UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant | x | Filed by a Party other than the Registrant | o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
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o | Definitive Additional Materials |
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o | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
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10x Genomics, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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x | No fee required. |
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o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) and 0-11. |
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April 28, 2023
To Stockholders of 10x Genomics, Inc.:
Our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“2023 Annual Meeting”) will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. PDT. The 2023 Annual Meeting will be conducted exclusively online via a live webcast. You will be able to attend the meeting, submit your questions online during the meeting and vote your shares electronically at the meeting by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/213535898. Because the meeting is completely virtual and being conducted via the Internet, stockholders will not be able to attend the meeting physically in person. The attached notice and proxy statement describe the formal business to be transacted at the meeting.
Whether or not you attend the virtual 2023 Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Therefore, I urge you to vote promptly and submit your proxy via regular mail, online or by telephone. The 2023 Annual Meeting is being held so that stockholders may consider:
Proposal One: the election of the three Class I directors listed in the accompanying proxy statement, each to serve a three-year term expiring at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders or until such director's successor is duly elected and qualified or until such director's earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal;
Proposal Two: the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; and
Proposal Three: a vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers.
The Board recommends that you vote FOR the election of each of the nominees named in Proposal One of the accompanying proxy statement and FOR each of Proposals Two and Three. Information about the matters to be acted upon at the 2023 Annual Meeting is contained in the accompanying proxy statement.
On behalf of the board of directors and the officers and employees of 10x Genomics, Inc., I would like to take this opportunity to thank our stockholders for their continued support.
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| Sincerely, |
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| Serge Saxonov |
| Chief Executive Officer and Director |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
10x Genomics, Inc.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Notice is hereby given that our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“2023 Annual Meeting”) will be held virtually via live webcast on the Internet on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. PDT for the following purposes:
1.Election of the three Class I directors listed in the accompanying proxy statement, each to serve a three-year term expiring at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders or until such director’s successor is duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal;
2.Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023;
3.A vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; and
4.To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.
These proposals are more fully described in the proxy statement ("Proxy Statement") following this Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials ("Notice").
Our board of directors recommends that you vote: (i) FOR the election of the respective nominees for Class I directors named in the Proxy Statement to serve as directors of the company; (ii) FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; and (iii) FOR the non-binding, advisory resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers. You will be able to attend the meeting, submit your questions online during the meeting and vote your shares electronically at the meeting by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/213535898.
Our board of directors has fixed the close of business on April 19, 2023 as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2023 Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting, we urge you to submit your vote via regular mail, online or via telephone as soon as possible to ensure your shares are represented. For additional instructions for each of these voting options, please refer to your electronic proxy materials, or the enclosed proxy card or voting instructions. We encourage you to vote by internet or telephone. It is convenient, conserves paper and saves the company postage and other costs. Returning the proxy does not deprive you of your right to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting and to vote your shares at the 2023 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 2023 Annual Meeting to Be Held on June 14, 2023. Our proxy materials, including the Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, are available free of charge at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/23039.
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| By order of the board of directors, |
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| Serge Saxonov |
| Chief Executive Officer and Director |
| April 28, 2023 |
Your vote is important. To vote your shares, please follow the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which is being mailed to you on or about April 28, 2023.
10X GENOMICS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June 14, 2023
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted rules regarding how companies must provide proxy materials to their stockholders. These rules are often referred to as “notice and access,” under which a company may select either of the following options for making proxy materials available to its stockholders:
•the full set delivery option; or
•the notice only option.
A company may use a single method for all of its stockholders or use full set delivery for some while adopting the notice only option for others. In connection with our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2023 Annual Meeting”), we have elected to use the notice only option.
Full Set Delivery Option
Under the full set delivery option, which we have elected NOT to use for the 2023 Annual Meeting, a company delivers all proxy materials to its stockholders by mail. In addition to delivery of proxy materials to stockholders, the company must post all proxy materials on a publicly-accessible website and provide information to stockholders about how to access the website. Although we have elected to use the notice only option in connection with the 2023 Annual Meeting, we may choose to use the full set delivery option in the future.
Notice Only Option
Under the notice only option, a company must post all proxy materials on a publicly-accessible website. Instead of delivering proxy materials to its stockholders, the company instead delivers a “Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.” The notice includes, among other things:
•information regarding the date and time of the 2023 Annual Meeting of stockholders as well as the items to be considered at the meeting;
•information regarding the website where the proxy materials are posted; and
•various means by which a stockholder can request paper or e-mail copies of the proxy materials.
By reducing the amount of materials that a company needs to print and mail, the notice only option provides an opportunity for cost savings as well as conservation of paper products. As stated above, in connection with our 2023 Annual Meeting, we have elected to use the notice only option. Accordingly, you will not receive all proxy materials by mail. These proxy materials include the Notice relating to the 2023 Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, proxy card and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "Annual Report"), which are available at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/23039. If a stockholder requests paper copies of the proxy materials, these materials must be sent to the stockholder within three business days and by first class mail.
ABOUT THE MEETING
Our 2023 Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. PDT. This year’s annual meeting will be a virtual meeting via live webcast on the Internet. You will be able to attend this year's annual meeting, vote and submit your questions online during the meeting by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/213535898, entering your control number and the password: 10xgenomics2023. For directions on how to participate in the 2023 Annual Meeting, go to "How do I vote - Before or During the 2023 Annual Meeting? on page 4 below.
The meeting webcast will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m., PDT. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at 12:30 p.m., PDT, and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. If you encounter difficulties accessing the virtual meeting, please log into https://go.lumiglobal.com/faq. A replay of the 2023 Annual Meeting will be posted as soon as practical on our investor relations website: https://investors.10xgenomics.com/.
Why am I receiving these materials?
Our board of directors is providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the solicitation by our board of directors of proxies for use at our 2023 Annual Meeting, which will take place on June 14, 2023. Stockholders are invited to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting and are requested to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.
All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials via the Internet, including this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report filed with the SEC on February 16, 2023. The Notice includes information on how to access the proxy materials, how to submit your vote over the Internet, by phone or how to request a paper copy of the proxy materials. This Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are available at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/23039.
What is the purpose of the 2023 Annual Meeting?
At our 2023 Annual Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the notice of meeting on the cover page of this Proxy Statement, consisting of (1) the election of the three Class I directors listed in the accompanying proxy statement; (2) the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; (3) a vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; and (4) any other matters that properly come before the meeting.
Who is entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting?
Only holders of our common stock as of the close of business on April 19, 2023, the record date, are entitled to receive notice of, to attend and participate, and to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting. In deciding all matters at the 2023 Annual Meeting, each stockholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of our Class A common stock and ten votes for each share of our Class B common stock owned as of the record date. We do not have cumulative voting rights for the election of directors. As of the record date, there were 98,117,778 shares of our Class A common stock and 18,067,255 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. We do not have any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Is there a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting?
The names of stockholders of record entitled to vote will be available for inspection by stockholders of record for ten (10) days prior to the meeting. If you are a stockholder of record and want to inspect the stockholder list, please send a written request to our Secretary at ir@10xgenomics.com to arrange for access to the stockholder list.
What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the meeting or representation by proxy of the holders of common stock representing a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of stock on the record date will constitute a quorum, permitting the meeting to conduct its business. Virtual attendance at our 2023 Annual Meeting constitutes presence in person for purposes of a quorum at the meeting. Each of (a) the shares held by each stockholder who properly submits a proxy, (b) shares represented by broker non-votes that are present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting and (c) votes to ABSTAIN will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the 2023 Annual Meeting.
If less than a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of common stock is represented at the 2023 Annual Meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the 2023 Annual Meeting from time to time without further notice.
What vote is required to approve each item?
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast is required for (a) each of the nominees named in this Proxy Statement in order to be elected as a Class I director, (b) the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, (c) the approval of the non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers and (d) the approval of any other matter that may be properly submitted to a vote of our stockholders.
The inspector of election for the 2023 Annual Meeting shall determine the number of shares of common stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the validity and effect of proxies and shall count and tabulate ballots and votes and determine the results thereof.
How are broker non-votes and abstentions treated?
As discussed above, proxies received but marked as abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum. However, neither abstentions nor broker non-votes are counted as voted either for or against a proposal and, as such, will not affect the outcome of the vote on any proposal.
A “broker non-vote” will occur when a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker does not have discretionary power with respect to that proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. A broker is authorized to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on “routine” matters without instructions from the beneficial owner of those shares, but is not authorized to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on “non-routine” matters without instructions from the beneficial owner of those shares.
The only “routine” proposal on which your broker is entitled to vote your shares if no instructions are received from you is Proposal Two, the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
Proposals One and Three are each considered a “non-routine” matter. If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide your broker with specific instructions on how to vote your shares, the broker that holds your shares will not be authorized to vote on Proposal One or Proposal Three. Accordingly, we encourage you to provide voting instructions to your broker, whether or not you plan to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting.
What are the Board of Directors’ recommendations?
As more fully discussed under the section titled “Matters to Come Before the 2023 Annual Meeting,” our board of directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the respective nominees for Class I directors named in the Proxy Statement to serve as directors of the company until our annual meeting of stockholders in 2026 or until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, retirement, death, disqualification or removal; FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; and FOR the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers.
Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the enclosed proxy card, all shares represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation (and which have not been revoked in accordance with the procedures set forth below) will be voted (1) FOR the election of the respective nominees for Class I directors named in this Proxy Statement; (2) FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; (3) FOR the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers; and (4) in accordance with the recommendation of our board of directors, FOR or AGAINST all other matters as may properly come before the 2023 Annual Meeting. If a stockholder specifies a different choice by means of the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form, such shares will be voted in accordance with the specification made.
How do I vote - Before or During the 2023 Annual Meeting?
Before the 2023 Annual Meeting - Beneficial Owners:
If you are a beneficial owner (that is, if you hold your shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record), you must vote in accordance with the voting instruction form provided by your bank, broker or other holder of record. If you are a beneficial owner, the availability of telephone or internet voting will depend upon your bank’s, broker’s or other holder of record’s voting process.
Before the 2023 Annual Meeting - Record holders:
If you are a stockholder of record or record holder (that is, if your shares are registered in your name), you may vote by following the instructions set forth in the Notice or on your proxy card as follows:
•Vote by Internet: Go to www.voteproxy.com until 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 13, 2023.
•Vote by Phone: Call toll-free 1-800-776-9437 in the United States or 1-718-921-8500 from foreign countries and follow the instructions, until 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 13, 2023.
•Vote by Mail: If you request or receive a paper proxy card by mail, complete, sign and date the proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope that is enclosed with your proxy materials.
During the 2023 Annual Meeting - Beneficial Owners:
If you are a beneficial owner, to vote electronically or submit a question online at the 2023 Annual Meeting, you must first obtain a valid legal proxy from your bank, broker, or other holder of record and then register in advance to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting. Follow the instructions from your bank, broker or other holder of record included in the proxy materials that you are provided, or contact your bank, broker, or other holder of record to request a legal proxy form.
After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your bank, broker or other holder of record, to register to vote electronically or submit a question online at the 2023 Annual Meeting, you must submit proof of your legal proxy reflecting the number of your shares along with your name and email address to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. Requests for registration should be directed to proxy@astfinancial.com or to facsimile number 718-765-8730. Written requests can be mailed to:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
Attn: Proxy Tabulation Department
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Requests for registration must be labeled as "Legal Proxy" and be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT, on May 30, 2023. You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email and an 11 digit control number after American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC receives your registration materials.
In order to vote electronically or submit a question online during the 2023 Annual Meeting, you will need to follow the instructions posted at https://web.lumiagm.com/213535898. Please have the 11 digit control number provided by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC when you registered and the password "10xgenomics2023."
If you are unable to locate your 11-digit control number and cannot log-in as a validated stockholder, you may opt to participate in the 2023 Annual Meeting as a "guest," and you will only be able to listen to the meeting and will not be able to vote or submit your questions during the meeting.
During the 2023 Annual Meeting - Record Holders:
If you are a stockholder of record, to vote electronically or submit a question online during the 2023 Annual Meeting, you will need to log into the meeting using the 11-digit control number provided by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC in your proxy materials by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/213535898 (Password: "10xgenomics2023") and following the instructions posted.
If you are unable to locate your 11-digit control number and cannot log-in as a validated stockholder, you may opt to participate in the 2023 Annual Meeting as a "guest," and you will only be able to listen to the meeting and will not be able to vote or submit your questions during the meeting.
Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?
Yes. The giving of a proxy does not eliminate the right to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting should any stockholder giving the proxy so desire. Stockholders have an unconditional right to revoke their proxy at any time prior to the exercise of that proxy by (1) voting at the 2023 Annual Meeting, (2) filing a written revocation or (3) submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date than the proxy being revoked with our Secretary at our headquarters.
If your shares of our Class A common stock are held in street name through a broker, bank or other nominee, you should contact the record holder of your shares regarding how to revoke your proxy or change your vote.
Who pays for costs relating to the proxy materials and annual meeting of stockholders?
The costs of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy materials, along with the cost of posting the proxy materials on a website, are to be borne by us. In addition to the use of mail, our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies personally and by telephone, facsimile and other electronic means. They will receive no compensation for such tasks in addition to their regular salaries. We may request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward copies of the proxy materials to their principals and to request authority for the execution of proxies. We may reimburse these persons for their expenses in so doing. The costs of holding the 2023 Annual Meeting will also be borne by us.
What does it mean if I received more than one Notice, proxy card and /or voting instruction form?
If you receive more than one Notice, proxy card and/or voting instruction form, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each Notice, proxy card and/or voting instruction form to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
How may I obtain a printed set of proxy materials?
Record holders - You will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request to receive these materials by (1) visiting https://us.astfinancial.com/OnlineProxyVoting/ProxyVoting/RequestMaterials, (2) calling 888-776-9962 in the United States or 718-921-8562 for international callers or (3) sending an email to info@astfinancial.com. If sending an email, please include your 11 digit control number found within your original proxy material distribution.
Beneficial owners - You will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you contact your bank, broker, or other holder of record to request a hard copy of the materials.
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 10x Genomics, Inc. 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 called “householding,” which has been approved by the SEC. Under this procedure, we will deliver only one copy of our Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, and for those stockholders that received a paper copy of proxy materials in the mail, one copy of our Annual Report and this Proxy Statement, to multiple stockholders who share the same address (if they appear to be members of the same family) unless we have received contrary instructions from an affected stockholder. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards if they received a paper copy of proxy materials in the mail. This procedure reduces our printing and mailing costs. Upon written or oral request, we will promptly deliver a separate copy of the proxy materials and Annual Report 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 proxy materials and annual report, you may contact us as follows:
10x Genomics, Inc.
Attn: Secretary
6230 Stoneridge Mall Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 401-7300
Stockholders who hold shares in street name may contact their brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other nominee to request information about householding.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the 2023 Annual Meeting?
Voting results will be tabulated and certified by the inspector of elections appointed for the 2023 Annual Meeting. Preliminary voting results will be announced at the 2023 Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K that we expect to file within four business days after the 2023 Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us at that time, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an amendment to the Form 8-K to publish the final results.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Director Independence
Our Class A common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”). Under the rules of Nasdaq, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors. In addition, the rules of Nasdaq require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating and corporate 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Under the rules of Nasdaq, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if the company’s board of directors determines 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 rules 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 rules 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, but not limited to: (i) the source of compensation of such director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the company to such director and (ii) 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 undertook a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of our directors 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 or her background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our board of directors has determined that Sri Kosaraju, Mathai Mammen, Kimberly Popovits, Bryan Roberts, John Stuelpnagel and Shehnaaz Suliman, representing six of our eight 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 rules of Nasdaq.
In making these determinations, our board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with the 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 Transactions.” There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
Each of the audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors are comprised entirely of directors determined by the board of directors to be independent within the meaning of Nasdaq and SEC rules and regulations applicable to the members of such committees.
Board of Directors Leadership Structure
Our board of directors is currently chaired by John Stuelpnagel. As a general policy, our board of directors believes that separation of the positions of chairman of our board of directors and Chief Executive Officer and President (a) reinforces the independence of our board of directors from management, (b) creates an environment that encourages objective oversight of management’s performance and (c) enhances the effectiveness of our board of directors which we believe strengthens the governance structure of the company as a whole. As such, Serge Saxonov serves as our Chief Executive Officer and Benjamin Hindson serves as our President while John Stuelpnagel serves as the chairman of our board of directors but is not an executive officer. We currently expect and intend the positions of chairman of our board of directors and Chief Executive Officer and President to continue to be held by separate individuals in the future.
Role of Board of Directors 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 major operational, financial, cybersecurity, legal and reputational risk exposures. The compensation committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. The audit committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to accounting matters, data privacy, cybersecurity and financial reporting. The nominating and corporate governance 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 with 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.
Additionally, our board of directors has been engaged with management in monitoring the market and industry developments, and management is in regular communication with the board of directors about the assessment and management of the significant risks to the company.
Board Diversity
Our board of directors reflects diversity of gender, race/ethnicity, nationality, age, professional background and viewpoints. The board of directors is committed to seeking out highly qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds who combine a broad spectrum of experience and expertise with a reputation for integrity. The table below illustrates the diversity of our board of directors as of March 31, 2023. Each of the categories listed in the table below has the meaning as it is used in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(f).
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Board Diversity Matrix (As of March 31, 2023) |
Board Size: |
Total Number of Directors | 8 |
| Female | | Male | | Non-Binary | | Did Not Disclose Gender |
Gender Identity: |
Directors | 2 | | 6 | | — | | — |
Number of Directors who Identify in Any of the Demographic Categories Below: |
African American or Black | — | | — | | — | | — |
Alaskan Native or Native American | — | | — | | — | | — |
Asian | 1 | | 2 | | — | | — |
Hispanic or Latinx | — | | — | | — | | — |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | — | | — | | — | | — |
White | 1 | | 4 | | — | | — |
Two or More Races or Ethnicities | — | | — | | — | | — |
LGBTQ+ | — |
Undisclosed | — |
Board of Directors and Committee Meetings
During 2022, our board of directors held five 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 served as a director and (ii) the total number 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. It is the policy of our board of directors to regularly have separate meeting times for independent directors without management. Although we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of our board of directors at annual meetings of stockholders, we encourage, but do not require, our directors to attend. Four members of our board of directors attended last year’s annual meeting.
