Definitive Proxy Statement

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

Filed by the Registrant  x                    Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨

Preliminary Proxy Statement1

 

¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

x Definitive Proxy Statement

 

¨ Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨ Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

Myriad Genetics, 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):

 

x No fee required.

 

¨ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

  1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

  2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

  3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

  4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

 

  5) Total fee paid:

 

 

 

¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing:

 

  1) Amount previously paid:

 

 

  2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No:

 

 

  3) Filing party:

 

 

  4) Date Filed:

 

 


LOGO

MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.

October 12, 2010

Dear Stockholders,

You are cordially invited to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Myriad Genetics, Inc. to be held at 9:00 a.m. MST on Friday, December 3, 2010, at our offices at 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah. Details regarding the meeting, the business to be conducted, and information about Myriad Genetics, Inc. that you should consider when you vote your shares are described in the Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials you received and in this proxy statement.

We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet under the Security and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules. We believe this process will facilitate accelerated delivery of proxy materials, save costs, and reduce the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting.

At the Annual Meeting, two persons will be elected to the Board of Directors. We will also seek stockholder approval of our proposed 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan. In addition, we will ask stockholders to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. The Board of Directors recommends the approval of each of these proposals. Such other business will be transacted as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

We hope you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not, it is important that you cast your vote. You may vote over the Internet as well as by telephone. In addition, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, you may vote by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card by mail. You are urged to vote promptly in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials or on your proxy card. We encourage you to vote by proxy so that your shares will be represented and voted at the meeting, whether or not you can attend.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Peter D. Meldrum

President and Chief Executive Officer

Your vote is important. Please vote as soon as possible by using the Internet or by telephone or, if you received a paper copy of the proxy card by mail, by completing, signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy card. Instructions for your voting options are described on the Notice or proxy card.


MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.

320 Wakara Way

Salt Lake City, Utah 84108

NOTICE OF 2010 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

TIME: 9:00 a.m. MST

 

DATE: Friday, December 3, 2010

 

PLACE: The offices of Myriad Genetics, Inc., 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah

PURPOSES:

 

1. To elect two members to the Board of Directors to serve three-year terms expiring in 2013.

 

2. To approve the proposed 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan.

 

3. To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.

 

4. To consider any other business that is properly presented at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

WHO MAY VOTE:

You may vote if you were the record owner of Myriad Genetics, Inc. common stock at the close of business on October 4, 2010. A list of stockholders of record will be available at the meeting and, during the 10 days prior to the meeting, at the office of the Secretary at the above address.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not, please vote by following the instructions on the Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials that you have previously received, which we refer to as the Notice, or in the section of this proxy statement entitled “General Information About the Annual Meeting—How Do I Vote,” or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, your proxy card. You may change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LOGO

Richard M. Marsh

Secretary

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 3, 2010

This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 are available at www.proxyvote.com. To view these materials please have your 12-digit control number(s) available that appears on your Notice or proxy card.

October 12, 2010


MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.

320 WAKARA WAY

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84108

(801) 584-3600

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.

2010 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 3, 2010

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Why Did I Receive this Proxy Statement?

The Board of Directors of Myriad Genetics, Inc. is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at our offices, 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, December 3, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. MST and any adjournments of the meeting, which we refer to as the Annual Meeting. The proxy statement along with the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders summarizes the purposes of the meeting and the information you need to know to vote at the Annual Meeting.

We have sent you the Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials, which we refer to as the Notice, and made this proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 available to you on the Internet because you owned shares of Myriad Genetics, Inc. common stock on the record date. We have also delivered printed versions of these materials to certain shareholders by mail. The Company intends to commence distribution of the Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials to stockholders on or about October 12, 2010.

Why Did I Receive a Notice in the Mail Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials Instead of a Full Set of Proxy Materials?

As permitted by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, we may furnish our proxy materials to our stockholders by providing access to such documents on the Internet, rather than mailing printed copies of these materials to each stockholder. Most stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless they request them. We believe that this process should expedite stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials, lower the costs of the annual meeting and help to conserve natural resources. If you received a Notice by mail or electronically, you will not receive a printed or email copy of the proxy materials, unless you request one by following the instructions included in the Notice. Instead, the Notice will instruct you how you may access and review all of the proxy materials and submit your proxy on the Internet. If you requested a paper copy of the proxy materials, you may authorize the voting of your shares by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card, in addition to the other methods of voting described in this proxy statement.

Who Can Vote?

Only stockholders who owned Myriad Genetics, Inc. common stock at the close of business on October 4, 2010 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On this record date, there were 92,354,831 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Common stock is our only class of voting stock.

You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Shares represented by valid proxies, received in time for the meeting and not revoked prior to the meeting, will be voted at the meeting. For instructions on how to change or revoke your proxy, see “May I Change or Revoke My Proxy” below.

How Many Votes Do I Have?

Each share of Myriad Genetics, Inc. common stock that you own entitles you to one vote.

 

1


How Do I Vote?

Whether you plan to attend the annual meeting or not, we urge you to vote by proxy. All shares represented by valid proxies that we receive through this solicitation, and that are not revoked, will be voted in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card or as instructed via Internet or telephone. You may specify whether your shares should be voted for or against all, some or none of the nominees for director and whether your shares should be voted for, against or abstain with respect to each of the other proposals. If you properly submit a proxy without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations as noted below. Voting by proxy will not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting. If your shares are registered directly in your name through our stock transfer agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, or you have stock certificates registered in your name, you may vote:

 

   

By Internet or by telephone. Follow the instructions included in the Notice or, if you received printed materials, in the proxy card, to vote by Internet or telephone.

 

   

By mail. If you received your proxy materials by mail, you can vote by mail by completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy card as instructed on the card. If you sign the proxy card but do not specify how you want your shares voted, they will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations as noted below.

 

   

In person at the meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may deliver a completed proxy card in person or you may vote by completing a ballot, which will be available at the meeting.

Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24-hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 2, 2010.

If your shares are held in “street name” (held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record), you will receive instructions from the holder of record. You must follow the instructions of the holder of record in order for your shares to be voted. Telephone and Internet voting also will be offered to stockholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you plan to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, you should contact your broker or agent to obtain a legal proxy or broker’s proxy card and bring it to the annual meeting in order to vote.

How Does the Board of Directors Recommend That I Vote on the Proposals?

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote as follows:

 

   

FOR” the election of the two nominees for director;

 

   

FOR” the adoption of our 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan; and

 

   

FOR” ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.

If any other matter is presented, your proxy provides that your shares will be voted by the proxy holder listed in the proxy in accordance with his best judgment. At the time this proxy statement was first made available, we knew of no matters that needed to be acted on at the Annual Meeting, other than those discussed in this proxy statement.

May I Change or Revoke My Proxy?

If you give us your proxy, you may change or revoke it at any time before the meeting. You may change or revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:

 

   

by re-voting by Internet or by telephone as instructed above;

 

   

if you received printed proxy materials, by signing a new proxy card with a date later than your previously delivered proxy and submitting it as instructed above;

 

2


   

by notifying our Secretary in writing before the Annual Meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or

 

   

by attending the meeting in person and voting in person. Attending the meeting in person will not in and of itself revoke a previously submitted proxy unless you specifically request it.

Your most current vote, whether by telephone, Internet or proxy card, is the one that will be counted.

What if I receive More Than One Notice or Proxy Card?

You may receive more than one Notice or proxy card if you hold shares of our common stock in more than one account, which may be in registered form or held in street name. Please vote in the manner described under “How Do I Vote?” for each account to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

Important New Voting Information.

If your shares are held in street name, the SEC has approved a New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, rule that changes the manner in which your vote in the election of directors will be handled beginning with the upcoming Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in street name, you should have received these proxy materials in paper or electronic form, including a voting instruction card so you can instruct the holder of record how to vote your shares. In the past, if you did not transmit your voting instructions before the Annual Meeting, your broker could vote on your behalf on the election of directors and other matters considered to be routine under NYSE rules. Effective as of January 1, 2010, your broker is no longer permitted to vote on your behalf on the election of directors unless you provide specific instructions by following the instructions from your broker about voting your shares by telephone or Internet or completing and returning the voting instruction form. For your vote to be counted in the election of directors, you now will need to communicate your voting decisions to your bank, broker or other holder of record before the date of the Annual Meeting.

Will My Shares be Voted if I Do Not Vote?

If your shares are registered in your name, they will not be voted if you do not vote as described above under “How Do I Vote?” If your shares are held in street name and you do not provide voting instructions to the bank, broker or other holder of record that holds your shares as described above, the bank, broker or other holder of record has the authority to vote your unvoted shares on Proposal 3 even if it does not receive instructions from you. We encourage you to provide voting instructions. This ensures your shares will be voted at the meeting in the manner you desire. If your broker cannot vote your shares on a particular matter because it has not received instructions from you and does not have discretionary voting authority on that matter or because your broker chooses not to vote on a matter for which it does have discretionary voting authority, this is referred to as a “broker non-vote”.

What Vote is Required to Approve Each Proposal and How are Votes Counted?

 

Proposal 1: Elect Directors    The nominees for director who receive the most votes (also known as a “plurality” of the votes) will be elected. Abstentions are not counted for purposes of electing directors. You may vote either FOR all of the nominees, WITHHOLD your vote from all of the nominees or WITHHOLD your vote from any one or more of the nominees. Votes that are withheld will not be included in the vote tally for the election of directors. Brokerage firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal; therefore, any shares not voted by a customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote. We have adopted a policy on plurality votes for the election of directors which is described in Proposal 1—Election of Directors of this proxy statement.

 

3


Proposal 2: Approve the Adoption of the 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan    The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted affirmatively or negatively for this proposal is required to approve the adoption of the Myriad Genetics, Inc. 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan. Abstentions will have no effect on the results of this vote. Brokerage firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal; therefore, any shares not voted by a customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote.
Proposal 3: Ratify Selection of Independent Public Accountants    The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted affirmatively or negatively for this proposal is required to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent public accountants. Abstentions will have no effect on the results of this vote. Brokerage firms have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal. If a broker does not exercise this authority, such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote. We are not required to obtain the approval of our stockholders to select our independent public accountants. However, if our stockholders do not ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, our Audit Committee of our Board of Directors may reconsider its selection.

Is Voting Confidential?

We will keep all the proxies, ballots and voting tabulations private. We only let our Inspectors of Election examine these documents. Management, other than the Inspectors of Election, will not know how you voted on a specific proposal unless it is necessary to meet legal requirements. We will, however, forward to management any written comments you make, on the proxy card or elsewhere.

What Are the Costs of Soliciting these Proxies?

We will pay all of the costs of soliciting these proxies. Our directors and employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax or email. We will pay these employees and directors no additional compensation for these services. We will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward these proxy materials to their principals and to obtain authority to deliver proxies. We will then reimburse them for their expenses.

What Constitutes a Quorum for the Meeting?

The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting. Votes of stockholders of record who are present at the meeting in person or by proxy, abstentions, and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.

Attending the Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. MST on Friday, December 3, 2010 at the offices of Myriad Genetics, Inc., 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah. When you arrive at our offices, our personnel will direct you to the appropriate meeting room. You need not attend the Annual Meeting to vote.

Householding of Annual Disclosure Documents

In December 2000, the SEC adopted a rule concerning the delivery of annual disclosure documents. The rule allows us or your broker to send a single Notice, or if applicable, a single set of our proxy materials to any

 

4


household at which two or more of our shareholders reside, if we or your broker believe that the shareholders are members of the same family. This practice, referred to as “householding,” benefits both you and us. It reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps to reduce expenses. The rule applies to our annual reports, proxy statements and information statements. Once you receive notice from your broker or from us that communications to your address will be “householded,” the practice will continue until you are otherwise notified or until you revoke your consent to the practice. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to have access to and utilize separate proxy voting instructions.

If your household received a single Notice or, if applicable, set of proxy materials this year, but you would prefer to receive your own copy, please contact Broadridge, by calling their toll free number 1-800-542-1061. If you do not wish to participate in “householding” and would like to receive your own Notice or, if applicable, set of proxy materials in future years, follow the instructions described below. Conversely, if you share an address with another Myriad Genetics, Inc. shareholder and together both of you would like to receive only a single Notice or, if applicable, set of proxy materials, follow these instructions:

 

   

If your Myriad Genetics, Inc. shares are registered in your own name, please contact Broadridge and inform them of your request by calling them at 1-800-542-1061 or writing them at Broadridge Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

   

If a broker or other nominee holds your Myriad Genetics, Inc. shares, please contact the broker or other nominee directly and inform them of your request. Be sure to include your name, the name of your brokerage firm and your account number.

Electronic Delivery of Company Stockholder Communications

Most stockholders can elect to receive notices of the availability of future proxy materials by email instead of receiving a paper copy in the mail. You can choose this option and save us the cost of producing and mailing these documents by following the instructions provided on your Notice or proxy card or following the instructions provided when you vote over the Internet at www.proxyvote.com.

 

5


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of September 3, 2010 for (a) each stockholder that we know to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock, (b) our current and former executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement (the Named Executive Officers), (c) each of our directors and director nominees and (d) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. We deem shares of common stock that may be acquired by an individual or group within 60 days of September 3, 2010 pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table. Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the stockholders named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown to be beneficially owned by them based on information provided to us by these stockholders. Percentage of ownership is based on 92,325,592 shares of common stock outstanding on September 3, 2010.

 

     Shares Beneficially Owned (1)  

Name and Address**

         Number                Percent        

5% or More Stockholders

     

Capital Research Global Investors (2)

   10,690,609    11.6

333 South Hope Street

     

Los Angeles, California 90071

     

FMR LLC (3)

   7,326,077    7.9

82 Devonshire Street

     

Boston, MA 02109

     

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (4)

   6,419,512    7.0

388 Market Street

     

San Francisco, CA 94111

     

Janus Capital Management LLC (5)

   5,276,159    5.7

151 Detroit Street

     

Denver, CO 80206

     

BlackRock, Inc. (6)

   4,718,858    5.1

40 East 52nd Street

     

New York, NY 10022

     

Named Executive Officers

     

Peter D. Meldrum (7)

   1,495,961    1.6

Mark C. Capone (8)

   235,830    *   

Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D. (9)

   874,026    *   

James S. Evans (10)

   479,163    *   

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D. (11)

   389,000    *   

Richard M. Marsh (12)

   536,969    *   

Directors and Director Nominees

     

John T. Henderson, M.D. (13)

   164,300    *   

Walter Gilbert, Ph.D. (14)

   150,000    *   

Lawrence C. Best (15)

   220,000    *   

Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D.

   —      *   

Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D. (16)

   70,000    *   

S. Louise Phanstiel (17)

   31,000    *   

Linda S. Wilson, Ph.D. (18)

   157,400    *   

All current executive officers and directors as a group (15 persons) (19)

   4,943,928    5.1

 

  * Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of our outstanding shares of common stock.

 

6


** Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each beneficial owner is c/o Myriad Genetics, Inc., 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.
(1) Attached to each share of common stock is a Preferred Share Purchase Right to acquire one one-hundredth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, which Preferred Share Purchase Rights are not presently exercisable.
(2) This information is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on June 9, 2010, with respect to Myriad Genetics common stock. Capital Research Global Investors is a division of Capital Research and Management Company, or CRMC, and is deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares as a result of CRMC acting as investment advisor to various investment companies. Capital Research Global Investors has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all of these shares.
(3) This information is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 16, 2010 with respect to Myriad Genetics common stock. Fidelity Management & Research Company, or Fidelity, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC and an investment adviser, is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 7,152,394 shares as a result of acting as investment adviser to various investment companies. Edward C. Johnson 3d and FMR LLC., through its control of Fidelity, each has sole power to dispose of but not the power to vote or direct the voting of these shares, as such voting power resides with the funds’ Boards of Trustees. Strategic Advisers, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC and an investment adviser, is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 400 shares as a result of acting as investment adviser to various investment companies. Edward C. Johnson 3d and FMR LLC., through its control of Fidelity, each has sole power to dispose of and to vote or direct the voting of these shares. Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC and an investment adviser, is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 11,500 shares as a result of acting as investment adviser to various investment companies. Edward C. Johnson 3d and FMR LLC., through its control of Fidelity, each has sole power to dispose of and to vote or direct the voting of these shares. Pyramis Global Advisors Trust Company, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC, is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 46,060 shares as a result of acting as investment manager of institutional accounts owning such shares. Edward C. Johnson 3d and FMR LLC., through its control of Fidelity, each has sole power to dispose of all of these shares and to vote or direct the voting of 46,060 of these shares. FIL Limited, or FIL, is the beneficial owner of 115,723 shares of our common stock. Partnerships controlled predominantly by members of the family of Edward C. Johnson 3d own approximately 47% of the voting power of FIL.
(4) This information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on August 13, 2010 with respect to Myriad Genetics common stock. Shares are owned by various investors for which RS Investment Management Co. LLC (“RS”), a SEC-registered investment adviser, serves as investment adviser with power to exercise voting and investment power. Guardian Investor Services LLC (“GIS”) is the parent company of RS and a direct subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (“GLICOA”). For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each of RS, GIS, and GLICOA is deemed to be a beneficial owner of the shares; however, each of RS, GIS, and GLICOA expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such shares.
(5) This information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 16, 2010 with respect to Myriad Genetics common stock. Janus Capital Management LLC has direct majority ownership stakes in Perkins Investment Management LLC and INTECH Investment Management, and as a result of these ownership positions is deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares. Janus Capital Management LLC has sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to all of these shares.
(6) This information is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC by BlackRock, Inc. on May 10, 2010 with respect to Myriad Genetics common stock. BlackRock, Inc. beneficially owns these shares and has sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to all such shares.
(7) Includes 1,285,936 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(8) Includes 185,562 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(9) Includes 744,480 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.

 

7


(10) Includes 436,122 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(11) Includes 354,096 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(12) Includes 503,396 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(13) Includes shares held directly by Dr. Henderson and his wife, as well as 160,000 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(14) Consists solely of shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(15) Includes 30,000 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(16) Consists solely of shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(17) Includes 30,000 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(18) Includes 154,900 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010.
(19) See Notes 7-18 above. Also includes 136,460 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of September 3, 2010 held by other executive officers.

 

8


MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board of Directors

Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Restated By-Laws provide that our business is to be managed by or under the direction of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes for purposes of election. One class is elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to serve for a three-year term. Our Board of Directors currently consists of eight members, classified into three classes as follows: John T. Henderson, M.D., and S. Louise Phanstiel constitute a class with a term ending at the 2012 Annual Meeting (the “Class I directors”); Peter D. Meldrum, Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D., and Linda S. Wilson, Ph.D. constitute a class with a term ending at the 2010 annual meeting (the “Class II directors”); and Walter Gilbert, Ph.D., Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D., and Lawrence C. Best constitute a class with a term ending at the 2011 annual meeting (the “Class III directors”).

On September 16, 2010, our Board of Directors accepted the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee and voted to nominate Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D. and Peter D. Meldrum for election at the Annual Meeting for a term of three years to serve until the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. Dr. Linda S. Wilson served on the Board of Directors during the last fiscal year and will continue to serve until the 2010 Annual Meeting but is not standing for re-election. As a result, our Board of Directors has authorized a decrease in the number of directors to seven, effective immediately prior to the Annual Meeting.

Set forth below are the names of the persons nominated as directors and directors whose terms do not expire this year, their ages as of September 3, 2010, their offices in the company, if any, their principal occupations or employment for at least the past five years, the length of their tenure as directors and the names of other public companies in which such persons currently hold directorships or have held directorships in the past five years. Additionally, information about the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the Board’s conclusion at the time of the filing of this proxy statement that each person listed below should serve as a director is set forth below for each individual director.

 

NAME

 

AGE

  

POSITION WITH MYRIAD

John T. Henderson, M.D. (2)(3)(4)

  66    Chairman of the Board of Directors

Walter Gilbert, Ph.D. (2)

  78    Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors

Peter D. Meldrum

  63    President, Chief Executive Officer, Director

Lawrence C. Best (1)(4)

  61    Director

Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D. (4)

  57    Director

Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D. (2)(3)

  58    Director

S. Louise Phanstiel (1)

  52    Director

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee. Dr. Wilson, who is not standing for re-election, currently serves on the Audit Committee. Dr. Langer will be appointed to the Audit Committee immediately following the Annual Meeting.
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee. Dr. Dreismann will be appointed to the Compensation Committee immediately following the Annual Meeting.
(3) Member of the Nominating and Governance Committee.
(4) Member of the Strategic Committee.

The following is a brief summary of the background and business experience of each of our directors.

John T. Henderson, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors, has been a Director of Myriad since May 2004 and Chairman of the Board of Directors since April 2005. Since December 2000, Dr. Henderson has served as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry as president of Futurepharm LLC. Dr. Henderson currently serves on the Board of Directors of Myrexis, Inc. and Cytokinetics, Inc. Until his retirement in December 2000, Dr. Henderson was with Pfizer for over 25 years, most recently as a Vice President in the Pfizer Pharmaceuticals

 

9


Group. Dr. Henderson previously held Vice Presidential level positions with Pfizer in Research and Development in Europe and later in Japan. He was also Vice President, Medical for the Europe, U.S. and International Pharmaceuticals groups at Pfizer. Dr. Henderson earned his bachelor’s and medical degree from the University of Edinburgh and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Ed.).

The Board of Directors has determined that Dr. Henderson should serve on the Board for the following reasons: Dr. Henderson’s medical background provides the Board with expertise in developing predictive, personalized, and prognostic testing services. Dr. Henderson provides the Board with business and management expertise from his senior positions at Pfizer for over 25 years, including expertise in research and development which is critical to our development of molecular diagnostic testing products. Dr. Henderson brings to the Board international experience as the Company implements strategies for international expansion.

