UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 1 )
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
CNS RESPONSE, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Leonard J. Brandt
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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SOLICITATION BY LEONARD J. BRANDT
OF CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS
of
CNS RESPONSE, INC.
TO STOCKHOLDERS OF CNS RESPONSE, INC.:
I, Leonard J. Brandt, request your consent for the following purposes:
PROPOSAL 1 To remove from the Board of Directors all incumbent directors other than Leonard J
Brandt.
PROPOSAL 2 To elect the following individuals (the Nominees) as directors of CNS Response, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices located at 2755 Bristol St., Suite 285,
Costa Mesa, California 92626 (the Company), to serve until the next annual meeting and until
their successors are elected and qualified.
Leonard J. Brandt
William E. Bunney, Jr., M.D.
William Murray
Mordechay Yekutiel
Andy Goren
Michael Yuhas
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Sincerely,
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/s/ Leonard J. Brandt
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Leonard J. Brandt |
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PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE ACCOMPANYING CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT FOR MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE STOCKHOLDER CONSENT
SOLICITATION MATERIALS, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR REQUESTS TO LEONARD J. BRANDT AT 31878 DEL OBISPO ST.,
SUITE 118-131, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 OR BY FAXING A WRITTEN REQUEST TO (949) 743-2785.
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Definitive copies of this Stockholder Consent, when filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, are intedned to be first sent, given or released to
holders of Common Stock on
, 2009, or prior to that date as the Securities and Exchange Commission may authorize upon a
showing of good cause.
Preliminary Copy
SOLICITATION BY LEONARD J. BRANDT
OF WRITTEN CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS OF CNS RESPONSE, INC.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS SOLICITATION AND CONSENTING
Leonard J. Brandt hereby requests consent from holders of Common Stock of CNS Response, Inc.
(the Company). Please indicate your Consent by signing, dating and sending the enclosed Pink
Consent Card (the Consent) to the Leonard J. Brandt using the pre-addressed envelope provided for
your convenience. The address for delivery of Consents is Leonard J. Brandt is 31878 Del Obispo
St., Suite 118-131, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675.
Leonard J. Brandt is separately soliciting both proxies for a special stockholder meeting in
lieu of an annual meeting and written consents of stockholders, each of which are intended to
accomplish the same purposes.
The Company has challenged the validity of the special meeting called by Mr. Brandt, and bases
challenges to the special meeting on a supposed belief in an interpretation of its Bylaws that
allows the Company to dictate the timing of special meetings, and, therefore, Mr. Brandt is also
soliciting written consents because they can accomplish the same ends without being subject to
challenges based on the Companys interpretation of its Bylaws. In fact, Delaware corporations
cannot limit the use of written consents by adopting contrary bylaws, and the only effective
limitations on written consents would be set forth in the certificate of incorporation, and cannot
be adopted by the Board absent prior approval of its stockholders.
If you provide Mr. Brandt both a proxy card and a written consent, he will use each or both in
the manner which he judges most effective to accomplish the goals of replacing the incumbent Board
of Directors. Mr. Brandt will also, for your convenience, treat any timely revocation of one as a
revocation of both.
Under the Delaware Corporation law and the Companys Bylaws, votes represented by proxies will
be counted at the earliest time when a quorum is present or represented by proxy at the special
meeting. A quorum is a majority of the outstanding shares.
Under the Delaware Corporation law, written consents will take effect when written consents of
a majority of the outstanding shares are delivered to the Company.
[IN THE DEFINITIVE CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT THE PRIOR PARAGRAPH WILL READ AS FOLLOWS:
Definitive copies of this Consent Solicitation Statement and Pink Consent Card were first sent or
given to stockholders on approximately , 2009.]
Definitive copies of this Consent Solicitation Statement, when filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, are intended to be first sent, given or released
to holders of Common Stock on _____ _____, 2009, which is 10 days after the filing of this preliminary Consent Solicitation
Statement or after such shorter period prior to that date as the Securities and Exchange Commission
may authorize upon a showing of good cause.
The consents of stockholders expire unless the Company receives consents signed by holders of
a majority of the outstanding stock within sixty (60) days after the first-dated consent. The
first-dated consent will be dated on the date that this Consent Solicitation Statement is filed in
definitive form.
Thus the consent solicitation period will expire upon the earlier to occur of (i) delivery to
the Company of consents of holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock or (ii) the
sixty-first calendar day after this Consent Solicitation Statement is filed in definitive form with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company will give notice to stockholders if Proposals 1 or 2 are approved. The Delaware
General Corporation Law and the Companys Bylaws require the Company to give notice of the adoption
of any action by written consent to all stockholders who do not give consents. Rule 14c-1 et seq.
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 also requires the Company to give notice to stockholders
in the form of an Information Statement prescribed by Schedule 14C unless the Company solicits
consents from all the stockholders. The stockholders entitled to such
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notice are the stockholders
as of the time written consents of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common
Stock shall have been delivered to the Company.
Notice is not required to be sent to stockholders upon the expiration of the consent
solicitation period by lapse of time if no Proposal is approved. This may constitute your only
notice of the expiration of the consent solicitation period on the 61st calendar day
after this consent solicitation statement is filed in definitive form.
The Delaware General Corporation Law in Section 228(e) provides that Prompt notice of the
taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be
given to those stockholders or members who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had
been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for
such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders or
members to take the action were delivered to the corporation as provided in subsection (c) of this
section.
The Companys Bylaws, in Article 1, Section 1.10, provide that prompt notice of the taking of
corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those
stockholders who have not consented in writing.
Rule 14c-1 under the Securities Exchange Act requires a registrant to furnish an Information
Statement on Schedule 14C.
Concerning notice to security holders of the results of the solicitation, in the event that
the solicitation is successful, I intend to cause the Company to give all notices required by the
foregoing provisions.
None of the foregoing provisions requires notice to be given if and when solicitations of
written consents expires and is unsuccessful. Please advise me if you are aware of such a
requirement, in which case I shall happily comply and reflect that requirement in the final
paragraph of the disclosure set forth above.
CONSENT REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL; EFFECT OF ABSTENTIONS AND VOTES AGAINST
The only outstanding class of stock of the Company having voting rights is the Companys
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share. Only holders of Common Stock are entitled to consent on
the Proposals. Each share of Common Stock has one vote.
Consents of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are required
to approve each of Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation
Law and the Bylaws of the Company.
If Proposal 1 is not approved, then incumbent directors would not be removed from the Board.
The approval of Proposal 2, the election of the Nominees by written consent, will have no force or
effect unless there are vacancies on the Board, such as those vacancies that would be created by
approval of Proposal 1.
Consents will be counted when delivered to the Company. The Consent includes an authorization
for Leonard J. Brandt or his designates to deliver Consents to the Company in any manner.
The Consents shall take effect on the earliest date that Consents from record holders of a
majority of the outstanding Common Stock are delivered to the Company. No Consent shall have any
effect unless Consents of holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock are delivered
within 60 days after the earliest-dated Consent.
If a preference is not indicated on a signed and dated Consent delivered by any Stockholder,
the Consent will be counted as FOR each of the Proposals.
Disapproving or abstaining on a proposal, and brokers indicating a non-vote in any
other manner, all have the same effect, and none is counted as a Consent on any Proposal.
A Pink Consent Card is included at the end of this document. If a preference is not indicated
on a signed and dated Consent delivered by any Stockholder, the Consent will be counted as FOR each
of the Proposals.
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RECORD DATE; OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK
Consents will take effect on the date that Consents are delivered to the Company signed and
dated by Stockholders holding a majority of the then outstanding Common Stock (the Record Date).
Stockholders who are holders of record of the Companys Common Stock on the Record Date are
entitled to Consent. For approval of each proposal, Consent is required from the record holders of
a majority of the shares of Common Stock that are issued and outstanding on the Record Date. Common
Stock outstanding on June 26, 2009 is believed to be 28,349,171 shares. A majority of that number
of shares would be 14,202,934 shares. The number of outstanding shares, and accordingly the number
of Consents required, may be higher as of the Record Date to the extent additional shares of Common
Stock are issued on or before the Record Date.
PROCEDURE TO GIVE CONSENT
Holders of shares of Common Stock on the Record Date are urged to sign, date and return the
Pink Consent Card to Leonard J. Brandt via fax to (949) 743-2785 or send addressed to him at 31878
Del Obispo St., Suite 118-131, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675.
If your shares of Common Stock are registered in more than one name, the accompanying Consent
form should be signed by all such persons.
However, if your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or nominee, only they
can give Consent for your shares, and only upon receipt of your specific instructions.
If your shares are not held in a brokerage account and a stock certificate is registered
in your own name, you are the Stockholder of record. You may print out, sign and date the
Consent form attached hereto.
On the other hand, if your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or
other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and in
that case these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker who is considered, with
respect to those shares, the Stockholder of record. To sign the Consent as a beneficial owner, you
may either
A. Direct your broker to sign the Consent for your shares by sending a written directive to
your broker to do so; OR
B. Specifically request a document called a legal proxy from your broker which you will sign
and date and forward with a signed and dated copy of the Consent.
IN EITHER CASE, SEND ALL CONSENTS TO LEONARD J. BRANDT AT 31878 DEL OBISPO ST., SUITE 118-131,
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 OR BY FAX TO (949) 743-2785.
REVOCABILITY OF CONSENTS
Any Consent given pursuant to this solicitation is considered revocable by the person giving
it at any time before it is used. Any Consent may be revoked by duly-executing a written notice of
revocation of Consent or a Consent bearing a later date and delivering the same to Leonard J.
Brandt at 31878 Del Obispo St., Suite 118-131, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 or by fax to (949)
743-2785 prior to the date that Leonard J. Brandt shall have received Consents form holders of a
majority of the outstanding Common Stock.
PERSON MAKING THIS SOLICITATION
This solicitation of Consents is not made by the Company. Leonard J. Brandt is making this
solicitation of Consents. The only other participants in the solicitation are the Nominees. Please
see PROPOSAL 2, ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, Information With Respect to the Nominees.
The participants may solicit Consents in person or by telephone, facsimile, internet, email,
mail, courier, and delivery services. Leonard J. Brandt intends to conduct all solicitation
activities himself. Neither Leonard J. Brandt nor any of the other participants intends to conduct
any solicitations through any regular employees, specially-engaged employees or proxy solicitation
firms.
