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

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 9, 2020

AT 1:00 P.M. PACIFIC TIME

Dear Stockholder:

The annual meeting of stockholders,  (the “Annual Meeting”) of Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Corvus”, we”, “us” or “our”) will be held on June 9, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., Pacific Time.  In light of the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak and governmental decrees that in-person gatherings be postponed or cancelled, and in the best interests of public health and the health and safety of our Board of Directors, employees and stockholders, we are holding a virtual-only meeting. You will be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online, vote your shares electronically and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting:  www.meetingcenter.io/272589955 at the meeting date and time described in the accompanying proxy statement. The password is CRVS2020. You will need to enter the 15 digit control number on your proxy card to submit questions and vote at our virtual Annual Meeting. There is no physical location for the Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

These items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 13, 2020 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

We have elected to use the Internet as our primary means of providing our proxy materials to stockholders. Consequently, stockholders will not receive paper copies of our proxy materials, unless they specifically request them. We will send a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials on or about April 17, 2020 to our stockholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date. We are also providing access to our proxy materials over the Internet beginning on or about April 17, 2020. Electronic delivery of our proxy materials will significantly reduce our printing and mailing costs, and the environmental impact of the proxy materials.

You are cordially invited to attend the virtual Annual Meeting via the internet.  Your vote is very important. Whether or not you attend the virtual Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented. As a stockholder of record, you may vote at the virtual Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. You may vote your proxy on the Internet, by phone or by mail in accordance with the instructions in the Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials. Please review the instructions on the proxy card or the information forwarded by your bank, broker or other holder of record regarding each of these voting options.

Our board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the election of the director nominees named in Proposal 1 of the proxy statement and FOR the ratification of the selection, by the audit committee of our board of directors, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm as described in Proposal 2 of the proxy statement.

On behalf of the board of directors, thank you for your participation in this important annual process.

 

You are cordially invited to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote on the Internet, by phone or by mail as instructed in the notice of availability of proxy materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation. Even if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote if you attend the virtual Annual Meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the virtual Annual Meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from the record holder.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 9, 2020

AT 1:00 P.M. PACIFIC TIME

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING PROCEDURES

Why am I receiving these materials?

We sent you a Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) because the board of directors of Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is soliciting your proxy to vote at our annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on June 9, 2020 at 1:00 p.m., Pacific Time, virtually at www.meetingcenter.io/272589955 at the meeting date and time described in the accompanying proxy statement.  The password is CRVS2020. You will need to enter the 15 digit control number on your proxy card to submit questions and vote at our virtual Annual Meeting.  There will be no physical meeting location.  The meeting will only be conducted via an audio webcast.  We invite you to attend the virtual Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the virtual Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote by proxy over the Internet or by phone by following the instructions provided in the Notice or, if you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by mail.

The Notice is being sent or made available on or about April 17, 2020 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

As used in this proxy statement, “Corvus,” the “Company,” “we” or “us” refer to Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 13, 2020 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 27,953,233 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If, on the Record Date, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., then you are a stockholder of record. The Notice will be sent to you by mail directly by us. As a stockholder of record, you may vote at the virtual Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote on the Internet or by phone as instructed in the Notice or by proxy by mail by requesting a paper copy of the proxy materials as instructed in the Notice to ensure your vote is counted.

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

If, on the Record Date, your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other agent, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and the Notice is being forwarded to you by such brokerage firm, bank or other agent. The brokerage firm, bank or other agent holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. Your brokerage firm, bank or other agent will not be able

to vote in the election of directors unless they have your voting instructions, so it is very important that you indicate your voting instructions to the institution holding your shares.

You are also invited to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares at the virtual Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent.

What am I voting on?

There are two matters scheduled for a vote:

How are proxy materials distributed?

Under rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we are sending the Notice to our stockholders of record and beneficial owners as of the Record Date. Stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials, including this proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, on the Internet at www.envisionreports.com/crvs or to request a printed or electronic set of the proxy materials at no charge. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet and how to request a printed copy may be found on the Notice and on the website referred to in the Notice, including an option to request paper copies on an ongoing basis.

How do I vote?

You may either vote “For” or “Withhold” with respect to the nominee to the board of directors. You may either vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting with respect to the ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. The procedures for voting are:

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record as of the Record Date, you may vote at the virtual Annual Meeting, vote by proxy over the Internet or by phone by following the instructions provided in the Notice or, if you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by mail. If your proxy is properly executed in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions you provide. Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend and vote at the virtual Annual Meeting if you have already voted by proxy.

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

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you should have received a voting card and voting instructions from that organization rather than from us. Simply follow the instructions to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote at the virtual Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker, bank or other agent included with the proxy materials, or contact your broker, bank or other agent to request a proxy form.

We provide Internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your Internet access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies.

How many votes do I have?

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

What is the quorum requirement?

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to take any action at the meeting, other than to adjourn the meeting. The presence, virtually or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote will constitute a quorum. As of the Record Date, there were 27,953,233 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

Your shares will be counted toward the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy or vote at the virtual Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non‑votes will be counted toward the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the chairman of the Annual Meeting or a majority of the votes present at the Annual Meeting may adjourn the Annual Meeting to another date.

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

If you are a stockholder of record and you return a proxy card without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted:

If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxy (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his best judgment.

