DEF 14A 1 v073045_def14a.htm

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.    ) 
 
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Definitive Proxy Statement
   
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Definitive Additional Materials
   
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Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
 
MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
 
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810 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10019
________________________
 
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 24, 2007
________________________
 
To Our Stockholders:
 
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The Annual Meeting will be held at the American Stock Exchange, 14th floor Boardroom, 86 Trinity Place , New York, New York 10006, on May 24, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. (EDT), or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purpose of considering and taking appropriate action with respect to the following:
 
1.  
To elect seven directors;
 
2.  
To amend the Company’s 2003 Stock Option Plan;
 
3.  
To ratify the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; and
 
4.  
To transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 2, 2007, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournments or postponement thereof.
 
All stockholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope, as promptly as possible. If you attend the meeting, you may withdraw the proxy and vote in person.
 
By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
 
/s/ Michael G. McGuinness
 
Michael G. McGuinness
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
 
New York, New York
May 4, 2007



PROXY STATEMENT
OF
MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
 
___________________
 
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD
MAY 24, 2007
___________________
 
 
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 24, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. EDT (the “Annual Meeting”), or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held at the American Stock Exchange, 14th floor Boardroom, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.
 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS PROXY MATERIAL AND VOTING
 
Why am I receiving these materials?
  
We sent you this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card because the Board of Directors of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (sometimes referred to as “Manhattan,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement.  The Annual Meeting will be held on May 24, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) at the American Stock Exchange, 14th floor Boardroom, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.  However, you do not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares.  Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card. The American Stock Exchange requires photo identification to enter its premises.
 
We intend to mail this proxy statement and accompanying proxy card on or about May 3, 2007 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
 
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 2, 2007, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  On this record date, there were 70,363,077 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
 
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
 
If on May 2, 2007, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company, then you are a stockholder of record.  As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the meeting or vote by proxy.  Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure your vote is counted.
 

 
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
 
If on May 2, 2007, your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered  to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting.  As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account.  You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting.  However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.
 
What am I voting on?
 
There are three matters scheduled for a vote:

·     
Election of seven directors to hold office until the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and
 
·     
Amendment to our 2003 Stock Option Plan increasing the number of shares available for issuance thereunder from 7,400,000 to 10,400,000.
 
·     
Ratification and approval of the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as our independent registered public accounting form for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
 
How do I vote?
 
You may either vote “For” all the nominees to the Board of Directors or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify.  For the other matters to be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or “Abstain” from voting.  The procedures for voting are as follows:
 
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
 
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting, or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card.  Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted.  You may still attend the meeting and vote in person if you have already voted by proxy.
 
·     
To vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting, where a ballot will be made available to you.

·     
To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided.  If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
 
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
 
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from the Company.  Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted.  Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the Internet as instructed by your broker or bank, if your broker or bank makes telephone or Internet voting available.  To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank, or other agent.  Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.
 
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How many votes do I have?
 
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the close of business on May 2, 2007.
 
What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?
 
If you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted “For” the election of all seven nominees for director, “For” the ratification and approval of the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2007, and “For” the amendment to our 2003 Stock Option Plan. If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxy (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.
 
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
 
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies.  In addition to these mailed proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication.  Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies.  We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
 
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
 
If you receive more than one proxy card, your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts.  Please complete, sign and return each proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
 
 Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
 
Yes.  You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting.  If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:
 
·     
You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.
 
·     
You may send a written notice that you are revoking your proxy to our Secretary at 810 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10019.
 
·     
You may attend the meeting and vote in person.  Simply attending the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
 
If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.
 
When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s Annual Meeting?
 
To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by the close of business on January 3, 2008 to our Secretary at 810 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10019. If you wish to bring a matter before the stockholders at next year’s annual meeting and you do not notify us by March 19, 2008, our management will have discretionary authority to vote all shares for which it has proxies in opposition to the matter.
 
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How are votes counted?
 
Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately count “For” and “Withhold” and, with respect to proposals other than the election of directors, “Against” votes, “Abstentions” and broker non-votes.  Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total for each proposal and will have the same effect as “Against” votes.  Broker non-votes have no effect and will not be counted towards the vote total for any proposal.
 
If your shares are held by your broker as your nominee (that is, in “street name”), you will need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. If you do not give instructions to your broker, your broker can vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items, but not with respect to “non-discretionary” items. Discretionary items are proposals considered routine under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange on which your broker may vote shares held in street name in the absence of your voting instructions. On non-discretionary items for which you do not give your broker instructions, the shares will be treated as broker non-votes.
 
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
 
For the election of directors to hold office until the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the seven nominees receiving the most “For” votes (among votes properly cast in person or by proxy) will be elected.  Only votes “For” or “Withheld” will affect the outcome.

To be approved, Proposal 2, with respect to an amendment to our 2003 Stock Option Plan, must receive a “For” vote from the majority of shares present either in person or by proxy and entitled to vote.  If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote.  “Broker non-votes,” which occur when brokers are prohibited from exercising discretionary voting authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions, will not be counted for the purpose of determining the number of shares present in person or by proxy on a voting matter and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
 
To be approved, Proposal 3, the ratification and approval of the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, must receive a “For” vote from the majority of shares present either in person or by proxy and entitled to vote.  If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote.  “Broker non-votes,” which occur when brokers are prohibited from exercising discretionary voting authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions, will not be counted for the purpose of determining the number of shares present in person or by proxy on a voting matter and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
 
What is the quorum requirement?
 
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting.  A quorum will be present if at least a majority of the outstanding shares are represented by stockholders present at the meeting or by proxy.  On the record date, there were 70,363,077 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the meeting.   Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement.  If there is no quorum, either the chairman of the meeting or a majority of the votes present may adjourn the meeting to another date.
 
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
 
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting.  Final voting results will be published in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2007.
 
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of the our common stock as of May 2, 2007, by (i) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each director, (iii) each executive officer, and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group. The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under rules promulgated by the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under those rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares which the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of the date hereof, through the exercise or conversion of any stock option, convertible security, warrant or other right. Inclusion of shares in the table does not, however, constitute an admission that the named stockholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table has sole voting power and investment power (or shares that power with that person’s spouse) with respect to all shares of common stock listed as owned by that person or entity. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the following persons is 810 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10019.

Name
 
Shares
Beneficially Owned
 
Percent of Class
 
Douglas Abel (1)
   
1,979,267
   
2.7
 
Alan G. Harris (2)
   
100,000
   
 
Michael G. McGuinness
   
0
   
 
Michael Weiser (3)
   
2,466,925
   
3.5
 
Joan Pons Gimbert (4)
   
4,075,787
   
5.8
 
Neil Herskowitz (5)
   
264,794
   
*
 
Malcolm Hoenlien (6)
   
92,201
   
*
 
Timothy McInerney (7)
   
874,533
   
1.2
 
Richard I. Steinhart (8)
   
113,222
   
*
 
All directors and officers as a group (9 persons)
   
9,966,729
   
13.6
 
Oleoylestrone Developments, SL (9)
   
3,957,037
   
5.6
 
Josep Samitier 1-5, Barcelona Science Park
             
08028 Barcelona Spain
             
Lester E. Lipschutz (10)
   
8,918,354
   
12.7
 
1650 Arch Street - 22nd Floor
             
Philadelphia, PA 19103
             
Lindsay A. Rosenwald (11)
   
4,023,259
   
5.7
 
787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor
             
New York, NY 10019
             

* Less than 1.0%

 
(1)
Includes 1,949,267 shares issuable upon exercise of vested portions of an option.
 
(2)
Represents shares issuable upon exercise of options. 
 
 
(3)
Includes 121,667 shares issuable upon the exercise of options, and 127,754 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. 
 
 
(4)
Includes 3,957,037 shares held by Oleoylestrone Developments, SL, of which Mr. Pons is chief executive officer, and 116,667 shares issuable upon the exercise of options. 
 
 
(5)
Includes 107,677 shares issuable upon exercise of options, and 19,444 shares issuance upon exercise of warrants. 77,288 shares held by Riverside Contracting, LLC, a limited liability company of which Mr. Herskowitz is a member holding 50% ownership and 44,168 shares held by ReGen Capital II, LLC, a limited liability company of which Mr. Herskowitz is a member holding 50% ownership.
 
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(6)
Includes 87,340 shares issuable upon exercise of options. 
 
 
(7)
Includes 141,667 shares issuable upon exercise of options; and 115,863 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. 
 
(8)
Includes 107,667 shares issuable upon exercise of options. 
 
 
(9)
Mr. Pons Gimbert is the chief executive officer of Oleoylestrone Developments, SL. 
 
(10)
Includes 8,918,354 shares of Common Stock held by separate trusts for the benefit of Dr. Rosenwald or his family with respect to which Mr. Lipschutz is either trustee or investment manager and in either case has investment and voting power. Dr. Rosenwald disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, if any. 
 
(11)
Includes 80 shares owned by Dr. Rosenwald’s spouse, 33 shares owned by his children, 76 shares held by corporations affiliated by Dr. Rosenwald, and 839,649 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants. Does not include 8,918,354 shares held by Lester Lipschutz, as trustee of certain trusts established for the benefit of Dr. Rosenwald, as to which Dr. Rosenwald disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
 
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PROPOSAL 1:
 
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
The number of directors comprising our Board of Directors is currently set at seven and our Board is presently composed of seven members. Vacancies on our Board of Directors may be filled by persons elected by a majority of our remaining directors. A director elected by our Board of Directors to fill a vacancy (including any vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors) shall serve until the next meeting of stockholders at which the election of directors is considered and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified.
 
