DYNAVAX
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
& 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
2100 Powell Street, Suite 720
Emeryville, California 94608
NOTICE OF 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 23, 2024
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the ‘‘Annual Meeting’’) of
Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the ‘‘Company’’). The Annual Meeting will be held
virtually on May 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. The
Annual Meeting will be held online only, and you will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.
You will be able to vote your shares electronically by Internet or by phone and submit questions online during
the Annual Meeting by logging in to the website listed above using the 16-digit control number included in your
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied
our proxy materials. Online check-in will begin at 8:45 a.m. Pacific Time and should allow ample time for the
check-in procedures. The Annual Meeting is being convened for the following purposes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To elect our three nominees for Class III directors to hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
To approve the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity
Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock
authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000.
To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as
disclosed in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice.
To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of
the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
In addition, you will also be asked to conduct other business, if any, as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
These items of business are more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement.
The record date for the Annual Meeting is April 1, 2024 (the ‘‘Record Date’’). Only stockholders of record
at the close of business on that date may vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2024 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to Be Held Virtually at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on May 23, 2024 at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024.
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2023 are
available at www.proxyvote.com.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the proposals identified above.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer
Emeryville, California
April 11, 2024
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to
attend the virtual Annual Meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the proxy mailed to you, or vote
over the Internet or by phone as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure
your representation at the Annual Meeting. Even if you have voted by proxy card or over the Internet or
by phone, you may still vote electronically during the Annual Meeting.
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DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
2100 Powell Street, Suite 720
Emeryville, California 94608
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on May 23, 2024
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Why did I receive a notice regarding the availability of proxy materials on the Internet?
We have sent you the proxy notice because the Board of Directors (the ‘‘Board’’) of Dynavax Technologies
Corporation (the ‘‘Company,’’ ‘‘Dynavax,’’ ‘‘we,’’ or ‘‘us’’) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2024 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders (the ‘‘Annual Meeting’’).
In accordance with the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘SEC’’), instead of
mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials, including our annual report, we have decided to provide access to
these materials via the Internet. Accordingly, on or about April 11, 2024, we will begin mailing a Notice
Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the ‘‘Notice’’), to stockholders of record as of April 1, 2024
(the ‘‘Record Date’’), and will have posted our proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice
(www.proxyvote.com). As more fully described in the Notice, all stockholders may choose to access our proxy
materials on that website, and any stockholder may request a printed set of such materials as follows:
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by telephone: call 1-800-579-1639 free of charge and follow the instructions;
by Internet: go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions; or
by e-mail: send an e-mail message to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. Please send a blank e-mail and
insert the 16-Digit Control Number located in your Notice in the subject line.
Please note that you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote
before the Annual Meeting by Internet, by phone or by proxy using a proxy card that you may request or that we
may elect to deliver at a later time.
Will I receive any proxy materials by mail other than the Notice?
No, you will not receive any other proxy materials by mail unless you request a paper copy of the proxy
materials.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be held virtually on May 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. The Annual Meeting will be held online only. During the
meeting, you will be able to vote your shares electronically by Internet and submit questions online by logging in
to the website listed above using the 16-digit control number included in the Notice, or you may vote before the
meeting by using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. You may also
vote by phone before the meeting by calling 1-800-690-6903. Online check-in for the Annual Meeting will begin
at 8:45 a.m. Pacific Time and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. You may submit
questions during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. We will respond to as
many appropriate inquiries at the Annual Meeting as time allows.
You may vote your shares electronically before the meeting by Internet, by phone or by proxy using a proxy
card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time, and you do not need to access the
virtual Annual Meeting to vote if you submitted your vote via Internet, phone or proxy card in advance of the
Annual Meeting.
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Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 130,862,916 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled
to vote. A list of our stockholders of record will be open for examination by any stockholder beginning ten days
prior to the Annual Meeting at our headquarters located at 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California
94608. If you would like to view the list, please contact our Corporate Secretary to schedule an appointment by
calling (510) 848-5100 or writing to him at the address above.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If, on the Record Date, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent,
Computershare, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote by Internet
before or during the Annual Meeting, or before the Annual Meeting by using a proxy card that you may request
or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. You may also vote by phone before the meeting by calling
1-800-690-6903. Whether or not you plan to attend, we urge you to fill out and return the proxy card or vote by
Internet or by phone before the Annual Meeting to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If, on the Record Date, your shares were not held in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage
firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in ‘‘street
name’’ and the Notice is being forwarded to you by that organization. Simply follow the voting instructions in
such notice to ensure that your vote is counted. The organization holding your account is considered to be the
stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to
direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend
the Annual Meeting. To vote live at the Annual Meeting, follow the instructions after logging into the meeting
website.
What am I voting on?
We are asking you to vote on four proposals:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To elect our three nominees for Class III directors to hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
To approve the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity
Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock
authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000.
To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as
disclosed in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice.
To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of
the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
In addition, you will also be asked to conduct other business, if any, as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
What is the Board’s recommendation?
The Board recommends that you vote ‘‘For’’ each of the four proposals.
What if another matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting?
The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any
other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the
accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with her or his best judgment.
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How do I vote?
You may either vote ‘‘For’’ all the nominees to the Board or you may ‘‘Withhold’’ your vote for any
nominee you specify. For each of the other matters to be voted on, you may vote ‘‘For’’ or ‘‘Against’’ or abstain
from voting. The procedures for voting are simple:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by Internet before or during the Annual Meeting, by phone
before the Annual Meeting or by proxy before the Annual Meeting using a proxy card that you may request or
that we may elect to deliver at a later time. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you
to vote to ensure your vote is counted.
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To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the proxy card that may be delivered and
return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the
Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
To vote by phone, call 1-800-690-6903 free of charge and follow the recorded instructions. You will be
asked to provide the control number from the Notice. Your telephone vote must be received by
11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 22, 2024 to be counted.
To vote through the Internet before the meeting, go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the on-screen
instructions to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the control number
from the Notice. Your Internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 22, 2024 to
be counted.
To vote through the Internet during the meeting, please visit
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024 and have available the 16-digit control number
included in your Notice.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker or other agent, you should
have received a notice containing voting instructions from that organization rather than from Dynavax. Simply
follow the voting instructions in such notice to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote live at the Annual
Meeting, follow the instructions after logging into the meeting website.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the
Record Date.
What happens if I do not vote?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote before the Annual Meeting by phone or by using a proxy
card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time, or through the Internet before or at the
Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares,
the question of whether your broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the
applicable stock exchange deems the particular proposal to be a ‘‘routine’’ matter. Brokers and nominees can use
their discretion to vote ‘‘uninstructed’’ shares with respect to matters that are considered to be ‘‘routine,’’ but not
with respect to ‘‘non-routine’’ matters. Under the rules and interpretations of the New York Stock Exchange,
‘‘non-routine’’ matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as
mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including
any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on
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executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. We believe
that Proposals 1, 2 and 3 will be considered ‘‘non-routine,’’ and that Proposal 4 will be considered ‘‘routine.’’
Accordingly, your broker or nominee may not vote your shares on Proposals 1, 2 or 3 without your instructions,
but may vote your shares on Proposal 4.
What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking any voting selections, your
shares will be voted:
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Proposal 1: ‘‘For’’ election of our three nominees as Class III directors;
Proposal 2: ‘‘For’’ approval of the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies
Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of
shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000;
Proposal 3: ‘‘For’’ advisory approval of executive compensation; and
Proposal 4: ‘‘For’’ ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered
public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof, your
proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares at his or her discretion.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and
employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and
employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage
firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. Furthermore, we
have retained the services of Alliance Advisors, LLC in connection with stockholder outreach efforts discussed in
this proxy statement, for which we estimate that we will pay a fee not to exceed $24,000, plus out-of-pocket
expenses.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?
If you receive more than one Notice, your shares may be registered in more than one name or are registered
in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each of the Notices to ensure that all of your
shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record
holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
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You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.
You may submit a later-dated vote by telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903. You will need the 16-digit
control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the
proxy materials). Votes submitted by telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on
May 22, 2024 to be counted.
You may grant a subsequent proxy through the Internet. You will need the 16-digit control number
included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials).
You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to Dynavax Technologies
Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California
94608.
You may virtually attend the Annual Meeting and vote by Internet by visiting
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DVAX2024. To attend the Annual Meeting, you will need the
16-digit control number included in your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that
accompanied your proxy materials. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
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Your most current proxy card or telephone vote or Internet proxy is the one that is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Agent
If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions
provided by your broker or bank.
When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting?
To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by
December 12, 2024 to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street,
Suite 720, Emeryville, California 94608. However, if our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held
between April 23, 2025 and June 22, 2025, then the deadline will be a reasonable time before we begin to print
and send our proxy materials.
If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) that is not to be included in next year’s
proxy materials, you must do so no later than the close of business on February 22, 2025 and no earlier than the
close of business on January 23, 2025. However, if our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held
between April 23, 2025 and June 22, 2025, then you must submit your proposal (or director nomination) not
earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of
business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public
announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in
support of director nominees other than our nominees must also comply with the additional requirements of
Rule 14a-19(b).
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
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Proposal 1: to elect our three nominees for Class III directors, the three nominees receiving the most
‘‘For’’ votes from the holders of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or represented by proxy)
and cast for the election of directors will be elected. Only votes ‘‘For’’ will affect the outcome of the
vote; ‘‘Withhold’’ votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. However, if a nominee receives
a greater number of ‘‘Withhold’’ votes than ‘‘For’’ votes, such nominee will submit his or her offer of
resignation for consideration by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance
with our Majority Vote Policy discussed in more detail in the section entitled ‘‘Corporate Governance –
Majority Vote Policy’’ in this proxy statement.
Proposal 2: to approve the amendment and restatement of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018
Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares of common
stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 11,400,000, such amendment and restatement must
receive ‘‘For’’ votes from the holders of a majority of votes cast on the proposal (either virtually at the
meeting or by proxy) at the meeting. Abstentions are not treated as votes cast and, therefore, will have
no effect. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
Proposal 3: to approve, on an advisory basis, the 2023 compensation of the Company’s named
executive officers, such advisory approval must receive ‘‘For’’ votes from the holders of a majority of
shares present (either virtually at the meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the
meeting. If you return your proxy and select ‘‘Abstain’’ from voting, it will have the same effect as an
‘‘Against’’ vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
Proposal 4: to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, such ratification must receive
‘‘For’’ votes from the holders of a majority of shares present (either virtually at the meeting or by
proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the meeting. If you return your proxy and select ‘‘Abstain’’
from voting, it will have the same effect as an ‘‘Against’’ vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
However, as we believe Proposal 4 will be considered a ‘‘routine’’ matter, we do not expect to receive
any broker non-votes.
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What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid Annual Meeting. A quorum will be present if
stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present virtually at the
Annual Meeting or represented by proxy. On the Record Date, there were 130,862,916 shares outstanding and
entitled to vote.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on
your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of
shares present virtually at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy may adjourn the Annual Meeting to
another date.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results will be published
in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days following the voting. If we are unable to obtain final
results in that time, we will announce the preliminary results and subsequently file a second current report on
Form 8-K with the final results.
What proxy materials are available on the Internet?
The 2024 proxy statement and 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at
https://investors.dynavax.com/annuals-proxies.cfm.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board is divided into three classes, and each class has a three-year term. Vacancies on the Board may
be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the Board to fill
a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the
remainder of the full term of that class and until the director’s successor is elected and qualified.
Our Board presently has nine members. Natale Ricciardi and Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph.D. previously
served on our Board and their services concluded in 2023; Mr. Ricciardi’s term expired effective immediately
prior to our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and Dr. Hack resigned from our Board effective August 30,
2023. There are currently three Class III directors whose term of office expires in 2024: Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.,
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D. and Peggy V. Phillips. Each of Drs. Cano and Paradiso and Ms. Phillips is a nominee
for director and currently a director of the Company, previously elected by the stockholders at our 2021 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.
If each nominee is again elected at the Annual Meeting, each of these nominees will serve until the
2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successor is elected and has qualified, or, if sooner, until
the director’s death, resignation or removal. We have a policy encouraging our directors’ attendance at our annual
meetings. There were six out of ten then-serving directors in attendance at our 2023 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
Vote Required
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the holders of shares present virtually at the Annual
Meeting or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. The three nominees receiving
the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if
authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of the nominees named herein. Although the election of
directors at the Annual Meeting is uncontested and directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, and we
therefore anticipate that each of the named nominees for director will be elected at the Annual Meeting, under
our Corporate Governance Guidelines, any nominee for director is required to submit an offer of resignation for
consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee if such nominee for director (in an
uncontested election) receives a greater number of ‘‘Withhold’’ votes than ‘‘For’’ votes. In such case, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will then consider all the relevant facts and circumstances and
recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such offer of resignation. For more information
on this policy, see the section entitled ‘‘Corporate Governance – Majority Vote Policy.’’ If any nominee becomes
unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, your shares will be voted for the election of a
substitute nominee proposed by our Board. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected.
Our Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
Set forth below is certain biographical information as of April 1, 2024, regarding the experience,
qualifications, attributes or skills that led our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to believe that
each director or nominee should serve on the Board. There are no family relationships among any of our
executive officers or directors.
Name
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.
Peggy V. Phillips
Age
79
73
70
Director
Director
Director
Position
CLASS III DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
Dr. Cano has been a member of our Board since November 2009. Dr. Cano has been President and Founder
of Cano Biotech Corp., a consulting firm focusing on the vaccine business, since 1996. Previously, Dr. Cano
served on the board of Biomerica, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of diagnostic products from 2000 to 2022.
From 1993 to 1996, Dr. Cano was President and Chief Operating Officer for Aviron, a biopharmaceutical
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company, which developed the live influenza vaccine Flu-Mist and was later acquired by MedImmune in 2001.
As a Co-Founder of Aviron, he completed two rounds of venture financing, a licensing agreement with
SmithKline Biologicals and in-licensed Flu-Mist influenza virus from the National Institutes of Health. For
21 years, Dr. Cano worked with the Lederle Laboratories Division of American Cyanamid, including as its Vice
President and General Manager of the Biological Division. He earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology from
Pennsylvania State University, served as a Research Associate at Rutgers Institute of Microbiology, and holds a
M.S. in Microbiology and a B.S. in Biology from St. John’s University. Dr. Cano’s major breakthrough was
being the chief scientist to use conjugate technology and develop Prevnar to protect against otitis media in
children and pneumonia in adults. The Board believes that Dr. Cano’s experience as a founder of and advisor to
established vaccine businesses provides significant insights for the strategy of the Company with respect to key
technical and operational issues in vaccine development and qualifies him to be nominated as a director.
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.
Dr. Paradiso has been a member of our Board since September 2020. Dr. Paradiso has worked in vaccine
development for over 30 years. Since 2012, he is currently the sole proprietor of Paradiso Biologics Consulting,
LLC. and serves as a member of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Scientific Advisory
Group (SAG) and Co-chair of the CEPI-NIAID Steering Committee for Broadly Protective Coronavirus
Vaccines. Dr. Paradiso retired from Pfizer Vaccines, a Division of Pfizer, Inc. in 2012 where he served as Vice
President, New Business and Scientific Affairs. In this position, Dr. Paradiso was responsible for global scientific
affairs and strategic planning within the vaccine research and development group and for commercial oversight
of products in development. Dr. Paradiso received a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in biochemistry from
the University of Vermont College of Medicine and a B.S. in Chemistry from St. Lawrence University. Our
Board believes that Dr. Paradiso’s extensive experience in vaccine development can provide significant insights
and qualifies him to be nominated as a director.
Peggy V. Phillips
Ms. Phillips has been a member of our Board since August 2006. Ms. Phillips served on the board of
directors of several biopharmaceutical companies: PhaseRx, Inc. from 2016 to 2018, Tekmira Pharmaceuticals
(now known as Arbutus Biopharma) from 2014 to 2015, Portola Pharmaceuticals from 2006 to 2013, as well as
the Naval Academy Foundation from 2003 to 2011. From 1996 until 2002, she served on the board of directors
of Immunex Corporation, a biotechnology company, and, from 1999, she served as its Chief Operating Officer
until the company was acquired by Amgen in 2002. During her career at Immunex, she held positions of
increasing responsibility in research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing. As Senior Vice President
for Pharmaceutical Development and General Manager for Enbrel® from 1994 until 1998, she was responsible
for clinical development and regulatory affairs as well as the launch, sales and marketing of the product. Prior to
joining Immunex, Ms. Phillips worked at Miles Laboratories. Ms. Phillips holds a B.S. and a M.S. in
microbiology from the University of Idaho. Our Board believes that Ms. Phillips provides significant experience
in development and commercialization of biotechnology products. Our Board believes that Ms. Phillips’s
background and experience with large, complex organizations provides significant operational and strategic
insights in assessing the strategy of the Company and qualifies her to be nominated as a director.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE.
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Information About Our Continuing Directors
Set forth below is certain biographical information as of April 1, 2024, for the remaining members of our
Board whose term as a director will continue after the Annual Meeting.
Name
Julie Eastland
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
Brent MacGregor
Scott Myers
Ryan Spencer
Elaine Sun
Age
59
77
60
57
46
53
Position
Director
Director
Director
Director
Chief Executive Officer, Director
Director
CLASS I DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING
Julie Eastland
Ms. Eastland has been a member of our Board since July 2020. Ms. Eastland served as the Chief Executive
Officer of Harpoon Therapeutics, a publicly traded oncology company, from November 2021 and as a member of
its board of directors from October 2018 until its acquisition by Merck Sharpe & Dohme in March 2024. Prior to
Harpoon, Ms. Eastland served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ReCode Therapeutics, a
privately-held genetics medicine company focused on delivery of novel, anti-viral lipid nanoparticles therapeutics
for respiratory diseases, from October 2020 to November 2021. Prior to ReCode, Ms. Eastland served as Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of Rainier Therapeutics, a private biopharmaceutical company
focused on FGFR3 bladder cancer, from September 2018 to January 2020. Prior to Rainier, she served as Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of Cascadian Therapeutics, a publicly traded company,
from 2010 to March 2018, when Cascadian was sold to Seattle Genetics, primarily for tucatinib, a HER2 targeted
breast cancer therapy now marketed as Tukysa. Prior to Cascadian, Ms. Eastland served as Chief Financial
Officer and Vice President of Finance and Operations of VLST Corporation from 2006 to 2010, a privately-held
biotechnology company, and held various financial and strategic management positions at publicly traded
biotechnology companies including Dendreon and Amgen. Ms. Eastland received an M.B.A. from Edinburgh
University Management School and a B.S. in finance from Colorado State University. Our Board believes that
Ms. Eastland’s experience as a financial executive in the biopharmaceutical industry qualifies her to serve on our
Board.
Brent MacGregor
Mr. MacGregor has been a member of our Board since July 2020. Since November 2020, Mr. MacGregor
has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Medical Developments International Ltd., an Australian-based
company with marketed products in pain management and respiratory ailments. He previously served as Senior
Vice-President, Global Commercial Operations at Seqirus, a CSL Limited company, from January 2016 to
June 2020. At Seqirus, Mr. MacGregor led a global team of 280 people in sales, marketing, commercial
development, public policy and business development for a portfolio of seasonal influenza vaccines, an intra
venous anti-viral product, a suite of in-licensed vaccines and pharmaceutical products, and a pandemic and
pre-pandemic business. Prior to Seqirus, Mr. MacGregor was President and Global Head of Novartis Influenza
Vaccines from January 2015 to January 2016, where he led integrated global operations of its influenza portfolio,
through its acquisition by CSL Ltd. He was President of Novartis Vaccines US and Head of North America from
2012 to 2014. Mr. MacGregor held several roles while at Sanofi Pasteur where he spent 17 years with his final
role as President, Sanofi Pasteur KK, Tokyo, Japan. Mr. MacGregor received an M.B.A. from Northwestern
University, Kellogg School of Management, a Master of Arts from University of Reading, Reading, England and
a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. Our Board believes that Mr. MacGregor’s
experience as a vaccine executive qualifies him to serve on our Board.
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Scott Myers
Mr. Myers has been the Chairperson of our Board since October 2021. From February 2023 to
November 2023, he served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Viridian Therapeutics, a public
biotechnology company. Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer and served on the board of directors of
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from April 2020 to November 2020, where he led its turnaround and strategic exit
to Covis Pharma, S.à.r.l., a specialty pharmaceutical company. Mr. Myers served as chairman of the board and
CEO of Rainier Therapeutics, Inc., an oncology biotechnology company focused on late-stage bladder cancer,
from June 2018 to January 2020. He also served as Rainier’s Chief Executive Officer from September 2018 to
January 2020 and led Rainier’s asset sale of vofatamab to Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Prior to Rainier,
Mr. Myers served as Chief Executive Officer, President and Director for Cascadian Therapeutics, Inc., an
oncology company, from April 2016 through its acquisition by Seattle Genetics in March 2018. Mr. Myers is
chairman of the board of directors of Ironshore Pharmaceuticals, a private, commercial stage, ADHD company.
He was previously chairman of the board of directors of Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded oncology
company, until its acquisition by Merck Sharpe & Dohme in March 2024, and he was previously a director of
Selecta Biosciences Inc., a gene therapy-rare disease company, until October 2023.
Mr. Myers holds a B.A. in Biology from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from the Graduate School
of Business at the University of Chicago (Booth). Our Board believes that Mr. Myers’s extensive experience as a
life sciences executive qualifies him to serve on our Board.
Elaine Sun
Ms. Sun has been a member of our Board since December 2021. Since March 2022, Ms. Sun has served as
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Mammoth Biosciences, Inc., a CRISPR gene editing
company. Previously, Ms. Sun served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Halozyme
Therapeutics, Inc., a public commercial-stage biotechnology company, from March 2020 to February 2022. Prior
to joining Halozyme, from January 2017 to December 2019, Ms. Sun served in senior management positions at
SutroVax, Inc. (now known as Vaxcyte, Inc.), a public life sciences company specializing in developing novel
vaccines, most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. From 2013 to
December 2016, Ms. Sun was an independent financial advisory consultant for private and public healthcare
companies. Previously, Ms. Sun served as Managing Director and Head of West Coast Healthcare at Evercore
Partners, a leading independent investment banking advisory firm, where she led Evercore’s U.S. life sciences
efforts, and Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Ms. Sun received
her M.B.A. degree from Harvard Business School and her B.A. degree from Wellesley College. Our Board
believes that Ms. Sun’s financial expertise and experience in the life sciences industry qualifies her to serve on
our Board.
CLASS II DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
Dr. Kisner has been a member of our Board since July 2010. From 2003 to 2010, Dr. Kisner served as a
partner at Aberdare Ventures and prior to that as President and Chief Executive Officer of Caliper Technologies,
leading its evolution from a start-up focused on microfluidic lab-on-chip technology to a publicly traded,
commercial organization. Prior to Caliper, he was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Isis
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biomedical pharmaceutical company. Previously, Dr. Kisner was Division Vice President
of Pharmaceutical Development for Abbott Laboratories and Vice President of Clinical Research and
Development at SmithKline Beckman Pharmaceuticals. In addition, he held a tenured position in the Division of
Oncology at the University of Texas, San Antonio School of Medicine and is certified by the American Board of
Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Additionally, he is currently serving on the board
of Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc., a San Diego based cancer therapeutics company. Dr. Kisner previously served as
Chairman of the board for Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company, until March 2015, and as a
director of Histogen, Inc., Lpath, Inc., Conatus Pharmaceuticals and Zynerba Pharmaceuticals. He holds a
B.A. from Rutgers University and an M.D. from Georgetown University. Our Board believes that Dr. Kisner’s
background with larger, complex technology-based organizations as well as his significant experience with
corporate transactions, including investing in venture-backed life science companies, provides the Board with
insights for setting strategy of the Company and qualifies him to serve on our Board.
10
Ryan Spencer
Mr. Spencer has been a member of our Board since December 2019. Mr. Spencer joined Dynavax in 2006
and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since December 2019 and as interim Chief Financial Officer since
March 2024. Mr. Spencer previously served as interim co-President between May and December 2019. At the
time of his appointment as interim co-President in May 2019, Mr. Spencer served as Senior Vice President,
Commercial where he was instrumental in leading the launch and commercialization of HEPLISAV-B.
Throughout his time at Dynavax since November 2006, Mr. Spencer has held a variety of positions with
increasing responsibility, building from a foundation in corporate finance to business strategy and investor
relations, including Senior Director Strategic Planning until his promotion in September 2016 to Senior Product
Director, followed by promotions in February 2017 to Vice President Corporate Strategy & Commercialization
and in May 2019 to Senior Vice President, Commercial. Prior to joining Dynavax, Mr. Spencer was the Assistant
Controller at QRS Corporation, a publicly-held technology company, and was a member of the audit practice at
Ernst & Young. Mr. Spencer earned a B.A. in Business Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Our Board believes that Mr. Spencer’s prior experience, including his financial and commercialization
experience, his tenure at the Company and his role as a Chief Executive Officer qualifies him to serve on our
Board.
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PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board is requesting stockholder approval of an amendment and restatement of the Dynavax
Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the ‘‘2018 EIP’’). We refer to such amendment and
restatement of the 2018 EIP in this proxy statement as the ‘‘Amended 2018 EIP.’’
The Amended 2018 EIP contains the following material changes from the 2018 EIP:
•
•
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate number of shares of our
common stock that may be issued under the Amended 2018 EIP will not exceed 41,440,250 shares
(plus the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares (as defined below), as such shares become available from time
to time), which is an increase of 11,400,000 shares over the aggregate number of shares of our
common stock that may be issued under the 2018 EIP.
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate maximum number of
shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options
under the Amended 2018 EIP will be 44,000,000 shares, which is an increase of 11,400,000 shares over
the aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the
exercise of incentive stock options under the 2018 EIP.
Why We Are Asking Our Stockholders to Approve the Amended 2018 EIP
We are seeking stockholder approval of the Amended 2018 EIP primarily to increase the number of shares
available for the grant of stock options, restricted stock unit awards and other awards by 11,400,000 shares,
which will enable us to have a competitive equity incentive program to compete with our peer group for key
talent.
Our stockholders’ approval of the Amended 2018 EIP will allow us to continue to grant stock options,
restricted stock unit awards and other awards at levels determined appropriate by the Board or Compensation
Committee. The Amended 2018 EIP will also allow us to further utilize a broad array of equity incentives in
order to secure and retain the services of our employees and directors, and to continue to provide long-term
incentives that align the interests of our employees and directors with the interests of our stockholders.
Stockholder Approval
If this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders, the Amended 2018 EIP will become effective as of the
date of the Annual Meeting. In the event that our stockholders do not approve this Proposal 2, the Amended
2018 EIP will not become effective and the 2018 EIP will continue in its current form.
Why You Should Vote for the Amended 2018 EIP
The Amended 2018 EIP Combines Compensation and Governance Best Practices
The Amended 2018 EIP includes provisions that are designed to protect our stockholders’ interests and to
reflect corporate governance best practices including:
•
•
•
•
Stockholder approval is required for additional shares. The Amended 2018 EIP does not contain an
annual ‘‘evergreen’’ provision. The Amended 2018 EIP authorizes a fixed number of shares, so that
stockholder approval is required to issue any additional shares from the plan.
Repricing is not allowed. The Amended 2018 EIP prohibits the repricing of stock options and stock
appreciation rights without prior stockholder approval.
No discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights. All stock options and stock appreciation
rights granted under the Amended 2018 EIP must have an exercise price equal to or greater than the
fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option or stock appreciation right is
granted.
Reasonable share counting provisions. In general, when awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP
lapse or are canceled, the shares reserved for those awards will be returned to the share reserve and be
available for future awards. However, any shares received from the exercise of stock options or
withheld for taxes will not be returned to our share reserve.
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• Minimum vesting requirements. The Amended 2018 EIP provides that no award may vest until at least
12 months following the date of grant of such award, except that shares up to 5% of the share reserve
of the Amended 2018 EIP may be issued pursuant to awards that do not meet such vesting
requirements.
•
•
•
Limit on non-employee director compensation. The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based
compensation granted or paid by us to any individual for service as a non-employee director of the
Board with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed (i) a total of $200,000 with
respect to any such cash compensation and (ii) $800,000 in total value with respect to any such
equity-based compensation (including awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP and any other
equity-based awards), provided that for any individual who is first appointed or elected to the Board
during any fiscal year of the Company, the limit for such individual’s equity-based compensation will
be $1,200,000 with respect to such fiscal year, in each case calculating the value of any such awards
based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes.
Restrictions on dividends. The Amended 2018 EIP provides that (i) no dividends or dividend
equivalents may be paid with respect to any shares of our common stock subject to an award before
the date such shares have vested, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with
respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares
under the terms of the applicable award agreement (including any vesting conditions), and (iii) any
dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to
us on the date such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by us due to a failure to vest.
Specific disclosure of award vesting upon a corporate transaction or change in control. The Amended
2018 EIP specifically provides that if a corporate transaction or change in control (each, a
‘‘Transaction’’) occurs and the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not
assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan (as defined
below), or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such
awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants whose
continuous service has not terminated prior to the Transaction, the vesting of such awards will be
accelerated in full (and with respect to performance stock awards, vesting will be deemed to be
satisfied at the target level of performance).
Overhang
The following table provides certain information regarding our equity incentive program.
Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options
Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options
Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding full value awards
Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2018 EIP(1)
Total number of shares of common stock outstanding
Per-share closing price of common stock as reported by Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(1) As of April 1, 2024, there were no shares of common stock available for grant under any of our other equity incentive plans.
As of April 1, 2024
11,292,277
$11.05
4.39 years
6,813,431
3,046,897
130,862,916
$12.58
We Manage Our Equity Incentive Award Use Carefully and Dilution Is Reasonable
We continue to believe that equity incentive awards such as stock options and restricted stock unit awards
are a vital part of our overall compensation program. Our compensation philosophy reflects broad-based
eligibility for equity incentive awards, and we grant awards to substantially all of our employees. However, we
recognize that equity incentive awards dilute existing stockholders, and, therefore, we must responsibly manage
the growth of our equity compensation program. We are committed to effectively monitoring our equity
compensation share reserve, including our ‘‘burn rate,’’ to ensure that we maximize stockholders’ value by
granting the appropriate number of equity incentive awards necessary to attract, reward, and retain employees. In
addition, the vesting of some of our equity awards granted to our named executive officers are contingent on
meeting pre-defined performance criteria, thereby ensuring alignment with value creation.
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The following table shows our responsible historical dilution and burn rate percentages.
As of December 31
Full Dilution(1)
Gross Burn Rate (as discussed in greater detail below)(2)
(1)
2023
15.99%
3.96%
2022
18.27%
3.64%
2021
13.50%
5.17%
Full Dilution is calculated as (shares available for grant + shares subject to outstanding equity incentive awards)/(weighted average
common stock outstanding + shares available for grant + shares subject to outstanding equity incentive awards).
(2) Gross Burn Rate is calculated as (shares subject to options granted + shares subject to other equity incentive awards granted)/weighted
average common stock outstanding.
The Size of Our Share Reserve Increase Request Is Reasonable
If this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders, we will have 11,400,000 new shares available for grant
after our Annual Meeting for a total of approximately 14,446,897 shares available for grant after our Annual
Meeting (based on shares available under the 2018 EIP as of April 1, 2024) (plus the Prior Plans’ Returning
Shares (as defined below), as such shares become available from time to time), and absent any unforeseen
circumstances, we anticipate returning to stockholders for additional shares in 2025 or 2026.
Burn Rate
The following table provides detailed information regarding the activity related to our equity incentive plans
for fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Total number of shares of common stock subject to stock options
granted
Total number of shares of common stock subject to full value awards
granted
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding
Burn Rate
Fiscal
Year 2023
Fiscal
Year 2022
Fiscal
Year 2021
1,981,830
2,099,947
3,893,732
3,111,870
2,114,629
128,733,497 126,398,474 116,264,340
2,502,797
3.96%
3.64%
5.17%
A summary of the principal features of the Amended 2018 EIP follows below. The summary is qualified by
the full text of the Amended 2018 EIP that is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement.
Description of the Amended 2018 EIP
Purpose
The Amended 2018 EIP is designed to secure and retain the services of our employees and directors,
provide incentives for our employees and directors to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and
its affiliates, and provide a means by which our employees and directors may be given an opportunity to benefit
from increases in the value of our common stock.
Types of Awards
The Amended 2018 EIP provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance stock awards, and other
stock awards.
Shares Available for Awards
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate number of shares of our
common stock that may be issued under the Amended 2018 EIP will not exceed 41,440,250 shares (which is the
sum of (i) 140,250 shares (the number of unallocated shares that were available for grant under the Dynavax
Technologies Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the ‘‘2011 EIP’’) as of the effective date of the 2018 EIP),
(ii) 5,000,000 additional shares that were reserved as of the effective date of the 2018 EIP, (iii) 2,300,000 shares
that were approved at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (iv) 7,600,000 shares that were approved at the
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2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (v) 15,000,000 shares that were approved at the 2022 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and (vi) 11,400,000 newly requested shares), plus the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares (as defined
below), as such shares become available from time to time.
The term ‘‘Prior Plans’’ refers to the following: (i) the 2011 EIP; (ii) the Dynavax Technologies Corporation
2017 Inducement Award Plan; and (iii) the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2021 Inducement Award Plan.
The term ‘‘Prior Plans’ Returning Shares’’ refers to the following shares of our common stock subject to any
outstanding stock award granted under any of the Prior Plans: (i) any shares subject to such stock award that are
not issued because such stock award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such
stock award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to such stock award that are not issued because such
stock award is settled in cash; and (iii) any shares issued pursuant to such stock award that are forfeited back to
or repurchased by us because of a failure to vest.
The following shares of our common stock (collectively, the ‘‘Amended 2018 EIP Returning Shares’’) will
also become available again for issuance under the Amended 2018 EIP: (i) any shares subject to a stock award
granted under the Amended 2018 EIP that are not issued because such stock award expires or otherwise
terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to a
stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP that are not issued because such stock award is settled in
cash; and (iii) any shares issued pursuant to a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP that are
forfeited back to or repurchased by us because of a failure to vest.
The following shares of our common stock will not become available again for issuance under the Amended
2018 EIP: (i) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy the exercise, strike or
purchase price of a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP or any Prior Plan (including any shares
subject to such award that are not delivered because such award is exercised through a reduction of shares
subject to such award); (ii) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy a tax
withholding obligation in connection with a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP or any Prior Plan;
(iii) any shares repurchased by us on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise, strike or purchase price
of a stock award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP or any Prior Plan; and (iv) in the event that a stock
appreciation right granted under the Amended 2018 EIP or any Prior Plan is settled in shares, the gross number
of shares subject to such award.
The number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended 2018 EIP will be
reduced by: (i) one share for each share issued pursuant to an Appreciation Award (as defined below) granted
under the Amended 2018 EIP; (ii) 1.28 shares for each share issued pursuant to a Full Value Award (as defined
below) granted under the Amended 2018 EIP prior to May 30, 2019; and (iii) 1.40 shares for each share issued
pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Amended 2018 EIP on or after May 30, 2019.
The number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended 2018 EIP will be
increased by: (i) one share for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or Amended 2018 EIP Returning Share subject to an
Appreciation Award; (ii) 1.28 shares for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or Amended 2018 EIP Returning Share
subject to a Full Value Award that returned to the Amended 2018 EIP prior to May 30, 2019; and (iii) 1.40 shares for
each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or Amended 2018 EIP Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returns to
the Amended 2018 EIP on or after May 30, 2019.
The term ‘‘Appreciation Award’’ refers to a stock option or stock appreciation right with an exercise or
strike price that is at least 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The term
‘‘Full Value Award’’ refers to a stock award that is not an Appreciation Award.
Eligibility
All of our (including our affiliates’) employees and non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the
Amended 2018 EIP and may receive all types of awards other than incentive stock options. Incentive stock
options may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP only to our (including our affiliates’) employees.
As of April 1, 2024, we (including our affiliates) had approximately 413 employees and eight non-employee
directors.
15
Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit
The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation granted or paid by us to any individual for
service as a non-employee director of the Board with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed:
(i) a total of $200,000 with respect to any such cash compensation; and (ii) $800,000 in total value with respect
to any such equity-based compensation (including awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP and any other
equity-based awards), provided that for any individual who is first appointed or elected to the Board during any
fiscal year of the Company, the limit for such individual’s equity-based compensation will be $1,200,000 with
respect to such fiscal year, in each case calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair
value of such awards for financial reporting purposes.
Administration
The Amended 2018 EIP will be administered by our Board, which may in turn delegate authority to
administer the Amended 2018 EIP to a committee. Our Board has delegated concurrent authority to administer
the Amended 2018 EIP to our Compensation Committee, but may, at any time, re-vest in itself some or all of the
power delegated to our Compensation Committee. Our Board and Compensation Committee are each considered
to be a Plan Administrator for purposes of this Proposal 2.
Subject to the terms of the Amended 2018 EIP, the Plan Administrator may determine the recipients, the
types of awards to be granted, the number of shares of our common stock subject to or the cash value of awards,
and the terms and conditions of awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP, including the period of their
exercisability and vesting. The Plan Administrator also has the authority to provide for accelerated exercisability
and vesting of awards. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Plan Administrator also determines the fair
market value applicable to a stock award and the exercise or strike price of stock options and stock appreciation
rights granted under the Amended 2018 EIP.
The Plan Administrator may also delegate to one or more officers the authority to designate employees who
are not officers to be recipients of certain stock awards and the number of shares of our common stock subject to
such stock awards. Under any such delegation, the Plan Administrator will specify the total number of shares of
our common stock that may be subject to the stock awards granted by such officer. The officer may not grant a
stock award to himself or herself.
Repricing; Cancellation and Re-Grant of Stock Awards
Under the Amended 2018 EIP, the Plan Administrator does not have the authority to reprice any outstanding
stock option or stock appreciation right by reducing the exercise or strike price of the stock option or stock
appreciation right or to cancel any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right that has an exercise or
strike price greater than the then-current fair market value of our common stock in exchange for cash or other
stock awards without obtaining the approval of our stockholders. Such approval must be obtained within
12 months prior to such an event.
Minimum Vesting Requirements
Under the Amended 2018 EIP, no award may vest until at least 12 months following the date of grant of
such award, except that shares up to 5% of the share reserve of the Amended 2018 EIP may be issued pursuant
to awards that do not meet such vesting requirements.
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
The Amended 2018 EIP provides that dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited with
respect to any shares of our common stock subject to an award, as determined by the Plan Administrator and
contained in the applicable award agreement; provided, however, that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents
may be paid with respect to any such shares before the date such shares have vested, (ii) any dividends or
dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and
conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of the applicable award agreement (including any vesting
conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will
be forfeited to us on the date such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by us due to a failure to vest.
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Stock Options
Stock options may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP pursuant to stock option agreements. The
Amended 2018 EIP permits the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options
(‘‘ISOs’’) and non-statutory stock options (‘‘NSOs’’).
The exercise price of a stock option granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may not be less than 100% of the
fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and, in some cases (see ‘‘Limitations on Incentive
Stock Options’’ below), may not be less than 110% of such fair market value.
The term of stock options granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may not exceed seven years from the date
of grant and, in some cases (see ‘‘Limitations on Incentive Stock Options’’ below), may not exceed five years
from the date of grant. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written
agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates
(referred to in this Proposal 2 as ‘‘continuous service’’) terminates (other than for cause and other than upon the
participant’s death or disability), the participant may exercise any vested stock options for up to three months
following the participant’s termination of continuous service. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s
stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s continuous
service terminates due to the participant’s disability or death (or the participant dies within a specified period, if
any, following termination of continuous service), the participant, or his or her beneficiary, as applicable, may
exercise any vested stock options for up to 12 months following the participant’s termination due to the
participant’s disability or for up to 18 months following the participant’s death. Except as explicitly provided
otherwise in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if
a participant’s continuous service is terminated for cause (as defined in the Amended 2018 EIP), all stock options
held by the participant will terminate upon the participant’s termination of continuous service and the participant
will be prohibited from exercising any stock option from and after such termination date. Except as otherwise
provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, the
term of a stock option may be extended if the exercise of the stock option following the participant’s termination
of continuous service (other than for cause and other than upon the participant’s death or disability) would be
prohibited by applicable securities laws or if the sale of any common stock received upon exercise of the stock
option following the participant’s termination of continuous service (other than for cause) would violate our
insider trading policy. In no event, however, may a stock option be exercised after its original expiration date.
Acceptable forms of consideration for the purchase of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of a stock
option under the Amended 2018 EIP will be determined by the Plan Administrator and may include payment:
(i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to us; (ii) pursuant to a program developed under
Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; (iii) by delivery to us of shares of our common
stock (either by actual delivery or attestation); (iv) by a net exercise arrangement (for NSOs only); or (v) in other
legal consideration approved by the Plan Administrator.
Stock options granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may vest and become exercisable in cumulative
increments, as determined by the Plan Administrator at the rate specified in the stock option agreement (subject
to the limitations described in ‘‘Minimum Vesting Requirements’’ above). Shares covered by different stock
options granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may be subject to different vesting schedules as the Plan
Administrator may determine.
The Plan Administrator may impose limitations on the transferability of stock options granted under the
Amended 2018 EIP in its discretion. Generally, a participant may not transfer a stock option granted under the
Amended 2018 EIP other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to approval by the Plan
Administrator, pursuant to a domestic relations order or an official marital settlement agreement. However, the
Plan Administrator may permit transfer of a stock option in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and
securities laws. In addition, subject to approval by the Plan Administrator, a participant may designate a
beneficiary who may exercise the stock option following the participant’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no option may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.
Limitations on Incentive Stock Options
The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of shares of our common stock with
respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year under all of our
stock plans may not exceed $100,000. The stock options or portions of stock options that exceed this limit or
17
otherwise fail to qualify as ISOs are treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of
grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of
any affiliate unless the following conditions are satisfied:
•
•
the exercise price of the ISO must be at least 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on
the date of grant; and
the term of the ISO must not exceed five years from the date of grant.
Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate maximum number of shares of
our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs under the Amended 2018 EIP is
44,000,000 shares.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock appreciation rights may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP pursuant to stock appreciation right
agreements. Each stock appreciation right is denominated in common stock share equivalents. The strike price of
each stock appreciation right will be determined by the Plan Administrator, but will in no event be less than
100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The term of stock appreciation rights
granted under the Amended 2018 EIP may not exceed seven years from the date of grant. The Plan Administrator
may also impose restrictions or conditions upon the vesting of stock appreciation rights that it deems appropriate
(subject to the limitations described in ‘‘Minimum Vesting Requirements’’ above). The appreciation distribution
payable upon exercise of a stock appreciation right may be paid in shares of our common stock, in cash, in a
combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the Plan Administrator and
set forth in the stock appreciation right agreement. Stock appreciation rights will be subject to the same
conditions upon termination of continuous service and restrictions on transfer as stock options under the
Amended 2018 EIP.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP pursuant to restricted stock award
agreements. A restricted stock award may be granted in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order
payable to us, the participant’s services performed for us or any of our affiliates, or any other form of legal
consideration acceptable to the Plan Administrator. Shares of our common stock acquired under a restricted stock
award may be subject to forfeiture to or repurchase by us in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined
by the Plan Administrator (subject to the limitations described in ‘‘Minimum Vesting Requirements’’ above).
Rights to acquire shares of our common stock under a restricted stock award may be transferred only upon such
terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock award agreement; provided, however, that no
restricted stock award may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval. Upon a
participant’s termination of continuous service for any reason, any shares subject to restricted stock awards held
by the participant that have not vested as of such termination date may be forfeited to or repurchased by us.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Restricted stock unit awards may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP pursuant to restricted stock unit
award agreements. Payment of any purchase price may be made in any form of legal consideration acceptable to
the Plan Administrator. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by the delivery of shares of our common
stock, in cash, in a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the Plan
Administrator and set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Restricted stock unit awards may be
subject to vesting in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Plan Administrator (subject to
the limitations described in ‘‘Minimum Vesting Requirements’’ above). Except as otherwise provided in a
participant’s restricted stock unit award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates,
restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s termination of continuous
service for any reason.
Performance Stock Awards
A performance stock award is a stock award that is payable (including that may be granted, may vest, or
may be exercised) contingent upon the attainment of pre-determined performance goals during a performance
period. A performance stock award may require the completion of a specified period of continuous service. The
18
length of any performance period, the performance goals to be achieved during the performance period, and the
measure of whether and to what degree such performance goals have been attained will be determined by the
Plan Administrator (subject to the limitations described in ‘‘Minimum Vesting Requirements’’ above). In addition,
to the extent permitted by applicable law and the performance stock award agreement, the Plan Administrator
may determine that cash may be used in payment of performance stock awards.
Performance goals under the Amended 2018 EIP will be based on any one or more of the following
performance criteria: (i) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest,
taxes and depreciation; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); (iv) total
stockholder return; (v) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (vi) return on assets, investment, or
capital employed; (vii) stock price or stock price performance; (viii) margin (including gross margin); (ix) net
income (before or after taxes); (x) operating income; (xi) operating income after taxes; (xii) pre-tax profit;
(xiii) operating cash flow; (xiv) sales or revenue targets; (xv) increases in revenue or product revenue;
(xvi) expenses and cost reduction goals; (xvii) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels;
(xviii) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (xix) market share; (xx) cash flow; (xxi) cash flow per
share; (xxii) share price performance; (xxiii) debt reduction; (xxiv) implementation or completion of projects or
processes; (xxv) customer satisfaction; (xxvi) stockholders’ equity; (xxvii) capital expenditures; (xxviii) debt
levels; (xxix) operating profit or net operating profit; (xxx) workforce diversity; (xxxi) growth of net income or
operating income; (xxxii) billings; (xxxiii) submission to, or approval by, a regulatory body (including but not
limited to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) of an applicable filing for a product candidate or other
product development milestones; (xxxiv) acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, licenses or
collaborations; (xxxv) spin-offs, split-ups, reorganizations, recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (debt or
equity) or refinancings; (xxxvi) manufacturing or process development, clinical trial, regulatory, intellectual
property, compliance or research objectives; and (xxxvii) any other measures of performance selected by the Plan
Administrator.
Performance goals may be based on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units,
divisions, affiliates or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or
more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. The Plan Administrator is
authorized to make appropriate adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals for
a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude
exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated performance goals; (iii) to exclude the
effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory
adjustments to corporate tax rates; (v) to exclude the effects of items that are ‘‘unusual’’ in nature or occur
‘‘infrequently’’ as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects
of acquisitions or joint ventures; (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved
performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture;
(viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock
dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination
or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than
regular cash dividends; (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and/or the award of an annual
cash incentive under our Annual Incentive Program; (x) to exclude the effect of any other unusual, non-recurring
gain or loss or other extraordinary item; and (xi) to make other appropriate adjustments selected by the Plan
Administrator.
In addition, the Plan Administrator retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or
economic benefit due upon the attainment of any performance goals and to define the manner of calculating the
performance criteria it selects to use for a performance period.
Other Stock Awards
Other forms of stock awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, our common
stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other stock awards under the Amended 2018 EIP. Subject to
the terms of the Amended 2018 EIP (including the limitations described in ‘‘Minimum Vesting Requirements’’
above), the Plan Administrator will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the
time or times at which such other stock awards will be granted, the number of shares of our common stock to be
granted and all other terms and conditions of such other stock awards.
19
Clawback/Recoupment
Awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP will be subject to recoupment in accordance with the
following, as applicable: (i) the Dynavax Technologies Corporation Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy
(the ‘‘Recoupment Policy’’); (ii) any clawback policy that we are required to adopt pursuant to the listing
standards of any national securities exchange or association on which our securities are listed or as is otherwise
required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law; and
(iii) any other clawback policy that we adopt. A copy of the Recoupment Policy can be found in the investors
section of our website, www.dynavax.com under investors-corporate governance. In addition, the Plan
Administrator may in its discretion impose other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an award
agreement, including a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares or other cash or property upon
the occurrence of cause.
Changes to Capital Structure
In the event of certain capitalization adjustments, the Plan Administrator will appropriately adjust: (i) the
class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Amended 2018 EIP; (ii) the class(es) and maximum
number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs; and (iii) the class(es) and number of
securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding stock awards.
Corporate Transaction and Change in Control
The following provisions will apply to outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and any Prior Plan
in the event of a corporate transaction (as defined in the Amended 2018 EIP and described below) or a change in
control (as defined in the Amended 2018 EIP and described below) unless otherwise provided in the instrument
evidencing the award, in any other written agreement between us or one of our affiliates and the participant, or
in our director compensation policy. For purposes of this Proposal 2, the term ‘‘Transaction’’ will mean such
corporate transaction or change in control.
In the event of a Transaction, any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) may assume or
continue any or all outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan, or may substitute
similar stock awards for such outstanding awards (including, but not limited to, awards to acquire the same
consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction), and any reacquisition or
repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of shares issued pursuant to any outstanding awards under the
Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan may be assigned by the Company to the surviving or acquiring
corporation (or its parent company). The terms of any such assumption, continuation or substitution will be set
by the Plan Administrator.
In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does
not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan, or substitute
similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been
assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated
prior to the effective time of the Transaction (the ‘‘Current Participants’’), the vesting (and exercisability, if
applicable) of such awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to performance stock awards, vesting will
be deemed to be satisfied at the target level of performance) to a date prior to the effective time of the
Transaction (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction) as the Plan Administrator will
determine (or, if the Plan Administrator does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the
effective time of the Transaction), and such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the
effective time of the Transaction in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Plan
Administrator, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such awards will
lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction).
In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does
not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any Prior Plan, or substitute
similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been
assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants other than the Current Participants, such
awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Transaction in accordance
with the exercise procedures determined by the Plan Administrator; provided, however, that any reacquisition or
repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such awards will not terminate and may continue to be
exercised notwithstanding the Transaction.
20
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any outstanding award under the Amended 2018 EIP and/or any
Prior Plan held by a participant will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Transaction, the
Plan Administrator may provide that the participant may not exercise such award but instead will receive a
payment, in such form as may be determined by the Plan Administrator, equal in value to the excess, if any, of
(i) the value of the property the participant would have received upon the exercise of such award immediately
prior to the effective time of the Transaction, over (ii) any exercise price payable by the participant in connection
with such exercise.
Unless provided otherwise in the participant’s award agreement, in any other written agreement or plan with
us or one of our affiliates, or in our director compensation policy, outstanding awards under the Amended 2018
EIP and any Prior Plan will not be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a
change in control.
For purposes of the Amended 2018 EIP, a corporate transaction generally will be deemed to occur in the
event of the consummation of: (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets;
(ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of our outstanding securities; (iii) a merger, consolidation or
similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation; or (iv) a merger, consolidation or
similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock
outstanding immediately prior to the transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the
transaction.
For purposes of the Amended 2018 EIP, a change in control generally will be deemed to occur in the event:
(i) a person, entity or group acquires, directly or indirectly, our securities representing more than 50% of the
combined voting power of our then outstanding securities, other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation, or
similar transaction; (ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation, or similar transaction and, immediately
after the consummation of such transaction, our stockholders immediately prior thereto do not own, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity or the parent of the
surviving entity in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of our outstanding voting securities
immediately prior to such transaction; (iii) there is consummated a sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of our consolidated assets, other than a sale or other disposition to an entity in which more than 50% of the
entity’s combined voting power is owned by our stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership of our outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition; or (iv) over a
period of 12 months or less, a majority of our Board becomes comprised of individuals whose nomination,
appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of the Board members or their approved successors.
Plan Amendments and Termination
The Plan Administrator has the authority to amend or terminate the Amended 2018 EIP at any time.
However, except as otherwise provided in the Amended 2018 EIP or an award agreement, no amendment or
termination of the Amended 2018 EIP may materially impair a participant’s rights under his or her outstanding
awards without the participant’s consent.
We will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to the Amended 2018 EIP as required by applicable
law and listing requirements. No incentive stock options may be granted under the Amended 2018 EIP after
April 8, 2028, which is the tenth anniversary of the date the 2018 EIP was originally adopted by the Board.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences to participants
and us with respect to participation in the Amended 2018 EIP. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive
and does not discuss the income tax laws of any local, state or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may
reside. The information is based upon current federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when
those rules change. Because the tax consequences to any participant may depend on his or her particular
situation, each participant should consult the participant’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local and other
tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an award or the disposition of stock acquired under the Amended
2018 EIP. The Amended 2018 EIP is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the ‘‘Code’’), and is not subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Our ability to realize the benefit of any tax deductions described
below depends on our generation of taxable income as well as the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions
of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of our tax reporting obligations.
21
Nonstatutory Stock Options
Generally, there is no taxation upon the grant of an NSO if the stock option is granted with an exercise
price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date. Upon exercise, a participant will
recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the
date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. If the participant is employed by us or one of our
affiliates, that income will be subject to withholding taxes. The participant’s tax basis in those shares will be
equal to their fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock option, and the participant’s capital gain
holding period for those shares will begin on that date.
We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the
participant.
Incentive Stock Options
The Amended 2018 EIP provides for the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as ‘‘incentive
stock options,’’ as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Under the Code, a participant generally is not subject to
ordinary income tax upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. If the participant holds a share received upon exercise
of an ISO for more than two years from the date the stock option was granted and more than one year from the
date the stock option was exercised, which is referred to as the required holding period, the difference, if any,
between the amount realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of that share and the participant’s tax basis in
that share will be long-term capital gain or loss.
If, however, a participant disposes of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO before the end of the
required holding period, which is referred to as a disqualifying disposition, the participant generally will
recognize ordinary income in the year of the disqualifying disposition equal to the excess, if any, of the fair
market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. However, if the
sales proceeds are less than the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, the
amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant will not exceed the gain, if any, realized on the sale. If
the amount realized on a disqualifying disposition exceeds the fair market value of the share on the date of
exercise of the stock option, that excess will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on whether the
holding period for the share exceeds one year.
For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the amount by which the fair market value of a share of stock
acquired upon exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price of the stock option generally will be an adjustment
included in the participant’s alternative minimum taxable income for the year in which the stock option is
exercised. If, however, there is a disqualifying disposition of the share in the year in which the stock option is
exercised, there will be no adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes with respect to that share. In
computing alternative minimum taxable income, the tax basis of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO is
increased by the amount of the adjustment taken into account with respect to that share for alternative minimum
tax purposes in the year the stock option is exercised.
We are not allowed a tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of an ISO or the disposition of a
share acquired upon exercise of an ISO after the required holding period. If there is a disqualifying disposition of
a share, however, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized
by the participant, provided that either the employee includes that amount in income or we timely satisfy our
reporting requirements with respect to that amount.
Restricted Stock Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock award will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is
received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the
recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the
employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have the right to sell the stock), the recipient
generally will not recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient will recognize
ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes vested
over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with
the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days following his or her receipt of the stock award, to recognize
ordinary income, as of the date the recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market
value of the stock on the date the award is granted over any amount paid by the recipient for the stock.
22
The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired
from a restricted stock award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized either
when the stock is received or when the stock becomes vested.
We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the
recipient of the restricted stock award.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock unit award structured to comply with the requirements of
Section 409A of the Code or an exemption to Section 409A of the Code will recognize ordinary income at the
time the stock is delivered equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any
amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. To comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the
Code, the stock subject to a restricted stock unit award may generally only be delivered upon one of the
following events: a fixed calendar date (or dates), separation from service, death, disability or a change in
control. If delivery occurs on another date, unless the restricted stock unit award otherwise complies with or
qualifies for an exemption to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, in addition to the tax treatment
described above, the recipient will owe an additional 20% federal tax and interest on any taxes owed.
The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired
from a restricted stock unit award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized
when the stock is delivered.
We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the
recipient of the restricted stock unit award.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Generally, if a stock appreciation right is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the
underlying stock on the grant date, the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of
the stock or cash received upon such exercise. We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the
taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock appreciation right.
Section 162(m) Limitations
Under Section 162(m) of the Code (‘‘Section 162(m)’’), compensation paid to any publicly held
corporation’s ‘‘covered employees’’ that exceeds $1 million per taxable year for any covered employee is
generally non-deductible. Awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP will be subject to the deduction limit
under Section 162(m) and will not be eligible to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception
under Section 162(m) pursuant to the transition relief provided by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
New Plan Benefits under Amended 2018 EIP
Name and Position
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer and Director
David F. Novack
President and Chief Operating Officer
Kelly MacDonald
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical
and Regulatory Affairs
Number of Shares
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
All current executive officers as a group
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group
(1) Awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP to our executive officers and other employees are discretionary and are not subject to set
benefits or amounts under the terms of the Amended 2018 EIP, and our Board and our Compensation Committee have not granted any
awards under the Amended 2018 EIP subject to stockholder approval of this Proposal 2. Accordingly, the benefits or amounts that will
be received by or allocated to our executive officers and other employees under the Amended 2018 EIP are not determinable.
(1)
(2)
(1)
23
(2) Awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP to our non-employee directors are discretionary and are not subject to set benefits or
amounts under the terms of the Amended 2018 EIP, and our Board and our Compensation Committee have not granted any awards
under the Amended 2018 EIP subject to stockholder approval of this Proposal 2. However, pursuant to our current compensation
program for non-employee directors, and based on the current composition of our Board, on the date of each annual meeting of our
stockholders, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to awards that will automatically be granted to all of our
current directors who are not executive officers as a group will be 240,000 shares (which consists of a stock option and a restricted
stock unit award, together equal to the stock option equivalent of 30,000 shares of our common stock, for each of our current
non-employee directors). On and after the date of the Annual Meeting, any such stock options and restricted stock unit awards will be
granted under the Amended 2018 EIP if this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders. For additional information regarding our
current compensation program for non-employee directors, please see ‘‘Director Compensation’’ below.
The following table sets forth, for each of the individuals and various groups indicated, the total number of
shares of our common stock subject to awards that have been granted under the 2018 EIP as of April 1, 2024.
Awards Granted under the 2018 EIP
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
Name and Position
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer and Director
David F. Novack
President and Chief Operating Officer
Kelly MacDonald
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical
and Regulatory Affairs
All current executive officers as a group
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group
Each nominee for election as a director:
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.
Peggy V. Phillips
Each associate of any executive officers, current directors or director nominees
Each other person who received or is to receive 5% of awards
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group
Number of Shares
2,551,550
1,421,220
410,360
731,420
5,507,550
994,998
135,714
124,464
135,714
—
—
20,043,203
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of votes cast on the proposal (either virtually at the
meeting or by proxy) at the Annual Meeting will be required to approve this Proposal 2. Abstentions are not
treated as votes cast and, therefore, will have no effect. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum but are
not counted for any purpose in determining whether this Proposal 2 has been approved.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2.
24
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides certain information about our equity compensation plans as of the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2023.
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
Weighted-
average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights(3)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
the first column)
837,398
—
7,299,555
$16.52
$ —
$ 9.81
—
722,405
9,388,428
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by security
holders:
2011 Equity Incentive Plan
2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan(1)
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
Equity compensation plans not approved by security
holders:
2017 Inducement Award Plan(2)
2021 Inducement Award Plan(4)
Total:
10,110,833
(1) As of December 31, 2023, an aggregate of 722,405 shares remained available for future issuance under the 2014 Employee Stock
94,000
1,888,305
10,119,258
$17.38
$11.66
$10.78
—
—(5)
Purchase Plan.
(2)
(3)
(4)
In order to induce qualified individuals to join our Company, on November 28, 2017, our Board adopted the 2017 Inducement Award
Plan (the ‘‘2017 Inducement Plan’’), which provided for the issuance of up to 1,200,000 shares of Company common stock to new
employees of the Company. Stockholder approval of the 2017 Inducement Plan was not required under Nasdaq Marketplace
Rule 5635(c)(4). Upon the effectiveness of the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, no additional awards were granted under the 2017
Inducement Plan. All shares currently subject to awards outstanding under the 2017 Inducement Plan, which awards expire or are
forfeited, are included in the reserve for the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to the extent such shares would otherwise return to such plan.
Awards granted under the 2017 Inducement Plan have a term of 10 years. Exercisability, option price and other terms are determined
by the plan administrator, but the option price cannot be less than 100% of fair market value of those shares on the date of grant. Stock
options granted under the 2017 Inducement Plan generally vest over a period of four years, with the exception of performance-based
awards which will vest upon achievement of certain performance conditions.
4,910,044 shares subject to restricted stock units (‘‘RSUs’’) were granted under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan. Since these awards
have no exercise price, they are not included in the weighted-average exercise price calculation.
In January 2021, our Board adopted the 2021 Inducement Award Plan (the ‘‘2021 Inducement Plan’’), under which we initially reserved
1,500,000 shares of common stock, and which we later approved to increase to an aggregate of 3,250,000 shares of common stock for
issuance to be used exclusively for grants of awards to individuals who were not previously employees or directors of the Company.
Stockholder approval of the 2021 Inducement Plan was not required under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(c)(4). The 2021 Inducement
Plan provides for the issuance of nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock awards, RSUs, stock appreciation rights, performance
stock awards and other stock awards exclusively to individuals who were not previously employees or directors of the Company, or
who had experienced a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to the individual’s entry into employment with
us within the meaning of Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(c)(4). The terms of awards under the 2021 Inducement Plan are substantially
similar to those of the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, including the treatment of awards upon change in control transactions. As of
December 31, 2023, options to purchase 1,888,305 shares were outstanding under the 2021 Inducement Plan. All options granted under
the 2021 Inducement Plan have a maximum term of seven years. Awards under the 2021 Inducement Plan may be amended by the
Board at any time or from time to time in accordance with the terms of the 2021 Inducement Plan and applicable law.
(5)
The Board terminated the 2021 Inducement Plan effective as of April 3, 2022, and therefore, there were no shares available for grant
under the 2021 Inducement Plan as of December 31, 2023.
25
PROPOSAL 3
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Section 14A of the Exchange
Act of 1934, Dynavax stockholders are being asked to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our
named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement, which is commonly referred to as a ‘‘say-on-pay
vote.’’ This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall
compensation of our named executive officers, which results from our compensation philosophy, policies and
practices as discussed in this proxy statement. The compensation of our named executive officers subject to the
say-on-pay vote is described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying tables, and the
related narrative disclosure contained in this proxy statement.
Our Compensation Committee is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation
programs. Our Compensation Committee firmly believes that Dynavax’s executive compensation programs
should reward our named executive officers for performance, and that when key performance objectives are not
achieved, the compensation of our named executive officers should reflect as much. We believe that the
compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy, reflects this philosophy. In addition,
our Compensation Committee believes that the compensation programs for our named executive officers have
been instrumental in helping Dynavax be able to attract, retain and motivate our executive team, thereby enabling
our company to be in a position to move forward with our business strategy.
Our Board is now asking our stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our named
executive officers as described in this proxy statement by casting a non-binding advisory vote ‘‘For’’ the
following resolution:
‘‘RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to Dynavax’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to
Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and
narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.’’
Although this vote is advisory and the outcome is not binding on our Board, the views expressed by our
stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to us. As a result, the Board and the
Compensation Committee will carefully review the results of this vote, and they will consider these results in
making future decisions about our executive compensation programs and arrangements.
We expect that the next advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers will be held at
the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Vote Required
Approval of this advisory proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares
present (either virtually at the Annual Meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual
Meeting. Abstentions have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum but
are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this Proposal 3 has been approved.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 3.
26
PROPOSAL 4
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP (‘‘Ernst & Young’’), as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. Ernst & Young has audited our financial
statements since 2002. Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.
Ernst & Young will have an opportunity to make a statement if it so desires and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young, the Audit Committee will reconsider
whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may
direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if
it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present (either virtually at the Annual
Meeting or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the
selection of Ernst & Young. Abstentions have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted
towards a quorum but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved;
however, we believe that Proposal 4 will be considered a ‘‘routine’’ matter, and therefore no broker non-votes are
expected in connection with this Proposal 4.
AUDIT FEES
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 4.
In connection with the audit of our 2024 financial statements, we entered into an engagement agreement
with Ernst & Young which sets forth the terms by which Ernst & Young will perform audit services for us.
The following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2023 and 2022 by Ernst & Young, our principal auditors. The Audit Committee pre-approved all
service fees described below.
Fiscal Year Ended
Audit Fees(1)
Audit Related Fees
Tax Fees(2)
All Other Fees(3)
Total Fees
2022
$1,550,060
—
104,793
3,900
$1,658,753
(1) Audit fees include fees for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and interim reviews of our quarterly financial statements,
2023
$1,791,849
—
65,210
2,000
$1,859,059
including compliance with the provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as well as fees related to registration statements,
consents and other services related to SEC matters.
(2)
Tax fees include Section 382 study and other tax advisory services.
(3) All other fees represent subscription fees for an online accounting research tool and related database.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Our Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit
services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young. Under the policy, the
Audit Committee pre-approves specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related
services, tax services and all other services up to specified amounts. Pre-approval may be given as part of the
Audit Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm
or on an interim basis by the Audit Committee Chair, as needed and on a case-by-case basis before the
independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to provide each service.
The Audit Committee has determined that services rendered by Ernst & Young are compatible with
maintaining the principal auditors’ independence.
27
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers as of April 1, 2024:
Name
Ryan Spencer(1)
David F. Novack
Kelly MacDonald
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Age
46 Chief Executive Officer and Director(2)
President and Chief Operating Officer
62
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer(2)
40
70 Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development,
Position
Medical and Regulatory Affairs
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
58
John L. Slebir
(1)
Please see ‘‘Proposal 1 – Election of Directors’’ in this proxy statement for more information about Mr. Spencer.
(2) On March 29, 2024, we appointed Ryan Spencer to serve in a temporary capacity as interim Chief Financial Officer while
Ms. MacDonald is on maternity leave. Ms. MacDonald’s maternity leave is anticipated to end in early August 2024, at which time
Ms. MacDonald will resume her role as Chief Financial Officer.
David F. Novack – President and Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Novack joined Dynavax in March 2013 as Senior Vice President, Operations and Quality, served as an
interim co-President between May and December 2019, and has served as our President and Chief Operating
Officer since December 2019. Mr. Novack was formerly with Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics where he served
since 2009 as the Global Head of Technical Operations for Diagnostics and previously from 2007 to 2009 as the
Global Head of Vaccine Manufacturing Strategy. Prior to Novartis, Mr. Novack was the Vice President, Business
Development for Vaxin, Inc., a vaccine company, from 2004 to 2006. From 1993 until 2004, Mr. Novack worked
at MedImmune, formerly Aviron, serving in several capacities including business development, manufacturing,
contract operations, and supply chain. Previously, from 1989 to 1993, Mr. Novack was with American Cyanamid
Company in various roles. Mr. Novack received a B.S. in Biology from State University of New York and an
M.B.A. from Columbia University.
Kelly MacDonald – Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Ms. MacDonald joined Dynavax in March 2021 as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and
Principal Financial Officer. Prior to Dynavax, Ms. MacDonald worked at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where
she spent nearly eight years and held roles of increasing responsibility. In her final role at Ironwood,
Ms. MacDonald served as Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President, Finance where she led the Company’s
corporate accounting and finance processes, enterprise risk management, treasury and capital allocation strategy.
While at Ironwood, she also had various other finance and accounting managerial roles where she provided
financial advice on the company’s strategic planning, accounting policies, R&D portfolio management, global
business development, product launches and commercial execution. Prior to that, Ms. MacDonald spent nearly
seven years at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP, ultimately serving as a Manager in the Health Industries Assurance
Practice, primarily serving clients in life sciences and technology sectors. Ms. Macdonald is a CPA and holds a
Master of Business Administration from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts
and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fairfield University.
Robert Janssen, M.D. – Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical
and Regulatory Affairs
Dr. Janssen was appointed Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical
and Regulatory Affairs in January 2018. Dr. Janssen was appointed Chief Medical Officer and Vice President,
Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs in July 2013. He served as Dynavax’s Vice President, Medical
Affairs since November 2012 and was previously Senior Director, Clinical Development at Dynavax from 2010
through 2012, during which time he was extensively involved with Phase 3 clinical development of
HEPLISAV-B and its U.S. and European licensing applications. Prior to joining Dynavax, Dr. Janssen was Vice
President, Medical Affairs at Gilead from 2008 to 2010 where he was responsible for oversight of physician and
health care provider education focused on HIV and hepatitis B therapies. Until 2008, Dr. Janssen spent 23 years
at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (‘‘CDC’’), most recently as the Director of the Division
of HIV/AIDS Prevention from 2000 to 2008. Under his leadership, the CDC first explored HIV treatment as a
mode of HIV prevention and launched several of the earliest Phase 3 trials of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.
Dr. Janssen received a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Humanities from Stanford University and his
28
M.D. degree from the University of Southern California. He is a neurologist with training in virology received at
the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Janssen has been the beneficiary of numerous honors and awards during his
career. He has published over 150 scientific articles in a variety of journals and has served as a reviewer for
leading scientific journals.
