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

Filed by the Registrant þ

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

Check the appropriate box:

HEAT BIOLOGICS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):

801 Capitola Drive, Suite 12
Durham, North Carolina 27713

August 21, 2018

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To the Stockholders of Heat Biologics, Inc.:

We hereby notify you that the 2018 Annual Meeting (the “2018 Annual Meeting” or “Annual Meeting”) of stockholders of Heat Biologics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on October 2, 2018 beginning at 1:00 p.m., local time, at the New York City office of Gracin & Marlow, LLP, at The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10174, for the following purposes:

The matters listed in this notice of meeting are described in detail in the accompanying proxy statement. Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on August 16, 2018 as the record date for determining those stockholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of our 2018 Annual Meeting.  The list of the stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 16, 2018 will be made available for inspection at the meeting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 2, 2018

On or about August 25, 2018, we will begin mailing this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE VOTE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE BY USING THE INTERNET OR THE DESIGNATED TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER, OR BY REQUESTING A PRINTED COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS AND SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING BY MAIL THE PROXY CARD YOU WILL RECEIVE IN RESPONSE TO YOUR REQUEST.

801 Capitola Drive, Suite 12

Durham, North Carolina 27713

PROXY STATEMENT

For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on October 2, 2018

GENERAL INFORMATION

We are providing these proxy materials to holders of shares of common stock, $0.0002 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of Heat Biologics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (referred to as “Heat,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”), in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Heat of proxies to be voted at our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on October 2, 2018, beginning at 1:00 p.m., local time at the New York City office of Gracin & Marlow, LLP, at The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10174, and at any adjournment or postponement of our 2018 Annual Meeting.

The purpose of the 2018 Annual Meeting and the matters to be acted on are stated in the accompanying notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board of Directors knows of no other business that will come before the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Our Board of Directors is soliciting votes (i) FOR each of the four (4) nominees named herein for election to our Board of Directors; (ii) FOR the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2018; and (iii) FOR approval of the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”).

ANNUAL MEETING ADMISSION

All stockholders as of the record date are welcome to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting. If you attend, please note that you will be asked to present government-issued identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) and evidence of your share ownership of our Common Stock on the record date. This can be your proxy card.  If your shares are held beneficially in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record and you plan to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting, you will be required to present proof of your ownership of our Common Stock on the record date, such as a bank or brokerage account statement or voting instruction card, to be admitted to the 2018 Annual Meeting.

No cameras, recording equipment or electronic devices will be permitted in the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Information on how to obtain directions to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting is available at: www.heatbio.com.

1

HOW TO VOTE

Stockholders of Record

If your shares are registered directly in your name with Heat’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered the “stockholder of record” of those shares and the proxy statement is being sent directly to you by Heat. If you are a stockholder of record, you can vote your shares in one of two ways: either by proxy or in person at the 2018 Annual Meeting. If you choose to vote by proxy, you may do so by using the internet (please visit www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions) by telephone, or by completing and returning by mail the proxy card you have received. Whichever method you use, each valid proxy received in time will be voted at the 2018 Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions.

Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name

If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in street name, and the proxy statement is being forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee, who is considered the stockholder of record of those shares. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote the shares held in your account. However, since you are not a stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the 2018 Annual Meeting unless you bring with you a legal proxy from the stockholder of record. A legal proxy may be obtained from your broker, bank or nominee. If you do not wish to vote in person or you will not be attending the 2018 Annual Meeting, you may vote using the Internet, by telephone or by mail. Please visit www.proxyvote.com, or call 1-800-454-8683 and follow the instructions, or if you request printed proxy materials, you will receive voting instructions from your broker, bank or nominee describing the available processes for voting your stock.

Vote by Mail

If you choose to vote by mail, simply mark, date and sign your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

Vote by Internet or Telephone

If you choose to vote by internet, go to www.proxyvote.com to complete an electronic proxy card.  Have your proxy card or voting instruction card in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. If you vote by telephone call 1-800-454-8683 and follow the instructions. Your internet or telephonic vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 1, 2018 to be counted.

Voting at the Annual Meeting

Voting by mail or internet will not limit your right to vote at the 2018 Annual Meeting if you decide to attend in person.

2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING

3

4

5

6

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, has nominated for annual election as director each of the individuals identified below, all of whom are incumbent directors.

THE NOMINEES

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE YOUR SHARES FOR THE ELECTION

OF EACH OF THESE NOMINEES

Currently, the Board of Directors consists of four (4) members: Jeffrey Wolf (Chairman), John Monahan, Ph.D., John K.A. Prendergast, Ph.D. (Lead Director) and Edward B. Smith, III. All of the current members have been nominated by the Board of Directors of Heat for the election as directors of Heat. The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of Heat to elect the above-described nominees, each to serve as a director until the next Annual Meeting of stockholders and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. All the nominees have consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected. At the time of the 2018 Annual Meeting, if any of the nominees named above is not available to serve as director (an event that the Board of Directors does not currently have any reason to anticipate), all proxies may be voted for any one or more other persons that the Board of Directors designates in their place. It is the intention of the persons named as proxies to vote all shares of common stock for which they have been granted a proxy for the election of each of the nominees, each to serve as a director until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

The Board believes that each of the nominees is highly qualified to serve as a member of the Board and each has contributed to the mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications of the Board. When evaluating candidates for election to the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee seeks candidates with certain qualities that it believes are important, including experience, skills, expertise, personal and professional integrity, character, business judgment, time availability in light of other commitments, dedication, conflicts of interest, those criteria and qualifications described in each director’s biography below and such other relevant factors that the Nominating and Governance Committee considers appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board of Directors.

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Our Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”). Under the NASDAQ listing standards, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s Board of Directors and all members of our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees must be independent. Audit Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Compensation Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act. Under the NASDAQ listing standards, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of that company’s Board of Directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an Audit Committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors, or any other board committee: (1) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries, or (2) be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.

7

Our Board undertook a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our Board has determined that Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast and Mr. Smith , representing three of our four directors, do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under the listing standards of NASDAQ.

We currently have: (1) an Audit Committee comprised of Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast and Mr. Smith, each of whom are deemed to be independent in accordance with the NASDAQ definition of independence, satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act as well as qualify as “audit committee financial experts” as that term is used in Item 407 of Regulation S-K; (2) a Compensation Committee comprised of Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast, and Mr. Smith, each of whom is deemed to be independent in accordance with the NASDAQ definition of independence and satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act; and (3) a Nominating and Governance Committee comprised of Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast, and Mr. Smith, each of whom is deemed to be independent in accordance with the NASDAQ definition of independence. During the last quarter of the year ended December 31, 2016 and the quarter ended March 31, 2017 the Board of Directors also had a Strategic Planning Committee comprised of Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast and Mr. Smith and a Science and Technology Committee comprised of Dr. Monahan and Dr. Prendergast. Subsequent to the end of the first quarter of 2017, the Board determined that we no longer required a Strategic Planning Committee or a Science and Technology Committee and each of those committees were terminated. We also formed a Special Committee comprised of Dr. Monahan and Dr. Prendergast in order to negotiate and consummate the acquisition of an eighty percent (80%) ownership interest in the equity of Pelican Therapeutics, Inc., which Committee terminated promptly upon the closing of the acquisition on April 28, 2017.

The Board annually determines the independence of directors based on a review by the directors and the Nominating and Governance Committee. No director is considered independent unless the Board of Directors has determined that he or she has no material relationship with us.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOMINEES

Set forth below are summaries of the background, business experience and descriptions of the principal occupation for at least the past five years of each of the Company’s current nominees for election as directors:

Jeffrey Wolf, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President

Mr. Wolf has served our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President since our inception. He founded Heat Biologics in August 2008. Mr. Wolf served from June 1997 to March 2011, as managing director at Seed-One Ventures, LLC a venture firm focused on launching and growing exceptional healthcare companies from the ground up. Since founding Seed-One, Mr. Wolf has founded and run several biomedical companies. Mr. Wolf’s start-ups include Avigen, a gene therapy company where he was a co-founder and director; TyRx Pharma, a company focused on the development of bio-compatible polymers where he was a co-founder and Chairman; and EluSys Therapeutics, a company focused on the development of a novel technology to remove blood-borne pathogens where he was a co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Wolf received his M.B.A. from Stanford Business School, his J.D. from New York University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Chicago, where he graduated with honors in Economics. Mr. Wolf serves as a director of several Seed-One portfolio companies and serves as a director of Synthetic Biologics, Inc., a clinical stage company developing therapeutics to protect the gut microbiome.

We selected Mr. Wolf to serve on our Board as our Chairman because he brings to the board extensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Having served in senior corporate positions in several biomedical companies, he has a vast knowledge of the industry and brings to the board significant executive leadership and operational experience. His business experience provides him with a broad understanding of the operational, financial and strategic issues facing public companies and his service on other public company boards provides him with extensive corporate governance knowledge.

8

John Monahan, Ph.D., Director

Dr. Monahan has served on our Board since November 2009 and is currently a consultant to Synthetic Biologics, Inc., a clinical stage company developing therapeutics to protect the gut microbiome (NYSE MKT: SYN). Dr. Monahan Co-Founded Avigen Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGN) in 1992, a company which has become a leader in its sector for the development of novel pharmaceutical products for the treatment of serious human diseases. Over a 12 year period as CEO of Avigen he raised over $235M in several private and public financings including its IPO. From 1989-1992, he was VP of R&D at Somatix Therapy Corp., Alameda, CA and from 1985-1989 he was Director of Molecular & Cell Biology at Triton Biosciences Inc., Alameda, CA. Prior to that from 1982-1985, he was Research Group Chief, Department of Molecular Genetics, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc. Nutley, NJ, and from 1975 to 1977 he was an Instructor at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1974 from McMaster University, Canada and his B.Sc. from University College Dublin, Ireland in 1969. Dr. Monahan is a Scientific Advisory Board member of Agilis Biotherapeutics.  He is also a board member of the biotech company ITUS Corporation and also a board member of a number of Irish biotech companies including Genable, Cellix, Luxcel, and GK Technologies.

We selected Dr. Monahan to serve on our Board because he brings extensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biologics industry. Having served in senior corporate positions in many medical companies he has a vast knowledge of the industry.

Edward B. Smith, III, Director

Mr. Smith has served on our Board since November 2010.  Since January 1, 2015, Mr. Smith has also been Managing Member of Aristar Capital Management, LLC, a New York-based investment firm founded in 2015. From April 14, 2017 through July 14, 2017, Mr. Smith served as the interim Chief Executive Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer of Agritech Worldwide, Inc. (“Agritech,” formerly Z Trim Holdings, Inc.) (OTCPink: FBER), a manufacturer of environmentally friendly agricultural functional ingredients, From January 2015 until May 2016, Mr. Smith also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Agritech and from 2009 through July 2017 he served as a board member of Agritech. From April 2005 through December 2014, Mr. Smith served as the Managing Partner of Brightline Capital Management, LLC (“BCM”), a New York-based investment firm founded in 2005. Prior to founding BCM, Mr. Smith worked at Gracie Capital from 2004-2005, GTCR Golder Rauner from 1999-2001 and Credit Suisse First Boston from 1997-1999. Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from Harvard College and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

We selected Mr. Smith to serve on our Board because he brings a strong business background to our company, and adds significant strategic, business and financial experience. Mr. Smith’s business background provides him with a broad understanding of the issues facing us, the financial markets and the financing opportunities available to us. His service on other public company boards provides him with extensive corporate governance knowledge and insight into issues faced by companies similar to ours.

John K. A. Prendergast, Ph.D., Lead Director

Dr. Prendergast has served on our Board since April 2016.  Dr. Prendergast is co-founder of Palatin Technologies, Inc. (“Palatin”), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted, receptor-specific peptide therapeutics for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need and commercial potential (NYSE MKT: PTN).  Dr. Prendergast has been Chairman of the Board of Palatin since June 14, 2000, and a director since August 1996. Dr. Prendergast has been president and sole stockholder of Summercloud Bay, Inc., an independent consulting firm providing services to the biotechnology industry, since 1993. Dr. Prendergast is a director and executive chairman of the board of directors of Antyra, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical firm. He was previously a member of the board of the life science companies AVAX Technologies, Inc., Avigen, Inc. and MediciNova, Inc. From October 1991 through December 1997, Dr. Prendergast was a managing director of The Castle Group Ltd., a medical venture capital firm. Dr. Prendergast received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia and a C.S.S. in administration and management from Harvard University.

We selected Dr. Prendergast to serve on our Board because he brings extensive industry experience in corporate development and finance in the life sciences field. His prior service on other publicly traded company boards provides experience relevant to good corporate governance practices.

9

Vote Required

Provided that a quorum is present, the nominees for director receiving a plurality of the votes cast at the 2018 Annual Meeting in person or by proxy will be elected.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION
OF THESE NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS

Stockholder Communications with Directors

The Board has established a process to receive communications from stockholders. Stockholders may contact any member or all members of the Board, any Board committee, or any chair of any such committee by mail. To communicate with the Board of Directors, any individual director or any group or committee of directors, correspondence should be addressed to the Board of Directors or any such individual director or group or committee of directors by either name or title. All such correspondence should be sent “c/o Corporate Secretary” at Heat Biologics, Inc., 801 Capitola Drive, Suite 12, Durham, North Carolina 27713.

All communications received as set forth in the preceding paragraph will be opened by the office of our Secretary and the Corporate Secretary’s office will make sufficient copies of the contents to send to each director who is a member of the group or committee to which the envelope or e-mail is addressed. The Board of Directors has instructed the Corporate Secretary to forward stockholder correspondence only to the intended recipients, and has also instructed the Corporate Secretary to review all stockholder correspondence and, in the Corporate Secretary’s discretion, refrain from forwarding any items deemed to be of a commercial or frivolous nature or otherwise inappropriate for the Board of Directors’ consideration. Any such items may be forwarded elsewhere in Heat for review and possible response.

Corporate Governance

Board Leadership Structure

We have a board leadership structure under which Mr. Wolf, our Chief Executive Officer, also serves as Chairman of the Board. Following the 2018 Annual Meeting, we will have three other directors, each of whom is independent. Our Board currently has three standing committees, each of which is comprised solely of independent directors with a committee chair. In addition, the Board appoints other committees as the Board considers necessary from time to time.

