a non-employee director), will not count for purposes of the limitation. The maximum limit does not reflect the intended size of any potential compensation or equity awards to our non-employee directors.
Cash Compensation
Under our outside director compensation policy, each non-employee director is paid an annual cash retainer of $40,000. In addition, each non-employee director is entitled to receive the following cash compensation for his or her services under the policy:
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In addition, each non-employee director who serves on the board of directors of one of our majority owned subsidiaries will be eligible to earn an additional $40,000 in annual fees for each subsidiary board on which he or she serves (paid quarterly in arrears on a prorated basis, provided that the fees for the first quarter during which the non-employee serves on a subsidiary board will not be prorated).
Each non-employee director who serves as a committee chair receives only the additional annual cash fee as the chair of the committee, and not the additional annual fee as a member of the committee. All cash payments to non-employee directors are paid quarterly in arrears on a prorated basis.
Each non-employee director may elect on an annual basis to convert 0%, 50% or 100% of his or her retainer cash compensation with respect to services to be performed in a future calendar quarter and otherwise scheduled to be paid following the completion of those services into a number of RSUs (a Retainer Award) having a grant value equal to the aggregate amount of the elected percentage of the retainer cash compensation payable to such non-employee director under the policy for the applicable quarter (as determined on the applicable date of grant of such Retainer Award). The
Retainer Awards are automatic and nondiscretionary and are granted on the last business day of each quarter with respect to the retainer cash compensation that would have been paid in such fiscal quarter. All RSUs underlying such Retainer Awards will be fully vested upon grant. The grant value for any Retainer Award is calculated based on the volume weighted average price of one share of our common stock over the fourth quarter of the year immediately preceding the year of the date of grant.
Equity Compensation
Initial Options. Each person who first becomes a non-employee director after the effective date of the director compensation policy will be granted an initial award of a nonstatutory stock option (the Initial Option) to purchase shares of our common stock. Before the amendment of the policy in March 2023, each Initial Option covered a number of shares calculated based on a grant date fair value of $650,000. From and after March 2023, each Initial Option will cover a fixed number of 31,000 shares of our common stock. The Initial Option will be scheduled to vest as to 1/3rd of the shares subject to the option on the first anniversary of the director’s commencement of service to us and 1/36th of the shares will vest each month thereafter, subject to continued service to us through each applicable vesting date. If the person was a member of our board of directors and also an employee, becoming a non-employee director due to termination of employment will not entitle the person to an Initial Option.
Annual Options. Each non-employee director automatically will receive, at the same time we make our annual equity awards to our executive officers, an annual award of a nonstatutory stock option (an Annual Option) to purchase shares of our common stock. Before the amendment of the policy in March 2023, each Annual Option covered a number of shares calculated based on a grant date fair value of $350,000. From and after March 2023, each Annual Option will cover a fixed number of 15,500 shares. Each Annual Option will vest as to 1/12th of the shares subject to the option for each month of service after the date of the first annual meeting of our stockholders following the date of grant, and will vest in full on the earlier of (i) the twelve-month anniversary of the date of the first annual meeting of our stockholders following the date of grant or (ii) the date of the second regularly scheduled annual meeting of our stockholders that next follows the date of grant of the Annual Option, subject to continued service to us through the applicable vesting date. The term of each option granted under the policy will be 10 years, subject to earlier termination as provided in the 2018 Plan. Each option granted under the policy will have an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant.
Change in Control. In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the 2018 Plan), each non-employee director will fully vest in his or her outstanding company equity awards provided that the non-employee director continues to be a non-employee director through the date of such change in control.
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2022 Compensation
Directors who are also our employees receive no additional compensation for their service as directors. Mr. Schwarzer was our only employee director during 2022. See the section titled “Executive Compensation” for additional information about Mr. Schwarzer’s compensation.
The following table presents the total compensation each of our non-employee directors received during the year ended December 31, 2022. Other than as set forth in the table, we did not pay any compensation or grant any equity awards or other incentive awards to any of our non-employee directors in 2022.
Name |
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Fees Earned |
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Stock |
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Option |
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Total ($) |
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Felix J. Baker, Ph.D. |
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45,000 |
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— |
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349,911 |
|
|
|
394,911 |
|
Kathleen Behrens, Ph.D. |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31,607 |
|
|
|
349,911 |
|
|
|
381,518 |
|
Julie Hambleton, M.D. |
|
|
57,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
349,911 |
|
|
|
407,411 |
|
Michael Lee |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,437 |
|
|
|
349,911 |
|
|
|
369,348 |
|
Michael Loberg, Ph.D. |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
45,044 |
|
|
|
349,911 |
|
|
|
394,955 |
|
William Strohl, Ph.D. |
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
349,911 |
|
|
|
439,911 |
|
Christina Teng Topsøe |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
29,240 |
|
|
|
349,911 |
|
|
|
379,151 |
|
Jakob Haldor Topsøe |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,437 |
|
|
|
349,911 |
|
|
|
369,348 |
|
18
The following table lists all outstanding equity awards held by non-employee directors as of December 31, 2022:
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
||||||||||||||
Name |
|
Date of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
Option |
|
|
Option |
|||
Felix J. Baker, Ph.D. |
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
6,423 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,748 |
|
|
|
|
14,749 |
|
(2) |
|
|
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
Kathleen Behrens, Ph.D. |
|
1/20/19 |
|
|
14,816 |
|
|
|
|
316 |
|
(3) |
|
|
1.39 |
|
|
1/20/29 |
|
|
9/17/19 |
|
|
12,100 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
16.00 |
|
|
9/17/29 |
|
|
2/5/20 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
40.27 |
|
|
2/5/30 |
|
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
6,423 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,748 |
|
|
|
|
14,749 |
|
(2) |
|
|
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
Julie Hambleton, M.D. |
|
12/22/18 |
|
|
15,132 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
1.39 |
|
|
12/22/28 |
|
|
9/17/19 |
|
|
12,100 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
16.00 |
|
|
9/17/29 |
|
|
2/5/20 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
40.27 |
|
|
2/5/30 |
|
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
6,423 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,748 |
|
|
|
|
14,749 |
|
(2) |
|
|
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
Michael Lee |
|
9/17/19 |
|
|
12,100 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
16.00 |
|
|
9/17/29 |
|
|
2/5/20 |
|
10000 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
40.27 |
|
|
2/5/30 |
|
|
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
6,423 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,748 |
|
|
|
|
14,749 |
|
(2) |
|
|
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
Michael Loberg, Ph.D. |
|
9/17/19 |
|
|
12,100 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
16.00 |
|
|
9/17/29 |
|
|
2/5/20 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
40.27 |
|
|
2/5/30 |
|
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
6,423 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,748 |
|
|
|
|
14,749 |
|
(2) |
|
|
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
William Strohl, Ph.D. |
|
12/22/18 |
|
|
15,132 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
1.39 |
|
|
12/22/28 |
|
|
9/17/19 |
|
|
12,100 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
16.00 |
|
|
9/17/29 |
|
|
2/5/20 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
40.27 |
|
|
2/5/30 |
|
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
6,423 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,748 |
|
|
|
|
14,749 |
|
(2) |
|
|
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
Christina Teng Topsøe |
|
9/17/19 |
|
|
12,100 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
16.00 |
|
|
9/17/29 |
|
|
2/5/20 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
40.27 |
|
|
2/5/30 |
|
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
6,423 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,748 |
|
|
|
|
14,749 |
|
(2) |
|
|
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
Jakob Haldor Topsøe |
|
9/17/19 |
|
|
12,100 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
16.00 |
|
|
9/17/29 |
|
|
2/5/20 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
40.27 |
|
|
2/5/30 |
|
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
6,423 |
|
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,748 |
|
|
|
|
14,749 |
|
(2) |
|
|
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
19
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors is currently composed of nine members. In accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. At the Annual Meeting, three Class I directors will be elected for a three-year term to succeed the same class whose term is then expiring.