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, your shares are held by your broker, bank or other agent as your nominee, or in “street name,” and you will need to obtain a proxy form from the organization that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct the organization to vote your shares. If you do not give instructions to your broker, bank or other agent, it can vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items but not with respect to “non‑discretionary” items. Discretionary items are proposals considered routine under the rules of various national securities exchanges, and, in the absence of

your voting instructions, your broker, bank or other agent may vote your shares held in street name on such proposals. Non‑discretionary items are proposals considered non‑routine under the rules of various national securities exchanges, and, in the absence of your voting instructions, your broker, bank or other agent may not vote your shares held in street name on such proposals and the shares will be treated as broker non‑votes. Proposal 1 is considered non‑routine under the applicable rules. If you do not give your broker specific instructions, the broker may not vote your shares on Proposal 1 and your shares will constitute broker non‑votes which will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists but will not affect the outcome of these proposals. Proposal 2 involves a matter we believe to be routine and thus, if you do not give instructions to your broker, the broker may vote your shares in its discretion on Proposal 2, and therefore no broker non‑votes are expected to exist in connection with Proposal 2.

How are votes counted?

Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will count, with respect to Proposal 1, “For” votes, “Withhold” votes and broker non-votes and with respect to Proposal 2, “For” votes, “Against” votes and abstentions.

How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to the Notice and the proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other means of communication. We will not pay our directors and employees any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding the Notice and any other proxy materials to beneficial owners.

What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?

If you receive more than one Notice, your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. Please vote by proxy according to each Notice to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

Yes, you can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:

If you are a beneficial owner, you may revoke your proxy by submitting new instructions to your broker, bank or other agent, or if you have received a proxy from your broker, bank or other agent giving you the right to vote your shares at the virtual Annual Meeting, by attending and voting at the virtual Annual Meeting.

How do I attend the virtual Annual Meeting?

The live audio webcast of the Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. local time. Online access to the audio webcast will open approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting to allow time for our stockholders to log in and test their devices’ audio system. We encourage our stockholders to access the meeting in advance of the designated start time.

To attend the Annual Meeting, stockholders will need to log-in to www.meetingcenter.io/272589955, password CRVS2020 and using the 15 digit control number on the proxy card.

Can I submit questions at the virtual Annual Meeting?

Stockholders may submit questions and vote during the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/272589955, password CRVS2020. To demonstrate proof of stock ownership, you will need to enter the 15 digit control number on your proxy card to submit questions and vote at our Annual Meeting. We intend to answer questions submitted during the meeting that are pertinent to the Company and the items being brought before stockholder vote at the Annual Meeting, as time permits, and in accordance with the Rules of Conduct for the Annual Meeting. Answers to any questions not addressed during the meeting will be posted following the meeting on our website at http://corvuspharma.gcs-web.com. Questions and answers will be grouped by topic and substantially similar questions will be answered only once. To promote fairness, the efficient use of the Company’s resources and ensure all stockholder questions are able to be addressed, we will respond to no more than two questions from a single stockholder.

When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s Annual Meeting?

Pursuant to Rule 14a‑8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), some stockholder proposals may be eligible for inclusion in our 2021 proxy statement. Any such proposal must be submitted in writing by December 28,  2020, to our Secretary, Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 863 Mitten Road, Suite 102, Burlingame, CA 94010, the current address of our principal executive offices. If we change the date of our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders by more than 30 days from the date of the previous year’s Annual Meeting, the deadline shall be a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials. Stockholders interested in submitting such a proposal are advised to contact knowledgeable counsel with regard to the detailed requirements of the applicable securities laws and our Bylaws. The submission of a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in our proxy statement.

Our Bylaws provide that if you wish to submit a proposal that is not to be included in next year’s proxy statement, a timely written notice of a stockholder proposal must be delivered to, or mailed and received by, our Secretary, Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 863 Mitten Road, Suite 102, Burlingame, CA 94010, no earlier than February  9,  2021 and no later than the close of business on March 11,  2021, which notice must contain the information specified in our Bylaws. If we change the date of our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders by more than thirty (30) days before, or more than 60 days after, the one‑year anniversary of the Annual Meeting, then the written notice of a stockholder proposal that is not intended to be included in our proxy statement must be delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the 90th day prior to our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which certain public disclosure as described in our Bylaws of the meeting date is made.

What is “householding” and how does it affect me?

We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding.” Under this procedure, stockholders who have the same address may receive only one copy of the Notice, unless one or more of these stockholders notifies us that they wish to receive individual copies of the Notice and, if requested, other proxy materials. This process potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for the Company.

If you are a beneficial owner of our common stock, once you receive notice from your broker, bank or other agent that they will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive separate Notices or other proxy materials, please notify your broker, bank or other agent, direct your written request to our Secretary, Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 863 Mitten Road, Suite 102, Burlingame, CA 94010 or at (650) 900‑4520. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Notice or other proxy materials at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their broker, bank or other agent.

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

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8‑K filed with the SEC within 4 business days following the Annual Meeting.

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our board of directors is divided into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. Under our Charter, our board of directors is authorized to assign its members in office to each class. Each class has a term of three years. Our Charter provides that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one‑third of the directors. Our directors hold office until their successors have been elected and qualified or appointed, or the earlier of their death, resignation or removal.

Our board of directors currently consists of seven directors, divided into three classes as follows:

At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to directors whose terms will then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third subsequent annual meeting of stockholders.

Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of the three nominees named below. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting.

Dr. Miller and Dr. Grais have been nominated for election at the Annual Meeting to serve as Class I directors. If either of Dr. Miller or Dr. Grais becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, shares that would otherwise be voted for them will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee proposed by the nominating and corporate governance committee and nominated by the board of directors. Dr. Miller and Dr. Grais have agreed to serve if elected. Our management has no reason to believe that Dr. Miller or Dr. Grais will be unable to serve. If elected at the Annual Meeting, Dr. Miller and Dr. Grais will serve until the earliest of the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, a successor for either of them is elected and qualified or one or both of their death, resignation or removal.

