UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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[ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement |
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[ ] Definitive Additional Materials |
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[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
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Eden Bioscience Corporation | |
(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):
[ ]
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:
[X]
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
1. |
To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the voluntary dissolution and liquidation of the Company pursuant to a plan of complete dissolution and liquidation in the form attached to the accompanying proxy statement as Annex A. |
2. |
To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to another date, time or place, if necessary in the judgment of the proxy holders, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies to vote in favor of Proposal 1. |
3. |
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
Eden
Bioscience Corporation |
We
sell harpin protein-based products for the protection of plants and seeds and the promotion of overall plant health to the general public, to
resellers or businesses that offer our harpin protein-based products to the general public and to businesses that incorporate harpin
protein-based products into existing or new products to be sold to the general public. In this proxy statement, we refer to this business
as our Home and Garden Business, to this market as our Home and Garden Market and to these products as our
Home and Garden Products. |
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In
February 2007, we sold our proprietary harpin protein technology and substantially all of the assets related to our worldwide agricultural and
horticultural markets to Plant Health Care, Inc. As a result of this sale, our Home and Garden Business is the only
continuing portion of our operations and is our primary source of revenue. Our Home and Garden Business has a limited operating history and
has generated only limited revenue to date. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, our Home and Garden Business generated revenue
of approximately $[__], $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. We incurred net losses of approximately $[__] and $1.0 million for
the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. See Selected Financial Data. We have not made, and do not intend
to make, substantial additional investments in our Home and Garden Business. From and after the sale of our harpin protein technology,
our business strategy has been to use any revenue generated by our Home and Garden Business to support our continued operations while we explore
whether there may be opportunities, through acquisitions or otherwise, to realize potential value from our remaining business assets, primarily
our net operating loss carryforwards . In this proxy statement, we refer to this strategy as our NOL
Strategy. |
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Our principal executive office is located at 14522 NE North Woodinville Way, Suite 202B, Woodinville, Washington 98072, and our
telephone number is (425) 806-7300. |
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Plan of
Dissolution (See pages 39 43 ) |
At
the special meeting, the shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to voluntarily dissolve and liquidate our company and,
subject to the requirements of Washington law, distribute to our shareholders available cash and any non-cash assets. On December 4,
2008, our board of directors approved a plan of complete dissolution and liquidation in the form attached to this proxy statement as
Annex A, subject to shareholder approval. For more information on the background and reasons for the plan of dissolution, see
Proposal 1: Approval of Plan of Dissolution Background and Reasons for the Proposed Dissolution and Liquidation
beginning on page 29 . |
The plan of dissolution provides for the voluntary liquidation, winding up and dissolution of our company. If the plan is approved
by our shareholders and implemented by us, we will, after the effective date of dissolution: |
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dispose of all of our remaining non-cash assets, consisting primarily of our Home and Garden Business, in such
manner and on such terms as our board of directors deems in the best interests of our company and our shareholders; |
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prosecute, defend, settle or otherwise resolve all claims and demands by or against our
company; |
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establish a contingency reserve or otherwise make reasonable provision for the satisfaction of any known,
contingent or conditional liabilities, including by means of insurance coverage or any other means that our board determines is reasonably
calculated to provide for satisfaction of the reasonably estimated amount of our liabilities; |
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subject to the limitations on distributions set forth under Washington law, distribute our remaining funds pro rata
in one or more liquidating distributions to our shareholders ; and |
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take any other actions permitted or required by applicable law to wind up and liquidate our business and
affairs. |
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Even if the plan of dissolution is approved by our shareholders, our board of directors may amend, modify or abandon the plan of
dissolution under the circumstances set forth in Proposal 1: Approval of Plan of Dissolution Principal Provisions of the
Plan of Dissolution Amendment, Modification or Abandonment of Plan on page 42 . |
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Dissolution
Under Washington Law (See page 39 ) |
Washington law provides that a corporation may dissolve upon approval and recommendation by the board of directors of
the corporation, followed by the approval of its shareholders. If the plan of dissolution is approved by the requisite vote of our
shareholders, we intend to file articles of dissolution with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington as soon as reasonably
practicable after receipt of the required revenue clearance certificate from the Department of Revenue of the State of Washington. The
dissolution will be effective on the date on which we file the articles of dissolution or a later date specified in the articles of
dissolution. We intend to make a public announcement in advance of the anticipated effective date of dissolution. The effect of the
dissolution will be that our corporate existence will continue, but we will not be permitted to carry on any business except that appropriate
to wind up and liquidate our business and affairs. |
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Estimated Liquidating Distributions (See pages 43 45 ) |
Liquidating distributions are expected to be made from time to time after the effective date of dissolution to the holders of record
of our common stock at the close of business on the effective date. Any liquidating distributions will be made pro rata in
accordance with the respective number of shares of common stock held of record on the effective date. Prior to the making of any liquidating
distribution, our board of directors must determine that reasonable provision has been made for the prosecution, defense, settlement or other
resolution of all claims and suits and the satisfaction of the reasonably estimated amount of all liabilities of our
company. |
Based on information presently available, we estimate that holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on the
effective date of dissolution may receive over time a total liquidating distribution of between $1. 28 and $1.4 5 per share.
We presently expect to make an initial distribution to shareholders of up to $1.00 per share within 45 days after the effective date of
dissolution. We do not intend to make any further distributions until after we sell our remaining non-cash assets, consisting primarily of our
Home and Garden Business, settle claims with our known creditors and establish reserves or otherwise make reasonable provision for the
prosecution, defense, settlement or other resolution of claims and suits and the satisfaction of liabilities. We do not expect to
complete these activities until at least six months after the effective date of dissolution. |
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We
are unable to predict the precise nature, amount or timing of any liquidating distributions, due primarily to our inability to estimate the
amount of our remaining liabilities, the amount that we will expend during the course of the liquidation, the timing of any sales of our
non-cash assets, the net proceeds from such sales, and the net value, if any, of our remaining non-cash assets. To the extent that the
amount of our liabilities or the amounts that we expend during the liquidation are greater than we anticipate, the amount we distribute to our
shareholders may be substantially less than the amount we have estimated or may be depleted entirely. Our board of directors, in its discretion,
will determine the nature, amount and timing of all distributions. |
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Many of the factors influencing the amount of cash distributed to our shareholders as a liquidating distribution cannot be
currently quantified with certainty and are subject to change. Accordingly, at the time you vote on the proposal to approve the plan of
dissolution, you will not know the exact amount of any liquidating distributions that you may receive. You may receive substantially less
than the amount we currently estimate, or you may not receive any liquidating distributions. The estimated liquidating distributions are
not guarantees and do not reflect the total range of possible outcomes. |
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Sale of
Remaining Assets (See page 46 ) |
The plan of dissolution gives our board of directors the authority, after the effective date of dissolution, to dispose of all of
our remaining property and assets. Shareholder approval of the plan of dissolution will constitute approval of any and all future asset
dispositions on such terms as our board of directors, in its discretion in the best interests of our company and our shareholders
and without further shareholder approval, may determine. We intend to sell our remaining non-cash assets, consisting primarily of our Home
and Garden Business, on such terms as are approved by our board of directors. |
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Potential
Liability of Shareholders (See page 47 ) |
Under Washington law, in the event that the amount of our contingency reserve and other measures reasonably calculated to provide
for satisfaction of liabilities are insufficient to satisfy the aggregate amount ultimately payable in respect of our liabilities, each
shareholder could be held liable for amounts due to creditors . Under these circumstances, a shareholder could be liable up to the amount
of liquidating distributions received by such shareholder under the plan of dissolution. |
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Absence
of Dissenters Rights (See page 48 ) |
Under Washington law, our shareholders are not entitled to dissenters rights in connection with the transactions contemplated
by the plan of dissolution. |
Interest
of Management in the Dissolution (See page 48 ) |
Our directors currently hold options to purchase an aggregate of 93,328 shares of our common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the
plans under which the options were granted, the options will automatically terminate immediately prior to the effective date of
dissolution. However, the directors may exercise certain of their options prior to the effective date. Because the exercise prices of the