We currently have the same person serving as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and we do not have a formal policy on whether the same person should (or should not) serve as both the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Due to the size of Heat, we believe that this structure is appropriate. Mr. Wolf has served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since our formation. In serving as Chairman of the Board, Mr. Wolf serves as a significant resource for other members of management and the Board of Directors.

We currently have a separate Lead Director. We do not have a formal policy regarding having a separate Lead Director, however, we do believe that when the Chairman of the Board is an employee of Heat or otherwise not independent, it is important to have a separate Lead Director, who is an independent director.  Dr. Prendergast has served as the Lead Director since September 2016. In that role, he presides over the Board’s executive sessions, during which our independent directors meet without management, and he serves as the principle liaison between management and the independent directors of the Board. The Lead Director also:

·

confers with the Chairman of the Board regarding Board meeting agenda;

·

chairs meetings of the independent directors including, where appropriate, setting the agenda and briefing the Chairman of the Board on issues discussed during the meeting;

·

oversees the annual performance evaluation of the CEO;

·

consults with the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Chairman of the Board regarding assignment of Board members to various committees; and

·

performs such other functions as the Board may require.

We believe the combination of Mr. Wolf as our Chairman of the Board and an independent director as our Lead Director is an effective structure for Heat. The division of duties and the additional avenues of communication between the Board and our management associated with this structure provide the basis for the proper functioning of our Board and its oversight of management.

10

Risk Oversight

The Board has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of our company’s risks. The Board regularly reviews information regarding our company’s strategy, finances and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of Company risks relating to accounting matters, financial reporting, internal controls and legal and regulatory compliance. The Audit Committee undertakes, at least annually, a review to evaluate these risks. The members then meet separately with management responsible for such area, including our Vice President of Finance, and report to the Audit Committee on any matters identified during such discussions with management. In addition, the Compensation Committee considers risks related to the attraction and retention of talent as well as risks relating to the design of compensation programs and arrangements. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of the Board. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks. The full Board considers strategic risks and opportunities and regularly receives detailed reports from the committees regarding risk oversight in their respective areas of responsibility.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our directors, executives (including our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance) and employees. The Code is posted on our website at www.heatbio.com.

Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons

The Board of Directors has adopted policies and procedures for review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving Heat and “related persons” (directors and executive officers or their immediate family members, or stockholders owning 5% or greater of the Company’s outstanding stock). The policy covers any related person transaction that meets the minimum threshold for disclosure in the Proxy Statement under the relevant rules of the SEC. Pursuant to our charter, our Audit Committee reviews on an on-going basis for potential conflicts of interest, and approve if appropriate, all our “Related Party Transactions.”  For purposes of the Audit Committee Charter, “Related Party Transactions” means those transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404.

A discussion of our current related person transactions appears in this Proxy Statement under “Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons.”

11

INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Committees of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors currently has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee.  The table set forth below shows the directors who are currently members or Chairman of each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee.  From time to time, the Board of Directors may also establish ad hoc committees to address particular matters.

———————

*   Dr. Prendergast serves as our independent Lead Director.

Audit Committee

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors and all members of our audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees must be independent. Audit committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of that company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee: (1) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries or (2) be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.

Our Board undertook a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our Board has determined that Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast and Mr. Smith, representing three of our four directors, do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. In making this determination, our Board considered the relationships that each non-employee director has with us and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director. We intend to comply with the other independence requirements for committees within the time periods specified above

Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast and Mr. Smith currently serve as members of the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast and Mr. Smith are each “independent” in accordance with the NASDAQ definition of independence and each is an “audit committee financial expert”, as defined by the SEC regulations, and each has the related financial management expertise within the meaning of the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to act on behalf of the Board of Directors in its oversight of all material aspects of our accounting and financial reporting processes, internal controls and audit functions, including our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to its charter, our Audit Committee reviews on an on-going basis for potential conflicts of interest, and approves if appropriate, all our “Related Party Transactions.” For purposes of the Audit Committee Charter, “Related Party Transactions” shall mean those transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404.  In addition, the Audit Committee reviews, acts on and reports to the Board of Directors with respect to various auditing and accounting matters, including the selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the scope of the annual audits, fees to be paid to the independent registered public accounting firm, the performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and the accounting practices of the Company and the Company’s internal controls and legal compliance functions. The Committee also reviews, prior to publication, our quarterly earnings releases and our reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available on the Company’s website at www.heatbio.com. The charter describes the nature and scope of responsibilities of the Audit Committee.

12

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee is comprised of Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast and Mr. Smith, each of whom is deemed to be independent in accordance with the NASDAQ definition of independence. Compensation Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act. This Committee determines, approves, and reports to the Board of Directors on all elements of compensation of our executive officers. The Compensation Committee also has the power to recommend the grant of options and other awards under the stock incentive plans, and to interpret the stock incentive plans.

The Compensation Committee operates under a formal charter that governs its duties and standards of performance. A copy of the charter is available on our website at www.heatbio.com.

Our Compensation Committee annually reviews the compensation program for our Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management and then makes recommendations to the full board for determination. In each case, the Committee takes into account the results achieved by the executive, his or her future potential, and his or her scope of responsibilities and experience. During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Committee evaluated the performance of our executives and considered the compensation levels and equity programs at comparable companies and related industries and the analysis of its outside consultant before it made its compensation recommendations to the full board, including recommendations regarding salary increases, awards of cash bonuses and awards of stock options.

The Committee administers our equity incentive plans, including review and recommendation of long-term incentive compensation for each executive, director and employee, including grants of stock options. The Committee believes that this long-term incentive compensation aligns the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders and furthers executive retention.

The Committee also reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors appropriate director compensation programs for service as directors, committee chairs and committee members.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of Dr. Monahan, Dr. Prendergast and Mr. Smith.

The functions performed by the Nominating and Governance Committee include:

·

recommending to the Board of Directors individuals for appointment to vacancies on any committee of the Board of Directors;

·

recommending to the Board of Directors regarding any changes to the size of the Board of Directors or any committee;

·

reporting to the Board of Directors on a regular basis; and

·

performing any other duties or responsibilities expressly delegated to the committee by the Board of Directors relating to board or committee members.

Candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including the ability to understand basic financial statements, being over 21 years of age, having relevant business experience (taking into account the business experience of the other directors), and having high moral character. The Committee retains the right to modify these minimum qualifications from time to time.

In evaluating an incumbent director whose term of office is set to expire, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews such director’s overall service to the Company during such director’s term, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance, and any transactions with the Company engaged in by such director during his term.

13

When selecting a new director nominee, the Committee first determines whether the nominee must be independent for NASDAQ purposes or whether the candidate must qualify as an “audit committee financial expert.” The Committee then uses its network of contacts to compile a list of potential candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm to assist in the identification of qualified director candidates. The Committee also will consider nominees recommended by our stockholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee does not distinguish between nominees recommended by our stockholders and those recommended by other parties. The Committee evaluates the suitability of potential nominees, taking into account the current board composition, including expertise, diversity and the balance of inside and independent directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee endeavors to establish a diversity of background and experience in a number of areas of core competency, including business judgment, management, accounting, finance, knowledge of our industry, strategic vision, research and development and other areas relevant to our business.

In considering any person recommended by one of our stockholders, the Committee will look for the same qualifications that it looks for in any other person that it is considering for a position on the Board of Directors.  The Nominating and Governance Committee operates under a formal charter that governs its duties and standards of performance. A copy of the charter is available on our website at www.heatbio.com.

Special Committee

During 2017, the Board of Directors also formed a Special Committee comprised of Dr. Monahan and Dr. Prendergast in order to negotiate and consummate the acquisition of an eighty percent (80%) ownership interest in the equity of Pelican Therapeutics, Inc., which Special Committee terminated promptly after the closing of the acquisition on April 28, 2017.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS

During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, our Board of Directors held 12 meetings. During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees met six times, six times, and one time, respectively. Our Special Committee met two times. Each of our incumbent directors that were directors during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 attended no less than 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and Board committees on which such director served during 2017.

DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL MEETINGS

Our directors are encouraged, but not required, to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All of our directors attended our 2017 Annual Meeting.

2017 Director Compensation

Compensation of Directors

The following table sets forth information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 regarding the compensation of our directors who at December 31, 2017 were not also named executive officers.

———————

(1)

The stock options are computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718 and reflect the value of an option to purchase 90,000 shares of common stock (9,000 shares subsequent to the one-for-ten reverse stock split that we effected on January 19, 2018) granted on January 3, 2017 to Dr. Monahan and Mr. Smith with 100% of these options vesting on the one year anniversary of the date of the grant, subject to remaining on the Board of Directors. The fair value of the options was calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, and the assumptions used are described in Note 9 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

14

(2)

The stock options are computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718 and reflect the value of an option to purchase 180,000 shares of common stock (18,000 post-split shares) granted on January 3, 2017 to Dr. Prendergast as lead independent director with 100% of these options vesting on the one year anniversary of the date of the grant, subject to remaining on the Board of Directors. The fair value of the options was calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, and the assumptions used are described in Note 9 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

As of December 31, 2017, the following table sets forth the number of aggregate outstanding option awards held by each of our directors who were not also named executive officers, as adjusted for the one-for-ten reverse stock split effective January 19, 2018:

Our Compensation Committee conducted an evaluation of the compensation of the members of our board of directors with assistance from Korn Ferry Hay Group (“Hay Group”). As described in additional detail below under “Executive Compensation,” Hay Group is the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation advisor and was engaged to provide analysis, guidance and considerations pursuant to our director pay program. Based on Hay Group’s review last year, the Compensation Committee determined that the director pay program was consistent with competitive market practices (relative to Heat Biologic’s publicly-traded peer group at that time), aligned with our overall philosophy and approach to director pay and reflective of desired competitive positioning.  During the year ended December 31, 2017, and anticipated to remain the same for the current year, directors who are not employees receive an annual cash fee of $35,000 as well as a cash fee of $8,000 for service on the Audit Committee and $5,000 for service on each of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee.  In addition, the Chairman of each of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees will each receive an additional cash fee of $12,500, $8,500 and $7,000, respectively. The lead independent director receives a monthly fee of $14,000 for his services as lead independent director.

On January 8, 2018, Dr. Monahan and Mr. Smith received an option grant each to purchase 9,530 shares of our common stock (having a value of $25,634) vesting on the one year anniversary of the grant date and for his services as lead independent director Dr. Prendergast received an option grant to purchase 19,059 shares of common stock (having a value of $51,268).

In addition, on January 2, 2017, Dr. Monahan and Mr. Smith were each granted an option to purchase 90,000 shares of our common stock (which is 9,000 shares on a split adjusted basis), and for services as lead independent director Dr. Prendergast was granted an option to purchase 180,000 shares of our common stock (which is 18,000 shares on a split adjusted basis). The stock options were granted with an exercise price of $0.87 per share (which is $8.70 on a split adjusted basis), vested in full on January 2, 2018 and expire ten (10) years from the date of the grant, unless terminated earlier.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our Common Stock. Such officers, directors and persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file with the SEC.  Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms that were received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, we are not aware of any failures to file reports or report transactions in a timely manner during the year ended December 31, 2017 other than Dr. Hutchins who filed a late Form 4 with respect to an option grant.

15

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered accounting firm, to audit the books and financial records of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2018. Heat is asking its stockholders to ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as Heat’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2018.

A representative of BDO USA, LLP is expected to be present either in person or via teleconference at the 2018 Annual Meeting and available to respond to appropriate questions, and will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so.

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote and represented at the 2018 Annual Meeting in person or by proxy will be required to approve the ratification of the appointment of Heat’s registered public accounting firm. Abstentions will be counted and will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP by our stockholders is not required by law, our bylaws or other governing documents.  As a matter of policy, however, the appointment is being submitted to our stockholders for ratification at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  If our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm.  Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF BDO USA, LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2018.

16

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT¹

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed Heat’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 with the management of Heat and BDO USA, LLP, Heat’s independent registered public accounting firm. Further, the Audit Committee has discussed with BDO USA, LLP the matters required to be discussed under auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, including those matters set forth in the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended and as adopted by the Public Company Accounting oversight Board in Rule 3200T, other standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), rules of the SEC, and other applicable regulations, relating to the firm’s judgment about the quality, not just the acceptability, of Heat’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and estimates, and the clarity of disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO USA, LLP required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, which relate to BDO USA, LLP’s independence from Heat, and has discussed with BDO USA, LLP its independence from Heat. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of non-audit services to Heat is compatible with maintaining the firm’s independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent from Heat and its management. The Audit Committee also considered whether, and determined that, the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of other non-audit services to us was compatible with maintaining BDO USA, LLP’s independence. The Committee also reviewed management’s report on its assessment of the effectiveness of Heat’s internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed key initiatives and programs aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of Heat’s internal and disclosure control structure. The members of the Audit Committee are not our employees and are not performing the functions of auditors or accountants. Accordingly, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee or its members to conduct “field work” or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards. Members of the Audit Committee necessarily rely on the information provided to them by management and the independent auditors. Accordingly, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to above do not constitute assurance that the audit of our consolidated financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that our auditors are in fact independent.

Based on the reviews, reports and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board approved, that Heat’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of Heat’s internal control over financial reporting be included in Heat’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee has recommended, and the Board of Directors has approved, subject to stockholder ratification, the selection of BDO USA, LLP as Heat’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2018.

Submitted by the Audit Committee of Heat’s Board of Directors.

———————

¹

The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not incorporated by reference in any filing of Heat under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

17

Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees including expenses billed to us for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 by BDO USA, LLP.

———————

(1)

Audit fees and expenses were for professional services rendered for the audit and reviews of the consolidated financial statements of the Company, professional services rendered for issuance of consents and assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC.

Audit-Related Fees; Tax Fees and All Other Fees. There were no audit-related fees, tax fees or other fees paid to BDO USA, LLP during fiscal years 2017 and 2016.

In considering the nature of the services provided by BDO USA, LLP, the Audit Committee determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services. The Audit Committee discussed these services with BDO USA, LLP and Heat’s management to determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence promulgated by the SEC to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Pre-Approval Policy

Consistent with SEC policies regarding auditor independence, the Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm.

Prior to the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for the next year’s audit, management will submit a list of services and related fees expected to be rendered during that year for audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other fees to the Audit Committee for approval.