The following is a brief biography of Dr. Miller and Dr. Grais the nominees for director, and a discussion of their specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led the nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors to recommend Dr. Miller and Dr. Grais as nominees for director, as of the date of this proxy statement.

 

Richard A. Miller, M.D.  Dr. Miller has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since February 2014 and chairman of our board of directors since January 2014. From April 2012 to October 2014, Dr. Miller was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Graphea, Inc., a privately‑held chemical company, which he founded. Dr. Miller served as Chief Commercialization Officer, Associate Dean and Research Professor in Chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin from September 2010 to December 2011. Dr. Miller founded Principia Biopharma Inc., a privately‑held biopharmaceutical company, and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of its board of directors from January 2009 to February 2011. He served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Pharmacyclics, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company, from 1991, when he co‑founded the company, to 2008. At Pharmacyclics, Dr. Miller led the initial discovery and development efforts for ibrutinib. Dr. Miller was a co‑founder,

Vice President and Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biotechnology company that merged with Biogen, Inc. in June 2003, where he led research efforts on lymphoma leading to the development of rituximab. Dr. Miller has been Adjunct Clinical Professor of Medicine (Oncology) at Stanford University Medical Center since 1991. Dr. Miller currently serves on the board of directors of a private biopharmaceutical company. Dr. Miller received a B.A. in Chemistry from Franklin & Marshall College and an M.D. from the State University of New York Medical School. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. We believe Dr. Miller’s experience as an officer and director of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies provides him with the qualifications and skills to serve as a member of our board of directors.

 

 Linda S. Grais, M.D. J.D. Dr. Grais has served as a member of our board of directors since January 2019.   Dr. Grais previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. from June 2012 to December 2017 and as a member of its board of directors from January 2008 through December 2017. Prior to her employment by Ocera, Dr. Grais served as a managing member at InterWest Partners, a venture capital firm, from May 2005 until February 2011. From July 1998 to July 2003, Dr. Grais was a founder and executive vice president of SGX Pharmaceuticals Inc., a drug discovery company focusing on new treatments for cancer. Prior to that, she was a corporate attorney at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she practiced in such areas as venture financings, public offerings and strategic partnerships. Before practicing law, Dr. Grais worked as an assistant clinical professor of Internal Medicine and Critical Care at the University of California, San Francisco. She currently serves on the board of directors of Arca Biopharma, Inc., a public biotechnology company, Zosano Pharma Corporation, a public pharmaceutical company, and PRA Health Sciences, Inc., a public contract research organization.   Dr. Grais received a B.A. from Yale University, an M.D. from Yale Medical School and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.  We believe Dr. Grais’ experience as an officer and director of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies provides her with the qualifications and skills to serve as a member of our board of directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH

CLASS I DIRECTOR NOMINEE NAMED ABOVE.

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The audit committee of our board of directors has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 and has further directed that management submit the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has audited our financial statements beginning in fiscal year 2015. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the virtual Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Neither our Bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, the audit committee is submitting the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the audit committee will reconsider whether or not to retain PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Even if the selection is ratified, the audit committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees And Services

The following table represents aggregate fees billed or to be billed to us for fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm.

All fees described above were approved by our board of directors of the audit committee of the board of directors.

Pre‑Approval Policies and Procedures

The audit committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre‑approval of audit and non‑audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The policy generally requires pre‑approval for specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit‑related services and tax services. The pre‑approval of services may be delegated to one or more of the audit committee’s members, but the decision must be reported to the full audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.

The audit committee reviews both audit and non‑audit services performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the fees charged for such services. Among other things, the audit committee reviews non‑audit services proposed to be provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and pre‑approve such services only if they are compatible with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s status as an independent registered public accounting firm. All services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in 2019 and 2018 were pre‑approved by our board of directors or the audit committee after review of each of the services proposed for approval.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock present at the virtual Annual Meeting or represented by proxy at the virtual Annual Meeting and cast on this proposal will be required to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast on this proposal. No broker non‑votes are expected to exist in connection with this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 2.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The material in this report is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” with SEC for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall the material in this section be deemed to be “soliciting material’ or incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other document filed with the SEC under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

The audit committee of the board of directors has furnished this report concerning the independent audit of the Company’s financial statements. Each member of the audit committee meets the enhanced independence standards established by the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 and rulemaking of the SEC and Nasdaq regulations. A copy of the audit committee Charter is available on our website at www.corvuspharma.com.

The audit committee’s responsibilities include assisting the board of directors regarding the oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, and the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm.

In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the audit committee reviewed and discussed the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 with the Company’s management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. In addition, the audit committee has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, with and without management present, their evaluation of the Company’s internal accounting controls and overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The audit committee also discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC. The audit committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526 and the audit committee discussed the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with that firm.

Based on the audit committee’s review and discussions noted above, the audit committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

The audit committee and the board of directors have recommended the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020.

Audit Committee

Scott W. Morrison (Chairperson)

Linda S. Grais M.D. J.D.

Steve E. Krognes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The following table sets forth, for the Class II directors who are standing for election and for our other current directors who will continue in office after the Annual Meeting, information with respect to their position/office held with the Company and their ages as of March 31, 2020:

Set forth below is biographical information for each person whose term of office as a director will continue after the Annual Meeting. The biographical information of our nominees, Richard A. Miller M.D. and Linda S. Grais, M.D. J.D. is included in Proposal 1 above. The following includes certain information regarding our directors’ individual experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led the board of directors to conclude that they should serve as directors.