options held by our directors are greater than the estimated per share liquidating distribution payable under the plan of dissolution, we
do not expect that our directors will exercise any options prior to the effective date. See Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management beginning on page 55 for information on the number of shares and options held by our
directors. Nathaniel T. Brown, our sole executive officer, does not own any shares of our common stock or options. |
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Following dissolution, we will continue to: |
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indemnify our officers, directors, employees and agents in accordance with our articles of incorporation and bylaws for
actions taken in connection with the plan of dissolution and the winding up of our business and affairs; and |
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compensate our officers, directors and employees in connection with their services provided in connection with the
implementation of the plan of dissolution. |
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As
part of the dissolution process, we will purchase a director and officer liability insurance policy as well as a tail insurance
policy for periods subsequent to the effective date of dissolution. |
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One of our directors has expressed interest in the potential acquisition of our Home and Garden Business after the effective date of
dissolution. However, he has not submitted an offer regarding the potential acquisition. |
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Certain
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences (See pages 49 50 ) |
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Eden. After the effective date of dissolution and until our liquidation is
completed, we will continue to be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income, if any. Taxable income may include
interest income, gain from the sale of any remaining assets or income from operations. Upon the sale of any of our assets in
connection with our liquidation, we generally will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference
between: |
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the fair market value of the consideration received for each asset sold; and |
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our adjusted tax basis in the asset sold. |
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We
should not recognize any gain or loss upon the distribution of cash to our shareholders in our liquidation. In the unlikely event we make a
liquidating distribution of property to our shareholders (other than cash) , we may recognize gain upon the distribution of
the property as if we sold the distributed property for its fair market value on the date of the distribution. We currently do not
anticipate that our dissolution and liquidation pursuant to the plan of dissolution will produce a material corporate tax liability for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. |
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Shareholders. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we intend that amounts
received by our shareholders pursuant to the plan of dissolution will be treated as full payment in exchange for their shares of our
common stock. As a result of our dissolution and liquidation, shareholders generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the
difference between: |
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the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value (at the time of distribution) of property, if any, distributed
to them; and |
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their tax basis for their shares of our common stock. |
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In
general, a shareholder will recognize gain as a result of a liquidating distribution to the extent that the aggregate value of the distribution
and prior liquidating distributions received by the shareholder with respect to a share exceeds the shareholders tax basis for that
share. Any loss generally will be recognized by a shareholder only when the shareholder receives our final liquidating distribution to
shareholders, and then only if the aggregate value of all liquidating distributions with respect to a share is less than the
shareholders tax basis for that share. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the specific tax
consequences to them of our dissolution and liquidation pursuant to the plan of dissolution. |
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Accounting Treatment (See page 50 ) |
If
our shareholders approve the plan of dissolution, we will change our basis of accounting from the going-concern basis, which contemplates
realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business, to the liquidation basis. Under the liquidation
basis of accounting, assets are stated at their estimated net realizable values and liabilities are stated at their estimated settlement
amounts. Recorded liabilities will include the estimated expenses associated with carrying out the plan of dissolution. |
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Required
Vote (See page 51 ) |
The approval of the plan of dissolution requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of our common
stock. Only shares voted FOR Proposal 1, including shares represented by properly executed proxies that do not contain voting
instructions, will be counted as votes FOR approval of the plan of dissolution. Abstentions from voting and broker non-votes
will have the same effect as votes against the proposal. |
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Voting by
our Directors, Executive Officer and Certain Shareholders (See page 51 ) |
Members of our board of directors who beneficially owned as of February 2, 2009 an aggregate of approximately 11% of the outstanding
shares of common stock have indicated that they will vote in favor of the plan of dissolution. |
Affiliates of Stephens Inc., our exclusive financial advisor, beneficially owned approximately 19.8% of the outstanding shares of our common
stock as of February 2, 2009. SF Holding Corp. and Stephens EBC, LLC collectively beneficially own ed approximately 16.6% of our
outstanding common stock, which shares are the subject of a voting trust under which the trustee is required to vote the shares for or against
proposals submitted to our shareholders in the same proportion as the votes cast for or against such proposals by all other shareholders, except
abstentions. The chief executive officer and president of Stephens Inc. is the co-chairman of SF Holding Corp. , the sole managing
member of Stephens EBC, LLC. Other affiliate s of Stephens, who beneficially own approximately 3.2% of our outstanding common
stock, have not indicated to us whether they intend to vote their shares in favor of the plan of dissolution. Stephens Inc. does
not have voting or investment power over any of the shares held by its affiliates. See Proposal 1: Approval of Plan of Dissolution
Background and Reasons for the Proposed Dissolution and Liquidation Background. |
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Voting
Procedures (See pages 12-13) |
All
shareholders may vote by mail. Registered shareholders (who own their shares in their own name) and most beneficial shareholders (who own shares
through a bank, broker or other nominee) also may vote by telephone or by the Internet. |
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If
you attend the special meeting and wish to vote in person, you may request a ballot when you arrive. If your shares are held in the name of your bank,
broker or other nominee and you would like to vote in person at the special meeting, you must bring an account statement or letter from the nominee
indicating that you were the beneficial owner of the shares on [ ], 2009, the record date for the special meeting. |
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Revocation of
Proxy (See page 13) |
Any
proxy given may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before it is voted at the special meeting. Proxies may be revoked by any of the
following means: |
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voting again by Internet or by telephone; |
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signing and delivering a new proxy card relating to the same shares and bearing a later date to Mellon Investor Services LLC, our
proxy solicitor; |
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delivering a written notice of revocation to Mellon bearing a later date than the date of your proxy card;
or |
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attending the special meeting and voting in person. However, your attendance at the special meeting will not, by itself, revoke
your proxy. |
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Recommendation
of our Board of Directors (See page 51) |
Our
board of directors has determined that the voluntary dissolution and liquidation of our company pursuant to the plan of dissolution is advisable and in
the best interests of our company and our shareholders. Our board of directors has approved the plan of dissolution and unanimously recommends that
shareholders vote FOR the Plan of Dissolution. |
General
(See page 54 ) |
We are soliciting proxies to grant authority to the proxy holders to adjourn the special meeting to another date, time
or place, if necessary in the judgment of the proxy holders, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies to vote in favor of
Proposal 1. |
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Required
Vote (See page 12) |
Approval of Proposal 2 requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal by shareholders entitled to vote exceed the
votes cast against the proposal at the special meeting. Abstentions from voting and broker non-votes will have no impact on the vote
on Proposal 2. |
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Recommendation of our Board of Directors (See page 54 ) |
Our board of directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR Proposal 2. |
Q: |
Why am I receiving this document? |
A: |
You are receiving this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card from us because you held shares of our common stock at the close of business on ________ [ ], 2009, the record date for the special meeting, and are entitled to vote at the special meeting to be held on ________ [ ], 2009. This proxy statement and the accompanying materials are being mailed to our shareholders beginning on or about ________ [ ], 2009. This proxy statement and the accompanying materials contain important information about the items to be voted upon at the special meeting, and we recommend that you read them in their entirety. The enclosed proxy card allows you to vote your shares by proxy without attending the special meeting. |
Q: |
Are there risks I should consider before deciding on the proposals? |
A: |
Yes. You should carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 15 in evaluating whether to approve the p lan of d issolution. These risk factors should be considered along with any other information included in, delivered with or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, including any forward-looking statements made in, delivered with or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. See Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. |
Q: |
Should I send in my stock certificates now? |
A: |
No. You should not forward your stock certificates before receiving instructions to do so. As a condition to the receipt of any liquidating distribution, our board of directors, in its discretion, may require our shareholders to (i) surrender to us their certificates evidencing their shares of common stock or (ii) furnish us with evidence satisfactory to our board of the loss, theft or destruction of such certificates, together with such surety bond or other security or indemnity as may be required by and satisfactory to our board. If the surrender of stock certificates will be required following the dissolution, we will send you written instructions regarding such surrender. Any liquidating distributions otherwise payable by us to shareholders who have not surrendered their stock certificates, if requested to do so, may be held in trust for such shareholders, without interest, pending the surrender of such certificates (subject to escheat pursuant to the laws relating to unclaimed property). |
