Stock-Based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

12. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s stock-based compensation plans include the TransEnterix, Inc. Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan, previously named the TransEnterix, Inc. 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan and the SafeStitch Medical, Inc. 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), as well as options outstanding under the TransEnterix, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”). As part of the Merger, options outstanding, whether vested or unvested, under the 2006 Plan were adjusted by the Exchange Ratio of 1.1533, and assumed by the Company concurrent with the closing of the Merger.

The Plan was approved by the majority of the SafeStitch’s stockholders on November 13, 2007. The Plan was amended on June 19, 2012 to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance to 1,000,000 and was amended on October 29, 2013 to (a) increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2007 Plan from 1,000,000 shares of common stock to 4,940,000 shares of common stock; and (b) increase the per-person award limitations for options or stock appreciation rights from 200,000 to 1,000,000 shares and for restricted stock, deferred stock, performance shares and/or other stock-based awards from 100,000 to 500,000 shares. The Plan was amended on May 7, 2015 to (a) increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan to 11,940,000 shares; (b) extend the term of the Plan until May 7, 2025; and (c) make other changes and updates to the Plan. Under the Plan, which is administered by the Compensation Committee, the Company may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and/or deferred stock to employees, officers, directors, consultants and vendors. The exercise price of stock options or stock appreciation rights may not be less than the fair market value of the Company’s shares at the date of grant. Additionally, no stock options or stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan may have a term exceeding ten years.

The 2006 Plan was adopted in September 2006 and provided for the granting of up to 80,000 stock options to employees, directors, and consultants. Under the 2006 Plan, both employees and non-employees were eligible for such stock options. In 2009, the 2006 Plan was amended to increase the total options pool to 1,110,053. In 2011, the 2006 Plan was amended to increase the total options pool to 3,378,189. The Board of Directors had the authority to administer the plan and determine, among other things, the exercise price, term and dates of the exercise of all options at their grant date. Under the 2006 Plan, options become vested generally over four years, and expire not more than 10 years after the date of grant. As part of the Merger, options outstanding under the 2006 Plan were adjusted by the Conversion Ratio, and remain in existence as options in the combined entity.