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

TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING CORP. 

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING CORP. 

509 Madison Avenue, Suite 1608 

New York, New York 10022 

Telephone: (212) 980-9155

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The Annual Meeting of the shareholders of Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (the “Company” or “Tonix”) will be held on Friday, May 1, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and to assist in protecting the health and well-being of our shareholders and employees, this year’s Annual Meeting will be held via the internet. Shareholders will be able to listen, vote and ask questions regardless of location via the internet at http://viewproxy.com/tonixpharma/2020/vm by using the control number included on your notice regarding the availability of proxy materials, proxy card (printed in the box and marked by the arrow) and the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. The Annual Meeting is being held for the purposes of: 

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2020, will be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. The proxy materials will be furnished to shareholders on or about March 30, 2020.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 1, 2020:

The Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 are available at: http://viewproxy.com/tonixpharma/2020/.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

You are cordially invited to attend the virtual Annual Meeting of stockholders via live webcast by visiting http://viewproxy.com/tonixpharma/2020/vm.  Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting.  A return envelope (which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for your convenience.  Even if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote if you attend the virtual meeting via webcast.  Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING CORP. 

509 Madison Avenue, Suite 1608 

New York, New York 10022 

Telephone:  (212) 980-9155

PROXY STATEMENT 

FOR THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS 

TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ANNUAL MEETING

General

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (the “Company”), for use at the Annual Meeting of the Company’s shareholders to be held on May 1, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time and at any adjournments thereof. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please vote your shares as promptly as possible to ensure that your vote is counted. The proxy materials will be furnished to shareholders on or about March 30, 2020.

Revocability of Proxy and Solicitation

Any shareholder executing a proxy that is solicited hereby has the power to revoke it prior to the voting of the proxy. Revocation may be made by attending the Annual Meeting and voting the shares of stock, or by delivering to the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company prior to the Annual Meeting a written notice of revocation or a later-dated, properly executed proxy. Solicitation of proxies may be made by directors, officers and other employees of the Company by personal interview, telephone, facsimile transmittal or electronic communications.

Record Date

Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2020 (the “Record Date”), will be entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at the meeting.

Action to be Taken Under Proxy

Unless otherwise directed by the giver of the proxy, the persons named in the form of proxy, namely,  Seth Lederman, our Chief Executive Officer, and Bradley Saenger, our Chief Financial Officer, or either one of them who acts, will vote:

Should any nominee named herein for election as a director become unavailable for any reason, it is intended that the persons named in the proxy will vote for the election of such other person in his or her stead as may be designated by the Board. The Board is not aware of any reason that might cause any nominee to be unavailable.

Vote Required; Quorum; Broker Non-votes

As of March 2, 2020, there were 34,677,634 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, which constitutes all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company.  Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held by them.

One-third (1/3) of the outstanding shares, or 11,559,211 shares, present in person by webcast or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the meeting. For purposes of the quorum and the discussion below regarding the vote necessary to take shareholder action, shareholders of record who are present at the Annual Meeting in person by webcast or by proxy and who abstain, including brokers holding customers’ shares of record who cause abstentions to be recorded at the meeting, are considered shareholders who are present and entitled to vote and are counted towards the quorum.

Brokers holding shares of record for customers generally are not entitled to vote on “non-routine” matters, unless they receive voting instructions from their customers. As used herein, “uninstructed shares” means shares held by a broker who has not received such instructions from its customers on a proposal. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding uninstructed shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that non-routine matter. In connection with the treatment of abstentions and broker non-votes, the proposals at this meeting to (i) elect directors, (ii) approve the Amended and Restated 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, and (iii) approve the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, are considered “non-routine” matters, and brokers are not entitled to vote uninstructed shares with respect to these proposals.

Only the proposal to ratify the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is a routine matter that brokers are entitled to vote shares on without receiving instructions.

Determination of whether a matter specified in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders has been approved will be determined as follows:

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING

Why am I receiving these materials?

We have sent you these proxy materials because the Board of Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (sometimes referred to as the “Company,” “Tonix,” “we” or “us”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  According to our records, you were a shareholder of the Company as of the end of business on March 2, 2020.

You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement and at any postponements or adjournments of the Annual Meeting. Directors, officers and other Company employees also may solicit proxies by telephone or otherwise. Brokers, banks and other nominees will be requested to solicit proxies or authorizations from beneficial owners and will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses. However, you do not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card. You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares. The Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting of stockholders, and will be held at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time via live webcast. For instructions on how to access the live webcast and attend the virtual Annual Meeting, see “How do I attend and vote shares at the Annual Meeting?”

The Company intends to mail these proxy materials on or about March 30, 2020 to all shareholders of record on the Record Date entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

What am I voting on?

The following matters are scheduled for a vote: 

The Board is not currently aware of any other business that will be brought before the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only shareholders at the close of business on March 2, 2020 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  On this Record Date, there were 34,677,634 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If on March 2, 2020 your shares were registered directly in your name with Tonix’s transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC, then you are a shareholder of record.  As a shareholder of record, you may vote in person by webcast at the meeting or vote by proxy.  Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

If on March 2, 2020, your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, rather than in your name, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization.  The organization holding your account is considered to be the shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account.  You are also invited to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares beneficially through a bank or broker, you must provide a legal proxy from your bank or broker during registration and you will be assigned a virtual control number in order to vote your shares during the 2020 Annual Meeting. 

Why are you holding a virtual Annual Meeting?

Due to the emerging public health impact of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and to support the health and well-being of our stockholders, this year’s Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only. We have designed our virtual format to enhance, rather than constrain, stockholder access, participation and communication. For example, the virtual format allows stockholders to communicate with us in advance of the Annual Meeting so they can ask questions of our management. Just as we did during our in-person meetings, during the Q&A session of the Annual Meeting, we may answer questions to the extent relevant to the business of the Annual Meeting, as time permits.

How do I attend and vote shares at the virtual Annual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting will convene at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 1, 2020. In order to participate in the 2020 Annual Meeting live via the Internet, you must register at www.viewproxy.com/tonix/2020 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time by April 30, 2020. If you are a registered holder, you must register using the virtual control number included on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials). If you hold your shares beneficially through a bank or broker, you must provide a legal proxy from your bank or broker during registration and you will be assigned a virtual control number in order to vote your shares during the 2020 Annual Meeting. If you are unable to obtain a legal proxy to vote your shares, you will still be able to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting (but will not be able to vote your shares) so long as you demonstrate proof of stock ownership. Instructions on how to connect and participate via the Internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at www.viewproxy.com/tonix/2020.

On the day of the Annual Meeting, if you have properly registered, you may enter the Annual Meeting by logging in using the event password you received via email in your registration confirmation at www.viewproxy.com/tonix/2020/vm.

If you encounter any difficulties accessing the Annual Meeting live audio webcast during the meeting time, please email VirtualMeeting@viewproxy.com or call 1-866-612-8937 

Even if you plan to attend the live webcast of the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote in advance by Internet, telephone or mail so that your vote will be counted even if you later decide not to attend the virtual Annual Meeting.

How can I submit a question for the Annual Meeting?

By accessing http://viewproxy.com/tonixpharma/2020/, our shareholders will be able to submit questions in writing in advance of or during the Annual Meeting, vote, view the annual meeting procedures, and obtain copies of proxy materials and our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Shareholders will need their unique control number which appears on their notice regarding the availability of proxy materials, the proxy card (printed in the box and marked by the arrow) and the instructions that accompanied the proxy materials.

As part of the Annual Meeting, we will hold a live question and answer session, during which we intend to answer questions in accordance with the Annual Meeting procedures which are pertinent to the Company and the meeting matters, as time permits. Questions and answers will be grouped by topic and substantially similar questions will be grouped and answered once.

Can I view the proxy materials over the Internet?

Yes.  The Notice of Meeting, this Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 are available at http://viewproxy.com/tonixpharma/2020/.

How do I vote?

You may vote “For” all the nominees to the Board, you may “Withhold” your vote for all nominees or you may vote “For” all nominees except for any nominee(s) you specify.  For the other matters to be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting.  The procedures for voting are fairly simple:

If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote by proxy in any of the following ways:

If you vote via the internet or by telephone, your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 30, 2020.

You may also vote during the Annual Meeting via the internet at http:// www.AALvote.com/TNXP. At this site, you will be able to vote electronically. 

If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name.” The street name holder will provide you with instructions that you must follow to have your shares voted. If you hold your shares in street name and you wish to vote during the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from the street name holder.  

How many votes do I have?

On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the Record Date.

What is a quorum for purposes of conducting the 2020 Annual Meeting?

The presence, in person via attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy, of the holders of one-third (1/3^rd) of the issued and outstanding common stock, or 11,559,211 shares, entitled to vote at the meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum to transact business. If a quorum is not present or represented at the Annual Meeting, the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person via attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy, may adjourn the Annual Meeting from time to time without notice or other announcement until a quorum is present or represented.

What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?

If you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted “FOR” the election of each of the seven (7) nominees for director, “FOR” the ratification of EisnerAmper LLP as independent registered public accountants of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, “FOR” approval of the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. Amended and Restated 2020 Stock Incentive Plan; “FOR” approval of the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan; and “FOR” approval of any adjournment of the 2020 Annual Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and all adjournments and postponements thereof; and if any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxy holder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his best judgment.

How does the Board recommend that I vote?

Our Board recommends that you vote your shares “FOR” the election of each of the seven (7) nominees for director, “FOR” the ratification of EisnerAmper LLP as independent registered public accountants of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, “FOR” approval of the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. Amended and Restated 2020 Stock Incentive Plan; “FOR” approval of the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan; and “FOR” approval of any adjournment of the 2020 Annual Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and all adjournments and postponements thereof.  Unless you provide other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board as set forth in this Proxy Statement.

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

We will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. Proxies may be solicited by mail or personally by our directors, officers or employees, none of whom will receive additional compensation for such solicitation. Those holding shares as of record for the benefit of others, or nominee holders, are being asked to distribute proxy soliciting materials to, and request voting instructions from, the beneficial owners of such shares. We will reimburse nominee holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

What does it mean if I receive more than one set of proxy materials?