Walter Gilbert, Ph.D., Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, joined Myriad as a founding scientist and Director in March 1992. Dr. Gilbert won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1980 for his contributions to the development of DNA sequencing technology. He was a founder of Biogen, Inc. (now Biogen Idec Inc.) and its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from 1981 to 1985. He has held professorships at Harvard University in the Departments of Physics, Biophysics, Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular and Cellular Biology. Dr. Gilbert is a Carl M. Loeb University Professor Emeritus at Harvard University. He served on the Board of Directors of Memory Pharmaceuticals Corp. and is a General Partner of BioVentures Investors, an investment fund.

The Board of Directors has determined that Dr. Gilbert should serve on the Board for the following reasons: Dr. Gilbert provides the Board with a unique and extensive scientific background and expertise important to us in developing and commercializing molecular diagnostic products, and understanding industry technological developments. Dr. Gilbert provides the Board with business, managerial and financial expertise from having founded, managed, and directed several companies in the health care industry.

Peter D. Meldrum, President and Chief Executive Officer, has been a Director of Myriad since its inception in May 1991 and has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since November 1991. Prior to joining us he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Founders Fund, Inc., a venture capital group specializing in the biotechnology industry. He received a Doctorate of Engineering (honorary) from the University of Utah in 2009, a Doctorate of Science (honorary) from Westminster College in 2004, an M.B.A. from the University of Utah in 1974, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah in 1970.

The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Meldrum should serve on the Board for the following reasons: Mr. Meldrum provides the Board with business and management expertise of a molecular diagnostic company from his service as President and CEO of Myriad since our inception. Mr. Meldrum brings to the Board over 36 years of experience in the biotechnology, diagnostic, and related industries. Mr. Meldrum also provides us with important expertise in investor relations. In addition, Mr. Meldrum’s scientific background and industry knowledge provide important insights for the Board.

Lawrence C. Best, a Director of Myriad since September 2009, is the Chairman and Founder of OXO Capital LLC, an investment firm focused on life sciences and therapeutic medical device companies, since 2007. Mr. Best joined Boston Scientific Corporation in 1992 and served for 15 years as the Executive Vice President-Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Boston Scientific, Mr. Best was a partner in the accounting firm of Ernst & Young, where he specialized in serving multinational companies in the high technology and life sciences fields. He served a two-year fellowship at the SEC from 1979 to 1981 and a one-year term as a White House-appointed Presidential Exchange Executive in Washington, D.C. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Haemonetics Corp. and is a founding director of the President’s Council at Massachusetts General Hospital. Mr. Best also served on the Board of Directors of Biogen Idec, Inc. within the past five years. Mr. Best received a B.B.A. degree from Kent State University.

 

10


The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Best should serve on the Board for the following reasons: Mr. Best provides the Board with broad financial accounting and reporting expertise in the technology and life sciences fields. Mr. Best provides the Board with extensive financial, business, management and investment expertise from his 15 years of service as the Chief Financial Officer at Boston Scientific. Mr. Best provides the Board with substantial experience in the event that we contemplate potential mergers, acquisitions and licensing opportunities.

Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D., a Director of Myriad since June 2010, had a successful career at the Roche Group from 1985 to 2006 where he held several senior positions, including President and CEO of Roche Molecular Systems, Head of Global Business Development for Roche Diagnostics and Member of Roche’s Global Diagnostic Executive Committee. Dr. Dreismann currently serves on the Board of Directors of Nanogen, Inc., Shrink Nanotechnologies, GeneNews, and MedBioGene. He earned a M.S. degree in biology and his Ph.D. in microbiology/molecular biology (summa cum laude) from Westfaelische Wilhelms University (The University of Münster) in Germany.

The Board of Directors has determined that Dr. Dreismann should serve on the Board for the following reasons: Dr. Dreismann provides the Board with important business and managerial expertise from his more than 20 years at Roche, including specific expertise in developing and commercially launching diagnostic products. Furthermore, Dr. Dreismann has extensive experience in international markets, specifically in Europe, which is important as we seek to expand internationally. Dr. Dreismann’s scientific background and expertise also enable Dr. Dreismann to provide the Board with technical advice on product research and development. Dr. Dreismann has a diversified background of managing and serving as a director of several companies in the health care industry.

Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D., has been a Director of Myriad since May 2004. From August 2005 to May 2010, Dr. Langer has served as Managing Partner of Phoenix IP Ventures, LLC. From January 2004 to July 2005, Dr. Langer served as President, North America for Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. From September 1994 until January 2004, Dr. Langer held several high-level positions at GlaxoSmithKline, and its predecessor, SmithKline Beecham, including most recently as a Senior Vice President of Research and Development. He has a broad base of experience in innovative R&D companies such as Eli Lilly, Abbott and GD Searle. He is also a Clinical Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Langer received a J.D. (cum laude) from Harvard Law School, an M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, and a B.A. in Biology from Columbia University. Dr. Langer currently serves on the Board of Directors of Myrexis, Inc., and has held a directorship during the past five years at Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The Board of Directors has determined that Dr. Langer should serve on the Board for the following reasons: Dr. Langer’s medical background provides the Board with expertise on developing predictive, personalized, and prognostic testing products. Dr. Langer provides the Board with business and management expertise from senior positions at several major pharmaceutical companies, including expertise in research and development which is critical to our development of molecular diagnostic testing services. Dr. Langer brings to the Board international experience as we implement strategies for international expansion. Dr. Langer has a diversified background of managing and serving as a director of several companies in the health care industry.

S. Louise Phanstiel, a Director of Myriad since September 2009, held several important positions at WellPoint, Inc. from 1996 to 2007, including President, Specialty Products (2003 to 2007), Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff and Corporate Planning in the Office of the Chairman (2000 to 2003), and Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Controller, and Chief Financial Officer for all WellPoint, Inc. subsidiaries, including Blue Cross of California (1996 to 2000). Previously, Ms. Phanstiel was a partner at the international services firm of Coopers and Lybrand where she served clients in life and property/casualty insurance, high technology, and higher education. Ms. Phanstiel formerly served on the Board of Directors of Inveresk Research Group, Inc. and Charles River Laboratories, Inc. Ms. Phanstiel received a B.A. degree in Accounting from Golden Gate University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

11


The Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Phanstiel should serve on the Board for the following reasons: Ms. Phanstiel provides the Board with important expertise on the medical insurance industry from her extensive experience from several senior positions at WellPoint and Blue Cross of California. This expertise is critical as we rely on third-party reimbursement for our molecular diagnostic services. Ms. Phanstiel also provides the Board with financial accounting and reporting expertise from her work at Coopers and Lybrand and as a Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Phanstiel also provides the Board with financial and investment expertise, as well as management expertise, from managing and serving as a director of publicly-traded companies.

Director Independence

Our Board of Directors has reviewed the materiality of any relationship that each of our directors has with Myriad, either directly or indirectly. Based on this review, our Board has determined that the following members of the Board are “independent directors” as defined by The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC: Mr. Best, Dr. Dreismann, Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Henderson, Dr. Langer, Ms. Phanstiel, and Dr. Wilson.

Leadership Structure of the Board

The Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer as the Board believes it is in our best interests to make that determination based on the position and direction of the Company and the membership of the Board. However, at this time, and since our inception, the Board has determined that having an independent director serve as Chairman of the Board is in the best interests of our stockholders. Thus, the role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer is separated. This structure ensures a greater role for the independent directors in the oversight of the Company and active participation of the independent directors in setting agendas and establishing Board policies, priorities and procedures. This structure also allows the Chief Executive Officer to focus on the management of our day-to-day operations.

Board’s Role in the Oversight of Risk Management

The Board has an active role, directly and through its committees, in the oversight of our risk management efforts. The Board carries out this oversight role through several levels of review. The Board regularly reviews and discusses with members of management information regarding the management of risks inherent in the operations of our businesses and the implementation of our strategic plan, including our risk mitigation efforts.

Each of the Board’s committees also oversees the management of our risks that are under each committee’s areas of responsibility. For example, the Audit Committee oversees management of accounting, auditing, external reporting, internal controls, and cash investment risks. The Nominating and Governance Committee oversees our compliance policies, Code of Conduct, conflicts of interests, director independence and corporate governance policies. The Compensation Committee oversees risks arising from compensation practices and policies. While each committee has specific responsibilities for oversight of risk, the Board is regularly informed by each committee about such risks. In this manner the Board is able to coordinate its risk oversight.

Board’s Consideration of Diversity

The Board and Nominating and Governance Committee do not have a formal policy with respect to the consideration of diversity in identifying nominees for a director position. However, the Board and Nominating and Governance Committee strive to nominate individuals with a variety of diverse backgrounds, skills, qualifications, attributes and experience such that the Board, as a group, will possess the appropriate expertise, talent and skills to fulfill its responsibilities to manage the Company in the long-term interests of the stockholders.

 

12


Committees of the Board of Directors and Meetings

Meeting Attendance. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, or Fiscal 2010, there were seven meetings of the Board of Directors, and the various committees of the Board met a total of 17 times. No director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and of committees of the Board on which he or she served during Fiscal 2010. The Board has adopted a policy under which each member of the Board is encouraged but not required to attend each annual meeting of our stockholders. At the time of our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders, we had eight board members, six of which attended the 2009 annual meeting.

Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee met four times during Fiscal 2010. This committee currently has three members, Ms. Phanstiel (Chair), Mr. Best, and Dr. Wilson. Dr. Wilson served on the Audit Committee during Fiscal 2010 and will continue to serve until the 2010 Annual Meeting, but is not standing for re-election to the Board. Effective immediately after the 2010 Annual Meeting, Dr. Langer will join the Audit Committee in Dr. Wilson’s place. Our Audit Committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in the Audit Committee’s written charter and include the authority to retain and terminate the services of our independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews annual financial statements, considers matters relating to accounting policy and internal controls, reviews the scope of annual audits, and monitors our processes for complying with laws, regulations, and our Code of Conduct. Our Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Audit Committee satisfy the current independence standards promulgated by the SEC and by The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, as such standards apply specifically to members of audit committees. The Board has determined that Ms. Phanstiel is an “audit committee financial expert,” as the SEC has defined that term in Item 407 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. A copy of the Audit Committee’s written charter is publicly available on the Investor Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com.

Please also see the report of the Audit Committee set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee met four times during Fiscal 2010. This committee currently has three members, Dr. Langer (Chairman), Dr. Gilbert, and Dr. Henderson. Effective immediately after the 2010 Annual Meeting, Dr. Dreismann will serve as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, subject to his election at the Annual Meeting, replacing Dr. Langer who will no longer serve on the Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in the Compensation Committee’s written charter and include reviewing, approving and making recommendations regarding our compensation policies, practices and procedures to ensure that legal and fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Directors are carried out and that such policies, practices and procedures contribute to our success. The Compensation Committee also is responsible for evaluating and determining the compensation of our President and Chief Executive Officer, and conducts its decision making process with respect to that issue without the President and Chief Executive Officer present. Our Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee qualify as independent under the definition promulgated by The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

The Compensation Committee is charged with establishing a compensation policy for our executives and directors that is designed to attract and retain the best possible executive talent, to motivate them to achieve corporate objectives, and reward them for superior performance. Our Compensation Committee is also responsible for establishing and administering our executive compensation policies and equity compensation plans. The Compensation Committee meets at least three times per year and more often as necessary to review and make decisions with regard to executive compensation matters. As part of its review of executive compensation matters, the Compensation Committee may delegate any of the powers given to it to a subcommittee of the Committee. A copy of the Compensation Committee’s written charter is publicly available on the Investor Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com.

Further discussion of the process and procedures for considering and determining executive compensation, including the role that our executive officers play in determining compensation for other executive officers, is

 

13


included below in the section entitled “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” In addition, in Fiscal 2010 we retained Radford, an Aon Consulting Company, or Radford, for the purpose of providing competitive market data on the compensation of executive officers at comparable companies within our industry and to provide the Compensation Committee an analysis of, and recommendations for, cash and equity compensation for the President and CEO and executive officers of the Company. We also subscribed to competitive market survey data from Radford on the compensation of executive officers at comparable companies in our industry.

Please also see the report of the Compensation Committee set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement.

Nominating and Governance Committee. Our Nominating and Governance Committee met nine times during Fiscal 2010. This committee currently has three members, Dr. Wilson (Chair), Dr. Henderson, and Dr. Langer. Effective immediately following the Annual Meeting, Dr. Langer will serve as the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, replacing Dr. Wilson, and Dr. Henderson and Ms. Phanstiel will serve as the other two members of the Committee. This committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in the Nominating and Governance Committee’s written charter and include evaluating and making recommendations to the full Board as to the size and composition of the Board and its committees, identifying and evaluating potential candidates and recommending to the Board the director nominees for election, developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance guidelines applicable to us, and reviewing and approving potential or actual conflicts of interest between our executive officers or members of the Board. The committee also oversees the annual Board performance evaluations, which may be submitted anonymously at the discretion of the Director concerned, as well as our policy on plurality voting for director elections, which is described in “Proposal 1—Election of Directors” of this proxy statement. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Nominating and Governance Committee qualify as independent under the definition promulgated by The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

If a stockholder wishes to nominate a candidate for director to be included in our proxy statement under the “proxy access” rules recently adopted by the SEC, it must comply with Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including providing notice within the period described in “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations For Director” at the end of this proxy statement. If a stockholder wishes to nominate a candidate for director who is not to be included in our proxy statement, it must follow the procedures described in our Restated By-Laws and in “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations For Director” at the end of this proxy statement.

In addition, under our current corporate governance policies, the Nominating and Governance Committee may consider candidates recommended by stockholders as well as from other sources such as other directors or officers, third-party search firms or other appropriate sources. For all potential candidates, the Nominating and Governance Committee may consider all factors it deems relevant, such as a candidate’s personal integrity and sound judgment, business and professional skills and experience, independence, knowledge of the industry in which we operate, possible conflicts of interest, the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board, and concern for the long-term interests of the stockholders. In general, persons recommended by stockholders will be considered on the same basis as candidates from other sources. If a stockholder wishes to propose a candidate for consideration as a nominee by the Nominating and Governance Committee under our corporate governance policies, for each annual meeting, the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider only one recommended nominee from any stockholder or group of affiliated stockholders, and such recommending stockholder or group must have held at least 5% of our common stock for at least one year. All stockholder recommendations for proposed director nominees must be in writing to the Nominating and Governance Committee, care of Myriad’s Secretary at 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, and must be received no later than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting. The recommendation must be accompanied by the following information concerning the recommending stockholder:

 

   

the name, address and telephone number of the recommending stockholder;

 

14


   

the number of shares of our common stock owned by the recommending stockholder and the time period for which such shares have been held;

 

   

if the recommending stockholder is not a stockholder of record, a statement from the record holder verifying the holdings of the recommending stockholder and a statement from the recommending stockholder of the length of time such shares have been held (alternatively the recommending stockholder may furnish a current Schedule 13D, Schedule 13G, Form 3, Form 4 or Form 5 filed with the SEC, together with a statement of the length of time that the shares have been held); and

 

   

a statement from the recommending stockholder as to a good faith intention to continue to hold such shares through the date of the next annual meeting.

The recommendation must also be accompanied by the following information concerning the proposed nominee:

 

   

the information required by Items 401, 403 and 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act;

 

   

a description of all relationships between the proposed nominee and the recommending stockholder, including any agreements or understandings regarding the nomination;

 

   

a description of all relationships between the proposed nominee and any of our competitors, customers, suppliers, labor unions or other persons with special interests regarding the Company; and

 

   

the contact information of the proposed nominee.

The recommending stockholder must also furnish a statement supporting a view that the proposed nominee possesses the minimum qualifications as set forth below for director nominees and describing the contributions that the proposed nominee would be expected to make to the Board and to the governance of Myriad and must state whether, in its view, the proposed nominee, if elected, would represent all stockholders and not serve for the purpose of advancing or favoring any particular stockholder or other constituency of Myriad. The recommendation must also be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee (i) to be considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee and interviewed if the committee chooses to do so in its discretion, and (ii) if nominated and elected, to serve as a director.

For all potential candidates, the Nominating and Governance Committee may consider all factors it deems relevant, including the following threshold criteria:

 

   

candidates should possess the highest personal and professional standards of integrity and ethical values;

 

   

candidates must be committed to promoting and enhancing the long-term value of Myriad for its stockholders;

 

   

candidates must be able to represent fairly and equally all stockholders without favoring or advancing any particular stockholder or other constituency of Myriad;

 

   

candidates must have demonstrated achievement in one or more fields of business, professional, governmental, community, scientific or educational endeavor, and possess mature and objective business judgment and expertise;

 

   

candidates are expected to have sound judgment, derived from management or policy making experience that demonstrates an ability to function effectively in an oversight role;

 

   

candidates must have a general appreciation regarding major issues facing public companies of a size and operational scope similar to Myriad, including, governance concerns, regulatory obligations, strategic business planning, competition and basic concepts of accounting and finance; and

 

   

candidates must have, and be prepared to devote, adequate time to the Board of Directors and its committees.

 

15


In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee will also take into account the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board, including the extent to which a candidate meets the independence and experience standards promulgated by the SEC and by The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

A copy of the Nominating and Governance Committee’s written charter is publicly available on the Investor Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com.

The descriptions of our corporate governance policies contained in this proxy statement are qualified in their entirety and subject to the terms of such policies as modified by the Board of Directors from time to time. The following corporate governance documents are publicly available on the Investor Relations — Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com:

 

   

Corporate Governance Principles;

 

   

Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics;

 

   

Nominating and Governance Committee Charter;

 

   

Audit Committee Charter;

 

   

Compensation Committee Charter;

 

   

Strategic Committee Charter;

 

   

Policy on Annual Shareholder Meeting Attendance by Directors;

 

   

Policy on Security Holder Communications with Directors;

 

   

Policy on Security Holder Recommendation of Candidates for Election as Directors;

 

   

Procedures for Security Holders Submitting Nominating Recommendations;

 

   

Policy Regarding Qualifications of Directors;

 

   

Policy For Handling Complaints Regarding Accounting and Auditing Matters and Code of Conduct Matters;

 

   

Policy on Plurality Vote for Director Elections;

 

   

Policy on Limiting Service on Public Company Boards;

 

   

Policy on New Director Orientation;

 

   

Policy on Continuing Education for the Board; and

 

   

Policy on Related Person Transactions.

Strategic Committee. On September 16, 2010, we created the Strategic Committee of the Board of Directors. This committee currently has three members, Dr. Henderson (Chair), Mr. Best and Dr. Dreismann. This committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in the Strategic Committee’s written charter and include advising and consulting with senior management on a broad range of strategic initiatives and making recommendations to the Board regarding such opportunities. A copy of the Strategic Committee’s written charter is publicly available on the Investor Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. Our Compensation Committee currently has three members, Dr. Langer (Chairman), Dr. Gilbert, and Dr. Henderson. No member of our Compensation Committee has at any time been an employee of ours. None of our executive officers is a member of the Compensation Committee, nor do any of our executive officers serve as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.

 

16


Stockholder Communications to the Board

Generally, stockholders who have questions or concerns should contact our Investor Relations department at (801) 584-3600. However, any stockholders who wish to address questions regarding our business directly with the Board of Directors, or any individual director, should direct his or her questions in writing to the Chairman of the Board or a designated member of the Board at 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108. Communications will be distributed to the Board, to the Nominating and Governance Committee, or to any individual director or directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communications. Items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board may be excluded, such as:

 

   

junk mail and mass mailings;

 

   

resumes and other forms of job inquiries;

 

   

surveys; and

 

   

solicitations or advertisements.

In addition, any material that is unduly hostile, threatening, or illegal in nature may be excluded, provided that any communication that is filtered out will be made available to any outside director upon request.

Executive Officers

The following table sets forth the name, age (as of September 3, 2010) and position of each of our current executive officers:

 

Name

  Age   

Position

Peter D. Meldrum

  63    President and Chief Executive Officer

Mark C. Capone

  48    President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

James S. Evans

  47    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Robert G. Harrison

  44    Chief Information Officer

Gary A. King

  54    Executive Vice President, International Operations

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D.  

  51    Chief Scientific Officer

Richard M. Marsh, Esq.  

  52    Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Peter D. Meldrum. Please see biography above under “Management—The Board of Directors.”

Mark C. Capone, President of Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Myriad joined us in October 2002. Mr. Capone initially served as our Vice President of Sales until he was named Chief Operating Officer in February 2006, a position he held until his promotion to President of Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. in March 2010. Prior to joining Myriad, Mr. Capone served 17 years with Eli Lilly and Company, where he held positions as Product Development Manager, Manufacturing Plant Manager, and Area Sales Director. Mr. Capone received his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University, graduating with highest distinction, his M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his M.S. in Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

James S. Evans, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, joined us in 1995. Mr. Evans served as Myriad’s Corporate Controller from 1995 until July 2005, when he was named Vice President, Finance, a position he held until November 2007 when he was named Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Evans began his career in the Audit/Attestation division of the international accounting firm of KPMG LLP where he held several positions. He worked as the Controller for Genmark, Inc. and Shaperite Concepts, Ltd. prior to joining Myriad. Mr. Evans received a B.S. and Master of Accounting degrees from Brigham Young University in 1987 and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Utah.

