UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 22, 2018

 

MATINAS BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-38022   46-3011414
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)

 

1545 Route 206 South, Suite 302

Bedminster, New Jersey

  07921
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (908) 443-1860

 

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company [X]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [X]

 

 

 

   

 

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On March 22, 2018, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Jabbour. Under the terms of Mr. Jabbour’s employment agreement, Mr. Jabbour received a signing bonus of $84,000 and receives a base salary of $350,000 per year, subject to increase to (i) $400,000 in the event we complete an equity financing transaction raising gross proceeds of at least $5,000,000 prior to March 15, 2019 and (ii) $425,000 in the event we complete an equity financing transaction raising gross proceeds of at least $15,000,000 prior to March 15, 2019. In addition, Mr. Jabbour will also be eligible to receive an annual bonus, which is targeted at 50% of his base salary but which may be adjusted by our Compensation Committee based on his individual performance and our performance as a whole. Mr. Jabbour received an option grant to purchase 1,000,000 shares on March 22, 2018 and will also be eligible to receive additional option grants and equity grants at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. If we terminate Mr. Jabbour’s employment without cause or Mr. Jabbour resigns with good reason (absent a change of control), we are required to pay him a severance of up to twelve months of his base salary plus COBRA benefits for twelve months. In addition, the vesting for 50% of his outstanding options will be accelerated in full upon such termination and Mr. Jabbour will be provided with an extension through two years after the separation date of the exercise period for his vested stock options. If we terminate Mr. Jabbour’s employment without cause during the 24 month period immediately following a change of control or Mr. Jabbour resigns with good reason during the 24 month period immediately following a change of control, we are required to pay him a severance of up to twenty-four months of his base salary and his target annual bonus plus 18 months of COBRA benefits. In addition his options will be vested in full and Mr. Jabbour will be provided with an extension through two years after the separation date of the exercise period for his vested stock options.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)   Exhibit No.   Description.
    10.1   Employment Agreement, dated March 22, 2018, between Jerome D. Jabbour and Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

  MATINAS BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.
     
Dated: March 27, 2018 By: /s/ Jerome D. Jabbour
  Name: Jerome D. Jabbour
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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