group annually to ensure that companies are relevant for comparative purposes. In identifying companies to include in the Industry Peer Group, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the following:
•
the industry of the companies;
•
the annual revenue, market capitalization and total assets of the companies;
•
the number of full-time employees of the companies;
•
the market data sources that are available with respect to the companies; and
•
the number of peers included in the Industry Peer Group.
For 2022, our Industry Peer Group consisted of the following companies (the “Industry Peer Group”):
•
Aileron Therapeutics, Inc. (ALRN)
•
Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BLCM)
•
Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (CLRB)
•
CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CNSP)
•
Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CYCC)
•
Diffusion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (DFFN)
•
Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (MNPR)
•
Neurobo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NRBO)
•
Soligenix, Inc. (SNGX)
•
Sonnet Biotherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (SONN)
Role of the Chief Executive Officer. Annually, our CEO provides the Compensation Committee with an evaluation of his performance that is based, in large part, upon performance of the Company and as our lead representative to the investment community. The Compensation Committee evaluates our CEO on these and other criteria. The total compensation package for our CEO is based on the Compensation Committee’s evaluation, and reflects his performance, the performance of the Company and competitive industry practices.
Role of Other Executive Officers. Our CEO makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee on all compensation actions (other than his own compensation) affecting our other executive officers, if any. In developing his recommendation for an executive officer, our CEO considers the self-evaluation prepared by the executive officer, the recommendations of his executive team, as well as his own evaluation. Our CEO’s evaluation includes an assessment of the impact that the executive officer has had on the Company during the award year and their overall value to the Company as a senior leader. The Compensation Committee is provided with our CEO’s evaluation of each executive officer’s performance and contributions to the Company. The Compensation Committee considers the information and recommendations provided by our CEO and provides a recommendation to the Board for non-CEO executive officer base salary, annual cash incentive awards and grants of long-term incentive awards, which are subject to Board approval. During 2022, our CEO was our only executive officer.
2022 Performance Analysis and Compensation Decisions
In its meeting in the first quarter of each year, the Compensation Committee determines base salaries for the current year, the annual performance incentive awards for prior-year performance and the long-term incentive awards for the current year. Each element is reviewed annually, as well as at the time of a promotion, other change in responsibilities, other significant corporate events or a material change in market conditions. Variances in the amount of compensation awarded to each executive officer generally reflect differences in individual responsibility and experience.
Base Salary. In recent years, the Compensation Committee has adjusted executive base salaries with the goal of providing a stable base of competitive cash compensation while rewarding corporate and