 

17


Robert G. Harrison, Chief Information Officer, joined Myriad in 1996. Mr. Harrison served as Myriad’s Network Administrator from 1996 to 2000. He was then named Director of Information Systems and Technology from 2000 until January 2005. He was then named Vice President of Information Systems and Technology, a position he held until January 2008 when he was named Chief Information Officer. Mr. Harrison began his career in IT working for several private companies and consulting firms where he held several positions in technical support, sales and management capacities. Mr. Harrison received a B.S. degree in Business Administration with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Utah in 1994.

Gary A. King, Executive Vice President, International Operations, joined us in July 2010. Mr. King has been employed in the life sciences industry for more than 25 years. From June 2008 to June 2010, he was the Chief Executive Officer of AverDx Incorporated, an international biotechnology company that develops novel biomarker diagnostics for critical diseases. From June 2002 to February 2008, he served as Vice President, International Operations at Biosite Incorporated, a developer of diagnostic products and antibody development technologies where he spent six years building and leading all of the Company’s commercial activities outside the United States. Mr. King received his B.A. degree in Zoology from Pomona College and a M.B.A. degree from Stanford University.

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, joined us in September 2002 as Executive Vice President of Research, a position he held until he was named Chief Scientific Officer in February 2010. Dr. Lanchbury came to us from GKT School of Medicine, King’s College where he had served as Reader in Molecular Immunogenetics and Head of Molecular Immunogenetics Unit since 1997. Dr. Lanchbury earned his Ph.D. from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and 1st Class Honours, B.Sc. “Biology of Man & his Environment” degree from the University of Aston.

Richard M. Marsh, Esq., Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, joined us in November 2002. Mr. Marsh previously served as Director of Intellectual Property (2001-2002), Acting General Counsel and Secretary (2000-2001), and Director of Commercial Legal Affairs (1998-2000) for Iomega Corporation. Mr. Marsh served as a partner with the law firm of Parsons, Behle & Latimer in Salt Lake City from 1989 to 1998. Mr. Marsh received a LL.M. degree in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center, a J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and a B.S. degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University, and was formerly a Certified Public Accountant.

We have entered into Employment Agreements with all of our executive officers, as described elsewhere in the proxy statement.

 

18


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The primary objectives of our Compensation Committee in establishing and maintaining our executive compensation programs are to:

 

   

attract and retain the best possible executive talent;

 

   

motivate our executive officers to enhance our growth and profitability;

 

   

increase long-term shareholder value; and

 

   

reward the executive officers for their contribution to our growth, profitability and increased shareholder value through the recognition of individual leadership, initiatives, achievements and other contributions.

The specific directives of the Compensation Committee are to provide appropriate short- and long-term compensation and incentives, in the form of cash and equity, that motivate and reward the accomplishment of individual and corporate objectives and which align executive officer compensation with creation of shareholder value. To achieve these objectives, the Compensation Committee has adopted and implements a compensation plan that bases our executive officers’ compensation on a variety of factors, including our operational performance, progress in our research and product development programs, introduction to market of new molecular diagnostic products, growth in revenue and profits, and increase in shareholder value.

Formulating and Setting Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee is responsible for formulating, evaluating and approving the compensation, including the award of equity compensation, for our executive officers, including our President and CEO. The Compensation Committee also assists the full Board in establishing appropriate incentive compensation and equity-based plans generally for all employees and is responsible for administering these plans.

To assist in carrying out its responsibilities for this past fiscal year, the Compensation Committee utilized publicly available compensation data and subscription compensation survey data for national and regional companies in the biotechnology and life science industry. The Compensation Committee utilized the 2009 Radford Global Life Sciences Survey (the “Radford Survey”) data to compare executive compensation reported for the 50th, 75th and 90th percentile ranges to our executive compensation being determined by the Compensation Committee. The Radford Survey is an independent survey report, published by Radford, an Aon Consulting Company (“Radford”), which compiles compensation data for companies in the life science industry comparable to us in size (above 500 employees) from the following industries: Alternative Energy/Technologies, Bio/Pharma-Commercial, Bio/Pharma-Pre-Commercial, Clinical Research Orgs/CMOs, Diagnostics, Institutions & Foundations, Medical Devices/Scientific Instruments, and Other Life Sciences. The Company pays a subscription fee to Radford for access to and use of the Radford Survey. The Compensation Committee uses this survey information to evaluate the competitive nature of the compensation provided to our executive officers, including annual salary, bonus and equity grants.

The Compensation Committee also retained Radford this past year for the purpose of providing competitive market data on the compensation of executive officers at comparable companies within our industry and to provide the Compensation Committee an analysis of, and recommendations for, cash and equity compensation for the President and CEO and other executive officers of the Company. As part of its engagement, Radford provided an initial review of our executive officers’ annual salary, bonus and equity awards granted last fiscal year (the “Initial Radford Report”). Because the Company grants stock option awards on a semi-annual basis, an updated equity compensation review was prepared by Radford for the Compensation Committee in connection with the Company’s September 2009 stock option grants (the “September Radford Report”). Radford provided a third updated equity compensation review for the Compensation Committee in connection with the Company’s March 2010 stock option grants (the “March Radford Report”).

 

19


We believe that the compensation information obtained from Radford provides us appropriate compensation data and benchmarks as it is derived from companies which are in our industry, share similar corporate structures, and are in similar development and operational stages. As part of its engagement, Radford also suggested certain modifications and alternatives for compensation, but the Compensation Committee decided that there were not any qualitative changes that would materially enhance the achievement of our compensation goals. Radford has not been retained or utilized by the Compensation Committee or the Company for any other purpose or in any other capacity.

As a basis for the source market data for the Initial Radford Report, Radford utilized compensation data from two peer groups. The first is a group of 15 peer companies consisting of the following:

 

ABRAXIS BIOSCIENCE    ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS    AMYLIN PHARMACEUTICALS
BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL    CELGENE    CEPHALON
CUBIST PHARMACEUTICALS    GEN-PROBE    ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS
MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL    OSI PHARMACEUTICALS    REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS
SEPRACOR    THE MEDICINES COMPANY    VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS

This first peer group was selected on the basis of several factors to achieve a peer group representative of our industry. These factors included number of employees, market value, revenues, net income, and product pipeline. To the extent available, Radford derived cash and equity compensation information for this first peer group from publicly available regulatory filings, including proxy statements. Radford also derived cash and equity compensation information for this first peer group from survey data collected by Radford, except for Abraxis BioScience for which no survey data was collected.

The second peer group consisted of the following 47 companies from Radford’s Global Life Sciences Executive Compensation Survey:

 

AFFYMETRIX   ILLUMINA   QIAGEN SCIENCES
ALKERMES   IMPAX LABORATORIES   R&D SYSTEMS
AMYLIN PHARMACEUTICALS   INVITROGEN   REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS
BARR PHARMACEUTICALS   JOHNSON & JOHNSON PHARM R&D   SANOFI PASTEUR
BIOGEN IDEC   KING PHARMACEUTICALS   SCIELE PHARMA
BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL   KV PHARMACEUTICAL   SEPRACOR
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES   LEXICON PHARMACEUTICALS   SHIRE PHARMACEUTICALS
CELGENE   MANNKIND   SYMYX TECHNOLOGIES
CEPHALON   MARTEK BIOSCIENCES   TEVA NEUROSCIENCE
ELAN   MEDAREX   TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA
EXELIXIS   MILLENNIUM   VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTL
FOREST LABORATORIES   MILLIPORE   VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS
GEN-PROBE   NOVARTIS INST/FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS   WARNER CHILCOTT
GILEAD SCIENCES   NOVARTIS VACCINES & DIAGNOSTICS   WATSON PHARMACEUTICALS
GLAXOSMITHKLINE   NOVEN PHARMACEUTICALS   ZYMOGENETICS
HUMAN GENOME SCIENCES   PAR PHARMACEUTICALS  

This second peer group was selected as being representative of companies in Radford’s Global Life Sciences Executive Compensation Survey of a similar size to us based on number of employees and similar business structures. Radford derived cash and equity compensation information for this second peer group from survey data collected by Radford.

In the Initial Radford Report, Radford determined a composite average of cash and equity compensation at the 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles for each of our executive officer categories by averaging the compensation data

 

20


from the two peer groups (the “Composite Peer Group”). The composite average compensation was determined by weighting the compensation data from the first peer group by 50% and the second peer group by 50%. When no proxy data was available for a specific executive officer position in the first peer group, then the Radford survey data was used. Additionally, because the cash compensation data for the peer groups was determined utilizing the then available calendar year 2008 data, Radford adjusted the cash compensation in its report to account for timing differences between the 2008 calendar year end source data and our June 30th fiscal year end. Because our yearly salary adjustments and bonus are effective July 1st, Radford applied a factor of 2.0% to update the cash compensation data from December 31, 2008 to July 1, 2009, the first day of our 2010 fiscal year, to make the data comparable.

Utilizing the data provided us in the Initial Radford Report, we analyzed, amongst other criteria, the average salary and incentive bonus compensation and average equity compensation (using the Black Scholes value of options), for each of our executive officers at the 50th, 75th and 90th percentile range from our Composite Peer Group. We also analyzed our gross equity burn rate, issued equity overhang and total equity overhang at the 50th-75 th percentile range as compared to the 15 companies reported in our first peer group of companies.

Utilizing the data provided us in the September Radford Report, we analyzed, amongst other criteria, the average equity compensation (using the Black Scholes value for options) at the 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles for each of our executive officers from the first peer group of companies. The number of Company options to deliver the comparable equity compensation at the 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles in connection with our semi-annual options granted on September 15, 2009, was determined by using the Black Scholes value of options based on the Company’s 30-day average stock price of $26.27 as of August 25, 2009.

Utilizing the data provided us in the March Radford Report, we analyzed, amongst other criteria, the average equity compensation (using the Black Scholes value for options) at the 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles for each of our executive officers from the first peer group of companies. The number of Company options to deliver the comparable equity compensation at the 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles in connection with our semi-annual options granted on March 3, 2010, was determined by using the Black Scholes value of options based on the Company’s 30-day average stock price of $25.50 as of January 15, 2010.

The Compensation Committee has approved a pay-for-performance philosophy for the compensation of our executive officers which is intended, in general, to provide base salary, bonus and total compensation within the 50th to 75th percentile of comparable companies in our industry; however, we may award compensation above the 75th percentile when deemed appropriate to further promote and achieve the primary objectives of our compensation programs. The comparable group of companies on which we rely to corroborate our determinations are those which participated in the Radford Survey and those companies represented by the peer groups utilized in the Radford Reports. Within the scope of this pay-for-performance philosophy, we have determined the various components of each executive’s initial compensation package based on various factors, including: the executive’s particular background, training and relevant work experience; the executive’s role and responsibilities and the compensation paid to similar persons in comparable companies represented in the compensation data that we utilized; the demand for individuals with the executive’s specific talents and expertise and our ability to attract and retain comparable talents; the performance goals and other expectations of the executive for the position; and the comparison to other executives within our Company having similar skills and experience levels and responsibilities.

Establishment and Use of Management Business Objectives

The Compensation Committee has implemented an annual management performance program for the purpose of establishing annual performance objectives for our executive officers to align their performance with the overall goals and objectives for the Company. This process commences in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year as each executive officer meets with our President and CEO to establish annual Management Business

 

21


Objectives, or MBOs, for the ensuing fiscal year. After review and discussion, our President and CEO finalizes the executive officer’s MBOs for the ensuing fiscal year. Similarly, our President and CEO meets with the Compensation Committee at the end of each fiscal year to establish his MBOs for the ensuing fiscal year which, after review and discussion, are finalized by the Compensation Committee. During the fiscal year, additional MBOs may be established and assigned to an executive officer, including our President and CEO. All executive officer MBOs are reported to the independent members of the Board of Directors. At the end of the ensuing fiscal year, each executive officer’s performance for the fiscal year is reviewed, including an assessment by management and the Compensation Committee of the achievement of each executive officer’s respective MBOs. At this time, our President and CEO recommends to the Compensation Committee an annual cash incentive bonus amount and salary adjustment for the executive officers, other than himself. The Compensation Committee, after further review and discussion with our President and CEO, then determines the annual cash incentive bonus for the concluding fiscal year and base salary amount for the ensuing fiscal year for the executive officers, other than our President and CEO. In the case of our President and CEO, the Compensation Committee reviews and discusses with the President and CEO the accomplishment of his MBOs for the fiscal year. The Compensation Committee then makes its review and determinations without any recommendations from our President and CEO, who is not present in any portions of the meetings of the Compensation Committee where his compensation is reviewed, discussed and approved. The annual cash incentive bonus amount and salary adjustments for the executive officers are reported to the independent members of the Board of Directors.

The individual MBOs for our named executive officers for fiscal year 2010 were as follows:

Peter D. Meldrum, President and CEO—manage the Company to achieve designated financial targets for total revenues for the fiscal year and net income for the fiscal year; achieve specified targets for the launch of two new molecular diagnostic products; and within the context of an overall organization development plan, develop a succession plan for all executive officer positions, identify professional and business development needs of each executive officer covered by this plan and present on an annual basis to the Board this plan and the status of implementation of the individual development plans.

Mark C. Capone, President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.—manage Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. (“MGL”) to achieve designated financial targets for total revenues for the fiscal year and net income for the fiscal year; improve production efficiencies and achieve a designated target for gross profit margins for molecular diagnostic operations; increase sales efficiencies so that the sales force generates a designated financial target of revenue per representative; and build an internal medicine/urology specialty sales force in preparation for the launch of a prostate cancer progression product.

Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D., Former President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.—manage MGL to achieve designated financial targets for total revenues for the fiscal year and net income for the fiscal year; acquire intellectual property rights to develop a targeted genetic predisposition product; license and launch one new molecular diagnostic product in the fiscal year; complete two clinical trials in support of molecular diagnostic products and submit for publication; and implement specified internal reorganizations to achieve targeted operational efficiencies.

James S. Evans, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer—manage the Company to achieve designated financial targets for total revenues for the fiscal year and net income for the fiscal year; manage communications with research analysts on financial reporting expectations; achieve designated financial target for cost reductions; work with shareholders and industry review organizations to support proposed annual increase in authorized shares for our equity plans; and implement a management development and training program for supervisory staff with 50% of the staff having completed such program within the fiscal year.

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer—manage the Company to achieve designated financial targets for total revenues for the fiscal year and net income for the fiscal year; develop and launch a prostate cancer progression product; and develop at least one new cancer diagnostic product and publish related findings.

 

22


Richard M. Marsh, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary—manage the Company to achieve designated financial targets for total revenues for the fiscal year and net income for the fiscal year; formulate and manage intellectual property strategy for the Company’s continued commercialization of its product candidates; and manage litigation risk, exposure and costs of challenges to the Company’s intellectual property.

Role of Management in Our Compensation Program

Our management, including our President and CEO, supports the Compensation Committee, attends portions of its meetings upon request, and performs various administrative functions at its request. Our President and CEO provides input to the Compensation Committee on the effectiveness of our compensation program and makes specific recommendations as to the base salary amounts, annual cash incentive bonus amounts and stock option grants for the executive officers, other than for himself. Except for our President and CEO, no executive officer is present when the Compensation Committee discusses and determines the salary and bonus amounts and equity compensation to be awarded to the executive officers. Our President and CEO is excused from all meetings, and is not present, where matters pertaining to his compensation are discussed and approved by the Compensation Committee.

At the end of each fiscal year, our President and CEO evaluates the annual performance of each of our executive officers, including an assessment of the accomplishment of each executive officer’s MBOs, and submits his recommendations to the Compensation Committee which then determines an annual cash incentive bonus amount for the concluding fiscal year and the base salary amount for the ensuing fiscal year for each of the executive officers. In September and February of each fiscal year, our President and CEO also makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee for stock option awards based on the performance of the executive officers to date, including progress on accomplishing MBOs. The amounts of annual salaries, annual bonuses and equity grants for the executive officers are determined within the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

In the case of our President and CEO, his individual performance is reviewed and evaluated by the Compensation Committee at the end of each fiscal year with respect to his annual cash incentive bonus amount for the concluding fiscal year and base salary for the ensuing fiscal year, and in September and February of each year with respect to stock option awards. With respect to the compensation of our President and CEO, the Compensation Committee is responsible for (i) reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to him, (ii) evaluating his performance in light of these goals and objectives, and (iii) determining and approving his compensation, including the award of equity compensation, based on this evaluation.

Elements of our Compensation Program and Annual Performance Evaluations

The compensation program for our executive officers consists principally of base salary, an annual cash incentive bonus, long-term compensation in the form of stock options, and certain severance and termination benefits. We believe that these elements of our compensation strike an appropriate balance to incentivize and reward our executive officers for ongoing, short-term and long-term performance. An annual base salary provides the foundation of our compensation program and ensures that the executive officer is being paid ongoing compensation which allows us to attract and retain high-quality talent. The annual cash incentive bonus forms an important part of our compensation strategy by providing an incentive to reward short-term performance as measured by Company performance and accomplishment of individual MBOs. Stock option awards also form an important part of our compensation strategy. These equity grants reward our executive officers for the long-term performance of Myriad, and help to ensure that our executive officers have a stake in our long-term success by providing an incentive to improve our overall growth and value as measured by our stock price. This aligns the executive officer’s interests with stockholders’ long-term interests. Finally, we have entered into retention agreements with each of our executive officers to provide certain severance and termination benefits following a change in control to ensure our executive officers are motivated to stay with us during periods of uncertainty.

 

23


The Compensation Committee, in collaboration with management, attempts to develop an overall compensation program that incentivizes the executive officers to achieve their objectives without encouraging them to take excessive risks to the business. We believe this is accomplished through the balance of the various elements of our compensation program, including the establishment of annual MBOs for each of the executive officers to appropriately guide their performance objectives, and pre-set limits on short-term incentive compensation in the form of annual cash bonuses.

Base Salary

Base salaries for executive officers are based on various factors, including the scope of their role and responsibilities and their particular background, training and relevant work experience, taking into account the compensation paid to similar positions in comparable companies represented in the compensation data that we utilized, and also considering the demand for individuals with the executives’ specific talents and expertise and our ability to attract and retain comparable talents. We believe that the base salaries for our executive officers should generally be in the 50th to 75th percentile range of salaries for executives in similar positions and with similar responsibilities in comparable companies in our industry as represented in the compensation data we utilized; however, when deemed appropriate, we may set base salaries above the 75th percentile to further promote and achieve the primary objectives of our compensation programs. An executive’s base salary is also evaluated together with other components of the executive’s compensation to ensure that the executive’s total compensation is in line with our overall compensation philosophy.

Each year we evaluate base salaries as part of our management performance program, and establish each executive’s base salary for the ensuing year. In establishing base salaries, we assess the executive officer’s performance in each of the areas in which individual MBOs were established, the financial performance of Myriad in the areas of responsibility of the executive officer, the overall financial performance of Myriad and other significant accomplishments and contributions of the executive officer. We also review and determine if there are any significant differences in the compensation of an executive officer compared to the compensation paid to executives in similar positions with comparable companies in our industry as represented in the compensation data we utilize. We adjust annual base salaries if we deem such an adjustment is warranted based on the performance and contribution of the executive officer, differences in comparable market salaries, changes in the scope of responsibilities of the executive officer, or internal pay inequities.

Based on the foregoing, including our evaluation of the corporate developments and events that occurred during fiscal year 2010 and an assessment of each executive officer’s performance of individual MBOs for fiscal year 2010, we increased the base salaries for our named executive officers for fiscal year 2011, with the exception of Dr. Critchfield, who resigned during fiscal year 2010, as set forth below. The fiscal 2011 base salary of each of our named executive officers falls between the 50th and 75th percentiles of comparable base salary compensation as reported in the Radford Survey.

 

24


Name and Position

   Fiscal 2010
Base Salary  ($)
   Fiscal 2011
Base Salary  ($)
   % Increase  

Peter D. Meldrum

President and Chief Executive Officer

   832,000    870,000    4.6

Mark C. Capone (1)

President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

   375,000    455,000    21.3

Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D.  

Former President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

   565,000    N/A    —     

James S. Evans

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   400,000    420,000    5.0

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D. (2)

Chief Scientific Officer

   335,000    395,000    17.9

Richard M. Marsh

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

   385,000    404,000    4.9

 

(1) Mr. Capone’s salary increase includes an additional increase to $435,000 received upon his promotion from Chief Operating Officer to President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. on March 1, 2010. Fiscal 2010 Base Salary reflects Mr. Capone’s pre-promotion salary effective on July 1, 2009.
(2) Dr. Lanchbury’s salary increase includes an additional increase to $375,000 received upon his promotion from Executive Vice President, Research to Chief Scientific Officer on February 2, 2010. Fiscal 2010 Base Salary reflects Dr. Lanchbury’s pre-promotion salary effective on July 1, 2009.

Annual Cash Incentive Bonus

An important part of our compensation program for our executive officers is an annual performance-based cash incentive bonus. This practice is designed to enable us to attract and retain executive level talent, as well as to provide variable compensation to incentivize and reward executives for ongoing performance which provides a contemporaneous benefit to our overall operations and successes. The cash incentive bonus amount is determined annually as part of our management performance program. As a part of this review, we assess the executive officer’s performance in each of the areas in which individual MBOs were established, our financial performance in the areas of responsibility of the executive officer, our overall financial performance and other significant accomplishments and contributions of the executive officer. We also review and determine if there are any significant differences in the annual bonus of an executive officer compared to bonuses paid to executives in similar positions with comparable companies in our industry as represented in the compensation data we utilized. We change the cash incentive bonuses paid to our executive officers if we deem such an adjustment is warranted based on the performance and contribution of the executive officer, differences in comparable market data, significant accomplishments for the year, changes in the scope of responsibilities of the executive officer, or internal pay inequities. Any adjustments to the annual cash incentive bonus paid are determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

For purposes of determining the cash incentive bonuses for our executive officers for fiscal 2010, the Compensation Committee utilized a formulaic approach, based on a target incentive bonus as a percentage of base salary, Company performance and the achievement of individual MBOs. Utilizing the compensation data from our peer group from the Initial Radford Report, the Compensation Committee established a target incentive bonus as a percentage of base salary for each executive officer. The cash incentive bonus amount for each executive officer was then determined based on the following formula: annual base salary of the executive officer times (a) the executive officer’s applicable target incentive bonus target percentage, as adjusted by the Compensation Committee based on Company performance by a factor of up to 130%, and times (b) the executive officer’s Performance Goals score (up to 100%—based on degree of accomplishment of MBOs as determined by the Compensation Committee).