Board of Directors Committees
Our board of directors has four standing committees: the audit committee; the compensation committee; the mergers and acquisitions committee; and the nominating and corporate governance committee. The audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee are each governed by a charter which satisfies the applicable rules of the SEC and the listing standards of Nasdaq and is available on our website at https://investors.10xgenomics.com/ in the “Governance” section of our Investors webpage. The mergers and acquisitions committee is not governed by a charter. We intend to post any amendments to the charters for each applicable committee on the same website. We believe that the composition of each of the audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee meets the applicable criteria for independence under, and the functioning of these committees complies with the applicable requirements of, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Nasdaq rules and SEC rules and regulations. We intend to continue to comply with Nasdaq requirements with respect to committee composition of independent directors. Each committee has the composition and responsibilities described below.
Audit Committee
The members of our audit committee are Mr. Kosaraju and Drs. Roberts and Stuelpnagel, with Mr. Kosaraju serving as the chairperson. The composition of our audit committee meets the requirements for independence under the current Nasdaq listing rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. Each member of our audit committee is financially literate and a person with appropriate accounting or related financial management expertise as required by the Nasdaq listing rules. In addition, our board of directors has determined that Mr. Kosaraju is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This designation does not impose on such directors any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than are generally imposed on members of our audit committee and our board of directors. During 2022, our audit committee held seven meetings. Our audit committee is directly responsible for, among other things:
•appointing, retaining, compensating and overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm;
•assessing the independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm;
•reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm the scope and results of the firm’s annual audit of our financial statements;
•overseeing the financial reporting process and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the interim and annual financial statements that we will file with the SEC;
•pre-approving all audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm;
•reviewing policies and practices related to risk assessment and management;
•reviewing our accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and accounting controls, as well as compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
•reviewing, overseeing, approving or disapproving any related-person transactions;
•reviewing our cybersecurity readiness and other policies and procedures related to data governance;
•reviewing with management and as necessary, our independent registered public accounting firm, disclosures with respect to environmental, social and governance matters in our filings;
•reviewing with our management the scope and results of management’s evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures and management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting, including the related certifications to be included in the periodic reports we will file with the SEC; and
•establishing procedures for the confidential anonymous submission of concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal controls or auditing matters, or other ethics or compliance issues.
Compensation Committee
The members of our compensation committee are Ms. Popovits and Drs. Roberts and Stuelpnagel, with Dr. Stuelpnagel serving as the chairperson. Each of Ms. Popovits and Drs. Roberts and Stuelpnagel is a non-employee director, as defined by Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and meets the requirements for independence under the current Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules and regulations. During 2022, our compensation committee held seven meetings and acted by written consent on four occasions. Since 2021, our compensation committee has engaged Aon's Human Capital Solutions practice, a division of Aon plc ("Aon"), as its independent compensation consultant to assist with its duties, including providing input on the compensation peer group selection, insight into competitive compensation practices and advice on executive compensation programs and decisions. See the section titled “Role of the Compensation Consultant” below for further information. Our compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:
•reviewing and approving, or recommending that our board of directors approve, the compensation of our executive officers;
•reviewing and approving our clawback policy and monitoring compliance therewith;
•overseeing the administration of our equity incentive plans;
•reviewing and approving, or making recommendations to our board of directors with respect to, incentive compensation and equity plans;
•overseeing the development, implementation and effectiveness of our practices, policies and strategies relating to human capital management including matters relating to recruiting, selection, talent development, progression and retention, culture, diversity, equity and inclusion and human health and safety practices;
•reviewing the risks that may arise from our compensation programs; and
•establishing and reviewing general policies relating to compensation and benefits of our employees.
Mergers and Acquisitions Committee
The members of our mergers and acquisitions committee are Mr. Kosaraju and Drs. Suliman and Stuelpnagel, with Mr. Kosaraju serving as the chairperson. Our mergers and acquisitions committee acted by unanimous written consent once and did not meet in 2022. The chairperson and members of the mergers and acquisition committee were not compensated for their service on the committee in 2022. Our mergers and acquisitions committee assists the board of directors in reviewing, assessing and, in some circumstances, approving potential mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other similar strategic transactions and meets on an ad hoc basis.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are Drs. Mammen and Suliman, with Dr. Suliman serving as the chairperson. During 2022, our nominating and corporate governance committee held four meetings. Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:
•identifying, evaluating and recommending candidates for membership on our board of directors, including the consideration of nominees submitted by stockholders, and to each of the board’s committees;
•reviewing and evaluating the adequacy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines;
•overseeing the process of evaluating the performance of our board of directors; and
•assisting our board of directors on corporate governance matters.
It is the policy of the nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors to consider recommendations for candidates to our board of directors from stockholders. The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as candidates recommended to the nominating and corporate governance committee from other sources. The nominating and corporate governance committee may propose to our board of directors a candidate recommended or offered for nomination by a stockholder as a nominee for election to our board of directors. In the future, the nominating and corporate governance committee may pay fees to third parties to assist in identifying or evaluating director candidates.
The nominating and corporate governance committee seeks to identify as candidates for director persons with a reputation for and record of integrity and good business judgment and across their nominations, seeks to represent a mix of backgrounds and experiences that will enhance the quality of the deliberations and decisions of our board of directors as a whole. The nominating and corporate governance committee considers the nature of the expertise and experience required for the performance of the duties of a director of the company, and such matters as the candidate’s relevant business and industry experience, professional background, age, current employment, community service and other board service. Overall, the nominating and corporate governance committee seeks to include a diversity of experience, background, gender, age and ethnicity to ensure that a broad range of views are considered.
In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee shall take into account all factors it considers appropriate in recommending candidates for election to the board of directors, which may include:
•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.
•Such factors as character, integrity, judgment, diversity of experience, independence, area of expertise, corporate experience, length of service, potential conflicts of interest, other commitments and the like. The nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates these factors, among others, and does not assign any particular weighting or priority to any of these factors.
•Other factors that the nominating and corporate governance committee deems appropriate.
The nominating and corporate governance committee requires the following minimum qualifications to be satisfied by any nominee for a position on our board of directors:
•The highest personal and professional ethics and integrity.
•Proven achievement and competence in the nominee’s field and the ability to exercise sound business judgment.
•Skills that are complementary to those of the existing board of directors.
•The ability to assist and support management and make significant contributions to the company’s success.
•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.
•If the nominating and corporate governance committee determines that an additional or replacement director is required, the nominating and corporate governance committee may take such measures that it considers appropriate in connection with its evaluation of a director candidate, including candidate interviews, inquiry of the person or persons making the recommendation or nomination, engagement of an outside search firm to gather additional information, or reliance on the knowledge of the members of the nominating and corporate governance committee, our board of directors or management.
Stockholder Recommendations for Nominations to the Board of Directors
A stockholder that wants to recommend a candidate for election to the board of directors should direct the recommendation in writing by letter to 10x Genomics, Inc., attention of the Secretary, at 6230 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, California 94588. The recommendation should include the candidate’s name, home and business contact information, detailed biographical data, relevant qualifications, a signed letter from the candidate confirming willingness to serve, information regarding any relationships between the candidate and 10x Genomics, Inc. and evidence of the recommending stockholder’s ownership of our stock. Such recommendations must also include a statement from the recommending stockholder in support of the candidate, particularly within the context of the criteria for board membership, as well as personal references.
A stockholder that instead desires to nominate a person directly for election to the board of directors at an annual meeting of the stockholders must meet the deadlines and other requirements set forth in Section 2.03 of our amended and restated bylaws and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Section 2.03 of our amended and restated bylaws requires that a stockholder who seeks to nominate a candidate for director must provide a written notice to the Secretary of the company not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day and not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days, or delayed by more than seventy (70) days, from the anniversary date of the previous year’s meeting, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting and the
close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. That notice must state the information required by Section 2.03 of our amended and restated bylaws, and otherwise must comply with applicable federal and state law. Public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notices. The Secretary of the company will provide a copy of the bylaws upon request in writing from a stockholder. “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (a) in a press release released by us, provided that such press release is released by us following our customary procedures, is reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service, or is generally available on internet news sites, or (b) in a document publicly filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Stockholders also have the right under our amended and restated bylaws to propose director candidates for consideration by the nominating and corporate governance committee or our board of directors and also directly nominate director candidates, without any action or recommendation on the part of the nominating and corporate governance committee or our board of directors, by following the procedures set forth in the section of this Proxy Statement titled “Proposals of Stockholders for our 2024 Annual Meeting.”
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2022, Ms. Popovits and Drs. Roberts and Stuelpnagel served on our compensation committee. None of the members of our compensation committee is or has been an officer or employee of the company. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our board of directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines. These guidelines 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 website at https://investors.10xgenomics.com/ in the “Governance” section of our Investors webpage. We intend to post any amendments to our Corporate Governance Guidelines or 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.
Communications with the Board of Directors
Our board of directors believes that management speaks for 10x Genomics, Inc. Individual board members may, from time to time, communicate with various constituencies that are involved with the company, but it is expected that board members would do this with knowledge of management and, in most instances, only at the request of management.
In cases where stockholders and other interested parties wish to communicate directly with our non-management directors, messages can be sent to our Secretary at 6230 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, California 94588. Our Secretary monitors these communications and will provide a summary of all received messages to the board of directors at each regularly scheduled meeting of the board of directors. Our board of directors generally meets on a quarterly basis. 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 or non-management director, of independent advisors or of company management, as our Secretary considers appropriate.
Our Secretary may decide in the exercise of his or her judgment whether a response to any stockholder or interested party communication is necessary.
This procedure for stockholder and other interested party communications with the non-management directors is administered by the company’s nominating and corporate governance committee. This procedure does not apply to (a) communications to non-management directors from officers or directors of the company who are stockholders, (b) stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (c) communications to the audit committee pursuant to the Company's Whistleblower Policy for complaints related to accounting and auditing matters.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
In 2022, each of our non-employee directors was entitled to annual compensation in accordance with the following non-employee director compensation policy.
Cash compensation under our non-employee director compensation policy includes:
•an annual cash retainer of $50,000 effective April 29, 2022 (which was $40,000 prior to such date); and
•the non-employee director serving as chair of our board of directors and each non-employee director serving as a member or chair, as applicable, of the following committees of our board of directors receive the following additional annual retainers:
•Chair of the Board of Directors: $50,000 effective April 29, 2022 (which was $40,000 prior to such date)
•Audit Committee Chair: $20,000
•Audit Committee Member: $10,000
•Compensation Committee Chair: $15,000 (increased to $18,250 effective April 28, 2023)
•Compensation Committee Member: $7,500 (increased to $8,000 effective April 28, 2023)
•Nominating and Corporate Governance Chair: $10,000; and
•Nominating and Corporate Governance Member: $5,000.
All cash retainers are paid quarterly in arrears and prorated for any partial service or adjustment to annual retainer amount.
Equity compensation under our non-employee director compensation policy includes initial equity awards and annual equity awards as described below.
•Each non-employee director who is initially elected or appointed to our board of directors on any date other than the date of an annual meeting is automatically granted (x) a number of restricted stock units that will, upon vesting, settle in shares of our Class A common stock, which number is determined by dividing $200,000 by the average closing price per share of Class A common stock over the first twenty trading days of the month that immediately follows the month in which such non-employee director’s initial election or appointment occurs and (y) a nonqualified stock option under which the non-employee director will, upon vesting, be entitled to exercise such option to purchase a number of shares of our Class A common stock calculated by dividing $200,000 by the average closing price per share of our Class A common stock over the first twenty trading days of the month that immediately follows the month in which such non-employee director’s initial election or appointment occurred and then multiplying the quotient thereof by 2.5, for a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value (as defined in our 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan) of a share of Class A common stock on the date of grant. Each initial award of stock options shall vest as to one-third of such award on the first anniversary of the date of the non-employee director awardee’s initial election or appointment to our board of directors and thereafter vest in equal monthly installments for the following two years. Each initial award of restricted stock units shall vest as to one-third of such award on the first anniversary of the first to occur, on or following the date on which such initial award is granted, of February 21, May 21, August 21 or November 21 following the initial award grant date and thereafter vest in equal quarterly installments for the following two years.
•Each non-employee director who serves on the Board as of the date of any annual meeting of the company’s stockholders and will continue to serve as a non-employee director immediately following such annual meeting is automatically granted, on the date of such annual meeting, (x) a number of restricted stock units that will, upon vesting, settle in shares of our Class A common stock, which number is determined by dividing $100,000 by the average closing price per share of Class A common stock over the twenty trading days commencing on the first day of the most recent open trading window preceding such annual meeting and (y) a nonqualified stock option under which the non-employee director will, upon vesting, be entitled to exercise such option to purchase a number of shares of our Class A common stock calculated by dividing $100,000 by the average closing price per share of Class A common stock over the twenty trading days commencing on the first day of the first open trading window preceding such annual meeting and then multiplying the quotient thereof by 2.5, for a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value (as defined in our 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan) of a share of our Class A common stock on the date of such annual meeting. A non-employee director elected for the first time to our board of directors at an annual meeting shall only receive an annual award in connection with such election, and shall not receive any initial
award (as described above). Each annual award of stock options shall vest in twelve equal monthly installments following the date of the annual meeting on which such annual award is granted. Each annual award of restricted stock units shall vest in four equal quarterly installments following the date of the annual meeting on which such annual award is granted, with one fourth of such annual award of restricted stock units vesting on the first to occur, on or following the date of the annual meeting on which such annual award is granted, of February 21, May 21, August 21 or November 21 following the date of such annual meeting, and one fourth of each annual award of restricted stock units vesting quarterly thereafter.
•In each case, the equity awards granted will vest in full immediately prior to the occurrence of a change in control.
Our directors are not paid any fees for attending meetings. However, our directors are eligible for reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses associated with attendance at board or committee meetings.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Table
The following table provides information regarding compensation earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 by each non-employee director for his or her service on the board of directors and any committee(s). Our employee directors receive no additional compensation for serving on our board of directors. The compensation paid to Dr. Saxonov for serving as our Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Hindson for serving as our President and Chief Scientific Officer is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table in the Executive Compensation section below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) | | Stock Awards ($)(2) | | Option Awards ($)(2) | | Total ($) |
John R. Stuelpnagel | | 118,462 | | 83,994 | | 127,535 | | 329,991 |
Sri Kosaraju | | 66,731 | | 83,994 | | 127,535 | | 278,260 |
Mathai Mammen | | 51,731 | | 83,994 | | 127,535 | | 263,260 |
Kimberly J. Popovits | | 54,231 | | 83,994 | | 127,535 | | 265,760 |
Bryan E. Roberts | | 64,231 | | 83,994 | | 127,535 | | 275,760 |
Shehnaaz Suliman | | 56,731 | | 83,994 | | 127,535 | | 268,260 |
____________
(1)The fees paid to non-employee directors are described above under the heading “Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.”
(2)The amounts shown represent the grant date fair value of the equity awards granted to our non-employee directors in fiscal year 2022, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of valuation assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value of the equity awards granted to our non-employee directors in fiscal year 2022, see Note 9 of Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. There can be no assurance that options will be exercised or that the restricted stock units ("RSUs") will vest in full (in which case no value with respect to such options or RSUs will be realized by the individual) or that the value upon exercise or upon vesting, as applicable, will approximate the fair value as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate number of outstanding stock options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock held by each of our non-employee directors who served during fiscal year 2022 included: Mr. Kosaraju, 95,462; Dr. Mammen, 211,295; Ms. Popovits, 21,625; Dr. Roberts, 51,295; Dr. Stuelpnagel, 11,295; and Dr. Suliman, 111,295. As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate number of outstanding RSUs which vest and settle into shares of our Class A common stock held by each of our non-employee directors who served during fiscal year 2022 included: Mr. Kosaraju, 1,060; Dr. Mammen, 1,060; Ms. Popovits, 1,060; Dr. Roberts, 1,060; Dr. Stuelpnagel, 1,060; and Dr. Suliman, 1,060.
MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING
PROPOSAL ONE:
Election of Directors
Board of Directors Composition
Our board of directors currently consists of eight members, with staggered three-year terms, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws. Directors in Class I will stand for election at the 2023 Annual Meeting. The terms of office for directors in Class II and Class III will expire at our Annual Meetings of Stockholders to be held in 2024 and 2025, respectively. At the recommendation of our nominating and corporate governance committee, our board of directors proposes that each of the three Class I nominees named below and currently serving as a director in Class I, be elected as a Class I director for a three-year term expiring at our 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until such director’s successor is duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | | Age | | Class | | Position |
Serge Saxonov | | 46 | | I | | Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Benjamin J. Hindson | | 48 | | I | | Chief Scientific Officer, President and Director |
John R. Stuelpnagel(1)(2)(3) | | 65 | | I | | Chairman of our Board of Directors |
Sri Kosaraju(1)(3) | | 45 | | III | | Director |
Mathai Mammen(4) | | 55 | | III | | Director |
Kimberly J. Popovits(2) | | 64 | | II | | Director |
Bryan E. Roberts(1)(2) | | 56 | | II | | Director |
Shehnaaz Suliman(3)(4) | | 51 | | III | | Director |
____________
(1)Member of our audit committee.
(2)Member of our compensation committee.
(3)Member of our mergers and acquisitions committee.
(4)Member of our nominating and corporate governance committee.
Nominees
Benjamin J. Hindson, Ph.D. co-founded 10x Genomics, Inc. in July 2012, has served as our Chief Scientific Officer and President since October 2012 and has served on our board of directors since July 2012. Dr. Hindson served as our President of Technology and Treasurer from July 2012 until October 2012 and as our Secretary from October 2012 until April 2014. Prior to co-founding our company, Dr. Hindson was Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of QuantaLife, a privately-held life sciences company, from August 2008 until its sale to Bio-Rad Laboratories in October 2011. From 2002 to 2008, Dr. Hindson served in various positions at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the Chemical and Biological Weapons Non-proliferation Program. Dr. Hindson earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Deakin University, Australia.
We believe that Dr. Hindson is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his experience as our co-founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer, industry knowledge, previous experience and extensive academic training.
Serge Saxonov, Ph.D. co-founded 10x Genomics, Inc. and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and on our board of directors since July 2012. Dr. Saxonov also served as our President from July 2012 until October 2012. Prior to co-founding our company, Dr. Saxonov was Vice President of Applications at QuantaLife, a privately-held life sciences company, from May 2010 to April 2012. Dr. Saxonov served as Founding Architect and Director of research and development at 23andMe, a privately-held personal genomics and biotechnology company, from June 2006 until May 2010. Dr. Saxonov received a Ph.D. in biomedical informatics from Stanford University and an A.B. in applied mathematics from Harvard College.