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EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The entire expense of the solicitation of Consents will be borne by Leonard J. Brandt. Leonard
J. Brandt currently estimates that the total expenditures for, in furtherance of, or in connection
with the Consent solicitation will be approximately $150,000. Leonard J. Brandt has incurred
approximately $50,000 of such expenses to date. If any of the Nominees are elected, Leonard J.
Brandt intends to seek reimbursement from the Company for those expenses, but does not intend to
submit the question of such reimbursement to a vote of the stockholders.
PROPOSAL 1
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Leonard J. Brandt believes that the Stockholders should remove all incumbent members of the
Board of Directors other than himself and is seeking your support by this Consent to remove those
directors.
The effect of a consent card FOR this proposal would be to remove all of the incumbent
directors other than Mr. Brandt and to create vacancies on the Board that can be filled by approval
of Proposal 2. The removal of directors will take effect on the date that written consents of
holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock are delivered to the Company. Thus, all
incumbent directors, other than Leonard Brandt, as of that time would be removed.
The effect of a consent card AGAINST this proposal would be to remove none of the
incumbent directors.
The effect of a consent card marked ABSTAIN or a non-vote of any kind would have the same
effect as a consent card AGAINST, to remove none of the incumbent directors.
If Proposal 1 is not approved, then Proposal 2 (the election of Nominees by written consent)
will have no force or effect.
When you sign, date and return the Pink Consent Card, you will be authorizing the removal of
all incumbent members of the Board of Directors with the exception of Leonard J. Brandt, which will
create vacancies that will be filled by Proposal 2. The election of directors by written consent of
the stockholders requires that vacancies exist on the Board.
Potential Positive Effects of Approving the Proposal
The Proposal to remove the present incumbent directors (other than Mr. Brandt) only has a
positive effect if the Proposal to elect the Nominees is also approved, in which case the Nominees
will fill all of the existing Board seats and none of the incumbent directors (other than Mr.
Brandt will continue to serve on the Companys Board).
Also see Proposal 2Potential Positive Effects of Approving the Proposal.
Potential Negative Effects of Approving the Proposal
In the event that the Proposal to remove the present incumbent directors (other than Mr.
Brandt) is approved and if the Proposal to elect the Nominees is not approved, then Mr. Brandt will
be the sole remaining director and will have the ability to fill all of the vacancies on the Board.
Also see Proposal 2Potential Negative Effects of Approving the Proposal.
PROPOSAL 2
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Leonard J. Brandt believes that the Stockholders should elect the Nominees as directors of the
Company to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and
qualified. The Nominees have consented to be named herein and have agreed to serve if elected.
There are only six (6) nominees named in this consent solicitation statement, and, therefore,
the holders of Consents shall only be entitled to vote for six (6) nominees.
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The number of authorized directors, also known as the number of seats on the Board, can be set
or changed from time to time by the incumbent Board of Directors. To the best of Leonard Brandts
knowledge, the number of seats on the Board is currently six (6), with five (5) seats filled and
one vacancy authorized by the incumbent Board on April 10, 2009 when Daniel A. Hoffman was
appointed or invited to the Board (although he either resigned or declined to become a director)
or, if not earlier, on June 18, 2009 in connection with a proposal approved by a majority of the
Board to appoint or invite John Pappajohn to the Board (although he has either resigned or declined
to become a director). Mr. Brandt believes the vacancy continues to exist because he has no
information concerning a subsequent Board resolution to reduce the number of seats, and also a
representative of the Company has described to Mr. Brandt an open invitation to John Pappajohn to
join the Board. Mr. Brandts information concerning Board resolutions is incomplete because the
Company has declined Mr. Brandts request to be provided all of the minutes of the Board.
If the number of authorized directors at the time of the election exceeds the number of
Nominees, then even if all the Nominees are elected, the seats on the
Board that are in excess of the number of Nominees will continue to
be filled by an incumbent director or, if vacant, will remain vacant until someone is validly elected or
appointed to fill the vacancy or the number of seats is reduced by
resolution of the Board. The holder of proxies solicited hereby will not have discretionary authority to vote for more than
a total of the six (6) Nominees or substitute Nominees, and the holder of the proxy being solicited
hereby cannot use discretionary authority to vote the proxies for other persons for those excess
seats. Therefore any seats numbering in excess of six (6) may possibly be filled by the vote of
stockholders or their proxies holding fewer shares than those held by persons supporting the
nominees named herein. As the election of the Nominees by written consent involves the removal of
all incumbent directors, with the exception of Leonard Brandt, then none of the incumbent directors
could continue immediately following removal to hold a seat on the Board.
If the number of authorized directors at the time of the election is fewer than the number of
Nominees, then the Nominees or other persons who receive the most consents will be elected, up to
the number of seats to be elected.
Reasons for Recommending the Nominees for Election
The Nominees are independent businessmen and scientists with enthusiasm and respect for the
efforts of the Company and its stockholders, developers and managers.
All Nominees have been in a position of knowledge of the Companys developments for some time.
One (Dr. Bunney) is currently a scientific advisor of the Company, and one other (Mr. Murray) was
asked to consider standing for election as a Board member by the Board as of early 2009. Another
(Mr. Yuhas) has had informal discussions of participation on the Board with an incumbent Board
member other than Mr. Brandt. Another (Mr. Goren) is an informal advisor to the Company on genomic
matters Another (Mr. Yekutiel) has been involved with NuPharm, that developed some of the
technology that the Company is utilizing. Of course, Mr. Brandt was the Companys CEO until April
2009.
Four of the Nominees (Messrs. Goren, Murray, Yuhas and Brandt) are or have been CEOs of small
health-technology companies whose experiences are directly relevant to the stage, size and issues
confronting the Company.
The nominees are experienced in relevant technical fields
Four of the Nominees are experienced in the field of medical devicesMessrs. Murray, Goren,
Bunney and Brandt.
Four of the Nominees are experienced in the field of genomicsMessrs. Bunney, Goren, Murray
and Brandt.
Three of the Nominees are experienced in the field of brain physiologyDr. Bunney, Goren and
Brandt.
Three of the Nominees are experienced in the field of psychopharmacologyMessrs. Bunney,
Yuhas and Brandt.
Two of the Nominees are experienced in the field of healthcare reimbursementMessrs. Murray
and Yuhas.
Three of the Nominees are experienced in the field of behavioral health managementMessrs.
Bunney, Yuhas and Brandt.
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One of the Nominees is experienced in the filed of academic psychiatryDr. Bunney.
Potential Positive Effects of Approving the Proposal
Mr. Brandt believes that the stockholders of the Company will be served best by bringing in
new perspectives on spending and financing.
If the Proposal is approved and the Nominees are elected, the Nominees intend, in general, to
minimize the dilution to existing stockholders by raising lower amounts prior to the announcement
of results of the clinical trials, to raise more significant amounts after the announcement of the
clinical trial results at prices and on terms that are more favorable to the Company, and to
attempt to renegotiate and, if unsuccessful, to consider challenging the recent transactions with
interested persons.
Potential Negative Effects of Approving the Proposal
In the event the Nominees are elected, the incumbent Board, with the exception of Leonard
Brandt, may continue, acting either in their individual capacities or purportedly on behalf of the
Company, may challenge the election. The costs that the Company incurs in an election challenge
could be significant.
On June 12, 2009, the Company borrowed $1,000,000 from John Pappajohn due and payable in one
year, except that if an Event of Default occurs, John Pappajohn can demand payment immediately.
One of the Events of Default would be if George Carpenter quits his position as CEO or is fired.
Unfortunately, if Mr. Carpenter quits or is terminated before June 12, 2010, the effect under the
debt to John Pappajohn would be an Event of Default. If the Nominees are elected, there is a
risk that Mr. Carpenter might quit or be terminated as CEO resulting in an Event of Default. The
Companys indebtedness to Pappajohn would become due if Mr. Pappajohn demands immediate payment.
The amount due would be $1,090,000 (including a $90,000 premium payable in lieu of interest).
On March 30, 2009, the Company borrowed $250,000 from Sail Venture Partners, and on May 14,
2009, the Company borrowed an additional $200,000 from Sail Venture Partners, and the total
original principal amount plus interest is presently due and payable upon demand of Sail Venture
Partners, a demand that Sail Venture Partners can make at any time. Since David B. Jones, an
incumbent member of the Board, is an affiliate of Sail Venture Partners, Sail Venture Partners
might demand repayment if Mr. Jones is replaced on the Board by one of the Nominees.
As for the intentions and present plans of the Nominees to address these issues, please see
THE NOMINEES INTENTIONS AND PRESENT PLANS.
Information With Respect to the Nominees
Listed below are the Nominees, with information showing the principal occupation or employment
of the Nominees, the principal business of the corporation or other organization in which such
occupation or employment is carried on, and such Nominees business experience during the past five
years.
Leonard J. Brandt, age 53, currently serves as a director of the Company. He became the
Companys Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary upon completion of the
Companys merger with CNS Response, Inc., a California corporation (or CNS California) on March 7,
2007 and served in those capacities until April 10, 2009. Mr. Brandt was a founder of CNS
California, and had served as its President and Chief Executive Officer, and as a member of its
Board of Directors since its inception in 2000. Mr. Brandt started his career with Norwest Venture
Capital in 1980. In 1983 he became Vice President of Norwest Growth Fund and General Partner of
Norwest Venture Partners, where he served until 1990. In this capacity he was primarily responsible
for the firms investments in the healthcare industry, including several involving the behavioral
health industry. In 1995 Mr. Brandt founded Time Segment Publishing, Inc and was its President
until 1999. In 1999, Mr. Brandt co-founded Embro Vascular, LLC, a provider of technology for
least-invasive harvesting of the saphenous vein for heart-bypass surgery. He also individually
provided consulting to early stage ventures from 1993 until he co-founded Mill City Venture
Consulting in 1998. Mill City Venture Consulting was initially an advisor to NuPharm, Inc., the
predecessor of CNS California. Mr. Brandt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of
Commerce at University of Illinois and a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard
University.
William E. Bunney, Jr., M.D., age 79, currently serves on the scientific advisory board of CNS Response, Inc. Dr.
