DEF 14A 1 body.txt PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. SCHEDULE 14A (Rule 14a-101) SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant |X| Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |_| Check the appropriate box: |_| Preliminary Proxy Statement |_| Confidential, for use by the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |X| Definitive Proxy Statement |_| Definitive Additional Materials |_| Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |X| No fee required. |_| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): -------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: -------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) Total fee paid: -------------------------------------------------------------------- |_| Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |_| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount previously paid: -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) Filing Party: -------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) Date Filed: -------------------------------------------------------------------- PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD APRIL 26, 2002 Dear Stockholder: You are cordially invited to attend the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. (the "Company"), which will be held at the offices of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky and Walker LLP, located at 75 East 55th Street, First Floor, New York, New York 10022, on Friday, April 26, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. for the following purposes: 1. To elect eight (8) members of the Board of Directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. 2. To approve the Company's 2002 Stock Option Plan. 3. To ratify the appointment of Peterson & Company as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002. 4. To consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting. Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 2002 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Holders of a majority of the outstanding shares must be present either in person or by proxy in order for the meeting to be held. The proxy is revocable at any time in the manner set forth on page 1 of the Proxy Statement and will not affect your right to vote in person in the event that you attend the meeting. Accompanying this Notice and Proxy Statement is a copy of our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By Order of the Board of Directors, Philip J. Davis Secretary April 1, 2002 ================================================================================ WHETHER OR NOT YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. ================================================================================ PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121 PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD APRIL 26, 2002 This proxy statement is furnished by Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. ("Company"), 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121, in connection with the solicitation by the Company's Board of Directors ("Board of Directors") of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Friday, April 26, 2002 at 1:00 p.m., or any adjournments or postponements thereof ("Annual Meeting"). The date of this proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy is April 1, 2002, the approximate date on which we first sent or gave this proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy to our stockholders. General Information Annual Report. An Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 is enclosed with this proxy statement. Voting Securities. Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 21, 2002 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of March 21, 2002, there were 25,866,650 shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), issued and outstanding and 21,000 shares of our Series G Convertible Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share ("Series G Preferred Stock"), issued and outstanding. Stockholders may vote in person or by proxy. Each share of Common Stock outstanding on the record date is entitled to one (1) vote and each share of Series G Preferred Stock is entitled to two hundred (200) votes per share. The holders of Common Stock and Series G Preferred Stock vote together as a single class and do not have the right to cumulate votes. An affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Annual Meeting, by person or in proxy, is required for approval of each item being submitted to the stockholders for consideration. Proxies will be received and tabulated by the Company's transfer agent. An officer of the Company may be appointed to tabulate votes cast in person at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and "broker non-votes" are each included in the determination of the number of shares present and voting, with each tabulated separately. Abstentions are counted in tabulations of the votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders, whereas broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved. Any unmarked proxies, including those submitted by brokers or nominees, will be voted for the directors nominated and for all proposals submitted herewith. Solicitation of Proxies. We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. We will solicit stockholders by mail and will request banks and brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, to solicit their customers who have shares of our stock registered in the names of such persons and will reimburse them for their reasonable, out-of-pocket costs. We also may use the services of our officers, directors, and others to solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, without additional compensation. Voting of Proxies. All valid proxies received prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted. Where a stockholder specifies by means of the proxy a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the specification so made. If no choice is indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted in favor of the director-nominees and the proposals. A stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke his, her or its proxy at any time prior to the time it is voted by delivery to the Secretary of the Company of a written instrument revoking the proxy or a duly executed proxy with a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. PROPOSAL NUMBER ONE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote FOR the eight nominees named below under "Director Nominees" as the eight directors, unless instructed otherwise in the proxy. Each director is to hold office until the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and duly qualified. The names and certain information concerning the persons to be nominated to become directors by the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting are set forth below. YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED BELOW UNDER "DIRECTOR NOMINEES." It is intended that shares represented by the proxies will be voted FOR the election to the Board of Directors of the persons named below unless authority to vote for nominees has been withheld in the proxy. Although each of the persons nominated has consented to serve as a director if elected and your Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director, if any nominee withdraws or otherwise becomes unavailable to serve, the persons named as proxies will vote for any substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors. The following information regarding the Company's directors is relevant to your consideration of the slate proposed by your Board of Directors. Information Concerning Nominees for Director Director Nominees. The table below sets forth certain information regarding the nominees to the Board of Directors, each of whom is a current director of the Company. Name Age Position ---- --- -------- J. Thomas Parmeter 62 Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President Edward E. David, Ph.D.(1) 77 Director George R. Walker (1)(2) 77 Director J. Paul Jones, Ph.D. 60 Director Philip J. Davis (2) 72 Director, Secretary Edward J. Hartnett (1) 70 Director Richard Adelson (2) 44 Director Kerry L. Kuhn, M.D. 52 Director --------------------- (1) Member of the Stock Option and Compensation Committee of Board of Directors. (2) Member of the Audit Committee of Board of Directors. Mr. J. Thomas Parmeter has been the Company's President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors since its inception in July 1988. He also served as its Chief Financial Officer from its inception until July 1992. From 1982 to November 1987, Mr. Parmeter was President, Chief Executive Officer and, from June 1987 to June 1988, Chairman of the Board of Syntro Corporation. Dr. Edward E. David has served as a Director of the Company since January 1989. Dr. David has been a private consultant since 1986. In addition, he is now a principal and Vice President of the Washington Advisory Group, LLC, advisor to industry, universities and institutions. From 1977 to 1986, he was the President of Exxon Research and Engineering. From 1981 to 1988, Dr. David sat on the White House Science Council. Among his current responsibilities and affiliations, Dr. David is a Director of Medjet, Inc., Spacehab, Inc., and is a life member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Corporation. Dr. David is also Chairman of the Company's Technical Advisory Group. Mr. George R. Walker has served as a Director of the Company since January 1989. Mr. Walker, retired since January 1985, was formerly the Vice President-Finance for Esso Europe, an operating division of the Exxon Corporation (now the Exxon Mobil Corporation). -2- Mr. Philip J. Davis has been the Company's Secretary since January 1989. Mr. Davis has been a director of the Company since April 1994; he previously served as a director of the Company from January 1989 until October 1991. Mr. Davis is currently a private investor. He was with Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation as its Managing Director of Investment Banking since their acquisition of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in November 2000. Mr. Davis retired from that position effective January 1, 2001. He was formerly a Managing Director of Investment Banking at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette from June 1994 until November 2000. He was formerly Director, Institutional Sales, at Merrill Lynch, Inc. (formerly Merrill Lynch Capital Markets) from February 1991 until June 1994, and had been a Vice President at Merrill Lynch, Inc. since 1986. Mr. Edward J. Hartnett has served as a director of the Company since March 1996. Mr. Hartnett, retired since January 1996, previously served as a Company Group Chairman for the Johnson & Johnson Company, a diversified drug and medical products company. Mr. Hartnett is a past chairman of the Health Industry Manufacturers Association. Although Johnson & Johnson Development Company, an affiliate of Mr. Hartnett's previous employer (Johnson & Johnson Company), is a significant holder of the Company's Series D Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock and Common Stock, Mr. Hartnett does not serve as a member of the Board pursuant to any arrangement, agreement or understanding with either the Company or Johnson & Johnson Company. Dr. J. Paul Jones has served as a director of the Company since May 1998. Dr. Jones, retired since January 1998, was previously with Procter & Gamble Company since 1969, most recently as its Vice President, Research & Product Development, OTC Health Care Products