Q: |
Can I still sell my shares? |
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Prior to the e ffective d ate of dissolution , our common stock will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market, and your shares may be sold or otherwise transferred consistent with current requirements. If the p lan of d issolution is approved by the shareholders, our board of directors intends to delist our common stock from trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market and close our stock transfer books as of the e ffective d ate of dissolution . Thereafter, certificates representing shares of our common stock will not be assignable or transferable on our books except by will, intestate succession or operation of law. From and after the e ffective d ate of dissolution , and subject to applicable law, our outstanding common stock will be deemed cancelled and shareholders will cease to have any rights in respect of our common stock, except the right to receive distributions pursuant to the p lan of d issolution. See Proposal 1: Approval of Plan of Dissolution Principal Provisions of the Plan of Dissolution. |
Q: |
What if my shares are held in street name by a broker? |
A: |
If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name by a broker , bank or other nominee, your nominee , as the record holder of the shares, is required to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. You should follow the directions provided by your nominee regarding how to instruct your nominee to vote your shares. |
Q: |
How many shares must be present to hold the special meeting? |
A: |
A quorum must be present at the special meeting for any business to be conducted. The presence at the special meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum. Your shares will be considered part of the quorum if you return a signed and dated proxy card, if you vote by telephone or by the Internet, or if |
Q: |
What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions? |
A: |
Shareholders of Record. If you are a shareholder of record and you: |
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indicate when voting on the Internet or telephone that you wish to vote as recommended by our board of directors; or |
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sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, |
Q: |
Can I vote in person at the special meeting? |
A: |
If you attend the special meeting and wish to vote in person, you may request a ballot when you arrive. If your shares are held of record in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee and you would like to vote in person at the special meeting, you must bring to the special meeting an account statement or letter from the nominee indicating that you were the beneficial owner of the shares on [ ], 2009, the record date for the special meeting. Even if you plan to attend the special meeting, please vote either by Internet or by telephone, if available to you, or complete, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card as soon as possible in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. You can revoke your proxy or change your vote at the special meeting. See The Special Meeting Revocation of Proxy. |
Q: |
What do shareholders need to do now? |
A: |
After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this proxy statement and the document delivered with and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, each shareholder should vote by Internet or by telephone or complete, sign and date his or her proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope as soon as possible so that his or her shares may be represented at the special meeting. |
Q: |
Who should I contact with questions? |
A: |
If you have any additional questions about the special meeting or the proposals presented in this proxy statement, you should contact: |
1. |
a proposal to approve the voluntary dissolution and liquidation of the Company pursuant to a p lan of complete d issolution and liquidation in the form attached to this proxy statement as Annex A; and |
2. |
a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to another date, time or place, if necessary in the judgment of the proxy holders, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies to vote in favor of Proposal 1. |
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voting again by Internet or by telephone; |
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delivering a written notice of revocation bearing a date later than the date of your proxy card to Mellon Investor Services LLC, our proxy solicitor , or Mellon; |
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signing and delivering to Mellon a new proxy card relating to the same shares and bearing a later date; or |
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attending the special meeting and voting in person, although attendance at the special meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy. |
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our ability to obtain shareholder approval of the Plan of Dissolution; |
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our ability to sell our non-cash assets, consisting primarily of our Home and Garden Business, in a timely manner or at all pursuant to the proposed Plan of Dissolution; |
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the price and other terms and conditions of sale of our Home and Garden Business; |
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our ability to prosecute, defend, settle, or otherwise resolve claims and demands and to make reasonable provision for the satisfaction of liabilities and the costs of taking such actions; |
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the risk that we may have liabilities and expenses that arise which are currently unforeseen; |
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the risk that the expenses of implementing the Plan of Dissolution may exceed our estimates; |
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the risk that we may not have sufficient funds to continue to operate our business and pursue other strategic alternatives if the Plan of Dissolution is not approved; |
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the highly speculative nature of any strategic alternatives that may be available to us if the Plan of Dissolution is not approved; |
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the risks associated with our dependence on Plant Health Care as the source of harpin protein-based products for our Home and Garden Business; |
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the competitive nature of the markets in which we operate; |
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a change in economic conditions; |
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our ability to retain existing customers and to attract new customers; |
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our ability to retain qualified personnel; |
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our anticipated operating losses; |
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uncertainties regarding the availability of additional capital and continued listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market; and |
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the other risks and uncertainties described under the heading Risk Factors set forth below and described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, a copy of which is being delivered with this proxy statement, and other reports we may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. |
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If any of the estimates regarding the Plan of Dissolution and the expense of satisfying our outstanding obligations and liabilities during the liquidation process are inaccurate, the amount we distribute to our shareholders may be reduced or may be entirely depleted. For instance, if claims are asserted against us and are successful, we will have to defend or settle these claims before making distributions to our shareholders; |
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We have made certain estimates regarding the expense of personnel required and other operating expenses (including legal, accounting and other professional fees) necessary to liquidate and dissolve our c ompany. Our actual expenses could vary significantly and are dependent on the timing of the effective date of dissolution, or the Effective Date, and the timing and manner of the sale of our non-cash assets. If the timing for either event differs from our plans, we may incur additional expenses above our current estimates, which could reduce or deplete entirely funds available for distribution to our shareholders; and |
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We have assumed that all material contract rights can be effectively transferred. If we are unable to obtain any required consents with the counterparties to those contracts, our ability to transfer such rights may be impaired. |
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if a creditor seeks an injunction against the making of distributions to our shareholders on the ground that the amounts to be distributed are needed to provide for the satisfaction of our liabilities; |
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if we became a party to unanticipated lawsuits or other claims asserted by or against us; |
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if we were unable to sell our remaining non-cash assets or if such sales took longer than expected; |
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if we were unable to settle claims with creditors or if such settlements took longer than expected; or |
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if the Department of Revenue of the State of Washington, or the Department of Revenue, audits us and thereby delays the issuance of the revenue clearance certificate required to file our articles of dissolution with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington, or the Secretary of State . |
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We are likely to continue to incur net losses from the operation of our Home and Garden Business. Moreover, our Home and Garden Business may be negatively impacted by our announced intent to dissolve our company, which may cause our customers to transition to other products. Our net losses may increase in the future as we continue to operate our Home and Garden Business and could consume a material amount of our limited cash resources. We discuss the risks of the continued operation of our Home and Garden Business in further detail below under the heading Risks Related to Our Continuing Business Operations; |
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If we were to continue to explore our NOL Strategy, we cannot assure you that we would ever realize the value of our deferred tax assets. For example, if shareholders do not approve the Plan of Dissolution, there can be no assurance that the holders of our common stock, including one or more of the holders of 5% or more of our common stock , will not sell their shares and thereby potentionally impair ing our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards by causing an ownership change (as defined in Section 382 of the Code) . In such case, pursuit of the NOL Strategy may not be among the alternatives available to us. The NOL Strategy is extremely speculative and subject to a number of risks that we describe in further detail below under the heading Risks Related to Our Business Plan to Utilize Net Operating Loss Carryforwards, and the continued pursuit of the NOL Strategy may consume substantially all of our remaining cash resources; |