If you receive more than one set of proxy materials, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts.   Please complete, sign and return each proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

I share the same address with another Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. shareholder. Why has our household only received one set of proxy materials?

The SEC’s rules permit us to deliver a single set of proxy materials to one address shared by two or more of our shareholders. This practice, known as “householding,” is intended to reduce the Company’s printing and postage costs. We have delivered only one set of proxy materials to shareholders who hold their shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record and share a single address, unless we received contrary instructions from any shareholder at that address. However, any such street name holder residing at the same address who wishes to receive a separate copy of the proxy materials may make such a request by contacting the bank, broker or other holder of record, or Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at (800) 542-1061 or in writing at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. Street name holders residing at the same address who would like to request householding of Company materials may do so by contacting the bank, broker or other holder of record or Broadridge at the phone number or address listed above.

Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

Yes.   You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting.   If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:

If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.

How are votes counted?

Votes will be counted by the inspector of elections appointed for the meeting, who will separately count “For,” “Withhold” and “Against” votes, abstentions and broker non-votes.  Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes with respect to any matter.

How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

For the election of directors, the seven (7) nominees receiving the most “For” votes at the meeting in person via attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy will be elected.   Approval of all other matters requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the applicable matter at the Annual Meeting in person via attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy.  

Is my vote kept confidential?

Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except:

Occasionally, shareholders provide written comments on their proxy cards, which may be forwarded to the Company’s management and the Board.

How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting.   Final voting results will be discussed in a Form 8-K filed after the Annual Meeting.

Who can help answer my questions?

If you need assistance with voting or have questions regarding the Annual Meeting, please contact:

Alliance Advisors, LLC 

200 Broadacres Drive, 3rd Floor 

Bloomfield, NJ 07003 

(844) 885 0175

PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Information about the Nominees

At the Annual Meeting, the shareholders will elect seven directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their respective successors are elected and qualified. In the event any nominee is unable or unwilling to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies may be voted for the balance of those nominees named and for any substitute nominee designated by the present Board or the proxy holders to fill such vacancy, or for the balance of the nominees named without nomination of a substitute, or the size of the Board may be reduced in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the persons named below will be unable or unwilling to serve as a nominee or as a director if elected.

Assuming a quorum is present, the seven nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of shares entitled to be voted for them will be elected as directors of the Company for the ensuing year. Unless marked otherwise, proxies received will be voted "FOR" the election of each of the eight nominees named below. In the event that additional persons are nominated for election as directors, the proxy holders intend to vote all proxies received by them in such a manner as will ensure the election of as many of the nominees listed below as possible, and, in such event, the specific nominees to be voted for will be determined by the proxy holders. All of the director nominees currently serve as directors.

The following information with respect to the principal occupation or employment of each nominee for director, the principal business of the corporation or other organization in which such occupation or employment is carried on, and such nominee's business experience during the past five years, as well as the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that have led the Board to determine that such Board members should serve on our Board, has been furnished to the Company by the respective director nominees:

Seth Lederman, MD became our President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and a Director in October 2011. Dr. Lederman founded Tonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of us (“Tonix Sub”) in 2007 and has acted as its Chairman of the Board of Directors since its inception and as President since 2010. Dr. Lederman is an inventor on key patents and patent applications underlying our programs including: TNX-102 SL’s eutectic composition; TNX-102 SL’s pharmacokinetic profile and related therapeutic properties, and the use of TNX-102 SL for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Lederman served as an Associate Professor at Columbia University, between 1996 and 2017. As an Assistant Professor at Columbia, Dr. Lederman discovered and characterized the CD40-ligand, or CD154 and invented therapeutic candidates to treat autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. TNX-1500 is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD154 invented by Dr. Lederman. Dr. Lederman has been a Manager of L&L Technologies LLC, or L&L, since 1996. In addition, Dr. Lederman has been the Managing Member of Seth Lederman Co, LLC since 2007 and the Managing Member of Lederman & Co, LLC, or Lederman & Co, since 2002, both of which are biopharmaceutical consulting and investing companies. Dr. Lederman has also been the Managing Member of Targent Pharmaceuticals, LLC, or Targent, since 2000, and Managing Member of Plumbline LLC since 2002. Targent was a founder of Targent Pharmaceuticals Inc. on which Board of Directors Dr. Lederman served from inception in 2001 until the sale of its assets to Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. in 2006. Between January 2007 and November 2008, Dr. Lederman was a Managing Partner of Konanda Pharma Partners, LLC, a Director of Konanda Pharma Fund I, LP, and a Managing Partner of Konanda General Partner, LLC, which were related private growth equity fund entities. As well, between 2007 and 2008, Dr. Lederman was Chairman of Validus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Fontus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which were portfolio companies of the Konanda private growth equity funds. Since 2011, Dr. Lederman has served as CEO and Chairman of Leder Laboratories Inc., or Leder Labs, and Starling Pharmaceuticals Inc., or Starling, which are biopharmaceutical development companies. Dr. Lederman was the chairman of Leder Laboratories, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leder Laboratories Inc., between 2013 and 2018, when the entity was dissolved. In 2015, Dr. Lederman served as a member of the US – Japan Business Council. Between 2006 and 2011, Dr. Lederman was a director of Research Corporation, a New York-based non-profit organization. Dr. Lederman received his BA degree in Chemistry from Princeton University in 1979 and his MD from Columbia University in 1983. Dr. Lederman’s significant experience with our patent portfolio and his experience as an entrepreneur, seed capital investor, fund manager, and director of start-up biopharmaceutical companies were instrumental in his selection as a member of the Board.

Margaret Smith Bell became a Director in September 2017. Ms. Bell has been retired for the last ten years. Previously, Ms. Bell was a Vice President at Standard Life Investments where she was a portfolio manager and health care equity analyst. Ms. Bell was also a Managing Director at Putnam Investments, and served as a senior health care analyst and a portfolio manager of the Putnam Health Sciences Trust. Ms. Bell was an analyst and vice president at State Street Research and a research analyst at Alex. Brown & Sons, Inc. Ms. Bell is a past member of the Board of Overseers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Ms. Bell holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Bell’s extensive healthcare and investment banking experience were instrumental in her selection as a member of the Board.

Daniel Goodman, MD became a Director in May 2019. Dr. Goodman founded Riverside Pharmaceuticals, a drug discover company, in 2012 and has been its Chief Executive Officer since inception. Dr. Goodman co-founded PsychoGenics Inc., a preclinical neuropharmacology company, in 1998, was its Chief Executive Officer from 1998 to 2000, and has served on its Board of Directors since 2000. Dr. Goodman graduated from Harvard Medical School and has an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. Dr. Goodman’s experience in drug discovery and development and psychiatric conditions were critical in his selection as a member of our Board.

Brigadier General David Grange (U.S. Army retired) became a director in February 2018. BG Grange has been President and founder of Osprey Global Solutions, LLC (“OGS”), a Service Disabled Veterans Organization, since 2011. BG Grange was Chief Executive Officer of Pharm-Olam International, Ltd. (“Pharm-Olam”), a contract research organization, from April 2017 to October 2019. Prior to founding OGS, BG Grange was a member of the Board of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (PPDI), a contract research organization, from 2003 to 2009, and Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2011. Prior to PPDI he served in the McCormick Tribune Foundation for 10 years most recently as Chief Executive Officer and President, where he also oversaw the support of Veteran Programs. BG Grange served 30 years in the U.S. Army as a Ranger, Green Beret, Aviator, Infantryman and a member of special operating units. At the Pentagon, he was Director of Army Current Operations, Readiness, and Mobilization.BG Grange commanded the Ranger Regiment and the First Infantry Division (the Big Red One).BG Grange holds a master’s degree in Public Service from Western Kentucky University.BG Grange’s extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry and service with the U.S. military was instrumental in his selection as a member of our Board.

Adeoye Olukotun, MD became a Director in September 2018. Dr. Olukotun has been the Chief Executive Officer of CR Strategies, LLC, a medical products consulting company, since 2000, and was the Chief Executive Officer of EpiGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from 2014 to January of 2018. Dr. Olukotun served as Vice Chairman of CardoVax, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from 2012 to 2016, and as its Chief Executive Officer from 2006 to 2012. He is also co-founder of VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, and served as the company’s Chief Medical Officer from 2004 to 2008. Dr. Olukotun’s extensive medical background and experience in the pharmaceutical industry was instrumental in his selection as a member of our Board.

John Rhodes became a Director in October 2011 and served as Lead Director from February 2014 until March 2020. Mr. Rhodes has served as Chair of the New York State Public Service Commission and Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Public Services since June 2017. Mr. Rhodes served as President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority between September 2013 and June 2017. Between October 2010 and October 2011, Mr. Rhodes served as a director of Tonix Sub. Between 2005 and 2013, Mr. Rhodes was a director of Dewey Electronics Company, a manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical systems for the military and commercial markets. Between January 2013 and September 2013, he served as director of the Center for Market Innovation at Natural Resources Defense Council. Between April 2007 and June 2010, Mr. Rhodes was a Senior Advisor to Good Energies, Inc., a renewable energy company. Mr. Rhodes is a former Vice President of Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. Mr. Rhodes is a graduate of Princeton University and the Yale School of Management. Mr. Rhodes’ extensive business and consulting experience, along with his membership on the board of directors of a public company was instrumental in his selection as a member of our Board.

James Treco became a director in February 2019 and has been our Lead Director since March 2020. Mr. Treco has been a Managing Partner at First Chicago Advisors, Inc., a boutique financial advisory firm where he advises executives and boards of directors of a wide range of companies, from global, large-cap companies to emerging companies, from 2009 to 2012 and from 2014 to the present. From 2012 to 2013 Mr. Treco was an investment banker with Gleacher & Company, a company that previously operated an investment banking business, providing corporate and institutional clients with strategic and financial advisory services. Mr. Treco held various positions of increasing responsibility at Salomon Brothers/Citigroup from 1984 to 2008, where he used his extensive experience in the global capital markets to advise a wide range of clients. Mr. Treco holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Treco’s extensive healthcare and investment banking experience were instrumental in his selection as a member of the Board.