John L. Slebir – Senior Vice President, General Counsel
Mr. Slebir joined Dynavax in June 2021 and currently serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel.
Mr. Slebir has more than 20 years of experience in life sciences and 30 years of corporate law practice. Prior to
Dynavax, Mr. Slebir worked at VIVUS, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 2009 to June 2021 in roles of
increasing responsibility within the organization. In his final role at VIVUS, Mr. Slebir served as Senior Vice
President, Business Development, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary. While at
VIVUS, Mr. Slebir was involved in broad aspects of the company’s commercial and clinical development
partnering efforts, commercial and supply chain alliance management, corporate governance, securities laws and
periodic reporting, risk management, commercial and regulatory compliance and submissions, director and
executive compensation, and intellectual property protection. Before joining VIVUS, Mr. Slebir served for over
10 years as an attorney at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., specializing in corporate securities and
corporate governance. Mr. Slebir holds a B.A. in Communications from San Diego State University and a
J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.
29
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis discusses our executive compensation philosophy and practices
and provides an overview of the Compensation Committee’s 2023 decisions for the following named executive
officers (‘‘NEOs’’):
•
•
•
•
Ryan Spencer, Chief Executive Officer and Director;
David F. Novack, President and Chief Operating Officer;
Kelly MacDonald, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; and
Robert Janssen, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical
and Regulatory Affairs.
Overview
Our Business
We are a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing
innovative vaccines in areas of significant unmet need, leveraging our demonstrated expertise and capabilities in
vaccines and our proven, proprietary vaccine adjuvant technology. We are currently focused on our efforts to
drive long-term shareholder value by maximizing utilization of our HEPLISAV-B® hepatitis B vaccine,
expanding our own portfolio of innovative vaccine candidates leveraging our proven adjuvant technology, and
leveraging our CpG 1018® adjuvant supply strategy through both commercial and research collaborations.
Our first marketed product, HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted], is approved in
the United States, the European Union and Great Britain for prevention of infection caused by all known
subtypes of hepatitis B virus (‘‘HBV’’) in adults aged 18 years and older.
We are advancing a pipeline of differentiated product candidates that leverage our CpG 1018 adjuvant to
develop improved vaccines in indications with unmet medical needs. These programs include vaccine candidates
under development for shingles, Tdap and plague.
Overview of 2023 Performance
We believe that 2023 was another highly transformative year for Dynavax, where we made substantial
progress against our core strategic priorities:
•
•
•
Drive growth in HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted];
Advance our differentiated pipeline programs into clinical trial initiations and data readouts; and
Identify strategic opportunities to accelerate growth, while maintaining a disciplined allocation of
capital aligned with corporate strategy to deliver long-term value through internal and external
innovation.
We successfully executed on these key objectives over the course of the year, as described in greater detail
below. Highlights include once again producing all-time high revenue for our HEPLISAV-B vaccine, successfully
moving forward several clinical programs, continuing our disciplined approach to corporate development,
improving our capital position by generating positive cash flow and increasing cash, cash equivalents and
marketable securities by more than $100 million, to a balance of $742 million at fiscal year-end. We believe
these accomplishments have put us in a strong position to further advance the business and strategy during 2024
and beyond.
Key 2023 Highlights and Performance Against Core Priorities
During the 2023 performance year and early 2024, we achieved the following in connection with our core
priorities described above:
Maximize Growth of HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted]
•
Further leveraging the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (‘‘ACIP’’)
recommendation that all adults aged 19-59 should be vaccinated against hepatitis B (‘‘ACIP
30
Recommendation’’), during 2023, we refined our sales approach and marketing efforts, further
prioritized key market segments, and realigned our sales organization to focus on expanding our market
share in integrated delivery networks and large clinics (‘‘IDNs’’) and retail pharmacy, two of the largest
and fastest growing segments we market to.
These efforts resulted in total market share growth over the year, increasing HEPLISAV-B share of the
total U.S. market to approximately 42%, compared to approximately 35% at the end of 2022, and
making HEPLISAV-B the market leader by share of U.S. Market. Additionally, our share in the
IDN segment increased to approximately 56% compared to 47% at the end of 2022. Our share of the
retail pharmacy segment increased to approximately 58% compared to approximately 43% at the end of
2022.
HEPLISAV-B market share gains, coupled with hepatitis B market expansion, drove HEPLISAV-B net
product revenue to $213 million, representing a 69% increase compared to 2022 and another all-time
high for the brand.
•
•
Advance our Differentiated Pipeline Programs into Clinical Trial Initiations and Data Readouts
•
Our shingles vaccine program, Z-1018, is an investigational vaccine candidate being developed for the
prevention of shingles in adults aged 50 and older. In January 2023, we completed our Phase 1 clinical
trial and in June 2023 we presented trial results at the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases’
2023 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research. In December 2023, we received Type B meeting
feedback from the FDA on the Z-1018 clinical development plan and submitted an Investigational
New Drug Application (‘‘IND’’) to the FDA to support the initiation of a Phase 1/2 trial of Z-1018,
upon IND clearance, in the first half of 2024.
•
Our Tdap vaccine program, Tdap-1018, is an investigational vaccine candidate intended for active
booster immunization against Tdap. We completed a pertussis challenge study in nonhuman primates
demonstrating protection from disease upon challenge and robust Type 1 T helper (Th1) cell responses
in nonhuman primates in December 2023, and in early 2024, we received Type B meeting feedback
from the FDA on our Tdap-1018 clinical development plan.
• We are developing a plague (rF1V) vaccine candidate adjuvanted with CpG 1018 adjuvant, in
collaboration with, and fully funded by, the U.S. Department of Defense (‘‘DoD’’). We successfully
completed Part 1 of the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability in
adults of a plague (rF1V) vaccine candidate adjuvanted with CpG 1018 in January 2023. In July 2023,
we executed a contract modification with the DoD to support advancement of the plague vaccine
candidate into a nonhuman primate challenge study, which was initiated in August 2023, with the
agreement now totaling $33.7 million through 2025. We also completed enrollment and dosing in
Part 2 of the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability in 2023.
Identify Strategic Opportunities to Accelerate Growth, While Maintaining a Disciplined Allocation of
Capital
•
Strategic opportunities evaluation, corporate development strategy
• We enhanced our corporate development team with new hires expert in areas including strategic
finance, strategic marketing and new product planning
• We further defined our evaluation process to streamline our reviews and analyses of potential
growth opportunities
• We engaged external advisors and expert consultants to supplement our team as needed
• We evaluated numerous opportunities, but so far declined to execute on any of them
•
Acceleration of Growth, Disciplined Allocation of Capital
•
As noted above, during 2023 we refined our sales approach to help leverage the ACIP
Recommendation. This helped drive hepatitis B market expansion through marketing and
education efforts, and captured additional share of the expanding U.S. hepatitis B market. Through
these efforts, HEPLISAV-B became the leader in the U.S. hepatitis B market leader by share of
31
U.S. market, with HEPLISAV-B net product revenue reaching $213 million for the year.
HEPLISAV-B’s estimated share of the U.S. hepatitis B market increased seven points to
approximately 42%. HEPLISAV-B’s estimated IDN segment share increased nine points to
approximately 56% and retail pharmacy segment share increased 15 points to approximately 58%.
•
During 2023, we also exercised a disciplined approach to capital allocation, invested in the
business strategically and managed the business to cashflow-positive. In the process, we added
over $120 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, and brought our year-end
balance to over $742 million, compared to $624 million at the end of 2022.
Compensation Governance Highlights
What we do
☑ Design executive compensation program to align
pay with performance
What we do not do
☒ No excessive change in control or severance
payments and no single trigger change in control
cash payments
☑ Prohibit hedging and pledging by executive
☒ No repricing of underwater stock options without
officers and directors
stockholder approval
☑ Grant equity awards with performance-based
☒ No tax gross-ups
vesting
☑ Conduct an annual say-on-pay vote
☑ Seek input from, listen to and respond to
☒ No excessive perquisites
☒ No guaranteed bonuses
stockholders, incorporating relevant changes to
compensation approach as appropriate
☑ Maintain a clawback policy
Consideration of Our Prior Say-on-Pay Votes and Related Stockholder Engagement
Fostering long-term relationships and maintaining trust and dialog with our stockholders has been a key
priority for us. In 2016, our Board adopted, and our stockholders approved, a policy that we would hold a
say-on-pay vote on a yearly basis, a practice we have maintained. Since initiating an annual say-on-pay practice,
we have experienced continued favorable voting results. In the past three years, our stockholders have voted in
favor of our pay practices, with approximately 95%, 93% and 92% support for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and
2023, respectively.
32
We routinely engage with our stockholders and obtain feedback throughout the course of the year. In
addition to seeking input through our say-on-pay vote, we also seek feedback from the governance teams of our
largest institutional stockholders each year pertaining to executive compensation, governance as well as other
topics of interest to them. We also consider feedback from Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis
(together, the ‘‘Proxy Advisory Firms’’), in addition to the say-on-pay voting results of the prior year’s
say-on-pay proposal as noted above. These outreach and feedback mechanisms complement the many touchpoints
our investor relations team has with shareholders throughout the year. In addition, on a more informal basis, we
also engage with our shareholders through industry and corporate governance conferences and informal
exchanges in other settings.
In early 2024, we reached out to engage with the governance teams of our 21 largest investors, representing
approximately 66.1% of our shares outstanding, and we also received unsolicited inbound requests for
conversations from other stockholders. We spoke with 100% of the stockholders that wanted to engage with us at
that time about our executive compensation practices, governance practices or otherwise. The investors with
whom we met represented approximately 31.51% of outstanding shares as of the Record Date.
During these discussions, which included an opportunity for detailed questions, none of our stockholders
expressed any significant concerns about our executive compensation practices, although the Proxy Advisory
Firms and certain stockholders expressed a preference for us to increase the percentage of executives’ equity
33
awards with performance-based vesting. Based on this feedback, in 2023, the Compensation Committee increased
the performance-based portion of the NEOs’ equity awards from 12.5% to 30% for 2023. This percentage
represents the portion of the stock option equivalents awarded to each NEO that is tied to a performance metric
rather than time-based vesting. Stock option equivalents are calculated as (number of time-based stock options
granted) plus (full value awards divided by 1.4). We further increased this proportion to 33% in 2024. We
determined not to make any other changes to our executive compensation policies or processes as a result of our
say-on-pay vote and stockholder feedback. We will monitor and continually evaluate our compensation program
going forward considering our stockholders’ views, evolving market dynamics and our transforming business
needs including recruitment and retention.
Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
We believe our NEOs’ compensation should align our executives’ interests with that of our stockholders
over the long-term through achievement of strategic corporate objectives that are fundamental to our business
and that are intended to create long-term stockholder value. Our executive compensation programs are designed
to be competitive within our industry and within our peer group to enable us to attract, motivate, reward, and
retain outstanding talent. Our compensation programs are based on the following key principles:
•
•
•
•
Link a direct and meaningful proportion of pay with performance and achievement of corporate and
individual goals;
Clearly align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders through equity compensation;
Achieve a mix of cash and equity within overall compensation that is competitive in the industry in
which we compete for executive talent; and
Recognize individual contributions, teamwork and corporate performance.
Compensation-Setting Process
Role of the Compensation Committee and Management
The Compensation Committee oversees and administers our executive compensation programs. The
Compensation Committee acts pursuant to a charter adopted by our Board, which can be found in the investors
section of our website, www.dynavax.com under investors-corporate governance. Either the Compensation
Committee or the independent members of our Board, upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee,
approve the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer. References in this Compensation Discussion and
Analysis to our Board approving our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation refer to the independent members
of our Board.
The Compensation Committee approves our corporate goals and the individual goals, where applicable, for
our NEOs after considering the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations on these matters. The Compensation
Committee annually reviews the base salaries, short-term cash incentive opportunities and equity compensation of
our NEOs and periodically reviews other elements of our compensation programs. Compensation decisions are
based primarily on the following:
•
•
Peer and Industry Data — The Compensation Committee uses peer and industry data provided by its
compensation consultant as points of reference in setting base salaries and target cash compensation, as
well as in determining appropriate levels and mix of equity compensation and determining the type and
portion of compensation tied to corporate and individual performance goals.
Annual Performance Reviews — The Chair of the Compensation Committee conducts annual
performance reviews of our Chief Executive Officer taking into consideration feedback obtained during
the course of the year from the independent members of our Board and the Chief Executive Officer’s
direct reports. Our Chief Executive Officer conducts and presents the performance reviews of the other
NEOs to the Compensation Committee after the end of each fiscal year. In reviewing and determining
the compensation of each NEO, the Compensation Committee also considers individual factors, such as
potential for future contributions to Company growth, industry experience and retention concerns.
34
•
Recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer — The Compensation Committee seeks input from
our Chief Executive Officer in setting the salary, target cash compensation levels and equity awards for
the other NEOs, and for purposes of setting annual performance metrics under our annual incentive
program.
Role of Compensation Consultant
Arnosti has been the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant since 2010, and the
Compensation Committee meets regularly with Arnosti, both with and without management present, depending
upon the topic being discussed.
During the first quarter of 2023, the Compensation Committee reviewed whether the work of Arnosti as a
compensation consultant raised any conflict of interest, taking into consideration the following factors:
•
•
•
•
•
The provision of other services to the Company;
The amount of fees paid to Arnosti by the Company relative to Arnosti total revenue;
Arnosti’s policies and procedures that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest;
Any business or personal relationship of Arnosti or the individual compensation advisors employed by
Arnosti with a member of the Compensation Committee, or with an executive officer of the Company;
and
Any Company stock owned by Arnosti or the individual compensation advisors contracted by Arnosti.
Based on the Compensation Committee’s review of this information, it determined the work of Arnosti and
the individual compensation advisors contracted by Arnosti as compensation consultant to the Compensation
Committee, did not create any conflict of interest. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to direct,
terminate or continue Arnosti’s services, and the Company pays the cost for Arnosti’s services.
In 2023, Arnosti provided advice to the Compensation Committee on several different aspects of its
responsibilities related to our compensation programs and practices. Specifically, during 2023, Arnosti assisted
the Compensation Committee as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
Provided recommendations to the Compensation Committee on refining our peer group;
Provided general information concerning executive compensation trends and developments;
Reviewed and analyzed compensation levels of our NEOs in comparison to those of our peer
companies;
Provided the Board with a review of competitive data from the peer group on Board compensation; and
Reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for inclusion in our proxy statement.
In late 2023, the Compensation Committee engaged the services of Alpine Rewards, LLC (‘‘Alpine’’).
Arnosti has been working to transition the provision of these services to Alpine since that time and is expected to
have completed the transition during the second quarter of 2024.
2023 Peer Group and Use of Market Data
Our Compensation Committee primarily uses relevant publicly disclosed market data for a general
understanding of executive market compensation practices and our positioning within the market, including
positioning within our peer group. Our Compensation Committee believes that over-reliance on benchmarking
could result in compensation that is unrelated to the value delivered by the NEOs because compensation
benchmarking does not take the specific performance of the NEOs, or the performance of the Company in its
unique circumstances, into account.
Our Compensation Committee does not have a specific target compensation level for the NEOs or otherwise
use a formulaic approach to setting pay at a particular positioning within the market data; rather, the
Compensation Committee reviews a range of market data reference points including relevant Aon Radford Global
Life Sciences survey data as well as disclosed data from the Company’s peer group with respect to total target
cash compensation including both base salary and the annual target performance bonus. With regards to market
35
data on equity compensation the Compensation Committee considers both disclosed grant date fair value and also
shares as a percentage of total common shares outstanding to support its compensation decisions.
For 2023, our Compensation Committee approved a peer group of biotechnology companies at a similar
stage of their life cycle with which we compete for executive and board talent that were of similar size to the
Company in terms of market capitalization (targeting 0.3x to 3x our own market capitalization, with some
exceptions for companies it felt were nonetheless good comparators), product portfolio, pipeline and number of
employees. To align with our strategic plan at that time, which included commercialization of HEPLISAV-B in
the U.S. and Europe, our peer group included companies that:
• Were commercial-stage companies having already filed for an investigational new drug;
• Were pure-play vaccine developers; and
•
Had their own manufacturing operations, where possible
The change in our peer group from 2022 to 2023 included removing 13 companies for various reasons
including market caps or revenue that were out of range. The companies that were removed were Aerie
Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ardelyx, Inc., Akebia Therapeutics, Inc., Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Chemocentryx, Inc.,
Clovis Oncology, Inc., Epizyme, Inc., Heron Therapeutics, Inc., Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Karyopharm
Therapeutics, Inc., Macrogenics, Inc., Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Theravance Biopharma, Inc. The
following nine companies were added to the peer group: Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Agenus, Inc.,
Alector, Inc., Fibrogen, Inc., Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pacira Biosciences, Inc., Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.,
Travere Therapeutics, Inc. and Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As of August 2022, the point at which the
Compensation Committee approved the 2022-2023 peer group, the companies in the 2022-2023 peer group had
market capitalizations ranging between $475.5 million to $9.5 billion, and the median market capitalization of
our peer group was $1.6 billion. At the same point in time, our market capitalization was $2.066 billion. The
following table lists our 2022-2023 peer group which was applicable to performance year 2023 compensation:
• Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Agenus, Inc.
• Alector, Inc.
• Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.
Corcept Therapeutics, Inc.
•
Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
•
Fibrogen, Inc.
Immunogen, Inc.
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
•
•
•
• Mannkind Corp.
•
•
Pacira Biosciences, Inc.
Radius Health, Inc.
•
•
•
•
Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Travere Therapeutics, Inc.
Zogenix, Inc.
Elements of Executive Compensation
Our executive team continues to manage a changing and increasingly complex business as we advance a
differentiated vaccine pipeline and identify strategic opportunities to accelerate growth. We strive to recognize
these efforts by compensating our NEOs for the demands and risks associated with our business through three
primary elements that are designed to reward performance in a simple and straightforward manner – base
salaries, annual performance-based cash incentives and long-term equity incentive awards.
During our annual stockholder outreach in recent years, including in 2023 and in early 2024, our key
stockholders did not express any significant concerns about the elements of our executive compensation program,
including our use of a mix of time-based stock options and performance-based and time-based RSUs, but
encouraged us to increase the proportion of performance-vesting equity, which we did as described above.
During 2023, we provided performance-based RSUs, or ‘‘PSUs’’ as part of our compensation mix, and our
PSUs once again included meaningful performance goals that must be met within a designated performance
period for any vesting to occur.
36
The table below summarizes the purpose and key characteristics of each of our compensation elements.
Element
Base Salary
Purpose
Provides a fixed level of compensation
for performing the essential elements of
the job; gives executives a degree of
certainty while having a majority of
their total compensation at risk.
Annual Cash
Incentive Program
Motivates executive officers to achieve
corporate and, as applicable, individual
business objectives, which we believe
serve to increase stockholder value.
Long-Term Equity
Incentive Awards
(Stock Options)
Motivates executive officers to achieve
our business objectives by tying
incentives to the appreciation of our
common stock over the long-term.
Key Characteristics
Fixed compensation that is reviewed
annually and adjusted as appropriate; reflects
each NEO’s performance, experience, skills,
level of responsibility and the breadth, scope
and complexity of the position as well as the
competitive marketplace for executive talent
specific to our industry.
Annual cash incentive based on corporate
performance, and, as applicable, individual
performance compared to pre-established
goals and actual accomplishments. For 2023,
each of our Chief Executive Officer’s and
President and Chief Operating Officer’s
annual incentive was based on corporate
goals and accomplishments only.
Corporate goals focus on overarching
objectives for the Company which we
believe support building and maintaining
long-term value, while individual objectives
are aligned to corporate objectives and other
strategic priorities of the Company.
Corporate goals are aligned with our
business strategy and weighted by relative
importance so that overall corporate
achievement can be objectively measured.
Stock options are granted with an exercise
price equal to the fair market value on the
date of grant vesting over three years. The
ultimate value realized, if any, depends on
the appreciation of our common stock price
following the grant. If our stock price does
not appreciate, there is no value realized.
Each stock option granted has a seven-year
term. In determining the aggregate size of
equity grants in any given year, the
Compensation Committee generally
considers the same factors described above
under ‘‘Base Salary’’ as well as the
criticality of the executive to the long-term
achievement of corporate goals.
In 2023, we targeted roughly 70% of our
NEOs’ annual equity grant in terms of
option equivalents to be time-based options.
From time to time, we may also use special
grants of stock options to encourage
retention or for other purposes as determined
by the Board. No such special stock options
were granted to NEOs in 2023.
37
Element
Long-Term Equity
Incentive Awards
(Time-Based
Restricted Stock
Units, or RSUs,
and
Performance-Based
RSUs, or PSUs)
Purpose
Motivates executive officers to achieve
our corporate objectives by tying
compensation to the performance of our
common stock over the long-term;
provides motivation for our executive
officers to remain with the Company by
mitigating near-term swings in incentive
values during periods of market
volatility.
Other
Compensation
Our executive officers generally
participate in the same benefits offered
to all other employees, which promote
employee health and welfare and assist
in attracting and retaining our executive
officers.
Severance and
Change in Control
Benefits
Serves our retention objectives by
helping our named executive officers
maintain continued focus and dedication
to their responsibilities to maximize
stockholder value, including in the event
of a transaction that could result in a
change in control of our Company.
2023 Executive Compensation Decisions
Overview of Target Compensation Structure
Key Characteristics
Restricted stock unit (‘‘RSU’’) awards may
vest based on continued service over a
specified period of time and/or achievement
of performance goals; the ultimate value
realized is a function of our common stock
price. During 2023, we granted PSUs to
NEOs.
In 2023, we targeted roughly 30% of our
NEOs’ annual option equivalents granted to
be PSU awards. PSUs generally vest upon
the Compensation Committee’s certification
of achievement of pre-established
performance goals over performance periods
as discussed below. In determining the exact
number of PSUs, we use a conversion factor
that recognizes that the implied value of a
PSU is greater than that of a stock option as
discussed above.
For grants made in early 2024, the
Compensation Committee further increased
the performance-based portion of the NEOs’
equity awards to represent 33% of annual
option equivalent grants as described above.
Indirect compensation elements consisting of
programs such as medical, vision, dental,
life and accidental death, long-term care and
disability insurance as well as a 401(k) plan
with a Company matching contribution, and
other plans and programs made available to
all regular employees.
In addition, we provide our executive
officers with supplemental long-term
disability insurance benefits which we
believe are reasonable in amount and
customary in our industry.
Provides protection in the event of a
termination of employment under specified
circumstances, including following a change
in control of our Company as described
below under ‘‘Potential Payments Upon
Change in Control or Involuntary
Termination.’’
We use the above-mentioned compensation elements to create compensation packages that are heavily
weighted toward variable, at-risk pay to help align pay to performance. For 2023, the Compensation Committee
used its judgment, as well as market data and input from Arnosti, to establish an appropriate mix of fixed and
variable pay, as well as short-term and long-term incentive compensation, and cash and equity compensation, for
38
each NEO. The balance between these components may change from year to year based on corporate strategy
and objectives, market conditions, and other considerations. For 2023, our CEO and other NEOs had the
following target pay mix, which may not sum to one hundred percent due to rounding:
Chief Executive Officer and Director
President and Chief Operating Officer
Other NEOs
Total Target Cash Compensation – Base Salaries and Target Bonus Percentages
When determining 2023 base salary and target bonus percentage adjustments, the Compensation Committee
considered each individual’s performance and criticality to the business, each individual’s industry expertise,
experience and tenure, internal pay equity, annual salary budget and retention objectives. The Compensation
Committee also reviewed a range of market data reference points, including disclosed peer group and survey data,
with respect to total target cash compensation (including both base salary and the annual target performance bonus).
39
In the early part of 2023, the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to our CEO,
Mr. Spencer) evaluated the 2022 compensation of each of our then-serving NEOs and approved base salary
increases as shown in the table below. Unless otherwise noted below, the target bonuses and 2023 base salaries
were effective as of January 1, 2023.
The increases in total target cash that the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to
Mr. Spencer) approved varied in amounts for each NEO, based on individual considerations for each NEO
applying the factors listed above and the resulting amounts that the Compensation Committee (and the Board
with respect to Mr. Spencer) felt was appropriate to provide adequate retentive and incentive value to each NEO.
For Mr. Spencer, the Compensation Committee and the Board approved the 12.6% increase in total target
cash compensation primarily due to its desire to make his compensation more competitive with that of other
Chief Executive Officers at peer companies. For Ms. MacDonald, the Compensation Committee approved the
11.8% increase in total target cash compensation primarily due to its desire to make her compensation more
competitive with that of other Chief Financial Officers at peer companies.
The Compensation Committee approved increases for each of Mr. Novack and Dr. Janssen that were
intended to provide merit increases to keep their salaries competitive with their peers. The increases for each of
Mr. Novack and Dr. Janssen are representative of the longer tenures of Mr. Novack and Dr. Janssen as senior
executives and the Compensation Committee’s determination that their total compensation was previously market
competitive.
Name
Ryan Spencer
David F. Novack
Kelly MacDonald
Robert Janssen, M.D.
2023 Base Salary
$760,000
$570,296
$475,000
$521,434
% Increase
from Prior
Year Salary
9.4%
4.5%
11.8%
4.3%
2023 Target
Bonus
75%
60%
50%
50%
% Increase from
Prior Year Total
Cash Target
12.6%
4.5%
11.8%
4.3%
2023 Annual Cash Incentive Program – Structure, Goals and Payout Decision
Structure. Neither Mr. Spencer nor Mr. Novack had individual goals separate from the Company’s corporate
objectives for 2023. We believe that this aligned their incentive compensation fully with the completion of
corporate goals that measure business performance and are intended to drive long-term stockholder value. For
our other NEOs, their annual cash incentive payout is typically based on the achievement of pre-established
corporate and individual goals. Our Chief Executive Officer typically recommends individual goals for each of
the other NEOs, which are aligned with our business strategy and linked with corporate goals, and our
Compensation Committee approves these goals. The individual goals for the NEOs are in addition to the general
responsibilities each officer has for managing his or her respective functional or operational area. In early 2023,
the Compensation Committee established corporate and, for NEOs other than Messrs. Spencer and Novack,
individual goals to align NEO annual cash incentive compensation with respective performance toward these
goals. For 2023, Ms. MacDonald’s and Dr. Janssen’s respective annual cash incentive opportunity was based on a
weighting of 80% corporate and 20% individual goals.
Our corporate goals included base goals and stretch goals. Base goals in the aggregate were set to be
appropriately difficult to require substantial effort during the year to help create long-term value and to advance
our business in the best interests of stockholders. The base goals were designed to represent, if fully achieved,
what would be, in our view, a very successful year for the Company. We also provided stretch goals as an
additional incentive toward over-achievement. The stretch goals, if achieved, were intended to provide a total
bonus opportunity in excess of 100% that rewards total value creation, including achievement and/or exceeding
our base objectives. The maximum possible payout, based on the achievement of the corporate goals and any
applicable individual goals, is subject to a cap of 175% of each individual’s target bonus, in accordance with the
terms of our bonus plan. All goals, stretch goals included, were set at the same time, in early 2023, were tied to
specific performance metrics and were not adjusted during the year. No purely discretionary bonuses or
accelerators were provided as part of the 2023 bonus program at its outset.
Because we are a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with a marketed product and ongoing vaccine
development program, our corporate goals were directly aligned with specific strategic objectives incorporating
matters that management could influence or control. We believe that our focus on these goals, and our respective
40
performance in pursuing them, properly aligned management’s interests with those of our stockholders and
helped to increase potential stockholder value. In February 2024, the Compensation Committee evaluated the
accomplishments and performance of the Company against these goals. With respect to each of the categories of
corporate goals below, the Compensation Committee took into consideration each of the goals identified and the
level of completion in making an overall determination of goal achievement for each category.
2023 Corporate Goals and Achievements. For 2023, our corporate strategy focused on three strategic
priorities: (i) Drive growth in HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted], (ii) Advance our
differentiated pipeline programs into clinical trial initiations and data readouts; and (iii) Identify strategic
opportunities to accelerate growth, while maintaining a disciplined allocation of capital aligned with corporate
strategy to deliver long-term value through internal and external innovation.
Accordingly, our corporate goals were designed to further build on these pillars and to help strengthen our
overall financial position, our organizational capabilities and our culture. After its consideration of the Company’s
performance, as more specifically described in the following chart, the Compensation Committee rated our
overall 2023 corporate goal achievement at 125%.
Corporate
Achievement
Percentage
144%
Overall
Weighted
Achievement
65%
70%
14%
Corporate Goal
Drive HEPLISAV-B Growth
Weight*
45%
• Achieve U.S. sales target of
$164-$173 million (30%).
• Achieve fourth quarter total
market share greater than
38.5% (15%).
○ Stretch: Achieve U.S.
sales target of
$190 million (+15%)
20%
Advance our existing pipeline
• Achieve GMP supply of
shingles antigen by Q4
(5%).
• Start Tdap challenge study
by Q4 (10%).
• Complete plague phase 2
study enrollment in Q2
(2.5%).
• Complete immunogenicity
proof of concept and antigen
selection in certain
preclinical studies (2.5%).
Corporate Achievement
The Compensation Committee
determined that we achieved the
goals in this category at an overall
percentage of 100%. In determining
this percentage, the Compensation
Committee considered several factors,
including:
• HEPLISAV-B net sales of
$213 million, a 69% increase over
prior year. (assessed 100% plus
15% additional for stretch goal
achievement)
• Approximately 42% total market
share achieved, representing
considerable growth versus 35% at
the end of 2022. (assessed 133%)
(assessed 144% overall)
•
The Compensation Committee
determined that we achieved the goal
in this category at an overall
percentage of 70%. In determining
this percentage, the Compensation
Committee considered several factors,
including:
• GMP shingles material available
(assessed 100%)
Important advancements made in
Tdap study while awaiting
challenge dose study (assessed
20%)
Plague enrollment completed on
time, DoD funding increased to
$33.7 million to initiate a
nonhuman primate challenge
study, and significant other
achievements (assessed 200%)
Preclinical study goals progressed
(assessed 80%)
(assessed 70% overall)
•
•
•
•
41
Weight*
10%
10%
10%
Corporate Goal
Advance business
development and corporate
development focus
• Present comprehensive
evaluation of at least three
late-stage/commercial
opportunities to the Strategic
Advisory Committee (10%).
○ Stretch goal: Execute
a late
stage/commercial
transaction (+15%).
Maintain a strong financial
position
• Manage operating expenses
to within 5% of budget for
planned activities (5%).
• Exit 2023 with sufficient
capital to fund planned
operations to profitability
and pay off existing debt
(5%).
Continue to strengthen
organization capabilities and
culture
• Advance DEI commitments,
launch employee resource
groups, build a multi-year
DEI roadmap to further
increase engagement across
the organization, formalize
ESG committee and develop
ESG roadmap (5%).
• Maintain compliance
excellence across GxP,
SOX, commercial
promotion, and internal
training (5%).
Corporate
Achievement
Percentage
145%
Overall
Weighted
Achievement
14.5%
120%
12%
Corporate Achievement
The Compensation Committee
determined that we achieved the goal
in this category at an overall
percentage of 145%. In determining
this percentage, the Compensation
Committee considered several factors,
including:
• Number of evaluations completed
and presented, infrastructure and
processes established to streamline
further efforts (assessed 145%)
The Compensation Committee
determined that we achieved the goal
in this category at an overall
percentage of 120%. In determining
this percentage, the Compensation
Committee considered several factors,
including:
• Operating expenses were 1%
130%
13%
•
favorable compared to operating
plan including all GAAP items,
and 4% favorable excluding
one-time write-down of
receivables as an extraordinary
event.
Significant positive cashflow in
2023 and visibility to cash-flow
positive in 2024.
(assessed 120% overall)
•
The Compensation Committee
determined that we achieved the goal
in this category at an overall
percentage of 130%. In determining
this percentage, the Compensation
Committee considered several factors,
including:
•
Substantial progress and
achievement made across all
in-scope functions and initiatives
that were well in excess of
expectations for the year.
(assessed 130% overall)
•
42
Corporate
Achievement
Percentage
130%
Overall
Weighted
Achievement
6.5%
Weight*
5%
Corporate Goal
Maintain future CpG revenue
potential
• Maintain long-term value
opportunity for CpG 1018
COVID vaccine supply
business and ensure
long-term supply capability.
Corporate Achievement
The Compensation Committee
determined that we achieved the goal
in this category at an overall
percentage of 130%. In determining
this percentage, the Compensation
Committee considered several factors,
including:
•
Long-term supply of CpG 1018
adjuvant for HEPLISAV-B as well
as possible future demand from
COVID collaborators secured.
Significant yield/process
improvements and efficiency
gains.
(assessed 130% overall)
•
•
• Total
100%
125%
*
percentages in this column represent target base goals, and do not include amounts attributable to stretch goals.
2023 Individual Goals. As described above, Messrs. Spencer and Novack did not have individual goals, and
their respective incentive compensation was based solely on achievement of our corporate goals.
At the beginning of each year, our Chief Executive Officer typically recommends individual goals for each
of the other NEOs, which are aligned with our business strategy and linked to corporate goals, and our
Compensation Committee approves these goals. The individual goals for the NEOs include critical
responsibilities assigned to each NEO that go beyond the corporate goals and are significant to our success.
Established in February 2023, the 2023 individual goals for the NEOs named below focused on objectives linked
to their functional expertise and responsibility as well as our then-current business strategy. These specific goals
were in addition to the general responsibilities each NEO had for managing his or her respective functional
operational area.
43
While individual goals and performance results relate to advancing our corporate goals and business
strategy, the Compensation Committee structures individual goals to be targeted to each applicable NEO’s
expertise and responsibility and evaluates achievement based on each applicable NEO’s individual efforts and
performance results. Thus, as is the case with respect to the 2023 goals, there can be circumstances where the
individual goal grading may exceed corporate goal achievement, and there can be instances where the corporate
goal achievement may surpass the individual goal grading. In February 2024, based on the recommendation of
Mr. Spencer, as well as its own assessment of each NEO’s effectiveness, the Compensation Committee
determined the level of achievement of each NEO’s 2023 individual goals as follows:
Individual
Achievement
Percentage
135%
Name
Kelly
MacDonald
Individual Goals
• Deliver target financial metrics to maintain
strong investment discipline by prioritizing
pipeline and commercial investment
opportunities and executing on plans to
achieve self-sustainability (20%)
• Develop ‘‘best-in-class’’ Investor Relations
and Corporate Communications functions
(20%)
• Prepare high-quality SEC filings without
significant deficiency or material weakness;
Enhance SOX and Enterprise Risk
Management functions including automating
or streamlining existing functions and
processes; Execute global tax strategy and
enhance treasury management function (20%)
• Develop robust strategic finance function;
Deliver financial expertise to support
evaluation of strategic opportunities to
accelerate growth; Complete cost of capital
analysis and provide recommendations (20%)
Increase organizational and bench strength
within finance, develop succession plans and
professional development plans for staff and
support DEI initiatives and (20%)
•
Individual Achievement
Met all goals, and exceeded goals
for the year as follows:
• Delivered actual expenses
within 1% of the operating
plan
• Developed comprehensive
long-range planning process
• Continued improvements in
Controllership function,
including reducing financial
close to 5 days, implementing
internal audit function, and
reducing and automating SOX
controls
• Built strategic finance
capabilities to support
corporate development
activities
• Co-led our DEI efforts
resulting in the establishment
of our first employee resource
group
Robert
Janssen,
M.D.
• Drive HEPLISAV-B revenue growth by,
among other things, overseeing production and
submission of hemodialysis sBLA in Q1 and
supporting marketing, regulatory and
advocacy/education initiatives relating to
hepatitis vaccination (35%)
• Advance our pipeline (45%)
○ Submit shingles pre-IND meeting in Q3
• Stretch goal: submit in Q2
Met all goals, and exceeded goals
for the year as follows:
• Hemodialysis sBLA submitted
in Q1. EMA approved.
• Hepatitis B vaccine coverage
is increasing, Dynavax
supports through advocacy
and education
• HEPLISAV-B MAA approved
125%
○ Submit Tdap pre-IND meeting
request in Q2; obtain scientific
advice from regulatory authorities,
first patient in for challenge study
in Q4
○ Complete plague Phase 2
enrollment in Q2
by MHRA
• Pregnancy data submitted for
USPI
• Successful FDA pre-IND
meetings for both Shingles
and Tdap
• Fully supported business
• Advance business and corporate development
functions including by reviewing/synthesizing
clinical and commercial lifecycles of potential
new products; make recommendations (20%)
development and corporate
development efforts to assess
potential partners, and
provided substantial clinical
and regulatory input
44
After making these determinations regarding levels of corporate and individual performance achieved
against the pre-established performance goals, the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to
Mr. Spencer) reviewed and approved the annual cash incentive payouts noted below. As noted above, for the
NEOs other than Messrs. Spencer and Novack, the cash incentive payouts were based 80% on achievement of
corporate goals and 20% on individual performance.
2023 Target Annual
Cash Incentive
Achievement of Corporate
Goals
Achievement of Individual
Goals
2023 Actual Annual Cash Incentive Paid
% of Base
Salary
75%
60%
50%
50%
$(1)
$570,000
$342,178
$237,500
$260,717
% of Target
Annual Cash
Incentive
125%
125%
125%
125%
$(1)
$712,500
$427,722
$237,500
$260,717
% of Target
Annual Cash
Incentive
NA
NA
135%
125%
$(1)
NA
NA
$64,125
$65,179
Total(1)
$712,500
$427,722
$301,625
$325,896
Name
Ryan Spencer(2)
David F. Novack(2)
Kelly MacDonald
Robert Janssen, M.D.
(1) Amounts are rounded to nearest dollar.
(2) Messrs. Spencer and Novack did not have separate individual goals. Their incentive cash compensation was tied 100% to achievement
of corporate goals.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards
2023 Equity Awards
In making annual long-term equity incentive awards to our NEOs in early 2023, the Compensation
Committee considered each NEO’s total equity outstanding as of December 31, 2022, individual performance
during 2022, the potential amount that could be realized at different hypothetical stock prices upon exercise of
those awards and each NEO’s percentage of ownership of the Company. The Compensation Committee also
reviewed market and peer group data reference points with respect to an approximation of grant date fair value
and shares as a percentage of total common shares outstanding. Additionally, the Compensation Committee
considered the mix of stock options and RSUs granted in 2022. The Compensation Committee made final
determinations based on its judgment in accordance with our pay-for-performance philosophy and the need to
retain and motivate these highly experienced and essential members of our management team.
For 2023, the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to Mr. Spencer) determined to grant
each NEO’s annual long-term incentive compensation with a mix of stock options and PSUs. Specifically, in
February 2023, the Compensation Committee approved annual equity grants for the NEOs in the form of stock
options and PSUs, with the stock options representing roughly seventy percent and the PSUs representing
roughly thirty percent, of the aggregate target option equivalents granted. This particular mix was chosen in order
to provide appropriate retention incentives and the opportunity for our NEOs to realize value directly in line with
our stock price, particularly in light of historic volatility in our stock price, as well as to respond to investor
feedback.
The PSUs granted in 2023 would, subject to and qualified by the terms of the grant agreement, vest solely
upon the Compensation Committee’s certification that our relative total stockholder return ranking (as defined in
the grant agreement) is equal to or greater than the 50th percentile during the performance period starting
January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2025 (‘‘Performance Period’’). To calculate the relative ranking, the
Company’s total stockholder return will be compared to the returns of the other companies comprising the
Nasdaq Biotechnology Index during the entire Performance Period. No shares can vest under these awards if the
Company’s relative ranking is below the thirty-fifth percentile. Seventy percent can vest at a threshold of at least
the thirty-fifth percentile, one hundred percent can vest at the fiftieth percentile, and a maximum of two hundred
percent can vest at or above a ninetieth percentile relative total stockholder return ranking, provided, however,
that the maximum portion that can vest is the target amount, 50%, if the Company’s actual total stockholder
return is negative, regardless of whether the company achieves a higher than target relative ranking. Stock
options granted to each of the NEOs vest over three years, with one-third vesting on the anniversary of grant,
and the remainder vesting monthly.
45
The table below describes the stock options and PSUs granted to our NEOs in fiscal year 2023. Our
Compensation Committee used its subjective judgement to determine the size of awards it believed were
appropriate for each named executive officer, weighing the factors described above each NEO’s current equity
holdings and its desire to provide strong retentive value. Each of the 2023 equity awards listed below were
granted in February 2023.
Name
Ryan Spencer
David F. Novack
Kelly MacDonald
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Other Executive Compensation Matters
Equity Compensation Policies
Time-Based Stock
Option Awards
(# of shares)
280,000
150,000
100,000
80,000
Time-Based RSU
Awards
(# of shares)
—
—
—
—
Performance-Based
RSU Awards
(# of shares)
125,000
48,500
30,000
24,000
Our Compensation Committee approves equity awards for NEOs and authorizes the Chief Executive Officer
to approve equity awards for all other employees below the level of vice president based on approved pools for
annual and new hire grants. Awards for executives who are vice president and above and are not NEOs are
approved either at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee or by unanimous written
consent. The effective date of the grant is generally the date of the meeting, or the date the last committee
member executes the unanimous written consent.
The exercise price of stock options is not less than the closing price of our common stock as reported by
Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on the grant date of the stock option. We do not time grants of stock options or
RSUs to coordinate with the release of material non-public information, and we have not timed the release of
material non-public information for purposes of affecting the value of the compensation awarded to our NEOs or
any other employee.
We encourage our NEOs to hold a significant equity interest in our Company, but we have not set specific
stock ownership guidelines.
Compensation Recovery Policy
In November 2023, we adopted the Dynavax Technologies Corporation Incentive Compensation
Recoupment Policy (the ‘‘Recoupment Policy’’), which is intended to comply with the Dodd Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act and related Nasdaq listing standards. A copy of the Recoupment Policy can
be found in the investors section of our website, www.dynavax.com under investors-corporate governance. In
addition, as a public company subject to the provisions of Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, if we
are required as a result of misconduct to restate our financial results due to our material noncompliance with any
financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws, our chief executive officer and chief financial
officer may be legally required to reimburse us for any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based
compensation they receive.
Tax and Accounting Implications
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Under Financial Accounting Standard Board ASC Topic 718 (‘‘ASC 718’’), we are required to estimate and
record an expense for each award of equity compensation over the vesting period of the award. We record
share-based compensation expense on an ongoing basis according to ASC 718. The accounting impact of our
compensation programs is one of many factors that the Compensation Committee considers in determining the
structure and size of our executive compensation programs.
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Under Section 162(m), compensation paid to each of the Company’s ‘‘covered employees’’ that exceeds
$1 million per taxable year is generally non-deductible.
46
Although the Compensation Committee will continue to consider tax implications as one factor in
determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee also looks at other factors in making its
decisions and retains the flexibility to provide compensation for the Company’s NEOs in a manner consistent
with the goals of the Company’s executive compensation program and the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders, which may include providing for compensation that is not deductible by the Company due to the
deduction limit under Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee also retains the flexibility to modify
compensation that was initially intended to be exempt from the deduction limit under Section 162(m) if it
determines that such modifications are consistent with the Company’s business needs.
Compensation Risk Analysis
During fiscal 2023, our Compensation Committee reviewed our compensation policies as generally
applicable to our employees in order to determine whether any such programs were likely to present a material
risk to the Company. As part of its assessment, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the
allocation of compensation among base salary and short- and long-term compensation, our approach to
establishing Company-wide and individual financial, operational and other performance targets, and the nature of
our key performance metrics. As a result of this review and analysis, the Compensation Committee determined
that our policies and programs do not encourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking, and that the level of risk
that they do encourage is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Compensation Committee Report
In early 2023, the Compensation Committee discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis, contained in this proxy statement. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee
has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy
statement and incorporated into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
The material in this report is not ‘‘soliciting material,’’ is furnished to, but not deemed ‘‘filed’’ with, the
SEC and is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act, other than the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, where it shall be deemed to be
‘‘furnished,’’ whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation
language in any such filing.
Ms. Peggy V. Phillips, Chairperson
Dr. Peter Paradiso, Ph.D.
Dr. Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
47
The following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to, or earned by, our NEOs during the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal
Position
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive
Officer and Director
David F. Novack
President and Chief
Operating Officer
Kelly MacDonald
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
and Senior Vice
President
Bonus
Salary
Stock
Awards(1)
Year
2023 $760,000
2022 $695,000
2021 $600,000
2023 $570,296
2022 $545,738
2021 $519,750
2023 $475,000
2022 $425,000
2021 $312,500 $15,000 $
Option
Awards(2)
— $2,281,250 $2,043,300
— $1,522,500 $2,820,265
— $1,605,608 $1,720,450
— $ 885,125 $1,094,625
— $ 645,540 $1,208,685
— $ 935,025 $1,013,100
— $ 547,500 $ 729,750
— $ 389,760 $ 729,240
— $2,250,920
Non-Equity
Incentive
Compensation(3)
$712,500
$544,880
$588,000
$427,722
$366,736
$436,590
$301,625
$240,550
$221,875
2023 $521,434
2022 $500,176
2021 $480,938
— $ 438,000 $ 583,800
— $ 316,680 $ 604,343
— $ 534,300 $ 574,090
$325,896
$277,598
$329,443
All Other
Compensation
$13,686(4)
$11,355
$ 5,431
$15,563(5)
$13,124
$13,635
$11,930(6)
$ 8,716
$ 4,042
$14,193(7)
$11,983
$ 6,793
Total
$5,810,736
$5,594,000
$4,519,489
$2,993,331
$2,779,823
$2,918,100
$2,065,805
$1,793,266
$2,804,337
$1,883,323
$1,710,780
$1,925,564
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs granted in the fiscal year in accordance with ASC 718. See note 15 of our
‘‘Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements’’ in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024 for a
discussion of assumptions we made in determining the compensation costs included in this column. With regard to awards with
performance-based vesting (‘‘performance-based RSUs’’ or ‘‘PSUs’’), the grant date fair value assumes the highest level of achievement
had been met. For further discussion of these PSUs, see the section entitled ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 2023 Executive
Compensation Decisions – Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards.’’
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted in the fiscal year in accordance with ASC 718. See note 15 of
our ‘‘Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements’’ in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024 for a
discussion of assumptions we made in determining the compensation costs included in this column.
Represents the annual cash incentive bonuses earned pursuant to our annual cash incentive bonus plan for services rendered in the
fiscal year. For further discussion see the section entitled ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 2023 Executive Compensation
Decisions – 2023 Annual Cash Incentive Program – Structure, Goals and Payout Decision.’’
Includes (i) $6,500 in 401(k) matching contribution made by the Company in the fiscal year and (ii) $7,186 of premiums for
supplemental long-term disability insurance that is provided to certain members of our management.
Includes (i) $6,500 in 401(k) matching contribution made by the Company in the fiscal year and (ii) $9,063 of premiums for
supplemental long-term disability insurance that is provided to certain members of our management.
Includes (i) $6,500 in 401(k) matching contribution made by the Company in the fiscal year and (ii) $5,430 of premiums for
supplemental long-term disability insurance that is provided to certain members of our management.
Includes (i) $6,500 in 401(k) matching contribution made by the Company in the fiscal year and (ii) $7,693 of premiums for
supplemental long-term disability insurance that is provided to certain members of our management.
48
The following table shows certain information regarding grants of plan-based awards to our NEOs during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS
Estimated Future Payments
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
($)
Grant
Date
— $712,500 $1,246,875
Name
Ryan Spencer
David F. Novack
— $427,722 $ 748,514
Kelly MacDonald
— $301,625 $ 527,844
Robert Janssen,
M.D.
— $325,896 $ 570,318
2/16/2023
2/16/2023
—
—
2/16/2023
2/16/2023
—
—
2/16/2023
2/16/2023
—
—
2/16/2023
2/16/2023
—
—
Estimated Future
Payouts Under
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— 87,500
125,000
250,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
— 33,950
48,500
97,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
— 21,000
30,000
60,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
— 16,800
24,000
48,000
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock
or Units
(#)
—
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
—
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Share)
—
Grant Date
Fair Value
of RSU and
Option
Awards(3)
($)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
280,000
$11.12
$2,043,300
—
—
— $2,281,250
—
—
150,000
$11.12
$1,094,625
—
—
— $ 885,125
—
—
100,000
$11.12
$ 729,750
—
—
— $ 547,500
—
—
80,000
$11.12
$ 583,800
—
— $ 438,000
(1)
(2)
(3)
Represents the target and maximum level of cash incentive award in fiscal year 2023 as further described under ‘‘Compensation
Discussion and Analysis – Elements of Executive Compensation’’; our annual cash incentive program does not specify a threshold
level.
Represents the threshold, target and maximum level of PSUs granted in the fiscal year that are subject to performance-based vesting, as
described in the ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis.’’
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted in fiscal year 2023 in accordance with ASC 718. See Note 15 of our
‘‘Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements’’ in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024 for a
discussion of the assumptions we made in determining the compensation costs included in this column. With regard to PSUs, the grant
date fair value assumes the highest level of achievement had been met, as reported in the ‘‘Summary Compensation Table.’’ For further
discussion of these PSUs, see the section entitled ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 2023 Executive Compensation Decisions –
Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards.’’
NARRATIVE DISCLOSURE TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND GRANTS OF PLAN
BASED AWARDS TABLE
The material terms of NEO annual compensation and the explanations of the amounts of base salary, annual
cash-based incentives, and equity-based awards in proportion to total compensation are described under
‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis’’ in this proxy statement. Our severance and change in control benefits
are described under ‘‘Summary of Change in Control and Involuntary Termination Arrangements’’ in this proxy
statement.
As discussed in the ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis,’’ the fiscal year 2023 cash incentive amounts
were paid pursuant to the annual cash incentive compensation program, based on the achievement of certain
corporate and, as applicable, individual goals. Equity-based awards represent a mix of time-based options and
time-based and performance-based RSUs, as described in the ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis’’ and were
granted under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan and, in the case of Ms. MacDonald in 2021, the 2021 Inducement
Plan. The terms of awards granted under the 2021 Inducement Plan are substantially similar to those of the 2018
Equity Incentive Plan, including the treatment of awards upon termination of service and upon a change in
control transaction.
49
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END
The following table shows certain information regarding outstanding equity awards for NEOs as of
December 31, 2023.
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
Vesting
Commencement
Date
Option
Expiration
Date
Market
Value
of Stock
that
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
Number of
Shares or
Units that
Have Not
Vested (#)
Name
Ryan Spencer
David F. Novack
(8)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(9)
(9)
(9)
3,500
9,500
2,000
56,000
50,000
400,000
130,000
(3)(9)
—
(2)(9) 236,111
(2)(9) 213,888
(5)(9)
(6)(9)
(2)(9)
(7)(9)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(9)
(9)
(9)
(9)
—
—
—
—
22,000
75,000
80,000
18,000
104,000
25,000
200,000
144,000
(2)(9) 141,666
(4)(9)
—
(2)(9) 91,666
(5)(9)
(6)(9)
(2)(9)
(7)(9)
—
—
—
—
Kelly MacDonald
(2)(10)320,833
(2)(9) 55,305
Robert Janssen,
M.D.
(5)(9)
(6)(9)
(2)(9)
(7)(9)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(9)
(9)
—
—
—
—
18,000
56,000
80,000
18,000
104,000
105,000
(2)(9) 80,277
4,723
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
13,889
136,112
—
—
280,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
8,334
—
58,334
—
—
150,000
—
29,167
35,195
—
—
100,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested
($)(1)
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested (#)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
62,500
$ 873,750
—
—
— 125,000
$1,747,500
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
26,500
$ 370,470
—
—
48,500
$ 678,030
—
—
—
—
—
—
16,000
$ 223,680
—
—
30,000
$ 419,400
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2/6/2014
2/9/2015
9/10/2015
2/5/2024
2/8/2025
9/9/2025
2/1/2018
1/31/2025
6/14/2019
6/13/2026
12/16/2019
12/15/2026
2/13/2020
2/12/2027
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— 29,750
$415,905
2/4/2021
2/10/2022
2/3/2028
2/9/2029
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— 41,666
$582,491
$11.12
2/16/2023
2/15/2030
—
2/4/2014
2/9/2015
—
2/3/2024
2/8/2025
2/1/2018
1/31/2025
2/1/2018
1/31/2025
2/22/2019
2/21/2026
6/14/2019
6/13/2026
12/16/2019
12/15/2026
2/12/2020
2/11/2027
2/3/2021
2/2/2028
—
—
—
—
3/1/2021
2/29/2028
2/10/2022
2/9/2029
—
—
—
— 17,500
$244,650
$12.74
2/10/2022
2/9/2029
—
—
— 17,666
$246,971
—
—
—
—
$11.12
2/16/2023
2/15/2030
— 10,666
$149,111
$16.70
$16.00
$30.49
$16.45
$ 3.81
$ 6.80
$ 5.22
—
$ 9.59
$12.74
—
—
—
$17.10
$16.00
$16.45
$16.45
$10.47
$ 3.81
$ 6.80
$ 5.42
$ 9.41
—
—
$ 8.90
$12.74
—
—
$11.12
2/16/2023
2/15/2030
—
—
—
$17.10
$16.00
$16.45
$16.45
$10.47
$ 5.42
$ 9.41
2/4/2014
2/9/2015
2/3/2024
2/8/2025
2/1/2018
1/31/2025
2/1/2018
1/31/2025
2/22/2019
2/21/2026
2/12/2020
2/11/2027
2/3/2021
2/2/2028
50
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Name
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
(4)(9)
—
(2)(9) 45,833
(5)(9)
(6)(9)
(2)(9)
(7)(9)
—
—
—
—
—
29,167
—
—
80,000
—
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
—
—
—
—
—
—
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested
($)(1)
—
—
—
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested (#)
—
—
—
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
—
Vesting
Commencement
Date
Option
Expiration
Date
Number of
Shares or
Units that
Have Not
Vested (#)
—
— 10,000
Market
Value
of Stock
that
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
$139,800
$12.74
2/10/2022
2/9/2029
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$11.12
2/16/2023
2/15/2030
—
—
—
8,666
$121,151
—
—
—
— 13,000
$181,740
—
—
—
— 24,000
$335,520
(1)
Represents the aggregate fair value of RSUs (including PSUs) based on the last closing price per share as of December 31, 2023, of
$13.98.
(2) Options vest at the rate of 1/3rd of the shares on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date, with 1/36th of the total
number of shares vesting each month thereafter.
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
These RSUs were granted on February 4, 2021 and vest over three years with one-third vesting on each annual anniversary date.
These RSUs were granted on February 3, 2021 and vest over three years with one-third vesting on each annual anniversary date.
These RSUs were granted on February 10, 2022 and vest over three years with one-third vesting on each annual anniversary date.
These PSUs were granted on February 10, 2022. These PSUs vest if the Company’s relative total stockholder return ranking is equal to
or greater than the 50th percentile before the end of 2024. To calculate the relative ranking, the Company’s total stockholder return will
be compared to the returns of the other companies comprising the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index during the performance period of
January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024. No shares can vest under these awards if the Company’s relative ranking is below the
50th percentile.
These PSUs were granted on February 16, 2023. These PSUs vest if the Company’s relative total stockholder return ranking is equal to
or greater than the 50th percentile before the end of 2025. To calculate the relative ranking, the Company’s total stockholder return will
be compared to the returns of the other companies comprising the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index during the performance period of
January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025. No shares can vest under these awards if the Company’s relative ranking is below the
50th percentile.
(8) Granted under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.
(9) Granted under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan.
(10) Granted under the 2021 Inducement Award Plan.
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table provides information on stock awards that vested, including the number of shares
acquired upon vesting and the value realized, determined as described below, for the NEOs in the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2023.
Name
Ryan Spencer
David F. Novack
Kelly MacDonald
Robert Janssen, M.D.
(1)
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
—
160,000
—
44,827
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)(1)
—
$1,505,490
—
$ 251,322
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
60,472
35,084
5,334
20,584
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2)
$626,490
$363,470
$ 55,260
$213,250
The value realized on exercise is determined by multiplying the number of shares of stock acquired upon the exercise by the difference
between the exercise price and the market value of the underlying shares as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on the exercise
date.
(2)
The value realized on vesting is determined by multiplying the number of shares of stock by the market value of the underlying shares
as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on the vesting date.
PENSION BENEFITS
None of the NEOs participates in or has an account balance under any pension or qualified or non-qualified
defined benefit retirement plan sponsored by the Company.
51
NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
None of the NEOs participates in or has an account balance under any non-qualified defined contribution
plan or other non-qualified deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company.
POTENTAL PAYMENTS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL OR INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION
Summary of Change in Control and Involuntary Termination Arrangements.
To promote retention of certain key executives, our Board has authorized the Company to enter into
Management Continuity and Separation Agreements with each NEO. We refer to such agreements in effect as of
December 31, 2023 as the ‘‘Management Agreements.’’ In order to be eligible to receive benefits under the
Management Agreements, our NEOs and other officers must execute a general waiver and release of claims, and
such release must become effective in accordance with its terms.
Certain Transactions without Termination.
Pursuant to the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, in the event that there had been a corporate transaction or
change in control (each as defined in the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan) on December 31, 2023, and if the
surviving or acquiring corporation had elected not to assume, continue or substitute for equity awards that were
outstanding under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, 2021 Inducement Award Plan and
2017 Inducement Award Plan held by each of our current service providers, including our NEOs, the vesting of
such awards would accelerate in full. The table below outlines the potential payments and benefits payable to
each NEO in this event, assuming such event had occurred on December 31, 2023.
Transaction Where
Award is Not Assumed,
Continued or Substituted
Value of Accelerated
Stock Awards(1)
$2,902,697
$1,401,511
$ 850,601
$ 729,242
Represents the value of accelerated vesting of equity awards assuming the event took place on December 31, 2023. The value for
RSUs (including PSUs) is calculated based on the closing price per share on December 31, 2023. The value for stock option awards is
calculated based on the ‘‘spread’’ between the closing price per share on December 31, 2023 of $13.98 and the exercise price of the
vested awards, to the extent such vested awards were ‘‘in the money.’’
Name
Ryan Spencer
David F. Novack
Kelly MacDonald
Robert Janssen, M.D.
(1)
Pursuant to the terms of the PSUs granted in February 2023, in the event that there had been a corporate
transaction or change in control (each as defined in the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan) on December 31, 2023, and
if the surviving or acquiring corporation had elected to assume, continue or substitute for the PSUs, then (i) the
vesting schedule of the PSUs would be revised as if the target number of PSUs would vest on each of the first
three anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the NEO’s continued services; (ii) any portion of the PSUs that
would have vested under such time-based schedule on or prior to the effective date of such transaction would
become vested on such effective date; and (iii) any portion of the PSUs that would be unvested immediately
following such effective date would vest in accordance with such time-based schedule. No associated
acceleration value is disclosed in the table above this paragraph because the first vesting date under these
circumstances would be February 2024.
Qualifying Termination in Connection with a Change in Control.
Under the Management Agreements, if, on or during the three months preceding, or the twenty-four month
period following, a change in control (as described below), the NEO’s employment is terminated due to an
‘‘involuntary’’ termination without ‘‘cause’’ (and other than due to death or disability) or, if applicable, upon a
resignation for ‘‘good reason’’ (as defined below) the NEO will, subject to the execution of a release of claims,
be entitled to receive:
•
a lump-sum cash payment equal to a specified number of months (24 months for Mr. Spencer,
21 months for Mr. Novack and 18 months for our other NEOs) of the executive’s then-effective annual
base salary;
52
•
•
•
•
a lump-sum cash payment equal to a specified percentage of the NEO’s target annual variable cash
compensation (200% of such target for Mr. Spencer, 175% for Mr. Novack, and 150% of such target
for our other NEOs) for the year of termination;
cash payments equal to the value of the applicable COBRA premiums for up to the same number of
months as the NEO receives in base salary as set forth in the first bullet, paid either monthly on
employee’s behalf or to employee in a single lump sum (the ‘‘COBRA Payment’’);
full acceleration of vesting of all outstanding equity awards at the time of such termination; and
the extension of exercisability of all stock options to purchase the Company’s common stock for a
period of one year following termination of employment (but in any event not beyond each option’s
expiration date).
In addition, if any payments or benefits would constitute a ‘‘parachute payment’’ within the meaning of
Section 280G of the Code and such payments would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code, then such payments will either be (1) provided to the NEO in full or (2) reduced to such lesser amount
that would result in no portion of such payments being subject to the excise tax, whichever amount after taking
into account all applicable taxes, including the excise tax, would result in the NEO’s receipt, on an after-tax
basis, of the greatest amount of such payments.
For purposes of the Management Agreements, ‘‘cause’’ generally means (1) gross negligence or willful
misconduct in the performance of duties to the Company, where such gross negligence or willful misconduct has
resulted or is likely to result in substantial and material damage to the Company or its subsidiaries; (2) repeated
unexplained or unjustified absence from the Company; (3) a material and willful violation of any federal or state
law; (4) commission of any act of fraud with respect to the Company; or (5) conviction of a felony or a crime
involving moral turpitude causing material harm to the standing and reputation of the Company, in each case as
determined in good faith by the Board.
For purposes of the Management Agreements, ‘‘good reason’’ generally means the NEO’s voluntary
termination following (1) a material reduction or change in job duties, responsibilities, and requirements
inconsistent with the NEO’s position with the Company and his or her prior duties, responsibilities, and
requirements, or a material change in the level of management to which the NEO reports; (2) any material
reduction of base compensation (other than in connection with a general decrease in base salaries for most
officers of the successor corporation); or (3) the refusal to relocate to a facility or location more than 35 miles
from the Company’s current location. The NEO must provide 90 days’ notice of the event giving rise to good
reason, give the Company 30 days to cure (if curable), and any resignation for good reason must occur within
180 days after the occurrence of the event giving rise to such resignation right.
The Management Agreements generally define a change in control to mean the occurrence of a change in
the majority ownership of the voting securities of the Company; a merger that results in the stockholders of the
Company immediately prior the transaction not owning more than 60% of the voting securities of the Company;
the sale of all or substantially all of the assets; or over a period of 12 months or less, when a majority of our
Board becomes comprised of individuals who were not serving on our Board as of a specified date, or whose
nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of the directors who were serving on our
Board as of such specified date.
The table below outlines the potential payments and benefits payable to each NEO in the event of such
NEO’s termination in connection with a change in control of the Company, assuming such event had occurred on
December 31, 2023.
Name
Ryan Spencer
David F. Novack
Kelly MacDonald
Robert Janssen, M.D.
(1)
Severance
Payment
$2,660,000
$1,596,830
$1,068,750
$1,173,227
Represents the value of accelerated vesting of equity awards assuming the event took place on December 31, 2023. The value for
RSUs (including PSUs) is calculated based on the closing price per share on December 31, 2023. The value for stock option awards is
calculated based on the ‘‘spread’’ between the closing price per share on December 31, 2023 of $13.98 and the exercise price of the
vested awards, to the extent such vested awards were ‘‘in the money.’’
Continuation
of Benefits
$46,449
$60,117
$19,027
$38,193
Total
$7,356,647
$3,736,487
$2,357,778
$2,276,181
Value of
Accelerated
Stock Awards(1)
$4,650,197
$2,079,541
$1,270,001
$1,064,762
53
Qualifying Termination Not in Connection with a Change in Control.
Under the terms of the Management Agreements, upon an ‘‘involuntary’’ termination without ‘‘cause’’ (and
other than due to death or disability) or, if applicable, upon a resignation for ‘‘good reason’’ (each as defined
above), the NEO will, subject to the execution of a release of claims, be entitled to receive:
•
•
•
•
•
a lump-sum cash payment equal to the specified number of months (18 months for Mr. Spencer,
15 months for Mr. Novack and 12 months for our other NEOs) of the executive’s then-effective annual
base salary;
the COBRA Payment;
a lump-sum cash payment equal to the NEO’s target annual variable cash compensation for the year of
termination, pro-rated as of the date of termination;
the acceleration of vesting of time-vesting stock options to purchase the Company’s common stock for
a specified number of months (18 months for Mr. Spencer, 15 months for Mr. Novack and 12 months
for our other NEOs) following termination of employment (but in any event not beyond each option’s
expiration date); and
the extension of exercisability of all stock options to purchase the Company’s common stock for a
period of one year following termination of employment (but in any event not beyond each option’s
expiration date).
The table below outlines the potential payments and benefits payable to each NEO, in the event of such
NEO’s involuntary termination not in connection with a change in control assuming such event had occurred on
December 31, 2023.
Name
Ryan Spencer
David F. Novack
Kelly MacDonald
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Severance
Payment
$1,710,000
$1,055,048
$ 712,500
$ 782,151
Continuation
of Benefits
$34,837
$42,941
$12,685
$25,462
Value of
Accelerated
Stock Awards
$852,596
$408,337
$428,932
$249,240
Total
$2,597,433
$1,506,326
$1,154,117
$1,056,853
54
PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE
Under SEC rules, we are required periodically to calculate and disclose the annual total compensation of our
median employee, as well as the ratio of the annual total compensation of our median employee as compared to
the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer (‘‘CEO Pay Ratio’’).
Pursuant to SEC rules, we are permitted to use the same median employee we identified in 2021 because
we have determined that there have been no changes to our employee population or employee compensation
arrangements in 2023 that we believe would significantly affect our CEO Pay Ratio disclosure. However,
because our 2021 median employee is no longer employed by us, we substituted another employee with
substantially similar compensation as our median employee for 2023. Once the median employee was identified,
we then calculated the annual total compensation of this employee for 2023 in accordance with the requirements
of the Summary Compensation Table.
For 2023, the median of the annual total compensation of our employees (other than our Chief Executive
Officer) was $198,591 and the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, as reported in the
Summary Compensation Table included in this proxy statement, was $5,810,736. Based on this information, the
ratio of the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total
compensation of our employees (other than our Chief Executive Officer) was approximately 29-to-1.
The CEO Pay Ratio above represents our reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC
rules and applicable guidance. SEC rules and guidance provide significant flexibility in how companies identify
the median employee, and each company may use a different methodology and make different assumptions
particular to that company. As a result, and as explained by the SEC when it adopted these rules, in considering
the pay ratio disclosure, stockholders should keep in mind that the rule was not designed to facilitate
comparisons of pay ratios among different companies, even companies within the same industry, but rather to
allow stockholders to better understand and assess each particular company’s compensation practices and pay
ratio disclosures.
Neither the Compensation Committee nor our management used our CEO Pay Ratio measure in making
compensation decisions.
55
ITEM 402(V) PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
The disclosure included in this section is prescribed by SEC rules and does not necessarily align with how
the Company or the Compensation Committee view the link between the Company’s performance and NEO pay.
For additional information about our pay-for-performance philosophy and how we align NEO compensation with
Company performance, refer to the ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis’’ beginning on page 30.
Required Tabular Disclosure of Pay Versus Performance
The amounts set forth below under the headings ‘‘Compensation Actually Paid to PEO’’ and ‘‘Average
Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs’’ have been calculated in a manner consistent with
Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. Use of the term ‘‘compensation actually paid’’ (‘‘CAP’’) is required by the SEC’s
rules and as a result of the calculation methodology required by the SEC, such amounts differ from
compensation actually received by the individuals and the compensation decisions described in the
‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis’’ section beginning on page 30.
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based On:
Average Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO NEOs
($)(1&2)
(d)
$2,314,153
$2,094,623
$2,410,600
$1,331,353
NEOs included in these columns reflect the following:
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
PEO ($)(1&2)
(b)
$5,810,736
$5,594,000
$4,519,489
$1,521,779
Compensation
Actually Paid to
PEO ($)(1&3)
(c)
$6,752,821
$3,889,804
$9,202,304
$ 429,945
Year
(a)
2023
2022
2021
2020
1
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non-PEO NEOs
($)(1&3)
(e)
$2,537,045
$1,411,504
$3,623,574
$ 790,834
Total
Shareholder
Return ($)(4)
(f)
$244.41
$182.52
$245.98
$ 77.80
HEPLISAV-B
Product
Revenue
(thousands)
($)(6)
(i)
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder
Return ($)(4)
(g)
Net Income
(thousands)
($)(5)
(h)
6,389) $213,295
$118.87 ($
$125,937
$293,156
$101.47
$ 61,870
$ 76,713
$126.45
$126.42 ($ 75,240) $ 36,030
Year
2023
2022
2021
2020
PEO
Non-PEO NEOs
Ryan Spencer
Ryan Spencer
Ryan Spencer
Ryan Spencer
David Novack, Kelly MacDonald, Robert Janssen
David Novack, Kelly MacDonald, Robert Janssen
David Novack, Kelly MacDonald, Michael Ostrach, Robert Janssen
David Novack, Michael Ostrach, Robert Janssen
2
3
Amounts reflect Summary Compensation Table Total Compensation for our PEO and average for our non-PEO NEOs for each
corresponding year.