Class II Directors Continuing in Office until the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Steve E. Krognes. Mr. Krognes has served as a member of our board of directors since January 2016.  Mr. Krognes has served as Chief Financial Officer of Denali Therapeutics Inc., a public biotechnology company, since October 2015. From 2009 to September 2015, Mr. Krognes served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Genentech, Inc., a biotechnology company. From 2004 to 2009, he was Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Roche Holding AG, a biotechnology company. Mr. Krognes served as Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at Danske Bank A/S, a Danish bank, from 2002 to 2003. He was a Venture Capitalist with Pylonia Ventures, a Norwegian venture investments company, from 2000 to 2002. From 1996 to 2000, he was a Management Consultant for McKinsey & Company, a consulting firm. Mr. Krognes currently serves as a member of the boards of directors of Gritstone Oncology, a public biopharmaceutical company, and RLS Global, a Swedish life sciences company. He was a member of the board of directors and board executive committee of the California Life Sciences Association, an industry organization, from September 2010 to September 2015. Mr. Krognes received a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.  We believe Mr. Krognes’ experience in finance and the biotechnology industry provides him with the qualifications and skills to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Scott W. Morrison. Mr. Morrison has served as a member of our board of directors since December 2015. From 1996 to December 2015, Mr. Morrison was a Partner with Ernst & Young LLP, a public accounting firm, where he also served as U.S. Life Sciences Leader from 2002 to December 2015.  He also serves on the board of directors of Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company, since January 2016 and on the board of directors of Ideaya Biosciences, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company, since July 2018.  Mr. Morrison has held roles on the

boards of directors of numerous life sciences industry organizations. Since 1999, he has served on the board of directors of the Biotechnology Institute, a non-profit organization, where has also served on the audit committee since 2002. Mr. Morrison has previously served on the boards of directors of the Life Sciences Foundation, a biotechnology non-profit organization, the Bay Area Biosciences Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, and the Emerging Companies Section of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, a trade organization. He received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California-Berkeley and is a certified public accountant (inactive). We believe Mr. Morrison’s experience in public accounting and the life sciences industry provides him with the qualifications and skills to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Class III Directors Continuing in Office until the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Ian T. Clark.  Mr. Clark has served as a member of our board of directors since January 2017.  Mr. Clark has more than 34 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, most recently serving as CEO and member of the board of directors for Genentech, until his retirement in December 2016.  During his seven-year tenure as CEO, Mr. Clark and his team brought eleven new medicines to market for patients fighting rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and various types of cancer. Ian was among the highest rated CEOs by Glassdoor, recognized as the Bay Area’s most admired CEO by the San Francisco Business Times and awarded the Honorable Mentor of the Year by the Heath Business Woman's Association.  Prior to joining Genentech, Mr. Clark held various positions of increasing responsibility at Novartis, Sanofi, Ivax and Searle, working in the USA, UK, Canada, Eastern Europe and France.  Currently, Mr. Clark is on the board of directors for Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Guardant Health, Inc., Forty Seven, Inc., and Avrobio, Inc. He is an Operating Partner of Blackstone Life Sciences.  He is also on the BioFulcrum Board of the Gladstone Institute.  Mr. Clark previously served on the Boards of Shire, Kite Pharma, Dendreon,  Solazyme and Vernalis. He was also on the Board of Biotechnology Industry Association and on the Economic Advisory Council of the 12th District of the Federal Reserve.  Mr. Clark received his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Southampton University in the United Kingdom.  We believe Mr. Clark’s executive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry provides him with the qualifications and skills to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Elisha P. (Terry) Gould III. Mr. Gould has served as a member of our board of directors since November 2014.  Mr. Gould is currently a Partner and Head of Venture/Growth Equity Investments at Adams Street Partners, LLC, a global private equity firm, and has been employed by Adams Street Partners or its predecessor organizations since 1994. Mr. Gould has served on the board of Aptinyx Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, since July 2015 and currently serves on the boards of directors of several private biopharmaceutical and/or healthcare companies. Mr. Gould received an A.B. in Engineering Science from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.  We believe Mr. Gould’s experience in the venture capital industry and as a director of several biopharmaceutical and/or healthcare companies provides him with the qualifications and skills to serve as a member of our board of directors. 

Peter Thompson, M.D. Dr. Thompson has served as a member of our board of directors since November 2014.  Dr. Thompson currently serves as a Private Equity Partner at OrbiMed Advisors LLC, an investment firm focused on the healthcare sector, where he previously served as a Venture Partner. Dr. Thompson also serves as the chief executive officer of Silverback Therapeutics, Inc. In addition, Dr. Thompson currently serves on the board of directors of several public biopharmaceutical companies: Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. since June 2016, Synthorx, Inc., since April 2018 and Prevail Therapeutics Inc. since August 2017. Dr. Thompson also currently serves on the board of directors of several private companies. Dr. Thompson is a board-certified internist and oncologist and has served as Affiliate Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Washington since January 2010. Dr. Thompson co-founded and served as the chief executive officer of Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 2002 to 2009. Previously, Dr. Thompson served as a medical staff fellow at the National Cancer Institute from 1985 to 1992. Dr. Thompson holds a Sc. B. in Molecular Biology and Mathematics from Brown University and an M.D. from Brown University Medical School. We believe Dr. Thompson’s experience in management and venture capital in the biopharmaceutical industry provides him with the qualifications and skills to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Meetings of the Board of Directors, Board and Committee Member Attendance and Annual Meeting Attendance

The board of directors met four times and acted once by unanimous written consent during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The audit committee met five times, the compensation committee met two times and the nominating and corporate governance committee met one time. Each member of the board of directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of our board of directors, and of the committees on which he or she served, held during the last fiscal year.  We encourage all of our directors and nominees for director to attend our annual meeting of stockholders; however, attendance is not mandatory. All of our then-serving directors, except Dr. Thompson and Mr. Gould, attended our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The board of directors has documented our governance practices in our corporate governance guidelines to assure that the board will have the necessary authority and practices in place to review and evaluate our business operations as needed and to make decisions that are independent of our management. The guidelines are also intended to align the interests of directors and management with those of our stockholders. The corporate governance guidelines set forth certain practices the board will follow with respect to board composition, board committees, board nomination, director qualifications and evaluation of the board and committees. The corporate governance guidelines and the charter for each committee of the board of directors may be viewed at www.corvuspharma.com.

