UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment
No. )
Filed
by the Registrant ☒
Filed
by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check
the appropriate box:
☐ |
Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
☐ |
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☒ |
Definitive
Proxy Statement |
☐ |
Definitive
Additional Materials |
☐ |
Soliciting
Material under §240.14a-12 |
CO-DIAGNOSTICS,
INC.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
☒ |
No
fee required. |
☐ |
Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☐ |
Fee
computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
CO-DIAGNOSTICS,
INC.
2401
S. Foothill Drive, Suite D
Salt
Lake City, Utah 84109
(801)
438-1036
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To
Be Held Virtually at 10:00 A.M. (Mountain Time) on Thursday, August 29, 2024
NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that the virtual-only Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Co-Diagnostics, Inc., a Utah
corporation (“we” or the “Company”), will be held on August 29, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. (Mountain Time), on a virtual
basis, for the following purposes, all of which are discussed in greater detail in the accompanying proxy statement:
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1. |
To
elect one (1) Class III director nominee, who is currently serving on our board of directors, to serve until the 2027 annual meeting
of shareholders or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation, or removal; |
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2.
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To
adopt, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; |
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3. |
To
vote, on an advisory basis, on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive
officers; |
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4. |
To
ratify the appointment of Tanner LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2024; and |
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5. |
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
Only
those shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 5, 2024, the record date for the Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”),
will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The
Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of shareholders, which will be conducted via live webcast. You will be able to attend
the Annual Meeting online, vote and submit your questions during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CODX2024.
We are pleased to utilize the virtual shareholder meeting technology to provide ready access and cost savings for our shareholders and
the Company. The virtual meeting format allows attendance from any location in the world.
Even
if you are planning on attending the Annual Meeting online, please promptly submit your proxy vote via the Internet, by telephone, or,
if you received a printed form of proxy in the mail, by completing, dating, signing and returning the enclosed proxy, so your shares
will be represented at the Annual Meeting. Instructions on voting your shares are on the proxy materials you received for the Annual
Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting online, it is strongly recommended you vote before the Annual Meeting date, to
ensure that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting if you are unable to attend.
You
may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the Annual Meeting. If you attend the Annual Meeting and vote by ballot, your proxy will be
revoked automatically and only your vote at the Annual Meeting will be counted. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker,
or other holder of record, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the holder of record in order to be able to vote in
person at the Annual Meeting.
Details
regarding admission to the meeting and the business to be conducted at the meeting are more fully described in this Notice of Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and accompanying proxy statement.
OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE PROPOSALS.
The
proxy statement accompanying this notice provides a more complete description of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting.
We encourage you to read the proxy statement carefully and in its entirety.
|
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, |
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/s/
Dwight H. Egan |
|
Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Salt
Lake City, Utah |
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July
16, 2024 |
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This
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, proxy statement and form of proxy are first being mailed to shareholders on or about July 16,
2024.
Important
Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Co-Diagnostics, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held August 29,
2024: The notice of annual meeting of shareholders, Proxy Statement and accompanying Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com,
and on the Investor Relations portion of our web site at https://codiagnostics.com/investors/.
2401
S. Foothill Drive, Suite D
Salt
Lake City, Utah 84109
(801)
438-1036
PROXY
STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
This
proxy statement (this “Proxy Statement”) is being furnished to holders of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Co-Diagnostics,
Inc. (“Co-Diagnostics,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us”) of record as
of the close of business on July 5, 2024 (the “Record Date”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board
of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) to be used at the 2024 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on August 29, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. (Mountain Time) on a virtual basis or at
any postponement or adjournment thereof. The Annual Meeting will be a completely “virtual meeting” of shareholders. You are
invited to attend the Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. However, you do not need to attend the
Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card if you received paper copies
of the proxy materials or follow the instructions below to submit your proxy over the Internet.
Pursuant
to Utah Code § 16-10a-720, the Company will make a shareholders’ list available for inspection upon request at the Company’s
principal office at 2401 S. Foothill Drive, Suite D, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109, Attn: Brian Brown, by any stockholder as of the Record
Date or such stockholder’s agent or attorney, beginning July 18, 2024, (two business days after notice of the meeting is given)
continuing through the Annual Meeting and any meeting adjournments thereof.
Our
Board is asking you to vote your shares by completing, signing and returning the accompanying proxy card. If you attend the Annual Meeting
in person, you may vote at the Annual Meeting even if you have previously returned a proxy card. 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 Annual Meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your
name from that record holder as described in more detail below.
Please
read this Proxy Statement carefully then vote your shares promptly by telephone, by Internet or by signing, dating and returning your
proxy card.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT
THE
PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
What
is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
The
Annual Meeting is being held for the purposes of obtaining stockholder approval for the following proposals (the “Proposals”):
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1. |
To
elect one (1) Class III director nominee, who is currently serving on our board of directors, to serve until the 2027 annual meeting
of shareholders or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation, or removal; |
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2.
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To
approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; |
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3. |
To
vote, on an advisory basis, on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive
officers; |
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4. |
To
ratify the appointment of Tanner LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2024; and |
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5. |
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
Who
is entitled to vote?
Only
our shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date for the meeting, July 5, 2024, are entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. As of the close of business on July 5, 2022, we had 31,911,002 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
How
many votes do I have?
Each
share of our common stock that the stockholder owns as of July 5, 2024 entitles the stockholder to one vote on each director nominee
listed in Proposal 1, Proposal 2, Proposal 3, Proposal 4 and any other matter that might properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
Can
I access the proxy materials electronically?
Yes.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Annual Report are available online at www.proxyvote.com, the Company’s website
https://codiagnostics.com/investors and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
How
can I attend the Annual Meeting?
We
will be hosting the Annual Meeting live via the internet. There will not be a physical location for the Annual Meeting.
Any
stockholder can listen to and participate in the Annual Meeting live via the internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CODX2024
on August 29, 2024, and the webcast of the Annual Meeting will begin at 10:00 A.M. (Mountain Time) that day.
Shareholders
may also vote while connected to the Annual Meeting on the internet. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your voting
instruction form or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) in order to be able to vote your shares or
submit questions.
Instructions
on how to connect and participate via the internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CODX2024.
There
will be technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting. If you encounter
any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will
be posted on the virtual stockholder meeting login page.
If
you do not have your control number, you will be able to listen to the meeting only — you will not be able to vote.
What
is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner of shares held in street name?
Stockholder
of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, VStock Transfer, you are considered the stockholder
of record with respect to those shares, and we sent a Notice of Annual Meeting and a printed set of the proxy materials, together with
a proxy card, directly to you.
Beneficial
Owner of Shares Held in Street Name. If your shares are held in an account at a broker, bank or other nominee, then you are the beneficial
owner of those shares held in “street name,” and a Notice of Annual Meeting and a set of the proxy materials, together with
a voting instruction form, was forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee who is considered the stockholder of record with
respect to those shares. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote the
shares held in your account by following the instructions in the Notice of Annual Meeting and the voting instruction form you received.
How
can I vote my shares?
The
process for voting your shares depends on how your shares are held. Generally, as discussed above, you may hold shares as a “record
holder” (that is, in your own name) or in “street name” (that is, through a nominee, such as a broker or bank). As
explained above, if you hold shares in “street name,” you are considered to be the “beneficial owner” of those
shares.
Voting
by Record Holders. If you are a record holder, you may vote by proxy prior to the Annual Meeting or you may vote during the Annual
Meeting in person. If you are a record holder and would like to vote your shares by proxy prior to the Annual Meeting, you have four
ways to vote:
1. |
By
phone: 1-800-690-6903; |
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2. |
By
Internet: go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode on your proxy card; |
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3. |
Vote
by Mail: Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote
Processing, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717; or |
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4. |
Virtual
Meeting: During The Annual Meeting: Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CODX2024. |
Please
note that Internet proxy voting will close at 11:59 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on August 28, 2024. If you received a proxy card in
the mail and wish to vote by completing and returning the proxy card via mail, please note that your completed proxy card must be received
before the polls close for voting at the Annual Meeting.