 

25


Based on the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of Company performance, including the corporate developments and events that occurred during fiscal year 2010, revenue growth, sustained profitability and changes in shareholder value, the Compensation Committee made no increases or adjustments to the target incentive bonus percentages established for our executive officers for purposes of determining incentive bonuses for fiscal year 2010, including the target incentive bonus percentage for the President and CEO. With respect to the scoring of each individual executive officer’s performance MBOs, as all executive officers had the same revenue growth and net income growth goals, all executive officers’ performance scores for financial targets were reduced by approximately 30% based on the level of accomplishment of these financial goals for the 2010 fiscal year as further described in more detail below. Accordingly, based on the foregoing formula, and including our assessment of each executive officer’s performance of individual MBOs for fiscal year 2010, as discussed below, we determined the following cash incentive bonuses for our named executive officers for fiscal year 2010:

 

Name and Position

   Target Incentive
Bonus

(% of  base salary)
    Formula
Adjusted
Target
Incentive  Bonus

(% of base
salary)
   Performance
Goals Score
(as a %)
   Fiscal 2010
Bonus
Payments ($)

Peter D. Meldrum

President and Chief Executive Officer

   100      none    78    649,000

Mark C. Capone

President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

   52 (1)    none    78    178,000

James S. Evans

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   55      none    78    172,000

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D.  

Chief Scientific Officer

   45      none    89    150,000

Richard M. Marsh

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

   50 (2)    none    80    154,000

 

(1) Mr. Capone’s target incentive bonus percentage was proportionally increased to reflect his promotion from Chief Operating Officer to President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. on March 1, 2010.
(2)

Mr. Marsh’s target incentive bonus percentage was increased from 45% for fiscal year 2009 to 50% for fiscal 2010 to approximate a median target incentive bonus percentage between the 50th to 75 th percentiles of the target incentive bonus percentages from the Radford Survey.

For fiscal 2011, the Compensation Committee has decided to utilize the same formulaic approach for determining the annual cash incentive bonus for executive officers. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee established the following target incentive bonus percentages for our executive officers, which will be used in determining annual cash incentive bonus amounts for fiscal year 2011 performance.

 

Executive Officer

   Target Incentive Bonus
(% of Base Salary)
 

President and CEO

   100

Subsidiary President

   65

Chief Financial Officer

   55

Chief Scientific Officer

   50

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

   50

Chief Information Officer

   45

Executive Vice President, International Affairs

   45

 

26


The actual cash incentive bonus amount for each executive officer for fiscal year 2011 will be based on the following formula: annual base salary of the executive officer times (a) the executive officer’s applicable target incentive bonus percentage, as adjusted by the Compensation Committee based on Company performance by a factor of up to 130%, and times (b) the executive officer’s Performance Goals score (up to 100%—based on degree of accomplishment of MBOs as determined by the Compensation Committee).

Named Executive Officer Performance for Fiscal 2010

The salary adjustments for fiscal year 2011 and cash incentive bonuses for fiscal year 2010 were awarded to our named executive officers after determining the level to which each individual officer satisfied his annual MBOs for fiscal year 2010 and in light of his relative contribution to the overall success and accomplishments of the Company, as described below with respect to each named executive officer. We also determined these amounts to maintain, in general, parity within the 50th to 75th percentile of salary and incentive bonus reflected in the compensation data we utilized from the Radford Survey.

President and CEO. The Company reported total revenues of $362.6 million and net income of $152.3 million for the 2010 fiscal year. Based on these financial results, the Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Meldrum had accomplished his financial MBOs, in part, and gave him a Performance Goal score of 68% for his financial objectives, which represented 60% of his total MBOs. The Compensation Committee also determined that Mr. Meldrum had substantially accomplished his remaining MBOs in light of the Company’s launch of the Prolaris product, announcement of the expected launch of a pancreatic predictive cancer product later in calendar year 2010 and development of an executive management succession plan. The Compensation Committee determined a Performance Goal score of 92% for Mr. Meldrum’s remaining MBOs, which represented 40% of his total MBOs. Based on Mr. Meldrum’s performance and positive contribution to the Company, Mr. Meldrum’s combined Performance Goal score for all MBOs was 78%.

Based on the Radford Survey, Mr. Meldrum’s fiscal 2010 salary was between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data for his position. Based on his Performance Goal score of 78%, Mr. Meldrum’s base salary for fiscal 2011 was increased by approximately 4.6% to $870,000, which is between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. However, his fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus of $649,000 was approximately 35% less than his bonus for fiscal year 2009 and was below the 50th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. The decrease in Mr. Meldrum’s fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus was reflective of the partial accomplishment of his MBOs and that no adjustment in the target incentive bonus percentage was made by the Compensation Committee because the Company did not reach its financial performance objectives. Mr. Meldrum’s total fiscal 2010 cash compensation (fiscal 2010 salary and fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus) was between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data.

Other Named Executive Officers. Except as noted below, the Compensation Committee determined that the named executive officers, had also accomplished the financial MBOs, in part, and had substantially accomplished their respective remaining MBOs based, in part, on:

 

   

our achievement of total annual revenues of $362.6 million for the fiscal year;

 

   

our achievement of net income of $152.3 million for the fiscal year;

 

   

accomplishment of targeted cost saving measures;

 

   

improved gross profit and operating margins for our molecular diagnostic products;

 

   

continued efficiencies of our sales force as measured by revenue generation by representative;

 

   

development of an internal medicine/urology specialty sales force;

 

   

implementation of management training and development program for supervisory staff;

 

27


   

progress in our research and development programs, including the introduction of our Prolaris product, and the announcement of a new molecular diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer; and

 

   

improvements to our manufacturing and laboratory operations measured by productivity metrics.

Based on the Radford Survey, Mr. Capone’s fiscal 2010 salary was below the 50th percentile of the reported survey compensation data for his position (as a Chief Operating Officer). Based on Mr. Capone’s performance and positive contribution to the Company, as well as his promotion to President of Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc., Mr. Capone received a Performance Goal score of 78%, and his base salary for fiscal 2011 was increased by approximately 21% to $455,000, which is between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. However, his fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus of $178,000 was approximately 15% less than his bonus for fiscal year 2009 and was also below the 50th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. The decrease in Mr. Capone’s fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus was reflective of the partial accomplishment of his MBOs and that no adjustment in the target incentive bonus percentage was made by the Compensation Committee because the Company did not reach its financial performance objectives. Mr. Capone’s total fiscal 2010 cash compensation (fiscal 2010 salary and fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus) was below the 50th percentile of the reported survey compensation data.

Effective March 1, 2010, Dr. Critchfield, former President of Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc., retired from the Company. In connection with his retirement, Dr. Critchfield entered into a resignation agreement with the Company on February 1, 2010. Pursuant to the resignation agreement, the Company paid Dr. Critchfield $565,000, less all applicable taxes and withholding amounts, for the accomplishment of his fiscal year 2010 MBOs, accrued employee benefits due, consideration for consulting services, and for his contributions to the success of the Company during his 11 years of service. The resignation agreement also provided for the release of all claims by Dr. Critchfield against the Company, subject to specified exceptions, and the release of all claims by the Company against Dr. Critchfield.

Based on the Radford Survey, Mr. Evans’ fiscal 2010 salary was between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data for his position. Based on Mr. Evans’ performance and positive contribution to the Company, Mr. Evans received a Performance Goal score of 78%, and his base salary for fiscal 2011 was increased by 5% to $420,000, which is between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. However, his fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus of $172,000 was approximately 35% less than his bonus for fiscal 2009 and was below the 50th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. The decrease in Mr. Evans’ fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus was reflective of the partial accomplishment of his MBOs and that no adjustment in the target incentive bonus percentage was made by the Compensation Committee because the Company did not reach its financial performance objectives. Mr. Evans’ total fiscal 2010 cash compensation (fiscal 2010 salary and fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus) was below the 50th percentile of the reported survey compensation data.

Based on the Radford Survey, Dr. Lanchbury’s fiscal 2010 salary was below the 50th percentile of the reported survey compensation data for his position. Based on Dr. Lanchbury’s performance and positive contribution to the Company, including his promotion to Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Lanchbury received a Performance Goal score of 89%, and his base salary for fiscal 2011 was increased by approximately 17.9% to $395,000, which is between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. However, his fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus of $150,000 was approximately 9% less than his fiscal 2009 bonus and was below the 50th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. The decrease in Dr. Lanchbury’s fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus was reflective of the partial accomplishment of his MBOs and that no adjustment in the target incentive bonus percentage was made by the Compensation Committee because the Company did not reach its financial performance objectives. Dr. Lanchbury’s total fiscal 2010 cash compensation (fiscal 2010 salary and fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus) was below the 50th percentile of the reported survey compensation data.

 

28


Based on the Radford Survey, Mr. Marsh’s fiscal 2010 salary was between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data for his position. Based on Mr. Marsh’s performance and positive contribution to the Company, Mr. Marsh received a Performance Goal score of 80%, and his base salary for fiscal 2011 was increased by approximately 4.9% to $404,000, which is between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. However, his fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus of $154,000 was approximately 27% less than his bonus for fiscal 2009 and was between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data. The decrease in Mr. Marsh’s fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus was reflective of the partial accomplishment of his MBOs and that no adjustment in the target incentive bonus percentage was made by the Compensation Committee because the Company did not reach its financial performance objectives. Mr. Marsh’s total fiscal 2010 cash compensation (fiscal 2010 salary and fiscal 2010 cash incentive bonus) was between the 50th and 75th percentile of the reported survey compensation data.

Long-Term Incentives

To incentivize and reward long-term performance by our executives, we provide awards of stock options. These equity-based awards help ensure that our executive officers have a stake in our long-term success by providing an incentive to improve the overall growth and value of Myriad. We believe this fosters an executive culture that aligns our executive officers’ interests with the long-term interests of our shareholders. Our 2003 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Option Plan, as amended, or the 2003 Option Plan, only allows for the grant of stock options to our employees, directors and consultants. We typically make an initial stock option award to new executive officers upon initial hire. We also grant semi-annual stock option awards. We have not adopted stock ownership guidelines. The Compensation Committee determines the terms of all stock option grants for the named executive officers, including our President and CEO.

At the 2010 Annual Meeting, the Company is seeking approval of the 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) which in addition to an increase in the number of shares available for issuance as equity awards, will allow for the grant of stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based awards to our employees, directors and consultants. If the 2010 Plan is approved, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, long-term incentive awards granted in the future may be in the form of other types of equity compensation in addition to stock options.

Initial Stock Option Awards. Executives who join us are awarded initial stock option grants. These grants have an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, which is generally within the first week of the officer’s employment, and a four-year vesting schedule with 1/4th of the shares vesting on each anniversary of the date of grant. The amount of the initial stock option award is determined based on the executive’s position with us and analysis of the competitive practices of the companies similar in size to us represented in the compensation data that we review with the goal of creating a total compensation package for new employees that is competitive with other similar companies and that will enable us to attract high quality management personnel.

Semi-Annual Stock Option Awards. Our practice is to make semi-annual stock option awards as part of our overall performance management program. The Compensation Committee believes that stock options provide management with a strong link to long-term corporate performance and the creation of stockholder value. Stock option awards are made twice a year in connection with the Board of Director meetings generally in February and September. The Board customarily determines the dates of its meetings for the ensuing year at a meeting of the Board in the preceding year. Thus, the dates on which stock options are granted are set well in advance. The Board does not time the grant of stock options with respect to the release of material non-public information, whether or not that information may favorably or unfavorably impact the price of our common stock. Stock option awards for the executive officers, including our President and CEO, are approved by the Compensation Committee. Stock option awards are granted at an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, and generally vest in equal annual installments over a four-year period.

 

29


We intend that the annual aggregate value of these awards will generally be set in the 75th to 90th percentile range of aggregate value of awards for executives in similar positions and with similar responsibilities in comparable companies in our industry as represented in the compensation data we utilize; however, we may award compensation above the 90th percentile when deemed appropriate to further promote and achieve the primary objectives of our compensation programs. The Compensation Committee believes that equity awards provide appropriate incentives to align individual executive officer performance with the overall enhancement of long-term shareholder value. Accordingly, we set compensation levels for equity awards at a higher threshold than cash compensation in the form of salary and short-term incentive bonus. However, the Compensation Committee still seeks to have total compensation (salary, annual bonus and equity grants) to be within the 50th to 75th percentile range. When deemed appropriate, we may award total compensation above the 75th percentile to further promote and achieve the primary objectives of our compensation programs.

In determining the number of stock options awarded, we take into consideration the total number of our outstanding shares of common stock, the relative dilution to shareholders, as well as our gross equity burn rate, issued equity overhang and total equity overhang. Individual stock option awards are based on individual accomplishments of each executive as measured by performance and achievement of individual MBOs. The Compensation Committee grants stock option awards primarily to reward performance but also to retain officers and provide incentives for future performance. The size of option grants generally increases as the rank of the executive officer increases. In determining the amount of stock options to be awarded, the Compensation Committee considers various factors, including, our financial and operating performance for the applicable period; the executive officer’s contribution to our performance; the anticipated contribution of the executive officer to our future performance; a review of compensation for comparable positions in our peer group from our benchmarking studies; and the total compensation of the executive officer and the anticipated retentive effect of the grant of additional options.

Based on the Radford Survey, the long term incentive value of the semi-annual stock option grant awards made to the named executive officers on September 15, 2009 and March 3, 2010 were between the 50th and 75th percentile of long term compensation reported for each of the respective officer categories; except for Mr. Evans and Mr. Marsh, whose long term incentive value of the semi-annual stock option grant awards for the 2010 fiscal year were between the 75th and 90th percentile. The long term incentive value of the semi-annual stock option grant awards made to the named executive officers for the 2010 fiscal year are reported in the table for 2010 Fiscal Year Grants of Plan Based Awards and was determined in accordance with ASC Topic 718, utilizing the Black Scholes value for options. The number of stock options awarded for the 2010 fiscal year to each of our named executive officers was slightly lower than the number of stock options awarded for the 2009 fiscal year, except for Mr. Evans, who received the same number of option grants for the 2009 and 2010 fiscal years. We felt this appropriate given the Company’s performance relative to its peers, the individual accomplishments of our named executive officers, including our President and CEO, relative to their individual MBOs and to place a higher weighting of compensation on long term compensation. Based on the Initial Radford Report, our three-year average gross burn rate falls between the 50th and 75th percentile.

Other Compensation

We maintain broad-based benefits and perquisites that are provided to all employees, including health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan and a discretionary December holiday bonus. Additionally, we may provide other perquisites to new executive officers such as a signing bonus, relocation package or other related compensation as we determine on a case-by-case basis.

Termination-Based Compensation

We recognize that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a change in control of the company exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among key personnel, may result in the departure or distraction of key personnel to the detriment of us and our stockholders.

 

30


Therefore, we have entered into a form of retention agreement with each of our executive officers to reinforce and encourage the continued employment and dedication of our executive officers without distraction from the possibility of a change in control of the company and related events and circumstances. We believe that the terms of our retention agreement are consistent with those maintained by others in our industry and therefore are important for attracting and retaining key employees who are critical to our long-term success. The potential benefits provided under the retention agreement are in addition to the current compensation arrangements we have with our executive officers. For the payments each of our named executive officers is entitled to receive upon a change-in-control, see “Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” later in this proxy statement.

Relationship of Elements of Compensation

As noted above, our compensation structure is primarily comprised of base salary, an annual cash incentive bonus and long-term compensation in the form of stock options. In setting executive compensation, the Compensation Committee considers the aggregate compensation payable to an executive officer and the form of the compensation. The Compensation Committee seeks to achieve an appropriate balance between immediate cash rewards and long-term financial incentives.

We currently utilize stock options as a substantial component of compensation, as the Compensation Committee views the award of stock options as a primary long-term retention benefit by tying the earning of these awards to long-term vesting schedules, generally four years. If an employee leaves the Company before the completion of the vesting period, then that employee would not receive any benefit from the non-vested portion of his award. We believe that this feature makes it more attractive to remain as our employee and these arrangements do not require substantial cash payments by us. If the 2010 Plan is approved, we anticipate that we may also issue restricted stock awards as a component of long-term incentive compensation. Because we anticipate that any such restricted stock awards will generally vest over a four-year period similar to our stock options, we believe they will have similar retention benefits as provided by stock options.

The Compensation Committee reviews from time to time the mix of the compensation elements for executive officers against comparable companies in our industry as represented in the compensation data we utilize. The size and mix of each element in a compensation package is based on the impact of the position on the Company, market practice and overall corporate and individual performance relative to stated corporate goals. The level of incentive compensation typically increases in relation to an executive officer’s responsibilities and ability to meet individual and corporate goals. The Compensation Committee believes that making a significant portion of an executive officer’s compensation contingent on corporate performance more closely aligns the executive officer’s interests with those of our stockholders.

The Compensation Committee may decide, as appropriate, to modify the mix of base salary, annual and long-term incentives to best fit an executive officer’s specific circumstances or if required by competitive market conditions for attracting and retaining skilled personnel. For example, the Compensation Committee may decide to award additional stock options to an executive officer if the total number of stock option grants received during an individual’s employment with us does not adequately reflect the executive’s current position. We believe that this discretion and flexibility allows the Compensation Committee to better achieve our compensation objectives.

Conclusion

Our compensation policies are designed and are continually being developed to retain and motivate our executive officers and to ultimately reward them for outstanding individual and corporate performance.

 

31


Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal years indicated therein to (1) our President and Chief Executive Officer, (2) our Chief Financial Officer, (3) our three next most highly compensated executive officers who earned more than $100,000 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 and were serving as executive officers as of June 30, 2010 and (4) Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D., the President of Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. until his retirement on March 1, 2010.

 

Name and Principal Position

   Fiscal
Year
   Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Option
Awards

($) (1)
   All Other
Compensation
($) (2)
   Total
($)

Peter D. Meldrum

President and Chief Executive Officer

   2010
2009
2008
   832,550
800,552
727,552
   649,710
1,000,812
725,812
   3,805,820
6,677,228
3,307,674
   10,475
9,275
9,275
   5,298,555
8,487,867
4,770,313

Mark C. Capone (3)

President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

   2010
2009
   396,553
361,512
   178,710
210,812
   1,363,707
2,669,262
   8,825
8,522
   1,947,795
3,250,108

Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D.  

Former President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

   2010
2009
2008
   380,121
551,465
500,552
   710
415,812
400,812
   1,073,313
3,934,078
2,343,100
   570,475
9,275
9,275
   2,024,619
4,910,630
3,253,739

James S. Evans

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   2010
2009
2008
   400,550
375,552
278,213
   172,710
265,812
165,812
   1,614,656
2,566,576
1,004,761
   8,825
9,063
9,604
   2,196,741
3,217,003
1,458,390

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D. (3)

Chief Scientific Officer

   2010    352,217    150,710    1,052,371    12,463    1,567,761

Richard M. Marsh, Esq. (3)

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

   2010
2009
   385,550
360,552
   154,710
210,812
   1,456,035
2,390,002
   10,349
8,489
   2,006,644
2,969,855

 

 

(1) Amounts shown reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted in each year presented calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Information regarding the assumptions used in the valuation of option awards can be found in the footnote to our financial statements entitled “Share-Based Compensation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, filed with the SEC. Our executive officers will not realize the value of these awards in cash unless and until these awards are exercised and the underlying shares are subsequently sold. See also our discussion of stock-based compensation under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2) With the exception of the amount shown for Dr. Critchfield, all amounts shown for fiscal year 2010 consist of (i) $6.28 per month of premiums paid by us with respect to term life insurance for the benefit of each named executive officer for their respective periods served and (ii) the balance of the amount shown for matching contributions made under our 401(k) plan on behalf of each named executive officer. The amount shown for Dr. Critchfield, who retired effective March 1, 2010, also includes payment of $565,000 under a resignation agreement entered into with Dr. Critchfield.
(3) Compensation data disclosed for only those years for which the individual was a named executive officer.

 

32


2010 Fiscal Year Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table shows information regarding semi-annual incentive grants of equity awards that we made during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

Name

   Grant
Date
   All Other Option
Awards: Number
of Securities
Underlying
Options (#)
   Exercise or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Sh) (1)
   Grant Date Fair
Value of Stock
and Option
Awards

($) (2)

Peter D. Meldrum

President and Chief Executive Officer

   9/15/2009

3/03/2010

   180,000

200,000

   $

$

30.34

23.11

   $

$

2,077,380

1,728,440

Mark C. Capone

President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

   9/15/2009

3/03/2010

   62,000

75,000

   $

$

30.34

23.11

   $

$

715,542

648,165

Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D.  

Former President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

   9/15/2009    93,000    $ 30.34    $ 1,073,313

James S. Evans

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   9/15/2009

3/03/2010

   80,000

80,000

   $

$

30.34

23.11

   $

$

923,280

691,376

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D.  

Chief Scientific Officer

   9/15/2009

3/03/2010

   50,000

55,000

   $

$

30.34

23.11

   $

$

577,050

475,321

Richard M. Marsh, Esq.