Directors serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers serve at the discretion of the Board.

Board Independence

The Board has determined that (i) Seth Lederman, has a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and is not an “independent director” as defined in the Marketplace Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market and (ii) Margaret Smith Bell, Daniel Goodman, David Grange, Adeoye Olukotun, John Rhodes and James Treco are each an independent director as defined in the Marketplace Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market.

Board Leadership Structure

Our CEO also serves as the chairman of the Board. An independent director serves as the Board’s lead director. This structure allows one person to speak for and lead both the Company and the Board, while also providing for effective independent board oversight through an independent lead director. Having Dr. Lederman, our CEO, serve as Chairman creates clear and unambiguous authority, which is essential to effective management. Our Board and management can respond more effectively to a clearer line of authority. By designating our CEO as its Chairman, our Board also sends as an important signal to our employees and shareholders about who is accountable. Further, since Dr. Lederman is the founder of our Company and is an inventor on key patents and patent applications underlying our programs, we believe that Dr. Lederman is best-positioned to set our Board’s agenda and provide leadership.

We have established the position of lead director, which was filled by Mr. Rhodes until March 2020, and is currently held by Mr. Treco. The lead director has the following responsibilities, as detailed in the Lead Director charter, adopted by the Board (and also performs any other functions the Board may request):

Board Role in Risk Oversight

Risk is an integral part of the Board and Board committee deliberations throughout the year. While the Board has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, various committees of the Board also have responsibility for risk management. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial risk, including internal controls, and receives financial risk assessment reports from management. Risks related to the compensation programs are reviewed by the Compensation Committee. The Board is advised by these committees of significant risks and management’s response through periodic updates.

Stockholder Communications with the Board

The Company’s stockholders may communicate with the Board, including non-executive directors or officers, by sending written communications addressed to such person or persons in care of Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp., Attention: Secretary, 509 Madison Avenue, Suite 1608, New York, New York 10022. All communications will be compiled by the Secretary and submitted to the addressee. If the Board modifies this process, the revised process will be posted on the Company’s website.

Meetings and Committees of the Board

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Board held eight meetings, the Audit Committee held nine meetings, the Compensation Committee held seven meetings and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held seven meetings. The Board and Board committees also approved certain actions by unanimous written consent.

Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of our Board (held during the period for which such directors served on the Board). Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of all committees of our Board on which the director served (during the periods for which the director served on such committee or committees). Dr. Lederman was the only member of the Board who attended last year’s annual meeting of stockholders. The Company does not have a formal policy requiring members of the Board to attend our annual meetings

Board Committees

The Board has standing Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. Information concerning the membership and function of each committee is as follows:

Board Committee Membership

  * Member of Committee 

** Chairman of Committee

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee consists of Daniel Goodman, John Rhodes and James Treco, with Mr. Treco elected as Chairman of the Committee. Our Board has determined that each of Messrs. Rhodes, Treco and Dr. Goodman are “independent” as that term is defined under applicable SEC rules and under the current listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Mr. Treco is our audit committee financial expert.

Our Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: (i) reviewing the independence, qualifications, services, fees, and performance of the independent auditors, (ii) appointing, replacing and discharging the independent auditor, (iii) pre-approving the professional services provided by the independent auditor, (iv) reviewing the scope of the annual audit and reports and recommendations submitted by the independent auditor, and (v) reviewing our financial reporting and accounting policies, including any significant changes, with management and the independent auditor. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which is posted under the “Investors” tab under “Governance” on our website, which is located at www.tonixpharma.com.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee consists of Margaret Smith Bell, David Grange and Adeoye Olukotun, with Ms. Bell elected as Chairman of the Committee. Our Board has determined that all of the members are “independent” under the current listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Our Board has adopted a written charter setting forth the authority and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee.

Our Compensation Committee has responsibility for, among other things, evaluating and making decisions regarding the compensation of our executive officers, assuring that the executive officers are compensated effectively in a manner consistent with our stated compensation strategy, producing an annual report on executive compensation in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and periodically evaluating and administering the terms and administration of our incentive plans and benefit programs. In addition, our Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding incentive compensation plans that require shareholder approval, director compensation, the Company’s compensation discussion and analysis (“CD&A”) and the related executive compensation information for inclusion in the Company’s 10-K and proxy statement, and employment and severance agreements relating to the chief executive officer. Our Board has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, a copy of which is posted under the “Investors” tab under “Governance” on our website, which is located at www.tonixpharma.com.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Daniel Goodman, David Grange and James Treco, with Mr. Treco elected as Chairman of the Committee. The Board has determined that all of the members are “independent” under the current listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

 Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has responsibility for assisting the Board in, among other things, effecting the organization, membership and function of the Board and its committees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall identify and evaluate the qualifications of all candidates for nomination for election as directors. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing, recommending and evaluating corporate governance standards and a code of business conduct and ethics. Our Board has adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, copy of which is posted under the “Investors” tab under “Governance” on our website, which is located at www.tonixpharma.com.

Nomination of Directors

As provided in its charter and our Company’s corporate governance principles, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to identify director candidates based on input provided by a number of sources, including (1) the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members, (2) our other directors, (3) our shareholders, (4) our Chief Executive Officer or Chairman, and (5) third parties such as professional search firms. In evaluating potential candidates for director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the entirety of each candidate’s credentials. 

Qualifications for consideration as a director nominee may vary according to the particular areas of expertise being sought as a complement to the existing composition of the Board. However, at a minimum, candidates for director must possess:

In addition to these minimum qualifications, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also takes into account when considering whether to nominate a potential director candidate the following factors:

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders provided such recommendations are submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth below. In order to provide for an orderly and informed review and selection process for director candidates, the Board has determined that shareholders who wish to recommend director candidates for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee must comply with the following:

All candidates submitted by shareholders will be evaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee according to the criteria discussed above and in the same manner as all other director candidates.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” each of its nominees

PROPOSAL NO. 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has appointed the firm of EisnerAmper LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2020, subject to ratification of the appointment by the Company's shareholders. A representative of EisnerAmper LLP is expected to attend the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires.

Review of the Company's Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020

The Audit Committee met and held discussions with management and the independent auditors. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company's consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380), as amended.

In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the auditors' independence from the Company and its management, and the independent auditors provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and letter required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions With Audit Committees).

The Audit Committee discussed with the Company's independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee met with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations and the overall quality of the Company's internal controls and financial reporting.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee approved the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, for filing with the SEC.

Fees Paid to Auditors

Audit Fees

The aggregate fees billed by our independent registered public accounting firm, for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, including review of our interim financial statements as well as registration statement filings with the SEC and comfort letters issued to underwriters were $421,720 and $424,380, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees

We did not incur fees to our independent registered public accounting firm for audit related fees during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Tax and Other Fees

We incurred fees to our independent registered public accounting firm for tax services during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, of $0 and $7,500, respectively, related to a net operating loss study.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Consistent with SEC policies and guidelines regarding audit independence, the Audit Committee is responsible for the pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our principal accountants on a case-by-case basis. Our Audit Committee has established a policy regarding approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our principal accountants. Our Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category and service. Our Audit Committee has pre-approved all of the services provided by our principal accountants.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP 

as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Audit Committee of the Board of Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. has furnished the following report on its activities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The report is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the SEC’s proxy rules or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and the report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any prior or subsequent filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. specifically incorporates it by reference into any such filing.

The Audit Committee oversees the financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial reporting process, principles and internal controls as well as preparation of our financial statements. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the members of the Audit Committee were Messrs. Treco (Committee Chair), Rhodes and Dr. Goodman, each of whom is an independent director as defined by the applicable NASDAQ and SEC rules.

In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee appointed independent auditors EisnerAmper LLP for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with the independent auditors the overall scope and specific plans for their audit. The Audit Committee also reviewed and discussed with the independent auditors and with management the Company’s audited financial statements and the adequacy of its internal controls. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 with the Company’s management and EisnerAmper. The Audit Committee has also discussed with EisnerAmper the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, “Communications with Audit Committees” issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB 1301”)..

The Audit Committee monitored the independence and performance of the independent auditors. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by PCAOB 1301. The Company’s independent auditors have provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditor the independent auditor’s independence. Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, for filing with the SEC.

Mr. James Treco, Committee Chair 

Mr. John Rhodes 

Dr. Daniel Goodman

PROPOSAL NO. 3: APPROVAL OF THE TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING CORP. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Overview

On February 25, 2020, the Board adopted, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. Amended and Restated 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Amended and Restated 2020 Plan”), subject to and effective upon shareholder approval at the annual meeting. We are asking our shareholders to approve the 2020 Plan in order to permit the Company to use the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan to achieve the Company's performance, recruiting, retention and incentive goals.

The Amended and Restated 2020 Plan includes a variety of forms of awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, cash awards and dividend equivalents to allow the Company to adapt its incentive compensation program to meet the needs of the Company in the changing business environment in which the Company operates.

We strongly believe that the approval of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan is essential to our continued success. As a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with limited cash focused on funding our development programs, we believe that equity, in particular stock option awards, is an important and significant component of our employees’ compensation. The Board and management further believe that equity awards motivate high levels of performance, align the interests of our employees and shareholders by giving directors, employees and consultants the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in the Company, and provide an effective means of recognizing their contributions to the success of the Company.

As of March 27, 2020, 43,500 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Stock”) were available for grant under our only active, outstanding equity compensation plan, our 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2020 Stock Incentive Plan”). No shares of Stock are available for grant under the 2019 Stock Incentive Plan, 2018 Stock Incentive Plan, 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2012 Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan (together with the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, the “Prior Plans”). If our stockholders do not approve this proposal, we may be unable to use equity compensation to the extent needed to make our compensation packages competitive and to motivate our employees and we could be required to increase cash compensation to attract, retain and motivate our employees, which may compromise funding of our development programs. The Board and management believe that equity awards are necessary to remain competitive in our industry and are essential to recruiting and retaining the highly qualified employees, directors and consultants who help the Company meet its goals. The Board and management believe that the ability to grant equity awards will be important to the future success of the Company and is in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders.

