PROXY STATEMENT
FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting
This proxy statement is available for viewing, printing and downloading at https://ontrak-inc.com/financial-information.html and on our website at www.ontrak-inc.com. Certain documents referenced in the proxy statement are available on our website. However, we are not including the information contained on our website, or any information that may be accessed by links on our website, as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Proxy Statement.
The Notice of Special Meeting, Proxy Statement and proxy card are first being mailed to our stockholders on or about February 1, 2022.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT, THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL
MEETING AND VOTING
Why did I receive these proxy materials?
We are providing these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Ontrak, Inc., a Delaware corporation (sometimes referred to as “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company,” the “Corporation” or “Ontrak”), of proxies to be voted at our Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
How may I participate in the virtual Special Meeting?
To participate in the virtual Special Meeting, go to https://web.lumiagm.com/250638678 at 10:00 a.m. PDT on March 1, 2022.
If you are a stockholder of record as of January 25, 2022, the record date (the “Record date”) for the Special Meeting, you should click on “I have a login,” enter the control number found on your proxy card you previously received, and enter the password “ontrak2022” (the password is case sensitive).
If your shares are held in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, in order to participate in the virtual Special Meeting you must first obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee reflecting the number of shares of Ontrak’s common stock you beneficially held as of the Record Date, your name and email address. You then must submit a request for registration to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC: (1) by email to proxy@astfinancial.com; (2) by facsimile to 718-765-8730 or (3) by mail to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, Attn: Proxy Tabulation Department, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219. Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 22, 2022.
If I already submitted a proxy, do I have to vote again?
No. If you already submitted a proxy, your vote will be counted and you do not need to submit a new proxy or vote online at the virtual Special Meeting.
If I have not yet submitted a proxy, may I still do so?
Yes. If you have not yet submitted a proxy, you may do so by (a) visiting www.voteproxy.com and following the on screen instructions (have your proxy card available when you access the webpage), or (b) calling toll-free 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) in the U.S. or 1-718-921-8500 from foreign countries from any touch-tone phone and follow the instructions (have your proxy card available when you call), or (c) submitting your proxy card by mail by using the previously provided self-addressed, stamped envelope.
May I revoke a previously submitted proxy or otherwise change my vote at the virtual Special Meeting?
Yes. You may change or revoke your vote by writing to us, by submitting another properly signed proxy card with a more recent date, or by voting again by the telephone or Internet voting options described below. If your shares are held in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, any changes need to be made through them. Your last vote will be the vote that is counted.
Unless revoked, a proxy will be voted at the virtual meeting in accordance with the stockholder’s indicated instructions. In the absence of instructions, proxies will be voted FOR the Charter Amendment Proposal and FOR the Adjournment Proposal.
How do I vote at the virtual Special Meeting?
Stockholders of record; Shares registered directly in your name.
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote online at the virtual Special Meeting on March 1, 2022 or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, the Internet or telephone. Whether or not you plan to participate in the Special Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. Even if you have already voted by proxy, you may still attend the virtual Special Meeting and vote online at the virtual Special Meeting on March 1, 2022, if you choose.
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To vote online at the virtual Special Meeting on March 1, 2022, follow the instructions above under “How do I participate in the Special Meeting?” click on “I have a login,” enter the control number found on your proxy card you previously received, and enter the password “ontrak2022” (the password is case sensitive).
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To vote using the proxy card, please complete, sign and date the proxy card and return it in the prepaid envelope. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Special Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct. If you do not have the prepaid envelope, please mail your completed proxy card to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, U.S.A.
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To vote via the telephone, you can vote by calling the telephone number on your proxy card. Please have your proxy card handy when you call. Easy-to-follow voice prompts will allow you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.
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To vote via the Internet, please go to www.voteproxy.com and follow the instructions. Please have your proxy card handy when you go to the website. As with telephone voting, you can confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.
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Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 28, 2022. After that, telephone and Internet voting will be closed, and if you want to vote your shares, you will either need to ensure that your proxy card is received by the Company before the date of the Special Meeting or attend the virtual Special Meeting to vote your shares online.
Beneficial owner; Shares held in account at brokerage, bank or other organization.
If your shares are registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you are the “beneficial owner” of those shares and those shares are considered as held in “street name.” If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than directly from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card as instructed by your broker, bank or other agent to ensure that your vote is counted. You may be eligible to vote your shares electronically over the Internet or by telephone depending on your broker, bank or other agent. A large number of banks and brokerage firms offer Internet and telephone voting. If your bank or brokerage firm does not offer Internet or telephone voting information, please complete and return your proxy card in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided. To vote in person at the virtual Special Meeting, you must first obtain a valid legal proxy from your broker, bank or other agent and then register in advance to attend the Special Meeting. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a legal proxy form.
After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your broker, bank or other agent, to then register to attend the Special Meeting, you must submit proof of your legal proxy reflecting the number of your shares along with your name and email address to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. Requests for registration should be directed to proxy@astfinancial.com or to facsimile number 718-765-8730. Written requests can be mailed to:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC
Attn: Proxy Tabulation Department
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on February 22, 2022.
You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email after we receive your registration materials. You may attend the Special Meeting and vote your shares at https://web.lumiagm.com/250638678 during the meeting. The password for the meeting is "ontrak2022." Follow the instructions provided to vote. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time leaving ample time for the check in.
Who can help answer any other questions I might have?