The Audit Committee pre-approves the independent registered public accounting firm’s services within each category. The fees are budgeted and the Audit Committee requires the independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus budget periodically throughout the year by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval categories. In those instances, the Audit Committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging the independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, including the fees and terms of such services. These procedures include reviewing detailed back-up documentation for audit and permitted non-audit services. The documentation includes a description of, and a budgeted amount for, particular categories of non-audit services that are recurring in nature and therefore anticipated at the time that the budget is submitted. Audit Committee approval is required to exceed the pre-approved amount for a particular category of non-audit services and to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for any non-audit services not included in those pre-approved amounts. For both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent with the rules on auditor independence promulgated by the SEC and the PCAOB. The Audit Committee also considers whether the independent registered public accounting firm is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service, based on such reasons as the auditor’s familiarity with our business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile, and whether the services enhance our ability to manage or control risks, and improve audit quality. The Audit Committee may form and delegate pre-approval authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members of the Audit Committee, and such subcommittees must report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All of the services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

18

 PROPOSAL 3

APPROVAL OF OUR 2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

On May 10, 2018, the Board adopted, subject to approval of our stockholders, the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) which would allow the Company to grant up to 4,000,000 awards under the 2018 Plan. After discussion, the Board believes that adopting a new plan, rather than amending our plan adopted by our Board in April 2017 and approved by our stockholders at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 29, 2017 (the “2017 Plan”) would provide for a new framework that is aligned with the current tax law and current status and outlook of our management and Board. Although adopting a new 2018 Plan, the Board also determined to keep our prior plans in operation and to grant awards under those plans as prescribed by their terms. Under the 2017 Plan we were authorized to grant 500,000 awards (5,000,000 on a pre-stock split basis) in the form of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards. In January 2014, the Board adopted, and on June 11, 2014 at our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders our stockholders approved our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) under which we were authorized to grant 50,000 awards (500,000 on a pre-stock split basis) in the form of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards. On July 23, 2015 at our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders our stockholders approved and adopted an amendment to the 2014 Plan to increase by 60,000 shares (600,000 on a pre-stock split basis) the aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted during the life of the 2014 Plan, which would allow the Company to grant up 110,000 awards (1,100,000 on a pre-stock split basis) under the 2014 Plan, as amended. On July 23, 2015 at our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders our stockholders approved and adopted an amendment to the 2014 Plan to increase by 190,000 shares (1,900,000 shares on a pre-stock split basis) the aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted during the life of the 2014 Plan, which would allow the Company to grant up to 300,000 awards (3,000,000 awards on a pre-stock split basis) under the 2014 Plan, as amended. In 2009, our Board adopted and our stockholders approved our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”) under which we are authorized to grant 86,956 awards (869,565 awards on a pre-stock split basis) in the form of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock based awards.

Under our current forecasts, primarily due to our lower stock prices, our current plans will run out of shares available for grant within the next twelve months; therefore, we must ensure that we have sufficient equity to issue under our 2018 Plan to our employees, directors and consultants. This assumes that we continue to grant awards consistent with our historical usage and current practices, as reflected in our burn rate discussed below, and noting that future circumstances may require us to change our current equity grant practices.  

In an effort to preserve cash and to attract, retain and motivate persons who make important contributions to our business, we desire to have the ability to issue securities to our officers, directors and consultants and those of our subsidiaries under our new 2018 Plan. Since the current plans currently only have 262,362 shares of common stock reserved for issuance, management believes that the number of shares of common stock currently available for issuance under the 2009 Plan, 2014 Plan and 2017 Plan is insufficient to meet its needs to provide for awards to our officers, directors and consultants and those of our subsidiaries and insufficient in order to allow us the ability to compete successfully for talented employees and consultants as does the individuals who are eligible to receive awards under our plans. In addition, the principal reason for the 2018 Plan is to increase the number of shares of our common stock approved for issuance to provide our Board of Directors, Compensation Committee and management with greater flexibility to provide grants of stock-based awards under the 2018 Plan. If the 2018 Plan is not approved, we could continue to grant awards under the prior plans as adopted by our stockholders. However, if the 2018 Plan is not approved, we would have fewer awards to grant to employees and directors. Accordingly, our Board recommends the approval of the 2018 Plan.

The principal provisions of the 2018 Plan are summarized below and the proposed 2018 Plan, is attached hereto as Appendix A. The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2018 Plan.

Purpose of the 2018 Plan

The Board of Directors believes that the 2018 Plan is necessary for us to attract, retain, reward and motivate our employees, directors and consultants through the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units. We believe the 2018 Plan is best designed to provide the proper incentives for our employees, directors and consultants, ensures our ability to make performance-based awards, and meets the requirements of applicable law. There are currently thirty two (32) individuals that would be eligible to participate in the 2018 Plan, of which six (6) are directors or executive officers and seventeen (17) are employees of Heat or its subsidiaries and nine (9) are consultants to Heat or its subsidiaries.

19

Purpose of the Amendments to the 2018 Plan

The Board of Directors believes that approval of the 2018 Plan is advisable to enable us to continue to grant equity-based awards. The Board further believes that the 2018 Plan is consistent with market practices and is important to allow us to attract, retain, reward and motivate our employees, directors and consultants, who are critical to achieving our business goals.

The 2018 Plan will be effective on the date of stockholder approval and after that date will apply to all awards made under the 2018 Plan on or after that date. We intend to register the shares authorized under the 2018 Plan under the Securities Act. If our stockholders do not approve the 2018 Plan, we will not issue awards under the 2018 Plan.

At our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholders will be requested to consider and approve the 2018 Plan.

Significant Historical Award Information

Common measures of a stock plan’s cost include dilution and overhang.  Dilution measures the degree to which our stockholders’ ownership has been diluted by stock-based compensation awarded under our various equity plans and also includes shares that may be awarded under our various equity plans in the future, which is commonly referred to as overhang.

———————

(1)

Overhang is calculated by dividing (a) the sum of (x) the number of shares subject to equity awards outstanding at the end of the year and (y) the number of shares available for future grants, by (b) the number of shares outstanding at the end of the year.

(2)

Dilution is calculated by dividing the number of shares subject to equity awards outstanding at the end of the fiscal year by the number of shares outstanding at the end of the fiscal year.

Administration

The 2018 Plan generally is to be administered by our Compensation Committee which has been appointed by the Board of Directors to administer the 2018 Plan. The Compensation Committee has full authority to establish rules and regulations for the proper administration of the 2018 Plan, to select the employees, directors and consultants to whom awards are granted, and to set the date of grant, the type of award and the other terms and conditions of the awards, subject to in certain cases approval of the Board and in all cases consistent with the terms of the 2018 Plan.

Limitation on Awards and Shares Available

As of August 16, 2018, there were: (i) 220,974 shares of our common stock available for grants under the 2017 Plan; (ii) 7,098 shares of our common stock available for grants under the 2014 Plan, and (iii) 34,290 shares of our common stock available for grants under the 2009 Plan. Due to the combined limited number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2017 Plan, the 2014 Plan and the 2009 Plan, we are seeking the approval of our stockholders of the 2018 Plan, which will provide for an additional 4,000,000 shares of our common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted during the life of the 2018 Plan.

Eligibility

Persons eligible to participate in the 2018 Plan include all of our and our subsidiaries’ employees, directors and consultants.

Awards

The 2018 Plan provides for the grant of: (i) incentive stock options; (ii) nonqualified stock options; (iii) stock appreciation rights; (iv) restricted stock; (v) restricted stock units; and (vi) other stock-based and cash-based awards to eligible individuals. The terms of the awards will be set forth in an award agreement, consistent with the terms of the 2018 Plan. No stock option will be exercisable later than ten years after the date it is granted.

20

Stock Options.  The Compensation Committee may recommend grants of incentive stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and nonqualified stock options. Options shall be exercisable for such prices, shall expire at such times, and shall have such other terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine at the time of grant and as set forth in the award agreement; however, the exercise price must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value at the date of grant. The option price is payable in cash or other consideration acceptable to us.

Stock Appreciation Rights.  The Compensation Committee may recommend grants stock appreciation rights with such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine at the time of grant and as set forth in the award agreement. The grant price of a stock appreciation right shall be determined by the Compensation Committee and shall be specified in the award agreement; however, the grant price must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. Stock appreciation rights may be exercised upon such terms and conditions as are imposed by the Compensation Committee and as set forth in the stock appreciation right award agreement.

Restricted Stock.  Restricted stock may be granted in such amounts and subject to the terms and conditions as recommended by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant and as set forth in the award agreement. The Compensation Committee may impose performance goals for restricted stock. The Compensation Committee may authorize the payment of dividends on the restricted stock during the restricted period.

Restricted Stock Units.  Restricted stock units may be granted in such amounts and subject to the terms and conditions as recommended by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant and as set forth in the award agreement. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of our common stock or, in the Compensation Committee’s discretion, the payment of cash for each unit in an amount equal to our share price. The Compensation Committee may impose performance goals for restricted stock units. The Compensation Committee may authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on the restricted stock units during the restricted period.

Other Awards.  The Compensation Committee may recommend grants of other types of equity-based or equity-related awards not otherwise described by the terms of the 2018 Plan, in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Compensation Committee shall recommend. Such awards may be based upon attainment of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee and may involve the transfer of actual shares to participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares.

Amendment and Termination

Our Board of Directors may amend the 2018 Plan at any time, subject to stockholder approval to the extent required by applicable law or regulation or the listing standards of the NASDAQ or any other market or stock exchange on which the common stock is at the time primarily traded. Additionally, stockholder approval will be specifically required to (i) increase the number of shares available for issuance under the 2018 Plan, or (ii) decrease the exercise price of any outstanding option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2018 Plan.

Our Board of Directors may terminate the 2018 Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the Plan will terminate on the close of business on May 10, 2028.

Adjustment for Change in Capitalization

In the event that the Compensation Committee shall determine that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, common stock, or other property), recapitalization, common stock split, reverse common stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event has occurred, then the Compensation Committee shall make such equitable changes or adjustments as it deems necessary or appropriate to any or all of (1) the number and kind of shares of common stock that may thereafter be issued in connection with awards, (2) the number and kind of shares of common stock, securities or other property (including cash) issued or issuable in respect of outstanding awards, (3) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any award, and (4) the maximum number of shares subject to awards which may be awarded to any employee during any tax year of the Company; provided that, with respect to incentive stock options, any such adjustment shall be made in accordance with Section 424 of the Code; and provided further that, no such adjustment shall cause any award hereunder that is or could be subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to comply with the requirements of such section.

21

Effect of Change in Control

Unless otherwise determined in an award agreement, in the event of a Change in Control:

(a)  With respect to each outstanding award that is assumed or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, in the event of a termination of a participant’s employment or service by Heat without Cause during the 24-month period following such Change in Control, on the date of such termination (i) such award shall become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable, (ii) the restrictions, payment conditions, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any such award granted shall lapse, and (iii) any performance conditions imposed with respect to awards shall be deemed to be fully achieved at target levels.

(b)  With respect to each outstanding award that is not assumed or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, immediately upon the occurrence of the Change in Control, (i) such award shall become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable, (ii) the restrictions, payment conditions, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any such award granted shall lapse, and (iii) any performance conditions imposed with respect to awards shall be deemed to be fully achieved at target levels.

(c)  An award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if, following the Change in Control, the award remains subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to the award immediately prior to the Change in Control except that, if the award related to shares of common stock, the award instead confers the right to receive common stock of the acquiring entity.

Under the Plan, “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

(i)

any Person (as defined in the Plan) is or becomes the “Beneficial Owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Heat (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned (as defined in the Plan) by such Person any securities acquired directly from Heat) representing 30% or more of Heat’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) of paragraph (iii) below; or

(ii)

the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on the Effective Date (as defined in the 2018 Plan), constitute the Board of Directors and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of Heat) whose appointment or election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by Heat stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least a two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Effective Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or

(iii)

there is consummated a merger or consolidation of Heat with any other corporation other than (A) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of Heat outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of Heat or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a re-capitalization of Heat (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of Heat (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from Heat) representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of Heat’s then outstanding securities; or

(iv)

the stockholders of Heat approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of Heat or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by Heat of all or substantially all of Heat’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by Heat of all or substantially all of Heat’s assets to an entity at least 75% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by Persons in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Heat immediately prior to such sale.

22

Miscellaneous

The 2018 Plan also contains provisions with respect to payment of exercise prices, vesting and expiration of awards, treatment of awards upon the sale of Heat, transferability of awards, and tax withholding requirements. Various other terms, conditions, and limitations apply, as further described in the 2018 Plan.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a brief description of the principal federal income tax consequences, as of the date of this proxy statement, associated with the grant of awards under the 2018 Plan. This summary is based on our understanding of present United States federal income tax law and regulations. The summary does not purport to be complete or applicable to every specific situation. Furthermore, the following discussion does not address state or local tax consequences.

Options

Grant.  There is no federal income tax consequence to the participant solely by reason of the grant of incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options under the 2018 Plan.

Exercise.  The exercise of an incentive stock option is not a taxable event for regular federal income tax purposes if certain requirements are satisfied, including the requirement that the participant generally must exercise the incentive stock option no later than ninety days following the termination of the participant’s employment with us. However, such exercise may give rise to alternative minimum tax liability (see “Alternative Minimum Tax” below).

Upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the participant will generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise over the amount paid by the participant as the exercise price. The ordinary income recognized in connection with the exercise by a participant of a nonqualified stock option will be subject to both wage and employment tax withholding.

The participant’s tax basis in the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an option will be the amount paid upon exercise plus, in the case of a nonqualified stock option, the amount of ordinary income, if any, recognized by the participant upon exercise thereof.

Qualifying Disposition.  If a participant disposes of shares of our common stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option in a taxable transaction, and such disposition occurs more than two years from the date on which the option was granted and more than one year after the date on which the shares were transferred to the participant pursuant to the exercise of the incentive stock option, the participant will realize long-term capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon such disposition and the participant’s adjusted basis in such shares (generally the option exercise price).

Disqualifying Disposition.  If the participant disposes of shares of our common stock acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option (other than in certain tax free transactions) within two years from the date on which the incentive stock option was granted or within one year after the transfer of shares to the participant pursuant to the exercise of the incentive stock option, at the time of disposition the participant will generally recognize ordinary income equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of each such share’s fair market value on the date of exercise over the exercise price paid by the participant, or (ii) the participant’s actual gain. If the total amount realized on a taxable disposition (including return on capital and capital gain) exceeds the fair market value on the date of exercise of the shares of our common stock purchased by the participant under the option, the participant will recognize a capital gain in the amount of the excess. If the participant incurs a loss on the disposition (the total amount realized is less than the exercise price paid by the participant), the loss will be a capital loss.