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Any financing we may require to continue our operations or to acquire another business as part of the NOL Strategy may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all, particularly in light of the current economic crisis, which we believe will significantly impair our ability to attract capital through the sale of securities or otherwise obtain financing. Any financing we are able to obtain may substantially dilute the interests of our current shareholders; |
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We would continue to incur expenses associated with being a public reporting company, including ongoing SEC reporting obligations. These expenses would accelerate the depletion of our existing cash resources; and |
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Prior to the public announcement of our boards approval of the Plan of Dissolution, our common stock had generally been trading below $1.00 per share for the prior two months. If our shareholders do not approve the Plan of Dissolution, we believe it is likely that the price of our common stock will fall below the Nasdaq Capital Markets $1.00 minimum bid price requirement and that our common stock will eventually be delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market, which could significantly impair our ability to fund operations through the sale of our securities. |
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obtain timely access to adequate and cost-effective supply of harpin proteins and harpin protein-based products; |
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attract and retain customers, particularly in light of uncertain economic conditions and the seasonality of our product use; |
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establish awareness of our Home and Garden Business and Home and Garden Products; |
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expand current , and develop new , distribution channels to sell products in the Home and Garden Market; |
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obtain and maintain required regulatory approvals; |
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develop additional strategic partnerships to facilitate our marketing and sales efforts; and |
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respond to the rapidly changing market for plant protection and yield enhancement products. |
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Past Ownership Changes. In the event that we were to undergo an ownership change (as defined in Section 382 of the Code), our net operating loss carryforwards generated prior to the ownership change would be subject to annual limitations, which could reduce, eliminate, or defer the utilization of these losses. Generally, an ownership change occurs if one or more shareholders, each of whom owns 5% or more in value of a corporations stock, increase their aggregate percentage ownership by more than 50% over the lowest percentage of stock owned by those shareholders at any time during the preceding three-year period. Based upon an analysis completed during the third quarter of 2007 of past ownership changes (as defined under Section 382 of the Code), we believe that we have experienced ownership changes on March 20, 1996 and October 2, 2000. Absent any other ownership changes in the future, we believe there are no significant limitations on our future ability to use net operating loss carryforwards generated prior to those dates. We do not believe that the sale of assets to Plant Health Care in February 2007 resulted in another ownership change that would further limit our future ability to use net operating loss carryforwards generated after October 2000 because it was a sale of assets. However, the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, or some other taxing authority may disagree with our position and contend that we have already experienced other such ownership changes or that the sale of assets resulted in an ownership change. |
|
Future Ownership Changes. Even if an ownership change has not occurred in the past, there is still the potential for an ownership change to occur under Section 382 of the Code as a result of future changes in stock ownership. For example, if shareholders do not approve the Plan of Dissolution, |
the holders of our common stock, including one or more of the holders of 5% or more of our common stock, could sell their shares in sufficient quantities to trigger an ownership change. In addition, if shareholders do not approve the Plan of Dissolution and we continue to explore whether there may be opportunities to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards, we will be limited in our ability to issue additional stock in the future to provide capital for our business due to the importance of avoiding a future ownership change. We would only be able to issue additional stock in a manner that would not cause an ownership change pursuant to Section 382 of the Code. Accordingly, our ability to access the equity markets or issue stock in connection with an acquisition could be restricted. |
|
Change of Control. In order to preserve our net operating loss carryforwards, we must ensure that there has not been a change of control of our company. A change in control includes a more than 50 percentage point increase in the ownership of our company by certain equity holders who are defined in Section 382 of the Code as 5 percent shareholders. The IRS has viewed an acquisition of an ownership percentage in a company that is represented by certain equity instruments, including certain preferred stock, debt instruments, or stock options, that are issued in connection with a change in the board of directors to include the holders of the equity instruments or their agents as indicative of a transfer of a beneficial ownership interest in a company under Section 382 of the Code. Accordingly, a change in our board of directors that is accompanied by other equity events could be viewed as contributing to a more than 50 percentage point change in control of our company under Section 382 of the Code. |
|
De Facto Liquidation. In order to preserve our net operating loss carryforwards, there must not be a de facto liquidation of our company. The IRS has interpreted a de facto liquidation to include a sale or discontinuation of the current business of a company. Accordingly, the IRS may view the Plan of Dissolution as a strong factor in a potential determination that a de facto liquidation of our Home and Garden Business has occurred. |
|
prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors, which would otherwise allow holders of less than a majority of the stock to elect some directors; |
|
stagger our board of directors, making it more difficult to elect a majority of the directors on our board and preventing our directors from being removed without cause; |
|
limit who may call special meetings of shareholders; and |
|
establish advance notice requirements for nominating candidates for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by shareholders at shareholder meetings. |
|
a merger or consolidation with, disposition of assets to, or issuance or redemption of stock to or from the acquiring person; |
|
termination of 5% or more of the employees of the target corporation; or |
|
receipt by the acquiring person of any disproportionate benefit as a shareholder. |
|
even if we were able to complete a business combination transaction in furtherance of the NOL Strategy, the risk that we may be unable to realize the benefit of our net operating loss carryforwards, including the risk that the IRS or some other taxing authority may disagree with our position regarding ownership changes under Section 382 of the Code thereby severely limiting the availability of our net operating loss carryforwards; |
|
the limitations placed on the amount of equity we may issue to provide capital for our business, or to secure financing necessary to acquire a profitable business, due to the ownership changes rules set forth in Section 382 of the Code; |
|
the uncertainty as to whether we would be able to generate sufficient taxable income to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards; |
|
that we had vigorously explored strategic alternatives, including undertaking extensive efforts to find a business combination that would enable us to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards, as described above, and none was successful; |
|
the volatility in the credit markets and the effect of such volatility on our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for the continued operation of our business and to acquire a profitable business in connection with our NOL Strategy; |
|
the low probability that we would be presented with or otherwise identify, within a reasonable period of time under current circumstances, any viable opportunities to engage in an attractive alternative transaction; |
|
our ability to survive as an independent entity given our history of operating losses and our expectations of continued operating losses; |
|
the substantial accounting, legal and other expenses associated with being a small publicly-traded company in light of our existing and expected revenues; |
|
the uncertain prospects of our Home and Garden Business, its continued net losses and its ability to generate sufficient revenues to enable us to continue pursuing the NOL Strategy or other strategic alternatives; |
|
our boards belief that liquidation and distribution of our net assets to our shareholders could produce more value than if our shareholders continued to hold their shares, given that, on and prior to the date of our boards approval of the Plan of Dissolution, the estimated per share value of our assets in excess of estimated liabilities, claims and expenses of liquidation exceeded the market price of our outstanding common stock; |
|
the terms and conditions of the Plan of Dissolution, including the provisions that permit our board to revoke the plan prior to, or at any time until 120 days after, the Effective Date if our board determines that, in light of new proposals presented or changes in circumstances, dissolution and liquidation are no longer advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders; |
|
the fact that Washington corporate law requires that the Plan of Dissolution be approved by the affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote, which ensures that our board will not be taking actions of which a significant portion of our shareholders disapprove; |
|
the fact that approval of the Plan of Dissolution by the requisite vote of our shareholders authorizes our board of directors and officers to implement the Plan of Dissolution without further shareholder approval; |
|
the fact that shareholders are not entitled to assert dissenters rights with respect to the Plan of Dissolution under Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA; |
|
the uncertainty of the timing, nature and amount of any liquidating distributions to shareholders; |
|
the risks associated with the sale of our remaining non-cash assets, consisting primarily of our Home and Garden Business, as part of the Plan of Dissolution, including that we might have received more for such assets if we sold them other than in liquidation; |
|
that shareholders would lose the opportunity to capitalize on the potential business opportunities and possible future growth of the Company had we elected to continue to pursue the acquisition of a profitable business as part of the NOL Strategy; |
|
the risk that, under Washington law, our shareholders may be required to return to creditors some or all of the liquidating distributions; |
|
the fact that, if the Plan of Dissolution is approved, shareholders would generally not be permitted to transfer shares of our common stock after the Effective Date; and |
|
the risk that our common stock might in the near future be delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market for failure to satisfy continued listing standards, including the minimum bid price requirement, thereby significantly limiting our shareholders ability to sell their stock. |