Worldwide, and was formerly a member of the Analgesics subcommittee of the American Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology. Mr. Richard Adelson has served as a director of the Company since September 1999. Mr. Adelson is presently a private investor. From 1995 to 1996 he was the Senior Managing Director of The Eastland Group, Inc. From 1989 to 1995, he was the Director of Leasing and Acquisitions for the Donald Zucker Company. From 1987 to 1989 he was the Administrative Director of the Leonard Garner Group. Dr. Kerry L. Kuhn has served as a director of the Company since April 2000. Dr. Kuhn is currently a partner and Board certified practicing physician at the Omega Obstetrics and Gynecology Center in Coral Springs, Florida. Dr. Kuhn also serves as an adjunct professor in biology at the Nova University Department of Science, Math and Technology. Currently, all directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among our directors and officers. Attendance at Meetings During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, the Board of Directors held eighteen meetings. Each director serving on the Board of Directors in fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on which he served. Board Committees In fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, the Company had a standing Stock Option and Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee. Stock Option and Compensation Committee The Stock Option and Compensation Committee met two times during the last fiscal year. During 2001, the Stock Option and Compensation Committee determined grants of stock options under, and administered, the 1989 and 1992 stock option plans of the Company, as well as its 1996 non-employee directors' stock option plan and employee stock purchase plan. The Stock Option and Compensation Committee also made recommendations to -3- the Board on the annual salaries of all elected officers of the Company and made recommendations to the Board on compensation matters of the Company. Audit Committee The Audit Committee met once during the last fiscal year. The Audit Committee makes recommendations concerning the engagement of the Company's independent auditors, consults with the independent auditors concerning the audit plan and reviews the comments and recommendations resulting from the auditors' report. Directors Compensation No directors received any cash compensation for their services as directors during the 2001 fiscal year. All directors were reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses in attending meetings of the Board or committees thereof. Outside directors are granted options to purchase Common Stock under the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan ("1996 Option Plan"). Each such director is currently granted an annual option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company upon his or her election to the Board or on the first business day in June of each calendar year. Such options are exercisable six months after the date of grant at a price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. During 2001, Messrs. Adelson, David, Davis, Hartnett, Jones, Kuhn, and Walker received options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $0.82 per share under the 1996 Option Plan. Vote Required and Board of Directors' Recommendation If a quorum is present and voting, the persons receiving the greatest number of votes shall be the persons elected as directors. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL OF THE ABOVE NOMINEES. -4- PROPOSAL NUMBER TWO 2002 STOCK OPTION PLAN The Company's 2002 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors in March 2002 to replace the Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan which will expire in December 2002. There are currently 184,000 shares which remain available for grant under the 1992 Stock Option Plan, all of which will expire to the extent not granted prior to expiration of the 1992 Stock Option Plan. The Plan would reserve an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance upon the exercise of options under the Plan. On March 21, 2002, the closing price of our common stock as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board was $0.95 per share. The following description of the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, which is attached hereto as Appendix A. The Plan is intended to provide incentive to employees, directors, advisors and consultants of the Company to encourage proprietary interests in the Company, to encourage employees to remain in the employment of the Company and to encourage directors, advisors and consultants to remain in the service of the Company. The Plan is also intended to help the Company attract new qualified employees, directors, advisors and consultants. Administration The Plan is to be administrated either by the Board of Directors or, in the discretion of the Board by a committee consisting of two or more non-employee directors (the Board or in the alternative the committee of directors, is referred to as the "Administrator"). The Administrator has discretion to select the optionees who are to be granted options, determine the number of shares to be subject to options and to designate options as either incentive or nonstatutory stock options. The Administrator has full power and authority to operate, manage and administer the Plan and interpret and construe the Plan and the terms of all option agreements. Eligibility Options can be granted under the Plan to employees (who may be officers, whether or not they are directors) of the Company or its subsidiaries and non-employees to whom the offer of employment has been extended. Options may also be granted to directors, advisors and consultants of the Company. The Administrator retains discretion to award options to any participant under the Plan and no options have been granted under the Plan as of the date of this proxy statement. No options will be granted under the Plan prior to shareholder approval of the Plan. Determinations as to who will be selected in the future as participants in the Plan or the number of options to be granted have not been made. Since no such determinations have yet to be made, it is not possible to state the terms of any individual grants which may be issued under the Plan or the names or positions or respective amounts of the allotment to any individual who may participate. As a condition of granting options, the Administrator may require that a participant surrender for cancellation options which had been previously granted to that person. A grant of an option which is conditional upon such surrender may have an option price which is lower or higher than the exercise price of the surrendered option and the new option shall cover such number of shares and other terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Individuals who hold more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the Company's outstanding stock are ineligible to receive options under the Plan unless the exercise price of the options is at least 110% of the fair market value of such shares on the grant date. Plan Limits The maximum shares of Common Stock with respect to which options may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed 1,500,000 shares and no single individual is to be granted options which exceed 400,000 shares. These -5- limits are subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and other similar events as provided for in the Plan. If the purchase price of an option or a tax liability is satisfied by the transfer or relinquishment to the Company of shares, then there shall be deemed to have been issued or transferred under the Plan only the net number of shares actually issued or transferred by the corporation. In the event an option granted under the Plan expires or is otherwise canceled or terminated, the shares allocable to the unexercised portion of such option shall again be available to be granted under the Plan, subject to certain limitations under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Option Grants Both incentive and nonstatutory stock options can be granted under the Plan. The exercise price for incentive stock options shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value on the grant date. The exercise price for a nonstatutory stock option shall not be less than 85% of the fair market value on the grant date. In the case of options granted to individuals holding 10% or more of the Company's outstanding stock, the exercise price shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value on the grant date. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the option grant date) of the shares with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by any optionee during any calendar year under the Plan and all other plans maintained by the Company exceeds $100,000, such excess options will be treated as nonstatutory stock options. An option agreement authorized under the Plan may contain such terms and provisions not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan as the Administrator shall deem advisable in its sole and absolute discretion. The Administrator may establish the vesting and other terms of each option provided, however, in any event, options shall be exercisable at a minimum rate of at least 20% per year over a period of five years from the grant date; except in the case of options granted to directors, consultants, advisors or officers of the Company, where the options may become exercisable at any time during the period established by the Administrator. Within the limits of the Plan, the Administrator may modify an option, extend or renew outstanding options or accept the cancellation of outstanding options for the granting of new options in substitution therefor. The purchase price of the options is payable in cash; provided, however, if the applicable option agreement provides or the Administrator otherwise approves, the purchase price may be paid by the surrender of shares having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the purchase price, or in any combination of cash and shares equal to the purchase price. In the event the Company determines that state or federal income taxes are required to be withheld, as a condition to exercise the optionee must make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to enable it to satisfy the withholding requirements. Payment of withholding requirements may be made by cash, delivery of shares or a combination of cash and shares. Term and Transferability No option granted under the Plan may be exercisable after ten years from the grant date (or less, in the discretion of the Administrator). No incentive stock option granted to an individual who holds more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of the Company's outstanding stock shall be exercisable after the expiration of five years (or less, in the discretion of the Administrator) from the grant date. During the lifetime of an optionee, the option shall be exercisable only by the optionee or the optionee's guardian or legal representative and shall not be assignable or transferable. The option shall not be transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Cessation of Service If an optionee's employment or service with the Company ceases, other than as a result of death, disability or retirement, the optionee shall have 30 days after such cessation to exercise the option to the extent it was exercisable on the date of the optionee's cessation of employment or service. In the event an optionee's employment or service ceases by reason of death or disability, the optionee shall have 12 months after