The following table details the adjustment to the Summary Compensation Table Total Compensation for our PEO, as well as the
average for our other NEOs, to determine CAP, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. Amounts do not
reflect actual compensation earned by or paid to our PEO or other NEOs during the applicable year.
Reconciliation of Summary Compensation Table Total to Compensation
Actually Paid
Summary Compensation Table Total
Fiscal Year
2023
(For PEO)
$5,810,736
Fiscal Year 2023
(Average For
Non-PEO NEOs)1
$2,314,153
(Minus): Grant date fair value of option and stock awards granted in fiscal year
($4,324,550)
($1,426,267)
(Minus): Change in pension value
Plus: Pension service cost and associated prior service cost
Plus: Fair value at fiscal year-end of outstanding and unvested option and stock awards
granted in fiscal year
Plus/(Minus): Change in fair value of outstanding and unvested option and stock
awards granted in prior fiscal years
Plus: Fair value at vesting of option and stock awards granted in fiscal year that vested
during fiscal year
Plus/(Minus): Change in fair value as of vesting date of option and stock awards
granted in prior fiscal years for which applicable vesting conditions were satisfied
during fiscal year
(Minus): Fair value as of the spin-off date of option and stock awards granted in prior
fiscal years that failed to meet applicable vesting conditions during fiscal year
Plus: Value of dividends or other earnings paid on option and stock awards not
otherwise reflected in total compensation
Compensation Actually Paid
—
—
—
—
$4,780,540
$1,541,649
$ 416,569
$ 116,832
—
—
$
69,526
($
9,322)
—
—
—
—
$6,752,821
$2,537,045
(a)
The amounts reflect the aggregate grant-date fair value reported in the ‘‘Stock Awards’’ and ‘‘Option Awards’’ columns in the
Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
56
(b)
In accordance with Item 402(v) requirements, the fair values of unvested and outstanding equity awards to our NEOs were
remeasured as of the end of each fiscal year, and as of each vesting date, during the years displayed in the table above. Fair
values as of each measurement date were determined using valuation assumptions and methodologies (including volatility,
dividend yield, and risk-free interest rates) that are generally consistent with those used to estimate fair value at grant under
US GAAP. For options, fair values were estimated using the Black-Scholes formula. The range of estimates used in the option
fair value calculations are as follows: (i) for 2023, expected life between 0.7 years – 4.5 years, volatility between 32% - 86%,
dividend yield of 0%, and risk-free interest rate between 3.4% - 5.3%; (ii) for 2022, expected life between 1.5 years – 3.6 years,
volatility between 69% - 103%, dividend yield of 0%, and risk-free interest rate between 0.8% - 4.5%; (iii) for 2021, expected
life between 1.2 years – 4.6 years, volatility between 78% - 114%, dividend yield of 0%, and risk-free interest rate between
0.1% - 1.2%; (iv) for 2020, expected life between 1.3 years – 5.6 years, volatility between 63% - 100%, dividend yield of 0%,
and risk-free interest rate between 0.1% - 1.6%.
For PSUs, fair values were estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model, using assumptions that are generally consistent with
those used to estimate fair value at grant date. The fair values reflect the probable outcome of the performance vesting conditions
as of each measurement date. See ‘‘Stock Compensation Plans’’ in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the corresponding fiscal year, where we explain assumptions made in valuing
equity awards at grant.
(c) Amount of equity award adjustments may differ from amount reported in the table above due to rounding.
(d) Neither the PEO, nor the Non-PEO NEOs participate in a pension plan. As such, the relevant pension numbers included in the
table above are zero.
4
5
6
The amounts reflect the cumulative total shareholder return of our common stock (column (f)) and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index
(column (g)) at the end of each fiscal year. In each case, assume an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2019, and reinvestment
of dividends, if any.
The dollar amounts reported represent the net income reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year.
As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we have determined that HEPLISAV-B product revenue is the Company-Selected
Measure.
Required Disclosure of the Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Financial Performance
Measures
As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following graphs to illustrate the
relationship between the pay and performance figures that are included in the pay versus performance tabular
disclosure above. In addition, the first graph below further illustrates the relationship between Company total
shareholder return and that of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index. As noted above, ‘‘compensation actually paid’’
for purposes of the tabular disclosure and the following graphs were calculated in accordance with SEC rules and
do not fully represent the actual final amount of compensation earned by or actually paid to our NEOs during the
applicable years.
)
s
n
o
$10
i
l
l
i
m
$
(
d
a
P
y
l
l
i
a
u
t
c
A
n
o
(cid:2)
a
s
n
e
p
m
o
C
$8
$6
$4
$2
$0
$126
$78
$0.4
$0.8
CAP vs. TSR
$246
$244
$183
$126
$101
$119
$9.2
$3.6
$3.9
$1.4
$6.8
$2.5
$250
$200
$150
$100
$50
$0
T
S
R
2020
2021
2022
2023
Compensa(cid:2)on Actually Paid (PEO)
Avg. Compensa(cid:2)on Actually Paid (Non-PEO NEOs)
Dynavax TSR
Nasdaq Biotechnology Index
57
)
s
n
o
i
l
l
i
m
$
(
d
a
P
y
l
l
i
a
u
t
c
A
n
o
(cid:2)
a
s
n
e
p
m
o
C
$10
$8
$6
$4
$2
$0
CAP vs. HEPLISAV-B Product Revenue
$213.3
$125.9
$61.9
$36.0
$0.8
$0.4
$9.2
$3.6
$3.9
$1.4
2020
2021
2022
$2.5
$6.8
2023
$250
$200
$150
$100
$50
$0
Compensa(cid:2)on Actually Paid (PEO)
Avg. Compensa(cid:2)on Actually Paid (Non-PEO NEOs)
HEPLISAV-B Product Revenue
R
e
v
e
n
u
e
(
$
m
i
l
l
i
o
n
s
)
)
s
n
o
i
l
l
i
m
$
(
d
a
P
y
l
l
i
a
u
t
c
A
n
o
(cid:2)
a
s
n
e
p
m
o
C
$12
$10
$8
$6
$4
$2
$0
($2)
CAP vs. Net Income
$293
$600
$500
$6.8
$400
N
e
t
I
n
c
o
m
e
(
$
m
i
l
l
i
o
n
s
)
$300
$200
$100
$0
($100)
$77
$9.2
$3.6
$3.9
$1.4
2021
2022
$2.5
-$6
2023
$0.4
$0.8
2020
-$75
Compensa(cid:2)on Actually Paid (PEO)
Avg. Compensa(cid:2)on Actually Paid (Non-PEO NEOs)
Net Income
58
Required Tabular Disclosure of Most Important Measures
The most important financial performance measures used by the Company to link CAP to the Company’s
NEOs for the most recently completed fiscal year to the Company’s performance are set forth below. For further
information regarding these performance metrics and their function in our executive compensation program,
please see ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis’’ beginning on page 30.
•
•
•
•
HEPLISAV-B Vaccine Revenue
CpG 1018 Adjuvant Revenue
Relative TSR for Dynavax Common Stock Compared To Nasdaq Biotechnology Index
HEPLISAV-B Vaccine Market Share As Percent of U.S. Market For Hepatitis-B Vaccines
All information provided above under the ‘‘Item 402(v) Pay Versus Performance’’ heading will not be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language
in any such filing.
59
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
Our non-employee director compensation philosophy is based on the following guiding principles:
•
•
aligning the long-term interests of stockholders and directors; and
compensating directors appropriately and adequately for their time, effort and experience
The elements of director compensation consist of annual cash retainers and equity awards, as well as
customary and usual expense reimbursement in attending Board and committee meetings. In an effort to align the
long-term interests of our stockholders and non-employee directors, the mix of cash and equity compensation has
historically been, and is currently, weighted more heavily to equity.
The Board approves changes to non-employee director compensation after considering recommendations of
the Compensation Committee. When considering non-employee director compensation decisions, the
Compensation Committee believes it is important to be informed as to current compensation practices of
comparable publicly held companies in the life sciences industry, especially to understand the demand and
competitiveness for attracting and retaining the expertise of highly qualified individuals. Thus, the Compensation
Committee has previously considered recommendations from Arnosti, and in the future will consider the
feedback from Alpine, based on an analysis of director compensation at our peer companies and observations
regarding the practices of other companies. Our compensation arrangements for our non-employee directors are
set forth in our Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (the ‘‘Director Compensation Policy’’), and our
Board may approve additional cash and equity awards for our non-employee directors in its discretion. The
Director Compensation Policy outlines cash and equity compensation automatically payable to non-employee
members of the Board, unless such non-employee director declines receipt of such cash or equity compensation
by written notice to us. The Compensation Committee reviews our non-employee director compensation relative
to industry practices every year.
Our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan provides that the aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation
granted or paid, as applicable, by the Company to any individual for service as a non-employee director with
respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed: (i) a total of $200,000 with respect to any such cash
compensation; and (ii) $800,000 in total value with respect to any such equity-based compensation (including
awards granted under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan and any other equity-based awards), provided that for any
individual who is first appointed or elected to the Board as a non-employee director during any fiscal year of the
Company, the limit for such individual’s equity-based compensation will be $1,200,000 with respect to such
fiscal year, in each case calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value of such
awards for financial reporting purposes. The limit on non-employee director compensation is not intended to
serve as an increase in the annual amount of non-employee director compensation; rather, the limit is intended to
provide a cap on the amount of compensation the Board can approve for non-employee directors each year.
CASH COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
During 2023, under our Director Compensation Policy, each member of our Board who was not an
employee or officer of the Company received the following cash compensation for Board services:
•
•
•
•
A $100,000 annual retainer for service as Chair of the Board or, alternatively, a $50,000 annual retainer
for service as a member of the Board.
A $20,000 annual retainer for the Chair of the Audit Committee and a $10,000 annual retainer for each
additional member of the Audit Committee.
A $15,000 annual retainer for the Chair of the Compensation Committee and a $7,000 annual retainer
for each additional member of the Compensation Committee.
A $10,000 annual retainer for the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and
$5,000 annual retainer for each additional member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee.
Cash compensation is paid on a quarterly basis, in advance, except that for new appointments (whether to
the Board or to a committee seat not previously held) the fees for that quarter are pro-rated based on the actual
60
number of days served during such quarter. We also reimburse our non-employee directors for their reasonable
expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board and committees of our Board.
EQUITY COMPENSATION
The below summarizes our equity compensation program for non-employee directors under the Director
Compensation Policy:
•
•
•
•
Each new director automatically receives an initial equity award (‘‘Initial Grant’’) upon the date each
such person is elected or appointed to the Board that vests in equal annual installments over
three years, provided the director continues to provide services to us through each vesting date;
The Initial Grant consists of a non-qualified stock option and an RSU, together equal to the stock
option equivalent of 60,000 shares of our common stock;
On the date of each annual meeting of our stockholders, each non-employee director automatically
receives a subsequent equity award (‘‘Subsequent Grant’’) that vests in full on the one-year anniversary
of the grant date, provided the director continues to provide services to us through each vesting date;
and
The Subsequent Grant consists of a non-qualified stock option and an RSU, together equal to the stock
option equivalent of 30,000 shares of our common stock.
Each Initial Grant and each Subsequent Grant under the Director Compensation Policy will be delivered
such that approximately 75% of the value is delivered as a non-qualified stock option and approximately 25% of
the value is delivered as an RSU, using the methodology for determining actual share amounts and the stock
option to RSU award ratio most recently approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee. Also, under
the Director Compensation Policy, a non-employee director’s first Subsequent Grant is reduced to the following:
•
•
•
•
75% of the Subsequent Grant if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election or
appointment date to the annual meeting was 7 or more months but less than 10 months;
50% of the Subsequent Grant if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election or
appointment date to the annual meeting was 4 or more months but less than 7 months;
25% of the Subsequent Grant if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election or
appointment date to the annual meeting was 1 month or more but less than 4 months; and
0% of the Subsequent Grant if the service period from the non-employee director’s initial election or
appointment date to the annual meeting was less than 1 month.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table shows certain information with respect to the cash and equity compensation of all
non-employee directors of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:
Name(1)
Scott Myers
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
Julie Eastland
Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph D.(5)
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
Brent MacGregor
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.(6)
Peggy V. Phillips
Natale Ricciardi(7)
Elaine Sun(8)
(1) Mr. Spencer was an employee director during 2023, and his compensation is fully reflected in the ‘‘Summary Compensation Table’’
Option
Awards(3)(4)
$163,735 $323,733
$163,735 $278,733
$163,735 $293,733
— $ 45,000
$163,735 $290,733
$163,735 $278,733
$163,735 $277,733
$163,735 $298,733
— $ 28,500
$163,735 $278,733
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash(2)
$100,000
$ 55,000
$ 70,000
$ 45,000
$ 67,000
$ 55,000
$ 54,000
$ 75,000
$ 28,500
$ 55,000
Stock
Awards(3)(4)
$59,998
$59,998
$59,998
$ — $
$59,998
$59,998
$59,998
$59,998
$ — $
$59,998
Total
above. Mr. Spencer did not receive any additional compensation in 2023 for services provided as a member of our Board.
(2)
Consists of fees earned or paid in 2023 for Board and committee membership as described above.
61
(3)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options and RSUs, as applicable, granted in the fiscal year in accordance with
ASC 718. See note 15 of our ‘‘Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements’’ in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
February 22, 2024, for a discussion of assumptions we made in determining the compensation costs included in this column. These
amounts do not necessarily correspond to the actual value recognized or that may be recognized by the non-employee directors.
(4) As of December 31, 2023, each then-serving non-employee director held outstanding stock options and RSUs to purchase the following
numbers of shares of our common stock: Mr. Myers held options to purchase 84,375 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering
20,089 shares of our common stock; Dr. Cano held options to purchase 135,550 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering
10,714 shares of our common stock; Ms. Eastland held options to purchase 120,000 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering
10,714 shares of our common stock; Dr. Kisner held options to purchase 154,950 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering
10,714 shares of our common stock; Mr. MacGregor held options to purchase 120,000 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering
10,714 shares of our common stock; Dr. Paradiso held options to purchase 113,750 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering
10,714 shares of our common stock; Ms. Phillips held options to purchase 154,950 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering
10,714 shares of our common stock; and Ms. Sun held options to purchase 78,750 shares of our common stock and RSUs covering
18,750 shares of our common stock. Dr. Hack and Mr. Ricciardi were no longer serving as non-employee directors as of December 31,
2023, so their outstanding stock options and RSUs to purchase shares of our common stock have not been listed in this footnote.
(5) Dr. Hack resigned from the Board and Audit Committee effective August 30, 2023.
(6) Dr. Paradiso was a consultant during 2023, and his compensation includes $4,000 for consulting fees. Also, Dr. Paradiso was appointed
to our Compensation Committee effective July 1, 2023.
(7) Mr. Ricciardi’s term expired effective immediately prior to our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(8) Ms. Sun was appointed to our Audit Committee effective April 1, 2023.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
In February 2016, our Board adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that set forth key principles to guide
the Board in its exercise of responsibilities and serve the interests of the Company and our stockholders. The
Corporate Governance Guidelines were reviewed and updated by the Board in February 2018. Our Corporate
Governance Guidelines can be found under the header ‘‘Investors’’ and, within that, under the header ‘‘Corporate
Governance and Compliance’’ of our website at www.dynavax.com. In addition, these guidelines are available in
print to any stockholder who requests a copy. Please direct all requests to our Corporate Secretary, Dynavax
Technologies Corporation, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California 94608.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE MATTERS
Our Commitment. We are committed to conducting our business in compliance with all applicable legal and
ethical standards. In addition, we are committed to helping to protect the environment.
Our Approach. Our Board oversees our environmental, social and governance (‘‘ESG’’) efforts and other
governance matters generally through each of our standing Board committees. Our Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee oversees our governance strategy, efforts and policies, as well as providing general
oversight of our ESG strategy, targets, policies, performance and reporting and reviewing and discussing with
management our ESG related practices. Our Compensation Committee oversees the Company’s strategies, efforts
and policies related to human capital management, including with respect to development, training, engagement
and diversity of our employees. Our Audit Committee oversees corporate compliance matters and enterprise risk
management, including the review of our risk management, risk assessment and major risk exposures with
respect to financial, accounting, privacy, and cybersecurity and information technology risks. We also maintain a
disclosure and risk committee composed of internal executive and senior leadership. Within our disclosure and
risk committee process, we undertake specific review of enterprise risk management, ESG/sustainability and
cyber risk matters through subcommittees that report out to, and discuss with, our Board and our standing Board
committees regularly.
Our Core Values. Our core values are deeply ingrained principles that guide our Company’s actions and serve as
our cultural cornerstones. As a developer and manufacturer of vaccines, we operate with the highest level of quality,
integrity, and safety for the betterment of public health. These are paramount aspects of what we do every day. In
addition, we strive to maintain a culture that is focused on creating an environment where each employee is valued by
the organization and where our organization is valued by each employee. Below is a list of our core values.
•
•
•
•
•
Committed To Doing What Is Right: We approach all that we do with integrity and quality to ensure
we maintain trust and credibility with patients, colleagues, and all of our stakeholders.
Celebrate Individuals: We recognize each team member as an individual, respecting who they are, and
the combined value of everyone’s unique perspectives and experiences.
A Community Of Collaboration: We provide support and encouragement to each other, both personally
and professionally, to create a community focused on working together to accomplish our shared goals.
Empower One Another To Make A Difference: We operate from a place of trust and high expectations
inspiring one another to take ownership, venture beyond the obvious, and to bring our best every day.
Embrace The Challenge: Together, as one team focused on results, we confront challenges with
confidence and enthusiasm, never letting obstacles or hard work deter us from driving innovation.
Ethics and Compliance. Our Ethics and Compliance program includes our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,
which sets forth our expectations of all of our directors, officers and employees globally that they conduct their
business activities in a legal and ethical manner. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on our
website under the header ‘‘Investors’’ and, within that, under the header ‘‘Corporate Governance and Compliance.’’ We
have a Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, a Compliance Steering Committee and policies, procedures and training
addressing specific aspects of our business, including advertising and promotion; engagements with healthcare
providers; and regarding our business activities outside the United States to ensure they comply with the U.S. Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act and all other applicable anti-corruption laws. We certify on an annual basis to having a
comprehensive compliance program that meets the standards set forth under California law. This certification, which
sets forth all of the elements of our healthcare compliance program, can be found on our website.
63
Product Safety and Quality. We have a comprehensive drug safety and pharmacovigilance system to fulfil
our legal responsibilities in relation to pharmacovigilance and which is designed to monitor the safety of our
products to detect any change to their risk-benefit profile. Our drug safety and pharmacovigilance team receive,
review and perform analyses of safety information received globally from a number of sources, including but not
limited to, clinical trials, scientific publications and literature, and post-marketing spontaneous reports to identify
any safety trends or signals.
The objective of our product quality system is to ensure consistent, sustainable production of safe and
effective products, while facilitating continuous improvement of our processes and systems. These objectives are
formalized in the Company’s quality manual, which outlines the Company’s commitments to compliance with all
applicable regulatory requirements and safety and quality best practices, including current Good Manufacturing
Practices, Good Distribution Practices, Good Laboratory Practices, Good Pharmacovigilance Practices, and Good
Clinical Practices wherever appropriate. Our executive management has appointed a quality function, led by our
Vice President of Quality, with the authority and responsibility for coordinating all aspects of our quality system
and our Vice President of Quality reports directly to our President and Chief Operating Officer. In addition, all
personnel involved in pharmaceutical product development, production and testing participate in training and
qualification programs, designed to ensure that they have the necessary education, training and experience to
perform their job functions.
Environmental. We have made, and will continue to make, expenditures for environmental compliance and
protection. To that end, our headquarters is in a building certified as ‘‘Gold’’ level on the LEED Scorecard as set
forth by the United States Green Building Committee. Additionally, we offer incentives to our employees to
utilize public transit in order to reduce traffic congestion and pollution and there is a free shuttle from our
building to public transportation. Our transition to a largely virtual environment has further helped reduce
congestion and pollution. Our relatively small headquarters space (approximately 8,000 square feet) has further
reduced our carbon footprint. In addition, we participate in our buildings active recycling program.
For the automobile fleet for our U.S. based sales force, we strive to keep the carbon footprint of the fleet
low through replacing vehicles roughly every three years to take advantage of the latest technology regarding
fuel economy. In addition, we participate in our buildings active recycling program. In our office and
manufacturing facility in Germany, we offer incentives to our employees to lease bikes or e-bikes in order to
reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and we strive to reduce energy consumption with a variety of measures
including obtaining more than 90% of electrical power from renewable sources. We continue to consider other
ways in which we can conduct our business in an environmentally friendly manner.
Development, Training, Engagement and Diversity of Our Employees. Attracting and retaining top talent is
key to the achievement of our strategic goals. The development and engagement of our employees is also a top
priority of the human resources team. We perform annual performance reviews of all employees, and we seek
employee feedback in a variety of ways, including annual employee surveys. In 2023, 32 leaders and key
contributors completed a leadership development program, in addition to the 30 who participated in the prior
year. Our senior management and human resources team periodically undertake comprehensive succession
planning and talent development plan reviews, which include employees in senior director and above roles, and
our leadership development program is designed to support the needs identified in these reviews. In addition, we
have an extensive series of employee training programs on business ethics and compliance matters, including
required annual trainings on our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Anti-Corruption Compliance Policy
and certain cybersecurity topics. Also, depending on employee roles and departments, we also provide employee
training programs on medical affairs, commercial, sales and other matters.
In 2023, with support from our Diversity Leadership Team comprised of employees from across our
Company, we continued to advance our three Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (‘‘DEI’’) Commitments:
•
•
•
Fostering a culture where all employees are recognized and appreciated for the unique individuals they
are and for their accomplishments in the workplace.
Providing education to our employees on the negative effects of unconscious bias.
Building and sustaining a team filled with a diversity of personal experiences, backgrounds, and
perspectives.
64
In support of our three DEI Commitments, we again partnered with external DEI consultants to develop and
deliver unconscious bias training to our newly hired employees in 2023. Further, we train all hiring managers
and those who interview candidates in the talent acquisition process on unconscious bias. Our human resources
team oversees our DEI commitments and initiatives periodically and regularly reports to our senior management,
including with respect to workforce demographic data. In 2023, we launched an internal DEI survey to all
U.S. based employees, such that we can gather further information on our DEI initiatives and continue to work
on our DEI commitments. We strive to create a diverse workforce and continue to work towards greater diversity
in our workforce.
One of our corporate goals for 2023 was advancing our DEI commitments by launching employee resource
and affinity groups formed to grow community and focus on a common interest or purpose. Also, in furtherance
of these DEI efforts, we identified, as one of our corporate goals for 2024, further delivery on our DEI
commitments by advancing key initiatives through each of our four DEI subcommittees: Recruitment, Employee
Resource Groups, Community Involvement, and Development.
Community Involvement and Philanthropy. In 2023, we continued to partner with Life Science Cares, a
non-profit organization that leverages the power of the life science industry to solve one of our most intractable
social issues—poverty. We also held our second annual Community Involvement Day in the U.S. in late 2023.
During this Community Involvement Day, all U.S. employees were encouraged to dedicate their day to
volunteerism, and many employees volunteered at local non-profits across the country. We also found several
ways to support the Emeryville Unified School District with two scholarship awards and guest speakers. We
continue to provide all of our U.S. employees two paid days to volunteer in their local communities.
Additionally, from time to time, we make donations to support a variety of charitable organizations which we
believe align with our core values.
Vaccine Access. We are committed to developing and commercializing novel vaccines to help protect the
world against infectious diseases, by utilizing proven, innovative adjuvant technology. We are currently focused
on our efforts to drive long-term stockholder value by maximizing utilization of our HEPLISAV-B
hepatitis B vaccine, advancing our CpG 1018 adjuvant supply strategy, most notably through earlier COVID-19
collaborations, and expanding our own portfolio of innovative vaccine candidates leveraging our proven adjuvant
technology.
To support the fight against COVID-19, we collaborated with five other organizations, including partners
operating in India and China, on their development of COVID-19 vaccines, by supplying them with CpG 1018
adjuvant under commercial supply agreements supported by two contract manufacturing organizations, with
whom we developed and implemented plans to help scale-up activities to support pandemic-level production of
our CpG 1018 adjuvant as necessary to support these and any future collaborations. By the end of 2022, all five
of our collaborators had received emergency use authorization and/or full approval for their COVID-19 vaccines,
and our pending supply obligations under our related supply agreements have been fully satisfied. In addition to
contributing to worldwide vaccine production efforts, we are proud of supporting our partners’ efforts, where
applicable, to manufacture and supply vaccines to developing and lower income countries, including an approved
product in India. In 2021, we entered into an agreement and a subsequent amendment (the ‘‘CEPI Agreement’’)
with Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (‘‘CEPI’’) for the manufacture and reservation of a
specified quantity of CpG 1018 adjuvant. The CEPI Agreement enables CEPI to direct the supply of CpG 1018
adjuvant to CEPI partner(s). We continue to work to identify other programs where CpG 1018 adjuvant can be
utilized to enhance the immune response to a coronavirus vaccine or other vaccines targeted at serving a global
unmet need.
STOCKHOLDER OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
Our Board and management team value the views of our stockholders and we proactively engage with our
major stockholders on a regular basis throughout the year. In addition, we seek feedback from the governance
teams of our largest institutional stockholders each year. We believe our outreach efforts help ensure that our
stockholders are aware of our governance initiatives and provide us with valuable feedback in order to enhance
our governance practices and disclosure to stockholders. We contacted the governance teams of our largest
institutional stockholders in early 2023. The bulk of the stockholders, while appreciating the outreach, did not
65
have questions or concerns they needed addressed in a call. We spoke with 100% of the stockholders that wanted
to provide us with feedback at that time. During these discussions, which included an opportunity for detailed
questions, we engaged in meaningful dialog with these stockholder representatives about our compensation and
corporate governance programs.
In response to external feedback, we increased the performance-linked equity to 30% of equity awards made
to executives for 2023, further increased to 33% in 2024 and have enhanced our Environmental, Social and
Governance disclosures immediately above.
MAJORITY VOTE POLICY
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines include a provision whereby any nominee for director in an
uncontested election would submit an offer of resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee of the Board, if such nominee receives a greater number of ‘‘Withhold’’ votes than
‘‘For’’ votes. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee would then consider all of the relevant facts
and circumstances and recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such offer of resignation.
Promptly following the Board’s decision, we would disclose that decision and an explanation of such decision in
a filing with the SEC or a press release.
PLEDGING/HEDGING POLICY
We have a policy that prohibits our executive officers, directors and other members of management from
engaging in short sales, transactions in put or call options, hedging transactions or other inherently speculative
transactions with respect to our stock. No waivers of this policy were requested or provided during 2023.
BOARD DIVERSITY
Due to the global and diverse nature of our business, our Board believes it is important to consider whether
a Board candidate assists in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of backgrounds and
experience, including with respect to age, gender, international background, race and specialized experience. Each
year, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews its Board membership criteria and assesses
the composition of the Board against the criteria. Below is an overview of our Board diversity as currently
composed.
Total Number of Directors: 9
Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 1, 2024)
Part I: Gender Identity
Directors
Part II: Demographic Background
African American or Black
Alaskan Native or Native American
Asian
Hispanic or Latinx
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
White
Two or More Races or Ethnicities
LGBTQ+
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background
Female
Male
Non-
Binary
Did Not
Disclose
Gender
3
—
—
1
—
—
2
—
6
—
—
—
—
—
6
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
INDEPENDENCE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As required under the Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq listing standards, and our Corporate Governance
Guidelines, a majority of the members of a listed company’s board of directors must qualify as ‘‘independent,’’
as affirmatively determined by the board of directors. In addition, applicable Nasdaq rules require that, subject to
66
specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating committees be
independent within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq rules. Audit committee members must also satisfy the
independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Consistent with these considerations, our Board undertook a review of the independence of each director
and considered whether any director has a material relationship that could compromise his or her ability to
exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. After review of all relevant transactions
or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and the Company, its senior
management and its independent registered public accounting firm, the Board has affirmatively determined that
the following directors are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards:
Ms. Eastland, Mr. Myers, Ms. Phillips, Ms. Sun and Mr. MacGregor, as well as Drs. Cano, Kisner and Paradiso.
In making this determination, our Board considered certain relationships and transactions that occurred in the
ordinary course of business between the Company and entities with which some of our directors are or have
been affiliated. We also considered Dr. Paradiso’s relationship to CEPI, as a member of its Scientific Advisory
Group, in light of the transaction entered into between the Company and CEPI in January 2021, pursuant to
which CEPI provided the Company, among other things, financing to manufacture our CpG 1018 adjuvant in the
form of a forgivable loan that we can and have drawn upon, and that CEPI partners will be able to buy
CpG 1018 adjuvant from us under certain prescribed terms as set forth in that same agreement. We also
considered a consulting agreement Dr. Paradiso entered into with the Company in January 2023, pursuant to
which Dr. Paradiso may receive $500 per hour for certain advisory services related to our research and
development programs and the scientific evaluation of opportunities, as well as $250 per hour for associated
travel time. In 2023, Dr. Paradiso’s aggregate compensation pursuant to this consulting agreement was $4,000,
and we do not expect his aggregate compensation under this consulting agreement to vary significantly during
2024. The Board determined that none of these transactions would impair Dr. Paradiso’s independence or
interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out director responsibilities. With respect to
Dr. Paradiso, our Board determined that he was independent for purposes other than serving on the Audit
Committee, of which he is not a member.
By virtue of his employment with the Company as Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Spencer is not an
independent director.
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
Our Board is currently chaired by Scott Myers. The duties of the chairperson include presiding over all
meetings of the Board, preparing the agenda for Board meetings in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer
and other members of our Board, and calling and presiding over meetings of non-employee directors.
Accordingly, the chairperson has substantial ability to shape the work of our Board. Our Board currently believes
that separation of the positions of chairperson and Chief Executive Officer reinforces the independence of our
Board in its oversight of our business and affairs. In addition, such separation helps create an environment that is
more conducive to objective evaluation and oversight of management’s performance, increasing management
accountability and improving the ability of our Board to monitor whether management’s actions are in the best
interests of our Company and its stockholders.
Our Board also believes there may be advantages to having an independent chairperson for matters such as
communications and relations between our Board, the Chief Executive Officer and other senior management and
in assisting our Board in reaching consensus on particular strategies and policies. Having a chairperson separate
from the Chief Executive Officer also allows the chairperson to focus on assisting the Chief Executive Officer
and other senior management in seeking and adopting successful business strategies and risk management
policies and in making successful choices in management succession.
BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT
Risk assessment and oversight are an integral part of our governance and management processes. Our Board
encourages management to promote a culture that incorporates risk management into our corporate strategy and
day-to-day business operations. Management discusses strategic and operational risks at regular management
meetings, and conducts specific strategic planning and review sessions during the year that include a focused
67
discussion and analysis of the risks facing the Company. Throughout the year, senior management reviews these
risks with the Board at regular Board meetings as part of management presentations that focus on particular
business functions, operations or strategies, and presents the steps taken by management to mitigate or eliminate
such risks.
Our Board does not have a standing risk management committee but rather administers this oversight
function directly through our Board as a whole as well as through various standing committees of our Board that
address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Board is responsible for monitoring
and assessing strategic risk exposure generally. Our Audit Committee has the responsibility to oversee our major
financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures as well
as oversight of our enterprise risk management program. The Audit Committee also monitors compliance with
legal and regulatory requirements, oversees our guidelines and policies with respect to risks relating to data
privacy, technology and information security, oversees the performance of our internal audit function and
approves or disapproves any related-persons transactions. Furthermore, our Audit Committee also has
responsibility for overseeing and assessing risk exposure relating to cybersecurity and our healthcare compliance
program pertaining to healthcare laws, regulations and industry standards applicable to pharmaceutical
companies, roles that were previously administered by our full Board. Our Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines, oversees our ESG and
sustainability initiatives including compliance with applicable rules, and manages the process for annual director
self-assessment and evaluation of the Board. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of
our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During 2023, (i) our full Board met six times, (ii) our Audit Committee met four times, (iii) our
Compensation Committee met eight times and (iv) our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met
five times. All Board members attended at least 75% or more of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and
of the committees on which the member served held during the period of service as a director or committee
member.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The following table provides membership and meeting
information for fiscal year 2023 for each of the Board committees:
Name
Scott Myers
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
Julie Eastland
Andrew A. F. Hack, M.D., Ph.D.(1)
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
Brent MacGregor
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D. (2)
Peggy V. Phillips
Natale Ricciardi(3)
Elaine Sun(4)
Total Members(5)
Total Meetings
Audit
Compensation
Nominating and
Corporate Governance
Chair*
Member*
Member
Member*
3
4
Member
Member
Chair
Member
3
8
Member
Chair
Member
3
5
*
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Qualified Audit Committee Financial Expert
Resigned from the Board and Audit Committee effective August 30, 2023
Appointed to the Compensation Committee effective July 1, 2023
Term expired effective immediately prior to our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Appointed to the Audit Committee effective April 1, 2023
See narrative disclosure below regarding the members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee
68
Below is a description of each committee of our Board. Each of the committees has authority to engage
legal counsel or other experts or consultants as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. Our Board
has determined that each member of each committee meets the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and related
rules and regulations regarding ‘‘independence’’ and that each member is free of any relationship that would
impair his or her individual exercise of independent judgment with regard to the Company.
Audit Committee
For 2023, our Audit Committee was composed of either three or four directors: Ms. Eastland (Chairperson);
Ms. Phillips served for the full year; Ms. Sun was appointed to our Audit Committee effective April 1, 2023; and
Dr. Hack resigned from the Board and Audit Committee effective August 30, 2023.
In addition to determining that all members of the Audit Committee are independent (as independence is
currently defined in Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Nasdaq listing standards), the Board determined that
each of Ms. Eastland, Dr. Hack and Ms. Sun qualified as an ‘‘audit committee financial expert,’’ as defined in
applicable SEC rules. The Board made a qualitative assessment of each of their level of knowledge and
experience based on a number of factors, including their respective formal education and experience as a chief
financial officer. The Audit Committee was established by the Board in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of
the Exchange Act to oversee the Company’s corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of
its financial statements. During 2023, the Audit Committee met on four occasions.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter that is available on the Company’s website at
https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance.
Among other things, the charter specifically requires our Audit Committee to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
review and monitor the policies and procedures adopted by the Company to fulfill its responsibilities
regarding the fair and accurate presentation of the Company’s financial statements;
appoint, compensate, and oversee the work of the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm;
approve and monitor all audit and non-audit services performed by the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm;
consider and approve or disapprove any related party transaction as defined under the SEC
Regulation S-K Item 404, to the extent required by SEC regulations and Nasdaq rules;
consult and discuss with management and the independent registered public accounting firm regarding
the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting;
establish, review, oversee and monitor compliance with procedures, as required under applicable law,
for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting,
internal controls or auditing matters and the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of
concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;
review the Company’s risk management, risk assessment and major risk exposures with respect to
financial, accounting, privacy, and cybersecurity and information technology risks;
review and evaluate the Company’s accounting principles and systems of internal controls; and
review and discuss the disclosure of the Company’s annual audited financial statements and quarterly
financial statements, including reviewing the Company’s disclosures under ‘‘Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations’’ in its periodic reports to be filed with
the SEC.
Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls and
for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. Ernst & Young, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, is
responsible for auditing or reviewing those financial statements. The Audit Committee monitors and reviews
these processes.
69
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2023 with management of the Company. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent
registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (‘‘PCAOB’’) and the SEC. The Audit Committee has also received the written
disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements
of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants’ communications with the audit committee concerning
independence and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firm’s
independence. Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that the audited financial
statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
The material in this report is not ‘‘soliciting material,’’ is not deemed ‘‘filed’’ with the SEC and is not to be
incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether
made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Ms. Julie Eastland (Chairperson)
Ms. Peggy V. Phillips
Ms. Elaine Sun
Compensation Committee
For 2023, our Compensation Committee was composed of either two or three directors: Ms. Phillips
(Chairperson); Dr. Kisner served for the full year; Mr. Ricciardi’s term expired effective immediately prior to our 2023
Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and Dr. Paradiso was appointed effective July 1, 2023. All members of the
Compensation Committee are independent as required by Nasdaq Rule 5605(d) (as independence is currently defined
in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards), are ‘‘outside directors’’ for purposes of Section 162(m) of the
Code and are ‘‘non-employee directors’’ for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
During 2023, the Compensation Committee held eight meetings. The Compensation Committee acts on
behalf of the Board to review, recommend for adoption, and oversee the Company’s compensation strategy,
policies, plans and programs. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter that is available on
the Company’s website at https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance. Among other things, the charter
specifically requires our Compensation Committee to:
•
•
•
•
•
Annually review and approve the Company’s corporate performance goals and objectives relevant to Chief
Executive Officer compensation, evaluate the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals
and objectives, and recommend to the Board the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation level based on this
evaluation. In determining the long-term incentive component of the Chief Executive Officer’s
compensation, the Compensation Committee will consider the Company’s performance and relative
stockholder return, the value of similar incentive awards to Chief Executive Officers at comparable
companies, and the awards given to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in past years;
annually review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to incentive compensation plans
and equity-based plans;
annually review Director compensation and make recommendation to the Board;
administer the Company’s incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans as in effect and as adopted
from time to time by the Board provided that the Board shall retain the authority to interpret such plans;
annually review and approve for the Company’s executive officers as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the
Exchange Act: i) annual base salary levels; ii) annual incentive compensation levels; iii) long-term
incentive compensation levels; and iv) employment agreements, severance agreements, change of
control agreements/provisions and any other compensatory arrangements, in each case as, when and if
appropriate;
• make regular reports to the Board; and
•
perform such other functions and have such other powers consistent with the Compensation Committee
Charter, the Company’s Bylaws and governing laws as the Compensation Committee or the Board may
deem appropriate.
70
Under its charter, our Compensation Committee may form, and delegate authority to, subcommittees, as
appropriate. Our Compensation Committee has authorized and delegated authority to our Chief Executive Officer
to grant stock options to employees and consultants who are not officers of the Company from pre-approved
pools and in accordance with guidelines designated for new hire and annual grants. The purpose of this
delegation is to enhance the flexibility of option administration within the Company and to facilitate the timely
grant of options to non-executive employees, particularly new employees, within specified limits and values
approved by our Compensation Committee.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of our Compensation Committee at any time has been one of our officers or
employees or an officer or employee of one of our subsidiaries at any time during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2023. None of our executive officers currently serve, or in the past year has served, as a member
of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers on our
Board or Compensation Committee.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
For 2023, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was composed of three directors:
Drs. Kisner (Chairperson) and Cano and Mr. MacGregor. All members of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq
listing standards). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying,
reviewing and evaluating candidates to serve as directors of the Company (consistent with criteria approved by
the Board), reviewing and evaluating incumbent directors and identifying with the Chief Executive Officer
candidates for appointment or election to the Board.
In identifying potential director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers
Board candidates through a variety of methods and sources. These include suggestions from current Board
members, senior management, stockholders, professional search firms and other sources. At this time, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a policy with regard to the consideration of
director candidates recommended by stockholders, but will consider such a recommendation. Our Board believes
that it is appropriate that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have such a policy
because the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews all candidates in the same manner
regardless of the source of the recommendation. In the case of a new director candidate, the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee also determines whether the nominee is independent based upon applicable
Nasdaq listing standards, applicable SEC rules and regulations and the advice of counsel, if necessary. Among
the qualifications to be considered in the selection of candidates are broad experience in business, finance or
administration, familiarity with the Company’s industry, and prominence and reputation. Since prominence and
reputation in a particular profession or field of endeavor are what bring most persons to the Board’s attention,
there is further consideration of whether the individual has the time available to devote to the work of the Board
and one or more of its committees. In addition, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will
consider whether the candidate assists in achieving a mix of members that represents a diversity of backgrounds
and experience, including with respect to age, gender, international background, race and specialized experience.
Each year, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews its Board membership criteria and
assesses the composition of the Board against the criteria.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also provides general oversight of our ESG strategy,
targets, policies, performance, and reporting, and reviews and discusses with management practices with respect
to ESG matters that are expected to have a significant long- and short-term impact on the Company’s
performance, business activities, or reputation.
The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee informally discussed committee
business a number of times during the year, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held
five formal meetings during 2023. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a written
charter that is available to stockholders on the Company’s website at
https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance.
71
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stockholders may communicate with our Board by directing comments, concerns, and questions to the
Corporate Secretary at Dynavax Technologies Corporation, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville,
California 94608. Communications will be distributed to the Board, or to any individual directors as appropriate,
depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication. In that regard, our Board has requested
that certain items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board be filtered, including product
complaints or inquiries, new product suggestions, résumés and other forms of job inquiries, surveys, or business
solicitations or advertisements. In addition, material that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly
unsuitable will be excluded, with the provision that any communication that is filtered out must be made
available to any non-employee director upon request. Stockholders may also communicate with our Board as a
group through our website at https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance/contact-the-board. All
communications directed to the Audit Committee in accordance with our whistleblower policy that relate to
questionable accounting or auditing matters involving the Company will be promptly and directly forwarded to
the chairperson of the Audit Committee. Every effort has been made to ensure that the views of stockholders are
heard by the Board or individual directors, as applicable, and that appropriate responses are provided to
stockholders in a timely manner.
72
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Since January 1, 2023, there has not been, nor is there currently proposed, any transaction or series of
similar transactions to which the Company was or is to be a party in which the amount involved exceeds
$120,000 and in which any current director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of our common stock or
any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material
interest other than compensation arrangements, described under the sections entitled ‘‘Executive Compensation’’
and ‘‘Director Compensation,’’ and with respect to the indemnification agreements described below.
Related Persons Transactions and Indemnification
Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions
Our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related party transactions, which would
include a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or
relationships) in which we and any ‘‘related person’’ are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000,
not including transactions involving compensation for services provided to Dynavax as an employee, director,
consultant or similar capacity by a related person. Related parties include any of our directors or executive
officers, certain of our stockholders and their immediate family members. This obligation is set forth in writing
in the Audit Committee charter. A copy of the Audit Committee charter is available on the Company’s website at
https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance.
Where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, management would present information
regarding the proposed related-person transaction to the Audit Committee (or, where Audit Committee approval would
be inappropriate, to another independent body of the Board) for consideration and approval or ratification. The
presentation would include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct and indirect, of
the related persons, the benefits to Dynavax of the transaction and whether any alternative transactions were available.
To identify related-person transactions in advance, the Audit Committee relies on information supplied by our
executive officers and directors. In considering related-person transactions, the Audit Committee takes into account the
relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to (a) the risks, costs and benefits to Dynavax,
(b) the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of
a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated, (c) the terms of the transaction, (d) the availability of other
sources for comparable services or products and (e) the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated
third parties or to or from employees generally. In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the
director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval. In determining whether to approve, ratify
or reject a related-person transaction, the Audit Committee considers, in light of known circumstances, whether the
transaction is, or is not, consistent with the best interests of Dynavax and our stockholders, as the Audit Committee
determines in the good faith exercise of its discretion.
Indemnity Agreements
We have entered into indemnity agreements with some of our officers and directors so that they will be free from
undue concern about personal liability in connection with their service to the Company. The indemnity agreements
provide, among other things, that the Company will indemnify such officer or director, under the circumstances and to
the extent provided for therein, for expenses, damages, judgments, fines and settlements he or she may be required to
pay in actions or proceedings which he or she is or may be made a party by reason of his or her position as a director,
officer or other agent of the Company, and otherwise to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
We have adopted the Dynavax Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors
and employees. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at
https://investors.dynavax.com/corporate-governance and upon written request. We will provide a written copy of
the Dynavax Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to anyone without charge, upon request written to Dynavax
Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville,
California 94608, or contact Dynavax’s Corporate Secretary at (510) 848-5100. If we make any substantive
amendments to or grant any waiver from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to any
executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website.
There have been no waivers under the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as of the date of filing of this proxy
statement.
73
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of the Company’s common stock
as of March 15, 2024 by: (i) each director and nominee for director; (ii) the NEOs; (iii) all executive officers and
directors of the Company as a group; and (iv) all those known by the Company to be beneficial owners of more
than five percent of its common stock.
Name and Address of Beneficial Holder
5% Stockholders
BlackRock, Inc.(4)
Federated Hermes, Inc.(5)
State Street Corporation(6)
The Vanguard Group(7)
Deep Track Capital, LP(8)
NEOs and Directors(1)
Ryan Spencer(9)
David F. Novack(10)
Kelly MacDonald(11)
Robert Janssen, M.D.(12)
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.(13)
Julie Eastland(14)
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.(15)
Brent MacGregor(16)
Scott Myers(17)
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.(18)
Peggy V. Phillips(19)
Elaine Sun(20)
All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)(21)
*
Less than one percent.
Number of
Shares(2)
23,396,930
11,364,666
9,495,785
9,275,788
7,093,214
1,498,730
829,762
464,455
405,137
133,884
97,500
133,950
97,500
46,875
94,250
160,183
41,250
4,003,476
Percent of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(3)
17.88%
8.69%
7.26%
7.09%
5.42%
1.13%
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
2.98%
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
The address of each of the NEOs and directors is c/o Dynavax Technologies Corporation, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville,
California 94608. John L. Slebir, our Senior Vice President, General Counsel, was appointed as an executive officer on March 29,
2024, and as such is not included in the above table.
To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this table, and subject to applicable community property laws, each person
named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s name.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with
respect to the securities. Shares of our common stock subject to options currently exercisable or that will become exercisable within
60 days after March 15, 2024, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such options but are not
deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Applicable percentages are based on 130,839,161 shares of our
common stock outstanding as of March 15, 2024, adjusted as required by the rules of the SEC.
This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock, Inc. on January 19, 2024, with the SEC. BlackRock, Inc.
beneficially owns 23,396,930 shares of common stock, of which 23,396,930 shares are held with sole dispositive power and
22,945,978 shares are held with sole voting power. The address of the principal business and office of BlackRock, Inc. is 50 Hudson
Yards, New York, NY 10001. The Schedule 13G/A provides information only as of December 31, 2023, and consequently, the
beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 31, 2023 and March 15, 2024.
This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by Federated Hermes, Inc. on January 17, 2024, with the SEC. Federated
Hermes, Inc. beneficially owns 11,364,666 shares and has sole dispositive and sole voting power over all 11,364,666 shares. Federated
Hermes, Inc.’s outstanding voting stock is held in the voting shares irrevocable trust for which Thomas R. Donahue, Ann C. Donahue
and J. Christopher Donahue (the ‘‘Federated Hermes Trustees’’) act as trustees. Each of the Federated Hermes Trustees has collective
voting control over Federated Hermes, Inc. The address of the principal business and office of Federated Hermes, Inc. and each of the
Trustees is 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779. The Schedule 13G/A provides information only as of December 31, 2023,
and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 31, 2023
and March 15, 2024.
This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by State Street Corporation on January 25, 2024, with the SEC. State Street
Corporation beneficially owns 9,495,785 shares and has no sole dispositive power and no sole voting power. The address of the
principal business and office of State Street Corp. is 1 Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, MA 02114. The Schedule 13G/A provides
information only as of December 31, 2023, and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned reporting person may
have changed between December 31, 2023 and March 15, 2024.
74
(7)
(8)
This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group on February 13, 2024, with the SEC. The Vanguard
Group beneficially owns 9,275,788 shares and has sole dispositive power over 8,947,934 shares of common stock and no sole voting
power. The address of the principal business of The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355. The
Schedule 13G provides information only as of December 29, 2023, and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the above-mentioned
reporting person may have changed between December 29, 2023 and March 15, 2024.
This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by Deep Track Capital, LP on February 14, 2024, with the SEC. Deep
Track Capital, LP beneficially owns 7,093,214 shares and has no sole dispositive power and no sole voting power. Deep Track Capital,
LP’s outstanding voting stock is held in the voting shares irrevocable trust for which Deep Track Biotechnology Master Fund, Ltd. and
David Kroin (the ‘‘Deep Track Trustees’’) act as trustees. Each of the Deep Track Trustees has collective voting control over Deep
Track Capital, LP. The address of the principal business of Deep Track Capital, LP is 200 Greenwich Ave, 3rd Floor, Greenwich, CT
06830. The Schedule 13G/A provides information only as of December 31, 2023, and consequently, the beneficial ownership of the
above-mentioned reporting person may have changed between December 31, 2023 and March 15, 2024.
(9)
Consists of 229,843 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Spencer and options to purchase 1,268,887 shares of common
stock exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(10) Consists of 31,929 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Novack and options to purchase 797,833 shares of common stock
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(11) Consists of 7,692 shares of common stock owned directly by Ms. MacDonald and options to purchase 456,763 shares of common stock
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(12) Consists of 64,258 shares of common stock owned directly by Dr. Janssen and options to purchase 340,879 shares of common stock
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(13) Consists of 20,834 shares of common stock owned directly by Dr. Cano and options to purchase 113,050 shares of common stock
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(14) Consists of options to purchase 97,500 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(15) Consists of 1,500 shares of common stock owned directly by Dr. Kisner and options to purchase 132,450 shares of common stock
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(16) Consists of options to purchase 97,500 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(17) Consists of options to purchase 46,875 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(18) Consists of 3,000 shares of common stock owned directly by Dr. Paradiso and options to purchase 91,250 shares of common stock
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(19) Consists of 27,733 shares of common stock owned directly by Ms. Phillips and options to purchase 132,450 shares of common stock
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(20) Consists of options to purchase 41,250 shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
(21) Total number of shares includes common stock, in aggregate, held as of March 15, 2024, by our executive officers and directors and
entities affiliated with such executive officers and directors. Also includes options to purchase 3,616,687 shares of common stock
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2024.
75
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery
requirements for Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other annual meeting materials with
respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials or other annual meeting materials addressed to those stockholders. This process,
which is commonly referred to as ‘‘householding,’’ potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost
savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Dynavax stockholders will be ‘‘householding’’
the Company’s proxy materials. A single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will be delivered to
multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected
stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be ‘‘householding’’ communications
to your address, ‘‘householding’’ will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent.
If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in ‘‘householding’’ and would prefer to receive a separate
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, please notify your broker or Dynavax. Direct your written
request to Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720,
Emeryville, California 94608, or contact Dynavax’s Corporate Secretary at (510) 848-5100. Stockholders who
currently receive multiple copies of the Annual Meeting materials at their addresses and would like to request
‘‘householding’’ of their communications should contact their brokers.
The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any
other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the
accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
OTHER MATTERS
By Order of the Board of Directors
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer
April 11, 2024
A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023,
is available without charge upon written request to: Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Attention:
Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California 94608.
76
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 8, 2018
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 31, 2018
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 9, 2019
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 30, 2019
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 3, 2020
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 28, 2020
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 1, 2022
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 26, 2022
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: MARCH 19, 2024
[APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 23, 2024]
1. GENERAL.
(a) Successor to and Continuation of 2011 Plan. The Plan is intended as the successor to and
continuation of the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the ‘‘2011 Plan’’). Following
the Effective Date, no additional awards may be granted under the 2011 Plan or the Dynavax Technologies
Corporation 2017 Inducement Award Plan (the ‘‘2017 Inducement Plan’’), and following April 3, 2022, no
additional awards may be granted under the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2021 Inducement Award Plan
(the ‘‘2021 Inducement Plan’’) (each of the 2011 Plan, 2017 Inducement Plan and 2021 Inducement Plan, a
‘‘Prior Plan’’). Any unallocated shares remaining available for grant under the 2011 Plan as of 12:01 a.m.
Pacific Time on the Effective Date (the ‘‘2011 Plan’s Available Reserve’’) will cease to be available under the
2011 Plan at such time and will be added to the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)) and be then
immediately available for grant and issuance pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan. From and after
12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on the Effective Date with respect to awards granted under the 2011 Plan or 2017
Inducement Plan, and from and after 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on the date of the Company’s 2022 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders with respect to awards granted under the 2021 Inducement Plan, except as provided in
Sections 9(c), 9(d) and 9(e), all outstanding stock awards granted under any of the Prior Plans (each, a ‘‘Prior
Plan Award’’) will remain subject to the terms of the applicable Prior Plan; provided, however, that the following
shares of Common Stock subject to any outstanding Prior Plan Award (collectively, the ‘‘Prior Plans’ Returning
Shares’’) will immediately be added to the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)) as and when such shares
become Prior Plans’ Returning Shares and will become available for grant and issuance pursuant to Awards
granted under this Plan: (i) any shares subject to such stock award that are not issued because such stock award
or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award
having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to such stock award that are not issued because such stock award or
any portion thereof is settled in cash; and (iii) any shares issued pursuant to such stock award that are forfeited
back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for
the vesting of such shares. All Awards granted on or after 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on the Effective Date will be
subject to the terms of this Plan.
(b) Eligible Award Recipients. Subject to Section 4, Employees and Directors are eligible to receive
Awards.
(c) Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Awards: (i) Incentive
Stock Options; (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options; (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights; (iv) Restricted Stock Awards;
(v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards; (vi) Performance Stock Awards; and (vii) Other Stock Awards.
(d) Purpose. The Plan, through the granting of Awards, is intended to help the Company and any Affiliate
secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum
efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and provide a means by which such persons may benefit
from increases in value of the Common Stock.
2. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan. The Board may delegate
administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).
A-1
(b) Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express
provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine (A) who will be granted Awards, (B) when and how each Award will be granted,
(C) what type of Award will be granted, (D) the provisions of each Award (which need not be identical),
including when a Participant will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock
under the Award, (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, an Award,
and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to an Award.
(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and
revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these
powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in a
manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.
(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.
(iv) To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which an Award may be exercised or vest (or at
which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued in settlement thereof).
(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan (including
Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not materially impair
a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award without his or her written consent.
(vi) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without
limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred
compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to make the Plan or Awards granted under the Plan
compliant with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or exempt from or compliant with the
requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the
limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, if required by applicable law or listing requirements, and
except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek
stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of
Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible
to receive Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the
Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under
the Plan, or (E) materially expands the types of Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as
otherwise provided in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, no amendment of the
Plan will materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award without his or her written
consent.
(vii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to,
amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of (A) Section 422 of the Code regarding
incentive stock options or (B) Rule 16b-3.
(viii) To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any
one or more outstanding Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable
to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the
Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in the
Plan (including this Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, no amendment of an outstanding Award will
materially impair a Participant’s rights under such Award without his or her written consent.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan to the contrary, unless prohibited by applicable law,
the Board may amend the terms of any outstanding Award or the Plan, or may suspend or terminate the Plan,
without the affected Participant’s consent, (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock
Option under Section 422 of the Code, (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change
results in impairment of the Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive
Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award
or the Plan into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code or (D) to comply with other applicable laws or
listing requirements.
A-2
(ix) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or
expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of
the Plan or Awards.
(x) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in
the Plan by Employees or Directors who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States
(provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award
Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).
(c) Delegation to Committee.
(i) General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or
Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in
connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have
been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any
of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the
Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). Any delegation of administrative
powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time
to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). The Committee may, at any time, abolish the
subcommittee and/or revest in the Committee any powers delegated to the subcommittee. The Board may
retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in
the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.
(ii) Rule 16b-3 Compliance. The Committee may consist solely of two or more Non-Employee
Directors in accordance with Rule 16b-3.
(d) Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or
both of the following: (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and,
to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms
of such Awards; and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Awards granted
to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total
number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Awards granted by such Officer and that such
Officer may not grant an Award to himself or herself. Any such Awards will be granted on the form of Award
Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the
resolutions approving the delegation of authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is
acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock pursuant to Section 13(w)(iii).
(e) Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in
good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
(f) Cancellation and Re-Grant of Awards. Neither the Board nor any Committee will have the authority
to (i) reduce the exercise or strike price of any outstanding Option or SAR or (ii) cancel any outstanding Option
or SAR that has an exercise or strike price (per share) greater than the then-current Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock in exchange for cash or other Awards under the Plan, unless the stockholders of the Company
have approved such an action within 12 months prior to such an event.
(g) Minimum Vesting Requirements. No Award may vest (or, if applicable, be exercisable) until at least
12 months following the date of grant of the Award; provided, however, that shares of Common Stock up to 5%
of the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)) may be issued pursuant to Awards that do not meet such
vesting (and, if applicable, exercisability) requirements.
(h) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited, as
applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award, as determined by the Board and
contained in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents
may be paid with respect to any such shares before the date such shares have vested under the terms of such
Award Agreement, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares
will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of such Award
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Agreement (including, but not limited to, any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents
that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to the Company on the date, if any, such shares
are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to a failure to meet any vesting conditions under the terms
of such Award Agreement.
3.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Share Reserve.
(i) Subject to Section 3(a)(iii) and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards from and after the Effective
Date will not exceed (A) 41,440,250 shares (which number is the sum of (i) the number of shares (140,250)
subject to the 2011 Plan’s Available Reserve, (ii) an additional 5,000,000 shares that were approved at the
Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (iii) an additional 2,300,000 shares that were approved at
the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (iv) an additional 7,600,000 shares that were
approved at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (v) an additional 15,000,000 shares that
were approved at the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders), and (vi) an additional
11,400,000 shares that were approved at the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders), plus (B) the
Prior Plans’ Returning Shares, if any, which become available for issuance under this Plan from time to time
(such aggregate number of shares described in (A) and (B), the ‘‘Share Reserve’’).
(ii) Subject to Section 3(b), the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the
Plan will be reduced by: (A) one share for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Appreciation
Award granted under the Plan; (B) 1.28 shares for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Full
Value Award granted under the Plan prior to May 30, 2019; and (C) 1.40 shares for each share of Common
Stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Plan on or after May 30, 2019.
(iii) Subject to Section 3(b), the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the
Plan will be increased by: (A) one share for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or 2018 Plan Returning
Share (as defined in Section 3(b)(i)) subject to an Appreciation Award; (B) 1.28 shares for each Prior Plans’
Returning Share or 2018 Plan Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returns to the Plan prior to
May 30, 2019; and (C) 1.40 shares for each Prior Plans’ Returning Share or 2018 Plan Returning Share
subject to a Full Value Award that returns to the Plan on or after May 30, 2019.
(iv) For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of
Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the
granting of Awards except as provided in Section 7(a). Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or
acquisition as permitted by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) or, if applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual
Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not
reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
(b) Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.
(i) Shares Available for Subsequent Issuance. The following shares of Common Stock (collectively,
the ‘‘2018 Plan Returning Shares’’) will become available again for issuance under the Plan: (A) any
shares subject to an Award that are not issued because such Award or any portion thereof expires or
otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Award having been issued; (B) any shares
subject to an Award that are not issued because such Award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; and
(C) any shares issued pursuant to an Award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company
because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares.
(ii) Shares Not Available for Subsequent Issuance. The following shares of Common Stock will not
become available again for issuance under the Plan: (A) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not
issued) by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award or a Prior Plan Award
(including any shares subject to such award that are not delivered because such award is exercised through a
reduction of shares subject to such award (i.e., ‘‘net exercised’’)); (B) any shares that are reacquired or
withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an
Award or a Prior Plan Award; (C) any shares repurchased by the Company on the open market with the
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proceeds of the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award or a Prior Plan Award; and (D) in the event
that a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan or a stock appreciation right granted under any of
the Prior Plans is settled in shares of Common Stock, the gross number of shares of Common Stock subject
to such award.
(c)
Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization
Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the
exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be 44,000,000 shares.
(d) Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based
compensation granted or paid, as applicable, by the Company to any individual for service as a Non-Employee
Director with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed: (i) a total of $200,000 with respect to
any such cash compensation; and (ii) $800,000 in total value with respect to any such equity-based compensation
(including Awards and any other equity-based awards), provided that for any individual who is first appointed or
elected to the Board as a Non-Employee Director during any fiscal year of the Company, the limit for such
individual’s equity-based compensation will be $1,200,000 with respect to such fiscal year, in each case
calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting
purposes.
(e) Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or
reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.
4. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Eligibility for Specific Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the
Company or a ‘‘parent corporation’’ or ‘‘subsidiary corporation’’ thereof (as such terms are defined in
Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to
Employees and Directors; provided, however, that Awards may not be granted to Employees and Directors who
are providing Continuous Service only to any ‘‘parent’’ of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405,
unless (i) the stock underlying such Awards is treated as ‘‘service recipient stock’’ under Section 409A of the
Code (for example, because the Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off
transaction) or (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Awards are
otherwise exempt from or alternatively comply with Section 409A of the Code.
(b) Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option
unless the exercise price (per share) of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock on the date of grant of such Option and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years
from the date of grant.
5.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
Each Option or SAR Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the
Board deems appropriate. All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory
Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be
issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not
specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option
but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules,
then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The terms and conditions of separate
Option or SAR Agreements need not be identical; provided, however, that each Award Agreement will conform
to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise)
the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR
will be exercisable after the expiration of seven years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified
in the Award Agreement.
(b) Exercise or Strike Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent
Stockholders, the exercise or strike price (per share) of each Option or SAR will be not less than 100% of the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price (per share) less than 100% of the Fair Market
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Value of the Common Stock on the date the Award is granted if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption
of, or substitution for, another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Transaction and in a manner
consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each
SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.
(c) Payment of Exercise Price for Options. The exercise price of an Option may be paid, to the extent
permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by one or more of the methods
of payment set forth below that are specified in the Option Agreement. The Board has the authority to grant
Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or that otherwise restrict the ability to
utilize certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular
method of payment.
(i) By cash (including electronic funds transfers), check, bank draft or money order payable to the
Company;
(ii) Pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve
Board that, prior to the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of
cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price
to the Company from the sales proceeds;
(iii) By delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common
Stock;
(iv)
If an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a ‘‘net exercise’’ arrangement pursuant to which
the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest
whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price;
provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent
of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of
whole shares to be issued. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be
exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price
pursuant to the ‘‘net exercise,’’ (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and
(C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or
(v)
In any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the
applicable Award Agreement.
(d) Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide
written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Award Agreement evidencing
such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount
equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number
of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested
under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the
aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is
exercising the SAR on such date. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any
combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the
Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.
(e) Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations
on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination
by the Board to the contrary, the restrictions set forth in this Section 5(e) on the transferability of Options and
SARs will apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary,
no Option or SAR may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.
(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable, except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution (and pursuant to Sections 5(e)(ii) and 5(e)(iii) below), and will be
exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. Subject to the foregoing paragraph,
the Board may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not
prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, neither an Option
nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.
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(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an
Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital
settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulations
Section 1.421-1(b)(2). If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a
Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.
(iii) Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a
Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the
designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled
to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such
exercise. In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or
administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the
Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit
designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such
designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.
(f) Vesting. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and
become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to
such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based
on the satisfaction of Performance Goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting
provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to
Section 2(g) and any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as
to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.
(g) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement
or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous
Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant
may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or
SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the
earlier of (i) the date that is three months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or
shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set
forth in the Award Agreement. If, after such termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise
his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time period, the Option or SAR (as applicable)
will terminate.
(h) Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or
other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if the exercise of an Option or
SAR following the termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon
the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of
Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will
terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the
applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during
which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements or (ii) the
expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, except
as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and
the Company or an Affiliate, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR
following the termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the
Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a
total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after
the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received
upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy or (ii) the
expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(i) Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other
written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service
terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to
the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of
Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is 12 months
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following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award
Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If,
after such termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as
applicable) within the applicable time period, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(j) Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other
written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous
Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) a Participant dies within the period (if any)
specified in the Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service
(for a reason other than death), then the Participant’s Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent that the
Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a
person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance, or by a person
designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within such period of time
ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter
period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth
in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR (as applicable) is not exercised
within the applicable time period, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.
(k) Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement or
other individual written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s
Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Participant’s Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon
such termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option
or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.
(l) Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt
employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first
exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option
or SAR (although the Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker
Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Transaction
in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or
(iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement, in
another written agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, or, if no such definition, in
accordance with the Company’s or Affiliate’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested
portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The
foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection
with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the
extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any
income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares
under any other Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l)
will apply to all Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Award Agreements.
6.
PROVISIONS OF AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND SARS.
(a) Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will
contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s
bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in
book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock
Award lapse, or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as
determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be
identical; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation
of the provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of
the following provisions:
(i) Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash (including
electronic funds transfers), check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to
the Company or an Affiliate or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that
may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
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(ii) Vesting. Subject to Section 2(g), shares of Common Stock awarded under a Restricted Stock
Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to or repurchase by the Company in accordance with a
vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.
(iii) Termination of Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the
Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of
Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of such termination under the
terms of the Participant’s Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
(iv) Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under a Restricted Stock Award
Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the
Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common
Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted
Stock Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or a Restricted Stock Award
Agreement to the contrary, no Restricted Stock Award may be transferred to any financial institution without
prior stockholder approval.
(b) Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form
and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. The terms and conditions of separate
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock
Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the
applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine
the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock
subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each
share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal
consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable
law.
(ii) Vesting. Subject to Section 2(g), at the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the
Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it,
in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(iii) Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common
Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined
by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.
(iv) Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as
it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of
Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the
vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(v) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted
Stock Unit Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an
Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, any portion of the Participant’s Restricted Stock
Unit Award that has not vested as of the date of such termination will be forfeited upon such termination.
(c) Performance Stock Awards.
(i) General. A Performance Stock Award is an Award that is payable (including that may be granted,
vest or be exercised) contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of specified Performance
Goals. A Performance Stock Award may, but need not, require the Participant’s completion of a specified
period of Continuous Service. Subject to Section 2(g), the length of any Performance Period, the
Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, and the measure of whether and to what
degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Board, in its sole
discretion. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable Award Agreement, the
Board may determine that cash may be used in payment of Performance Stock Awards.
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(ii) Board Discretion. With respect to any Performance Stock Award, the Board retains the discretion
to (A) reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon the attainment of any
Performance Goals on the basis of any considerations as the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine
and (B) define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for a Performance Period.
(d) Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise
based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof may be granted either alone or in addition
to Awards granted under Section 5 and this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan (including, but not
limited to, Sections 2(g) and 2(h)), the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to
whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of
Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other
terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.
7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of
Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Awards.
(b) Securities Law Compliance. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency
having jurisdiction over the Plan the authority required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock
upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under
the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after
reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or
agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common
Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock
upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the
grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or
issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.
(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any
Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising an Award. Furthermore, the Company
will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of
an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation
to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.
8. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock
issued pursuant to Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.
(b) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the
Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action,
unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate or letter evidencing the
Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate
records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant
contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the
Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award
Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally
binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.
(c) Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of
a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award unless and until (i) such Participant
has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Award
pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award has been entered into the
books and records of the Company.
(d) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other
instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any
Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the
Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an
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Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, or (ii) the service of a Director pursuant to the
bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which
the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.
(e) Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the
performance of his or her services for the Company or any Affiliate is reduced (for example, and without
limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a
full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any
Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (i) make a corresponding reduction in
the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become
payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a
reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction,
the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.
(f)
Incentive Stock Option Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at
the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the
first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates)
exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules
governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order
in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock
Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).
(g)
Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or
acquiring Common Stock under any Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the
Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser
representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and
business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative,
the merits and risks of exercising the Award and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company
stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Award for the Participant’s own account
and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing
requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of
the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award has been registered under a then
currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (B) as to any particular requirement, a
determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances
under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place
legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to
comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the
Common Stock.
(h) Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may,
in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state, local or foreign tax withholding obligation relating to an Award
by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash
payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise
issuable to the Participant in connection with the Award; (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash;
(iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as
may be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(i) Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a ‘‘written’’ agreement or document will include any
agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto)
or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the
Participant has access).
(j) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine
that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a
portion of any Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be
made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.
Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an
employee or otherwise providing services to the Company or an Affiliate. The Board is authorized to make
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deferrals of Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments,
including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement
such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.
(k) Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award
Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards
granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with
Section 409A of the Code. If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is
therefore subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the
terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to
the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, such
terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock
are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes ‘‘deferred compensation’’ under
Section 409A of the Code is a ‘‘specified employee’’ for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution
or payment of any amount under such Award that is due because of a ‘‘separation from service’’ (as defined in
Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the
date that is six months and one day following the date of such Participant’s ‘‘separation from service’’ or, if
earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment may be made in a manner that
complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day
after such six-month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.
(l) Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance
with the following, as applicable: (i) the Dynavax Technologies Corporation Incentive Compensation
Recoupment Policy; (ii) any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing
standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is
otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law;
and (iii) any other clawback policy that the Company adopts. In addition, the Board may impose such other
clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board, in its discretion, determines
necessary or appropriate, including, but not limited to, a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired
shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of Cause. No clawback, recovery or
recoupment of compensation pursuant to any such policy or Award Agreement will be deemed an event giving
rise to a right to resign for ‘‘good reason’’ or ‘‘constructive termination’’ (or similar term) under any agreement
with the Company or an Affiliate.
9. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.