Bunney is the Senior Associate Dean of Research, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine (UCI School of
Medicine) and the Della Martin Chair,
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Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Bunney first joined UCI School of Medicine in
1982 as Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry. From 1991 to 1998 Dr. Bunney served as Director of Research. In
1998, Dr. Bunney was appointed Academic Co-Chairman, Department of Psychiatry where he served until 2007, before he was
named Senior Associate Dean of Research, UCI School of Medicine. Dr. Bunney serves on the scientific advisory boards
of Neosync, Inc., a medical device company involved in the magnetic treatment of psychiatric disorders and Thuris
Corporation, a company engaged in neuropharmaceutics, electrophysiological treatment and diagnosis. Dr. Bunney serves
as a consultant to Psych Pain Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a company engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological
pain and Neudezine, a nanodevice for connectivity of neurons and nanowires. In addition, Dr. Bunney serves on the
National Scientific Advisory Board of NARSAD, the Harvard International Brain Repository, the World Health Organization
Expert Panel on Mental Health, and is a Consulting Fellow with the World Innovation Foundation. Previously, Dr Bunney
was employed as director of the Federal Treatment, Education and Research Endeavor for Narcotic Addiction and Drug
Abuse with the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, Dr Bunney has served as president of the American College
of Neuropsychopharmacology, West Coast College of Biological Psychiatry, the Psychiatric Research Society and the
Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (CINP). Dr. Bunney received his M.D. from the University of
Pennsylvania Medical School and completed his residency in Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. He is the
author of more than 400 scientific publications, the editor of seven books, and on the editorial board of seventeen
(17) psychiatry peer review scientific journals. Dr. Bunney has received a number of national and international
research awards including the Hofheimer Research Award, the International Anna-Monika Award and the NARSAD Nora Maddox
Falcone Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Affective Disorders Research. Dr. Bunney was elected to the Institute of
Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and recently designated a Lifetime National Associate.
William Murray, age 48, has over 20 years of experience in the Medical Device and Life Science
areas. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of ReShape Medical, Inc.
(ReShape), a development stage company focused on non-surgical therapies for the treatment of
obesity. Prior to ReShape, Mr. Murray has held various senior level executive positions. From June
2006 through January 2008, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Murray Consulting, an executive
management consulting company. From January 2005 through May 2006, Mr. Murray served as President
of the Molecular Biology Division of Applied Biosystems, a company engaged in supplying life
science tools for genetic analysis. From June 2003 through June 2004, Mr. Murray served as Group
President of Respiratory Technologies at Viasys Healthcare, a company engaged in respiratory
therapy. From October 1985 through June 2003, Mr. Murray worked in various capacities at Medtronic,
Inc, a medical technology services company. Prior to his departure he served as President of the
Pacemaker business. In addition to leading the Pacemaker Business, Bill was responsible for CRM
business development, the EP Systems Business, and the Functional Diagnostic Business. Prior to
running these businesses, he had responsibility for engineering, development and project management
of a number of implantable pacing systems. Bill holds a BSEE from the University of Florida. Mr.
Murray currently serves on the Board of Directors of ReShape Medical, Inc. and has previously
served as a director for Zinectics Medical, Inc. and Innovatus Ventures.
Mordechay Yekutiel, age 62, has had his primary profession of the last 33 years in commercial
real estate operating in CA, TX and NV. From March of 1988 to the present, Mr. Yekutiel has served
as President of Moty Yekutiel, Inc., a company acting as a manager of real estate enterprises. Moty
Yekutiel, Inc. serves as the General Partner for Masco Associates, Easco Corporation and Lake
Center LP, all real estate development companies. Mr. Yekutiels secondary activity has been
financial support and guidance of early stage technology driven companies including, QPC, Inc. a
laser manufacturer with applications in dermatology and other fields, and NuPharm, Inc. the
predecessor technology development company that licensed the basic rEEG technology to CNS Response,
Inc.
Andy Goren, age 38, From July 2006 to the present, Mr. Goren has served as President of
PharmaGenoma, Inc. (PharmaGenoma), a molecular dermatology research and development company.
PharmaGenoma is dedicated to the research and development of new prescription based therapies
tailored to an individuals genetic make up. During this time, from January 2008 to the present,
Mr. Goren has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of HairDx LLC, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of PharmaGenoma and an FDA registered pharmacogenomics research and development company.
HairDX LLC markets the first genetic test for male and female hair loss. From June 2004 to July
2006, Mr. Goren served as Chief Executive Officer of BioQ, Inc., a medical device company
pioneering the treatment of gait and balance disorders due to peripheral neuropathy. Previously Mr.
Goren served as Chief Executive Officer of MobileWise, Inc., a revolutionary wire-free electric
power delivery system. Mr. Goren brings 15 years of industry experience in manufacturing, sales,
marketing, business development, fundraising, and OEM relationships with large global corporations.
Mr. Goren obtained his B.S. degree in Mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley and
performed graduate studies in Neuroscience at Stanford.
Michael Yuhas, age 58, is a healthcare executive with background in the behavioral health,
public health, health insurance and CM/DM sectors, including private and public companies. From
January 2007 to the present, Mr. Yuhas has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Integra Health Management, Inc., which
7
provides physical/behavioral health management services and
strategic health management consulting to healthcare payers. From January 2007 to January 2009, Mr
Yuhas also served as a director of Comprehensive Care Corporation, which provides managed care
services in the behavioral health and psychiatric fields. From January 2003 to September 2005, Mr.
Yuhas served as the Chief Executive Officer of Health Integrated, Inc., a company
which serves health plans, employers, and public sector payers, delivering UM, CM and DM
programs for medical and behavioral health conditions. Previously, Mr. Yuhas served as Executive
Vice President of Strategic Development for Magellan Health Services, Inc., a national provider of
specialty health management services, including provider networks, employee assistance programs,
advanced radiology and specialty pharmacy management.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF THE PARTICIPANTS
The following table sets forth the name and the number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company beneficially owned as of June 26, 2009, by Leonard J. Brandt and each of the Nominees.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
| Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Percent of Class (1) |
|
| |
Leonard J. Brandt(2) |
|
|
9,838,777 |
(8) |
|
|
32.5 |
% |
William E. Bunney, Jr., M.D.(3) |
|
|
20,000 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
William Murray(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mordechay Yekutiel(5) |
|
|
198,394 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Andy Goren(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Yuhas(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
10,057,171 |
|
|
|
35.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| * |
|
Indicates less than 1%. |
| |
| (1) |
|
Calculated as of June 26, 2009 based on the 28,349,171 shares of Common Stock of the Company believed to be outstanding. |
| |
| (2) |
|
Mr. Brandts address is 31878 Del Obispo St., Suite 118-131, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. |
| |
| (3) |
|
Dr. Bunneys address is D438 Medical Sciences Bldg I, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California,
Irvine, CA 92697-1675. |
| |
| (4) |
|
Mr. Murrays address is 100 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, CA 92672. |
| |
| (5) |
|
Mr. Yekutiels address is 5106 Coldwater Canyon #22, Sherman Oaks, CA91423. |
| |
| (6) |
|
Mr. Gorens address is 17682 Mitchell North, Suite 203, Irvine, CA 92614. |
| |
| (7) |
|
Mr. Yuhas address is 10711 Red Run Blvd., Suite 112, Owings Mills, MD 21117. |
| |
| (8) |
|
Consists of 7,934,631 shares of Common Stock (including 540,000 shares owned by Mr. Brandts children) held by Mr. Brandt as well
as 601,646 shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants to purchase Common Stock and 1,302,500 shares reserved for
issuance upon exercise of options to purchase Common Stock. |
| |
| (9) |
|
Consists of 20,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of options to purchase Common Stock. |
TRANSACTIONS OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN COMPANY SECURITIES
The following table sets forth for Leonard J. Brandt and each of the Nominees their purchases
and sales (indicated in parenthesis) of Common Stock within the previous two years, the dates of
the transactions and the amounts purchased or sold:
8
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name |
|
Trade Date |
|
|
Quantity |
|
| |
Leonard J. Brandt |
|
June 9, 2009 |
|
|
|
607,900 |
|
Leonard J. Brandt |
|
June 19, 2009 |
|
|
|
2,124,740 |
|
William E. Bunney, Jr. M.D. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Murray |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mordechay Yekutiel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andy Goren |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Yuhas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Litigation
On June 29, 2009, the Delaware Court of Chancery denied a motion brought by the Company
seeking a Temporary Restraining Order against Leonard Brandt and other defendants, seeking to
prohibit them from calling a special stockholder meeting. The Companys complaint was filed on
Friday, June 26, 2009 in the Delaware Court of Chancery and captioned CNS Response, Inc. v. Leonard
Brandt, Meyerlen, LLC, EAC Investment LP et al. (CA 4688 ). The Company sought a court order
prohibiting a meeting of stockholders from taking place. The Company argued that it would suffer
irreparable harm if the meeting were allowed to take place. The Court determined that holding a
stockholders meeting would not cause the Company irreparable harm because the Company will have
adequate opportunity after the meeting is held to raise challenges as to validity of the meeting.
On July 2, 2009, the Company filed suit in the U.S. District Court, Central District of
California alleging an injunction against Leonard Brandt based essentially the same federal claims
that the Company previously alleged in its suit filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery in the
above- referenced case. Mr. Brandt intends to seek to stay or dismiss the causes of action, to
vigorously defend the action and to seek appropriate remedies against the Company and persons
acting in concert with it.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
On March 30, 2009, the Company entered into two Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes,
each in the principal amount of $250,000 (each a Note and, collectively, the Notes), with
Brandt Ventures, GP (Brandt Ventures) and SAIL Venture Partners, LP (SAIL). Leonard Brandt is
the general partner of Brandt Ventures. The Notes accrue interest at the rate of 8% per annum.
The Notes are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets (including all intellectual
property) of the Company. The respective rights of each of Brandt Ventures and SAIL in respect of
the lien are to remain on a parity with one each other without preference, priority or distinction
during all times when both Notes are outstanding.
The Notes provide that any repayment made under either Note shall be made to each of Brandt
Ventures and SAIL in equal amounts. However, SAIL subsequently entered into a loan agreement with
the Company in which the Company agreed that, if SAIL demands the Company to do so, the Company
will repay Brandt Ventures without repaying SAIL.