Voting
by beneficial owners of shares held in “street name.” If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other
holder of record (also known as “street name”), you have the right to direct your bank, broker or other nominee on how to
vote your shares by using the voting instruction form provided to you by them, or by following their instructions for voting through
the internet or by telephone. In order for your shares to be voted on all matters presented at the meeting, we urge all shareholders
whose shares are held in street name by a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to provide voting instructions to such record holder.
How
are proxies voted?
All
shares represented by valid proxies received prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted, and where a stockholder specifies by means of
the proxy a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions.
What
happens if I do not give specific voting instructions?
Shareholders
of Record. If you are a stockholder of record and you sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions or
you indicate when voting in person, on the Internet, by fax or by e-mail that you wish to vote as recommended by the Board, then the
proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by the Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement and as the
proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting.
Beneficial
Owners of Shares Held in Street Name. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not join and vote at the
Annual Meeting or provide the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, then the broker,
bank or other nominee that holds your shares may generally vote on routine matters but cannot vote on non-routine matters. If the broker,
bank or other nominee that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter,
the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to
vote on this matter with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.”
Is
my vote confidential?
Proxy
instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting
privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within Co-Diagnostics or to third parties, except: (1) as necessary to meet applicable
legal requirements; (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote; and (3) to facilitate a successful proxy
solicitation. Occasionally, shareholders provide written comments on their proxy card, which are then forwarded to our management.
Which
ballot measures are considered ‘‘routine’’ or ‘‘non-routine’’?
The
ratification of the appointment of Tanner LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2024 (Proposal No. 4) is considered a “routine” matter. Your broker, therefore, may vote your shares in its discretion
if you do not provide instructions on how to vote on this routine matter, and no broker non-votes are expected in connection with this
proposal.
Proposal
No. 1, Proposal No. 2, and Proposal No. 3 are considered “non-routine” matters. Accordingly, a broker may not vote on these
proposals without instructions from its customer and broker non-votes may occur with respect to these proposals.
Can
I change my vote or revoke my proxy after I return my proxy card or vote online?
Any
proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by filing an instrument revoking it with the Company’s Secretary or by
submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date prior to the time of the Annual Meeting. Shareholders who have voted by proxy over
the Internet, by fax or by e-mail or have executed and returned a proxy and who then attend the Annual Meeting and desire to vote in
person are requested to notify the Secretary in writing prior to the time of the Annual Meeting. We request that all such written notices
of revocation to the Company be addressed to the Secretary of the Company prior to the Annual Meeting at 2401 S. Foothill Drive, Suite
D, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109. Shareholders may also revoke their proxy by entering a new vote over the Internet, by fax, or by e-mail.
What
constitutes a quorum and effect of Broker non-votes?
The
presence at the Annual Meeting, virtually or by proxy, of the holders of thirty-three and one-third percent (33 and 1/3%) of the outstanding
shares of stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting for the transaction of any business.
If a quorum is established, each stockholder entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be entitled to one vote, virtually or by proxy,
for each share of stock entitled to vote held by such stockholder as of the close of business on the Record Date.
Broker
non-votes occur when shares held by a broker for a beneficial owner are not voted either because (i) the broker did not receive voting
instructions from the beneficial owner or (ii) the broker lacked discretionary authority to vote the shares. Abstentions occur when shares
present at the Annual Meeting are marked “abstain.” A broker is entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on “routine”
matters, such as the ratification of Tanner LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2024, without instructions from
the beneficial owner of those shares. On the other hand, absent instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares, a broker is not
entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on “non-routine” matters. All the other proposals presented at the Annual
Meeting are non-routine matters. Broker non-votes and abstentions are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present
but have no effect on the outcome of the matters voted upon except where brokers can exercise discretion on “routine” matters.
Accordingly, we encourage you to provide voting instructions to your broker, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.
What
are the Board of Directors’ recommendations?
The
recommendations of the Board of Directors are set forth under the description of each proposal in this Proxy Statement. In summary, the
Board of Directors recommends that you vote:
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“FOR”
election of the Board nominee named in this Proxy Statement as described in Proposal No. 1; |
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“FOR”
approval, on an advisory basis, of a non-binding resolution approving the compensation of the Company’s named executive
officers as described in Proposal No. 2; |
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● |
ONE
YEAR (an annual vote), for the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive
officers as described in Proposal 3; |
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“FOR”
the ratification of the appointment of Tanner LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2024 as described in Proposal No. 4; and |
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● |
“FOR”
transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
What
vote is required to approve each proposal?
Other
than Proposal 1, all proposals require the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast. Proposal No. 1 requires a plurality of votes
present.
Will
abstentions and broker non-votes have an impact on the proposals contained in this Proxy Statement?
Abstentions
and broker non-votes will be counted to determine whether there is a quorum present at the Annual Meeting but will not be considered
votes cast for voting purposes and thus will have no effect on any of the proposals to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
Where
can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
We
intend to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and disclose final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or the “Commission”) within four business days after
the Annual Meeting.
Who
pays the cost for soliciting proxies by the Board of Directors?
We
will bear the cost of soliciting proxies, including the cost of preparing, printing and mailing the materials in connection with the
solicitation of proxies. We will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred
by them in sending the proxy materials to the beneficial owners of our common stock. In addition to solicitations by mail, our officers
and regular employees may, without being additionally compensated, solicit proxies personally and by mail, telephone, facsimile or electronic
communication.
PROPOSAL
NO. 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
We
have a classified Board currently consisting of five members, all but one of whom are non-employee directors, divided into three classes
(Class I, Class II and Class II). Directors in each class are elected to serve for three-year staggered terms that expire in successive
years. Our Class III directors are up for election this year. Accordingly, we are holding an election for our Class III directors at
the Annual Meeting, with each Class III director elected to serve a three-year term.
The
Board has nominated James Nelson, for election as the sole Class III director, for a three-year term expiring at the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held in 2027 or until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
If a nominee declines to serve or becomes unavailable for any reason, or if any additional vacancy occurs before the election (although
we know of no reason to anticipate that this will occur), the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominee as the Board may designate.
Each nominee has consented to being named in the Proxy Statement and has agreed to serve if elected.
If
a quorum is present, the nominee for Class III director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as a Class III director.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as shares present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum but will have
no effect on the results of the vote. Biographical information, including the principal occupation of and other directorships held by
the nominee for at least the past five years as well as the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the
conclusion that he should serve as a member of the Board is provided elsewhere in this proxy statement in the section entitled “DIRECTORS
AND OFFICERS” with respect to the Class III nominee, as well as the Class I and Class III directors whose terms of office will
continue after the Annual Meeting.
Vote
Required
Pursuant
to our bylaws, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The nominee receiving
the greatest number of votes will be elected.
Unless
contrary instructions are given, shares represented by proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted for the election of
the sole nominee to the Board of Directors. If the person named as nominee should be unable or unwilling to stand for election at the
time of the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted for a replacement nominee designated by the Board of Directors. At this time, the Board
knows of no reason why the nominee listed above may not be able to serve as a director if elected. Ages of the nominees are reflected
as of the mailing date of this proxy statement. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the nominee named herein.
BOARD
RECOMMENDATION
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE SOLE NOMINEE.
PROXIES
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE FOREGOING SOLE NOMINEE UNLESS STOCKHOLDERS SPECIFY A CONTRARY
VOTE.
DIRECTORS
AND OFFICERS
The
following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of our executive officers and directors as of July 16, 2024. The following is
information on the business experience of each director and executive officer now serving and a discussion of the qualifications, attributes
and skills that led to the board of directors’ conclusion that each one is qualified to serve as a director or as an executive
officer as the case may be. Executive officers serve at the discretion of the board of directors.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Dwight
Egan |
|
70 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
Brian
Brown |
|
48 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary |
Richard
Abbott |
|
52 |
|
President |
Eugene
Durenard |
|
54 |
|
Director |
James
Nelson |
|
71 |
|
Director |
Richard
Serbin |
|
79 |
|
Director |
Edward
Murphy |
|
59 |
|
Director |
The
following is a brief summary of the background of each of our executive officers.