Our gross average share usage rate, sometimes referred to as burn rate, over the four years ended December 31, 2019 (calculated as equity-based awards granted under our equity compensation plan for the relevant year, divided by weighted average basic common shares outstanding for that year) is approximately 5.4%. We expect that the proposed share reserve under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan will be sufficient for awards for two or more years. Expectations regarding future share usage could be impacted by a number of factors such as: hiring and promotion activity at the executive level; the rate at which shares are returned to the 2020 Plan reserve upon awards’ expiration, forfeiture or cash settlement; the future performance of our stock price; and other factors. While we believe that the assumptions we used are reasonable, future share usage may differ from current expectations.

If approved, the proposed Amended and Restated 2020 Plan would reserve for issuance 10,000,000 shares of Stock, with the potential for future annual increases. The potential dilution resulting from issuing all of the proposed 10,000,000 shares under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, when combined with shares subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plans as of March 27, 2020, and assuming basic common shares outstanding as of the Record Date, would be 17% on a fully-diluted basis.

If approved, the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan will serve as the successor to our 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. Assuming shareholders approve the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan will be effective as the date of the Annual Meeting and the Prior Plans will terminate on that date (except with respect to awards previously granted under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan that remain outstanding) and no further awards will be granted under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. If the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan is not approved, we will continue to make grants under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan until all shares available thereunder have been issued or the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan expires.

We are seeking stockholder approval of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan in order to satisfy certain legal requirements, including requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market. In addition, the Board regards stockholder approval of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan as desirable and consistent with good corporate governance practices. On March 27, 2020, the closing sale price per a share of Stock as reported on the NASDAQ was $0.73.

Best Practices

We have designed the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan to include a number of provisions that we believe promote best practices by reinforcing the alignment between equity compensation arrangements for directors, employees and consultants and shareholders’ interests. These provisions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Burn Rate Table

The following table sets forth information relating to stock options and full value awards granted through December 31, 2019, and in 2018, 2017 and 2016:

Overhang Information

The following table sets forth certain information as of March 27, 2020, unless otherwise noted, with respect to the Company’s existing equity compensation plans.

*No outstanding warrants are compensatory.

Summary of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan

The following is a description of the principal terms of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, which is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.

General. The Amended and Restated 2020 Plan would authorize the grant to eligible individuals of (1) stock options (incentive and nonstatutory), (2) restricted stock, (3) stock appreciation rights, or SARs, (4) restricted stock units, (5) other stock-based awards, and (6) cash-based awards.

Purpose. The purpose of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing executive officers, employees, non-employee directors, and key advisors of the Company and its defined subsidiaries with appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and remain in their positions with the Company and to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the Company, as well as to reward the performance of these individuals in fulfilling their personal responsibilities for long-range and annual achievements.

Stock Subject to the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan. Subject to adjustments for certain corporate events, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan is 10,000,000 shares, which amount will be reduced by awards granted under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan after February 25, 2020. Any shares of Stock that are subject to options or SARs shall be counted against this limit as one share for every one share granted, and any shares of Stock that are subject to awards other than options or SARs shall be counted against this limit as 1.34 shares for every one share granted. The share reserve will be increased to the extent that awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan or the Prior Plans are forfeited, expire, are cancelled, or are settled for cash (except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan). In terms of calculating how many shares are reduced or increased based on activity under the Prior Plans after February 25, 2020, the calculation shall be based on one share for every one share that was subject to an option or SAR and 1.34 shares for every one share that was subject to an award other than an option or SAR.

Substitute awards (awards made or shares of Stock issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a company acquired by the Company or any Company subsidiary or with which the Company or any subsidiary combines) will not reduce the shares authorized for grant under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, nor will shares subject to a substitute award be added to the shares available for issuance or transfer under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan.

In addition, the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan contains an “evergreen provision” providing for an annual increase in the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years, commencing on January 1, 2021 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2030, in an amount equal to the difference between (x) twenty percent (20%) of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year, and (y) the total number of shares of common stock reserved under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan on December 31st of such preceding calendar year (including shares subject to outstanding awards, issued pursuant to awards or available for future awards). However, the Board may act prior to the first day of any calendar year to provide that there shall be no increase in the share reserve for such calendar year or that the increase in the share reserve for such calendar year shall be a lesser number of shares of Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. None of the shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to this “evergreen provision” may be issued in respect of incentive stock options.

No Liberal Share Recycling. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any and all stock that is (i) withheld or tendered in payment of an option exercise price; (ii) withheld by the Company or tendered by the grantee to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to any award; (iii) covered by a SAR that it is settled in stock, without regard to the number of shares of stock that are actually issued to the grantee upon exercise; or (iv) reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of options, shall not be added to the maximum number of shares of stock that may be issued under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan.

Limits on Director Awards. The maximum number of shares of stock subject to awards granted during a single fiscal year to any non-employee director, taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during the fiscal year, shall not exceed $350,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes); provided, that the Board may make exceptions to this limit for individual non-employee directors in extraordinary circumstances as the Board may determine in its sole discretion, so long as the aggregate limit per non-employee director does not exceed $500,000 in total value during a fiscal year.

Eligibility. Employees of, and consultants to, our Company or its subsidiaries and members of our Board are eligible to receive equity awards under the Plan. Only our employees, and employees of our subsidiary corporations, if any, are eligible to receive incentive stock options. Employees, directors (including non-employee directors) and consultants of or for our Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and any other form of award the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan authorizes. As of March 27, 2020, 16 employees, approximately 80 consultants and six non-employee directors of the Company and its subsidiaries were eligible to receive awards under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan and would be eligible to receive awards under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan. During the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, 12 employees, eight current and former non-executive directors and no consultants received awards under our 2019 Plan. As of March 27, 2020, 15 employees, no current and former non-executive directors and no consultants received awards under our 2020 Stock Incentive Plan.

Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing executive officers, employees, non-employee directors, and key advisors of the Company and its defined subsidiaries with appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and remain in their positions with the Company and to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the Company, as well as to reward the performance of these individuals in fulfilling their personal responsibilities for long-range and annual achievements.

Administration. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Compensation Committee administers the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan. The Compensation Committee is composed solely of “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and “independent directors” within the meaning of NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation Committee has the power, in its discretion, to grant awards under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, to select the individuals to whom awards are granted, to determine the terms of the grants, to interpret the provisions of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan and to otherwise administer the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan. Except as prohibited by applicable law or stock exchange rules, the Compensation Committee may delegate all or any of its responsibilities and powers under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan to one or more of its members, including, without limitation, the power to designate participants and determine the amount, timing and term of awards under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan.

The Amended and Restated 2020 Plan provides that members of the Compensation Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability or expense resulting from claims, actions, suits, or proceedings arising from actions related to the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan.

Term. If approved, the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan is effective May 1, 2020 and awards may be granted through May 1, 2030. No awards may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan subsequent to that date. The Board may suspend or terminate the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan without stockholder approval or ratification at any time or from time to time.

Amendments. Subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, the Compensation Committee as administrator has the sole discretion to interpret the provisions of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan and outstanding awards. Our Board generally may amend or terminate the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan at any time and for any reason, except that approval of our shareholders is required for any amendment which:

Repricing Prohibition. Other than in connection with certain corporate events, the Compensation Committee shall not, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, (a) lower the option price per share of an option or SAR after it is granted, (b) cancel a stock option or SAR when the exercise price per share exceeds the fair market value of one share in exchange for cash or another award (other than in connection with a change of control), or (c) take any other action with respect to a stock option or SAR that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Company’s shares are then listed.

Minimum Vesting Requirement. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan to the contrary and subject to the immediately following proviso, equity-based awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan shall vest no earlier than the first anniversary of the date the award is granted (excluding, for this purpose, any (i) substitute awards, (ii) shares of stock delivered in lieu of fully vested cash awards and (iii) awards to non-employee directors that vest on the earlier of the one year anniversary of the date of grant or the next annual meeting of stockholders which is at least 50 weeks after the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting); provided, that the Compensation Committee may grant equity-based awards without regard to the foregoing minimum vesting requirement with respect to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the available shares authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, this minimum vesting requirement shall not be construed to limit the Compensation Committee’s discretion to provide for accelerated exercisability or vesting of any award, including in cases of retirement, death, disability or a change of control.

Restrictions on Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. If dividends are declared during the period that all or part of an equity award is outstanding and unvested, such dividends (or dividend equivalents) shall either (i) not be paid or credited with respect to such unvested award or (ii) be accumulated but remain subject to vesting requirement(s) to the same extent as the applicable award and shall only be paid at the time or times such vesting requirement(s) are satisfied. No dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to options or SARs prior to their exercise or settlement, as applicable.

Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any change in the Company’s capital structure, including but not limited to a change in the number of shares of Stock outstanding, on account of (i) any stock dividend, spinoff, stock split, reverse stock split or any similar equity restructuring, or (ii) any combination or exchange of equity securities, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization, or divesture or any other similar event affecting the Company’s capital structure, to reflect such change in the Company’s capital structure, the Committee shall make appropriate equitable adjustments to (a) the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, (b) the number of shares of Stock issuable upon outstanding awards, (c) the maximum number of shares of stock that may be issued under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan in the form of incentive stock options, and (d) the exercise price and any performance conditions applicable to outstanding awards. In the event of any extraordinary dividend, divestiture or other distribution (other than ordinary cash dividends) of assets to stockholders, or any transaction or event described above, to the extent necessary to prevent the enlargement or diminution of the rights of participants, the Compensation Committee shall make appropriate equitable adjustments to the number or kind of shares subject to an outstanding award, the exercise price applicable to an outstanding award, and/or a performance goals. Any adjustments the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan shall be consistent with Section 409A and Section 424 of the Code, to the extent applicable, and made in a manner that does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3, to the extent applicable.

Change of Control. The Compensation Committee may, at the time an award is made or at any time prior to, coincident with or after the time of a Change of Control (as defined in the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan):

Generally, under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, a Change of Control occurs upon (i) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation involving the Company, pursuant to which our stockholders immediately prior to the transaction do not own more than 50% of the total combined voting power after the transaction, (ii) the consummation of the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (iii) certain changes in the majority of our Board from those in office on the effective date of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, (iv) the acquisition of more than 50% of the total combined voting power in our outstanding securities by any person, or (v) the Company is dissolved or liquidated.