Other Disposition.  If a participant disposes of shares of our common stock acquired upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option in a taxable transaction, the participant will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the participant’s basis (as discussed above) in the shares sold and the total amount realized upon disposition. Any such capital gain or loss (and any capital gain or loss recognized on a disqualifying disposition of shares of our common stock acquired upon exercise of incentive stock options as discussed above) will be short-term or long-term depending on whether the shares of our common stock were held for more than one year from the date such shares were transferred to the participant.

23

Alternative Minimum Tax.  Alternative minimum tax is payable if and to the extent the amount thereof exceeds the amount of the taxpayer’s regular tax liability, and any alternative minimum tax paid generally may be credited against future regular tax liability (but not future alternative minimum tax liability). Alternative minimum tax applies to alternative minimum taxable income. Generally, regular taxable income as adjusted for tax preferences and other items is treated differently under the alternative minimum tax.

For alternative minimum tax purposes, the spread upon exercise of an incentive stock option (but not a nonqualified stock option) will be included in alternative minimum taxable income, and the taxpayer will receive a tax basis equal to the fair market value of the shares of our common stock at such time for subsequent alternative minimum tax purposes. However, if the participant disposes of the incentive stock option shares in the year of exercise, the alternative minimum tax income cannot exceed the gain recognized for regular tax purposes, provided that the disposition meets certain third party requirements for limiting the gain on a disqualifying disposition. If there is a disqualifying disposition in a year other than the year of exercise, the income on the disqualifying disposition is not considered alternative minimum taxable income.

There are no federal income tax consequences to us by reason of the grant of incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options or the exercise of an incentive stock option (other than disqualifying dispositions). At the time the participant recognizes ordinary income from the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, we will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction in the amount of the ordinary income so recognized (as described above), provided that we satisfy our reporting obligations described below. To the extent the participant recognizes ordinary income by reason of a disqualifying disposition of the stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option, and subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 162(m)”), and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction in the year in which the disposition occurs. Prior to the enactment of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”), Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code precluded a public corporation from taking a tax deduction for certain compensation in excess of $1.0 million in any one year paid to its Chief Executive Officer or any of its three other highest-paid executive officers (not including our Chief Financial Officer), unless certain specific and detailed criteria are satisfied. However, certain qualifying “performance-based” compensation (that is, compensation paid under a plan administered by a committee of outside directors, based on achieving objective performance goals, the material terms of which were approved by shareholders, such as our prior plans) was not subject to the $1.0 million deduction limit. With the passage of the Tax Act, only qualifying performance-based compensation paid pursuant to a binding written contract in effect on November 2, 2017 (and not modified in any material respect on or after November 2, 2017) as set forth under the Tax Act will be eligible for the deduction exception. The Tax Act also expanded the executive officers covered by Section 162(m) to include the chief financial officer position as well as any person who ever was a covered executive for any prior taxable year, beginning after December 31, 2016. As a result of these changes, starting in 2018, most compensation payable to any person who was a named executive officer of the Company since fiscal year 2016 will not be deductible, regardless of whether the compensation is performance-based.

For our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and for the individuals serving as officers who are among the three highest compensated officers (other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer) for proxy reporting purposes, Section 162(m) limits the amount of compensation otherwise deductible by us to $1,000,000 per year for each such individual. We are required to report to the Internal Revenue Service any ordinary income recognized by any participant by reason of the exercise of a nonqualified stock option. We are required to withhold income and employment taxes (and pay the employer’s share of the employment taxes) with respect to ordinary income recognized by the participant upon exercise of nonqualified stock options.

Stock Appreciation Rights

There are no tax consequences to the participant or us by reason of the grant of stock appreciation rights. In general, upon exercise of a stock appreciation rights award, the participant will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess of the stock’s fair market value on the date of exercise over the stock appreciation rights’ base price, or the amount payable. Generally, with respect to employees, Heat is required to withhold from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we generally will be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.

24

Restricted Stock

Unless a participant makes a Section 83(b) election, as described below, with respect to restricted stock granted under the 2018 Plan, a participant receiving such an award will not recognize income and we will not be allowed a deduction at the time such award is granted. While an award remains unvested or otherwise subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, a participant will recognize compensation income equal to the amount of any dividends received and we will be allowed a deduction in a like amount. When an award vests or otherwise ceases to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the excess of the fair market value of the award on the date of vesting or the cessation of the substantial risk of forfeiture over the amount paid, if any, by the participant for the award will be ordinary income to the participant and will be claimed as a deduction for federal income tax purposes by us. Upon disposition of the shares received, the gain or loss recognized by the participant will be treated as capital gain or loss, and the capital gain or loss will be short-term or long-term depending upon whether the participant held the shares for more than one year following the vesting or cessation of the substantial risk of forfeiture.

However, by filing a Section 83(b) election with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days after the date of grant, a participant’s ordinary income and commencement of holding period and the deduction will be determined as of the date of grant. In such a case, the amount of ordinary income recognized by such a participant and deductible by us will be equal to the excess of the fair market value of the award as of the date of grant over the amount paid, if any, by the participant for the award. If such election is made and a participant thereafter forfeits his or her award, no refund or deduction will be allowed for the amount previously included in such participant’s income.

Generally, with respect to employees, we are required to withhold from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation and any tax withholding condition, we generally will be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient. Upon disposition of stock, the recipient will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid for such stock, if any, plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon acquisition (or vesting) of the stock. Such gain or loss will be long- or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year from the date ordinary income is measured.

Restricted Stock Units

The recipient of an award of restricted stock units generally will not be taxed upon the grant or vesting of the award, but rather will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount paid to him or her in respect of such award at the time such award is paid. In either case, we will be entitled to a deduction at the time when, and in the amount that, the recipient recognizes ordinary income.

25

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

New Plan Benefits Under our Stock Incentive Plans

As of August 16, 2018, we have granted 625,613 options with a weighted average exercise price of $17.49 under the 2017 Plan, the 2014 Plan and the 2009 Plan. Of these options, 110,406 were granted to members of the Board of Directors and 515,207 were granted to employees and consultants. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we have granted 190,151 options with a weighted average exercise price of $7.88 and 42,850 restricted stock units under the 2017 Plan and the 2014 Plan.  Of these options, 36,000 were granted to members of the Board of Directors and 154,151 were granted to employees and consultants and of these restricted stock units none were granted to members of the Board of Directors and 42,850 were granted to employees and consultants. At this time the benefits and amounts that will be received by or allocated to our executive officers, non-executive directors and employees and consultants under the 2018 Plan are not determinable. We have not approved any awards that are conditioned upon stockholder approval of the amended and restated 2018 Plan.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table contains information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2017. In June 2017, our stockholders approved the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, which provides for a maximum of 500,000 awards. All share numbers in this proxy statement, including in the paragraph above and in the following table have been adjusted for the one-for-ten reverse stock split effective January 19, 2018.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Subsequent to December 31, 2017, we issued Jeff Wolf, Jeff Hutchins, and Ann Rosar options exercisable for 59,559, 29,647, and 6,618 shares of common stock, respectively, vesting pro rata on a monthly basis over four (4) years as part of their 2017 bonus compensation. Subsequent to December 31, 2017, we also issued: (i) Jeff Wolf 26,072 restricted stock units that vested immediately, but are subject to a one year restriction on transferability, and (ii) Jeff Wolf and Ann Rosar 40,500 and 4,500 restricted stock units, respectively, that vested 25% on the grant date, with the remaining restricted stock units vesting 25% on each of the second, third and fourth anniversary of the grant date.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL
OF OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED 2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board knows of no other business that will be presented to the 2018 Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons named therein.

26

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS

Below is certain information regarding our executive officers who are not Directors.

Jeff T. Hutchins, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Hutchins joined our company on January 1, 2017 as Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President of Pre-Clinical Development and in June 2017 he was appointed as both Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer.  Dr. Hutchins oversees our research efforts, bringing over 24 years of research and clinical development experience from both large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Most recently and since 2012, Dr. Hutchins served as Vice President of Preclinical Research for Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics to fight cancer and infectious diseases. Dr. Hutchins was responsible for building out the research program for Peregrine's lead product candidate, bavituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody designed to target phosphatidylserine. Prior to joining Peregrine in 2012, from 2001 until 2012, Dr. Hutchins served as Vice President, Preclinical Development at Inhibitex Inc, which was acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb. From 1991 to 2000, Dr. Hutchins held several senior scientist positions in Discovery Research at Burroughs Wellcome and Glaxo Wellcome, with a visiting professor appointment at Rush Medical College.

Dr. Hutchins earned a B.S. in Biology from Oral Roberts University, a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Texas, Health Science Center at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and conducted postdoctoral training in the University of Southern California's Department of Microbiology at the Norris Cancer Center. Dr. Hutchins' publications and patents span the fields of oncology, infectious disease, osteoarthritis and immunology.

Ann A. Rosar, M.B.A., Vice President of Finance, Controller and Secretary

Ms. Rosar joined our company as Controller in January 2015 and in April 2016 was named our Vice President of Finance, Controller and Secretary.  Ms. Rosar has over twenty years of experience in finance with publicly held companies and more than fifteen years of experience regarding regulatory reporting requirements.  Prior to serving as our Controller, Ms. Rosar served as Manager of Financial Reporting and Accounting for LipoScience, Inc. (acquired by LabCorp), a provider of specialized cardiovascular diagnostic tests, from 2013 to 2015.  From 2007 until 2013 she served in various roles at DARA Biosciences, Inc. (now Midatech Pharma US), an oncology supportive care pharmaceutical company, including as the Vice President of Finance, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller.  Ms. Rosar was the Manager of Financial Reporting and Accounting with Cicero, Inc. (formerly Level 8 Systems), a provider of business integration software, from June 2000 until November 2007, where she was responsible for Securities and Exchange Commission reporting, audits and budget analysis. Prior to that position, she served as Senior Financial Analyst-Business Operations for Nextel Communications.

Ms. Rosar received a M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Houston and received her undergraduate degrees from North Carolina State University.

27

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

NARRATIVE DISCLOSURE TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

All share numbers in the discussion below and in the following tables have been adjusted for the one-for-ten reverse stock split effective January 19, 2018.

Overview of Our Compensation Program

A. Philosophy and Objectives

Our primary objective with respect to executive compensation is to design compensation programs that will align executives’ compensation with our overall business strategies for the creation of stockholder value and attract, motivate and retain highly qualified executives.

Our executive compensation program is based on the following philosophies and objectives:

·

Compensation Should Align with Stockholders’ Interests — The Compensation Committee believes that executives’ interests should be aligned with those of the stockholders. Executives are granted stock options so that their total compensation is tied directly to the same value realized by our stockholders. Executive bonuses are tied directly to the value that we gain from an executive’s contribution to our success as a whole.

·

Compensation is Competitive — The Compensation Committee seeks to provide a total compensation package that attracts, motivates and retains the executive talent that we need in order to maximize the return to stockholders. To accomplish this objective, executive compensation is reviewed annually to ensure that compensation levels are competitive and reasonable given our level of performance and other comparable companies with which we compete for talent.

·

Compensation Motivates and Rewards the Achievement of Goals — Our executive compensation program is designed to appropriately reward both individual and collective performance that meets and exceeds our annual, long-term and strategic goals. To accomplish this objective, a substantial percentage of total compensation is variable, “at risk”, both through annual incentive compensation and the granting of long-term incentive awards.

We seek to achieve these objectives through three key compensation elements:

·

a base salary;

·

a performance-based annual cash incentive (i.e., annual cash incentive compensation); and

·

equity awards.

In order to enhance the Compensation Committee’s ability to carry out its responsibilities effectively, as well as maintain strong links between executive pay and performance, the Compensation Committee reviews compensation information for each Named Executive Officer (as defined below), which includes the following information:

·

the annual compensation and benefit values that are being offered to each executive;

·

the value of all outstanding equity awards; and

·

the Compensation Committee also meets with our Chairman/Chief Executive Officer and other senior management in connection with compensation matters, and may retain and meet in executive session with, compensation and other advisors from time to time.

28

B. Compensation Administration

Roles and Responsibilities of Compensation Committee

The primary purpose of the Compensation Committee is to conduct reviews of our general executive compensation policies and strategies and oversee and evaluate our overall compensation structure and programs. The Compensation Committee seeks to confirm that total compensation paid to (i) Jeff Wolf, our Chief Executive Officer, (ii) Ann Rosar, our Vice President of Finance, and (iii) Jeff Hutchins, our Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer (collectively, our “Named Executive Officers”), is reasonable and competitive. Responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include, but are not limited to:

·

Establishing on an annual basis performance goals and objectives for purposes of determining the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive officers, evaluating the performance of such officers in light of those goals and objectives, and setting the compensation level for those officers based on this evaluation.

·

Recommending to the Board the compensation for Board members (including retainer, committee and committee chair’s fees, stock options and other similar items as appropriate).

·

Reviewing the competitive position of, and making recommendations to the Board with respect to, the cash-based and equity-based compensation plans and other programs relating to compensation and benefits.

·

Reviewing our financial performance and operations as well as our major benefit plans.

·

Overseeing the administration of our stock option and other executive compensation plans, including recommending to the Board of Directors the granting of options and awards under the plans, and the approval or disapproval of the participation of individual employees in those plans.

·

Reviewing and approving for our Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive officers: (a) employment agreements; (b) severance agreements; (c) change in control agreements/provisions; and (d) any other material perquisites or other in-kind benefits.

Additional information regarding the Compensation Committee’s responsibilities is set forth in its Charter, which is posted on our website at www.heatbio.com.

Use of Compensation Consultant

As noted above, the Compensation Committee retained Hay Group, a nationally-recognized global human resources consulting firm, as its independent compensation advisor for 2017. Hay Group principally provides analysis, advice and recommendations regarding Named Executive Officer and non-employee director compensation as well as guidance and considerations on our long-term incentive program for all eligible employees. Hay Group reports to the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and has direct access to the other members of the Compensation Committee. Hay Group does not provide any other services to the Company other than in its role as the Compensation Committee’s independent advisor.