We believe that Dr. Saxonov is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his experience as our co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, industry knowledge, previous experience and extensive academic training.
John R. Stuelpnagel, D.V.M. has been Chairman of our board of directors since August 2013. In addition, Dr. Stuelpnagel co-founded and was Executive Chairman of Ariosa Diagnostics from October 2009 to January 2015 when that company was sold
to Roche. He was also the Chairman of Sequenta from November 2010 to January 2015 when that company was merged with Adaptive Biotechnologies where he continued as a member of their board of directors from January 2015 to November 2017. Dr. Stuelpnagel has served as the Chairman of Fabric Genomics since August 2009, the Chairman of Inscripta since April 2017, the Chairman of Element Biosciences since September 2017, and a member of the board of directors for Encoded Therapeutics since May 2017 and Federation Bio since June 2020. Previously, Dr. Stuelpnagel co-founded Illumina in 1998 where he worked until March 2009. Prior to Illumina, Dr. Stuelpnagel was an associate at CW Group from 1997 to 1998. Dr. Stuelpnagel received his B.S. in Biochemistry and his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis and his M.B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.
We believe that Dr. Stuelpnagel is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his experience as a co-founder of life sciences and pharmaceutical companies, previous and current experience serving as a director and executive officer of other life sciences companies and his extensive experience in business.
Continuing Directors
Sri Kosaraju has served on our board of directors since April 2019. Mr. Kosaraju has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Inscripta since October 2020. In addition, Mr. Kosaraju has served on the board of Nevro Corp., a publicly traded medical device company, since August 2021. Previously, Mr. Kosaraju served as President of Penumbra, a publicly traded medical device company, from August 2019 to May 2020, Chief Financial Officer from May 2015 to November 2019 and as Head of Strategy from May 2015 to August 2019. Prior to joining Penumbra, he worked in investment banking for J.P. Morgan Securities LLC from 1999 to May 2015, where he held a variety of positions with successively greater responsibility, most recently Managing Director of Equity Capital Markets, Head of Healthcare Equity Capital Markets and co-Head of Technology, Media, Telecom Equity Capital Markets. Prior to entering J.P. Morgan’s equity capital markets group in 2006, Mr. Kosaraju served in various practice groups at J.P. Morgan, including Equity Derivatives from 2003 to 2006 and Technology, Media, Telecom Investment Banking Coverage from 1999 to 2003. He received a B.S. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1999.
We believe that Mr. Kosaraju is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his experiences in finance and the healthcare sector, including serving as an executive at a publicly traded healthcare technology company.
Mathai Mammen, M.D., Ph.D. has served on our board of directors since August 2017. Dr. Mammen served as Executive Vice President, Pharmaceuticals, R&D, Johnson & Johnson from January 2022 to August 2022, and previously served as global head, R&D at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson from June 2017 to January 2022. Prior to joining Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, Dr. Mammen was Senior Vice President at Merck Research Laboratories from March 2016 to June 2017. Prior to Merck, Dr. Mammen led research and development at Theravance, a company he co-founded in 1997 until March 2016. In 2014, he and the Theravance Leadership Team separated Theravance into two publicly traded companies: Innoviva and Theravance Biopharma. Dr. Mammen received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Institute of Technology (HST program) and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University’s Department of Chemistry. He received his B.Sc. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
We believe Dr. Mammen is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his significant academic training and current and previous experience serving as a director and co-founder of another life sciences company, as well as his operating experience with several life sciences companies.
Kimberly J. Popovits has served on our board of directors since March 2020. She served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Genomic Health, Inc., a publicly traded healthcare company, from January 2009, and as Chairman of the Board of Genomic Health, Inc. from March 2012, until the acquisition of Genomic Health, Inc. by Exact Sciences Corporation in November 2019. Ms. Popovits previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Genomic Health from February 2002 to January 2009. From November 1987 to February 2002, Ms. Popovits served in various roles at Genentech, Inc., most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales from February 2001 to February 2002, and as Vice President, Sales from October 1994 to February 2001. Prior to joining Genentech, Ms. Popovits served as Division Manager, Southeast Region, for American Critical Care, a Division of American Hospital Supply, a supplier of healthcare products to hospitals. Ms. Popovits has served on the board of directors of Talis Biomedical Corporation, a publicly-traded biotechnology company, since March 2020, where she also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer from August 2021 to November 2021. Ms. Popovits has also served on the board of Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company, since February 2018. She previously served on the board of directors of MyoKardia, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company that was subsequently acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb, and ZS Pharma Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company that was subsequently acquired by AstraZeneca. She holds a B.A. in Business from Michigan State University.
We believe that Ms. Popovits is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of her senior management experience in healthcare and biotechnology and her many years of experience with commercial strategy and capability building.
Bryan E. Roberts, Ph.D. has served on our board of directors since November 2013. Dr. Roberts joined Venrock, a venture capital firm, in 1997, where he currently serves as a Partner. Dr. Roberts currently serves as a director on the boards of several privately-held companies. Dr. Roberts previously served on the board of directors of Castlight Health from 2011 to 2022, athenahealth from 1999 to 2009, XenoPort from 2000 to 2007, Sirna Therapeutics from 2003 to 2007, Vitae Pharmaceuticals from 2001 to 2016, Zeltiq Aesthetics from 2008 to 2016, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals from 2001 to 2016, Hua Medicine from 2010 to 2018 and Achaogen from 2004 to 2019. From 1989 to 1992, Dr. Roberts worked in the corporate finance department of Kidder, Peabody & Co., a brokerage company. Dr. Roberts received a B.A. in Chemistry from Dartmouth College and a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from Harvard University.
We believe that Dr. Roberts is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his experiences with facilitating the growth of health care, health care IT and biotechnology companies.
Shehnaaz Suliman, M.D., M.Phil., M.B.A. has served on our board or directors since August 2019. She has served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of ReCode Therapeutics, a privately-held genetic medicines company since January 2022. In addition, Dr. Suliman has served on the board of directors for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company since January 2019. Previously, she served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Alector, Inc. from December 2019 to January 2022 and as interim Chief Business Officer of Alector, Inc. from January 2020 to January 2022. Dr. Suliman served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy of Theravance Biopharma, Inc., from July 2017 to March 2019. Prior to her position at Theravance, Dr. Suliman worked for Roche and Genentech, Inc., as Group Leader and Project Team Leader in the R&D Portfolio Management and Operations Group at Genentech from September 2010 to May 2015 and then as Vice President and Global Therapeutic Area Head, Roche Partnering from June 2015 to July 2017. Prior to Genentech, Dr. Suliman held various management roles of increasing responsibility at Gilead Sciences, Inc., between January 2005 and September 2010. Prior to Gilead, Dr. Suliman was an investment banker with Lehman Brothers and Petkevich & Partners. She previously served as a member of the board of directors of Parvus Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company from October 2017 to July 2019. Dr. Suliman received her M.D. (MB, ChB) at the University of Cape Town Medical School, South Africa, and holds an M.B.A, with distinction, and M.Phil. in Development Studies degrees from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.
We believe that Dr. Suliman is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her extensive operational experience with global biopharmaceutical and life sciences companies, and particularly her expertise in business development and corporate strategy.
Vote Required
The election of Class I directors requires a majority of the votes cast at the 2023 Annual Meeting by the stockholders present or represented by proxy at the meeting and voting on the proposal. Under this requirement, in order for a nominee to be elected, the number of shares voted FOR the nominee must exceed the number of shares voted AGAINST with respect to such nominee. Broker non-votes and Abstentions will have no effect on this proposal.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH CLASS I DIRECTOR NOMINEE SET FORTH UNDER PROPOSAL ONE
PROPOSAL TWO:
Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023
Our audit committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2015.
Stockholder ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 is not required by our bylaws or other applicable legal requirements. However, our board of directors is submitting the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate governance. If this appointment is not ratified by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the 2023 Annual Meeting by the stockholders present or represented by proxy at the meeting and voting on the proposal, such appointment will be reconsidered by our audit committee and the audit committee may consider whether it should appoint another independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, our audit committee, in its sole discretion, may appoint another independent registered public accounting firm if our audit committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of the company and its stockholders.
We expect that representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the 2023 Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and to respond to appropriate questions.
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 Ernst & Young LLP for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2022 | | 2021 |
Audit Fees (1) | | $ | 2,648,283 | | | $ | 2,487,097 | |
Audit-Related Fees (2) | | — | | | — | |
Tax Fees (3) | | 150,048 | | | 422,082 | |
All Other Fees (4) | | 2,630 | | | 3,390 | |
| | $ | 2,800,961 | | | $ | 2,912,569 | |
____________
(1)Audit Fees include fees for the audit of our consolidated financial statements, the review of the unaudited interim financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and services that are normally provided by the auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.
(2)There were no Audit-Related Fees incurred for the periods presented.
(3)Tax Fees include fees in connection with tax consulting and compliance services.
(4)All Other Fees consist of a subscription fee to Ernst & Young LLP’s online research database.
Auditor Independence
In 2022, there were no other professional services provided by Ernst & Young LLP that would have required our audit committee to consider their compatibility with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young 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. Without further action by the audit committee, any independent member of the audit committee may pre-approve up to $250,000, in any quarter, of certain audit and permitted non-audit services. All services performed by Ernst & Young LLP for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were pre-approved by our audit committee.
Vote Required
The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 requires the affirmative vote (i.e., a FOR vote) of a majority of the votes cast at the 2023 Annual Meeting by the stockholders present or represented by proxy at the meeting and voting on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal. This is the only proposal on which your broker is entitled to vote your shares if no instructions are received from you.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 UNDER PROPOSAL TWO
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC designed to improve disclosures related to the functioning of corporate audit committees and to enhance the reliability and credibility of financial statements of public companies, the audit committee of our board of directors submits the report below. The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not be deemed “filed” with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing made by the company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates it by reference in such filing.
The audit committee met with management and Ernst & Young LLP to review and discuss the December 31, 2022 audited financial statements. The audit committee also discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") and the SEC. In addition, the audit committee received the written disclosures from Ernst & Young LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Ernst & Young LLP’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and the audit committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence from the company and its management.
Based on the audit committee’s discussions with management and Ernst & Young LLP, and the audit committee’s review of the representations of management and Ernst & Young LLP, the audit committee recommended that the board of directors include the audited financial statements in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2022 filed with the SEC.
The audit committee also has appointed, subject to stockholder ratification on an advisory basis, Ernst & Young LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
Respectfully submitted,
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF 10X GENOMICS, INC.
Sri Kosaraju, Chairman
Bryan E. Roberts
John R. Stuelpnagel
PROPOSAL THREE:
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
As part of the commitment of our board of directors to excellence in governance, and as required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, our board of directors is providing the stockholders with an opportunity to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers.
As more fully described in the section of this Proxy Statement titled “Executive Compensation,” including “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and related compensation tables, our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and motivate talented individuals with the executive experience and leadership skills necessary for us to increase stockholder value.
The following proposal, commonly known as a “say on pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation or the compensation of any particular officer, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and our compensation philosophy, policies and practices, as discussed in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, we are asking our stockholders to vote for the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the company’s stockholders approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of the company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion.”
Before you vote, we recommend that you read the Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement for additional details on our executive compensation programs and philosophy.
This vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the company, our board of directors or the compensation committee. However, our board of directors and compensation committee value the opinions of our stockholders and intend to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.
Vote Required
Approval of the compensation of our named executive officers on a non-binding, advisory basis requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the 2023 Annual Meeting by the stockholders present or represented by proxy at the meeting and voting on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR APPROVAL, ON A NON-BINDING, ADVISORY BASIS, OF
THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS UNDER PROPOSAL THREE
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the disclosures contained in the following “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the board of directors that the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” be included in this Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF 10X GENOMICS, INC.
John R. Stuelpnagel, Chairman
Kimberly J. Popovits
Bryan E. Roberts
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information about our executive officers and their respective ages as of April 28, 2023. Officers are elected by the board of directors to hold office until their successors are elected and qualified.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | | Age | | Position |
Serge Saxonov | | 46 | | Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Justin J. McAnear | | 47 | | Chief Financial Officer |
Benjamin J. Hindson | | 48 | | Chief Scientific Officer, President and Director |
Eric S. Whitaker | | 56 | | Chief Legal Officer |
James L. Wilbur | | 58 | | Chief Commercial Officer |
For the biographies of Drs. Saxonov and Hindson, see “Matters to Come Before the 2023 Annual Meeting—Proposal One—Election of Directors—Continuing Directors.”
Justin J. McAnear has served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 2018. From August 2015 to October 2018, Mr. McAnear was the Vice President of Worldwide Finance and Operations at Tesla. From September 2013 to August 2015, Mr. McAnear served as a Finance Director at Apple in Corporate FP&A and Worldwide Operations and from February 2011 to September 2013, Mr. McAnear served as a Senior Finance Manager in Worldwide Operations. Mr. McAnear began his corporate finance career at Johnson & Johnson in August 2006 and left in February 2011. Mr. McAnear served over nine years in the U.S. Navy as an aviator and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he earned his B.S. degree in Systems Engineering. He also holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of San Diego.
Eric S. Whitaker has served as our Chief Legal Officer since March 2022 after serving as our General Counsel from July 2017 to March 2022. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Whitaker served as the Chief Legal Officer of Nutanix from September 2014 to May 2017, the Chief Legal Officer of SanDisk from January 2013 to September 2014, and General Counsel of Tesla from October 2010 to November 2012. Prior to these roles, Mr. Whitaker served as General Counsel for a number of technology companies since 1999. Mr. Whitaker also worked as an attorney at Latham & Watkins LLP. Mr. Whitaker holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in Politics from Princeton University.
James L. Wilbur, Ph.D. has served as our Chief Commercial Officer since July 2022. Dr. Wilbur previously served as Chief Business Officer and General Manager of Meso Scale Discovery (“MSD”) until July 2022. Dr. Wilbur worked at MSD or its affiliates since its inception in 1995, holding a variety of technical and commercial roles of increasing responsibility. Dr. Wilbur lead the commercial functions of MSD from September 2001, when MSD launched its first products, to July 2022. Prior to joining MSD, Dr. Wilbur was a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University. Dr. Wilbur holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry and Intellectual History from the University of California, San Diego and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stanford University.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This section describes the compensation program for our named executive officers (“NEOs”), including “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” executive compensation tables and other information.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This discussion and analysis summarize the material components of our executive compensation program and our compensation policies, practices and material compensation decisions for our named executive officers. Pursuant to U.S. federal securities laws, those who served as our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 are our named executive officers. Our named executive officers for 2022 are:
| | | | | |
Serge Saxonov | Chief Executive Officer |
Justin J. McAnear | Chief Financial Officer |
Benjamin J. Hindson | President and Chief Scientific Officer |
Eric S. Whitaker | Chief Legal Officer |
James L. Wilbur | Chief Commercial Officer |
Dr. Wilbur commenced services as our Chief Commercial Officer effective as of July 2022.
Compensation Philosophy
Our mission is to accelerate the mastery of biology to advance human health.
2022 Business Highlights
In 2022, we had a number of achievements including:
•Delivering the biggest year of new product launches in the company’s history, with significant advances across all three platforms -- Chromium, Visium and Xenium.
◦Introduced Chromium Single Cell Gene Expression Flex, the first and only assay to enable single cell analysis on archival FFPE samples.
◦Launched our first sample prep product, the Chromium Nuclei Isolation Kit, and opened up new single cell applications with the launch of Chromium BEAM (Barcode Enabled Antigen Mapping).
◦Launched Visium CytAssist, our first spatial instrument, and Visium FFPE v2, enabling significant workflow and performance improvements for customers.
◦Began shipping the Xenium platform for in situ analysis. The platform includes a versatile and easy-to-use instrument; a diverse menu of curated, customizable and high-quality panels; and Xenium Explorer, intuitive software for interactive data visualization. The Xenium platform delivers key performance advantages in data quality, workflow and throughput through highly differentiated chemistry, hardware and software.
•Selling more than 1,100 instruments, increasing our cumulative instruments sold to more than 4,600 as of December 31, 2022.
•Expanding our intellectual property portfolio to more than 1,750 patents and patent applications.
•Taking actions to reduce spending, preserve cash and strengthen our financial profile, and announcing our goal to become free cash flow positive by the end of 2023.
•Completing construction on a new research and development and manufacturing center near our headquarters in Pleasanton, California. The new center, which opened in 2023, is one of our initiatives to ensure our global manufacturing network is built for scale and has capacity for future growth.
•Featuring 10x products in more than 4,500 peer-reviewed publications by our customers, an increase of more than 1,200 publications in 2022.
We also believe that our company culture and people practices are a competitive advantage in our ability to attract, motivate and retain an exceptional workforce, and leadership team. Our culture helps to motivate top performance, create a sense of belonging amongst our workforce and drives our diversity and inclusion strategy. In 2022, we continued to focus on being an in office employer as we believe this fosters collaboration and innovation.
2022 Compensation Highlights
•We enhanced our focus on retention and placed an emphasis on equity awards that vest based on performance goals. The significant decline in our stock price in 2022 severely impacted the value of the equity held by our employees and executive officers. As a result, in September 2022, following a company-wide layoff, we supplemented our annual refresh grants with retention grants. As part of this process, we structured one hundred percent of our Chief Executive Officer’s equity grant in the form of performance stock awards, and fifty percent of our other named executive officer’s equity awards to consist of performance stock awards.
•We set meaningful performance goals for performance stock awards. In September 2022, we established certain performance stock award goals which were designed to deliver value to our named executive officers only when very strong levels of performance, as defined by stock price, have been achieved. Given the economic and market conditions at the time the target stock prices (as described below) were set, the first tranche requires the stock price to almost double, while the third tranche requires the stock price to increase over 300%. Our 2022 performance stock awards were granted when the stock closed at $33.67. These awards consist of three separate tranches and the vesting of each tranche is subject to the Class A common stock average closing trading price being maintained at or above the predetermined share price goals of $60, $80 and $105 for each tranche, respectively, over each of the immediately trailing 20 trading days. The vesting of the performance stock awards can also be triggered upon certain change in control events and achievement of certain change in control price goals, or in the event of death or disability. The share price goals can be met any time prior to the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. None of the performance-vesting equity awards vested in 2022 because none of the target stock prices were achieved. By linking our named executive officers’ compensation to the performance of our stock such that the named executive officers do not realize value with respect to the performance-vesting equity awards unless all our stockholders benefit from substantial value creation, the equity awards are designed to ensure that our named executive officers are aligned with stockholder interests long-term.