On June 30, 2009, each Note became due and payable if Brandt Ventures or SAIL, respectively,
declares its respective Note due and payable. Although nonpayment on June 30, 2009 constituted an
Event of Default as defined in the Notes, an earlier Event of Default occurred under the Notes when
the Company terminated Leonard Brandt in April, 2009. At any time thereafter, the holders of the
Notes could have together declared both Notes due and payable.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, unless Brandt and/or
SAIL informs the Company otherwise, the Company shall pay such investor an amount equal to the
product of 250% multiplied by the principal and all accrued but unpaid interest outstanding on the
Note. A similar provision is found in connection with a subsequent $200,000 in original principal
amount of additional secured indebtedness to SAIL, and a later subsequent $1,000,000 in original
principal amount plus a premium of $90,000 of secured indebtedness incurred to John Pappajohn.
Accordingly, in connection with the Notes, the subsequent indebtedness, and the liens accompanying
them, a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company could result in up to $1,250,000
becoming payable under the Notes, including $675,000 payable to Brand Ventures under its Note, plus
up to $2,920,000 becoming payable under the subsequent indebtedness to SAIL and John Pappajohn, in
each case not
9
counting 250% of the accrued and unpaid interest and other charges permitted under
the Notes or other related agreements.
The Notes provide that the principal and all accrued but unpaid interest outstanding under the
Notes shall be automatically converted into the securities issued in an equity financing
transaction of at least $1,500,000 (excluding any and all other debt that is converted), on the
same terms as those offered to the lead investor in the equity financing except at a price for the
securities of 90% of the per share price paid by the investors in such financing.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NOMINEES
Andy Goren is a director, the President and a principal stockholder of PharmaGenoma, Inc. Mr.
Brandt serves on the board of directors of that company. For details concerning the business of
PharmaGenoma, please see the biography of Andy Goren.
Other Involvement or Contacts between the Company and Participants
On May 6, 2009, Mr. Brandt delivered a letter to Sail Venture Partners concerning his position
since the fall of 2008 favoring lower expenditures, especially a reduced commercialization budget
and that commercialization before clinical trials results are published will result in unnecessary
dilution of the Companys stockholders.
On June 26, 2009, at a hastily convened board held within hours of the Companys filing of the
complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, the incumbent Board purported to amend Section 1.2 of
its Bylaws to eliminate the stockholders future ability to call a meeting for the election of
directors.
At the same meeting, Mr. Brandt read to the Board of Directors a statement concerning his
reasons for calling this special meeting of the stockholders.
On July 3, 2009 and on July 12, 2009, a representative of Leonard Brandt appeared at a special
meeting of stockholders and voted Leonard Brandts shares in favor of adjournments of the meeting
to a later date and at the same place. Representatives of the Company also attended and registered
their objection to the special meeting each time.
Dr. Bunney is currently a scientific advisor of the Company.
Mr. Murray was asked to consider standing for election as a Board member by the Board as of
early 2009.
Mr. Yuhas has had informal discussions of participation on the Board with an incumbent Board
member other than Mr. Brandt.
Mr. Goren is an informal advisor to the Company on genomic matters.
Mr. Yekutiel has been involved with NuPharm, which developed some of the technology that the
Company is utilizing.
Of course, Mr. Brandt was the Companys CEO until April 10, 2009. Mr. Brandts former
employment and related matters are described elsewhere herein. See Interests of Nominees.
INTERESTS OF NOMINEES
If the Nominees are elected to the Board of Directors, Leonard J. Brandt will ask the board to
consider and vote on whether to adopt other changes in management of the Company, whether to
scale-back or change current budgets and spending plans, whether to proceed with current Company
business strategies, whether to proceed with current Company financing strategies that likely will
include sales of securities of the Company, whether to modify current Company plans on these
subjects and whether to adopt alternative plans on these subjects.
On March 30, 2009, Leonard J. Brandt made a loan of $250,000 to the Company with his personal
funds, and such loan is evidenced by a secured promissory note that may become convertible into
securities of the Company in the event the Company completes an offering and sale of equity
securities in a specified minimum amount. The secured promissory note is not presently convertible,
and may not become convertible at all. The conversion price is unknown and will be based upon the
future sales price, if any, in the qualified offering. For further discussion of the secured
promissory notes issued by the Company to Mr. Brandt, please see the preceding section CERTAIN
10
RELATIONSHIPS. At some future time, Brandt may acquire securities of the Company under the terms
of this secured promissory note. On April 10, 2009, the Company released Mr. Brandt from employment
which was a default under the terms of the secured promissory note, making the secured promissory
note immediately due and payable. The secured promissory note has not been repaid and is still in
default. For further discussion of the employment agreement between Mr. Brandt and the Company,
please see the section COMPENSATION BY THE COMPANY OF PARTICIPANTS, subheading Employment
Agreement.
Brandt intends to participate as an investor in future offerings of the Company.
The bridge loans made to the Company from March 2009 to the present, including the $250,000
bridge loan made by Leonard Brandt in March 2009, would convert to equity if the Company raises at
least $1,500,000 of equity. The price and terms of the equity issued on conversion of the bridge
loans would depend on the price and terms of the equity financing. See CONCERNS ABOUT THE
INCUMBENT BOARD (EXCEPT LEONARD BRANDT) and CONCERNS ABOUT THE COMPANYS FINANCING TRANSACTIONS.
If Mr. Brandts bridge loan converts, Mr. Brandt would receive equity on the same terms as the
lead investor in the financing and at a price that is 90% of the per share price paid for
securities in the equity financing. Mr. Brandt does believe that raising equity in the minimum
amount of $1,500,000 could serve the interests of the Company because it could cause all of the
bridge loans to convert and also provide sufficient funds to operate until after the clinical trial
results are announced, and he also believes that raising more than the minimum needed will
adversely affect the price and terms of that equity financing and, thus, adversely affect from the
Companys standpoint the terms on which the bridge loans convert.
In the event the Nominees are elected, Leonard Brandt intends to request that the Board of
Directors consider payment of the amounts Mr. Brandt believes are due under the terms of the
secured promissory notes issued to Mr. Brandt by the Company on March 30, 2009.
Leonard J. Brandt also intends to seek reimbursement from the Company for those expenses
incurred by Leonard J. Brandt relating to the Consent Solicitation, if any Nominees are elected,
but does not intend to submit the question of such reimbursement to a vote of the Stockholders. For
an estimate of those costs, please see the section entitled EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION on page 3.
If elected to the Board of Directors, the Nominees who are non-employee directors may each
receive whatever compensation for their services as directors as may be determined from time to
time.
For information regarding ownership of the Companys stock by the Nominees, including Leonard
J. Brandt, please see SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF THE PARTICIPANTS.
Regarding any purchases and sales of the Companys securities during the past two years by the
participants, please see TRANSACTIONS OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN COMPANY SECURITIES.
Independence of Nominees
Leonard J. Brandt served as the Companys Chief Executive Officer until April, 2009, and
William E. Bunney, Jr., M.D. currently serves on the Companys Scientific Advisory Board. Except
for Mr. Brandt and Dr. Bunney, all of the other nominees named in this consent solicitation
statement for election at the meeting are independent, as independence is defined under the listing
standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, for purposes of board membership and committee memberships on
all committees.
CONCERNS ABOUT THE INCUMBENT BOARD (EXCEPT LEONARD BRANDT)
The incumbent Board is committed to continue spending money for commercializing its
technology. Mr. Brandt believes that the stockholders would be better served by eliminating the
current spending on commercialization, finishing the clinical trial, publicizing the results, and
then raising sufficient money to spend on commercialization. Successful clinical trial results
could become a significant milestone that could open the door to more successful commercialization
of its technology and more successful fund raising.
A major concern about the incumbent members of the Board, except Leonard Brandt, relates to
entrenchment
The Company cannot dispute that it has never held an annual meeting. The Companys
stockholders had sometimes acted by written consents in lieu of annual stockholder meetings, but
not at all since November 2006. The incumbent Board members were never elected by the Companys
stockholders, although, to be perfectly fair to them, some of them, including Leonard Brandt, had
been elected by shareholders of a California corporation that
11
is now a subsidiary of the Company.
They became directors of the Company in 2007 through a merger transaction. The others directors
were subsequently appointed by the directors without a vote of the Companys stockholders.
An obvious aspect of the incumbent Boards recent activities has been the Companys legal
fight against holding a special meeting of stockholders. The votes of current stockholders would
be diluted if the Company issues more Common Stock, and if the Company places voting stock in the
hands of the incumbent Board or other friendly hands, the incumbent Board could effectively
perpetuate its control and ignore the will of the present stockholders. The Company did schedule
their first and only annual meeting, in September, 2009, but additional shares of Common Stock
might be issued by the record date for that meeting, presently set at August 27, 2009.
Since both Sail Venture Partners and John Pappajohn could purchase (pursuant to their recently
signed agreements) virtually all of the securities that the Company might offer, the fact that the
Company is raising more money now is very concerning.
Mr. Brandt believes that a large financing could indeed, if the incumbent Board is not
replaced, occur before the special meeting can be held, if at all, or before the record date for
the annual meeting called by the Company and intended to be held in September, 2009.
The Company admitted in its complaint in Delaware that the Companys next financing is being
sought right now.
CONCERNS ABOUT THE COMPANYS FINANCING TRANSACTIONS
The Company recently raised money (a total of $1,200,000 of convertible loans).
Consistent with its present budget, the Company has already completed significant bridge
financings. The bridge loan lenders were Sail Venture Partners and John Pappajohn.
Sail Venture Partners is an affiliate of incumbent Board member David B. Jones.
John Pappajohn has been, as CEO George Carpenter described it to Mr. Brandt, invited to join
the Board. Also, CEO George Carpenter introduced John Pappajohn to the Company.
Where a corporation deals with an insider, the transaction needs to be fair to the
corporation. For that reason, the terms of the transaction should be measured against the terms
that could be obtained from third parties.
Mr. Brandt is not uninformed concerning which third parties entered into discussions regarding
these transactions or what the third parties, if any, might have offered. However what is evident
is that both Sail Venture Partners an John Pappajohn have received a promise from the Company that
each will have the right to invest in the Company a cumulative amount of $10,000,000 in any and all
equity offerings, along with a promise that the Company will not enter into major corporate
transactions without consent from Sail Venture Partners and John Pappajohn.
Outrageously, the management of the Company, in consultation with David B. Jones, Henry T.