Competitive Considerations

In making compensation decisions with respect to each element of compensation for our Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee considers the competitive market pay data from both other similarly situated public companies and a premier compensation survey which is specific to our size and industry.

The Compensation Committee generally targets total executive compensation within a competitive range of market median (+/- 15% of median) for executives in similar positions and with similar responsibilities and experience at similarly-situated companies. The Compensation Committee’s desired competitive positioning and its pay program decision-making (in terms of both compensation levels and overall mix of pay which is focused on variable or “at risk” compensation) is reflective of our pay for performance philosophy and provides alignment of executive and stockholder interests.

We believe that, given the industry in which we operate and our compensation philosophy and objectives, our approach to executive compensation is sufficient to retain our current executive officers and to hire new executive officers when and as required.

29

Role of the Chief Executive Officer

Our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wolf, makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding the compensation of our other Named Executive Officers. Mr. Wolf does not participate in any discussions or processes concerning his own compensation, and participates in a non-voting capacity in discussions or processes concerning the compensation of our Principal Financial Officer and other members of management.

1. Base Salaries

We provide our Named Executive Officers a base salary commensurate with their position, responsibilities and experience. In setting the base salary, the Compensation Committee considers the scope and accountability associated with each Named Executive Officer’s position and such factors as performance and experience of each Named Executive Officer. We design base pay to provide the essential reward for an employee’s work and are required to be competitive in attracting talent. Once base pay levels are initially determined, increases in base pay may be provided to recognize an employee’s specific performance achievements. The base salaries are targeted to be competitive with other similar biotechnology companies. Base salaries for the Named Executive Officers are set by their respective employment contracts and are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee. Our Chief Executive Officer, Vice President of Finance and Chief Scientific Officer/ Chief Operating Officer typically make performance assessments of our other employees throughout the year, and provide ongoing feedback to employees, provide resources and maximize individual and team performance levels. Based on the analysis of the study data provide to us by Hay Group and other comparative research performed by the Committee, the Committee was able to compare the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, Vice President of Finance and Chief Scientific Officer/ Chief Operating Officer, including base salary, long-term incentives and bonuses. It was determined that our Chief Executive’s Officer’s and Chief Scientific Officer’s/ Chief Operating Officer’s salary were within a competitive range of market relative to similarly situated positions of similar companies. It was determined that due to the fact that we do not have a Chief Financial Officer that the Vice President of Finance assumes many of the responsibilities of a Chief Financial Officer and therefore based upon her added responsibilities, the Vice President of Finance’s base salary was slightly below  the competitive range of market relative to similarly situated positions of similar companies and therefore, the base salary for our Vice President of Finance was increased to $260,000 in January 2018, to keep her salary competitive with those of similarly situated executives in the peer group. The current base salaries for our Named Executive Officers are:

2. Bonuses

The Compensation Committee also makes recommendations to the full Board of Directors for determining bonuses. The Compensation Committee also used information from the report and analysis discussed above in determining bonuses as well as its own research of peer company compensation. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved a $208,575 cash bonus for Jeff Wolf (50% of pro-rated gross base salary), a $77,361 cash bonus for Jeff Hutchins (25% of pro-rated gross base salary) and a $53,125 cash bonus for Ann Rosar (25% of pro-rated gross base salary). Mr. Wolf agreed to accept 26,072 restricted stock units in lieu of $52,144 of his 2017 cash bonus (25% of his cash bonus).  The restricted stock units received in lieu of the cash bonus had a value at the time of grant of $104,288.  Each restricted stock units represents a contingent right to receive one share of common stock.

The employment agreement with each of Jeff Wolf and Jeff Hutchins that was in effect during 2017 provided that each was eligible for a cash performance bonus of up to fifty percent and twenty five percent, respectively of each of their base as well an equity bonus in the sole discretion of the board of directors, with the actual amount of any such bonus increased or decreased in the sole discretion of the board of directors. Ann Rosar’s employment agreement provides that she is eligible for an annual bonus, payable in cash and/or equity, in the discretion of the board of directors. The bonuses are to be rewarded based on whether, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee and the board of directors, our company and the Named Executive Officer met certain objectives established by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee believes that the granting of a bonus is appropriate to motivate the Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee focuses on individual performance, which enables the Compensation Committee to differentiate among executives and emphasize the link between personal performance and compensation. Although the Compensation Committee does not use any fixed formula in determining bonuses, it does link them to financial objectives of importance to it.

30

3. Long-Term Incentives

The Compensation Committee believes that a substantial portion of the Named Executive Officer’s compensation should be awarded in equity-based compensation since equity-based compensation is directly linked to the interests of stockholders. The Compensation Committee has elected to grant stock options and restricted stock units to the Named Executive Officers and other key employees as the primary long-term incentive vehicle. In making this determination, the Compensation Committee considered a number of factors including: the accounting impact, potential value of stock option grants versus other equity instruments and cash incentives, and the alignment of equity participants with stockholders. The Compensation Committee determined to grant stock options to:

Each of Jeff Wolf, Jeff Hutchins and Ann Rosar were granted options exercisable for 59,999, 29,647 and 6,618 shares of common stock, respectively, as part of their bonus for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, Jeff Wolf and Ann Rosar were issued 66,572 and 4,500 restricted stock units, respectively in January 2018. The stock options granted vest in equal monthly installments over a four-year term and are subject to the recipient’s continued employment, therefore acting as a significant retention incentive. Of the 66,572 restricted stock units granted to Jeff Wolf, 26,072 were issued to Mr. Wolf, at his option, in lieu of a part of his cash bonus and vested immediately but may not be sold for a one year period from the grant date. The remaining restricted stock units vested 25% on the grant date with the remaining units vesting on the second, third and fourth anniversary of the date of grant.

The Compensation Committee reviews the performance, potential burn rates and dilution levels to create an option pool that may be awarded to employee participants. Grants to the Named Executive Officers were determined by the Compensation Committee after reviewing market data, including the reports and analysis discussed above and after considering each executive’s performance, role and responsibilities.

The Compensation Committee does not seek to time equity grants to take advantage of information, either positive or negative, about our company that has not been publicly disclosed. The exercise price of options is the closing market price of our common stock on the business day of the grant or, if the grant is made on a weekend or holiday, on the prior business day.

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Set forth below is the compensation paid or accrued to our named executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 that exceeded $100,000.

Summary Compensation Table

———————

(1)

Mr. Wolf agreed to accept 26,072 restricted stock units in lieu of $52,144 of his cash bonus (25% of his cash bonus). The restricted stock units received in lieu of the cash bonus had a value at the time of grant of $104,288.

31

(2)

Includes the value of the restricted stock units ($52,144) that exceed the value of the bonus foregone. The restricted stock units vest immediately but may not be sold until the one year anniversary of their grant date. Each restricted stock units represents a contingent right to receive one share of common stock.

(3)

This bonus was accrued in 2016 and paid in 2017.

(4)

This bonus was accrued in 2017 and paid in 2018.

(5)

This is the sign-on bonus per Dr. Hutchins’ January 2017 employment agreement.

(6)

Represents payment for 2016 Retention bonus paid in 2017.

(7)

For all stock options and stock awards, the values reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Assumptions made in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 8 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End (December 31, 2017)

———————

(1)

All shares are fully vested as of December 2013.

(2)

All shares as full vested as of January 2016.

(3)

Issued on January 12, 2015, these options vest over a four-year period and will be fully vested in December 2018.

(4)

Issued on January 11, 2016, these options vest over a four-year period and will be fully vested in December 2019.

(5)

Issued on December 30, 2016, these options vest over a four-year period and will be fully vested in January 2020.

(6)

Issued on December 30, 2016, 3,750 restricted stock units vested as of December 30, 2017; 1,875 will vest December 30, 2018; and 1,875 will vest December 30, 2019. Amount represents the value of shares at December 29, 2017.

(7)

Issued on January 3, 2017, these shares vest over a 46-month period and will be fully vested in January 2021.

(8)

Issued on January 3, 2017, 3,125 restricted stock units vested January 3, 2017; 3,125 will vest January 3, 2018; 3,125 will vest January 3, 2019; and 3,125 will vest January 3, 2020. Amount represents the value of shares at December 29, 2017.

(9)

Issued on January 3, 2017, these shares vest over a 46-month period and will be fully vested in January 2021.

(10)

Issued on June 28, 2017, these shares vest over a 46-month period and will be fully vested in May 2021.

(11)

Issued January 12, 2015, these shares vest over a four-year period and will be fully vested in January 2019.

(12)

Issued on January 11, 2016, these options vest over a four-year period and will be fully vested in January 2019.

(13)

Issued on April 5, 2016, these options vest over a four-year period and will be fully vested in March 2020.

(14)

Issued on January 3, 2017, these shares vest over a 46-month period and will be fully vested in January 2021.

(15)

Issued on January 3, 2017, 1,750 restricted stock units vested January 3, 2017; 1,750 will vest January 3, 2018; 1,750 will vest January 3, 2019; and 1,750 will vest January 3, 2020. Amount represents the value of shares at December 29, 2017.

(16)

Issued on June 28, 2017, these shares vest over a 46-month period and will be fully vested in May 2021.

32

The chart above does not include the grant on January 8, 2018 of (i) options exercisable for 59,559, 29,647, and 6,618 shares of common stock issued to each of Mr. Wolf, Dr. Hutchins, and Mrs. Rosar, respectively; and (ii) 40,500 and 4,500 restricted stock units that were issued to Mr. Wolf and Ms. Rosar, respectively, which vest 25% on grant date, and 25% on each anniversary of grant date thereafter; and (iii) 26,072 restricted stock units were issued to Mr. Wolf in lieu of $52,144 of his cash bonus (25% of his cash bonus), which had a value at the time of grant of $104,288 and vest immediately but may not be sold until the one year anniversary of their grant date.

Employment Agreements

On December 18, 2009, we entered into an employment agreement with Jeffrey Wolf to act as our Chief Executive Officer, which agreement was amended on November 22, 2011, and further amended on each of January 20, 2014, January 11, 2016 and January 1, 2017. Mr. Wolf receives an annual base salary of $417,150 per year.  He also may receive, at the sole discretion of the board, an additional cash performance-based bonuses equal to up to 50% of his then outstanding base salary at the end of each year and a discretionary equity award, with the actual amount of his bonus to be increased or decreased in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Upon execution of the agreement, Mr. Wolf was issued options exercisable for 119,661 shares of our common stock. In addition, he is to receive certain options to purchase 2% of our fully diluted equity at an exercise price equal to the then current market price if our stock is traded on a nationally recognized exchange or NASDAQ and our market capitalization is at least $250 million for at least 5 days. If Mr. Wolf’s employment contract is terminated for death or disability (as defined in the agreement), he (or his estate in the event of death) will receive six month’s severance. If Mr. Wolf’s employment is terminated by us other than for cause, he will receive 12 month’s severance. In addition, if Mr. Wolf’s employment is terminated by us other than for cause all Restricted Shares, common stock and options to purchase common stock that would have vested shall immediately vest. Mr. Wolf will not be entitled to any additional severance in the event he is terminated for cause or voluntarily resigns. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Wolf has also agreed to non-competition provisions.

On January 2, 2017, we approved the entry into of a four-year employment agreement, effective as of January 1, 2017, with Jeff T. Hutchins, Ph.D., which agreement was amended on June 29, 2017 and January 1, 2018 (collectively, the “Hutchins Employment Agreement”), who was initially appointed to serve as the Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President of Pre-Clinical Development of the Company. Pursuant to the Hutchins Employment Agreement that was amended on June 29, 2017, Dr. Hutchins was appointed to serve as both Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer.  Pursuant to the Hutchins Employment Agreement, as amended, Dr. Hutchins is entitled to an annual base salary of $335,000 and will be eligible for a cash performance bonus equal to approximately 25% of his then outstanding base salary at the end of each year in addition to an equity bonus in the sole discretion of Board, with the actual amount of any such bonus increased or decreased in the sole discretion of the Board. Additionally, in connection with the execution of the initial Hutchins Employment Agreement, we granted Dr. Hutchins an option to purchase 200,000 shares of our common stock (20,000 shares on a split-adjusted basis), with an exercise price equal to $0.87 per share (or $8.70 per share on a split-adjusted basis). These options will vest pro rata, on a monthly basis, over forty-eight months.

If Dr. Hutchins’ employment is terminated for any reason, he or his estate as the case may be, is entitled to receive the accrued base salary, vacation pay, expense reimbursement and any other entitlements accrued by him to the extent not previously paid (the “Hutchins Accrued Obligations”); provided, however, that if his employment is terminated by us without Just Cause (as defined in the Hutchins Employment Agreement) then in addition to paying the Hutchins Accrued Obligations, (i) we will shall continue to pay his then current base salary for a period of six (6) months; and (ii) the vesting on all unvested options shall be accelerated so that all options shall become fully vested. If his employment is terminated within one year of a Change of Control (as defined in our Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan), he will be paid his then current base salary for a period of nine (9) months.

On April 5, 2016, we entered into a four-year employment agreement with Ann Rosar to serve as our Vice President of Finance, Controller and Corporate Secretary, which agreement was amended on January 1, 2017, June 29, 2017 and January 1, 2018 (collectively, the “Rosar Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the Rosar Employment Agreement, as amended, Ms. Rosar receives an annual base salary of $260,000 and is eligible for a discretionary performance bonus. Additionally, in connection with the execution of the initial Rosar Employment Agreement, we granted Ms. Rosar was a ten-year option exercisable for 20,000 shares of our common stock (which is 2,000 shares on a split-adjusted basis), vesting pro rata on a monthly basis over a four-year period. In addition, if Ms. Rosar’s employment is terminated for any reason, she or her estate as the case may be, are entitled to receive the accrued base salary, vacation pay, expense reimbursement and any other entitlements accrued by her to the extent not previously paid (“Rosar Accrued Obligations”); provided, however, that if her employment is terminated  by the Company without Just Cause (as defined in the employment agreement) or by Ms. Rosar for Good Reason (defined as a material breach of the terms of the employment agreement by us, which breach is not cured within thirty (30) days) then in addition to paying the Accrued Obligations, we will continue to pay her then current base salary for a period of four (4) months.