Each director’s term continues until the election and qualification of such director’s successor, or such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any increase or decrease in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of our directors. This classification of our board of directors may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of our company.
Nominees
Our corporate governance and nominating committee has recommended, and our board of directors has approved, Julie Hambleton, M.D., William Strohl, Ph.D. and Jakob Haldor Topsøe as nominees for election as Class II directors at the Annual Meeting. If elected, each of Drs. Hambleton and Strohl and Mr. Topsøe will serve as a Class I director until the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. Drs. Hambleton and Strohl and Mr. Topsøe are currently directors of our company, and each has agreed to being named in this proxy statement as a nominee and to serve if elected. For information concerning the nominees, please see the section titled “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance.”
If you are a stockholder of record and you sign your proxy card or vote over the Internet or by telephone but do not give instructions with respect to the voting of directors, your shares will be voted FOR the election of Drs. Hambleton and Strohl and Mr. Topsøe. If you are a street name stockholder of shares of our common stock and you do not give voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, then your broker, bank or other nominee will leave your shares unvoted on this matter. We expect that Drs. Hambleton and Strohl and Mr. Topsøe will accept such nomination; however, in the event that a director nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who shall be designated by our board of directors to fill such vacancy.
Vote Required
The election of Class I directors requires a plurality of the votes of the shares of our common stock present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon to be approved. “Plurality” means that the three nominees who receive the most votes cast FOR will be elected as Class I directors. As a result, any shares not voted FOR a particular nominee (whether as a result of voting withheld or a broker non-vote) will not be counted in such nominee’s favor and will have no effect on the outcome of the election.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE THREE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS CLASS I DIRECTORS TO SERVE FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM.
20
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Our audit committee has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit our financial statements for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Deloitte & Touche LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2019.
At the Annual Meeting, our stockholders are being asked to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Stockholder ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP is not required by our bylaws or other applicable legal requirements. However, our board of directors is submitting the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate governance. In the event that this appointment is not ratified by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote, such appointment will be reconsidered by our audit committee. Even if the appointment is ratified, our audit committee, in its sole discretion, may appoint another independent registered public accounting firm at any time during our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 if our audit committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests our company and our stockholders. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she wishes to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table presents fees for professional audit services and other services rendered to us by Deloitte & Touche LLP for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
959,025 |
|
|
$ |
1,294,100 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Tax Fees (2) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15,940 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total Fees |
|
$ |
959,025 |
|
|
$ |
1,310,040 |
|
Auditor Independence
In our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, there were no other professional services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP that would have required our audit committee to consider their compatibility with maintaining the independence of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Audit Committee Policy on Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Our audit committee has established a policy governing our use of the services of our independent registered public accounting firm. Under the policy, our audit committee is required to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm in order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair such accounting firm’s independence. All fees paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were pre-approved by our audit committee.
21
Vote Required
The ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this proposal, and broker non-votes will have no effect.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023.
22
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The audit committee is a committee of the board of directors comprised solely of independent directors as required by the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The composition of the audit committee, the attributes of its members and the responsibilities of the audit committee, as reflected in its charter, are intended to be in accordance with applicable requirements for corporate audit committees. The audit committee operates under a written charter approved by the board of directors, which is available on our website at https://igmbio.com/. The audit committee reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter and the audit committee’s performance on an annual basis.
With respect to the Company’s financial reporting process, the Company’s management is responsible for (1) establishing and maintaining internal controls and (2) preparing the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte), is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s financial statements. It is the responsibility of the audit committee to oversee these activities. It is not the responsibility of the audit committee to prepare the Company’s financial statements. These are the fundamental responsibilities of management.
In the performance of its oversight function, the audit committee has:
Based on the audit committee’s review and discussions with management and Deloitte, 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 for filing with the SEC.
Respectfully submitted by the members of the audit committee of the board of directors:
Kathleen Behrens, Ph.D. (Chair)
Julie Hambleton, M.D.
Michael Loberg, Ph.D.
This report of the audit committee is required by the SEC and, in accordance with the SEC’s rules, will not be deemed to be part of or incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and will not otherwise be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” under either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
23
PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL OF THE IGM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2018 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Our board of directors believes that our future success depends on our ability to attract and retain talented employees and that the ability to grant equity awards is a necessary and powerful recruiting and retention tool for us. We believe that equity awards motivate high levels of performance, more closely align the interests of employees and stockholders by giving employees an opportunity to hold an ownership stake in our company, and provide an effective means of recognizing employee contributions to our success. Consequently, at the Annual Meeting, we are requesting that stockholders approve the amendment and restatement of our 2018 Plan to increases the number of shares of our common stock (the “Shares”) authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,160,000 Shares.
The 2018 Plan is not being amended in any material way, other than to increase the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the 2018 Plan. Upon recommendation of our compensation committee, our board of directors approved amendments to the 2018 Plan on April 26, 2023, subject to the approval of our stockholders at the Annual Meeting.
As of March 31, 2023, there were 2,808,852 Shares available for issuance pursuant to awards that may be granted under the 2018 Plan. If the proposed amendment to the 2018 Plan is not approved by our stockholders, the 2018 Plan will remain in effect without the amendment and awards will continue to be made under the 2018 Plan to the extent Shares remain available. However, in this event, we may not be able to continue our equity incentive program in the future. This could preclude us from successfully attracting and/or retaining highly skilled employees. Our board of directors and the compensation committee believe that the additional Shares under the increased Share reserve will enable us to continue to use the 2018 Plan to achieve our recruiting, retention and incentive goals and will be essential to our future success.
If our stockholders approve the 2018 Plan amendment, we currently anticipate that the Shares will be sufficient to meet our expected needs through the date of our 2029 annual meeting of stockholders. In determining the number of Shares to be reserved for issuance under the 2018 Plan, our compensation committee and our board considered the following:
Outstanding Awards
The following table sets forth information regarding all outstanding stock options and restricted stock unit awards (“RSUs”) under all of our equity plans (other than our ESPP) as of March 31, 2023. The last sales price of our common stock as reported on Nasdaq on March 31, 2023 was $13.74 per share.
Outstanding Options |
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) |
|
Unvested RSUs Outstanding |
|
|
Number of Shares Available for Grant(1) |
|
||||
|
5,972,087 |
|
|
$ |
31.34 |
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
355,028 |
|
|
|
2,808,852 |
|
_________________
(1) This amount includes shares available for grant under the 2018 Plan as of March 31, 2023.
Description of the 2018 Plan
The following paragraphs provide a summary of the principal features of the 2018 Plan, as amended, and its operation. However, this summary is not a complete description of all of the provisions of such plan and is qualified in its entirety by
24
the specific language of such plan. A copy of the 2018 Plan, as amended, is provided as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
Purposes. The purposes of the 2018 Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility; to provide additional incentive to employees, directors, and consultants; and to promote the success of our business. These incentives will be provided through the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, performance units, and performance shares as the administrator of the 2018 Plan may determine.
Authorized Shares. Subject to the adjustment provisions contained in the 2018 Plan, and prior to the increase for which we are seeking approval, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2018 Plan is 9,907,912 Shares, which is equal to sum of the following: (x) 5,605,735 Shares approved by our stockholders when the 2018 Plan was last amended and restated in 2020, plus (y) 4,302,177 Shares that were subsequently added to the 2018 Plan’s Share reserve pursuant to the 2018 Plan’s automatic annual share reserve increase provision described below (the “Evergreen Provision”). Our stockholders are being asked to approve an increase of 2,160,000 Shares in the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2018 Plan. Thus, if our stockholders approve this increase, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2018 Plan will be increased to 12,067,912 Shares, and subject to the adjustment provisions contained in the 2018 Plan, the number of Shares available for issuance under the 2018 Plan will be increased on the first day of each fiscal year beginning with the 2024 fiscal year and ending with the 2029 fiscal year, in an amount equal to the least of (i) 8,768,000 Shares, (ii) 4% of our outstanding Shares (including for this purpose both voting common stock and non-voting common stock) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (iii) such number of Shares determined by our board of directors.
Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Shares. If an award under the 2018 Plan expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, is surrendered pursuant to an exchange program, or, with respect to restricted stock, RSUs, performance units or performance shares, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to failure to vest, the unpurchased Shares (or for awards other than options or stock appreciation rights the forfeited or repurchased Shares), which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the 2018 Plan (unless the 2018 Plan has terminated). With respect to stock appreciation rights, only Shares actually issued (i.e., the net Shares issued) pursuant to a stock appreciation right will cease to be available under the 2018 Plan; all remaining Shares under stock appreciation rights will remain available for future grant or sale under the 2018 Plan. Shares that have actually been issued under the 2018 Plan under any award will not be returned to the 2018 Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan. However, if Shares issued pursuant to awards of restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares or performance units are repurchased by us or are, such Shares will become available for future grant under the 2018 Plan. Shares used to pay the exercise price of an option or stock appreciate right or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to an award will become available for future grant or sale under the 2018 Plan. To the extent an award under the 2018 Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the 2018 Plan.
Plan Administration. Our 2018 Plan is generally administered by our compensation committee. Our board of directors or any committee of directors or other individuals satisfying applicable laws appointed by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors may administer the 2018 Plan.
Subject to the provisions of the 2018 Plan, the administrator has the power to determine the award recipients and the terms of the awards not inconsistent with the 2018 Plan, including the exercise price, the number of Shares subject to each such award, the exercisability of the awards, and the form of consideration, if any, payable by an option holder upon exercise. The administrator also will have the authority to amend existing awards, to institute and determine the terms and conditions of an exchange program, to determine fair market value of Shares, to construe and interpret the 2018 Plan and awards granted under the 2018 Plan, to establish rules and regulations, including sub-plans to facilitate compliance with applicable non-U.S. laws, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for administering the 2018 Plan. The administrator determines the methods by which participants may satisfy tax withholding obligations of awards granted under the 2018 Plan. The administrator’s decisions and interpretations will be final and binding on all participants and any other holders of awards.
Eligibility. The administrator may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, performance units and performance shares under the 2018 Plan to our employees, consultants and directors, and employees and consultants of our parent or subsidiary corporations. The administrator may grant incentive stock options under the 2018 Plan only to individuals who, as of the time of grant, are employees of ours or of any parent or subsidiary corporation of ours. As of March 31, 2023, we had eight non-employee directors and 280 employees (including three NEOs). Our number of active consultants varies, but we do not typically grant consultants equity awards.
25
Stock Options. The administrator may grant stock options under the 2018 Plan. Each option will be evidenced by an award agreement. The per share exercise price of options granted under the 2018 Plan must be at least equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant, except in special, limited circumstances relating to certain transactions, as set forth in the 2018 Plan. The maximum term of an incentive stock option must not exceed 10 years. However, with respect to any participant who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of ours or of any parent or subsidiary of ours, the maximum term of an incentive stock option granted to such participant must not exceed five years and such option’s per share exercise price must equal at least 110% of the fair market value of a Share on the grant date. Generally, the fair market value of a Share is the closing sales price of a Share on the relevant date as quoted on any established stock exchange or national market system. Options will be exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the administrator and as set forth in the applicable award agreement. The administrator will determine and specify in each award agreement, and solely in its discretion, the period of post-termination exercise applicable to each option. In the absence of such a determination by the administrator, the participant generally will be able to exercise the vested portion of the option for three months following his or her service termination for reasons other than death or disability, and for 12 months following his or her service termination due to disability or death while holding the option (to the extent vested on the date of disability or death). However, in no event can an option be exercised after the expiration of the term of the option. The administrator also determines the form of consideration for exercising an option.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The administrator may grant stock appreciation rights under the 2018 Plan. Stock appreciation rights allow the recipient to receive the appreciation in the fair market value of the underlying Shares between the exercise date and the date of grant. Each stock appreciation right will be evidenced by an award agreement. The per Share exercise price of a stock appreciation right will be no less than 100% of the fair market value per Share on the date of grant.
Restricted Stock. The administrator may grant restricted stock under the 2018 Plan. Restricted stock awards are grants of Shares that may be subject to various restrictions, which may include restrictions on transferability and forfeiture provisions. Each restricted stock award granted will be evidenced by an award agreement.
Restricted stock awards may (but are not required to) be subject to vesting conditions, as the administrator specifies, and the Shares acquired may not be transferred by the participant until the vesting conditions (if any) are satisfied. Recipients of restricted stock awards generally will have full voting rights with respect to such Shares upon grant without regard to vesting, unless the administrator provides otherwise. Unless otherwise determined by the administrator, a participant generally will forfeit any Shares of restricted stock as to which the restrictions have not lapsed as of a date specified in the award agreement (such as termination of the participant’s service).
Restricted Stock Units. The administrator may grant RSUs under the 2018 Plan. Each RSU granted is a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the fair market value of one Share. Each RSU award will be evidenced by an award agreement. RSUs result in a payment to a participant if the performance goals or other vesting criteria are achieved or the awards otherwise vest. The administrator determines in its sole discretion whether an award will be settled in cash, Shares, or a combination of both. On a date set forth in the award agreement (such as termination of the participant’s service), any unearned RSUs subject to such award agreement will be forfeited to us.
Performance Units and Performance Shares. The administrator may grant performance units and performance shares under the 2018 Plan. Performance units and performance shares are awards that will result in a payment to a participant only if performance goals or other vesting criteria, if any, established by the administrator are achieved or the awards otherwise vest. Each award of performance units or performance shares will be evidenced by an award agreement. On or before the date of grant, the administrator will establish an initial dollar value for each performance unit. Each performance share will have an initial value equal to the fair market value of a Share on the date of grant. The administrator in its discretion will establish performance goals or other vesting criteria (which may include continued service), which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the value or number of performance units or performance shares to be paid out. After the grant of performance units or performance shares, the administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such performance units or performance shares. The administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned performance units or performance shares in the form of cash, Shares, or in some combination of both. On a date set forth in the award agreement (such as termination of the participant’s service), any unearned or unvested performance units or performance shares subject to such award agreement will be forfeited to us.
Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless the administrator provides otherwise, the 2018 Plan generally will not allow for the transfer of awards, and only the recipient of an award may exercise an award during his or her lifetime.
26
Certain Adjustments. In the event of any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other of our securities, or other change in our corporate structure affecting the Shares occurs, the administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the 2018 Plan, the administrator will adjust the number and class of shares that may be delivered under the 2018 Plan and/or the number, class and price of shares covered by each outstanding award, and the numerical share limits set forth in the 2018 Plan.
Merger or Change in Control. The 2018 Plan provides that in the event of our merger with or into another corporation or entity or our change in control, as defined in the 2018 Plan, each outstanding award will be treated as the administrator determines (subject to the following paragraph). The administrator will not be required to treat all awards, all awards held by a participant, all awards of the same type, or all portions of awards, similarly.
If outstanding awards are not assumed or substituted for as provided in the 2018 Plan, then outstanding options and stock appreciation rights will fully vest and become exercisable, all restrictions on restricted stock and RSUs will lapse, and, with respect to awards with performance-based vesting, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an option or stock appreciation right is not assumed or substituted in the event of a change in control, the administrator will notify participants in writing or electronically that the option or stock appreciation right will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the administrator in its sole discretion, and the option or stock appreciation right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
With respect to awards granted to a non-employee director, in the event of a change in control, then the non-employee director will fully vest in and have the right to exercise options and/or stock appreciation rights as to all of the Shares underlying such award, including those Shares which would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on restricted stock and RSUs will lapse, and, with respect to awards with performance-based vesting, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions met.
Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of our dissolution or liquidation, the administrator will notify each participant as soon as practicable before the effective date of the proposed transaction. To the extent not previously exercised (as applicable), an award granted under the 2018 Plan will terminate immediately before the consummation of such proposed transaction.
Plan Amendment; Termination. The administrator has the authority to amend, alter, suspend, or terminate the 2018 Plan at any time, provided such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant unless mutually agreed in writing. The 2018 Plan will terminate automatically in 2029, unless we terminate it sooner.
Forfeiture of Awards. The 2018 Plan grants the administrator authority to specify in an award agreement that a participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an award granted under the 2018 Plan will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. The 2018 Plan also provides that awards granted under the 2018 Plan will be subject to any clawback policy we may establish or amend from time to time. The administrator may require a participant to forfeit, return or reimburse to IGM all or a portion of an award and any amounts paid under the award pursuant to the terms of IGM’s clawback policy or in order to comply with applicable laws. Any such recovery of compensation will not constitute an event that triggers or contributes to any participant resigning for good reason or constructive termination (or similar term) under any agreement with us or any of our parent, subsidiaries or affiliates, unless this provision under the 2018 Plan relating to compensation recovery specifically is waived.
Number of Awards Granted to Employees and Directors
Our executive officers and non-employee directors have an interest in this proposal because they are eligible to receive awards under the 2018 Plan, including that non-employee directors are eligible to receive certain annual equity awards as described above in the section titled “Director Compensation.”
27
The number of awards, and Shares subject thereunder, that an employee, director, or consultant may receive under the 2018 Plan is in the discretion of the administrator and therefore cannot be determined in advance. The following table sets forth the aggregate number of shares subject to RSUs and stock options granted under the 2018 Plan during 2022 to (A) each of our NEOs; (B) our current executive officers, as a group; (C) directors who are not executive officers, as a group; and (D) all employees who are not executive officers, as a group.
Name of Individual or Identity of Group and Principal Position |
|
Shares Subject to Option and Stock Awards under the 2018 Plan (#) |
|
|
Dollar Value of Option and Stock Awards(s)($)(1) |
|
|
||
Fred Schwarzer |
|
|
373,002 |
|
|
$ |
4,640,707 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Bruce Keyt, Ph.D. |
|
|
101,819 |
|
|
$ |
1,334,326 |
|
|
Chief Scientific Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Chris H. Takimoto, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P. |
|
|
101,977 |
|
|
$ |
1,336,446 |
|
|
Chief Medical Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
All current executive officers as a group |
|
|
788,095 |
|
|
$ |
10,076,498 |
|
|
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group |
|
|
242,828 |
|
|
$ |
2,944,055 |
|
|
All employees (excluding executive officers) as a group |
|
|
1,932,373 |
|
|
$ |
27,511,036 |
|
|
________________
(1) For RSUs, represents the aggregate grant date fair value of each equity award computed in accordance with ASC 718. For stock options, represents the aggregate grant date fair value of each equity award at the target payout level computed in accordance with ASC 718. See Note 10 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in our 2022 annual report for a discussion of all assumptions made by us in determining the ASC 718 values of equity awards.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following paragraphs are a summary of the general federal income tax consequences to U.S. taxpayers and IGM of awards granted under the 2018 Plan. The summary is based on existing U.S. laws and regulations as of March 31, 2023, and there can be no assurance that those laws and regulations will not change in the future. The summary does not purport to be complete and does not discuss the tax consequences upon a participant’s death, or the provisions of the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which the participant may reside. As a result, tax consequences for any particular participant may vary based on individual circumstances..
Incentive Stock Options. A participant recognizes no taxable income for regular income tax purposes as a result of the grant or exercise of an option that qualifies as incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code. If a participant exercises the option and then later sells or otherwise disposes of the Shares acquired through the exercise the option after both the two-year anniversary of the date the option was granted and the one-year anniversary of the exercise, the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the sale price of the shares and the exercise price, and we will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes.
However, if the participant disposes of such shares either on or before the two-year anniversary of the date of grant or on or before the one-year anniversary of the date of exercise (a “disqualifying disposition”), any gain up to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price generally will be taxed as ordinary income, unless the shares are disposed of in a transaction in which the participant would not recognize a loss (such as a gift). Any gain in excess of that amount will be a capital gain. If a loss is recognized, there will be no ordinary income, and such loss will be a capital loss. Any ordinary income recognized by the participant upon the disqualifying disposition of the shares generally should be deductible by us for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the Shares on the exercise date is treated as an adjustment item in computing the participant’s alternative minimum taxable income in the year of exercise. In addition, special alternative minimum tax rules may apply to certain subsequent disqualifying dispositions of the shares or provide certain basis adjustments or tax credits for purposes.
Nonstatutory Stock Options. A participant generally recognizes no taxable income as the result of the grant of such an option. However, upon exercising the option, the participant normally recognizes ordinary income equal to the amount that the fair market value of the shares on such date exceeds the exercise price. If the participant is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. Upon the sale of the shares
28
acquired by the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, any gain or loss (based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the exercise date) will be taxed as capital gain or loss. No tax deduction is available to us with respect to the grant of a nonstatutory stock option or the sale of the Shares acquired through the exercise of the nonstatutory stock option.
Stock Appreciation Rights. In general, no taxable income is reportable when a stock appreciation right is granted to a participant. Upon exercise, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of any shares received. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares would be capital gain or loss.
Restricted Stock. A participant acquiring shares of restricted stock generally will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the Shares on the vesting date. If the participant is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. The participant may elect, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code to accelerate the ordinary income tax event to the date of acquisition by filing an election with the Internal Revenue Service no later than thirty days after the date the shares are acquired. Upon the sale of shares acquired pursuant to a restricted stock award, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the date the ordinary income tax event occurs, will be taxed as capital gain or loss.
Restricted Stock Units. There are no immediate tax consequences of receiving an award of RSUs. A participant who is awarded RSUs generally will be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of shares issued to such participant at the end of the applicable vesting period or, if later, the settlement date elected by the administrator or a participant. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of any shares received would be capital gain or loss.
Performance Units and Performance Shares. A participant generally will recognize no income upon the grant of a performance share or a performance unit award. Upon the settlement of such awards, participants normally will recognize ordinary income in the year of receipt in an amount equal to the cash received and the fair market value of any cash or unrestricted shares received. If the participant is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. Upon the sale of any shares received, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the date the ordinary income tax event occurs, will be taxed as capital gain or loss.
Section 409A. Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) provides certain requirements for non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements with respect to an individual’s deferral and distribution elections and permissible distribution events. Awards granted under the 2018 Plan with a deferral feature will be subject to the requirements of Section 409A. If an award is subject to and fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A, the recipient of that award may recognize ordinary income on the amounts deferred under the award, to the extent vested, which may be prior to when the compensation is actually or constructively received. Also, if an award that is subject to Section 409A fails to comply with Section 409A’s provisions, Section 409A imposes an additional 20% federal income tax on compensation recognized as ordinary income, as well as interest on such deferred compensation.
Medicare Surtax. In addition, a participant’s annual “net investment income,” as defined in Section 1411 of the Code, may be subject to a 3.8% federal surtax. Net investment income may include capital gain and/or loss arising from the disposition of Shares issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2018 Plan. Whether a participant’s net investment income will be subject to this surtax will depend on the participant’s level of annual income and other factors.
Tax Effect for IGM. We generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the 2018 Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a participant and at the time the participant recognizes such income (for example, the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option) except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
In general, Section 162(m) of the Code disallows public companies a tax deduction for federal income tax purposes of remuneration in excess of $1 million paid to their chief executive officer and each of the three other most highly-compensated executive officers (other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer) whose compensation is required to be disclosed to our stockholders under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended in any taxable year.