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

   9/15/2009

3/03/2010

   70,000

75,000

   $

$

30.34

23.11

   $

$

807,870

648,165

 

(1) All options were granted as part of our compensation policy of awarding semi-annual stock option grants at the meetings of our Compensation Committee in the fall and spring of each fiscal year. The options vest in equal annual installments over a four-year period. All options were granted under the 2003 Option Plan. The exercise price for all stock option grants is the closing price of our common stock on the day of the grant.
(2) Represents the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Information regarding the assumptions used in the valuation of option awards can be found in the footnote to our financial statements entitled “Share-Based Compensation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, filed with the SEC. Our executive officers will not realize the value of these awards in cash unless and until these awards are exercised and the underlying shares are subsequently sold. See also our discussion of stock-based compensation under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and 2010 Fiscal Year Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

We have entered into an employment agreement with no defined term with each of our named executive officers. Pursuant to each of these agreements, either party may terminate employment without cause at any time upon 15 days’ written notice to the other party or immediately with cause upon written notice to the other party. Each employment agreement also provides that the employee will not disclose confidential information of ours during and after employment and will not compete with us during the term of employment. Since the dates of these agreements entered into with our executive officers, the compensation paid to each executive officer has been increased and additional stock options have been granted as discussed below.

We have also entered into an Executive Retention Agreement with each of our named executive officers under which they are entitled to certain benefits upon a change-in-control, as discussed below under “Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”

 

33


Mr. Meldrum was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer in November 1991. In May 1993, Mr. Meldrum entered into the Company’s standard form of employment agreement as required of all Myriad employees. As approved by our Compensation Committee, Mr. Meldrum received an annual salary of $832,000 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, and will be paid an annual base salary of $870,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Mr. Meldrum’s cash incentive bonus for fiscal 2010 was $649,000 as approved by our Compensation Committee. In addition to the options granted in fiscal 2010 as noted above in the 2010 Fiscal Year Grants of Plan-Based Awards table, on September 15, 2010, Mr. Meldrum was granted 220,000 options to purchase our common stock at a per share price of $16.53, the closing price of our common stock on that date, as part of our compensation policy of awarding semi-annual stock option grants at the meetings of our Compensation Committee in the fall and spring of each fiscal year.

Mr. Capone was appointed to the position of Vice President of Sales for Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc., (“MGL”) in October 2002, and entered into the Company’s standard form of employment agreement at that time. In September 2005, Mr. Capone was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President of Sales for MGL, in February 2006, Mr. Capone was appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer for MGL, and in March 2010 was appointed President of MGL. As determined by our Compensation Committee, Mr. Capone received an annual salary of $375,000 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, which was increased to $435,000 upon his promotion to President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. on March 1, 2010. Mr. Capone will be paid an annual base salary of $455,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Mr. Capone’s cash incentive bonus for fiscal 2010 was $178,000 as determined by our Compensation Committee. In addition to the options granted in fiscal 2010 as noted above in the 2010 Fiscal Year Grants of Plan-Based Awards table, on September 15, 2010, Mr. Capone was granted 100,000 options to purchase our common stock at a per share price of $16.53, the closing price of our common stock on that date, as part of our compensation policy of awarding semi-annual stock option grants at the meetings of our Compensation Committee in the fall and spring of each fiscal year.

Effective March 1, 2010, Dr. Critchfield, former President of MGL, retired from the Company. In connection with his retirement, Dr. Critchfield entered into a resignation agreement with the Company on February 1, 2010. Pursuant to the resignation agreement, the Company paid Dr. Critchfield $565,000, less all applicable taxes and withholding amounts, for the accomplishment of his fiscal year 2010 MBOs, accrued employee benefits due, consideration for consulting services, and for his contributions to the success of the Company during his 11 years of service. The resignation agreement also provided for the release of all claims by Dr. Critchfield against the Company, subject to specified exceptions, and the release of all claims by the Company against Dr. Critchfield. In connection with his retirement, Dr. Critchfield’s Executive Retention Agreement was terminated and he was not entitled to any payments thereunder.

Mr. Evans was appointed to the position of Corporate Controller in March 1995 and entered into the Company’s standard form of employment agreement at that time. In November 2007, Mr. Evans was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. As determined by our Compensation Committee, Mr. Evans received an annual salary of $400,000 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, and will be paid an annual base salary of $420,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Mr. Evans’ cash incentive bonus for fiscal 2010 was $172,000 as determined by our Compensation Committee. In addition to the options granted in fiscal 2010 as noted above in the 2010 Fiscal Year Grants of Plan-Based Awards table, on September 15, 2010, Mr. Evans was granted 85,000 options to purchase our common stock at a per share price of $16.53, the closing price of our common stock on that date, as part of our compensation policy of awarding semi-annual stock option grants at the meetings of our Compensation Committee in the fall and spring of each fiscal year.

Dr. Lanchbury was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President, Research in November 2002 and entered into the Company’s standard form of employment agreement at that time. In February 2010, Dr. Lanchbury was appointed Chief Scientific Officer. As determined by our Compensation Committee, Dr. Lanchbury received an annual salary of $335,000 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, which was increased to $375,000 upon his promotion to Chief Scientific Officer on February 2, 2010. Dr. Lanchbury will be paid an annual base salary of $395,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Dr. Lanchbury’s cash incentive bonus for fiscal 2010 was $150,000 as determined by our Compensation Committee. In addition to the options

 

34


granted in fiscal 2010 as noted above in the 2010 Fiscal Year Grants of Plan-Based Awards table, on September 15, 2010, Dr. Lanchbury was granted 70,000 options to purchase our common stock at a per share price of $16.53, the closing price of our common stock on that date, as part of our compensation policy of awarding semi-annual stock option grants at the meetings of our Compensation Committee in the fall and spring of each fiscal year.

Mr. Marsh was appointed to the position of Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in November 2002 and entered into the Company’s standard form of employment agreement at that time. In September 2005, Mr. Marsh was promoted to Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. As determined by our Compensation Committee, Mr. Marsh received an annual salary of $385,000 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, and will be paid an annual base salary of $404,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Mr. Marsh’s cash incentive bonus for fiscal 2010 was $154,000 as determined by our Compensation Committee. In addition to the options granted in fiscal 2010 as noted above in the 2010 Fiscal Year Grants of Plan-Based Awards table, on September 15, 2010, Mr. Marsh was granted 80,000 options to purchase our common stock at a per share price of $16.53, the closing price of our common stock on that date, as part of our compensation policy of awarding semi-annual stock option grants at the meetings of our Compensation Committee in the spring and fall of each fiscal year.

In addition to the annual cash incentive bonus paid to each of our named executive officers, all employees, including the named executive officers, received a holiday bonus of $700 that was tax adjusted in fiscal 2010 to $710.

All option awards granted to our named executive officers were granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, have a 10-year term, and vest annually over a four-year period.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2010 Fiscal Year-End

The following table shows grants of Myriad stock options outstanding on the last day of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, to each of our named executive officers. We have not granted any stock options that are subject to performance conditions, nor have we granted any stock awards.

 

     Option Awards (1)

Name

   Date of
Grant
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#) Exercisable
   Number of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options
(#) Unexercisable *
   Option
Exercise
Price ($)
   Option
Expiration
Date

Peter D. Meldrum

   2/1/2001    50,000    0    $ 25.49    2/1/2011

President and Chief Executive Officer

   6/27/2001    60,000    0    $ 20.24    6/27/2011
   2/22/2002    69,998    0    $ 12.64    2/22/2012
   8/16/2002    70,000    0    $ 8.68    8/16/2012
   2/13/2003    52,496    0    $ 3.80    2/13/2013
   9/9/2003    79,042    0    $ 4.44    9/9/2013
   2/19/2004    70,000    0    $ 6.00    2/19/2014
   9/8/2004    90,000    0    $ 5.89    9/8/2014
   2/17/2005    100,000    0    $ 7.82    2/17/2015
   9/14/2005    51,096    0    $ 7.27    9/14/2015
   2/16/2006    63,804    0    $ 8.63    2/16/2016
   9/6/2006    54,000    18,000    $ 9.04    9/6/2016
   2/21/2007    60,000    20,000    $ 12.17    2/21/2017
   9/26/2007    65,000    65,000    $ 18.06    9/26/2017
   2/28/2008    100,000    100,000    $ 13.28    2/28/2018
   9/10/2008    50,000    150,000    $ 22.93    9/10/2018
   2/18/2009    55,000    165,000    $ 30.12    2/18/2019
   9/15/2009    0    180,000    $ 30.34    9/15/2019
   3/3/2010    0    200,000    $ 23.11    3/3/2020

 

35


     Option Awards (1)

Name

   Date of
Grant
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#) Exercisable
   Number of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options
(#) Unexercisable *
   Option
Exercise
Price ($)
   Option
Expiration
Date

Mark C. Capone

   2/16/2006    10,000    0    $ 8.63    2/16/2016

President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

   9/6/2006    9,062    10,000    $ 9.04    9/6/2016
   2/21/2007    13,500    13,500    $ 12.17    2/21/2017
   9/26/2007    30,000    30,000    $ 18.06    9/26/2017
   2/28/2008    22,500    45,000    $ 13.28    2/28/2018
   9/10/2008    22,500    67,500    $ 22.93    9/10/2018
   2/18/2009    20,000    60,000    $ 30.12    2/18/2019
   9/15/2009    0    62,000    $ 30.34    9/15/2019
   3/3/2010    0    75,000    $ 23.11    3/3/2020

Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D.

   2/1/2001    40,000    0    $ 25.49    2/1/2011

Former President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

   6/27/2001    50,000    0    $ 20.24    6/27/2011
   2/22/2002    54,408    0    $ 12.64    2/22/2012
   8/16/2002    59,998    0    $ 8.68    8/16/2012
   2/13/2003    37,498    0    $ 3.80    2/13/2013
   2/19/2004    48,216    0    $ 6.00    2/19/2014
   2/17/2005    80,960    0    $ 7.82    2/17/2015
   9/14/2005    41,096    0    $ 7.27    9/14/2015
   2/16/2006    55,804    0    $ 8.63    2/16/2016
   9/6/2006    48,000    0    $ 9.04    9/6/2016
   2/21/2007    51,000    0    $ 12.17    2/21/2017
   9/26/2007    50,000    0    $ 18.06    9/26/2017
   2/28/2008    65,000    0    $ 13.28    2/28/2018
   9/10/2008    32,500    0    $ 22.93    9/10/2018
   2/18/2009    30,000    0    $ 30.12    2/18/2019

James S. Evans

   2/1/2001    10,000    0    $ 25.49    2/1/2011

Chief Financial Officer And Treasurer

   5/23/2001    10,000    0    $ 23.53    5/23/2011
   2/22/2002    8,800    0    $ 12.64    2/22/2012
   8/16/2002    20,000    0    $ 8.68    8/16/2012
   2/13/2003    30,000    0    $ 3.80    2/13/2013
   9/9/2003    26,250    0    $ 4.44    9/9/2013
   2/19/2004    8,072    0    $ 6.00    2/19/2014
   9/8/2004    35,000    0    $ 5.89    9/8/2014
   2/17/2005    35,000    0    $ 7.82    2/17/2015
   9/14/2005    30,000    0    $ 7.27    9/14/2015
   2/16/2006    30,000    0    $ 8.63    2/16/2016
   9/6/2006    22,500    7,500    $ 9.04    9/6/2016
   2/21/2007    25,500    8,500    $ 12.17    2/21/2017
   9/26/2007    20,000    20,000    $ 18.06    9/26/2017
   2/28/2008    30,000    30,000    $ 13.28    2/28/2018
   9/10/2008    17,500    52,500    $ 22.93    9/10/2018
   2/18/2009    22,500    67,500    $ 30.12    2/18/2019
   9/15/2009    0    80,000    $ 30.34    9/15/2019
   3/3/2010    0    80,000    $ 23.11    3/3/2020

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D.

   2/19/2004    20,000    0    $ 6.00    2/19/2014

Chief Scientific Officer

   2/17/2005    55,822    0    $ 7.82    2/17/2015
   9/14/2005    5,274    0    $ 7.27    9/14/2015
   2/16/2006    50,000    0    $ 8.63    2/16/2016
   9/6/2006    37,500    12,500    $ 9.04    9/6/2016
   2/21/2007    37,500    12,500    $ 12.17    2/21/2017
   9/26/2007    30,000    30,000    $ 18.06    9/26/2017
   2/28/2008    35,000    35,000    $ 13.28    2/28/2018
   9/10/2008    14,000    42,000    $ 22.93    9/10/2018
   2/18/2009    15,000    45,000    $ 30.12    2/18/2019
   9/15/2009    0    50,000    $ 30.34    9/15/2019
   3/3/2010    0    55,000    $ 23.11    3/3/2020

 

36


     Option Awards (1)

Name

   Date of
Grant
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#) Exercisable
   Number of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options
(#) Unexercisable *
   Option
Exercise
Price ($)
   Option
Expiration
Date

Richard M. Marsh, Esq.

   2/19/2004    49,300    0    $ 6.00    2/19/2014

Executive Vice President General Counsel and Secretary

   9/8/2004    70,000    0    $ 5.89    9/8/2014
   2/17/2005    70,000    0    $ 7.82    2/17/2015
   9/14/2005    21,096    0    $ 7.27    9/14/2015
   2/16/2006    50,000    0    $ 8.63    2/16/2016
   9/6/2006    37,500    12,500    $ 9.04    9/6/2016
   2/21/2007    40,500    13,500    $ 12.17    2/21/2017
   9/26/2007    30,000    30,000    $ 18.06    9/26/2017
   2/28/2008    35,000    35,000    $ 13.28    2/28/2018
   9/10/2008    17,500    52,500    $ 22.93    9/10/2018
   2/18/2009    20,000    60,000    $ 30.12    2/18/2019
   9/15/2009    0    70,000    $ 30.34    9/15/2019
   3/3/2010    0    75,000    $ 23.11    3/3/2020

 

 * The vesting of unvested options held by our named executive officers, with the exception of stock options held by Dr. Critchfield, will accelerate upon a change of control of Myriad in accordance with the Executive Retention Agreements described below under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”
(1) Stock Option Vesting Schedules:

 

   

Options granted on February 1, 2001 were granted pursuant to our 2002 Amended and Restated Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Option Plan”) and vested 25% of the shares per year following February 1, 2001.

 

   

Options granted on and between May 23, 2001 through and including September 9, 2003 were granted pursuant to our 2002 Option Plan and vested 25% of the shares per year on each anniversary of the date of grant, until April 14, 2005 when all remaining unvested shares vested.

 

   

Options granted on and between February 19, 2004 through and including February 17, 2005 were granted pursuant to our 2003 Option Plan and vested 25% of the shares per year on each anniversary of the date of grant, until April 14, 2005 when all remaining unvested shares vested.

 

   

Options granted beginning on and after September 14, 2005 were granted pursuant to our 2003 Option Plan and vest 25% of the shares per year on each anniversary of the date of grant.

 

37


2010 Fiscal Year Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table shows information regarding exercises of options to purchase our common stock by our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

 

     Option Awards

Name

   Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise (#)
   Value Realized
on Exercise ($) (1)

Peter D. Meldrum

   94,998    1,305,628

President and Chief Executive Officer

     

Mark C. Capone

   24,814    387,727

President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

     

Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D.  

   184,624    2,710,650

Former President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

     

James S. Evans

   17,150    241,031

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

     

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D.  

   14,904    286,604

Chief Scientific Officer

     

Richard M. Marsh, Esq.  

   9,726    165,634

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

     

 

(1) Amounts shown in this column do not necessarily represent actual value realized from the sale of the shares acquired upon exercise of the options because the shares may not be sold on exercise but continue to be held by the executive officer exercising the option. The amounts shown represent the difference between the option exercise price and the market price on the date of exercise.

Pension Benefits

We do not have any qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

We do not have any nonqualified defined contribution plans or other deferred compensation plans.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

On February 17, 2005 (and thereafter for subsequently appointed executive officers), we entered into Executive Retention Agreements, or the Retention Agreements, with our executive officers, including each of our named executive officers.

Under the terms of the Retention Agreements, if the employment of an executive officer is terminated without “Cause” or if the executive officer separates from Myriad for “Good Reason” within 24 months of a “Change in Control” (each as defined in the agreement and set forth below), the executive officer will receive: (i) all salary earned through the date of termination, as well as a pro rata bonus and any compensation previously deferred; (ii) an amount equal to three times the executive’s highest annual base salary and three times the executive’s highest annual bonus at Myriad during the three-year period prior to the Change in Control; (iii) continued benefits for 36 months after the date of termination; (iv) outplacement services in an aggregate amount of up to $25,000; and (v) a gross-up payment with respect to any excise taxes or penalties due on account of any payments made to the executive under the Retention Agreement. If the employment of an executive officer is terminated by the executive officer for no reason, during the 90-day period beginning on the first anniversary of the “Change in Control Date” (as defined in the agreement and set forth below), then the

 

38


termination shall be deemed to be termination for Good Reason for all purposes of the Retention Agreement except that the payment of an amount equal to three times the executive’s highest annual base salary and bonus shall be reduced by one-half. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, all of the executive’s stock options shall become fully vested, whether or not the executive is terminated. On October 12, 2007, the Retention Agreements were amended to provide that all payments under the agreement are to be made in a lump sum, in cash, six months following the date of termination of employment, unless earlier payment, in whole or in part, following the date of termination of employment is permitted under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Unless the terms of the Retention Agreement are either satisfied or expire on the date which is 24 months after a Change in Control, the Retention Agreement will continue in effect through December 31, 2015 and thereafter for one year terms unless we provide notice of non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the end of each term.

As defined in the Retention Agreements:

 

   

Cause” means (a) the Executive’s willful and continued failure to substantially perform his or her reasonable assigned duties (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any failure after the Executive gives notice of termination for Good Reason), which failure is not cured within 30 days after a written demand for substantial performance is received by the Executive from the Board of Directors of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board of Directors believes the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties; or (b) the Executive’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. No act or failure to act by the Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, in bad faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

 

   

Good Reason” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s written consent, of any of the following events or circumstances: (a) the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent in any material respect with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the earliest to occur of (i) the Change in Control Date, (ii) the date of the execution by the Company of the initial written agreement or instrument providing for the Change in Control or (iii) the date of the adoption by the Board of Directors of a resolution providing for the Change in Control (with the earliest to occur of such dates referred to herein as the “Measurement Date”), or any other action or omission by the Company which results in a material diminution in such position, authority or responsibilities; (b) a reduction in the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect on the Measurement Date; (c) the failure by the Company to (i) continue in effect any material compensation, pension, retirement or benefit plan or program (including without limitation any 401(k), life insurance, medical, health and accident or disability plan and any vacation program or policy) (a “Benefit Plan”) in which the Executive participates or which is applicable to the Executive immediately prior to the Measurement Date, unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan or program, (ii) continue the Executive’s participation therein (or in such substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of the Executive’s participation relative to other participants, than the basis existing immediately prior to the Measurement Date or (iii) award cash bonuses to the Executive in amounts and in a manner substantially consistent with past practice; (d) a change by the Company in the location at which the Executive performs his or her principal duties for the Company to a new location that is both (i) outside a radius of 50 miles from the Executive’s principal residence immediately prior to the Measurement Date and (ii) more than 50 miles from the location at which the Executive performed his or her principal duties for the Company immediately prior to the Measurement Date; or a requirement by the Company that the Executive travel on Company business to a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Measurement Date; (e) the

 

39


 

failure of the Company to obtain the agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform the Retention Agreement; or (f) any failure of the Company to pay or provide to the Executive any portion of the Executive’s compensation or benefits due under any Benefit Plan within seven days of the date such compensation or benefits are due, or any material breach by the Company of the Retention Agreement or any employment agreement with the Executive.

 

   

Change in Control” means an event or occurrence set forth in any one or more of the following (including an event or occurrence that constitutes a Change in Control under one of such subsections but is specifically exempted from another such subsection): (a) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) 20% or more of either (i) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company (excluding an acquisition pursuant to the exercise, conversion or exchange of any security exercisable for, convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or voting securities of the Company, unless the Person exercising, converting or exchanging such security acquired such security directly from the Company or an underwriter or agent of the Company), (ii) any acquisition by the Company, or (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; or (b) such time as the Continuing Directors (as defined below) do not constitute a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term “Continuing Director” means at any date a member of the Board (i) who was a member of the Board on the date of the execution of the Retention Agreement or (ii) who was nominated or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from this clause (ii) any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or (c) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in one or a series of transactions (a “Business Combination”), unless, immediately following such Business Combination, the following condition is satisfied: all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, respectively, of the resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, respectively; or (d) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

   

Change in Control Date” means the first date during the Term (as defined in the Retention Agreement) on which a Change in Control occurs. Anything in the Retention Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (a) a Change in Control occurs, (b) the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and (c) it is reasonably

 

40


 

demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, then for all purposes of the Retention Agreement the “Change in Control Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

The foregoing summary of the Retention Agreements is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the agreements, the form of which we have filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table summarizes the potential payments to each of our named executive officers upon either a change in control or termination following a change in control, assuming the occurrence of the different triggers of the Retention Agreement, as of the close of business on June 30, 2010, the last business day of our most recently concluded fiscal year.