|
the publication of a notice of dissolution that requests persons with claims against the corporation to present them in accordance with the notice; |
|
the collection of assets and the disposal of properties that will be applied toward the satisfaction or making reasonable provision for the satisfaction of liabilities or will not otherwise be distributed in kind to the corporations shareholders; |
|
the satisfaction or making reasonable provision for satisfaction of liabilities; |
|
subject to statutory limitations, the distribution of any remaining assets to the shareholders of the corporation; and |
|
the taking of all other actions necessary to wind up and liquidate the corporations business and affairs. |
|
the filing of articles of dissolution of the Company with the Secretary of State to establish the Effective Date of dissolution; |
|
the publication of notice of the Companys dissolution in a newspaper of general circulation in King County, Washington, within 30 days after the Effective Date, which notice must be published once a week for three consecutive weeks; |
|
the mailing of written notice of the Companys dissolution to the holders of known claims at any time after the publication of the notice set forth in the preceding bullet; |
|
the cessation of all of the Companys business activities and the withdrawal of the Company from any jurisdiction in which it is qualified to do business, except as necessary for the sale or other disposition of its property and assets or for the proper winding up and liquidation of the Companys business and affairs; |
|
the collection and disposal of the Companys properties and assets that will be applied toward satisfaction or making reasonable provision for satisfaction of the Companys liabilities, in all cases subject to applicable liens and security interests and applicable contractual restrictions; |
|
the negotiation and consummation of sales or other dispositions of our Home and Garden Business and other non-cash assets of the Company, including the assumption by the purchaser of liabilities of the Company, upon such terms as our board of directors may deem in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders; |
|
as determined by our board of directors, the prosecution, defense, settlement or other resolution of any and all claims or suits by or against the Company and the satisfaction of or the making of reasonable provision for the satisfaction of liabilities of the Company by means of insurance coverage, provision of security therefor, contractual assumptions thereof by a solvent person or any other means that our board of directors determines is reasonably calculated to provide for satisfaction of the reasonably estimated amount of such liabilities. Upon making such determination, our board of directors will, for purposes of determining whether a subsequent distribution to shareholders is prohibited under the WBCA, be entitled to treat such liabilities as fully satisfied by the assets used or committed in order to make such provision ; |
|
if our board of directors deems it in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, (i) petitioning to have the dissolution continued under court supervision in accordance with the WBCA or, to the extent permissible under the WBCA, dedicate the Companys property and assets to the repayment of its creditors by making an assignment for the benefit of creditors or obtain the appointment of a general receiver or (ii) filing an application pursuant to the WBCA for a court determination of (a) the amount and form of reasonable provision to be made for satisfaction of any claims or liabilities that have arisen or that are reasonably likely to arise within the survival period specified in the WBCA or (b) whether the provision made or proposed to be made by our board of directors for the satisfaction of any one or more claims or liabilities is reasonable; |
|
subject to the limitations on distributions set forth in the WBCA, the distribution of the remaining funds of the Company and the distribution of the remaining unsold assets of the Company, if any, to its shareholders; and |
|
the taking of any and all other actions permitted or required by the WBCA and any other applicable laws and regulations, including federal tax and securities laws and regulations and the Nasdaq |
Marketplace Rules and regulations, in connection with the winding up and liquidation of the Company. |
|
ongoing operating, overhead and administrative expenses; |
|
purchasing a director and officer liability insurance policy as well as a tail insurance policy for periods subsequent to the Effective Date; |
|
expenses incurred in connection with the dissolution and our liquidation; and |
|
professional, legal, tax, accounting, and consulting fees. |
Low Range of Net Proceeds |
High Range of Net Proceeds |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Net Cash as
of December 31, 2008 (a) |
$ | 4,930,000 | $ | 4,930,000 | ||||||
Total
Estimated Cash Assets (b) |
4,930,000 | 4,930,000 | ||||||||
Operating
Expenses (c) |
855,000 | 621,000 | ||||||||
Professional
Fees (attorneys, accountants, tax and agent) (d) |
431,000 | 315,000 | ||||||||
Insurance
(e) |
116,000 | 79,000 | ||||||||
Interest
Income (f) |
(50,000 | ) | (63,000 | ) | ||||||
Total
Operating Expenses, net |
1,352,000 | 952,000 | ||||||||
Reserve for
Claimants (g) |
100,000 | 50,000 | ||||||||
Total
Estimated Net Liabilities |
1,452,000 | 1,002,000 | ||||||||
Estimated
Cash to Distribute to Shareholders (b) |
$ | 3,478,000 | $ | 3,928,000 | ||||||
Shares
outstanding as of December 31, 2008 |
2,716,486 | 2,716,486 | ||||||||
Estimated
per share distribution (b) |
$ | 1.28 | $ | 1.45 |
(a) |
Represents cash and cash equivalents of approximately $5.1 million as of December 31, 2008, less outstanding liabilities as of December 31, 2008 of approximately $ [ ] , including accounts payable and accrued expenses. |
(b) |
Does not include estimated value of non-cash assets for the reasons set forth in the paragraph immediately preceding this table. |
(c) |
Operating expenses consist primarily of (i) estimated salaries and related benefits for our three part-time employees for thirteen and ten months from December 31, 2008 in the low and high range of net proceeds, respectively, (ii) estimated directors compensation and reimbursement requests through the period ending three years after the Effective Date, assuming that we maintain eight board members and current director compensation levels, (iii) estimated monthly operating expenses consisting of office lease payments, telecommunications and Internet usage fees, common area maintenance expenses and business taxes of approximately $45,000 per month for thirteen months from December 31, 2008 and $42,000 per month for ten months from December 31, 2008 in the low and high range of net proceeds, respectively, (iv) estimated monthly operating expenses of approximately $4,000 and $2,500 per month in the low and high range of net proceeds, respectively, and (v) a $27,500 payment representing our annual fee owed to The Nasdaq Capital Market, which was paid in January 2009. The operating expenses are based on the assumption that the Effective Date occurs by the end of April 2009. Our office lease expires in May 2009 and the estimated operating expenses assume that we will continue to lease such offices on a month-to-month basis for thirteen and ten months from its expiration in the low and high range of net proceeds, respectively. |
(d) |
Estimated professional fees for both the low and high range of net proceeds include the attorney, accountant, tax and transfer, soliciting and paying agent fees and expenses to complete (i) the special meeting and the dissolution, (ii) the 2008 year-end audit and (iii) our annual report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The low range of net proceeds also includes the attorney, accountant and agent fees and expenses to complete our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. |
(e) |
We will purchase a director and officer liability insurance policy, as well as a tail insurance policy for six years subsequent to the Effective Date. The estimated premium for our director and office liability insurance policy is net of estimated refunds under such policy. |
(f) |
We have estimated interest income on our cash and cash equivalents at an annual rate of 1.25%. |
(g) |
Amount estimated to cover any potential claims made against us during the three-year period following the Effective Date. We are not currently aware of any potential claims, other than the pending litigation for which we have already reserved $25,000 to cover the deductible amount on the insurance covering such litigation. The amount of any contingency reserve ultimately established by our board of directors will be deducted before the determination of amounts available for distribution to shareholders. See Contingency Reserve. |
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Statements
of Operations Data: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Product
sales, net of sales allowances |
$[__] | $351 | $ | 3,790 | $ | 3,764 | $ | 1,040 | |||||||||||||||
Operating
expenses: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of goods
sold |
[__] | 178 | 2,195 | 2,480 | 2,023 | ||||||||||||||||||
Research and
development |
[__] | 137 | 1,318 | 3,221 | 3,505 | ||||||||||||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative |
[__] | 1,468 | 4,763 | 5,391 | 4,418 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on
impairment of equipment and leasehold improvements |
[__] | | 4,902 | 1,650 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on
write-down of inventory |
[__] | | 452 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Lease
termination loss |
[__] | | | 2,261 | | ||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss
on sale of property and equipment |
[__] | | (44 | ) | (86 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||
Loss on
facility subleases |
[__] | | | | 202 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
operating expenses |
[__] | 1,783 | 13,586 | 14,917 | 10,148 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss from
operations |
[__] | (1,432 | ) | (9,796 | ) | (11,153 | ) | (9,108 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other income
(expense): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale
of investment |
[__] | | 100 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale
of Harpin Protein Technology |
[__] | 114 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest
income |
[__] | 317 | 251 | 295 | 224 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest
expense |
[__] | | | | (2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Total other
income |
[__] | 431 | 351 | 295 | 222 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative
effect of adoption of SFAS No. 143 |
[__] | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss
|
$[__] | $ (1,001 | ) | $ | (9,445 | ) | $ | (10,858 | ) | $ | (8,886 | ) | |||||||||||
Basic and
diluted net loss per share |
$[__] | $(0.37 | ) | $ | (3.48 | ) | $ | (4.01 | ) | $ | (3.28 | ) | |||||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding used in computation of basic and diluted net loss per share |
[__] | 2,717 | 2,715 | 2,710 | 2,708 |
December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
Sheet Data: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash
equivalents |
$ | [__] | $ | 5,668 | $ | 4,185 | $ | 6,826 | $ | 11,860 | |||||||||||||
Working
capital |
[__] | 5,516 | 6,138 | 7,842 | 13,970 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total assets
|
[__] | 5,898 | 7,973 | 17,497 | 31,336 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated
deficit |
[__] | (127,254 | ) | (126,253 | ) | (116,808 | ) | (105,950 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Total
shareholders equity |
[__] | 5,635 | 6,709 | 15,757 | 26,609 |
Name and Address Of Beneficial Owner (1) |
Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percent of Class (2) |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors
and Executive Officers: |
||||||||||
William T.