Dwight
Egan serves as our Chief Executive Officer and has been an officer and director of the Company since April 2013. Mr. Egan has been
engaged in private investment business from February 1999 to the present. He was a senior executive at Data Broadcasting Corporation,
a leading provider of wireless, real-time financial market data, news and sophisticated fixed- income portfolio analytics to 27,000 individual
and professional investors from 1995 to 1999. He co-founded and served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Broadcast International, Inc.
from 1984 to 1995, when Data Broadcasting Corporation acquired Broadcast International and created CBS MarketWatch, a leading
financial news site and participated in its initial public offering. Mr. Egan’s prior experience in executive leadership positions
with public companies and working with capital markets qualifies him to serve as our Chairman Chief Executive Officer.
Brian
Brown became our Chief Financial Officer in February 2021. From July 2020 until February 2021, Mr. Brown served as the Chief Financial
Officer of A-Core Concrete Cutting, Inc. where his duties included overseeing the company’s accounting and finance departments,
mergers and acquisitions and responsibility for financial forecasting and budgeting. From January 2020 to July 2020, Mr. Brown was an
independent consultant. From August 2019 to December 2019, Mr. Brown served as the Vice President of Accounting, Treasury and Investor
Relations at Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc., a public company reporting on Nasdaq Global Select under the symbol SPWH, where
his duties included overseeing the company’s accounting, treasury and investor relations departments, preparing the company’s
annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC, overseeing all aspects of the company’s annual audit, including, but not limited
to, the preparation and review of audit support schedules, preparation of financial statements and footnotes, and providing support to
the company’s independent auditors. From October 2009 to August 2019, Mr. Brown served as the Director of Finance of Sportsman’s
Warehouse Holdings, Inc. where he assisted with the company’s initial public offering in April 2014 as well as effecting private
and secondary public offerings, acquisitions of a group of retail stores and preparing the company’s periodic and current reports
with the SEC and complying with the Sarbanes Oxley Act. From May 2005 to October 2009, Mr. Brown served as the Corporate Controller of
Franklin Covey Products where he developed and maintained the company’s internal controls over financial reporting structure in
accordance with the control standards required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act. From July 2001 to May 2005, Mr. Brown served
as an Assurance Senior at KPMG, LLP where he provided audit services to various clients in multiple industries. Mr. Brown holds a Bachelor
of Arts in Accounting and Masters of Professional Accountancy from the University of Utah. Mr. Brown is a licensed CPA in Utah.
Richard
Abbott has served as President of Co-Diagnostics since March 2024. Prior to being appointed as President, from January 2021 to March
2024, Mr. Abbott served as President of Advanced Conceptions, Inc., a privately held medical device company focused on the design of
automated instruments that solve challenging cross-disciplinary problems. Advanced Conceptions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Co-Diagnostics,
Inc. From September 2018 to January 2021, Mr. Abbott was a partner in SaltRidge, LLC through which he provided management services to
Advanced Conceptions and other consulting services. From August 2017 to August 2018, he served as the Chief Technology Officer for privately
held Vilicus, a cloud centered network provider of IoT devices for indoor agriculture. From October 2016 to July 2017, Mr. Abbott served
as the Chief Technology Officer for Fenome, a private company focused on the manipulation of phenotypic expression of indoor agriculture
crops via environmental control during growth and fruiting. Mr. Abbott holds a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School
and a Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelors Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University.
The
following is a brief summary of the background of each of our directors:
Eugene
Durenard has been a member of our board of directors since June 2019. Dr. Durenard is the Founder and CEO of Hyperbolic Holdings,
a Swiss-based holding, management consulting and strategy advisory company specialized in healthcare. For the last 7 years he has been
working with family offices on direct investments and philanthropy focused on life sciences. He serves on the advisory board of several
private companies in the biotech and MedTech sectors. After an initial career in proprietary research and trading at Salomon Brothers
and Credit Suisse in London, he co-founded Orion Investment Management in Bermuda specializing in quantitative asset and liability management
for institutions and private clients. He subsequently sold it to Capital G Bank and co-headed their asset management. Dr. Durenard spent
several years establishing personal connections with representatives of 40+ clusters of life science innovation, families operating healthcare
businesses and industry leaders globally. He regularly visits labs and incubators, meets with leading scientists and innovators in order
to keep abreast of current trends and developments. His advice is based on a thorough analysis that combines in-depth knowledge of science,
competitive forces and financial expertise. He has published several articles in asset-liability management industry magazines as well
as the book “Professional Automated Trading — Theory and Practice” (Wiley 2013). He has a PhD in Mathematics from Harvard
University. Dr. Durenard brings a thorough multi-asset class investment and entrepreneurial experience spanning 25 years to the Company’s
board of directors. We believe that Mr. Durenard’s knowledge of accounting and finance and his extensive experience in the life
science industry greatly benefits the Board.
James
Nelson has been a member of our board of directors since June 2019. Mr. Nelson is the retired Chairman and CEO of Sunworks, Inc.,
a NASDAQ traded commercial, agriculture, and residential solar Integrator which he helped found in October 2010. Mr. Nelson spent most
of his career working in private equity as a general partner with Peterson Partners and with Millennial Capital Partners. In addition
to his investment and financial responsibilities, he served as CEO of two of his firms’ portfolio companies. Prior to his years
in private equity, Mr. Nelson served as Vice President of Marketing at Banana Republic, where he managed company-wide marketing, as well
as the company’s international expansion initiative. He was also general manager for Banana Republic’s catalog division.
He was Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development at Saga Corporation, a multi-billion-dollar food service company. Mr. Nelson
began his executive career over 35 years ago at Bain and Company, a business strategy consulting firm, where he managed teams of consultants
on four continents. Mr. Nelson received his MBA from Brigham Young University, where he graduated summa cum laude and was named the Outstanding
Master of Business Administration Graduate. Mr. Nelson’s advice to the board of directors from his experiences as a chief executive
officer, strategic advisor and knowledge of capital markets greatly benefits our Board of Directors.
Richard
Serbin has been a member of our board of directors since May 2017. Mr. Serbin currently serves as a consultant to many companies
in the healthcare industry. Since January 2024, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Platform Pharmaceuticals. He was the President of Corporate Development and In-House Legal Counsel at Life Science Institute,
LLC, from June 1, 2013 to July 15, 2014. He served as Director at Viropro Inc. from May 2013 to June 2014. He was Head of Business Advisory Board at Mazal Plant Pharmaceuticals
Inc. from October 2006 to September 2007 and also served as its Member of Business Advisory Board. He served as Chief Executive Officer
of Optigenex Inc. from July 2002 to September 15, 2005 and a director from July 2004 to September 2005. From January 1999 until July
2002 Mr. Serbin served as a consultant to various pharmaceutical companies. He served as the President of Bradley Pharmaceuticals. He
served as Vice President of Corporate Development at Ortho Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, and practiced Patent
and FDA law at Revlon Johnson & Johnson and Schering-Plough. He served as Patent Attorney for Schering Plough Corporation and Chief
FDA Counsel for Revlon Corporation and Johnson and Johnson Corporation. Subsequently, he worked at Revlon Corporation, as its Chief Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Counsel. He founded Radius Scientific Corporation. He was J&J’s Vice President of Corporate Development,
and later led a successful public offering venture based on technology developed at Stanford Medical School. Mr. Serbin spent a large
portion of his career focusing on international markets and clients. While at J&J, Mr. Serbin served on the board of directors of
16 US and international subsidiary companies, including Ethicon, Ortho, J&J Consumer Products, Pittman-Moore, Mc Neil, and J&J
Development Corporation. He worked on multiple international acquisitions and strategic relationships, and sat on the board of directors
of several of its international subsidiaries, including those in India, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, and England. Mr. Serbin has
a B.S. and a B. Pharmacy from Rutgers University and Rutgers University College of Pharmacy, a J.D. degree from Seton Hall Law School
and a Master’s Degree in Trade Regulations and Law from NYU Law School. Mr. Serbin’s experience in business, law and medicine
and knowledge gained as an advisor to the healthcare industry greatly benefits our Board of Directors, and is critical to our board of
directors as we continue to commercialize our products.