Types of Awards

Stock Options. Incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options are granted pursuant to award agreements adopted by our Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan; provided, that the exercise price of an option cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our Stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan vest at the rate specified by our Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee determines the term of stock options granted under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years, except in the case of certain incentive stock options, as described below. The Compensation Committee will also determine the length of period during which an optionholder may exercise their options if an optionholder’s relationship with us, or any of our subsidiaries, ceases for any reason; for incentive stock options, this period is limited by applicable law. In no event, however, may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term unless the term is extended in accordance with applicable law.

Acceptable consideration for the purchase of Stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the Compensation Committee.

Incentive or Nonstatutory Stock Options. Incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees, and the employees of our parent or subsidiary corporations, if any. Option Awards are granted pursuant to award agreements adopted by our Compensation Committee. To the extent required by applicable law, the aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of shares of our Stock with respect to incentive stock options that are exercisable for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. To the extent required by applicable law, no incentive stock option may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (a) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant and (b) the term of the incentive stock option does not exceed five years from the date of grant. The maximum number of shares of stock that may be granted in the form of incentive stock options under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan is 500,000.

Stock Appreciation Rights. A SAR is the right to receive stock, cash, or a combination of the foregoing equal in value to the difference between the grant price of the SAR and the market price of the Company’s Stock on the exercise date. SARs may be granted independently or in tandem with a stock option at the time of grant of the related option. An SAR granted in tandem with a stock option shall be exercisable only to the extent the underlying stock option is exercisable. An SAR confers on the grantee a right to receive an amount with respect to each share of Stock subject thereto, upon exercise thereof, equal to the excess of (A) the fair market value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the SAR (which in the case of an SAR granted in tandem with a stock option shall be equal to the exercise price of the underlying option, and which in the case of any other SAR shall be such price as the Compensation Committee may determine but in no event shall be less than the fair market value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such SAR).

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock is Stock that the Company grants subject to transfer restrictions and a risk of forfeiture. A restricted stock unit is a right to receive stock or cash equal to the value of a share of Stock at the end of a specified period that the Company grants subject to transfer restrictions and vesting criteria. The grant of these awards under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan are subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions as the Compensation Committee determines consistent with the terms of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan.

At the time of grant, the Compensation Committee may place restrictions on restricted stock and restricted stock units that shall lapse, in whole or in part, upon the passage of time and/or attainment of performance goals. Except to the extent restricted under the award agreement relating to the restricted stock, a grantee granted restricted stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder including the right to vote restricted stock and the right to receive dividends.

Unless otherwise provided in an award agreement, upon the vesting of a restricted stock unit, there shall be delivered to the grantee, within 30 days of the date on which such award (or any portion thereof) vests, the number of shares of Stock equal to the number of restricted stock units becoming so vested.

Other Stock-Based Awards. The Amended and Restated 2020 Plan also allows the Compensation Committee to grant “Other Stock-Based Awards,” which means a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, common stock. Subject to the limitations contained in the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, this includes, without limitation, (i) unrestricted Stock awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of performance goals or otherwise as permitted under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan and (ii) a right to acquire Stock from the Company containing terms and conditions prescribed by the Compensation Committee. At the time of the grant of Other Stock-Based Awards, the Compensation Committee may place restrictions on the payout or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards that shall lapse, in whole or in part, upon the passage of time and/or attainment of performance goals. Other Stock-Based Awards may not be granted with the right to receive dividend equivalent payments.

Cash-Based Awards. The Compensation Committee may grant Cash-Based Awards under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan that specify the amount of cash to which the award pertains, the conditions under which the award will be vested and exercisable or payable, and such other conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine that are consistent with the terms of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan. At the time of the grant of Cash-Based Awards, the Compensation Committee may place restrictions on the payout or vesting of Cash-Based Awards that shall lapse, in whole or in part, only upon the attainment of performance goals, similar to those for Other Stock-Based Awards.

Interests of Directors and Officers

Our directors may grant awards under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan to themselves, as well as our officers, in addition to granting awards to our other employees.

New Plan Benefits under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan

Because future awards under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan will be granted in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the type, number, recipients, and other terms of such awards cannot be determined at this time.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following is a brief description of the material United States federal income tax consequences associated with awards under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan. It is based on existing United States laws and regulations, and there can be no assurance that those laws and regulations will not change in the future. Tax consequences in other countries may vary. This information is not intended as tax advice to anyone, including participants in the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan.

Stock Options. Neither incentive stock option grants nor non-qualified stock option grants cause any tax consequences to the participant or Tonix at the time of grant. Upon the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the excess of the market value of the shares acquired over their exercise price is ordinary income to the participant, and is deductible by Tonix, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code. The participant’s tax basis for the shares is the market value thereof at the time of exercise. Any gain or loss realized upon a subsequent disposition of the stock will generally constitute capital gain, in connection with which Tonix will not be entitled to a tax deduction.

Upon the exercise of an incentive stock option, the participant will not realize taxable income, but the excess of the fair market value of the stock over the exercise price may give rise to alternative minimum tax. When the stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option is subsequently sold, the participant will recognize income equal to the difference between the sales price and the exercise price of the option. If the sale occurs after the expiration of two years from the grant date and one year from the exercise date, the income will constitute long-term capital gain. If the sale occurs prior to that time, the participant will recognize ordinary income to the extent of the lesser of the gain realized upon the sale or the difference between the fair market value of the acquired stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price; any additional gain will constitute capital gain. Tonix will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code, but no deduction in connection with any capital gain recognized by the participant. If the participant exercises an incentive stock option more than three months after his or her termination of employment due to retirement or other separation other than death or disability, or more than twelve months after his or her termination of employment due to death or permanent disability, he or she is deemed to have exercised a non-qualified stock option.

Compensation realized by participants on the exercise of non-qualified stock options or the disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of any incentive stock options may be subject to the $1,000,000 deductibility limit of Section 162(m) of the Code.

Stock Appreciation Rights. A participant granted a stock appreciation right under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan will not recognize income, and Tonix will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time the award is granted. When the participant exercises the stock appreciation right, the amount of cash and the fair market value of any shares of Stock or other consideration received will be ordinary income to the participant and Tonix will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time. Compensation realized by the participant on the exercise of the stock appreciation right may be subject to the $1,000,000 deductibility limit of Section 162(m) of the Code.

Restricted Stock. Restricted stock is not taxable to a participant at the time of grant, but instead is included in ordinary income (at its then fair market value) when the restrictions lapse. A participant may elect, however, to recognize income at the time of grant, in which case the fair market value of the restricted shares at the time of grant is included in ordinary income and there is no further income recognition when the restrictions lapse. If a participant makes such an election and thereafter forfeits the restricted shares, he or she will be entitled to no tax deduction, capital loss or other tax benefit. Tonix is entitled to a tax deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code.

A participant’s tax basis for restricted shares will be equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant. The participant will recognize capital gain (or loss) on a sale of the restricted stock if the sale price exceeds (or is lower than) such basis. The holding period for restricted shares for purposes of characterizing gain or loss on the sale of any shares as long- or short-term commences at the time the participant recognizes ordinary income pursuant to an award. Tonix is not entitled to a tax deduction corresponding to any capital gain or loss of the participant.

Restricted Stock Units. A participant will not recognize income, and Tonix will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a restricted stock unit award is granted. Upon receipt of shares of Stock (or the equivalent value in cash or any combination of cash and Stock) in settlement of a restricted stock unit award, a participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the stock and cash received as of that date (less any amount he or she paid for the stock and cash), and Tonix will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Performance Awards. A participant will not recognize income, and Tonix will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a performance award is granted (for example, when the performance goals are established). Upon receipt of stock or cash (or a combination thereof) in settlement of a performance award, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the stock and cash received, and Tonix will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Code Section 409A. If an award is subject to Code Section 409A (which relates to nonqualified deferred compensation plans), and if the requirements of Section 409A are not met, the taxable events as described above could apply earlier than described, and could result in the imposition of additional taxes and penalties. All awards that comply with the terms of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, however, are intended to be exempt from the application of Code Section 409A or meet the requirements of Section 409A in order to avoid such early taxation and penalties.

Tax Withholding. Tonix has the right to deduct or withhold, or require a participant to remit to Tonix, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local taxes (including employment taxes) required by law to be withheld with respect to any exercise, lapse of restriction or other taxable event arising as a result of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan. The Compensation Committee may, at the time the award is granted or thereafter, require or permit that any such withholding requirement be satisfied, in whole or in part, by delivery of, or withholding from the award, shares of Stock having a fair market value on the date of withholding equal to the amount required to be withheld for tax purposes.

Required Vote and Board Recommendation

Approval of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan requires the receipt of the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast in person via attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and will have the effect of a vote against approval of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the  

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. Amended and Restated 2020 Stock Incentive Plan

PROPOSAL NO. 4:  APPROVAL OF THE TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING CORP. 2020 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

General

In February 25, 2020, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board and the Board approved the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “20209 ESPP”), subject to approval by our stockholders.

Under the 2020 ESPP, shares of the Company’s common stock will be available for purchase by eligible employees who participate in the 2020 ESPP. Eligible employees will be entitled to purchase, by means of payroll deductions, limited amounts of the Company’s common stock during periodic option periods under the 2020 ESPP. The 2020 ESPP will not be effective without stockholder approval.

The Company believes that the 2020 ESPP will help the Company retain and motivate eligible employees and help further align the interests of eligible employees with those of the Company’s stockholders.

Summary Description of the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The principal terms of the 2020 ESPP are summarized below. The discussion of the 2020 ESPP that follows is qualified in its entirety by the description of and full terms of the 2020 ESPP that are included as part of Annex B.

Purpose. The purpose of the 2020 ESPP is to provide eligible employees an incentive to advance the best interests of the Company by providing them with an opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a favorable price through accumulated payroll deductions. The 2020 ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

Administration. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) will administer the 2020 ESPP. The Committee has authority to construe, interpret and apply the terms of the 2020 ESPP.