(a) Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately
and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to
Section 3(a); (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of
Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c); and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per
share of stock subject to outstanding Awards. The Board will make such adjustments and its determination will
be final, binding and conclusive.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other
written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, in the event of a dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Awards (other than Awards consisting of vested and outstanding
shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will
terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common
Stock subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase may be reacquired or repurchased by
the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Award is providing Continuous Service.
(c) Transactions. In the event of a Transaction, the provisions of this Section 9(c) will apply to each
outstanding Award and Prior Plan Award, in each case unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the
Award or Prior Plan Award (as applicable), in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate
and the Participant, or in any director compensation policy of the Company.
(i) Awards May Be Assumed. In the event of a Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring
corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may assume or continue any or all
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outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards or may substitute similar stock awards for any or all
outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards (including, but not limited to, awards to acquire the same
consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction), and any reacquisition or
repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to any outstanding
Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards may be assigned by the Company to the surviving corporation or
acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company). For clarity, in the event
of a Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring
corporation’s parent company) may choose to assume or continue only a portion of an outstanding Award or
Prior Plan Award, to substitute a similar stock award for only a portion of an outstanding Award or Prior
Plan Award, or to assume or continue, or substitute similar stock awards for, the outstanding Awards and/or
Prior Plan Awards held by some, but not all, Participants. The terms of any such assumption, continuation or
substitution will be set by the Board.
(ii) Awards Held by Current Participants. In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving
corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) does not
assume or continue outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards, or substitute similar stock awards for
outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards, then with respect to any such Awards and/or Prior Plan
Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants whose
Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Transaction (referred to as the
‘‘Current Participants’’), the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such Awards and Prior Plan
Awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to Performance Stock Awards, vesting will be deemed
to be satisfied at the target level of performance) to a date prior to the effective time of the Transaction
(contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction) as the Board will determine (or, if the Board
does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the Transaction),
and such Awards and Prior Plan Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective
time of the Transaction in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Board, and any
reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards and Prior Plan Awards
will lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction).
(iii) Awards Held by Participants other than Current Participants. In the event of a Transaction
in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s
parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards, or substitute
similar stock awards for outstanding Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards, then with respect to any such Awards
and/or Prior Plan Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by
Participants other than Current Participants, such Awards and Prior Plan Awards will terminate if not
exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Transaction in accordance with the exercise
procedures determined by the Board; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by
the Company with respect to such Awards and Prior Plan Awards will not terminate and may continue to be
exercised notwithstanding the Transaction.
(iv) Payment for Awards in Lieu of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any
outstanding Award or Prior Plan Award held by a Participant will terminate if not exercised prior to the
effective time of a Transaction, the Board may provide that the Participant may not exercise such Award or
Prior Plan Award but instead will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board,
equal in value to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received
upon the exercise of such Award or Prior Plan Award immediately prior to the effective time of the
Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by the Participant in connection with such exercise. For
clarity, such payment may be zero if the value of such property is equal to or less than the exercise price.
Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the
holders of the Common Stock in connection with the Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn
outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.
(d) Change in Control. Unless provided otherwise in the Award Agreement for an Award or award
agreement for a Prior Plan Award (as applicable), in any other written agreement or plan between the Company
or any Affiliate and the Participant, or in any director compensation policy of the Company, an Award or Prior
Plan Award will not be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in
Control.
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(e) Prior Plan Awards. For clarity, with respect to any Prior Plan Award, the terms set forth in
Sections 9(c) and 9(d) will supersede any terms set forth in the applicable Prior Plan regarding the treatment of
such Prior Plan Award in the event of a Corporate Transaction (as defined in the applicable Prior Plan) or
Change in Control (as defined in the applicable Prior Plan).
(f) Parachute Payments. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other
written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if any payment or benefit the
Participant would receive pursuant to a Change in Control from the Company or otherwise (‘‘Payment’’) would
(i) constitute a ‘‘parachute payment’’ within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this
sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the ‘‘Excise Tax’’), then such
Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount. The ‘‘Reduced Amount’’ will be either (x) the largest portion of
the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest
portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable
federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest
applicable marginal rate), results in the Participant’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the
Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a
reduction in payments or benefits constituting ‘‘parachute payments’’ is necessary so that the Payment equals the
Reduced Amount, reduction will occur in the following order: (A) reduction of cash payments; (B) cancellation
of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (C) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock
options; and (D) reduction of other benefits paid to the Participant. Within any such category of payments and
benefits (that is, (A), (B), (C) or (D)), a reduction will occur first with respect to amounts that are not ‘‘deferred
compensation’’ within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and then with respect to amounts that are. In the
event that acceleration of compensation from a Participant’s equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of
vesting will be canceled, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, in the reverse order of the date of grant.
The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date
of the Change in Control will perform the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the
Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control,
the Company will appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required
hereunder. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm
required to be made hereunder. The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder will provide
its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Participant and the Company within
15 calendar days after the date on which the Participant’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that
time by the Participant or the Company) or such other time as reasonably requested by the Participant or the
Company. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder will be final, binding and
conclusive upon the Participant and the Company.
10. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a) Termination or Suspension. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive
Stock Option may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the Adoption Date or (ii) the date
the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the
Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
(b) No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not materially impair rights and
obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected
Participant or as otherwise permitted in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement.
11. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.
12. CHOICE OF LAW.
The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and
interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.
13. DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms
indicated below:
(a)
‘‘Adoption Date’’ means April 8, 2018, which is the date the Plan was adopted by the Board.
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(b)
‘‘Affiliate’’ means, at the time of determination, any ‘‘parent’’ or ‘‘subsidiary’’ of the Company as such
terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which
‘‘parent’’ or ‘‘subsidiary’’ status is determined within the foregoing definition.
(c)
‘‘Appreciation Award’’ means (i) a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under any of the
Prior Plans or (ii) an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, in each case with respect to which the exercise or
strike price is at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the stock option or stock
appreciation right, or Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, on the date of grant.
(d)
‘‘Award’’ means an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right,
a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Performance Stock Award or any Other Stock Award.
(e)
‘‘Award Agreement’’ means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing
the terms and conditions of an Award.
(f)
‘‘Board’’ means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g)
‘‘Capitalization Adjustment’’ means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect
to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Award after the Adoption Date without the receipt of
consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation,
stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock
split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any
similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 123 (revised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company
will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(h)
‘‘Cause’’ will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between a Participant
and the Company or an Affiliate defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means,
with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of one or more of the following: (i) the Participant’s theft,
dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any Company or
Affiliate documents or records; (ii) the Participant’s material failure to abide by the code of conduct or other
policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct) of
the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) the Participant’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction or diversion of
any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of the Company or an Affiliate (including, without
limitation, the Participant’s improper use or disclosure of confidential or proprietary information of the Company
or an Affiliate); (iv) any intentional act by the Participant which has a material detrimental effect on the
reputation or business of the Company or an Affiliate; (v) the Participant’s repeated failure or inability to perform
any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from the Company or an Affiliate, and a reasonable
opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (vi) any material breach by the Participant of any employment or
service agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which breach is not cured pursuant
to the terms of such agreement; or (vii) the Participant’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or moral turpitude, or which
impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties. The determination that a termination of a
Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole
discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with
or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by the Participant will have no effect upon any
determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or the Participant for any other purpose.
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(i)
‘‘Change in Control’’ means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related
transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i)
any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities
other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the
Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an
investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a
transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the
Company through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by
any Exchange Act Person (the ‘‘Subject Person’’) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the
outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the
Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but
for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and
after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that,
assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then
outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a
Change in Control will be deemed to occur;
(ii)
there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or
indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar
transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly,
either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting
power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of
the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation
or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;
(iii)
there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all
of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an
Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding
voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or
(iv)
over a period of 12 months or less, individuals who, on the Adoption Date, are members of the
Board (the ‘‘Incumbent Board’’) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the
Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board
member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then
still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the
Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not
include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile
of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written
agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate will supersede the foregoing definition with
respect to Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards (as applicable) subject to such agreement; provided, however, that
(1) if no definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) is set forth in such an individual written
agreement, the foregoing definition will apply; and (2) no Change in Control (or any analogous term) will be
deemed to occur with respect to Awards and/or Prior Plan Awards (as applicable) subject to such an individual
written agreement without a requirement that the Change in Control (or any analogous term) actually occur.
If required for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event will an event be deemed a Change in
Control if such event is not also a ‘‘change in the ownership of’’ the Company, a ‘‘change in the effective control
of’’ the Company or a ‘‘change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of’’ the Company, each as
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determined under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition
thereunder). The Board may, in its sole discretion and without a Participant’s consent, amend the definition of
‘‘Change in Control’’ to conform to the definition of a ‘‘change in control event’’ under Section 409A of the
Code and the regulations thereunder.
(j)
‘‘Code’’ means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations
and guidance thereunder.
(k)
‘‘Committee’’ means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by
the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(l)
‘‘Common Stock’’ means the common stock of the Company.
(m)
‘‘Company’’ means Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
(n)
‘‘Continuous Service’’ means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether
as an Employee or Director, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant
renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee or Director or a change in the Entity for which
the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s
service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided,
however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as
determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have
terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an
Employee of the Company to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent
permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may
determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence
approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave,
or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of
absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be
provided in the Company’s or Affiliate’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence
agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.
(o)
‘‘Corporate Transaction’’ means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related
transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i)
the consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the
Board, in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(ii)
the Company;
the consummation of a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of the outstanding securities of
(iii)
the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company
is not the surviving corporation; or
(iv)
the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company
is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger,
consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or
similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
If required for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event will an event be deemed a Corporate
Transaction if such event is not also a ‘‘change in the ownership of’’ the Company, a ‘‘change in the effective
control of’’ the Company or a ‘‘change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of’’ the Company,
each as determined under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative
definition thereunder). The Board may, in its sole discretion and without a Participant’s consent, amend the
definition of ‘‘Corporate Transaction’’ to conform to the definition of a ‘‘change in control event’’ under
Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
(p)
(q)
‘‘Director’’ means a member of the Board.
‘‘Disability’’ means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any
substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be
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expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than
12 months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the
Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.
(r)
‘‘Effective Date’’ means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date of the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company held in 2018, provided that this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at
such meeting.
(s)
‘‘Employee’’ means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a
Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an ‘‘Employee’’ for
purposes of the Plan.
(t)
‘‘Entity’’ means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.
(u)
‘‘Exchange Act’’ means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
(v)
‘‘Exchange Act Person’’ means any natural person, Entity or ‘‘group’’ (within the meaning of
Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that ‘‘Exchange Act Person’’ will not include (i) the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary
of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a
registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of
the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company, or (v) any
natural person, Entity or ‘‘group’’ (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of
the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty
percent 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.
(w)
‘‘Fair Market Value’’ means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or traded on any established market, then the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will
be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market
with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a
source the Board deems reliable.
(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock
on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be the closing
sales price for such stock on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iii)
In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with
Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.
(x)
‘‘Full Value Award’’ means (i) a stock award granted under any of the Prior Plans or (ii) an Award, in
each case that is not an Appreciation Award.
(y)
‘‘Incentive Stock Option’’ means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 that is intended to be, and
that qualifies as, an ‘‘incentive stock option’’ within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(z)
‘‘Non-Employee Director’’ means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the
Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an
Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount
as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the
Securities Act (‘‘Regulation S-K’’)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure
would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which
disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K, or (ii) is otherwise considered a
‘‘non-employee director’’ for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(aa)
‘‘Nonstatutory Stock Option’’ means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 that does not qualify as
an Incentive Stock Option.
A-18
(bb)
Exchange Act.
‘‘Officer’’ means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the
(cc)
‘‘Option’’ means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of
Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(dd)
‘‘Option Agreement’’ means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Option
evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan.
(ee)
‘‘Other Stock Award’’ means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock
which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(d).
(ff)
‘‘Other Stock Award Agreement’’ means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of
an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock
Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(gg)
‘‘Own,’’ ‘‘Owned,’’ ‘‘Owner,’’ ‘‘Ownership’’ A person or Entity will be deemed to ‘‘Own,’’ to have
‘‘Owned,’’ to be the ‘‘Owner’’ of, or to have acquired ‘‘Ownership’’ of securities if such person or Entity,
directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares
voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
(hh)
‘‘Participant’’ means (i) with respect to any Award, a person to whom such Award is granted
pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award, and (ii) with respect to
any Prior Plan Award, a person to whom such Prior Plan Award is granted pursuant to any Prior Plan or, if
applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Prior Plan Award.
(ii)
‘‘Performance Criteria’’ means the one or more criteria that the Board will select for purposes of
establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to
establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following, as determined
by the Board: (i) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest, taxes and
depreciation; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); (iv) total stockholder
return; (v) return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; (vi) return on assets, investment, or capital
employed; (vii) stock price or stock price performance; (viii) margin (including gross margin); (ix) net income
(before or after taxes); (x) operating income; (xi) operating income after taxes; (xii) pre-tax profit; (xiii)
operating cash flow; (xiv) sales or revenue targets; (xv) increases in revenue or product revenue; (xvi) expenses
and cost reduction goals; (xvii) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (xviii) economic value
added (or an equivalent metric); (xix) market share; (xx) cash flow; (xxi) cash flow per share; (xxii) share price
performance; (xxiii) debt reduction; (xxiv) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (xxv) customer
satisfaction; (xxvi) stockholders’ equity; (xxvii) capital expenditures; (xxviii) debt levels; (xxix) operating profit
or net operating profit; (xxx) workforce diversity; (xxxi) growth of net income or operating income;
(xxxii) billings; (xxxiii) submission to, or approval by, a regulatory body (including but not limited to the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration) of an applicable filing for a product candidate or other product development
milestones; (xxxiv) acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, licenses or collaborations;
(xxxv) spin-offs, split-ups, reorganizations, recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (debt or equity) or
refinancings; (xxxvi) manufacturing or process development, clinical trial, regulatory, intellectual property,
compliance or research objectives; and (xxxvii) any other measures of performance selected by the Board. Partial
achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of
achievement as specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
(jj)
‘‘Performance Goals’’ means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the
Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a
Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and
in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance
of one or more relevant indices. The Board is authorized to make appropriate adjustments in the method of
calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring
and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar
denominated Performance Goals; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting
principles; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (v) to exclude the
A-19
effects of items that are ‘‘unusual’’ in nature or occur ‘‘infrequently’’ as determined under generally accepted
accounting principles; (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (vii) to assume that
any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a
Performance Period following such divestiture; (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding
shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase,
reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other
similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (ix) to
exclude the effects of stock based compensation and/or the award of an annual cash incentive under the
Company’s Annual Incentive Program; (x) to exclude the effect of any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss
or other extraordinary item; and (xi) to make other appropriate adjustments selected by the Board.
(kk)
‘‘Performance Period’’ means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of
one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the
payment of a Performance Stock Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the
sole discretion of the Board.
(ll)
‘‘Performance Stock Award’’ means an Award granted under the terms and conditions of Section 6(c).
(mm)
‘‘Plan’’ means this Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity Incentive Plan.
(nn)
‘‘Restricted Stock Award’’ means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to
the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).
(oo)
‘‘Restricted Stock Award Agreement’’ means a written agreement between the Company and a holder
of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each
Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(pp)
‘‘Restricted Stock Unit Award’’ means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted
pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).
(qq)
‘‘Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement’’ means a written agreement between the Company and a
holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award
grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(rr)
‘‘Rule 16b-3’’ means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to
Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(ss)
‘‘Rule 405’’ means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.
(tt)
‘‘Securities Act’’ means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(uu)
‘‘Stock Appreciation Right’’ or ‘‘SAR’’ means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock
that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.
(vv)
‘‘Stock Appreciation Right Agreement’’ or ‘‘SAR Agreement’’ means a written agreement between
the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock
Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions
of the Plan.
(ww)
‘‘Subsidiary’’ means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of
the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such
corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have
or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly,
Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the
Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital
contribution) of more than 50%.
(xx)
‘‘Ten Percent Stockholder’’ means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to
Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company or any Affiliate.
(yy)
‘‘Transaction’’ means a Corporate Transaction or a Change in Control.
A-20
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-34207
Dynavax Technologies Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
33-0728374
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
2100 Powell Street, Suite 720
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 848-5100
(Address, including Zip Code, and telephone number, including area code, of the registrant’s principal executive offices)
Title of each class:
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading symbol(s):
DVAX
Name of each exchange on which registered:
Nasdaq Global Select Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of
Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registration was required to submit such files). Yes ☒
No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an
emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒
Emerging growth company ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or
revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over
financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing
reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by
any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the common stock on
June 30, 2023 as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, was approximately $0.9 billion. Shares of common stock held by each officer and director and by each
person known to the Company who owns 5% or more of the outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This
determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
As of February 20, 2024, the registrant had outstanding 130,614,772 shares of common stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement for the registrant’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10-14 of
this Form 10-K. The Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed no later than 120 days after the close of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Auditor Firm Id:
42
Auditor Name:
Ernst & Young LLP
Auditor Location:
San Francisco, California
INDEX
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Page No.
PART I
BUSINESS ................................................................................................................................................
Item 1.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS .......................................................................................................................................
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS ....................................................................................................
Item 1C. CYBERSECURITY ..................................................................................................................................
PROPERTIES ...........................................................................................................................................
Item 2.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS .........................................................................................................................
Item 3.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE ...............................................................................................................
Item 4.
PART II
Item 5.
MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER
Item 6.
Item 7.
MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES ..............................................
[RESERVED] ............................................................................................................................................
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS .............................................................................................................
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK ..........................
Item 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA ..........................................................
Item 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE ...............................................................................................................
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES .........................................................................................................
Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION .........................................................................................................................
Item 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS .........
Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ..................................
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ............................................................................................................
Item 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
PART III
6
26
56
56
57
57
57
58
59
60
71
72
107
107
109
109
110
110
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS ..........................................................................................
110
Item 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE ................................................................................................................................
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES ..........................................................................
Item 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES ..................................................................
FORM 10-K SUMMARY .........................................................................................................................
Item 16.
SIGNATURES ..........................................................................................................................................
PART IV
110
110
111
115
116
2
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties. All statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including
statements about sales of HEPLISAV-B®, our ability to successfully commercialize HEPLISAV-B, CpG 1018 adjuvant or any
future product, our anticipated market opportunity and level of sales of HEPLISAV-B and CpG 1018 adjuvant, our ability to
manufacture sufficient supply of HEPLISAV-B to meet future demand, our business, collaboration and regulatory strategy,
our ability to successfully support the development, manufacture and commercialization of other vaccines containing our
CpG 1018 adjuvant, including any current or potential vaccine or vaccine candidate that stems from any of our
collaborations, our ability to manufacture sufficient supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant to meet potential future demand in
connection with new vaccines, our ability to advance our other product candidates, such as our shingles, Tdap and plague
programs, and to otherwise develop and expand our clinical research pipeline, meet regulatory requirements, including post-
marketing obligations and commitments, uncertainty regarding our capital needs and future operating results and
profitability, anticipated sources of funds, liquidity and cash needs (including our ability to collect on accounts receivables),
anticipated future revenue, as well as our plans, objectives, strategies, expectations and intentions for our business. These
statements appear throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K and can be identified by the use of forward-looking
language such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “future,” or
“intend,” or the negative of these terms or other variations or comparable terminology. In addition, statements that “we
believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon
information available to us as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and while we believe such information forms
a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be
read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant
information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
Actual results may vary materially from those in our forward-looking statements as a result of various factors that
are identified in “Item 1A—Risk Factors” and “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. No assurance can be given that the risk factors
described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are all of the factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from
the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-
K. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are cautioned that any such forward-
looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements after the date they are made.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes trademarks and registered trademarks of Dynavax Technologies
Corporation. Products or service names of other companies mentioned in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. References herein to “we,” “our,” “us,” “Dynavax” or the
“Company” refer to Dynavax Technologies Corporation and its subsidiaries.
RISK FACTOR SUMMARY
Below is a summary of material factors that make an investment in our securities speculative or risky. Importantly, this
summary does not address all of the risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional discussion of the risks and uncertainties
summarized in this risk factor summary, as well as other risks and uncertainties that we face, can be found in the more
detailed discussion that follows this summary, and the below summary is qualified in its entirety by that more complete
discussion of such risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described herein as part
of your evaluation of an investment in our securities:
•
•
HEPLISAV-B has been approved in the United States, the European Union and Great Britain and launched in the
United States and Germany, and there is significant competition in these marketplaces. Since this is our first
marketed product, the timing of uptake and distribution efforts are unpredictable and there is a risk that we may
not achieve and sustain commercial success for HEPLISAV-B.
Our financial results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter or may fall below the expectations of
investors or securities analysts, each of which may adversely affect our stock price.
• We have incurred annual net losses in most years since our inception and could continue to incur significant
losses if we do not successfully commercialize HEPLISAV-B, launch new products and/or significant sales of
our CpG 1018 adjuvant do not resume. Until we are able to generate significant revenues or achieve profitability
3
through product sales on a consistent basis, we may require substantial additional capital to finance our
operations.
• Many of our competitors have greater financial resources and expertise than we do. If we are unable to
successfully compete with existing or potential competitors as a result of these disadvantages, we may be unable
to generate sufficient, or any, revenues and our business will be harmed.
• We rely on our facility in Düsseldorf, Germany and third parties to supply materials or perform processes
necessary to manufacture our products and our product candidates. We rely on a limited number of suppliers to
produce the oligonucleotides we require for development and commercialization. Additionally, we have limited
experience in manufacturing our products or product candidates in commercial quantities. With respect to
HEPLISAV-B, we use a pre-filled syringe presentation of the vaccine and our ability to meet future demand will
depend on our ability to manufacture or have manufactured sufficient supply in this presentation.
•
•
As we continue to focus on the commercialization of our HEPLISAV-B vaccine and our CpG 1018 adjuvant, we
may encounter difficulties in managing our commercial growth and expanding our operations successfully.
As we continue to grow as a commercial organization and enter into supply agreements with customers, those
supply agreements will have obligations to deliver product that we are reliant upon third parties to manufacture
on our behalf.
• We face uncertainty regarding coverage, pricing and reimbursement and the practices of third-party payors,
which may make it difficult or impossible to sell certain of our products or product candidates on commercially
reasonable terms.
• We are subject to ongoing United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), EU and comparable foreign
post-marketing obligations concerning HEPLISAV-B, which may result in significant additional expense, and we
may be subject to penalties if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements or experience unanticipated
regulatory issues with HEPLISAV-B. If HEPLISAV-B or any products we develop are not accepted by the
market or if regulatory authorities limit our labeling indications, require labeling content that diminishes market
uptake of HEPLISAV-B or any other products we develop, or limit our marketing claims, we may be unable to
generate significant future revenues, if any.
•
•
•
•
•
•
HEPLISAV-B and all of our clinical programs rely on oligonucleotide toll-like receptor (“TLR”) agonists. In the
event of serious adverse events relating to TLR agonists, we may be required to reduce the scope of, or
discontinue, our operations, or reevaluate the viability of strategic alternatives.
HEPLISAV-B is subject to regulatory obligations and continued regulatory review, and if we receive regulatory
approval for our other product candidates, we will be subject to ongoing FDA and foreign regulatory obligations
and continued regulatory review for such products.
Regulatory authorities may require more clinical trials for our product candidates than we currently expect or are
conducting before granting regulatory approval, if regulatory approval is granted at all. Our clinical trials may be
extended which may lead to substantial delays in the regulatory approval process for our product candidates and
may impair our ability to generate revenues.
Clinical trials for our commercial product and product candidates are expensive and time consuming, may take
longer than we expect or may not be completed at all, and have uncertain outcomes.
A key part of our business strategy for products in development is to establish collaborative relationships to help
fund or manage development and commercialization of our product candidates and research programs. We may
not succeed in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships, which may significantly limit our ability
to continue to develop and commercialize those products and programs, if at all.
As we plan for the broader commercialization of our HEPLISAV-B vaccine and for the requisite capacity to
manufacture our CpG 1018 adjuvant, our financial commitments for manufacturing and supply capacity might
outpace actual demand for our products.
• We may develop, seek regulatory approval for and market HEPLISAV-B or any other product candidates outside
of the U.S., the European Union and Great Britain, requiring a significant additional commitment of resources.
Failure to successfully manage our international operations could result in significant unanticipated costs and
delays in regulatory approval or commercialization of our products or product candidates.
• We rely on clinical research organizations (“CROs”) and clinical sites and investigators for our clinical trials. If
these third parties do not fulfill their contractual obligations or meet expected deadlines, our planned clinical
4
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
trials may be delayed and we may fail to obtain the regulatory approvals necessary to commercialize our product
candidates.
As a biopharmaceutical company, we engage CROs to conduct clinical studies, and failure by us or our CROs to
conduct a clinical study in accordance with good clinical practices (“GCP”) standards and other applicable
regulatory requirements could result in disqualification of the applicable clinical trial from consideration in
support of approval of a potential product.
If third parties assert that we have infringed their patents or other proprietary rights or challenge our patents or
other proprietary rights, we may become involved in disputes and litigation that would be costly, time consuming
and have a negative impact on the commercialization of our current products and delay or prevent development
or commercialization of our product candidates.
Our stock price is subject to volatility, and your investment may suffer a decline in value.
Future sales of our common stock or the perception that such sales may occur in the public market could cause
our stock price to fall.
Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our
business to pay our substantial debt. Conversion of the Convertible Notes (defined below) may dilute the
ownership interest of our stockholders or may otherwise depress the price of our common stock.
The loss of key personnel could delay or prevent achieving our objectives. In addition, our continued growth to
support commercialization may result in difficulties in managing our growth and expanding our operations
successfully.
If our information technology systems or those of third parties upon which we rely, or our data are or were
compromised, we could experience adverse consequences resulting from such compromise, including but not
limited to regulatory investigations or actions; litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of our business
operations; reputational harm; loss of revenue or profits; and other adverse consequences.
5
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
OUR COMPANY
We are a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative
vaccines in areas of significant unmet need, leveraging our demonstrated expertise and capabilities in vaccines and our
proven, proprietary vaccine adjuvant technology. We are currently focused on our efforts to drive long-term shareholder
value by maximizing utilization of our HEPLISAV-B® hepatitis B vaccine, expanding our own portfolio of innovative
vaccine candidates leveraging our proven adjuvant technology, and leveraging our CpG 1018® adjuvant supply strategy
through both commercial and research collaborations.
HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted]
Our first marketed product, HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted], is approved in the
United States, the European Union and Great Britain for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B
virus ("HBV") in adults aged 18 years and older. HEPLISAV-B is the only two-dose hepatitis B vaccine for adults approved
in the United States, the European Union and Great Britain. In Phase 3 trials, HEPLISAV-B demonstrated faster and higher
rates of protection with two doses in one month compared to other currently approved hepatitis B vaccines, which require
three doses over six months, with similar safety profiles. We received marketing authorization approval of HEPLISAV-B in
February 2021 from the European Commission for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of HBV in adults
aged 18 years and older. In May 2021, we entered into a commercialization agreement with Bavarian Nordic for the
marketing and distribution of HEPLISAV-B in Germany, and in May 2022, we commenced commercial shipments of
HEPLISAV-B in Germany. In March 2023, we received marketing authorization in Great Britain for HEPLISAV-B for the
active immunization against hepatitis B virus infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults aged 18
years and older.
Pipeline Programs
We are advancing a pipeline of differentiated product candidates that leverage our CpG 1018 adjuvant to develop
improved vaccines in indications with unmet medical needs. These programs include vaccine candidates under development
for shingles, Tdap and plague.
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Shingles vaccine program: Z-1018 is an investigational vaccine candidate being developed for the prevention of
shingles in adults aged 50 and older.
Tdap vaccine program: Tdap-1018 is an investigational vaccine candidate intended for active booster
immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis ("Tdap").
Plague vaccine program: We are developing a plague (rF1V) vaccine candidate adjuvanted with CpG 1018,
currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial in collaboration with, and fully funded by, the U.S. Department of Defense
("DoD").
Additionally, we manufacture and have supplied in the past CpG 1018 adjuvant, the adjuvant used in HEPLISAV-B,
through both commercial supply agreements and preclinical and clinical research collaborations with third-party
organizations.
Adjuvant Technology Overview: Toll-like Receptor Immune Modulation Platform
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in innate immunity and
subsequent adaptive immunity. Signaling through these receptors is triggered by the binding of a variety of pathogen-
associated molecules and is essential to generation of innate immunity. The innate immune response is the first line of
defense against viruses, bacteria and other potential pathogens. Importantly, the innate response initiates and regulates the
generation of an adaptive immune response composed of highly specific antibodies and T cells. Compounds used in vaccine
products that stimulate enhanced immune responses are generally referred to as adjuvants.
Our work in this area has been focused primarily on stimulation of a subset of TLRs that recognize bacterial and viral
nucleic acids. This work resulted in the identification of proprietary unmethylated synthetic oligonucleotides (short segments
of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)), that mimic the activity of microbial DNA, and selectively activate one of these important
receptors, TLR9. These TLR9 agonists are called CpG oligonucleotides – or “CpGs” for short – referring to the presence of
specific nucleotide sequences containing the CG base pair.
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Our vaccine research to date has focused on the use of TLR9 agonists as novel vaccine adjuvants. B-Class TLR9
agonists, such as our CpG 1018 adjuvant, stimulate release of cytokines necessary for T cell activation establishing long-term
immunity. TLR9 stimulation particularly helps generate Th1 immune responses that are important to control pathogens such
as viruses and bacteria. As a result, TLR9 adjuvanted vaccines induce a specific Th1 immune response and more durable
levels of protective antibodies relative to non-adjuvanted vaccines. Our CpG 1018 adjuvant has an established tolerability
profile demonstrated in a wide range of clinical trials and real-world, commercial use, and has consistently demonstrated its
ability to enhance the immune response without excessive reactogenicity as shown in multiple clinical trials in our
HEPLISAV-B and COVID-19 vaccine collaboration programs.
Key 2023 Business and Financial Highlights
Drive Growth of HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted]
HEPLISAV-B vaccine is the first and only adult hepatitis B vaccine approved in the U.S. and EU that enables series
completion with only two doses in one month. Hepatitis B vaccination is universally recommended for adults aged 19-59 in
the U.S.
• We recognized $213.3 million of HEPLISAV-B product revenue in the U.S. during the year ended December 31,
2023, representing a 69% increase compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily
driven by an increase in HEPLISAV-B demand and market share gains in the U.S. in 2023, compared to 2022.
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HEPLISAV-B estimated total market share in the U.S. increased to approximately 42%, compared to
approximately 35% at the end of 2022.
HEPLISAV-B estimated market share in the retail pharmacy segment increased to approximately 58%, compared
to approximately 42% at the end of 2022. HEPLISAV-B estimated market share in the Integrated Delivery
Networks ("IDNs") and Large Clinics segment increased to approximately 56%, compared to approximately 47%
at the end of 2022.
A supplemental Biologic License Application ("sBLA") for HEPLISAV-B vaccination of adults on hemodialysis
is currently under priority review by the FDA with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date planned for May
13, 2024.
Actively leveraging on the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ("ACIP") recommendation
for hepatitis B vaccination in adults, which was published in April 2022, advising that all adults aged 19-59
should be vaccinated against hepatitis B. We believe this will help enable a significantly expanded total annual
market opportunity of approximately $800 million in the U.S. by 2027, with HEPLISAV-B well positioned to
achieve a majority market share.
Advance Clinical Pipeline Leveraging our Proven Adjuvant Technology
We are advancing a pipeline of product candidates that leverage our CpG 1018 adjuvant, which has demonstrated its ability
to enhance the immune response with a favorable tolerability profile in a wide range of clinical trials and real-world
commercial use.
Shingles vaccine program:
• We recently received Type B meeting feedback from the FDA on the Z-1018 clinical development plan and
submitted an Investigational New Drug Application ("IND") to the FDA to support the initiation of a Phase 1/2
trial of Z-1018, upon IND clearance, in the first half of 2024.
Tdap vaccine program:
• We recently received Type B meeting feedback from the FDA on the Tdap-1018 clinical development plan. We
plan to submit an IND to the FDA to support the initiation of the Phase 2 human challenge study of Tdap-1018 in
the second half of 2024, upon completion of the independent study being conducted by the Canadian Center for
Vaccinology to establish the human challenge dose, which we will utilize in our Phase 2 study.
Plague vaccine candidate:
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• We anticipate top line data for the randomized, active-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating
immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability of the plague vaccine candidate in 2024.
Corporate and Financial Highlights
• We recognized $213.3 million of HEPLISAV-B vaccine net product revenue during the year ended December
31, 2023, representing 69% growth compared to 2022.
• We generated $100.6 million in cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 and
ended the year with $742.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities.
• We reported a net loss of $6.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023.
• We did not recognize CpG 1018 adjuvant net product revenue during the year ended December 31, 2023, as we
completed all obligations and product delivery under our CpG 1018 adjuvant collaboration agreements as of
December 31, 2022.
OUR STRATEGY
Our vision is to continue building a leading vaccines company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative
vaccines in areas of significant unmet need, leveraging our demonstrated expertise and capabilities in vaccines and our
proven, proprietary vaccine adjuvant technology. Our strategy is focused on our core priorities: drive growth in our
HEPLISAV-B commercial vaccine, advance a differentiated vaccine pipeline, and identify strategic opportunities to
accelerate growth. Key elements of our strategy include:
•
Increase our HEPLISAV-B vaccine market share to become the market leader in the future;
• Maximize total addressable HEPLISAV-B vaccine market based on the ACIP Universal Recommendation;
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Leverage HEPLISAV-B vaccine as a foundational commercial asset to support company growth and pipeline
development;
Deliver on our innovative and diversified pipeline leveraging CpG 1018 adjuvant with proven antigens;
Build an adult vaccine portfolio of best-in-class products;
Advance innovative pre-clinical and discovery efforts leveraging collaborations;
Continue disciplined allocation of capital aligned with corporate strategy to deliver long-term value through
internal and external innovation; and
Pursue external opportunities to further leverage our U.S. commercial vaccine capabilities, prioritizing first or
best-in-class assets.
HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine, (Recombinant), Adjuvanted]
Our first commercial product, HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine, (Recombinant), Adjuvanted], is approved by the
FDA, the European Commission and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for prevention of
infection caused by all known subtypes of HBV in adults aged 18 years and older. HEPLISAV-B combines CpG 1018
adjuvant, our proprietary TLR9 agonist adjuvant, and recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (“rHBsAg” or “HBsAg”) that
is manufactured by Dynavax GmbH, our wholly owned subsidiary, in Düsseldorf, Germany. HEPLISAV-B and each of the
vaccines it directly competes against use rHBsAg to elicit an immune response to the virus.
About Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a major global
health problem. It can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. The
World Health Organization (“WHO”) and the CDC have set a goal to eliminate all viral hepatitis infections, including
hepatitis B, globally by 2030, and are calling for a continued commitment to increase services to eliminate hepatitis. The
WHO estimates that worldwide, approximately 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B in 2019, and that in
the same year hepatitis B resulted in and estimated 820,000 deaths primarily from liver cancer. In addition, the CDC
estimated that in 2020 approximately 580,000 to 1.2 million people in the U.S. were living with HBV infection. There was a
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total of 2,157 new cases of acute hepatitis B reported to the CDC in 2020. However, after adjusting for under-ascertainment
and under reporting, the CDC estimated that 14,000 acute hepatitis B cases occurred in the U.S. in 2020.
Recommendations for Adult Vaccination to Prevent Hepatitis B
The CDC’s ACIP unanimously voted at its November 2021 meeting to recommend that all adults 19 to 59 years of age
should receive a hepatitis B vaccination, and such recommendation was published in April 2022. This universal
recommendation greatly simplifies the identification of patients who need a hepatitis B vaccine compared to the previous
risk-based recommendation, and significantly expands the number of adults in the United States who should be vaccinated
against hepatitis B under the CDC recommendation.
This recommendation is a significant milestone for hepatitis B prevention, making hepatitis B the fifth vaccine
routinely recommended for adult immunization along with influenza, shingles, Tdap and pneumococcal. Based on this
opportunity, we launched a series of innovative marketing campaigns targeting consumers and healthcare providers to
increase the awareness of HEPLISAV-B as the only two-dose hepatitis B vaccine option, with broad protection across most
patient types. Such efforts have driven an increase in HEPLISAV-B demand and market share in the U.S. in 2023 compared
to 2022.
Protection Against Hepatitis B by HEPLISAV-B
The approval of HEPLISAV-B by the FDA was based on data from three Phase 3 non-inferiority trials involving nearly
10,000 adult participants who received HEPLISAV-B. These pivotal studies compared HEPLISAV-B administered in two
doses over one month to Engerix-B® administered in three doses over a six-month schedule. Results from HBV-23, the
largest Phase 3 trial, which included 6,665 participants, showed that HEPLISAV-B demonstrated a statistically significantly
higher rate of protection of 95% compared with 81% for Engerix-B. Across the three clinical trials, the most common local
reaction was injection site pain (23% to 39%). The most common systemic reactions were fatigue (11% to 17%) and
headache (8% to 17%).
We have worldwide commercial rights to HEPLISAV-B. In addition to HEPLISAV-B, there are four other vaccines
approved for the prevention of hepatitis B in the U.S.: Engerix-B and Twinrix® from GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK),
Recombivax-HB® from Merck & Co. (“Merck”) and PreHevbrio™ from VBI Vaccines Inc. HEPLISAV-B is currently
approved in the U.S., the EU and Great Britain for the prevention of hepatitis B in adults. We are also considering additional
territories where it would be commercially feasible to market HEPLISAV-B.
The largest segments of the market are concentrated in independent hospitals and clinics, integrated delivery networks,
dialysis centers, public health clinics and prisons, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and retail pharmacies.
Our promotional activity is focused on the largest accounts in each segment. Our field sales force of approximately 117
people are targeting customers that we believe have the highest impact on adult hepatitis B vaccine utilization in the U.S. We
deploy our sales force to the physician or pharmacist level, as well as at the procurement level within respective healthcare
segments where vaccines are utilized. Our primary objectives are to both increase market share, as well as increase market
size over time.
We continue to explore ways to enhance the clinical profile of HEPLISAV-B. We completed an open-label, single-arm
study of a 4-dose regimen of HEPLISAV-B in adults with end-stage renal disease who are initiating or undergoing
hemodialysis. Final immunogenicity results included a seroprotection rate of 89.3% with high levels of anti-HBs antibodies.
Safety data showed HEPLISAV-B was well tolerated and no safety concerns were observed. The safety and effectiveness of
HEPLISAV-B in adults on hemodialysis have not yet been established. This study alone, regardless of results, may not be
sufficient to support a label change to include dialysis patients. If we do receive approval of this dosing schedule, we expect
to add dialysis centers to our personal promotion efforts. An sBLA for HEPLISAV-B vaccination of adults on hemodialysis
is currently under priority review by the FDA with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date planned for May 13, 2024.
CpG 1018 Vaccine Adjuvant
We believe the favorable immunogenicity and safety results achieved with HEPLISAV-B utilizing our CpG 1018
adjuvant support our efforts to develop it as a broadly useful vaccine adjuvant platform. CpG 1018 adjuvant has an
established profile for the potential development of safe and effective vaccines. It has a well-defined mechanism of action,
targeting select immune system cells, with well-characterized effects on the immune response that mimic the immune
response to naturally occurring TLR9 agonists in pathogens. This results in potent adjuvant activity for antibody responses.
In HEPLISAV-B, our CpG 1018 adjuvant is believed to drive faster and consistently higher rates of seroprotection than
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Engerix-B, even in the elderly and populations known to be less responsive to other vaccines. CpG 1018 adjuvant
differentially elicits a preferred T Helper 1 (Th1) cell polarized response and drives protective antibody production. CpG
1018 adjuvant has a large safety database that indicates a favorable reactogenicity profile with lower reactogenicity compared
to other adjuvants.
We have established several clinical and preclinical collaborations with vaccine developers to evaluate CpG 1018
adjuvanted vaccine product candidates against influenza, other infectious diseases, and particularly COVID-19 across a
variety of vaccine platforms. Data from studies in non-human primates demonstrate our CpG 1018 adjuvant can elicit a
robust immune response to COVID-19 and protect animals from disease in challenge studies. Results from Phase 2 and 3
human clinical studies demonstrated vaccines utilizing CpG 1018 adjuvant had a favorable safety and tolerability profile,
induced strong immune responses, including neutralizing antibodies and Th1-biased cell-mediated immunity, and resulted in
a high efficacy against COVID-19 disease.
Our Vaccine Research and Development Pipeline
We are building an innovative pipeline of investigational vaccine product candidates, leveraging our proven,
proprietary vaccine adjuvant technology. A summary of our pipeline programs follows:
Shingles Vaccine Program
Shingles is an extremely painful consequence of the reactivation of a latent varicella-zoster virus (“VZV”) infection,
with attacks leading to potential complications including chronic pain. The current shingles vaccine market is approximately
$4 billion and expected to grow over time. Our CpG 1018 adjuvant has demonstrated its ability to enhance the immune
response without excessive reactogenicity in both HEPLISAV-B and multiple COVID-19 clinical trials. Importantly, CpG
1018 adjuvant has shown the ability to generate high levels of CD4+-cells which have been demonstrated to be key cell types
in controlling latent VZV infection to avoid reactivation leading to shingles, with potentially lower reactogenicity compared
to the current standard of care.
In January 2022, we initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of our shingles vaccine candidate, utilizing our CpG 1018
adjuvant. The global Phase 1 study was designed to evaluate safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate
which is comprised of glycoprotein E (gE) plus CpG 1018 adjuvant.
In January 2023, we announced the completion of a randomized Phase 1 clinical trial of our shingles vaccine program
evaluating the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in adults. At four weeks following the 2-dose regimen, the
investigational shingles vaccine Z-1018 demonstrated high antibody and CD4 positive T-cell vaccine response rates in all
arms, which were similar to the licensed comparator. Robust increases in CD4 positive T-cells were observed in all Z-1018
arms, although lower than the comparator. Total frequency of solicited systemic adverse events and local post-injection
reactions and moderate and severe reactions were similar across the Z-1018 arms and lower than the comparator.
In June 2023, we presented results from a Phase 1 randomized, active-controlled, dose escalation, multicenter trial to
evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of Z-1018, at the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases’ 2023
Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research. These results demonstrate the opportunity to develop a shingles vaccine with
improved vaccine tolerability and comparable efficacy to Shingrix and support the continued development of our shingles
vaccine candidate. We received Type B meeting feedback from the FDA on the Z-1018 clinical development plan and
submitted an IND to the FDA to support the initiation of a Phase 1/2 trial of Z-1018, upon IND clearance, in the first half of
2024.
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Tdap Vaccine Program
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a serious illness in people of all ages and can be life-threatening, especially in infants.
Whooping cough is caused by the highly contagious respiratory bacterium, Bordetella pertussis. People with pertussis
usually spread the disease to others by coughing, sneezing or spending time in the same breathing environment. According to
the CDC, there are an estimated 24.1 million cases of pertussis and about 160,700 deaths per year globally. The resurgence of
B. pertussis in multiple countries has been attributed to the Tdap vaccine’s limited duration of protection. Our Tdap booster
vaccine candidate adjuvanted with CpG 1018 is anticipated to improve the durability of protection against pertussis by
redirecting T cell responses and enhancing protective antibody responses in a booster vaccine.
In June 2017, we entered into an agreement with Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. ("SIIPL") to collaborate on
development and commercialization of certain potential vaccines including Tdap booster adjuvated with CpG 1018. Under
the collaboration, we have exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize the vaccine, except that SIIPL has exclusive rights to
distribute in India and to fulfill WHO/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) tender contracts. Each party is responsible
for clinical development cost in their respective territories.
In October 2022, we presented adult and adolescent safety data from the Phase 1 clinical trial of Tdap-1018, which was
well tolerated with no safety concerns observed. Additionally, immunogenicity levels in adults met our expectations and
support our plan to continue advancement of this clinical program.
In December 2023, we completed a pertussis challenge study in nonhuman primates demonstrating protection from
disease upon challenge and robust Type 1 T helper (Th1) cell responses in nonhuman primates vaccinated with Tdap-1018.
We recently received Type B meeting feedback from the FDA on the Tdap-1018 clinical development plan. We plan to
submit an IND to the FDA to support the initiation of a Phase 2 human challenge study of Tdap-1018 in the second half of
2024, upon completion of the independent study being conducted by the Canadian Center for Vaccinology to establish the
human challenge dose, which we plan to utilize in our Phase 2 study.
U.S. Department of Defense (Plague Vaccine) Phase 2 Study
In September 2021, we entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense ("DoD") for the development
of a recombinant plague vaccine adjuvanted with CpG 1018 for approximately $22.0 million over two and a half years.
Under the agreement, we agreed to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial combining our CpG 1018 adjuvant with the DoD's rF1V
vaccine designed to show that two doses of CpG 1018 adjuvanted vaccine administrated within a period of one month is
similar to three doses of the aluminum-adjuvanted vaccine administered over a period of six months.
In August 2022, we commenced the Phase 2 clinical trial with the first participant dosed, evaluating the
immunogenicity, safety and tolerability of the DoD’s rF1V vaccine combined with our CpG 1018 adjuvant, in adults 18 to 55
years of age.
In January 2023, Part 1 of the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability in adults of a
plague (rF1V) vaccine candidate adjuvanted with CpG 1018 was successfully completed. Both CpG 1018 adjuvanted arms
met the Part 1 primary endpoint and demonstrated a greater than two-fold increase in antibodies over the alum adjuvanted
control arm after two doses. In 2023, we completed enrollment and dosing in Part 2 of the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating
immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability. Preliminary results are expected in 2024.
In July 2023, we executed a contract modification with the DoD to support advancement of the plague vaccine
candidate into a nonhuman primate challenge study, which was initiated in August 2023, with the agreement now totaling
$33.7 million through 2025.
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CpG 1018 Adjuvant Supply Partnerships for COVID-19 Vaccine Development
To support the fight against COVID-19, we collaborated with five other organizations on their development of
COVID-19 vaccines, by supplying them with CpG 1018 adjuvant under commercial supply agreements supported by two
contract manufacturing organizations, with whom we developed and implemented plans to help scale-up activities to support
pandemic-level production of our CpG 1018 adjuvant as necessary to support these and any future collaborations. As of
December 31, 2023, all five of our collaborators have received emergency use authorization and/or full approval for their
COVID-19 vaccines, and our delivery obligations under our related supply agreements have been fully satisfied. Under our
agreement (together with subsequent amendments, the "CEPI Agreement") with Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness
Innovations (“CEPI”), through December 31, 2023, we received Advance Payments totaling approximately $175.0 million
pursuant to the CEPI Agreement, of which $67.3 million have been repaid and $47.4 million have been forgiven. As of
December 31, 2023, remaining Advance Payments totaling $60.3 million in CEPI accrual long-term were reflected in our
consolidated balance sheets. We continue to work to identify other programs where CpG 1018 adjuvant can be utilized to
enhance the immune response to a coronavirus vaccine or other vaccines.
For a summary of our significant CpG 1018 adjuvant collaboration agreements, see Note 9 - Collaborative Research,
Development and License Agreements, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Part
II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Our commercial success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain proprietary protection for our products,
product candidates, technology and know-how, to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others and to prevent
others from infringing our proprietary rights. Generally, we seek patent protection in the U.S and foreign countries on a
selective basis to further protect the inventions that we or our partners consider important to the development of our business.
We also rely on trade secrets and contracts to protect our proprietary information, and we rely on trademarks to protect our
brand, products, product candidates, and technology.
As of December 31, 2023, our intellectual property portfolio included over 25 issued U.S. patents, over 65 granted
foreign patents and over 115 additional Dynavax-solely owned or co-owned pending U.S. non-provisional and foreign patent
applications claiming compositions containing TLR agonists or antagonists, methods of use, and/or methods of manufacture
thereof. Specifically, our portfolio includes: (i) three issued U.S. patents related to certain uses of HEPLISAV-B that expire
in 2032; (ii) 23 pending U.S. and foreign patent applications related to an investigational tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)
booster vaccine, which are co-owned with SIIPL; (iii) 17 pending U.S. and foreign patent applications related to an
investigational shingles vaccine; (iv) over 55 pending U.S. non-provisional and foreign patent applications related to
COVID-19 vaccines, which include patent families that are either solely-owned or co-owned with Valneva Austria GmbH,
Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corporation, or Colorado State University Research Foundation; and (v) one pending U.S. patent
application related to an investigational plague vaccine, which is co-owned with The Government of the United States, as
Represented by the Secretary of the Army. Lastly, some of the patents and patent applications in our portfolio relate to our
discontinued immuno-oncology programs.
In general, the term of a patent extends for 20 years from the filing date of the earliest U.S. non-provisional or
international (PCT) application to which priority is claimed. In certain instances, a patent term may be extended to recapture
a portion of the term effectively lost as a result of the FDA regulatory review period. Moreover, in the U.S., the term of a
patent may be extended as a consequence of patent office delays during prosecution. Our patent estate, based on patents
existing now and expected by us to issue based on pending applications, is projected to expire on dates ranging from 2024 to
2043.
The actual protection afforded by a patent varies on a product-by-product basis, from country-to-country and depends
upon many factors, including the type of patent, the scope of its coverage, the availability of regulatory related extensions,
the availability of legal remedies in a particular country and the validity and enforceability of the patents.
Because patent applications in the U.S. and many foreign jurisdictions typically are not published until 18 months after
filing and publications of discoveries in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that
we were the first to file for protection of the inventions set forth in these patent applications or in our issued patents. Further,
there could be post-grant proceedings such as inter partes review (IPR), post grant review (PGR), reexamination, reissue or
opposition which could result in claims in our patents being narrowed or invalidated.
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Our commercial success depends significantly on our ability to operate without infringing patents and other proprietary
rights of third parties. A number of pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies, as well as universities and
research institutions, may have filed patent applications or may have been granted patents that cover inventions similar to the
inventions owned by or licensed to us. We may not be able to determine with certainty whether patents or patent applications
of other parties may materially affect our ability to make, use, offer to sell, or sell any products. If another party controls
patents or patent applications covering our products, we may not be able to obtain the rights we need to those patents or
patent applications in order to commercialize our products.
Litigation may be necessary to enforce patents issued or licensed to us or to determine the scope or validity of another
party’s proprietary rights. The existence of third-party patent applications and patents could significantly reduce the coverage
of the patents owned by or licensed to us and limit our ability to obtain meaningful patent protection. Litigation or any other
proceedings could result in substantial costs to and diversion of effort by us, and an adverse outcome in a court or patent
office could subject us to significant liabilities, require disputed rights to be licensed from other parties, or require us to cease
using some of our technology. We may not prevail in these actions or proceedings if they arise.
In addition, other parties may duplicate, design around or independently develop similar or alternative technologies to
ours or our licensors.
We may rely, in some circumstances, on trade secrets and confidentiality agreements to protect our technology.
Although trade secrets are difficult to protect, wherever possible, we use confidential disclosure agreements to protect the
proprietary nature of our technology. Our standard practice is to require each of our collaborators, commercial partners,
employees, consultants, contractors and advisors to enter into an agreement before beginning their employment, consulting or
advisory relationship with us that in general provides that the individuals must keep confidential and not disclose to other
parties any of our confidential information developed or learned by the individuals during the course of their relationship
with us except in limited circumstances. These agreements with employees, consultants and contractors also generally
provide that we own all inventions conceived by the individuals in the course of rendering their employment or services to
us. However, there can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for
any breach, or that our trade secrets and/or proprietary information will not otherwise become known or be independently
discovered by competitors. To the extent that our employees, consultants or contractors use intellectual property owned by
others in their work for us, disputes may also arise as to the rights in related or resulting know-how and inventions.
COMPETITION
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are characterized by rapidly advancing technologies, intense
competition and a strong emphasis on proprietary products. Our products and development programs compete with several
commercially available vaccine and adjuvant products. Many companies and institutions are making substantial investments
in developing additional vaccines and adjuvants that could compete directly or indirectly with our marketed products and
products under development by us and our collaborators. For example, there are multiple other shingles vaccine candidates in
development including those being developed by Pfizer, BioNTech SE, Curevo Vaccine and others. The approved products
from these programs will all need to compete with a single approved vaccine currently available in the U.S.
We also believe our CpG 1018 adjuvant, which we use in our own products and product candidates and provide to our
collaborators through clinical and commercial supply agreements, is as or more effective than other available adjuvants and,
being a yeast-derived product, is far more sustainable that other available products that are derived from, for example, shark
squalene or tree bark. Regardless, there can be no guarantee that we can compete with other companies for sales of adjuvant,
or any approved vaccine.
Competition for HEPLISAV-B
HEPLISAV-B, a two-dose in one month adult hepatitis B vaccine, competes directly with three-dose over six months
marketed vaccines Engerix-B from GSK, as well as Recombivax-HB marketed by Merck. There are also modified schedules
of conventional hepatitis B vaccines for limited age ranges that are approved in the EU, Great Britain and the U.S. In
addition, HEPLISAV-B competes against Twinrix, a bivalent vaccine marketed by GSK for protection against hepatitis B
and hepatitis A. Additionally, PreHevbrio, a three-dose adult hepatitis B vaccine manufactured by VBI Vaccines Inc. (“VBI”)
is commercially available in multiple countries including the U.S. While we believe that HEPLISAV-B competes very well
with other approved vaccines available on the market, we face significant competition in our longer term goal to capture a
majority of U.S. market share. While we may explore additional territories outside of the U.S., the EU and Great Britain to
market HEPLISAV-B, in doing so we will likely face competition from these or other products and competitors.
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Competition for our adjuvant supply supporting COVID-19 and our development pipeline including shingles, Tdap, plague
and other potential pipeline indications
We are also in competition with companies developing vaccines, and vaccine adjuvants, generally including, among
others, GSK, Pfizer, Inc., Sanofi S.A., Merck, Bavarian Nordic A/S, Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., Novavax, Inc., Medicago
Inc., Valneva, AstraZeneca plc, Moderna, Inc., Johnson & Johnson and VBI.
Many of the entities developing or marketing these competing products have significantly greater financial resources
and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory
approvals and marketing than we do. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors,
particularly through collaborative agreements with large, established companies with access to capital. These entities may
also compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel, as well as in acquiring
technologies complementary to or necessary for our programs.
REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
Government Regulation
The FDA and comparable regulatory agencies in state and local jurisdictions and in foreign countries impose extensive
requirements upon the clinical development, pre-market approval, manufacture, labeling, marketing, promotion, pricing,
import, export, storage and distribution of biopharmaceuticals. These agencies and other regulatory agencies regulate
research and development activities and the testing, approval, manufacture, quality control, safety, effectiveness, labeling,
storage, recordkeeping, advertising and promotion of drugs and biologics. Failure to comply with applicable FDA or foreign
regulatory agency requirements may result in warning letters, fines, civil or criminal penalties, additional reporting
obligations and/or agency oversight, suspension or delays in clinical development, recall or seizure of products, partial or
total suspension of production or withdrawal of a product from the market.
In the United States, the FDA regulates drug products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and its
implementing regulations and biologics additionally under the Public Health Service Act. The process required by the FDA
before biopharmaceuticals may be marketed in the United States generally involves the following:
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submission to the FDA of an IND, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin and, at a
minimum, must be updated annually;
completion of extensive pre-clinical laboratory tests and pre-clinical animal studies, all performed in accordance
with the FDA’s Good Laboratory Practice (“GLP”) regulations;
performance of adequate and well controlled human clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the
product for each proposed indication;
submission to the FDA of a new drug application or a biologics license application, NDA or BLA, depending on
the nature of the product after completion of all pivotal clinical trials to demonstrate the safety, purity and
potency of the product for the indication for use;
a determination by the FDA to accept the application for review;
satisfactory completion of an FDA pre-approval inspection of the manufacturing facilities to assess compliance
with the FDA’s current good manufacturing practices (“cGMP”) regulations for pharmaceuticals; and
FDA review and approval of an NDA or BLA prior to any commercial marketing or sale of the product in the
United States.
The development and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and we cannot be
certain that any approvals for our product candidates, or those of our collaborators, will be granted on a timely basis, if at all.
The results of pre-clinical tests (which include laboratory evaluation as well as GLP studies to evaluate toxicity in
animals) for a particular product candidate, together with related manufacturing information and analytical data, are
submitted as part of an IND to the FDA. The IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless
the FDA, within the thirty-day time period, raises concerns or questions about the conduct of the proposed clinical trial,
including concerns that human research subjects will be exposed to unreasonable health risks. In such a case, the IND
sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. IND submissions may not
result in FDA authorization to commence a clinical trial. A separate submission to an existing IND must also be made for
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each successive clinical trial conducted during product development. Further, an independent institutional review board, or
IRB, for each medical center proposing to conduct the clinical trial must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial
before it commences at that center and it must monitor the study until completed. The FDA, the IRB or the sponsor may
suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the subjects or patients are being exposed to
an unacceptable health risk. Clinical testing also must satisfy extensive good clinical practice (“GCP”) regulations and
regulations for informed consent and privacy of individually identifiable information.
Clinical Trials. For purposes of an NDA or BLA submission and approval, clinical trials are typically conducted in the
following sequential phases, which may overlap:
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Phase 1. Studies are initially conducted in a limited population to test the product candidate for safety, dose
tolerance, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, typically in healthy humans, but in some cases in
patients.
Phase 2. Studies are generally conducted in a limited patient population to identify possible adverse effects and
safety risks, explore the initial efficacy of the product for specific targeted indications and to determine dose
range or pharmacodynamics. Multiple Phase 2 clinical trials may be conducted by the sponsor to obtain
information prior to beginning larger and more expensive Phase 3 clinical trials.
Phase 3. These are commonly referred to as pivotal studies. When Phase 2 evaluations demonstrate that a dose
range of the product is effective and has an acceptable safety profile, Phase 3 clinical trials are undertaken in
large patient populations to further evaluate dosage, provide substantial evidence of clinical efficacy and further
test for safety in an expanded and diverse patient population at multiple, geographically dispersed clinical trial
centers.
Phase 4. The FDA may approve an NDA or BLA for a product candidate, but require that the sponsor conduct
additional clinical trials to further assess the product after approval under a post-marketing commitment or post-
marketing requirement. In addition, a sponsor may decide to conduct additional clinical trials after the FDA has
approved a product. Post-approval trials are typically referred to as Phase 4 clinical trials.
The results of product development, pre-clinical studies and clinical trials are submitted to the FDA as part of an NDA
or BLA. Applications also must contain extensive manufacturing and control information. Applications must be accompanied
by a significant user fee. Once the submission has been accepted for filing, the FDA’s goal is to review applications within
ten months of accepting the submission or, if the application relates to an unmet medical need in a serious or life-threatening
indication, eight months from accepting the submission. During the review process, the FDA often has multiple requests for
information or clarifications. The review process may be extended if the FDA deems that a response contains significant new
information and will require additional time beyond the period originally designated to appropriately review. The FDA will
typically conduct a pre-approval inspection of the manufacturer to ensure that the product can be reliably produced in
compliance with cGMPs and will typically inspect certain clinical trial sites for compliance with GCP. The FDA may refer
the application to an advisory committee for review, evaluation and recommendation as to whether the application should be
approved. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee, but it typically follows such
recommendations. The FDA may deny approval of an application by issuing a Complete Response Letter if the applicable
regulatory criteria are not satisfied. A Complete Response Letter may require additional clinical data and/or trial(s), and/or
other significant, expensive and time-consuming requirements related to clinical trials, pre-clinical studies or manufacturing.
Approval may occur with boxed warnings on product labeling or Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies, which limit the
labeling, distribution or promotion of a product. Once issued, the FDA may withdraw product approval if ongoing regulatory
requirements are not met or if safety problems occur after the product reaches the market. In addition, the FDA may require
testing, including Phase 4 clinical trials, and surveillance programs to monitor the safety effects of approved products which
have been commercialized and the FDA has the power to prevent or limit further marketing of a product based on the results
of these post-marketing programs or other information.
Other Regulatory Requirements. Products manufactured or distributed pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to
continuing regulation by the FDA, including recordkeeping, annual product quality review, payment of program user fees
and reporting requirements. Adverse event experience with the product must be reported to the FDA in a timely fashion and
pharmacovigilance programs to proactively look for these adverse events are mandated by the FDA. Manufacturers and their
subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies are subject to periodic
unannounced inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies for compliance with ongoing regulatory requirements,
including cGMPs, which impose certain procedural and documentation requirements upon us and our third-party
manufacturers. Failure to comply with the statutory and regulatory requirements can subject a manufacturer to possible legal
or regulatory action, such as suspension of manufacturing, seizure of product, injunctive action, additional reporting
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requirements and/or oversight by the agency, import alert or possible civil or criminal penalties. The FDA may also require
us to recall a product from distribution or withdraw approval for that product.
The FDA closely regulates the post-approval marketing and promotion of pharmaceuticals, including standards and
regulations for direct-to-consumer advertising, dissemination of off-label information, industry-sponsored scientific and
educational activities and promotional activities involving the Internet, including certain social media activities. Further, if
there are any modifications to the product, including changes in indications, labeling, or manufacturing processes or facilities,
we may be required to submit and obtain FDA approval of a new or supplemental application, which may require us to
develop additional data or conduct additional pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. Failure to comply with these
requirements can result in adverse publicity, warning letters, corrective advertising and potential administrative, civil and
criminal penalties, as well as damages, fines, withdrawal of regulatory approval, the curtailment or restructuring of our
operations, the exclusion from participation in federal and state healthcare programs, additional reporting requirements and/or
oversight by the agency, and imprisonment, any of which could adversely affect our ability to sell our products or operate our
business and also adversely affect our financial results.
Physicians may, in their independent medical judgment, prescribe legally available pharmaceuticals for uses that are
not described in the product’s labeling and that differ from those tested by us and approved by the FDA. Such off-label uses
are common across medical specialties. Physicians may believe that such off-label uses are the best treatment for many
patients in varied circumstances. The FDA does not regulate the behavior of physicians in their choice of treatments. The
FDA does, however, impose stringent restrictions on manufacturers’ communications regarding off-label use. Additionally, a
significant number of pharmaceutical companies have been the target of inquiries and investigations by various U.S. federal
and state regulatory, investigative, prosecutorial and administrative entities in connection with the promotion of products for
off-label uses and other sales practices. These investigations have alleged violations of various U.S. federal and state laws
and regulations, including claims asserting antitrust violations, violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, false claims
laws, anti-kickback laws, and other alleged violations in connection with the promotion of products for unapproved uses,
pricing and Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement. If our promotional activities, including any promotional activities that
a contracted sales force may perform on our behalf, fail to comply with these regulations or guidelines, we may be subject to
warnings from, or enforcement action by, these authorities. In addition, our failure to follow FDA rules and guidelines
relating to promotion and advertising may cause the FDA to issue warning letters or untitled letters, suspend or withdraw an
approved product from the market, require corrective advertising or a recall or institute fines or civil fines, additional
reporting requirements and/or oversight or could result in disgorgement of money, operating restrictions, injunctions or
criminal prosecution, any of which could harm our business.
Outside the United States, the ability of our partners and us to market a product is contingent upon obtaining marketing
authorization from the appropriate regulatory authorities. The requirements governing marketing authorization, pricing and
reimbursement vary widely from country to country and region to region.
Clinical Trials in the EU. In the EU, clinical trials are governed by the Clinical Trials Regulation (EU) No 536/2014
(“CTR”), which entered into application on January 31, 2022 repealing and replacing the former Clinical Trials Directive
2001/20 (“CTD”).
The CTR is intended to harmonize and streamline clinical trial authorizations, simplify adverse-event reporting
procedures, improve the supervision of clinical trials and increase transparency. Specifically, the regulation, which is directly
applicable in all EU Member States, introduces a streamlined application procedure through a single-entry point, the "EU
portal," the Clinical Trials Information System (“CTIS”); a single set of documents to be prepared and submitted for the
application; as well as simplified reporting procedures for clinical trial sponsors. A harmonized procedure for the assessment
of applications for clinical trials has been introduced and is divided into two parts. Part I assessment is led by the competent
authorities of a reference Member State selected by the trial sponsor and relates to clinical trial aspects that are considered to
be scientifically harmonized across EU Member States. This assessment is then submitted to the competent authorities of all
concerned Member States in which the trial is to be conducted for their review. Part II is assessed separately by the competent
authorities and Ethics Committees in each concerned EU Member State concerned. Individual EU Member States retain the
power to authorize the conduct of clinical trials on their territory.
The extent to which on-going clinical trials will be governed by the CTR will depend on the duration of the individual
clinical trial. For clinical trials in relation to which an application for approval was made on the basis of the CTD before January
31, 2023, the CTD will continue to apply on a transitional basis until January 31, 2025. By that date, all ongoing trials will
become subject to the provisions of the CTR. The CTR will apply to clinical trials from an earlier date if the related clinical
trial application was made on the basis of the CTR or if the clinical trial has already transitioned to the CTR framework before
January 31, 2025.
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In all cases, clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with GCP and the applicable regulatory requirements and
the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki. Medicines used in clinical trials must be manufactured
in accordance with the guidelines on cGMP and in a GMP licensed facility, which can be subject to GMP inspections.
European Union Marketing Authorization
To obtain a Marketing Authorization ("MA") for a product in the EU, an applicant must submit a Marketing
Authorization Application ("MAA") either under a centralized procedure administered by the European Medicines Agency
("EMA") or one of the procedures administered by competent authorities in the EU Member States (decentralized procedure,
national procedure or mutual recognition procedure). An MA may be granted only to an applicant established in the EU.
The centralized procedure provides for the grant of a single MA by the European Commission that is valid for all EU
Member States. Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, the centralized procedure is compulsory for specific products,
including for (i) medicinal products derived from biotechnological processes, (ii) products designated as orphan medicinal
products, (iii) advanced therapy medicinal products ("ATMPs"), and (iv) products with a new active substance indicated for
the treatment of HIV/AIDS, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, auto-immune and other immune dysfunctions and
viral diseases. For products with a new active substance indicated for the treatment of other diseases and products that are
highly innovative or for which a centralized process is in the interest of patients, the centralized procedure may be optional.
Under the centralized procedure, the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use ("CHMP") is
responsible for conducting the initial assessment of a product. The CHMP is also responsible for several post-authorization
and maintenance activities, such as the assessment of modifications or extensions to an existing MA.
Under the centralized procedure in the EU, the maximum timeframe for the evaluation of an MAA is 210 days,
excluding clock stops when additional information or written or oral explanation is to be provided by the applicant in
response to questions of the CHMP. Accelerated assessment may be granted by the CHMP in exceptional cases, when a
medicinal product targeting an unmet medical need is expected to be of major interest from the point of view of public health
and in particular from the viewpoint of therapeutic innovation. If the CHMP accepts a request for accelerated assessment, the
time limit of 210 days will be reduced to 150 days (not including clock stops). The CHMP can, however, revert to the
standard time limit for the centralized procedure if it considers that it is no longer appropriate to conduct an accelerated
assessment.
Unlike the centralized authorization procedure, the decentralized MA procedure requires a separate application to, and
leads to separate approval by, the competent authorities of each EU Member State in which the product is to be marketed.
This application is identical to the application that would be submitted to the EMA for authorization through the centralized
procedure. The reference EU Member State prepares a draft assessment and drafts of the related materials within 120 days
after receipt of a valid application. The resulting assessment report is submitted to the concerned EU Member States who,
within 90 days of receipt, must decide whether to approve the assessment report and related materials. If a concerned EU
Member State cannot approve the assessment report and related materials due to concerns relating to a potential serious risk
to public health, disputed elements may be referred to the Heads of Medicines Agencies’ Coordination Group for Mutual
Recognition and Decentralised Procedures – Human ("CMDh") for review. The subsequent decision of the European
Commission is binding on all EU Member States.
The mutual recognition procedure allows companies that have a medicinal product already authorized in one EU
Member State to apply for this authorization to be recognized by the competent authorities in other EU Member States. Like
the decentralized procedure, the mutual recognition procedure is based on the acceptance by the competent authorities of the
EU Member States of the MA of a medicinal product by the competent authorities of other EU Member States. The holder of
a national MA may submit an application to the competent authority of an EU Member State requesting that this authority
recognize the MA delivered by the competent authority of another EU Member State.
In principle, an MA has an initial validity of five years. The MA may be renewed after five years on the basis of a re-
evaluation of the risk-benefit balance by the EMA or by the competent authority of the EU Member State in which the
original MA was granted. To support the application, the MA holder must provide the EMA or the competent authority with
a consolidated version of the eCTD (Common Technical Document) providing up-to-date data concerning the quality, safety
and efficacy of the product, including all variations introduced since the MA was granted, at least nine months before the MA
ceases to be valid. The European Commission or the competent authorities of the EU Member States may decide, on justified
grounds relating to pharmacovigilance, to proceed with one further five year renewal period for the MA. Once subsequently
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definitively renewed, the MA shall be valid for an unlimited period. Any authorization which is not followed by the actual
placing of the medicinal product on the EU market (in case of centralized procedure) or on the market of the authorizing EU
Member State within three years after authorization ceases to be valid (the so-called sunset clause).