 

   

Executive Benefits
and Payments Upon
Termination

  Change in
Control ($)
  Change in Control
and Involuntary
Termination Without
Cause or for Good
Reason ($)
  Change in
Control and
Voluntary
Termination ($)

Peter D. Meldrum

  Base salary   —     2,496,000   1,248,000

President and Chief Executive Officer

  Bonus   —     3,000,000   1,500,000
  Stock option acceleration   328,980   328,980   328,980
  Cobra benefits   —     38,182   38,182
  Outplacement   —     25,000   25,000
  Tax gross-up   —     1,371,915   433,231
             
 

Total

  328,980   7,260,078   3,573,394

Mark C. Capone

  Base salary   —     1,305,000   652,500

President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

  Bonus   —     630,000   315,000
  Stock option acceleration   171,780   171,780   171,780
  Cobra benefits   —     38,182   38,182
  Outplacement   —     25,000   25,000
  Tax gross-up   —     407,326   76,840
             
 

Total

  171,780   2,577,288   1,279,302

James S. Evans

  Base salary   —     1,200,000   600,000

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

  Bonus   —     795,000   397,500
  Stock option acceleration   118,055   118,055   118,055
  Cobra benefits   —     38,182   38,182
  Outplacement   —     25,000   25,000
  Tax gross-up   —     548,352   207,618
             
 

Total

  118,055   2,724,589   1,386,355

Jerry S. Lanchbury, Ph.D.  

  Base salary   —     1,125,000   562,500

Chief Scientific Officer

  Bonus   —     495,000   247,500
  Stock option acceleration   167,075   167,075   167,075
  Cobra benefits   —     38,182   38,182
  Outplacement   —     25,000   25,000
  Tax gross-up   —     106,083   —  
             
 

Total

  167,075   1,956,340   1,040,257

Richard M. Marsh, Esq.  

  Base salary   —     1,155,000   577,500

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

  Bonus   —     630,000   315,000
  Stock option acceleration   169,855   169,855   169,855
  Cobra benefits   —     38,182   38,182
  Outplacement   —     25,000   25,000
  Tax gross-up   —     338,692   33,824
             
 

Total

  169,855   2,356,729   1,159,362

 

41


The following is a description of the assumptions that were used in creating the above table.

 

   

Vesting Acceleration Calculation—The value of the vesting acceleration was calculated by multiplying the number of unvested in-the-money option shares as of June 30, 2010 by the spread between the closing price of our stock as of June 30, 2010, which was $14.95 per share, and the exercise price of such unvested option.

 

   

Tax Gross-Up—The calculation of the tax gross up was calculated in accordance with Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, based upon an excise tax rate of 20%, a 35% federal income tax rate, a 1.45% Medicare tax rate and a 5% state income tax rate.

As described above, effective March 1, 2010, Dr. Critchfield, former President of Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc., retired from the Company. In connection with his retirement, Dr. Critchfield entered into a resignation agreement with the Company on February 1, 2010, pursuant to which the Company paid Dr. Critchfield $565,000, less all applicable taxes and withholding amounts, for the accomplishment of his fiscal year 2010 MBOs, accrued employee benefits due, consideration for consulting services, and for his contributions to the success of the Company during his 11 years of service. In connection with his retirement, Dr. Critchfield’s Executive Retention Agreement was terminated.

Director Compensation

The following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 to each of our non-employee directors who served during fiscal 2010. Directors who are employed by Myriad are not compensated for their service on our Board of Directors.

 

Name

   Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
   Option
Awards ($) (1)
   Total ($)

Robert S. Attiyeh (2)

   28,125    —      28,125

Gerald P. Belle (2)

   26,063    281,715    307,778

Lawrence C. Best (3)

   49,083    341,664    390,747

Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D. (4)

   12,500    206,250    218,750

Walter Gilbert, Ph.D.  

   57,500    277,281    334,781

John T. Henderson, M.D.  

   102,125    277,281    379,406

Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D.  

   80,500    277,281    357,781

S. Louise Phanstiel (3)

   58,833    341,664    400,497

Linda S. Wilson, Ph.D.  

   87,000    277,281    364,281

 

(1) Amounts shown reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted to each non-employee director who served during fiscal 2010 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Information regarding the assumptions used in the valuation of option awards can be found in the footnote to our financial statements entitled “Share-Based Compensation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, filed with the SEC. Our non-employee directors will not realize the value of these awards in cash unless and until these awards are exercised and the underlying shares are subsequently sold. See also our discussion of stock-based compensation under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

42


The following table shows outstanding and vested options for each non-employee director as of June 30, 2010.

 

Name

   Options
Outstanding
   Vested
Options

Robert S. Attiyeh

   180,000    180,000

Gerald P. Belle

   90,000    60,000

Lawrence C. Best

   30,000    —  

Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D.  

   30,000    —  

Walter Gilbert, Ph.D.  

   180,000    150,000

John T. Henderson, M.D.  

   190,000    160,000

Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D.  

   100,000    70,000

S. Louise Phanstiel

   30,000    —  

Linda S. Wilson, Ph.D.  

   184,900    154,900

The following table shows the grant date fair value for each option granted to each non-employee director in our fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

 

Name

   Options
Granted (#)
   Grant
Date
   Grant Date
Fair Value ($)

Robert S. Attiyeh

   —      —      —  

Gerald P. Belle

   30,000    11/4/2009    281,715

Lawrence C. Best

   30,000    9/16/2009    341,664

Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D.  

   30,000    6/10/2010    206,250

Walter Gilbert, Ph.D.  

   30,000    11/5/2009    277,281

John T. Henderson, M.D.  

   30,000    11/5/2009    277,281

Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D.  

   30,000    11/5/2009    277,281

S. Louise Phanstiel

   30,000    9/16/2009    341,664

Linda S. Wilson, Ph.D.  

   30,000    11/5/2009    277,281

 

(2) Mr. Attiyeh and Mr. Belle served as members of the Board of Directors in fiscal 2010 until their terms expired at the annual meeting of stockholders held on November 5, 2009.
(3) Mr. Best and Ms. Phanstiel were appointed to the Board of Directors on September 16, 2009.
(4) Dr. Dreismann was appointed to the Board of Directors on June 10, 2010.

Director Compensation Policy

Our non-employee directors are compensated on a role-based model and are paid cash fees based on the annual retainers (25% paid following each quarter of service). The following is a description of the standard compensation arrangements under which our non-employee directors are compensated for their service as directors, including as members of the various Board committees:

 

Annual retainer:

  

All members

   $50,000

Chairman of the Board (1)

   $42,500 additional retainer

Chairman of the Audit Committee

   $25,000 additional retainer

Chairman of the Compensation Committee

   $15,000 additional retainer

Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee

   $15,000 additional retainer

Members of the Audit Committee

   $12,000 additional retainer

Members of the Compensation Committee

   $7,500 additional retainer

Members of the Nominating and Governance Committee

   $7,500 additional retainer

Members of the Strategic Committee

   per meeting cash fee only

 

(1) The additional retainer of the Chairman of the Board was increased by $7,500 for additional responsibilities as Chair of the Strategic Committee.

 

43


Attendance

Board Meetings: In addition to the annual retainer amounts, we pay each non-employee director a per-meeting cash fee of $2,000 for attendance at Board meetings in excess of five in-person meetings and four telephonic meetings per fiscal year.

Committee Meetings other than Strategic Committee: We also pay each non-employee director a per-meeting cash fee of $2,000 for attendance at committee meetings in excess of four meetings (per each committee), whether in person or telephonic, per fiscal year.

Strategic Committee: We also pay each non-employee director a per-meeting cash fee for attendance at Strategic Committee meetings in the amount of $2,000 for in-person meetings and $1,000 for telephonic meetings.

All directors are also reimbursed for their out-of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings.

Stock Option Awards

Our non-employee directors are entitled to receive options under our 2003 Option Plan. The 2003 Option Plan provides for an automatic annual grant on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders to each non-employee director, other than new non-employee directors appointed within six months of the annual meeting, of a non-qualified option to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock, at an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. In addition, it is our policy to grant a non-qualified option to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock, at an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, to each new non-employee director upon initial appointment to the Board. Options granted to our non-employee directors vest in full upon completion of one full year of service on the Board (generally on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date of grant or the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders). Options granted to our non-employee directors are exercisable after the termination of the director’s service on the Board to the extent exercisable on the date of such termination for the remainder of the life of the option. All options granted to our non-employee directors will become fully exercisable upon a change of control of Myriad or upon their death as provided for under our stock option plans.

Options granted during fiscal 2010 to any named executive officers serving on the Board are reported in the 2010 Fiscal Year Grants of Plan-Based Awards table.

Compensation Policies and Practices Relative to Risk Management

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, the Compensation Committee conducted a risk assessment of our compensation policies and practices for our employees and concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. For this purpose, we considered the compensation structure of the Company for its employees including executive officers, which is based on an annual salary, annual bonus (for bonus-eligible employees), sales commissions and bonuses (for sales staff and managers), and semi-annual stock option grants. We do not believe we offer any short-term incentives that might result in high-risk actions or conduct by our employees. For example, incentive compensation for executive officers in the form of an annual cash bonus is based on a pre-determined formula and management objectives approved by the Compensation Committee and are also subject to a cap. There is no unique operational division or group of employees who are specially compensated, or who, as a group, are responsible for a material portion of our revenues or profits. Similarly, the semi-annual stock option grants are based on historical levels of option grants as supported by industry comparables derived from third-party industry survey studies, and are designed to promote our long-term success. Additionally, all semi-annual stock option grants are approved by the Compensation Committee. Accordingly, we believe that we have a balanced pay and performance program that does not promote undue or excessive risk taking.

 

44


Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides certain aggregate information with respect to all of the Company’s equity compensation plans in effect as of June 30, 2010.

 

Plan category

   (a)
Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants,
and rights
   (b)
Weighted-
average  exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
   (c)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)

   14,116,938    $ 18.03    2,616,865 (2)(3) 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   —        —      —     

Total

   14,116,938    $ 18.03    2,616,865   

 

(1) These plans consist of our 2002 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”), our 2003 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “2003 Plan”), and our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended.
(2) Column (c) includes 399,782 shares available for future issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 2,217,083 shares available for future issuance under the 2003 Plan. No shares are available for issuance under the 2002 Plan.
(3) Amount does not include the additional 3.5 million shares under the 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan that would be available for issuance if Proposal 2 is approved at the Annual Meeting.

 

45


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, which appears elsewhere in this proxy statement, with our management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our proxy statement.

MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D., Chairman

Walter Gilbert, Ph.D.

John T. Henderson, M.D.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists entirely of directors who meet the independence and experience requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, has furnished the following report:

The Audit Committee assists the Board in overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial reporting process, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the quality of internal and external audit processes. This committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter adopted by the Board, which is available on the Investor Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com. This committee reviews and reassesses the Audit Committee Charter annually and recommends any changes to the Board for approval. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing our overall financial reporting process, and for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm.

In fulfilling its responsibilities for the financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, the Audit Committee took the following actions:

 

   

reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 with management and Ernst & Young LLP, our independent public accountant;

 

   

discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Codification of Statement on Auditing Standards, AU380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T;

 

   

received written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP regarding its independence as required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Ernst & Young LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee further discussed with Ernst and Young LLP their independence; and

 

   

considered the status of pending litigation, if any, taxation matters and other areas of oversight relating to the financial reporting and audit process that the Committee determined appropriate.

Based on the Audit Committee’s review of the audited financial statements and discussions with management and Ernst & Young LLP, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 for filing with the SEC.

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

S. Louise Phanstiel, Chair

Lawrence C. Best

Linda S. Wilson, Ph.D.

 

46


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Our records reflect that all reports which were required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, were filed on a timely basis.

An Annual Statement of Beneficial Ownership on Form 5 is not required to be filed if there are no previously unreported transactions or holdings to report. Nevertheless, we are required to disclose the names of directors, officers and 10% stockholders who did not file a Form 5 unless we have obtained a written statement that no filing is required or if we otherwise know that no Form 5 is required. We received either a written statement from our directors, officers and 10% stockholders or know from other means that no Forms 5 were required to be filed.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

We were not a party to any transactions with related persons since July 1, 2009 that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Policy on Approval of Related Person Transactions

We have adopted a Policy on Related Person Transactions (the “Policy”) under which the Audit Committee reviews, approves or ratifies all related person transactions. Under our Policy, a related person transaction is one in which Myriad is a participant, and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any of the following persons has or will have a direct or indirect material interest:

 

   

executive officers of the Company;

 

   

members of the Board;

 

   

beneficial holders of more than 5% of Myriad’s securities;

 

   

immediate family members, as defined by Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, of any of the foregoing persons; and

 

   

any other persons whom the Board determines may be considered to be related persons as defined by Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.

Under the Policy, the Audit Committee will approve only those related person transactions that are determined to be in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of Myriad and its stockholders, taking into account all available facts and circumstances as the Audit Committee determines in good faith to be necessary. These facts and circumstances will typically include, but not be limited to, the benefits of the transaction to Myriad; the impact on a Director’s independence in the event the related person is a Director, an immediate family member of a Director or an entity in which a Director is a partner, shareholder or executive officer; the availability of other sources for comparable products or services; the terms of the transaction; and the terms of comparable transactions that would be available to unrelated third parties or to employees generally. No member of the Audit Committee shall participate in any review, consideration or approval of any related person transaction with respect to which the member or any of his or her immediate family members is the related person.

In reviewing and approving such transactions, the Audit Committee will obtain, or will direct management to obtain on its behalf, all information that the Audit Committee believes to be relevant and important to a review of the transaction prior to its approval. Following receipt of the necessary information, a discussion will be held of the relevant factors if deemed to be necessary by the Audit Committee prior to approval. If a discussion is not deemed to be necessary, approval may be given by written consent of the Audit Committee. This approval authority may also be delegated to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee in some circumstances. It is

 

47


contemplated that no related person transaction will be entered into prior to the completion of these procedures; however, where permitted, a related person transaction may be ratified upon completion of these procedures.

The Audit Committee may adopt any further policies and procedures relating to the approval of related person transactions that it deems necessary or advisable from time to time. A copy of our Policy on Related Person Transactions is publicly available on the Investors Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com.

 

48


PROPOSAL 1:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors currently consists of eight members, classified into three classes as follows: John T. Henderson, M.D. and S. Louise Phanstiel constitute a class with a term ending at the 2012 Annual Meeting (the “Class I directors”); Peter D. Meldrum, Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D., and Linda S. Wilson, Ph.D. constitute a class with a term ending at the 2010 annual meeting (the “Class II directors”); and Walter Gilbert, Ph.D., Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D. and Lawrence C. Best constitute a class with a term ending at the 2011 annual meeting (the “Class III directors”). At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors are elected for a term of three years to succeed those directors whose terms are expiring.

On September 16, 2010, the Board of Directors accepted the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee and voted to nominate Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D. and Peter D. Meldrum for election at the Annual Meeting for a term of three years to serve until the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and until their successors have been elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. Dr. Wilson is not standing for re-election, and the Board has reduced the authorized number of directors to seven effective immediately prior to the start of the Annual Meeting. Unless authority to vote for any of these nominees is withheld, the shares represented by a valid proxy will be voted FOR the election as directors of Dr. Dreismann and Mr. Meldrum. In the event that any nominee should become unable or unwilling to serve, the shares represented by a valid proxy will be voted for the election of such other person as the Board of Directors may recommend in his/her place, unless the Board chooses to reduce the number of directors serving on the Board. We have no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director.

An affirmative vote of the plurality of the shares voted affirmatively or negatively at the Annual Meeting is required to elect each nominee as a director.

We have adopted a policy on plurality votes for the election of directors. Under this policy, in non-contested elections, if a director receives a greater number of WITHHOLD votes than FOR votes, the Board will decide, through a process managed by the Nominating and Governance Committee and excluding the nominee in question, whether it should request that the director submit his or her resignation, maintain the director but address what the Nominating and Governance Committee believes is the underlying cause of the WITHHOLD votes, or resolve not to re-nominate the director in the future for election. A copy of this policy is publicly available on the Investor Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE ELECTION OF DR. HEINER DREISMANN AND PETER D. MELDRUM AS DIRECTORS, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.

 

49


PROPOSAL 2:

APPROVAL OF THE 2010 EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR AND CONSULTANT EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

General

On September 16, 2010, our Board of Directors unanimously approved, subject to your approval at the Annual Meeting, the adoption of the 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). The 2010 Plan will allow for the issuance of up to 3,500,000 additional shares of our common stock pursuant to awards granted under the 2010 Plan and will allow for the issuance of up to a maximum of 15,376,652 shares of common stock that are represented by options outstanding under our 2002 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Option Plan”) and our 2003 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Option Plan (the “2003 Option Plan”), that expire or are cancelled without delivery of shares of common stock on or after the date of stockholder approval of the 2010 Plan.

The 2010 Plan is being submitted to you for approval at the Annual Meeting in order to ensure (i) favorable federal income tax treatment for grants of incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) continued eligibility to receive a federal income tax deduction for certain compensation paid under the 2010 Plan by complying with Rule 162(m) of the Code. Approval by our stockholders of the 2010 Plan is also required by the listing rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

As of September 16, 2010, options to purchase approximately 15,376,652shares of our common stock were outstanding under our 2002 Option Plan and our 2003 Option Plan, and approximately an additional 892,072 shares were available for future option grants under our 2003 Option Plan. On the date of the Annual Meeting, our non-employee directors will receive their annual grants of 30,000 non-qualified options under our 2003 Option Plan which we expect will result in the issuance of up to 150,000 shares in the aggregate. The 2002 Option Plan was terminated upon the adoption of the 2003 Option Plan. If the 2010 Plan is approved by our stockholders, all outstanding options under the 2002 Option Plan and the 2003 Option Plan will remain in effect, however, the 2003 Option Plan will be cancelled and no additional awards will be allowed to be made thereunder.

The 2010 Plan requires when making grants of awards, other than options or stock appreciation rights, that the reduction from the shares authorized for issuance under the 2010 Plan be reduced at a rate of 1.5 shares instead of 1 share as required for the issuance of each stock option or stock appreciation right. In addition, generally shares of common stock reserved for awards under the 2010 Plan that lapse or are canceled will be added back to the share reserve available for future awards at the same rate as they were deducted from the authorized shares. However, shares of common stock tendered in payment for an award or shares of common stock withheld for taxes will not be available again for grant.

Our Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee and management all believe that the effective use of stock-based long-term incentive compensation is vital to our ability to achieve strong performance in the future. The 2010 Plan will maintain and enhance the key policies and practices adopted by our management, Compensation Committee and Board of Directors to align employee and stockholder interests. The 2010 Plan will provide an essential component of the total compensation package, reflecting the importance that we place on aligning the interests of key individuals with those of our stockholders. In addition, our future success depends, in large part, upon our ability to maintain a competitive position in attracting, retaining and motivating key personnel. We believe that the 2010 Plan is essential to provide us with a sufficient number of shares to permit us to continue to provide long-term, equity-based incentives to present and future key employees, consultants and directors, and to give us the flexibility we need to make various types of awards. Accordingly, our Board of Directors believes adoption of the 2010 Plan is in our best interests and those of our stockholders and recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the 2010 Plan.

 

50


The following is a brief summary of the 2010 Plan. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 2010 Plan, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.

Material Features of the 2010 Plan.

Eligibility. The 2010 Plan will allow us, under the direction of our Compensation Committee, to make grants of stock options, restricted and unrestricted stock awards and other stock-based awards to employees, consultants and directors who, in the opinion of the Company, are in a position to make a significant contribution to our long-term success. The purpose of these awards is to attract and retain key individuals, further align employee and stockholder interests, and to closely link compensation with Company performance. All employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates are eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan. As of September 16, 2010, we had 895 individuals eligible to participate.

Limitations on Grants. The 2010 Plan allows for the issuance of up to 3,500,000 shares of our common stock plus a maximum of 15,376,652 shares of common stock that are represented by options outstanding under our 2002 Option Plan and our 2003 Option Plan that expire or are cancelled without delivery of shares of common stock on or after the date of stockholder approval of the 2010 Plan. In addition, each share of common stock issued under awards, other than options or stock appreciation rights, shall count against the number of total shares available for issuance under the 2010 Plan as 1.5 shares, and each share of common stock issued as options or stock appreciation rights shall count against the total shares available for issuance under the 2010 Plan as one share. In addition, generally shares of common stock reserved for awards under the 2010 Plan that lapse or are canceled will be added back to the share reserve available for future awards at the same rate as they were deducted from the authorized shares. However, shares of common stock tendered in payment for an award or shares of common stock withheld for taxes will not be available again for grant and any stock appreciation right to be settled in shares of common stock shall be counted in full against the number of shares available for issuance under the 2010 Plan regardless of the number of exercise gain shares issued upon the settlement of the stock appreciation right. The 2010 Plan provides that no participant may receive awards for more than 1,000,000 shares of common stock in any fiscal year.

Stock Options. Stock options granted under the 2010 Plan may either be incentive stock options, which are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or non-qualified stock options, which are not intended to meet those requirements. Incentive stock options may be granted to employees of the Company and its affiliates. Non-qualified options may be granted to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates. The exercise price of a stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. If an incentive stock option is granted to an individual who owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of our capital stock, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and the term of the option may not be longer than five years.

The term of each option will be fixed by our Board of Directors or an authorized committee and generally may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. Our Board of Directors or an authorized committee establishes the vesting schedule of each option at the time of grant, although options granted to employees typically vest in equal annual installments over four years. Options may be made exercisable in installments and the exercisability of options may be accelerated by our Board of Directors or an authorized committee. Options granted under the 2010 Plan will generally be exercisable after the termination of the participant’s employment with the Company (other than by reason of death, disability or termination for cause as defined in the 2010 Plan) to the extent exercisable on the date of such termination, at any time prior to the earlier of the option’s specified expiration date or three months after such termination for incentive stock options and for non-qualified options, until the option’s specified expiration date. Generally, in the event of the participant’s death, all incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options will immediately vest and may be exercised by the participant’s survivors at any time until the option’s specified expiration date. In the event of the participant’s termination due to disability, incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options generally may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of termination due to disability (plus a pro rata portion of the option if the option vests periodically), by

 

51


the participant at any time prior to the earlier of the option’s specified expiration date or one year from the date of the participant’s termination due to disability for incentive stock options and for non-qualified stock options until the option’s specified expiration date. In the event of the participant’s termination for cause, all outstanding and unexercised options will be forfeited.