Weyerhaeuser |
143,129 | (3) | 5.3 | % | ||||||
Nathaniel T.
Brown |
0 | | ||||||||
Agatha L.
Maza |
73,050 | (4) | 2.7 | % | ||||||
Jon E. M.
Jacoby |
60,042 | (5) | 2.2 | % | ||||||
Albert A.
James |
67,965 | (6) | 2.5 | % | ||||||
Rhett R.
Atkins |
56,288 | (7) | 2.0 | % | ||||||
Richard N.
Pahre |
4,554 | (8) | * | |||||||
Gilberto H.
Gonzalez |
4,054 | (9) | * | |||||||
Roger Ivesdal
|
3,333 | (10) | * | |||||||
Bradley S.
Powell |
22 | (11) | * | |||||||
All directors
and executive officers as a group (10 persons) |
412,437 | (12) | 14.7 | % | ||||||
Other 5%
Shareholders: |
||||||||||
SF Holding
Corp. (formerly Stephens Group, Inc.) 111 Center Street Suite 2500 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 |
451,037 | (13) | 16. 6 | % | ||||||
Yorktown
Avenue Capital, LLC 415 South Boston, 9th Floor Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 |
352,967 | (14) | 13.0 | % |
* |
Less than one percent. |
(1) |
The business address of the directors and executive officers is c/o Eden Bioscience Corporation, 14522 NE North Woodinville Way, Suite 202B, Woodinville, WA 98072. |
(2) |
Based on 2,716,486 shares of common stock outstanding as of February 2, 2009. |
(3) |
Represents 28,833 shares owned directly by Dr. Weyerhaeuser; 106,519 shares held by the WBW Trust Number One, of which Dr. Weyerhaeuser is trustee; 1,111 shares owned by Dr. Weyerhaeusers wife; and 6,666 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2009. Dr. Weyerhaeuser disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by his wife and two sons, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such shares. |
(4) |
Represents 34,466 shares owned directly by Ms. Maza; 16,799 shares held by Prudential Securities as custodian for the Agatha L. Maza IRA; 111 shares owned by Ms. Mazas spouse; 15,008 shares held by the Maza Family LLC, of which Ms. Maza is a co-manager; and 6,666 shares subject to options that are |
exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2009. Ms. Maza disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by the Maza Family LLC, except to the extent of her pecuniary interest in such shares. |
(5) |
Includes 5,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Jacoby; 23,710 shares owned by Jacoby Enterprises, Inc., of which Mr. Jacoby is president; 20,889 shares held by Stephens EBC, LLC for the benefit of Jacoby Enterprises, Inc. and that are subject to the voting trust described in footnote 13; 3,333 shares held by Stephens EBC, LLC for the benefit of J & J Partners, of which Mr. Jacoby is a partner, and that are subject to the voting trust described in footnote 13; and 6,666 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2009. Also includes the following shares as to which Mr. Jacoby disclaims beneficial ownership: 222 shares owned by Grandchilds Trust One and 222 shares owned by Grandchilds Trust Three, as to which Mr. Jacoby, as co-trustee, has shared power of disposition and shared power to vote. Does not include shares beneficially owned by SF Holding Corp. (formerly Stephens Group, Inc.), of which Mr. Jacoby was an executive officer until his retirement on October 1, 2003 and of which he was a director until November 2006. |
(6) |
Represents 12,839 shares held by the Albert A. James Family Partnership, of which Mr. James is a co-general partner; 48,460 shares held by the Albert A. James Living Trust, of which Mr. James is trustee; and 6,666 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2009. |
(7) |
Represents 733 shares owned directly by Dr. Atkins and 55,555 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2009. |
(8) |
Represents 666 shares owned directly by Mr. Pahre and 3,888 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2009. |
(9) |
Represents 166 shares owned directly by Mr. Gonzalez and 3,888 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2009. |
(10) |
Represents 3,333 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2009. |
(11) |
Represents shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Powells minor sons, of which Mr. Powells father serves as trustee. Mr. Powell disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares held in trust, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such shares. Mr. Powell served as our president, chief financial officer and secretary until his resignation in September 2008. |
(12) |
Includes 93,328 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2009. |
(13) |
Represents 451,037 shares beneficially owned by Stephens EBC, LLC, of which SF Holding Corp. (formerly Stephens Group, Inc.) is the sole managing member. Stephens Inc. does not have voting or investment power over any of the shares reported in this table. Jon E. M. Jacoby, a director of the Company, was an executive vice president of SF Holding Corp. until October 1, 2003 and a director of SF Holding Corp. until November 2006. Stephens EBC, LLC has contributed all of its shares to a voting trust pursuant to which the trustee of the trust, Steve Patterson, 349 Colony Drive, Naples, Florida 34108 , an individual not affiliated with SF Holding Corp. , has sole voting power. The trustee is required to vote such shares for or against proposals submitted to our shareholders in the same proportion as the votes cast for or against such proposals by all other shareholders, excluding abstentions. The voting trust agreement also imposes limitations on the sale or other disposition of the shares subject to the voting trust. The voting trust agreement expires in 2010 or earlier upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the voting trust agreement, including Stephens Inc. ceasing to be a market maker of our common stock. |
(14) |
Information provided is based solely on a Schedule 13D/A filed on August 14, 2007 (the Schedule 13D/A) by Yorktown Avenue Capital, LLC (Yorktown), Boston Avenue Capital, LLC (Boston), Value Fund Advisors, LLC (Value Fund) and Charles M. Gillman (Gillman). According to the Schedule 13D/A, (a) the amount shown above includes 262,090 held by Yorktown and 90,877 held by Boston, (b) Boston and Yorktown are Oklahoma limited liability companies whose principal business is business investment, (c) Value Fund is an Oklahoma limited liability company whose principal business is investment management, and (d) Gillman is a U.S. citizen in the business of managing various investment entities. Value Fund, as general manager of Boston and Yorktown, and Gillman, as manager of Value Fund, may also be deemed to beneficially own the 352,967 shares of our common stock held by Boston and Yorktown. |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
||||||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter
(1) |
$ | 1.50 | $ | 1.02 | $ | 2.00 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 3.45 | $ | 1.50 | |||||||||||||||
Second
Quarter |
| | 2.74 | 1.13 | 4.05 | 2.43 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Third Quarter
|
| | 2.00 | 0.60 | 3.90 | 2.25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Fourth
Quarter (2) |
| | 1.77 | 0.40 | 4.35 | 1.65 |
(1) |
For the first quarter of 2009, reflects high and low sales prices through February 13 , 2009. |
1. |
Approval and Adoption of the Plan. This Plan of Complete Dissolution and Liquidation (the Plan) shall become effective when all of the following steps have been completed: |
a) |
Resolutions of the Companys Board of Directors. The Companys Board of Directors (the Board) shall have adopted a resolution or resolutions with respect to the following: |
i) |
Complete Dissolution and Liquidation. The Board shall determine that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders for the Company to be dissolved and liquidated completely; |
ii) |
Adoption of the Plan. The Board shall approve the Plan as the appropriate means for carrying out the complete dissolution and liquidation of the Company; |
iii) |
Recommend the Plan to Shareholders. The Board shall recommend the Plan for approval by the shareholders of the Company; and |
iv) |
Disposition of Assets. The Board shall, as part of the Plan, approve the sale, exchange or other disposition of all of the Companys remaining property and assets, on such terms and conditions and in such manner as it deems necessary, appropriate or advisable in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders in order to facilitate liquidation and distributions to the Companys creditors and shareholders, as appropriate. |
b) |
Approval of the Plan by the Companys Shareholders. The holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Companys common stock, par value $0.0025 per share (the Common Stock), entitled to vote thereon shall have approved the Plan at a special meeting of the shareholders of the Company called for such purpose by the Board. The approval of the Plan by the requisite vote of the holders of the Common Stock shall constitute full and complete authority for the Board and the officers of the Company, without further shareholder action, to proceed with the dissolution and liquidation of the Company in accordance with any applicable provision of the WBCA, including without limitation, the authority to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of in liquidation all of the property and assets of the Company following the Effective Date (as defined in Section 2(a) below), whether such sale, exchange or other disposition occurs in one transaction or a series of transactions. |