Innovative products that target an unmet medical need and are expected to be of major public health interest may be
eligible for a number of expedited development and review programs, such as the Priority Medicines ("PRIME") scheme,
which provides incentives similar to the breakthrough therapy designation in the U.S. PRIME is a voluntary scheme aimed at
enhancing the EMA’s support for the development of medicinal products that target unmet medical needs. It permits
increased interaction and early dialogue with companies developing promising medicinal products, to optimize their product
development plans and speed up their evaluation to help the product reach patients earlier than normal. Product developers
that benefit from PRIME designation are potentially eligible for accelerated assessment of their MAA although this is not
guaranteed. Benefits accrue to sponsors of product candidates with PRIME designation, including but not limited to, early
and proactive regulatory dialogue with the EMA, frequent discussions on clinical trial designs and other development
program elements, and potentially accelerated MAA assessment once a dossier has been submitted.
In the EU, a “conditional” MA may be granted in cases where all the required safety and efficacy data are not yet
available. The conditional MA is subject to conditions to be fulfilled for generating the missing data or ensuring increased
safety measures. It is valid for one year and must be renewed annually until all related conditions have been fulfilled. Once
any pending studies are provided, the conditional MA can be converted into a traditional MA. However, if the conditions are
not fulfilled within the timeframe set by the EMA, the MA will cease to be renewed.
An MA may also be granted “under exceptional circumstances” where the applicant can show that it is unable to
provide comprehensive data on the efficacy and safety under normal conditions of use even after the product has been
authorized and subject to specific procedures being introduced. These circumstances may arise in particular when the
intended indications are very rare and, in the state of scientific knowledge at that time, it is not possible to provide
comprehensive information, or when generating data may be contrary to generally accepted ethical principles. Like a
conditional MA, an MA granted in exceptional circumstances is reserved to medicinal products intended to be authorized for
treatment of rare diseases or unmet medical needs for which the applicant does not hold a complete data set that is required
for the grant of a standard MA. However, unlike the conditional MA, an applicant for authorization in exceptional
circumstances is not subsequently required to provide the missing data. Although the MA “under exceptional circumstances”
is granted definitively, the risk-benefit balance of the medicinal product is reviewed annually and the MA is withdrawn in
case the risk-benefit ratio is no longer favorable.
In addition to an MA, various other requirements apply to the manufacturing and placing on the EU market of
medicinal products. Manufacture of medicinal products in the EU requires a manufacturing authorization, and import of
medicinal products into the EU requires a manufacturing authorization allowing for import. The manufacturing authorization
holder must comply with various requirements set out in the applicable EU laws, regulations and guidance. These
requirements include compliance with EU GMP standards when manufacturing medicinal products and active pharmaceutical
ingredients ("APIs"), including the manufacture of APIs outside of the EU with the intention to import the APIs into the EU.
Similarly, the distribution of medicinal products within the EU is subject to compliance with the applicable EU laws,
regulations and guidelines, including the requirement to hold appropriate authorizations for distribution granted by the
competent authorities of the EU Member States. MA holders and/or manufacturing and import authorization ("MIA") holders
and/or distribution authorization holders may be subject to civil, criminal or administrative sanctions, including suspension of
manufacturing authorization, in case of non-compliance with the EU or EU Member States’ requirements applicable to the
manufacturing of medicinal products.
Data and Market Exclusivity
The EU provides opportunities for data and market exclusivity related to MAs. Upon receiving an MA, innovative
medicinal products are generally entitled to receive eight years of data exclusivity and 10 years of market exclusivity. Data
exclusivity, if granted, prevents regulatory authorities in the EU from referencing the innovator’s data to assess a generic
application or biosimilar application for eight years from the date of authorization of the innovative product, after which a
generic or biosimilar MAA can be submitted, and the innovator’s data may be referenced. The market exclusivity period
prevents a successful generic or biosimilar applicant from commercializing its product in the EU until 10 years have elapsed
from the initial MA of the reference product in the EU. The overall ten-year period may, occasionally, be extended for a
further year to a maximum of 11 years if, during the first eight years of those ten years, the MA holder obtains an
authorization for one or more new therapeutic indications which, during the scientific evaluation prior to their authorization,
are held to bring a significant clinical benefit in comparison with existing therapies. However, there is no guarantee that a
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product will be considered by the EU’s regulatory authorities to be a new chemical/biological entity, and products may not
qualify for data exclusivity.
In the EU, there is a special regime for biosimilars, or biological medicinal products that are similar to a reference
medicinal product but that do not meet the definition of a generic medicinal product. For such products, the results of
appropriate preclinical or clinical trials must be provided in support of an application for MA. Guidelines from the EMA
detail the type of quantity of supplementary data to be provided for different types of biological product.
Pediatric Development
In the EU, Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006 provides that all MAAs for new medicinal products have to include the
results of trials conducted in the pediatric population, in compliance with a pediatric investigation plan ("PIP") agreed with
the EMA’s Pediatric Committee ("PDCO"). The PIP sets out the timing and measures proposed to generate data to support a
pediatric indication of the medicinal product for which MA is being sought. The PDCO can grant a deferral of the obligation
to implement some or all of the measures provided in the PIP until there are sufficient data to demonstrate the efficacy and
safety of the product in adults. Further, the obligation to provide pediatric clinical trial data can be waived by the PDCO
when these data are not needed or appropriate because the product is likely to be ineffective or unsafe in children, the disease
or condition for which the product is intended occurs only in adult populations, or when the product does not represent a
significant therapeutic benefit over existing treatments for pediatric patients. Once the MA is obtained in all EU Member
States and study results are included in the product information, even when negative, the product is eligible for a six-month
extension to the Supplementary Protection Certificate ("SPC") if any is in effect at the time of authorization or, in the case of
orphan medicinal products, a two-year extension of orphan market exclusivity.
Post-Approval Requirements
Where an MA is granted in relation to a medicinal product in the EU, the holder of the MA is required to comply with
a range of regulatory requirements applicable to the manufacturing, marketing, promotion and sale of medicinal products.
Similar to the United States, both MA holders and manufacturers of medicinal products are subject to comprehensive
regulatory oversight by the EMA, the European Commission and/or the competent regulatory authorities of the individual EU
Member States. The holder of an MA must establish and maintain a pharmacovigilance system and appoint an individual
qualified person for pharmacovigilance who is responsible for oversight of that system. Key obligations include expedited
reporting of suspected serious adverse reactions and submission of periodic safety update reports ("PSURs").
All new MAAs must include a risk management plan ("RMP") describing the risk management system that a company
will put in place and documenting measures to prevent or minimize the risks associated with the product. The regulatory
authorities may also impose specific obligations as a condition of the MA. Such risk-minimization measures or post-
authorization obligations may include additional safety monitoring, more frequent submission of PSURs, or the conduct of
additional clinical trials or post-authorization safety studies.
In the EU, the advertising and promotion of medicinal products are subject to both EU and EU Member States’ laws
governing promotion of medicinal products, interactions with physicians and other healthcare professionals, misleading and
comparative advertising and unfair commercial practices. Although general requirements for advertising and promotion of
medicinal products are established under EU directives, the details are governed by regulations in each Member State and can
differ from one country to another. For example, applicable laws require that promotional materials and advertising in
relation to medicinal products comply with the product’s Summary of Product Characteristics ("SmPC") as approved by the
competent authorities in connection with an MA. The SmPC is the document that provides information to physicians
concerning the safe and effective use of the product. Promotional activity that does not comply with the SmPC is considered
off-label and is prohibited in the EU. Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicinal products is also prohibited in
the EU.
Medicinal Products in the UK and Brexit. The United Kingdom’s (“UK”) withdrawal from the EU on January 31,
2020, commonly referred to as Brexit, has changed the regulatory relationship between the UK and the EU. The Medicines and
Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (“MHRA”), is now the UK’s standalone regulator for medicinal products and medical
devices. Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is now a third country to the EU. Northern Ireland will, with regard to
EU regulations, continue to follow the EU regulatory rules for now.
The UK regulatory framework in relation to clinical trials is governed by the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical
Trials) Regulations 2004, as amended, which is derived from the CTD, as implemented into UK national law through secondary
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legislation. On January 17, 2022, the MHRA launched an eight-week consultation on reframing the UK legislation for clinical
trials, and which aimed to streamline clinical trials approvals, enable innovation, enhance clinical trials transparency, enable
greater risk proportionality, and promote patient and public involvement in clinical trials. The UK Government published its
response to the consultation on March 21, 2023 confirming that it would bring forward changes to the legislation. These
resulting legislative amendments will determine how closely the UK regulations will align with the CTR. In October 2023, the
MHRA announced a new Notification Scheme for clinical trials which enables a more streamlined and risk-proportionate
approach to initial clinical trial applications for Phase 4 and low-risk Phase 3 clinical trial applications.
Marketing authorizations in the UK are governed by the Human Medicines Regulations (SI 2012/1916), as amended.
Since January 1, 2021, an applicant for the EU centralized procedure marketing authorization can no longer be established in
the UK. As a result, since this date, companies established in the UK cannot use the EU centralized procedure and instead must
follow one of the UK national authorization procedures or one of the remaining post-Brexit international cooperation
procedures to obtain a marketing authorization to market products in the UK. All existing EU marketing authorizations for
centrally authorized products were automatically converted or grandfathered into UK marketing authorization, effective in
Great Britain only, free of charge on January 1, 2021, unless the marketing authorization holder opted-out of this possibility.
Northern Ireland currently remains within the scope of EU authorizations in relation to centrally authorized medicinal products.
Accordingly, until the Windsor Framework is implemented in Northern Ireland on January 1, 2025, products falling within the
scope of the EU centralized procedure can only be authorized through UK national authorization procedures in Great Britain.
The MHRA has also introduced changes to national marketing authorization procedures. This includes introduction
of procedures to prioritize access to new medicines that will benefit patients, including a 150-day assessment route, a rolling
review procedure and the International Recognition Procedures which entered into application on January 1, 2024. Since
January 1, 2024, the MHRA may also rely on the International Recognition Procedure (“IRP”), when reviewing certain types
of marketing authorization applications. This procedure is available for applicants for marketing authorization who have
already received an authorization for the same product from a reference regulator. These include the FDA, the EMA, and
national competent authorities of individual EEA countries. A positive opinion from the EMA and CHMP, or a positive end
of procedure outcome from the mutual recognition or decentralized procedures are considered to be authorizations for the
purposes of the IRP.
Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Laws. As a pharmaceutical company, certain federal and state healthcare laws and
regulations pertaining to fraud and abuse and patients’ rights may be applicable to our business. We may be subject to
various federal, state and foreign laws targeting fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry. For example, in the United States,
there are federal and state anti-kickback laws that prohibit the payment or receipt of kickbacks, bribes or other remuneration
intended to induce the purchase or recommendation of healthcare products and services or reward past purchases or
recommendations. These laws are applicable to manufacturers of products regulated by the FDA, such as us, and pharmacies,
hospitals, physicians and other potential purchasers of such products.
The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, receiving, offering or
paying remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing, recommending, or
arranging for a good or service, for which payment may be made, in whole or in part, under a federal healthcare program,
such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The term “remuneration” is defined as any remuneration, direct or indirect,
overt or covert, in cash or in kind, and has been broadly interpreted to include anything of value, including for example, gifts,
discounts, the furnishing of supplies or equipment, credit arrangements, payments of cash, waivers of payment, ownership
interests and providing anything at less than its fair market value. Several courts have interpreted the statute’s intent
requirement to mean that if any one purpose of an arrangement involving remuneration is to induce referrals of federal
healthcare covered business, the statute may have been violated, and enforcement will depend on the relevant facts and
circumstances. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education
Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the "ACA"), among other things, amended the intent requirement of the federal
Anti-Kickback Statute to state that a person or entity need not have actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent to
violate it in order to have committed a violation. In addition, the ACA provides that the government may assert that a claim
including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent
claim for purposes of the False Claims Act (discussed below) or the civil monetary penalties statute, which imposes penalties
against any person who is determined to have presented or caused to be presented a claim to a federal health program that the
person knows or should know is for an item or service that was not provided as claimed or is false or fraudulent, or to have
offered improper inducements to federal health care program beneficiaries to select a particular provider or supplier. The
federal Anti-Kickback Statute is broad, and despite a series of narrow statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors,
prohibits many arrangements and practices that are lawful in businesses outside of the healthcare industry. Many states have
also adopted laws similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, some of which apply to the referral of patients for healthcare
items or services reimbursed by any source, not only the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and do not contain identical safe
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harbors. In addition, where such activities involve foreign government officials, they may also potentially be subject to the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the statutory exceptions and
regulatory safe harbors available, it is possible that some of our business activities, including our activities with physician
customers, pharmacies, and patients, as well as our activities pursuant to partnerships with other companies and pursuant to
contracts with contract research organizations, could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws.
The federal criminal and civil false claims laws, including the False Claims Act, which prohibits any person from
knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false claim for payment to the federal government or knowingly making,
using or causing to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim to the federal
government. A claim includes “any request or demand” for money or property presented to the U.S. government. In addition,
the ACA specified that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute
constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act has been the basis for
numerous enforcement actions and settlements by pharmaceutical and other healthcare companies in connection with various
alleged financial relationships with customers. In addition, a number of pharmaceutical manufacturers have reached
substantial financial settlements in connection with allegedly causing false claims to be submitted because of the companies’
marketing of products for unapproved, and thus non-reimbursable, uses. Certain marketing practices, including off-label
promotion, may also violate false claims laws, as might violations of the federal physician self-referral laws, such as the Stark
laws, which prohibit a physician from making a referral to certain designated health services with which the physician or the
physician’s family member has a financial interest and prohibit submission of a claim for reimbursement pursuant to the
prohibited referral. The “qui tam” provisions of the False Claims Act allow a private individual to bring civil actions on
behalf of the federal government alleging that the defendant has submitted a false claim to the federal government, and to
share in any monetary recovery. In addition, various states have enacted similar fraud and abuse statutes or regulations,
including, without limitation, false claims laws analogous to the False Claims Act that apply to items and services reimbursed
under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of the payor.
Separately, there are a number of other fraud and abuse laws that pharmaceutical manufacturers must be mindful of,
particularly after a product candidate has been approved for marketing in the United States. For example, a federal criminal
law enacted as part of, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") prohibits, among other
things, knowingly and willfully executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private third-party
payors. The false statements statute prohibits knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or
making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare
benefits, items or services. There are also federal and state consumer protection and unfair competition laws, which broadly
regulate marketplace activities and activities that potentially harm consumers.
Healthcare Privacy and Security Laws. We may be subject to, or our marketing activities may be limited by, HIPAA,
as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 ("HITECH") and their
respective implementing regulations, which established uniform standards for certain “covered entities” (certain healthcare
providers, health plans and healthcare clearinghouses) governing the conduct of certain electronic healthcare transactions and
protecting the security and privacy of protected health information. Among other things, HIPAA’s privacy and security
standards are directly applicable to “business associates” — independent contractors or agents of covered entities that create,
receive, maintain or transmit protected health information in connection with providing a service for or on behalf of a
covered entity, as well as their covered subcontractors. In addition to possible civil and criminal penalties for violations,
HITECH created new tiers of civil monetary penalties, amended HIPAA to make civil and criminal penalties directly
applicable to business associates, and gave state attorneys general authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in
federal courts to enforce HIPAA and seek attorney’s fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions. State laws
also govern the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in
significant ways and may not have the same effect, thus complicating compliance efforts. Further, we are required to comply
with international personal data protection laws and regulations, particularly as the result of our operations in Düsseldorf,
Germany.
Privacy and Security Laws. We are subject to diverse laws and regulations relating to data privacy and security,
including HIPAA in the United States, the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation ("EU GDPR") in the
European Economic Area ("EEA"), and the United Kingdom's General Data Protection Regulation ("UK GDPR"). New
privacy rules are being enacted in the United States and globally, and existing ones are being expanded, updated and
strengthened.
For example, the EU GDPR which went into effect in May 2018 introduced strict requirements regarding the
processing of personal data, which apply to non-EU entities that process, or control the processing of, the personal
information of EU subjects, including clinical trial data. The EU GDPR implements more stringent operational requirements
than its predecessor legislation.
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Also, in June 2018, the State of California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), which
became effective in January 2020. The CCPA establishes a privacy framework for covered businesses, including an
expansive definition of personal information and data privacy rights for California residents. The CCPA includes a
framework with potentially severe statutory damages and private rights of action. The CCPA requires covered companies to
provide new disclosures to California consumers (as that word is broadly defined in the CCPA), provide such consumers new
ways to opt-out of certain sales of personal information, and allow for a new cause of action for data breaches.
Further, California voters approved a new privacy law, the California Privacy Rights Act ("CPRA") in the November 3,
2020 election. Effective starting on January 1, 2023, the CPRA will significantly modify the CCPA, including by expanding
consumers’ rights with respect to certain sensitive personal information. The CPRA also creates a new state agency that will
be vested with authority to implement and enforce the CCPA and the CPRA.
“Sunshine” and Marketing Disclosure Laws. There are an increasing number of federal and state “sunshine” laws and
equivalent foreign laws that require pharmaceutical manufacturers to make reports to states and equivalent foreign authorities
on pricing and marketing information. Several states and local jurisdictions and equivalent foreign laws have enacted
legislation requiring pharmaceutical companies to, among other things, establish marketing compliance programs, file
periodic reports with the state, make periodic public disclosures on sales and marketing activities, register pharmaceutical
sales representatives, and prohibiting certain other sales and marketing practices. In addition, a similar federal requirement,
known as the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, requires manufacturers, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, to track
and report annually to the federal government certain payments and other transfers of value made to physicians (defined to
include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and chiropractors), other healthcare professionals (such as physician
assistants and nurse practitioners) and teaching hospitals and information regarding ownership or investment interests held by
such physicians and their immediate family members. The federal government discloses the reported information on a
publicly available website. Certain states, such as Massachusetts, also make the reported information publicly available.
Some foreign jurisdictions, including a number of EU Member States, impose equivalent requirements. In addition, there are
state and local laws that require pharmaceutical representatives to be licensed and comply with codes of conduct,
transparency reporting, and other obligations. These laws may adversely affect our sales, marketing, and other activities with
respect to our products in the United States and on some foreign markets by imposing administrative and compliance burdens
on us. If we fail to track and report as required by these laws or otherwise comply with these laws, we could be subject to the
penalty provisions of the pertinent state and federal authorities.
Government Price Reporting. We are required to discount such products to authorized users of the Federal Supply
Schedule of the General Services Administration, under which additional laws and requirements apply. These programs
require submission of pricing data and calculation of discounts pursuant to complex statutory formulas, as well as the entry
into government procurement contracts governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulations, and the guidance governing such
calculations is not always clear. Compliance with such requirements can require significant investment in personnel, systems
and resources, but failure to properly calculate our prices or offer required discounts could subject us to substantial penalties.
Penalties. Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of available statutory exception and regulatory safe
harbors, it is possible that some of our business activities in the United States could be subject to challenge under one or more
of such laws. Moreover, state governmental agencies may propose or enact laws and regulations that extend or contradict
federal requirements. If we or our operations are found to be in violation of any of the state or federal laws described above
or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including significant civil, criminal
and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from participation in U.S. federal or
state healthcare programs, additional reporting requirements and/or oversight, if subject to a corporate integrity agreement or
similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, exclusion from participation in federal healthcare
programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and the curtailment or
restructuring of our operations. Any penalties, damages, fines, curtailment or restructuring of our operations could materially
adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our financial results. Although compliance programs can mitigate the
risk of investigation and prosecution for violations of these laws, the risks cannot be entirely eliminated. Any action against
us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against it, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and
divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business. Moreover, achieving and sustaining compliance with
applicable federal and state privacy, security, sunshine, government price reporting, and fraud laws may prove costly.
Coverage and Reimbursement. Sales of any marketed product, in particular for HEPLISAV-B, depend, in part, on the
extent to which such product will be covered by third-party payors, such as federal, state, and foreign government healthcare
programs, commercial insurance and managed healthcare organizations, and the level of reimbursement for such product by
third-party payors. Decisions regarding the extent of coverage and amount of reimbursement to be provided are made on a
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plan-by-plan basis. These third-party payors are increasingly reducing coverage and reimbursement for medical products,
drugs and services. In addition, the U.S. government, state legislatures and foreign governments have continued
implementing cost-containment programs, including price controls, restrictions on coverage and reimbursement and
requirements for substitution of generic products. Adoption of price controls and cost-containment measures, and adoption of
more restrictive policies in jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could further limit sales of any product.
Decreases in third-party reimbursement for any marketed product or a decision by a third-party payor not to cover a market
product could reduce physician usage and patient demand for the product and also have a material adverse effect on sales.
Impact of Healthcare Reform and Recent Public Scrutiny of Specialty Drug Pricing on Coverage, Reimbursement, and
Pricing. In the United States and other potentially significant foreign markets for our products, federal and state authorities as
well as third-party payors are increasingly attempting to limit or regulate the price of medical products and services,
particularly for new and innovative products and therapies, which has resulted in lower average net selling prices. Further,
there is increased scrutiny of prescription drug pricing practices by federal and state lawmakers and enforcement authorities.
In addition, there is an emphasis on managed healthcare in the United States, which will put additional pressure on product
pricing, reimbursement and usage, which may adversely affect our future product sales and results of operations. These
pressures can arise from rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and governmental laws and, in the
US, regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid and healthcare reform, pharmaceutical reimbursement policies and pricing in
general.
For example, in Massachusetts, the MassHealth program has requested permission from the federal government to use
commercial tools, such as a closed formulary, to negotiate more favorable rebate agreements from drug manufactures. There
also has been particular and increasing legislative and enforcement interest in the United States with respect to specialty drug
pricing practices, particularly with respect to drugs that have been subject to relatively large price increases over relatively
short time periods. Such interest has resulted in several recent U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal
and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, review the relationship
between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, reduce the cost of drugs under Medicare, and reform government
program reimbursement methodologies for drugs. At the federal level, in July 2021, the Biden administration released an
executive order, “Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” with multiple provisions aimed at prescription drugs.
In response to Biden’s executive order, on September 9, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS")
released a Comprehensive Plan for Addressing High Drug Prices that outlines principles for drug pricing reform and sets out
a variety of potential legislative policies that Congress could pursue to advance these principles. In addition, on August 16,
2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) into law, which among other things, (1) directs
HHS to negotiate the price of certain single-source drugs and biologics covered under Medicare and (2) imposes rebates
under Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D to penalize price increases that outpace inflation. These provisions take effect
progressively starting in fiscal year 2023, although they may be subject to legal challenges. In response to the Biden
administration’s October 2022 executive order, on February 14, 2023, HHS released a report outlining three new models for
testing by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center which will be evaluated on their ability to lower
the cost of drugs, promote accessibility, and improve quality of care. It is unclear whether the models will be utilized in any
health reform measures in the future. Further, on December 7, 2023, the Biden administration announced an initiative to
control the price of prescription drugs through the use of march-in rights under the Bayh-Dole Act. On December 8, 2023,
the National Institute of Standards and Technology published for comment a Draft Interagency Guidance Framework for
Considering the Exercise of March-In Rights which for the first time includes the price of a product as one factor an agency
can use when deciding to exercise march-in rights. While march-in rights have not previously been exercised, it is uncertain
if that will continue under the new framework. At the state level, legislatures have increasingly passed legislation and
implemented regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient
reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency
measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. For example, on
January 5, 2024, the FDA approved Florida’s Section 804 Importation Program ("SIP") proposal to import certain drugs from
Canada for specific state healthcare programs. It is unclear how this program will be implemented, including which drugs
will be chosen, and whether it will be subject to legal challenges in the United States or Canada. Other states have also
submitted SIP proposals that are pending review by the FDA. Any such approved importation plans, when implemented, may
result in lower drug prices for products covered by those programs. Additionally, in California, effective January 1, 2019,
drug companies must notify insurers and government regulators of certain price increases and provide an explanation of the
reasons for such increases.
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In addition, the United States, the pharmaceutical industry has already been significantly affected by major legislative
initiatives, including, for example, the ACA. The ACA, among other things, imposes a significant annual fee on companies
that manufacture or import branded prescription drug products. It also contains substantial provisions intended to broaden
access to health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of healthcare spending, and impose additional health policy
reforms, any or all of which may affect our business.
There remain judicial, Congressional, and executive branch challenges to certain aspects of the ACA. Since January
2017, President Trump signed several Executive Orders and other directives designed to delay the implementation of certain
provisions of the ACA or otherwise circumvent some of the requirements for health insurance mandated by the ACA.
Concurrently, Congress considered legislation that would repeal or repeal and replace all or part of the ACA. While Congress
has not passed comprehensive repeal legislation, several bills affecting the implementation of certain taxes under the ACA
have been signed into law. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) includes a provision repealing,
effective January 1, 2019, the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the ACA on certain individuals who fail to
maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual mandate”. On
June 17, 2021 the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a challenge on procedural grounds that argued the ACA is unconstitutional
in its entirety because the “individual mandate” was repealed by Congress. Further, there have been a number of health
reform measures by the Biden administration that have impacted the ACA. For example, the IRA, among other things,
extends enhanced subsidies for individuals purchasing health insurance coverage in ACA marketplaces through plan year
2025. The IRA also eliminates the “donut hole” under the Medicare Part D program beginning in 2025 by significantly
lowering the beneficiary maximum out-of-pocket cost and creating a new manufacturer discount program. It is possible that
the ACA will be subject to judicial or Congressional challenges in the future. It is unclear how such challenges and the
healthcare reform measures of the Biden administration will impact the ACA.
Other legislative changes have also been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted. For example, the Budget
Control Act of 2011 resulted in aggregate reductions in Medicare payments to providers of up to two percent per fiscal year,
starting in 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, will remain in effect until 2032 unless
additional Congressional action is taken. In addition, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, among other things,
reduced Medicare payments to several types of providers and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to
recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. Such laws, and others that may affect our business that have been
recently enacted or may in the future be enacted, may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare
funding.
Moreover, in the EEA some countries require the completion of additional studies that compare the cost-effectiveness
of a particular medicinal product candidate to currently available therapies. This Health Technology Assessment ("HTA")
process, which is currently governed by the national laws of the individual EU Member States, is the procedure according to
which the assessment of the public health impact, therapeutic impact and the economic and societal impact of use of a given
medicinal product in the national healthcare systems of the individual country is conducted. The outcome of HTA regarding
specific medicinal products will often influence the pricing and reimbursement status granted to these medicinal products by
the competent authorities of individual EU Member States. On December 15, 2021, the Health Technology Regulation
(“HTA Regulation”), was adopted. The HTA Regulation is intended to boost cooperation among EU Member States in
assessing health technologies, including new medicinal products, and providing the basis for cooperation at EU level for joint
clinical assessments in these areas. When it enters into application in 2025, the HTA Regulation will be intended to
harmonize the clinical benefit assessment of HTA across the European Union. In light of the fact that the United Kingdom
has left the EU, Regulation No 2021/2282 on HTA will not apply in the United Kingdom. However, the UK Medicines and
Healthcare products Regulation Agency (“MHRA”) is working with UK HTA bodies and other national organizations, such
as the Scottish Medicines Consortium (“SMC”), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (“NICE”), and the All-
Wales Medicines Strategy Group, to introduce new pathways supporting innovative approaches to the safe, timely and
efficient development of medicinal products.
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MANUFACTURING
We rely on our facility in Düsseldorf, Germany and third parties to perform the multiple processes involved in
manufacturing HBsAg for use in HEPLISAV-B, the combination of the oligonucleotide and the antigens, and formulation,
fill and finish. As is common in our industry, in light of FDA inspection and licensing requirements for manufacturing sites,
we have relied on a limited number of suppliers to produce oligonucleotides for clinical trials and conduct fill and finish
operations. Historically, we relied on a single supplier to produce our CpG 1018 adjuvant for HEPLISAV-B and for our
collaborators. We also have a second qualified supplier to produce CpG 1018 adjuvant for our collaboration partners, to the
extent needed. Switching suppliers, or bringing on additional suppliers, could be complicated and time consuming, but we
generally seek to maintain inventory to help bridge any unexpected gap in supply. In order to help us successfully
manufacture and commercialize HEPLISAV-B, we have secured long-term supply agreements with the key third-party
suppliers and vendors for commercial supply of our component products and finished goods. We currently manufacture the
HBsAg for HEPLISAV-B at our Dynavax GmbH facility.
COMMITMENT TO COMPLIANCE AND ENVIRONMENT
We are committed to conducting our business in compliance with all applicable legal and ethical standards. In addition,
we are committed to helping to protect the environment.
Our Ethics and Compliance program includes our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code”), which sets forth our
expectations of all Dynavax directors, officers and employees globally that they conduct their business activities in a legal
and ethical manner. The Code can be found on our website under the header “Investors” and within that under the header
“Corporate Governance and Compliance.” We have a Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, a Compliance Steering
Committee and policies, procedures and training addressing specific aspects of our business, including advertising and
promotion; engagements with healthcare providers; and regarding our business activities outside the United States to ensure
they comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and all other applicable anti-corruption laws. We certify on an
annual basis to having a comprehensive compliance program that meets the standards set forth under California law. This
certification, which sets forth all of the elements of our healthcare compliance program, can be found on our website.
We also care about the environment. To that end, our headquarters is in a building certified as “Gold” level on the
LEED Scorecard as set forth by the United States Green Building Committee. Our transition to a largely virtual environment
has further helped reduce congestion and pollution. Our relatively small headquarters space (approximately 8,000 square feet)
has further reduced our carbon footprint. In addition, we participate in our buildings active recycling program. We continue
to consider other ways in which we can conduct our business in an environmentally friendly manner.
We have made, and will continue to make, expenditures for environmental compliance and protection. We do not
expect that expenditures for compliance with environmental laws will have a material effect on our results of operations in
the future.
HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
As of December 31, 2023, we had 408 employees, comprised of 275 employees in the U.S., including 117 members of
our field sales team located throughout the U.S., as well as 133 employees in our office and manufacturing facility in
Düsseldorf, Germany. Many of our employees hold advanced degrees, including Masters degrees and Pharm.D., Ph.D., M.D.
or J.D. degrees. We consider the intellectual capital of our employees to be an essential driver of our business and key to our
future prospects. None of our employees is subject to a collective bargaining agreement or represented by a trade or labor
union. We consider our relations with our employees to be very good.
Retention and Compensation
Our regrettable turnover rate for 2023 was 7% in the U.S. and 5% in Düsseldorf. Despite these low turnover rates, as a
vaccine-focused company, we face stiff competition to hire and retain our employees. The average tenure among our
employees, is 3.0 years in the U.S. and 6.2 years in Düsseldorf. We also believe that our remote-first working environment in
the U.S. serves as a useful recruiting and retention tool.
We monitor our compensation programs closely and provide what we consider to be a very competitive mix of
compensation and insurance benefits for all our employees, which includes base salary, annual cash bonus opportunity or
semi-annual sales incentive bonus for our field sales team, comprehensive benefits package and equity compensation. Each
of our employees participates in our equity programs. The annual cash bonus opportunity and equity compensation generally
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increase as a percentage of total compensation based on level of responsibility. Any actual cash bonus payout for our
employees is based on a combination of our performance against corporate goals and individual performance, with the
exception of any actual cash bonus payouts to our Chief Executive Officer and President which is based solely on our
performance against corporate goals. The mix of equity compensation also shifts based on the level of responsibility;
employees below the senior director level typically receive 100 percent of their equity compensation in restricted stock units,
while more senior level employees typically receive a mix of stock options and restricted stock units. Annual equity awards
to our senior leadership team include performance-based restricted stock units.
Development and Training
Attracting and retaining top talent is key to the achievement of our strategic goals. The development and engagement
of our employees is also a top priority of the human resources team. We perform annual performance reviews of all
employees, and we seek employee feedback in a variety of ways, including annual employee surveys. In 2023, 32 leaders and
key contributors completed a leadership development program, in addition to the 30 who participated in the prior year. Our
senior management and human resources team periodically undertake comprehensive organizational reviews. In addition, we
have an extensive series of employee training programs on business ethics and compliance matters, including required annual
trainings on our Code, our Anti-Corruption Compliance Policy and certain cybersecurity topics. Also, depending on
employee roles and departments, we have employee training programs on medical affairs, commercial, sales and other
matters.
In 2023, with support from our Diversity Leadership Team comprised of employees from across our company, we
continued to advance our three Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commitments:
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•
•
Fostering a culture where all employees are recognized and appreciated for the unique individuals they are and
for their accomplishments in the workplace.
Providing education to our employees on the negative effects of unconscious bias.
Building and sustaining a team filled with a diversity of personal experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.
In support of our three DEI Commitments, we again partnered with external DEI consultants to develop and deliver
unconscious bias training to our newly hired employees in 2023. Further, we train all hiring managers and those who
interview candidates in the talent acquisition process on unconscious bias. Our human resources team oversees our DEI
commitments and initiatives periodically and regularly reports to our senior management, including with respect to workforce
demographic data. In 2023, we launched an internal DEI survey to all U.S. based employees, such that we can gather further
information on our DEI initiatives and continue to work on our DEI commitments.
2024 Initiative
In furtherance of these efforts, we identified, as one of our corporate goals for 2024, further delivery on our DEI
commitments by advancing key initiatives through each of our four DEI subcommittees: Recruitment, Employee Resource
Groups, Community Involvement, and Development.
CORPORATE INFORMATION & AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Our principal executive offices are located at 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, California, 94608. Our
telephone number is (510) 848-5100. We make available, free of charge on our website located at www.dynavax.com, our
annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those
reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Alternatively, you may access these reports at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The contents of our websites are not
incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC,
and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks
and uncertainties, in addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our
consolidated financial statements and related notes, before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not
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the only ones facing us. If any of the events described in the following risk factors occurs, our business, operating results and
financial condition could be seriously harmed. This Annual Report on Form 10-K also contains forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking
statements as a result of factors that are described below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Risks Related to our Business and Capital Requirements
HEPLISAV-B has been approved in the United States, the European Union and Great Britain and launched in the United
States and Germany, and there is significant competition in these marketplaces. Since this is our first marketed product,
the timing of uptake and distribution efforts are unpredictable and there is a risk that we may not achieve and sustain
commercial success for HEPLISAV-B.
We have established sales, marketing and distribution capabilities and commercialized HEPLISAV-B in the United
States and Germany. We have also received approval in the European Union and Great Britain for HEPLISAV-B. Successful
commercialization of HEPLISAV-B in these regions or elsewhere will require significant resources and time, and there can
be no certainty that we will succeed in these efforts. While our personnel are experienced with respect to marketing of
healthcare products, because HEPLISAV-B is our first marketed product, the potential uptake of the product through
distribution, and the timing, trajectory, rate and sustainability for growth in sales is unpredictable, and we may not be
successful in commercializing HEPLISAV-B in the long term. In particular, successful commercialization of HEPLISAV-B
will require that we continue to negotiate and enter into contracts with wholesalers, distributors, group purchasing
organizations, and other parties, and that we maintain those contractual relationships. There is a risk that we may fail to
complete or maintain some or all of these important contracts on favorable terms or at all, or that in a potentially evolving
reimbursement environment, our efforts may fail to overcome established competition at favorable pricing, or at all.
We have continued to expand our field sales force. As these teams expand, it will take time for our expanded teams to
generate significant sales momentum, if they do so at all. Although we have had some success growing and developing our
field sales force following the launch of HEPLISAV-B, there is no guarantee that we will be able to generate sales at the
same or improved rates going forward, if at all. In addition, retention of capable sales personnel may be more difficult for us
compared to our competitors, as we focus on a single product offering. We must retain our sales force in order for
HEPLISAV-B to maintain or expand its commercial presence.
Moreover, we expect that we will need to divert resources in order to successfully market, sell and distribute
HEPLISAV-B for use with dialysis patients, one of our targeted patient populations. We do not yet have approval to market
the regimen for dialysis. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the CDC’s Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (“ACIP”) recommend that all adults aged 19-59, including patients on dialysis,
receive hepatitis B vaccinations, our predictions of how many of those patients actually receive HEPLISAV-B may be
inaccurate.
In addition to the risks with employing and maintaining our own commercial capabilities and with contracting, other
factors that may inhibit our efforts to successfully commercialize HEPLISAV-B include:
•
•
•
•
whether we are able to continue recruiting and retaining adequate numbers of effective sales and marketing
personnel;
whether we are able to access key health care providers to discuss HEPLISAV-B;
whether we can continue to compete successfully as a relatively new entrant in established distribution channels
for vaccine products; and
whether we will maintain sufficient financial resources to cover the costs and expenses associated with sustaining
a capable sales and marketing organization and related commercial infrastructure.
If we are not able to enter new markets ourselves, we may be required to collaborate or partner HEPLISAV-B with a
third-party pharmaceutical or biotechnology company with existing products. To the extent we collaborate or partner, as we
have done for HEPLISAV-B distribution in Germany, the product’s financial value will be shared with another party and we
will need to establish and maintain a successful collaboration arrangement, and we may not be able to enter into these
arrangements on acceptable terms or in a timely manner in order to establish HEPLISAV-B in these new markets. To the
extent that we enter into co-promotion or other arrangements, any revenues we receive will depend upon the efforts of third
parties, which may not be successful and are only partially in our control. In that event, our product revenues may be lower
than if we marketed and sold our products directly with the highest priority, and we may be required to reduce or eliminate
much of our commercial infrastructure and personnel as a result of such collaboration or partnership.
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Governments influence the price of medicinal products in the European Union through their pricing and reimbursement
rules and control of national healthcare systems that fund a large part of the cost of those products to consumers. Even though
we have been granted a marketing authorization in the European Union for HEPLISAV-B, we have yet to obtain broad
reimbursements and pricing approval in any European Union Member State and rely on our distributor to do so, who
currently only markets in Germany. Some jurisdictions operate positive and negative list systems under which products may
only be marketed once a reimbursement price has been agreed. To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval, some of these
countries may require the completion of clinical trials that compare the cost-effectiveness of a particular product candidate to
currently available therapies. Other European Union Member States allow companies to fix their own prices for medicines,
but monitor and control company profits. Any delay in being able to market our products in the European Union, Great
Britain or elsewhere may adversely affect our business and financial condition.
If we, or our partners, are not successful in setting our marketing, pricing and reimbursement strategies, recruiting and
maintaining effective sales and marketing personnel or building and maintaining the infrastructure to support commercial
operations in the U.S., Germany and elsewhere, we will have difficulty successfully commercializing HEPLISAV-B, which
would adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Our financial results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter or may fall below the expectations of investors or
securities analysts, each of which may adversely affect our stock price.
Numerous factors, many of which are outside our control, may cause or contribute to significant fluctuations in our
quarterly and annual operating results. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized $587.7 million
of CpG 1018 adjuvant revenue. However, our CpG 1018 adjuvant supply agreements expired at the end of 2022, and as a
result, we did not recognize CpG 1018 adjuvant revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. Similarly, if demand for
HEPLISAV-B decreases from recent trends for any reason, that could also cause unexpected fluctuations in our quarterly and
annual operating results.
The occurrence and timing of any transfer of control of product sold to customers can also be difficult to predict, and
the recognition of revenue can vary widely depending on timing of product deliveries and satisfaction of other obligations.
As an example, any future revenue we do receive from sales of our CpG 1018 adjuvant has been and will continue to be
difficult to predict, if it materializes at all. Historically, we generally required customers to place orders for CpG 1018
adjuvant with at least six months lead time and to make an advance payment toward the finished order. Where we receive
such advance payments, we record such payments as deferred revenue until we have delivered the adjuvant and met all
criteria to recognize revenue. In accordance with our stated revenue policy, we historically recorded revenue for these
contracts upon meeting all of the criteria for revenue recognition under Accounting Standards Codification 606, which
includes, among other criteria, the transfer of control for CpG 1018 adjuvant to our customer. During the year ended
December 31, 2023, we did not receive any advanced payments from any of our customers to purchase CpG 1018 adjuvant.
Our collaborators in many cases have purchase agreements with government agencies. If our collaborators do not receive
payment from these agencies for any past or future adjuvant orders, our ability to collect our own receivables may be
adversely affected. For example, as of December 31, 2023, we had recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $12.3
million in connection with our accounts receivable balance due from Bio E, which was determined by assessing changes in
Bio E’s credit risk, contemplation of ongoing negotiations relating to an amendment to the supply agreement with Bio E, and
Bio E’s dependence on cash collections from the Government of India, which have been delayed significantly by the
Government of India.
We have in the past, and may in the future, adjust delivery dates, allow cancellations or give concessions on
outstanding receivables in certain circumstances to better enable our customers to meet their obligations, which can impact
the timing or amount of our revenue recognition, cash collections and transfer of control. For example, in August and
October 2022, we entered into amendments to our Supply Agreement, dated June 29, 2021, with Zhejiang Clover
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and Clover Biopharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) Co., Limited (the "Clover Supply Agreement"),
which, among other things, modified the scope of the Clover Supply Agreement to reduce certain quantities of CpG 1018
adjuvant deliverable under the agreement and/or reduce amounts receivable, which we originally intended to deliver in
accordance with a purchase order previously issued by Clover, and apply prepayments Clover previously made to us as
payment for portions of pending outstanding purchase orders. In January 2023, we entered into another amendment to the
Clover Supply Agreement to modify the price per dose of CpG 1018 adjuvant paid by Clover for adjuvant used in finished
vaccine doses sold through government procurement programs relating to the booster program promoted by the China
National Health Commission. In addition, in April 2023, we entered into the Bio E Amendment No. 3 and the CEPI-Bio E
Assignment Agreement, pursuant to which CEPI forgave amounts outstanding relating to the Bio E CEPI Advance Payments
and assumed our previous rights to collect $47.4 million of Bio E accounts receivable. Among other things, the CEPI-Bio E
Assignment Agreement resulted in no accounts receivable from Bio E, the derecognition of $47.4 million CEPI accrual in
connection with the Bio E CEPI Advance Payments, and certain additional future payments contingent on Bio E’s receipt of
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payments from the Government of India associated with its CORBEVAX product on or before August 15, 2025, which may
not materialize.
Moreover, our revenue or operating expenses in one period may be disproportionately higher or lower relative to the
others due to, among other factors, revenue fluctuations or increases in expenses as we invest in our pipeline. Accordingly,
comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and investors should not rely on any
particular past results as an indication of our future performance. If such fluctuations occur or if our operating results deviate
from our expectations or the expectations of investors or securities analysts, our stock price may be adversely affected.
We have incurred annual net losses in most years since our inception and could continue to incur significant losses if we
do not successfully commercialize HEPLISAV-B, launch new products and/or significant sales of our CpG 1018 adjuvant
do not resume.
Prior to January 1, 2021, we had incurred losses in each year since we commenced operations in 1996. We recognized
a net loss of $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of
$930.6 million.
With our investment in the launch and commercialization of HEPLISAV-B in the United States and Germany, we have
in the past, and could in the future, incur operating losses. Our expenses have increased substantially as we maintain our
HEPLISAV-B commercial infrastructure, including investments in internal infrastructure to support our field sales force and
investments in manufacturing and supply chain commitments to maintain commercial supply of HEPLISAV-B. Further, we
expect to increase research and development costs as we invest in our pipeline. We are already advancing a multi-program
clinical pipeline leveraging CpG 1018 adjuvant to develop improved vaccines in indications with unmet medical needs
including Phase 1 clinical trials in shingles and Tdap, and a Phase 2 clinical trial for plague in collaboration with and fully
funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (“DoD”). We expect research and development costs to increase further if we add
additional programs to our pipeline.
Sales of CpG 1018 adjuvant generated significant revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, but we do not expect such
revenues to continue in the long term, and we did not recognize any CpG 1018 adjuvant revenue in the year ended December
31, 2023. The timing for uptake of our products in the U.S. and abroad may further affect costs or losses related to
commercialization. Due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing and commercializing vaccine
products or other products we may choose to offer in the future, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or
when, if ever, we will become profitable on an annual recurring basis, or, that if we are able to reach consistent profitability
that it will be sustainable for any period of time.
Many of our competitors have greater financial resources and expertise than we do. If we are unable to successfully
compete with existing or potential competitors as a result of these disadvantages, we may be unable to generate sufficient,
or any, revenues and our business will be harmed.
We compete with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, academic institutions and research
organizations, in developing and marketing vaccines and adjuvants. For example, HEPLISAV-B competes in the U.S. with
established hepatitis B vaccines marketed by Merck, GlaxoSmithKline plc (“GSK”) and VBI Vaccines Inc. ("VBI"), and with
vaccines from those companies as well as several additional established pharmaceutical companies who market abroad. There
are also modified schedules of conventional hepatitis B vaccines for limited age ranges that are approved in the United States,
the European Union and Great Britain. Competition in European markets could affect our success or the success of our
distributor in that market as well. In addition, HEPLISAV-B competes against Twinrix, a bivalent vaccine marketed by GSK
for protection against hepatitis B and hepatitis A.
We are also in competition with companies developing vaccines and vaccine adjuvants, generally including, among
others, GSK, Pfizer, Inc., Sanofi S.A., Merck, Bavarian Nordic A/S, Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., Novavax, Inc., Medicago
Inc., Valneva, AstraZeneca plc, Moderna, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, VBI, BioNTech SE and Curevo Vaccine. We will likely
compete with several of these companies in the hepatitis space, shingles space, Tdap space and other spaces occupied by any
other product candidates we ultimately choose to advance through our pipeline in the future.
Products in our clinical pipeline, if approved, will also face competition from competitors who have competing clinical
programs or already approved products. Existing and potential competitors or other market participants may also compete
with us for qualified commercial, scientific and management personnel, as well as for technology that would otherwise be
advantageous to our business. Our success in developing marketable products and achieving a competitive position will
depend, in part, on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in the near-term, particularly with respect to
HEPLISAV-B commercialization. If we do not succeed in attracting new personnel and retaining and motivating existing
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personnel, our operations may suffer and we may be unable to properly manage our business, obtain financing as needed,
enter into collaborative arrangements, advance or sell our product candidates or generate revenues.
We rely on our facility in Düsseldorf, Germany and third parties to supply materials or perform processes necessary to
manufacture our products and our product candidates. We rely on a limited number of suppliers to produce the
oligonucleotides we require for development and commercialization. Additionally, we have limited experience in
manufacturing our products or product candidates in commercial quantities. With respect to HEPLISAV-B, we use a pre-
filled syringe presentation of the vaccine and our ability to meet future demand will depend on our ability to manufacture
or have manufactured sufficient supply in this presentation.
We rely on our facility in Düsseldorf and third parties to perform the multiple processes involved in manufacturing
hepatitis B surface antigen for use in HEPLISAV-B, the combination of the oligonucleotide and the antigens, and
formulation, fill and finish. We may continue to do the same for any additional products we might add in the future through
natural internal expansion of our pipeline, or in transactions with an external third-party or parties. The FDA approved our
pre-filled syringe presentation of HEPLISAV-B in 2018 and we expect such presentation will be the sole presentation for
HEPLISAV-B going forward. We have limited experience in manufacturing and supplying this presentation ourselves, and
rely on a contract manufacturer to do so. Our contract manufacturer is the only approved provider that we have, and there can
be no assurance that we or they can successfully manufacture sufficient quantities of pre-filled syringes in compliance with
good manufacturing practice ("GMP") in order to meet market demand, whether because of problems with our supplier’s
own operations, operations of its sub-suppliers, issues with downstream supply chains or otherwise. If our contract
manufacturer is unable to source components needed to complete fill and finish of our pre-filled syringes, we may be
required to identify a second source which would have associated costs and regulatory requirements. Qualifying a second
source could take more than a year to accomplish. If we are unable to do all this, on a timely basis or at all, our HEPLISAV-
B sales could be materially and adversely impacted.
Historically, we have also relied on a limited number of suppliers to produce oligonucleotides for clinical trials and a
single supplier to produce (i) our CpG 1018 adjuvant for manufacture of HEPLISAV-B and for sale to our collaborators and
(ii) our pre-filled syringe presentation. In 2021, we qualified a second supplier to manufacture CpG 1018 adjuvant for our
COVID business. If we are unable to maintain our existing suppliers for CpG 1018 adjuvant, we would have to establish an
alternate qualified manufacturing capability ourselves, which would result in significant additional operating costs and delays
in manufacturing HEPLISAV-B, or CpG 1018 adjuvant, and developing and commercializing our, and potentially our
collaborators’, product candidates. We or other third parties may not be able to produce product at a cost, quantity and quality
that are available from our current third-party suppliers, or at all.
In countries outside of the U.S., we may not be able to comply with comparable foreign regulations, and our
manufacturing process may be subject to delays, disruptions or quality control/quality assurance problems. Noncompliance
with these regulations or other problems with our manufacturing process may limit or disrupt the commercialization of our
products or our and our collaborators’ product candidates and could result in significant expense.
As we continue to focus on the commercialization of our HEPLISAV-B vaccine and our CpG 1018 adjuvant, we may
encounter difficulties in managing our commercial growth and expanding our operations successfully.
As our commercial operations expand, we expect that we will also need to manage additional relationships with various
third parties, including sole source suppliers, distributors, collaboration partners, wholesalers and hospital customers. Future
growth will impose significant added responsibilities on our organization, in particular on management. Our future financial
performance and our ability to successfully commercialize our HEPLISAV-B vaccine and CpG 1018 adjuvant or any new
products, and to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to manage any future growth effectively. To that end,
we may not be able to manage our growth efforts effectively, and hire, train, retain and integrate additional management,
administrative and sales and marketing personnel, or secure sufficient or timely supply from third party service and product
providers. Any failure to accomplish any of these activities could prevent us from successfully increasing or maintaining the
same level of commercial growth as we have seen in the past.
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If HEPLISAV-B or any products we develop are not accepted by the market or if regulatory authorities limit our labeling
indications, require labeling content that diminishes market uptake of HEPLISAV-B or any other products we develop, or
limit our marketing claims, we may be unable to generate significant future revenues, if any.
Even if we obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, such as our U.S., European Union and Great Britain
approvals of HEPLISAV-B, and are able to commercialize them as we have with HEPLISAV-B, our products may not gain
market acceptance among physicians, patients, healthcare payors and the medical community.
The degree of market acceptance of HEPLISAV-B and any of our future approved products will depend upon a number
of factors, including:
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the indication for which the product is approved and its approved labeling;
the presence of other competing approved products;
the potential advantages of the product over existing and future treatment methods;
the relative convenience and ease of administration of the product;
the strength of our sales, marketing and distribution efforts;
the price and cost-effectiveness of the product; and
third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement and the willingness of patients to pay out-of-pocket in the
absence of sufficient reimbursement by third-party payors.
The FDA or other regulatory authorities could limit the labeling indication for which our product candidates may be
marketed or could otherwise limit marketing efforts for our products. If we are unable to achieve approval or successfully
market any of our products or product candidates, or marketing efforts are restricted by regulatory limits, our ability to
generate revenue could be significantly impaired.
As we continue to grow as a commercial organization and enter into supply agreements with customers, those supply
agreements will have obligations to deliver product that we are reliant upon third parties to manufacture on our behalf.
As our commercial business begins to expand in connection with commercial sales of HEPLISAV-B or CpG 1018
adjuvant, as applicable, the contracts we enter into with our customers will generally carry delivery obligations that require us
to deliver product in certain quantities and meet certain quality thresholds, among other things, all within specified
timeframes. If, for any reason, whether due to reliance on third-party manufacturers or otherwise, we are unable to deliver
timely, compliant products to our customers in quantities that meet our contractual obligations, we could be subject to lost
revenue, contractual penalties, suits for damages, harm to our reputation or other problems that could materially and
adversely affect our business. To the extent we add new products in the future, these risks could be exacerbated by the added
complexity of managing multiple product lines.
We face uncertainty regarding coverage, pricing and reimbursement and the practices of third-party payors, which may
make it difficult or impossible to sell certain of our products or product candidates on commercially reasonable terms.
In both domestic and foreign markets, our ability to achieve profitability will depend in part on the negotiation of a
favorable price, as well as the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement, from third-party payors, in particular for
HEPLISAV-B, where existing products are already marketed. In the U.S., pricing for hepatitis B vaccines is currently stable
and reimbursement is favorable as we believe private and public payors recognize the value of prophylaxis in this setting
given the high costs of potential morbidity and mortality, and we have achieved coverage with most third-party payors.
However, there is a risk that some payors may limit coverage to specific products on an approved list, also known as a
formulary, which might not include HEPLISAV-B. Reimbursement or pricing in jurisdictions outside the U.S. may be less
favorable. Thus, there can be no assurance that HEPLISAV-B will achieve and sustain stable pricing and favorable
reimbursement. Even if favorable coverage and reimbursement status is attained for one or more products for which we or
our collaborators receive regulatory approval, less favorable coverage policies and reimbursement rates may be implemented
in the future. Our ability to successfully obtain and retain market share and achieve and sustain profitability will be
significantly dependent on the market’s acceptance of a price for HEPLISAV-B sufficient to achieve profitability, and future
acceptance of such pricing.
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Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the price and cost-effectiveness of medical products and services, and
pricing, as well as coverage and reimbursement decisions, may not allow our future products to compete effectively with
existing competitive products. Because we intend to offer products, if approved, that involve new technologies, the
willingness of third-party payors to reimburse for our products is uncertain. We will have to charge a price for HEPLISAV-B
or any other products we commercialize that is sufficient to enable us to recover our considerable investment in product
development and our operating costs. Further, coverage policies and third-party reimbursement rates may change at any time.
Therefore, even if favorable coverage and reimbursement status is attained, less favorable coverage policies and
reimbursement rates may be implemented in the future. Adequate third-party payor reimbursement may not be available to
enable us to maintain price levels sufficient to achieve or maintain profitability, and such unavailability could harm our future
prospects and reduce our stock price.
The United Kingdom ("UK") and many EU Member States periodically review their reimbursement procedures for
medicinal products, which could have an adverse impact on reimbursement status. We expect that legislators, policymakers
and healthcare insurance funds in European countries will continue to propose and implement cost-containing measures, such
as lower maximum prices, lower or lack of reimbursement coverage and incentives to use cheaper, usually generic, products
as an alternative to branded products, and/or branded products available through parallel import to keep healthcare costs
down. Moreover, in order to obtain reimbursement for our products in some European countries, including some EU Member
States, we may be required to compile additional data comparing the cost-effectiveness of our products to other available
therapies. This Health Technology Assessment ("HTA") of medicinal products is becoming an increasingly common part of
the pricing and reimbursement procedures in some EU Member States, including those representing the larger markets. The
HTA process is the procedure to assess therapeutic, economic and societal impact of a given medicinal product in the
national healthcare systems of the individual country. The outcome of an HTA will often influence the pricing and
reimbursement status granted to these medicinal products by the competent authorities of individual EU Member States. The
extent to which pricing and reimbursement decisions are influenced by the HTA of the specific medicinal product currently
varies between EU Member States.
In December 2021, Regulation No 2021/2282 on HTA amending Directive 2011/24/EU, was adopted in the EU. This
Regulation, which entered into force in January 2022 and will apply as of January 2025, is intended to boost cooperation
among EU Member States in assessing health technologies, including new medicinal products, and providing the basis for
cooperation at EU level for joint clinical assessments in these areas. The Regulation foresees a three-year transitional period
and will permit EU Member States to use common HTA tools, methodologies, and procedures across the EU, working
together in four main areas, including joint clinical assessment of the innovative health technologies with the most potential
impact for patients, joint scientific consultations whereby developers can seek advice from HTA authorities, identification of
emerging health technologies to identify promising technologies early, and continuing voluntary cooperation in other areas.
Individual EU Member States will continue to be responsible for assessing non-clinical (e.g., economic, social, ethical)
aspects of health technologies, and making decisions on pricing and reimbursement. If we are unable to maintain favorable
pricing and reimbursement status in EU Member States for product candidates that we may successfully develop and for
which we may obtain regulatory approval, any anticipated revenue from and growth prospects for those products in the EU
could be negatively affected. In light of the fact that the United Kingdom has left the EU, Regulation No 2021/2282 on HTA
will not apply in the United Kingdom. However, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency (“MHRA”)
is working with UK HTA bodies and other national organizations, such as the Scottish Medicines Consortium (“SMC”), the
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (“NICE”), and the All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group, to introduce new
pathways supporting innovative approaches to the safe, timely and efficient development of medicinal products. For example,
in March 2021, the UK introduced the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathways (“ILAP”) which brings together the
MHRA, NICE, SMC and the All Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre, to accelerate time to market for certain
innovative products.
Legislators, policymakers and healthcare insurance funds in the EU and the United Kingdom may continue to propose
and implement cost-containing measures to keep healthcare costs down, particularly due to the financial strain that COVID-
19 placed on national healthcare systems of European countries. These measures could include limitations on the prices we
would be able to charge for product candidates that we may successfully develop and for which we may obtain regulatory
approval or the level of reimbursement available for these products from governmental authorities or third-party payors.
Further, an increasing number of EU and other foreign countries use prices for medicinal products established in other
countries as “reference prices” to help determine the price of the product in their own territory. Consequently, a downward
trend in prices of medicinal products in some countries could contribute to similar downward trends elsewhere.
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We are subject to ongoing FDA, EU and comparable foreign post-marketing obligations concerning HEPLISAV-B,
which may result in significant additional expense, and we may be subject to penalties if we fail to comply with regulatory
requirements or experience unanticipated regulatory issues with HEPLISAV-B.
Our HEPLISAV-B regulatory approval in the United States is subject to certain post-marketing obligations and
commitments to the FDA. For example, we were required to conduct an observational comparative study of HEPLISAV-B to
Engerix-B to assess occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (“AMI”). This post-marketing study was initiated in August
2018 and concluded in November 2020. While the results of the study, announced in April 2021, indicated that there was no
increased risk of AMI associated with vaccination with HEPLISAV-B compared to Engerix-B, we may be required to
conduct further studies on HEPLISAV-B or our other product candidates in the future. Also, we received data from the
autoimmune portion of our observational study, and the data indicated no association between HEPLISAV-B and any of the
studied autoimmune diseases. In addition, we conducted a pregnancy registry study to provide information on outcomes
following pregnancy exposure to HEPLISAV-B and submitted the information to the FDA in December 2023. Failure to
complete the study to the satisfaction of the FDA could result in withdrawal of our biologics license application approval,
which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. As we
advance our pipeline, similar studies may be required for other candidates. The results of post-marketing studies may also
result in additional warnings or precautions for the HEPLISAV-B label or labels of any future products, if authorized, or
expose additional safety concerns that may result in product liability and withdrawal of a product or products from the
market, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and
prospects.
Similar post-marketing obligations and commitments exist in the European Union and Great Britain. For example, we
are required to submit periodic safety update reports to the European Medicines Agency ("EMA") and the MHRA and to
keep an up-to-date risk management plan that takes into account new information that may lead to a significant change in the
risk/benefit profile of HEPLISAV-B. In addition, in accordance with our EU marketing authorization for HEPLISAV-B,
HEPLISAV-B is subject to additional monitoring, meaning that it is monitored more intensively than other medicinal
products. We may have similar obligations for future products if and when approved. Non-compliance with European Union
or United Kingdom requirements regarding safety monitoring or pharmacovigilance can result in significant financial
penalties.
In addition, the manufacturing processes, labelling, packaging, distribution, adverse event reporting, storage,
advertising, promotion and recordkeeping for HEPLISAV-B are subject to extensive and ongoing regulatory requirements in
the United States, the European Union and Great Britain. These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-
marketing information and reports, registration, as well as continued compliance with current good manufacturing practices
(“cGMP”), good clinical practices (“GCP”), International Conference on Harmonization guidelines, and good laboratory
practices (“GLP”). If we are not able to meet and maintain regulatory compliance for HEPLISAV-B or any future product, if
authorized, we may lose marketing approval and be required to withdraw our product. Withdrawal of our product would have
a material adverse effect on our business.
HEPLISAV-B and all of our clinical programs rely on oligonucleotide TLR agonists. In the event of serious adverse
events relating to TLR agonists, we may be required to reduce the scope of, or discontinue, our operations, or reevaluate
the viability of strategic alternatives.
Our programs, including HEPLISAV-B, incorporate TLR9 agonist CpG oligonucleotides. If any of our product
candidates in clinical trials or similar products from competitors or collaborators result in serious adverse events, we may be
required to delay, discontinue or modify our clinical trials or our clinical trial strategy, or significantly reevaluate strategic
alternatives. If a safety risk based on mechanism of action or the molecular structure were identified, it may hinder our ability
to develop our product candidates or enter into potential collaboration or commercial arrangements. Rare diseases and a
numerical imbalance in cardiac adverse events have been observed in patients in our clinical trials. If adverse events are
found to relate to our TLR agonist as a whole, we may be required to significantly reduce or discontinue our operations.
HEPLISAV-B is subject to regulatory obligations and continued regulatory review, and if we receive regulatory approval
for our other product candidates, we will be subject to ongoing FDA and foreign regulatory obligations and continued
regulatory review for such products.
With respect to HEPLISAV-B and our other product candidates in development, we and our third-party manufacturers
and suppliers are required to comply with applicable cGMP regulations and other international regulatory requirements. The
regulations require that our products and product candidates be manufactured and records maintained in a prescribed manner
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with respect to manufacturing, testing and quality control/quality assurance activities. Manufacturers and suppliers of key
components and materials must be named in a Biologics License Application (“BLA”) submitted to the FDA for any product
candidate for which we are seeking FDA approval. Additionally, third-party manufacturers and suppliers and any
manufacturing facility must undergo a pre-approval inspection before we can obtain marketing authorization for any of our
product candidates. Even after a manufacturer has been qualified by the FDA, the manufacturer must continue to expend
time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to ensure full compliance with GMP. Manufacturers are
subject to regular, periodic inspections by the FDA following initial approval. Further, to the extent that we contract with
third parties for the manufacture of our products or product candidates, our ability to control third-party compliance with
FDA requirements will be limited to contractual remedies and rights of inspection.
If, as a result of the FDA’s inspections, it determines that the equipment, facilities, laboratories or processes do not
comply with applicable FDA regulations and conditions of product approval, the FDA may not approve the product or may
suspend the manufacturing operations. If the manufacturing operations of any of the suppliers for our products or product
candidates are suspended, we may be unable to generate sufficient quantities of commercial or clinical supplies of product to
meet market demand, which would harm our business. In addition, if delivery of material from our suppliers is interrupted for
any reason, we might be unable to ship our approved product for commercial supply or to supply our products in
development for clinical trials. Significant and costly delays can occur if the qualification of a new supplier is required.
Similar requirements and procedures apply outside of the United States.
Failure to comply with regulatory requirements could prevent or delay marketing approval or require the expenditure of
money or other resources to correct. Failure to comply with applicable requirements may also result in warning letters, fines,
injunctions, civil penalties, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, refusal of the government
to renew marketing applications and criminal prosecution, any of which could be harmful to our ability to generate revenues
and to our stock price.
Regulatory authorities may require more clinical trials for our product candidates than we currently expect or are
conducting before granting regulatory approval, if regulatory approval is granted at all. Our clinical trials may be
extended which may lead to substantial delays in the regulatory approval process for our product candidates and may
impair our ability to generate revenues.
Our registration and commercial timelines depend on further discussions with regulatory authorities and requirements
and any requests that they may make for additional data or completion of additional clinical trials. Any such requirements or
requests could:
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adversely affect our ability to timely and successfully commercialize or market these product candidates;
result in significant additional costs;
potentially diminish any competitive advantages for those products;
potentially limit the markets for those products;
adversely affect our ability to enter into collaborations or receive milestone payments or royalties from potential
collaborators;
cause us to abandon the development of the affected product candidate; or
limit our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all.
Clinical trials for our commercial product and product candidates are expensive and time consuming, may take longer
than we expect or may not be completed at all, and have uncertain outcomes.
Clinical trials, including post-marketing studies, to generate sufficient data to meet FDA and other regulatory authority
requirements are expensive and time consuming, may take more time to complete than expected, may not be completed at all,
and may not have favorable outcomes if they are completed. In addition, results from smaller, earlier stage clinical studies
may not be representative of larger, controlled clinical trials that would be required in order to obtain regulatory approval of a
product candidate.
Each of our clinical trials requires the investment of substantial planning, expense and time and the timing of the
commencement, continuation and completion of these clinical trials may be subject to significant delays relating to various
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causes, including scheduling conflicts with participating clinicians and clinical institutions, difficulties in identifying and
enrolling participants who meet trial eligibility criteria, failure of participants to complete the clinical trial, delay or failure to
obtain Institutional Review Board (“IRB”), Ethics Committee or regulatory approval to conduct a clinical trial at a
prospective site, unexpected adverse events and shortages of available vaccine or component supply. Participant enrollment is
a function of many factors, including the size of the relevant population, the proximity of participants to clinical sites, the
eligibility criteria for the trial, the existence of competing clinical trials and the availability of alternative or new treatments.
Failure of one or more product candidates to successfully advance through to approval and licensure could result in the loss
of unrecoverable costs expended and impact our ability to generate future revenue from such products, either of which, or
both of which, could have an adverse impact on our business.
A key part of our business strategy for products in development is to establish collaborative relationships to help fund or
manage development and commercialization of our product candidates and research programs. We may not succeed in
establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships, which may significantly limit our ability to continue to develop
and commercialize those products and programs, if at all.
We have and may in the future need to establish collaborative relationships to obtain domestic and/or international
sales, marketing, research, development and distribution capabilities for our products or product candidates and our discovery
research programs. Failure to obtain a collaborative relationship for those products or product candidates and programs in
markets outside the U.S. requiring extensive sales efforts may significantly impair the potential for those products and
programs and we may be required to raise additional capital to continue them. The process of establishing and maintaining
collaborative relationships is difficult and time-consuming, and even if we establish such relationships, they may involve
significant uncertainty, including:
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our partners may seek to renegotiate or terminate their relationships with us due to unsatisfactory clinical results,
manufacturing issues, a change in business strategy, a change of control or other reasons;
our perceived shortage of capital resources may impact the willingness of companies to collaborate with us;
our contracts for collaborative arrangements are often terminable at will on written notice and may otherwise
expire or terminate and we may not have alternative funding available;
our partners may choose to pursue alternative technologies, including those of our competitors;
we may have disputes with a partner that could lead to litigation or arbitration;
we have limited control over the decisions of our partners and they may change the priority of our programs in a
manner that would result in termination of the agreement or add significant delay in the partnered program;
our ability to generate future payments and royalties from our partners depends upon the abilities of our partners
to establish the safety and efficacy of product candidates, obtain regulatory approvals and successfully
manufacture and commercialize the products developed from product candidates;
we or our partners may fail to properly initiate, maintain or defend our intellectual property rights, where
applicable, or a party may use our proprietary information in such a way as to invite litigation that could
jeopardize or potentially invalidate our intellectual property or other proprietary rights or expose us to potential
liability;
our partners may not devote sufficient capital or resources towards our product candidates; and
our partners may not comply with applicable government regulatory requirements.
Supporting diligence activities conducted by potential collaborators and negotiating the financial and other terms of a
collaboration agreement are long and complex processes with uncertain results. Despite our efforts, we may be unable to
secure collaborative arrangements. If we are unable to establish and maintain collaborative relationships on acceptable terms
or to successfully transition terminated collaborative agreements, we may have to delay or discontinue further development
of one or more of our product candidates, undertake development and commercialization activities at our own expense or find
alternative sources of capital.
Even when we are successful in entering into collaboration agreements, collaborations can involve greater uncertainty
for us, as we have less control over certain aspects of our collaborative programs than we do over our solely-owned
development and commercialization programs, and the financial terms upon which collaborators are willing to enter into such
an arrangement cannot be certain. If any collaborator fails to fulfill its responsibilities in a timely manner, or at all, our
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research, clinical development, manufacturing or commercialization efforts pursuant to that collaboration could be delayed or
terminated, or it may be necessary for us to assume responsibility for expenses or activities that would otherwise have been
the responsibility of our collaborator.
For example, we are working to develop our CpG 1018 adjuvant as a premier vaccine adjuvant through research
collaborations, partnerships and supply arrangements. Current relationships and efforts are focused on adjuvanted vaccines
for COVID-19, shingles, Tdap, plague and influenza. For some of these relationships, our collaborators have primary
responsibility for the development, conduct of clinical trials, and for seeking and obtaining regulatory approval of potential
vaccines containing our adjuvant. We have limited or no control over our collaborators’ decisions, including the amount and
timing of resources that any of these collaborators will dedicate to such activities. In circumstances where our collaborators
do not purchase as much adjuvant as we anticipate or they delay placing orders or taking certain deliveries, there can be a
negative impact on our revenue recognition. If a collaborator fails to conduct collaborative activities successfully, the
development and commercialization of a vaccine could be delayed or may not occur at all. Lastly, the ability of our
collaborators to deliver, sell and collect on receivables is not guaranteed and this could, in turn, impact our own ability to
collect receivables.