Edward
Murphy has been a member of our board of directors since June 2019. Since December 1999, Mr. Murphy has served as a senior vice president
and a partner of Dover Investments Ltd., a private investment firm. Throughout his career, Mr. Murphy’s duties have included investment analysis of various types of investment
projects in real estate and financial services. Currently, Mr. Murphy serves on the board of directors of several Canadian and American
publicly reporting companies that have interests in various industries. He has been a Director at Empire Minerals Corporation Inc. since
January 2016, at the Mosport Park Entertainment Corporation from April 30, 1997 until it became Digicrypts Blockchain Solutions Inc. in
June 2011 until he resigned in November 2022, at Lakefield Marketing Corporation since February 2018, CEO/CFO and Director of Credo Resources
Inc. since September 2019, and at Essex Oil Ltd. since July 2021, and at Darkhorse Technologies Ltd. since November 2021. He served as
a Director at Aurquest Resources from May 2003 to December 2017. He has also served as Director at E Ventures Inc. since April 2023. Mr.
Murphy’s experience in the capital markets and his involvement in investment analysis is a benefit to the board of directors.
Dwight
Egan – See narrative description above.
Involvement
in Certain Legal Proceedings
To
the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has been involved in any bankruptcy or criminal proceedings (other
than traffic and other minor offenses) or been subject to any of the items set forth under Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K, nor have there
been any judgments or injunctions brought against any of our directors or executive officers during the last ten years that we consider
material to the evaluation of the ability and integrity of any director or executive officer.
Board
and Committee Matters
Our
board of directors has five members. The Chairman of the Board and our Chief Executive Officer, Dwight Egan, is a member of the board
and is a full-time employee of the Company. Eugene Durenard, Edward Murphy, James Nelson and Richard Serbin are non-employee directors,
and the board has determined that these persons (who constitute a majority of the board) are “independent directors” under
the criteria set forth in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The board met nine times during the year ended December 31, 2023.
All directors attended more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the meetings of the board and committee meetings of which such director
was a member held during 2023.
We
maintain an audit committee of the board, a compensation committee of the board, a corporate governance committee of the board and a
nominating committee of the board, each of which is discussed below. Our board of directors may from time to time establish other standing
committees. In addition, from time to time, special committees may be established under the direction of our board of directors when
necessary to address specific issues.
The
following table sets forth a description of the four permanent board committees and the chairpersons and members of those committees,
all of whom are independent directors:
Committee |
|
Independent
Chairperson |
|
Independent
Members |
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Committee |
|
Eugene
Durenard |
|
Edward
Murphy |
|
James
Nelson |
|
Richard
S. Serbin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation
Committee |
|
Richard
S. Serbin |
|
Edward
Murphy |
|
Eugene
Durenard |
|
James
Nelson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Governance
Committee |
|
James
Nelson |
|
Edward
Murphy |
|
Eugene
Durenard |
|
Richard
S. Serbin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating
Committee |
|
Edward
Murphy |
|
James
Nelson |
|
Eugene
Durenard |
|
Richard
S. Serbin |
Audit
Committee and Financial Expert
Our
audit committee currently is comprised of Messrs. Durenard, Nelson, Murphy and Serbin with Mr. Durenard serving as chairperson of the
audit committee. The functions of the audit committee include engaging an independent registered public accounting firm to audit our
annual financial statements, reviewing the independence of our auditors, the financial statements and the auditors’ report, and
reviewing management’s administration of our system of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.
The board of directors has adopted a written audit committee charter. A current copy of the audit committee charter is available to security
holders on our website at www.codiagnostics.com. Our board has determined that all our directors that are serving on the audit committee
are “independent” under the definition of independence in the Marketplace rules of the NASDAQ listing standards. The Audit
Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2023. All committee members attended more than seventy-five percent (75%)
of the meetings of the Audit Committee held during 2023.
Our
board of directors has determined that Mr. Durenard meets the requirements of an “audit committee financial expert” as defined
in applicable SEC regulations.
Compensation
Committee
Our
compensation committee currently includes Messrs. Serbin, Nelson, Murphy and Durenard with Mr. Serbin serving as chairperson of the compensation
committee. The functions of the compensation committee include reviewing and approving corporate goals relevant to compensation for executive
officers, evaluating the effectiveness of our compensation practices, evaluating and approving the compensation of our chief executive
officer and other executives, recommending compensation for board members, and reviewing and making recommendations regarding incentive
compensation and other employee benefit plans. The board of directors has adopted a written compensation committee charter. A current
copy of the compensation committee charter is available to shareholders on our website at www.codiagnostics.com. Our board has determined
that all of our directors serving on the compensation committee are “independent” under the definition of independence in
the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation Committee met two times as a separate committee in 2023.
Corporate
Governance Committee
Our
Corporate Governance Committee currently includes Messrs. Nelson, Murphy, Durenard and Serbin with Mr. Nelson serving as chairperson
of the Corporate Governance Committee. Among other items, the committee is tasked by the board of directors to develop and recommend
to the board the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Company and oversee compliance therewith. A current copy of the Corporate Governance
committee charter is available to shareholders on our website at www.codiagnostics.com. Our board has determined all directors serving
on the Corporate Governance committee are “independent” under the definition of independence in the Marketplace Rules of
the NASDAQ listing standards. The Corporate Governance Committee did not meet as a separate committee in 2023, but rather, because the
committee is comprised of all four independent directors, committee matters were addressed as necessary in meetings of the board the
year ended December 31, 2023.
Nominating
Committee
Our
Nominating Committee was split from the Corporate Governance Committee in 2022 and currently includes Messrs. Nelson, Murphy, Durenard
and Serbin with Mr. Murphy serving as chairperson of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee has been established by the board,
among other things to: assist the board in effecting board organization, membership and function including identifying qualified board
nominees; assist the board in effecting the organization, membership and function of board committees including the composition of board
committees and recommending qualified candidates therefor; evaluate and provide successor planning for the Chief Executive Officer and
other executive officers; and develop criteria for board membership, such as independence, term limits, age limits and ability of former
employees to serve on the board and the evaluation of candidates’ qualifications for nominations to the board and its committees
as well as removal therefrom. The Nominating Committee did not meet as a separate committee in 2023, but rather, because the committee
is comprised of all four independent directors, committee matters were addressed as necessary in meetings of the board for the year ended
December 31, 2023.
Board
Leadership Structure
The
Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board as the Board
believes it is in the best interests of the Company to make that determination based upon the position and direction of the Company and
the membership of the Board. At present, the Chief Executive Officer also serves as Chairperson. The Board believes that the unified
position of Chairperson and CEO currently serves the Company well because the CEO’s expertise and proximity to the daily affairs
of the Company enhances the Board’s oversight function and facilitates open and timely communication between the Board and management;
however, the Board recognizes that there may be circumstances that would lead it to conclude that these positions should be separated
and believes that it is in the best interests of the Company for the Board to, from time to time, examine whether these positions should
be separated.
No
single leadership model is right for all companies at all times. The Board recognizes that depending on the circumstances, other leadership
models, such as a separate independent chairman of the Board, might be appropriate. Accordingly, the Board periodically reviews its leadership
structure.
Board
Nominations
In
considering board candidates, the board seeks individuals of proven judgment and competence who have strong reputations in their respective
fields. Although we do not have a formal diversity policy, the board considers such factors as experience, education, employment history,
special talents or personal attributes, anticipated participation in board activities, and geographic and diversity factors. The process
for identifying and evaluating nominees would include detailed consideration of the recommendations and opinions of members of our board,
our executive officers, and our stockholders. There would be no difference in the process of evaluation of candidates recommended by
a stockholder and those recommended by other sources.
Our
Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) set forth procedures for shareholders to recommend nominees to the Company’s
board. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting
of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (iii)
by any stockholder of the Company who (A) was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice, (B) is entitled to vote with
respect to such matter at the meeting, and (C) complies with the notice procedures set forth in the Bylaws.
The
following is a summary of key provisions from our Bylaws. For nominations to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder,
the stockholder making such nominations must have given timely notice in writing to the secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder’s
notice shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on
the 75th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 125th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual
meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after
such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the later
of (x) the 75th day prior to the scheduled date of such annual meeting or (y) the 15th day following the day on which public announcement
of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company. To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must: set
forth, as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (A)
the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Company’s books, and of such beneficial owner, if any, (B) the
class or series and number of shares of the Company that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder
and such beneficial owner, if any, as of the date of such notice, and (C) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial
owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations
of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). In
addition, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the company’s nominees must also
comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b).