Harbin and George Carpenter, acting as a special committee formed in April 2009, made these
agreements with Sail Venture Partners in May 2009 and John Pappajohn in June 2009 without seeking
or obtaining approval of the Companys Board until after both transactions were completed. On June
18, 2009 these transaction were however ratified by every incumbent member of the Board, except
Leonard Brandt. At the meeting, to Mr. Brandts knowledge, the Board did not receive or discuss
any opinion as to valuation or the fairness of the transactions to the Company and its stockholders
from a financial point of view, there was limited discussion about the terms of the agreements and
very limited discussion about how the terms were arrived at.
The terms of these transactions with Sail Venture Partners and John Pappajohn include two very
problematic provisions:
Rights (but no obligations) to invest $10,000,000 in the Company ($10,000,000
by Sail Venture Partners and $10,000,000 by John Pappajohn) in any future financings or
offerings of the Company
Rights of each investor to prohibit the Company from
Acquiring any assets outside the ordinary course
Selling any assets outside the ordinary course.
Being acquired.
12
Making matters especially problematic, neither of the provisions is expressly subject to
expiration. Neither of the agreements is expressly subject to termination.
Mr. Brandt believes the terms described immediately above are appalling and that they should
be renegotiated or challenged through appropriate legal action.
The other terms of the transactions include:
John Pappajohn received seven-year warrants to purchase 3,333,333 shares of Common Stock for
$0.30 per share; plus.
John Pappajohn received a $1,000,000 promissory note that will, subject to certain conditions,
convert into equity at 100% of the price paid by investors in the next equity offering of $1.5
million or more.
Sail Venture Partners received seven-year warrants to purchase 100,000 shares at $0.25 per
share; plus.
Sail Venture Partners received a $200,000 promissory note that will, subject to certain
conditions, convert into equity at 85% of the price paid by investors in the next equity offering
of $1.5 million or more.
The first major financing that was approved by the incumbent Board following the election of
George Carpenter to the board in April 2009 was a $200,000 convertible loan from Sail Venture
Partners, an affiliate of committee member David B. Jones. One of the provisions in that
transaction ensured Sail Venture Partners has an ability to invest up to $10,000,000 in the Company
from time to time in any offering the Company makes. Another provision ensured that Sail Venture
Partners has an ability to veto any merger or other major transaction. Neither of these provisions
has any express expiration, meaning these provisions of the agreement could bind the Company
perpetually.
The next major financing that was approved by the Finance Committee was a $1,000,000
convertible loan from John Pappajohn, a person introduced to the Company by George Carpenter. Mr.
Carpenter has stated that John Pappajohn had previously financed a company that Mr. Carpenter was
involved with. In the recent loan agreement with the Company, Mr. Carpenter himself is ensured
that, if he quits or is fired as CEO, an Event of Default exists. If an Event of Default
exists, Mr. Pappajohn could demand to be repaid immediately. One of the other provisions in that
transaction ensured John Pappajohn, like Sail Venture Partners, has an ability to invest up to
$10,000,000 in the Company from time to time in any offering the Company makes. Another provision
ensured that John Pappajohn, like Sail Venture Partners, has an ability to veto any merger or other
major transaction. Neither of these provisions has any express expiration, meaning these
provisions of the agreement could bind the Company perpetually.
Since March 2009, the Company has raised a total of $1,700,000 as bridge loans a bridge to
an even larger financing. All those bridge loans could automatically convert into equity if and
when the Company raises at least $1,500,000 more in equity. It is significant that the conversion
price in all of the recently-completed financings is tied to the price that the Company obtains in
the equity financing of $1.5 million or more. Sail Venture Partners and John Pappajohn will get
more equity upon conversion of their bridge loans if the Company sells equity at a lower price. In
fairness to them, he same holds true as for Leonard Brandt, who made a bridge loan in March 2009.
However, only Sail Venture Partners and John Pappajohn have entered into agreements that ensure
each of them the ability to invest as much as $10 million into the Company at whatever price the
Company sells equity. The lower the offering price, the more equity that each ones $10 million
could buy.
The Companys is raising equity before the release of its clinical trial data. If the
markets perception of Company is adversely affected by uncertainty about what the results will
show, then the offering price for the Companys equity would be lowered by that factor. If the
uncertainty adversely affects the number of investors who will be interested, then the offering
price would be lowered by that factor. Thus, if the clinical trial results are good and the equity
offering precedes the release of the results, the bridge loans (which include the loan made by
Leonard Brandt) might convert on terms that, while less favorable to the Company, are more
favorable to the new investors and bridge loan makers. Also, if the clinical trial results are
good and the equity offering precedes the release of the results, both Sail Venture Partners and
John Pappajohn would have the contractual right to participate in the offering and might obtain
even more equity or better terms for the same number of dollars.
On the other hand, if the clinical trial results are unfavorable, then raising equity before
the clinical trial results are released would result in the Company raising equity at higher prices
than it otherwise might, subject to the
13
Companys obligations under the securities laws to disclose
all known material information to the investors in connection with the offer or sale of securities.
The Company admitted in its complaint in Delaware that the Companys next financing is being
sought right now.
In light of the conflict of interests that has arisen by virtue of the financial arrangements
created in May and June 2009, and in light of the Companys track record of negotiating and
evaluating these transactions without independent oversight, Mr. Brandt lacks confidence that the
Companys anticipated financing will be on terms that are favorable, or fair, to the Company and
its stockholders. Therefore Mr. Brandt recommends that you vote/consent FOR the Nominees named
herein.
THE NOMINEES INTENTIONS AND PRESENT PLANS
Mr. Brandt is a proponent of reducing the Companys budget for the remainder of calendar year
2009 until at least the public announcement, anticipated in November 2009, of the results of
Companys multi-site study of the effectiveness of the Companys patented rEEG technology.
Mr. Brandt believes that spending for commercialization of the Companys technology, and the
financing needed for that spending, is premature before the clinical studys results are known
publicly and can be fully appreciated by the investors who provide the financing.
The study concerns evaluating the effectiveness of rEEG in guiding selection of medications
for test subjects with treatment-resistant depression. During that initial period, the budget
would devote resources primarily to the completion of the Companys clinical trial followed by
publicity and communication of the clinical trials results. Accordingly, spending for marketing
and other activities would be reduced. Mr. Brandt anticipates that the Nominees, if elected, would
consider minimizing all expenditures of the Company, and the budget may involve termination of some
employees and consultants, particularly those engaged in commercialization.
The larger the budget, the more financing that the Company would immediately need.
Conversely, the smaller the budget, the less financing that the Company would immediately need.
Before releasing the results of the clinical trial, raising a smaller amount of capital, only as
necessary to meet immediate needs of the Companys reduced budget, Mr. Brandt believes is in the
stockholders best interests.
Mr. Brandt believes it is clearly in the stockholders best interest only after announcement
and publicity of the multi-site treatment-resistant depression trial, currently anticipated to
begin in November, to raise more than minimal capital to advance commercialization of rEEG.
Mr. Brandt is also mindful of the onerous terms of the financing transactions completed in May
2009 between the Company and Sail Venture Partners and in June 2009 between the Company and John
Pappajohn. Mr. Brandt believes that these agreements should be renegotiated. See CONCERNS ABOUT
THE INCUMBENT BOARD (EXCEPT LEONARD BRANDT) and CONCERNS ABOUT THE COMPANYS FINANCING
TRANSACTIONS. If these agreements cannot be renegotiated, then other alternatives include legal
action.
Those financings also created about $1,800,000 of bridge loan indebtedness for the Company,
all of which is currently due or may become due at any time if an Event of Default occurs and
payment is then demanded by the holder of the indebtedness. The Company in March 2009 incurred
another $500,000 of bridge loan indebtedness, so the total due under bridge loans has become
approximately $1.8 million in total. In the event the Company completes an equity financing of at
least $1.5 million, the indebtedness provides for its automatic conversion into equity if the
indebtedness remains outstanding. Mr. Brandt anticipates that raising the minimum amount of equity
in order to cause the conversion of that indebtedness could be in the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders. Possible alternatives include renegotiation or legal action.
To the extent of the discussions that have taken place between Mr. Brandt and each of the
other nominees, Mr. Brandt believes it would be fair to describe the Nominees, in general, as being
in favor of this plan.
The nominees have no present plans to propose any extraordinary transactions, such as a sale
of the Company or any sale or disposition of its assets outside the ordinary course.
Mr. Brandt and the Nominees have not yet arranged for the $1,500,000 of financing in order
that the bridge loan obligations may convert into equity. The other ways to address these
obligations may include to obtain
14
replacement financing for the Company, to negotiate a
modification of the terms, or to bring a legal challenge as to the validity of the transactions or
the terms.
The Nominees in general believe that it best serves the interests of the Company and the
stockholders to raise as little financing as necessary until after the release of the clinical
studys results.
The nominees intend to consider and address, in a decisive manner, these and all other matters
of greatest significance to the Company as promptly as practicable pending or following the
election of the nominees.
The statements above are based on present knowledge, beliefs and expectations. The Nominees
intend to carefully consider the Companys circumstances and opportunities at the time if and when
the Nominees are elected. Therefore, the foregoing statements are not meant to foreclose the
nominees from other possible actions in the faithful discharge their fiduciary obligations to the
Company and its stockholders.
ARRANGEMENTS OR UNDERSTANDINGS WITH NOMINEES
The Nominees understand that, if elected as Directors of the Company, each of them will have
an obligation under Delaware law to discharge his duties as a Director in good faith, consistent
with his fiduciary duties to the Company and its Stockholders.
There is no arrangement or understanding between any Nominee and any other person pursuant to
which the Nominee was selected as a Nominee.