Until we are able to generate significant revenues or achieve profitability through product sales on a consistent basis, we
may require substantial additional capital to finance our operations.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $742.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities. Prior to
January 1, 2021, we incurred net losses in each year since our inception. We recorded a net loss of $6.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $930.6 million. We expect to
continue to incur substantial expenses as we continue to invest in the commercialization and development of HEPLISAV-B
and our CpG 1018 adjuvant, clinical trials for our pipeline candidates, and other development. If we cannot generate a
sufficient amount of revenue from product sales, we may need to finance our operations through strategic alliance and
licensing arrangements and/or future public or private debt and equity financings. Raising additional funds through the
issuance of equity or debt securities could result in dilution to our existing stockholders, increased fixed payment obligations,
or both. In addition, our 2.50% convertible senior notes due 2026 (“Convertible Notes”) and other securities we issue in the
future may have rights senior to those of our common stock and could include covenants that restrict our operations.
Our ability to raise additional capital in the equity and debt markets, should we choose to do so, is dependent on a
number of factors, including, but not limited to, the market demand for our common stock, which itself is subject to a number
of development and business risks and uncertainties, our creditworthiness and the uncertainty that we would be able to raise
such additional capital at a price or on terms that are favorable to us. In addition, our ability to raise additional funds may be
adversely impacted by deteriorating global economic conditions and disruptions to and volatility in the credit and financial
markets in the United States and worldwide. Adequate financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If
adequate funds are not available when needed, we may need to significantly reduce our operations while we seek strategic
alternatives, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to achieve our intended business objectives and the value of
our stock.
As we plan for the broader commercialization of our HEPLISAV-B vaccine and for the requisite capacity to manufacture
our CpG 1018 adjuvant, our financial commitments for manufacturing and supply capacity might outpace actual demand
for our products.
As we manage our production capabilities for HEPLISAV-B and CpG 1018 adjuvant to support recent market share
gains and other initiatives, we have been, and in the future could be, required to make significant financial commitments at
our contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), including minimum purchase commitments and prepayments of
purchase orders to facilitate the procurement of raw materials and the incurrence of various manufacturing costs. Because of
minimum or advance purchase commitments and uncertainty about the expected demand for HEPLISAV-B or CpG 1018
adjuvant, the financial commitments we make to our CMOs to support manufacturing may not be recovered in their entirety,
or at all, if our customers do not ultimately purchase from us at expected volumes, or other concessions are made by us.
Capacity reservation fees are generally not recoverable if we do not use the capacity we have reserved as a result of lower
than expected demand, or otherwise. Similarly, prepayments of purchase orders may not be recoverable if we do not
ultimately require the entire volume subject to the applicable purchase order. As a result, we could end up making financial
commitments that we never recover if demand for HEPLISAV-B or CpG 1018 adjuvant does not materialize in the volumes
we are expecting or at all. This may require us to record certain charges or write-offs in one or more fiscal periods, which in
turn could result in significant, unexpected fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results, and potentially have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations, and financial condition.
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For example, in August and October 2022, we entered into amendments to the Clover Supply Agreement, which,
among other things, modified the scope of the Clover Supply Agreement to reduce certain quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant
that we originally intended to deliver in accordance with a purchase order previously issued by Clover. As a result of the
concessions made in the amendments to the Clover Supply Agreement, prior financial commitments made to certain CMOs
to manufacture quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant to fulfill the original Clover purchase order, and reduced demand for CpG
1018 adjuvant, we recorded write-offs of $13.9 million of CpG 1018 adjuvant raw materials inventory and $20.4 million of
finished goods inventory during the year ended December 31, 2022. Relating to our Bio E Supply Agreement, we entered
into an amendment and an assignment agreement in April 2023, pursuant to which (i) CEPI forgave the entirety of remaining
amounts outstanding relating to the Bio E CEPI Advance Payments for CpG 1018 Materials allocated to Bio E and has
assumed our previous rights to collect $47.4 million of Bio E accounts receivable, (ii) we collected $14.5 million from Bio E,
resulting in no accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2023, and (iii) we derecognized a $47.4 million CEPI accrual
in connection with the Bio E CEPI Advance Payments. It is possible we may have similar write-offs in the future.
We may develop, seek regulatory approval for and market HEPLISAV-B or any other product candidates outside of the
U.S., the European Union and Great Britain, requiring a significant additional commitment of resources. Failure to
successfully manage our international operations could result in significant unanticipated costs and delays in regulatory
approval or commercialization of our products or product candidates.
We may seek to introduce HEPLISAV-B, or any other product candidates we may develop, to various additional
markets in or outside of the U.S., the European Union and Great Britain. Developing, seeking regulatory approval for and
marketing our product candidates in or outside of the U.S., the European Union and Great Britain in jurisdictions where we
don't currently have approval could impose substantial costs, impose burdens on our personnel, and divert management’s
attention from domestic operations. International operations are subject to risk, including:
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the difficulty of managing geographically distant operations, including recruiting and retaining qualified
employees, locating adequate facilities and establishing useful business support relationships in the local
community;
compliance with varying international regulatory requirements, laws and treaties;
securing international distribution, marketing and sales capabilities upon favorable terms;
adequate protection of our intellectual property rights;
obtaining regulatory and pricing approvals at a level sufficient to justify commercialization;
legal uncertainties and potential timing delays associated with tariffs, export licenses and other trade barriers;
foreign tax compliance and diverse tax consequences;
the fluctuation of conversion rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar; and
regional and geopolitical risks.
In the event that we determine to pursue commercialization of HEPLISAV-B outside the United States, the European
Union and Great Britain, our opportunity will depend upon our receiving regulatory approval, which can be costly and time
consuming, and there is a risk that one or more regulatory bodies may require that we conduct additional clinical trials and/or
take other measures which will take time and require that we incur significant additional expense. In addition, we may not
receive approval in one or more jurisdictions, even if we undertake these efforts.
The results of clinical trials conducted to support regulatory approval in one or more jurisdictions, and any failure or
delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one or more jurisdictions, may have a negative effect on the regulatory approval
process in other jurisdictions, including our existing regulatory approval in the United States, the European Union and Great
Britain. If we are unable to successfully manage our international operations, we may incur significant unanticipated costs
and delays in regulatory approval or commercialization of our products or product candidates, which would impair our ability
to generate revenues.
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We rely on CROs and clinical sites and investigators for our clinical trials. If these third parties do not fulfill their
contractual obligations or meet expected deadlines, our planned clinical trials may be delayed and we may fail to obtain
the regulatory approvals necessary to commercialize our product candidates.
We rely on CROs, clinical sites and investigators for our clinical trials. If these third parties do not perform their
obligations or meet expected deadlines our planned clinical trials may be extended, delayed, modified or terminated. While
we maintain oversight over our clinical trials and conduct regular reviews of the data, we are dependent on the processes and
quality control efforts of our third-party contractors to ensure that clinical trials are conducted properly and that detailed,
quality records are maintained to support the results of the clinical trials that they are conducting on our behalf. Any
extension, delay, modification or termination of our clinical trials or failure to ensure adequate documentation and the quality
of the results in the clinical trials could delay or otherwise adversely affect our ability to commercialize our product
candidates and could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
As a biopharmaceutical company, we engage CROs to conduct clinical studies, and failure by us or our CROs to conduct
a clinical study in accordance with GCP standards and other applicable regulatory requirements could result in
disqualification of the applicable clinical trial from consideration in support of approval of a potential product.
We are responsible for conducting our clinical trials consistent with GCP standards and for oversight of our vendors to
ensure that they comply with such standards. We depend on medical institutions and CROs to conduct our clinical trials in
compliance with GCP. To the extent that we or they fail to comply with GCP standards, fail to enroll participants for our
clinical trials, or are delayed for a significant time in the execution of our trials, including achieving full enrollment, we may
be affected by increased costs, program delays or both, which may harm our business.
Clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with FDA or other applicable foreign government guidelines and are
subject to oversight by the FDA, other foreign regulatory authorities, IRBs and the Ethics Committees at the medical
institutions where the clinical trials are conducted. In addition, clinical trials must be conducted with supplies of our product
candidates produced under GMP and other requirements in foreign countries and may require large numbers of participants.
In addition, we obtain guidance from regulatory authorities on certain aspects of our clinical development activities and
seek to comply with written guidelines provided by the authorities. These discussions and written guidelines are not binding
obligations on the part of the regulatory authorities and the regulatory authorities may require additional patient data or
studies to be conducted. Regulatory authorities may revise or retract previous guidance during the course of a clinical trial or
after completion of the trial. The authorities may also disqualify a clinical trial from consideration in support of approval of a
potential product if they deem the guidelines have not been met. The FDA or foreign regulatory authorities may determine
our clinical trials or other data regarding safety, efficacy or consistency of manufacture or compliance with GMP regulations
are insufficient for regulatory approval.
The FDA or other foreign regulatory authorities or we ourselves could delay, suspend or halt our clinical trials of a
product candidate for numerous reasons, including with respect to our product candidates and those of our partners in
combination agent studies:
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deficiencies in the trial design;
deficiencies in the conduct of the clinical trial including failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with
regulatory requirements or clinical protocols;
deficiencies in the clinical trial operations or trial sites resulting in the imposition of a clinical hold;
a product candidate may have unforeseen adverse side effects, including fatalities, or a determination may be
made that a clinical trial presents unacceptable health risks;
the time required to determine whether a product candidate is effective may be longer than expected;
fatalities or other adverse events arising during a clinical trial that may not be related to clinical trial treatments;
a product candidate or combination study may appear to be no more effective than current therapies;
the quality or stability of a product candidate may fail to conform to acceptable standards;
the inability to produce or obtain sufficient quantities of a product candidate to complete the trials;
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our inability to reach agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs and trial sites, the terms of which
can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and trial sites;
our inability to obtain IRB or Ethics Committee approval to conduct a clinical trial at a prospective site;
the inability to obtain regulatory approval to conduct a clinical trial;
lack of adequate funding to continue a clinical trial, including the occurrence of unforeseen costs due to
enrollment delays, requirements to conduct additional trials and studies and increased expenses associated with
the services of our CROs and other third parties;
the inability to recruit and enroll individuals to participate in clinical trials for reasons including competition
from other clinical trial programs for the same or similar indications; or
the inability to retain participants who have initiated a clinical trial but may withdraw due to side effects from the
product, lack of efficacy or personal issues, or who are otherwise unavailable for further follow-up.
In addition, we may experience significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after promising results in earlier
trials, such as unexpected adverse events that occur when our product candidates are given to larger patient populations,
which often occur in later-stage clinical trials, or less favorable clinical outcomes. Moreover, clinical results are frequently
susceptible to varying interpretations that may delay, limit or prevent regulatory approvals.
Negative or inconclusive results or adverse medical events, including participant fatalities that may be attributable to
our product candidates, during a clinical trial may necessitate that it be redesigned, repeated or terminated. Further, some of
our clinical trials may be overseen by a Data Safety Monitoring Board (“DSMB”), and the DSMB may determine to delay or
suspend one or more of these trials due to safety or futility findings based on events occurring during a clinical trial. Any
such delay, suspension, termination or request to repeat or redesign a trial could increase our costs and prevent or
significantly delay our ability to commercialize our product candidates. Even if we complete all such activities without issue,
final results may not actually support approval of a particular product candidate.
Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be limited.
We have incurred significant net operating losses ("NOLs") during our history, and despite prior profitability, may not
be able to achieve sustained profitability over the long term. Unused U.S. federal NOLs for taxable years beginning before
January 1, 2018 may be carried forward to offset future taxable income, if any, until such unused NOLs expire. Under
legislation enacted in 2017, as modified by legislation enacted in 2020, U.S. federal NOLs incurred in taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2017 can be carried forward indefinitely, but the deductibility of such U.S. federal NOLs in
taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020 is limited to 80% of taxable income. It is uncertain if and to what extent
various states will conform to the aforementioned U.S. tax law provisions.
As of December 31, 2023, we had U.S. federal and state NOL carryforwards of $376.6 million and $283.9 million,
respectively. Of the $376.6 million U.S. federal NOL carryforwards, $353.5 million may be carried forward indefinitely with
utilization limited to 80% of taxable income, and the remainder will begin to expire in 2024. The state NOL carryforwards
will begin to expire in 2024.
In addition, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and corresponding provisions of
state law, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” which is generally defined as one or more stockholders or
groups of stockholders who own at least 5% of our stock increasing their ownership by more than 50 percentage points over
their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL
carryforwards to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited. We have experienced ownership changes as a result
of shifts in our stock ownership in the past, and in the future it is possible that we may be deemed to have experienced
additional ownership changes as a result of shifts in our stock ownership, some of which may be outside of our control. This
could limit the amount of NOLs that we can utilize annually to offset future taxable income or tax liabilities. Subsequent
ownership changes and changes to the U.S. tax rules in respect of the utilization of NOLs may further affect the limitation in
future years. In addition, at the state level, there may be periods during which the use of NOLs is suspended or otherwise
limited, which could accelerate or permanently increase state taxes owed.
Tax law changes could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
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New income, sales, use or other tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances could be enacted at any time, which
could adversely affect our business operations and financial performance. Further, existing tax laws, statutes, rules,
regulations or ordinances could be interpreted, changed, modified or applied adversely to us. For example, legislation
informally titled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and the
2022 Inflation Reduction Act enacted many significant changes to the U.S. tax laws. Future guidance from the Internal
Revenue Service and other tax authorities with respect to such legislation may affect us, and certain aspects of the foregoing
tax legislation could be repealed or modified in future legislation. In addition, it is uncertain if and to what extent various
states will conform to such legislation or any newly enacted federal tax legislation. Changes in corporate tax rates, the
realization of net deferred tax assets relating to our operations, the taxation of foreign earnings, and the deductibility of
expenses under past or future reform legislation could have a material impact on the value of our deferred tax assets, could
result in significant one-time charges, and could increase our future U.S. tax expense.
We are subject to stringent and evolving U.S. and foreign laws, regulations, and rules, contractual obligations, industry
standards, policies and other obligations related to data privacy and security. Our actual or perceived failure to comply
with such obligations could lead to regulatory investigations or actions; litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of our
business operations; reputational harm; loss of revenue or profits; loss of customers or sales; and other adverse business
consequences.
In the ordinary course of business, we process personal data and other sensitive information, including our proprietary
and confidential business data, trade secrets, intellectual property, data we may collect about trial participants in connection
with clinical trials, and other sensitive data. Our data processing activities subject us to numerous data privacy and security
obligations, such as various laws, regulations, guidance, industry standards, external and internal privacy and security
policies, contracts, and other obligations that govern the processing of personal data by us and on our behalf.
In the United States, federal, state, and local governments have enacted numerous data privacy and security laws,
including data breach notification laws, personal data privacy laws, consumer protection laws (e.g., Section 5 of the Federal
Trade Commission Act), and other similar laws (e.g., wiretapping laws). In the past few years, numerous U.S. states—
including California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah—have enacted comprehensive privacy laws that impose
certain obligations on covered businesses, including providing specific disclosures in privacy notices and affording residents
with certain rights concerning their personal data. As applicable, such rights may include the right to access, correct, or delete
certain personal data, and to opt-out of certain data processing activities, such as targeted advertising, profiling, and
automated decision-making. The exercise of these rights may impact our business and ability to provide our products and
services. Certain states also impose stricter requirements for processing certain personal data, including sensitive information,
such as conducting data privacy impact assessments. These state laws allow for statutory fines for noncompliance. For
example, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (“CPRA”)
(collectively, “CCPA”) requires businesses to provide specific disclosures in privacy notices and honor requests of California
residents to exercise certain privacy rights. The CCPA provides for civil penalties of up to $7,500 per intentional violation
and allows private litigants affected by certain data breaches to recover significant statutory damages. Similar laws are being
considered in several other states, as well as at the federal and local levels. These developments may further complicate
compliance efforts and may increase legal risk and compliance costs for us and the third parties upon whom we rely.
Outside the United States, an increasing number of laws, regulations, and industry standards may govern data privacy
and security. For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“EU GDPR”), the United Kingdom’s
General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”), Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados
Pessoais, or “LGPD”) (Law No. 13,709/2018), and China’s Personal Information Protection Law (“PIPL”) impose strict
requirements for processing personal data. For example, under the EU GDPR, companies may face temporary or definitive
bans on data processing and other corrective actions; fines of up to 20 million Euros or 4% of annual global revenue,
whichever is greater; or private litigation related to processing of personal data brought by classes of data subjects or
consumer protection organizations authorized at law to represent their interests.
In addition, we may be unable to transfer personal data from the EEA and other jurisdictions to the United States or
other countries due to data localization requirements or limitations on cross-border data flows. Although there are various
mechanisms that may be used in some cases to lawfully transfer personal data to the United States or other countries, these
mechanisms are subject to legal challenges and may not be available to us. An inability or material limitation on our ability to
transfer personal data to the United States or other countries could materially impact our business operations.
In the ordinary course of business, we may transfer personal data from the EEA and other jurisdictions to the United
States or other countries. We may be unable to transfer personal data from Europe and other jurisdictions to the United States
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or other countries due to data localization requirements or limitations on cross-border data flows. Europe and other
jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring data to be localized or limiting the transfer of personal data to other countries. In
particular, the EEA and the United Kingdom have significantly restricted the transfer of personal data to the United States
and other countries whose privacy laws it believes are inadequate. Other jurisdictions may adopt similarly stringent
interpretations of their data localization and cross-border data transfer laws.
Although there are currently various mechanisms that may be used to transfer personal data from the EEA and UK to
the United States in compliance with law, such as the EEA and UK’s standard contractual clauses, these mechanisms are
subject to legal challenges, and there is no assurance that we can satisfy or rely on these measures to lawfully transfer
personal data to the United States.
If there is no lawful manner for us to transfer personal data from the EEA, the UK, or other jurisdictions to the United
States, or if the requirements for a legally-compliant transfer are too onerous, we could face significant adverse
consequences, including the interruption or degradation of our operations, the need to relocate part of or all of our business or
data processing activities to other jurisdictions at significant expense, increased exposure to regulatory actions, substantial
fines and penalties, the inability to transfer data and work with partners, vendors and other third parties, and injunctions
against our processing or transferring of personal data necessary to operate our business. Additionally, companies that
transfer personal data out of the EEA and UK to other jurisdictions, particularly to the United States, are subject to increased
scrutiny from regulators, individual litigants, and activist groups. Some regulators in the EEA have ordered certain
companies to suspend or permanently cease certain transfers of data out of Europe for allegedly violating the GDPR’s cross-
border data transfer limitations.
On October 7, 2022, President Biden signed an Executive Order on “Enhancing Safeguards for United States Signals
Intelligence Activities,” which implements into United States law the agreement in principle announced in March 2022 on a
new EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. However, if this new transatlantic data transfer framework is not adopted and we are
unable to continue to rely on standard contractual clauses or alternative mechanisms of data transfers from the EEA to the
United States, this may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Additional privacy advocates and industry groups have proposed, and may propose in the future, standards with which
we are legally or contractually bound to comply.
In addition to data privacy and security laws, we may be contractually subject to industry standards adopted by industry
groups and may become subject to such obligations in the future. We may be subject to contractual obligations and policies
related to data privacy and security. We may also be bound by other contractual obligations related to data privacy and
security, and our efforts to comply with such obligations may not be successful. For example, certain privacy laws, such as
the EU GDPR and UK GDPR, require our customers to impose specific contractual restrictions on their service providers.
Data privacy and security laws are quickly changing, and compliance (and any perceived non-compliance) is costly.
Although we endeavor to comply with all applicable data privacy and security obligations, these obligations are quickly
changing in an increasingly stringent fashion, creating some uncertainty as to how to comply. Additionally, these obligations
may be subject to differing applications and interpretations, which may be inconsistent or conflict among jurisdictions. If we
or the third parties on which we rely fail, or are perceived to have failed, to address or comply with applicable data privacy
and security obligations, we could face significant consequences, including but not limited to, government enforcement
actions (e.g., investigations, fines, penalties, audits, inspections, and similar); litigation (including class-related claims);
additional reporting requirements and/or oversight; bans on processing personal data; orders to destroy or not use personal
data; and imprisonment of company officials.
Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, or financial condition, including
but not limited to: loss of customers; interruptions or stoppages in our business operations, including our clinical trials;
expenditure of time and resources to defend any claim or inquiry; adverse publicity; or revision or restructuring of our
operations.
If we fail to comply with the extensive requirements applicable to biopharmaceutical manufacturers and marketers under
the healthcare fraud and abuse, anticorruption, privacy, transparency and other laws of the jurisdictions in which we
conduct our business, we may be subject to significant liability.
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Our activities, and the activities of our agents, including some contracted third parties, are subject to extensive
government regulation and oversight both in the U.S. and in foreign jurisdictions. Our interactions with physicians and others
in a position to prescribe or purchase our products are subject to a legal regime designed to prevent healthcare fraud and
abuse and off-label promotion. We also are subject to laws pertaining to transparency of transfers of value to healthcare
providers; privacy and data protection; compliance with industry voluntary compliance guidelines; and prohibiting the
payment of bribes. Relevant U.S. laws include:
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the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits persons from, among other things, knowingly and willfully
soliciting, receiving, offering or paying remuneration, directly or indirectly, in exchange for or to induce either
the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, order or recommendation of, any good or service for which
payment may be made under federal health care programs, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs;
federal false claims laws, including the False Claims Act and Civil Monetary Penalties Law, which prohibit
individuals or entities from, among other things, knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for
payment to the government or its agents that are false or fraudulent;
the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and governing regulations which, among other things, prohibit off-
label promotion of prescription drugs;
the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of
2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, “ACA”)
which requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies to report annually to the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, information related to payments and other transfers of value to
physicians (defined to include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and chiropractors), other health care
professionals (such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners), and teaching hospitals, and ownership and
investment interests held by such physicians and their immediate family members;
the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), which created, among other
things, new federal criminal statutes that prohibit knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a
scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, or knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering
up a material fact or making any materially false statement, in connection with the delivery of, or payment for,
healthcare benefits, items or services;
HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, and their
implementing regulations, which imposes certain requirements on “covered entities,” including certain healthcare
providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, and their respective “business associates” that create,
receive, maintain or transmit individually identifiable health information for or on behalf of a covered entity as
well as their covered subcontractors relating to the privacy, security, and transmission of individually identifiable
health information;
the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits the payment of bribes to foreign government officials and
requires that a company’s books and records accurately reflect our transactions; and
foreign and state law equivalents of each of the federal laws described above, such as anti-kickback and false
claims laws which may apply to items or services reimbursed by state health insurance programs or any third-
party payor, including commercial insurers; state laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the
pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the applicable compliance guidance promulgated
by the federal government; state laws that require drug manufacturers to report information on the pricing of
certain drugs; state and local laws that require the registration of pharmaceutical sales representatives; and state
and foreign laws governing the privacy and security of health information, many of which differ from each other
in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA.
In the U.S., the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of
Justice, states’ Attorneys General and other governmental authorities actively enforce the laws and regulations discussed
above. These entities also coordinate extensively with the FDA, using legal theories that connect violations of the Federal
Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (such as off-label promotion) to the eventual submission of false claims to government
healthcare programs. Prosecution of such promotion cases under the False Claims Act provides the potential for private
parties (qui tam relators, or “whistleblowers”) to initiate cases on behalf of the government and provides for significantly
higher penalties upon conviction.
In the U.S., pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have been the target of numerous government prosecutions
and investigations alleging violations of law, including claims asserting impermissible off-label promotion of pharmaceutical
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products, payments intended to influence the referral of federal or state health care business, submission of false claims for
government reimbursement, or submission of incorrect pricing information.
Violations of any of the laws described above or any other applicable governmental regulations and other similar
foreign laws may subject us, our employees or our agents to significant criminal, civil and administrative penalties, including
fines, civil monetary penalties, exclusion from participation in government health care programs (including, in the U.S.,
Medicare and Medicaid), disgorgement, imprisonment, additional reporting requirements and oversight if we become subject
to a corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws and the
restriction or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our
financial results. Additionally, whether or not we have complied with the law, an investigation into alleged unlawful conduct
may cause us to incur significant expense, cause reputational damage, divert management time and attention, and otherwise
adversely affect our business. While we have developed and instituted a corporate compliance program, we cannot guarantee
that we, our employees, our consultants, contractors, or other agents are or will be in compliance with all applicable U.S. or
foreign laws.
We have applied for, and in some cases have received, grants that, if and when received, may involve pricing or other
restrictions.
We have applied for, and in some cases have received, grants from various charitable, philanthropic and other
organizations that, if and when received, may come with certain pricing requirements, global access requirements, reporting
requirements or other covenants that require us to make the funded product available worldwide and on a nondiscriminatory
basis. For example, we received such an initial grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2020 to help fund the
potential scale-up of production of our CpG 1018 adjuvant that may be required in the event the CpG 1018 adjuvant is
included in any approved and commercially available vaccine, whether a COVID-19 vaccine or otherwise. Covenants in
these types of grants may limit the price we can charge for any funded product and may involve a license to use technology
we own that is included in the funded products if we do not comply. Such price limitations or licenses, if invoked, could
serve to limit the prices we charge, or our control over the manufacturing and distribution of grant-funded products. Failure
to agree to such requirements, may result in us not receiving some or all of the grant.
Enacted or future legislation, including potentially unfavorable pricing regulations or other healthcare reform initiatives,
may have an adverse effect on our operations and business.
We expect there will continue to be federal and state laws and/or regulations, proposed and implemented, that could
impact our operations and business. For example, the ACA, among other things, imposes a significant annual fee on
companies that manufacture or import branded prescription drug products. It also contains substantial provisions intended to
broaden access to health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of healthcare spending, and impose additional health
policy reforms, any or all of which may affect our business. There have been executive, legal and political challenges to
certain aspects of ACA. For example, President Trump signed several executive orders and other directives designed to
delay, circumvent, or loosen certain requirements mandated by ACA. Concurrently, Congress considered legislation that
would repeal or repeal and replace all or part of ACA. While Congress has not passed comprehensive repeal legislation,
several bills affecting the implementation of certain taxes under the ACA have been signed into law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act of 2017 included a provision repealing, effective January 1, 2019, the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed
by ACA on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly
referred to as the “individual mandate.” In addition, the 2020 federal spending package permanently eliminated, effective
January 1, 2020, the ACA-mandated “Cadillac” tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage and medical device tax
and, effective January l, 2021, also eliminated the health insurer tax. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 among other things,
amended the ACA, effective January 1, 2019, to increase from 50 percent to 70 percent the point-of-sale discount that is
owed by pharmaceutical manufacturers who participate in Medicare Part D and close the coverage gap in most Medicare
drug plans, commonly referred to as the “donut hole.” On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a challenge on
procedural grounds that argued the ACA is unconstitutional in its entirety because the “individual mandate” was repealed by
Congress. In addition, the ACA has been subject to various health reform measures. For example, on August 16, 2022,
President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) into law, which among other things, extends enhanced
subsidies for individuals purchasing health insurance coverage in ACA marketplaces through plan year 2025. The IRA also
eliminates the “donut hole” under the Medicare Part D program beginning in 2025 by significantly lowering the beneficiary
maximum out-of-pocket cost and through a newly established manufacturer discount program. It is unclear how any such
challenges and additional healthcare reform measures by the Biden administration will impact the ACA and our business.
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Other legislative changes have also been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted. For example, the Budget
Control Act of 2011 resulted in aggregate reductions in Medicare payments to providers of up to two percent per fiscal year,
starting in 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, will remain in effect until 2032 unless
additional Congressional action is taken. Additionally, on March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan
Act of 2021 into law, which eliminates the statutory Medicaid drug rebate cap, currently set at 100% of a drug’s average
manufacturer price, for single source and innovator multiple source drugs, effective January 1, 2024. In addition, the
American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to several types of providers and
increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years.
Such laws, and others that may affect our business that have been recently enacted or may in the future be enacted, may result
in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding.
Also, there has been heightened governmental scrutiny recently in the U.S. over pharmaceutical pricing practices in
light of the rising cost of prescription drugs and biologics. Such scrutiny has resulted in several recent Congressional
inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to
product pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program
reimbursement methodologies for products. At the federal level, in July 2021, the Biden administration released an executive
order, “Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” with multiple provisions aimed at prescription drugs. In response
to Biden’s executive order, on September 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) released a
Comprehensive Plan for Addressing High Drug Prices that outlines principles for drug pricing reform and sets out a variety
of potential legislative policies that Congress could pursue to advance these principles. In addition, the IRA, among other
things, (i) directs HHS to negotiate the price of certain drugs and biologics covered under Medicare, and subjects drug
manufacturers to civil monetary penalties and a potential excise tax by offering a price that is not equal to or less than the
negotiated “maximum fair price” under the law, and (ii) imposes rebates under Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D to
penalize price increases that outpace inflation. The IRA permits HHS to implement many of these provisions through
guidance, as opposed to regulation, for the initial years. These provisions take effect progressively starting in 2023. On
August 29, 2023, HHS announced the list of the first ten drugs that will be subject to price negotiations, although the
Medicare drug pricing negotiation program is currently subject to legal challenges. It is currently unclear how the IRA will be
effectuated but is likely to have a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry. Further, in response to the Biden
administration’s October 2022 executive order, on February 14, 2023, HHS released a report outlining three new models for
testing by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") Innovation Center which will be evaluated on their ability
to lower the cost of drugs, promote accessibility, and improve quality of care. It is unclear whether the models will be utilized
in any health reform measures in the future. Further, on December 7, 2023, the Biden administration announced an initiative
to control the price of prescription drugs through the use of march-in rights under the Bayh-Dole Act. On December 8, 2023,
the National Institute of Standards and Technology published for comment a Draft Interagency Guidance Framework for
Considering the Exercise of March-In Rights which for the first time includes the price of a product as one factor an agency
can use when deciding to exercise march-in rights. While march-in rights have not previously been exercised, it is uncertain
if that will continue under the new framework.
At the state level, legislatures have increasingly passed legislation and implemented regulations designed to control
pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, and
restrictions on certain product access. In some cases, such legislation and regulations have been designed to encourage
importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. For example, on January 5, 2024, the FDA approved Florida’s Section
804 Importation Program (SIP) proposal to import certain drugs from Canada for specific state healthcare programs. It is
unclear how this program will be implemented, including which drugs will be chosen, and whether it will be subject to legal
challenges in the United States or Canada. Other states have also submitted SIP proposals that are pending review by the
FDA. Any such approved importation plans, when implemented, may result in lower drug prices for products covered by
those programs.
Many EU Member States periodically review their reimbursement procedures for medicinal products, which could
have an adverse impact on reimbursement status. We expect that legislators, policymakers and healthcare insurance funds in
the EU Member States will continue to propose and implement cost-containing measures, such as lower maximum prices,
lower or lack of reimbursement coverage and incentives to use cheaper, usually generic, products as an alternative to branded
products, and/or branded products available through parallel import to keep healthcare costs down.
We cannot predict the initiatives that may be adopted in the future or the effect any such initiatives may have on our
business. However, in the future, there will likely continue to be additional proposals relating to the reform of the U.S.
healthcare system, and other equivalent foreign systems, some of which could further limit coverage and reimbursement of
products, including our product candidates. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government programs
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may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other
healthcare reforms may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability or commercialize our products.
In connection with our work with the U.S. Department of Defense ("DoD"), we have become a defense contractor, and
are therefore subject to additional administrative burdens and control requirements in connection with the maintenance
of that relationship.
In September 2021, we entered into an agreement with the DoD relating to the conduct of a clinical trial and studies in
connection with the development of an improved plague vaccine. In connection with this agreement, we became subject to
new administrative and control requirements, including certain reporting obligations as well as a requirement to develop,
implement and maintain an International Traffic in Arms Regulations compliance program, among other things. Further, if
our efforts result in an improved plague vaccine and we enter into a supply agreement for finished plague vaccines with the
DoD, we expect that such a supply contract would impose additional administrative, control, compliance and other
obligations. We have limited experience developing and administering such programs. Development and maintenance of
such programs can be burdensome and costly and there can be no guarantee that we will be able to maintain compliance with
all of the terms of such an agreement. Failure to comply with these requirements could have a significant reputational or
financial impact on our business and on our stock price.
We face product liability exposure, which, if not covered by insurance, could result in significant financial liability.
While we have not experienced any product liability claims to date, the use of any of our product candidates in clinical
trials and the sale of any approved products, including HEPLISAV-B, will subject us to potential product liability claims and
may raise questions about a product’s safety and efficacy. As a result, we could experience a delay in our ability to
commercialize one or more of our product candidates or reduced sales of any approved product candidates. In addition, a
product liability claim may exceed the limits of our insurance policies and exhaust our internal resources. We have obtained
limited clinical trial liability and umbrella insurance coverage for our clinical trials. This coverage may not be adequate or
may not continue to be available in sufficient amounts, at an acceptable cost, or at all. While we have obtained product
liability insurance coverage for HEPLISAV-B, there is a risk that this coverage may not be adequate or may not continue to
be available in sufficient amounts, at an acceptable cost or at all. We also may not be able to obtain commercially reasonable
product liability insurance for any product approved for marketing in the future. A product liability claim, product recalls or
other claims, as well as any claims for uninsured liabilities or in excess of insured liabilities, would divert our management’s
attention from our business and could result in significant financial liability.
Risks Related to our Intellectual Property
If third parties assert that we have infringed their patents or other proprietary rights or challenge our patents or other
proprietary rights, we may become involved in disputes and litigation that would be costly, time consuming and have a
negative impact on the commercialization of our current products and delay or prevent development or commercialization
of our product candidates.
We may be exposed to future litigation or other dispute with third parties based on claims that our products, product
candidates or proprietary technologies infringe their intellectual property rights, or we may be required to enter into litigation
to enforce patents issued or licensed to us or to determine the ownership, scope or validity of our or another party’s
proprietary rights, including a challenge as to the validity and scope of our issued and pending claims. From time to time, we
have been, and in the future may become, involved in various administrative proceedings related to our intellectual property
which can cause us to incur certain legal expenses. If we become involved in any litigation and/or other administrative
proceedings related to our intellectual property or the intellectual property of others, we will incur substantial additional
expenses and it will divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel.
If we or our collaborators are unsuccessful in defending or prosecuting our issued and pending claims or in defending
potential claims against our products, for example, as may arise in connection with the commercialization of HEPLISAV-B
or any similar or other product candidate, we or our collaborators could be required to pay substantial damages or be unable
to commercialize our product candidates or use our proprietary technologies without a license from such third party. A
license may require the payment of substantial fees or royalties, require a grant of a cross-license to our intellectual property
or technologies or may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Any of these outcomes could require us to change our
business strategy and could materially impact our business, operations or financial condition.
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If the combination of patents, trade secrets and contractual provisions that we rely on to protect our intellectual property
is inadequate, the value of our products or product candidates may decrease, and we may be unable to realize any
commercial benefit from the development of our products or product candidates.
Our success depends on our ability to:
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obtain and protect commercially valuable patents or the rights to patents both domestically and abroad;
operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others; and
prevent others from successfully challenging or infringing our proprietary rights.
We will be able to protect our proprietary rights from unauthorized use only to the extent that these rights are covered
by valid and enforceable patents for a commercially sufficient term or are otherwise effectively maintained as trade secrets.
We try to protect our proprietary rights by filing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications. However, in certain
cases such protection may be limited, depending in part on existing patents held by third parties, or other disclosures which
impact patentability, which may only allow us to obtain relatively narrow patent protection, if any at all. In the U.S., and
worldwide, legal standards relating to the validity and scope of patent claims in the biopharmaceutical field can be highly
uncertain, are still evolving and involve complex legal and factual questions for which important legal principles remain
unresolved. Changes in U.S. patent and ex-U.S. patent laws could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing
us and our collaborators’ ability to protect our products.
Our HEPLISAV-B vaccine and CpG 1018 adjuvant have no composition of matter patent protection in the United
States or elsewhere. We must therefore rely primarily on the protection afforded by method of use patent claims relating to
HEPLISAV-B vaccine and the use of CpG 1018 adjuvant in vaccines, and trade secret protection and confidentiality and
other agreements to protect our interests in proprietary know-how related to HEPLISAV-B vaccine and CpG 1018 adjuvant.
We have three issued U.S. patents relating to certain uses of HEPLISAV-B that are projected to expire in 2032. We have
filed patent applications claiming compositions and methods of use of CpG 1018 adjuvant for COVID-19 and other vaccines,
but we cannot provide any assurances that we will receive an issued patent for any of these patent applications or that, if
issued, any of these patents will provide adequate protection for any intended use of CpG 1018 adjuvant in vaccines. In
addition, we are or may be subject to co-ownership of the underlying intellectual property with our collaborators and,
therefore, may not be the sole owner and be in a position to diligently control patent prosecution, or enforce our rights. If we
are unable to adequately obtain patent protection or enforce our other proprietary rights relating to CpG 1018 adjuvant, we
may be unable to realize any recurring commercial benefit from the development of a vaccine containing CpG 1018 adjuvant,
and we may not have the ability to prevent others from developing or commercializing a vaccine containing CpG 1018
adjuvant.
We also rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality and other agreements to protect our interests in proprietary
know-how related to CpG 1018 adjuvant. If we or our collaborators are unable to adequately obtain, protect or enforce our
proprietary rights relating to CpG 1018 adjuvant, we may be unable to realize recurring commercial benefit from the
development of a vaccine containing CpG 1018 adjuvant, and we or our collaborators may not have the ability to prevent
others from developing or commercializing a vaccine containing the adjuvant. Disputes or litigation may also arise with our
collaborators (with us and/or with one or more third parties), including disputes over ownership rights to intellectual
property, know-how or technologies developed with our collaborators.
Because patent applications in the U.S. and many foreign jurisdictions typically are not published until 18 months
after filing and publications of discoveries in the scientific literature lag behind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that
we were the first to file for protection of the inventions set forth in these patent applications or in our issued patents. Further,
there could be post-grant proceedings such as inter partes review ("IPR"), post grant review ("PGR"), reexamination, reissue
or opposition which could result in claims in our patents being narrowed or invalidated.
Our commercial success depends significantly on our ability to operate without infringing patents and other
proprietary rights of third parties. A number of pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies, as well as
universities and research institutions, may have filed patent applications or may have been granted patents that cover
inventions similar to the inventions owned by or licensed to us. We may not be able to determine with certainty whether
patents or patent applications of other parties may materially affect our ability to make, use, offer to sell, or sell any products.
If another party controls patents or patent applications covering our products, we may not be able to obtain the rights we need
to those patents or patent applications in order to commercialize our products.
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Litigation may be necessary to enforce patents issued or licensed to us or to determine the scope or validity of
another party’s proprietary rights. The existence of third-party patent applications and patents could significantly reduce the
coverage of the patents owned by or licensed to us and limit our ability to obtain meaningful patent protection. Litigation or
any other proceedings could result in substantial costs to and diversion of effort by us, and an adverse outcome in a court or
patent office could subject us to significant liabilities, require disputed rights to be licensed from other parties, or require us
to cease using some of our technology. We may not prevail in these actions or proceedings if they arise.
In addition, other parties may duplicate, design around or independently develop similar or alternative technologies
to ours or our licensors.
The risks and uncertainties that we face with respect to our patents and other proprietary rights include the following:
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we may not receive an issued patent for any of our patent applications or for any patent applications that we may
have exclusively licensed, now or in the future;
the pending patent applications we have filed or to which we have exclusive rights may take longer than we
expect to result in issued patents;
the claims of any patents that are issued may not provide meaningful protection or may not be valid or
enforceable;
we might not be able to develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable;
the patents licensed or issued to us or our collaborators may not provide a competitive advantage;
patents issued to other parties may limit our intellectual property protection or harm our ability to do business;
other parties may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate our technologies and
commercialize discoveries that we attempt to patent;
other parties may design around technologies we have licensed, patented or developed;
pending patent applications or issued patents may be challenged by third parties in litigation or other
proceedings, such as inter partes reviews, pre- and post-grant oppositions, reexaminations, derivation
proceedings and post-grant review, in the U.S or abroad;
we may be subject to claims that our employees or consultants have used or disclosed trade secrets or other
proprietary information of their former employers or clients, thus putting our intellectual property at risk;
our reliance on trade secret protection and confidentiality and other agreements may not be sufficient to protect
our interests and proprietary know-how related to our products and processes; and
it may be found that we or our collaborators have not complied with various procedural, document submission,
fee payment and other requirements imposed by patent offices, and our patent protection could be reduced or
eliminated.
We also rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect our interests in proprietary know-how
that may not be directed to what is considered to be patentable subject matter, and for processes for which patents are
difficult to enforce. We cannot be certain that we will be able to protect our trade secrets or other proprietary know-how
adequately. Any disclosure of confidential data in the public domain or to third parties could allow our competitors to learn
our trade secrets. If we are unable to adequately obtain or enforce proprietary rights, we may be unable to commercialize or
continue to commercialize our products, enter into or maintain collaborations, generate revenues or maintain any advantage
we may have with respect to existing or potential competitors.
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We have in the past, and may in the future, rely on licenses to intellectual property from third parties. Impairment of these
licenses or our inability to obtain or maintain them could severely harm our business.
Our current or future research and development efforts may depend in part upon our license arrangements for certain
intellectual property owned by or co-owned with third parties. Our dependence on these licenses could subject us to
numerous risks, such as disputes regarding the use of the licensed intellectual property and the creation and ownership of new
discoveries under such license agreements. In addition, these license arrangements could require us to make timely payments
to maintain our licenses and typically contain diligence or milestone-based termination provisions. Our failure to meet any
obligations pursuant to such agreements could allow licensors to terminate our agreements or undertake other remedies such
as converting exclusive to non-exclusive licenses if we are unable to cure or obtain waivers for such failures or amend such
agreements on terms acceptable to us or at all. In addition, license agreements may be terminated or may expire by their
terms, and we may not be able to maintain the exclusivity of these licenses or any rights to the underlying intellectual
property. If we cannot obtain and maintain licenses that are advantageous or necessary to the development or the
commercialization of our products or product candidates, we may be required to expend significant time and resources to
develop or license similar technology or to find other alternatives to maintaining the competitive position of our products or
product candidates. If such alternatives are not available to us in a timely manner or on acceptable terms, we may be unable
to develop or commercialize certain of our products or product candidates. In the absence of a current license, we may be
required to redesign our technology so it does not infringe a third-party’s intellectual property (including patents), which may
not be possible or could require substantial funds and time.
We may be subject to claims that we or our employees or consultants have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade
secrets of our employees’ or consultants’ former employers or their clients. These claims may be costly to defend and if we
do not successfully do so, we may be required to pay monetary damages and may lose valuable intellectual property rights
or personnel.
Many of our employees or consultants may have been previously employed in other biopharmaceutical companies,
including our competitors or potential competitors. Some of these individuals executed proprietary rights, non-disclosure and
non-competition agreements in connection with such previous employment or engagements. Although no claims against us
are currently pending, we may be subject to claims that these employees or consultants or we have inadvertently or otherwise
used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers or clients. Litigation may be
necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we
may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. A loss of key research personnel or their work product could
hamper our ability to develop and ultimately commercialize, or prevent us from developing and commercializing, our product
candidates, which could severely harm our business. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation
could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.
We may rely, in some circumstances, on trade secrets and confidentiality agreements to protect our technology.
Although trade secrets are difficult to protect, wherever possible, we use confidential disclosure agreements to protect the
proprietary nature of our technology. Our standard practice is to require each of our collaborators, commercial partners,
employees, consultants, contractors and advisors to enter into an agreement before beginning their employment, consulting or
advisory relationship with us that in general provides that the individuals must keep confidential and not disclose to other
parties any of our confidential information developed or learned by the individuals during the course of their relationship
with us except in limited circumstances. These agreements with employees, consultants and contractors also generally
provide that we own all inventions conceived by the individuals in the course of rendering their employment or services to
us. However, there can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for
any breach, or that our trade secrets and/or proprietary information will not otherwise become known or be independently
discovered by competitors. To the extent that our employees, consultants or contractors use intellectual property owned by
others in their work for us, disputes may also arise as to the rights in related or resulting know-how and inventions, which
could result in substantial costs which could severely harm our business.
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Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission,
fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be
reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.
Periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees and various other governmental fees on patents and/or
applications are due to be paid to the United States Patent and Trademark Office and various governmental patent agencies
outside of the United States in several stages over the lifetime of the patents and/or applications. We employ reputable law
firms and other professionals to help us comply, and in many cases an inadvertent lapse can be cured by payment of a late fee
or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules. However, there are situations in which non-compliance can result
in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the
relevant jurisdictions, and in such an event, our competitors might be able to enter the market.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.
The biopharmaceutical patent environment outside the U.S. is also uncertain. We may be particularly affected by
this uncertainty since several of our product candidates or our collaborators’ vaccine candidates may initially address market
opportunities outside the U.S., where we may only be able to obtain limited patent protection, if any at all. For example,
while many countries such as the U.S. permit method of use patents or patent claims relating to the use of drug products, in
some countries the law relating to patentability of such use claims is evolving, or may prohibit certain activities, and may be
unfavorably interpreted to prevent us from successfully prosecuting some or all of our pending patent applications. There are
some countries that currently do not allow such method of use patents or patent claims, or that significantly limit the types of
uses, claims or subject matter that are patentable.
Patents are of national or regional effect. Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on all of our products and
product candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property
rights in some countries outside the U.S. can be less extensive than those in the U.S. In addition, the laws of some foreign
countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the U.S. Consequently, we
may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the U.S. or from selling or
importing products made using our inventions in and into the U.S. or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our
technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and, further, may
export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection, but enforcement is not as strong as that in
the U.S. These competitor products may compete with our products and product candidates, and our patents or other
intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.
Geo-political actions in the U.S. and in foreign countries could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the
prosecution or maintenance of our patent applications or those of any current or future licensors and the maintenance,
enforcement or defense of our issued patents or those of any current or future licensors.
Various companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in
foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of many countries do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual
property protection, particularly those relating to pharmaceuticals, which could make it difficult for us to stop the
infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights.
Various countries outside the U.S. have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to
grant licenses to third parties. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against government agencies or
government contractors. As a result, a patent owner may have limited remedies in certain circumstances, which could
materially diminish the value of such patent. If we are forced to grant a license to third parties with respect to any patents
relevant to our business, our competitive position may be impaired, and our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects may be adversely affected. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights
around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we
develop or license.
Further, the standards applied by the USPTO, foreign patent offices and other adjudicating bodies in granting and/or
adjudicating patents are not always applied uniformly or predictably. As such, we do not know the degree of future protection
that we will have on our products and product candidates.
Changes in U.S. patent law or the patent law of other countries or jurisdictions could diminish the value of patents in
general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our products.
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Changes in either the patent laws or interpretation of the patent laws in the U.S. or in other jurisdictions could
increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of patent applications and the enforcement or defense of
issued patents. In the U.S., numerous recent changes to the patent laws and proposed changes to the rules of the USPTO may
have a significant impact on our ability to protect our technology and enforce our intellectual property rights.
For example, the America Invents Act, involved significant changes in patent legislation. Additionally, the U.S.
Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, some of which cases either narrow the scope of patent
protection available in certain circumstances or weaken the rights of patent owners in certain situations.
For example, in Europe, a new unitary patent system took effect June 1, 2023, which will significantly impact
European patents, including those granted before the introduction of such a system. Under the unitary patent system,
European applications have the option, upon grant of a patent, of becoming a Unitary Patent which will be subject to the
jurisdiction of the Unitary Patent Court ("UPC"). As the UPC is a new court system, there is no precedent for the court,
increasing the uncertainty of any litigation. Patents granted before the implementation of the UPC will have the option of
opting out of the jurisdiction of the UPC and remaining as national patents in the UPC countries. Patents that remain under
the jurisdiction of the UPC will be potentially vulnerable to a single UPC-based revocation challenge that, if successful,
could invalidate the patent in all countries who are signatories to the UPC. We cannot predict with certainty the long-term
effects of any potential changes.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
Our stock price is subject to volatility, and your investment may suffer a decline in value.
The market prices for securities of biopharmaceutical companies have in the past been, and are likely to continue in the
future to be, very volatile. The market price of our common stock is subject to substantial volatility depending upon many
factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
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impact of COVID-19 or other respiratory or seasonal vaccination initiatives on our HEPLISAV-B vaccine, CpG
1018 adjuvant, or other product revenue;
progress or results of any of our clinical trials or regulatory or manufacturing efforts, in particular any
announcements regarding the progress or results of our planned trials and BLA filing and communications, from
the FDA or other regulatory authorities;
our ability to receive timely regulatory approval for our product candidates;
our ability to establish and maintain collaborations for the development and commercialization of our product
candidates;
our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, to the extent needed;
technological innovations, new commercial products or drug discovery efforts and preclinical and clinical
activities by us or our competitors;
changes in our intellectual property portfolio or developments or disputes concerning the proprietary rights of our
products or product candidates;
our ability to obtain component materials and successfully enter into manufacturing relationships for our
products or product candidates or establish manufacturing capacity on our own;
our ability to establish and maintain licensing agreements for intellectual property necessary for the development
of our product candidates;
changes in government regulations, general economic conditions or industry announcements;
changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems;
issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations;
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial and operating results;
the volume of trading in our common stock;
50
•
•
investor perceptions or negative announcements by our customers, competitors or suppliers regarding their own
performance; and
industry conditions and general financial, economic and political instability.
The stock markets in general, and the markets for biotechnology and pharmaceutical stocks in particular, have
historically experienced significant volatility that has often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance
of particular companies. Changes in the broader macroeconomic condition, including historically high inflation, changes in
interest rates, government tapering policies, impact of pandemics or endemics and instances of geopolitical instability, such
as that resulting from the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, can and have caused changes in market prices,
notwithstanding a lack of fundamental change in the underlying business models or prospects of companies. These broad
market fluctuations have adversely affected and may in the future adversely affect the market price of our common stock,
regardless of our actual operating performance.
One or more of these factors could cause a substantial decline in the price of our common stock. In addition, securities
class action and shareholder derivative litigation have often been brought against a company following a decline in the
market price of its securities. We have in the past been, and we may in the future be, the target of such litigation. Securities
and shareholder derivative litigation could result in substantial costs, and divert management’s attention and resources, which
could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Future sales of our common stock or the perception that such sales may occur in the public market could cause our stock
price to fall.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales
might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the
sale of additional equity securities.
Under our universal shelf registration statement, we may sell any combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt
securities and warrants in one or more offerings, including pursuant to our sales agreement with Cowen & Company, LLC,
under which we can offer and sell our common stock from time to time up to aggregate sales proceeds of $120.0 million. As
of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $120.0 million of our common stock remaining available for future issuance
under our sales agreement with Cowen & Company, LLC. The sale or issuance of our securities, including those issuable
upon exercise of the outstanding warrants or conversion of the preferred stock, as well as the existence of outstanding options
and shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our option and equity incentive plans also may adversely affect the
terms upon which we are able to obtain additional capital through the sale of equity securities.
Risks Related to Our Outstanding Convertible Notes
Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to
pay our substantial debt.
Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness,
including the $225.5 million in Convertible Notes, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic,
financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not continue to generate cash flow from
operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If we are unable to generate
such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining
additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will
depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these
activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations.
We may not have the ability to generate or raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of the Convertible Notes in cash
or to repurchase the notes for cash upon a fundamental change, and our future debt may contain limitations on our
ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the Convertible Notes.
Holders of the Convertible Notes will have the right, subject to certain conditions and limited exceptions, to require us
to repurchase all or a portion of their Convertible Notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change at a fundamental
change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. In addition, upon conversion of the
51
Convertible Notes, unless we elect to deliver solely shares of our common stock to settle such conversion (other than paying
cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we will be required to make cash payments in respect of the Convertible
Notes being converted. Moreover, we will be required to repay the Convertible Notes in cash at their maturity unless earlier
converted, redeemed or repurchased. However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the
time we are required to make repurchases of Convertible Notes surrendered therefore or pay cash with respect to Convertible
Notes being converted. In addition, our ability to repurchase the Convertible Notes or to pay cash upon conversions of the
Convertible Notes may be limited by law, by regulatory authority or by agreements governing our future indebtedness. Our
failure to repurchase Convertible Notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the indenture governing the Convertible
Notes or to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the Convertible Notes as required by the indenture governing the
Convertible Notes would constitute a default under the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. A default under the
indenture governing the Convertible Notes or the occurrence of a fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under
agreements governing our future indebtedness. Moreover, the occurrence of a fundamental change under the indenture
governing the Convertible Notes could constitute an event of default under any agreements governing our future
indebtedness. If the repayment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods,
we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the Convertible Notes or make cash payments
upon conversions thereof.
The conditional conversion feature of the Convertible Notes may adversely affect our financial condition and operating
results.
From October 1 through December 31, 2023, the conditions allowing holders to convert all or any portion of their
Convertible Notes were not met. In the event the conditional conversion feature of the Convertible Notes is triggered, holders
of Convertible Notes will be entitled to convert their Convertible Notes at any time during specified periods at their option. If
one or more holders elect to convert their Convertible Notes, unless we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation by
delivering solely shares of our common stock (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we would be
required to settle a portion or all of our conversion obligation through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our
liquidity. In addition, even if holders do not elect to convert their Convertible Notes, we could be required under applicable
accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the Convertible Notes as a current rather than
long-term liability, which would result in a material reduction of our net working capital.
Conversion of the Convertible Notes may dilute the ownership interest of our stockholders or may otherwise depress the
price of our common stock.
From October 1 through December 31, 2023, the conditions allowing holders to convert all or any portion of their
Convertible Notes have not been met. In the event the conditional conversion feature of the Convertible Notes is triggered,
the conversion of some or all of the Convertible Notes to shares of common stock may dilute the ownership interests of our
stockholders. Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, we have the option to pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash,
shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. If we elect to settle our conversion
obligation in shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, any sales in the public
market of our common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common
stock. In addition, the existence of the Convertible Notes may encourage short selling by market participants because the
conversion of the Convertible Notes could be used to satisfy short positions, or anticipated conversion of the Convertible
Notes into shares of our common stock could depress the price of our common stock.
Certain provisions in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes may delay or prevent an otherwise beneficial takeover
attempt of us.
Certain provisions in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes may make it more difficult or expensive for a third
party to acquire us. For example, the indenture governing the Convertible Notes will require us, subject to certain exceptions,
to repurchase the Convertible Notes for cash upon the occurrence of a fundamental change and, in certain circumstances, to
increase the conversion rate for a holder that converts its Convertible Notes in connection with a make-whole fundamental
change. A takeover of us may trigger the requirement that we repurchase the Convertible Notes and/or increase the
conversion rate, which could make it more costly for a potential acquirer to engage in such takeover. Such additional costs
may have the effect of delaying or preventing a takeover of us that would otherwise be beneficial to investors.
The Capped Calls may affect the value of the Convertible Notes and our common stock.
52
In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we have entered into capped call transactions with the option
counterparties totaling $27.2 million (the "Capped Calls"). The Capped Calls cover, subject to customary adjustments under
the terms of the Capped Calls, the number of shares of common stock that initially underlie the Capped Calls. The Capped
Calls are expected to offset the potential dilution to our common stock as a result of any conversion of the Convertible Notes,
subject to a cap based on the cap price.
In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the Capped Calls, we have been advised that the option
counterparties and/or their respective affiliates entered into various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock
concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the Convertible Notes and/or purchased shares of our common stock
concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the Convertible Notes. In addition, the option counterparties and/or their
respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to our
common stock and/or purchasing or selling our common stock or other securities of ours in secondary market transactions
following the pricing of the Convertible Notes and prior to the maturity of the Convertible Notes (and are likely to do so on
each exercise date of the Capped Calls, which are expected to occur during the 30 trading day period beginning on the 31st
scheduled trading day prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, or following any termination of any portion of the
Capped Calls in connection with any repurchase, redemption or early conversion of the Convertible Notes). This activity
could also cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of our common stock or the Convertible Notes.
We are subject to counterparty risk with respect to the capped call transactions.
The option counterparties are financial institutions, and we will be subject to the risk that any or all of them might
default under the Capped Calls. Our exposure to the credit risk of the option counterparties will not be secured by any
collateral.
If an option counterparty becomes subject to insolvency proceedings, we will become an unsecured creditor in those
proceedings with a claim equal to our exposure at that time under the Capped Calls with such option counterparty. Our
exposure will depend on many factors but, generally, an increase in our exposure will be correlated to an increase in the
market price and in the volatility of our common stock. In addition, upon a default by an option counterparty, we may suffer
adverse tax consequences and more dilution than we currently anticipate with respect to our common stock. We can provide
no assurances as to the financial stability or viability of the option counterparties.
General Risk Factors
The loss of key personnel could delay or prevent achieving our objectives. In addition, our continued growth to support
commercialization may result in difficulties in managing our growth and expanding our operations successfully.
We depend on our senior executive officers, as well as other key scientific personnel. Our commercial and business
efforts could be adversely affected by the loss of one or more key members of our commercial or management staff,
including our senior executive officers. We currently have no key person insurance on any of our employees.
As our operations expand, we expect that we will need to manage additional relationships with various vendors,
partners, suppliers and other third parties. Future growth will impose significant added responsibilities on members of
management. Our future financial performance and our ability to successfully commercialize HEPLISAV-B, or other future
products we may attempt to commercialize, and to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to manage any
future growth effectively. To that end, we must be able to effectively manage our commercialization efforts, research efforts
and clinical trials and hire, train and integrate additional regulatory, manufacturing, administrative, and sales and marketing
personnel. We may not be able to accomplish these tasks, and our failure to accomplish any of them could prevent us from
successfully growing and achieving profitability.
Our business operations are vulnerable to interruptions by natural disasters, health epidemics and other catastrophic
events beyond our control, the occurrence of which could materially harm our manufacturing, distribution, sales,
business operations and financial results.
Our business operations are subject to interruption by natural disasters and other catastrophic events beyond our
control, including, but not limited to, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, droughts, tornadoes, electrical blackouts, public health
crises and pandemics, war, terrorism, bank failures and geo-political unrest and uncertainties. We have not undertaken a
systematic analysis of the potential consequences to our business that might result from any such natural disaster or other
catastrophic event and have limited recovery plans in place. If any of these events occur, our manufacturing and supply chain,
53
distribution, sales and marketing efforts and other business operations could be subject to business shutdowns or disruptions
and financial results could be adversely affected. We cannot presently predict the scope and severity of any potential business
shutdowns or disruptions resulting from these events, but if we or any of the third parties with whom we engage, including
the suppliers, contract manufacturers, distributors and other third parties with whom we conduct business, were to experience
shutdowns or other business disruptions, our ability to conduct our business in the manner and on the timelines presently
planned could be materially and adversely affected in a number of ways, some of which are not predicable.
Our business could be adversely affected by health epidemics in regions where we have manufacturing facilities, sales
activities or other business operations. For example, outbreaks of epidemic or pandemic diseases, such as COVID-19, or the
fear of such events, have and could again in the future cause restrictions on supply chains, restrict access to workplaces and
affect employee health and availability. Furthermore, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic there was a significantly
reduced utilization of all adult vaccines (other than COVID-19 vaccines), including a reduced utilization of HEPLISAV-B.
Although we maintain inventories of HEPLISAV-B and its components, our ability and those of our contractors and
distributors to produce and distribute HEPLISAV-B could be adversely affected. A pandemic or similar health challenge
could severely impact the U.S. healthcare system, which may have an adverse effect on usage and sales of HEPLISAV-B. In
addition, any such event could result in widespread global health crisis that could adversely affect global economies and
financial markets resulting in an economic downturn that could affect the demand for HEPLISAV-B and future revenue and
operating results and our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all.
Additionally, our corporate headquarters in Emeryville, California, is located in a seismically active region that also is
subject to possible electrical shutdowns and wildfires. Because we do not carry earthquake insurance for earthquake-related
losses and significant recovery time could be required to resume operations, our financial condition and operating results
could be materially adversely affected in the event of a major earthquake or catastrophic event. We carry only limited
business interruption insurance that would compensate us for actual losses from interruption of our business that may occur,
and any losses or damages incurred by us in excess of insured amounts could adversely affect our business and operations.
If our information technology systems or those of third parties upon which we rely, or our data are or were compromised,
we could experience adverse consequences resulting from such compromise, including but not limited to regulatory
investigations or actions; litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of our business operations; reputational harm; loss of
revenue or profits; and other adverse consequences.
Our business is increasingly dependent on critical, complex and interdependent information technology systems,
including internet-based systems, to support business processes as well as internal and external communications. In addition,
our dependence on information technology systems has intensified because many of our critical business activities are now
being conducted remotely in our remote-first work environment. The size and complexity of our computer systems make
them potentially vulnerable to breakdown, malicious intrusion and computer viruses that may result in the impairment of key
business processes.
In addition, our systems, along with those of our customers, suppliers, or third-party service providers which operate
critical business systems to process sensitive information in a variety of contexts are potentially vulnerable to a variety of
evolving threats and data security breaches—whether by employees or others—that may expose sensitive data to
unauthorized persons. Such threats could include, but not be limited to social-engineering attacks (including through phishing
attacks), online and offline fraud, malicious code (such as viruses and worms), malware (including as a result of advanced
persistent threat intrusions), denial-of-service attacks, access attacks (such as credential stuffing or credential harvesting),
personnel misconduct or error, ransomware attacks, supply-chain attacks, software bugs, server malfunctions, software or
hardware failures, loss of data or other information technology assets, adware, telecommunications failures, earthquakes,
fires, floods, and other similar threats. Such threats are prevalent and continue to rise, are increasingly difficult to detect, and
come from a variety of sources, including traditional computer “hackers,” threat actors, “hacktivists,” organized criminal
threat actors, personnel (such as through theft or misuse), sophisticated nation states, and nation-state-supported actors.
Ransomware attacks, including by organized criminal threat actors, nation-states, and nation-state-supported actors, are
becoming increasingly prevalent and severe and can lead to significant interruptions in our operations, loss of data and
income, reputational harm, and diversion of funds. Extortion payments may alleviate the negative impact of a ransomware
attack, but we may be unwilling or unable to make such payments due to, for example, applicable laws or regulations
prohibiting such payments. Similarly, supply-chain attacks have increased in frequency and severity, and we cannot
guarantee that third parties and infrastructure in our supply chain or our third-party partners’ supply chains have not been
compromised or that they do not contain exploitable flaws or bugs that could result in a breach of or disruption to our
54
information technology systems (including our products or the third-party information technology systems that support us
and our goods). If our third-party service providers experience a security incident or other interruption, we could experience
adverse consequences. While we may be entitled to damages if our third-party service providers fail to satisfy their privacy or
security-related obligations to us, any award may be insufficient to cover our damages, or we may be unable to recover such
award.
The potential liability and associated consequences we could suffer as a result of any such cyber events could be
catastrophic and result in irreparable harm including (a) the loss of trade secrets or other intellectual property, or (b) the
public exposure of personally identifiable information (including sensitive personal information) of our employees,
collaborators, clinical trial patients, and others, (c) extortion and other monetary damages due to malware or business email
compromise, (d) significant interruptions in our operations, or (e) other significant damages. A data security breach or
privacy violation that leads to disclosure or modification of or prevents access to patient information, including personally
identifiable information or protected health information, could harm our reputation, compel us to comply with federal, state
and/or international data breach notification laws, subject us to mandatory corrective action, require us to verify the
correctness of database contents and otherwise subject us to liability under laws and regulations that protect personal data,
including, but not limited to, HIPAA, similar state data protection regulations, and the EU GDPR and UK GDPR, resulting in
significant penalties; increased costs; loss of revenue; expenses of computer or forensic investigations; material fines and
penalties; compensatory, special, punitive or statutory damages; litigation; consent orders regarding our privacy and security
practices; requirements that we provide notices, credit monitoring services and/or credit restoration services or other relevant
services to impacted individuals; adverse actions against our licenses to do business; or injunctive relief.
Compliance with these and any other applicable privacy and data security laws and regulations is a rigorous and time-
intensive process, and we may be required to put in place additional mechanisms ensuring compliance with the new data
protection rules. If we fail to comply with any such laws or regulations, we may face significant fines and penalties that could
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the laws are not consistent, and
compliance in the event of a widespread data breach is costly.
U.S. and equivalent foreign authorities and international authorities warned businesses of increased cybersecurity
threats from actors seeking to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, we experienced a cybersecurity incident known as a
phishing e-mail scam, and although we do not consider its impact on us to be material, if we are unable to prevent this or
other such data security breaches or privacy violations or implement satisfactory remedial measures, our operations could be
disrupted, and we may suffer loss of reputation, financial loss and other regulatory penalties because of lost or
misappropriated information, including sensitive patient data. Moreover, failure to maintain effective internal accounting
controls related to data security breaches and cybersecurity in general could impact our ability to produce timely and accurate
financial statements and could subject us to regulatory scrutiny. In addition, these breaches and other inappropriate access can
be difficult to detect, and any delay in identifying them may lead to increased harm of the type described above. Moreover,
the prevalent use of mobile devices that access confidential information increases the risk of data security breaches, which
could lead to the loss of confidential information, trade secrets or other intellectual property. While we have implemented
security measures that are intended to protect our data security and information technology systems, there can be no
assurance that these measures will be effective. We take steps designed to detect, mitigate, and remediate vulnerabilities in
our information systems (such as our hardware and/or software, including that of third parties upon which we rely). We may
not, however, detect and remediate all such vulnerabilities including on a timely basis. Further, we may experience delays in
deploying remedial measures and patches designed to address identified vulnerabilities.
Such disruptions and breaches of security could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations. Our contracts may not contain limitations of liability, and even where they do, there can be no
assurance that limitations of liability in our contracts are sufficient to protect us from liabilities, damages, or claims related to
our data privacy and security obligations. We cannot be sure that our insurance coverage will be adequate or sufficient to
protect us from or to mitigate liabilities arising out of our privacy and security practices, that such coverage will continue to
be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or that such coverage will pay future claims.
Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry may have adverse consequences on our business, financial
condition and stock price.
We regularly maintain cash balances at third-party financial institutions in excess of the FDIC insurance limit.
Although we assess our banking relationships as we believe necessary or appropriate, our access to funding sources in
amounts adequate to finance or capitalize our current and projected future business operations could be significantly impaired
by factors that affect us, the financial institutions with which we have arrangements directly, or the financial services industry
or economy in general. These factors could involve financial institutions or financial services industry companies with which
we have financial or business relationships, but could also include factors involving financial markets or the financial
services industry generally.
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Risk Management and Strategy
We have implemented and maintain various information security processes designed to identify, assess and manage
material risks from cybersecurity threats to our critical computer networks, third party hosted services, communications
systems, hardware and software, and our critical data, including intellectual property, confidential information that is
proprietary, strategic or competitive in nature, along with personal data and other sensitive information, including our trade
secrets, data we may collect about trial participants in connection with clinical trials, and other sensitive data (“Information
Systems and Data”).
Our Senior Director of IT Infrastructure & Security also functions as our information security officer (“ISO”). The ISO
(as part of our security function), along with our broader internal cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and digital technology
automation functions, as well as third-party service providers, all help identify, assess and manage our cybersecurity threats
and risks. Our security function identifies and assesses risks from cybersecurity threats by monitoring and evaluating our
threat environment using various methods including, for example, manual tools, automated tools, subscribing to reports and
services that identify cybersecurity threats, analyzing reports of threats and actors, conducting scans of the threat
environment, evaluating our and our industry’s risk profile, evaluating threats reported to us, coordinating with law
enforcement concerning threats, responding to proactive outreach from CISA and FBI, internal and/or external audits,
conducting threat assessments for internal and external threats, third-party threat assessments, conducting vulnerability
assessments to identify vulnerabilities, and use of external intelligence feeds.
Depending on the environment, we implement and maintain various technical, physical, and organizational measures,
processes, standards and policies designed to help manage and mitigate material risks from cybersecurity threats to our
Information Systems and Data, including, for example: a corporate security incident response plan, a vulnerability
management policy, incident detection and response processes, IT systems disaster recovery procedures, risk assessments,
reasonable implementation of security controls in accordance with applicable security standards/certifications, encryption of
data, network security controls, data segregation, access controls, physical security, asset management, tracking and disposal,
systems monitoring, employee training, penetration testing, cybersecurity insurance, dedicated cybersecurity staff/officer. We
also rely on third-party vendor backup/restore, disaster recovery and business continuity procedures as stated in the
respective SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports if provided by such vendors as they pertain to certain of our managed services.
Our procedures for assessment and management of material risks from cybersecurity threats are integrated into our
overall risk management processes. For example, (1) cybersecurity risk is evaluated as a component of our broader enterprise
risk management program, identified in our risk register and monitored and managed more specifically by our Corporate
Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT); (2) the security function works with the CSIRT to help prioritize our risk
management processes and help mitigate cybersecurity threats that we believe are more likely to lead to a possible material
impact to our business; (3) our ISO evaluates material risks identified from cybersecurity threats against our overall business
objectives and reports to the audit committee of the board of directors (the "Audit Committee"), which reviews and discusses
with senior management our overall risk assessment and management.