cessation by reason of -6- death or disability to exercise the option to the extent it was exercisable on the date of cessation. If an optionee's employment or service with the corporation ceases by reason of retirement, the optionee shall have 90 days after the date of retirement to exercise the option to the extent it was exercisable on the date of retirement. Federal Income Tax Consequences The following is a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences of certain transactions under the Plan. This summary is not intended to be complete and does not describe state or local tax consequences. Nonstatutory Stock Options. In general no income will be recognized by the optionee at the time a nonstatutory stock option is granted. At the time the option is exercised, ordinary income will be recognized by the optionee in an amount equal to the difference between the option price paid for the shares and the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date and the Company is entitled to a corresponding tax deduction in an amount equal to the optionee's ordinary income at that time. At the time of sale of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, the appreciation (or depreciation) in value of the shares after the date of exercise will be treated either as short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on how long the shares have been held. Incentive Stock Options. No income generally will be recognized by an employee upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. There are no tax consequences to the optionee upon exercise of an incentive stock option, except the amount by which the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise exceeds the option exercise price is a tax preference item possibly giving rise to an alternative minimum tax. If the shares of Common Stock acquired are not disposed of within two years from the date the incentive stock option was granted and within one year after the shares are transferred to the optionee, any gain realized upon the subsequent disposition of the shares will be characterized as long-term capital gain and any loss will be characterized as long-term capital loss. If all requirements other than the above-described holding period requirements are met, then a "disqualifying disposition" occurs and gain in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise minus the option exercise price or (ii) the amount realized on disposition minus the option exercise price (except for certain "wash" sales, gifts or sales to related persons), is taxed as ordinary income to the optionee and the Company is entitled to a corresponding tax deduction in an amount equal to the optionee's ordinary income at that time. A gain in excess of this amount, if any, will be characterized as long-term capital gain if the optionee held the shares for more than one year. General Tax Law Considerations. The preceding paragraphs are intended to be merely a summary of the most important federal tax law consequences concerning a grant of options under the Plan and the disposition of shares of Common Stock issued thereunder in existence as of the date of this proxy statement. Participants in the Plan should review the current tax treatment with their individual tax advisors at the time of grant, exercise or any other transaction relating to an option or underlying stock issued under the Plan. Effect of Certain Changes The Administrator shall make or provide for adjustments in the total number of shares available for grant under the Plan, the exercise price and in the number or kind of shares or other securities covered by the Plan and outstanding options as it determines in its good faith to be required as a result of any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of Shares or the payment of a stock dividend (but only if paid in Common Stock) or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company. In the event of certain sales, mergers or consolidations of the Company, each outstanding option will remain exercisable as to all vested shares subject to the option prior to the effective date of such transaction. In such a case, the right to exercise options will last for twenty days. Five days prior to the effective date of the transaction, all outstanding options, to the extent not exercised by the optionees or assumed by the successor corporation (as described below), will terminate. Alternatively, in its sole and absolute discretion, the surviving or acquiring corporation (or the parent -7- company of the surviving or acquiring corporation) may tender to any Optionee (or successor in interest) a substitute option or options to purchase shares of the surviving or acquiring corporation (or the parent corporation of the surviving or acquiring corporation). The substitute option would contain all terms and provisions required substantially to preserve the rights and benefits of all Options then held by the Optionee (or successor in interest) receiving the substitute option. Any other dissolution or liquidation of the Company would cause each Option to terminate. In addition, in the event of an actual or threatened takeover bid, tender offer or exchange offer for 20% or more of the Common Stock or other class of stock of the Company, or of certain filings by any person under Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, the Administrator in its sole discretion (i) accelerate the vesting of outstanding options, (ii) pay cash to option holders in cancellation of their options and (iii) make adjustments and amendments to the Plan and outstanding options to permit substitution of new options for outstanding options. Amendment of Plan The Administrator may, with respect to shares at the time not subject to options, suspend or discontinue the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever except that without the approval of the Company's shareholders no such revision or amendment shall (i) be made if shareholder approval is required by applicable law, regulation or the requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market or any exchange or interdealer network where the Company's shares are trading or (ii) increase the number of shares which may be issued under the Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator is entitled to amend the Plan to eliminate provisions which are no longer necessary as a result of changes in tax or securities laws or regulations. Vote Required and Board of Directors' Recommendation The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Common Stock present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and voting on the proposal is required for the approval of this proposal to approve and adopt the Company's 2002 Stock Option Plan. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S 2002 STOCK OPTION PLAN. -8- PROPOSAL NUMBER THREE RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS Our Board of Directors has selected Peterson & Company as independent auditors to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002. On April 24, 2001, Ernst & Young LLP, which had been our independent accountants since our inception in 1988, terminated its auditor relationship with us and declined to stand for re-election as our independent auditor. Ernst & Young LLP's reports on our financial statements for the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1999 and 2000 have not contained an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor have they contained any modifications as to uncertainty (except that their report on the 2000 financial statements contained an uncertainty paragraph related to our ability to continue as a going concern), scope or accounting principles. During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1999 and 2000 and since that date through the date hereof, there have been no disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Ernst & Young LLP's satisfaction, would have caused Ernst & Young LLP to make reference to the subject matter of any such disagreements in connection with its reports. The Company previously provided Ernst & Young LLP with a copy of the above disclosures. Ernst & Young LLP furnished the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating that Ernst & Young agrees with the above disclosures. A copy of this letter was attached as Exhibit 16.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 27, 2001. The Audit Committee interviewed Peterson & Company and recommended to the Board of Directors that Peterson & Company be selected to replace Ernst & Young LLP. The Board of Directors approved the selection and on April 24, 2001, we engaged Peterson & Company as our independent auditor to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. Professional services performed by Peterson & Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 consisted of an audit of the financial statements of the Company, consultation on interim financial information, services related to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, meetings with the Company's Audit Committee, and consultation on various matters relating to accounting and financial reporting. Peterson & Company's report on our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor did it contain any modifications as to uncertainty (except that its report on the 2001 financial statements contained an uncertainty paragraph related to our ability to continue as a going concern), scope or accounting principles. Furthermore, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, there were no disagreements with Peterson & Company on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Peterson & Company's satisfaction, would have caused Peterson & Company to make reference to the subject matter of any such disagreements in connection with its reports. The Audit Committee approved in advance or ratified each of the major professional services provided by Peterson & Company and considered the possible effect of each such service on the independence of that firm. The independent auditors meet periodically with the Audit Committee of the Board. The members of the Audit Committee were Mr. Adelson, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Walker. Representatives of Peterson and Company are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. Members of the Audit Committee will be available to respond to appropriate questions during the Annual Meeting. -9- Accounting fees for the last fiscal year were as follows: o Audit Fees - $27,000.00; o Other Audit Related Fees - $15,576.25; o Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees - $0; o All Other Fees - $24,081.00. Vote Required and Board of Directors' Recommendation The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting, at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding shares of our common stock is present, either in person or by proxy, is required for approval of this proposal. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF PETERSON & COMPANY AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2002. -10- The following Audit Committee Report is provided in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pursuant to such rules and regulations, this report shall not be deemed "soliciting materials," filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, subject to Regulation 14A or 14C of the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The committee oversees the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and the committee's written charter is approved by the Board of Directors (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Appendix A to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A on April 25, 2001). In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Company's annual report for fiscal year 2001 with management, who has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process. As part of its review, the committee discussed the quality, and not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company's accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed under generally accepted accounting principles and SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380). In addition, the committee has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors' independence from management and the Company including the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors' independence. The committee has received written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard No.1 (Independence Standards Board Standard No.1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committee), as may be modified or supplemented, and has discussed with the independent auditors the independent auditor's independence. The committee discussed with the independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their audits. The committee meets with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company's internal controls, and the overall quality of its financial reporting. The committee held one such meeting during the year ended December 31, 2001. In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board of Directors approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on From 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2001 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The committee and the Board of Directors have also recommended, subject to stockholder approval, the selection of Peterson & Company as the Company's independent auditors for fiscal year 2002. The Audit Committee Richard Adelson Philip J. Davis George R. Walker April 1, 2002 -11- SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The following table sets forth information as of March 21, 2002 with respect to (i) all persons known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock and Series G Preferred Stock, if any, (ii) all Directors and nominees for Director, (iii) each executive officer named below and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. The business address of each of the Company's directors and named executive officers is the Company's address unless otherwise stated in the table below. Shares Beneficially Owned(1)(2) Name and Address ------------------------------- of Beneficial Owner Number Percentage ------------------- ------ ---------- J. Thomas Parmeter(3)(4)(5)(6)................ 791,777 3.03% Philip J. Davis(3)(4)(5)(7) .................. 1,050,345 4.01% Patricia J. Cornell(3)(8)(11)................. 13,919,898 46.44% Taurus Advisory Group 2 Landmark Square Stamford, Connecticut 06901 J. Paul Jones(3)(4)(9)........................ 56,000 * Johnson & Johnson Development Company(10)..... 7,858,080 23.95% One Johnson & Johnson Plaza New Brunswick, New Jersey 08933 Taurus Advisory Group(11)..................... 13,888,898 46.38% 2 Landmark Square Stamford, Connecticut 06901 George R. Walker(3)(4)(12).................... 171,012 * Edward E. David, Ph.D.(3)(4)(13).............. 61,107 * Edward J. Hartnett(3)(4)(14).................. 60,000 * Richard Adelson(3)(4)(15)..................... 398,600 1.53% Kerry L. Kuhn, M.D.(3)(4)(16)................. 395,000 1.52% Joseph Cappello, Ph.D.(5)(17) ................ 292,248 1.12% Franco A. Ferrari, Ph.D.(5)(18)............... 264,209 1.01% John E. Flowers (5)(19)....................... 236,184 * Russell Stern(20) ............................ 1,384,223 5.27% c/o Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. 10655 Sorrento Valley Road San Diego, California 92121 All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)(21)................... 17,696,380 56.0% ----------------------- * Amount represents less than one percent of the Common Stock. (1) Information with respect to beneficial ownership is based upon the Company's stock records and data supplied to the Company by the holders. (2) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally includes voting power and/or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of Common Stock subject to options or warrants exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such options or warrants but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to joint ownership with spouses and community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them. (3) Director (4) Nominee for Director. (5) Executive Officer. -12- (6) Includes (i) 200,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days, (ii) 40,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 500 shares of the Company's Series E Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days and (iii) 30,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 150 shares of the Company's Series G Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days (such Series G Preferred Stock votes with the Common Stock on an as converted basis). (7) Includes (i) 60,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days, (ii) 100,000 warrants exercisable within 60 days (which warrants were issued in connection with the exercise and exchange of the Company's Series G 2nd Exchange Warrants), (iii) 80,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 1,000 shares of the Company's Series E Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days and (iv) 100,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 500 shares of the Company's Series G Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days (such Series G Preferred Stock votes with the Common Stock on an as converted basis). (8) Includes 30,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. Ms. Cornell is a current director who is not standing for re-election. Ms. Cornell is also a Vice President and Director of Taurus Advisory Group, and as such may be deemed to exercise investment power over shares held by Taurus Advisory Group. Ms. Cornell disclaims such beneficial ownership. (9) Includes 56,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. (10) Includes (i) 920,480 shares of common stock; (ii) 2,875,473 shares issuable upon conversion of 27,317 shares of the Company's Series D Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days; (iii) 2,781,052 shares issuable upon conversion of 26,420 shares of the Company's Series F Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days; (iv) 1,078,800 shares issuable upon conversion of 8,091 shares of the Company's Series H Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days and (v) 202,275 shares subject to warrants exercisable within 60 days (which warrants were issued in connection with the issuance of the Company's Series H Preferred Stock. The conversion price of each share of Series D Preferred Stock and Series F Preferred Stock is calculated by dividing $100 by the closing price of our common stock on March 21, 2002. The conversion price of each share of Series H Preferred Stock is calculated by dividing $100 by $0.75. (11) Includes (i) 9,808,898 shares held by clients of Taurus Advisory Group, (ii) 610,000 warrants exercisable within 60 days held by clients of Taurus Advisory Group (which warrants were issued in connection with the exercise and exchange of the Company's Series G 2nd Exchange Warrants), (iii) 580,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 7,250 shares of the Company's Series E Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days held by clients of Taurus Advisory Group, and (iv) 2,890,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 14,450 shares of the Company's Series G Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days held by clients of the Taurus Advisory Group (such Series G Preferred Stock votes with the Common Stock on an as converted basis). Taurus Advisory Group disclaims beneficial ownership of securities held by its clients. (12) Includes 45,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. (13) Includes 35,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. (14) Includes 60,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. (15) Includes (i) 20,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days, (ii) 100,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 500 shares of the Company's Series G Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days (such Series G Preferred Stock votes with the Common Stock on an as converted basis). (16) Includes (i) 15,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days, (ii) 50,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 625 shares of the Company's Series E Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days, and (iii) 80,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 400 shares of the Company's Series G Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days (such Series G Preferred Stock votes with the Common Stock on an as converted basis). (17) Includes 216,500 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. (18) Includes 173,500 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. (19) Includes 171,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. (20) Includes (i) 20,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days, (ii) 150,000 warrants exercisable within 60 days (which warrants were issued in connection with the exercise and exchange of the Company's Series G 2nd Exchange Warrants), (iii) 80,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 1,000 shares of the Company's Series E Preferred Stock convertible within 60 days and (iv) 150,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 750 shares of the Company's Series G Preferred Stock convertible -13- within 60 days (such Series G Preferred Stock votes with the Common Stock on an as converted basis). (21) Includes (i) 1,082,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days, (ii) 710,000 shares subject to warrants convertible within 60 days, and (iii) 3.950,000 shares subject to preferred stock convertible within 60 days. -14- EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The following table shows for the periods indicated the compensation paid to or accrued to, or for the benefit of, each of the named executive officers of the Company for services rendered to the Company during 2001.
Summary Compensation Table Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation --------------------------------------- ----------------------- Restricted Securities Other Annual Stock Underlying Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation Awards Options --------------------------- ---- ------ ----- ------------ ------ ------- J. Thomas Parmeter ................................... 2001 $212,000 -0- -0- -0- -0- President, Chief Executive Officer ................... 2000 $212,000 -0- -0- -0- -0- and Chairman of the Board ............................ 1999 $200,000 -0- -0- -0- -0- Joseph Cappello, Ph.D ................................ 2001 $137,000 -0- -0- -0- 70,000 Vice President - Research and ........................ 2000 $137,000 -0- -0- $1,328 10,000 Development, Director- Polymer ....................... 1999 $129,000 -0- -0- -0- 42,500 Research and Chief Technical Officer (1) Franco A. Ferrari, Ph.D .............................. 2001 $127,000 -0- -0- -0- 70,000 Vice President - Laboratory .......................... 2000 $127,000 -0- -0- $1,138 10,000 Operations and Polymer Productions, .................. 1999 $119,700 -0- -0- -0- 30,000 Director- Molecular Genetics (2) John E. Flowers ...................................... 2001 $125,000 -0- -0- -0- 70,000 Vice President-Planning and .......................... 2000 $125,000 -0- -0- $1,328 10,000 Operations (3) ....................................... 1999 $117,600 -0- -0- -0- 30,000