Each nominee is currently a director of the Company and was nominated for election as a director by our Board of Directors. If elected at the Annual Meeting, each of the nominees below would serve until our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and until his successor is elected and has qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. It is our policy to invite directors to attend the Annual Meeting. Mr. Abel was the only director who attended our annual meeting held on December 15, 2006.
 
Biographical Summaries of Nominees for the Board of Directors
 
The name and age of each of the seven nominees, his position with the Company, his principal occupation, and the period during which such person has served as a director of the Company are set forth below.
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position(s) Held
 
Director Since
 
Douglas Abel
   
45
   
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
   
2005
 
Neil Herskowitz
   
49
   
Director
   
2004
 
Malcolm Hoenlein
   
62
   
Director
   
2004
 
Timothy McInerney
   
45
   
Director
   
2004
 
Joan Pons Gimbert
   
57
   
Director
   
2003
 
Richard I. Steinhart
   
50
   
Director
   
2004
 
Michael Weiser, M.D.
   
44
   
Director
   
2003
 

Douglas Abel has been our President and Chief Executive Officer and a director since April 2005. Mr. Abel was President and CEO of Tarpan Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, from November 2004 until April 2005, when Tarpan was acquired by us. Prior to becoming President and CEO of Tarpan, Mr. Abel served as Vice President of the Dermatology Business Unit at Biogen Idec where he worked from August 2000 to November 2004. While at Biogen, he led more than 100 employees to support the launch of AMEVIVE®. Before that, Mr. Abel was at Allergan Pharmaceuticals from December 1987 to August of 2000, with his most recent position being Director of BOTOX® Marketing. Mr. Abel received his A.B. in chemistry from Lafayette College and an M.B.A. from Temple University.

Neil Herskowitz was appointed to our Board of Directors in July 2004. He has served as the Managing Member of ReGen Partners LLC, an investment fund located in New York, and as the President of its affiliate, Riverside Contracting LLC since June 1998. Mr. Herskowitz currently serves as a director of Chelsea Therapeutics International, Inc., (Nasdaq: CHTP) and Innovive Pharmaceuticals (OTCBB: IVPH) both publicly traded pharmaceutical development companies. He also serves on the board of directors of Starting Point Services for Children, a not-for-profit corporation, and of Vacation Village, a 220-unit development in Sullivan County, New York. Mr. Herskowitz received a B.B.A. in Finance from Bernard M. Baruch College in 1978.

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Malcolm Hoenlein was appointed to our Board of Directors in July 2004. Since January 2001, he has also served as a director of Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX). Mr. Hoenlein currently serves as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a position he has held since 1986. He also serves as a director of Bank Leumi. Mr. Hoenlein received his B.A. from Temple University and his M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.
 
Timothy McInerney has been a director of Manhattan since July 2004. From 1992 to March 2007, Mr. McInerney was a Managing Director of Paramount BioCapital, Inc. where he oversaw the overall distribution of Paramount’s private equity product. Prior to 1992, Mr. McInerney was a research analyst focusing on the biotechnology industry at Ladenburg, Thalman & Co. Prior to that, Mr. McInerney held equity sales positions at Bear, Stearns & Co. and Shearson Lehman Brothers, Inc. Mr. McInerney also has worked in sales and marketing for Bristol-Myers Squibb. He received his B.S. in pharmacy from St. John’s University at New York. He also completed a post-graduate residency at the New York University Medical Center in drug information systems.
 
Joan Pons Gimbert has been a director of Manhattan since February 2003. Since 2002, Mr. Pons has served chief executive officer of Oleoyl-Estrone Developments S.L., a spin-off of the University of Barcelona. Pursuant to a January 2002 license agreement, we hold an exclusive worldwide license to several patents and patent applications relating to oleoyl-estrone, which are owned by Oleoyl-Estrone Developments. From 1999 until joining Oleoyl-Estrone Developments, Mr. Pons served as Director of Franchising of Pans & Company, a fast-food company. From 1972 until 1999, Mr. Pons was employed in various finance and sales capacities by Gallina Blanca Purina S.A., a joint venture between St. Louis, Missouri based Ralston Purina Co. and Spanish based Agrolimen S.A., last serving as its National Sales & Marketing Director.
 
Richard I. Steinhart has been a director of the Company since July 2004. Since April 2006, Mr. Steinhart has served as Chief Financial Officer of Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc., a publicly-held medical device company. From May 1992 to April 2006, Mr. Steinhart was principal of Forest Street Capital, a boutique investment banking, venture capital, and management consulting firm. Prior to Forest Street Capital, from May 1991 to May 1992, he was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Emisphere Technologies, Inc., a publicly held biopharmaceutical company that is working to develop and commercialize a proprietary oral drug delivery system. Prior to joining Emisphere Technologies, Mr. Steinhart spent seven years at CW Group, Inc., a venture capital firm focused on medical and healthcare investments, where he was a General Partner and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Steinhart has previously served as a director of a number of privately-held companies, including ARRIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company involved with rational drug design; Membrex, Inc., a laboratory equipment manu-facturing company; and, Photest, Inc., a diagnostics company. He began his career working as a certified public accountant and continues to be a New York State Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Steinhart holds a Bachelors of Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration from Pace University.
 
Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D., a director of Manhattan since February 2003, is Director of Research of Paramount BioCapital, Inc. Dr. Weiser completed his Ph.D. in Molecular Neurobiology at Cornell University Medical College and received his M.D. from New York University School of Medicine, where he also completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Physiology and Neuroscience. Dr. Weiser currently serves on the boards of directors of Hana Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: HNAB), Chelsea Therapeutics International Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHTP), Emisphere Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: EMIS), ZIOPHARM Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ: ZIOP) and VioQuest Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCBB: VQPH), as well as several other privately held biotechnology companies.
 
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Vote Required
 
All shares represented by proxies will be voted FOR the election of the foregoing nominees unless a contrary choice is specified. If any nominee should withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for reasons not presently known, the proxies which would have otherwise been voted for such nominee will be voted for such substitute nominee as may be selected by the Board of Directors. In order to be elected as a director, each nominee must receive the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting.
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.


INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
 
Independence of the Board of Directors
 
As required under the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange, a majority of the members of a listed company’s board of directors must qualify as “independent,” as determined by the board. Our Board of Directors consults with our legal counsel to ensure that the Board’s determinations are consistent with all relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” including those set forth in the applicable listing standards of the American Stock Exchange. Consistent with these considerations, and after review of all relevant transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his family members, and Manhattan, its senior management and its independent registered public accounting firm, the Board has determined that all of our directors are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable American Stock Exchange listing standard, except for Mr. Abel, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pons Gimbert, and Dr. Weiser.
 
Board Committees and Meetings
 
The Board held 4 meetings (either in person or by conference call) in 2006 and took action by written consent 4 times. All directors attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate meetings of the Board and of the committees on which they served.
 
The Board of Directors has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The following table provides membership for each of the Board committees:
 
Name of Committee
 
Membership
Audit
 
Messrs. Herskowitz, Hoenlein and Steinhart (Chair)
     
Compensation
 
Messrs. Herskowitz, Hoenlein, Steinhart and Dr. Weiser
     
Nominating and Governance
 
Messrs. Herskowitz, Hoenlein and Steinhart
 
  Audit Committee
 
The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s accounting and financial reporting process. For these purposes, the Audit Committee performs several functions. For example, the Committee evaluates and assesses the qualifications of the independent registered public accounting firm; determines the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm; determines whether to retain or terminate the existing independent registered public accounting firm; reviews and approves the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform any non-audit services; reviews the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB; and discusses with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the results of the annual audit and the results of the Company’s quarterly financial statements. The Board of Directors adopted a written Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which can be found on our company website at www.manhattanpharma.com. The Audit Committee met 4 times in 2006.
 
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Our Board of Directors has reviewed the definition of independence for Audit Committee members and has determined that each of member of our Audit Committee is independent (as independence for audit committee members is currently defined by Section 121 of the Listing Standards of the American Stock Exchange). The Board has further determined that Mr. Steinhart qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Compensation Committee
 
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors oversees our compensation policies, plans and programs. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves corporate performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our executive officers and other senior management; reviews and recommends to the Board the compensation and other terms of employment of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers; administers our equity incentive and stock option plans; and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the issuance of awards pursuant to those plans. All current members of the Compensation Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined under Section 121 of the American Stock Exchange listing standards), except for Dr. Weiser. The Compensation Committee met once in 2006. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter of the Compensation Committee, a copy of which can be found on our company website at www.manhattanpharma.com.

Nominating and Governance Committee
 
The Nominating and Governance Committee considers and recommends to the Board persons to be nominated for election by the stockholders as directors. In addition to nominees recommended by directors, the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by stockholders if submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company at the address of Company’s principal offices. The Board believes that any candidate for director, whether recommended by stockholders or by the Board, should be considered on the basis of all factors relevant to the needs of the Company and the credentials of the candidate at the time the candidate is proposed. Such factors include relevant business and industry experience and demonstrated character and judgment. The Board of Directors adopted a written charter of the Nominating and Governance Committee, a copy of which can be found on our company website at www.manhattanpharma.com. The Nominating and Governance Committee did not meet in 2006.
 