Operation. The 2020 ESPP is generally expected to operate in consecutive semi-annual periods referred to as “option periods.” The first option period is expected to commence on July 1, 2020 and end on the last trading day in the semi-annual period ending December 31, 2020, with successive option periods expected to begin on the first day of January and July and to terminate on the last trading day of June and December, respectively. The 2020 ESPP gives the Committee the flexibility to change the duration of future option periods. However, option periods may not last longer than the maximum period permitted under Section 423 of the Code. Section 423 of the Code generally limits the length of such offerings to either 5 years or 27 months, depending on the terms of the offering.

On the first day of each option period (the “Grant Date”), each eligible employee for that option period will be granted an option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Each participant’s option will permit the participant to purchase a number of shares determined by dividing the employee’s accumulated payroll deductions for the option period by the applicable purchase price. A participant must designate in his or her enrollment package the percentage (if any) of compensation to be deducted during that option period for the purchase of stock under the 2020 ESPP. The participant’s payroll deduction election will generally remain in effect for future option periods unless terminated by the participant. A participant may not increase or decrease his or her payroll deductions during the option period. A participant may instead elect to withdraw from any option period prior to the last day of the option period, in which case the participant’s payroll deductions will be refunded and the participant’s outstanding options will terminate.

Each participant’s payroll deductions under the 2020 ESPP will be credited to a bookkeeping account in his or her name under the 2020 ESPP.

Each option granted under the 2020 ESPP will automatically be exercised on the last day of the respective option period (referred to as the “Exercise Date”). The number of shares acquired by a participant upon exercise of his or her option will be determined by dividing the participant’s 2020 ESPP account balance as of the Exercise Date for the option period by the purchase price of the option. The purchase price for each option is generally expected to equal the lesser of (1) 85% of the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the applicable Grant Date, or (2) 85% of the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the applicable Exercise Date. However, the 2020 ESPP gives the Committee the flexibility to change the purchase price for future option periods that is consistent with Section 423 of the Code. A participant’s 2020 ESPP account will be reduced upon exercise of his or her option by the amount used to pay the purchase price of the shares acquired by the participant. No interest will be paid to any participant or credited to any account under the 2020 ESPP.

Eligibility. Only certain employees will be eligible to participate in the 2020 ESPP. All employees of the Company and any subsidiaries of the Company which have been designated by the Committee as eligible to participate in an option period will generally be eligible to participate in such offering period. However, the following employees will not be eligible to participate in such option period:

As of March 27, 2020, 16 employees of the Company and its subsidiaries were eligible to participate in the Company’s 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Limits on Authorized Shares; Limits on Contributions. If the Company’s stockholders approve the 2020 ESPP, a maximum of 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased under the 2020 ESPP.

Participation in the 2020 ESPP is also subject to the following limits:

The $25,000 and the 5% ownership limitations referred to above are required under the Code.

Termination of Employment. If a participant ceases to be an eligible employee for any reason, his or her payroll deductions will automatically cease.

Corporate Transactions. Generally in the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets, property or stock of the Company, a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with or into one or more corporations, or a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, unless a successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary thereof assumes or substitutes new options for all outstanding options, (i) the Board shall establish a new Exercise Date that is before the date of the corporate transaction and (ii) upon such effective date any unexercised options shall expire.

Adjustments. As is customary in stock incentive plans of this nature, the number of shares of stock available under the 2020 ESPP or subject to outstanding options, is subject to adjustment in the event of certain reorganizations, combinations, recapitalization of shares, stock splits, reverse stock split, subdivision or other similar change in respect of the Company’s common stock.

Transfer Restrictions. A participant’s rights with respect to options or the purchase of shares under the 2019 ESPP, as well as payroll deductions credited to his or her 2020 ESPP account, may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

Amendments. The Board generally may amend, suspend, or terminate the 2020 ESPP at any time and in any manner, except that stockholder approval is required to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2020 ESPP and for certain other amendments. No amendment to the 2020 ESPP may materially adversely affect the option rights previously granted to a participant under the 2020 ESPP, except as required by law or regulation.

Term. Subject to stockholder approval, the 2020 ESPP will become effective on July 1, 2020 and will continue in effect until the earlier of such time as all of the shares of the Company’s common stock subject to the 2020 ESPP have been sold under the 2020 ESPP or July 2, 2030, unless terminated earlier by the Board.

Federal Income Tax Consequences of the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Following is a general summary of the current federal income tax principles applicable to the 2020 ESPP. The following summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other considerations, does not describe the deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the Code to the extent an award is subject to and does not satisfy those rules, nor does it describe state, local or international tax consequences.

The 2020 ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code. Participant contributions to the 2020 ESPP through payroll deductions are made on an after-tax basis. That is, a participant’s payroll deductions that are contributed to the 2020 ESPP are deducted from compensation that is taxable to the participant and for which the Company is generally entitled to a tax deduction.

Generally, no taxable income is recognized by a participant with respect to either the grant or exercise of his or her 2020 ESPP option. The Company will have no tax deduction with respect to either of those events. A participant will generally recognize income (or loss) only upon a sale or disposition of any shares that the participant acquires under the 2020 ESPP. The particular tax consequences of a sale or disposition of shares acquired under the 2020 ESPP depend on whether the participant has held the shares for a “Required Holding Period” before selling or disposing of the shares. The Required Holding Period ends on the later of (1) two years after the Grant Date of the offering period in which the participant acquired the shares, or (2) one year after the Exercise Date on which the participant acquired the shares.

If the participant holds the shares for the Required Holding Period and then sells the shares at a price in excess of the purchase price paid for the shares, the gain on the sale of the shares will be taxed as ordinary income to the participant to the extent of the lesser of (1) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the Grant Date of the offering period in which the participant acquired the shares exceeded the purchase price of the shares (calculated as though the shares had been purchased on the Grant Date), or (2) the gain on the sale of the shares. Any portion of the participant’s gain on the sale of the shares not taxed as ordinary income will be taxed as long-term capital gain. If the participant holds the shares for the Required Holding Period and then sells the shares at a price less than the purchase price paid for the shares, the loss on the sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the participant. The Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction with respect to any shares held by the participant for the Required Holding Period, regardless of whether the shares are eventually sold at a gain or a loss.

The participant has a “Disqualifying Disposition” if the participant disposes of the shares before the participant has held the shares for the Required Holding Period. If the participant sells the shares in a Disqualifying Disposition, the participant will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the purchase price paid for the shares and the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date on which the participant acquired the shares, and the Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction. In addition, if the participant makes a Disqualifying Disposition of the shares at a price in excess of the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date, the participant will realize capital gain in an amount equal to the difference between the selling price of the shares and the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date. Alternatively, if the participant makes a Disqualifying Disposition of the shares at a price less than the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date, the participant will realize a capital loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the Exercise Date and the selling price of the shares. The Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction with respect to any capital gain realized by a participant.

Specific Benefits under the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The benefits that will be received by or allocated to eligible employees under the 2020 ESPP cannot be determined at this time because the amount of payroll deductions contributed to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2020 ESPP (subject to the limitations discussed above) is entirely within the discretion of each participant.

Required Vote

Approval of the 2020 ESPP Plan requires the receipt of the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company’s common stock present in person via attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy and voting at the Annual Meeting.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Incentive Plan

PROPOSAL NO. 5: APPROVAL THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES

Adjournment of the Special Meeting

In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock present in person via attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and voting “FOR” the adoption of any of the proposals specified in the Notice of Special Meeting is insufficient to adopt every or any proposal, we may move to adjourn the Special Meeting in order to enable the Board to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of such proposal specified in the Notice of Annual Meeting. In that event, we will ask stockholders to vote upon the adjournment proposal and on the other proposals discussed in this proxy statement. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

If a quorum is present, approval of the proposal to adjourn the Annual Meeting to a later date requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast in person via attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the Annual Meeting to solicit additional proxies, if there are insufficient proxies at the Special Meeting to approve each or any of the proposals specified in the Notice of Annual Meeting

INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Executive Officers

The executive officers are elected by our Board and hold office until their successors are elected and duly qualified. There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers. The current executive officers of the Company are as follows:

Biographical information about Dr. Lederman is provided in “Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors”.

Jessica Morris is our Chief Operations Officer and has worked for the Company since April 2013, first as a consultant (April 2013 – September 2013), then as SVP of Finance (September 2013 – October 2015), followed by Chief Administrative Officer (October 2015 – January 2016), Acting Chief Financial Officer (January 2016 – February 2016), and Executive Vice President, Operations (February 2016 – January 2018). Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Morris was a Vice President in investment management at Zhong Rong Group. Previously, Ms. Morris was a Senior Associate in the Sponsor Finance Group at American Capital, a Vice President of the mezzanine debt fund at Calvert Street Capital Partners, an Associate in the commercial finance department of Silicon Valley Bank, and a Financial Analyst in the investment banking group at Deutsche Bank. Ms. Morris earned a B.S. in Commerce and a B.A. in Music from the University of Virginia, where she was an Echols Scholar.