33

Effective July 23, 2015, Taylor Schreiber, M.D., Ph.D., was appointed to serve as our Chief Scientific Officer and from March 3, 2014 until July 23, 2015, Dr. Schreiber served as our Vice President of Research and Development. In connection with his appointment, Dr. Schreiber entered into a four-year employment agreement with us, which was amended January 12, 2015 and further amended on July 23, 2015 and January 11, 2016.  Pursuant to the employment agreement, Dr. Schreiber received an annual base salary of $300,000 and was eligible for discretionary cash performance bonus payment of thirty-five percent (35%) of his base salary and a discretionary equity award with the actual amount of his bonus to be increased or decreased in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Dr. Schreiber resigned his position as Chief Scientific Officer effective January 1, 2017 and ceased to serve as the Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board in October 2017.

Effective November 30, 2015, we appointed Timothy Creech as our Chief Financial Officer. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Creech entered into a four-year employment agreement with us, which was amended on January 11, 2016. Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Creech received an annual base salary of $285,000 and was eligible for a discretionary cash performance bonus payment of thirty five percent (35%) of his base salary and a discretionary equity award with the actual amount of his bonus to be increased or decreased in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Effective April 5, 2016, we entered into a severance agreement with Mr. Creech in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Creech’s received $142,500, which equaled six month’s severance pay upon termination not for cause (as defined in the agreement). The severance agreement also contained additional provisions that are customary for agreements of this type, including confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions

Effective December 16, 2013, we appointed Anil K. Goyal, Ph.D. as our Vice President of Business Development. In connection with his appointment, Dr. Goyal entered into a four-year employment agreement with us (the “Goyal Employment Agreement”), which was amended January 12, 2015 and further amended on January 11, 2016. Pursuant to the Goyal Employment Agreement, Dr. Goyal received an annual base salary of $255,000 and was eligible for a discretionary cash performance bonus payment of thirty percent (30%) of his base salary and a discretionary equity award with the actual amount of his bonus to be increased or decreased in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Effective April 5, 2016, we entered into a severance agreement with Dr. Goyal in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, Dr. Goyal received $85,000, which equaled four months’ severance.

Effective October 1, 2013, we appointed Melissa Price, Ph.D. as our Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs.  In connection with her appointment, Dr. Price entered into a four-year employment agreement with us (the “Price Employment Agreement”), which was amended on January 20, 2014 and further amended on January 12, 2015, July 23, 2015 and January 11, 2016. On July 23, 2015, Dr. Price was appointed our Vice President of Product Development. Pursuant to the Price Employment Agreement, Dr. Price receives an annual base salary of $250,000 and will be eligible for a discretionary cash performance bonus payment of thirty percent (30%) of her base salary and a discretionary equity award with the actual amount of her bonus to be increased or decreased in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Dr. Price resigned as our Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs effective July 29, 2016.

34

OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth information, as of August 16, 2018, or as otherwise set forth below, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock (i) all persons know to us to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors and our executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table, and (iii) all of our directors and our executive officer as a group. As of August 16, 2018, we had 23,127,284 shares of common stock outstanding.

Principal Stockholders Table

Unless otherwise indicated the mailing address of each of the stockholders below is c/o Heat Biologics, Inc., 801 Capitola Drive, Suite 12, Durham, North Carolina 27713. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, except to the extent authority is shared by both spouses under applicable law, the Company believes the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by them.

————————

* less than 1%

(1)

Represents shares subject to options that are currently vested and options that will vest and become exercisable within 60 days of August 16, 2018.

(2)

Information obtained from a Schedule 13D/A filed on February 14, 2017 with the Securities and Exchange Commission filed on behalf of Aristar Capital Management, LLC of which Mr. Smith disclaims beneficial ownership of 697,303 shares (post-split 69,730 shares) of common stock, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest (as defined in Rule 16a–1(a)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act) that he may have in such entities.

(3)

Includes 77,172 shares of common stock held by Orion Holdings V, LLC and 71,620 shares of common stock held by Seed-One Holdings VI, LLC, entities for which Mr. Wolf serves as the managing member. Mr. Wolf is deemed to beneficially own the shares held by such entities as in his role as the managing member he has the control over the voting and disposition of any shares held by these entities. Does not include 26,468 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Wolf’s children’s trust of which Mr. Wolf is not the trustee. Mr. Wolf disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest (as defined in Rule 16a–1(a)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act) that he may have in such entities. In addition, if our company is traded on a recognized national exchange or NASDAQ while Mr. Wolf is employed by us and the market capitalization of our company is in excess of $250 million for at least five consecutive trading days, then Mr. Wolf will be entitled to receive an additional stock option equal to 2% of the then outstanding shares of our common stock, at an exercise price equal to the then current market price as determined in good faith by the board.

35

NO DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS

The corporate action described in this Proxy Statement will not afford stockholders the opportunity to dissent from the actions described herein or to receive an agreed or judicially appraised value for their shares.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS, PROMOTERS AND CERTAIN CONTROL PERSONS

Pursuant to our charter, our Audit Committee shall review on an on-going basis for potential conflicts of interest, and approve if appropriate, all our “Related Party Transactions” as required by of NASDAQ Rule 4350(h). For purposes of the Audit Committee Charter, “Related Party Transactions” shall mean those transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404. The Company had a related party receivable balance of $0 and $103,017 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This related party receivable in 2016 reflects a percent of labor that our former Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Schreiber performed at the time Pelican was our former subsidiary.

The following is a summary of transactions since January 1, 2016 to which we have been a party in which the amount involved exceeded $120,000 and in which any of our executive officers, directors or beneficial holders of more than five percent of our capital stock had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation arrangements which are described under the sections “2017 Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation”

On March 8, 2017, Heat entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Pelican, and the majority of the stockholders of Pelican to purchase outstanding capital stock of Pelican. On April 28, 2017, Heat completed the acquisition of 80% of Pelican’s common stock. Pelican is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody and fusion protein-based therapies that are designed to activate the immune system. Pelican has been awarded a $15.2 million grant to fund preclinical and some clinical activities from CPRIT. Jeff Wolf, through one or more of his affiliated entities, and Edward B. Smith, III and entities controlled by Mr. Smith sold approximately 84.7% of their shares of the capital stock of Pelican. Mr. Wolf was the managing member of a limited liability company (the “LLC”) that at the time of the Pelican Acquisition owned 60.1% of the outstanding capital stock of Pelican and Mr. Wolf directly and through entities owned by him owned 31.6% of the membership interests of the LLC. Mr. Smith directly and through entities that he controlled held approximately 10.2% of Pelican’s outstanding capital stock at the time of the Pelican Acquisition and Mr. Smith directly and indirectly through an entity he controlled at the time of the Pelican Acquisition owned an aggregate of 23.1% of the membership interests of the LLC. Taylor Schreiber, M.D., Ph.D. our former Chief Scientific Officer, held less than 1% of Pelican’s total outstanding capital stock at the time of the Pelican Acquisition and indirectly through an entity he controlled, at the time of the Pelican Acquisition owned 5% of the limited liability company at the time of the Pelican Acquisition. Dr. Schreiber also sold approximately 84.7% of his shares of the capital stock of Pelican in order to meet the 80% closing condition, on the same terms as the other participating Pelican stockholders. John Monahan, Ph.D. owned 0.46% of the LLC. In addition, a trust for which Mr. Wolf does not serve as the trustee for the benefit of Mr. Wolf’s children directly owned 2.2% of Pelican’s total outstanding capital stock and at the time of the Pelican Acquisition owned 10% of the membership interests of the LLC. Mr. Wolf disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by the trust.

OTHER MATTERS

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors of Heat knows of no other matters to be presented for stockholder action at the Annual Meeting. However, other matters may properly come before the 2018 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If any other matter is properly brought before the 2018 Annual Meeting for action by the stockholders, proxies in the enclosed form returned to Heat will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

ANNUAL REPORT/FORM 10-K

Heat’s 2017 Annual Report to its stockholders is being mailed to certain stockholders concurrently with this Proxy Statement. Copies of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC and any amendments thereto may be obtained without charge by writing to Heat Biologics, Inc., 801 Capitola Drive, Suite 12, Durham, North Carolina 27713, Attention: Corporate Secretary. A complimentary copy may also be obtained at the internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, and by visiting our internet website at www.heatbio.com.

36

NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF STOCKHOLDER DOCUMENTS
(“HOUSEHOLDING” INFORMATION)

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports by delivering a single copy of these materials to an address shared by two or more Heat stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies and intermediaries. A number of brokers and other intermediaries with account holders who are our stockholders may be householding our stockholder materials, including this proxy statement. In that event, a single proxy statement, as the case may be, will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or other intermediary that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent, which is deemed to be given unless you inform the broker or other intermediary otherwise when you receive or received the original notice of householding. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, please notify your broker or other intermediary to discontinue householding and direct your written request to receive a separate proxy statement to us at: Heat Biologics, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 801 Capitola Drive, Suite 12, Durham, North Carolina 27713 or by calling us at (919) 240-7133. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their broker or other intermediary.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING

Stockholders who intend to present proposals at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under SEC Rule 14a-8 must ensure that such proposals are received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company not later than April 23, 2019. Such proposals must meet the requirements of the SEC to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s 2019 proxy materials.

The Company’s Bylaws provide that the nomination of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made at the annual meeting as set out in the Company’s notice of such meeting, by or at the direction of the Board or by any stockholder of the Company who is entitled to vote at the meeting on such nomination or other proposal, and who, in the case of a holder of common stock, complies with certain notice procedures. Any holder of common stock proposing to nominate an individual for election to the Board or proposing business to be considered by the Company’s stockholders at an annual meeting must give written notice and certain information to the Corporate Secretary of the Company generally not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (however, if we hold the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on a date that is not within 30 days before or 70 days after such anniversary date, we must receive the notice no earlier than 120 days prior to such annual meeting and no later than 90 days prior to such annual meeting or 10 days after the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by us we announce it publicly). As a result, stockholders who intend to present proposals at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under these provisions must give written notice to the Corporate Secretary, and otherwise comply with the Bylaw requirements, no earlier than June 4, 2019, and no later than July 4, 2019.

All proposals should be addressed to the Corporate Secretary, Heat Biologics, Inc., 801 Capitola Drive, Suite 12, Durham, North Carolina 27713.

Durham, North Carolina

August 21, 2018

37

APPENDIX A

HEAT BIOLOGICS, INC.

2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1.  Establishment and Purpose.

The purpose of the Heat Biologics, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to promote the interests of Heat Biologics, Inc. (the “Company”) and the stockholders of the Company by providing directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company with appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue in the employ or service of the Company, to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the Company and to reward the performance of individuals in fulfilling long-term corporate objectives.

2.  Administration of the Plan.

The Plan shall be administered by a Committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The Committee shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, subject to and not inconsistent with the express terms and provisions of the Plan, to administer the Plan and to exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically granted to it under the Plan or necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, the authority to grant Awards; to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which Awards shall be granted; to determine the type and number of Awards to be granted (including whether an Option granted is an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option); to determine the number of shares of stock to which an Award may relate and the terms, conditions, restrictions and performance criteria, if any, relating to any Award; to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled, cancelled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered; to make adjustments in the performance goals that may be required for any award in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles; to construe and interpret the Plan and any Award; to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; to determine the terms and provisions of Agreements; and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

The Committee may, in its absolute discretion, without amendment to the Plan, (a) accelerate the date on which any Option granted under the Plan becomes exercisable, waive or amend the operation of Plan provisions respecting exercise after termination of employment or otherwise adjust any of the terms of such Option, and (b) accelerate the vesting date, or waive any condition imposed hereunder, with respect to any share of Restricted Stock, or other Award or otherwise adjust any of the terms applicable to any such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Sections 4(c) and 4(d), neither the Board of Directors, the Committee nor their respective delegates shall have the authority to re-price (or cancel and/or re-grant) any Option, Stock Appreciation Right or, if applicable, other Award at a lower exercise, base or purchase price without first obtaining the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

Except as required by Rule 16b-3 with respect to grants of Awards to individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or as otherwise required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 or other applicable law, the Committee may delegate all or any part of its authority under the Plan to an employee, employees or committee of employees.

Subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to the extent the Committee deems it necessary, appropriate or desirable to comply with foreign law or practices and to further the purpose of the Plan, the Committee may, without amending this Plan, establish special rules applicable to Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals, are employed outside the United States, or both, including rules that differ from those set forth in the Plan, and grant Awards to such Participants in accordance with those rules.

All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Committee or the Board of Directors shall be final and binding on all persons with any interest in an Award, including the Company and the Participant (or any person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant). No member of the Committee or the Board of Directors shall be liable for any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award.

A-1

3.  Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below.

(a) “Agreement” shall mean the written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing an Award.

(b) “Annual Incentive Award” shall mean an Award described in Section 6(g) hereof that is based upon a period of one year or less.

(c) “Award” shall mean any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Bonus award, Stock Appreciation Right, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award granted pursuant to the terms of the Plan.

(d) “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) “Cause” shall mean a termination of a Participant’s employment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries due to (i) the continued failure, after written notice, by such Participant substantially to perform his or her duties with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to reasonably documented physical illness or injury or mental illness), (ii) the engagement by such Participant in serious misconduct that causes, or in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors may cause, harm (financial or otherwise) to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries including, without limitation, the disclosure of material secret or confidential information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) the material breach by the Participant of any agreement between such Participant, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand. Notwithstanding the above, with respect to any Participant who is a party to an employment agreement with the Company, Cause shall have the meaning set forth in such employment agreement.

(f) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

(i) any Person is or becomes the “Beneficial Owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company) representing 30% or more of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) of paragraph (iii) below; or

(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board of Directors and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least a two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Effective Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or

(iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation other than (A) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a re-capitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company) representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity at least 75% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by Persons in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

(g) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder. References in the Plan to specific sections of the Code shall be deemed to include any successor provisions thereto.

A-2

(h) “Committee” shall mean, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Committee of the Board of Directors, which shall consist of two or more persons, each of whom, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, is a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

(i) “Company” shall mean Heat Biologics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, where appropriate, each of its Subsidiaries.

(j) “Company Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0002 per share.

(k) “Disability” shall mean permanent disability as determined pursuant to the Company’s long-term disability plan or policy, in effect at the time of such disability.

(l) “Effective Date” shall mean May 10, 2018, the date on which this Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors.