Director Independence

Our board of directors currently consists of seven (7) members. Our board of directors has determined that all of our directors, other than Dr. Miller, qualify as independent directors in accordance with the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) listing requirements. Dr. Miller is not considered independent because he is an employee of the Company. Nasdaq’s  independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the director is not, and has not been for at least three (3) years, one of our employees and that neither the director nor any of his or her family members has engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as required by Nasdaq rules, our board of directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist that, in the opinion of our board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our board of directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director’s business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

As required under Nasdaq rules and regulations, our independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent directors are present.

Leadership Structure of the Board

Our Bylaws and corporate governance guidelines provide our board of directors with flexibility to combine or separate the positions of chairperson of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer and/or the implementation of a lead director in accordance with its determination that utilizing one or the other structure would be in our best interests. Dr. Miller currently serves as the chairperson of our board of directors. In that role, Dr. Miller presides over the meetings of our board of directors.

Our board of directors has concluded that our current leadership structure is appropriate at this time. However, our board of directors will continue to periodically review our leadership structure and may make such changes in the future as it deems appropriate.

Role of Board in Risk Oversight Process

Risk assessment and oversight are an integral part of our governance and management processes. Our board of directors encourages management to promote a culture that incorporates risk management into our corporate strategy and day‑to‑day business operations. Management discusses strategic and operational risks with the board of directors at

regular board meetings as part of management presentations that focus on particular business functions, operations or strategies, and presents the steps taken by management to mitigate or eliminate such risks.

Our board of directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through our board of directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of our board of directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our board of directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure. Our audit committee is responsible for overseeing our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures. The audit committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and considers and approves or disapproves any related person transactions. Our nominating and governance committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines. Our compensation committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk‑taking.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our board of directors has the following standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Our board of directors may establish other committees to facilitate the management of our business. The composition and functions of each committee are described below.

Below is a description of each committee of the board of directors.

Audit Committee

Our audit committee oversees our corporate accounting and financial reporting process. Among other matters, the audit committee:

The current members of our audit committee are Mr. Krognes,  Dr. Grais and Mr. Morrison. Mr. Morrison serves as the chairperson of the committee. All members of our audit committee meet the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Morrison and Mr. Krognes are audit committee financial experts as defined under the applicable rules of the SEC and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq. Under the rules of the SEC, members of the audit committee must also meet heightened independence standards. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our audit committee is independent under the applicable rules of Nasdaq. The audit committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and Nasdaq which is available on our corporate website at www.corvuspharma.com.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee reviews and recommends policies relating to compensation and benefits of our officers and employees. The compensation committee reviews and sets or makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. The compensation committee also reviews and makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding director compensation. In addition, the compensation committee reviews and approves or makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding our incentive compensation and equity‑based plans. The compensation committee periodically reviews and evaluates the performance of the compensation committee and its members and must annually review and reassess the compensation committee charter and recommend any changes to our board of directors. The compensation committee may delegate authority to subcomittees as it deems appropriate.

The current members of our compensation committee are Mr. Clark, Mr. Krognes, Mr. Morrison, and Dr. Thompson. Dr. Thompson serves as the chairperson of the committee. Each of the members of our compensation committee is independent under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq. Each of Mr. Clark, Mr. Krognes, and Mr. Morrison is also a “non‑employee director” as defined in Rule 16b‑3 under the Exchange Act. Dr. Thompson will not be a “non‑employee director” if OrbiMed Private Investments V, LP continues to own more than ten percent (10%) of our capital stock. In such event and until such time as the compensation committee is comprised solely of “non‑employee directors,” equity compensation awards to directors and executive officers will be approved by our board of directors. The compensation committee operates under a written charter which is available on our corporate website at www.corvuspharma.com.

Our executive officers submit proposals to the board and the compensation committee regarding our executive and director compensation. Our Chief Executive Officer also annually reviews the performance of each executive officer and makes recommendations regarding their compensation. The compensation committee considers those recommendations in determining base salaries, adjustments to base salaries, annual cash bonus program targets and awards and equity awards, if any, for the executive officers and other members of senior management.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for making recommendations to our board of directors regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of our board of directors. In addition, the

nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance policies and reporting and making recommendations to our board of directors concerning governance matters.

The current members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are Mr. Clark, Mr. Gould and Dr. Grais. Mr. Gould serves as the chairperson of the committee. Each of the members of our nominating and corporate governance committee is an independent director under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq relating to nominating and corporate governance committee independence. The nominating and corporate governance committee operates under a written charter which is available on our corporate website at www.corvuspharma.com.