The
notice shall set forth, as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director
(A) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to
be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange
Act (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if
elected) and (B) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings
during the past three years, and any other relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective
affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective
affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that
would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and
any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert
therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant;
and with respect to each nominee for election or reelection to the board of directors, include the completed and signed questionnaire,
representation, and agreement required by the Bylaws. The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information
as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director
of the Company or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such
nominee.
Communication
with the Board
We
have not, to date, developed a formal process for shareholder communications with the board of directors. We believe our current informal
process, in which any communication sent to the board of directors, either generally or in care of the chief executive officer, secretary
or other corporate officer or director, is forwarded to all members of the board of directors, has served the board’s and the shareholders’
needs.
Conflicts
of Interests
On
an annual basis, each director and executive officer is obligated to complete a director and officer questionnaire that requires disclosure
of any transactions with our company, including related person transactions reportable under SEC rules, in which the director or executive
officer, or any member of his or her immediate family, have a direct or indirect material interest. Under our company’s standards
of conduct for employees, all employees, including the executive officers, are expected to avoid conflicts of interest. Pursuant to our
code of ethics for the chief executive officer and senior finance officers (as discussed below), such officers are prohibited from engaging
in any conflict of interest unless a specific exception has been granted by the board. All of our directors are subject to general fiduciary
standards to act in the best interests of our company and our shareholders. Conflicts of interest involving an executive officer or a
director are generally resolved by the board.
Policy
for Review of Related Party Transactions
The
review of transactions with related persons policy is set forth in our Corporate Governance Committee Charter. The Corporate Governance
Committee is to oversee the administration of any related party transactions policy in effect with respect to transactions in which the
Company is a participant and involving directors, nominees for director, executive officers of the Company or holders of more than 5%
of the Company’s common stock or immediate family members of any such person.
Board
Diversity Matrix
The
Company is committed to diversity and inclusion, and believes it is important that the Board is composed of individuals representing
the diversity of our communities. The Company seeks nominees with a broad diversity of experience, professions, skills and backgrounds.
The Board Diversity Matrix set forth below reports self-identified diversity statistics for the Board, as constituted prior to the Annual
Meeting, in the format required by Nasdaq’s rules.
Board Diversity Matrix as of June 30, 2024 |
Total Number of Directors: 5 | |
| |
Part I: Gender Identify | |
Female | | |
Male | | |
Non-Binary | | |
Did Not Disclose Gender | |
Directors | |
| 0 | | |
| 5 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
Part II: Demographic Background | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
African American or Black | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
Alaskan Native or American Indian | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
Asian | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
Hispanic or Latinx | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
White | |
| 0 | | |
| 5 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
Two or More Races or Ethnicities | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
LGBTQ+ | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 0 | | |
| | |
Did Not Disclose Demographic or Background | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 0 | | |
| | |
Role
of the Board in Risk Oversight
Risk
is inherent with every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success. Management is responsible
for the day-to-day management of the risks that we face, while our board of directors, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility
for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, our board of directors is responsible for satisfying itself that the
risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed.
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 the 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, including a determination of the nature and level of risk appropriate for us. Our Audit Committee has the responsibility to
consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures,
including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The Audit Committee also
monitors oversight of the performance of our internal audit function. Our Corporate Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of
our corporate governance guidelines, including whether they are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct.
Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs have the potential to encourage
excessive risk-taking or promote behaviors contra to our Code of Business Conduct. Our Nominating Committee assesses and monitors the
effectiveness of the board and its committees and evaluates board members and nominees for election to the board and succession planning
for the CEO and other executive officers.
Delinquent
Section 16(a) Reports
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to file
with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Executive
officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a)
forms they file.
The
Company prepares these reports for its directors and executive officers who request it on the basis on information obtained from them
and the Company’s records. The Company believes that applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements were met during 2023 by its directors
and executive officers.
Code
of Ethics
We
have adopted a code of ethics for our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, controller, or persons performing similar
functions. A copy of the code of ethics is included on our website at www.codiagnostics.com.
Family
Relationships
There
are no family relationships among our directors and executive officers.
EXECUTIVE
AND BOARD COMPENSATION
We
are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC. As a smaller reporting company, we
may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable, in general, to public companies
that are not smaller reporting companies. Accordingly, this Report includes reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements.
Summary
Compensation Table
The
table below summarizes the total compensation paid or earned for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, by each of the named
executive officers who were serving in their respective capacities as of the end of 2023. We have omitted in this report certain columns
otherwise required to be included because there was no compensation made with respect to such columns, as permitted by applicable SEC
regulations.
Name and Principal Position | |
Year | | |
Salary | | |
Bonus (1) | | |
Stock Awards (2) | | |
All Other Comp | | |
Total Compensation | |
Dwight Egan, Chief Executive Officer | |
| 2023 | | |
$ | 375,000 | | |
$ | 40,750 | | |
$ | 845,550 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 1,261,300 | |
| |
| 2022 | | |
$ | 366,146 | | |
$ | 146,245 | | |
$ | 1,454,750 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 1,967,141 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Brian Brown, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | |
| 2023 | | |
$ | 306,923 | | |
$ | 32,000 | | |
$ | 701,550 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 1,040,473 | |
| |
| 2022 | | |
$ | 280,875 | | |
$ | 106,647 | | |
$ | 1,190,250 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 1,577,772 | |
(1) |
Bonuses
for the year ended December 31, 2023 include accrued bonus payments of $20,750 to Mr. Egan and $17,000 to Mr. Brown that were paid
in January 2024. |
(2) |
The
amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock units, or RSUs, granted under
our 2015 Plan as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Note that the amounts reported in this column reflect the accounting
value for these equity awards and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received from the equity awards as the
RSUs vest over three years. |
Narrative
Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table: We do not have written employment agreements with any of our executive officers. All of
our executive officers serve on an at-will basis. The base salaries for our named executive officers were determined by our compensation
committee after reviewing a number of factors, including: the responsibilities associated with the position, the seniority of the executive’s
position, the base salary level in prior years, and our financial position; and for executive officers other than our Chief Executive
Officer, recommendations made by our Chief Executive Officer. By utilizing a combination of objective and subjective performance factors
critical to our success, the board will award cash bonuses intended to incentivize our executive officers to achieve results that benefit
them and the Company. Performance factors include the achievement of predetermined financial performance objectives, adherence to financial
discipline measures and achievement of business development, product development and long-term business stability. The board may modify
or re-weight the objectives during the course of the fiscal year, if necessary, to reflect changes in our business plan.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2023
The
following table contains certain information concerning outstanding equity awards for the Named Executive Officers as of December 31,
2023.
| |
Option Awards | | |
Stock Awards | |
| |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) | | |
Option Exercise | | |
Option Expiration | | |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested | | |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested | | |
Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested | | |
Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested | |
Name | |
Exercisable | | |
Unexercisable | | |
Price | | |
Date | | |
(#) | | |
($)(1) | | |
(#) | | |
($) | |
Dwight Egan | |
| 50,000 | | |
| - | | |
$ | 2.63 | | |
| 09/20/28 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| 50,000 | | |
| - | | |
$ | 1.10 | | |
| 09/02/29 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 20,833 | (2) | |
$ | 27,708 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 137,500 | (3) | |
$ | 182,875 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 103,333 | (4) | |
$ | 137,433 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 229,167 | (5) | |
$ | 304,792 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Brian Brown | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 16,667 | (2) | |
$ | 22,167 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 112,500 | (3) | |
$ | 149,625 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 86,667 | (4) | |
$ | 115,267 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 187,500 | (5) | |
$ | 249,375 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
(1)
Based on $1.33 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2023.
(2)
Consists of restricted stock units granted on 8/12/2021, which vest in 6 installments commencing on 11/23/2021 and continuing every six
months thereafter.
(3)
Consists of restricted stock units granted on 6/6/2022, which vest in 6 installments commencing on 11/23/2022 and continuing every six
months thereafter.
(4)
Consists of restricted stock units granted on 1/13/2023, which vest in 6 installments commencing on 5/23/2023 and continuing every six
months thereafter.
(5)
Consists of restricted stock units granted on 5/15/2023, which vest in 6 installments commencing on 11/23/2023 and continuing every six
months thereafter.