(m) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

(n) The “Fair Market Value” of a share of Company Stock, as of a date of determination, shall mean (1) the closing sales price per share of Company Stock on the national securities exchange on which such stock is principally traded on the date of the grant of such Award, or (2) if the shares of Company Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any such exchange, the closing price as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such stock on such exchange, or (3) if the shares of Company Stock are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market or the value of such shares is not otherwise determinable, such value as determined by the Committee in good faith upon the advice of a qualified valuation expert. In no event shall the fair market value of any share of Company Stock, the Option exercise price of any Option, the appreciation base per share of Company Stock under any Stock Appreciation Right, or the amount payable per share of Company Stock under any other Award, be less than the par value per share of Company Stock.

(o) “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, and that is designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.

(p) “Long Term Incentive Award” shall mean an Award described in Section 6(g) hereof that is based upon a period in excess of one year.

(q) “Nonemployee Director” shall mean a member of the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company.

(r) “Nonqualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option other than an Incentive Stock Option.

(s) “Option” shall mean an option to purchase shares of Company Stock granted pursuant to Section 6(b).

(t) “Other Cash-Based Award” shall mean a right or other interest granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6(g) hereof other than an Other Stock-Based Award.

(u) “Other Stock-Based Award” shall mean a right or other interest granted to a Participant, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Company Stock pursuant to Section 6(g) hereof, including but not limited to (i) unrestricted Company Stock awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of performance goals or otherwise as permitted under the Plan, and (ii) a right granted to a Participant to acquire Company Stock from the Company containing terms and conditions prescribed by the Committee.

(v) “Participant” shall mean an employee, consultant or director of the Company to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan, and, upon the death of the employee, consultant or director, his or her successors, heirs, executors and administrators, as the case may be.

(w) “Performance Award” shall mean an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6(f) hereof.

A-3

(x) “Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, except that such term shall not include (1) the Company, (2) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, (3) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (4) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

(y) “Restricted Stock” shall mean a share of Company Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms of Section 6(e) hereof.

(z) “Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a restricted stock unit of the Company that is granted pursuant to the terms of Section 6(g) hereof.

(aa) “Retirement” shall mean, in the case of employees, the termination of employment with the Company (other than for Cause) during or after the calendar year in which a Participant has or will reach (i) age 55 with ten years of service with the Company, or (ii) age 60 with five years of service with the Company. “Retirement” shall mean, in the case of directors, the termination of service with the Company (other than for Cause) during or after the calendar year in which a Participant has or will reach age 75 with five years of service with the Company.

(bb) “Rule 16b-3” shall mean the Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time.

(cc) “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

(dd) “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean the right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(d), to be paid an amount measured by the appreciation in the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock from the date of grant to the date of exercise of the right, with payment to be made in cash and/or a share of Company Stock, as specified in the Award or determined by the Committee.

(ee) “Stock Bonus” shall mean a bonus payable in shares of Company Stock granted pursuant to Section 6(e) hereof.

(ff) “Subsidiary” shall mean a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

4. Stock Subject to the Plan.

(a)  Shares Available for Awards. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Company Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan (all of which may be granted as Incentive Stock Options) shall be Four Million (4,000,000) shares. Shares reserved under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Company Stock or authorized and issued Company Stock held in the Company’s treasury. The Committee may direct that any stock certificate evidencing shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting forth such restrictions on transferability as may apply to such shares pursuant to the Plan.

(b)  Adjustment for Change in Capitalization. In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Company Stock, or other property), recapitalization, Company Stock split, reverse Company Stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event has occurred,  then the Committee shall make such equitable changes or adjustments as it deems necessary or appropriate to any or all of (1) the number and kind of shares of Company Stock which may thereafter be issued in connection with Awards, (2) the number and kind of shares of Company Stock, securities or other property (including cash) issued or issuable in respect of outstanding Awards, (3) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award, and (4) the maximum number of shares subject to Awards which may be awarded to any employee during any tax year of the Company; provided that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, any such adjustment shall be made in accordance with Section 424 of the Code; and provided further that, no such adjustment shall cause any Award hereunder which is or could be subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to comply with the requirements of such section.

A-4

(c)  Reuse of Shares. Except as set forth below, if any shares subject to an Award are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered, or if an Award terminates or expires without a distribution of shares to the Participant, the shares of stock with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, withholding, termination or expiration, again be available for Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the exercise of any Award granted in tandem with any other Awards, such related Awards shall be cancelled to the extent of the number of shares of Company Stock as to which the Award is exercised and such number of shares shall no longer be available for Awards under the Plan. In addition, notwithstanding the forgoing, the shares of stock surrendered or withheld as payment of either the exercise price of an Option (including shares of stock otherwise underlying an Award of a Stock Appreciation Right that are retained by the Company to account for the appreciation base of such Stock Appreciation Right) and/or withholding taxes in respect of an Award shall no longer be available for Awards under the Plan.

5. Eligibility.

The persons who shall be eligible to receive Awards pursuant to the Plan shall be the individuals the Committee shall select from time to time, who are employees (including officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries, whether or not they are directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries), Nonemployee Directors, and consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, that Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to employees (including officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

6. Awards Under the Plan.

(a)  Agreement.  The Committee may grant Awards in such amounts and with such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan. Each Award granted under the Plan (except an unconditional Stock Bonus) shall be evidenced by an Agreement as the Committee may in its sole discretion deem necessary or desirable and unless the Committee determines otherwise, such Agreement must be signed, acknowledged and returned by the Participant to the Company. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, any failure by the Participant to sign and return the Agreement within such period of time following the granting of the Award as the Committee shall prescribe shall cause such Award to the Participant to be null and void. By accepting an Award or other benefits under the Plan (including participation in the Plan), each Participant, shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, all provisions of the Plan and the Agreement.

(b)  Stock Options.

(i)  Grant of Stock Options. The Committee may grant Options under the Plan to purchase shares of Company Stock in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall from time to time determine in its sole discretion, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan. The exercise price of the share purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee, but in no event shall the exercise price be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the grant date of such Option. The date as of which the Committee adopts a resolution granting an Option shall be considered the day on which such Option is granted unless such resolution specifies a later date.

(ii)  Identification. Each Option shall be clearly identified in the applicable Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option and shall state the number of shares of Company Stock to which the Option (and/or each type of Option) relates.

(c)  Special Requirements for Incentive Stock Options.

(i)  To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of Company Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and any other stock option plan of the Company shall exceed $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. Such Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the date on which each such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(ii)  No Incentive Stock Option may be granted to an individual if, at the time of the proposed grant, such individual owns (or is deemed to own under the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company unless (A) the exercise price of such Incentive Stock Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted and (B) such Incentive Stock Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

A-5

(d)  Stock Appreciation Rights.

(i)  The Committee may grant a related Stock Appreciation Right in connection with all or any part of an Option granted under the Plan, either at the time such Option is granted or at any time thereafter prior to the exercise, termination or cancellation of such Option, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall from time to time determine in its sole discretion, consistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan, provided, however, that in no event shall the appreciation base of the shares of Company Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the grant date of such Stock Appreciation Right. The holder of a related Stock Appreciation Right shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement, have the right by exercise thereof to surrender to the Company for cancellation all or a portion of such related Stock Appreciation Right, but only to the extent that the related Option is then exercisable, and to be paid therefor an amount equal to the excess (if any) of (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Company Stock subject to the related Stock Appreciation Right or portion thereof surrendered (determined as of the exercise date), over (ii) the aggregate appreciation base of the shares of Company Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right or portion thereof surrendered. Upon any exercise of a related Stock Appreciation Right or any portion thereof, the number of shares of Company Stock subject to the related Option shall be reduced by the number of shares of Company Stock in respect of which such Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.

(ii)  The Committee may grant unrelated Stock Appreciation Rights in such amount and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall from time to time determine in its sole discretion, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, provided, however, that in no event shall the appreciation base of the shares of Company Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the grant date of such Stock Appreciation Right. The holder of an unrelated Stock Appreciation Right shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement, have the right to surrender to the Company for cancellation all or a portion of such Stock Appreciation Right, but only to the extent that such Stock Appreciation Right is then exercisable, and to be paid therefor an amount equal to the excess (if any) of (x) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Company Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right or portion thereof surrendered (determined as of the exercise date), over (y) the aggregate appreciation base of the shares of Company Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right or portion thereof surrendered.

(iii)  The grant or exercisability of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to such conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

(e)  Restricted Stock and Stock Bonus.

(i)  The Committee may grant Restricted Stock awards, alone or in tandem with other Awards under the Plan, subject to such restrictions, terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion and as shall be evidenced by the applicable Agreements. The vesting of a Restricted Stock award granted under the Plan may be conditioned upon the completion of a specified period of employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary, upon the attainment of specified performance goals, and/or upon such other criteria as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.

(ii)  Each Agreement with respect to a Restricted Stock award shall set forth the amount (if any) to be paid by the Participant with respect to such Award and when and under what circumstances such payment is required to be made.

(iii)  The Committee may, upon such terms and conditions as the Committee determines in its sole discretion, provide that a certificate or certificates representing the shares underlying a Restricted Stock award shall be registered in the Participant’s name and bear an appropriate legend specifying that such shares are not transferable and are subject to the provisions of the Plan and the restrictions, terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Agreement, or that such certificate or certificates shall be held in escrow by the Company on behalf of the Participant until such shares become vested or are forfeited. Except as provided in the applicable Agreement, no shares underlying a Restricted Stock award may be assigned, transferred, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Participant until such shares have vested in accordance with the terms of such Award.

(iv)  If and to the extent that the applicable Agreement may so provide, a Participant shall have the right to vote and receive dividends on the shares underlying a Restricted Stock award granted under the Plan. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Agreement, any stock received as a dividend on or in connection with a stock split of the shares underlying a Restricted Stock award shall be subject to the same restrictions as the shares underlying such Restricted Stock award.

A-6

(v)  The Committee may grant Stock Bonus awards, alone or in tandem with other Awards under the Plan, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion and as may be evidenced by the applicable Agreement.

(f)  Performance Awards.

(i)  The Committee may grant Performance Awards, alone or in tandem with other Awards under the Plan, to acquire shares of Company Stock in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine, subject to the terms of the Plan. To the extent necessary to satisfy the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Code, unless the Committee shall determine otherwise, the Performance Awards shall provide that payment shall be made within 2 1/2 months after the end of the year in which the Participant has a legally binding vested right to such award.

(g)  Other Stock-Based Award; Cash-Based Award; Restricted Stock Units.

(i)  Other Stock-Based Awards; Cash-Based Awards.  The Committee is authorized to grant Awards to Participants in the form of Other Stock-Based Awards or Other Cash-Based Awards, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. To the extent necessary to satisfy the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Code, unless the Committee shall determine otherwise, the awards shall provide that payment shall be made within 2½ months after the end of the year in which the Participant has a legally binding vested right to such award. The maximum value of the aggregate payment that any Participant may receive with respect to any such Other Cash-Based Award and Other Stock Based Awards  is $6,000,000.

(ii)  Grant of Restricted Stock Units. A restricted stock unit (“Restricted Stock Unit”) represents the right to receive from the Company on the respective scheduled vesting or payment date for such Restricted Stock Unit, one share of Common Stock. An Award of a Restricted Stock Unit may be subject to the attainment of specified performance goals or targets, forfeitability provisions and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, subject to the provisions of this Plan. At the time an Award of Restricted Stock Units is made, the Committee shall establish a period of time during which the restricted stock units shall vest and the timing for settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit, which shall be set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit award agreement.

(iii)  Dividend Equivalent Accounts–Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Restricted Stock Unit award agreement, as well as any procedures established by the Committee, prior to the expiration of the applicable vesting period of an Restricted Stock Unit, the Committee may determine to pay dividend equivalent rights with respect to Restricted Stock Units, in which case, the Company shall establish an account for the participant and reflect in that account any securities, cash or other property comprising any dividend or property distribution with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying each Restricted Stock Unit. Each amount or other property credited to any such account shall be subject to the same vesting conditions as the Restricted Stock Unit to which it relates. The participant shall have the right to be paid the amounts or other property credited to such account upon vesting of the subject Restricted Stock Unit.

(iv)  Rights as a Stockholder–Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the restrictions imposed under the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Restricted Stock Unit award agreement, each participant receiving Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to such Restricted Stock Units until such time as shares of Common Stock are issued to the participant. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, shares of Common Stock issuable under an Restricted Stock Unit shall be treated as issued on the first date that the holder of the Restricted Stock Unit is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture as determined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and the holder shall be the owner of such shares of Common Stock on such date. An award agreement may provide that issuance of shares of Common Stock under an Restricted Stock Unit may be deferred beyond the first date that the Restricted Stock Unit is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, provided that such deferral is structured in a manner that is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

A-7

(h)  Exercisability of Awards; Cancellation of Awards in Certain Cases.

(i)  Except as hereinafter provided, each Agreement with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall set forth the period during which and the conditions subject to which the Option or Stock Appreciation Right evidenced thereby shall be exercisable, and each Agreement with respect to a Restricted Stock award, Stock Bonus award, Performance Award or other Award shall set forth the period after which and the conditions subject to which amounts underlying such Award shall vest or be deliverable, all such periods and conditions to be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(ii)  Except as provided in Section 7(d) hereof, no Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised and no shares of Company Stock underlying any other Award under the Plan may vest or become deliverable more than ten years after the date of grant (the “Stated Expiration Date”).

(iii)  Except as provided in Section 7 hereof, no Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised and no shares of Common Stock underlying any other Award under the Plan may vest or become deliverable unless the Participant is at such time in the employ (for Participants who are employees) or service (for Participants who are Nonemployee Directors or consultants) of the Company or a Subsidiary (or a company, or a parent or subsidiary company of such company, issuing or assuming the relevant right or award in a Change in Control) and has remained continuously so employed or in service since the relevant date of grant of the Award.

(iv)  An Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable by the filing of a written notice of exercise or a notice of exercise in such other manner with the Company, on such form and in such manner as the Committee shall in its sole discretion prescribe, and by payment in accordance with Section 6(i) hereof.

(v)  Unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise, the “Option exercise date” and the “Stock Appreciation Right exercise date” shall be the date that the written notice of exercise, together with payment, are received by the Company.

(i)  Payment of Award Price.

(i)  Unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise or the Committee in its sole discretion otherwise determines, any written notice of exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right must be accompanied by payment of the full Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price.