10

 
Communication with the Board of Directors

Although we have not adopted a formal process for stockholder communications with our Board of Directors, we believe stockholders should have the ability to communicate directly with the Board so that their views can be heard by the Board or individual directors, as applicable, and that appropriate and timely responses are provided to stockholders. All communications regarding general matters should be directed to the Secretary of the Company at the address below and should prominently indicate on the outside of the envelope that it is intended for the complete Board of Directors or for any particular director(s). If no designation is made, the communication will be forwarded to the entire board. Stockholder communications to the Board should be sent to:
 
Corporate Secretary
Attention: Board of Directors [or name(s) of particular directors]
Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
810 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10019

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors and employees of our company. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our company’s website at www.manhattanpharma.com. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grant any waiver from a provision of the code to an executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver by filing with the SEC a current report on Form 8-K.
 
11


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE* 
 
The following is the report of our Audit Committee with respect to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
 
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in its general oversight of our financial reporting, internal controls and audit functions. The Audit Committee Charter describes in greater detail the full responsibilities of the Committee.  The Audit Committee is comprised solely of independent directors as defined by the listing standards of American Stock Exchange.
 
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the financial statements with management and J.H. Cohn LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our financial statements; accounting and financial reporting principles; establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)); establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)); evaluating the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures; evaluating the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and evaluating any change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting. J.H. Cohn LLP is responsible for performing an independent audit of the financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements with management and J.H. Cohn LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm.  Our Audit Committee has also discussed with J.H. Cohn LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, which includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of our financial statements.  The Audit Committee has also received written disclosures and the letter from J.H. Cohn LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, which relates to the auditor’s independence from us and our related entities, and has discussed with J.H. Cohn LLP their independence from us.
 
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that our audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
 
Richard I. Steinhart (Chair)
Neil Herskowitz
Malcolm Hoelein
 

 

* This report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

12


COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
Biographical Summaries of Current Executive Officers
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position
Douglas Abel
 
45
 
President & Chief Executive Officer and Director
Alan G. Harris
 
56
 
Chief Medical Officer
Michael G. McGuinness
 
53
 
Chief Financial Officer & Secretary
 
Douglas Abel has been President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of our company since April 2005. His complete biography is set forth above under the caption “Proposal 1: Election of Directors - Biographical Summaries.”
 
Alan G. Harris has been our Chief Medical Officer since February 2006. Prior to joining Manhattan, from January 2004, Dr. Harris was head of the Worldwide Medical Endocrine Care group at Pfizer, Inc. (New York, NY), where he was responsible for the clinical development of the growth hormone Genotropin®, the growth hormone antagonist Somavert®, and the leading international medical outcomes database containing information about growth hormone treatment in children (KIGS) and adults (KIMS). Prior to that he served in a number of capacities at Schering-Plough Corporation (Kenilworth, NJ) from 1995 to 2004, most recently as vice president, Global Healthcare Research & Outcomes. Dr. Harris received an MD degree cum laude from the Louis Pasteur Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, France and a Ph.D. in Endocrinology from Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. He is currently an adjunct professor of medicine at New York University Medical School and visiting professor of medicine in the Department of Endocrinology at Liege University Medical School, Belgium and in the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Toxicology at the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr. Harris is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the Royal College of Physicians (UK), and the American College of Clinical Pharmacology.
 
Michael G. McGuinness has been our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since July 2006. Prior to joining Manhattan, Mr. McGuinness served as chief financial officer of Vyteris Holdings (Nevada), Inc. (OTCBB: VYHN), a product-based drug delivery company, from September 2001 to April 2006, and from 1998 to 2001 he was chief financial officer of EpiGenesis Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held biotechnology company. Mr. McGuinness received a BBA in public accounting from Hofstra University.
 

13


Summary Compensation of Executive Officers
 
The following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to (i) each individual serving as our principal executive officer during our last completed fiscal year; (ii) each other individual that served as an executive officer at the conclusion of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and who received in excess of $100,000 in the form of salary and bonus during such fiscal year (collectively, the “named executives”).
 
 
Name and
Principal Position
 
 
 
Year
 
 
 
Salary
 
 
 
Bonus
 
 
 
Option
Awards
 
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
 
 
All Other Compensation
 
 
 
Total
 
Douglas Abel
 
Chief Executive Officer and
President
 
   
2006
 
$
325,000
 
$
233,333
(4)
$
1,156,065
(5)
$
0
 
$
34,443
(6)
$
1,748,841
 
Alan G. Harris (1)
 
Chief Medical Officer 
 
   
2006
 
$
252,083
 
$
107,500
 
$
98,837
(5)
$
0
 
$
8,800
(7)
$
467,220
 
Michael G. McGuinness (2)
 
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary 
 
   
2006
 
$
98,229
 
$
60,000
 
$
23,622
(5)
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
181,851
 
Nicholas J. Rossettos (3)
 
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary 
   
2006
 
$
92,361
 
$
0
 
$
72,629
(5)
$
0
 
$
48,239
(8)
$
213,229
 
_________________________
 
(1)  
Dr. Harris was appointed our Chief Medical Officer on February 1, 2006.
 
(2)  
Mr. McGuinness was appointed our Chief Financial Officer on July 10, 2006.
 
(3)  
Mr. Rossettos employment with us ended in July 2006.
 
(4)  
Represents a $150,000 discretionary bonus and a bonus in the amount of $83,333, of which $50,000 represents the approximate amount of additional expense incurred by Mr. Abel relating to his commuting between Boston and New York and $33,333 of which represents a tax “gross up” to cover the additional tax liability to Mr. Abel from such bonus.
 
(5)  
Represents the amount of share-based costs recognized by us during 2006 under SFAS No. 123(R). See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report for 2006 on Form 10-KSB for the assumptions made in the valuation.
 
(6)  
Represents reimbursement of certain commuting expenses of $24,643 and matching contributions by us pursuant to our company’s 401(k) retirement plan of $8,800.
 
(7)  
Represents matching contributions by us pursuant to our company’s 401(k) retirement plan.
 
(8)  
Represents matching contributions by us pursuant to our company’s 401(k) retirement plan of $5,624 and severance payments paid to Mr. Rossettos following the termination of his employment with us in July 2006 of $42,615.
 
14

 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth information regarding each unexercised option and non-vested stock award held by each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2006.
 
   
 
Option Awards
 
Name
 
Number
of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
 
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
 
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 
Option
Expiration
Date
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(d)
 
(e)
 
(f)
 
Douglas Abel
   
1,949,267
   
974,633
   
0
 
$
1.50
   
04/01/2015
 
                                 
Alan G. Harris  
   
0
   
300,000
   
0
 
$
1.35
   
02/01/2016
 
                                 
Michael G. McGuinness
   
0
0
   
220,000
60,000
   
0
 
$
$
0.70
1.35
   
07/10/2016
07/10/2016
 
                                 
Nicholas J. Rossettos
   
10,000
10,000
20,000
25,000
292,030
150,000
25,000
   
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
   
0
 
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
20.94
4.38
1.25
1.00
0.40
1.65
1.00
   
04/12/2010
02/20/2011
02/19/2012
03/28/2012
02/24/2013
01/28/2014
01/11/2015
 

 
15


Employment Agreements
 
Douglas Abel. We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Abel dated April 1, 2005, whereby Mr. Abel agreed to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer for a period of three years in exchange for (i) an annual base salary of $300,000, subject to a retroactive increase in the amount of $25,000 upon the Company’s completing a financing transaction of at least $5,000,000, (ii) a signing bonus in the amount of $200,000, which was payable in two installments during the first year of the agreement, (iii) a discretionary performance-based bonus in an amount equal to up to 50% of Mr. Abel’s base salary, and (iv) an option to purchase 2,923,900 shares of our common stock at $1.50 per share with three-year annual vesting, purchasable for a 10-year term. In accordance with the terms of his employment agreement and as a result of our private placement financing that we completed in August 2005, Mr. Abel’s salary was increased to $325,000 retroactive to April 1, 2005. The employment agreement contains customary provisions relating to confidentiality, work-product assignment, non-competition and non-solicitation. In the event Mr. Abel’s employment is terminated by us (other than for cause) during the term of the agreement, including a termination upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement), we are required to pay a severance payment ranging from between 6 and 12 month of base salary, depending upon the circumstances of such termination.

Alan G. Harris. We entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Harris dated January 26, 2006, whereby Dr. Harris agreed to serve as our Chief Medical Officer for a period of three years commencing on February 1, 2006. In exchange for his services, Dr. Harris will receive (i) an annual base salary of $275,000; (ii) a guaranteed cash bonus of $50,000; (iii) an annual milestone bonus on each anniversary of the employment agreement during the term of the agreement in an amount up to 30% of his annual base salary, at the discretion of our chief executive officer and the Board; and (iv) an option to purchase 300,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.35, which was the last closing sale price of our common stock on February 1, 2006, such options to vest in equal amounts over three years and be exercisable for a 10-year term. In the event Dr. Harris' employment is terminated by us upon a change of control and the fair market value of our common stock, as determined in the good faith discretion of the Board, is less than $40 million on the date of the change of control, Dr. Harris shall continue to receive his base salary and benefits for a period of three months from the date of termination. In the event such termination is for a reason other than for cause or pursuant to a change of control, Dr. Harris shall be entitled to receive his base salary for a period of six months from the date of termination.

Michael G. McGuinness. Mr. McGuinness’ employment with us is governed by an employment agreement dated July 7, 2006. The agreement provides for an initial three-year term of employment ending on July 7, 2009, subject to additional one-year renewal periods upon the mutual agreement of the parties. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. McGuinness is entitled to an annual base salary of $205,000 and an annual bonus, payable in the discretion of our Board, of up to 30 percent of his annual base salary. Mr. McGuinness is also entitled to certain other fringe benefits that are made available to our senior executives from time to time, including medical and dental insurance and participation in our 401(k) plan.

