Narrative to Summary Compensation Table
Salaries
In 2023, the Named Executive Officers received an annual base salary to compensate them for services rendered to our Company. The base salary payable to each Named Executive Officer is intended to provide a fixed component of compensation reflecting the executive’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities. The annual base salaries for Dr. Virnich, Mr. Hively, Dr. Podnos and Mr. Shah for 2023 were $455,000, $587,000, $395,000 and $405,000, respectively. The actual base salary amounts paid to our Named Executive Officers during 2023 is set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table in the column entitled “Salary.”
Bonuses
We maintained an annual performance-based cash bonus program for 2023 in which Mr. Hively, Dr. Virnich, Dr. Podnos and Mr. Shah participated (the “2023 Bonus Program”). Bonus payments under the 2023 Bonus Program were determined based on achievement of certain corporate, operational and individual performance goals approved by our Board, subject to the recipient’s continued employment through the payment date. Each of Mr. Hively’s, Dr. Virnich’s, Dr. Podnos’ and Mr. Shah’s target bonus under the 2023 Bonus Program was expressed as a percentage of base salary, as follows: Mr. Hively: 60%; Dr. Virnich: 40%; Dr. Podnos: 40%; and Mr. Shah: 40%.
Under the 2023 Bonus Program, 100% of each of Dr. Virnich’s, Dr. Podnos’ and Mr. Shah’s bonus was based on the attainment of overall Company performance and operational goals tied to revenue, gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA, as well as individual contributions to the Company, with any such earned bonus to be paid following the end of calendar year 2023. Mr. Hively was not entitled to a bonus under the 2023 Bonus Program once he terminated his employment as of June 30, 2023; however, as part of his severance package, he was paid an amount equal to 50% of the target bonus for which he would have been eligible had he remained Chief Executive Officer for the full year. See Note (8) of the Summary Compensation Table.
The actual annual cash bonuses awarded to Dr. Virnich, Dr. Podnos and Mr. Shah under the 2023 Bonus Program, as determined by our Board based on the level at which the applicable Company performance goals were attained, is set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table in the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”
Equity-Based Compensation
Equity Grants
Our equity-based incentive awards are designed to align our interests and the interests of our stockholders with those of our employees and consultants, including our Named Executive Officers. The Board or compensation committee is responsible for approving equity grants. We typically grant equity awards to new hires upon the first regularly-scheduled quarterly grant date following their commencing employment with us. Annual awards are typically granted in the first quarter of each year. Generally, our equity awards granted to our Named Executive Officers vest over four years, subject to the employee’s continued employment with us on each vesting date.
In March 2023, we granted each of Dr. Virnich, Mr. Hively, Dr. Podnos and Mr. Shah options to purchase 287,361, 421,280, 83,047 and 440,477 shares of our Common Stock, respectively, under our 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The options vest in four equal annual installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the March 17, 2023 grant date, subject to the executive’s continued service with the Company through the applicable vesting date. The options were granted at an exercise price of $0.481 per share, which was the fair market value per share of our Common Stock on the date of grant.
Also, in March 2022, we granted each of Dr. Virnich, Mr. Hively, Dr. Podnos and Mr. Shah 114,944, 168,512, 33,219 and 176,191 restricted stock units, respectively, under the 2021 Plan. The restricted stock units
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