We use third-party managed service providers to assist us in identifying, assessing, mitigating and managing potential
risks from cybersecurity threats. In addition, we engage other advisors from time to time to help identify, assess, mitigate and
manage new or developing risks in a changing threat landscape. Such ongoing services and periodic services include
professional services from providers such as legal counsel, threat intelligence service providers, cybersecurity consultants,
cybersecurity software providers, managed cybersecurity service providers, penetration testing firms, dark web monitoring
services, and forensic investigators (as needed).
We use third-party service providers to perform a variety of functions throughout our business, such as application
service providers, software-as-a-service providers, hosting companies, contract research organizations, contract
manufacturing organizations, distributors, and other supply chain resources. We have a vendor management process to help
manage cybersecurity risks associated with our use of these providers. This includes risk assessment for each vendor, review
of security assessments, supplemental security questionnaires (as needed), security assessment calls with the vendor's security
personnel, and imposition of certain information contractual obligations on the vendor. In addition, depending on the nature
of the services provided, the sensitivity of the Information Systems and Data at issue, and the identity of the provider, our
vendor management process may involve different levels of assessment designed to help identify cybersecurity risks
associated with a provider and impose contractual obligations related to cybersecurity on the provider.
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For a description of the risks from cybersecurity threats that may materially affect us and how they may do so, see our
risk factors under Part 1. Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “If our information
technology systems or those of third parties upon which we rely, or our data are or were compromised, we could experience
adverse consequences resulting from such compromise, including but not limited to regulatory investigations or actions;
litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of our business operations; reputational harm; loss of revenue or profits; and
other adverse consequences.”
Governance
Our board of directors addresses our cybersecurity risk management as part of its general oversight function. The Audit
Committee is responsible for reviewing and discussing with management our cybersecurity risk assessment and management
processes, including our oversight and the steps we take to monitor and help control risks from cybersecurity threats.
Our cybersecurity risk assessment and management processes are implemented and maintained by certain of our
management, including our ISO, who has over 20 years of experience in information security. Our ISO oversees a global
team of information security professionals consisting of multiple full time equivalent employees in multiple countries.
Our ISO is responsible for hiring appropriate personnel, helping to integrate cybersecurity risk considerations into our
overall risk management strategy, and communicating key priorities to relevant personnel. Our ISO (in coordination with our
CSIRT) is also responsible for other functions, including preparing for cybersecurity incidents, approving cybersecurity
processes, and reviewing security assessments and other security-related reports. Our CSIRT reviews, approves and
prioritizes information security and cybersecurity policies, projects and initiatives. Executive management is responsible for
prioritizing initiatives and approving budgets to allocate funding for the foregoing based on feedback from the ISO, the
CSIRT and the Audit Committee.
Our cybersecurity incident response processes are designed to escalate certain cybersecurity incidents to members of
management depending on the circumstances, including our ISO. The ISO works with our CSIRT to help us mitigate and
remediate cybersecurity threats or incidents of which they are notified. The ISO is responsible for designing and promoting
general security awareness and training, as well as defining and training relevant participants on our incident response
processes. Our security and incident response processes include escalation and reporting to the CSIRT, Disclosure
Committee, senior management and Audit Committee for certain information security incidents, as warranted under the
circumstances.
The Audit Committee receives periodic reports from the ISO concerning our significant cybersecurity threats and risk,
and the processes we have implemented to address them. The Audit Committee also has access to various reports, summaries
of reports or presentations related to cybersecurity threats, risk and mitigation.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 2023, the following are the material properties that we occupy:
Property Description
Location
Square Footage
Corporate headquarters office
Manufacturing and office space Düsseldorf, Germany
Emeryville, CA
Laboratory and office space
Emeryville, CA
8,053
60,558
75,662
Owned or
Leased
Leased
Leased
Leased (*)
Lease Expiration Date
July 31, 2025
December 31, 2031
March 31, 2031
(*) The entire 75,662 square feet have been subleased to a third party. Both our lease and sublease with the third party will continue until March 31, 2031.
We believe that our facilities are adequate to meet our requirements for the near term.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time in the ordinary course of business, we receive claims or allegations regarding various matters,
including employment, vendor and other similar situations in the conduct of our operations. We are not currently aware of
any material legal proceedings involving our Company.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information and Holders
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “DVAX”.
As of February 20, 2024, there were approximately 39 holders of record of our common stock, one of which was Cede
& Co., a nominee for Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). All of the shares of our common stock held by brokerage firms,
banks and other financial institutions as nominees for beneficial owners are deposited into participant accounts at DTC and
are therefore considered to be held of record by Cede & Co. as one stockholder.
Dividends
We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently expect to retain future earnings for use in
the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Stock Performance Graph
The chart below compares total stockholder return on an investment of $100 in cash on December 31, 2018, for our
common stock, the Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S. companies), and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index. All values assume
reinvestment of the full amount of all dividends.
Note: Dynavax management cautions that the stock price performance shown in the graph below should not be
considered indicative of potential future stock price performance.
This Section is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not
to be incorporated by reference in any filing of Dynavax Technologies Corporation under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective
of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
58
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
59
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains
forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from
those indicated by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to, the period for which
we estimate our cash resources are sufficient, the availability of additional funds, as well as those set forth under “Risk
Factors” and those that may be identified from time to time in our reports and registration statements filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The following discussion and analysis is intended to provide an investor with a narrative of our financial results and
an evaluation of our financial condition and results of operations. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto set forth in “Item 8—Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data.”
Overview
We are a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing innovative vaccines to help
protect the world against infectious diseases. Our first marketed product, HEPLISAV-B® [Hepatitis B Vaccine
(Recombinant), Adjuvanted], is approved in the United States, the European Union and Great Britain for the prevention of
infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults aged 18 years and older. In May 2022, we commenced
commercial shipments of HEPLISAV-B in Germany.
In April 2022, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ("ACIP") published its universal
recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination in adults, advising that all adults aged 19-59 should be vaccinated against
hepatitis B. We believe this has helped create a significantly expanded total annual market opportunity of approximately
$800 million in the U.S. by 2027, with HEPLISAV-B well positioned to achieve a majority market share. Our annual revenue
has continued to grow significantly since the recommendation was made, as a result of our successful efforts to capture a
greater share of an expanding market.
We are advancing a pipeline of differentiated product candidates that leverage our CpG 1018 adjuvant to develop
improved vaccines in indications with unmet medical needs. These programs include vaccine candidates under development
for shingles, Tdap and plague. Additionally, we are working to advance product candidates utilizing our CpG 1018 adjuvant
through discovery efforts and preclinical and clinical collaborations with third-party research organizations.
In addition, we manufacture and have supplied in the past, and could supply in the future, our CpG 1018 adjuvant to a
number of global customers, including companies engaged in the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines
across a variety of vaccine platforms utilizing CpG 1018 adjuvant. While we did not recognize any CpG 1018 adjuvant
revenue in 2023, we could see new demand in the future if our collaborators work through their inventory on hand and need
additional supply, or new programs utilizing our adjuvant advance to later stages up to and including commercialization.
However, long-term demand for CpG 1018 adjuvant supporting COVID-19 or other vaccines will be highly dependent on
each customer’s ability to commercialize in respective territories and geographies where their respective COVID-19 or other
vaccines are approved for use.
HEPLISAV-B® Vaccine [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted]
In Phase 3 trials, HEPLISAV-B demonstrated faster and higher rates of protection with two doses in one month
compared to another currently approved hepatitis B vaccine which requires three doses over six months, with a similar safety
profile. HEPLISAV-B is the only two-dose hepatitis B vaccine for adults approved in the U.S., the European Union and
Great Britain.
We have worldwide commercial rights to HEPLISAV-B and we market it in the United States and the European
Union. There are four other vaccines approved for the prevention of hepatitis B in the U.S.: Engerix-B and Twinrix® from
GlaxoSmithKline plc, Recombivax-HB® from Merck & Co and PreHevbrio™ from VBI Vaccines Inc. In February 2021, we
received Marketing Authorization of HEPLISAV-B from the European Commission for prevention of infection caused by all
known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults aged 18 years and older. In May 2021, we entered into a commercialization
agreement with Bavarian Nordic for the marketing and distribution of HEPLISAV-B in Germany, and in May 2022, we
commenced commercial shipments of HEPLISAV-B in Germany. In March 2023, we received marketing authorization in
Great Britain for HEPLISAV-B for the active immunization against hepatitis B virus infection caused by all known subtypes
of hepatitis B virus in adults aged 18 years and older.
60
All of our HEPLISAV-B sales in the U.S. are to certain wholesalers and specialty distributors whose principal
customers include independent hospitals and clinics, integrated delivery networks, public health clinics and prisons, the
Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and retail pharmacies. All of our HEPLISAV-B sales in
Germany are to one distributor. For the year ended December 31, 2023, HEPLISAV-B product revenue, net was $213.3
million.
CpG 1018® Adjuvant Supply for COVID-19 Vaccines
In January 2021, we entered into an agreement (together with subsequent amendments, the "CEPI Agreement") with
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (“CEPI”) for the manufacture and reservation of a specified quantity of
CpG 1018 adjuvant. In May 2021, we entered into the first amendment to the CEPI Agreement. The CEPI Agreement
enables CEPI to direct the supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant to CEPI partner(s). In exchange for reserving CpG 1018 adjuvant,
CEPI has agreed to provide advance payments in the form of an interest-free, unsecured, forgivable loan (the “Advance
Payments”) of up to $176.4 million.
Through December 31, 2023, we have received Advance Payments totaling approximately $175.0 million pursuant to
the CEPI Agreement, of which $67.3 million have been repaid and $47.4 million have been forgiven (as discussed below).
As of December 31, 2023, remaining Advance Payments totaling $60.3 million were reflected in CEPI accrual long-term in
our consolidated balance sheets, representing the outstanding balance of the Advance Payments relating to the Clover Supply
Agreement (as defined and discussed below). As of December 31, 2022, we recorded Advance Payments of $107.7 million
included in CEPI accrual. There were no deferred revenue balances related to the CEPI Agreement as of December 31, 2023.
On April 27, 2023, we entered into a waiver and second amendment to the CEPI Agreement by and between us and
CEPI (the “CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement”). Pursuant to the CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement, CEPI has forgiven
the entirety of the outstanding Advance Payments for CpG 1018 Materials allocated to and ordered by Bio E under the CEPI
Agreement and has assumed our previous rights to $47.4 million of Bio E accounts receivable.
In June 2021, we entered into an agreement (together with subsequent amendments, the “Clover Supply Agreement”)
with Zhejiang Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and Clover Biopharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) Co., Limited (collectively,
“Clover”) for the commercial supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant, for use with its protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate,
SCB-2019. Under the Clover Supply Agreement, Clover committed to purchase specified quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant,
at pre-negotiated prices pursuant to the CEPI Agreement, for use in Clover’s commercialization of vaccines containing SCB-
2019 and CpG 1018 adjuvant (“Clover Product”). The Clover Supply Agreement also provides terms for Clover to order
additional quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant beyond the quantities reserved by CEPI. In 2022 and 2023, we signed four
amendments to the Clover Supply Agreement. The terms and conditions of the Clover Supply Agreement were operative
through December 2022, and as of December 31, 2022, we had satisfied all delivery obligations thereunder.
For CpG 1018 adjuvant reserved for Clover under the CEPI Agreement, Clover is obligated to pay us the purchase
price upon the earliest of (i) the true-up exercise, (ii) within a specified period after Clover delivers Clover Product to a
customer, or (iii) Clover’s receipt of payment for Clover Product from a customer. When we transfer control of CpG 1018
adjuvant that is reserved under the CEPI Agreement, we recognize product revenue and a corresponding contract asset as our
right to consideration is contingent on something other than the passage of time, as outlined above.
Approximately $71.3 million relating to future amounts receivable representing a contract asset from Clover in
connection with the CEPI Agreement are classified as other assets (long term) as of December 31, 2023. The classification as
long term reflects the timing of expected utilization of CpG 1018 adjuvant for Clover Product expected to be sold under the
CEPI Agreement. Corresponding Advance Payments of $60.3 million relating to Clover are recorded in CEPI accrual long-
term in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023. These Advance Payments may be repaid using cash
collected from Clover or forgiven in accordance with the CEPI Agreement. We had no accounts receivable balance from
Clover as of December 31, 2023. We did not recognize CpG 1018 adjuvant net product revenue from Clover for the year
ended December 31, 2023. We recognized CpG 1018 adjuvant net product revenue of $288.0 million from Clover for the
year ended December 31, 2022.
In July 2021, we entered into an agreement (together with subsequent amendments, the “Bio E Supply Agreement”)
with Biological E. Limited (“Bio E”), for the commercial supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant, for use with Bio E’s subunit
COVID-19 vaccine candidate, CORBEVAX™. Under the Bio E Supply Agreement, Bio E previously committed to purchase
specified quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant at pre-negotiated prices pursuant to the CEPI Agreement, for use in Bio E’s
commercialization of its CORBEVAX vaccine. The Bio E Supply Agreement also provides terms for Bio E to order
61
additional quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant beyond the quantities reserved by CEPI. In June 2022 and October 2022, we
entered into two amendments to the Bio E Supply Agreement (the “Bio E Amendment No. 1” and the “Bio E Amendment
No. 2,” respectively, together the “Bio E Amendments”). The Bio E Amendments primarily established: (i) a new payment
schedule for certain outstanding invoices related to the CEPI product to be the earlier of December 31, 2022, or receipt of
certain amounts by Bio E from the Government of India in connection with their advance purchase agreement for
CORBEVAX, and (ii) further modified the scope of the Bio E Supply Agreement, by reducing certain quantities of CpG
1018 adjuvant to be delivered. The terms and conditions of the Bio E Supply Agreement were operative through December
2022, and as of December 31, 2022 and we had satisfied all delivery obligations thereunder.
As of December 31, 2023, we had no accounts receivable balance from Bio E. During the first quarter of 2023, we
recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $12.3 million, which was determined by assessing changes in Bio E’s credit
risk, contemplation of ongoing negotiations relating to Bio E Amendment No. 3 (defined below), and Bio E's dependence on
cash collections from the Government of India, which have been delayed and significantly reduced in connection with the
overall reduction in demand for CORBEVAX from the Government of India.
On April 26, 2023, we entered into a third amendment to the Bio E Supply Agreement (the “Bio E Amendment No.
3”), and on April 27, 2023, we entered into the CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement. Pursuant to the CEPI-Bio E Assignment
Agreement, CEPI has forgiven the entirety of remaining amounts outstanding relating to a liability for Advance Payments of
$47.4 million (the “Bio E CEPI Advance Payments”) for CpG 1018 Materials allocated to Bio E, and has assumed our
previous rights to collect $47.4 million of Bio E accounts receivable. Pursuant to the Bio E Amendment No. 3, we collected
$14.5 million from Bio E (including $13.5 million in April 2023 and $1.0 million in August 2023). Accordingly, as of
December 31, 2023, the CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement resulted in: (i) no accounts receivable balance, and (ii) the
derecognition of $47.4 million CEPI accrual in connection with the Bio E CEPI Advance Payments. The Bio E Amendment
No. 3 provides for additional future payment of either $5.5 million in the event that Bio E receives at least $125.0 million, or
$12.3 million in the event that Bio E receives at least $250.0 million in future payments from the Government of India
associated with its CORBEVAX product on or before August 15, 2025. These additional amounts are not considered
collectible until the achievement of these future milestones.
We did not recognize CpG 1018 adjuvant net product revenue from Bio E for the year ended December 31, 2023. We
recognized CpG 1018 adjuvant net product revenue of $206.2 million from Bio E for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance, however, and future revenue and associated profit or
loss may therefore vary significantly. Specifically, as our CpG 1018 adjuvant customers have purchased a significant quantity
of CpG 1018 adjuvant as part of their initial COVID-19 vaccine development inventory, we currently expect minimal to no
CpG 1018 adjuvant revenue in 2024 associated with these arrangements. See Note 9 - Collaborative Research, Development
and License Agreements, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8,
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Other
In May 2021, we issued $225.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% convertible senior notes due in 2026 (the
“Convertible Notes”) in a private placement. Total proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Notes, net of debt issuance
and offering costs of $5.7 million, were $219.8 million. We used $190.2 million of the net proceeds to repay, in full, our
outstanding debt and other obligations under our previous loan agreement with CRG Servicing LLC ("Loan Agreement") and
$27.2 million of the net proceeds to pay the costs of capped call transactions (the "Capped Calls").
In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we entered into the Capped Calls with one of the initial
purchasers and other financial institutions, totaling $27.2 million. The Capped Calls have an initial strike price and an initial
cap price of $10.47 per share and $15.80 per share, respectively, subject to certain adjustments under the terms of the Capped
Calls. The Capped Calls are freestanding and are considered separately exercisable from the Convertible Notes. The Capped
Calls are expected to offset the potential dilution to our common stock as a result of any conversion of the Convertible Notes,
subject to a cap based on the cap price.
Seasonality
HEPLISAV-B is currently our only revenue-producing product. We believe that HEPLISAV-B product revenue is, and
will likely continue to be, subject to seasonal variations. Specifically, HEPLISAV-B product revenue has generally been, and
will likely continue to be, lower in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year compared to the third quarter due to holiday schedules
62
and increased focus by healthcare providers on respiratory disease vaccines, including vaccines for influenza, COVID-19 and
respiratory syncytial virus, during the fall and winter months.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In
doing so, we are required to make estimates and assumptions. Our critical accounting estimates are those estimates that
involve a significant level of uncertainty at the time the estimate was made, and changes in them have had or are reasonably
likely to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Actual results could differ materially from
our estimates. We base our estimates on past experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the
circumstances, and we evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis.
See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial
statements included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
for a summary of our significant accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
Product Revenue, Net – HEPLISAV-B
We recognize revenue when we transfer control of promised goods to the customer at the net sales price, which
includes estimates such as product returns, chargebacks, discounts, rebates and other fees. While each item is more fully
described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the following items reflect the more critical and significant
estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Our estimates of such items are inherently
uncertain and if we were to change any of these judgments or estimates, it could cause a material increase or decrease in the
amount of accounts receivable reserves or revenue reserves accrual that we report in a particular period.
Product Returns: Consistent with industry practice, we offer our customers a limited right of return based on the
product’s expiration date for product that has been purchased from us. We estimate the amount of our product sales that may
be returned by our customers and record this estimate as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product revenue is
recognized. We consider several factors in the estimation of potential product returns including expiration dates of the
product shipped, the limited product return rights, available information about our customers’ inventory and other relevant
factors.
Chargebacks: Our customers subsequently resell our product to healthcare providers, pharmacies and others. In
addition to distribution agreements with our customers, we enter into arrangements with qualified healthcare providers that
provide for chargebacks and discounts with respect to the purchase of our product. Chargebacks represent the estimated
obligations resulting from contractual commitments to sell product to qualified healthcare providers at prices lower than the
list prices charged to customers who directly purchase the product from us. These reserves are established in the same period
that the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue and accounts receivable. Chargeback
amounts are determined at the time of resale to the qualified healthcare providers by customers, and we issue credits for such
amounts generally within a few weeks of the customer’s notification to us of the resale. Reserves for chargebacks consists of
credits that we expect to issue for units that remain in the distribution channel inventories at each reporting period end that
we expect will be sold to the qualified healthcare providers, and chargebacks for units that our customers have sold to the
qualified healthcare providers, but for which credits have not been issued.
Rebates: Under certain contracts, customers may obtain rebates for purchasing minimum volumes of our product. We
estimate these rebates based upon the expected purchases and the contractual rebate rate and record this estimate as a
reduction in revenue in the period the related revenue is recognized.
Inventories
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value, on a first-in, first-out, or FIFO, basis. We
primarily use actual costs to determine our cost basis for inventories. Our assessment of market value requires the use of
estimates regarding the net realizable value of our inventory balances, including an assessment of excess or obsolete
inventory. We determine excess or obsolete inventory based on multiple factors, including an estimate of the future demand
for our products, product expiration dates and current sales levels. Our assumptions of future demand for our products are
inherently uncertain and if we were to change any of these judgments or estimates, it could cause a material increase or
decrease in the amount of inventory reserves that we report in a particular period.
63
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial
statements included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements that are of significance, or potential significance to us.
Results of Operations
This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023
and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 that are not included in this Form
10-K can be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II,
Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Revenues
Revenues consist of amounts earned from product sales and other revenues. Product revenue, net, includes sales of
HEPLISAV-B and CpG 1018 adjuvant.
Revenue from HEPLISAV-B product sales is recorded at the net sales price, which includes estimates of product
returns, chargebacks, discounts, rebates and other fees. We sell our CpG 1018 adjuvant to our collaboration partners for use
in their development and/or potential commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines. Overall, product revenue, net, reflects our
best estimates of the amount of consideration to which we are entitled based on the terms of the contract.
Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from our estimates. If actual results in the future vary
from our estimates, we will adjust these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such
variances become known.
The following is a summary of our revenues (in thousands, except for percentages):
Revenues:
HEPLISAV-B
CpG 1018 adjuvant
Total product revenue, net
Other revenue
Total revenues
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
$
213,295 $
-
213,295
18,989
$
232,284 $
125,937 $
587,708
713,645
9,038
722,683 $
Increase
(Decrease) from
2022 to 2023
$
87,358
(587,708 )
(500,350 )
9,951
(490,399 )
%
69 %
(100 )%
(70 )%
110 %
(68 )%
HEPLISAV-B product revenue increased by $87.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year
ended December 31, 2022. Approximately $76.5 million of the increase was primarily due to higher volume driven by
continued improvement in market share, particularly in the integrated delivery networks and retail segments, and growth in
the U.S. hepatitis-B vaccine market related to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ("ACIP") universal
recommendation. Approximately $10.9 million of the increase was due to higher net sales price.
There was no CpG 1018 adjuvant product revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, as we completed all
obligations and product delivery under our CpG 1018 adjuvant collaboration agreements as of December 31, 2022.
As our CpG 1018 adjuvant customers have purchased a significant quantity of CpG 1018 adjuvant as part of their
initial COVID-19 vaccine development inventory, we currently expect minimal to no CpG 1018 adjuvant revenue in 2024.
Long-term demand for CpG 1018 adjuvant supporting COVID-19 vaccines will be highly dependent on each customer’s
ability to commercialize in respective territories and geographies where their respective COVID-19 vaccine is approved for
use.
Other revenue primarily includes revenue from our agreement with the DoD. During the year ended December 31,
2023, we recognized $17.6 million of revenue from our agreement with the DoD. The increase in other revenue was
primarily driven by the advancement into a nonhuman primate challenge study initiated in August 2023 combined with the
64
recognition of $1.3 million license fee revenue on the achievement of a milestone in connection with a collaboration and
license agreement with SIIPL.
Cost of Sales – Product
Cost of sales - product, consists primarily of raw materials, certain fill, finish and overhead costs, and any inventory
adjustment charges for HEPLISAV-B and inventory costs to produce CpG 1018 adjuvant for our collaboration partners.
The following is a summary of our cost of sales - product (in thousands, except for percentages):
Cost of Sales - Product:
HEPLISAV-B
CpG 1018 adjuvant
Total cost of sales - product
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2023
$
$
50,167 $
-
50,167 $
40,131 $
222,022
262,153 $
Increase
(Decrease) from
2022 to 2023
$
10,036
(222,022 )
(211,986 )
%
25 %
(100 )%
(81 )%
HEPLISAV-B cost of sales-product increased by $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the
year ended December 31, 2022. Approximately $20.0 million of the increase was primarily due to higher sales volume driven
by continued improvement in HEPLISAV-B market share, offset by a decrease of $10.0 million due to lower per-unit
manufacturing costs as the result of previous process improvements.
There was no CpG 1018 adjuvant cost of sales-product for the year ended December 31, 2023, as we satisfied all
delivery obligations under our CpG 1018 adjuvant collaboration agreements as of December 31, 2022. In addition, CpG 1018
adjuvant cost of sales-product for the year ended December 31, 2022, includes certain one-time charges totaling
approximately $45.4 million, comprising an inventory write-off of $34.3 million in connection with cancelled orders and the
reduction in demand associated with the Clover Supply Agreement, as amended, and $11.1 million in charges related to
certain non-refundable pre-payments made to one of our CMOs regarding certain raw materials costs that are not likely to be
manufactured into finished goods inventory.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses are tracked on a program-by-program basis and consist primarily of costs incurred
for the continued research and development of HEPLISAV-B and CpG 1018 adjuvant, clinical product candidates and
preclinical studies, which include but are not limited to, compensation and related personnel costs (which include benefits,
recruitment and travel costs), expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations, contract
manufacturing organizations and service providers that assist in conducting clinical studies and costs associated with our
preclinical activities, development activities and regulatory operations. We do not allocate stock-based compensation or
facility expenses to specific programs because these costs are deployed across multiple programs.
The following is a summary of our research and development expenses (in thousands, except for percentages):
Program Expenses:
HEPLISAV-B development
CpG 1018 adjuvant development
Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis
Shingles
Plague (1)
Other
Other Research and Development Expenses:
Facility costs
Non-cash stock-based compensation
Total research and development
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
3,486 $
2,140
6,620
14,252
8,319
8,210
3,973 $
2,379
8,994
13,943
4,065
5,421
2,574
9,285
54,886 $
1,871
5,954
46,600 $
Increase
(Decrease) from
2022 to 2023
$
%
(487 )
(239 )
(2,374 )
309
4,254
2,789
703
3,331
8,286
(12 )%
(10 )%
(26 )%
2 %
105 %
51 %
38 %
56 %
18 %
$
$
65
(1) In September 2021, we entered into an agreement with the DoD for the development of a recombinant plague vaccine adjuvanted with CpG 1018. Under
the agreement, we are conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial and studies combining our CpG 1018 adjuvant with the DoD's rF1V vaccine. We are being fully
reimbursed by the DoD for the costs of this study, which is recorded in other revenue in our consolidated statements of operations.
Research and development expenses increased by $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the
year ended December 31, 2022.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
HEPLISAV-B development costs decreased due to lower clinical costs following the completion of the
HEPLISAV-B dialysis study and lower other HEPLISAV-B related development costs. This was offset by a $1.1
million expense related to an engineering run performed for product testing purposes in 2023.
CpG 1018 adjuvant development costs decreased as supply agreements were fulfilled for our collaborators
utilizing CpG 1018 adjuvant in 2022.
Shingles program costs increased as we completed activities related to the Phase 1 clinical trial, including
presentation of study results at a medical conference in June 2023, and due to trial start up activities, including
manufacturing of clinical materials to support the expected initiation of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in the first half
of 2024.
Tdap costs decreased as we completed the Phase 1 clinical trial in early 2023, offset by an increase in activities to
support initiation of a human challenge study expected in the second half of 2024.
Plague program costs increased compared to the previous year following our initiation of part 2 of the Phase 2
clinical trial in early 2023 and advancement into a nonhuman primate challenge study in August 2023.
Other program costs increased as we continue to invest in product candidates utilizing our CpG 1018 adjuvant
through discovery efforts and through preclinical and clinical collaborations.
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense increased primarily due to the need for increased headcount to
support the advancement of our clinical vaccine programs.
As we continue to progress our clinical-stage pipeline, we expect research and development expenses to continue to
represent a substantial portion of our expenses and to continue to increase, both in dollar amount and proportion of total
expense, in future years.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for our commercial
support personnel, medical education professionals and personnel in executive and other administrative functions, including
legal, finance and information technology; costs for outside services such as sales and marketing, post-marketing studies of
HEPLISAV-B, accounting, commercial development, consulting, business development, investor relations and insurance;
legal costs that include corporate and patent-related expenses; allocated facility costs and non-cash stock-based
compensation.
The following is a summary of our selling, general and administrative expenses (in thousands, except for percentages):
Increase
(Decrease) from
Selling, General and Administrative:
Compensation and related personnel costs
Outside services
Legal costs
Facility costs
Non-cash stock-based compensation
Total selling, general and administrative
Year Ended
December 31,
2022 to 2023
$
%
2023
2022
$ 63,937 $ 52,865 $ 11,072
6,325
47,374 41,049
1,758
3,981
2,223
(3,568 )
8,585 12,153
5,951
29,069 23,118
$ 152,946 $ 131,408 $ 21,538
21 %
15 %
79 %
(29 )%
26 %
16 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $21.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023
compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
•
Compensation and related personnel costs and non-cash stock-based compensation costs increased due to
continued headcount and personnel investments in our general and administrative and field sales functions to
support business growth and increased travel.
66
•
•
•
•
Outside services increased due to more targeted commercial and marketing efforts to increase market share and
maximize the opportunities presented by the ACIP's universal recommendation.
Legal costs increased due to ongoing general legal activities supporting our continued growth and intellectual
property activities supporting our clinical-stage pipeline.
Facility costs decreased due to lower rent expense, as one of our leases expired in 2022, and lower depreciation
expense related to furniture and fixtures fully depreciated in 2022.
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense increased primarily due to increased headcount of our field sales
team.
We expect our selling, general and administrative expenses to increase in future periods to support the overall growth
in our business.
Gain on Sale of Assets
In July 2020, we sold assets related to our immuno-oncology compound, SD-101, which included intellectual property,
clinical and non-clinical data, regulatory filings, clinical supply inventory and certain contracts to Surefire Medical Inc. d/b/a
TriSalus Life Sciences (“TriSalus”). Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, we received $5.0 million upon closing of the
transaction and $4.0 million in December 2020 as reimbursement for certain clinical trial expenses. In addition, we could
receive up to an additional $250.0 million upon the achievement of certain development, regulatory, and commercial
milestones and low double-digit royalties based on potential future net sales of product containing SD-101 compound.
In each of September 2023 and May 2022, we received payment of $1.0 million from TriSalus because it met a pre-
commercialization milestone. In each of the third quarter of 2023 and second quarter of 2022, we recognized a gain on sale of
SD-101 assets of $1.0 million in our consolidated statements of operations.
Bad Debt Expense
We recorded $12.3 million of bad debt expense during the year ended December 31, 2023 in connection with the
allowance for doubtful accounts of $12.3 million recorded with respect to outstanding accounts receivable from Bio E and
relating to CpG 1018 Materials delivered under the Bio E Supply Agreement and CEPI Agreement. The allowance for
doubtful accounts was determined by assessing changes in Bio E’s credit risk, contemplation of ongoing negotiations relating
to Bio E Amendment No. 3, and Bio E's dependence on cash collections from the Government of India, which have been
delayed significantly by the Government of India.
Other Income (Expense)
Interest income is reported net of amortization of premiums and discounts on marketable securities and includes
realized gains on investments. Interest expense includes the stated interest and accretion of discount of our Convertible
Notes. Sublease income is recognized in connection with our sublease of office and laboratory space. Change in fair value of
warrant liability reflects the changes in fair value of warrants issued in connection with equity financing in August 2019.
The following is a summary of our other income (expense) (in thousands, except for percentages):
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2023
Increase
(Decrease) from
2022 to 2023
$
%
Interest income
Interest expense
Sublease income
Change in fair value of warrant liability
Other
$
$
$
$
$
31,993 $
(6,757 ) $
7,577 $
- $
(152 ) $
7,912 $
(6,732 ) $
7,685 $
1,801 $
111 $
24,081
25
(108 )
(1,801 )
(263 )
304 %
(0 )%
(1 )%
(100 )%
(237 )%
•
•
•
Interest income increased due to higher yields and balances in our marketable securities portfolio.
The change in the fair value of warrant liability resulted primarily from the warrants, which expired in February
2022. There were no warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2023.
The change in other is primarily due to foreign currency transactions and related fluctuations in the value of the
Euro compared to the U.S. dollar.
67
Income Taxes
Our income tax expense and effective income tax rate were as follows (in thousands, except for percentages):
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
Increase
(Decrease) from
2022 to 2023
$
%
Income tax expense
Effective income tax rate
$
$
2,022
(46.3 )%
1,143
$
0.4 %
879
-
77 %
-
Income tax expense increased by $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended
December 31, 2022. Our income tax expense of $2.0 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and
2022 which is primarily comprised of state and foreign income tax expense. Our effective tax rate for the year ended
December 31, 2023 was (46.3)%, which is primarily comprised of state and foreign income tax expense.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, we had $742.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities. Since our
inception, we have relied primarily on the proceeds from public and private sales of our equity securities, borrowings,
government grants and revenues from product sales and collaboration agreements to fund our operations. Our funds are
currently invested in money market funds, U.S. treasuries, U.S. government agency securities and corporate debt securities.
We currently anticipate that our cash and cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities as of December 31, 2023,
and anticipated revenues from HEPLISAV-B will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months from the
date of this filing and in the longer term.
Advanced payments received from CEPI to reserve a specified quantity of CpG 1018 adjuvant are initially accounted
for as long-term deferred revenue. When we deliver CpG 1018 adjuvant to CEPI partner(s) or when we receive payment from
CEPI partner(s), we reclassify the advanced payments from long-term deferred revenue to accrued liabilities. As of
December 31, 2023, we had no CEPI-related net accounts receivable relating to Bio E. CEPI-related accruals and contract
assets relating to Clover totaled $60.3 million and $71.3 million as of December 31, 2023, respectively. As of December 31,
2023, the CEPI-related accrual relating to Clover may be repaid using cash to be collected from Clover or forgiven in
accordance with the CEPI Agreement.
On April 26, 2023, we entered into the Bio E Amendment No. 3, and on April 27, 2023, we entered into the CEPI-Bio
E Assignment Agreement. Pursuant to the CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement, CEPI has forgiven the entirety of remaining
amounts outstanding relating to the Bio E CEPI Advance Payments for CpG 1018 Materials allocated to Bio E and has
assumed our previous rights to collect $47.4 million of Bio E accounts receivable. The CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement
resulted in no accounts receivable balance from Bio E. Pursuant to the Bio E Amendment No. 3, we collected $13.5 million
from Bio E in April 2023 and subsequently collected the remaining $1.0 million in August 2023. The Bio E Amendment No.
3 provides for additional future payment of either $5.5 million in the event that Bio E receives at least $125.0 million, or
$12.3 million in the event that Bio E receives at least $250.0 million in future payments from the Government of India
associated with its CORBEVAX product on or before August 15, 2025. These additional amounts are not considered
collectible until the achievement of these future milestones.
As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Notes was $225.5 million, excluding debt
discount of $2.8 million. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.50% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on
May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Convertible Notes mature on May 15, 2026, unless converted, redeemed or
repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such date. See Note 10 – Convertible Notes, in the accompanying notes to
the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We entered into an at-the-market Sales Agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC (“Cowen”) on August 6, 2020 and
an amendment to such agreement on August 3, 2023 (the sales agreement as amended, the “ATM Agreement”). Under the
ATM Agreement, we may offer and sell from time to time, at our sole discretion, shares of our common stock having an
aggregate offering price of up to $120.0 million through Cowen as our sales agent. We agreed to pay Cowen a commission of
up to 3% of the gross sales proceeds of any common stock sold through Cowen under the ATM Agreement. As of December
31, 2023, we had approximately $120.0 million remaining under the ATM Agreement.
68
Prior to January 1, 2021, we incurred net losses in each year since our inception. For the year ended December 31,
2023, we recorded a net loss of $6.4 million. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded a net income of $293.2
million. We cannot be certain that sales of our products, and the revenue from our other activities will be sustainable. Further,
we expect to continue to incur substantial expenses as we continue investing in commercialization of HEPLISAV-B,
advancing our research and development pipeline, and investing in clinical trials and other development. If we cannot
generate a sufficient amount of revenue from product sales, we will need to finance our operations through strategic alliance
and licensing arrangements and/or future public or private debt and equity financings. Raising additional funds through the
issuance of equity or debt securities could result in dilution to our existing stockholders, increased fixed interest payment
obligations, or both. In addition, these securities may have rights senior to those of our common stock and could include
covenants that would restrict our operations.
Our ability to raise additional capital in the equity and debt markets, should we choose to do so, is dependent on a
number of factors, including, but not limited to, the market demand for our common stock, which itself is subject to a number
of development and business risks and uncertainties, our creditworthiness and the uncertainty that we would be able to raise
such additional capital at a price or on terms that are favorable to us or at all. In addition, our ability to raise additional funds
may be adversely impacted by deteriorating global economic conditions and the recent or future disruptions to and volatility
in the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide. Adequate financing may not be available to us on
acceptable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available when needed, we may need to significantly reduce our
operations while we seek strategic alternatives, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to achieve our intended
business objectives.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we generated $100.6 million of cash from our operations, which consisted
of a net loss of $6.4 million, a $46.7 million of net adjustments from non-cash items, which included stock-based
compensation, depreciation and amortization, amortization of right-of-use assets, non-cash interest expense, accretion of
discounts on marketable securities and bad debt expense, and approximately $61.2 million net changes from operating assets
and liabilities, which included a decrease of $43.3 million in accounts and other receivables, net and an increase of $19.8
million in accrued and other liabilities. By comparison, during the year ended December 31, 2022, we generated $62.7
million of cash from our operations, which consisted of our net income of $293.2 million, a $69.0 million of net adjustments
from non-cash items, which included stock-based compensation, change in fair value of warrant liability, non-cash interest
expense, depreciation and amortization, amortization of right-of-use assets, accretion of discount on marketable securities and
inventory write-off, and approximately $298.4 million net changes from operating assets and liabilities, which included
$349.9 million decrease in deferred revenue due to the fulfillment of our obligations to deliver CpG 1018 adjuvant to our
collaboration partners, $24.8 million decrease in accrued liabilities and other liabilities, $159.7 million decrease in prepaid
manufacturing, which converted into CpG 1018 adjuvant inventory during 2022, $32.4 million increase in inventories and
$21.1 million decrease in CEPI accrual. Overall, cash provided by our operations during the year ended December 31, 2023
increased by $37.8 million compared to the same period in December 31, 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities is
also impacted by changes in our operating assets and liabilities due to timing of cash receipts and expenditures.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $153.9 million compared to $316.0
million of cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022. Cash used in investing activities during the
year ended December 31, 2023 included $150.8 million of net purchases of marketable securities compared to $309.9 million
of net purchases of marketable securities for the year ended December 31, 2022.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities was $1.4 million. During the year
ended December 31, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was $19.5 million. Cash used in financing activities for
the year ended December 31, 2023 included $6.5 million for the payments of taxes related to net share settlement of restricted
stock units ("RSUs"), partially offset by proceeds received from the exercise of options and from share purchases under our
employee stock purchase plan for $7.9 million combined. Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December
31, 2022 included proceeds of $8.5 million from warrants exercised, and proceeds of $11.1 million from the exercise of stock
options and employee stock purchase plan.
Contractual Obligations
We lease our facilities in Emeryville, California and Düsseldorf, Germany. We lease and sublease certain
manufacturing and office space with lease terms ranging from 3 to 12 years. These leases require monthly lease payments
that may be subject to annual increases throughout the lease term. Certain of these leases also include renewal options at our
election to renew or extend the lease for two successive five-year terms. These optional periods have not been considered in
69
the determination of the Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets or lease liabilities associated with these leases as we did not consider
the exercise of these options to be reasonably certain.
We also sublease one of our leased premises to a third party. Rent is subject to scheduled annual increases and the
subtenant is responsible for certain operating expenses and taxes throughout the life of the sublease. The sublease term
expires on March 31, 2031, unless earlier terminated, concurrent with the term of our lease. The subtenant has no option to
extend the sublease term. Sublease income was $7.6 million, $7.7 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31,
2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Sublease income is included in other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of
operations. Rent received from the subtenant in excess of rent paid to the landlord is shared by paying the landlord 50% of
the excess rent. The excess rent is considered a variable lease payment and the total estimated payments are being recognized
as additional rent expense on a straight-line basis.
In May 2021, we issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% convertible senior notes due 2026 in a
private placement. The purchasers also partially exercised their option to purchase additional Convertible Notes in May 2021
and we issued an additional $25.5 million of the Convertible Notes. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal
amount of our Convertible Notes was $225.5 million, excluding debt discount of $2.8 million. The Convertible Notes bear
interest at a rate of 2.50% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on
November 15, 2021. The Convertible Notes mature on May 15, 2026, unless converted, redeemed or repurchased in
accordance with their terms prior to such date.
In May 2021, we repaid the principal on the term loans (the "Term Loans") under the term loan agreement (“Loan
Agreement”) with CRG Servicing LLC in full. With the full repayment of the Term Loans, all security interests, covenants,
liens and encumbrances under the Loan Agreement were permanently released.
We have entered into material purchase commitments with commercial manufacturers for the supply of HEPLISAV-B.
In November 2013, we entered into a Commercial Manufacturing and Supply Agreement with Baxter Pharmaceutical
Solutions LLC (“Baxter”) that was amended in September 2021 (as amended, the “Baxter Agreement”). Baxter provides
formulation, fill and finish services and produces HEPLISAV-B for commercial use. Pursuant to the Baxter Agreement, we
are obligated to purchase an annual minimum number of batches of HEPLISAV-B through December 31, 2026, and there are
certain limits on the number of batches that Baxter is required to produce. As of December 31, 2023, our aggregate minimum
commitment under the Baxter Agreement was $11.4 million within the next 12 months, and $24.5 million beyond the next 12
months.
On September 7, 2023 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into an agreement (the “Avecia Supply Agreement”) with
Nitto Denko Avecia Inc. (“Avecia”) for the manufacture and supply of our CpG 1018 adjuvant using a specific production
process. Under the Avecia Supply Agreement, Avecia has agreed to produce and supply to us quantities of CpG 1018
adjuvant ordered by us after the Effective Date. Subject to certain conditions in the Avecia Supply Agreement, we are
obligated to purchase all of our annual volume requirements of CpG 1018 adjuvant from Avecia up to a specified production
capacity. We may alternatively order CpG 1018 adjuvant produced using a different production process pursuant to the
existing supply agreement between us and Avecia dated October 1, 2012 (the “2012 Agreement”). As of December 31, 2023,
our aggregate minimum commitment for the supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant under the Avecia Supply Agreement was $7.4
million for the 12 months following December 31, 2023.
In addition to the non-cancelable commitments noted above, we have entered into contractual arrangements that
obligate us to make payments to the contractual counterparties upon the occurrence of future events. In addition, in the
normal course of operations, we have entered into license and other agreements and intend to continue to seek additional
rights relating to compounds or technologies in connection with our discovery, manufacturing and development programs.
Under the terms of the agreements, we may be required to pay future up-front fees, milestones and royalties on net sales of
products originating from the licensed technologies, if any, or other payments contingent upon the occurrence of future
events that cannot reasonably be estimated.
We also rely on and have entered into agreements with research institutions, contract research organizations and
clinical investigators as well as clinical material manufacturers. These agreements are typically terminable by us upon
reasonable written notice. Generally, we are only obligated to pay for actual time spent and materials consumed by the
organizations at any point in time during the contract through the notice period.
70
In conjunction with our agreement with Symphony Dynamo, Inc. and Symphony Dynamo Holdings LLC (“Holdings”)
in November 2009, we agreed to make contingent cash payments to Holdings equal to 50% of the first $50 million from any
upfront, pre-commercialization milestone or similar payments received by us from any agreement with any third party with
respect to the development and/or commercialization of cancer and hepatitis C therapies originally licensed to Symphony
Dynamo, Inc., including our immune-oncology compound, SD-101. In July 2020, we sold assets related to SD-101 to
Surefire Medical, Inc. d/b/a TriSalus Life Sciences (“TriSalus”). We paid $2.5 million to Holdings in August 2020. In each of
September 2021, May 2022 and September 2023, we received $1.0 million from TriSalus because it met pre-
commercialization milestones. We recorded the proceeds as gain on sale of assets in our consolidated statements of
operations. We paid Holdings $0.5 million in each of September 2021, May 2022 and October 2023. We included the
payments in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. No liability has been
recorded under this agreement as of December 31, 2023.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to interest rate risk. Our investment portfolio is maintained in accordance with our investment policy,
which defines allowable investments, specifies credit quality standards and limits the credit exposure of any single issuer.
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal and, secondarily, to maximize income we receive
from our investments without significantly increasing risk. Some of the securities that we invest in may have market risk.
This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount of the investment to fluctuate. To
minimize this risk, we maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents and investments in highly liquid investments in money
market funds, U.S. government agency securities, U.S. treasuries and corporate debt securities. We do not invest in auction
rate securities or securities collateralized by home mortgages, mortgage bank debt or home equity loans. We do not have
derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. To assess our risk, we calculate that if interest rates were to rise
or fall from current levels by 100 basis points or by 125 basis points, the pro forma change in fair value of investments would
be $7.0 million or $9.0 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $4.1 million or $5.1 million as of December 31, 2022,
respectively.
Due to the short duration and nature of our cash equivalents and marketable securities, as well as our intention to hold
the investments to maturity, we do not expect any material loss with respect to our investment portfolio.
Foreign Currency Risk
We have certain investments outside the U.S. for the operations of Dynavax GmbH, Dynavax India LLP, and a branch
of Dynavax registered in Italy, with exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. The cumulative translation adjustment
reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was a $3.0 million and $4.0 million loss,
respectively, primarily related to the translation of Dynavax GmbH assets, liabilities and operating results from Euros to U.S.
dollars. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the effect of our exposure to these exchange rate fluctuations has not been
material, and we do not expect it to become material in the foreseeable future. We do not hedge our foreign currency
exposures and have not used derivative financial instruments for speculation or trading purposes.
71
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) ............................................................
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets ......................................................................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Operations ......................................................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income .......................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity ......................................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows .....................................................................................................................
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ...............................................................................................................
Page No.
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75
76
77
78
79
80
72
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Dynavax Technologies Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Dynavax Technologies Corporation (the Company) as of
December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively
referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in
Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(2013 framework), and our report dated February 22, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due
to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included
examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also
included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that
was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that
are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The
communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements,
taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the
critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.
Reserves for returns on product revenue
Description of
the Matter
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s net product revenues for HEPLISAV-B were
$213.3 million. As explained in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements, revenue from product
sales includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established, including reserves
for product returns.
Auditing the Company’s measurement of reserves for HEPLISAV-B product returns under its contracts
with wholesalers and specialty distributors (collectively, “Customers”) was challenging because (1) the
calculation involves management assumptions about inventory remaining in the distribution channel (i.e.,
units held by Customers) as of the balance sheet date that could be subject to return in future periods
under the Company’s returns policy, and (2) the Company has limited returns history on which to base
its assumptions.
73
How We
Addressed the
Matter in Our
Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of internal
controls that identified risks related to the Company’s process used to determine reserves for returns on
product revenue. For example, we tested controls over management’s review of the completeness and
accuracy of the data used in the process and the assumptions about Customers’ units in the channel as of
the balance sheet date.
To test the Company’s reserves for returns on product revenue, our audit procedures included, among
other procedures, testing the accuracy and completeness of the underlying data used in the calculations
and evaluating the assumptions used by management to estimate its reserves. To test management’s
assumptions, we inspected agreements with significant Customers to validate the rights of return policy,
obtained written representations from members of the commercial and market access functions regarding
changes to the terms and conditions reported to the legal and accounting departments, examined credit
memos issued during and after year end for unusual items or trends not consistent with the Company’s
analysis of product returns, performed revenue cutoff testing at period end to assess whether there were
unusual trends that should have been considered in the Company analysis of product returns and
compared the shipment reports to Customers sell through information to assess the extent of inventory in
the distribution channel. We also performed sensitivity analyses over the Company’s return rate to assess
the effect of changes in assumptions.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.
San Francisco, California
February 22, 2024
74
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Marketable securities available-for-sale
Accounts receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,313 and $0 at
December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
Other receivables
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Goodwill
Other assets (Note 9)
Total assets
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued research and development
CEPI accrual (Note 9)
Accrued liabilities (Note 7)
Other current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Convertible Notes, net of debt discount of $2,802 and $3,922 at December 31,
2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (Note 10)
Long-term portion of lease liabilities
CEPI accrual long-term (Note 9)
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock: $0.001 par value, 5,000 shares authorized at December 31,
2023, and 2022; zero shares outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022
Common stock: $0.001 par value; 278,000 shares authorized at December 31,
2023 and 2022; 129,530 shares and 127,604 shares issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated deficit
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
See accompanying notes.
75
December 31,
2023
2022
150,279 $
592,023
40,607
3,926
53,290
18,995
859,120
37,297
24,287
2,067
74,325
997,096 $
5,245 $
2,982
-
49,448
4,520
62,195
222,698
29,720
60,337
74
375,024
202,004
422,391
145,130
2,385
59,446
85,629
916,985
37,596
25,745
2,006
3,518
985,850
3,211
4,775
107,738
30,719
3,631
150,074
221,578
32,801
-
384
404,837
$
$
-
-
130
1,554,634
(2,108 )
(930,584 )
622,072
997,096 $
128
1,510,518
(5,438 )
(924,195 )
581,013
985,850
$
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
$
213,295 $
18,989
232,284
713,645 $
9,038
722,683
437,099
2,343
439,442
50,167
54,886
152,946
(1,000 )
12,313
269,312
(37,028 )
31,993
(6,757 )
7,577
-
-
(152 )
(4,367 )
(2,022 )
(6,389 ) $
-
(6,389 ) $
(0.05 ) $
(0.05 ) $
262,153
46,600
131,408
(1,000 )
-
439,161
283,522
7,912
(6,732 )
7,685
-
1,801
111
294,299
(1,143 )
293,156 $
(283 )
292,873 $
173,572
32,228
100,156
(1,000 )
-
304,956
134,486
140
(11,176 )
7,735
(5,232 )
(49,354 )
922
77,521
(808 )
76,713
(4,569 )
72,144
2.32 $
1.97 $
0.62
0.57
128,733
128,733
126,398
150,797
116,264
133,006
$
$
$
$
Revenues:
Product revenue, net
Other revenue
Total revenues
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales - product
Research and development
Selling, general and administrative
Gain on sale of assets (Note 8)
Bad debt expense (Note 9)
Total operating expenses
(Loss) income from operations
Other (expense) income:
Interest income
Interest expense
Sublease income
Loss on debt extinguishment (Note 11)
Change in fair value of warrant liability (Note 14)
Other
Net (loss) income before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net (loss) income
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
Net (loss) income allocable to common stockholders
Net (loss) income per share allocable to common stockholders
Basic
Diluted
Weighted-average shares used in computing net (loss) income per share
allocable to common stockholders:
Basic
Diluted
See accompanying notes.
76
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(In thousands)
Net (loss) income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in unrealized loss on marketable securities available-for-sale
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive (loss) income
Year Ended December 31,
2023
$
(6,389 ) $
2022
293,156
2021
$
76,713
2,251
1,079
3,330
(3,059 ) $
(1,407 )
(1,765 )
(3,172 )
$
289,984
(30 )
(2,509 )
(2,539 )
74,174
$
See accompanying notes.
77
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands)
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Shares
110,190 $
4,140
Par
Amount
Shares
Par
Amount
110
4
4 $
(4 )
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
Accumulated
Deficit
(1,294,064 ) $
$
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
Balances at December 31, 2020
Conversion of preferred stock
Issuance of common stock upon
exercise of stock options
Issuance of common stock upon
release of restricted stock awards
Issuance of common stock under
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Issuance of common stock upon
exercise of warrants
Issuance of common stock, net of
issuance costs, in conjunction
with an At Market Sales
Agreement (Note 14)
Issuance of capped call options
(Note 10)
Stock compensation expense
Total other comprehensive loss
Net income
Balances at December 31, 2021
Issuance of common stock upon
exercise of stock options
Issuance of common stock upon
release of restricted stock awards
Issuance of common stock under
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Issuance of common stock upon
exercise of warrants
Stock compensation expense
Total other comprehensive loss
Net income
Balances at December 31, 2022
1,035
525
217
3,959
2,879
-
-
-
-
122,945 $
1,194
1,432
154
1,879
-
-
-
127,604 $
Issuance of common stock upon
exercise of stock options
Issuance of common stock upon
release of restricted stock awards,
net of statutory tax withholdings
Issuance of common stock under
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Stock compensation expense
Total other comprehensive income
Net loss
Balances at December 31, 2023
850
915
161
-
-
-
129,530 $
2
-
-
4
3
-
-
-
-
123
2
1
-
2
-
-
-
128
1
1
-
-
-
-
130
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- $
-
-
-
-
-
-
- $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$ 1,352,374 $
(4 )
6,682
(107 )
841
59,884
28,153
(27,240 )
21,285
-
-
$ 1,441,868 $
9,638
(1 )
1,430
24,668
32,915
-
-
$ 1,510,518 $
6,360
(6,371 )
1,535
42,592
-
-
$ 1,554,634 $
273
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(2,539 )
-
(2,266 ) $
-
-
-
76,713
(1,217,351 ) $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(3,172 )
-
(5,438 ) $
-
-
-
293,156
(924,195 ) $
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,330
-
(2,108 ) $
-
-
-
(6,389 )
(930,584 ) $
58,693
-
6,684
(107 )
841
59,888
28,156
(27,240 )
21,285
(2,539 )
76,713
222,374
9,640
-
1,430
24,670
32,915
(3,172 )
293,156
581,013
6,361
(6,370 )
1,535
42,592
3,330
(6,389 )
622,072
See accompanying notes.
78
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
$
(6,389 )
$
293,156
$
76,713
Operating activities
Net (loss) income
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Amortization of right-of-use assets
Inventory write-off
Amortization of premiums (accretion of discounts) on marketable securities
Loss on debt extinguishment
Change in fair value of warrant liability
Stock-based compensation expense
Non-cash interest expense
Gain on sale of assets
Bad debt expense (Note 9)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables, net
Inventories
Prepaid manufacturing
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Other assets
Accounts payable
CEPI accrual (Note 9)
Lease liabilities
Deferred revenue
Accrued and other liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities
Purchases of marketable securities
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of marketable securities
Purchases of property and equipment, net
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of transaction costs
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net
Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Notes, net
Purchases of capped call options
Repayment of long-term debt
Proceeds from warrants exercises
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and/or release of restricted stock awards, net
Proceeds from Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of RSUs
Net cash provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
Cash paid during the year for interest
Reclassification of contract asset from other current assets to other assets
Reclassification of CEPI accrual to CEPI accrual long-term
Advance Payments forgiven per CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement (Note 9)
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, not yet paid
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
See accompanying notes.
79
4,342
2,934
-
(16,555 )
-
-
42,592
1,120
(1,000 )
12,313
43,268
3,909
-
(4,673 )
570
1,952
-
(3,629 )
-
19,809
100,563
(636,921 )
486,097
(4,104 )
1,000
(153,928 )
-
-
-
-
-
6,360
1,535
(6,509 )
1,386
324
(51,655 )
202,211
150,556
2,014
5,638
71,307
(60,337 )
(47,401 )
299
1,332
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
3,812
2,856
34,288
(4,181 )
-
(1,801 )
32,915
1,088
(1,000 )
-
(15,699 )
(32,399 )
159,655
(11,865 )
87
691
(21,110 )
(3,125 )
(349,864 )
(24,788 )
62,716
(632,306 )
322,450
(7,139 )
1,000
(315,995 )
-
-
-
-
8,455
9,639
1,431
-
19,525
(443 )
(234,197 )
436,408
202,211
2,208
5,638
-
-
-
1,015
2,848
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
4,296
2,762
2,588
470
5,232
49,354
21,285
1,608
(1,000 )
-
(109,155 )
(234 )
(130,232 )
(64,558 )
175
(767 )
128,848
(3,234 )
311,652
39,725
335,528
(164,928 )
187,630
(9,477 )
1,000
14,225
28,156
219,822
(27,240 )
(190,194 )
17,814
6,577
841
-
55,776
(1,431 )
404,098
32,310
436,408
1,312
9,815
-
-
-
591
2,468
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization
Dynavax Technologies Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” “Dynavax” or the “Company”) is a commercial stage
biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing innovative vaccines to help protect the world against infectious
diseases. Our first marketed product, HEPLISAV-B® [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted] is approved in the
United States, the European Union and Great Britain for the prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis
B virus in adults aged 18 years and older. In May 2022, we commenced commercial shipments of HEPLISAV-B in
Germany.
We are advancing a pipeline of differentiated product candidates that leverage our CpG 1018® adjuvant, the adjuvant
used in HEPLISAV-B, to develop improved vaccines in indications with unmet medical needs. These programs include
vaccine candidates under development for shingles and Tdap, and a plague vaccine candidate program in collaboration with
and fully funded by the U.S. Department of Defense ("DoD").
Additionally. we manufacture and have supplied in the past CpG 1018 adjuvant, the adjuvant used in HEPLISAV-B,
through both commercial supply agreements, and through preclinical and clinical research collaborations with third-party
organizations. As of December 31, 2022, we had satisfied all delivery obligations under our commercial supply agreements.
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
(“GAAP”) and include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Dynavax GmbH located in Düsseldorf,
Germany, Dynavax India LLP in India and a branch of Dynavax in Italy. All intercompany accounts and transactions among
the entities have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make informed estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
Management’s estimates are based on historical information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements
and various other assumptions we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from
these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period
in which they become known.
Foreign Currency Translation
We consider the local currency to be the functional currency for our international subsidiaries, Dynavax GmbH, located
in Düsseldorf, Germany, Dynavax India LLP, and a branch of Dynavax registered in Italy. Accordingly, assets and liabilities
denominated in this foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect on the balance sheet
date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Currency translation
adjustments arising from period to period are charged or credited to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in
stockholders’ equity.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the cumulative translation adjustments balance was $(3.0) million and $(4.0)
million, respectively, primarily related to the translation of Dynavax GmbH assets, liabilities and operating results from
Euros to U.S. dollars. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we reported an unrealized foreign currency
translation gain (loss) of $1.1 million, $(1.8) million and $(2.5) million, respectively. Realized gains and losses resulting
from currency transactions are included in other (expense) income in the consolidated statements of operations. For the years
ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we reported a (loss) gain of $(0.1) million, $0.1 million and $0.9 million,
respectively, resulting from currency transactions in our consolidated statements of operations.
Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which discrete financial information is available that is
regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual
80
segment and in assessing performance. Our Chief Executive Officer is the CODM. The CODM reviews financial information
presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions, allocating resources, and evaluating financial
performance. As such, management has determined that we operate in one operating segment that is focused on the
discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative vaccines. Net assets outside of the U.S. were less than 10% of
total net assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
We consider all liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less and that can be
liquidated without prior notice or penalty to be cash equivalents. Management determines the appropriate classification of
marketable securities at the time of purchase. In accordance with our investment policy, we invest in short-term money
market funds, U.S. treasuries, U.S. government agency securities and corporate debt securities. We believe these types of
investments are subject to minimal credit and market risk.
We have classified our entire investment portfolio as available-for-sale and available for use in current operations and
accordingly have classified all investments as short-term. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value based on
inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted market prices for similar securities; quoted prices in
markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for
substantially the full term of the securities, with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive
loss in stockholders’ equity. Commencing with our adoption of (“ASC”) 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (“ASC
326") on January 1, 2023, we determine whether a decline in the fair value of our available-for-sale ("AFS") debt securities
below their amortized cost basis (i.e., an impairment) is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Any
impairment that is not credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes. Credit-
related impairments (if any) are recognized as an allowance on the balance sheet with a corresponding adjustment to
earnings. Both the allowance and the adjustment to net income can be reversed if conditions change. To date, there have been
no declines in fair value that have been identified as a credit-related impairment.
Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties
Financial instruments that are subject to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, marketable
securities and accounts receivable.
Our policy is to invest cash in institutional money market funds and marketable securities of the U.S. government and
corporate issuers with high credit quality to limit the amount of credit exposure. We currently maintain a portfolio of cash
equivalents and marketable securities in a variety of securities, including short-term money market funds, U.S. treasuries,
U.S. government agency securities and corporate debt securities. We have not experienced any significant losses on our cash
equivalents and marketable securities.
Our accounts receivable balance consists, primarily, of amounts due from product sales. Accounts receivable are
recorded net of reserves for chargebacks, distribution fees, trade discounts and doubtful accounts. We estimate our allowance
for doubtful accounts based on an evaluation of the aging of our receivables. Accounts receivable balances are written off
against the allowance when it is probable that the receivable will not be collected. During the year ended December 31, 2023,
we recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $12.3 million, which was determined by assessing changes in Biological
E. Limited's (“Bio E”) credit risk, contemplation of ongoing negotiations relating to Bio E Amendment No. 3 (See Note 9),
and Bio E's dependence on cash collections from the Government of India, which have been delayed and significantly
reduced in connection with the overall reduction in demand for CORBEVAX from the Government of India. As of December
31, 2023 and 2022, three customers collectively represented approximately 81% and 78% of our HEPLISAV-B trade
receivable balance, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we had no CpG 1018 adjuvant trade receivable balance. As of
December 31, 2022, one customer represented approximately 100% of our CpG 1018 adjuvant trade receivable balance.
Our product candidates will require approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and
foreign regulatory agencies before commercial sales can commence. There can be no assurance that our product candidates
will receive any of these required approvals. The denial or delay of such approvals may have a material adverse impact on
our business and may impact our business in the future. In addition, after the approval of HEPLISAV-B by the FDA, there is
still an ongoing risk of adverse events that did not appear during the drug approval process that could affect our
authorizations in the future.
81
We are subject to risks common to companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including, but not limited to, new
technological innovations, clinical development risk, establishment of appropriate commercial partnerships, protection of
proprietary technology, compliance with government and environmental regulations, uncertainty of market acceptance of
product candidates, product liability, the volatility of our stock price and the need to obtain additional financing.
Our long-lived assets located in the United States as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, represented 31% and 34% of our
total assets, respectively, and the remaining long-lived assets were located in Germany.
Inventories
HEPLISAV-B Inventories
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value, on a first-in, first-out, or FIFO, basis. We
primarily use actual costs to determine our cost basis for inventories. Our assessment of market value requires the use of
estimates regarding the net realizable value of our inventory balances, including an assessment of excess or obsolete
inventory. We determine excess or obsolete inventory based on multiple factors, including an estimate of the future demand
for our products, product expiration dates and current sales levels. Our assumptions of future demand for our products are
inherently uncertain and if we were to change any of these judgments or estimates, it could cause a material increase or
decrease in the amount of inventory reserves that we report in a particular period. For the years ended December 31, 2023
and 2022, there were no inventory reserves or write-offs recognized.
We consider regulatory approval of product candidates to be uncertain and product manufactured prior to the required
regulatory approval may not be sold unless regulatory approval is obtained. As such, the manufacturing costs for product
candidates incurred prior to regulatory approval are not capitalized as inventory. Instead, those are expensed as research and
development costs. We begin capitalization of these inventory related costs once regulatory approval is obtained.
CpG 1018 Adjuvant Inventories
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value, on a first-in, first-out, or FIFO, basis. We
primarily use actual costs to determine our cost basis for inventories. Our assessment of market value requires the use of
estimates regarding the net realizable value of our inventory balances, including an assessment of excess or obsolete
inventory. We determine excess or obsolete inventory based on multiple factors, including an estimate of the future demand
for our products, product expiration dates and current sales levels. Our assumptions of future demand for our products are
inherently uncertain and if we were to change any of these judgments or estimates, it could cause a material increase or
decrease in the amount of inventory reserves that we report in a particular period. For the year ended December 31, 2023,
there was no remaining CpG 1018 adjuvant inventory balance. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded $34.3
million of inventory write-off to cost of sales - product, in connection with cancelled orders and the reduction in demand for
CpG 1018 adjuvant reflected in the Clover Supply Agreement, as amended (See Note 9).
Long-Lived Assets
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Additions, major renewals and improvements are capitalized, while repair and
maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the remaining life of the
initial lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets, whichever is shorter.
We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, whenever events or changes in business circumstances or our
planned use of long-lived assets indicate, based on undiscounted future operating cash flows, that their carrying amounts may
not be fully recoverable or that their useful lives are no longer appropriate. When an indicator of impairment exists,
undiscounted future operating cash flows of long-lived assets are compared to their respective carrying value. If the carrying
value is greater than the undiscounted future operating cash flows of long-lived assets, the long-lived assets are written down
to their respective fair values and an impairment loss is recorded. Fair value is determined primarily using the discounted
cash flows expected to be generated from the use of assets. Significant management judgment is required in the forecast of
future operating results that are used in the preparation of expected cash flows. There have been no material adjustments to
these estimates during the years presented.
82
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception by assessing whether the arrangement contains an
identified asset, and whether we have the right to control the identified asset. Operating leases are included in operating lease
right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities and long-term portion of lease liabilities in our consolidated balance
sheets. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our
obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The classification of our leases as operating or finance leases along
with the initial measurement and recognition of the associated ROU assets and lease liabilities is performed at the lease
commencement date. The measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities is based on the present value of future lease
payments over the lease term. The ROU asset also includes the effect of any lease payments made prior to or on lease
commencement and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred, as applicable.
As the implicit rate in our leases is generally unknown, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on information
available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future lease payments. We consider our credit
risk, term of the lease, total lease payments and adjust for the impacts of collateral, as necessary, when calculating our
incremental borrowing rate. The lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably
certain we will exercise any such options. Rent expense for our operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the
lease term. Variable lease payments are recorded as an expense in the period incurred.
We have elected not to apply the recognition requirements of Accounting Standards Codification ASC 842, Leases
("ASC 842"), for short-term leases. We have also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease components from non-
lease components.
As lessors, we determine if an arrangement includes a lease at inception. We elected the practical expedient to not
separate lease components from non-lease components. Sublease income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the
expected lease term and is included in other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed. Our goodwill balance relates to our acquisition of Dynavax GmbH in 2006. Goodwill is not amortized,
but instead is reviewed for impairment test at least annually, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that
would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Goodwill is assigned to, and impairment testing is performed at, the
reporting unit level. We determined that we have only one operating segment and there are no components of that operating
segment that are deemed to be separate reporting units, such that we have one reporting unit for purposes of our goodwill
impairment testing. No impairment has been identified for the years presented.
Convertible Notes
We account for our 2.50% convertible senior notes due in 2026 (“Convertible Notes”), as a long-term liability equal to
the proceeds received from issuance, including the embedded conversion feature, net of the unamortized debt issuance and
offering costs on the consolidated balance sheets (See Note 10). We evaluate all conversion, repurchase and redemption
features contained in a debt instrument to determine if there are any embedded features that require bifurcation as a
derivative. The conversion feature is not required to be accounted for separately as an embedded derivative. We amortize
debt issuance and offering costs over the contractual term of the Convertible Notes, using the effective interest method, as
interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
Capped Calls
We evaluate financial instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"). The capped calls purchased
in connection with the Convertible Notes financing ("Capped Calls") cover the same number of shares of common stock that
initially underlie the Convertible Notes (subject to anti-dilution and certain other adjustments). The Capped Calls meet the
definition of derivative under ASC 815. In addition, the Capped Calls meet the conditions in ASC 815 to be classified in
stockholders’ equity and are not subsequently remeasured as long as the conditions for the equity classification continue to be
met.
83
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when the customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the
consideration, which we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for
arrangements that we determine are within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), we
apply the following five step model:
•
•
•
•
•
identify the contract(s) with a customer;
identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract;
determine the transaction price;
allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation(s) in the contract; and
recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation.
Product Revenue, Net – HEPLISAV-B
We sell HEPLISAV-B to a limited number of wholesalers and specialty distributors in the U.S. (collectively, our
“Customers”).
Revenues from product sales are recognized when we have satisfied our performance obligation, which is the transfer
of control of our product upon delivery to the Customer. The timing between the recognition of revenue for product sales and
the receipt of payment is not significant. Because our standard credit terms are short-term and we expect to receive payment
in less than one-year, there is no significant financing component on the related receivables. Taxes collected from Customers
relating to product sales and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenues. Since our performance
obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less, we elect not to disclose the
information about our remaining performance obligations.
Overall, product revenue, net - HEPLISAV-B, reflects our best estimates of the amount of consideration to which we
are entitled based on the terms of the contract. The amount of variable consideration is included in the net sales price only to
the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a
future period. If our estimates differ significantly from actuals, we will record adjustments that would affect product revenue,
net in the period of adjustment.