-15- Option Grants In Last Fiscal Year The following table provides information about the number of options granted to each of the named executive officers of the Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. No stock appreciation rights were granted to any executive officer during the last fiscal year.
Number of Securities % of Total Options Underlying Options Granted to Employees Exercise Expiration Name Granted In Fiscal Year Price ($/sh) Date ---- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J. Thomas Parmeter -0- -0-% n/a n/a Joseph Cappello, Ph.D. 50,000 (1) 16% $.80 April 11, 2011 20,000 (2) $.85 May 28, 2011 Franco A. Ferrari, Ph.D. 50,000 (1) 16% $.80 April 11, 2011 20,000 (2) $.85 May 28, 2011 John E. Flowers 50,000 (1) 16% $.80 April 11, 2011 20,000 (2) $.85 May 28, 2011
(1) Two-thirds of the options are exercisable, the remaining one-third will become exercisable on June 30, 2002. (2) The options were exercisable as of the date of grant. Aggregated Option Exercises In Last Fiscal Year And Fiscal Year-End Option Value The following table provides information about the number of unexercised options held by each of the named executive officers of the Company at December 31, 2001. None of the executive officers exercised options during the fiscal year. The Company has not granted stock appreciation rights to any named executive officer.
Shares Number of Securities Value of Unexercised Acquired Value Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Options Name on Exercise Realized Options at Fiscal Year End At Fiscal Year End(1) ---- ----------- -------- -------------------------- --------------------- Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- J. Thomas Parmeter -0- -0- 200,000 0 $0 $0 Joseph Cappello, Ph.D. -0- -0- 216,500 58,500 $1,190.00 $1,785.00 Franco A. Ferrari, Ph.D. -0- -0- 173,500 49,000 $ 840.00 $1,260.00 John E. Flowers -0- -0- 171,000 49,000 $ 840.00 $1,260.00
(1) calculated using the closing price of $0.54 per share as of December 31, 2001. -16- The Company does not have a defined benefit or actuarial pension plan. The Company does not have a long-term incentive plan and did not make any long term awards in 2001. Employment Agreements On February 17, 2000, the Company entered into employment agreements with each of Mr. Parmeter, Dr. Cappello, Dr. Ferrari and Mr. Flowers, calling for annual base salaries of $212,000, $137,000, $127,000 and $125,000, respectively, as well as certain other customary benefits. These agreements expire on December 31, 2002, unless terminated prior to that date by the Company or the executive. These agreements provide that if any of the executives' employment is terminated by the Company without cause, then such executive shall be entitled to continue to receive his base salary until the earlier of the expiration date of the agreement or six months after such termination. On April 12, 2001, each of Mr. Parmeter, Dr. Cappello, Dr. Ferrari and Mr. Flowers executed an amendment to his employment agreement with the Company pursuant to which these severance payments will be eliminated, effective December 31, 2001. Furthermore, each of these executives may terminate his employment for a "good reason" following a change in control of the Company. A "good reason" means a reduction in salary, a material reduction in positions, duties or responsibilities or the failure of the Company to have its successor assume the Company's obligations under the employment agreement. If any executive were to terminate his employment for a good reason, the Company would be obligated to pay such executive a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times his base salary in the case of Mr. Parmeter and 2.0 times in the case of the other three executives then in effect, plus any other vested benefits. Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities ("Section 16 Participants"), to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required to furnish the Company with copies of all forms they file pursuant to Section 16(a). Based solely on review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company, or written representations that no such forms were required, the Company believes that during 2001 all Section 16 Participants complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements except for the inadvertent failure of the following Section 16 Participants: (1) Philip J. Davis and Kerry L. Kuhn each respectfully failed to file in a timely manner one Form 4 covering one disposition and one acquisition and (2) Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation filed a Form 5 in March 2002 to report fifteen transactions that it previously failed to report in a timely manner. OTHER MATTERS Management knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting. If other matters do properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote on such matters according to their best judgment. -17- STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION ANY PERSON FROM WHOM PROXIES FOR THE MEETING ARE SOLICITED MAY OBTAIN, IF NOT ALREADY RECEIVED, FROM THE COMPANY, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB FOR THE 2001 FISCAL YEAR BY WRITTEN REQUEST ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY, 10655 SORRENTO VALLEY ROAD, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT. THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB IS NOT SOLICITING MATERIAL AND IS NOT INCORPORATED IN THIS DOCUMENT BY REFERENCE. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS Proposals by stockholders to be presented at the Company's 2003 annual meeting must be received by the Company no later than 120 days prior to April 25, 2003, in order to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy for such meeting. Furthermore, proposals by stockholders submitted outside the process of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 may be considered untimely and ineligible to properly come before the Company's 2003 annual meeting if such proposal is not submitted at least 45 days prior to April 25, 2003. By Order of the Board of Directors, PHILIP J. DAVIS Secretary Dated: April 1, 2002 -18- APPENDIX "A" 2002 Stock Option Plan PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 2002 STOCK OPTION PLAN 1. PURPOSE. The Plan is intended to provide incentive to employees, directors, advisors and consultants of the Corporation to encourage proprietary interest in the Corporation, to encourage such employees to remain in the employ of the Corporation or such directors, advisors and consultants to remain in the service of the Corporation, and to attract new employees, directors, advisors and consultants with outstanding qualifications. 2. DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, the capitalized terms used herein shall have the following meanings: (a) "Administrator" shall mean the Board or the Plan Committee of the Board, whichever shall be administering the Plan from time to time in the discretion of the Board, as described in Section 4 of the Plan. (b) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation. (c) "Change of Control" shall mean, a change of control of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 1 of Form 8-K required to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act; provided that, without limitation, such a Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) the Shareholders of the Company approve a definitive agreement to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company's assets and properties; or (ii) any "person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or any "person" who as of the date this Plan is adopted by the Board, is a director or officer of the Company (including any trust of such director or officer), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; provided, however, that the following shall not constitute a "Change of Control" of the Company: (a) any acquisition directly from the Company (excluding any acquisition resulting from the exercise of a conversion or exchange privilege in respect of outstanding convertible or exchangeable securities); (b) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; or (c) upon the death of any person who as of the date of this Agreement is a director or officer of the Company, the transfer (x) by testamentary disposition or the laws of intestate succession to the estate or the legal beneficiaries or heirs of such person, or (y) by the provisions of any living trust to the named current income beneficiaries thereof of the securities of the Company beneficially owned by such director or officer of the Company; or (iii) during any period of two consecutive years during the term of this Plan, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election of each director who was not a director at the A-1 beginning of such period has been approved in advance by directors representing at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors at the beginning of the period; or (iv) the shareholders of the Company approve the dissolution of the Company or a definitive agreement to merge or consolidate the Company with or into another entity in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which any shares of the Company's stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property of another entity, other than a merger of the Company in which holders of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of Common Stock (or equivalent securities) of the surviving entity immediately after the merger as immediately before. (d) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (e) "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission. (f) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Corporation and any class of shares into which such common stock hereafter may be converted or reclassified. (g) "Corporation" shall mean Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation. (h) "Disability" shall mean a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which has made an individual incapable of engaging in any substantial gainful activity. A condition shall be considered a Disability only if (i) it can be expected to result in death or has lasted or it can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, and (ii) the Administrator, based upon medical evidence, has expressly determined that Disability exists. (i) "Employee" shall mean an individual who is employed (within the meaning of Section 3401 of the Code and the regulations thereunder) by the Corporation. (j) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (k) "Exercise Price" shall mean the price per Share of Common Stock, determined by the Administrator, at which an Option may be exercised. (l) "Fair Market Value" shall mean the value of one (1) Share of Common Stock, determined as follows: (i) If the Shares are (A) listed on an exchange, the closing price as reported for composite transactions on the date of valuation, or, if no sale occurred on that date, then the mean between the closing bid and asked prices on such exchange on such date, or (B) traded over-the-counter on the National Market System (the "NMS") of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("NASDAQ"), the last sale price on the business day immediately prior to the date of valuation, or, if no sale occurred on such date, then the mean between the highest bid and lowest asked prices as of the close of business on the business day immediately prior to the date of valuation, as reported in NASDAQ; (ii) If the Shares are not traded on an exchange or the NMS but are otherwise traded over-the-counter, the mean between the highest bid and lowest asked prices quoted in NASDAQ as of the close of business on the date of valuation, or, if on such day such Shares are not quoted in NASDAQ, the mean between the representative bid and asked A-2 prices on such date in the domestic over-the-counter market as reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc., or any similar successor organization; or (iii) If neither clause (i) nor (ii) above applies, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in good faith. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. (m) "Grant Date" shall mean the date on which the granting of an Option is authorized by the Administrator or such other date as prescribed by the Administrator. (n) "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an option described in Section 422 of the Code. (o) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" shall mean an option that does not meet the requirements of Section 422(b) of the Code or is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. (p) "Option" shall mean any stock option granted pursuant to the Plan. An Option shall be granted as of the Grant Date. (q) "Option Agreement" shall mean a written stock option agreement evidencing the grant of an Option. (r) "Option Limit" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6. (s) "Optionee" shall mean a Participant who has received an Option. (t) "Participant" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5(a) hereof. (u) "Plan" shall mean this Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan, as it may be amended from time to time. (v) "Plan Committee" shall mean a committee of two or more directors appointed by the Board to administer the Plan. (w) "Purchase Price" shall mean the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Shares with respect to which an Option is exercised. (x) "Retirement" shall mean the voluntary termination of employment by an employee after qualifying for early or normal retirement under any pension plan or profit sharing or benefit plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries. If an employee is not covered by any such plan, "Retirement" shall mean voluntary termination of employment after the employee has attained age sixty-five (65) and after the employee has attained the tenth (10th) anniversary of his or her last preceding date of hire, or as otherwise determined in the Administrator's sole discretion. (y) "Section 16 Participant" shall mean a Participant who is (or, in the opinion of the Administrator, may be) generally subject to the Section 16 Requirements with respect to purchases and sales of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Corporation. (z) "Section 16 Requirements" shall mean the those obligations and requirements imposed on officers and directors by Sections 16(a) and 16(b) of the Exchange Act and the rules of the Commission promulgated thereunder. A-3 (aa) "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. (bb) "Subsidiary" shall mean any subsidiary corporation as defined in Section 425(f) of the Code. (cc) "Share" shall mean one share of Common Stock, adjusted in accordance with Section 10 of the Plan (if applicable). (dd) "Transfer Agent" shall mean a third-party organization retained by the Corporation to maintain the stock transfer records of the Corporation. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan was adopted by the Board effective March 21, 2002. Options granted prior to obtaining shareholder approval in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan shall be granted subject to such shareholder approval and must be rescinded if such approval is not obtained in accordance with such section. 4. ADMINISTRATION. (a) Administrator. Subject to subsection (c) below, the Plan shall be administered, in the discretion of the Board from time to time, by the Board or by a Plan Committee which shall be appointed by the Board as provided in the Corporation's Bylaws. The Board may from time to time remove members from, or add members to, the Plan Committee. Vacancies on the Plan Committee, however caused, shall be filled by the Board. The Board shall appoint one of the members of the Plan Committee as Chairman. The Administrator shall hold meetings at such times and places as it may determine. Acts of a majority of the Administrator at which a quorum is present, or acts reduced to or approved in writing by the unanimous consent of the members of the Administrator, shall be the valid acts of the Administrator. (b) Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall from time to time at its discretion select the Optionees who are to be granted Options, determine the number of Shares to be subject to Options to be granted to each Optionee and designate such Options as Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options. The Administrator shall have full power and authority to operate, manage and administer the Plan and interpret and construe the Plan and the terms of all Option Agreements. The interpretation and construction by the Administrator of any provision of the Plan or of any Option or Option Agreement shall be final. No member of the Administrator shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Option. (c) Disinterested Administration. If the Common Stock is registered under the Exchange Act and Section 16 Participants are to receive Options hereunder, this Plan shall be administered by the Board or by a Plan Committee consisting solely of two or more directors each of whom shall be a "non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act and an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. 5. PARTICIPATION. (a) Eligibility. The Optionees shall be such persons (collectively, "Participants"; individually a "Participant") as the Administrator may select from among the following classes of persons, subject to the terms and conditions of Section 5(b) below: (i) Employees (who may be officers, whether or not they are directors) of the Corporation or of a Subsidiary and non-employees to whom an offer of employment has been extended; and (ii) directors, advisors and consultants of the Corporation or a Subsidiary. A-4 Notwithstanding provisions of the first paragraph of this Section 5(a), the Administrator may at any time or from time to time designate one or more directors as being ineligible for selection as Participants in the Plan for any period or periods of time. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion and upon such terms as it deems appropriate, require as a condition of the grant of an Option to a Participant that the Participant surrender for cancellation some or all of the Options which have been previously granted to such person under this Plan or otherwise. An Option, the grant of which is conditioned upon such surrender, may have an option price lower (or higher) than the exercise price of such surrendered Option, may cover the same (or a lesser or greater) number of shares as such surrendered Option, may contain such other terms as the Administrator deems appropriate, and shall be exerciseable in accordance with its terms, without regard to the number of shares, price, exercise period or any other term or condition of such surrendered Option. (b) Ten-Percent Shareholders. A Participant who, at the time of grant, owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Corporation shall not be eligible to receive an Option unless the Exercise Price of the Shares subject to such Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the Grant Date. (c) Stock Ownership. For purposes of Section 5(b) above, in determining stock ownership, a Participant shall be considered as owning the stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for his or her brothers and sisters, spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants. Stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust shall be considered as being owned proportionately by or for its shareholders, partners or beneficiaries. Stock with respect to which such Participant holds an Option shall not be counted. (d) Outstanding Stock. For purposes of Section 5(b) above, "outstanding stock" shall include all stock actually issued and outstanding immediately after the grant of the Option to the Optionee. "Outstanding stock" shall not include Shares authorized for issue under outstanding Options held by the Optionee or by any other person. 6. STOCK. The stock subject to Options granted under the Plan shall be Shares of the Corporation's authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock. The aggregate number of Shares which may be issued upon exercise of Options under the Plan at any time shall not exceed 1,500,000 Shares (the "Option Limit"), subject to adjustment as provided for in this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the full or partial payment of any Purchase Price by the transfer to the Corporation of Shares or upon satisfaction of tax withholding provisions in connection with any such exercise or any other payment made or benefit realized under this Plan by the transfer or relinquishment of Shares, there shall be deemed to have been issued or transferred under this Plan only the net number of Shares actually issued or transferred by the Corporation. In the event any outstanding Option granted under this Plan for any reason expires or is canceled or terminated, the Shares allocable to the unexercised portion of such Option shall again be available to be granted as Options under this Plan. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, to the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, Shares subject to Options which are canceled continue to be counted against the Option Limit and if, after an Option grant, the price of Shares subject to such Option is reduced, the transaction is treated as a cancellation of the Option and a grant of a new option and both the Option deemed to be canceled and the Option deemed to be granted are counted against the Option Limit. The limitations established by this Section 6 shall be subject to adjustment in the manner provided in Section 10 hereof upon the occurrence of an event specified in Section 10. 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. (a) Stock Option Agreements. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement in such other form as the Administrator shall from time to time determine. Such Option Agreements need not be identical but shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7. (b) Nature of Option. Each Option shall state whether it is an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. A-5 (c) Optionee's Undertaking. Each Optionee shall agree to remain in the employ or service of the Corporation and to render services for a period as shall be determined by the Administrator, from the Grant Date of the Option or such other date agreed to by the Optionee and the Corporation, but such agreement shall not impose upon the Corporation any obligation to retain the Optionee in their employ or service for any period. (d) Number of Shares. Each Option shall state the number of Shares to which it pertains and shall provide for the adjustment thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof. (e) Exercise Price; Exercise of Options. Each Option shall state the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price in the case of an Option granted to an Optionee described in Section 5(b) hereof, shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date. The Exercise Price in the case of any Nonstatutory Stock Option, shall not be less than Eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date. The Exercise Price in the case of any Incentive Stock Option granted to persons other than to an Optionee described in Section 5(b) hereof, shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date. At the sole discretion of the Administrator, any Option granted under this Plan to any Participant may be exercisable in whole or in part immediately upon the grant thereof, or only after the occurrence of a specified event and/or only in installments, which installments may be equal or otherwise, and which installments may vary as to the number thereof as well as to whether any unexercised installments are cumulative through the life of a particular Option; provided that, in any event, such Option shall be exercisable at a minimum rate of at least twenty percent (20%) per year over the period five years from the Grant Date for the Option in question; however, in the case of an Option granted to a Participant who is a director, consultant, advisor or officer of the Corporation, the Administrator may provide that the Option may become fully exercisable, subject to reasonable conditions such as continued employment or service to the Corporation, at any time or during any period established by the Administrator. (f) Medium and Time of Payment; Notice. The Purchase Price shall be payable in full in United States dollars upon the exercise of the Option; provided, however, that if the applicable Option Agreement so provides, or the Administrator in its sole discretion otherwise approves thereof, the Purchase Price may (to the extent permitted by applicable law) be paid by the surrender of Shares in good form for transfer, owned by the person exercising the Option and having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Purchase Price. In the event the Corporation determines that it is required to withhold state or Federal income tax as a result of the exercise of an Option, as a condition to the exercise thereof, an Optionee must make arrangements satisfactory to the Corporation to enable it to satisfy such withholding requirements before the Optionee shall be permitted to exercise the Option. Payment of such withholding requirements may be made, in the discretion of the Administrator, (i) in cash, (ii) by delivery of Shares registered in the name of the Optionee, or by the Corporation not issuing such number of Shares subject to the Option, having a Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the amount to be withheld or (iii) any combination of (i) and (ii) above. The Optionee shall exercise an Option by completing and delivering to the Corporation, concurrently with the payment of the Purchase Price in the manner described above, an exercise notice in such form as the Administrator shall from time to time determine. (g) Term and Non-Transferability of Options. Each Option shall state the time or times when all or part thereof becomes exercisable. No Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years (or less, in the discretion of the Administrator) from the Grant Date; except that no Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee described in Section 5(b) hereof shall be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the Grant Date (or less, in the discretion of the Administrator). During the lifetime of the Optionee, the Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian or legal representative and shall not be assignable or transferable. The Option shall not be transferable by the Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any other attempted alienation, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, attachment, execution or similar process, whether voluntary or involuntary, with respect to all or any part of any Option or right thereunder, shall be null and void and, at the Corporation's option, shall cause all of the Optionee's rights under the Option to terminate. A-6 (h) Cessation of Employment (Except by Death, Disability or Retirement). If an Optionee's employment or service with the Corporation ceases for any reason or no reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, with or without cause, other than pursuant to death, Disability or Retirement, such Optionee shall have the right, subject to the restrictions referred to in Section 7(g) above, to exercise the Option at any time within thirty (30) days after such cessation, but, except as otherwise provided in the applicable Option Agreement, only to the extent that, at the date of such cessation, the Optionee's right to exercise such Option had accrued pursuant to the terms of the applicable Option Agreement and had not previously been exercised. For purposes of this Section 7(h), the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the Optionee is on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence (to be determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator). The foregoing notwithstanding, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, employment shall not be deemed to continue beyond the ninetieth (90th) day after the Optionee ceased active employment, unless the Optionee's reemployment rights are guaranteed by statute or by contract. (i) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee's employment or service with the Corporation ceases by reason of the Optionee's death, or after ceasing to be a Participant but during the period in which he or she could have exercised the Option under this Section 7, and has not fully exercised the Option, then the Option may be exercised in full, subject to the restrictions referred to in Section 7(g) above, at any time within twelve (12) months after the Optionee's death by the executor or administrator of his or her estate or by any person or persons who have acquired the Option directly from the Optionee by bequest or inheritance, but, except as otherwise provided in the applicable Option Agreement, only to the extent that, at the date of death, the Optionee's right to exercise such Option had accrued and had not been forfeited pursuant to the terms of the applicable Option Agreement and had not previously been exercised. (j) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee's employment or service with the Corporation ceases by reason of the Optionee's Disability, such Optionee shall have the right, subject to the restrictions referred to in Section 7(g) above, to exercise the Option at any time within twelve (12) months after such cessation by reason of Disability, but, except as provided in the applicable Option Agreement, only to the extent that, at the date of such cessation, the Optionee's right to exercise such Option had accrued pursuant to the terms of the applicable Option Agreement and had not previously been exercised. (k) Retirement of Optionee. If an Optionee's employment or service with the Corporation ceases by reason of the Optionee's Retirement, such Optionee shall have the right, subject to the restrictions referred to in Section 7(g) above, to exercise the Option at any time within ninety (90) days after the date of Retirement, but only to the extent that, at the date of such cessation, the Optionee's right to exercise such Option had accrued pursuant to the terms of the applicable Option Agreement and had not previously been exercised. (l) Time of Cessation of Service. For purposes of this Plan, the Optionee's employment or service shall be deemed to have ceased or be terminated on the date when the Optionee's employment or service in fact ceased or Optionee is in fact terminated. (m) Rights as a Shareholder. No one shall have rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by an Option until the date of the issuance of a stock certificate for such Shares. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property), distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued, except as expressly provided in Section 10 hereof. (n) Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify an Option, extend or renew outstanding Options or accept the cancellation of outstanding Options (to the extent not previously exercised) for the granting of new Options in substitution therefor. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Option previously granted. With the consent of the affected Optionee, the Administrator may cancel any agreement evidencing Options. In the event of such cancellation, the Administrator A-7 may authorize the granting of new Options, which may or may not cover the same number of Shares that have been the subject of the prior award, at such Exercise Price and subject to such terms, conditions and discretions as would have been applicable under this Plan had the canceled Options not been granted. (o) Substitution of Options. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions or limits under the Plan, in the event the Corporation acquires (whether by purchase, merger or otherwise) all or substantially all of outstanding capital stock or assets of another corporation or of any reorganization or other transaction qualifying under Section 424 of the Code, the Administrator may, in accordance with the provisions of that Section, substitute Options under the Plan for options under the plan of the acquired company; provided, however, that (i) the excess of the aggregate fair market value of the shares subject to an option immediately after the substitution over the aggregate option price of such shares is not more than the similar excess immediately before such substitution and (ii) the new option does not give persons additional benefits, including any extension of the exercise period. (p) Other Provisions. An Option Agreement authorized under the Plan may contain such terms and provisions not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Option) as the Administrator shall deem advisable in its sole and absolute discretion. 8. LIMITATION ON ANNUAL AWARDS. (a) Limitation on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Grant Date) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar year under the Plan and all other plans maintained by the Corporation, exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For the purposes of this Section 8, Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. (b) Limitation on Total Options Granted. As long as the Plan is in effect, at no time will Options granted to any Participant pursuant to the Plan exceed 400,000 Shares, subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 10. 9. TERM OF PLAN. Options may be granted pursuant to the Plan until the expiration of the Plan ten (10) years after the effective date referred to in Section 3. 