In addition, in accordance with the terms of the employment agreement, we issued to Mr. McGuinness two 10-year stock options pursuant to our 2003 Stock Option Plan. The first option relates to 220,000 shares of common stock and is exercisable at a price of $0.70, the closing price of our common stock on the date of his employment agreement. The second option relates to 60,000 shares and is exercisable at a price of $1.35 per share. Both options vest in three annual installments commencing July 10, 2007. To the extent Mr. McGuinness’ employment with us is terminated prior to the end of such 10-year term, the options shall remain exercisable for a period of 90 days.

Mr. McGuinness’ employment agreement further provides that in the event we terminate his employment with us other than as a result of death, for “cause,” “disability” or upon a “change of control” (as those terms are defined in the agreement), then (1) Mr. McGuinness will continue receiving his base salary and fringe benefits for a period of six months following such termination, provided, that our obligation to pay such compensation shall be offset by any amounts received by Mr. McGuinness from subsequent employment during such 6-month period, and (2) the vesting of the stock options issued to Mr. McGuinness in accordance with the employment agreement will accelerate and be deemed vested as of the date of termination and will remain exercisable for a period of 90 days following such termination. In the event we terminate Mr. McGuinness’ employment during the term of the agreement upon a “change of control” and, if at the time of such termination, the aggregate value of our outstanding common stock is less than $80 million, then (i) Mr. McGuinness will continue receiving his base salary and fringe benefits for a period of six months following such termination and (ii) the portions of the stock options issued in accordance with the employment agreement that have vested as of the date of such termination or that are scheduled to vest in the calendar year of such termination will be deemed vested and will remain exercisable for a period of 90 days following such termination.
 
 
16


Compensation of Directors
 
Non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the Company’s Non-employee Director Compensation Arrangement, which was adopted on January 30, 2007. Under the arrangement, non-employee directors are granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock upon their initial election or appointment to the board. Thereafter on an annual basis, non-employee directors are entitled to an option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock. Each non-employee director is entitled to a retainer of $20,000 per year, payable on a quarterly basis. In addition, each such director is entitled to a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board attended in person, or $500 for attending a meeting by telephone or other electronic means. Each non-employee director serving on a committee of the Board is entitled to a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of such committee attended by such director in person, or $500 for attending a committee meeting by telephone or other electronic means. Each non-employee director is also entitled to reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his services as a director, including without limitation, travel related expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board or Board committee meetings.
 
The following table shows the compensation earned by each of our non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2006:

 
 
Name
 
Fees Earned or
Paid in
Cash
 
 
Option
Awards (1)
 
 
All Other
Compensation
 
 
 
Total
 
Neil Herskowitz
 
$
4,500
 
$
32,022
 
$
0
 
$
36,522
 
Malcolm Hoenlein
 
$
3,500
 
$
32,022
 
$
0
 
$
35,522
 
Timothy McInerney
 
$
3,500
 
$
44,550
 
$
0
 
$
48,050
 
Joan Pons Gimbert
 
$
1,500
 
$
10,054
 
$
0
 
$
11,554
 
Richard I. Steinhart
 
$
4,000
 
$
32,022
 
$
0
 
$
36,022
 
Michael Weiser
 
$
3,000
 
$
38,328
 
$
0
 
$
41,328
 

 
(1)  
Represents the amount of share-based costs recognized by us during 2006 under SFAS No. 123(R). See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report for 2006 on Form 10-KSB for the assumptions made in the valuation.
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

There were no interlocks or other relationships with other entities among our executive officers and directors that are required to be disclosed under applicable SEC regulations relating to compensation committee interlocks and insider participation.
 
17

 
PROPOSAL NO. 2:

AMENDMENT TO 2003 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
 
Stockholders are requested in this Proposal 2 to approve the following amendment to the Company’s 2003 Stock Option Plan (the “2003 Plan”). The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting will be required to amend the 2003 Plan.
 
There are currently 7,400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance under the 2003 Plan.

On April 25, 2007, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2003 Plan, subject to approval at the Annual Meeting by the Company’s stockholders, to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder to 10,400,000. Immediately below is a summary of the existing 2003 Plan and a discussion of the federal income tax consequences of the issuance and exercise of incentives under the 2003 Plan to recipients and to the Company. This summary of the existing 2003 Plan is qualified entirely by reference to the complete text of the 2004 Plan, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.

Description of the Existing 2003 Plan

In December 2003, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the 2003 Plan, which was ratified and approved by our stockholders in August 2004. The 2003 Plan initially reserved 5,400,000 shares of common stock for issuance, but was amended on November 18, 2005 to increase the total number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder to 7,400,000. As of the date of this proxy statement, stock options relating to an aggregate of 7,075,430 shares of common stock had been granted at exercise prices ranging from $0.70 to $1.65, and 27,776 shares of common stock have been issued leaving a total of 296,794 shares available for issuance under the 2003 Plan.

The purpose of the 2003 Plan is to increase shareholder value and to advance the interests of the Company by furnishing a variety of economic incentives (“Incentives”) designed to attract, retain and motivate employees of and consultants to the Company.
 
The 2003 Plan provides that a committee (the “Committee”) composed of at least two disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company may grant Incentives in the following forms: (a) stock options; (b) stock appreciation rights (“SARs”); (c) stock awards; (d) restricted stock; (e) performance shares; and (f) cash awards. Incentives may be granted to participants who are employees of or consultants or advisors to the Company selected from time to time by the Committee. In the event there is no Committee, then the entire Board of Directors shall have responsibility for administering the 2003 Plan.

Types of Incentives
 
Stock Options
 
Under the 2003 Plan, the Committee may grant non-qualified and incentive stock options to eligible participants to purchase shares of common stock from the Company. The 2003 Plan confers on the Committee discretion, with respect to any such stock option, to determine the number and purchase price of the shares subject to the option, the term of each option and the time or times during its term when the option becomes exercisable. The purchase price for incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the shares subject to the option on the date of grant. The number of shares subject to an option will be reduced proportionately to the extent that the optionee exercises a related SAR. The term of a non-qualified option may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant and the term of an incentive stock option may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. Any option shall become immediately exercisable in the event of specified changes in corporate ownership or control. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any option. The Committee may approve the purchase by the Company of an unexercised stock option for the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares covered by such option.
 
18

 
The option price may be paid in cash, check, bank draft or by delivery of shares of common stock valued at their fair market value at the time of purchase or by withholding from the shares issuable upon exercise of the option shares of common stock valued at their fair market value or as otherwise authorized by the Committee.
 
In the event that an optionee ceases to be an employee of or consultant to the Company for any reason, including death, any stock option or unexercised portion thereof which was otherwise exercisable on the date of termination of employment shall expire at the time or times established by the Committee.
 
Stock Appreciation Rights
 
A stock appreciation right or a “SAR” is a right to receive, without payment to the Company, a number of shares, cash or any combination thereof, the amount of which is determined pursuant to the formula described below. A SAR may be granted with respect to any stock option granted under the Plan, or alone, without reference to any stock option. A SAR granted with respect to any stock option may be granted concurrently with the grant of such option or at such later time as determined by the Committee and as to all or any portion of the shares subject to the option.
 
The 2003 Plan confers on the Committee discretion to determine the number of shares as to which a SAR will relate as well as the duration and exercisability of a SAR. In the case of a SAR granted with respect to a stock option, the number of shares of common stock to which the SAR pertains will be reduced in the same proportion that the holder exercises the related option. The term of a SAR may not exceed ten years and one day from the date of grant. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a SAR will be exercisable for the same time period as the stock option to which it relates is exercisable. Any SAR shall become immediately exercisable in the event of specified changes in corporate ownership or control. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any SAR.
 
Upon exercise of a SAR, the holder is entitled to receive an amount which is equal to the aggregate amount of the appreciation in the shares of common stock as to which the SAR is exercised. For this purpose, the “appreciation” in the shares consists of the amount by which the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the exercise date exceeds (a) in the case of a SAR related to a stock option, the purchase price of the shares under the option or (b) in the case of a SAR granted alone, without reference to a related stock option, an amount determined by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee may pay the amount of this appreciation to the holder of the SAR by the delivery of common stock, cash, or any combination of common stock and cash.
 
Restricted Stock
 
Restricted stock consists of the sale or transfer by the Company to an eligible participant of one or more shares of common stock which are subject to restrictions on their sale or other transfer by the employee. The price at which restricted stock will be sold will be determined by the Committee, and it may vary from time to time and among employees and may be less than the fair market value of the shares at the date of sale. All shares of restricted stock will be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may determine. Subject to these restrictions and the other requirements of the 2003 Plan, a participant receiving restricted stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder as to those shares.
 
19

 
Stock Awards 
 
Stock awards consist of the transfer by the Company to an eligible participant of shares of common stock, without payment, as additional compensation for services to the Company. The number of shares transferred pursuant to any stock award will be determined by the Committee.
 
Performance Shares 
 
Performance shares consist of the grant by the Company to an eligible participant of a contingent right to receive cash or payment of shares of common stock. The performance shares shall be paid in shares of common stock to the extent performance objectives set forth in the grant are achieved. The number of shares granted and the performance criteria will be determined by the Committee.
 