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
At
the recommendation of the compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the board of directors (the “Board”)
of Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (the “Company”), the Board approved the Co-Diagnostics, Inc. Change in Control Severance Plan (the
“Plan”) and identified the initial participants eligible to receive benefits under the Plan.
The
Plan provides severance benefits to a select group of designated management or highly compensated participants in the event their employment
or affiliation with the Company or an affiliate is terminated due to a change in control (as defined in the Plan). Participants entitled
to benefits under the Plan are designated from time-to-time by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the terms of an “Award Notice,”
the form of which is appended to the Plan. The Award Notice identifies the eligible participant and the Severance Multiplier (as defined
in the Plan) to which the participant is entitled. The Compensation Committee approved participation in the Plan for certain executives
of the Company, including the Company’s CEO, Dwight Egan, with a Severance Multiplier of three times his severance benefit and
the Company’s CFO, Brian Brown, with a Severance Multiplier of two times his severance benefit.
Under
the Plan, if a participant’s employment or affiliation is terminated without “cause” or by the participant for “good
reason” (each, as defined in the Plan) during the two-year period following a change in control, a participant will be entitled
to a severance benefit equal to the participant’s Severance Multiplier as set forth in the participant’s Award Notice, times
the sum of: (i) the participant’s annual base salary; and (ii) the greater of the participant’s target bonus or the average
of the three highest actual annual cash bonuses paid to participant over the five preceding completed years.
The
participant’s receipt of any of the payments or benefits is subject to the participant’s delivery to the Company of a separation
agreement of the type that are ordinarily entered into in similar situations, in a form acceptable to the Company, in its sole discretion,
which separation agreement may include a requirement for the participant to remain in the employ or service of the Company for a reasonable
period of time after completion of the Change in Control transaction to assist in any transition activities for which participant’s
services would be required.
The
following table summarizes amounts that would have been payable to our named executive officers upon a termination of their employment
qualifying for benefits under the Change in Control Severance Plan, assuming that such termination had occurred on December 31, 2023:
Name | |
Total | |
Dwight Egan, CEO | |
$ | 2,277,204 | |
Brian Brown, CFO | |
$ | 1,037,774 | |
Director
Compensation
We
use a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on its board of
directors. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties
as well as the skill-level required by our members of the board.
Director
Summary Compensation Table
The
table below summarizes the compensation paid or accrued by us to each of our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2023.
Name | |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | | |
Stock Awards: Value of Restricted Stock Units (1) | | |
Total | |
Richard Serbin (2) | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 198,000 | | |
$ | 298,000 | |
James Nelson (3) | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 198,000 | | |
$ | 298,000 | |
Edward Murphy (4) | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 198,000 | | |
$ | 298,000 | |
Eugene Durenard (5) | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 198,000 | | |
$ | 298,000 | |
(1) |
The
amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock units, or RSUs, granted under
our 2015 Plan as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Note that the amounts reported in this column reflect the accounting
value for these equity awards and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received from the equity awards. The
RSUs vested immediately upon grant. |
(2) |
As
of December 31, 2023, Mr. Serbin had 120,000 RSU awards outstanding. |
(3) |
As
of December 31, 2023, Mr. Nelson had 120,000 RSU awards outstanding. |
(4) |
As
of December 31, 2023, Mr. Murphy had 120,000 RSU awards outstanding. |
(5) |
As
of December 31, 2023, Mr. Durenard had 120,000 RSU awards outstanding. |
Our
non-employee directors receive cash compensation of $100,000 per year, paid quarterly. In 2022, they also received 70,000 RSU’s
vesting 1/6th equally in May 2023, 2024, and 2025 and November 2023, 2024 and 2025. In 2023, they also received 40,000 RSU’s
vesting 1/6th equally in November 2022, 2023, and 2024 and May 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as 70,000 RSU’s vesting
1/6th equally in November 2023, 2024 and 2025 and May 2024, 2025 and 2026. In addition, non-employee directors may be entitled
to receive special awards of stock options or RSUs from time to time as determined by the board. The chairman of the board and the chairperson
of each of the audit, corporate governance, nomination, and compensation committees receive no additional fees for serving in such capacities.
There is no additional compensation for meeting attendance. Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional compensation
for serving as directors. All stock options granted to outside directors are immediately exercisable and expire ten years from the date
of grant or 30 days after the date they cease to be directors. Directors are reimbursed for ordinary expenses incurred in connection
with attending board and committee meetings.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
Plan Category | |
(a) Number of Shares to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options and Rights | | |
(b) Weighted-average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options and Rights | | |
(c) Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Referenced in Column (a)) | |
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders | |
| 3,966,069 | (1) | |
$ | 2.19 | (2) | |
| 4,357,937 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders | |
| - | | |
$ | - | | |
| - | |
Total | |
| 3,966,069 | (1) | |
$ | 2.19 | (2) | |
| 4,357,937 | |
(1) |
Includes
options and restricted stock units outstanding under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. |
|
|
(2) |
Represents
weighted-average exercise price per share of common stock acquirable upon exercise of outstanding stock options. |
Equity
Incentive Plans
Under
our Amended and Restated 2015 Long-term Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”), the board of directors may issue incentive stock-based
awards to employees, directors and consultants of the company. Options awarded generally expire ten years after being granted. Any stock-based
awards granted vest in accordance with the vesting schedule determined by the board of directors. Should an employee’s director’s
or consultant’s relationship with the company terminate before the vesting period is completed, the unvested portion of each grant
is forfeited. We continue to maintain and grant awards under the 2015 Plan which will remain in effect its expiration by its terms.
The
purpose of our incentive plan is to advance the interests of our shareholders by enhancing our ability to attract, retain and motivate
persons who are expected to make important contributions to the company by providing them with both equity ownership opportunities and
performance-based incentives intended to align their interests with those of our shareholders. These plans are designed to provide us
with flexibility to select from among various equity-based compensation methods, and to be able to address changing accounting and tax
rules and corporate governance practices by optimally utilizing stock-based awards.
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
The
Company employs two people who are related to current or former executive officers. Seth Egan is the Company’s Chief Commercialization
Officer, and is the son of Dwight Egan, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. During the
year ended December 31, 2023, the total compensation paid to this person, including salaries, bonuses, and the grant date fair value
of equity awards which vest over three years, was $648,201. The Company also used the services of Winston Egan who is the son of Dwight
Egan, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. During 2023, he worked as an independent contractor
for sales operations and earned total compensation, comprised of consulting fees, of $120,000. Mr. Winston Egan is now a full-time employee
of the Company
Policy
for Review of Related Party Transactions
The
review of transactions with related persons policy is set forth in our Corporate Governance Committee Charter. The Corporate Governance
Committee is to oversee the administration of any related party transactions policy in effect with respect to transactions in which the
Company is a participant and involving directors, nominees for director, executive officers of the Company or holders of more than 5%
of the Company’s common stock or immediate family members of any such person.