•We set our Chief Executive Officer’s 2022 total target cash compensation at the 25th percentile of our peer group. Based on comparable market information for 2022 provided to the compensation committee by Aon, its independent compensation consultant, our Chief Executive Officer’s base salary, after a 5% merit increase (similar to the other named executive officers) and a one-time market adjustment of 14% to better align his salary with chief executive officers at our peer group of companies (described below), was just above the 25th percentile of similarly situated executives in our peer group. Even after these salary adjustments, our Chief Executive Officer’s total cash compensation was at approximately the 25th percentile of similarly situated executives in our peer group.
•Over 90% of our Chief Executive Officer’s 2022 total compensation is ‘at-risk’ dependent on company performance in the form of an annual performance bonus earned and equity incentive awards granted, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table. A significant majority of our Chief Executive Officer’s 2022 total compensation is performance-based, disregarding the time-based vesting equity awards.
•We structured our executive bonus opportunities to be based on key corporate objectives, and we paid bonuses based solely on performance achievements. We paid all 2022 bonuses to our named executive officers based on 80% corporate goal achievement (as described in more detail below), and, for named executive officers other than our Chief
Executive Officer, individual performance. Because the cash bonus paid was commensurate with 80% corporate achievement and below target, this reinforces our commitment to at-risk-pay and pay-for-performance.
We view compensation from a holistic perspective with a focus on our guiding principles that factor into our design and our pay decisions including the following:
•Performance: We are committed to a pay for performance culture. We rely on incentives in the form of cash bonuses and equity compensation which are both designed to align the interests of our executive officers more closely with those of our stockholders, and to motivate such executive officers to increase stockholder value by improving corporate performance. Also, individual performance is taken into account when making any increases to compensation.
•Competitiveness: We compete in a highly competitive sector and must deliver competitive base salaries, cash incentives and equity compensation in addition to benefits to attract, motivate and retain world-class talent. Annual total target compensation (consisting of annual base salary, annual target bonus and annual equity awards) is intended to be consistent with competitive opportunities available to the exceptional people we seek to attract and retain.
•Fairness: Our programs are designed to be equitable across similarly situated employees, encouraging employee motivation and enabling cross functional collaboration globally to deliver on our goals and mission.
Compensation Setting Process
Role of Our Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee administers our executive compensation program, making final decisions on program design and compensation changes for our executive officers. Under its charter, our compensation committee reviews, determines, approves, or makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding executive officer compensation, board compensation and compensation under our equity incentive plans. See the sections titled “Board of Directors Committees” on page 10 and “Compensation Committee” on page 11 for more information about the compensation committee and how to access its charter.
Role of Management
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief People Officer are involved in providing the compensation committee with information on company and individual performance, competitive practices and perspectives, and providing input into the plan design as they lead the organization. In addition, our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief People Officer provide input into compliance and regulatory matters, company budgetary constraints and talent pressures. All of this helps the compensation committee understand management’s proposals, the general talent pressures and trends and how the company’s culture is impacted by pay policies. No named executive officer is present for compensation committee decisions related to their individual compensation.
In reviewing compensation for our executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, including the determination of equity awards to be granted to such executive officers, our compensation committee solicits input from our Chief Executive Officer on each executive officer’s performance, strategic contributions, ability, job complexity, responsibilities and competitive opportunities. Our compensation committee values our Chief Executive Officer’s perspective and input on each executive officer’s performance and contributions to the company (other than with respect to the Chief Executive Officer's own compensation), and they are important factors in the compensation committee’s final determinations. Similarly, the compensation committee takes into consideration the Chief Executive Officer's performance and achievement of strategic and financial goals when making decisions regarding his compensation.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
Our compensation committee has the authority to engage its own advisors in carrying out its responsibilities. In 2022, our compensation committee engaged Aon's Human Capital Practice, as its independent compensation consultant to assist with its duties, including providing input on the compensation peer group selection, insight into competitive compensation practices and advice on executive compensation programs and decisions. Representatives of Aon attend portions of meetings of the
compensation committee as requested and also communicate with the compensation committee outside of meetings. Aon reports to the compensation committee rather than to management, although representatives of Aon may meet with members of management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer, for purposes of gathering information on proposals that management may make to the compensation committee.
The company subscribes to Aon’s general broad-based compensation survey data and, in 2022, Aon was paid approximately $62,420, in addition to fees for consulting services to the compensation committee of approximately $164,830. Additionally, Aon affiliates (Aon plc and its related entities) performed insurance advisory services, risk management consulting and insurance brokerage services for us during 2022, for which we paid approximately $285,209. Additional insurance premiums and related fees were paid to Aon plc and passed through to insurance companies not affiliated with Aon plc.
Our compensation committee reviewed these services and considered the independence of Aon in light of SEC rules regarding conflicts of interest involving compensation consultants and Nasdaq listing standards regarding compensation consultant independence. Our compensation committee considered the following six factors, as well as other factors it deemed relevant, in order to make its determination: (i) the provision of other services to us by Aon and the Aon affiliates described above; (ii) the amount of fees Aon received from us, as a percentage of its total revenue; (iii) the policies and procedures of Aon that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest; (iv) the lack of any business or personal relationships of the Aon consultants with any member of our compensation committee; (v) the lack of any 10x Genomics, Inc. stock owned by the Aon consultants performing services for our compensation committee; and (vi) the lack of any business or personal relationships between the Aon consultants or Aon itself and any of our executive officers. Based on its review, our compensation committee determined that Aon was independent, and that Aon’s services did not raise any conflicts of interest.
Use of Competitive Data
Our compensation committee uses data on competitive compensation practices as one input into the decision-making process for determining compensation decisions for our executive officers.
In 2022, our compensation committee reviewed data from a peer group of companies selected to be representative of 10x Genomics, Inc. in terms of labor market, financial profile and business type. Our peer group for 2022 compensation decisions, set forth below, when compared to 2021, was updated to remove iRhythm Technologies, Inc. and to add Exact Sciences Corporation. The companies selected generally have a focus on life sciences and software. Selected companies generally have annual revenues in the range of 0.5 times to 2.5 times the trailing 12 months revenues of 10x Genomics, Inc. and a 30-day average market capitalization of 0.3 times to 3.0 times that of 10x Genomics, Inc in July 2021. The following are the companies selected in that list:
| | | | | | | | |
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. | Exact Sciences Corporation | NeoGenomics, Inc. |
Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation | Guardant Health, Inc. | Nevro Corp. |
Alteryx, Inc. | Guidewire Software, Inc. | NovoCure Limited |
Anaplan, Inc.(1) | Insulet Corporation | Penumbra, Inc. |
CoupaSoftware Incorporated | Invitae Corporation | Repligen Corporation |
Datadog, Inc. | Natera, Inc. | Twist Bioscience Corporation |
(1) Anaplan, Inc. was acquired by Thoma Bravo, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership in June 2022.
At the time our peers were selected for 2022 compensation decisions, 10x Genomics, Inc. was positioned at the 19th percentile of trailing revenues, at the 53rd percentile of year-over-year revenue growth and at the 88th percentile of 30-day average market capitalization. The compensation committee believes that while the peer group rank for revenue was low, this was balanced with strong market cap and the ongoing growth rate of the peers falling above the median.
Data for these companies was collected from publicly available filings and from Aon’s survey database for the named peers and companies with a similar profile. The data was used as a lens to understand competitive opportunities on a role specific basis and was one input into determining executive pay.
In setting compensation for our named executive officers, the compensation committee considers market data in addition to performance in the role, job scope, internal pay comparisons, proprietary knowledge of the leaders in addition to the mix of pay
elements between salary, bonus and equity incentives. The compensation committee does not have a formulaic approach to setting pay nor target a specific percentile with pay falling between the 25th and 75th percentiles across various pay elements and overall. While the compensation committee considers each element of pay, the focus is on total compensation to ensure overall competitiveness to attract, motivate and retain the leadership team. Historically, our policies have placed less focus on base salary, with an emphasis on pay for performance including the cash incentive and equity-based pay to deliver an overall program that is competitive.
Our compensation committee considers the competitive market data an input into decisions but also considers the broader company culture and guiding principles for pay fairness. Therefore, the committee applies its business judgment in determining the pay levels of individual executive officers in order to account for each individual’s performance and to align their performance with stockholder interests. The additional factors considered in making individual compensation decisions are noted above and based on input from our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to his own compensation), who we believe is best able to evaluate the capabilities of the individual team members, as well as company performance, individual performance and experience, individual skills and expertise, each executive officer’s role and our retention and incentive objectives.
Compensation Program Design
The 2022 executive compensation program was designed, with our guiding principles in mind, to attract, motivate and retain a team of highly qualified executives who will drive technological innovation and business success, and to align the incentives for our named executive officers with the long-term interests of our stockholders.
Our 2022 compensation program was composed of three primary elements: base salary, annual cash incentive plan and equity awards. In 2022, we used a mix of equity vehicles, some of these were stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) which are tied to time vesting, in addition to performance stock awards which include performance stock units (“PSUs”) and performance stock options which are each tied to performance. Our compensation committee examines individual performance, roles and responsibilities, cash compensation opportunities, the vested and unvested retention value of our executives' current holdings, evaluates the retention risk for each of our executives, as well as relative internal alignment, when making final compensation decisions.
•Base Salary: The base salaries of our named executive officers provide them with fixed compensation. In March 2022, our compensation committee reviewed the base salaries of our named executive officers by comparing them to named executive officer salaries based on the market assessment provided by Aon and the individual’s performance, as discussed above. As a company that became publicly traded in 2019, we have been gradually shifting our compensation to be more balanced between cash and equity in order to compete more effectively for talent. Following this assessment, the compensation committee determined it was appropriate to increase salary levels in 2022 for the named executive officers to align salary levels to be more competitive and to reflect the skills, experience and performance of the team and to incentivize the continued success of our leaders in building the organization and executing on key strategic priorities.
•Annual Incentive Plan: We maintain an Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”) for all employees, including our named executive officers. In 2022, the compensation committee continued to emphasize pay for performance by increasing the target incentive opportunity for all named executive officers. This action was designed to better align company performance and compensation to drive stockholder value in addition to increasing the at-risk portion of cash compensation. See pages 30 to 32 below for more details.
•Equity Incentives: Our named executive officers are eligible for equity awards as part of our executive compensation program which reinforces pay for performance for our investors and stockholders, and provides a retention incentive. In 2022, our compensation committee granted equity awards for our named executive officers in the form of stock options, RSUs and PSUs, as detailed below. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer also received performance stock options. Stock options, RSUs, PSUs and performance stock options link the strategic and day-to-day actions of our executive officers directly to stockholder interests by motivating our executive officers to increase stockholder value by improving corporate performance.
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Fixed/ At risk | Element | Purpose | Key Characteristics | % of 2022 compensation CEO | % of 2022 compensation other NEOS |
Fixed
| Base Salary | Base salaries compensate our NEOs for expected levels of day to day performance. | Reflects the expertise, individual performance, scope of the responsibilities, and competitive market. | 3% | 5% |
At risk | Annual Incentive Plan | Align NEO performance with near-term financial and organizational goals, which are aligned to our long-term strategic plan. | –Multiple performance metrics. –Requires significant level of achievement before payments are earned. | 1% | 1% |
At risk | RSUs | Align interests of NEOs and stockholders through incentivizing long-term stock price growth and encourage retention; manage dilution. | Four-year vesting subject to continued employment. | 22% | 33% |
At risk | Stock Options | Align interests of NEOs and stockholders through incentivizing long-term stock price growth and encourage retention. | Four-year vesting subject to continued employment. | 33% | 50% |
At risk | PSUs | One time award to align interests of NEOs and stockholders through incentivizing our longer- term growth strategy and stock price growth over a multi-year performance period and to encourage retention. | Four-year performance period, with ⅓ vesting on achievement of each share price hurdle: $60, $80, $105 (subject to continued employment). | 27% | 11%* |
At risk | Performance Stock Options | One time award to align interests of CEO and stockholders through incentivizing our longer-term growth strategy and stock price growth over a multi-year performance period. | Four-year performance period, with ⅓ vesting on achievement of each share price hurdle: $60, $80, $105. (subject to continued employment). | 14% | NA |
*Does not include Dr. Wilbur, who was hired in 2022 and was not awarded PSUs.
Results of Prior Say on Pay Vote. At our 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, we presented our stockholders with a proposal to approve on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in our 2022 proxy statement. Approximately 97% of the shares voted on this proposal were cast in 2022 in support of our 2021 executive compensation program. While the compensation committee viewed the results of the “say-on-pay” vote as broad stockholder support for our executive compensation programs, the compensation committee does, and will continue to, consider the results of stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation when making future decisions relating to our executive compensation programs and compensation for named executive officers.
Compensation Elements
Base Salary
Base salaries for our named executive officers provide a fixed minimum level of compensation for services rendered during the year and compensates our named executive officers for expected levels of day-to-day performance.
Salary levels are reviewed annually, or upon significant changes in such named executive officer’s role and responsibilities and, with respect to our named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer. There is no specific formula applied to determine salary adjustments. Any adjustments are designed to reflect (a) the
skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of each named executive officer, (b) company performance, (c) the competitive labor market conditions and (d) the individuals’ prior experience that is relevant to performing the role successfully.
Since our initial public offering, the company has historically placed more emphasis on equity compensation over salary and cash incentives. After going public, the company has been re-balancing the mix of base, bonus and equity to be more aligned with the practices of a public company to manage dilution for stockholders and to emphasize both near term results and long term stock price performance. Each named executive officer received a 5% merit increase in base salary and, in addition, the salary of our Chief Executive Officer was increased an additional 14% to bring his salary more in line with chief executive officers at peer group companies using the benchmarking analysis done by Aon. Even after these salary adjustments, our Chief Executive Officer’s base salary was just above the 25th percentile of chief executive officers in our peer group. Mr. Whitaker received a 10% base salary increase, 5% of the increase was a merit increase and an additional 5% increase was related to his promotion from General Counsel to Chief Legal Officer reflecting his performance achievements in 2021 and increased responsibilities. This also ensured market competitiveness and aligned Mr. Whitaker’s base salary to just above the 50th percentile.
The annualized base salaries of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021 were:
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Named Executive Officer | Annual Base Salary as of December 31, 2021 | Annual Base Salary as of December 31, 2022 | Percentage Increase |
Dr. Saxonov | $440,000 | $525,000 | 19% |
Mr. McAnear | $380,000 | $399,000 | 5% |
Dr. Hindson | $400,000 | $420,000 | 5% |
Mr. Whitaker | $380,000 | $418,000 | 10% |
Dr. Wilbur | N/A | $400,000 | N/A |
Annual Incentive Plan
We maintain an AIP to provide employees, including our named executive officers, with incentives reflecting annual corporate performance and individual contributions. The target award opportunity and the weighting between corporate and individual performance reflect the role of each individual participant. For fiscal year 2022, the compensation committee increased the annual bonus award target for the named executive officers as shown in the table below in order to move annual award targets closer to competitive cash incentive opportunities amongst our peers. In March 2022, our compensation committee approved the following target incentive opportunities and performance weightings for our named executive officers:
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Named Executive Officer | Target AIP Opportunity (% of Base Salary) 2021 | Target AIP Opportunity (% of Base Salary) 2022 | Corporate Performance Weighting | Individual Performance Weighting | Actual 2022 Bonus Payout | % of Target AIP Opportunity Payout in 2022 |
Dr. Saxonov | 44% | 80% | 100% | 0% | $291,340 | 80% |
Mr. McAnear | 28% | 50% | 50% | 50% | $141,657.00 | 80% |
Dr. Hindson | 28% | 50% | 50% | 50% | $151,176.00 | 80% |
Mr. Whitaker | 28% | 50% | 50% | 50% | $150,473.00 | 82% |
Dr. Wilbur | N/A | 50% | 50% | 50% | $69,500* | 80% |
*Dr. Wilbur joined 10x Genomics in July 2022, and as such his Target AIP for 2022 was prorated based on his start date.
The AIP awarded to NEOs is comprised of a corporate performance factor, which determines the portion of the bonus that is tied to our corporate performance and is further described in detail below, and, except for our Chief Executive Officer, an individual performance factor that is determined after holistic assessments of each named executive officer’s performance for the given year by our compensation committee upon recommendation from our Chief Executive Officer. The CEO’s AIP is 100% corporate performance, while the other NEOs have fifty percent tied to the corporate performance factor, and fifty percent tied to the executive's individual performance factor. This method is designed to reinforce focus on driving the company’s goals, and provides the CEO and compensation committee the opportunity to consider each individual’s performance in relation to the achievement of the company goals when determining the AIP awarded.
In 2022, our AIP used product development goals, operational goals, financial goals, and numerous strategic goals to holistically measure the company’s performance at the end of the fiscal year. We endeavored to set the performance goals at definitive, rigorous and objective levels so as to require significant effort and achievement by our executive officers be attained. The goals used to assess performance consisted of five distinct categories: (a) execute on our current business (4 point weighting); (b) grow our single cell business (2 point weighting); (c) extend our leadership in spatial and in situ (2 point weighting); (d) make strategic investments (1 point rating); and (e) execute on long-term growth priorities (1 point weighting). Within each category, we had multiple criteria designed to capture various aspects of achievement other than financial performance. Exemplary metrics included timely product delivery goals; improved operational processes; product feature and release date goals across our portfolio including for Xenium, Visium and Chromium products; strategic hiring; supplier diversification to mitigate risk; expansion of our intellectual property portfolio; revenue, margin and other financial goals; improved business analysis and automation; customer acquisition targets. No single criteria represented more than 8% of the overall weighting.