Restricted Stock. Restricted stock is common stock that is subject to restrictions, including a prohibition against transfer and a substantial risk of forfeiture, until the end of a “restricted period” during which the grantee must satisfy certain vesting conditions. If the grantee does not satisfy the vesting conditions by the end of the restricted period, the restricted stock is forfeited.

During the restricted period, the holder of restricted stock has the rights and privileges of a regular stockholder, except that the restrictions set forth in the applicable award agreement apply. For example, the holder of restricted stock may vote and receive dividends on the restricted shares; but he or she may not sell the shares until the restrictions are lifted.

Other Stock-Based Awards. The 2010 Plan also authorizes the grant of other types of stock-based compensation including, but not limited to stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards, and stock units. Our Board of Directors or an authorized committee may award such stock-based awards subject to such conditions and restrictions as it may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include continued employment with us through a specified restricted period.

Plan Administration. In accordance with the terms of the 2010 Plan, our Board of Directors has authorized our Compensation Committee to administer the 2010 Plan. The Compensation Committee may delegate part of its authority and powers under the 2010 Plan to one or more of our directors and/or officers, but only the Compensation Committee can make awards to participants who are directors or executive officers of the Company. In accordance with the provisions of the 2010 Plan, our Compensation Committee will determine the terms of awards, including:

 

   

which employees, directors and consultants will be granted awards;

 

   

the number of shares subject to each award;

 

   

the vesting provisions of each award;

 

   

the termination or cancellation provisions applicable to awards; and

 

   

all other terms and conditions upon which each award may be granted in accordance with the 2010 Plan.

In addition, our Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, amend any term or condition of an outstanding award, including, without limitation, accelerate the vesting schedule or extend the expiration date, provided (i) such term or condition as amended is permitted by the 2010 Plan, and (ii) any such amendment shall be made only with the consent of the participant to whom such award was made, if the amendment is adverse to the participant, and provided further that without the prior approval of our stockholders, options and stock appreciation rights will not be repriced, replaced, or regranted through cancellation, or by lowering the exercise price of a previously granted award.

Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If our common stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if we issue any shares of common stock as a stock dividend, the number of shares of our common stock deliverable upon exercise of an option issued or upon issuance of an award shall be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made, including in the exercise or the purchase price per share, to reflect such subdivision, combination or stock dividend.

Corporate Transactions. Upon a merger or other reorganization event, our Board of Directors or an authorized committee, may, in its sole discretion, take any one or more of the following actions pursuant to the 2010 Plan, as to some or all outstanding awards:

 

   

provide that all outstanding options shall be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation;

 

52


   

upon written notice to a participant provide that the participant’s unexercised options will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction unless exercised by the participant (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Board of Directors or an authorized committee, including upon a change of control, such options being made fully exercisable);

 

   

in the event of a merger pursuant to which holders of our common stock will receive a cash payment for each share surrendered in the merger, make or provide for a cash payment to the participants equal to the difference between the merger price times the number of shares of our common stock subject to such outstanding options (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Board of Directors or an authorized committee such options being made fully exercisable), and the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding options, in exchange for the termination of such options;

 

   

provide that all outstanding awards shall be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation, become realizable or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an award will lapse, in whole or in part, prior to or upon the merger or reorganization event;

 

   

with respect to stock grants and in lieu of any of the foregoing, the Board of Directors or an authorized committee may provide that, upon consummation of the transaction, each outstanding stock grant shall be terminated in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such transaction to a holder of the number of shares of common stock comprising such award (to the extent such stock grant is no longer subject to any forfeiture or repurchase rights then in effect or, at the discretion of the Board of Directors or an authorized committee, all forfeiture and repurchase rights being waived upon such transaction).

Amendments and Termination. The 2010 Plan may be amended by our stockholders. It may also be amended by our Board of Directors, provided that any amendment approved by our Board of Directors which is of a scope that requires stockholder approval as required by the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, in order to ensure favorable federal income tax treatment for any incentive stock options under Code Section 422, or for any other reason is subject to obtaining such stockholder approval. However, no such action may adversely affect any rights under any outstanding award without the holder’s consent.

Duration of 2010 Stock Plan. The 2010 Plan will expire by its terms on September 15, 2020.

New Plan Benefits

The amounts of future grants under the 2010 Plan are not determinable as awards under the 2010 Plan and will be granted at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors or authorized committee, and we cannot determine at this time either the persons who will receive awards under the 2010 Plan or the amount or types of any such awards.

On September 16, 2010, the closing price per share of our common stock was $16.18, as reported on The NASDAQ Global Select Market.

 

53


Federal Income Tax Considerations

The material Federal income tax consequences of the issuance and exercise of stock options and other awards under the 2010 Plan, based on the current provisions of the Code and regulations, are as follows. Changes to these laws could alter the tax consequences described below. This summary assumes that all awards granted under the 2010 Plan are exempt from or comply with, the rules under Section 409A of the Code related to nonqualified deferred compensation.

 

Incentive Stock Options:    Incentive stock options are intended to qualify for treatment under Section 422 of the Code. An incentive stock option does not result in taxable income to the optionee or deduction to us at the time it is granted or exercised, provided that no disposition is made by the optionee of the shares acquired pursuant to the option within two years after the date of grant of the option nor within one year after the date of issuance of shares to the optionee (referred to as the “ISO holding period”). However, the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise and the option price will be an item of tax preference includible in “alternative minimum taxable income” of the optionee. Upon disposition of the shares after the expiration of the ISO holding period, the optionee will generally recognize long term capital gain or loss based on the difference between the disposition proceeds and the option price paid for the shares. If the shares are disposed of prior to the expiration of the ISO holding period, the optionee generally will recognize taxable compensation, and we will have a corresponding deduction, in the year of the disposition, equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise of the option over the option price. Any additional gain realized on the disposition will normally constitute capital gain. If the amount realized upon such a disqualifying disposition is less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, the amount of compensation income will be limited to the excess of the amount realized over the optionee’s adjusted basis in the shares.
Non-Qualified Options:    Options otherwise qualifying as incentive stock options, to the extent the aggregate fair market value of shares with respect to which such options are first exercisable by an individual in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, and options designated as non-qualified options will be treated as options that are not incentive stock options.
   A non-qualified option ordinarily will not result in income to the optionee or deduction to us at the time of grant. The optionee will recognize compensation income at the time of exercise of such non-qualified option in an amount equal to the excess of the then value of the shares over the option price per share. Such compensation income of optionees may be subject to withholding taxes, and a deduction may then be allowable to us in an amount equal to the optionee’s compensation income.
   An optionee’s initial basis in shares so acquired will be the amount paid on exercise of the non-qualified option plus the amount of any corresponding compensation income. Any gain or loss as a result of a subsequent disposition of the shares so acquired will be capital gain or loss.

 

54


Stock Grants:    With respect to stock grants under the 2010 Plan that result in the issuance of shares that are either not restricted as to transferability or not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the grantee must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of shares received. Thus, deferral of the time of issuance will generally result in the deferral of the time the grantee will be liable for income taxes with respect to such issuance. We generally will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the grantee.
   With respect to stock grants involving the issuance of shares that are restricted as to transferability and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the grantee must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares received at the first time the shares become transferable or are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, whichever occurs earlier. A grantee may elect to be taxed at the time of receipt of shares rather than upon lapse of restrictions on transferability or substantial risk of forfeiture, but if the grantee subsequently forfeits such shares, the grantee would not be entitled to any tax deduction, including as a capital loss, for the value of the shares on which he previously paid tax. The grantee must file such election with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the receipt of the shares. We generally will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the grantee.
Stock Units:    The grantee recognizes no income until the issuance of the shares. At that time, the grantee must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares received. We generally will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the grantee.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted affirmatively or negatively for the proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the adoption of the 2010 Plan.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE 2010 EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR AND CONSULTANT EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN. PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE ADOPTION OF THE 2010 PLAN UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.

 

55


PROPOSAL 3:

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”), independent public accountants, to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. The Board proposes that the stockholders ratify this appointment, although such ratification is not required under Delaware law or our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or our Restated By-Laws. E&Y has audited our financial statements since our fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. We expect that representatives of E&Y will be present at the meeting, will be able to make a statement if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

In deciding to select E&Y, the Audit Committee reviewed auditor independence issues and existing commercial relationships with E&Y and concluded that E&Y has no commercial relationship with Myriad that would impair its independence for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.

The following table presents fees for professional audit services provided by E&Y during the last two fiscal years:

 

Type of Fee

   Fiscal Year Ended
6/30/10
   Fiscal Year Ended
6/30/09

Audit Fees

   $ 290,502    $ 406,014

Audit Related Fees

     0      268,209

Tax Fees

     0      294,596

All Other Fees

     0      0
             

Total

   $ 290,502    $ 968,819
             

Audit Fees—Fees for the audit of our annual financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, audit of our internal controls, and reviews of our quarterly financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Audit fees include those amounts invoiced to us prior to our fiscal year end.

Audit Related Fees—Fees for other audit related services including other SEC filings such as the Form 10 filed by our former wholly-owned subsidiary Myrexis, Inc. (formerly known as Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) in connection with the completed spin-off of Myrexis, Inc., comfort letters and consents.

Tax Fees—Fees for preparation and review of tax returns and tax consultations, including tax consultation services provided in connection with the completed spin-off of Myrexis, Inc.

All Other Fees—We did not engage E&Y to perform any other services other than those listed separately above for the fiscal years indicated.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Public Accountant

Consistent with SEC policies regarding auditor independence, the Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the independent public accountant. 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 public accountant.

Prior to engagement of the independent public accountant, engagement letters describing the scope of service and the anticipated fees are negotiated and approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

56


The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted affirmatively or negatively at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of our independent public accountants.

If our stockholders ratify the selection of E&Y, the Audit Committee may still, in its discretion, decide to appoint a different independent auditor at any time during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, if it concludes that such a change would be in the best interests of Myriad and our stockholders. If our stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider, but not necessarily rescind, the appointment.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH RATIFICATION UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.

 

57


CORPORATE CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS

We have adopted a Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our chief executive officer and chief financial and accounting officer, and every member of our Board of Directors. A copy of the Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics is publicly available on the Investors Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com. Disclosure regarding any amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of our Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics that apply to our directors and principal executive and financial officers will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver, unless website posting of such amendments or waivers is then permitted by the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors knows of no other business which will be presented at the 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 voting the proxies.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR

To be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2011 (the “2011 Meeting”), we must receive stockholder proposals (other than for director nominations) no later than June 14, 2011. Stockholders who intend to submit director nominations for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to our 2011 Meeting under the new “proxy access” rules must comply with Exchange Act Rule 14a-11, including filing a notice on Schedule 14N with the SEC and transmitting the notice to our Secretary at the address provided below no earlier than May 15, 2011 and no later than June 14, 2011, unless the date of our 2011 Meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary of the 2010 Annual Meeting, in which case the notice must be filed and transmitted a reasonable time before we distribute our proxy statement for the 2011 Meeting. To be considered for presentation at the 2011 Meeting, although not included in the proxy statement, proposals (including director nominations that are not requested to be included in our proxy statement) must be received no earlier than September 4, 2011 and no later than October 4, 2011. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the number of directors is to be increased at the 2011 Meeting and we do not issue a public announcement naming the nominees and specifying the size of the increase by September 24, 2011, to be considered for presentation at the 2011 Meeting, although not included in the proxy statement, nominations must be received not later than the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is made. Proposals not received in a timely manner will not be voted on at the Annual Meeting. If a proposal is received in a timely manner, the proxies that management solicits for the 2011 Meeting may still exercise discretionary voting authority on the proposal under circumstances consistent with the proxy rules of the SEC. All stockholder proposals must also comply with our Restated By-Laws, a copy of which is available by contacting our Secretary, and the corporate governance policies applicable to nominations for directors, copies of which are available through the Investor Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.myriad.com. All stockholder proposals should be marked for the attention of: Secretary, Myriad Genetics, Inc., 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE YOUR SHARES AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.

Salt Lake City, Utah

October 12, 2010

OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 (OTHER THAN EXHIBITS THERETO) FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT US, IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT WWW.MYRIAD.COM AND IS AVAILABLE IN PAPER FORM TO BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO: RICHARD M. MARSH, SECRETARY, MYRIAD GENETICS, INC., 320 WAKARA WAY, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84108 (801-584-3600).

 

58


Appendix A

MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.

2010 EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR AND CONSULTANT EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. DEFINITIONS.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, as used in this Myriad Genetics, Inc. 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, have the following meanings:

Administrator means the Board of Directors, unless it has delegated power to act on its behalf to the Committee, in which case the Administrator means the Committee.

Affiliate means a corporation which, for purposes of Section 424 of the Code, is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, direct or indirect.

Agreement means an agreement between the Company and a Participant delivered pursuant to the Plan and pertaining to a Stock Right, in such form as the Administrator shall approve.

Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Cause means, with respect to a Participant (a) dishonesty with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, (b) insubordination, substantial malfeasance or non-feasance of duty, (c) unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, (d) breach by a Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, and (e) conduct substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any Affiliate; provided, however, that any provision in an agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of Cause for termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination, shall supersede this definition with respect to that Participant. The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of Cause will be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.

Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

  (i) Ownership. Any “Person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “Beneficial Owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (excluding for this purpose any such voting securities held by the Company or its Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan of the Company) pursuant to a transaction or a series of related transactions which the Board of Directors does not approve; or

 

  (ii) Merger/Sale of Assets. (A) A merger or consolidation of the Company whether or not approved by the Board of Directors, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or the parent of such corporation) more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or parent of such corporation, as the case may be, outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (B) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in a transaction requiring stockholder approval; or

 

  (iii) “Change of Control” shall be interpreted, if applicable, in a manner, and limited to the extent necessary, so that it will not cause adverse tax consequences under Section 409A.

Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended including any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto.

 

A-1


Committee means the committee of the Board of Directors to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

Common Stock means shares of the Company’s common stock, $.01 par value per share.

Company means Myriad Genetics, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Consultant means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant that provides bona fide services to the Company or its Affiliates, provided that such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s or its Affiliates’ securities.

Disability or Disabled means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

Employee means any employee of the Company or of an Affiliate (including, without limitation, an employee who is also serving as an officer or director of the Company or of an Affiliate), designated by the Administrator to be eligible to be granted one or more Stock Rights under the Plan.

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock means:

(1) If the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and sales prices are regularly reported for the Common Stock, the closing or, if not applicable, the last price of the Common Stock on the composite tape or other comparable reporting system for the trading day on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date;

(2) If the Common Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded on the over-the-counter market, if sales prices are not regularly reported for the Common Stock for the trading day referred to in clause (1), and if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock are regularly reported, the mean between the bid and the asked price for the Common Stock at the close of trading in the over-the-counter market for the trading day on which Common Stock was traded on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date; and

(3) If the Common Stock is neither listed on a national securities exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, such value as the Administrator, in good faith, shall determine.

ISO means an option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

Non-Qualified Option means an option which is not intended to qualify as an ISO.

Option means an ISO or Non-Qualified Option granted under the Plan.

Participant means an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate to whom one or more Stock Rights are granted under the Plan. As used herein, “Participant” shall include “Participant’s Survivors” where the context requires.

Plan means this Myriad Genetics, Inc. 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan.

Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shares means shares of the Common Stock as to which Stock Rights have been or may be granted under the Plan or any shares of capital stock into which the Shares are changed or for which they are exchanged within the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the Plan. The Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or shares held by the Company in its treasury, or both.

Stock Appreciation Right means a Stock-Based Award providing for the right to receive an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right, which exercise price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant and a term of not more than ten years.

 

A-2


Stock-Based Award means a grant by the Company under the Plan of an equity award or an equity based award which is not an Option or a Stock Grant.

Stock Grant means a grant by the Company of Shares under the Plan.

Stock Right means a right to Shares or the value of Shares of the Company granted pursuant to the Plan—an ISO, a Non-Qualified Option, a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award.

Survivor means a deceased Participant’s legal representatives and/or any person or persons who acquired the Participant’s rights to a Stock Right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

2. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.

The Plan is intended to encourage ownership of Shares by Employees and directors of and certain Consultants to the Company and its Affiliates in order to attract and retain such people, to induce them to work for the benefit of the Company or of an Affiliate and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company or of an Affiliate. The Plan provides for the granting of ISOs, Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards.

 

3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

(a) The number of Shares which may be issued from time to time pursuant to this Plan shall not exceed (i) 3,500,000 shares of Common Stock plus (ii) any shares of Common Stock that are represented by options previously granted under the Company’s (x) 2002 Amended and Restated Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Option Plan and (y) 2003 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Option Plan, as amended, that expire or are cancelled without delivery of shares of Common Stock on or after December 3, 2010, or the equivalent of such number of Shares after the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has interpreted the effect of any stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar transaction in accordance with Paragraph 24 of this Plan; provided, however, that no more than 15,376,652 Shares shall be added to the Plan pursuant to subsection (ii).

(b) The grant of any Stock Right other than an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right shall for purposes of Paragraph 3(a), reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under this Plan by 1.5 Shares for each such Share actually subject to the Stock Right and shall be deemed for purposes of this Paragraph 3, as a Stock Right of 1.5 Shares for each such Share actually subject to the Stock Right. The grant of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed for purposes of this Paragraph 3, as a Stock Right for one Share for each such Share actually subject to the Stock Right.

(c) If an Option ceases to be “outstanding”, in whole or in part (other than by exercise), or if the Company shall reacquire (at not more than its original issuance price) any Shares issued pursuant to a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or if any Stock Right expires or is forfeited, cancelled, or otherwise terminated or results in any Shares not being issued, the unissued or reacquired Shares which were subject to such Stock Right shall again be available for issuance from time to time pursuant to this Plan and in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 3(b) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Stock Right is exercised, in whole or in part, by tender of Shares or if the Company or an Affiliate’s tax withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding Shares, the number of Shares deemed to have been issued under the Plan for purposes of the limitation set forth in Paragraph 3(a) above shall be the number of Shares that were subject to the Stock Right or portion thereof, and not the net number of Shares actually issued and any Stock Appreciation Right to be settled in shares of Common Stock shall be counted in full against the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan, regardless of the number of exercise gain Shares issued upon the settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right. However, in the case of ISOs, the foregoing provisions shall be subject to any limitations under the Code.

 

A-3


4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

The Administrator of the Plan will be the Board of Directors, except to the extent the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the Committee, in which case the Committee shall be the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator is authorized to:

(a) Interpret the provisions of the Plan and all Stock Rights and to make all rules and determinations which it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;

(b) Determine which Employees, directors and Consultants shall be granted Stock Rights;

(c) Determine the number of Shares for which a Stock Right or Stock Rights shall be granted, provided, however, that in no event shall Stock Rights with respect to more than 1,000,000 Shares be granted to any Participant in any fiscal year;

(d) Specify the terms and conditions upon which a Stock Right or Stock Rights may be granted;

(e) Make changes to any outstanding Stock Right, including, without limitation, to reduce or increase the exercise price or purchase price, accelerate the vesting schedule or extend the expiration date, provided that no such change shall impair the rights of a Participant under any grant previously made without such Participant’s consent and further provided that without the prior approval of the Company’s shareholders, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights issued will not be repriced, replaced, or regranted through cancellation, or by lowering the exercise price of a previously granted award; and

(f) Adopt any sub-plans applicable to residents of any specified jurisdiction as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with or take advantage of any tax or other laws applicable to the Company, any Affiliate or to Participants or to otherwise facilitate the administration of the Plan, which sub-plans may include additional restrictions or conditions applicable to Stock Rights or Shares issuable pursuant to a Stock Right;

provided, however, that all such interpretations, rules, determinations, terms and conditions shall be made and prescribed in the context of not causing any adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code and preserving the tax status under Section 422 of the Code of those Options which are designated as ISOs. Subject to the foregoing, the interpretation and construction by the Administrator of any provisions of the Plan or of any Stock Right granted under it shall be final, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if the Administrator is the Committee. In addition, if the Administrator is the Committee, the Board of Directors may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Board of Directors or the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any other person selected by it. The Board of Directors or the Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only the Board of Directors or the Committee shall be authorized to grant a Stock Right to any director of the Company or to any “officer” of the Company (as defined by Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act).

 

5. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.

The Administrator will, in its sole discretion, name the Participants in the Plan; provided, however, that each Participant must be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate at the time a Stock Right is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may authorize the grant of a Stock Right to a person not then an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate; provided, however, that the actual grant of such Stock Right shall be conditioned upon such person becoming eligible to become a Participant at or prior to the time of the execution of the Agreement evidencing such Stock Right. ISOs may be granted only to Employees who are deemed to be residents of the United States for tax purposes. Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards may be granted to any Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate. The granting of any Stock Right to any individual shall neither entitle that individual to,

 

A-4


nor disqualify him or her from, participation in any other grant of Stock Rights or any grant under any other benefit plan established by the Company or any Affiliate for Employees, directors or Consultants.