Non-Transferability of Most Incentives
 
No stock option, SAR, performance share or restricted stock granted under the 2003 Plan is transferable by its holder, except in the event of the holder’s death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During an employee’s lifetime, an Incentive may be exercised only by him or her or by his or her guardian or legal representative.

Amendment of the 2003 Plan

The Board of Directors may amend or discontinue the 2003 Plan at any time, provided, however, no amendments are effective without approval of the stockholders if stockholder approval is required under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or under the rules of any regulatory body then regulating the affairs of the Company. No such amendment or discontinuance may adversely change or impair a previously granted Incentive without the consent of the recipient thereof.

Proposed Amendment to the 2003 Plan

If approved by the Company’s stockholders, the proposed amendment to the 2003 Plan will increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that are reserved for issuance under the 2003 Plan from 7,400,000 shares to 10,400,000 shares, subject to adjustment in the event of a recapitalization or other corporate restructuring. The amendment would represent an increase of 3,000,000 shares reserved for issuance under the 2003 Plan and, as amended, the shares reserved for issuance under the 2003 Plan would represent approximately 14.8% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock on the record date.
   
Federal Income Tax Consequences
 
The following discussion sets forth certain United States income tax considerations concerning the ownership of common stock. These tax considerations are stated in general terms and are based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, regulations thereunder and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof. This discussion does not address state or local tax considerations with respect to the ownership of common stock. Moreover, the tax considerations relevant to ownership of common stock may vary depending on a holder’s particular status.
 
         Long-term capital gains currently are generally subject to lower tax rates than ordinary income or short-term capital gains. The maximum long-term capital gains rate for federal income tax purposes is currently 15% while the maximum ordinary income rate and short-term capital gains rate is effectively 35%.
 
20

 
  Incentive Stock Options.  Incentive stock options under the 2003 Plan are intended to be eligible for the favorable federal income tax treatment accorded “incentive stock options” under the Code.
 
There generally are no federal income tax consequences to the option holder or the Company by reason of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. However, the exercise of an incentive stock option may increase the option holder’s alternative minimum tax liability, if any.
 
If an option holder holds stock acquired through exercise of an incentive stock option for at least two years from the date on which the option is granted and at least one year from the date on which the shares are transferred to the option holder upon exercise of the option, any gain or loss on a disposition of such stock will be a long-term capital gain or loss.
 
Generally, if the option holder disposes of the stock before the expiration of either of these holding periods (a “disqualifying disposition”), then at the time of disposition the option holder will realize taxable ordinary income equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the stock’s fair market value on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) the option holder’s actual gain, if any, on the purchase and sale. The option holder’s additional gain or any loss upon the disqualifying disposition will be a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year.
 
To the extent the option holder recognizes ordinary income by reason of a disqualifying disposition, the Company will generally be entitled (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to a corresponding business expense deduction in the tax year in which the disqualifying disposition occurs.
 
Non-statutory Stock Options.  Non-statutory stock options granted under the 2003 Plan generally have the following federal income tax consequences:
 
There are no tax consequences to the option holder or the Company by reason of the grant of a non-statutory stock option. Upon exercise of a non-statutory stock option, the option holder normally will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the stock’s fair market value on the date of exercise over the option exercise price. However, to the extent the stock is subject to certain types of vesting restrictions, the taxable event will be delayed until the vesting restrictions lapse unless the participant elects to be taxed on receipt of the stock. With respect to employees, the Company is generally required to withhold from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, the Company will generally be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the option holder.
 
Upon disposition of the stock, the option holder will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid for such stock plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon exercise of the option (or vesting of the stock). Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year.
 
Potential Limitation on Company Deductions.  Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain “covered employees” in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to such covered employee exceeds $1 million. It is possible that compensation attributable to stock options, when combined with all other types of compensation received by a covered employee from the Company, may cause this limitation to be exceeded in any particular year.
 
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Certain kinds of compensation, including qualified “performance-based compensation,” are disregarded for purposes of the deduction limitation. In accordance with Department of Treasury regulations issued under Section 162(m), compensation attributable to stock options will qualify as performance-based compensation if the option is granted by a compensation committee comprised solely of “outside directors” and either (i) the plan contains a per-employee limitation on the number of shares for which options may be granted during a specified period, the per-employee limitation is approved by the stockholders, and the exercise price of the option is no less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, or (ii) the option is granted (or exercisable) only upon the achievement (as certified in writing by the compensation committee) of an objective performance goal established in writing by the compensation committee while the outcome is substantially uncertain, and the option is approved by stockholders. The 2003 Plan limits the number of shares relating to stock option grants awarded to an individual in any year to 2,000,000.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table summarizes outstanding options under our 1995 Stock Option Plan, as amended and our 2003 Stock Option Plan, as well as outstanding options that we have issued to certain officers, directors and employees of our company outside of any plan.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plan category
 
 
Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of
shares issued
(b)
 
Weighted average
 exercise price
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(c)
 
Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
(excluding
securities
reflected in
columns (a) and (b)
(d)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (1)
   
7,075,430
   
27,776
 
$
1.32
   
296,794
 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (2)
   
32,400
       
$
8.28
   
--
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders (3)
   
1,104,840
       
$
0.57
   
--
 
____________
 
(1)
Represent shares of common stock issuable upon outstanding options issued to employees and directors under our 2003 Stock option Plan.
 
(2)
Represent shares of common stock issuable upon outstanding options issued to employees and directors under our 1995 Stock Option Plan, as amended. Our 1995 Stock Option Plan expired on June 30, 2005.
 
(3)
Represent shares of common stock issuable upon outstanding options issued to employees and directors outside of any stock option plan.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2003 PLAN.

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PROPOSAL NO. 3:
 
TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

This Proposal 3 requests our stockholders to ratify the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2007. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has appointed J.H. Cohn LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2007. J.H. Cohn has performed this function for us commencing with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. We expect that representatives of J.H. Cohn will be in attendance at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Fees Billed to the Company by Its Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following is a summary of the fees billed to us by J.H. Cohn LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for professional services rendered for fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005:

Fee Category
 
2006 Fees
 
2005 Fees
 
Audit Fees 
 
$
100,111
 
$
101,911
 
Audit-Related Fees (1) 
   
22,943
   
9,430
 
Tax Fees (2)  
   
21,165
   
18,622
 
All Other Fees (3) 
   
0
   
0
 
Total Fees 
 
$
144,219
 
$
129,963
 
______________

 
(1)
Audit-Related Fees consist principally of assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements but not reported under the caption “Audit Fees.” These fees include review of registration statements and participation at board of director and audit committee meetings.

(2)
Tax Fees consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 
(3)
All Other Fees consist of aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, other than those disclosed above.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

At present, our audit committee approves each engagement for audit or non-audit services before we engage our independent registered public accounting firm to provide those services. Our audit committee has not established any pre-approval policies or procedures that would allow our management to engage our independent registered public accounting firm to provide any specified services with only an obligation to notify the audit committee of the engagement for those services. None of the services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2006 was obtained in reliance on the waiver of the pre-approval requirement afforded in SEC regulations.

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Vote Required

Ratification of J.H. Cohn LLP’s appointment as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year 2007 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of common stock, present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A stockholder who abstains with respect to this proposal is considered to be present and entitled to vote on this proposal at the Annual Meeting, and is in effect casting a negative vote, but a stockholder (including a broker) who does not give authority to a proxy to vote, or withholds authority to vote on this proposal, shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
Certain Transactions and Relationships
 
Oleoylestrone Developments, SL
 
Pursuant to the terms of a license agreement dated February 15, 2002 between us and Oleoylestrone Developments, SL, or OED, we have an exclusive, worldwide license to U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications relating to certain technologies. Although we are not obligated to pay royalties to OED, the license agreement requires us to make certain performance-based milestone payments. OED currently owns approximately 5.6 percent of our outstanding common stock. Additionally, Mr. Pons, a member of our board of directors, is chief executive officer of OED.

In addition to the license agreement, we entered into a consulting agreement with OED. The agreement became effective in February 2002, at a fee of $6,250 per month, and will terminate when the license agreement terminates. The fees associated with the consulting agreement are expensed as incurred. OED agreed to serve as a member of our Scientific Advisory Board and to render consulting and advisory services to us. Such services include research, development and clinical testing of our technology as well as the reporting of the findings of such tests, assistance in the filing of patent applications and oversight and direction of efforts in regards to personnel for clinical development. For the periods ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and from inception, fees paid to OED were $325,000, $75,000 and $612,500, respectively.

Paramount BioCapital, Inc.
 
In February 2007, we engaged Paramount BioCapital, Inc., as our placement agent in connection with the private placement. In consideration for its services, we paid aggregate cash commissions of approximately $600,000 and issued to Paramount a 5-year warrant to purchase an aggregate of 509,275 shares at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. At the time of the engagement, Timothy McInerney was an employee of Paramount BioCapital, Inc. or one of its affiliates. The sole shareholder of Paramount BioCapital, Inc. is Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D. Dr. Rosenwald beneficially owns more than 5 percent of our common stock. On March 30, 2007, we entered into a series of subscription agreements with various institutional and other accredited investors for the issuance and sale in a private placement of an aggregate of 10,185,502 shares of our common stock for total gross proceeds of approximately $8.56 million. Of the total amount of shares issued, 10,129,947 were sold at a per share price of $0.84, and an additional 55,555 shares were sold to an entity affiliated with Neil Herskowitz, a director of Manhattan, at a per share price of $0.90, the closing sale price of our common stock on March 29, 2007. Pursuant to the subscription agreements, we also issued to the investors 5-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 3,564,897 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable during the period commencing September 30, 2007 and ending March 30, 2012.