Under the 2022 AIP, company performance was determined at the end of the year using a 10-point scale (with 10 being exceptional and 1 being poor overall company performance). Management made a recommendation to the compensation committee on the basis of product development, operational metrics, financial performance and strategic achievements in line with the above goals. A grade of 7 out of 10 would be needed for 100% payment of the annual incentive plan, with a sliding scale up and down for more than and less than a 7 out of 10 rating, as shown below:
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Management Grade | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
% of the AIP pool awarded | 0% | 10% | 20% | 40% | 80% | 90% | 100% | 110% | 120% | 130% |
As is shown above in the table, in December 2022, after taking into account the achievements, the management team rated each company goal to establish an overall rating of five out of 10. This recommendation was based upon the following assessments of the company’s achievements: (a) execute on our current business (1 point achievement); (b) grow our single cell business (1 point achievement); (c) extend our leadership in spatial and in situ (2 point achievement); (d) make strategic investments (.5 point achievement); and (e) execute on long-term growth priorities (.5 point achievement). Upon review, the compensation committee agreed the company had attained some but not all of its 2022 corporate performance goals and approved a grade of five out of ten, representing 80% achievement under the corporate performance factor. The compensation committee then assessed overall individual performance and portion of cash bonus payable in respect to the individual performance factors for each of our NEOs other than our CEO, including satisfaction of certain qualitative and quantitative performance factors in each of their respective roles. These determinations resulted in final amounts payable for the portion of the annual cash bonus relating to the individual performance factors of 80% for each of Drs. Hindson and Wilbur, and Mr. McAnear and 82% for Mr. Whitaker.
Following its review and determination, the compensation committee awarded cash bonuses to each NEO as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table below (which were calculated after adding the final payouts for each of the corporate and individual factors discussed above).
For our 2023 annual incentive plan, we expect to use a performance‑based incentive framework based solely on the achievement of revenue objectives to determine annual cash bonuses for our executive officers and our employees.
Equity Awards
Equity awards provide (a) ongoing incentives tied to the creation of stockholder value as reflected in the company’s stock price and (b) retention incentives to motivate our employees through multi-year vesting schedules.
For our named executive officers, equity incentives represent the majority of their compensation reinforcing pay for performance and alignment to our long-term strategy. Stock options, RSUs, PSUs, and performance stock options are intended to motivate our named executive officers to drive growth and increase stockholder value by increasing in value if the price of our stock increases.
We generally grant our annual equity awards under the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan in the first quarter of each new fiscal year, and in March 2022, the equity awards granted to our named executive officers as part of our annual compensation plan consisted of stock options and RSUs. The target value of each award was divided into fifty percent (50%) RSUs and fifty percent (50%) stock options, which were converted at a ratio of 2.5:1 stock options to RSUs. The vesting schedules of the equity awards granted to our named executive officers are designed to incentivize retention and align the interests of NEOs and stockholders through incentivizing our longer-term growth strategy. The exercise price for options under our 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan are established based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on the date of grant. As described above, we believe that options provide a strong alignment with our stockholders’ interests because their entire value depends on future stock price appreciation and RSUs reward growth in the market price of our Class A common stock because they derive additional value from future stock price appreciation and they are less dilutive.
Additionally, by September 2022, the value of the equity held by our employees and executive officers had been severely impacted by macro-economic developments and other factors which resulted in an overall stock market downturn. Moreover, we had in August 2022, implemented a reduction in force giving rise to retention concerns and in order to address these concerns, the compensation committee made additional equity incentive awards to the 10x team, including to our named executive officers (except for Dr. Wilbur who had only recently joined), to reinforce alignment of our compensation program to our longer-term growth strategy, and to drive our pay for performance philosophy while sustaining the team’s high engagement. This provided an opportunity for both better stockholder alignment, and the reinforcement of innovation that is to come over this period. The Chief Executive Officer’s one time award was 100% performance based split 50% PSUs and 50% performance options. For the other named executive officers’ 50% of the additional equity award was PSUs, 25% was stock options and 25% was RSUs.
The PSUs (and our Chief Executive Officer’s performance options) are 100% performance-based and represent the right to earn and vest in shares of our Class A common stock in three separate segments only if the average closing trading price is maintained at or exceeds the target stock price of $60, $80 and $105, respectively, over each of the immediately trailing 20 trading days, subject to an executive officer's continued service through each applicable vesting date. The first segment was designed to be challenging but achievable (requiring the stock price to almost double), while the third segment was designed to be a stretch goal (requiring the stock price to increase by over 300%). Moreover, the PSUs granted to the executive officers are designed to drive our strategic direction and value creation over the long-term by encouraging leadership continuity and motivating the executive officers with equity that rewards them for providing sustained meaningful increases in stockholder value over a four-year period. Going forward, we intend to continue to include PSUs as part of our executive officers’ annual compensation.
We do not have an established set of criteria for granting equity awards. Instead, our compensation committee has exercised its judgment and discretion, in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to his own equity awards) and considered factors including the role and responsibility of each named executive officer, the outstanding equity held by each named executive officer and the extent to which it has vested, cash compensation opportunities, market data and individual performance. In determining the final awards in 2022, the compensation committee examined total compensation, relative internal alignment, the mix between cash and equity, as well as the retention value of outstanding awards when arriving at final decisions.
The equity awards granted to our named executive officers in 2022 are detailed below:
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Named Executive Officer | Number of Securities Underlying Option Award (#) | Number of Securities Underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award (#) | Number of Securities Underlying Performance Stock Unit Award (#) | Number of Securities Underlying Performance Option Award (#) | Grant Date Fair Value of Aggregate Equity Awards ($) |
Dr. Saxonov |
2022 Annual Compensation Program | 146,827 | 58,731 | - | - | 10,368,041 |
2022 One-Time Award | | N/A | 213,112 | 142,075 | 7,599,575 |
Mr. McAnear |
2022 Annual Compensation Program | 53,392 | 21,357 | - | - | 3,770,231 |
2022 One-Time Award | 40,593 | 20,297 | 40,593 | - | 2,536,192 |
Dr. Hindson |
2022 Annual Compensation Program | 71,189 | 28,476 | - | - | 5,026,961 |
2022 One-Time Award | 67,655 | 33,828 | 67,655 | - | 4,226,972 |
Mr. Whitaker |
2022 Annual Compensation Program | 106,784 | 42,714 | - | - | 7,540,463 |
2022 One-Time Award | 60,889 | 30,445 | 60,889 | - | 3,804,245 |
Dr. Wilbur |
New Hire Equity Award | 239,596 | 95,839 | - | - | 8,501,270 |
No Special Retirement, Health or Welfare Benefits
Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in our employee benefit programs on the same basis as our other salaried employees. We maintain a tax-qualified retirement plan (“401(k) Plan”) that provides eligible employees with an opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis. Eligible employees are able to participate in the 401(k) Plan as of the first day of the month following the date they meet the 401(k) Plan’s eligibility requirements, and participants are able to defer up to 75% of their eligible compensation subject to applicable annual tax limits. All participants’ interests in their deferrals are 100% vested when contributed. In 2022 we initiated a 40l (k) match, capped at $2,000 per annum for each employee.
Our health and welfare benefits include medical, dental and vision benefits, disability insurance, basic life insurance coverage, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. We design our employee benefits programs to be affordable and competitive in relation to the market and compliant with applicable laws and practices. We adjust our employee benefits programs as needed based upon changes in applicable laws and market practices.
Other Personal Benefits
We do not generally provide perquisites or other personal benefits to our named executive officers, except in limited situations where we believe it is appropriate. We generally do not reimburse executive officers for the income taxes associated with these perquisites except for limited business-related perquisites. In circumstances where we have elected to provide perquisites or other personal benefits, and at times have elected to pay the income taxes for these business-related perquisites or other personal benefits, we have done so because we believe they are business expenses. These benefits generally represent a very small portion of an executive officer’s overall compensation and provide a benefit to us and our stockholders. During 2022, we provided benefits valued at $42,588 for Dr. Saxonov and $49,780 for Dr. Hindson associated with their attendance with their spouses at an off-site event in 2022 to recognize the top 2021 commercial team performers in our organization. These benefits included transportation, accommodations, food, entertainment and gross up payments for taxes due on the imputed income associated with their and their spouses' attendance at the event.
Severance Arrangements
We believe that reasonable and appropriate severance benefits are necessary in order to be competitive in our executive attraction and retention efforts. See the section titled “Potential Payments upon a Change in Control or Termination of Employment” on page 44 for a more detailed description of these benefits.
Change in Control Severance Policy
Effective July 30, 2020, our compensation committee adopted the 10x Genomics, Inc. Change in Control Severance Policy (the "Severance Policy"), which is intended to provide severance pay and other benefits to certain eligible employees and other service providers in the event of certain terminations of employment in connection with a “change in control” (as defined in the Severance Policy). The Severance Policy also provides accelerated vesting of certain outstanding stock options and restricted stock units held by eligible employees and other service providers.
The Severance Policy became effective upon its adoption by our compensation committee and will continue in effect until December 31, 2024. The term of the Severance Policy will automatically be extended for one additional year at the end of the initial term and then again after each successive one-year period thereafter, unless it is terminated or amended by our compensation committee, the plan administrator.
The following individuals are eligible to participate in the Severance Policy:
•An employee who is classified by us as a regular full-time salaried or hourly employee and is primarily employed in the United States.
•An employee who is not a U.S. employee and who holds or is granted stock options or restricted stock units.
•A consultant or advisor (excluding any non-employee director) who holds or is granted stock options or restricted stock units. The Severance Policy provides certain payments and benefits upon a “qualifying termination,” which is defined as follows: (i) (A) with respect to any participant who is a U.S. employee or non-U.S. employee, a termination of the participant’s employment by us thereof by which the participant is employed without “cause” or by the participant for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the Severance Policy) or (B) with respect to any participant who is a consultant or advisor, a termination of the participant’s service with us by which the participant is engaged for any reason other than the expiration of the term of such participant’s consulting or advisory agreement (or other applicable service agreement) with us and (ii) in all cases, such termination occurs during the period starting on the effective date of a change in control and ending on the date that is 24 months after a change in control.
Under the Severance Policy, if a U.S. employee incurs a qualifying termination, then the U.S. employee will be entitled to receive the following severance payments and benefits, subject to such employee’s timely execution, delivery and non-revocation of a separation agreement and release of claims in favor of us and our affiliates and compliance with restrictive covenants set forth in the separation and release agreement (or any other agreement to which such participant is a party with us):
•Continued payment of annual base salary for a period of six months following the employee’s termination date, payable in equal installment in accordance with our normal payroll practices; and
•If the employee timely elects under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) to continue health care coverage under our group health plans, such employee will be required to timely pay the premiums for coverage of such employee and such employee’s eligible dependents, but a portion of such premiums will be paid or reimbursed by us for six months following the employee’s termination date (beginning on the date such premiums begin) such that the employee will continue to pay the same amount of monthly premiums as in effect for an active employee with the same coverage.
In addition, under the Severance Policy, if a participant (including a U.S. employee, non-U.S. employee, or consultant or advisor) remains employed or in service with us through the date on which a change in control occurs, any outstanding stock options or restricted stock units then held by the participant will be treated as follows:
•If such equity award is assumed, converted or replaced by the surviving corporation or its parent with equity or equity-based awards having an equivalent value and vesting schedule to those applicable to such equity award immediately prior to the change in control, such award as so-assumed, converted or replaced, as applicable, will remain eligible to vest and become exercisable in accordance with its terms; provided that, in the event of a participant’s qualifying termination (and subject to the participant’s timely execution, delivery and non-revocation of a separation agreement and release of claims in favor of us and our affiliates and compliance with restrictive covenants set forth in the separation and release agreement (or any other agreement to which such participant is a party with us)), such award will vest and any restrictions thereon will lapse as to 100% of the then-unvested portion of the award (provided that, unless the applicable award agreement provides for different treatment upon a
qualifying termination following a change in control, with respect to awards that would otherwise vest upon satisfaction of performance criteria, all applicable performance criteria will be deemed to have been achieved at target levels).
•If such equity award is not so assumed, converted or replaced in connection with the change in control, then immediately on the effective date of the change in control, such equity award will vest and any restrictions thereon will lapse as to 100% of the then-unvested portion of the equity award (provided that, unless the applicable award agreement provides for different treatment upon a change in control, with respect to equity awards that would otherwise vest upon satisfaction of performance criteria, all applicable performance criteria will be deemed to have been achieved at target levels).
Participants are also eligible for any benefits provided upon termination pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan, the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan or any award agreement under any such plan. The Severance Policy provides that no U.S. employee is eligible to receive termination payments and benefits under the Severance Policy if they are entitled to any other severance payments or severance benefits under any other severance plan, policy or program we maintain, or pursuant to the terms of any employment or other agreement with us, as may be in effect from time to time.
If our compensation committee determines, in its reasonable good faith and discretion, that a participant has not satisfied the conditions in the Severance Policy relating to the execution of the separation and release agreement and compliance with restrictive covenants, (i) any entitlement of the participant to receive any payments or benefits due under the Severance Policy (other than accrued payments) will be forfeited, and (ii) the participant will be obligated to promptly repay us all amounts of payments and benefits the participant previously received.
Clawback Policy
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics includes clawback provisions in order to help ensure that the performance of our employees is aligned with our incentive targets and that our incentive compensation is paid or awarded based on accurate financial results. These provisions provide that if the audit committee or its designee determines, in its or their discretion, that our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or other company policy (including our Insider Trading Policy) has been violated by an employee, then such committee or designee will review the employee’s incentive compensation in order to assess whether a penalty of disgorgement would be appropriate under the circumstances. Additionally, to the extent required or permitted by applicable law and regulations, we will seek the reimbursement or recoupment of any award, vesting, payment or distribution of cash, equity or other incentive compensation (“Covered Compensation”) to an executive officer (as such term is defined under Rule 3b-7 of the Exchange Act) in all instances where (i) the award (or the vesting of such award), payment or distribution of the Covered Compensation was based upon or resulted from the achievement of financial results by us which were the product of intentional misconduct or fraudulent activity, violation of applicable law or regulations or violation of company policy or were subsequently the cause or subject of a material negative restatement of any of our financial statements (collectively, “Wrongful Acts”), (ii) in the view of the board of directors such executive officer engaged in fraud or intentional misconduct known by the executive officer to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations or company policy which caused or contributed to the Wrongful Acts, and (iii) a lower award, vesting, payment or distribution of Covered Compensation would have been provided to such executive officer in the absence of the Wrongful Acts. In each such instance, the board of directors will seek to recover such portion of such executive officer’s Covered Compensation for the relevant period as the board of directors deems appropriate after a review of the relevant facts and circumstances. Where any Covered Compensation consists of or includes an equity award, including circumstances where vesting with respect to such equity award is based on or results from the achievement of financial results, the board of directors may take such action as it deems appropriate consistent with the above principles, including, where appropriate, seeking the cancellation of stock, rights or option awards or reimbursement or recoupment of gains realized therefrom. The full text of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our website at https://investors.10xgenomics.com/ in the “Governance” section of our Investors webpage.
In addition, the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan contains clawback provisions that all awards made under the plan are subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy we have adopted or as otherwise required by law. To the extent that an award recipient receives any amount in excess of the amount that such award recipient should otherwise have received under the terms of an award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), the award recipient will be required to repay any such excess amount to us.
In October 2022, the SEC adopted rules directing Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange to adopt listing standards requiring companies to adopt clawback policies that provide for the recovery, in the event of a required accounting restatement,
of certain incentive-based compensation received by current or former executive officers based on erroneously reported financial information. In February 2023, Nasdaq proposed the required listing standards for approval by the SEC and the listing standards will become effective on the date of SEC approval. We are monitoring the effective date of the listing standards and we expect to amend our clawback policy, if necessary, to comply with such standards.
Tax and Accounting Considerations
While our board of directors and our compensation committee generally consider the financial, accounting and tax implications of their executive compensation decisions, neither element has been a material consideration in the compensation awarded to our named executive officers historically. In addition, our board of directors and our compensation committee have considered the potential future effects of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code on the compensation paid to our named executive officers. Section 162(m) of the Code denies a publicly‑traded corporation a federal income tax deduction for remuneration in excess of $1 million per year per person paid to executives designated in Section 162(m) of the Code, including, but not limited to, its chief executive officer, chief financial officer and the next three highly compensated executive officers. However, we believe that maintaining the discretion to provide compensation that is non‑deductible allows us to provide compensation tailored to the needs of the company and our named executive officers and is an important part of our responsibilities and benefits our stockholders.
We follow Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation‑Stock Compensation, or ASC Topic 718, for our stock‑based compensation awards.
ASC Topic 718 requires companies to measure the compensation expense for all share‑based payment awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and restricted stock units, based on the grant date “fair value” of these awards. This calculation is performed for accounting purposes and reported in the compensation tables below, even though our executive officers may never realize any value from their awards.
Other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code can also affect compensation decisions for our named executive officers. Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, which governs the form and timing of payment of deferred compensation, imposes sanctions, including a 20% penalty and an interest penalty, on the recipient of deferred compensation that does not comply with Section 409A. The board of directors and the compensation committee will take into account the implications of Section 409A in determining the form and timing of compensation awarded to our executives and will strive to structure any nonqualified deferred compensation plans or arrangements to be exempt from or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code disallows a company’s tax deduction for payments received by certain individuals in connection with a change in control to the extent that the payments exceed an amount approximately three times their average annual compensation and Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a 20% excise tax on those payments. The board of directors and the compensation committee will take into account the implications of Section 280G in determining potential payments to be made to our executives in connection with a change in control. Nevertheless, to the extent that certain payments upon a change in control are classified as excess parachute payments, such payments may not be deductible pursuant to Section 280G.
Summary Compensation Table
The following Summary Compensation Table summarizes the total compensation of our NEOs for all services rendered to the company in all capacities for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, except we do not show 2020 or 2021 compensation for Dr. Wilbur as he was not an NEO for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2020 and 2021.