 

6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

Each Option shall be set forth in writing in an Option Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Administrator may provide that Options be granted subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the terms and conditions specifically required under this Plan, as the Administrator may deem appropriate including, without limitation, subsequent approval by the shareholders of the Company of this Plan or any amendments thereto. The Option Agreements shall be subject to at least the following terms and conditions:

(a) Non-Qualified Options: Each Option intended to be a Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards for any such Non-Qualified Option:

 

  (i) Exercise Price: Each Option Agreement shall state the exercise price (per share) of the Shares covered by each Option, which exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option.

 

  (ii) Number of Shares: Each Option Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which it pertains.

 

  (iii) Option Periods: Each Option Agreement shall state the date or dates on which it first is exercisable and the date after which it may no longer be exercised, provided that each Non-Qualified Option shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of grant. Each Option Agreement may provide that the Option rights accrue or become exercisable in installments over a period of months or years, or upon the occurrence of certain conditions or the attainment of stated goals or events.

 

  (iv) Option Conditions: Exercise of any Option may be conditioned upon the Participant’s execution of a Share purchase agreement in form satisfactory to the Administrator providing for certain protections for the Company and its other shareholders, including requirements that:

 

  A. The Participant’s or the Participant’s Survivors’ right to sell or transfer the Shares may be restricted; and

 

  B. The Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may be required to execute letters of investment intent and must also acknowledge that the Shares will bear legends noting any applicable restrictions.

(b) ISOs: Each Option intended to be an ISO shall be issued only to an Employee who is deemed to be a resident of the United States for tax purposes, and shall be subject to the following terms and conditions, with such additional restrictions or changes as the Administrator determines are appropriate but not in conflict with Section 422 of the Code and relevant regulations and rulings of the Internal Revenue Service:

 

  (i) Minimum standards: The ISO shall meet the minimum standards required of Non-Qualified Options, as described in Paragraph 6(a) above, except for clause (i) thereunder.

 

  (ii) Exercise Price: Immediately before the ISO is granted, if the Participant owns, directly or by reason of the applicable attribution rules in Section 424(d) of the Code:

 

  A. 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option; or

 

A-5


  B. More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option.

 

  (iii) Term of Option: For Participants who own:

 

  A. 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide; or

 

  B. More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than five years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide.

 

  (iv) Limitation on Yearly Exercise: The Option Agreements shall restrict the amount of ISOs which may become exercisable in any calendar year (under this or any other ISO plan of the Company or an Affiliate) so that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the date each ISO is granted) of the stock with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant in any calendar year does not exceed $100,000.

 

7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK GRANTS.

Each Stock Grant to a Participant shall state the principal terms in an Agreement duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards:

(a) Each Agreement shall state the purchase price per share, if any, of the Shares covered by each Stock Grant, which purchase price shall be determined by the Administrator but shall not be less than the minimum consideration required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, if any, on the date of grant of the Stock Grant;

(b) Each Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which the Stock Grant pertains; and

(c) Each Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company to restrict or reacquire the Shares subject to the Stock Grant, including the time and events upon which such rights shall accrue and the purchase price therefor, if any.

 

8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

The Administrator shall have the right to grant other Stock-Based Awards based upon the Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, including, without limitation, the grant of Shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Shares and the grant of Stock Appreciation Rights, phantom stock awards or stock units. The principal terms of each Stock-Based Award shall be set forth in an Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company.

The Company intends that the Plan and any Stock-Based Awards granted hereunder be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code or meet the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, and be operated in accordance with Section 409A so that any compensation deferred under any Stock-Based Award (and applicable investment earnings) shall not be included in income under Section 409A of the Code. Any ambiguities in the Plan shall be construed to effect the intent as described in this Paragraph 8.

 

A-6


9. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

An Option (or any part or installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company or its designee (in a form acceptable to the Administrator, which may include electronic notice), together with provision for payment of the aggregate exercise price in accordance with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, and upon compliance with any other condition(s) set forth in the Option Agreement. Such notice shall be signed by the person exercising the Option (which signature may be provided electronically in a form acceptable to the Administrator), shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall contain any representation required by the Plan or the Option Agreement. Payment of the exercise price for the Shares as to which such Option is being exercised shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of the exercise to the aggregate cash exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by having the Company retain from the Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option, a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of exercise to the aggregate exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, in accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities brokerage firm, and approved by the Administrator, or (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a), (b), (c) and (d) above or (f) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall accept only such payment on exercise of an ISO as is permitted by Section 422 of the Code.

The Company shall then reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Option was exercised to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be). In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance. The Shares shall, upon delivery, be fully paid, non-assessable Shares.

The Administrator shall have the right to accelerate the date of exercise of any installment of any Option; provided that the Administrator shall not accelerate the exercise date of any installment of any Option granted to an Employee as an ISO (and not previously converted into a Non-Qualified Option pursuant to Paragraph 27) without the prior approval of the Employee if such acceleration would violate the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as described in Paragraph 6(b)(iv).

The Administrator may, in its discretion, amend any term or condition of an outstanding Option provided (i) such term or condition as amended is permitted by the Plan, (ii) any such amendment shall be made only with the consent of the Participant to whom the Option was granted, or in the event of the death of the Participant, the Participant’s Survivors, if the amendment is adverse to the Participant, and (iii) any such amendment of any Option shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such amendment would constitute a “modification” of any Option which is an ISO (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or would cause any adverse tax consequences for the holder of any Option including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

 

10. ACCEPTANCE OF STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

A Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award (or any part or installment thereof) shall be accepted by executing the applicable Agreement and delivering it to the Company or its designee, together with provision for payment of the purchase price, if any, in accordance with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is being accepted, and upon compliance with any other conditions set forth in the applicable Agreement. Payment of the purchase price for the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is

 

A-7


being accepted shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) and having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of acceptance of the Stock Grant or Stock Based-Award to the purchase price of the Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a) and (b) above; or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine.

The Company shall then, if required by the applicable Agreement, reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award was accepted to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be), subject to any escrow provision set forth in the applicable Agreement. In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance.

The Administrator may, in its discretion, amend any term or condition of an outstanding Stock Grant, Stock-Based Award or applicable Agreement provided (i) such term or condition as amended is permitted by the Plan, (ii) any such amendment shall be made only with the consent of the Participant to whom the Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award was made, if the amendment is adverse to the Participant, and (iii) any such amendment shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such amendment would cause any adverse tax consequences to the Participant, including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

 

11. RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER.

No Participant to whom a Stock Right has been granted shall have rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by such Stock Right, except after due exercise of the Option or acceptance of the Stock Grant or as set forth in any Agreement, and tender of the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, for the Shares being purchased pursuant to such exercise or acceptance and registration of the Shares in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant.

 

12. ASSIGNABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK RIGHTS.

By its terms, a Stock Right granted to a Participant shall not be transferable by the Participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) as approved by the Administrator in its discretion and set forth in the applicable Agreement provided that no Stock Right may be transferred by a Participant for value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an ISO transferred except in compliance with clause (i) above shall no longer qualify as an ISO. The designation of a beneficiary of a Stock Right by a Participant, with the prior approval of the Administrator and in such form as the Administrator shall prescribe, shall not be deemed a transfer prohibited by this Paragraph. Except as provided above, a Stock Right shall only be exercisable or may only be accepted, during the Participant’s lifetime, by such Participant (or by his or her legal representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of any Stock Right or of any rights granted thereunder contrary to the provisions of this Plan, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon a Stock Right, shall be null and void.

 

13. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate before the Participant has exercised an Option, the following rules apply:

(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate (for any reason other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death for which events there are

 

A-8


special rules in Paragraphs 14, 15, and 16, respectively), may exercise any Option granted to him or her to the extent that the Option is exercisable on the date of such termination of service, but only within such term as the Administrator has designated in a Participant’s Option Agreement.

(b) Except as provided in Subparagraph (c) below, or Paragraph 15 or 16, in no event may an Option intended to be an ISO, be exercised later than three months after the Participant’s termination of employment.

(c) The provisions of this Paragraph, and not the provisions of Paragraph 15 or 16, shall apply to a Participant who subsequently becomes Disabled or dies after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy; provided, however, in the case of a Participant’s Disability or death within three months after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may exercise the Option within one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service, but in no event after the date of expiration of the term of the Option.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to a Participant’s termination of employment, termination of director status or termination of consultancy, but prior to the exercise of an Option, the Administrator determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination, the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then such Participant shall forthwith cease to have any right to exercise any Option.

(e) A Participant to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan who is absent from the Company or an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide; provided, however, that, for ISOs, any leave of absence granted by the Administrator of greater than ninety days, unless pursuant to a contract or statute that guarantees the right to reemployment, shall cause such ISO to become a Non-Qualified Option on the 181st day following such leave of absence.

(f) Except as required by law or as set forth in a Participant’s Option Agreement, Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of a Participant’s status within or among the Company and any Affiliates, so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

14. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause prior to the time that all his or her outstanding Options have been exercised:

(a) All outstanding and unexercised Options as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause will immediately be forfeited.

(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service but prior to the exercise of an Option, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then the right to exercise any Option is forfeited.

 

15. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability may exercise any Option granted to such Participant:

 

  (i) To the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability; and

 

A-9


  (ii) In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability.

(b) A Disabled Participant may exercise the Option only within (i) if the Option is an ISO, the period ending one year after the date of the Participant’s termination due to Disability or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option, or (ii) if the Option is a Non-Qualified Option, within the remaining term of the Option, notwithstanding that the Participant might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if the Participant had not become Disabled and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant.

(c) The Administrator shall make the determination both of whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

 

16. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

(a) In the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, such Option shall become fully exercisable as of the date of the Participant’s death.

(b) If the Participant’s Survivors wish to exercise the Option, they must take all necessary steps to exercise the Option within the originally prescribed term of the Option.

 

17. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON UNACCEPTED STOCK GRANTS.

In the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate for any reason before the Participant has accepted a Stock Grant, such offer shall terminate.

For purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, a Participant to whom a Stock Grant has been offered and accepted under the Plan who is absent from work with the Company or with an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide.

In addition, for purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, any change of employment or other service within or among the Company and any Affiliates shall not be treated as a termination of employment, director status or consultancy so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

18. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant), other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 19, 20, and 21, respectively, before all forfeiture provisions or Company rights of repurchase shall have lapsed, then the Company shall have the right to cancel or repurchase that number of Shares subject to a Stock Grant as to which the Company’s forfeiture or repurchase rights have not lapsed.

 

A-10


19. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause:

(a) All Shares subject to any Stock Grant that remain subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company shall have a repurchase right shall be immediately forfeited to the Company as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause.

(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then all Shares subject to any Stock Grant that remained subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company had a repurchase right on the date of termination shall be immediately forfeited to the Company.

 

20. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if a Participant ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of the Participant’s termination due to Disability, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant through the date of the Participant’s termination due to Disability as would have lapsed had the Participant not been terminated due to Disability. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the date of the Participant’s termination due to Disability.

The Administrator shall make the determination both as to whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

 

21. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply in the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of death, they shall lapse in full on the Participant’s date of death.

 

22. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT.

Unless the offering and sale of the Shares to be issued upon the particular exercise or acceptance of a Stock Right shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue the Shares covered by such exercise unless and until the following conditions have been fulfilled:

(a) The person who exercises or accepts such Stock Right shall warrant to the Company, prior to the receipt of such Shares, that such person is acquiring such Shares for his or her own account, for investment, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such Shares, in which event the person acquiring such Shares shall be bound by the provisions of the following legend (or a legend in substantially similar form) which shall be endorsed upon the certificate evidencing the Shares issued pursuant to such exercise or such grant:

“The shares represented by this certificate have been taken for investment and they may not be sold or otherwise transferred by any person, including a pledgee, unless (1) either (a) a Registration Statement

 

A-11


with respect to such shares shall be effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it that an exemption from registration under such Act is then available, and (2) there shall have been compliance with all applicable state securities laws.”

(b) At the discretion of the Administrator, the Company shall have received an opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued upon such particular exercise or acceptance in compliance with the Securities Act without registration thereunder.

 

23. DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY.

Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all Options granted under this Plan which as of such date shall not have been exercised and all Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards which have not been accepted will terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that if the rights of a Participant or a Participant’s Survivors have not otherwise terminated and expired, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors will have the right immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation to exercise or accept any Stock Right to the extent that the Stock Right is exercisable or subject to acceptance as of the date immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any outstanding Stock-Based Awards shall immediately terminate unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or specifically provided in the applicable Agreement.

 

24. ADJUSTMENTS.

Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, a Participant’s rights with respect to any Stock Right granted to him or her hereunder shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise specifically provided in a Participant’s Agreement:

(a) Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If (i) the shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding Common Stock, or (ii) additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of an Option or acceptance of a Stock Grant shall be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made including, in the exercise or purchase price per share, to reflect such events. The number of Shares subject to the limitations in Paragraph 3(a) and 4(c) shall also be proportionately adjusted upon the occurrence of such events.

(b) Corporate Transactions. If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than a transaction to merely change the state of incorporation (a “Corporate Transaction”), the Administrator or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the “Successor Board”), shall, as to outstanding Options, either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Options by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Options either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the Participants, provide that such Options must be exercised (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, including upon a Change of Control of the Company, any such Options being made fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph), within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of which period such Options which have not been exercised shall terminate; or (iii) terminate such Options in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such Option would have been exercisable (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, any such Options being made fully exercisable for purposes of this

 

A-12


Subparagraph) less the aggregate exercise price thereof. For purposes of determining the payments to be made pursuant to Subclause (iii) above, in the case of a Corporate Transaction the consideration for which, in whole or in part, is other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be valued at the fair value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

With respect to outstanding Stock Grants, the Administrator or the Successor Board, shall make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Stock Grants on the same terms and conditions by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Stock Grants either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding Shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity. In lieu of the foregoing, in connection with any Corporate Transaction, the Administrator may provide that, upon consummation of the Corporate Transaction, each outstanding Stock Grant shall be terminated in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising such Stock Grant (to the extent such Stock Grant is no longer subject to any forfeiture or repurchase rights then in effect or, at the discretion of the Administrator, all forfeiture and repurchase rights being waived upon such Corporate Transaction).

In taking any of the actions permitted under this Paragraph 24(b), the Administrator shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Stock Rights, all Stock Rights held by a Participant, or all Stock Rights of the same type, identically.

(c) Recapitalization or Reorganization. In the event of a recapitalization or reorganization of the Company other than a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which securities of the Company or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Participant upon exercising an Option or accepting a Stock Grant after the recapitalization or reorganization shall be entitled to receive for the price paid upon such exercise or acceptance if any, the number of replacement securities which would have been received if such Option had been exercised or Stock Grant accepted prior to such recapitalization or reorganization.

(d) Adjustments to Stock-Based Awards. Upon the happening of any of the events described in Subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c) above, any outstanding Stock-Based Award shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such Subparagraphs. The Administrator or the Successor Board shall determine the specific adjustments to be made under this Paragraph 24, including, but not limited to the effect of any, Corporate Transaction or Change of Control and, subject to Paragraph 4, its determination shall be conclusive.

(e) Modification of Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) above with respect to Options shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such adjustments would constitute a “modification” of any ISOs (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or would cause any adverse tax consequences for the holders of Options, including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. If the Administrator determines that such adjustments made with respect to Options would constitute a modification or other adverse tax consequence, it may refrain from making such adjustments, unless the holder of an Option specifically agrees in writing that such adjustment be made and such writing indicates that the holder has full knowledge of the consequences of such “modification” on his or her income tax treatment with respect to the Option. This paragraph shall not apply to the acceleration of the vesting of any ISO that would cause any portion of the ISO to violate the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as described in Paragraph 6(b)(iv).

 

25. ISSUANCES OF SECURITIES.

Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be

 

A-13


made with respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Stock Rights. Except as expressly provided herein, no adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property (including without limitation, securities) of the Company prior to any issuance of Shares pursuant to a Stock Right.

 

26. FRACTIONAL SHARES.

No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the person exercising a Stock Right shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares equal to the Fair Market Value thereof.

 

27. CONVERSION OF ISOs INTO NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS; TERMINATION OF ISOs.

The Administrator, at the written request of any Participant, may in its discretion take such actions as may be necessary to convert such Participant’s ISOs (or any portions thereof) that have not been exercised on the date of conversion into Non-Qualified Options at any time prior to the expiration of such ISOs, regardless of whether the Participant is an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate at the time of such conversion. At the time of such conversion, the Administrator (with the consent of the Participant) may impose such conditions on the exercise of the resulting Non-Qualified Options as the Administrator in its discretion may determine, provided that such conditions shall not be inconsistent with this Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Participant the right to have such Participant’s ISOs converted into Non-Qualified Options, and no such conversion shall occur until and unless the Administrator takes appropriate action. The Administrator, with the consent of the Participant, may also terminate any portion of any ISO that has not been exercised at the time of such conversion.

 

28. WITHHOLDING.

In the event that any federal, state, or local income taxes, employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“F.I.C.A.”) withholdings or other amounts are required by applicable law or governmental regulation to be withheld from the Participant’s salary, wages or other remuneration in connection with the exercise or acceptance of a Stock Right or in connection with a Disqualifying Disposition (as defined in Paragraph 29) or upon the lapsing of any forfeiture provision or right of repurchase or for any other reason required by law, the Company may withhold from the Participant’s compensation, if any, or may require that the Participant advance in cash to the Company, or to any Affiliate of the Company which employs or employed the Participant, the statutory minimum amount of such withholdings unless a different withholding arrangement, including the use of shares of the Company’s Common Stock or a promissory note, is authorized by the Administrator (and permitted by law). For purposes hereof, the fair market value of the shares withheld for purposes of payroll withholding shall be determined in the manner set forth under the definition of Fair Market Value provided in Paragraph 1 above, as of the most recent practicable date prior to the date of exercise. If the Fair Market Value of the shares withheld is less than the amount of payroll withholdings required, the Participant may be required to advance the difference in cash to the Company or the Affiliate employer. The Administrator in its discretion may condition the exercise of an Option for less than the then Fair Market Value on the Participant’s payment of such additional withholding.

 

29. NOTICE TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.

Each Employee who receives an ISO must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Employee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. A Disqualifying Disposition is defined in Section 424(c) of the Code and includes any disposition (including any sale or gift) of such Shares before the later of (a) two years after the date the Employee was granted the ISO, or (b) one year after the date the Employee acquired Shares by exercising the ISO, except as otherwise provided in Section 424(c) of the Code. If the Employee has died before such Shares are sold, these holding period requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur thereafter.

 

A-14


30. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

The Plan will terminate on September 15, 2020, the date which is ten years from the earlier of the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors and the date of its approval by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may be terminated at an earlier date by vote of the shareholders or the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that any such earlier termination shall not affect any Agreements executed prior to the effective date of such termination. Termination of the Plan shall not affect any Stock Rights theretofore granted.

 

31. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS.

The Plan may be amended by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may also be amended by the Administrator, including, without limitation, to the extent necessary to qualify any or all outstanding Stock Rights granted under the Plan or Stock Rights to be granted under the Plan for favorable federal income tax treatment as may be afforded incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code (including deferral of taxation upon exercise), and to the extent necessary to qualify the shares issuable upon exercise or acceptance of any outstanding Stock Rights granted, or Stock Rights to be granted, under the Plan for listing on any national securities exchange or quotation in any national automated quotation system of securities dealers. Any amendment approved by the Administrator which the Administrator determines is of a scope that requires shareholder approval shall be subject to obtaining such shareholder approval. Any modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect his or her rights under a Stock Right previously granted to him or her. With the consent of the Participant affected, the Administrator may amend outstanding Agreements in a manner which may be adverse to the Participant but which is not inconsistent with the Plan. In the discretion of the Administrator, outstanding Agreements may be amended by the Administrator in a manner which is not adverse to the Participant.

 

32. EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP.

Nothing in this Plan or any Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Company or an Affiliate from terminating the employment, consultancy or director status of a Participant, nor to prevent a Participant from terminating his or her own employment, consultancy or director status or to give any Participant a right to be retained in employment or other service by the Company or any Affiliate for any period of time.

 

33. GOVERNING LAW.

This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware.

 

A-15


LOGO

 

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.

ATTN: JAMES BENSON

320 WAKARA WAY

SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84108

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

M27458-P01669 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.

For All

Withhold All

For All Except

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the following:

Vote on Directors

1. Election of two Class II Directors (or if any nominee is not available for election, such substitute as the Board of Directors may designate) for a three-year term.

Nominees:

01) Heiner Dreismann, Ph.D

02) Peter D. Meldrum

Vote on Proposals

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals:

For

Against

Abstain

2. Proposal to approve the 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan.

3. Proposal to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.

In their discretion the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

This Proxy, when executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2, and 3.

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.

NOTE: Please sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.

Signature (PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX)

Date

Signature (Joint Owners)

Date


LOGO

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

M27459-P01669

MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.

THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED BY MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned, revoking any previous proxies relating to these shares, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement in connection with the Annual Meeting to be held at 9:00 a.m., MST, on Friday, December 3, 2010, at the offices of Myriad Genetics, Inc., 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 and hereby appoints Peter D. Meldrum and James S. Evans, and each of them (with full power to act alone), the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with the power of substitution to each, to vote all shares of the Common Stock of MYRIAD GENETICS, INC. registered in the name provided herein which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and at any adjournments thereof, upon the matters listed on the reverse side and in accordance with the following instructions, with discretionary authority as to any and all other business that may properly come before the meeting.

The proxies will vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations where a choice has not been specified.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1, 2 and 3.

Address Changes/Comments:

(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)

Continued and to be signed on reverse side