Bradley Saenger, CPA became our Chief Financial Officer in February 2016. Mr. Saenger has worked for us since May 2014, as the Director of Accounting (May 2014 – December 2015) and VP of Accounting (January 2016 – February 2016). Between June 2013 and March 2014, Mr. Saenger worked for Shire Pharmaceuticals as a consultant in the financial analyst research and development group. Since November 2015, Mr. Saenger has been a director of Tonix Pharma Holdings Limited. Between February 2013 and May 2013, Mr. Saenger worked for Stewart Health Care System as a financial consultant. Between October 2011 and December 2012, Mr. Saenger was an Associate Director of Accounting at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Between January 2005 and September 2011, Mr. Saenger worked for Alere Inc., as a Manager of Corporate Accounting and Consolidations (2007 – 2011) and Manager of Financial Reporting (2005 – 2006). Mr. Saenger also worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Shifren Hirsowitz, public accountants and auditors in Johannesburg, South Africa, Investec Bank in Johannesburg, South Africa and Norman Sifris and Company, public accountants and auditors in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Saenger received his Bachelor’s and Honors’ degrees in Accounting Science from the University of South Africa. Mr. Saenger is a Chartered Accountant in South Africa and a Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Gregory Sullivan, MD became our Chief Medical Officer on June 3, 2014 and our Secretary in March 2017. Prior to becoming our Chief Medical Officer, he served on our Scientific Advisory Board since October 2010, and had also provided ad hoc consulting services. Previously, Dr. Sullivan had been a member of the faculty of Columbia University since July 1999, where he served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) until June 2014. Between June 1997 and August 2014, Dr. Sullivan maintained a part-time psychiatry practice. He served as a Research Scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) from December 2006 to June 2014. He also served as a member of the Institutional Review Board of the NYSPI from January 2009 to June 2014. As Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on several human studies of PTSD, Dr. Sullivan has administered the recruitment, biological assessments, treatment, and safety of participants with PTSD in clinical trials of the disorder. He has published more than 50 articles and chapters on research topics ranging from stress and anxiety disorders to abnormal serotonin receptor expression in depression, PTSD and panic disorder. He is a recipient of grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, NARSAD, the Dana Foundation, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Sullivan received a BA in Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and received his MD from the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Columbia University. He completed his residency training in psychiatry at CUMC, and then a two-year NIMH-sponsored research fellowship in anxiety and affective disorders before joining the faculty at Columbia. 

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

Except as disclosed below, our directors and executive officers have not been involved in any of the following events during the past ten years:

In January 2013, the Chief Operating Officer filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7 of Title 11 under the United States Code in the U. S. Bankruptcy Court in New York, New York. The petition was discharged in April 2013.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Philosophy and Practices

We believe that the performance of our executive officers significantly impacts our ability to achieve our corporate goals. We, therefore, place considerable importance on the design and administration of our executive officer compensation program. This program is intended to enhance stockholder value by attracting, motivating and retaining qualified individuals to perform at the highest levels and to contribute to our growth and success. Our executive officer compensation program is designed to provide compensation opportunities that are tied to individual and corporate performance.

Our compensation packages are also designed to be competitive in our industry. The Compensation Committee from time-to-time consults with compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors in designing our compensation program, including in evaluating the competitiveness of individual compensation packages and in relation to our corporate goals.

Our overall compensation philosophy has been to pay our executive officers an annual base salary and to provide opportunities, through cash and equity incentives, to provide higher compensation if certain key performance goals are satisfied. We believe that many of our key practices and programs demonstrate good governance. The main principles of our fiscal year 2019 compensation strategy included the following:

In 2019, we also continued practices that demonstrate good governance and careful stewardship of corporate assets, including:

At our annual meeting in May 2019, we conducted our tri-annual advisory vote on executive compensation, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote. At that time, approximately 53% of the votes affirmatively cast on the advisory say-on-pay proposal were voted in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee understood this level of approval to indicate strong stockholder support for our executive compensation policies and programs generally, and as a result, our Compensation Committee made no fundamental changes to our executive compensation programs. We will hold our next say-on-pay vote at the 2022 annual meeting. Our Compensation Committee and our Board will consider shareholder feedback through the say-on-pay vote and remains committed to engaging with shareholders and are open to feedback from shareholders.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. has furnished the following report on its activities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The report is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the SEC’s proxy rules or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and the report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any prior or subsequent filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. specifically incorporates it by reference into any such filing.

The Compensation Committee has discussed and reviewed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based upon this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference into the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC.

Ms. Margaret Smith Bell (Committee Chair)
Dr. Adeoye Olukotun
Gen. David Grange

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the directors who served on the Compensation Committee in 2019 was during 2019 or previously an officer or employee of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries, and none of the directors who served on the Compensation Committee in 2019 is, or since the beginning of 2019 was, a participant in a related person transaction that requires disclosure under SEC rules. During 2019, none of the Company’s executive officers served on the board of directors, the compensation committee or any similar committee of another entity (not including entities exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code) that has one or more of its executive officers serving on our Board or Compensation Committee.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table provides certain summary information concerning compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our Chief Executive Officer, and the two next most highly paid executive officers for fiscal years 2019 and 2018.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2019

The following table provides information with regard to each grant of plan-based award made to a named executive officer under any plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2019

The following table presents information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2019.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

No options were exercised by any of the named executive officers and no named executive officers held restricted stock units during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

Equity Compensation Plan Information 

The following table provides certain information with respect to our equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2019.

Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-In-Control Arrangements

Employment Agreement with Seth Lederman

On February 11, 2014, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Lederman Agreement”) with Dr. Seth Lederman (“Lederman”) to continue to serve as our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.  

The base salary for Lederman under the Lederman Agreement was $425,000 per annum, and is $614,250 as of January 1, 2020.  The Lederman Agreement has an initial term of one year and automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party delivers written notice not to renew at least 60 days prior to the end of the current term.

Pursuant to the Lederman Agreement, if the Company terminates Lederman’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Lederman Agreement) or Lederman resigns for Good Reason (as defined in the Lederman Agreement), Lederman is entitled to the following payments and benefits: (1) his fully earned but unpaid base salary through the date of termination at the rate then in effect, plus all other benefits, if any, under any group retirement plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, equity award plan or agreement, health benefits plan or other group benefit plan to which Lederman may be entitled to under the terms of such plans or agreements; (2) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to 12 months of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination; (3) continuation of health benefits for Lederman and his eligible dependents for a period of 12 months following the date of termination; and (4) the automatic acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards as to the number of stock awards that would have vested over the 12-month period following termination had Lederman remained continuously employed by the Company during such period.

Pursuant to the Lederman Agreement, if Lederman’s employment is terminated as a result of death or permanent disability, Lederman or his estate, as applicable, is entitled to the following payments and benefits: (1) his fully earned but unpaid base salary through the date of termination at the rate then in effect; (2) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to six months of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination; and (3) the automatic acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards.

If Lederman is terminated without Cause or resigns for Good Reason during the period commencing 90 days prior to a Change in Control (as defined below) or 12 months following a Change in Control, Lederman shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of the severance benefits described above, the following payments and benefits: (1) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to 36 months of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, except that, if and while Lederman is still entitled to the Sale Bonus (as defined below), it will only be 18 months; (2) continuation of health benefits for Lederman and his eligible dependents for a period of 24 months following the date of termination, except that, if and while Lederman is still entitled to the Sale Bonus it will only be 12 months; and (3) the automatic acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards.

If during the term of the Lederman Agreement or within 120 days after Lederman is terminated without Cause or resigns for Good Reason, following a Change in Control, the Company consummates a Change in Control transaction in which the Enterprise Value (as defined below) equals or exceeds $50 million, Lederman shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to 4.4% of the Enterprise Value (the “Sale Bonus”).  The Sale Bonus provision of the Lederman Agreement will terminate upon the Company granting Lederman long-term incentive compensation mutually agreed to by the Board and Lederman.

For purposes of the Lederman Agreement, “Cause” generally means (1) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty or some other illegal act that has a demonstrable material adverse impact on the Company or any successor or affiliate of the Company, (2) conviction of, or entry into a plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to, a felony, (3) unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets or any successor or affiliate of the Company that has, or may reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse impact on any such entity; (4) gross negligence, failure to follow a material, lawful and reasonable request of the Board or material violation of any duty of loyalty to the Company or any successor or affiliate of the Company, or any other demonstrable material willful misconduct by Lederman, (5) ongoing and repeated failure or refusal to perform or neglect of his duties as required by his employment agreement, which failure, refusal or neglect continues for 30 days following Lederman’s receipt of written notice from the Board stating with specificity the nature of such failure, refusal or neglect, provided that such failure to perform is not as a result of illness, injury or medical incapacity, or (6) material breach of any Company policy or any material provision of the Lederman Agreement.

For purposes of the Lederman Agreement, “Good Reason” generally means (1) a material diminution in Lederman’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities, (2) a material diminution in Lederman’s base compensation, unless such a reduction is imposed across-the-board to the Company’s senior management, and such reduction is not greater than 15%, (3) a material change in the geographic location at which Lederman must perform his duties, (4) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company or any successor or affiliate of the Company’s obligations to Lederman under the Lederman Agreement, or (5) the Company elects not to renew the Lederman Agreement for another term.

For purposes of the Lederman Agreement, “Change in Control” generally means:

For purposes of the Lederman Agreement, “Enterprise Value” generally means (1) in a Change in Control in which consideration is received by the Company, the total cash and non-cash consideration, including debt assumed, received by the Company, net of any fees and expenses in connection with the transaction and (2) in a Change in Control in which consideration is payable to the stockholders of the Company, the total cash and non-cash consideration, including debt assumed, payable to the Company’s stockholders net of any fees and expenses in connection with the transaction.  Enterprise Value also includes any cash or non-cash consideration payable to the Company or to the Company’s stockholders on a contingent, earnout or deferred basis.

Employment Agreement with Gregory Sullivan

On June 3, 2014, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Sullivan Agreement”) with Dr. Gregory Sullivan (“Sullivan”) to serve as our Chief Medical Officer.  The base salary for Sullivan under the Sullivan Agreement was $225,000 per annum, and is $420,000 as of January 1, 2020.  The Sullivan Agreement had an initial term of one year and automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party delivers written notice not to renew at least 60 days prior to the end of the current term.

Pursuant to the Sullivan Agreement, if the Company terminates Sullivan’s employment without Cause (as defined below) or Executive resigns for Good Reason (as defined below), Sullivan is entitled to the following payments and benefits: (1) his fully earned but unpaid base salary through the date of termination at the rate then in effect, plus all other benefits, if any, under any group retirement plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, equity award plan or agreement, health benefits plan or other group benefit plan to which Sullivan may be entitled to under the terms of such plans or agreements; (2) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to 12 months of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination; (3) continuation of health benefits for Sullivan and his eligible dependents for a period of 12 months following the date of termination; and (4) the automatic acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards as to the number of stock awards that would have vested over the 12-month period following termination had Sullivan remained continuously employed by the Company during such period.

Pursuant to the Sullivan Agreement, if Sullivan’s employment is terminated as a result of death or permanent disability, Sullivan or his estate, as applicable, is entitled to his fully earned but unpaid base salary through the end of the month in which termination occurs at the rate then in effect.