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Name and Principal Position | | Year | | Salary ($)(1) | | Bonus ($)(2) | | Stock Awards ($)(4) | | Option Awards ($)(4) | | Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(5) | | All Other Compensation ($)(6) | | Total ($) |
Serge Saxonov | | 2022 | | 503,750 | | | 291,340 | | | 9,138,921 | | | 8,828,695 | | | — | | | 42,588 | | | 18,805,294 | |
Chief Executive Officer | | 2021 | | 430,000 | | | 258,000 | | | 4,367,741 | | | 6,596,722 | | | — | | | 48,522 | | | 11,700,985 | |
| | 2020 | | 400,000 | | | — | | | — | | | 10,227,724 | | | — | | | 254,993 | | | 10,882,717 | |
Justin J. McAnear | | 2022 | | 394,250 | | | 141,657 | | | 3,131,588 | | | 3,174,835 | | | — | | | — | | | 6,842,330 | |
Chief Financial Officer | | 2021 | | 367,500 | | | 102,900 | | | 1,588,286 | | | 2,398,867 | | | — | | | — | | | 4,457,553 | |
| | 2020 | | 330,000 | | | — | | | — | | | 3,933,816 | | | — | | | — | | | 4,263,816 | |
Benjamin J. Hindson | | 2022 | | 415,000 | | | 151,176 | | | 4,724,102 | | | 4,529,831 | | | — | | | 49,780 | | | 9,869,889 | |
President and Chief Scientific Officer | | 2021 | | 387,500 | | | 108,500 | | | 1,985,401 | | | 2,998,530 | | | — | | | — | | | 5,479,931 | |
| | 2020 | | 350,000 | | | — | | | — | | | 5,900,537 | | | — | | | 264,974 | | | 6,515,511 | |
Eric S. Whitaker | | 2022 | | 408,500 | | | 150,473 | | | 5,440,147 | | | 5,904,560 | | | — | | | — | | | 11,903,680 | |
Chief Legal Officer | | 2021 | | 370,000 | | | 135,000 | | | 1,985,401 | | | 2,998,530 | | | — | | | — | | | 5,488,931 | |
| | 2020 | | 340,000 | | | — | | | — | | | 5,507,185 | | | — | | | — | | | 5,847,185 | |
James L. Wilbur | | 2022 | | 171,282 | | | 219,500 | | (3) | 3,226,899 | | | 5,274,371 | | | — | | | — | | | 8,892,052 | |
Chief Commercial Officer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
____________
(1)The amounts shown represent the base salaries earned by our NEOs in fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022. The base salaries of our NEOs were increased as described above effective April 1, 2022 (except for Dr. Wilbur who joined the company in July 2022).
(2)The 2022 amounts shown for our NEOs represent the annual bonuses earned based on the company's performance and their individual performance in 2022. As described above, 50% of each of Drs. Hindson and Wilbur's and Messrs. McAnear and Whitaker’s 2022 target bonus opportunities were tied to individual performance and the remaining 50% of the opportunities were tied to corporate performance. In 2022, Dr. Saxonov’s bonus payout did not include an individual performance factor and was tied solely to corporate performance.
(3)Dr. Wilbur received a one-time cash sign-on bonus of $150,000 in 2022 pursuant to the terms of his offer letter. The remaining $69,500 shown reflects pro-ration of Dr. Wilbur's annual bonus due to his July 2022 start date.
(4)The amounts shown represent the grant date fair value of (a) the option and RSU awards granted to our NEOs in fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020 and (b) the performance RSU ("PSU") awards granted to our NEOs in fiscal year 2022, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. For a discussion of valuation assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value of the equity awards granted to our NEOs in (i) fiscal year 2022, see Note 9 of Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022; (ii) fiscal year 2021, see Note 9 of Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and (iii) fiscal year 2020, see Note 9 of Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. For PSUs granted in fiscal year 2022, the grant date fair value of these awards, assuming the average closing trading price per share of the company's Class A common stock meets or exceeds $60, $80 and $105, respectively, over each of the immediately trailing 20 trading days is as follows: Dr. Saxonov: $5,053,593, Mr. McAnear: $962,595, Dr. Hindson: $1,604,322 and Mr. Whitaker: $1,443,878. Dr. Wilbur did not receive PSUs in 2022. There can be no assurance that options will be exercised or that the RSUs or PSUs will vest in full (in which case no value with respect to such options or RSUs will be realized by the individual) or that the value upon exercise or upon vesting, as applicable, will approximate the fair value as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For the option award to Dr. Saxonov, the grant date fair value is $2,545,982.33, assuming the average closing trading price per share of the Class A common stock meets or exceeds $60, $80 and $105, respectively, over each of the immediately trailing 20 trading days.
(5)No non-equity incentive plan compensation were awarded in 2020, 2021 or 2022.
(6)The 2022 amounts shown for Drs. Saxonov and Hindson include benefits associated with their attendance with their spouses at an off-site event in 2022. We provided benefits valued at $42,588 for Dr. Saxonov and $49,780 for Dr. Hindson associated with their attendance with their spouses at an off-site event in 2022 to recognize the top commercial team performers in our organization. These benefits included transportation, accommodations, food, entertainment and gross up payments for taxes due on the imputed income associated with their and their spouses' attendance at the event.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table summarizes the awards granted to each of the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022:
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Name | | Grant Date(1) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (#)(2) | | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Units (#) | | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) | | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/share) | | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(3) |
Serge Saxonov | | 3/22/2022 | — | | | 58,731 | | | — | | | — | | | 4,085,328 |
| | 3/22/2022 | — | | | — | | | 146,827 | | | 69.56 | | 6,282,713 |
| | 9/14/2022 | 213,112 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5,053,593 |
| | 9/14/2022 | 142,075 | | — | | | — | | | 33.67 | | | 2,545,982 |
Justin J. McAnear | | 3/22/2022 | — | | | 21,357 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,485,593 |
| | 3/22/2022 | — | | | — | | | 53,392 | | | 69.56 | | 2,284,638 |
| | 9/14/2022 | — | | | 20,297 | | | — | | | — | | | 683,400 |
| | 9/14/2022 | 40,593 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 962,595 |
| | 9/14/2022 | — | | | — | | | 40,593 | | | 33.67 | | | 890,196 |
Benjamin J. Hindson | | 3/22/2022 | — | | | 28,476 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,980,791 |
| | 3/22/2022 | — | | | — | | | 71,189 | | | 69.56 | | 3,046,170 |
| | 9/14/2022 | — | | | 33,828 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,138,989 |
| | 9/14/2022 | 67,655 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,604,322 |
| | 9/14/2022 | — | | | — | | | 67,655 | | | 33.67 | | | 1,483,661 |
Eric S. Whitaker | | 3/22/2022 | — | | | 42,714 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,971,186 |
| | 3/22/2022 | — | | | — | | | 106,784 | | 69.56 | | 4,569,277 |
| | 9/14/2022 | — | | | 30,445 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,025,083 |
| | 9/14/2022 | 60,889 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,443,878 |
| | 9/14/2022 | — | | | — | | | 60,889 | | | 33.67 | | | 1,335,284 |
James L. Wilbur | | 9/14/2022 | — | | | 95,839 | | | — | | | — | | | 3,226,899 |
| | 9/14/2022 | — | | | — | | | 239,596 | | | 33.67 | | 5,274,371 |
____________
(1)The vesting schedule applicable to each equity award is set forth in the “—Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2022” table below.
(2)Amounts represent the target number of shares that may be earned under the Performance Option and PSUs, assuming 100% of the number of shares underlying such performance awards vested if each three tranches of stock price performance goals were achieved. There is no achievement above the target amount and no threshold amount.
(3)The amounts shown represent the grant date fair value of the equity awards granted to our NEOs in fiscal year 2022, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. For a discussion of valuation assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value of the equity awards granted to our NEOs in fiscal year 2022, see Note 9 of Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. There can be no assurance that options will be exercised or that the RSUs or PSUs will vest in full (in which case no value with respect to such options or RSUs or PSUs will be realized by the individual) or that the value upon exercise or upon vesting, as applicable, will approximate the fair value as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See footnote (4) to the Summary Compensation Table.
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2022
The following table lists the outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2022:
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| | | | | | Stock option awards(1) | | Stock awards(2) | | |
Name | | Grant date | | | | Numbers of securities underlying unexercised stock options exercisable (#)(3) | | Numbers of securities underlying unexercised stock option unexercisable (#)(4) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards; Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | | Stock option exercise price ($) | | Stock option expiration date | | Number of shares or units of stocks that have not vested (#) | | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($) (5) | Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that have not Vested (#) | Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that have not Vested ($)(5) |
Serge Saxonov | | 10/18/2017 | | (6) | | 94,398 | | | — | | — | | | 1.20 | | | 10/18/2027 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 10/18/2017 | | (7) | | 112,500 | | | — | | — | | | 1.20 | | | 10/18/2027 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 10/18/2017 | | (8) | | 93,637 | | | — | | — | | | 1.20 | | | 10/18/2027 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 11/2/2018 | | (9) | | 53,323 | | | — | | — | | | 5.04 | | | 11/2/2028 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 5/10/2019 | | (10) | | 30,372 | | | 12,149 | | — | | | 11.48 | | | 5/10/2029 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 4/21/2020 | | (11) | | 157,155 | | | 78,578 | | — | | | 74.58 | | | 4/21/2030 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/19/2021 | | (12) | | 25,595 | | | 35,833 | | — | | | 177.76 | | | 3/19/2031 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/19/2021 | | (13) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 13,822 | 503,674 |
| | 3/22/2022 | | (14) | | 24,471 | | | 122,356 | | — | | | 69.56 | | | 3/22/2032 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/22/2022 | | (15) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 47,719 | 1,738,880 |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (16) | | — | | | — | | 142,075 | | | 33.67 | | | 9/14/2032 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (17) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 213,112 | | | 7,765,801 | | — | | — | |
Justin J. McAnear | | 11/2/2018 | | (18) | | 350,159 | | | — | | — | | | 5.04 | | | 11/2/2028 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 5/10/2019 | | (19) | | 8,750 | | | 1,667 | | — | | | 11.48 | | | 5/10/2029 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 4/21/2020 | | (20) | | 60,444 | | | 30,223 | | — | | | 74.58 | | | 4/21/2030 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/19/2021 | | (21) | | 9,307 | | | 13,031 | | — | | | 177.76 | | | 3/19/2031 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/19/2021 | | (22) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 5,026 | 183,147 |
| | 3/22/2022 | | (23) | | 8,898 | | | 44,494 | | — | | | 69.56 | | | 3/22/2032 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/22/2022 | | (24) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 17,353 | 632,343 |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (25) | | 2,537 | | | 38,056 | | — | | | 33.67 | | | 9/14/2032 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (26) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 19,029 | 693,417 |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (27) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 40,593 | | 1,479,209 | — | | — | |
Benjamin J. Hindson | | 11/2/2018 | | (28) | | 12,972 | | | — | | — | | | 5.04 | | | 11/2/2028 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 5/10/2019 | | (29) | | 22,916 | | | 8,334 | | — | | | 11.48 | | | 5/10/2029 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 4/21/2020 | | (30) | | 48,296 | | | 45,334 | | — | | | 74.58 | | | 4/21/2030 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/19/2021 | | (31) | | 11,634 | | | 16,288 | | — | | | 177.76 | | | 3/19/2031 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/19/2021 | | (32) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 6,283 | 228,953 |
| | 3/22/2022 | | (33) | | 11,864 | | | 59,325 | | — | | | 69.56 | | | 3/22/2032 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/22/2022 | | (34) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 23,137 | 843,112 |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (35) | | 4,228 | | | 63,427 | | — | | | 33.67 | | 9/14/2032 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (36) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 31,714 | 1,155,658 |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (37) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 67,655 | | 2,465,348 | — | | — | |
Eric S. Whitaker | | 7/28/2017 | | (38) | | 36,425 | | | — | | — | | | 1.20 | | | 7/28/2027 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 11/2/2018 | | (39) | | 47,818 | | | — | | — | | | 5.04 | | | 11/2/2028 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 5/10/2019 | | (40) | | 38,958 | | | 7,084 | | — | | | 11.48 | | | 5/10/2029 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 4/21/2020 | | (41) | | 81,312 | | | 42,312 | | — | | | 74.58 | | | 4/21/2030 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/19/2021 | | (42) | | 11,634 | | | 16,288 | | — | | | 177.76 | | | 3/19/2031 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 3/19/2021 | | (43) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 6,283 | 228,953 |
| | 3/22/2022 | | (44) | | 17,796 | | | 88,988 | | — | | | 69.56 | | | 3/22/2032 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 3/22/2022 | | (45) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 34,706 | 1,264,687 |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (46) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 28,543 | 1,040,107 |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (47) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 60,889 | 2,218,795 |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (48) | | 3,805 | | | 57,084 | | — | | | 33.67 | | | 9/14/2032 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
James L. Wilbur | | 9/14/2022 | | (49) | | — | | | 239,596 | | — | | | 33.67 | | | 9/14/2032 | | — | | | — | | — | | — | |
| | 9/14/2022 | | (50) | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 95,839 | 3,492,373 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
______________
(1)The stock options granted prior to April 21, 2020 are eligible to receive accelerated vesting, such that 50% of the then-unvested portion of the stock options will vest and become exercisable immediately prior to a change of control (as defined in our Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan), and 100% of the then-unvested portion of the stock options will vest and become exercisable if the NEO’s employment is terminated without cause (as defined in our Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan) in connection with or following a change of control. The stock options granted on or after April 21, 2020 are eligible to receive accelerated vesting, such that 100% of the then-unvested portion of the stock options will vest and become exercisable immediately prior to a change in control (as defined in the Severance Policy) if the NEO incurs a qualified termination (as defined in the Severance Policy).
(2)The RSU awards are eligible to receive accelerated vesting, such that 100% of the then-unvested portion of the RSUs will vest immediately prior to a change in control (as defined in the Severance Policy) if the NEO incurs a qualified termination (as defined in the Severance Policy).
(3)The amounts shown represent stock options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock that have vested.
(4)The amounts shown represent stock options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock that have not yet vested.
(5)The amounts shown are based on $36.44 per share, the market value per share of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 31, 2022.
(6)All shares subject to the stock option grant were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2022.
(7)All shares subject to the stock option grant were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2022.
(8)All shares subject to the stock option grant were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2022.
(9)All shares subject to the stock option grant were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2022.
(10)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2019, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Saxonov’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(11)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2020, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Saxonov’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(12)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2021, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Saxonov’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(13)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of February 21, 2021, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Dr. Saxonov's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(14)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2022, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Saxonov’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(15)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of February 21, 2022, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Dr. Saxonov's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(16)This performance stock option award consists of three separate tranches and the vesting of each tranche is subject to our Class A common stock average closing trading price per share being maintained at or exceeding $60, $80 and $105, respectively, over each of the immediately trailing 20 trading days, subject to Dr. Saxonov's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(17)This PSU award consists of three separate tranches and the vesting of each tranche is subject to our Class A common stock average closing trading price per share being maintained at or exceeding $60, $80 and $105, respectively, over each of the immediately trailing 20 trading days, subject to Dr. Saxonov's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(18)All shares subject to the stock option grant were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2022.
(19)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2019, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. McAnear’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(20)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2020, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. McAnear’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(21)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2021, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. McAnear’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(22)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of February 21, 2021, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Mr. McAnear's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(23)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2022, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. McAnear's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(24)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of February 21, 2022, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Mr. McAnear's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(25)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of September 14, 2022, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. McAnear’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(26)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of August 21, 2022, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Mr. McAnear's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(27)This PSU award consists of three separate tranches and the vesting of each tranche is subject to our Class A common stock average closing trading price per share being maintained at or exceeding $60, $80 and $105, respectively, over each of the immediately trailing 20 trading days, subject to Mr. McAnear's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(28)All shares subject to the stock option grant were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2022.
(29)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2019, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Hindson’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(30)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2020, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Hindson’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(31)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2021, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Hindson's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(32)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of February 21, 2021, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Dr. Hindson's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(33)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2022, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Hindson's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(34)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of February 21, 2022, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Dr. Hindson's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(35)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of September 14, 2022, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Hindson's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(36)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of August 21, 2022, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Dr. Hindson's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(37)This PSU award consists of three separate tranches and the vesting of each tranche is subject to the Class A common stock average closing trading price per share being maintained at or exceeding $60, $80 and $105, respectively, over each of the immediately trailing 20 trading days, subject to Dr. Hindson's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(38)All shares subject to the stock option grant were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2022.
(39)All shares subject to the stock option grant were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2022.
(40)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of September 1, 2019, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Whitaker’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(41)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2020, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Whitaker’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(42)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2021, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Whitaker’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(43)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of February 21, 2021, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Mr. Whitaker's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(44)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of April 1, 2022, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Whitaker's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(45)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of February 21, 2022, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Mr. Whitaker's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(46)1/16th of the award vested on the three month anniversary of August 21, 2022, and 1/16th of the award vested, and continues to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21, and November 21 each year, subject to Mr. Whitaker's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(47)This PSU award consists of three separate tranches and the vesting of each tranche is subject to the Class A common stock average closing trading price per share being maintained at or exceeding $60, $80 and $105, respectively, over each of the immediately trailing 20 trading days, subject to Mr. Whitaker's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(48)1/48th of the stock option vested on the one month anniversary of September 14, 2022, and 1/48th of the stock option vested, and continues to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Whitaker's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(49)1/4th of the stock option will vest on the one year anniversary of July 27, 2022, and 1/48th of the stock option will continue to vest, in equal monthly installments on the same day of each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Wilbur's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
(50)1/4th of the award will vest on the one year anniversary of August 21, 2022, and 1/16th of the award will continue to vest, in equal quarterly installments on February 21, May 21, August 21 and November 21 each year, subject to Dr. Wilbur's continued service through each applicable vesting date.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides information concerning the exercise of stock options and vesting of RSU awards held by our NEOs in 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Option Awards | | Stock Awards |
Name | | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | | Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1) | | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2) |
Serge Saxonov | | 20,575 | | 1,144,396 | | 17,154 | | 759,322 |
Justin J. McAnear | | 10,000 | | 1,410,251 | | 7,506 | | 320,874 |
Benjamin J. Hindson | | 75,932 | | 4,135,694 | | 10,245 | | 433,323 |
Eric S. Whitaker | | 24,007 | | 1,033,170 | | 12,702 | | 534,192 |
James L. Wilbur | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
______________
(1)Value realized on exercise is equal to the difference between the market price of the underlying shares at exercise and the exercise price of the options and does not necessarily reflect actual proceeds received.
(2)Value realized on vesting is equal to the market price of the underlying shares at vesting and does not necessarily reflect actual proceeds received.
Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Our NEOs do not participate in any pension or nonqualified deferred compensation plans and received no pension benefits or nonqualified deferred compensation during the fiscal year 2022.
Employment Arrangements with Named Executive Officers
This section contains a description of the material terms of the employment arrangements with our NEOs. Our executive officers, other than Drs. Saxonov and Hindson, signed offer letters with us, which provide for at-will employment and set forth other terms of employment, including the initial base salary, target incentive opportunity and the terms of the initial equity grant and in the case of Dr. Wilbur and Mr. McAnear, severance protections in certain circumstances. In addition, each of our executive officers executed a form of our standard at-will employment, confidential information, invention assignment and arbitration agreement, which includes a non-solicit of employees covenant during employment and for one year following termination.