The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders. For a stockholder to make any recommendation or nomination for election to the board of directors at an annual meeting, the stockholder must provide notice to the Company, which notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the Company’s principal executive offices not less than 90 days and not more than 120 days prior to the one‑year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or, if later, the 10th day following the date on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting is made. Further updates and supplements to such notice may be required at the times, and in the forms, required under our bylaws. As set forth in our bylaws, submissions must include the name and address of the proposed nominee, information regarding the proposed nominee that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings in a contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) under the Exchange Act, information regarding the proposed nominee’s indirect and direct interests in shares of the Company’s common stock, and a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement of the proposed nominee. Our Bylaws also specify further requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. We recommend that any stockholder wishing to make a nomination for director review a copy of our Bylaws, as amended and restated to date, which is available, without charge, from our Secretary, Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 863 Mitten Road, Suite 102, Burlingame, CA 94010.

Board Diversity

Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for reviewing with the board of directors, on an annual basis, the appropriate characteristics, skills and experience required for the board of directors as a whole and its individual members. In evaluating the suitability of individual candidates (both new candidates and current members), the nominating and corporate governance committee, in recommending candidates for election, and the board of directors, in approving (and, in the case of vacancies, appointing) such candidates, may take into account many factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

Our board of directors evaluates each individual in the context of the board of directors as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that can best maximize the success of the business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience in these various areas.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

The board of directors will consider any written or electronic communication from our stockholders to the board, a committee of the board or any individual director. Any stockholder who wishes to communicate to the board of directors, a committee of the board or any individual director should submit written or electronic communications to our Secretary at our principal executive offices, which shall include contact information for such stockholder. All communications from stockholders received shall be forwarded by our Secretary to the board of directors, a committee of the board or an individual director, as appropriate, on a periodic basis, but in any event no later than the board of director’s next scheduled meeting. The board of directors, a committee of the board, or individual directors, as appropriate, will consider and review carefully any communications from stockholders forwarded by our Secretary.

Material Changes to Nominee Recommendation Procedures

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to our board in 2019.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. The code of business conduct and ethics is available on our corporate website at www.corvuspharma.com. Any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed on our website.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During the year ended December 31, 2019, our compensation committee consisted of Mr. Clark, Mr. Krognes, Mr. Morrison, and Dr. Thompson.  None of the members of our compensation committee has at any time been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past fiscal year has served, as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers on our board of directors or compensation committee.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions

Our board of directors has adopted a written related party transaction policy to set forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. This policy will cover, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S‑K, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we were or are to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a related party had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including, without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related party or entities in which the related party has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and employment by us of a related party. As provided by our related party transaction policy, our audit committee will be responsible for reviewing and approving in advance the related party transactions covered by our related party transaction policies and procedures. 

Certain Related Party Transactions

We describe below transactions and series of similar transactions since January 1, 2019, to which we were a party or will be a party, in which (i) the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 and (ii) any of our directors, executive officers, holders of more than five percent of our capital stock or any member of their immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. 

Director and Executive Officer Agreements and Compensation

See the sections titled “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” for more information regarding compensation of our directors and executive officers.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with our executive officers. For more information regarding these agreements, see the section titled “Executive Compensation.”

Indemnification Agreements and Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements require us to, among other things, indemnify each director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, penalties, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer. We have obtained an insurance policy that insures our directors and officers against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under applicable securities laws.

Investors’ Rights Agreement

We are party to an amended and restated investors’ rights agreement, dated as of September 16, 2015, pursuant to which certain of our stockholders, including certain holders of five percent (5%) or more of our capital stock and entities affiliated with certain of our directors, have the right to demand that we file a registration statement for their shares of our common stock or request that their shares of our common stock be covered by a registration statement that we are otherwise filing. As of December 31, 2019, the holders of approximately 10 million shares of our common stock are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of such shares under the Securities Act.

Warrant Exchange

In November 2019, we entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with entities affiliated with Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P. (the “Exchanging Stockholders”), pursuant to which we exchanged an aggregate of 1,458,000 shares of our common stock owned by the Exchanging Stockholders for warrants (the “Exchange Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 1,458,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, recapitalizations and other similar events affecting common stock), with an exercise price of $0.0001 per share. The Exchange Warrants were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Director Compensation Table

The following table presents information regarding the compensation paid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 to members of our board of directors who are not also employed by us or any of our subsidiaries (our non‑employee directors). The compensation paid to Richard A. Miller, who is also our president and chief executive officer, is set forth in the section titled “Executive Compensation” in this proxy statement. Dr. Miller was not entitled to receive additional compensation for his service as a director:

Director Compensation

In December 2015, our board of directors approved a compensation policy for our non‑employee directors (the “Director Compensation Program”). Pursuant to our Director Compensation Program, our non‑employee directors are entitled to cash compensation, paid quarterly in arrears, as follows:

In addition, unless waived in advance, under the Director Compensation Program, each non‑employee director who is elected or appointed to our board of directors will automatically be granted an option to purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock upon the director’s initial appointment or election to our board of directors, referred to as the Initial Grant. In addition, unless waived in advance, each non‑employee director who is serving on our board of directors immediately following an annual stockholder’s meeting will automatically be granted an annual option to purchase 15,000 shares of our common stock on the date of such annual stockholder’s meeting, referred to as the Annual Grant. The Initial Grant will vest as to 1/3rd of the shares subject to the Initial Grant on each anniversary of the applicable grant date, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date. The Annual Grant will vest as to all of the shares subject to the Annual Grant on the earlier of the first anniversary of the applicable grant date or the next annual stockholders’ meeting, subject to continued service through the vesting date. All equity awards, including any Initial Grants and Annual Grants, held by our non‑employee directors will vest in full immediately prior to the occurrence of a change in control.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following sets forth information about our executive officers as of March 31, 2020.