Reserves for Variable Consideration
Revenues from product sales are recorded at the net sales price, which includes estimates of variable consideration such
as product returns, chargebacks, discounts, rebates and other fees that are offered within contracts between us and our
Customers, healthcare providers, pharmacies and others relating to our product sales. We estimate variable consideration
using either the most likely amount method or the expected value method, depending on the type of variable consideration
and what method better predicts the amount of consideration we expect to receive. We take into consideration relevant factors
such as industry data, current contractual terms, available information about Customers’ inventory, resale and chargeback
data and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns, in estimating each variable consideration. The variable
consideration is recorded at the time product sales is recognized, resulting in a reduction in product revenue and a reduction
in accounts receivable (if the Customer offsets the amount against its accounts receivable) or as an accrued liability (if we
pay the amount through our accounts payable process). Variable consideration requires significant estimates, judgment and
information obtained from external sources. The amount of variable consideration is included in the net sales price only to the
extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a
future period. If our estimates differ significantly from actuals, we will record adjustments that would affect product revenue,
net in the period of adjustment. If we were to change any of these judgments or estimates, it could cause a material increase
or decrease in the amount of revenue that we report in a particular period. We evaluate our estimates of variable
considerations including, but not limited to, product returns, chargebacks and rebates, periodically or when there is an event
or change in circumstances that may indicate that our estimates may change.
Product Returns: Consistent with industry practice, we offer our Customers a limited right of return based on the
product’s expiration date for product that has been purchased from us. We estimate the amount of our product sales that may
be returned by our Customers and record this estimate as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product revenue is
recognized. We consider several factors in the estimation of potential product returns including expiration dates of the
product shipped, the limited product return rights, available information about Customers’ inventory and other relevant
factors.
84
Chargebacks: Our Customers subsequently resell our product to healthcare providers, pharmacies and others. In
addition to distribution agreements with Customers, we enter into arrangements with qualified healthcare providers that
provide for chargebacks and discounts with respect to the purchase of our product. Chargebacks represent the estimated
obligations resulting from contractual commitments to sell product to qualified healthcare providers at prices lower than the
list prices charged to Customers who directly purchase the product from us. Customers charge us for the difference between
what they pay for the product and the ultimate selling price to the qualified healthcare providers. These reserves are
established in the same period that the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue and accounts
receivable. Chargeback amounts are determined at the time of resale to the qualified healthcare providers by Customers, and
we issue credits for such amounts generally within a few weeks of the Customer’s notification to us of the resale. Reserves
for chargebacks consists of credits that we expect to issue for units that remain in the distribution channel inventories at each
reporting period end that we expect will be sold to the qualified healthcare providers, and chargebacks for units that our
Customers have sold to the qualified healthcare providers, but for which credits have not been issued.
Trade Discounts and Allowances: We provide our Customers with discounts which include early payment incentives
that are explicitly stated in our contracts, and are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product revenue
is recognized.
Distribution Fees: Distribution fees include fees paid to certain Customers for sales order management, data and
distribution services. Distribution fees are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product revenue is
recognized.
Rebates: Under certain contracts, Customers may obtain rebates for purchasing minimum volumes of our product. We
estimate these rebates based upon the expected purchases and the contractual rebate rate and record this estimate as a
reduction in revenue in the period the related revenue is recognized.
Product Revenue, Net – CpG 1018 Adjuvant
We also sell our innovative adjuvant, CpG 1018 adjuvant, to our collaboration partners for use in their development
and/or commercialization of COVID-19 vaccine. We have determined that our collaboration partners meet the definition of
Customers under ASC 606. Therefore, we accounted for our CpG 1018 adjuvant sales under ASC 606. Revenues from
product sales are recognized when we have satisfied our performance obligation, which is the transfer of control of our
product to the customer. Because the timing between the recognition of revenue for product sales and the receipt of payment
is less than one year, there is no significant financing component on the related receivables. Since our performance obligation
is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less, we elect not to disclose the information about
our remaining performance obligations.
Overall, product revenue, net - CpG 1018 adjuvant, reflects our best estimates of the amount of consideration to which
we are entitled based on the terms of the contract. The amount of consideration is included in the net sales price only to the
extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a
future period. If our estimates differ significantly from actuals, we will record adjustments that would affect product revenue,
net in the period of adjustment. Our CpG 1018 adjuvant customers have purchased a significant quantity of CpG 1018
adjuvant as part of their initial COVID-19 vaccine development inventory. Accordingly, we did not recognize CpG 1018
adjuvant net product revenue during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Other Revenue
Other revenue includes revenue from our agreement with the DoD, collaboration and manufacturing service revenue.
We have entered into grant agreements, collaborative arrangements and arrangements to provide manufacturing services to
other companies. Such arrangements may include promises to customers which, if capable of being distinct, are accounted for
as separate performance obligations. For agreements with multiple performance obligations, we allocate estimated revenue to
each performance obligation at contract inception based on the estimated transaction price of each performance obligation.
Revenue allocated to each performance obligation is then recognized when we satisfy the performance obligation by
transferring control of the promised good or service to the customer.
Research and Development Expenses and Accruals
Research and development expenses include personnel and facility-related expenses, outside contracted services
including clinical trial costs, manufacturing and process development costs, research costs and other consulting services and
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non-cash stock-based compensation. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Amounts due under contracts
with third parties may be either fixed fee or fee for service, and may include upfront payments, monthly payments and
payments upon the completion of milestones or receipt of deliverables. Non-refundable advance payments under agreements
are capitalized and expensed as the related goods are delivered or services are performed.
We contract with third parties to perform various clinical trial activities in the on-going development of potential
products. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in
uneven payment flows to our vendors. Payments under the contracts depend on factors such as the achievement of certain
events, successful enrollment of patients, and completion of portions of the clinical trial or similar conditions. Our accrual for
clinical trials is based on estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with clinical trial
centers and clinical research organizations. We may terminate these contracts upon written notice and we are generally only
liable for actual effort expended by the organizations to the date of termination, although in certain instances we may be
further responsible for termination fees and penalties. We estimate research and development expenses and the related
accrual as of each balance sheet date based on the facts and circumstances known to us at that time. There have been no
material adjustments to the prior period accrued estimates for clinical trial activities during the years presented.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units ("RSUs"), market-based performance stock units ("PSUs")
and stock options is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s estimated fair value.
For awards that vest based on service conditions and market conditions, we use a straight-line method to recognize
compensation expense over the award’s requisite service period, assuming estimated forfeiture rates. For awards that contain
performance conditions, we determine the appropriate amount to expense at each reporting date based on the anticipated
achievement of performance targets, which requires judgement, including forecasting the achievement of future specified
targets. At the date performance conditions are determined to be probable of achievement, we record a cumulative expense
catch-up, with remaining expense amortized over the remaining service period. Throughout the performance period, we re-
assesses the estimated performance and updates the number of performance-based awards that we believe will ultimately
vest.
Fair value of RSUs is determined at the date of grant using our closing stock price, with the exception of PSUs, which
are measured using the Monte Carlo simulation method on the date of grant. Our determination of the fair value of stock
options on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a
number of subjective variables. We selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the most appropriate method for
determining the estimated fair value-based measurement of our stock options. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of
subjective assumptions, which determine the fair value-based measurement of stock options. These assumptions include, but
are not limited to, our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and projected employee stock option
exercise behaviors. In the future, as additional empirical evidence regarding these input estimates becomes available, we may
change or refine our approach of deriving these input estimates. These changes could impact our fair value of stock options
granted in the future. Changes in the fair value of stock awards could materially impact our operating results.
Our current estimate of volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock price. To the extent volatility in our
stock price increases in the future, our estimates of the fair value of options granted in the future could increase, thereby
increasing stock-based compensation expense recognized in future periods. We derive the expected term assumption
primarily based on our historical settlement experience, while considering options that have not yet completed a full life
cycle. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized only for awards ultimately expected to vest. Our estimate of the
forfeiture rate is based primarily on our historical experience. To the extent we revise this estimate in the future, our share-
based compensation expense could be materially impacted in the period of revision. There have been no material adjustments
to these estimates during the years presented.
Income Taxes
The asset and liability approach is used to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax
consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Tax law and
rate changes are reflected in income in the period such changes are enacted. We include interest and penalties related to
income taxes, including unrecognized tax benefits, within income tax expense.
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Our income tax returns are based on calculations and assumptions that are subject to examination by the Internal
Revenue Service and other tax authorities. In addition, the calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties
in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process.
The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it
is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation
processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being
realized upon settlement. While we believe we have appropriate support for the positions taken on our tax returns, we
regularly assess the potential outcomes of examinations by tax authorities in determining the adequacy of our provision for
income taxes. We continually assess the likelihood and amount of potential adjustments and adjust the income tax provision,
income taxes payable and deferred taxes in the period in which the facts that give rise to a revision become known.
Judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and the
valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using the
enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which those tax assets are expected to be realized. A valuation allowance is
established when it is more likely than not the future realization of all or some of the deferred tax assets will not be achieved.
The evaluation of the need for a valuation allowance is performed on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis and includes a
review of all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences,
projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations.
Based on all available evidence, both positive and negative, and the weight of that evidence to the extent such evidence
can be objectively verified, we believe that recognition of the deferred tax assets arising from future tax benefits is currently
not more likely than not to be realized and, accordingly, we have determined a need for a full valuation allowance.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments –
Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments, which was codified in Accounting
Standards Codification ASC 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses. The standard changes the methodology for
measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. Because we were a smaller
reporting company based on the most recent determination as of November 15, 2019, ASC 326 became effective for us for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. As such, we adopted ASC 326 effective January 1, 2023, utilizing the
modified retrospective transition method. Upon adoption, we updated our impairment model to utilize a forward-looking
current expected credit losses (“CECL”) model in place of the incurred loss methodology for financial instruments measured
at amortized cost, primarily including our accounts receivable and contract asset. In relation to AFS debt securities, the
guidance eliminates the concept of “other-than-temporary” impairment, and instead focuses on determining whether any
impairment is a result of a credit loss or other factors. The adoption of ASC 326 did not have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements as of the adoption date.
In November 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment
Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses and
other segment items on an interim and annual basis. Public entities with a single reportable segment are required to apply the
disclosure requirements in ASU 2023-07, as well as all existing segment disclosures and reconciliation requirements in ASC
280 on an interim and annual basis. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for
interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. We are currently
evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-07.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax
Disclosures, which requires public entities, on an annual basis, to provide disclosure of specific categories in the rate
reconciliation, as well as disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal
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years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting
ASU 2023-09.
3.
Fair Value Measurements
We measure fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit
price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable
inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The accounting standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three
levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair
value which are the following:
• Level 1—Observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
• Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for
similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be
corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
• Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair
value of the assets or liabilities; therefore, requiring an entity to develop its own valuation techniques and
assumptions.
Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
We review the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis. Changes in the ability to observe valuation inputs may
result in a reclassification of levels for certain assets or liabilities within the fair value hierarchy. There were no transfers
between Level 1, 2 and 3 during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are
considered reasonable estimates of their respective fair value because of their short-term nature.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The following table represents the fair value hierarchy for our financial assets (cash equivalents and marketable
securities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
December 31, 2023
Assets
Money market funds
U.S. treasuries
U.S. government agency securities
Corporate debt securities
Total assets
December 31, 2022
Assets
Money market funds
U.S. treasuries
U.S. government agency securities
Corporate debt securities
Total assets
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
131,635
-
-
-
131,635
$
-
74,237
216,688
308,552
$ 599,477
$
$
-
-
-
-
-
$ 131,635
74,237
216,688
308,552
$ 731,112
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
172,418
-
-
-
172,418
$
-
42,308
88,032
292,051
$ 422,391
$
$
-
-
-
-
-
$ 172,418
42,308
88,032
292,051
$ 594,809
$
$
$
$
Money market funds are highly liquid investments and are actively traded. The pricing information on these investment
instruments is readily available and can be independently validated as of the measurement date. This approach results in the
classification of these securities as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
88
U.S. treasuries, U.S. government agency securities and corporate debt securities are measured at fair value using Level
2 inputs. We review trading activity and pricing for these investments as of each measurement date. When sufficient quoted
pricing for identical securities is not available, we use market pricing and other observable market inputs for similar
securities obtained from various third-party data providers. These inputs represent quoted prices for similar assets in active
markets or these inputs have been derived from observable market data. This approach results in the classification of these
securities as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Warrants were issued in connection with the underwritten public offering in August 2019 and are accounted for as a
derivative liability at fair value (See Note 14). The fair value of the warrant liability was estimated using the Black-Scholes
model, which requires assumptions such as expected term, expected volatility and risk-free interest rate. These assumptions
are subjective and require judgment to develop. Expected term is estimated using the full remaining contractual term of the
warrants. We determine expected volatility based on our historical common stock price volatility. The warrant liability was
classified as a Level 3 instrument as its value was based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market
activity. As of December 31, 2022, all 1,882,600 of the outstanding warrants as of December 31, 2021 have been exercised or
expired.
The following table provides a summary of changes in the fair value warrant liability for year ended December 31,
2022 (in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2021
Decrease in fair value of warrants exercised
Warrants exercised or expired
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
$
18,016
(1,801 )
(16,215 )
-
4. Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the
consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows (in
thousands):
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash (1)
Total cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the
consolidated statements of cash flows
(1) Restricted cash is included in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
$
2023
150,279 $
277
December 31,
2022
202,004 $
207
2021
436,189
219
$
150,556 $
202,211 $
436,408
Restricted cash balances relate to certificates of deposit issued as collateral to certain letters of credit issued as security
to our lease arrangements (See Note 8).
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Cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):
Amortized
Cost
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair Value
December 31, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash
Money market funds
Corporate debt securities
Total cash and cash equivalents
Marketable securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasuries
U.S. government agency securities
Corporate debt securities
Total marketable securities available-for-sale
Total cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities
December 31, 2022
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash
Money market funds
Total cash and cash equivalents
Marketable securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasuries
U.S. government agency securities
Corporate debt securities
$
$
$
Total marketable securities available-for-sale
Total cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities
$
11,190 $
131,635
7,453
150,278
74,109
216,265
300,803
591,177
741,455 $
29,586 $
172,418
202,004
42,502
88,429
292,865
423,796
625,800 $
- $
-
1
1
172
692
315
1,179
1,180 $
- $
-
-
-
(44 )
(269 )
(20 )
(333 )
(333 ) $
11,190
131,635
7,454
150,279
74,237
216,688
301,098
592,023
742,302
- $
-
-
-
-
12
12
12 $
- $
-
-
29,586
172,418
202,004
(194 )
(397 )
(826 )
(1,417 )
(1,417 ) $
42,308
88,032
292,051
422,391
624,395
The maturities of our marketable securities available-for-sale are as follows (in thousands):
.
Mature in one year or less
Mature after one year through two years
December 31, 2023
Amortized
Cost
Estimated
Fair Value
$
$
440,131
151,046
591,177
$
$
440,104
151,919
592,023
We have classified our entire investment portfolio as available-for-sale and available for use in current operations and
accordingly have classified all investments as short-term. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value based on
inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted market prices for similar securities, quoted prices in
markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for
substantially the full term of the securities. Unrealized losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in
stockholders’ equity. Commencing with our adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2023, we determine whether a decline in the
fair value of our AFS debt securities below their amortized cost basis (i.e., an impairment) is due to credit-related factors or
noncredit-related factors. Any impairment that is not credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of
applicable taxes. Credit-related impairments (if any) are recognized as an allowance on the balance sheet with a
corresponding adjustment to earnings. Both the allowance and the adjustment to net income can be reversed if conditions
change.
There were no realized gains or losses from the sale of marketable securities for the years ended December 31, 2023
and 2022. We do not intend to sell, and are not required to sell, the investments that are in an unrealized loss position before
recovery of their amortized cost basis. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not record an allowance for credit
losses, as management believes any such losses would be immaterial based on the investment-grade credit rating for each of
the investments as of December 31, 2023. As such, there have been no declines in fair value that have been identified as a
credit-related impairment.
5.
Inventories
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The following table presents inventories (in thousands):
Raw materials
Work-in-process
Finished goods
Total
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
27,256 $
18,954
7,080
53,290 $
25,517
23,934
9,995
59,446
6.
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
Manufacturing equipment
Lab equipment
Computer equipment
Furniture and fixtures
Leasehold improvements
Assets in progress
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
Total
Estimated Useful
December 31,
Life (In years)
5-13
5-13
3
3-13
2-12
2023
2022
$
$
15,752 $
2,827
5,060
2,467
37,201
5,822
69,129
(31,832 )
37,297 $
15,139
2,360
4,720
2,464
28,822
11,613
65,118
(27,522 )
37,596
Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment was $4.3 million, $3.8 million and $4.3 million for
the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
7. Current Accrued Liabilities
Current accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
Payroll and related expenses
Revenue reserve accruals
Accrued inventory
Other accrued liabilities
Total
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
17,069
21,004
4,456
6,919
49,448
$
$
14,261
10,552
2,209
3,697
30,719
We lease our facilities in Emeryville, California and Düsseldorf, Germany. We lease and sublease certain
manufacturing and office space with lease terms ranging from 3 to 12 years. These leases require monthly lease payments
that may be subject to annual increases throughout the lease term. Certain of these leases also include options to renew or
extend the lease for two successive five-year terms. These optional periods have not been considered in the determination of
the right-of-use assets or lease liabilities associated with these leases as we did not consider the exercise of these options to
be reasonably certain.
We also sublease one of our leased premises to a third party. Rent is subject to scheduled annual increases and the
subtenant is responsible for certain operating expenses and taxes throughout the life of the sublease. The sublease term
expires on March 31, 2031, unless earlier terminated, concurrent with the term of our lease. The subtenant has no option to
91
extend the sublease term. Sublease income was $7.6 million, $7.7 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31,
2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Sublease income is included in other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of
operations. Rent received from the subtenant in excess of rent paid to the landlord shall be shared by paying the landlord 50%
of the excess rent. The excess rent is considered a variable lease payment and the total estimated payments are being
recognized as additional rent expense on a straight-line basis.
Our lease expense comprises of the following (in thousands):
Operating lease expense
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
$
5,563 $
6,222 $
6,265
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022,
and 2021 was $7.2 million, $6.8 million, and $7.0 million, respectively and were included in change in lease liabilities in our
consolidated statement of cash flows.
The balance sheet classification of our operating lease liabilities was as follows (in thousands):
Operating lease liabilities:
Current portion of lease liabilities (included in other current liabilities)
Long-term portion of lease liabilities
Total operating lease liabilities
$
$
4,496 $
29,720
34,216 $
3,631
32,801
36,432
December 31,
2023
2022
As of December 31, 2023, the maturities of our sublease income and operating lease liabilities were as follows (in
thousands):
Years ending December 31,
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
Total
Less:
Present value adjustment
Total
Sublease Income
Operating Lease
Liabilities
$
$
5,684 $
5,854
6,030
6,211
6,397
15,103
45,279
7,605
6,980
6,122
6,052
6,215
15,062
48,036
$
(13,820 )
34,216
The weighted average remaining lease term and the weighted average discount rate used to determine the operating
lease liabilities were as follows:
Weighted average remaining lease term
Weighted average discount rate
December 31,
2023
6.7 years
10.1 %
2022
7.6 years
10.1 %
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Commitments
As of December 31, 2023, our material non-cancelable purchase and other commitments for the supply of HEPLISAV-
B totaled $43.4 million. The following summarizes our material purchase commitments at December 31, 2023 and the effect
those obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (in thousands):
Years ending December 31,
(in thousands)
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
Total
$
$
18,866
11,983
12,516
-
-
-
43,365
On September 7, 2023 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into an agreement (the “Avecia Supply Agreement”) with
Nitto Denko Avecia Inc. (“Avecia”) for the manufacture and supply of our CpG 1018 adjuvant using a specific production
process. Under the Avecia Supply Agreement, Avecia has agreed to produce and supply to us quantities of CpG 1018
adjuvant ordered by us after the Effective Date. Subject to certain conditions in the Avecia Supply Agreement, we are
obligated to purchase all of our annual volume requirements of CpG 1018 adjuvant from Avecia up to a specified production
capacity. We may alternatively order CpG 1018 adjuvant produced using a different production process pursuant to the
existing supply agreement between us and Avecia dated October 1, 2012 (the “2012 Agreement”). As of December 31, 2023,
our aggregate minimum commitment for the supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant under the Avecia Supply Agreement was $7.4
million within the next 12 months. As of December 31, 2022, we had no non-cancelable purchase and other commitments for
the supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant.
In addition to the non-cancelable commitments included above, we have entered into contractual arrangements that
obligate us to make payments to the contractual counterparties upon the occurrence of future events. In addition, in the
normal course of operations, we have entered into license and other agreements and intend to continue to seek additional
rights relating to compounds or technologies in connection with our discovery, manufacturing and development programs.
Under the terms of the agreements, we may be required to pay future up-front fees, milestones and royalties on net sales of
products originating from the licensed technologies, if any, or other payments contingent upon the occurrence of future
events that cannot reasonably be estimated.
We also rely on and have entered into agreements with research institutions, contract research organizations and
clinical investigators as well as clinical material manufacturers. These agreements are terminable by us upon written notice.
Generally, we are liable only for actual effort expended by the organizations at any point in time during the contract through
the notice period.
As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount of our convertible senior notes ("Convertible Notes") was
$225.5 million, excluding debt discount of $2.8 million (See Note 10).
During 2004, we established a letter of credit with Deutsche Bank as security for our Düsseldorf lease in the amount of
€0.2 million (Euros). The letter of credit remained outstanding through December 30, 2023 and was collateralized by a
certificate of deposit for €0.2 million, which has been included in restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheets as of
December 31, 2023 and 2022.
In conjunction with our agreement with Symphony Dynamo, Inc. and Symphony Dynamo Holdings LLC (“Holdings”)
in November 2009, we agreed to make contingent cash payments to Holdings equal to 50% of the first $50 million from any
upfront, pre-commercialization milestone or similar payments received by us from any agreement with any third party with
respect to the development and/or commercialization of cancer and hepatitis C therapies originally licensed to Symphony
Dynamo, Inc., including our immune-oncology compound, SD-101. In July 2020, we sold assets related to SD-101 to
Surefire Medical, Inc. d/b/a TriSalus Life Sciences (“TriSalus”). We paid $2.5 million to Holdings in August 2020. In each of
September 2021, May 2022 and September 2023, we received $1.0 million from TriSalus because it met pre-
commercialization milestones. We recorded the proceeds as gain on sale of assets in our consolidated statements of
operations. We paid Holdings $0.5 million in each of September 2021, May 2022 and October 2023. We included the
payments in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
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Contingencies
From time to time, we may be involved in claims, suits, and proceedings arising from the ordinary course of our
business, including actions with respect to intellectual property claims, commercial claims, and other matters. Such claims,
suits, and proceedings are inherently uncertain and their results cannot be predicted with certainty. Regardless of the
outcome, such legal proceedings can have an adverse impact on us because of legal costs, diversion of management
resources, and other factors. In addition, it is possible that a resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in
substantial damages, fines, penalties or orders requiring a change in our business practices, which could in the future
materially and adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in a particular period.
9. Collaborative Research, Development and License Agreements
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
In January 2021, we entered into an agreement (together with subsequent amendments, the “CEPI Agreement”) with
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (“CEPI”) for the manufacture and reservation of a specified quantity of
CpG 1018 adjuvant (“CpG 1018 Materials”). In May 2021, we entered into the first amendment to the CEPI Agreement. The
CEPI Agreement enables CEPI to direct the supply of CpG 1018 Materials to CEPI partner(s). CEPI partner(s) would
purchase CpG 1018 Materials under separately negotiated agreements. The CEPI Agreement also allows us to sell CpG 1018
Materials to third parties if not purchased by a CEPI partner within a two-year term.
In exchange for reserving CpG 1018 Materials and agreeing to sell CpG 1018 Materials to CEPI partner(s) at pre-
negotiated prices, CEPI agreed to provide payments in the form of an interest-free, unsecured, forgivable loan (the “Advance
Payments”). We are obligated to repay the Advance Payments, in proportion to quantity sold, if and to the extent we receive
payments from sales of CpG 1018 Materials reserved under the CEPI Agreement. If the vaccine programs pursued by CEPI
partner(s) are unsuccessful and no alternative use is found for CpG 1018 Materials reserved under the CEPI Agreement, the
applicable Advance Payments will be forgiven at the end of the two-year term.
On April 27, 2023, we entered into a waiver and second amendment to the CEPI Agreement by and between us and
CEPI (the “CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement”). Pursuant to the CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement, CEPI has forgiven
the entirety of the outstanding Advance Payments for CpG 1018 Materials allocated to and ordered by Bio E under the CEPI
Agreement and has assumed our previous rights to $47.4 million of Bio E accounts receivable.
Through December 31, 2023, we received Advance Payments totaling approximately $175.0 million pursuant to the
CEPI Agreement, of which $67.3 million have been repaid and $47.4 million have been forgiven (as discussed above). As of
December 31, 2023, remaining Advance Payments totaling $60.3 million in CEPI accrual long-term were reflected in our
consolidated balance sheets, representing the outstanding balance of the Advance Payments relating to the Clover Supply
Agreement (as defined and discussed below). As of December 31, 2022, we recorded Advance Payments of $107.7 million
included in CEPI accrual. There were no deferred revenue balances related to the CEPI Agreement as of December 31, 2023
and December 31, 2022.
Zhejiang Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and Clover Biopharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) Co., Limited
In June 2021, we entered into an agreement with Zhejiang Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and Clover
Biopharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) Co., Limited (collectively, “Clover”), for the commercial supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant,
for use with Clover’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, SCB-2019 (together with subsequent amendments, the “Clover Supply
Agreement”). Under the Clover Supply Agreement, Clover committed to purchase specified quantities of CpG 1018
adjuvant, at pre-negotiated prices pursuant to the CEPI Agreement, for use in Clover’s commercialization of vaccines
containing SCB-2019 and CpG 1018 adjuvant (“Clover Product”). The Clover Supply Agreement also provides terms for
Clover to order additional quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant beyond the quantities reserved by CEPI. In 2022 and 2023, we
signed four amendments to the Clover Supply Agreement. The terms and conditions of the Clover Supply Agreement were
operative through December 2022, and as of December 31, 2022, we had satisfied all delivery obligations thereunder.
For CpG 1018 adjuvant reserved for Clover under the CEPI Agreement, Clover is obligated to pay us the purchase
price upon the earliest of (i) the true-up exercise, (ii) within a specified period after Clover delivers Clover Product to a
customer, or (iii) Clover’s receipt of payment for Clover Product from a customer. When we transfer control of CpG 1018
adjuvant that is reserved under the CEPI Agreement, we recognize product revenue and a corresponding contract asset as our
right to consideration is contingent on something other than the passage of time, as outlined above.
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The contract asset of $71.3 million relating to Clover was included in other current assets as of December 31, 2022.
The contract asset was subsequently reclassified to other assets (long term) and remains classified in other assets (long term)
as of December 31, 2023. The contract asset was reclassified to other assets (long term) to reflect the timing of expected long
term demand for CpG 1018 adjuvant for Clover Product.
Corresponding Advance Payments of $60.3 million relating to Clover are recorded in CEPI accrual long-term in our
consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023. These Advance Payments may be repaid using cash collected from
Clover or forgiven in accordance with the CEPI Agreement. We had no accounts receivable balance from Clover as of
December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. We did not recognize CpG 1018 adjuvant net product revenue from Clover for
the year ended December 31, 2023. We recognized CpG 1018 adjuvant net product revenue of $288.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 2022.
Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2022 and in connection with amendments to the Clover Supply
Agreement, which reduced or cancelled certain orders for CpG 1018 adjuvant, we recorded an inventory write-off of $34.3
million of excess CpG 1018 adjuvant raw materials and finish goods inventory. This excess inventory write-off was reflected
as a charge to cost of sales – product, in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Biological E. Limited
In July 2021, we entered into an agreement (together with subsequent amendments, the “Bio E Supply Agreement”)
with Biological E. Limited (“Bio E”), for the commercial supply of CpG 1018 adjuvant, for use with Bio E’s subunit
COVID-19 vaccine candidate, CORBEVAX™. Under the Bio E Supply Agreement, Bio E committed to purchase specified
quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant, at pre-negotiated prices pursuant to the CEPI Agreement, for use in Bio E’s
commercialization of its CORBEVAX vaccine (“Bio E Product”) with specified delivery dates in 2021 and the first quarter
of 2022. The Bio E Supply Agreement also provides terms for Bio E to order additional quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant
beyond the quantities reserved by CEPI. In June 2022 and in October 2022, we entered into amendments to the Bio E Supply
Agreement (the “Bio E Amendment No. 1” and the “Bio E Amendment No. 2,” together the “Bio E Amendments”). The Bio
E Amendments primarily established: (i) a new payment schedule for certain outstanding invoices related to the CEPI
product to be the earlier of December 31, 2022, or receipt of certain amounts from Bio E from the Government of India in
connection with their advance purchase agreement for CORBEVAX, and (ii) further modified the scope of the Bio E Supply
Agreement, by reducing certain quantities of CpG 1018 adjuvant to be delivered. The terms and conditions of the Bio E
Supply Agreement were operative through December 2022, and as of December 31, 2022, we had satisfied all delivery
obligations thereunder.
As of December 31, 2023, we had no accounts receivable balance from Bio E. During the first quarter of 2023, we
recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $12.3 million, which was determined by assessing changes in Bio E’s credit
risk, contemplation of ongoing negotiations relating to Bio E Amendment No. 3 (defined below), and Bio E's dependence on
cash collections from the Government of India, which have been delayed and significantly reduced in connection with the
overall reduction in demand for CORBEVAX from the Government of India.
On April 26, 2023, we entered into a third amendment to the Bio E Supply Agreement (the “Bio E Amendment No.
3”), and on April 27, 2023, we entered into the CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement. Pursuant to the CEPI-Bio E Assignment
Agreement, CEPI has forgiven the entirety of remaining amounts outstanding relating to a liability for Advance Payments of
$47.4 million (the “Bio E CEPI Advance Payments”) for CpG 1018 Materials allocated to Bio E, and has assumed our
previous rights to collect $47.4 million of Bio E accounts receivable. Pursuant to the Bio E Amendment No. 3, we collected
$14.5 million from Bio E (including $13.5 million in April 2023 and $1.0 million in August 2023). Accordingly, as of
December 31, 2023, the CEPI-Bio E Assignment Agreement resulted in: (i) no accounts receivable balance, and (ii) the
derecognition of $47.4 million CEPI accrual in connection with the Bio E CEPI Advance Payments. The Bio E Amendment
No. 3 provides for additional future payment of either $5.5 million in the event that Bio E receives at least $125.0 million, or
$12.3 million in the event that Bio E receives at least $250.0 million in future payments from the Government of India
associated with its CORBEVAX product on or before August 15, 2025. These additional amounts are not considered
collectible until the achievement of these future milestones.
We did not recognize CpG 1018 adjuvant net product revenue from Bio E for the year ended December 31, 2023. We
recognized CpG 1018 adjuvant net product revenue of $206.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
U.S. Department of Defense
In September 2021, we entered into an agreement with the DoD for the development of a recombinant plague vaccine
adjuvanted with CpG 1018 adjuvant for approximately $22.0 million over two and a half years. Under the agreement, we are
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conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial combining our CpG 1018 adjuvant with the DoD's rF1V vaccine. In July 2023, we
executed a contract modification with the DoD to support advancement into a nonhuman primate challenge study, with the
agreement now totaling $33.7 million through 2025. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized
revenue of $17.6 million and $8.8 million, respectively, which is included in other revenue in our consolidated statements of
operations.
10. Convertible Notes
In May 2021, we issued $225.5 million of Convertible Notes in a private placement. Total proceeds from the issuance
of the Convertible Notes, net of debt issuance and offering costs of $5.7 million, were $219.8 million. We used $190.2
million of the net proceeds to retire our previous loan agreement with CRG Servicing LLC and $27.2 million of the net
proceeds to pay the costs of the Capped Calls described below.
The Convertible Notes are general, unsecured obligations and accrue interest at a rate of 2.50% per annum payable
semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2021. The Convertible Notes
mature on May 15, 2026, unless converted, redeemed or repurchased prior to such date.
The Convertible Notes are convertible into cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of
our common stock, at our election, at an initial conversion rate of 95.5338 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal
amount of the Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $10.47 per share of our
common stock. The Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the holders at any time prior to the close of business on
the business day immediately preceding February 15, 2026, only under the following circumstances:
•
•
•
•
During any calendar quarter (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of our
common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading
days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than
or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;
During the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”), in
which the “trading price” (as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes) per $1,000 principal
amount of the Convertible Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the
product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day;
If we call such Convertible Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the scheduled
trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or
Upon the occurrence of specified corporate events as set forth in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes.
On or after February 15, 2026, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding
the maturity date, holders of the Convertible Notes may convert all or any portion of their Convertible Notes regardless of the
foregoing circumstances.
Since we have the election of repaying the Convertible Notes in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of
both, we continued to classify the Convertible Notes as long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31,
2023.
We may redeem for cash all or any portion of the Convertible Notes (subject to the partial redemption limitation
described in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes), at our option, on or after May 20, 2024 and prior to the 31st
scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been
at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30
consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on the trading day immediately
preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of
the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
If we undergo a fundamental change (as set forth in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes), noteholders may
require us to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their Convertible Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change
repurchase date. In addition, following certain corporate events (as set forth in the indenture governing the Convertible
Notes) or if we deliver a notice of redemption prior to the maturity date, we will, in certain circumstances, adjust the
conversion rate for a noteholder who elects to convert its notes in connection with such a corporate event or such notice of
redemption.
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We accounted for the Convertible Notes as a single liability in accordance with ASU 2020-06 - Accounting for
Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”). As of December 31, 2023, the
Convertible Notes were recorded at the aggregate principal amount of $225.5 million less unamortized issuance costs of $2.8
million as a long-term liability on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Convertible
Notes was $330.1 million. The fair value was estimated using a reputable third-party valuation model based on observable
inputs and is considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense over the
contractual term of the Convertible Notes at an effective interest rate of 3.1%.
The following table presents the components of interest expense related to Convertible Notes (in thousands):
Stated coupon interest
Amortization of debt issuance cost
Total interest expense
Capped Calls
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
5,636 $
1,121
6,757 $
5,638
1,094
6,732
In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we entered into capped call transactions with one of the
initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes and other financial institutions, totaling $27.2 million (the “Capped Calls”). The
Capped Calls cover, subject to customary adjustments, the number of shares of our common stock that initially underlie the
Convertible Notes (or 21,542,871 shares of our common stock). The Capped Calls have an initial strike price and an initial
cap price of $10.47 per share and $15.80 per share, respectively, subject to certain adjustments. Conditions that cause
adjustments to the initial strike price of the Capped Calls mirror conditions that result in corresponding adjustments to the
conversion price of the Convertible Notes. The Capped Calls are expected to offset the potential dilution to our common
stock as a result of any conversion of the Convertible Notes, subject to a cap based on the cap price.
For accounting purposes, the Capped Calls are considered separate financial instruments and not part of the
Convertible Notes. As the Capped Calls transactions meet certain accounting criteria, we recorded the cost of the Capped
Calls, totaling $27.2 million, as a reduction to additional paid-in capital within the consolidated statements of stockholders’
equity.
11. Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt
On February 20, 2018, we entered into a $175.0 million term Loan Agreement with CRG Servicing LLC. We borrowed
$100.0 million under the Loan Agreement at closing and the remaining $75.0 million in March 2019 (collectively, “Term
Loans”). Net proceeds under the Loan Agreement were $173.3 million. The Term Loans under the Loan Agreement bore
interest at a rate equal to 9.5% per annum. The Term Loans had a maturity date of December 31, 2023.
In May 2021, we repaid the principal on the Term Loans, in full, using the net proceeds from the Convertible Notes
issuance. In connection with the early repayment of the Term Loans, in the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded $5.2
million loss on debt extinguishment related to the amount we paid to terminate the Term Loans in excess of its carrying value
at the time of the repayment. Our final payment of $190.2 million to CRG Servicing LLC satisfied all of our obligations
under the Loan Agreement. With the full repayment of the Term Loans, all security interests, covenants, liens and
encumbrances under the Loan Agreement were permanently released.
We recorded $7.0 million of interest expense related to the Term Loans during the year ended December 31, 2021.
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12. Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenues
The following table disaggregates our product revenue, net by product and geographic region and disaggregates our
other revenues by geographic region (in thousands):
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Non U.S.
U.S.
Total
U.S.
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
Non U.S.
Total
U.S.
Year Ended
December 31, 2021
Non U.S.
Total
Product revenue, net
HEPLISAV-B
CpG 1018 adjuvant
Total product revenue,
net
Other revenue
Total revenues
$ 213,295 $
-
$ 213,295 $
17,650
$ 230,945 $
- $ 213,295 $ 124,996 $
-
-
- 587,708 587,708
941 $ 125,937 $ 61,870 $
- $ 61,870
- 375,229 375,229
- $ 213,295
$ 61,870 $ 375,229 $ 437,099
1,339
2,343
1,339 $ 232,284 $ 133,770 $ 588,913 $ 722,683 $ 63,785 $ 375,657 $ 439,442
$ 124,996 $ 588,649 $ 713,645
18,989
1,915
9,038
8,774
428
264
Revenues from Major Customers and Collaboration Partners
All of our HEPLISAV-B sales in the U.S. are to certain wholesalers and specialty distributors whose principal
customers include independent hospitals and clinics, integrated delivery networks, public health clinics and prisons, the
Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and retail pharmacies. All of our HEPLISAV-B sales in
Germany are to one distributor.
The following table summarizes HEPLISAV-B product revenue from each of our three largest customers (as a
percentage of total HEPLISAV-B net product revenue):
Largest customer
Second largest customer
Third largest customer
2023
28 %
27 %
17 %
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
21 %
17 %
16 %
2021
21 %
19 %
19 %
The following table summarizes CpG 1018 adjuvant product revenue from each of our three largest collaboration
partners (as a percentage of total CpG 1018 adjuvant product revenue):
Largest collaboration partner
Second largest collaboration partner
Third largest collaboration partner
Contract Balances
2023
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
0 %
0 %
0 %
49 %
35 %
12 %
2021
49 %
24 %
19 %
The following table summarizes balances and activities in HEPLISAV-B product revenue allowance and reserve
categories (in thousands):
Year ended December 31, 2023:
Accounts receivable reserves
(1)
Revenue reserve accruals (2)
Year ended December 31, 2022:
Accounts receivable reserves
(1)
Revenue reserve accruals (2)
$
$
$
$
Balance at
Beginning of
Period
Provisions
related to current
period sales
Credit or
payments
made during
the period
Adjustments
related to prior
periods
Balance
at End of
Period
8,179 $
10,552 $
55,604 $
46,062 $
(54,143 ) $
(38,207 ) $
(2,629 ) $
2,597 $
7,011
21,004
3,823 $
8,253 $
34,758 $
24,806 $
(30,402 ) $
(22,507 ) $
- $
- $
8,179
10,552
(1) Reserves are for chargebacks, discounts and other fees.
98
(2) Accruals are for returns, rebates and other fees.
When we transfer control of CpG 1018 adjuvant that is reserved under the CEPI Agreement to Clover and perform
services under our agreement with the DoD, we recognize product revenue and a corresponding contract asset as our right to
consideration is conditioned on something other than the passage of time. See Note 9 for further discussion. The following
table summarizes balances and activities in our contract asset account (in thousands):
Balance at
Beginning
of Period
Additions
Subtractions
Reclassification
(1)
Balance
at End of
Period
Year ended December 31, 2023:
Contract asset, included in other
current assets (2)
Contract asset, included in other
assets (long term)
Year ended December 31, 2022:
Contract asset
$
$
$
71,965 $
17,650 $
(16,919 )
$
(71,307 ) $
1,389
- $
- $
-
$
71,307 $
71,307
62,525 $
17,556 $
(8,116 )
$
- $
71,965
(1) The Clover contract asset was reclassified to long term assets to reflect the timing of expected long term demand for CpG 1018 adjuvant for Clover
Product. See Note 9 for further discussion.
(2) The $1.4 million of contract asset is derived from our agreement with the DoD.
13. Net (Loss) Income Per Share
Basic net (loss) income per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders by the
weighted-average number of shares of our common stock outstanding.
For the calculation of diluted net income per share, net income attributable to common stockholders for basic net
income per share is adjusted by the effect of dilutive securities, including awards under our equity compensation plans and
change in fair value of warrant liability. Diluted net income per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by
dividing the resulting net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of fully diluted
common shares outstanding.
The numerators and denominators of the basic net (loss) income and diluted net income per share computations for our
common stock are calculated as follows (in thousands):
Numerator
Net (loss) income
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
Net (loss) income allocable to common stockholders, basic
Add: undistributed earnings allocated to Series B and warrants
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to Series B and warrants
Add: interest expense on convertible notes
Less: removal of change in fair value of warrant liability
Net (loss) income allocable to common stockholders, diluted
Denominator
Weighted average shares used to compute net (loss) income
allocable to common stockholders per share, basic
Effect of dilutive shares:
Stock-based compensation plans
Convertible Notes (as converted to common stock)
Effect of dilutive warrants
Weighted average shares used to compute net (loss) income
allocable to common stockholders per share, diluted
99
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
2021
$
(6,389 ) $
(6,389 )
-
-
-
-
(6,389 ) $
$
293,156
$
(283 )
292,873
283
-
5,044
(1,801 )
$
296,399
76,713
(4,569 )
72,144
4,569
(4,190 )
3,168
-
75,691
128,733
126,398
116,264
-
-
-
2,774
21,543
82
3,075
13,667
-
128,733
150,797
133,006
The following were excluded from the calculation of diluted net (loss) income per share as the effect of their inclusion
would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands).
Outstanding securities not included in diluted net (loss) income
allocable to common stockholders per share calculation
(in thousands):
Stock options and stock awards
Convertible Notes (as converted to common stock)
Warrants (as exercisable into common stock)
14. Common Stock and Warrants
Common Stock Outstanding
December 31,
2023
2022
2021
15,158
21,543
-
7,165
-
-
5,953
-
1,883
As of December 31, 2023, there were 129,530,228 shares of our common stock outstanding.
We entered into an at-the-market Sales Agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC (“Cowen”) on August 6, 2020 and
an amendment to such agreement on August 3, 2023 (the sales agreement as amended, the “ATM Agreement”). Under the
ATM Agreement, we may offer and sell from time to time, at our sole discretion, shares of our common stock having an
aggregate offering price of up to $120.0 million through Cowen as our sales agent. We agreed to pay Cowen a commission of
up to 3% of the gross sales proceeds of any common stock sold through Cowen under the ATM Agreement. As of December
31, 2023, we had approximately $120.0 million remaining under the ATM Agreement.
Warrants
During the year ended December 31, 2022, all of the 1,882,600 outstanding warrants as of December 31, 2021 were
exercised or expired, resulting in cash proceeds totaling $8.5 million. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized
the decrease in the estimated fair value of warrant liability of $1.8 million as income in other income (expense) in our
consolidated statements of operations.
15. Equity Plans and Stock-Based Compensation
Equity Plans
In January 2021, we adopted the Dynavax Technologies Corporation 2021 Inducement Award Plan (“2021 Inducement
Plan”), pursuant to which we reserved 1,500,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the plan to be used exclusively
for grants of awards to individuals who were not previously our employees or directors. In June 2021, we amended the 2021
Inducement Plan (“Amended 2021 Inducement Plan”) to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved under the
2021 Inducement Plan to 3,250,000. The Amended 2021 Inducement Plan was terminated effective as of April 3, 2022 and,
therefore, there are no shares of our common stock available for grant.
In May 2022, our stockholders approved the amendment and restatement of our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the
“Amended 2018 EIP”) to, among other things, increase the authorized number of shares of common stock by 15,000,000.
The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Amended 2018 EIP, will not exceed
32,600,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2023, the Amended 2018 EIP and the Amended and Restated 2014
Employee Stock Purchase Plan are our active plans (the "Plans").
The Amended 2018 EIP is administered by our Board of Directors, or a designated committee of the Board of
Directors, and awards granted under the Amended 2018 EIP have a term of 7 years unless earlier terminated by the Board of
Directors. As of December 31, 2023, there were 9,388,428 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Amended
2018 EIP.
Under our Amended 2018 EIP, we may grant stock options, RSUs, performance-based awards, and other awards that
are settled in shares of our common stock. Our equity awards generally vest over a three-year period contingent upon
100
continuous service and unless exercised, expire seven or ten years from the date of grant (or earlier upon termination of
continuous service). Activity under our stock plans is set forth below:
Stock Options
The following table summarizes the activity of stock options for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Balance at December 31, 2022
Options granted
Options exercised
Options cancelled:
Options forfeited (unvested)
Options expired (vested)
Balance at December 31, 2023
Vested and expected to vest at December 31,
2023
Exercisable at December 31, 2023
Shares Underlying
Outstanding Options
(in thousands)
Weighted-Average
Exercise
Price Per Share
$
9,339
1,982
(850 )
(90 )
(261 )
10,120
9,976
7,014
$
$
$
10.70
11.17
7.48
10.93
21.39
10.78
10.77
10.40
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(years)
4.61
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
$
16,291
4.18
$
37,388
4.15
3.50
$
$
37,024
29,613
Stock-based compensation expense related to options was approximately $18.7 million, $17.2 million and $11.1
million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options
exercised during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $5.0 million, $7.7 million, and $7.9 million,
respectively. The total intrinsic value of exercised stock options is calculated based on the difference between the exercise
price and the quoted market price of our common stock as of the close of the exercise date.
The total fair value of stock options vested during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $19.5
million, $17.5 million and $9.0 million, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes the activity of RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Non-vested as of December 31, 2022
Granted
Vested (1)
Forfeited
Non-vested as of December 31, 2023
Number of Shares
(In thousands)
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
3,479
2,748
(1,515 )
(267 )
4,445
$
$
11.00
11.48
10.13
11.45
11.57
(1) Inclusive of approximately 600,145 RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2023, which were not converted into shares due to net share settlement in
order to cover the required amount of employee withholding taxes. The value of the withheld shares was classified as a reduction to additional paid-in
capital.
Stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs was approximately $20.4 million, $13.2 million and $7.9 million
for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The aggregate fair value of the RSUs outstanding as of
December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, based on our stock price on that date, was $62.2 million, $37.0 million and $37.3
million, respectively.
The total fair value of RSUs vested during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $16.1 million,
$15.7 million and $4.7 million, respectively.
Market-based Performance Stock Units
We granted PSUs to certain executives. These PSUs vest upon a specified market condition. The summary of PSU
activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 is as follows:
101
Non-vested as of December 31, 2022
Granted
Non-vested as of December 31, 2023
Number of Shares
(in thousands)
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair
Value Per Share
193 $
364
557 $
11.62
18.25
15.95
Stock-based compensation expense related to PSUs was approximately $2.5 million, $0.8 million and $1.8 million for
the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of the PSUs outstanding as of
December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, based on our stock price on that date, was $7.8 million, $2.1 million and $3.3 million,
respectively.
Performance-based Options
As of December 31, 2023, approximately 36,000 shares underlying performance-based options were outstanding.
Significant Assumptions in Estimating Option Fair Value
The fair value of each time-based option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation
model. The fair value of each RSU is determined at the date of grant using our closing stock price. The fair value of each
PSU is estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation method on the date of grant. The weighted-average assumptions used in
the calculations of these fair value measurements are as follows:
Weighted-average fair
value
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life (in years)
Expected volatility
Stock Options
Year Ended December 31,
Market-Based Performance Stock Units
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
2023
2022
2021
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2021
2022
$ 7.32
$ 7.95
$ 7.17
$ 18.25
$ 11.62
$
8.40
From 0.03% to
$ 5.35
$ 7.37
$ 6.48
4.0 %
4.5
0.8
2.0 %
4.5
0.8
0.7 %
4.5
0.9
4.3 %
2.9
0.9
1.7 %
2.9
0.9
1.92%
2.9
0.9
4.9 %
1.3
0.7
2.1 %
1.3
1.0
0.1 %
1.2
1.0
Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of our stock price. The expected life of options granted is estimated
based on historical option exercise and employee termination data. Our senior management, who hold a majority of the
options outstanding, and other employees were grouped and considered separately for valuation purposes. The risk-free rate
for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
Forfeiture estimates are based on historical employee turnover. The dividend yield is zero percent for all years and is based
on our history and expectation of dividend payouts.
Stock-based Compensation
Compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest and reflects estimated forfeitures. For equity
awards with time-based vesting, the fair value is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods.
102
We have also granted performance-based equity awards to certain of our employees. For equity awards with
performance-based vesting criteria, the fair value is amortized to expense when the achievement of the vesting criteria
becomes probable.
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recorded in each component of operating expenses
in our consolidated statements of operations, and amounts capitalized to our inventories (in thousands):
Employees and directors stock-based compensation expense
$
42,592
$
2023
2022
32,915
2021
21,285
$
Year Ended December 31,
Research and development
Selling, general and administrative
Cost of sales - product
Inventories
Total
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
9,285
29,069
1,839
2,399
42,592
$
$
5,954
23,118
1,123
2,720
32,915
$
$
3,818
14,894
553
2,020
21,285
$
$
As of December 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options and RSUs
deemed probable of vesting, including all stock options with time-based vesting, net of estimated forfeitures, amounted to
$46.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of 1.6 years. As of
December 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to PSUs amounted to $5.5 million.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Employee Stock Purchase Plan”) provides for
the purchase of common stock by eligible employees. In May 2021, our stockholders approved the amendment and
restatement of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock by
1,000,000. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
will not exceed 1,850,000 shares of common stock.
The purchase price per share is the lesser of (i) 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the
commencement of the two-year offer period (generally, the sixteenth day in February or August) or (ii) 85% of the fair
market value of the common stock on the exercise date, which is the last day of a purchase period (generally, the fifteenth
day in February or August). For the year ended December 31, 2023, employees have acquired approximately 161,000 shares
of our common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and approximately 722,000 shares of our common stock
remained available for future purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
As of December 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to shares of our common stock under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan amounted to $1.0 million, which is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-
average vesting period of 1.2 years.
16. Employee Benefit Plan
We maintain a 401(k) Plan, which qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Under the 401(k) Plan, participating employees may defer a portion of their pretax earnings. We may, at our
discretion, contribute for the benefit of eligible employees. Our contribution to the 401(k) Plan was approximately $1.3
million, $0.9 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
17.
Income Taxes
Consolidated (loss) income before provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
U.S.
Non U.S.
Total
Year Ended December 31,
2023
(6,275 ) $
1,908
(4,367 ) $
2022
292,460 $
1,839
294,299 $
2021
75,954
1,567
77,521
$
$
103
The components of the consolidated income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were
as follows (in thousands):
Current
Federal
State
Non-US
Total current tax expense
Deferred
Federal
State
Non-US
Total deferred tax expense
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
Year Ended
December 31, 2021
$
(178 ) $
1,533
667
2,022
-
-
-
-
(165 ) $
897
411
1,143
-
-
-
-
345
260
203
808
-
-
-
-
Total income tax expense
$
2,022 $
1,143 $
808
The difference between the consolidated income tax provision and the amount computed by applying the federal
statutory income tax rate to the consolidated income before income taxes in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and
2021 were as follows (in thousands):
Income tax provision (benefit) at federal statutory rate
State tax
Business credits
Uncertain tax positions
Deferred compensation charges
Change in valuation allowance
Section 162(m) limitation
Mark-to-market of warrants
Net operating loss and tax credit limitation
Other (1)
Foreign taxes
Total income tax expense
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
(917 ) $
574
(2,050 )
334
830
1,466
1,963
-
-
(518 )
340
2,022 $
61,775 $
(2,942 )
(3,246 )
586
(473 )
(324 )
1,779
(378 )
(56,908 )
879
395
1,143 $
16,397
3,576
(982 )
424
131
(86,847 )
1,241
10,364
56,459
(290 )
335
808
$
$
(1) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. In 2022 and 2021, Foreign taxes were included in Other.
104
Deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards
Research credit carryforwards
Section 174 capitalization
Lease liability
Stock compensation
Accruals and reserves
Other
Total deferred tax assets
Less valuation allowance
Net deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Other
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax assets
December 31,
2023
2022
96,336 $
34,940
22,556
8,868
10,572
15,808
348
189,428
(180,387 )
9,041
(2,667 )
(6,345 )
(29 )
(9,041 )
- $
113,228
33,444
15,308
9,530
7,780
9,089
337
188,716
(178,920 )
9,796
(2,916 )
(6,785 )
(95 )
(9,796 )
-
$
$
The tax benefit of net operating losses, temporary differences and credit carryforwards is required to be recorded as an
asset to the extent that management assesses that realization is "more likely than not." Realization of the future tax benefits is
dependent on our ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period. A high degree of judgment is
required to determine if, and the extent to which, valuation allowances should be recorded against deferred tax assets. In
making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing
taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. Based
on all available evidence as of December 31, 2023, both positive and negative, and the weight of that evidence to the extent
such evidence can be objectively verified, management believes that recognition of the deferred tax assets arising from the
above-mentioned future tax benefits is currently not more likely than not to be realized, and, accordingly, has provided a
valuation allowance.
The valuation allowance increased by $1.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 and decreased by $0.3
million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in valuation allowance during the year ended December 31,
2023 was due to an increase in our deferred tax assets, predominantly related to Section 174 capitalization and increased
reserves largely offset by utilization of net operating losses. The decrease in valuation allowance during the year ended
December 31, 2022 was due to a decrease in our deferred tax assets, predominantly related to utilization of net operating
losses, offset by updates to the Section 382 analysis.
As of December 31, 2023, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $23.1 million, which
began to expire in the year 2024, federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $353.5 million, which do not
expire and federal research and development tax credits of approximately $28.3 million, which expire in the years 2024
through 2043.
As of December 31, 2023, we had net operating loss carryforwards for California and other states for income tax
purposes of approximately $283.9 million, which expire in the years 2024 through 2040, and California state research and
development tax credits of approximately $22.3 million, which do not expire.
As of December 31, 2023, we had no remaining net operating loss carryforwards for foreign income tax purposes.
105
Uncertain Income Tax positions
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $12.1 million and $11.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022,
respectively. If recognized, none of the unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate.
The following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits:
Balance at beginning of year
Tax positions related to the current year
Additions
Reductions
Tax positions related to the prior year
Additions
Reductions
Settlements
Lapses in statute
Balance at end of year
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
$
(11,339 ) $
(5,615 )
(762 )
-
-
-
-
$
(12,101 ) $
(670 )
-
(5,054 )
-
-
-
(11,339 )
Our policy is to account for interest and penalties as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2023, there was no
interest and no penalties recognized in the provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2022, there were no interest and
no penalties recognized in the provision for income taxes. We do not anticipate any significant change within 12 months of
this reporting date of its uncertain tax positions.
The Tax Reform Act of 1986 limits the annual use of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards in certain
situations where changes occur in stock ownership of a company. In the event there is a change in ownership, as defined, the
annual utilization of such carryforwards could be limited. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we completed a
preliminary analysis under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code indicating we experienced ownership changes in 2008,
2010, 2012, and 2019 that limited the future use of our pre-change federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and
federal research and development tax credits. We finalized the study during the year ended December 31, 2022 and
concluded that we only experienced ownership changes in 2008, 2010, and 2012, resulting in a significant reduction in the
federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and federal research and development tax credits that are expected to expire
unused. We have revised the net operating loss carryforwards and research and development tax credits that are expected to
expire unused as a result of the annual limitations in the deferred tax assets and corresponding uncertain tax positions as of
December 31, 2022. There were no changes to our Section 382 analysis as of December 31, 2023.
We are subject to income tax examinations for U.S. federal and state income taxes from 2002 forward. We are subject
to tax examination in Germany from 2018 forward, in India from 2019 forward and in Italy from 2021 forward.
106
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (“the Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our
Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management,
including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions
regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes
that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute,
assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
Based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as
of the end of the period covered by this report, our management, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and
our Principal Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective and were operating at the
reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and forms.
(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as
defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our management, with the participation of our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over
financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that
our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023. Our independent registered public
accountants, Ernst & Young LLP, audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
and have issued a report on our internal control over financial reporting. The report on the audit of internal control over
financial reporting appears below.
107
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Dynavax Technologies Corporation
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Dynavax Technologies Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023,
based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Dynavax Technologies
Corporation (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2023 and the related notes of the Company and our report dated February 22, 2024 expressed an
unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s
Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in
all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk,
and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
San Francisco, California
February 22, 2024
108
(c) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
109
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Proposal 1—Election of
Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Corporate Governance” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” in our Definitive Proxy
Statement in connection with the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) which we expect will be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
We have adopted the Dynavax Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code of Conduct”), a code of ethics that applies
to our employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and to our non-employee directors. The
Code of Conduct is publicly available on our website under the header “Investors” and within that under the header
“Corporate Governance and Compliance” at www.dynavax.com. This website address is intended to be an inactive, textual
reference only; none of the material on this website is part of this report. If any substantive amendments are made to the Code
of Conduct or any waiver granted, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Conduct to our Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on that website or in a
report on Form 8-K. We will provide a written copy of the Dynavax Code of Conduct to anyone without charge, upon request
written to Dynavax, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 2100 Powell Street, Suite 720, Emeryville, CA 94608, (510) 848-5100.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and
Analysis,” “Summary Compensation Table,” “Grants of Plan Based Awards,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year
End,” and “Corporate Governance” in the Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference to
the sections entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement.
Information regarding our stockholder approved and non-approved equity compensation plans are incorporated by reference
to the section entitled “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Certain Transactions” and
“Independence of the Board of Directors” in the Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Audit Fees” in the Proxy
Statement.
110
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Documents filed as part of this report:
1. Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedules
None, as all required disclosures have been made in the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto or are not
applicable.
(b) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Document
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
Filing
Filing Date
File No. Filed Herewith
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4.1
Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation
3.1
S-1/A
February 5,
2004
333-
109965
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3.1
8-K
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3.1
8-K
January 4,
2010
001-
34207
January 5,
2011
001-
34207
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3.6
8-K
May 30,
2013
Certificate of Amendment of the Sixth
Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation
Certificate of Amendment of the Sixth
Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation
Certificate of Amendment of the Sixth
Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation
Certificate of Amendment of the Sixth
Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation
3.1
8-K November 10,
2014
3.1
8-K
June 2, 2017
3.1
8-K
July 31, 2017
3.1
8-K May 29, 2020
Amended and Restated Bylaws
3.8
10-Q November 6,
2018
Description of Capital Stock
4.1
10-K February 28,
2022
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
111
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
10.1+
10.2+
10.3+
10.4+
10.5+
10.6+
10.7+
10.8+
10.9+
10.10
10.11
10.12+
10.13+
10.14+
Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3,
3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 and 3.9 above
Form of Specimen Common Stock
Certificate
4.2
S-1/A
January 16,
2004
333-
109965
Indenture between Company and U.S. Bank
National Association, as trustee, dated May
13, 2021
Form of Global Note, representing Dynavax
Technologies Corporation’s 2.5%
Convertible Senior Notes due 2026
Employment Agreement, dated July 12,
2013, by and between Robert Janssen, M.D.
and Company
Chief Executive Officer Letter, dated
December 13, 2019, between Company and
Ryan Spencer
President and Chief Operating Officer
Letter, dated December 13, 2019, between
Company and David Novack
Offer Letter, dated December 14, 2020, by
and between Company and Kelly
MacDonald
Consulting Agreement, effective January 16,
2023, between Company and Peter Paradiso
Form of Indemnification Agreement
Form of Management Continuity and
Severance Agreement between Company
and certain of its executive officers
Dynavax Technologies Corporation U.S.
Annual Bonus Plan
4.1
8-K May 13, 2021
4.2
8-K May 13, 2021
10.85
10-K March 10,
2014
10.17
10-K March 11,
2020
10.18
10-K March 11,
2020
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
10.33
10-K
February
25, 2021
001-
34207
10.1
10-Q May 2, 2023 001-
10.1
10-Q
10.3
10-Q
34207
November
7, 2019
001-
34207
August 3,
2023
001-
34207
10.23
10-K March 11,
2020
February
28, 2022
001-
34207
001-
34207
Non-Employee Director Compensation
Policy
10.34
10-K
Sales Agreement, dated August 6, 2020,
between Company and Cowen and
Company, LLC
10.3
10-Q
August 6,
2020
001-
34207
Form of Confirmation for Capped Call
Transactions
10.1
8-K
Dynavax Technologies Corporation
Amended and Restated 2014 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan
Amended and Restated Dynavax
Technologies Corporation 2018 Equity
Incentive Plan
May 13,
2021
April 16,
2021
001-
34207
001-
34207
Appendix
A
DEF
14A
Appendix
A
DEF
14A
April 14,
2022
001-
34207
Form of Option Grant Notice and Option
Agreement under the 2018 Equity Incentive
Plan
10.3
8-K
June 1,
2018
001-
34207
112
10.15+
10.16+
10.17+
10.18
10.19
10.20
10.21
10.22†
10.23^
10.24†
10.25^
10.26^
10.27^
10.28^
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant
Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement under the 2018 Equity Incentive
Plan
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for
Directors under the 2018 Equity Incentive
Plan
Amended and Restated Dynavax
Technologies Corporation 2021 Inducement
Award Plan
Office/Laboratory Lease, dated September
17, 2018, between Company and Emery
Station West, LLC
Sublease, dated July 12, 2019, by and
between Company and Zymergen Inc.
Commercial Lease Agreement, dated
September 13, 2021, by and between Onyx
Düsseldorf S.à r.l. and Dynavax GmbH
Lease Agreement, dated March 15, 2022, by
and between Company and SPUS8 2100
Powell, L.P.
Commercial Manufacturing and Supply
Agreement, dated November 22, 2013,
between Company and Baxter
Pharmaceutical Solutions LLC
First Amendment to Commercial
Manufacturing and Supply Agreement,
dated September 10, 2021, by and between
Company and Baxter Pharmaceutical
Solutions LLC
Supply Agreement, dated July 27, 2016,
between Company and West Pharmaceutical
Services, Inc.
Agreement, dated January 29, 2021 between
Company and Coalition for Epidemic
Preparedness Innovations
First Amendment to Agreement, dated May
3, 2021, by and between Company and
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness
Innovations
Waiver and Second Amendment to
Agreement, dated effective as of April 27,
2023, by and between Company and
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness
Innovations
Supply Agreement, dated effective April 1,
2021, between Company and Becton,
Dickinson and Company
10.2
8-K
June 1,
2018
001-
34207
10.11
10-K
February
28, 2022
001-
34207
10.3
10-Q
August 4,
2021
001-
34207
10.1
10-Q
November
6, 2018
001-
34207
10.3
10-Q
10.2
10-Q
November
7, 2019
001-
34207
November
4, 2021
001-
34207
10.1
10-Q May 5, 2022
001-
34207
10.33
10-K
March 8,
2018
001-
34207
10.3
10-Q
November
4, 2021
001-
34207
10.36
10-K
March 8,
2018
001-
34207
10.31
10-K
February
25, 2021
001-
34207
10.1
10-Q
August 4,
2021
001-
34207
10.2
10-Q
August 3,
2023
001-
34207
10.35
10-K February 23,
2023
001-
34207
113
10.29^
10.30^
10.31^
10.32^
10.33^
10.34^
10.35^
10.36^
10.37^
10.38^
10.39^
Amendment #1 to Supply Agreement, dated
September 28, 2022, between Company and
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Supply Agreement, dated June 29, 2021, by
and among Company, Zhejiang Clover
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., and Clover
Biopharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) Co.,
Limited
Letter Agreement, dated August 30, 2022,
by and among Company, Zhejiang Clover
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Clover
Biopharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) Co.,
Limited and Sichuan Clover
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
Letter Agreement No. 2, dated October 31,
2022, by and among Company, Zhejiang
Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and Clover
Biopharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) Co.,
Limited
Amendment No. 3 to Supply Agreement,
effective August 15, 2022, by and among
Company, Zhejiang Clover
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., and Clover
Biopharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) Co.,
Limited
Amendment No. 4 to Supply Agreement,
effective September 23, 2022, by and among
Company, Zhejiang Clover
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., and Clover
Biopharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) Co.,
Limited
Supply Agreement, dated July 1, 2021, by
and between Company and Biological E.
Limited
Amendment No. 1 to Supply Agreement,
dated effective as of June 23, 2022, by and
between Company and Biological E.
Limited
Amendment No. 2 to Supply Agreement,
dated effective as of September 30, 2022, by
and between Company and Biological E.
Limited
Amendment No. 3 to Supply Agreement,
dated effective as of April 26, 2023, by and
between Company and Biological E.
Limited
Supply Agreement, effective as of
September 7, 2023, by and between
Company and Nitto Denko Avecia Inc.
10.36
10-K February 23,
2023
001-
34207
10.6
10-Q
August 4,
2021
001-
34207
10.2
10-Q November 3,
2022
001-
34207
10.4
10-Q November 3,
2022
001-
34207
10.37
10-K February 23,
2023
001-
34207
10.38
10-K February 23,
2023
001-
34207
10.7
10-Q
August 4,
2021
001-
34207
10.1
10-Q November 3,
2022
10.3
10-Q November 3,
2022
10.1
10-Q August 3,
2023
10.1
10-Q November 2,
2023
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
001-
34207
21.1
List of Subsidiaries
X
114
23.1
31.1
31.2
32.1*
32.2*
97.1+
Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
Certification of Principal Executive Officer
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Principal Financial Officer
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Principal Executive Officer
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Principal Financial Officer
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
Dynavax Technologies Corporation
Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy
X
X
X
X
X
X
EX—101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File
because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
EX—101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema With Embedded Linkbase Document
EX—104
The cover page for this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been formatted in Inline XBRL
† We have been granted confidential treatment with respect to certain portions of this agreement. Omitted portions have been
filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
+ Indicates management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.
^ Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted as the Registrant has determined that (i) the omitted information is not
material and (ii) the omitted information is of the type that the Registrant customarily and actually treats as private or
confidential. The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally an unredacted copy of any exhibit to the Securities and
Exchange Commission upon request; provided, however, that the Registrant may request confidential treatment of omitted
items.
* The certifications attached as Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 that accompany this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are not deemed
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the
Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made
before or after the date of this Form 10-K), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
115
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Emeryville, State of
California.
SIGNATURES
Date: February 22, 2024
Date: February 22, 2024
Date: February 22, 2024
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
By:
/s/ RYAN SPENCER
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
By:
/s/ KELLY MACDONALD
Kelly MacDonald
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
By:
/s/ JUSTIN BURGESS
Justin Burgess
Controller, Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
116
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ RYAN SPENCER
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ KELLY MACDONALD
Kelly MacDonald
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ JUSTIN BURGESS
Justin Burgess
Controller, Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
/s/ SCOTT MYERS
Scott Myers
/s/ FRANCIS R. CANO
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
/s/ JULIE EASTLAND
Julie Eastland
/s/ DANIEL L. KISNER
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
/s/ BRENT MACGREGOR
Brent MacGregor
/s/ PETER R. PARADISO
Peter R. Paradiso
/s/ PEGGY V. PHILLIPS
Peggy V. Phillips
/s/ ELAINE D. SUN
Elaine D. Sun
Chairman of the Board
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
117
[This page intentionally left blank]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scott Myers
Chairperson of the Board
Former Chief Executive Officer
and President
Viridian Therapeutics
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
President and Founder
Cano Biotech Corporation
Julie Eastland
Former Chief Executive
Officer
Harpoon Therapeutics
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
Former Partner
Aberdare Ventures
Brent MacGregor
Chief Executive Officer
Medical Developments Intl. Ltd.
Peter R. Paradiso, Ph.D.
Former Vice President,
New Business and Scientific
Affairs
Pfizer Vaccines
Peggy V. Phillips
Former Chief Operating Officer
Immunex Corporation
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer and
Director
Dynavax Technologies
Corporation
Elaine Sun
Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Operating Officer
Mammoth Biosciences, Inc.
MANAGEMENT
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
Ryan Spencer
Chief Executive Officer and
Director
David F. Novack
President and
Chief Operating Officer
Kelly MacDonald
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Jeff Coon
Senior Vice President,
Chief Human Resources Officer
Robert Janssen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer and
Senior Vice President, Clinical
Development, Medical and
Regulatory Affairs
Donn Casale
Senior Vice President,
Chief Commercial Officer
Todd Lopeman
Senior Vice President,
Technical Operations
Riccardo Manetti
Senior Vice President,
Business Development
John L. Slebir
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel
Dong Yu
Senior Vice President,
Vaccine Research
Dynavax Technologies Corporation
2100 Powell Street, Suite 720
Emeryville, CA 94608
U.S.A.
Tel: 510-848-5100
Fax: 510-848-1327
E-mail: contact@dynavax.com
www.dynavax.com
EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
Dynavax GmbH
Eichsfelderstrasse 11
D-40595
Düsseldorf
Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 211 7 58 45 0
CORPORATE COUNSEL
Cooley LLP
Palo Alto, CA
TRANSFER AGENT
Computershare Inc.
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3006
or
150 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021
Tel: 800-522-6645
TDD for Hearing Impaired:
800-231-5469
Outside of the U.S.: 201-680-6578
TDD Outside of the U.S.:
201-680-6610
www.computershare.com
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ernst & Young LLP
San Francisco, CA
STOCK INFORMATION
The common stock of the company is
traded on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market under the symbol DVAX
BR268158-0324-COMBO