2. |
Dissolution and Liquidation Period. After approval and adoption of the Plan in accordance with Section 1, the steps set forth below shall be completed at such times as the Board, in its discretion, deems necessary, appropriate or advisable in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board may instruct the officers of the Company to delay the taking of any of the following steps until the Company has performed such actions as the Board or such officers determine to be necessary, appropriate or advisable in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to maximize the value of the Companys assets upon liquidation; provided that such steps may not be delayed longer than is permitted by applicable law. |
a) |
The filing of Articles of Dissolution of the Company (the Articles of Dissolution) pursuant to RCW 23B.14.030 (the date on which the Articles of Dissolution are filed are referred to herein as the Effective Date), and the completion of all actions that may be necessary, appropriate or advisable in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs; |
b) |
The publication of notice, in accordance with the terms of RCW 23B.14.030, of the Companys dissolution in a newspaper of general circulation in King County, Washington, within 30 days after the Effective Date, which notice must be published once a week for three consecutive weeks; |
c) |
The mailing of written notice, in accordance with the terms of RCW 23B.14.060, of the Companys dissolution to the holders of known claims (as defined in RCW 23B.14.060(3)) at any time after the publication of notice as set forth in subparagraph (b) above; |
d) |
The cessation of all of the Companys business activities and the withdrawal of the Company from any jurisdiction in which it is qualified to do business, except and insofar as appropriate for the sale or other disposition of its property and assets and for the proper winding up and liquidation of the Company in accordance with the Plan and pursuant to the WBCA; |
e) |
The collection and disposal of the Companys properties and assets that will be applied toward satisfaction or making reasonable provision for satisfaction of the Companys liabilities or will otherwise not be distributed in kind to its shareholders, in all cases subject to applicable liens and security interests and applicable contractual restrictions on dispositions, pursuant to RCW 23B.14.050; |
f) |
The negotiation and consummation of sales or other dispositions of all of the assets and properties of the Company, including the assumption by the purchaser or purchasers of any or all liabilities of the Company, insofar as the Board deems such sales or dispositions to be necessary, appropriate or advisable in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders; |
g) |
As determined by the Board, the prosecution, defense, settlement or other resolution of any and all claims or suits, whether civil, criminal or administrative, by or against the Company and the satisfaction of or the making of reasonable provision for the satisfaction of any and all liabilities of the Company, whether arising in tort or by contract, statute, or otherwise, and whether matured or unmatured, contingent, or conditional, by means of insurance coverage, provision of security therefor, contractual assumptions thereof by a solvent person or any other means that the Board determines is reasonably calculated to provide for satisfaction of the reasonably estimated amount of such liabilities. Upon making such determination, the Board shall, for purposes of determining whether a subsequent distribution to shareholders is prohibited under RCW 23B.06.400(2), be entitled to treat such liabilities as fully satisfied by the assets used or committed in order to make such provision. For purposes of determining whether a distribution to shareholders is prohibited, the Board also shall be entitled to disregard, and make no provision for the satisfaction of, any liabilities that are barred in accordance with RCW 23B.14.060(2), or that may exceed any provision for their satisfaction ordered by a court pursuant to RCW 23B.14.065, or that the Board does not consider, based on the facts known to it, reasonably likely to arise prior to expiration of the survival period specified in RCW 23B.14.340. Such liabilities shall be satisfied, or the Board shall make reasonable provision for satisfying such liabilities, in accordance with their priorities as established by law, and on a pro rata basis within each class of liabilities. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, if the Board deems it necessary, appropriate or advisable in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, the Board may (i) petition to have the dissolution continued under court supervision in accordance with RCW 23B.14.300 or, to the extent the conditions of RCW 23B.14.050(4) may be applicable, dedicate the Companys property and assets to the repayment of its creditors by making an assignment for the benefit of creditors or obtain the appointment of a general receiver or (ii) file an application pursuant to RCW 23B.14.065 for a court determination of (a) the amount and form of reasonable provision to be made for satisfaction of any one or more claims or liabilities that have arisen or that are reasonably likely to arise within the survival period specified in RCW 23B.14.340 or (b) whether the provision made or proposed to be made by the Board for the satisfaction of any one or more claims or liabilities is reasonable; |
h) |
Subject to the limitations of RCW 23B.06.400, the distribution of the remaining funds of the Company and the distribution of the remaining unsold assets of the Company, if any, to its shareholders pursuant to Sections 4 and 7 below; and |
i) |
The taking of any and all other actions permitted or required by the WBCA and any other applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to, federal tax and securities laws and regulations and the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and regulations, in connection with the winding up and liquidation of the Company. |
3. |
Authority of Officers and Directors. Prior to and after the Effective Date, the Board and the officers of the Company shall continue in their positions for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the Company as contemplated by the WBCA. The Board may appoint officers, hire employees and retain independent contractors in connection with the winding up process, and is authorized to pay to the Companys officers, directors, employees and independent contractors, or any of them, compensation or additional compensation above their regular compensation, in money or other property, in recognition of the extraordinary efforts they, or any of them, will be required to undertake, or actually undertake, in connection with the successful implementation of the Plan, provided that any such compensation shall be fair and reasonable with respect to the efforts expended by any recipient of such compensation. Approval of the Plan by holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote shall constitute the approval of the Companys shareholders of the Boards authorization of the payment of any such compensation. |
4. |
Conversion of Assets Into Cash or Other Distributable Form. Subject to approval by the Board, the officers, employees and agents of the Company shall, as promptly as feasible, proceed to collect all sums due or owing to the Company, to sell and convert into cash or other distributable form any and all property and assets of the Company and to (a) pay, satisfy and discharge, or make reasonable provision for the payment, satisfaction and discharge of, any and all liabilities of the Company pursuant to Section 2 above, including all expenses associated with the defense, prosecution, settlement or other resolution of any claims or suits by or against the Company, the sale or other disposition of the Companys property and assets, and the dissolution and liquidation provided for by the Plan, and (b) make distributions to shareholders pursuant to Section 7 below. |
5. |
Professional Fees and Expenses. It is specifically contemplated that the Company will retain a law firm or law firms selected by the Board to provide legal advice and guidance in implementing the Plan, and the Company shall pay all legal fees and expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with or arising out of the implementation of the Plan, including, among other things, the prosecution, defense, settlement or other resolutions of any claims or suits by or against the Company, the discharge of obligations and liabilities of the Company, and the advancement and reimbursement of any legal fees and expenses payable by the Company pursuant to the indemnification provided by the Company in its Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, the WBCA, or otherwise. |
6. |
Indemnification. The Company shall continue to indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents in accordance with its Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, the WBCA, or otherwise, for actions taken in connection with the Plan and the winding up of the affairs of the Company. The Board is authorized to obtain and maintain insurance as it may be necessary, appropriate or advisable in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to cover any of the Companys obligations under the Plan, including without limitation, directors and officers liability coverage and insurance coverage reasonably calculated to provide for satisfaction of reasonably estimated liability claims under RCW 23B.14.050(3). |