29
THE FOREGOING IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE TAX EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION UPON PARTICIPANTS AND IGM WITH RESPECT TO THE AWARDS UNDER THE 2018 PLAN. IT DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE AND DOES NOT DISCUSS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF A SERVICE PROVIDER’S DEATH OR THE PROVISIONS OF THE INCOME TAX LAWS OF ANY MUNICIPALITY, STATE, OR NON-U.S. COUNTRY TO WHICH THE SERVICE PROVIDER MAY BE SUBJECT.
Summary
The Board believes that it is in the best interests of our company and our stockholders to continue to provide employees, consultants and directors with the opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in IGM through the grant of equity awards under the 2018 Plan and thereby encourage them to remain in our service and more closely align their interests with those of our stockholders.
Vote Required
The approval of the 2018 Plan, as amended, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as an “AGAINST” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2018 Plan, which increases the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,160,000 shares.
30
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information about our executive officers as of March 31, 2023. Officers are elected by our board of directors to hold office until their successors are elected and qualified.
Name |
Age |
Position |
Fred Schwarzer |
71 |
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director |
Lisa L. Decker, Ph.D. |
54 |
Chief Business Officer |
George A. Gauthier |
51 |
Chief Commercial Officer |
Bruce Keyt, Ph.D. |
70 |
Chief Scientific Officer |
Misbah Tahir |
48 |
Chief Financial Officer |
Chris H. Takimoto, M.D., Ph.D, F.A.C.P. |
64 |
Chief Medical Officer |
For the biography of Mr. Schwarzer, please see “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance—Continuing Directors.
Lisa L. Decker, Ph.D. has served as our Chief Business Officer since March 2021. Prior to joining us, Dr. Decker served as Chief Business Officer of Atreca, a biopharmaceutical company, from June 2019 until March 2021. Dr. Decker also previously served in various roles at Nektar Therapeutics, a development stage biopharmaceutical company, from August 2008 to June 2019, including as Vice President of Business Development from August 2017 until June 2019, Executive Director, Business Development from August 2012 until August 2017, Executive Director, Business Strategy and Operations from January 2010 until July 2012, and Senior Director, Alliance Management from August 2008 until December 2009. Prior to this, Dr. Decker served in a number or roles at the Office of Technology Management at the University of Massachusetts Medical School from 2000 until 2008. Dr. Decker holds a Ph.D. in Immunology from Tufts University School of Medicine and conducted her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School.
George A. Gauthier has served as our Chief Commercial Officer since April 2021. Prior to joining us, Mr. Gauthier served in a variety of positions at Genentech from 2011 to March 2021, including as Vice President of Global Product Strategy for Breast and Gynecological Cancers at Genentech from September 2019 until April 2021, Life Cycle Leader of Rozyltrek and Kadycla, from August 2016 to August 2019 and US Marketing Director/Life Cycle Leader for Xolair from 2013 to August 2016. Before Genentech, Mr. Gauthier served at F. Hoffman-La Roche, a multinational healthcare company, in Switzerland from 2006 to 2011, most recently as International Business Leader for Tarceva where he led the development and execution of global commercial efforts. Mr. Gauthier received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
Bruce Keyt, Ph.D. has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since August 2012 and previously served as a consultant for us beginning in August 2010. Prior to joining us, Dr. Keyt served as Chief Technology Officer at Trellis Bioscience, an antibody discovery company, from August 2007 to February 2010. Earlier in his career, he served as Head of Research between 2005 and 2006 at Abmaxis, a biotechnology company, which was acquired by Merck. He was the Vice President of Preclinical Development at Abgenix, a biotechnology company, from 2001 through the acquisition of Abgenix by Amgen in 2005. Dr. Keyt was the Director of Pharmacology at Millennium Pharmaceuticals from 1998 to 2001. From 1982 to 1998, he served in research and development roles at Roche/Genentech as a Scientist and Senior Scientist, where he made significant contributions to the discovery and development of Avastin, Lucentis, Activase tPA, TNKase-tPA and Kogenate. Dr. Keyt received a B.A. in Chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Tufts University School of Medicine.
Misbah Tahir has served as our Chief Financial Officer since January 2019. Prior to joining us, Mr. Tahir worked at Dermira, a biotechnology company, where he served in various roles from 2014 to 2018, most recently, Vice President, Head of Finance. Prior to joining Dermira, he held finance leadership positions at various biotechnology companies, including Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Human Genome Sciences and Amgen. Mr. Tahir began his career as a management consultant at the consulting firm of Oliver Wyman, formerly Mercer Management Consulting. He received a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan Business School. Mr. Tahir is a certified public accountant, inactive, in the state of California.
Chris H. Takimoto, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P. has served as our Chief Medical Officer since July 2021. Prior to joining us, Dr. Takimoto served as Senior Vice President, Oncology at Gilead Sciences from April 2020 to July 2021. Prior to joining Gilead Sciences, Dr. Takimoto was Chief Medical Officer of Forty Seven from February 2016 until Forty Seven was acquired by Gilead Sciences in April 2020. Prior to that Dr. Takimoto held various leadership positions at biotechnology companies including Janssen Research Development and Ortho Biotech Oncology Research and Development and
31
multiple positions at academic institutions such as the University of Texas Health Science Center, the National Cancer Institute, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Dr. Takimoto has also served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service. Dr. Takimoto received a B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University, a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Yale University, and an M.D. from Yale University School of Medicine.
32
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Processes and Procedures for Compensation Decisions
Our compensation committee is responsible for the executive compensation programs for our executive officers and reports to our board of directors on its discussions, decisions and other actions. Typically, our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to our compensation committee, often attends committee meetings and is involved in the determination of compensation for the respective executive officers who report to him, except that the Chief Executive Officer does not make recommendations as to his own compensation. Our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to our compensation committee regarding short- and long-term compensation for all executive officers (other than himself) based on our results, an individual executive officer’s contribution toward these results and performance toward individual goal achievement. Our compensation committee then reviews the recommendations and other data. Our compensation committee makes decisions as to total compensation for each executive office, although it may instead, in its discretion, make recommendations to our board of directors regarding executive compensation for its approval.
Our compensation committee is authorized to retain the services of one or more executive compensation advisors, as it sees fit, in connection with the establishment of our compensation programs and related policies. In 2022, our compensation committee retained Radford, a national compensation consultant, to provide it with information, recommendations and other advice relating to executive compensation on an ongoing basis. Radford serves at the discretion of our compensation committee. As part of its engagement, Radford assists our compensation committee in developing an appropriate group of peer companies to help us determine the appropriate level of overall compensation for our executive officers, as well as assess each separate element of compensation, with a goal of ensuring that the compensation we offer to our executive officers is competitive and fair.
Our compensation committee periodically considers and assesses Radford’s independence, including whether Radford has any potential conflicts of interest with our company or members of our compensation committee. In connection with Radford’s engagement, our compensation committee conducted such a review and concluded that it was not aware of any conflict of interest that had been raised by work performed by Radford or the individual consultants employed by Radford that perform services for our compensation committee.
Our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which consist of our principal executive officer and the next two most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2022 are:
Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides information regarding the compensation of our named executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
Total ($) |
|
|||||
Fred Schwarzer |
|
2022 |
|
|
621,920 |
|
|
|
6,782 |
|
|
|
4,332,020 |
|
|
|
355,738 |
|
|
|
5,316,460 |
|
Chief Executive Officer, President |
|
2021 |
|
|
598,001 |
|
|
|
599,900 |
|
|
|
8,353,463 |
|
|
|
328,900 |
|
|
|
9,880,264 |
|
Bruce Keyt, Ph.D. |
|
2022 |
|
|
473,200 |
|
|
|
218,056 |
|
|
|
928,290 |
|
|
|
219,754 |
|
|
|
1,839,300 |
|
Chief Scientific Officer |
|
2021 |
|
|
455,001 |
|
|
|
599,900 |
|
|
|
3,341,385 |
|
|
|
204,751 |
|
|
|
4,601,037 |
|
Chris H. Takimoto, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P. |
|
2022 |
|
|
467,736 |
|
|
|
213,875 |
|
|
|
928,290 |
|
|
|
217,217 |
|
|
|
1,827,118 |
|
Chief Medical Officer |
|
2021 |
|
|
193,409 |
|
|
|
599,900 |
|
|
|
7,456,110 |
|
|
|
207,000 |
|
|
|
8,456,419 |
|
33
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2022 Year-End
The following table provides information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2022.