For purposes of the Sullivan Agreement, “Cause” generally means (1) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty or some other illegal act that has a demonstrable material adverse impact on the Company or any successor or affiliate of the Company, (2) conviction of, or entry into a plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to, a felony, (3) unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets or any successor or affiliate of the Company that has, or may reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse impact on any such entity, (4) gross negligence, failure to follow a material, lawful and reasonable request of the Company or material violation of any duty of loyalty to the Company or any successor or affiliate of the Company, or any other demonstrable material misconduct by Sullivan, (5) ongoing and repeated failure or refusal to perform or neglect of his duties as required by his employment agreement, which failure, refusal or neglect continues for 30 days following Sullivan’s receipt of written notice from the Company stating with specificity the nature of such failure, refusal or neglect, or (6) material breach of any Company policy or any material provision of the Sullivan Agreement.

For purposes of the Sullivan Agreement, “Good Reason” generally means (1) a material diminution in Executive’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities, (2) a material diminution in the executive officer’s base compensation, unless such a reduction is imposed across-the-board to the Company’s senior management and such reduction is not greater than 15%, (3) a material change in the geographic location at which the executive officer must perform his duties, (4) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company or any successor or affiliate of the Company’s obligations to Sullivan under the Agreement, or (5) the Company elects not to renew the Agreement for another term.

Directors Compensation Table

The following table sets forth summary information concerning the total compensation paid to our non-employee directors in 2019 for services to our Company.

* Mr. Grace resigned from the Board on August 1, 2019.

** Dr. Landry resigned from the Board on May 16, 2019.

*** Mr. Mather resigned from the Board February 16, 2019.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the March 27, 2020: 

Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the following table, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power and that person’s address is c/o Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp., 509 Madison Avenue, Suite 1608, New York New York 10022.

* Denotes less than 1%

(1) Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or convertible within 60 days of March 27, 2020 are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such option or warrant but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.

(2) Percentage based upon 49,353,134 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of March 27, 2020.

(3) Includes 13,797 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days, 5 shares of common stock underlying warrants, 205 shares of common stock owned by Lederman & Co, 33 shares of common stock owned by L&L, 59 shares of common stock owned by Targent, 30 shares of common stock owned by Leder Laboratories, Inc. (Leder Labs), 30 shares of common stock owned by Starling, 23,267 shares owned through a 401(k) account, 459 shares owned through an IRA account and 31 shares owned by Dr. Lederman’s spouse. Seth Lederman, as the Managing Member of Lederman & Co and Targent, the Manager of L&L and the Chairman of Leder Labs and Starling, has investment and voting control over the shares held by these entities.

(4) Includes 3,110 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days, and 3 shares of common stock underlying warrants.

(5) Includes 3,066 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days.

(6) Includes 4,618 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days.

(7) Includes 3,400 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested or become exercisable within 60 days.

(8) Includes 3,005 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested or become exercisable within 60 days.

(9) Includes 3,270 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested or become exercisable within 60 days.

(10) Includes 3,150 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested or become exercisable within 60 days.

(11) Includes 5,152 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days, and 13 shares of common stock underlying warrants

(12) Includes 4,000 shares of common stock underlying options and restricted stock units which are currently exercisable or vested or become exercisable within 60 days.

(13) Includes 46,568 shares of common stock underlying options which are currently exercisable or vested or become exercisable within 60 days, 205 shares of common stock owned by Lederman & Co, 33 shares of common stock owned by L&L, 59 shares of common stock owned by Targent, 30 shares of common stock owned by Leder Labs, 30 shares of common stock owned by Starling, 23,267 shares owned through a 401(k) account of Dr. Lederman, 459 shares owned through an IRA account of Dr. Lederman, 31 shares owned by Dr. Lederman’s spouse, and 21 shares of common stock underlying warrants owned directly by the executive officers and directors. 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

We have adopted a written related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and oversight of “related-party transactions.” For purposes of our policy only, a “related-party transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any “related party” are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000.

Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, consultant or director are not considered related-person transactions under this policy. A related party is any executive officer, director or a holder of more than five percent of our common stock, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.

Under the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-party transaction, our Chief Compliance Officer must present information regarding the proposed related-party transaction to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests of the related parties, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available. To identify related-party transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related-party transactions, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall then make a recommendation to the Board, who will determine whether or not to approve of the related party transaction, and if so, upon what terms and conditions. In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval.

During the last two fiscal years, there have been no related party transactions.

PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE 2021 ANNUAL MEETING

If you want to submit a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of shareholders, you may do so by following the procedures in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  To be eligible for inclusion, shareholder proposals (other than nominees for directors) must be received at the Company’s principal executive office, at the following address: 509 Madison Avenue, Suite 1608, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Secretary, no earlier than January 4, 2021 and no later than February 3, 2021.

Under Rule 14a-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act, if a proponent of a proposal that is not intended to be included in the proxy statement fails to notify us of such proposal at least 45 days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of the preceding year’s proxy statement, then we will be allowed to use our discretionary voting authority under proxies solicited by us when the proposal is raised at such Annual Meeting of shareholders, without any discussion of the matter in the proxy statement.

In addition, our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws contain an advance notice provision that requires that all business proposed by a shareholder that will be conducted or considered at a meeting must meet notice requirements. For business to be properly submitted by a shareholder for a vote at an Annual Meeting, the shareholder must (i) be a shareholder of record as of the record date for the meeting, (ii) be entitled to vote at the meeting, and (iii) have given timely notice in writing of the proposal to be submitted by the shareholder for a vote. The shareholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the Company’s principal executive office. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received by the Secretary at least 90 calendar days before the date corresponding to the date for the annual meeting in the preceding year, and no more than 120 calendar days before that date; provided, however, if the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than 25 calendar days from the date corresponding to the date of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting, or if we did not hold an annual meeting in the preceding year, then the shareholder’s notice will be considered timely if it is received by the Secretary not later than the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the day on which such notice of the date of the Annual Meeting was mailed or the date on which public disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting was made, whichever first occurs.

A shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a description in reasonable detail of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iii) such information regarding each director nominee or each matter of business to be proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, or the matter been proposed, or intended to be proposed by the Board; (iv) if applicable, the consent of each nominee to be named in the proxy statement and to serve as director of the Company if so elected; (v) the class and number of shares of the Company that are owned beneficially and of record by the shareholder proposing such business and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and (vi) any material interest of such shareholder proposing such business and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board knows of no business to be brought before the Annual Meeting other than as set forth above. If other matters properly come before the shareholders at the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named on the proxy to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their judgment.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Appendix A

TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING CORP.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

2020 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

(effective May 1, 2020, subject to stockholder approval)

1.1        Purpose. The purposes of the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. Amended and Restated 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Plan”) are to promote the interests of Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (the “Company”) and the stockholders of the Company by providing (i) executive officers and other employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined below), (ii) certain advisors who perform services for the Company and its Subsidiaries and (iii) non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) with appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue in the employ and service of the Company, to enable them to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the Company, and to reward their performance in fulfilling their personal responsibilities for long-range and annual achievements.

1.2        Effective Date and Term. The Plan will become effective upon the date the amended and restated plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company (the “Effective Date”). Unless terminated earlier by the Committee, the Plan will expire on the tenth (10^th) anniversary of the Effective Date.

1.3        Definitions. Capitalized terms in the Plan, unless defined elsewhere in the Plan, shall be defined as set forth below:

1934 Act. The term “1934 Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor thereto.

Affiliated Company. The term “Affiliated Company” means any company, partnership, association, organization or other entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.

Award. The term “Award” means any award or benefit granted under the Plan, including, without limitation, Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards.

Award Agreement. The term “Award Agreement” means a written or electronic Award grant agreement under the Plan.

Cash-Based Award. The term “Cash-Based Award” means a right or other interest granted to an Eligible Grantee under Section 4.2(vi) of the Plan that may be denominated or payable in cash, other than an Award pursuant to which the amount of cash is determined by reference to the value of a specific number of shares of Stock.

Change of Control. The term “Change of Control” shall be deemed to occur if and when:

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, the term Change of Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, solely with respect to any Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and that is payable on account of a Change of Control (including any installments or stream of payments that are accelerated on account of a Change of Control), a Change of Control shall occur only if such event also constitutes a “change in the ownership”, “change in effective control”, and/or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of assets” of the Company as those terms are defined under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5), but only to the extent necessary to establish a time or form of payment that complies with Section 409A of the Code, without altering the definition of Change of Control for purposes of determining whether a Grantee’s rights to such Award become vested or otherwise unconditional upon the Change of Control.

Code. The term “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A reference to any provision of the Code shall include reference to any successor provision of the Code.

Committee. The term “Committee” means the committee of the Board described in Section 2 hereof and any sub-committee established by such Committee pursuant to Section 2.4.

Disability. The term “Disability” means “Disability” as defined in any Award Agreement to which the Grantee is a party.

Eligible Grantee. The term “Eligible Grantee” shall mean any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

Employee. The term “Employee” means an active employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, but excluding any person who is classified by the Company or a Subsidiary as a “contractor” or “consultant,” no matter how characterized by the Internal Revenue Service, other governmental agency or a court, or any employee who is not actively employed, as determined by the Committee. Any change of characterization of an individual by the Internal Revenue Service or any court or government agency shall have no effect upon the classification of an individual as an Employee for purposes of this Plan, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

Fair Market Value. For purposes of determining the “Fair Market Value” of a share of Stock as of any date, the “Fair Market Value” as of that date shall be, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the closing sale price during regular trading hours of the Stock on the date on the principal securities market in which shares of Stock is then traded; or, if there were no trades on that date, the closing sale price during regular trading hours of the Stock on the first trading day prior to that date. If the Stock is not publicly traded at the time a determination of Fair Market Value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of such amount shall be made by the Committee in such manner as it deems appropriate.

Grantee. The term “Grantee” means an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor of the Company or a Subsidiary who has been granted an Award under the Plan.

ISO. The term “ISO” means any Option intended to be and designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

Key Advisor. The term “Key Advisor” means a consultant or other key advisor who performs services for the Company or a Subsidiary.