(ii)  Payment of the Option exercise price and of any other payment required by the Agreement to be made pursuant to any other Award shall be made in any combination of the following: (a) by certified or official bank check payable to the Company (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Committee), (b) with the consent of the Committee in its sole discretion, by personal check (subject to collection) which may in the Committee’s discretion be deemed conditional, (c) unless otherwise provided in the applicable Agreement, and as permitted by the Committee, by delivery of previously-acquired shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the Option exercise date, in the case of Options, or other relevant payment date as determined by the Committee, in the case of other Awards) equal to the portion of the exercise price being paid thereby; and/or (d) unless otherwise provided in applicable agreement, and as permitted by the Committee, on a net-settlement basis with the Company withholding the amount of Common Stock sufficient to cover the exercise price and tax withholding obligation. Payment in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 6(i)(ii) may be deemed to be satisfied, if and to the extent that the applicable Agreement so provides or the Committee permits, by delivery to the Company of an assignment of a sufficient amount of the proceeds from the sale of Company Stock to be acquired pursuant to the Award to pay for all of the Company Stock to be acquired pursuant to the Award and an authorization to the broker or selling agent to pay that amount to the Company and to effect such sale at the time of exercise or other delivery of shares of Company Stock.

A-8

7.  Termination of Employment.

(a)  Unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise or the Committee in its sole discretion determines otherwise, upon termination of a Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Subsidiaries by the Company or its Subsidiary for Cause (or in the case of a Nonemployee Director upon such Nonemployee Director’s failure to be renominated as Nonemployee Director of the Company), the portions of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted to such Participant that are exercisable as of the date of such termination of employment or service shall remain exercisable, and any payment or notice provided for under the terms of any other outstanding Award as respects the portion thereof that is vested as of the date of such termination of employment or service, may be given, for a period of thirty (30) days from and including the date of termination of employment or service (and shall thereafter terminate). All portions of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted to such Participant which are not exercisable as of the date of such termination of employment or service, and any other outstanding Award which is not vested as of the date of such termination of employment or service shall terminate upon the date of such termination of employment or service.

(b)  Unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise or the Committee in its sole discretion determines otherwise, upon termination of the Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason other than as described in subsection (a), (c), (d) or (e) hereof, the portions of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted to such Participant that are exercisable as of the date of such termination of employment or service shall remain exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days (and shall terminate thereafter), and any payment or notice provided for under the terms of any other outstanding Award as respects the portion thereof vested as of the date of termination of employment or service may be given, for a period of ninety (90) days from and including the date of termination of employment or service (and shall terminate thereafter). All additional portions of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted to such Participant which are not exercisable as of the date of such termination of employment or service, and any other outstanding Award which is not vested as of the date of such termination of employment or service shall terminate upon the date of such termination of employment or service.

(c)  Unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise or the Committee in its sole discretion determines otherwise, if the Participant voluntarily Retires with the consent of the Company or the Participant’s employment or service terminates due to Disability, all outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and all other outstanding Awards granted to such Participant shall continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the applicable Agreements. The Participant shall be entitled to exercise each such Option or Stock Appreciation Right and to make any payment, give any notice or to satisfy other condition under each such other Award, in each case, for a period of one year from and including the later of (i) date such entire Award becomes vested or exercisable in accordance with the terms of such Award and (ii) the date of Retirement, and thereafter such Awards or parts thereof shall be canceled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may in its sole discretion provide for a longer or shorter period for exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or may permit a Participant to continue vesting under an Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Restricted Stock award or to make any payment, give any notice or to satisfy other condition under any other Award. The Committee may in its sole discretion, and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, determine (i) for purposes of the Plan, whether any termination of employment or service is a voluntary Retirement with the Company’s consent or is due to Disability for purposes of the Plan, (ii) whether any leave of absence (including any short-term or long-term Disability or medical leave) constitutes a termination of employment or service, or a failure to have remained continuously employed or in service, for purposes of the Plan (regardless of whether such leave or status would constitute such a termination or failure for purposes of employment law), (iii) the applicable date of any such termination of employment or service, and (iv) the impact, if any, of any of the foregoing on Awards under the Plan.

(d)  Unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise or the Committee in its sole discretion determines otherwise, if the Participant’s employment or service terminates by reason of death, or if the Participant’s employment or service terminates under circumstances providing for continued rights under subsection (b), (c) or (e) of this Section 7 and during the period of continued rights described in subsection (b), (c) or (e) the Participant dies, all outstanding Options, Restricted Stock and Stock Appreciation Rights granted to such Participant shall vest and become fully exercisable, and any payment or notice provided for under the terms of any other outstanding Award may be immediately paid or given and any condition may be satisfied, by the person to whom such rights have passed under the Participant’s will (or if applicable, pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution) for a period of one year from and including the date of the Participant’s death and thereafter all such Awards or parts thereof shall be canceled.

A-9

(e)  Unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise or the Committee in its sole discretion determines otherwise, upon termination of a Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause (including, in case of a Nonemployee Director, the failure to be elected as a Nonemployee Director) or (ii) by the Participant for “good reason” or any like term as defined under any employment agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary to which a Participant may be a party to, the portions of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted to such Participant which are exercisable as of the date of termination of employment or service of such Participant shall remain exercisable, and any payment or notice provided for under the terms of any other outstanding Award as respects the portion thereof vested as of the date of termination of employment or service may be given, for a period of one year from and including the date of termination of employment or service and shall terminate thereafter. Unless the applicable Agreement provides otherwise or the Committee in its sole discretion determines otherwise, any other outstanding Award shall terminate as of the date of such termination of employment or service.

(f)  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7 to the contrary, no Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised and no shares of Company Stock underlying any other Award under the Plan may vest or become deliverable past the Stated Expiration Date.

8.  Effect of Change in Control.

Unless otherwise determined in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control:

(a)  With respect to each outstanding Award that is assumed or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, in the event of a termination of a Participant’s employment or service by the Company without Cause during the 24-month period following such Change in Control, on the date of such termination (i) such Award shall become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable, (ii) the restrictions, payment conditions, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any such Award granted shall lapse, and (iii) any performance conditions imposed with respect to Awards shall be deemed to be fully achieved at target levels.

(b)  With respect to each outstanding Award that is not assumed or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, immediately upon the occurrence of the Change in Control, (i) such Award shall become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable, (ii) the restrictions, payment conditions, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any such Award granted shall lapse, and (iii) any performance conditions imposed with respect to Awards shall be deemed to be fully achieved at target levels.

(c)  For purposes of this Section 8, an Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if, following the Change in Control, the Award remains subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control except that, if the Award related to Shares, the Award instead confers the right to receive Common Stock of the acquiring entity.

(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan: (i) in the event of a Change in Control, except as would otherwise result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code, the Board may, in its sole discretion, provide that each Award shall, immediately upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, be cancelled in exchange for a payment in cash or securities in an amount equal to (x) the excess of the consideration paid per Share in the Change in Control over the exercise or purchase price (if any) per Share subject to the Award multiplied by (y) the number of Shares granted under the Award and (ii) with respect to any Award that constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, in the event of a Change in Control that does not constitute a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code and regulations thereunder, such Award shall be settled in accordance with its original terms or at such earlier time as permitted by Section 409A of the Code.

9.  Miscellaneous.

(a) Agreements evidencing Awards under the Plan shall contain such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, including penalties for the commission of competitive acts or other actions detrimental to the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Committee shall have the right at any time to deny or delay a Participant’s exercise of Options if such Participant is reasonably believed by the Committee (i) to be engaged in material conduct adversely affecting the Company or (ii) to be contemplating such conduct, unless and until the Committee shall have received reasonable assurance that the Participant is not engaged in, and is not contemplating, such material conduct adverse to the interests of the Company.

A-10

(b)  Participants are and at all times shall remain subject to the trading window policies adopted by the Company from time to time throughout the period of time during which they may exercise Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or sell shares of Company Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan.

10. No Special Employment Rights, No Right to Award.

(a)  Nothing contained in the Plan or any Agreement shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to the continuation of employment or service by the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company, subject to the terms of any separate employment agreement to the contrary, at any time to terminate such employment or service or to increase or decrease the compensation of the Participant.

(b)  No person shall have any claim or right to receive an Award hereunder. The Committee’s granting of an Award to a Participant at any time shall neither require the Committee to grant any other Award to such Participant or other person at any time or preclude the Committee from making subsequent grants to such Participant or any other person.

11. Securities Matters.

(a)  The Company shall be under no obligation to effect the registration pursuant to the Securities Act of any interests in the Plan or any shares of Company Stock to be issued hereunder or to effect similar compliance under any state laws. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to cause to be issued or delivered any certificates evidencing shares of Company Stock pursuant to the Plan unless and until the Company is advised by its counsel that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority and the requirements of any securities exchange on which shares of Company Stock are traded. The Committee may require, as a condition of the issuance and delivery of certificates evidencing shares of Company Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, that the recipient of such shares make such agreements and representations, and that such certificates bear such legends, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable.

(b)  The transfer of any shares of Company Stock hereunder shall be effective only at such time as counsel to the Company shall have determined that the issuance and delivery of such shares is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority and the requirements of any securities exchange on which shares of Company Stock are traded. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, defer the effectiveness of any transfer of shares of Company Stock hereunder in order to allow the issuance of such shares to be made pursuant to registration or an exemption from registration or other methods for compliance available under federal or state securities laws. The Committee shall inform the Participant in writing of its decision to defer the effectiveness of a transfer. During the period of such deferral in connection with the exercise of an Award, the Participant may, by written notice, withdraw such exercise and obtain the refund of any amount paid with respect thereto.

12. Withholding Taxes.

(a)  Whenever cash is to be paid pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to deduct therefrom an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements related thereto.

(b)  Whenever shares of Company Stock are to be delivered pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements related thereto. With the approval of the Committee, a Participant may satisfy the foregoing requirement by electing to have the Company withhold from delivery shares of Company Stock having a value equal to the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld. Such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash. Such a withholding election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the shares to be delivered pursuant to an Award.

13. Non-Competition and Confidentiality.

By accepting Awards and as a condition to the exercise of Awards and the enjoyment of any benefits of the Plan, including participation therein, each Participant agrees to be bound by and subject to non-competition, confidentiality and invention ownership agreements acceptable to the Committee or any officer or director to whom the Committee elects to delegate such authority.

A-11

14. Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code.

If any Participant shall, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Company Stock under the Plan, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company of such election within 10 days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service.

15. Amendment or Termination of the Plan.

The Board of Directors or the Committee may, at any time, suspend or terminate the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever; provided, however, that the requisite stockholder approval shall be required if and to the extent the Board of Directors or Committee determines that such approval is appropriate or necessary for purposes of satisfying any section of the Code or Rule 16b-3 or other applicable law. Awards may be granted under the Plan prior to the receipt of such stockholder approval of the Plan but each such grant shall be subject in its entirety to such approval and no Award may be exercised, vested or otherwise satisfied prior to the receipt of such approval. No amendment or termination of the Plan may, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect the Participant’s rights under any outstanding Award.

16. Transfers Upon Death; Nonassignability.

(a)  A Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of a beneficiary on such form as may be prescribed by the Committee and may, from time to time, amend or revoke such designation. If no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, upon the death of a Participant, outstanding Awards granted to such Participant may be exercised only by the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or by a person who shall have acquired the right to such exercise by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No transfer of an Award by will or the laws of descent and distribution shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Committee shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and with a copy of the will and/or such evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and an agreement by the transferee to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Award that are or would have been applicable to the Participant and to be bound by the acknowledgments made by the Participant in connection with the grant of the Award.

(b)  During a Participant’s lifetime, the Committee may, in its discretion, pursuant to the provisions set forth in this clause (b), permit the transfer, assignment or other encumbrance of an outstanding Option unless such Option is an Incentive Stock Option and the Committee and the Participant intends that it shall retain such status. Subject to the approval of the Committee and to any conditions that the Committee may prescribe, a Participant may, upon providing written notice to the General Counsel of the Company, elect to transfer any or all Options granted to such Participant pursuant to the Plan to members of his or her immediate family, including, but not limited to, children, grandchildren and spouse or to trusts for the benefit of such immediate family members or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners; provided, however, that no such transfer by any Participant may be made in exchange for consideration. Any such transferee must agree, in writing, to be bound by all provisions of the Plan.

17. Effective Date and Term of Plan.

The Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date, but the Plan shall be subject to the requisite approval of the stockholders of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of its shareholders. In the absence of such approval, such Awards shall be null and void. Unless earlier terminated by the Board of Directors, the right to grant Awards under the Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, which is May 10, 2018. Awards outstanding at Plan termination shall remain in effect according to their terms and the provisions of the Plan.

18. Applicable Law.

Except to the extent preempted by any applicable federal law, the Plan shall be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to its principles of conflicts of law.

19. Participant Rights.

(a)  No Participant shall have any claim to be granted any award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment for Participants. Except as provided specifically herein, a Participant or a transferee of an Award shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by any award until the date of the issuance of a Company Stock certificate to him or her for such shares.

A-12

(b)  Determinations by the Committee under the Plan relating to the form, amount and terms and conditions of grants and Awards need not be uniform, and may be made selectively among persons who receive or are eligible to receive grants and awards under the Plan, whether or not such persons are similarly situated.

20. Unfunded Status of Awards.

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Agreement shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.

21. No Fractional Shares.

No fractional shares of Company Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated. 

22. Interpretation.

The Plan is designed and intended to the extent applicable, to comply with the Code, and to provide for grants and other transactions which are exempt under Rule 16b-3, and all provisions hereof shall be construed in a manner to so comply. Awards under the Plan are intended to comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto and the Plan and all Awards shall be interpreted in accordance with Code Section 409A and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date of the Plan. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, no payment or distribution under this Plan that constitutes an item of deferred compensation under Code Section 409A and becomes payable by reason of a Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company will be made to such Participant until such Participant’s termination of employment or service constitutes a “separation from service” (as defined in Code Section 409A). For purposes of this Plan, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. If a participant is a “specified employee” (as defined in Code Section 409A), then to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of taxes under Code Section 409A, such Participant shall not be entitled to any payments upon a termination of his or her employment or service until the earlier of: (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or (ii) the date of such Participant’s death. Upon the expiration of the applicable waiting period set forth in the preceding sentence, all payments and benefits deferred pursuant to this Section 22 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single lump sum or in installments in the absence of such deferral) shall be paid to such Participant in a lump sum as soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days, following such expired period, and any remaining payments due under this Plan will be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

********

This Plan was approved and adopted by the Board of Directors on the 10th day of May, 2018.

A-13