Dr. Saxonov
Dr. Saxonov co-founded our company in 2012 and has not been party to an offer letter with us since our inception. In fiscal 2022, Dr. Saxonov was entitled to an annual base salary of $440,000, which was increased to $525,000 annualized effective April 1, 2022, and he was eligible to earn an annual target bonus equal to 80% of his eligible base salary. Additionally, Dr. Saxonov is eligible to participate in employee benefit plans that are generally available to other senior executives of our company located in the United States.
Mr. McAnear
Mr. McAnear signed an offer letter with us on August 17, 2018, under which he was entitled to an annual base salary of $310,000. In fiscal year 2022, Mr. McAnear was entitled to an annual base salary of $380,000, which was increased to $399,000 annualized effective April 1, 2022, and he was eligible to earn an annual target bonus equal to 50% of his eligible base salary. Additionally, Mr. McAnear is eligible to participate in employee benefit plans that are generally available to other senior executives of our company located in the United States.
Dr. Hindson
Dr. Hindson co-founded our company in 2012 and has not been party to an offer letter with us since our inception. In fiscal year 2022, Dr. Hindson was entitled to an annual base salary of $400,000, which was increased to $420,000 annualized effective April 1, 2022, and he was eligible to earn an annual target bonus equal to 50% of his eligible base salary. Additionally, Dr. Hindson is eligible to participate in employee benefit plans that are generally available to other senior executives of our company located in the United States.
Mr. Whitaker
Mr. Whitaker signed an offer letter with us on June 12, 2017, under which he was entitled to an annual base salary of $300,000. In fiscal year 2022, Mr. Whitaker was entitled to an annual base salary of $380,000, which was increased to $418,000 annualized effective April 1, 2022, and he was eligible to earn an annual target bonus equal to 50% of his eligible base salary. In addition, Mr. Whitaker is eligible to participate in employee benefit plans that are generally available to other senior executives of our company located in the United States.
Dr. Wilbur
Dr. Wilbur signed an offer letter with us on July 12, 2022, under which he is entitled to an annual base salary of $400,000 and he is eligible to earn an annual target bonus equal to 50% of his eligible base salary. In addition, Dr. Wilbur is entitled to participate in employee benefit plans that are generally available to other senior executives in our company located in the United States and is entitled to a lump sum severance payment of $500,000 if he is terminated by us without Cause (as defined in the Severance Policy) prior to August 21, 2023 and in the absence of a Qualifying Termination (as defined in the Severance Policy), subject to his execution and non-revocation of a release of claims against us. In connection with his employment, we granted Dr. Wilbur an option to purchase 239,596 shares of our Class A common stock and 95,839 RSUs. For a description of the material terms of these equity awards, see footnotes (49) and (50) to the Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2022 table above. Additionally, Dr. Wilbur was paid a $150,000 signing bonus in 2022 pursuant to his offer letter.
Potential Payments Upon a Change of Control or Termination of Employment
Effective July 30, 2020, our compensation committee adopted the Severance Policy, which covers our NEOs with double trigger change of control severance benefits. As described in “Severance Arrangements—Change in Control Severance Policy,” our NEOs are eligible to receive certain severance payments and benefits under the Severance Policy upon a termination of employment by the company without cause or by the NEO for good reason within 24 months following a change in control. In the event of such a termination, each NEO is entitled to severance equal to six months of base salary, reimbursement for a portion of COBRA premiums for six months and accelerated vesting of any outstanding stock option or restricted stock unit awards.
Additionally, all of the stock options granted prior to April 21, 2020 held by each of our NEOs as of December 31, 2022 are eligible to receive accelerated vesting, such that 50% of the then-unvested portion of the stock options will vest and become exercisable immediately prior to a change of control (as defined in our Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan), and 100% of the then-unvested portion of the stock options will vest and become exercisable if the NEO’s employment is terminated without cause (as defined in our Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan) in connection with or following a change of control. The stock options and RSUs granted on or after April 21, 2020 are also eligible to receive accelerated vesting (except performance stock options and PSUs), such that 100% of the then-unvested portion of the stock options will vest and become exercisable immediately prior to a change in control (as defined in the Severance Policy) if the NEO incurs a qualified termination (as defined in the Severance Policy).
We have no provisions for severance in place in the event of a termination of employment outside of a change of control for Drs. Saxonov, Hindson or Wilbur or Messrs. McAnear or Whitaker.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | | Payment Type | | Change in Control Unaccompanied by Termination ($)(1) | | Termination Without Cause Or For Good Reason Upon a Change in Control ($)(2) |
Serge Saxonov | | Cash Severance(3) | | — | | 262,500 |
| | Benefit Continuation(4) | | — | | 16,188 |
| | Equity Awards | | 151,620 | | 10,705,142 |
| | Total | | 151,620 | | 10,983,830 |
Justin J. McAnear | | Cash Severance(3) | | — | | 199,500 |
| | Benefit Continuation(4) | | — | | 16,270 |
| | Equity Awards | | 20,804 | | 3,135,140 |
| | Total | | 20,804 | | 3,350,910 |
Benjamin J. Hindson | | Cash Severance(3) | | — | | 210,000 |
| | Benefit Continuation(4) | | — | | 16,270 |
| | Equity Awards | | 104,008 | | 5,076,781 |
| | Total | | 104,008 | | 5,303,051 |
Eric S. Whitaker | | Cash Severance(3) | | — | | 209,000 |
| | Benefit Continuation(4) | | — | | 16,270 |
| | Equity Awards | | 88,408 | | 5,087,481 |
| | Total | | 88,408 | | 5,312,751 |
James L. Wilbur | | Cash Severance(3) | | — | | 200,000 |
| | Benefit Continuation(4) | | — | | 16,270 |
| | Equity Awards(7) | | — | | 4,156,054 |
| | Total | | — | | 4,372,324 |
(1) For a change in control unaccompanied by termination, amount represents the aggregate value of unvested stock options granted prior to April 21, 2020 that would be accelerated, assuming a price per share equal to $36.44, the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 31, 2022, less any exercise price.
(2) For termination without cause or for good reason upon a change of control or within 24 months thereafter, amount represents the aggregate value of unvested stock options (including Dr. Saxonov's performance stock option) and RSUs (including PSUs) as of December 31, 2022 that would be accelerated, assuming a price per share equal to $36.44, the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 31, 2022, (for stock options) less any exercise price, and assuming full achievement of the market-based performance conditions of the PSUs and Dr. Saxonov's performance stock option. Under our Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan, the acceleration of vesting occurs only upon a termination without cause (no good reason) following a change in control, but the Severance Policy provides for 100% accelerated vesting in connection with a termination without cause or resignation for good reason within 24 months following a change of control.
(3) For termination without cause or for good reason upon a change of control or within 24 months thereafter, amount represents 6 months of salary based on each NEO's respective salary in effect December 31, 2022.
(4) For termination without cause or for good reason upon a change of control or within 24 months thereafter, amount represents monthly payments equal to the COBRA premiums in effect as of December 31, 2022 required for 6 months.
Compensation Risk Assessment
The compensation committee annually reviews the risks that may arise from our compensation programs. In 2022, our compensation committee reviewed the design of each of our compensation programs in order to determine whether any of our programs create or encourage excessive or inappropriate risk-taking. Based on their review, the compensation committee concluded that our compensation programs do not present any risk that is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
Prohibition on Hedging, Pledging and Short Sales
Pursuant to our Insider Trading Policy, all company personnel, including our directors, officers, employees and agents (such as independent contractors and consultants), are prohibited from engaging in hedging and transactions in derivatives of our securities, except for a few limited exceptions. These limited exceptions include the entry into a transaction involving an exchange fund if such transaction is pre-cleared in accordance with our Insider Trading Policy or the exercise of stock options issued under our benefit plans or other compensatory arrangements in accordance with such plans or arrangements. Furthermore, our Insider Trading Policy prohibits (a) pledging of company securities as collateral by company personnel without first obtaining preclearance from one of our compliance officers and (b) holding company securities in margin accounts
and short sales of company securities, without exception. The foregoing restrictions are designed, among other things, to prohibit our directors, executive officers and other insiders from insulating themselves from the effects of poor stock price performance.
As part of the administration of our Insider Trading Policy, we have procedures in place that are reasonably designed to prevent prohibited transactions from being initiated by our directors, officers and employees.
Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio
The 2022 annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer was $18,805,294, while the 2022 annual total compensation of our median compensated employee was $252,567. Based on the foregoing, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total compensation of our employees was 74 to 1.
We have chosen to identify a new median employee for purposes of calculating and disclosing our 2022 pay ratio due to changes in our employee population and changes in last year’s median employee’s compensation arrangements and we identified the new median employee by using the same methodology we used to identify last year’s median employee. For the pay ratio analysis of our employee population conducted in 2022, we determined our median compensated employee in 2022 by using base salaries, bonuses, commissions and the grant date fair value of equity awards granted to employees in 2022 as our consistently applied compensation measure. Compensation paid in foreign currencies was converted to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate on December 31, 2022. In addition, we annualized base salaries for permanent full-time and part-time employees that did not work the full year. We made no other assumptions, cost-of-living adjustments or other estimates.
We applied this measure to our global employee population, exclusive of our Chief Executive Officer and the employees excluded under the de minimis exemption described below, as of December 31, 2022, the last day of our 2022 fiscal year. As of December 31, 2022, we had 1,243 employees, with 931 of those employees based in the United States and 312 of those employees located outside of the United States. We applied the “de minimis” exemption to our pay ratio calculation to exclude 25 of our non-U.S. employees accounting for 2% of our total workforce in the following countries: Australia (11); Austria (2); India (2); Russia (1); South Korea (2); Switzerland; (4) Taiwan (1) and United Arab Emirates (2). After taking into account the de minimis exemption, 931 employees in the United States and 287 employees located outside of the United States were considered in identifying our median compensated employee.
After identifying the median compensated employee, we calculated the employee’s 2022 annual total compensation in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, which is the same methodology we used to calculate our Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation in the table above entitled “Summary Compensation Table.”
Because the SEC rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio allow companies to use different methodologies, exemptions, estimates and assumptions, the pay ratio reported above may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported by other companies as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
Pay-Versus-Performance
In accordance with rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we provide the following disclosure regarding executive compensation for our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and Non-PEO NEOs and company performance for the fiscal years listed below. The compensation committee did not consider the pay-versus-performance disclosure below in making its pay decisions for any of the years shown.
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Year | | Summary Compensation Table Total for Serge Saxonov (1) ($) | | Compensation Actually Paid to Serge Saxonov(1)(2)(3) ($) | | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs(1) ($) | | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs(1)(2)(3) ($) | | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment based on:(4) | | Net Income ($ Millions) | | Stock Price(5) |
| | | | | TSR ($) | | Peer Group TSR ($) | | |
(a) | | (b) | | (c) | | (d) | | (e) | | (f) | | (g) | | (h) | | (i) |
2022 | | 18,805,294 | | (14,310,774) | | 9,376,988 | | (3,497,039) | | 47.79 | | 113.65 | | (166.0) | | 36.44 |
2021 | | 11,700,985 | | 20,812,842 | | 4,979,234 | | 9,325,452 | | 195.36 | | 126.45 | | (58.2) | | 148.96 |
2020 | | 10,882,717 | | 55,278,526 | | 6,508,594 | | 25,404,160 | | 185.70 | | 126.42 | | (542.7) | | 141.60 |
______________
(1)Serge Saxonov was our PEO for each year presented. The individuals comprising the Non-PEO NEOs for each year presented are listed below.
| | | | | | | | |
2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
Justin J. McAnear | Justin J. McAnear | Justin J. McAnear |
Benjamin J. Hindson | Benjamin J. Hindson | Benjamin J. Hindson |
Bradford J. Crutchfield | Bradford J. Crutchfield | Eric S. Whitaker |
Ruth De Backer | Eric S. Whitaker | James L. Wilbur |
(2)The amounts shown for Compensation Actually Paid have been calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K and do not reflect compensation actually earned, realized, or received by our NEOs. These amounts reflect the Summary Compensation Table Total with certain adjustments as described in footnote 3 below.
(3)Compensation Actually Paid reflects the exclusions and inclusions of certain amounts for the PEO and the Non-PEO NEOs as set forth below. Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Amounts in the Exclusion of Stock Awards and Option Awards column are the totals from the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns set forth in the Summary Compensation Table. Our NEOs do not participate in a defined benefit plan so no adjustment for pension benefits is included in the table below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year | | Summary Compensation Table Total for Serge Saxonov ($) | | Exclusion of Stock Awards and Option Awards for Serge Saxonov ($) | | Inclusion of Equity Values for Serge Saxonov ($) | | Compensation Actually Paid to Serge Saxonov ($) |
| | | |
2022 | | 18,805,294 | | (17,967,616) | | (15,148,452) | | (14,310,774) |
2021 | | 11,700,985 | | (10,964,463) | | 20,076,320 | | 20,812,842 |
2020 | | 10,882,717 | | (10,227,724) | | 54,623,533 | | 55,278,526 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year | | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | Average Exclusion of Stock Awards and Option Awards for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | Average Inclusion of Equity Values for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($) |
2022 | | 9,376,988 | | (8,851,583) | | (4,022,444) | | (3,497,039) |
2021 | | 4,979,234 | | (4,485,542) | | 8,831,760 | | 9,325,452 |
2020 | | 6,508,594 | | (6,100,398) | | 24,995,964 | | 25,404,160 |
The amounts in the Inclusion of Equity Values in the tables above are derived from the amounts set forth in the following tables:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year | | Average Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Year for Serge Saxonov ($) | | Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Year of Unvested Equity Awards for Serge Saxonov ($) | | Average Vesting-Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year that Vested During Year for Serge Saxonov ($) | | Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested During Year for Serge Saxonov ($) | | Average Fair Value at Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Year for Serge Saxonov ($) | | Average Value of Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards Not Otherwise Included for Serge Saxonov ($) | | Total - Average Inclusion of Equity Values for Serge Saxonov ($) |
2022 | | 13,021,743 | | (12,196,899) | | 1,038,221 | | (17,011,517) | | — | | — | | (15,148,452) |
2021 | | 7,585,531 | | 1,124,209 | | 1,783,976 | | 9,582,604 | | — | | — | | 20,076,320 |
2020 | | 20,773,699 | | 26,069,493 | | 3,026,774 | | 4,753,567 | | — | | — | | 54,623,533 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year | | Average Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Year for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Year of Unvested Equity Awards for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | Average Vesting-Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year that Vested During Year for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested During Year for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | Average Fair Value at Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Year for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | Average Value of Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards Not Otherwise Included for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | Total - Average Inclusion of Equity Values for Non-PEO NEOs ($) |
2022 | | 7,056,185 | | (4,309,070) | | 513,183 | | (7,282,742) | | — | | — | | (4,022,444) |
2021 | | 3,103,290 | | 594,126 | | 729,737 | | 4,404,607 | | — | | — | | 8,831,760 |
2020 | | 11,355,544 | | 9,626,943 | | 1,018,643 | | 2,994,834 | | — | | — | | 24,995,964 |
(4)The Peer Group TSR set forth in this table utilizes the NASDAQ Biotechnology Composite Index, which we also utilize in the stock performance graph required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K included in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022. The comparison assumes $100 was invested for the period starting December 31, 2019, through the end of the listed year in the company and in the NASDAQ Biotechnology Composite Index, respectively. Historical stock performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock performance.
(5)We determined stock price to be the most important financial performance measure used to link company performance to Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO and Non-PEO NEOs in 2022. The amounts in the column represent the closing price on the last trading day of the listed year. This performance measure may not have been the most important financial performance measure for years 2021 and 2020 and we may determine a different financial performance measure to be the most important financial performance measure in future years.
Description of Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Company Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”)
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and the company’s cumulative TSR over the three most recently completed fiscal years.
Description of Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs and our Net Income during the three most recently completed fiscal years.
Although Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K requires the description of the relationship between the compensation actually paid for our NEOs and our net income, we do not currently utilize GAAP or non-GAAP net income as a performance measure in any of our incentive programs. As a result, the impact of year-over-year fluctuations in our net income has less of an impact on compensation actually paid. The key factor that drove the changes in compensation actually paid is the fluctuations of our stock price. As shown in the Pay-Versus-Performance Table, the substantial amounts of compensation actually paid for our NEOs in 2020 reflect the significant increase in our stock price during 2020, while the negative amounts of compensation actually paid for our NEOs in 2022 reflect the significant decline in our stock price during 2022.
Description of Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Company-Selected Measure
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and our Company-Selected Measure during the three most recently completed fiscal years.
Description of Relationship Between Company TSR and Peer Group TSR
The following chart compares our cumulative TSR over the three most recently completed fiscal years to that of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index over the same period.
Tabular List of Most Important Financial and Non-Financial Performance Measures
The following table presents the financial performance measures that the company considers to have been the most important in linking Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO and other NEOs for 2022 to company performance. We used stock price targets as the vesting condition for performance-based equity awards and considered revenue and gross margin as performance factors under our Annual Incentive Plan. The two financial measures under our Annual Incentive Plan listed below do not make up a meaningful portion of the compensation earned by our NEOs as they comprise only approximately 10% of the total bonus awarded under the Annual Incentive Plan, but we have included such measures in order to comply with guidance issued under Item 402(v)(6). The measures in this table are not ranked.
| | |
Stock Price |
Revenue |
Gross Margin |
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director would be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except as required by applicable law. Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for the following:
•any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the company or our stockholders;
•any act or omission not in good faith or which involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
•unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; and
•any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
As a result, neither we nor our stockholders has the right, through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior, except in the situations described above.
Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, we will indemnify any officer or director of the company against all damages, claims and liabilities arising out of the fact that the person is or was our director or officer, or served any other enterprise at our request as a director or officer. Amending this provision would not reduce our indemnification obligations relating to actions taken before an amendment.