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
|
Grant |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
Option |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
Market Value |
|
||||||
Fred Schwarzer |
|
12/21/18 |
|
|
158,888 |
|
(3) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
$ |
1.39 |
|
|
12/21/28 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
2/18/19 |
|
|
120,601 |
|
(4) |
|
|
5,244 |
|
|
|
$ |
1.39 |
|
|
2/18/29 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
2/5/20 |
|
|
106,250 |
|
(5) |
|
|
43,750 |
|
|
|
$ |
40.27 |
|
|
2/5/30 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
57,291 |
|
(6) |
|
|
67,709 |
|
|
|
$ |
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
65,625 |
|
(7) |
|
|
284,375 |
|
|
|
$ |
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
11/15/21 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
(8) |
|
$ |
85,050 |
|
Bruce Keyt, Ph.D. |
|
1/12/13 |
|
|
33,756 |
|
(3) |
|
— |
|
|
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
|
1/12/23 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
||||
|
|
3/10/15 |
|
264 |
|
(3) |
|
— |
|
|
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
|
3/10/25 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|||||
|
|
1/16/17 |
|
|
90,793 |
|
(3) |
|
— |
|
|
|
$ |
1.00 |
|
|
1/16/27 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
||||
|
|
2/1/19 |
|
|
92,263 |
|
(4) |
|
|
4,012 |
|
|
|
$ |
1.39 |
|
|
2/1/29 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|||
|
|
2/5/20 |
|
|
53,125 |
|
(5) |
|
|
21,875 |
|
|
|
$ |
40.27 |
|
|
2/5/30 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|||
|
|
2/19/21 |
|
|
22,916 |
|
(6) |
|
|
27,084 |
|
|
|
$ |
91.50 |
|
|
2/19/31 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|||
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,062 |
|
(7) |
|
|
60,938 |
|
|
|
$ |
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|||
|
|
11/15/21 |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
(8) |
|
$ |
85,050 |
|
||||
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
(9) |
|
$ |
212,625 |
|
||||
Chris H. Takimoto, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P. |
|
7/30/21 |
|
|
53,125 |
|
(10) |
|
|
96,875 |
|
|
|
$ |
68.01 |
|
|
7/30/31 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|||
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
|
14,062 |
|
(7) |
|
|
60,938 |
|
|
|
$ |
17.11 |
|
|
3/12/32 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|||
|
|
11/15/21 |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
(8) |
|
$ |
85,050 |
|
||||
|
|
3/12/22 |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
(9) |
|
$ |
212,625 |
|
34
Employment Arrangements
Fred Schwarzer
In August 2019, we entered into a confirmatory employment letter with Fred Schwarzer, our Chief Executive Officer and President. The employment letter has no specific term and provides that Mr. Schwarzer is an at-will employee. The employment letter supersedes all existing agreements and understandings that Mr. Schwarzer may have concerning his employment relationship with us. The employment letter also provides Mr. Schwarzer with severance and change in control benefits pursuant to our Change in Control and Severance Policy described below. Mr. Schwarzer’s annual base salary was $621,920 for 2022 and was subsequently increased to $646,797, effective January 1, 2023. He is currently eligible for an annual target cash incentive payment equal to 55% of his annual base salary.
Bruce Keyt, Ph.D.
In August 2019, we entered into a confirmatory employment letter with Bruce Keyt, our Chief Scientific Officer. The employment letter has no specific term and provides that Dr. Keyt is an at-will employee. The employment letter supersedes all existing agreements and understandings that Dr. Keyt may have concerning his employment relationship with us. The employment letter also provides Dr. Keyt with severance and change in control benefits pursuant to our Change in Control and Severance Policy described below. Dr. Keyt’s annual base salary was $473,200 for 2022 and was subsequently increased to $492,128, effective January 1, 2023. He is currently eligible for an annual target cash incentive payment equal to 45% of his annual base salary.
Chris H. Takimoto, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P.
In July 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Chris Takimoto, our Chief Medical Officer. The employment agreement has no specific term and provides that Dr. Takimoto is an at-will employee. The employment agreement also provides Dr. Takimoto with severance and change in control benefits pursuant to our Change in Control and Severance Policy described below. Dr. Takimoto’s annual base salary was $467,736 for 2022 and was subsequently increased to $486,445, effective January 1, 2023. He is currently eligible for an annual target cash incentive payment equal to 45% of his annual base salary.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
In order to recruit and maintain a stable and effective management team, our compensation committee believes it is appropriate and necessary to provide assurance of certain severance and change in control benefits approved by the compensation committee, in consultation with Radford. In August 2019, we entered into change in control and severance agreements under our Change in Control and Severance Policy (the Severance Policy) with each of our named executive officers (other than Dr. Chen) that provide for the severance and change in control benefits described below.
Our board of directors has approved the following change in control and severance benefits for our current executive officers and other key employees (collectively, participants) pursuant to the Severance Policy. Unless sooner terminated by our board of directors or compensation committee or by the consent of an impacted participant, the Severance Policy had an initial term of three years, subject to potential extension upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Severance Policy. The Severance Policy was amended in April 2023 to provide that, following the conclusion of its initial term, the Severance Policy would automatically extend for an additional one year term on each successive anniversary of its effective date, provided that our board of directors or compensation committee may provide that the Severance Policy
35
will not renew and will terminate upon the conclusion of the applicable one year term by providing notice to all affected participants at least 60 days prior to the applicable renewal date.
The Severance Policy provides that if we terminate a participant’s employment outside of the period beginning three months prior to and ending 12 months after a “change in control” (as defined in the Severance Policy) (such period, the “change in control period”) other than for “cause” (as generally defined in the Severance Policy), death or disability (or, in the case of Mr. Schwarzer, if Mr. Schwarzer terminates his employment due to a “constructive termination” (as defined in the Severance Policy)), the participant will receive the following:
The Severance Policy provides that if a participant’s employment is terminated during the change in control period either by us other than for cause, death or disability or by the participant due to a “constructive termination”, the participant will receive the following:
The Severance Policy also provides that if in connection with a change in control, a participant’s then-unvested time-based equity awards are not assumed or replaced or substituted with an equivalent award by the acquiror or successor corporation, then 100% of such equity awards will immediately vest and become exercisable (if applicable).
The Severance Policy provides that if we discover after a participant’s receipt of payments or benefits under the Severance Policy that grounds for the termination of the participant’s employment for cause existed, then the participant will not receive any further payments or benefits under the Severance Policy and, to the extent permitted under applicable laws, will be required to repay to us any payments or benefits he or she received under the Severance Policy (or any financial gain derived from such payments or benefits).
In addition, the Severance Policy provides that if any payments or benefits received by a participant under the Severance Policy or otherwise would constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code) and be subject to excise taxes imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, such amount will either be delivered in full or reduced so as not to be subject to excise taxation, whichever amount results in the higher after-tax payment to the participant. The Severance Policy does not require us to provide any tax gross-ups.
To receive the severance described above, the participant must sign and not revoke our standard separation agreement and release of claims within the timeframe that is set forth in the Severance Policy. Except for provisions providing for accelerated vesting of a participant’s performance-based equity awards upon a termination either by us other than for cause, death or disability or by the participant due to a constructive termination, the Severance Policy supersedes any provisions in a participant’s offer letter or equity award agreement that provide for accelerated vesting upon certain terminations of employment.