7. |
Liquidating Distributions. Liquidating distributions, in cash or in kind, shall be made from time to time after the Effective Date to the holders of record of the shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding at the close of business on the Effective Date, pro rata in accordance with the respective number of shares then held of record; provided that, prior to any such distribution, the Board has made a determination that reasonable provision has been made for the payment, satisfaction and discharge of all known, conditional, unmatured or contingent debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company (including costs and expenses incurred and anticipated to be incurred in connection with the prosecution, defense, settlement or other resolution of any claims or suits by or against the Company, the sale of property and assets, and the complete liquidation of the Company) by means reasonably calculated to provide for satisfaction of the reasonably estimated amount of such liabilities. All determinations as to the time for and the amount and kind of liquidating distributions shall be made in the exercise of the absolute discretion of the Board and in accordance with any applicable provision of the WBCA. As provided in Section 10 below, distributions made pursuant to the Plan are intended to be treated as distributions made in complete liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Sections 331 and 336 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. |
8. |
Amendment, Modification or Abandonment of the Plan. If for any reason the Board determines that such action would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, the Board may, in its sole discretion and without further shareholder approval, revoke the Plan and all actions contemplated |
hereunder, to the extent and in the manner permitted by the WBCA, (i) at any time prior to the Effective Date, or (ii) at any time within 120 days after the Effective Date. The Board may not amend or modify the Plan under circumstances that would require additional shareholder approval under the WBCA and/or the federal securities laws or NASDAQ requirements without complying with the WBCA and/or the federal securities laws or NASDAQ requirements. Upon the effective date of revocation of dissolution, the Plan shall be void. |
9. |
Cancellation of Stock and Stock Certificates. The distributions to the Companys shareholders pursuant to Section 7 hereof shall be in complete cancellation of all of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock. From and after the Effective Date, and subject to applicable law, the Common Stock will be treated as no longer being outstanding and each holder of Common Stock shall cease to have any rights in respect thereof, except the right to receive distributions pursuant to and in accordance with Section 7 hereof. As a condition to delivery of any distribution to the Companys shareholders, the Board, in its absolute discretion, may require the Companys shareholders to (i) surrender their certificates evidencing their shares of Common Stock to the Company, or (ii) furnish the Company with evidence satisfactory to the Board of the loss, theft or destruction of such certificates, together with such surety bond or other security or indemnity as may be required by and satisfactory to the Board. The Company will close its stock transfer books and discontinue recording transfers of shares of stock of the Company at the Effective Date, and thereafter certificates representing shares of Common Stock will not be assignable or transferable on the books of the Company except by will, intestate succession, or operation of law. |
10. |
Liquidation Under Code Sections 331 and 336. It is intended that the Plan constitutes a plan of complete liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Sections 331 and 336 of the Code. The Plan shall be deemed to authorize the taking of such action as, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, may be necessary to conform with the provisions of Code Sections 331 and 336 and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, the making of an election under Section 336(e) of the Code, if applicable. |
11. |
Filing of Tax Returns, Forms and Other Reports and Statements. The appropriate officers of the Company are authorized and directed to prepare (or cause to be prepared), execute and file (or cause to be filed) in accordance with all applicable laws such returns, forms, reports and information statements, and any schedules or attachments to any of the foregoing, as may be necessary or appropriate or required under applicable law in connection with the Plan and the carrying out thereof, including, without limitation, Internal Revenue Service Form 966 as provided under Section 6043 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. |
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder(s). PROXY CARDS PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED WITHOUT DIRECTION WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2. |
Please mark your votes as indicated in this example |
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PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY PURSUANT TO THE PLAN OF COMPLETE DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION. |
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Your vote is important. Prompt return of this proxy card will
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PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING TO ANOTHER DATE, TIME OR PLACE, IF NECESSARY IN THE JUDGEMENT OF THE PROXY HOLDERS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOLICITING ADDITIONAL PROXIES TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 1. |
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In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and the Proxy Statement relating thereto. |
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Signature | Signature | Date | ||||
NOTE: Please sign above exactly as your name or names appear on your stock certificate. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership please sign in partnership name by an authorized person. | ||||||
5 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 5 |
WE
ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INTERNET OR TELEPHONE VOTING,
BOTH ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.
Internet
and telephone voting is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time
the day prior to the special meeting date.
EDEN BIOSCIENCE CORPORATION |
INTERNET
OR
http://www.proxyvoting.com/eden Use the Internet to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site. TELEPHONE
1-866-540-5760 Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. If you vote
your proxy by Internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your proxy
card. |
EDEN BIOSCIENCE CORPORATION
PROXY FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD [_________ __], 2009
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Nathaniel T. Brown and William T. Weyerhaeuser (collectively, the “Proxies”), and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all the voting shares of Eden Bioscience Corporation common stock held of record by the undersigned on [_______], 2009, at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of Eden Bioscience Corporation to be held at [__________________________] on [_________], 2009 at [____] a.m. (Pacific Time), or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Such shares shall be voted as indicated with respect to the proposals listed on the reverse side hereof, or if no indication is made, shall be voted in favor of the proposals, and in the Proxies’ discretion on such other business as may properly come before the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
BNY MELLON SHAREOWNER SERVICES P.O. BOX 3550 SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606-9250 |
Address
Change/Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side) |
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(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the reverse side) |
5 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 5 |
You can now access your EDEN BIOSCIENCE CORPORATION account online.
Access your Eden Bioscience Corporation shareholder account online via Investor ServiceDirect® (ISD).
The transfer agent for Eden Bioscience Corporation now makes it easy and convenient to get current information on your shareholder account.
• View account status |
• View payment history for dividends |
Visit us on the web at http://www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd
For Technical Assistance Call 1-877-978-7778 between 9am-7pm
Monday-Friday Eastern Time
www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd
Investor ServiceDirect®
Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-800-370-1163
Choose MLinkSM for fast, easy and secure 24/7 online access to your future proxy materials, investment plan statements, tax documents and more. Simply log on to Investor ServiceDirect® at www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd where step-by-step instructions will prompt you through enrollment. |