 

The following is biographical information as of March 31, 2020 for our executive officers other than Richard A. Miller, M.D., whose biographical information is included in the section above titled “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance.”

Daniel W. Hunt, J.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer.   Mr. Hunt has served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer since December 2017.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hunt served as General Counsel and Vice President of Corporate Development at CoMentis, Inc., a biotechnology company, from July 2009 to September 2016. Mr. Hunt was an Associate General Counsel at Genentech, Inc. from 2003 to 2009 and prior to that held senior legal and transactional positions at Abgenix, Inc., Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. and Chiron Corporation. Mr. Hunt received a B.S in Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his J.D. from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley.

William B. Jones, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Pharmaceutical Development.  Dr. Jones has served as our Vice President, Pharmaceutical Development since December 2014. Dr. Jones was Director of Global Regulatory Affairs in the oncology business unit of Sanofi US, LLC, a pharmaceutical company, from December 2012 to December 2014. From 2008 to March 2012, Dr. Jones was Director of Project Management & Regulatory at Pharmacyclics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. Dr. Jones served as Associate Director of Development for Plexxikon, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from 2005 to 2007. From 2002 to 2005, he was Senior Project Manager at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company. Dr. Jones received a B.S. and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati and an M.B.A. from Babson College. He completed a post‑doctoral fellowship at the University of Oxford.

Leiv Lea, Chief Financial Officer.  Mr. Lea has served as our Chief Financial Officer since November 2014. Mr. Lea was a financial consultant from 2009 to November 2014. From 1998 to 2008, Mr. Lea served as Chief Financial Officer of Pharmacyclics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. From 1996 to 1997, he was a financial consultant. From 1986 to 1996, Mr. Lea served as Chief Financial Officer of Margaux, Inc., a refrigeration equipment manufacturer. He received a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of California, Davis and an M.B.A. from the Anderson School at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Mehrdad Mobasher, M.D., M.P.H., Vice President, Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Mobasher has served as our Vice President and Chief Medical Officer since January 2019. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Mobasher was employed by Genentech/Roche from August 2010 to January 2019, most recently as a Group Medical Director and Development Lead for venetoclax. He has also served as an adjunct clinical faculty member in the Division of Medical Oncology at Stanford University from September 2011 to September 2012.  Dr. Mobasher received an M.D. from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and an M.P.H. in general epidemiology from the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of California, Irvine, and post-doctoral fellowships in hematology and medical oncology at Stanford University.

Erik J. Verner, Ph.D., Vice President, Chemistry Research.  Dr. Verner has served as our Vice President, Chemistry Research since January 2015. From March 2011 to December 2014, Dr. Verner was Director of Chemistry for Principia Biopharma Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. Dr. Verner served as Director of Chemistry of Pharmacyclics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 2008 to February 2011, where he served as a principal scientist from 2006 to 2008. From 1996 to 2006, Dr. Verner was a principal scientist at Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Arris Pharmaceuticals, Incorporated), a biotechnology company, and Celera Corporation, a subsidiary of Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He was a senior scientist at Immunopharmaceutics, Inc., a biotechnology company, from 1993 to 1996. Dr. Verner received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Idaho and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This section discusses the material components of our executive compensation program and compensation for our named executive officers (“NEOs”) for the year ended December 31, 2019. As an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, we are not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies. In addition, as an emerging growth company, we are not required to hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, or “say‑on‑pay” vote.

Our NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2019 are:

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information for each of the last two completed fiscal years regarding compensation awarded to our NEOs.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2019

The following table presents information regarding the outstanding stock options and stock awards held by each of the named executive officers as of December 31, 2019.

Base Salaries and Annual Bonuses

Our NEOs receive a base salary to compensate them for services rendered to our company. The base salary payable to each NEO is intended to provide a fixed component of compensation reflecting the executive’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities.  In December 2018, our board of directors set each of Dr. Miller’s and Mr. Lea’s annual base salary for 2019 at $300,000 and $350,000, respectively . Dr. Mobasher joined the Company in February 2019.  Pursuant to Dr. Mobasher’s offer letter, he received a base salary of $450,000 per year. In addition to his salary, he received a sign-on bonus of $200,000 that was paid on a periodic basis through November 2019.  In December 2019, our board of directors approved increasing Mr. Lea’s annual base salary to $360,500 and Dr. Mobasher’s annual base salary to $463,500 effective as of January 1, 2020. Dr. Miller’s annual base salary remains at $300,000.  Our named executive officers are eligible to receive annual performance-based bonuses in the discretion of the board of directors. In December 2019, the board of directors granted Dr. Mobasher a bonus of $45,000 which was paid in 2020.

Equity Awards

In December 2019, the board of directors granted to Dr. Miller, Mr. Lea, and Dr. Mobasher options to purchase 320,000, 160,000 and 50,000 shares of our common stock, respectively, with an exercise price of $3.54 per share, which vest as to 1/48th of the shares underlying the option on each monthly anniversary of December 12, 2019, subject to the executive’s continued service to us.

Employment, Severance and Change in Control Arrangements

We are party to an employment agreement or offer letter with each of Dr. Miller, Mr. Lea and Dr. Mobasher, which sets forth the terms of their employment as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, respectively. These agreements provided for initial base salaries, eligibility for annual discretionary bonuses and the grants of discretionary equity awards, and standard benefit plan participation.

Change in Control and Severance Benefits.