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our officers, directors and persons who are the beneficial owners of 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. Officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments that we received with respect to transactions during 2006, we believe that all such forms were filed on a timely basis, except for the following transaction: between July 10, 2006 and July 18, 2006, Mr. Herskowitz purchased an aggregate of 10,000 shares of our common stock, which transactions were not reported on Form 4 until July 31, 2006.
 
The Board of Directors does not intend to present at the Annual Meeting any other matter not referred to above and does not presently know of any matter that may be presented at the Annual Meeting by others. However, if other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxies to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
 
  By Order of the Board of Directors
   
  MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
   
  /s/ Michael G. McGuinness
   
  Michael G. McGuinness, Secretary

 
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Appendix A

MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2003 Stock Option Plan

(including amendments through November 18, 2005)

1. Purpose. The purpose of the 2003 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is to increase stockholder value and to advance the interests of the Company by furnishing a variety of economic incentives (“Incentives”) designed to attract, retain and motivate employees, directors and consultants. Incentives may consist of opportunities to purchase or receive shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company (“Common Stock”), monetary payments or both on terms determined under this Plan.

2. Administration.

2.1 The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). The Committee shall consist of not less than two directors of the Company who shall be appointed from time to time by the board of directors of the Company. Each member of the Committee shall be a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange Act”), and an “outside director” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Committee shall have complete authority to determine all provisions of all Incentives awarded under the Plan (as consistent with the terms of the Plan), to interpret the Plan, and to make any other determination which it believes necessary and advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. The Committee’s decisions and matters relating to the Plan shall be final and conclusive on the Company and its participants. No member of the Committee will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Incentives granted under the Plan. The Committee will also have the authority under the Plan to amend or modify the terms of any outstanding Incentives in any manner; provided, however, that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then in effect and that any recipient on an Incentive adversely affected by such amended or modified terms has consented to such amendment or modification. No amendment or modification to an Incentive, however, whether pursuant to this Section 2 or any other provisions of the Plan, will be deemed to be a re-grant of such Incentive for purposes of this Plan. If at any time there is no Committee, then for purposes of the Plan the term “Committee” shall mean the entire Board.

2.2 In the event of (i) any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering, extraordinary dividend or divestiture (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in corporate structure or shares, (ii) any purchase, acquisition, sale or disposition of a significant amount of assets or a significant business, (iii) any change in accounting principles or practices, or (iv) any other similar change, in each case with respect to the Company or any other entity whose performance is relevant to the grant or vesting of an Incentive, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) may, without the consent of any affected participant, amend or modify the vesting criteria of any outstanding Incentive that is based in whole or in part on the financial performance of the Company (or any subsidiary or division thereof) or such other entity so as equitably to reflect such event, with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating such financial performance of the Company or such other entity will be substantially the same (in the sole discretion of the Committee or the board of directors of the surviving corporation) following such event as prior to such event; provided, however, that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then in effect.


 
3. Eligible Participants. Employees of the Company or its subsidiaries (including officers and employees of the Company or its subsidiaries), directors and consultants, advisors or other independent contractors who provide services to the Company or its subsidiaries (including members of the Company’s scientific advisory board) shall become eligible to receive Incentives under the Plan when designated by the Committee. Participants may be designated individually or by groups or categories (for example, by pay grade) as the Committee deems appropriate. Participation by officers of the Company or its subsidiaries and any performance objectives relating to such officers must be approved by the Committee; provided, however, that if the entire Board is serving as the Committee, then any Incentive awarded to an officer shall be approved by a majority of the “non-employee directors” (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act). Participation by others and any performance objectives relating to others may be approved by groups or categories (for example, by pay grade) and authority to designate participants who are not officers and to set or modify such targets may be delegated.

4. Types of Incentives. Incentives under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of the following forms: (a) incentive stock options and non-statutory stock options (Section 6); (b) stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) (Section 7); (c) stock awards (Section 8); (d) restricted stock (Section 8); and (e) performance shares (Section 9).

5. Shares Subject to the Plan.

5.1. Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11.6, the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed 7,400,000 shares of Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock that are issued under the Plan or that are subject to outstanding Incentives will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan.

5.2. Cancellation. To the extent that cash in lieu of shares of Common Stock is delivered upon the exercise of an SAR pursuant to Section 7.4, the Company shall be deemed, for purposes of applying the limitation on the number of shares, to have issued the greater of the number of shares of Common Stock which it was entitled to issue upon such exercise or on the exercise of any related option. In the event that a stock option or SAR granted hereunder expires or is terminated or canceled unexercised or unvested as to any shares of Common Stock, such shares may again be issued under the Plan either pursuant to stock options, SARs or otherwise. In the event that shares of Common Stock are issued as restricted stock or pursuant to a stock award and thereafter are forfeited or reacquired by the Company pursuant to rights reserved upon issuance thereof, such forfeited and reacquired shares may again be issued under the Plan, either as restricted stock, pursuant to stock awards or otherwise. The Committee may also determine to cancel, and agree to the cancellation of, stock options in order to make a participant eligible for the grant of a stock option at a lower price than the option to be canceled.

6. Stock Options. A stock option is a right to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company. The Committee may designate whether an option is to be considered an incentive stock option or a non-statutory stock option. To the extent that any incentive stock option granted under the Plan ceases for any reason to qualify as an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such incentive stock option will continue to be outstanding for purposes of the Plan but will thereafter be deemed to be a non-statutory stock option. Each stock option granted by the Committee under this Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

6.1. Price. The option price per share shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment under Section 11.6.

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6.2. Number. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11.6. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to a stock option shall be reduced in the same proportion that the holder thereof exercises a SAR if any SAR is granted in conjunction with or related to the stock option. No individual may receive options to purchase more than 2,000,000 shares in any year.
 
6.3. Duration and Time for Exercise. Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 11.4, the term of each stock option shall be determined by the Committee but in no event shall be more than ten years from the date of grant. Each stock option, or portion thereof, shall become exercisable at such time or times as may be designated by the Committee at the time of the stock option grant. The Committee may accelerate the vesting of any stock option.

6.4. Manner of Exercise. Subject to the conditions contained in this Plan and in the agreement with the recipient evidencing such option, a stock option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased and accompanied by the full purchase price for such shares. The exercise price shall be payable (a) in United States dollars upon exercise of the option and may be paid by cash; uncertified or certified check; bank draft; (b) by delivery of shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the participant in payment of all or any part of the exercise price, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the Fair Market Value on the date such option is exercised; or (c) at the discretion of the Committee, by instructing the Company to withhold from the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the stock option shares of Common Stock in payment of all or any part of the exercise price and/or any related withholding tax obligations, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the Fair Market Value. The shares of Common Stock delivered by the participant pursuant to Section 6.4(b) must have been held by the participant for a period of not less than six months prior to the exercise of the option, unless otherwise determined by the Committee. Prior to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a stock option, a participant shall have no rights as a stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no adjustment will be made for dividends or distributions with respect to such stock options as to which there is a record date preceding the date the participant becomes the holder of record of such shares, except as the Committee may determine in its discretion.

6.5. Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the following additional provisions shall apply to the grant of stock options which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options (as such term is defined in Section 422 of the Code):

(a) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any participant during any calendar year (under the Plan and any other incentive stock option plans of the Company or any subsidiary or parent corporation of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000. The determination will be made by taking incentive stock options into account in the order in which they were granted.

(b) Any Incentive Stock Option certificate authorized under the Plan shall contain such other provisions as the Committee shall deem advisable, but shall in all events be consistent with and contain all provisions required in order to qualify the options as Incentive Stock Options.

(c) All Incentive Stock Options must be granted within ten years from the earlier of the date on which this Plan was adopted by board of directors or the date this Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders.

A-3

 
(d) Unless sooner exercised, all Incentive Stock Options shall expire no later than 10 years after the date of grant. No Incentive Stock Option may be exercisable after ten (10) years from its date of grant (five (5) years from its date of grant if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company).

(e) The exercise price for Incentive Stock Options shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant with respect to an Incentive Stock Option; provided that the exercise price shall be 110% of the Fair Market Value if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company.

7. Stock Appreciation Rights. An SAR is a right to receive, without payment to the Company, a number of shares of Common Stock, cash or any combination thereof, the amount of which is determined pursuant to the formula set forth in Section 7.4. An SAR may be granted (a) with respect to any stock option granted under this Plan, either concurrently with the grant of such stock option or at such later time as determined by the Committee (as to all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the stock option), or (b) alone, without reference to any related stock option. Each SAR granted by the Committee under this Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

7.1. Number; Exercise Price. Each SAR granted to any participant shall relate to such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11.6. In the case of an SAR granted with respect to a stock option, the number of shares of Common Stock to which the SAR pertains shall be reduced in the same proportion that the holder of the option exercises the related stock option. The exercise price of an SAR will be determined by the Committee, in its discretion, at the date of grant but may not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant.

7.2. Duration. Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 11.4, the term of each SAR shall be determined by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years and one day from the date of grant. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, each SAR shall become exercisable at such time or times, to such extent and upon such conditions as the stock option, if any, to which it relates is exercisable. The Committee may in its discretion accelerate the exercisability of any SAR.

7.3. Exercise. An SAR may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of SARs which the holder wishes to exercise. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Company shall, within 90 days thereafter, deliver to the exercising holder certificates for the shares of Common Stock or cash or both, as determined by the Committee, to which the holder is entitled pursuant to Section 7.4.