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 Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Restricted Stock Units and Rights | | Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options and Rights | | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in the first Column) |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | | | | | |
Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan(1) | | 4,282,325 | | | $ | 7.13 | | | — | |
2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan(2) | | 9,518,424 | | | $ | 71.95 | | | 12,063,643 | |
2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan(3) | | — | | | — | | | 2,906,253 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | — | | | — | | | — | |
TOTAL | | 13,800,749 | | | $ | 37.10 | | | 14,969,896 | |
____________
(1)Our board of directors adopted, and our stockholders approved, the Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan. Following our initial public offering and the adoption of the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan, we no longer grant awards under the Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan; however, all outstanding options issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan continue to be governed by their existing terms. To the extent that any such awards are forfeited or lapse unexercised or are repurchased, the shares of common stock subject to such awards will become available for issuance under the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
(2)Our 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan provides that the number of shares available for issuance under the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan will be increased on the first day of each fiscal year beginning with the 2021 fiscal year, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such number of shares of our Class A common stock as determined by our board of directors. However, if on January 1 of a calendar year, our board of directors has not either confirmed the 5% increase described in clause (i) or approved a lesser number of shares of our Class A common stock for such calendar year, then our board of directors will be deemed to have waived the automatic increase and no such increase will occur for such calendar year.
(3)Our 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) provides that the number of shares available for issuance under the ESPP will be increased on the first day of each fiscal year beginning with the 2021 fiscal year, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such number of shares of our Class A common stock as determined by our board of directors. However, if on January 1 of a calendar year our board of directors has not either confirmed the 1% increase described in clause (i) or approved a lesser number of shares of our Class A common stock for such calendar year, then our board of directors will be deemed to have waived the automatic increase and no such increase will occur for such calendar year.
STOCK OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2023 for:
•each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;
•each of our named executive officers;
•each of our directors and nominees for director; and
•all of our current executive officers and directors as a group.
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 98,056,217 shares of our Class A common stock and 18,067,255 shares of our Class B 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 and restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023 to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the stock option or restricted stock units 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.
Each share of our Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of our Class A common stock. Holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes for each share held.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each listed stockholder is: c/o 10x Genomics, Inc., 6230 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, California 94588. To our knowledge, except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares Beneficially Owned | |
| | Class A common stock | | Class B common stock | % of Total Voting Power** |
Name and address of beneficial owner | | Number | | Percent | | Number | | Percent | |
Named Executive Officers and Directors: | | | | | | | | | |
Serge Saxonov(1) | | 1,666,941 | | 1.7 | % | | 3,031,865 | | 16.8 | % | 11.4 | % |
Justin J. McAnear(2) | | 505,923 | | * | | — | | | — | | * |
Benjamin J. Hindson(3) | | 353,100 | | * | | 3,000,000 | | | 16.6 | % | 10.9 | % |
Eric S. Whitaker(4) | | 403,742 | | * | | — | | | — | | * |
James L. Wilbur(5) | | 1,212 | | * | | — | | | — | | * |
John R. Stuelpnagel(6) | | 354,589 | | * | | 2,105,736 | | 11.7 | % | 7.7 | % |
Sri Kosaraju(7) | | 128,598 | | * | | — | | | — | | * |
Mathai Mammen(8) | | 213,598 | | * | | — | | | — | | * |
Kimberly J. Popovits(9) | | 23,928 | | * | | — | | | — | | * |
Bryan E. Roberts(10) | | 464,803 | | * | | — | | | — | | * |
Shehnaaz Suliman(11) | | 113,598 | | * | | — | | | — | | * |
All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons)(11) | | 4,230,032 | | 4.2 | % | | 8,137,601 | | 45.0 | % | 30.5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares Beneficially Owned | |
| Class A common stock | | Class B common stock | % of Total Voting Power** |
Name and address of beneficial owner | Number | | Percent | | Number | | Percent | |
5% Stockholders: | | | | | | | | |
Fidelity and affiliated entities(13) | 3,202,365 | | 3.3 | % | | 5,690,733 | | | 31.5 | % | 21.6 | % |
Venrock and affiliated entities(14) | 1,037,825 | | 1.1 | % | | 3,790,422 | | 21.0 | % | 14.0 | % |
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.(15) | 19,106,552 | | 19.5 | % | | — | | | — | | 6.9 | % |
BlackRock, Inc.(16) | 5,319,179 | | 5.4 | % | | — | | | — | | 1.9 | % |
The Vanguard Group and affiliated entities(17) | 8,420,011 | | 8.6 | % | | — | | | — | | 3.0 | % |
Baillie Gifford & Co(18) | 8,602,235 | | 8.8 | % | | — | | | — | | 3.1 | % |
_______________
* Less than 1%.
** Percentage of total voting power represents voting power with respect to all shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, as a single class. Each share of Class B common stock is entitled to ten votes per share and each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share.
(1)Consists of (a) 851,380 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Dr. Saxonov, (b) 145,960 shares of Class A common stock held by Y/S Descendants Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee, (c) 9,400 shares of Class A common stock held by Y/S Pot Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee, (d) 870 shares held by Sirius Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee, (e) 487 shares of Class A common stock held by Andromeda Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee, (f) 651,363 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023, (g) 7,481 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023, (h) 1,281,865 shares of Class B common stock held directly by Dr. Saxonov, (i) 250,000 shares of Class B common stock held by Polaris 2018 Irrevocable Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee, (j) 250,000 shares of Class B common stock held by Antares 2018 Irrevocable Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee, (k) 250,000 shares of Class B common stock held by Arcturus 2018 Irrevocable Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee, (l) 250,000 shares of Class B common stock held by FLY 2018 Irrevocable Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee, (m) 250,000 shares of Class B common stock held by LY 2018 Irrevocable Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee, (n) 250,000 shares of Class B common stock held by MS 2018 Irrevocable Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee and (o) 250,000 shares of Class B common stock held by NS 2018 Irrevocable Trust of which Dr. Saxonov serves as trustee.
(2)Consists of (a) 37,273 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Mr. McAnear, (b) 463,865 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023 and (c) 4,785 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023.
(3)Consists of (a) 193,695 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Dr. Hindson, (b) 152,540 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023, (c) 6,865 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023, (d) 2,733,000 shares of Class B common stock held by the Hindson Family Revocable Trust of which Dr. Hindson serves as trustee, (e) 133,500 shares of Class B common stock held by the Hindson Descendants Irrevocable Trust FBO BLH of which Dr. Hindson serves as trustee and (f) 133,500 shares of Class B common stock held by the Hindson Descendants Irrevocable Trust FBO BAH of which Dr. Hindson serves as trustee.
(4)Consists of (a) 72,384 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Mr. Whitaker, (b) 279,078 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023, (c) 7,219 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023, (d) 21,470 shares of Class A common stock held by Eric Whitaker Exempt 2020 Trust FID 3371, (e) 21,470 shares of Class A common stock held by Sandra Gross Exempt 2020 Trust - FID 3743 and (f) 2,121 shares of Class A common stock held by Whitaker-Gross Living Trust - FID 1018 of which Mr. Whitaker serves as trustee.
(5)Consists of (a) 303 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023 and (b) 909 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023.
(6)Consists of (a) 343,206 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Dr. Stuelpnagel, (b) 10,853 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023, (c) 530 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023 and (d) 2,105,736 shares of Class B common stock held by the John R. Stuelpnagel Trust of which Dr. Stuelpnagel serves as trustee.
(7)Consists of (a) 30,048 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Mr. Kosaraju, (b) 3,000 shares of Class A common stock held by the Kosaraju Family Trust of which Mr. Kosaraju serves as trustee, (c) 95,020 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023 and (d) 530 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023.
(8)Consists of (a) 2,215 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Dr. Mammen, (b) 210,853 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023 and (c) 530 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023.
(9)Consists of (a) 2,215 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Ms. Popovits, (b) 21,183 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023 and (c) 530 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023.
(10)Consists of (a) 413,420 shares of Class A common stock, (b) 50,853 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023 and (c) 530 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023. Dr. Roberts does not have voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Venrock and Venrock’s affiliated entities.
(11)Consists of (a) 2,215 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Dr. Suliman, (b) 100,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options that may be early exercised at any time (93,750 shares of which shall be vested within 60 days of March 31, 2023), (c) 10,853 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to additional stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023 and (d) 530 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023.
(12)Consists of (a) 2,152,829 shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned by our executive officers and current directors, (b) 2,046,764 shares of Class A common stock subject to outstanding stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2023 by our executive officers and current
directors, (c) 30,439 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of March 31, 2023 held by our executive officers and current directors and (d) 8,137,601 shares of Class B common stock beneficially owned by our executive officers and current directors.
(13)Consists of 5,690,733 shares of Class B Common Stock directly owned by investment companies advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (“FMR Co.”) and Fidelity Management Trust Company, indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of FMR LLC. Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed by FMR LLC with the SEC on February 9, 2023 (the “Fidelity 13G/A”) on behalf of itself and Abigail P. Johnson (the “Fidelity Entities”), as of December 31, 2022, the Fidelity Entities beneficially owned 3,202,365 shares of Class A common stock. Pursuant to the Fidelity 13G/A: Abigail P. Johnson is a Director, the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of FMR LLC; Members of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, are the predominant owners, directly or through trusts, of Series B voting common shares of FMR LLC, representing 49% of the voting power of FMR LLC; the Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders have entered into a shareholders’ voting agreement under which all Series B voting common shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Series B voting common shares and, accordingly, through their ownership of voting common shares and the execution of the shareholders’ voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR LLC; neither FMR LLC nor Abigail P. Johnson has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the shares owned directly by the various investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act (“Fidelity Funds”) advised by FMR Co., which power resides with the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees; FMR Co carries out the voting of the shares under written guidelines established by the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees; and the address for FMR LLC is 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210.
(14)Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed by Venrock Associates VI, L.P. (“VA VI”), Venrock Partners VI, L.P. (“VP VI”), Venrock Management VI, LLC and Venrock Partners Management VI, LLC with the SEC on February 14, 2023 (the “Venrock 13G”), as of December 31, 2022, Venrock’s ownership consisted of: (a) 962,309 shares of Class A common stock and 3,514,480 shares of Class B common stock held by VA VI and (b) 75,516 shares of Class A common stock and 275,942 shares of Class B common stock held by VP VI. Pursuant to the Venrock 13G/A: Venrock Management VI, LLC is the general partner of VA VI and Venrock Partners Management VI, LLC is the general partner of VP VI, and the address of each of the entities and individuals identified in this footnote is c/o Venrock, 3340 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304 for its Palo Alto office and 7 Bryant Park, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10018 for its New York Office.
(15)Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed by Morgan Stanley. and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. with the SEC on February 8, 2023, as of December 31, 2022, includes (i) 9,894,979 shares of Class A common stock held of record by Morgan Stanley, of which Morgan Stanley reported that it had shared voting power with respect to 9,152,381 shares and had shared dispositive power with respect to 9,894,979 shares; and (ii) 9,211,573 shares of Class A common stock held of record by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., of which Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. reported that it had shared voting power with respect to 8,509,921shares and had shared dispositive power with respect to 9,211,573 shares. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and the securities being reported on by Morgan Stanley as a parent holding company are owned, or may be deemed to be beneficially owned, by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. The address for Morgan Stanley is 1585 Broadway New York, NY 10036; the address for Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is 522 5th Avenue 6th Floor New York, New York 10036.
(16)Based upon the Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock, Inc. with the SEC on February 1, 2023, as of December 31, 2022, BlackRock, Inc.’s ownership consisted of 5,319,179 shares of Class A common stock. The address for the entity identified in this footnote is 55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055.
(17)Based upon the Schedule 13G/A filed by The Vanguard Group with the SEC on February 9, 2023, as of December 31, 2022, The Vanguard Group’s ownership consisted of 8,420,011 shares of Class A common stock held by entities affiliated with the Vanguard Group, collectively. The address for the entity identified in this footnote is 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355.
(18)Based upon the Schedule 13G/A filed by Baillie Gifford & Co. (Scotland, U.K.) with the SEC on January 18, 2023, as of December 31, 2022, Baillie Gifford & Co.'s ownership consisted of 8,602,235 shares of Class A common stock held by Baillie Gifford & Co., and/or one or more of its investment adviser subsidiaries which may include Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited, on behalf of investment advisory clients, which may include investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act, employee benefit plans, pension funds or other institutional clients. The address of Baillie Gifford & Co., is Calton Square, 1 Greenside Row, Edinburgh, EH1 3AN, Scotland, United Kingdom.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2022 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Other than as described below, there have not been, nor are there any currently proposed, transactions meeting this criteria to which we have been or will be a party other than our compensation arrangements, including employment, termination of employment and change in control arrangements, which are described where required under the sections titled “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation.”
Equity Awards to Directors and Executive Officers
We have granted equity awards to our directors and executive officers. For more information regarding the equity awards granted to our directors and named executive officers in 2022 see the sections titled “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation.”
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director would be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except as required by applicable law. For more information regarding the limitations of liability and indemnification see the section titled “Limitation of Liability and Indemnification.”
Related Party Transaction Policy
We have adopted a formal written policy that applies to our executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities and any member of the immediate family of, and any entity affiliated with, any of the foregoing persons. Such persons are not permitted to enter into a related-party transaction with us without the prior consent of our audit committee, or other independent members of our board of directors in the event it is inappropriate for our audit committee to review such transaction due to a conflict of interest. Any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, principal stockholder or any of their immediate family members or affiliates in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 must first be presented to our audit committee for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our audit committee will consider the relevant facts and circumstances available and deemed relevant to our audit committee, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction will be 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-party’s interest in the transaction.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Proxy Statement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, which fall under the “safe harbor” provisions of those sections and that represent the company’s current expectations and beliefs. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws and include, but are not limited to, statements of management’s expectations regarding the company’s future compensation decisions, organization and performance. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” "might," “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” "would," “intend,” "seek," "likely" “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or variations of them or similar terminology. The forward-looking statements and related assumptions involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein. The company’s performance and the forward-looking statements contained herein are further qualified by a detailed discussion of associated risks set forth in the documents filed by the company with the SEC. The forward-looking statements set forth the company’s beliefs as of the date that such information was first provided, and the company assumes no duty to update the forward-looking statements contained in this Proxy Statement to reflect any change except as required by law.
OTHER MATTERS
Delinquent Section 16(A) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and officers and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership of our common stock and other equity securities on a Form 3 and reports of changes in such ownership on a Form 4 or Form 5. Directors and officers and holders of 10% of our common stock are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of our records and representations made by our directors and officers regarding their filing obligations, all Section 16(a) filing requirements were satisfied with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
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 February 16, 2023 (File No. 001-39035). This Proxy Statement and our Annual Report are posted on the company’s website at https://investors.10xgenomics.com/ in the “Financials—SEC Filings” section of our Investors webpage and are available from the SEC at its website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain a copy of our Annual Report without charge by sending a written request to 10x Genomics, Inc., Attn: Secretary, 6230 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, California 94588.
Company Website
We maintain a website at www.10xgenomics.com. 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.
Electronic Delivery of Stockholder Communications
We encourage you to help us conserve natural resources, as well as significantly reduce printing and mailing costs, by signing up to receive your stockholder communications electronically via email. With electronic delivery, you will be notified via email as soon as future annual reports and proxy statements are available via the internet, and you can submit your stockholder votes online. Electronic delivery can also eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce the amount of bulky paper documents you maintain in your personal files. To sign up for electronic delivery:
•Registered Owner (you hold our common stock in your own name through our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, or you are in possession of stock certificates): visit www.astfinancial.com and log into your account to enroll.
•Beneficial Owner (your shares are held by a brokerage firm, a bank, a trustee or a nominee): If you hold shares beneficially, please follow the instructions provided to you by your broker, bank, trustee or nominee.
Your electronic delivery enrollment will be effective until you cancel it. Stockholders who are record owners of shares of our common stock may contact American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, our transfer agent, through its website at www.astfinancial.com or by phone at (800) 937-5449.
PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS FOR OUR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in our Proxy Statement and for consideration at the next 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 30, 2023. In addition, stockholder proposals must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. Stockholder proposals should be addressed to:
10x Genomics, Inc.
Attn: Secretary
6230 Stoneridge Mall Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Our amended and restated bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders who wish to present a proposal before an annual meeting of stockholders (including a 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 (a) pursuant to a notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to Section 2.04 of our amended and restated bylaws, (b) by or at the direction of our board of directors or any authorized committee thereof or (c) by any stockholder of 10x Genomics, Inc. who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in paragraphs (A)(2) and (A)(3) of Section 2.03 of our amended and restated bylaws and who was a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to our Secretary. To be timely for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, our Secretary must receive the written notice at our principal executive offices:
•not earlier than February 15, 2024; and
•not later than March 16, 2024.
If that we hold our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after June 14, 2024, 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:
•the 90th day prior to such annual meeting; or
•the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made.
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. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with the requirements of our amended and restated bylaws or other applicable requirements.
Nomination of Director Candidates
You may propose director candidates for consideration by our nominating and corporate governance committee by providing the information required by our amended and restated bylaws. Any such recommendations should include, among other things outlined in our amended and restated bylaws, the nominee’s name and qualifications for membership on our board of directors and should be directed to our Secretary at the address set forth above.
In addition, our amended and restated 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 amended and restated bylaws. In addition, the stockholder must give timely notice to our Secretary in accordance with our amended and restated bylaws, which, in general, require that the notice be received by our Secretary within the time period described above.
In addition to satisfying the requirements under our amended and restated bylaws, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act (including a statement that such stockholder intends to solicit the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of the Company’s shares entitled to vote on the election of directors in support of director nominees other than our nominees) to comply with the universal proxy rules, which notice must be postmarked or transmitted electronically to us at our principal executive offices no later than 60 calendar days prior to the anniversary date of the 2023
Annual Meeting (for the 2024 Annual Meeting, no later than April 15, 2024). However, if the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30 calendar days from such anniversary date, then notice must be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting and the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting is first made.
We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any director nomination or stockholder proposal that does not comply with our amended and restated bylaws and other applicable requirements.
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 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.
Our board of directors does not know of any matter to be brought before the 2023 Annual Meeting other than the matters set forth in the Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and matters incident to the conduct of the 2023 Annual Meeting. If any other matter should properly come before the 2023 Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy card will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect thereto in accordance with their best judgment. It is important that your shares of common stock be represented at the 2023 Annual Meeting, regardless of the number of shares that you hold. You are, therefore, urged to vote by telephone, by using the Internet or by mail at your earliest convenience, as instructed on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
| | | | | |
| By order of the Board of Directors, |
| |
| Serge Saxonov |
| Chief Executive Officer and Director |
April 28, 2023 | |