 

Pursuant to Dr. Miller’s and Mr. Lea’s employment agreements and Dr. Mobasher’s change in control severance agreement, in the event that the executive’s employment is terminated by us other than for “cause,” or by the executive for “good reason” (each as defined below) at any time other than during the three month period prior to and twelve month period immediately following a change in control of the Company, the executive is entitled to receive (i) severance payments in an amount equal to nine, or, in the case of Dr. Miller, twelve, months of his then‑existing base salary; and (ii) continued healthcare coverage for the earlier of nine, or, in the case of Dr. Miller, twelve, months, or the date the executive and his dependents, if any, become eligible for healthcare coverage under another employer’s plan(s). In addition, each outstanding equity award that vests subject to the executive’s continued employment will automatically become vested, and, if applicable, all restrictions thereon will lapse, in each case, with respect to (i) in the case of Mr. Lea and Dr. Mobasher, the number of shares that would have vested in the nine month period following such termination had the executive remained employed or (ii) in the case of Dr. Miller, 100% of the number of shares that would have vested following such termination.

Furthermore, pursuant to Dr. Miller’s and Mr. Lea’s employment agreements, as amended and restated, and Dr. Mobasher’s employment agreement, in the event that the executive’s employment is terminated by us other than for “cause”, or by the executive for “good reason” (each as defined below) during the twelve month period immediately following a change in control of the Company, the executive is entitled to receive (i) severance payments in an amount equal to the sum of twelve, or in the case of Dr. Miller, eighteen, months of his then‑existing base salary plus 100%, or, in the case of Dr. Miller, 150%, of his target bonus opportunity, payable in a cash lump sum, less applicable withholdings; and (ii) continued healthcare coverage until the earlier of twelve, or in the case of Dr. Miller, eighteen, months following termination, or the date the executive and his dependents, if any, become eligible for healthcare coverage under another employer’s plan(s). In addition, for Mr. Lea and Dr. Mobasher, each outstanding equity award that vests subject to executive’s continued employment will automatically become vested, and, if applicable, all restrictions thereon will lapse, in each case, with respect to 100% of the shares subject thereto. For Dr. Miller, immediately following a change in control of the Company, each outstanding unvested equity award will automatically become vested and, if applicable, all restrictions thereon will lapse, in each case, with respect to 100% of the shares subject thereto.

Any such severance payments and accelerated vesting are subject to the executive’s timely execution and non‑revocation of a general release of claims against us and our affiliates.

With respect to each of Dr. Miller’s, Mr. Lea’s and Dr. Mobasher’s employment agreements:

Pursuant to their respective agreements, our named executive officers are bound by certain restrictive covenants, including covenants relating to confidentiality and/or assignment of intellectual property rights. In addition, Dr. Miller and Mr. Lea are bound by covenants not to solicit our officers or employees during employment and for a specified period following termination of employment. Each named executive officer is also bound by a covenant not to disparage us or our employees, clients, directors or agents or divert or attempt to divert any of our actual or potential business.

Defined Contribution Plan

We maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan for the benefit of our employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Under the 401(k) plan, eligible employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation, within the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, on a pre‑tax or after‑tax (Roth) basis through contributions to the 401(k) plan. In 2019, we matched 100% of each participant’s contribution to our 401(k) plan up to a maximum match of $3,000 per participant.  We believe that providing a vehicle for tax‑deferred retirement savings though our 401(k) plan adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes our employees, including our named executive officers, in accordance with our compensation policies.

Perquisites

We provide limited perquisites and other personal benefits to our named executive officers, including the payment of life insurance premiums to the same extent provided to our other employees. We do not view these benefits as a significant component of our executive compensation program.

The Compensation Committee monitors our compensation programs on an annual basis and expects to make modifications as necessary to address any changes in our business or risk profile

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides information about the securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2019.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2020, by: (i) each of our directors; (ii) each of our named executive officers as set forth in the summary compensation table above; (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and (iv) all those known by us to be beneficial owners of more than five percent (5%) of our common stock.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders and Forms 3, Forms 4, Forms 5 and Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, we believe that each of the stockholders named in the table has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable. Shares of our common stock subject to options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2020 are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Applicable percentages are based on 27,953,233 shares outstanding on March 31, 2020, adjusted as required by rules promulgated by the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the individuals and entities named below is c/o Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 863 Mitten Road, Suite 102, Burlingame, CA 94010.

*Denotes ownership percentage less than one percent.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

To our knowledge, based solely on our review of Forms 3, 4 and 5, and any amendments thereto, furnished to us or written representations that no Form 5 was required, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers and directors under the Exchange Act were met in a timely manner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Householding of Proxy Materials

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

Brokers with account holders who are Corvus stockholders may be “householding” our proxy materials. A single proxy statement may be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you notify your broker or the Company that you no longer wish to participate in “householding.”

If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, you may (1) notify your broker, (2) direct your written request to: Secretary, Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 863 Mitten Road, Suite 102, Burlingame, CA 94010, or (3) request from the Company by calling (650) 900-4520. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of this proxy statement at their address and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their broker. In addition, the Company will promptly deliver, upon written or oral request to the address or telephone number above, a separate copy of the Form 10‑K, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card or Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered.

Other Matters

The board of directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the virtual Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

Our website address is www.corvuspharma.com. The information in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. Our Annual Reports on Form 10‑K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q and Current Reports on Form 8‑K and amendments to those reports are available, free of charge, on or through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding our filings at www.sec.gov.

We have filed our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2019 with the SEC. It is available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Upon written request by a Corvus stockholder, we will mail without charge a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10‑K, including the financial statements and financial statement schedules, but excluding exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K. Exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K are available upon payment of a reasonable fee, which is limited to our expenses in furnishing the requested exhibit. All requests should be directed to the Secretary, Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 863 Mitten Road, Suite 102, Burlingame, CA 94010.

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

April 15, 2020