7.4. Payment. Subject to the right of the Committee to deliver cash in lieu of shares of Common Stock (which, as it pertains to officers and directors of the Company, shall comply with all requirements of the Exchange Act), the number of shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable upon the exercise of an SAR shall be determined by dividing:

(a) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the SAR is exercised multiplied by the amount of the appreciation in such shares (for this purpose, the “appreciation” shall be the amount by which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the SAR on the exercise date exceeds (1) in the case of an SAR related to a stock option, the exercise price of the shares of Common Stock under the stock option or (2) in the case of an SAR granted alone, without reference to a related stock option, an amount which shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, subject to adjustment under Section 11.6); by

A-4

 
(b) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date.

In lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a SAR, the Committee may elect to pay the holder of the SAR cash equal to the Fair Market Value on the exercise date of any or all of the shares which would otherwise be issuable. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the exercise of an SAR; instead, the holder of the SAR shall be entitled to receive a cash adjustment equal to the same fraction of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date or to purchase the portion necessary to make a whole share at its Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.

8. Stock Awards and Restricted Stock. A stock award consists of the transfer by the Company to a participant of shares of Common Stock, without other payment therefor, as additional compensation for services to the Company. The participant receiving a stock award will have all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock issued to a participant as a stock award under this Section 8 upon the participant becoming the holder of record of such shares. A share of restricted stock consists of shares of Common Stock which are sold or transferred by the Company to a participant at a price determined by the Committee (which price shall be at least equal to the minimum price required by applicable law for the issuance of a share of Common Stock) and subject to restrictions on their sale or other transfer by the participant, which restrictions and conditions may be determined by the Committee as long as such restrictions and conditions are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. The transfer of Common Stock pursuant to stock awards and the transfer and sale of restricted stock shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

8.1. Number of Shares. The number of shares to be transferred or sold by the Company to a participant pursuant to a stock award or as restricted stock shall be determined by the Committee.

8.2. Sale Price. The Committee shall determine the price, if any, at which shares of restricted stock shall be sold or granted to a participant, which may vary from time to time and among participants and which may be below the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock at the date of sale.

8.3. Restrictions. All shares of restricted stock transferred or sold hereunder shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may determine, including, without limitation any or all of the following:

(a) a prohibition against the sale, transfer, pledge or other encumbrance of the shares of restricted stock, such prohibition to lapse at such time or times as the Committee shall determine (whether in annual or more frequent installments, at the time of the death, Disability or retirement of the holder of such shares, or otherwise);

(b) a requirement that the holder of shares of restricted stock forfeit, or (in the case of shares sold to a participant) resell back to the Company at his or her cost, all or a part of such shares in the event of termination of his or her employment or consulting engagement during any period in which such shares are subject to restrictions; or

A-5

 
(c) such other conditions or restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable.

8.4. Escrow. In order to enforce the restrictions imposed by the Committee pursuant to Section 8.3, the participant receiving restricted stock shall enter into an agreement with the Company setting forth the conditions of the grant. Shares of restricted stock shall be registered in the name of the participant and deposited, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company. Each such certificate shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

The transferability of this certificate and the shares of Common Stock represented by it are subject to the terms and conditions (including conditions of forfeiture) contained in the 2003 Stock Option Plan of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), and an agreement entered into between the registered owner and the Company. A copy of the 2003 Stock Option Plan and the agreement is on file in the office of the secretary of the Company.

8.5. End of Restrictions. Subject to Section 11.5, at the end of any time period during which the shares of restricted stock are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, such shares will be delivered free of all restrictions to the participant or to the participant’s legal representative, beneficiary or heir.

8.6. Stockholder. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, each participant receiving restricted stock shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to shares of stock during any period in which such shares are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, including without limitation, the right to vote such shares. Dividends paid in cash or property other than Common Stock with respect to shares of restricted stock shall be paid to the participant currently. Unless the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion, any dividends or distributions (including regular quarterly cash dividends) paid with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to the restrictions set forth above will be subject to the same restrictions as the shares to which such dividends or distributions relate. In the event the Committee determines not to pay dividends or distributions currently, the Committee will determine in its sole discretion whether any interest will be paid on such dividends or distributions. In addition, the Committee in its sole discretion may require such dividends and distributions to be reinvested (and in such case the participant consents to such reinvestment) in shares of Common Stock that will be subject to the same restrictions as the shares to which such dividends or distributions relate.

9. Performance Shares. A performance share consists of an award which shall be paid in shares of Common Stock, as described below. The grant of a performance share shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate, including the following:

9.1. Performance Objectives. Each performance share will be subject to performance objectives for the Company or one of its operating units to be achieved by the participant before the end of a specified period. The number of performance shares granted shall be determined by the Committee and may be subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine. If the performance objectives are achieved, each participant will be paid in shares of Common Stock or cash as determined by the Committee. If such objectives are not met, each grant of performance shares may provide for lesser payments in accordance with formulas established in the award.

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9.2. Not Stockholder. The grant of performance shares to a participant shall not create any rights in such participant as a stockholder of the Company, until the payment of shares of Common Stock with respect to an award.

9.3. No Adjustments. No adjustment shall be made in performance shares granted on account of cash dividends which may be paid or other rights which may be issued to the holders of Common Stock prior to the end of any period for which performance objectives were established.

9.4. Expiration of Performance Share. If any participant’s employment or consulting engagement with the Company is terminated for any reason other than normal retirement, death or Disability prior to the achievement of the participant’s stated performance objectives, all the participant’s rights on the performance shares shall expire and terminate unless otherwise determined by the Committee. In the event of termination of employment or consulting by reason of death, Disability, or normal retirement, the Committee, in its own discretion may determine what portions, if any, of the performance shares should be paid to the participant.
 
10. Change of Control.

10.1 Change in Control. For purposes of this Section 10, a “Change in Control” of the Company will mean the following:
 
(a) the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer, directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) to a person or entity that is not controlled by the Company;
 
(b) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
 
(c) any person becomes after the effective date of the Plan the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of (i) 20% or more, but not 50% or more, of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors, unless the transaction resulting in such ownership has been approved in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below), or (ii) 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval by the Continuing Directors); provided that a traditional institution or venture capital financing transaction shall be excluded from this definition;
 
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(d) a merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party if the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to effective date of such merger or consolidation have “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), immediately following the effective date of such merger or consolidation, of securities of the surviving corporation representing (i) 50% or more, but less than 80%, of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s then outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors, unless such merger or consolidation has been approved in advance by the Continuing Directors, or (ii) less than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s then outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval by the Continuing Directors).
 
10.2 Continuing Directors. For purposes of this Section 10, “Continuing Directors” of the Company will mean any individuals who are members of the Board on the effective date of the Plan and any individual who subsequently becomes a member of the Board whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Continuing Directors (either by specific vote or by approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such individual is named as a nominee for director without objection to such nomination).
 
10.3 Acceleration of Incentives. Without limiting the authority of the Committee under the Plan, if a Change of Control of the Company occurs whereby the acquiring entity or successor to the Company does not assume the Incentives or replace them with substantially equivalent incentive awards, then upon the effective date of any such Change in Control (a) all outstanding options and SARs will vest and will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless of whether the participant to whom such options or SARs have been granted remains in the employ or service of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any acquiring entity or successor to the Company; (b) the restrictions on all shares of restricted stock awards shall lapse immediately; and (c) all performance shares shall be deemed to be met and payment made immediately.
 
10.4 Cash Payment for Options. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs, then the Committee, if approved by the Committee in its sole discretion either in an agreement evidencing an option at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of an option, and without the consent of any participant affected thereby, may determine that:
 
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(a) some or all participants holding outstanding options will receive, with respect to some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such options, as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company, cash in an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such shares immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control of the Company over the exercise price per share of such options; and
 
(b) any options as to which, as of the effective date of any such Change in Control, the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such options is less than or equal to the exercise price per share of such options, shall terminate as of the effective date of any such Change in Control.
 
If the Committee makes a determination as set forth in subparagraph (a) of this Section 10.4, then as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company, such options will terminate as to such shares and the participants formerly holding such options will only have the right to receive such cash payment(s). If the Committee makes a determination as set forth in subparagraph (b) of this Section 10.4, then as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company such options will terminate, become void and expire as to all unexercised shares of Common Stock subject to such options on such date, and the participants formerly holding such options will have no further rights with respect to such options.
 
11. General.

11.1. Effective Date. The Plan will become effective upon approval by the Board.

11.2. Duration. The Plan shall remain in effect until all Incentives granted under the Plan have either been satisfied by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or the payment of cash or been terminated under the terms of the Plan and all restrictions imposed on shares of Common Stock in connection with their issuance under the Plan have lapsed. No Incentives may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company.

11.3. Non-transferability of Incentives. Except, in the event of the holder’s death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution to the limited extent provided in the Plan or the Incentive, unless approved by the Committee, no stock option, SAR, restricted stock or performance award may be transferred, pledged or assigned by the holder thereof, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise, and the Company shall not be required to recognize any attempted assignment of such rights by any participant. During a participant’s lifetime, an Incentive may be exercised only by him or her or by his or her guardian or legal representative.