COMPENSATION BY THE COMPANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS
Summary Compensation Table
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|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
| Name and |
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Total |
|
| Principal Positions |
|
Year |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
Leonard J. Brandt |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
(5) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
19,000 |
(4) |
|
|
194,000 |
|
(Chief Executive Officer, |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
(6) |
|
|
1,025,600 |
(2) |
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
1,218,600 |
|
Principal Executive Officer, Director)(1) |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
196,500 |
(3) |
|
|
59,700 |
|
|
|
441,200 |
|
| |
|
|
| (1) |
|
For the fiscal years ended 2005 and 2006, Mr. Brandt agreed to forgo payment of his salary
and allow CNS California to accrue such compensation. In August 2006, Mr. Brandt agreed to
settle his claims for compensation through September 30, 2006 in the aggregate amount of
$1,106,900 in exchange for the issuance of 298,437 shares of CNS California common stock,
which were exchanged for 298,437 shares of our common stock on March 7, 2007 upon the
Companys merger with CNS California (the Merger). |
| |
| (2) |
|
The fair value of options was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: grant date fair value of
$1.09; dividend yield of 0; risk free interest rate of 4.72%; expected volatility of 91% and
an expected life of 5 years. |
| |
| (3) |
|
Represents options to purchase 2,124,740 shares of Common Stock for which the CNS California
common stock underlying the originally issued options were exchanged upon the closing of the
Merger. The options are fully vested and exercisable at $0.132 per share. The fair value of
options was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with
the following weighted-average assumptions: grant date fair value of $0.132; dividend yield
of 0; risk free interest rate of 5.5%; expected volatility of 100% and an expected life of 5
years. |
| |
| (4) |
|
Relates to healthcare insurance premiums paid on behalf of executive officers by the Company. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2008
| |
|
|
| (5) |
|
For the 2008 fiscal first quarter ending December 31, 2007, Mr. Brandt was awarded but not paid a bonus of $9,531. |
| |
| (6) |
|
For Fiscal 2007, Mr. Brandt was awarded but not paid a bonus. |
15
The following table presents information regarding outstanding options held by the
participants in the solicitation as of the end of the Companys fiscal year ended September 30,
2008. None of the participants exercised options during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
| |
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|
|
|
|
| |
|
Number of Securities Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Unexercised Options (#) |
|
|
Option Exercise |
|
|
Option Expiration |
|
| Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
Price ($) |
|
|
Date |
|
Leonard Brandt (1) |
|
|
2,124,740 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0.132 |
|
|
August 11, 2011 |
|
|
|
145,953 |
|
|
|
187,658 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
August 8, 2012 |
|
|
|
586,274 |
|
|
|
382,615 |
|
|
|
1.09 |
|
|
August 8, 2017 |
William E. Bunney, Jr., M.D.(2) |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
0.96 |
|
|
April 16, 2018 |
| |
|
|
| (1) |
|
On August 8, 2007, Mr. Brandt was granted options to purchase
1,302,500 shares of Common Stock. The options are exercisable at $1.20
per share as to 333,611 shares and $1.09 per share as to 968,889
shares. The options to purchase 333,611 shares vest as follows:
options to purchase 83,403 shares vested on August 8, 2007, the date
of grant; options to purchase 243,250 shares vest in equal monthly
amounts of 6,950 shares over 35 months commencing on January 31, 2008;
and the remaining options to purchase 6,958 shares vest on December
31, 2010. The options to purchase 968,889 shares vest as follows:
options to purchase 269,357 shares vested on August 8, 2007, the date
of grant; options to purchase 135,675 shares vested in equal monthly
amounts of 27,135 shares over 5 months beginning on August 31, 2007;
options to purchase 543,726 shares vest in equal monthly amounts of
20,138 shares over 27 months beginning on January 31, 2008; and the
remaining options to purchase 20,131 shares vest on April 30, 2010. |
| |
| (2) |
|
On April 16, 2008, Dr. Bunney was granted options to purchase 20,000
shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $0.96 per share. The
options to purchase 20,000 shares have vested and will continue to
vest in 4 equal installments of 5,000 shares on each of the following
dates: October 16, 2008, April 16, 2009, October 16, 2009, and April
16, 2010. |
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
As the Company desired to retain our cash to fund our growth, the Company did not pay any
bonuses to Leonard J. Brandt or any other executive officers during fiscal years ended September
30, 2008 and 2007. The bonus of $10,000 paid to Leonard J. Brandt in the fiscal year ended 2006 was
determined by the Companys Board of Directors, based on the performance of Mr. Brandt and of the
Company.
The Company does not have a formal plan for determining the compensation of executive
officers. Instead, each named executive officer negotiates the terms of their employment.
Employment Agreement
Prior to March 2007, CNS California entered into an Employment Agreement (the Employment
Agreement) with Leonard J. Brandt. On March 7, 2007, the merger transaction between the Companys
subsidiary and CNS California was consummated. It is Mr. Brandts belief that the Employment
Agreement with CNS California continued. During the period of his employment, Mr. Brandt received a
base salary of $175,000 per year plus group healthcare insurance.
Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Brandts employment was on an at-will basis. Upon
involuntary termination of Mr. Brandts employment, Mr. Brandt was to become eligible to receive as
severance his salary and benefits for a period equal to six months payable in one lump sum of
$87,500. Mr. Brandt did not receive that amount and reserves his rights to assert a claim for such
amount.
2006 Stock Incentive Plan
On August 3, 2006, CNS California adopted the CNS California 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the
2006 Plan). On March 7, 2007, in connection with the closing of the merger transaction with CNS
California, the Company assumed the 2006 Plan and all of the options granted under the plan at the
same price and terms. The following is a summary of the 2006 Plan, which the Company uses to
provide equity compensation to employees, directors and consultants to the Company.
The 2006 Plan provides for the issuance of awards in the form of restricted shares, stock
options (which may constitute incentive stock options (ISO) or nonstatutory stock options (NSO)),
stock appreciation rights and stock unit grants to eligible employees, directors and consultants
and is administered by the board of directors. A total of
16
10 million shares of Common Stock are
reserved for issuance under the 2006 Plan. As of September 30, 2008, there were 8,964,567 options
and 183,937 restricted shares outstanding under the 2006 Plan and 498,739 shares available for
issuance of awards. The 2006 Plan provides that in any calendar year, no eligible employee or
director shall be granted an award to purchase more than 3 million shares of stock. The option
price for each share of stock subject to an option shall be (i) no less than the fair market value
of a share of stock on the date the option is granted, if the option is an ISO, or (ii) no less
than 85% of the fair market value of the stock on the date the option is granted, if the option is
a NSO; provided, however, if the option is an ISO granted to an eligible employee who is a 10%
shareholder, the option price for each share of stock subject to such ISO shall be no less than
110% of the fair market value of a share of stock on the date such ISO is granted. Stock options
have a maximum term of ten years from the date of grant, except for ISOs granted to an eligible
employee who is a 10% shareholder, in which case the maximum term is five years from the date of
grant. ISOs may be granted only to eligible employees.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Company does not have a designated compensation committee, its full Board of Directors
oversees matters regarding executive compensation. The Board is responsible for all compensation
functions. The Board also has the authority to select and/or retain outside counsel, compensation
and benefits consultants, or any other consultants to provide independent advice and assistance in
connection with the execution of its responsibilities.
Compensation Philosophy
The Company does not have a formal comprehensive executive compensation policy. It intends to
establish such policies to further its corporate objectives.
Compensation Elements
The Company compensates its executives through a variety of components, which may include a
base salary, annual performance based incentive bonuses, equity incentives, and benefits and
perquisites, in order to provide its executives with a competitive overall compensation package.
The mix and value of these components are impacted by a variety of factors, such as responsibility
level, individual negotiations and performance and market practice. The purpose and key
characteristics for each component are described below.
Severance and Change of Control Arrangements
The Company does not have a formal plan for severance or separation pay for its employees, but
the Company typically includes a severance provision in the employment agreements of its executive
officers that have written employment agreements with us. Generally, such provisions are triggered
in the event of involuntary termination of the executive without cause or in the event of a change
in control.
Accounting and Tax Considerations
The Company considers the accounting implications of all aspects of its executive compensation
strategy and, so long as doing so does not conflict with its general performance objectives
described above, the Company strives to achieve the most favorable accounting (and tax) treatment
possible to the company and its executive officers.
Process for Setting Executive Compensation; Factors Considered
When making pay determinations for named executive officers, the Board considers a variety of
factors including, among others: (1) actual company performance as compared to pre-established
goals, (2) individual executive performance and expected contribution to its future success, (3)
changes in economic conditions and the external marketplace, (4) prior years bonuses and long-term
incentive awards, and (5) in the case of executive officers, other than Chief Executive Officer,
the recommendation of its Chief Executive Officer. No specific weighing is assigned to these
factors nor are particular targets set for any particular factor. Ultimately, the Board uses its
judgment and discretion when determining how much to pay its executive officers and sets the pay
for such executives by element (including cash versus non-cash compensation) and in the aggregate,
at levels that it believes are competitive and necessary to attract and retain talented executives
capable of achieving the Companys long-term objectives.
COMPANYS BOARD COMPOSITION AND COMMITTEES
Leonard J. Brandt serves as a director of the Company and until April, 2009 served as Chairman
of the Board.
17
Information provided by the Company indicates as follows:
The Companys board of directors currently consists of five members: Leonard Brandt, George
Carpenter, David Jones, Jerome Vaccaro and Henry Harbin. Except for Messrs. Carpenter and Harbin,
who were appointed by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies created by expansions in the size of
the Board of Directors, each director was elected either at a meeting of shareholders or by written
consent of the shareholders of CNS California and became a director of the Company in connection
with the merger of CNS California with a subsidiary of the Company.
Each of the Companys directors will serve until the next annual meeting or until his or her
successor is duly elected and qualified.
