Leading Proxy Advisory Firms ISS and Glass Lewis Demonstrate Strong Support for Zevra’s Transformation Strategy
Leading Proxy Advisory Firms ISS and Glass Lewis Demonstrate Strong Support for Zevra’s Transformation Strategy
April 17, 2023 at 4:05 PM EDT
Glass Lewis Recommends a Vote “FOR” Zevra’s Three Nominees
Both ISS and Glass Lewis Recommend Shareholders DO NOT Vote “FOR” Any of the Mangless Nominees
Zevra Urges Shareholders to Vote on the WHITE Proxy Card
The Company urges its shareholder to vote on the WHITE proxy card “FOR” all three nominees -
In making its recommendation, Glass Lewis stated in its
- “when considering the promulgated alternative to maintenance of the status quo, we do not believe the Dissident has presented investors with a sufficiently persuasive case at this time”
- “we are ultimately inclined to share the board's view, noting, in particular, that
Mr. Mangless' materials to date have been somewhat thin on detail, have failed to grapple more directly withDr. Mickle's opposition to both the current campaign and central components of the dissenting thesis and have not presented what we consider to be compelling plans or persuasive arguments in favor of the Dissident nominees” - In making its recommendation for the re-election of all of Zevra’s nominees, “[I]nvestors would ultimately be better served supporting the incumbent Zevra nominees at this time”
- In reference to Mangless’ director nominees, “[T]he Dissident has ultimately advanced a slate which appears to lack decisively strong industry and public company bona fides, which, in our view, raises meaningful questions around the appeal of supporting the Dissident candidates at this time”
In making its recommendation, ISS stated in its
- “In this contest, the dissident's terse arguments laid out in his proxy statement have not risen to the level of a successful case for immediate change at the company”
- “the dissident has failed to make a compelling case for change at the company”
- “Since the dissident has not made a compelling case for change, direct support for the dissident nominees is not warranted under our analytic framework”
- “Votes FOR the remaining director nominee, CEO
Richard Pascoe , are warranted”
Commenting on the ISS and Glass Lewis recommendations, Zevra issued the following statement:
We are pleased that ISS and Glass Lewis are supportive of our transformation strategy and believe in our ambitious vision led by our CEO
Zevra shareholders are reminded that their vote is extremely important, no matter how many shares they own. The Company advises that shareholders DO NOT vote for any of the Mangless nominees, and vote “AGAINST” the Mangless Proposal. Instead, the Zevra Board of Directors unanimously recommends shareholders vote “FOR” all of the nominees listed on the WHITE proxy card enclosed with the previously mailed definitive proxy statement.
Shareholders are urged to vote their shares TODAY, in advance of the Annual Meeting. Shareholders can switch their vote at any time to vote “FOR” all of the Company’s Board nominees. Only the latest-dated proxy card counts.
Zevra shareholders who need assistance in completing the WHITE proxy card or have questions regarding the Zevra Annual Meeting may contact the Company’s proxy solicitor:
| If you have any questions about how to vote your shares, or need additional assistance, please contact: M O R R O W S O L A D I ZVRA@info.morrowsodali.com (203) 658-9400 or Toll-Free (800) 662-5200 |
About Zevra:
Zevra Therapeutics is a rare disease company melding science, data, and patient need to create transformational therapies for diseases with limited or no treatment options. With unique, data-driven clinical, regulatory, and commercialization strategies, the Company is overcoming complex drug development challenges to bring much-needed therapies to patients.
Arimoclomol, Zevra’s orally-delivered, first-in-class investigational product candidate for the treatment of Niemann-Pick disease type C (“NPC”), has been granted orphan drug designation, Fast Track designation, Breakthrough Therapy designation and rare pediatric disease designation for NPC by the
KP1077 is Zevra’s lead clinical candidate being developed to treat idiopathic hypersomnia (“IH”) and narcolepsy. KP1077 is comprised solely of serdexmethylphenidate (“SDX”), Zevra’s proprietary prodrug of d-methylphenidate (“d-MPH”). The FDA has granted KP1077 orphan drug designation for the treatment of IH, and the
Early access programs are made available by
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and which can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "believe," "potential," "should," "continue," "could," "intend," "target," "predict," or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words or expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future actions or performance. Forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Zevra and its current plans or expectations. They are subject to several known and unknown uncertainties, risks, and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These and other important factors are described in detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Zevra’s (formerly
Additional Information and Where to Find It
Zevra has filed with the
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) FILED BY ZEVRA AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ANY SOLICITATION.
Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents and other documents filed with the
Participants in the Solicitation
This communication is neither a solicitation of a proxy or consent nor a substitute for any proxy statement or other filings that may be made with the
Contacts
+1 (732) 754-2545
nochsner@zevra.com
+1 (917) 603-0681
Jennifer.arcure@evokegroup.com