11.4. Effect of Termination, Death or Disability. In the event that a participant ceases to be an employee of or consultant to the Company, or the participants other service with the Company is terminated, for any reason, including death, but excluding “Disability,” any Incentives may be exercised or shall expire at such times as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion in the agreement evidencing an Incentive. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in the Plan, in the event that a participant ceases to be employed or engaged by the Company, or is otherwise unable to render services to the Company, as a result of a Disability, any portion of a stock option Incentive that has vested as of the date of such Disability shall remain exercisable for the remaining term of such stock option, or such lesser period as provided in the agreement evidencing the terms of such stock option; provided, however, that all portions of a stock option Incentive that have not yet vested or are scheduled to vest in the future shall not vest and the employee’s rights to such portion of the stock option shall terminate. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 11.4, upon a participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company and all subsidiaries (other than as a result of a Disability), the Committee may, in its sole discretion (which may be exercised at any time on or after the date of grant, including following such termination), cause options and SARs (or any part thereof) then held by such participant to become or continue to become exercisable and/or remain exercisable following such termination of employment or service and Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Shares and Stock Awards then held by such participant to vest and/or continue to vest or become free of transfer restrictions, as the case may be, following such termination of employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee; provided, however, that no Incentive may remain exercisable or continue to vest beyond its expiration date. Any Incentive Stock Option that remains unexercised more than one (1) year following termination of employment by reason of death or Disability or more than three (3) months following termination for any reason other than death or Disability will thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option. The term “Disability” shall mean, with respect to a participant, that such participant is unable to perform a significant part of his or her duties and responsibilities as an employee, director, consultant or other advisor to the Company by reason of such participant’s physical or mental injury or illness, and such inability lasts for a period of at least 180 consecutive days.

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11.5. Additional Conditions. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary: (a) the Company may, if it shall determine it necessary or desirable for any reason, at the time of award of any Incentive or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any Incentive, require the recipient of the Incentive, as a condition to the receipt thereof or to the receipt of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant thereto, to deliver to the Company a written representation of present intention to acquire the Incentive or the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant thereto for his or her own account for investment and not for distribution; and (b) if at any time the Company further determines, in its sole discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification (or any updating of any such document) of any Incentive or the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant thereto is necessary on any securities exchange or under any federal or state securities or blue sky law, or that the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with the award of any Incentive, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto, or the removal of any restrictions imposed on such shares, such Incentive shall not be awarded or such shares of Common Stock shall not be issued or such restrictions shall not be removed, as the case may be, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any agreements entered into pursuant to the Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock under this Plan, and a participant may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to any Incentives granted under the Plan, unless (a) there is in effect with respect to such shares a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and any applicable state or foreign securities laws or an exemption from such registration under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, and (b) there has been obtained any other consent, approval or permit from any other regulatory body which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable. The Company may condition such issuance, sale or transfer upon the receipt of any representations or agreements from the parties involved, and the placement of any legends on certificates representing shares of Common Stock, as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company in order to comply with such securities law or other restrictions.

11.6. Adjustment. In the event of any merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with any other corporation or corporations, there shall be substituted for each of the shares of Common Stock then subject to the Plan, including shares subject to restrictions, options, or achievement of performance share objectives, the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities to which the holders of the shares of Common Stock will be entitled pursuant to the transaction. In the event of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or other similar change in the corporate structure of the Company or shares of the Company, the exercise price of an outstanding Incentive and the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the Plan, including shares subject to restrictions, options or achievements of performance shares, shall be adjusted in proportion to the change in outstanding shares of Common Stock in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of the participants. In the event of any such adjustments, the purchase price of any option, the performance objectives of any Incentive, and the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to any Incentive shall be adjusted as and to the extent appropriate, in the discretion of the Committee, to provide participants with the same relative rights before and after such adjustment.

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11.7. Incentive Plans and Agreements. Except in the case of stock awards or cash awards, the terms of each Incentive shall be stated in a plan or agreement approved by the Committee. The Committee may also determine to enter into agreements with holders of options to reclassify or convert certain outstanding options, within the terms of the Plan, as Incentive Stock Options or as non-statutory stock options and in order to eliminate SARs with respect to all or part of such options and any other previously issued options.

11.8. Withholding.

(a) The Company shall have the right to (i) withhold and deduct from any payments made under the Plan or from future wages of the participant (or from other amounts that may be due and owing to the participant from the Company or a subsidiary of the Company), or make other arrangements for the collection of, all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all foreign, federal, state and local withholding and employment-related tax requirements attributable to an Incentive, or (ii) require the participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the Company before taking any action, including issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Incentive. At any time when a participant is required to pay to the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable income tax laws in connection with a distribution of Common Stock or upon exercise of an option or SAR, the participant may satisfy this obligation in whole or in part by electing (the “Election”) to have the Company withhold from the distribution shares of Common Stock having a value up to the amount required to be withheld. The value of the shares to be withheld shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld shall be determined (“Tax Date”).

(b) Each Election must be made prior to the Tax Date. The Committee may disapprove of any Election, may suspend or terminate the right to make Elections, or may provide with respect to any Incentive that the right to make Elections shall not apply to such Incentive. An Election is irrevocable.

(c) If a participant is an officer or director of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then an Election is subject to the following additional restrictions:

(1) No Election shall be effective for a Tax Date which occurs within six months of the grant or exercise of the award, except that this limitation shall not apply in the event death or Disability of the participant occurs prior to the expiration of the six-month period.

(2) The Election must be made either six months prior to the Tax Date or must be made during a period beginning on the third business day following the date of release for publication of the Company’s quarterly or annual summary statements of sales and earnings and ending on the twelfth business day following such date.

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11.9. No Continued Employment, Engagement or Right to Corporate Assets. No participant under the Plan shall have any right, because of his or her participation, to continue in the employ of the Company for any period of time or to any right to continue his or her present or any other rate of compensation. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed as giving an employee, a consultant, such persons’ beneficiaries or any other person any equity or interests of any kind in the assets of the Company or creating a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company and any such person.

11.10. Deferral Permitted. Payment of cash or distribution of any shares of Common Stock to which a participant is entitled under any Incentive shall be made as provided in the Incentive. Payment may be deferred at the option of the participant if provided in the Incentive.

11.11. Amendment of the Plan. The Board may amend, suspend or discontinue the Plan at any time; provided, however, that no amendments to the Plan will be effective without approval of the stockholders of the Company if stockholder approval of the amendment is then required pursuant to Section 422 of the Code or the rules of any stock exchange or Nasdaq or similar regulatory body. No termination, suspension or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Incentive without the consent of the affected participant; provided, however, that this sentence will not impair the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under Section 11.6 of the Plan.
 
11.12. Definition of Fair Market Value. For purposes of this Plan, the “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock at a specified date shall, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Plan, be the amount which the Committee or the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith in the exercise of its reasonable discretion to be 100% of the fair market value of such a share as of the date in question; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if such shares are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System or Nasdaq SmallCap Stock Market (collectively, “Nasdaq”), then Fair Market Value shall be determined by reference to the last sale price of a share of Common Stock on such U.S. securities exchange or Nasdaq on the applicable date. If such U.S. securities exchange or Nasdaq is closed for trading on such date, or if the Common Stock does not trade on such date, then the last sale price used shall be the one on the date the Common Stock last traded on such U.S. securities exchange or Nasdaq.

11.13 Breach of Confidentiality, Assignment of Inventions, or Non-Compete Agreements. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the event that a participant materially breaches the terms of any confidentiality, assignment of inventions, or non-compete agreement entered into with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, whether such breach occurs before or after termination of such participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any subsidiary, the Committee in its sole discretion may immediately terminate all rights of the participant under the Plan and any agreements evidencing an Incentive then held by the participant without notice of any kind.

11.14 Governing Law. The validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan and any rules, regulations and actions relating to the Plan will be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, notwithstanding the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdictions.

11.15 Successors and Assigns. The Plan will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the participants in the Plan.
 
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PROXY
 
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
 
The undersigned, a stockholder of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., hereby appoints Douglas Abel and Michael G. McGuinness, and each of them, as proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote on behalf of the undersigned the number of shares which the undersigned is then entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to be held at the American Stock Exchange, 14th floor Boardroom, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006 at 10:30 a.m. (EDT), on May 24, 2007, and at any and all adjournments thereof, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, in the manner directed herein.
 
(Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side) 
 

 
Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Voting by telephone is quick, easy and immediate. As a stockholder of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., you have the option of voting your shares electronically via the telephone, eliminating the need to return your proxy card. Your electronic vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card. Votes submitted electronically by telephone must be received by 7:00 p.m. (EDT) on May 23, 2007.

To Vote Your Proxy by Phone
1-866-894-0537
Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card available when you call. Follow the voting instructions to vote your shares.

Please do not return the above card if you are voting by phone.

To Vote Your Proxy by Mail
Mark, sign and date your proxy card above, detach it and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

Please detach here
______________________________________

PROXY

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSALS. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED IN BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
 
 
 
FOR
WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY
   
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
 
DOUGLAS ABEL
NEIL HERSKOWITZ
MALCOLM HOENLEIN
 
 
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]
 
 
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]
 
2. PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE 2003 STOCK OPTION PLAN.
[    ]
 
 
 FOR
[    ]
 
 
 AGAINST
[    ]
 
 
ABSTAIN
TIMOTHY McINERNEY
JOAN PONS GIMBERT
RICHARD I. STEINHART
MICHAEL WEISER
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]
  3. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY APPOINTMENT OF J.H. COHN LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR 2007.
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]
               
 
 
 
___________________________________
 
 
 
 
 
 
___________________________________
 
4. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may come before the Meeting.
 
 
 
 
COMPANY NO.:
 
PROXY NUMBER:
 
ACCOUNT NUMBER:
 
 


Signature         Signature          Date_________