The Company is not a listed company under SEC rules and are therefore not required to have
separate committees comprised of independent directors. The Company has, however, determined that
David Jones, Jerome Vaccaro and Henry Harbin are independent as that term is defined in Section
4200 of the Marketplace Rules as required by the NASDAQ Stock Market. It has also determined that
David Jones qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the rules and
regulations of the SEC and that each of its other board members are able to read and understand
fundamental financial statements and have substantial business experience that results in that
members financial sophistication. Accordingly, the Companys board of directors believes that each
of its members has sufficient knowledge and experience necessary to fulfill the duties and
obligations that an audit committee would have. The Company does not have a separately designated
audit, compensation or nominating committee of its board of directors and the functions customarily
delegated to these committees are performed by its full board of directors.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Company does not have a separately designated compensation committee of its board of
directors and the functions customarily delegated to this committee are performed by its full board
of directors. During its fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, Leonard Brandt, then the Companys
Chief Executive Officer in addition to being a director, participated in deliberations of the board
of directors concerning executive officer compensation. No relationship with another entity or its
officers or directors that would require disclosure under this caption had existed during fiscal
year 2008.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please see the following sections for information about the participants: Information with
Respect to Nominees, Security Ownership of Participants, Transactions of the Participants in
Company Securities, Legal Proceedings, Interests in Nominees, Arrangements and Undertakings
with Nominees, Compensation by the Company of the Participants. Each of these sections is
included under the discussion of Proposal No. 1 beginning on page 3. Except as set forth in the
aforementioned sections, during the past 10 years, (i) no participant in this solicitation has been
convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors); (ii) no
participant in this solicitation directly or indirectly beneficially owns any of the Companys
securities; (iii) no participant in this solicitation owns any of the Companys securities which
are owned of record but not beneficially; (iv) no participant in this solicitation has purchased or
sold any of the Companys securities during the past two years; (v) no part of the purchase price
or market value of the Companys securities owned by any participant in this solicitation is
represented by funds borrowed or otherwise obtained for the purpose of acquiring or holding such
securities; (vi) no participant in this solicitation is, or within the past year was, a party to
any contract, arrangements or understandings with any person with respect to any of the Companys
securities, including, but not limited to, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or
calls, guarantees against loss or guarantees of profit, division of losses or profits, or the
giving or withholding of proxies; (vii) no associate of any participant in this solicitation owns
beneficially, directly or indirectly, any of the Companys securities; (viii) no participant in
this solicitation owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, any securities of any parent or
subsidiary of the Company; (ix) no participant in this solicitation or any of his/its associates
was a party to any transaction, or series of similar transactions, since the beginning of the
Companys last fiscal year, or is a party to any currently proposed transaction, or series of
similar transactions, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a party, in
which the amount involved exceeds $120,000; (x) no participant in this solicitation has, nor do any
of their associates have, any arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any
future employment by the Company or its affiliates; (xi) no
participant in this solicitation has,
nor do any of their associates have, any arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any future transactions to which
the Company or any of its affiliates will or may be a party; (xii) no person, including the
participants in this solicitation, who is a party to an arrangement or understanding pursuant to
which the Nominees are proposed to be elected has a substantial
18
interest, direct or indirect, by
security holdings or otherwise in any matter to be acted on at the Annual Meeting; (xiii) no
participant in this solicitation is aware of any arrangement (including any pledge, voting trust,
or contract for sale) which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company;
(xvi) no participant in this solicitation is aware of any arrangement, or has reason to believe
that any arrangement exists, under which 5% or more of any class of the Companys voting securities
is held or is to be held subject to any voting agreement, voting trust or other similar agreement;
(xv) no participant in this solicitation is aware of any person or group that holds beneficial
ownership of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company or has the right to acquire
beneficial ownership of more than 5% of such outstanding voting securities, except for persons or
groups who may be identified through a review of publicly available information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Company.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 2755 Bristol Street, Suite 285,
Costa Mesa, California 92626.
The information concerning the Company set forth herein has been taken from, or is based upon,
publicly available information and information otherwise made available by the Company.
SECURITIES OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Companys common stock as of
June 18, 2009, by (i) each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five
percent (5%) of the Companys common stock, (ii) by each director, (iii) each of the Companys
principal executive officers, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. The
following information as to the security ownership of the Company, other than information as to the
number of shares owned by Mr. Brandt, is based solely on the Companys filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and information available to Leonard J. Brandt.
The calculations of percentage of beneficial ownership are based on 28,349,171 shares of
Common Stock believed outstanding on June 26, 2009. Beneficial ownership is determined in
accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect
to securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below the table, to the Companys
knowledge, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and sole investment power
with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable.
Shares of Common Stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60
days are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the options
for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the named executive officers, directors,
director nominees and 5% or more stockholders named below is c/o CNS Response, Inc., 2755 Bristol
St., Suite 285, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Number of Shares |
|
| |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of |
|
| Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Number |
|
|
Shares Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officers and Directors: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leonard J. Brandt (1)
Director |
|
|
9,838,777 |
|
|
|
32.5 |
% |
David B. Jones(2)
Director |
|
|
4,338,521 |
|
|
|
15.0 |
% |
Dr. Jerome Vaccaro
Director (3) |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Dr. Henry Harbin
Director (4) |
|
|
100,834 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Daniel Hoffman
Chief Medical Officer (5) |
|
|
636,594 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
% |
George Carpenter
President (6) |
|
|
363,317 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
Horace Hertz (7) |
|
|
298,492 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
Brad Luce (8) |
|
|
17,187 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Executive Officers and Directors as a group (8 persons) (9) |
|
|
13,809,576 |
|
|
|
52 |
% |
19
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Number of Shares |
|
| |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of |
|
| Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Number |
|
|
Shares Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% Stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Pappajohn (10) |
|
|
3,333,333 |
(10) |
|
|
10.5 |
%(10) |
Sail Venture Partners LP (2) |
|
|
4,438,521 |
(2) |
|
|
15.0 |
%(2) |
W. Hamlin Emory (11) |
|
|
1,317,099 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
% |
Heartland Advisors, Inc. (12) |
|
|
2,340,000 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
% |
EAC Investment Limited Partnership (13) |
|
|
1,766,279 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
% |
LMA SPC for and on behalf of Map 2
Segregated Portfolio;
Partner Healthcare Offshore Fund, Ltd.;
Partner Healthcare Fund, L.P. (14) |
|
|
1,625,000 |
|
|
|
5.7 |
% |
Brian MacDonald (15) |
|
|
2,208,908 |
|
|
|
7.5 |
% |
| |
|
|
| * |
|
Less than 1% |
| |
| (1) |
|
Consists of 7,934,631 shares of Common Stock (including 540,000 shares
owned by Mr. Brandts children) held by Mr. Brandt as well as 601,646
shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants to purchase
Common Stock and 1,302,500 shares reserved for issuance upon exercise
of options to purchase Common Stock. Mr. Brandts address is 31878 Del
Obispo St., Suite 118-131, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. |
| |
| (2) |
|
Consists of (a) 3,109,406 shares of Common Stock and (b) 1,329,115
shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of vested and
exercisable warrants held by Sail Venture Partners, LP. Sail Venture
Partners, LLC is the general partner of Sail Venture Partners, L.P..
The unanimous vote of the managing members of Sail Venture Partners,
LLC (who are Walter Schindler, Alan Sellers, Thomas Cain, and David B.
Jones), is required to voting and make investment decisions over the
shares held by this selling stockholder. The address of Sail Venture
Partners, L.P. is 600 Anton Blvd., Suite 1750, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
Excludes shares issuable under promissory notes in the amount of
$250,000 that may be convertible at a price higher or lower than 30
cents per share. |
| |
| (3) |
|
Consists of options to acquire 20,000 shares of common stock issuable
upon the exercise of vested and exercisable options. |
| |
| (4) |
|
Consists of (a) 8,333 shares of common stock, (b) 2,501 shares of
common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common
stock and (c) options to acquire 90,000 shares of common stock
issuable upon the exercise of vested and exercisable options. |
| |
| (5) |
|
Consists of (a) 98,044 shares of common stock (b) options to acquire
526,049 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of vested
and exercisable options, and (c) warrants to acquire 12,501 shares of
common stock. |
| |
| (6) |
|
Consists of options to acquire 363,317 shares of common stock issuable
upon the exercise of vested and exercisable options. |
| |
| (7) |
|
Consists of options to acquire 298,492 shares of common stock issuable
upon the exercise of vested and exercisable options. |
| |
| (8) |
|
Consists of options to acquire 17,187 shares of common stock issuable
upon the exercise of vested and exercisable options. |
| |
| (9) |
|
Consists of 8,354,774 shares of common stock and 6,851,203 shares of
common stock issuable upon the exercise of vested and exercisable
options and warrants. |
20
| |
|
|
| (10) |
|
Consists of the 3,333,333 shares issuable under a seven-year warrant
to purchase shares of common stock for 30 cents each, but excludes
(under SEC rules) shares issuable upon conversion of a promissory
note in the amount of $1 million at a price that is indeterminate. |
| |
| (11) |
|
Consists of 1,015,334 shares of common stock, 4,233 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock
and 297,532 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of
vested and exercisable options to purchase common stock. The address
of Mr. Emory is 9663 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 221, Beverly Hills, CA
90210. |
| |
| (12) |
|
Consists of 1,800,000 shares of common stock and 540,000 shares
reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants to purchase common
stock. Heartland Group Value Fund is affiliated with Hartland
Investor Services, LLC, a registered broker/dealer and member of
NASD. Heartland Group Value Fund purchased or otherwise acquired its
shares in the ordinary course of business and, at the time of such
purchase/acquisition, had no agreements or understandings, directly
or indirectly, with any person, to distribute the securities to be
resold. Mr. Paul T. Beste, Vice President & Secretary of Heartland
Group Inc., exercises voting and investment authority over the shares
held by this selling stockholder. The address of the selling
stockholder is c/o Brown Brothers Harriman, 140 Broadway St., New
York, NY 10005. |
| |
| (13) |
|
Consists of 1,249,846 shares of common stock and 516,433 shares of
common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase
common stock. Anthony Morgentheau exercises voting and investment
authority over the shares held by this selling stockholder. The
address of the selling stockholder is 380 Leucadendra Drive, Cora
Gables, FL 33156. |
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| (14) |
|
Consists of 224,110 shares of common stock and 67,233 shares reserved
for issuance upon exercise of warrants to purchase common stock held
by LMA SPC for and on behalf of Map 2 Segregated Portfolio; 651,090
shares of common stock and 195,327 shares reserved for issuance upon
exercise of certain warrants to purchase common stock held by Partner
Healthcare Fund, LP, and 374,800 shares of common stock and 112,440
shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants to purchase
common stock held by Partner Healthcare Offshore Fund, Ltd. Eric
Moore, as the Chief Financial Officer of Partner Healthcare Offshore
Fund, Ltd., exercises voting and investment authority over the shares
held by Partner Healthcare Offshore Fund, Ltd. Eric Moore, as the
Chief Financial Officer of Partner Healthcare Fund, L.P., exercises
voting and investment authority over the shares held by Partner
Healthcare Fund, L.P.. Robert P. Swan, as Director, exercises voting
and investment authority over the shares held by LMA SPC for and on
behalf of Map 2 Segregated Portfolio. The address of each of the
stockholders is One Market Plaza, Steuart Tower, 22nd
Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. |
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| (15) |
|
Consists of 1,242,375 shares of common stock and 966,533 shares of
common stock issuable upon the exercise of vested and exercisable
options to purchase common stock. The address of Brian MacDonald is
4007 Beard Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55410. |
CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS
If the Nominees are elected to the Board of Directors of the Company, the Nominees intend to
review the terms of any change of control provisions that the Company is party to and evaluate
whether the change of control provisions contained therein have been triggered and, consistent with
their fiduciary duties, any other relevant circumstances.