10. EFFECT OF CERTAIN EVENTS. (a) Stock Splits and Dividends. Subject to any required action by shareholders, the number of Shares covered by the Plan as provided in Section 6 hereof, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Option and the Exercise Price thereof shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of Shares or the payment of a stock dividend (but only if paid in Common Stock) or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Corporation. (b) Merger, Sale of Assets, Liquidation. Subject to any required action by shareholders, if the Corporation shall merge with another corporation and the Corporation is the surviving corporation in such merger and under the terms of such merger the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger remain outstanding and unchanged, each outstanding Option shall continue to apply to the Shares subject thereto and shall also pertain and apply to any additional securities and other property, if any, to which a holder of the number of Shares subject to the Option would have been entitled as a result of the merger. A-8 If the Corporation sells or disposes of all or substantially all of its assets or merges (other than a merger of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence) or consolidates with or into another corporation or entity, this Plan and each Option shall terminate, but only after each Optionee (or the successor in interest) has been given the right to exercise any unexpired Option or Options in full or in part , to the extent that, on the date of such sale, disposition or merger, the Optionee's right to exercise such Option had accrued pursuant to the terms of the applicable Option Agreement and had not previously been exercised. This right shall be exercisable for the period of twenty (20) days ending five (5) days before the effective date of the sale, merger, or consolidation (or such longer period as the Administrator may specify). To the extent any Options remain unexercised at the closing of any such transaction, then such Options shall lapse. Alternatively, in its sole and absolute discretion, the surviving or acquiring corporation (or the parent company of the surviving or acquiring corporation) may tender to any Optionee (or successor in interest) a substitute option or options to purchase shares of the surviving or acquiring corporation (or the parent corporation of the surviving or acquiring corporation). The substitute option shall contain all terms and provisions required substantially to preserve the rights and benefits of all Options then held by the Optionee (or successor in interest) receiving the substitute option. Any other dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall cause each Option to terminate. At the discretion of the Administrator, an Option exercised in contemplation of the consummation of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or a merger (other than a merger where the Corporation shall merge with another corporation and the Corporation is the surviving corporation in such merger and under the terms of such merger the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger remain outstanding and unchanged) or consolidation of the Corporation with another corporation, may be conditioned upon such sale, merger or consolidation becoming effective. (c) Change of Control. In the event of a pending or threatened takeover bid, tender offer or exchange offer for twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding Common Stock or any other class of stock or securities of the Company (other than a tender offer or exchange offer made by the Company or any Subsidiary), whether or not deemed a tender offer under applicable federal or state law, or in the event that any person makes any filing under the Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company, other than a filing of a Schedule 13G, the Administrator may in its sole discretion, without obtaining shareholder approval, take one or more of the following actions to the extent not inconsistent with other provisions of the Plan: (i) Accelerate the exercise dates of any outstanding Option, or make the Option fully vested and exercisable; (ii) Pay cash to any or all holders of Options at the then-current market value of the Option Shares in exchange for the cancellation of their outstanding Options; or (iii) Make any other adjustments or amendments to the Plan and outstanding Options necessary to permit the substitution of new Options for outstanding Options. (d) Adjustment Determination. To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to securities of the Corporation, such adjustments shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. (e) Limitation on Rights. Except as expressly provided in this Section 10, the Optionee shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or by reason of any dissolution, liquidation, merger or consolidation or spinoff of assets or stock of another corporation, and any issue by the Corporation of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Option. The grant of an Option pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Corporation to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, to merge or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets. A-9 11. SECURITIES LAW REQUIREMENTS. (a) Legality of Issuance. No Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of any Option unless and until the Corporation has determined that: (i) it and the Optionee have taken all actions required to register the offer and sale of the Shares under the Securities Act, or to perfect an exemption from the registration requirements thereof; (ii) any applicable listing requirement of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed has been satisfied; and (iii) any other applicable provision of state or Federal law has been satisfied. (b) Restrictions on Transfer; Representations of Optionee; Legends. Regardless of whether the offering and sale of Shares under the Plan has been registered under the Securities Act or has been registered or qualified under the securities laws of any state, the Corporation may impose restrictions upon the sale, pledge or other transfer of such Shares (including the placement of appropriate legends on stock certificates) if, in the judgment of the Corporation and its counsel, such restrictions are necessary or desirable in order to achieve compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, the securities laws of any state or any other law. In the event that the sale of Shares under the Plan is not registered under the Securities Act but an exemption is available which requires an investment representation or other representation, each Optionee shall be required to represent that such Shares are being acquired for investment, and not with a view to the sale or distribution thereof, and to make such other representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Corporation and its counsel. Stock certificates evidencing Shares acquired under the Plan pursuant to an unregistered transaction shall bear the following restrictive legend and such other restrictive legends as are required or deemed advisable under the provisions of any applicable law: "THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"). ANY TRANSFER OR PLEDGE OF SUCH SECURITIES WILL BE INVALID UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT IS IN EFFECT AS TO SUCH TRANSFER OR IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE ISSUER SUCH REGISTRATION IS UNNECESSARY IN ORDER FOR SUCH TRANSFER OR PLEDGE TO COMPLY WITH THE ACT." Any determination by the Corporation and its counsel in connection with any of the matters set forth in this Section 11 shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. (c) Registration or Qualification of Securities. The Corporation may, but shall not be obligated to, register or qualify the sale of Shares under the Securities Act or any other applicable law. The Corporation shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the sale of Shares under the Plan to comply with any law. (d) Exchange of Certificates. If, in the opinion of the Corporation and its counsel, any legend placed on a stock certificate representing Shares sold under the Plan is no longer required, the holder of such certificate shall be entitled to exchange such certificate for a certificate representing the same number of Shares but without such legend. 12. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Administrator may from time to time, with respect to any Shares at the time not subject to Options, suspend or discontinue the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever except that, without the approval of the Corporation's shareholders, no such revision or amendment shall: A-10 (a) Be made if shareholder approval is required by applicable law, regulation or the requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market or any exchange or interdealer network where the Shares are trading; (b) Increase the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan; (c) Amend this Section 12 to defeat its purpose. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator may amend this Plan to eliminate provisions which are no longer necessary as a result of changes in tax or securities laws or regulations, or in the interpretation thereof. 13. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Each Optionee shall receive financial statements of the Corporation not less frequently than annually. 14. APPLICATION OF FUNDS. The proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be used for general corporate purposes. 15. APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS. The Plan must be approved by a majority of the votes cast at a duly held shareholders' meeting at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding voting stock is, either in person or by proxy, present and voting on the Plan, on or before the date twelve (12) months from the date the Plan was adopted by the Board. 16. GOVERNING LAW. This Plan, and the Option Agreements, shall be governed by and enforced and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws (and not the laws of conflicts of laws) of the State of Delaware. To record the adoption of the Plan by the Board as of March 21, 2002, the Board has caused its authorized officers to sign the Plan and affix the corporate seal hereto. PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. By: /s/ J. Thomas Parmeter ----------------------- Name: J. Thomas Parmeter Title: President By: /s/ Philip J. Davis ----------------------- Name: Philip J. Davis Title: Secretary A-11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 26, 2002 The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the stockholder. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 26, 2002 and appoints J. Thomas Parmeter and Philip J. Davis, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxy for the undersigned, to vote all shares of Common Stock and Series G Preferred Stock, if any, of Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on March 21, 2002, with all powers the undersigned would have if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the offices of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky and Walker, LLP, located at 75 East 55th Street, First Floor, New York, New York 10022, on Friday, April 26, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. and at any adjournment or postponement thereof for the following purposes: PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OF PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 1) J. Thomas Parmeter, 2) Edward E. David, 3) George R. Walker, 4) Richard Adelson, 5) J. Paul Jones, 6) Philip J. Davis, 7) Edward J. Hartnett, 8) Kerry L. Kuhn FOR ALL NOMINEES |_| WITHHOLD ALL NOMINEES |_| Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, place an X in the box marked "FOR ALL NOMINEES" and strike a line through the nominee's name listed above. By placing a line through any nominee you are giving instruction not to vote for that nominee. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROPOSAL 2. APPROVAL OF 2002 STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN |_| PROPOSAL 3. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF PETERSON FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN |_| & COMPANY AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS This proxy authorizes J. Thomas Parmeter and Philip J. Davis to vote at his discretion on any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY SIGNED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE AND IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS. Dated_____________________________, 2002 ------------------------------------------- (Signature) ------------------------------------------- (Signature if held jointly) THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------