Pay
versus Performance
In
accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we provide the following disclosure regarding executive “Compensation Actually Paid”
(“CAP”) and certain performance measures required for Smaller Reporting Companies. The following table provides the information
required for our NEOs for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, along with the financial information
required for each fiscal year:
Year | | |
Summary compensation table total CEO ($)(1)(2) | | |
Compensation actually paid to CEO ($)(1)(3) | | |
Average summary compensation table total for non-CEO NEOs ($)(2)(4) | | |
Average compensation actually paid to non-CEO NEOs ($)(3)(4) | | |
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment based on Total shareholder return ($) | | |
Net Income (in millions) ($) | |
| 2023 | | |
| 1,261,300 | | |
| 579,599 | | |
| 1,040,473 | | |
| 492,073 | | |
| 14.89 | | |
| (35 | ) |
| 2022 | | |
| 1,967,141 | | |
| 371,557 | | |
| 1,577,772 | | |
| 399,514 | | |
| 28.22 | | |
| (14 | ) |
(1) |
For
each year shown the CEO was Dwight Egan. |
(2) |
Amounts
in this column represent the “Total” column set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”). See
the footnotes to the SCT for further detail regarding the amounts in these columns. |
(3) |
The
dollar amounts reported in these columns represent the amounts of “compensation actually paid.” The Amounts are computed
in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K by deducting and adding the following amounts from the “Total” column
of the SCT (pursuant to SEC rules, fair value at each measurement date is computed in a manner consistent with the fair value methodology
used to account for share-based payments in our financial statements under GAAP). |
(4) |
Non-CEO
NEOs reflect the compensation of Brian Brown, CFO, who was the only Non-CEO NEO for the periods indicated. |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
| |
Dwight Egan | | |
Average Non-CEO NEOs | | |
Dwight Egan | | |
Average Non-CEO NEOs | |
Total Compensation from Summary Compensation Table | |
$ | 1,261,300 | | |
$ | 1,040,473 | | |
$ | 1,967,141 | | |
$ | 1,577,772 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Adjustments for Equity Awards | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Adjustment for grant date values in the Summary Compensation Table | |
$ | (845,550 | ) | |
$ | (701,550 | ) | |
$ | (1,454,750 | ) | |
$ | (1,190,250 | ) |
Year-end fair value of unvested awards granted in the current year | |
$ | 442,225 | | |
$ | 364,642 | | |
$ | 577,501 | | |
$ | 472,500 | |
Year-over-year difference of year-end fair values for unvested awards granted in prior years | |
$ | (188,416 | ) | |
$ | (153,709 | ) | |
$ | (560,875 | ) | |
$ | (384,600 | ) |
Fair values at vest date for awards granted and vested in current year | |
$ | 115,083 | | |
$ | 95,458 | | |
$ | 157,207 | | |
$ | 128,625 | |
Difference in fair values between prior year-end fair values and vest date fair values for awards granted in prior years | |
$ | (205,043 | ) | |
$ | (153,241 | ) | |
$ | (314,667 | ) | |
$ | (204,533 | ) |
Forfeitures during current year equal to prior year-end fair value | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | |
Dividends or dividend equivalents not otherwise included in total compensation | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | |
Total Adjustments for Equity Awards | |
$ | (681,701 | ) | |
$ | (548,400 | ) | |
$ | (1,595,584 | ) | |
$ | (1,178,258 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Compensation Actually Paid (as calculated) | |
$ | 579,599 | | |
$ | 492,073 | | |
$ | 371,557 | | |
$ | 399,514 | |
Narrative
Disclosure: Pay Versus Performance Table
The
illustrations below provide a graphical description of CAP (as calculated in accordance with the SEC rules) and the following measures:
|
● |
Co-Diagnostics’
cumulative TSR; and |
|
● |
Co-Diagnostics’
Net Income |
CAP
and Cumulative TSR
CAP
and Net Income
STOCK
OWNERSHIP
The
following table sets forth certain information, as of June 30, 2024, with respect to the holdings of (1) each person who is the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of our Common Stock, (2) each of our directors, (3) each named executive officer, and (4) all of our current directors
and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial
ownership of the common stock is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and includes any shares
of common stock over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power, or of which a person has a right to acquire
ownership at any time within 60 days of June 30, 2024. Applicable percentage ownership in the following table is based on 31,911,002
shares of common stock plus, for each individual, any securities that individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of June 30,
2024.
The
information in the table below is based on information known to us or ascertained by us from public filings made by the stockholders.
Except as otherwise indicated in the table below, addresses of the director, executive officers and named beneficial owners are in care
of Co-Diagnostics, Inc., 2401 S. Foothill Drive, Suite D, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109.
| |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | | |
Percentage of Class | |
5% Stockholders | |
| | | |
| | |
Vanguard Group (1) | |
| 1,781,283 | | |
| 5.6 | % |
Named Executive Officers and Directors | |
| | | |
| | |
Dwight Egan (2) | |
| 467,206 | | |
| 1.5 | % |
Brian Brown | |
| 290,689 | | |
| * | |
Richard Abbott | |
| 590,816 | | |
| 1.9 | % |
Edward Murphy (3) | |
| 177,500 | | |
| * | |
Eugene Durenard | |
| 115,000 | | |
| * | |
James Nelson (4) | |
| 165,000 | | |
| * | |
Richard Serbin (5) | |
| 137,945 | | |
| * | |
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (6 persons) | |
| 1,944,156 | | |
| 6.1 | % |
*Represents
beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
(1) |
Information
obtained from Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024. Vanguard Group has an address of 100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern,
PA, 19355. |
(2) |
Includes
exercisable options to acquire 100,000 shares of common stock. |
(3) |
Includes
exercisable options to acquire 50,000 shares of common stock. |
(4) |
Includes
exercisable options to acquire 50,000 shares of common stock. |
(5) |
Includes
exercisable options to acquire 20,445 shares of common stock. |
PROPOSAL
NO. 2 – ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
(“SAY-ON-PAY”)
Background
The
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) requires that shareholders have the opportunity
to cast an advisory (non-binding) vote on executive compensation (a so-called “say-on-pay” vote), as well as an advisory
vote with respect to whether future “say-on-pay” votes will be held every one, two or three years (a so-called “say-on-frequency”
vote).
Our
executive compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate and retain our named executive officers (“NEOs”), who are
critical to our success. Under these programs, our NEOs are rewarded for the achievement of both specific financial and strategic goals,
which are expected to result in increased stockholder value. Please read the tables and narrative disclosure that follow for additional
details about our executive compensation programs, including information about the year ended December 31, 2023 compensation of our NEOs.
The
Compensation Committee regularly reviews the compensation programs for our NEOs to ensure that they achieve the desired goals of aligning
our executive compensation structure with our shareholders’ interests and with current market practices. This includes establishing
corporate target goals and objectives based on our strategic and operating plans. We closely monitor the compensation programs and pay
levels of executives at other similarly situated companies, so that we may ensure that our compensation programs are within the norm
of market practices. This enables us to retain our executive officers in a competitive market for executive talent.
We
believe that our executive compensation programs have been effective at motivating the achievement of positive results, appropriately
aligning pay and performance, and enabling us to attract and retain talented executives within our industry.
Recommendation
We
request stockholder approval of our compensation of our NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2023 as disclosed in this Proxy Statement
pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules (which disclosure includes the compensation tables, and the narrative disclosures
that accompany the compensation tables within the Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement). This vote is not intended
to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our NEOs and the philosophy, policies and practices
described in this Proxy Statement.
Accordingly,
we ask that you vote “FOR” the following resolution at our Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED,
that the shareholders of Co-Diagnostics, Inc., (the “Company”) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named
executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation
disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and
disclosure within the Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement.”
The
vote solicited for Proposal No.2 is advisory, and therefore is not binding on the Company, our Board of Directors or our Compensation
Committee, nor will its outcome require the Company, our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee to take any action. Moreover,
the outcome of the vote will not be construed as overruling any decision by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee.
However, our Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation programs, values
the opinions expressed by our shareholders in their vote on this Proposal and will consider the outcome of this vote when making future
compensation decisions for our NEOs.
PROXIES
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 2 UNLESS STOCKHOLDERS SPECIFY A CONTRARY VOTE.
PROPOSAL
NO. 3 – ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF
FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (“SAY-ON-PAY FREQUENCY VOTE”)
Background
Pursuant
to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking our stockholders to provide their input with regard to the frequency of future non-binding
stockholder votes on our executive compensation programs, such as the proposal contained in Proposal No. 2 of this Proxy Statement. In
particular, we are asking whether the non-binding vote on executive compensation should occur every year, every two years or every three
years.
Summary
Our
Board of Directors has determined that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation is the most appropriate alternative for Co-Diagnostics.
The Board’s determination has been influenced by the fact that the compensation of our named executive officers is evaluated, adjusted
and approved on an annual basis. As part of the annual review process, the Board believes that stockholder sentiment should be a factor
that is taken into consideration by the Board and the Compensation Committee in making decisions with respect to executive compensation.
By providing an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis, our stockholders will be able to provide us with direct input
on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the Proxy Statement every year. Accordingly, our Board recommends
that the advisory vote on executive compensation be held every year.
You
may cast your vote by choosing the option of one year, two years or three years or abstain from voting when you vote on the resolution
set forth below.