Effect of Election of Nominees under Change of Control Provisions
The following paragraphs describe the effects of electing the Nominees and replacing the
incumbent Board under the existing agreements of the Company that are known to the participants in
this solicitation.
2006 Stock Incentive Plan
The removal of current directors and the election of the Nominees would permit the Company to
accelerate the vesting of any or all unvested options or shares of restricted stock then
outstanding under the Companys 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, Accelerated vesting would make unvested
options exercisable prior to their normal vesting dates and would make restrictions lapse as to
restricted stock grants prior to their normal vesting dates.
The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan states that any options or restricted stock granted under that
plan may contain a change of control provision at the time of its grant or the Company may also
choose to accelerate vesting of some or
21
all of the unvested options or restricted shares upon a
change of control, even if those options did not, when originally granted, contain a change of
control provision.
According to the Companys most recent Form 10-K, As of September 30, 2008, there were
8,964,567 options and 183,937 restricted shares outstanding under the 2006 Plan and 498,739 shares
available for issuance of awards. The Form 10-K did not provide, and Mr. Brandt does not have any
reliable information concerning, the what portion of total number of options and stock grants is
unvested. Therefore, the total number of options and restricted stock grants that could vest, by
action of the incumbent Board or otherwise, upon the election of the Nominees is unknown to Mr.
Brandt.
Based on information provided by the Company in its Form 10-K filed on January 13, 2009, the
following named executive officers and non-employee directors hold options that are unvested.
Unvested options could become exercisable upon a change of control.
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Exercise Price |
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Option Expiration |
|
| Name |
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Date |
|
Leonard Brandt |
|
|
125,108 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
August 8, 2012 |
|
|
|
201,373 |
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
August 8, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Carpenter |
|
|
252,801 |
|
|
$ |
0.89 |
|
|
October 1, 2017 |
|
|
|
292,205 |
|
|
$ |
0.89 |
|
|
October 1, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel Hoffman |
|
|
373,106 |
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
August 8, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Henry Harbin |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
December 19, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian McDonald |
|
|
74,619 |
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
August 8, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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William E. Bunney, Jr., M.D. |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.96 |
|
|
April 16, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTALS: |
|
|
1,334,212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Brandt is not presently aware of any automatic vesting provision in the options held by
him or in any of the other option agreements, although the Board can accelerate any or all these
unvested options in its discretion in connection with a change of control.
The Form 10-K did not provide similar information concerning unvested restricted shares and
Mr. Brandt does not otherwise have information as to the portion of those that are unvested. Mr.
Brandt does not hold any restricted shares, whether vested or unvested, issued as a restricted
stock grant under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
DISSENTERS RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
Stockholders have no dissenters rights of appraisal of similar rights with respect to the
Proposals.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
The deadline for submitting stockholder proposals for inclusion in the Companys proxy
statement and form of proxy for the Companys next annual meeting is no later than a reasonable
time before the Company begins to print and send its proxy materials.
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| Dated: July __, 2009 |
Sincerely,
|
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/s/ Leonard J. Brandt
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Leonard J. Brandt |
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22
PRELIMINARY COPY
Definitive copies of this Stockholder Consent, when filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, are intedned to be first sent, given or released to holders of Common Stock on _____ _____, 2009, or prior to that date as the Securities and Exchange Commission may authorize upon a
showing of good cause.
STOCKHOLDER CONSENT FORM
CONSENT IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF LEONARD J. BRANDT.
Stockholders should not send any Stock Certificates with this Consent form. Stockholders are urged
to mark, sign, date and send promptly this Consent form.
PLEASE INDICATE APPROVAL BELOW ON EACH PROPOSAL. IF NO INDICATION IS MADE, THE SIGNED AND DATED
CONSENT WILL BE COUNTED FOR ALL PROPOSALS.
PROPOSAL 1: TO REMOVE ALL INCUMBENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OTHER THAN LEONARD J. BRANDT.
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o APPROVE
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o DISAPPROVE
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o ABSTAIN |
PROPOSAL 2: TO ELECT THE FOLLOWING PERSONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CNS RESPONSE, INC. TO SERVE
UNTIL THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE DULY ELECTED AND
QUALIFIED. IF ANY PERSON NAMED ABOVE CANNOT SERVE, THE PERSON GIVING THIS CONSENT ALSO HEREBY
CONSENTS TO THE ELECTION OF ANY SUBSTITUTE NOMINEE DESIGNATED BY LEONARD J. BRANDT.
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| o APPROVE ALL
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o WITHHOLD APPROVAL AS TO ALL
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o ABSTAIN |
TO WITHHOLD APPROVAL AS TO ANY INDIVIDUAL, STRIKE OUT HIS NAME BELOW.
Leonard J. Brandt William E. Bunney, Jr. M.D. William Murray
Mordechay Yekutiel Andy Goren Michael Yuhas
THE UNDERSIGNED AUTHORIZES LEONARD J. BRANDT OR HIS DESIGNATES TO DELIVER THIS CONSENT AND COPIES
THEREOF TO CNS RESPONSE, INC. IN ANY MANNER.
SIGNATURE(S) [EACH CONSENT MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED.]
Dated:
_____, 2009
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(Signature of Stockholder)
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Print Name |
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(Signature if held jointly)
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Print Name |
IMPORTANT: Please date this Consent form and sign exactly as your name or names appear(s) on your
stock certificate. All joint owners whose names appear should sign. Executors, administrators,
trustees, guardians, attorneys and others holding stock in a representative or fiduciary capacity,
should sign and also give their title. If a corporation, please sign in corporate name by the
president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an
authorized person.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND SEND TODAY TO:
LEONARD J. BRANDT, VIA FAX TO 949-743-2785
OR SEND ADDRESSED TO LEONARD J. BRANDT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
1
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Written Consent of
Stockholders.
1. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are
available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to access and review all of the important
information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
2. The proxy statement is available at http://www.leonardjbrandt.com/consent.
3. If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is
no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed below on
or before [_____ _____, 2009] to facilitate timely delivery.
The written consent of stockholders will take effect as soon as consents signed by holders of a
majority of the outstanding Common Stock received and delivered to CNS Response, Inc.
Action will be taken on these matters
Removal of all of the incumbent directors, other than Leonard J. Brandt
Election of directors
Leonard J. Brandt is soliciting proxies and recommends a vote FOR the removal of all the incumbent
directors, FOR election of all his nominees Leonard J. Brandt, William E. Bunney, Jr., M.D.,
William Murray, Mordechay Yekutiel, Andy Goren, Michael Yuhas.
The definitive proxy statement and consent card, and all future solicitation materials of Leonard
J. Brandt, are being made available at http://www.leonardjbrandt.com/consent.
Holders of CNS Response, Inc. securities can request a copy of the proxy statement and form of
consent to which the proxy materials being furnished relate by these methods: (A) toll-free at
(877) 962-2244, (B) by email to lenconsent@leonardjbrandt.com, or (C) by requesting them at
http://www.leonardjbrandt.com/consent.
The form of consent can be downloaded with the proxy statement by clicking the button entitled
Consent Solicitation Statement and Form of Consent. The form of consent can then be printed,
signed, dated and delivered as indicated on the form of consent itself.
1
CONSENT OF NOMINEE
The undersigned hereby consents to being named as a nominee for election as a director of CNS
Response, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company) in the proxy statement and other proxy
materials concerning the undersigneds nomination in connection with the solicitation from
stockholders of the Company of proxies to be voted at the 2009 special meeting of stockholders of
the Company, including any adjournments or postponements thereof, and, if elected, to serve as a
director of the Company.
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/s/ Leonard J. Brandt
Name: Leonard J. Brandt
Date: June 26, 2009
|
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1
CONSENT OF NOMINEE
The undersigned hereby consents to being named as a nominee for election as a director of CNS
Response, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company) in the proxy statement and other proxy
materials concerning the undersigneds nomination in connection with the solicitation from
stockholders of the Company of proxies to be voted at the 2009 special meeting of stockholders of
the Company, including any adjournments or postponements thereof, and, if elected, to serve as a
director of the Company.
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/s/ Andy Goren
Name: Andy Goren
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2
CONSENT OF NOMINEE
The undersigned hereby consents to being named as a nominee for election as a director of CNS
Response, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company) in the proxy statement and other proxy
materials concerning the undersigneds nomination in connection with the solicitation from
stockholders of the Company of proxies to be voted at the 2009 special meeting of stockholders of
the Company, including any adjournments or postponements thereof, and, if elected, to serve as a
director of the Company.
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/s/ Mordechay Yekutiel
Name: Mordechay Yekutiel
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3
CONSENT OF NOMINEE
The undersigned hereby consents to being named as a nominee for election as a director of CNS
Response, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company) in the proxy statement and other proxy
materials concerning the undersigneds nomination in connection with the solicitation from
stockholders of the Company of proxies to be voted at the 2009 special meeting of stockholders of
the Company, including any adjournments or postponements thereof, and, if elected, to serve as a
director of the Company.
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/s/ William Murray
Name: William Murray
Date: June 28, 2009
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4
CONSENT OF NOMINEE
The undersigned hereby consents to being named as a nominee for election as a director of CNS
Response, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company) in the proxy statement and other proxy
materials concerning the undersigneds nomination in connection with the solicitation from
stockholders of the Company of proxies to be voted at the 2009 special meeting of stockholders of
the Company, including any adjournments or postponements thereof, and, if elected, to serve as a
director of the Company.
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/s/ William E. Bunney, Jr., M.D.
Name: William E. Bunney, Jr., M.D.
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5
CONSENT OF NOMINEE
The undersigned hereby consents to being named as a nominee for election as a director of CNS
Response, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company) in the proxy statement and other proxy
materials concerning the undersigneds nomination in connection with the solicitation from
stockholders of the Company of proxies to be voted at the 2009 special meeting of stockholders of
the Company, including any adjournments or postponements thereof, and, if elected, to serve as a
director of the Company.
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/s/ Michael Yuhas
Name: Michael Yuhas
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6