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan
In August 2019, our board of directors adopted an Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the Bonus Plan). The Bonus Plan is administered by a committee appointed by our board of directors. Unless and until our board of directors determines otherwise, our compensation committee is the administrator of the Bonus Plan. The Bonus Plan allows our compensation committee to provide cash incentive awards to selected employees, including our named executive officers, determined by our compensation committee, based upon performance goals established by our compensation committee. Our compensation committee, in its sole discretion, establishes a target award for each participant under the Bonus Plan, which may be expressed as a percentage of the participant’s average annual base salary for the applicable performance period, a fixed dollar amount, or such other amount or based on such other formula as our compensation committee determines to be appropriate.
36
Under the Bonus Plan, our compensation committee determines the performance goals applicable to awards, which goals may include, without limitation: (i) research and development, (ii) regulatory milestones or regulatory-related goals, (iii) gross margin, (iv) financial milestones, (v) new product or business development, (vi) operating margin, (vii) product release timelines or other product release milestones, (viii) publications, (ix) cash flow, (x) cash position, (xi) procurement, (xii) savings, (xiii) internal structure, (xiv) leadership development, (xv) project, function or portfolio-specific milestones, (xvi) partnering, license or research collaboration agreements, (xvii) capital raising, (xviii) initial public offering preparations, (xix) patentability, (xx) revenue, (xxi) revenue growth, (xxii) stock price and (xxiii) individual objectives such as peer reviews or other subjective or objective criteria. As determined by our compensation committee, the performance goals may be based on GAAP or non-GAAP results and any actual results may be adjusted by our compensation committee for one-time items or unbudgeted or unexpected items and/or payments of actual awards under the Bonus Plan when determining whether the performance goals have been met. The goals may be on the basis of any factors our compensation committee determines relevant, and may be on an individual, divisional, business unit, segment or company-wide basis. Any criteria used may be measured on such basis as our compensation committee determines. The performance goals may differ from participant to participant and from award to award. Our compensation committee also may determine that a target award or a portion thereof will not have a performance goal associated with it but instead will be granted (if at all) in the compensation committee’s sole discretion.
All of the Company’s named executive officers participated in its annual cash incentive compensation program for 2022 (2022 Bonus Plan), which provided them with an opportunity to receive formula-based incentive amounts. These named executive officers’ target bonus opportunities under the 2022 Bonus Plan are expressed as a percentage of each named executive officer’s annual base salary. For 2022, the target bonus opportunity was 55% for Mr. Schwarzer, 45% for Dr. Keyt and 45% for Dr. Takimoto.
For 2022, the performance metrics for which achievement was measured to determine bonuses included corporate performance goals (including advancement of our development programs; achieving manufacturing milestones; and obtaining business development opportunities) and individual performance goals (other than in the case of Mr. Schwarzer, whose bonus was measured solely against corporate performance goals).
The amounts in the Summary Compensation Table under the column “Non-equity incentive plan compensation” are based on the named executive officer’s target bonus amount multiplied by the achievement percentage set by our compensation committee, consistent with the determinations under the applicable year’s bonus plan.
For 2022, Fred Schwarzer and Bruce Keyt elected to receive their bonuses under the 2022 Bonus Plan in the form of RSU Awards, as described above in the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table.
401(k) Plan
We maintain a tax-qualified 401(k) retirement plan for all U.S. employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements, including requirements relating to age and length of service. Under our 401(k) plan, employees may elect to defer up to all eligible compensation, subject to applicable annual Code limits. In 2023, we started a matching program, whereby we match employee contributions at a rate of $1.00 for each dollar contribution, up to 3% of an eligible employee's gross salary, and at the rate of $0.50 for each dollar contribution up to an additional 2% of an eligible employee's gross salary; employees must contribute at least 5% of their gross salary to receive the full company matching contribution. We intend for our 401(k) plan to qualify under Section 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code so that contributions by employees to our 401(k) plan, and income earned on those contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from our 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan also permits contributions to be made on a post-tax basis for those employees participating in the Roth 401(k) plan component.
Hedging Prohibition
As part of our Insider Trading Policy, our employees (including our executive officers and the non-employee members of our board of directors) are prohibited from trading in publicly-traded options, such as puts and calls, and other derivative securities with respect to our securities. This includes any hedging or similar transaction designed to decrease the risks associated with holding shares of our common stock.
37
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2022 with respect to shares of our common stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plans.
Plan Category |
|
Number of |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Number of |
|
|||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
2010 Stock Plan (2) |
|
|
321,995 |
|
|
$ |
0.95 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (3) |
|
|
5,881,502 |
|
|
$ |
33.39 |
|
|
|
1,310,601 |
|
Amended and Restated 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,109,032 |
|
||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
TOTAL |
|
|
6,203,497 |
|
|
$ |
31.59 |
|
|
|
2,419,633 |
|
38
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2023 for:
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares that they beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable.
We have based our calculation of the percentage of beneficial ownership on 29,500,073 shares of our common stock outstanding and 13,687,883 shares of our non-voting common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2023. We have deemed shares of our common stock subject to stock options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023, to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the stock option for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o IGM Biosciences, Inc., 325 E. Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.
|
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Voting |
|
|
Non-Voting |
|
|
% of Total |
|
|||||||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Shares(1) |
|
|
% |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
% |
|
|
Capital Stock |
|
|||||
Greater than 5% Stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Topsøe Holding A/S (1) |
|
|
10,400,564 |
|
|
|
35.3 |
|
|
|
3,356,795 |
|
|
|
24.5 |
|
|
|
31.9 |
|
Entities affiliated with Baker Bros. Advisors LP (2) |
|
|
3,199,367 |
|
|
|
10.8 |
|
|
|
5,095,924 |
|
|
|
37.2 |
|
|
|
19.4 |
|
Entities affiliated with Redmile Group, LLC (3) |
|
|
3,392,560 |
|
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
|
4,500,225 |
|
|
|
32.9 |
|
|
|
18.3 |
|
Invus Public Equities, L.P. (4) |
|
|
2,450,000 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
5.7 |
|
|
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (5) |
|
|
2,206,407 |
|
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
Named Executive Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Fred Schwarzer (6) |
|
|
793,581 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
Chris Takimoto, M.D., Ph.D, F.A.C.P. (7) |
|
|
107,539 |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|||
Bruce Keyt, Ph.D. (8) |
|
|
381,878 |
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|||
Non-Employee Directors: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Felix J. Baker, Ph.D (2) |
|
|
3,199,367 |
|
|
|
10.8 |
|
|
|
5,095,924 |
|
|
|
37.2 |
|
|
|
19.2 |
|
Kathleen Behrens, Ph.D. (9) |
|
|
353,074 |
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|||
Julie Hambleton, M.D. (10) |
|
|
72,693 |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|||
Michael Lee (11) |
|
|
58,205 |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|||
Michael Loberg, Ph.D. (12) |
|
|
136,213 |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|||
William Strohl, Ph.D. (13) |
|
|
70,693 |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|||
Christina Teng Topsøe (14) |
|
|
10,501,630 |
|
|
|
35.5 |
|
|
|
3,356,795 |
|
|
|
24.5 |
|
|
|
32.0 |
|
Jakob Haldor Topsøe (15) |
|
|
10,530,769 |
|
|
|
35.6 |
|
|
|
3,356,795 |
|
|
|
24.5 |
|
|
|
32.1 |
|
All current directors and executive officers as a |
|
|
16,126,313 |
|
|
|
51.6 |
|
|
|
8,452,719 |
|
|
|
61.8 |
|
|
|
54.7 |
|
* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
# Our non-voting common stock is convertible subject to certain limitations at any time at the option of the holder into shares of our common stock on a share-for-share basis, such that each holder of non-voting common stock beneficially owns an equivalent number of shares of common stock. Amounts in the “Voting Column Stock” columns exclude shares of non-voting common stock to the extent that the convertibility of such shares into shares of voting common stock is
39
limited by an ownership limitation. For more information, see “Certain Relationships, Related Party and Other Transactions—Sales of Securities and Related Transactions—2022 Follow-on Offering.”