Resolution
“RESOLVED,
that the stockholders of the Company determine, on an advisory basis, that the frequency with which the stockholders of the Company wish
to have an advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s
compensation disclosure rules (which disclosure includes any Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table, and
the related tables and disclosure) is:
|
● |
Choice
1 – one year (recommended by the Board of Directors); |
|
● |
Choice
2 – two years; |
|
● |
Choice
3 – three years; or |
|
● |
Choice
4 – abstain from voting. |
Required
Vote
A
plurality of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote is required
to approve, on a non-binding basis, the frequency of a non-binding vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. Thus, the
choice receiving the highest number of votes will be considered the frequency recommended by stockholders.
Abstentions
and broker non-votes will not have any effect on the outcome of this proposal because neither an abstention nor a broker non-vote represents
a vote cast.
The
“say-on-pay” frequency vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Board of Directors or the Compensation
Committee. The Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold future advisory resolutions
to approve named executive officer compensation more or less frequently than the option approved by our stockholders. However, the Board
of Directors and the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote in determining the frequency with which it will hold
the non-binding vote on executive compensation.
Recommendation
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE CHOICE OF “ONE YEAR” AS THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH THE COMPANY
SHOULD PROVIDE ITS STOCKHOLDERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAST A “SAY-ON-PAY” ADVISORY VOTE WITH RESPECT TO THIS PROPOSAL NO.
3.
PROXIES
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED “FOR ONE YEAR” UNLESS STOCKHOLDERS SPECIFY A CONTRARY VOTE.
PROPOSAL
NO. 4 – RATIFICATION OF TANNER LLC AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 2023
The
Audit Committee appointed Tanner LLC (“Tanner”) to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and further directed that the selection of the independent registered public accounting
firm be submitted for ratification by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders are asked to ratify the appointment of Tanner
at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of Tanner are not expected to be available during the Annual Meeting,
Accounting
Fees and Services
Tanner
did not provide any professional services during the calendar years 2022. Prior to the appointment of Tanner, Haynie & Company served
as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. The aggregate fees
and expenses for professional services rendered by our principal accounting firm, Tanner LLC for 2023 and Haynie & Company for 2022,
are separately presented and are as follows:.
| |
Years Ended December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Audit fees | |
$ | 154,811 | | |
$ | 136,600 | |
Audit related fees | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Other consulting fees | |
| 287,838 | | |
| - | |
Tax fees | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Total fees | |
$ | 442,649 | | |
$ | 136,600 | |
Audit
fees consist of fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements,
review of our quarterly consolidated financial statements and our offerings.
Other
consulting fees relate to fees for products and services other than the services reported above and consist of federal and state research
tax credit consulting services (at a fixed fee).
The
audit committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all services performed by the independent auditor when fees are
expected to exceed $15,000. The audit committee has delegated to the audit committee chairperson, Mr. Durenard, the authority to approve
services, subject to ratification by the audit committee at its next committee meeting. All fees incurred were pre-approved by the audit
committee.
Vote
Required
Approval
of the ratification of the appointment of Tanner LLC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2024 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. If the appointment
of Tanner LLC is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its sole discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it
determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Conversely, if shareholders fail to
ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment.
BOARD
RECOMMENDATION
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 4.
PROXIES
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 4 UNLESS STOCKHOLDERS SPECIFY A CONTRARY VOTE.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company with management. The Audit Committee
has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301,
Communications with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered
public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent
accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent accountant
the independent accountant’s independence. Based on the review and discussions referred to above in this report, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Commission on March 14, 2024.
|
The
Audit Committee |
|
|
|
Eugene
Durenard, PhD (Chairman) |
|
Edward
L. Murphy |
|
Richard
S. Serbin |
|
James
B. Nelson |
STOCKHOLDER
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shareholders
and other interested parties may make their concerns known confidentially to the Board of Directors or the independent directors by sending
an email to the Company’s Secretary. Each communication should specify the applicable addressee or addressees to be contacted as
well as the general topic of the communication. We will initially receive and process communications before forwarding them to the addressee.
We generally will not forward to the directors a communication that we determine is primarily commercial in nature or related to an improper
or irrelevant topic, or that requests general information about the Company.
ANNUAL
REPORTS
A
copy of the Company’s Annual Report ON Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 accompanies this Proxy Statement and is also
posted on www.proxyvote.com and on the SEC’s website www.sec.gov.
Upon
receipt of a written request, the Company will furnish to any stockholder without charge a copy of the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 without exhibits required to be filed under the Exchange Act. Such written requests
should be directed to 2401 S. Foothill Drive, Suite D, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109. The Annual Report on Form 10-K is not part of the
proxy solicitation materials.
DELIVERY
OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
Under
rules adopted by the SEC, we are permitted to deliver a single copy of the notice of Internet availability of the proxy materials or
proxy materials to any household at which two or more shareholders reside if we believe the shareholders are members of the same family,
unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the security holders. This process, called “householding,”
allows us to reduce the number of copies of these materials we must print and mail. Even if householding is used, each stockholder will
continue to be entitled to submit a separate proxy or voting instructions.
Certain
banks, brokers, broker-dealers and other similar organizations acting as nominee record holders may be participating in the practice
of “householding” proxy materials. If you are a beneficial owner of our shares and would prefer to receive separate copies
of a proxy statement or annual report for other shareholders in your household, either now or in the future, please contact your bank,
broker, broker-dealer or other similar organization serving as your nominee. Beneficial owners of our shares sharing an address who are
receiving multiple copies of the proxy materials and who wish to receive a single copy of these materials in the future will need to
contact their bank, broker, broker-dealer or other similar organization serving as their nominee to request that only a single copy of
each document be mailed to all shareholders at the shared address in the future.
If
you are eligible for householding, but you and other shareholders of record with whom you share an address currently receive multiple
copies of our annual report and/or proxy statement, or if you hold stock in more than one account, and in either case you wish to receive
only a single copy of each of these documents for your household, please contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., Householding Department,
in writing at 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717; or by telephone: (866) 540-7095. If you participate in householding and wish
to receive a separate copy of this proxy statement, or if you do not wish to participate in householding and prefer to receive separate
copies of our annual report and/or proxy statement in the future, please contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., Householding Department
as indicated above.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS FOR
OUR
2025 ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholders
interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for next year’s annual meeting must do so in compliance
with our Bylaws and applicable SEC rules and regulations. Under Rule 14a-8 adopted by the SEC, to be considered for inclusion in our
proxy materials for our 2025 annual meeting, a stockholder proposal, including nominations for directors, must be received in writing
by our Corporate Secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. MST on March 19, 2025. If the date of our 2025 annual meeting is moved more than 30
days before or after the anniversary date of this year’s meeting, the deadline for inclusion of proposals in our proxy statement
will instead be a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials next year. Any such proposals will also need
to comply with the various provisions of Rule 14a-8, which governs the basis on which such stockholder proposals can be included or excluded
from Company-sponsored proxy materials.
If
a stockholder desires to submit a proposal, including nominations for directors, for consideration at the 2025 annual meeting, but not
have the proposal included with our proxy solicitation materials relating to the 2025 annual meeting, the stockholder must comply with
the procedures set forth in our governing documents. Our Bylaws require that, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting
by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof, along with other specified material, in proper written form
to the Company. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice pertaining to an annual meeting shall be delivered to the Corporate Secretary
at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than seventy-five (75) or more than one-hundred and twenty-five (125) days
prior to the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the
date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after the previous year’s annual meeting,
notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the later of the 75th day prior
to the scheduled date of such annual meeting or the 15th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting
is first made by the Company.
Any
stockholder who wishes to make such a proposal should obtain a copy of the Bylaws, which contain these and other requirements with respect
to stockholder proposals and director nominations, including certain information that must be included concerning the stockholder and
each proposal and nominee. Our Bylaws were filed with the SEC as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 1, 2022.
You may also obtain a copy by writing to our Corporate Secretary, at Co-Diagnostics, Inc., 2401 S. Foothill Drive, Suite D, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84109.
OTHER
MATTERS
Management
does not know of any other matters which are likely to be brought before the meeting. However, in the event that any other matters properly
come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote said proxy in accordance with their judgment in said matters.
YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT! WE URGE YOU TO SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT TODAY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
|
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, |
|
|
|
/s/
Dwight H. Egan |
|
Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
Salt
Lake City, Utah |
|
July
16, 2024 |
|
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