40
41
42
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED PARTY AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
We describe below transactions and series of similar transactions, since the beginning of our last fiscal year, to which we were a party or will be a party, in which:
Sales of Securities and Related Transactions
2022 Follow-on Offering
On April 1, 2022, Baker Brothers Life Sciences L.P. and 667, L.P. (together, Baker Brothers), entities affiliated with Redmile Group, LLC and Topsøe Holding A/S purchased an aggregate of 6,521,739 shares of our non-voting common stock at a price to the public of $23.00 per share, each in connection with an underwritten public offering (the Offering). The non-voting common stock is convertible into shares of our common stock on a 1:1 basis at the holder’s election, provided that as a result of such conversion, such holder, together with its affiliates and any members of a Schedule 13(d) group with such holder, would not beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of our common stock immediately prior to and following such conversion, unless otherwise as expressly provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Any holder of non-voting common stock may increase or decrease this ownership limitation (as it applies to such holder) upon 61 days’ prior written notice to us, and may decrease the ownership limitation at any time upon providing written notice of such election to us.
Nominating Agreements
On June 28, 2019, we entered into nominating agreements (the Nominating Agreements) with each of (i) Topsøe Holding A/S, (ii) Baker Brothers and (iii) Redmile Biopharma Investments II, L.P., RAF, L.P. and Redmile Strategic Master Fund, LP (together, Redmile) (each, an Investor) to provide certain rights with respect to their ability to designate members of our board of directors (the Investor Designees).
Pursuant to the Nominating Agreement entered into with Topsøe Holding A/S, a holder of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, during the period beginning at the completion of this offering until the earliest of: (i) the twelfth anniversary of the date of the completion of our initial public offering; (ii) such time as Topsøe Holding A/S and its affiliates no longer beneficially own at least 1,134,919 shares of our capital stock; (iii) following the third year anniversary of the our initial public offering, (a) with respect to one of its two Investor Designees, such time as Topsøe Holding A/S holds less than 20% of our as-converted securities, and (b) with respect to both of its Investor Designees, such time as Topsøe Holding A/S holds less than 5% of our as-converted securities; or (iv) the consummation of a Deemed Liquidation (as defined in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation), we will have the obligation to support the nomination of, and to cause our board of directors to include in the slate of nominees recommended to our stockholders for election, two Investor Designees of Topsøe Holding A/S.
Pursuant to the Nominating Agreements entered into with each of Baker Brothers and Redmile, during the period beginning at the completion of this offering until the earliest of: (i) the twelfth anniversary of the date of the completion of our initial public offering; (ii) such time as (a) in the case of Baker Brothers, the Investor and its affiliates no longer beneficially own at least 1,134,919 shares of our capital stock, or (b) in the case of Redmile, the Investor and its affiliates no longer beneficially own at least 945,765 shares of our capital stock; (iii) following the third anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering, such time as each of Baker Brothers or Redmile and their respective affiliates, respectively, holds less than 5% of our as-converted securities; and (iv) the consummation of a Deemed Liquidation, we will have the obligation to support the nomination of, and to cause our board of directors to include in the slate of nominees recommended to our stockholders for election, one Investor Designee of each of Baker Brothers and Redmile.
43
The nomination of each Investor Designee shall be subject to the reasonable and good faith determination of a majority of our disinterested directors, after consultation with our outside legal counsel, that such Investor Designee is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors under applicable laws, the rules of the Nasdaq, our amended and restated bylaws and any of our company policies. If an Investor Designee resigns from his or her seat on our board of directors or is removed or does not become a director for any reason, the vacancy will be filled by the election or appointment of another Investor Designee of the applicable Investor as soon as reasonably practicable, subject to compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Investors’ Rights Agreement
We are party to an investors’ rights agreement, as amended, with certain holders of our capital stock, including Topsøe Holding A/S, Baker Brothers and Redmile. Under our investors’ rights agreement, certain holders of our capital stock have the right to demand that we file a registration statement or request that their shares of our capital stock be covered by a registration statement that we are otherwise filing.
Registration Rights Agreements
On December 7, 2020, we entered into a registration rights agreement with each of Topsøe Holding A/S, Baker Brothers and Redmile (each, an RRA and collectively, the RRAs), pursuant to which we granted certain registration rights to these stockholders. These registration rights include the right to demand that we file with the SEC a Form S-3 registration statement covering the registration of their common stock for resale, as well as certain rights related to underwritten public offerings, subject to certain conditions. These registration rights require us to pay expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify these holders against certain liabilities.
Indemnification Agreements
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions limiting the liability of the members of our board of directors, and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify each of our officers and the members of our board of directors to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also provide our board of directors with discretion to indemnify our employees and other agents when it determines to be appropriate. In addition, we have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our executive officers and the members of our board of directors requiring us to indemnify them.
Related Party Transaction Policy
Our audit committee has the primary responsibility for reviewing and approving or disapproving “related party transactions,” which are transactions between us and related persons in which the aggregate amount involved exceeds or may be expected to exceed $120,000 and in which a related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. The charter of our audit committee provides that our audit committee shall review and approve in advance any related party transaction.
We have adopted a formal written policy providing that we are not permitted to enter into any transaction that exceeds $120,000 and in which any related person has a direct or indirect material interest without the consent of our audit committee. In approving or rejecting any such transaction, our audit committee is to consider the relevant facts and circumstances available and deemed relevant to our audit committee, including whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction.
44
OTHER MATTERS
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the SEC. Such directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
SEC regulations require us to identify in this proxy statement anyone who filed a required report late during the most recent fiscal year. Based solely on our review of forms we received, or written representations from reporting persons stating that they were not required to file these forms, we believe that during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, all executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders complied with all applicable SEC filing requirements on a timely basis.
Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report and SEC Filings
Our financial statements for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023. This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K are posted on our investor relations website at https://investor.igmbio.com/ and are available from the SEC at its website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K without charge by sending a written request to IGM Biosciences, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 325 E. Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.
* * *
The board of directors does not know of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any additional matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the persons named on the enclosed proxy card will have discretion to vote the shares of common stock they represent in accordance with their own judgment on such matters.
It is important that your shares of common stock be represented at the Annual Meeting, regardless of the number of shares that you hold. You are, therefore, urged to vote over the Internet or by telephone as instructed on the enclosed proxy card or execute and return, at your earliest convenience, the enclosed proxy card in the envelope that has also been provided.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Mountain View, California |
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April 27, 2023 |
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Appendix A
IGM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2018 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
(as amended and restated effective , 2023)
The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units and Performance Shares.
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For purposes of this definition, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.
Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.
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The determination of fair market value for purposes of tax withholding may be made in the Administrator’s discretion subject to Applicable Laws and is not required to be consistent with the determination of Fair Market Value for other purposes.
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An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) a notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.
Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
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In the event that the successor corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will lapse, and, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit or Performance Share, for each Share subject to such Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more performance goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies
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any of such performance goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such performance goals only to reflect the successor corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.
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Logo IGM BIOSCIENCES, INC. 325 E. MIDDLEFIELD ROAD MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94043 SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 22, 2023. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/IGMS2023 You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 22, 2023. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY For Withhold For All All All Excep To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of Directors Nominees 01) Julie Hambleton, M.D. 02) William Strohl, Ph.D. 03) Jakob Haldor Topsøe The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3. For Against Abstain 2. Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. 3. Approval of the amendment and restatement of our Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which increases the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,160,000 shares. NOTE: The proxy holders will vote in their discretion on any other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. 0000612123_1 R1.0.0.6Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com IGM BIOSCIENCES, INC. 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders June 23, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Fred Schwarzer and Misbah Tahir, or one of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of capital stock of IGM BIOSCIENCES, INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on June 23, 2023 and will be conducted virtually via live webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/IGMS2023, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live and vote online by entering the control number located on your proxy card. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. The above named proxies are authorized to vote in their discretion upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Continued and to be signed on reverse side 0000612123_2 R1.0.0.6