If you have any questions concerning the virtual Special Meeting (including accessing the meeting by virtual means) or would like additional copies of the Proxy Statement or need help voting your shares of the Company’s common stock, please contact our transfer agent:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
The Notice of Special Meeting Proxy Statement and form of Proxy Card are available at:
https://ontrak-inc.com/financial-information.html
Who is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on January 25, 2022 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. On the Record Date, there were [_______] shares of Ontrak’s common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the Special Meeting.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
If on January 25, 2022 your shares were registered directly in your name with Ontrak’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, then you are the “stockholder of record.” Whether or not you plan to participate in the Special Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card or vote via the Internet or by telephone to ensure your vote is counted.
If on January 25, 2022 your shares were held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other similar organization, then you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those shares. These proxy materials have been forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Special Meeting. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other agent how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to participate in the Special Meeting. However, because you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares online at the virtual Special Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent.
What am I voting on?
There are three matters scheduled for a vote:
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To authorize the Board of Directors, in its discretion, to approve and adopt an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to remove certain protective transfer restrictions originally designed to preserve our ability to utilize our net operating loss (“NOL”) and net capital (“NCL”) carryforwards (the “Charter Amendment Proposal”).
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To authorize one or more adjournments of the Special Meeting to solicit additional proxies in the event there are insufficient votes to approve Proposal 1 above (the “Adjournment Proposal”);
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To transact any other business that may properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the Special Meeting.
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What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?
If your card does not indicate your voting preferences, the persons named in the proxy card will vote the shares represented by your proxy card as recommended by the Board of Directors, unless your shares are held in street name and you fail to provide your broker, bank or other agent, as applicable, with voting instructions on proposals 1 and 3, in which case your shares will be voted as "broker non-votes" on such proposal as described below. Ontrak does not expect that any matters other than Charter Amendment and Adjournment Proposals described herein will be brought before the Special Meeting. If any other matter is properly presented at the Special Meeting, your proxy (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using their best judgment.
What can I do if I change my mind after I vote?
If you are a stockholder of record, you can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Special Meeting by:
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giving written notice that you are revoking your proxy to the Secretary, Ontrak, Inc., 2120 Colorado Ave., Suite 230, Santa Monica, CA 90404;
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delivering a properly completed proxy card with a later date, or vote by telephone or on the Internet at a later date (we will vote your shares as directed in the last instructions properly received from you prior to the Special Meeting); or
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attending and voting online at the virtual Special Meeting (note, simply attending the Special Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy).
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If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your broker, bank or other agent that is the holder of record and following its instructions.
Please note that to be effective, your new proxy card, internet or telephonic voting instructions or written notice of revocation must be received by the Secretary prior to the Special Meeting and, in the case of internet or telephonic voting instructions, must be received before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 28, 2022.
What shares are included on the proxy card?
If you are a stockholder of record, you will receive only one proxy card for all the shares you hold of record in certificate and book-entry form. If you are a beneficial owner, you will receive voting instructions from your broker, bank or other agent that is the holder of record.
Is there a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?
The names of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be available ten days prior to the Special Meeting for any purpose relevant to the Special Meeting, by contacting the Secretary of Ontrak, Inc.
How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the Special Meeting, who will separately count “For” and “Against” votes, and broker non-votes.
What is a broker non-vote?
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, you must instruct the broker how to vote your shares. If you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. This is called a “broker non-vote.” In these cases, the broker can register your shares as being present at the Special Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not be able to vote on those matters for which specific authorization is required.
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on either the Charter Amendment or Adjournment Proposal. Accordingly, it is important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to vote their shares.
What is the quorum requirement for the Special Meeting?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid Special Meeting. A quorum will be present if the holders of majority of the outstanding shares are represented by proxy or by stockholders present and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. On the
Record Date, there were [_____] shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, [_____] shares must be represented by proxy or by stockholders present and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum.
If there is no quorum, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the Special Meeting to another time or date.
How many votes are required to approve each proposal?
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Proposal
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Vote Required
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Broker Discretionary
Voting Allowed?
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Proposal No. 1 – Charter Amendment Proposal
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Majority of outstanding shares
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No
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Proposal No. 2 – Adjournment Proposal
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Majority of votes cast
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No
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If you abstain from voting or there is a broker non-vote on any matter, your abstention or broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of such vote, because abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast under our Amended and Restated Bylaws or under the laws of Delaware (our state of incorporation).
Proposal No. 1 – Charter Amendment Proposal; majority of outstanding shares
The affirmative “FOR” vote of holders of a majority of outstanding shares entitled to vote at the special meeting is required for the approval of authorization of the Board of Directors to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to remove certain protective transfer restrictions originally designed to preserve our ability to utilize our net operating loss (“NOL”) and net capital (“NCL”) carryforwards. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have the same effect as votes against the matter.
Proposal No. 2 - Approval of Adjournment; majority vote
The affirmative “FOR” vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast live via the internet or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal, is required for any adjournment of the Special Meeting to solicit additional proxies in the event there are insufficient votes to approve the Charter Amendment Proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the matter. Abstentions are not deemed to be votes cast and will have no impact on the outcome of the vote. Broker non-votes are not deemed to be votes cast, are not included in the tabulation of voting results on this proposal, and will not affect the outcome of voting on this proposal.
How will my shares be voted at the Special Meeting?
At the Special Meeting, the persons named in the proxy card will vote your shares as you instruct. If you sign your proxy card and return it without indicating how you would like to vote your shares, your proxy will be voted as the Board of Directors recommends, unless your votes constitute broker non-votes, which is:
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FOR the Charter Amendment Proposal; and
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FOR the Adjournment Proposal.
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Am I entitled to dissenter rights or appraisal rights?
No, our stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights under the Delaware General Corporation Law for the matters being submitted to stockholders at the Special Meeting.
Could other matters be decided at the Special Meeting?
At the date of this Proxy Statement, we did not know of any matters to be considered at the Special Meeting other than the items described in this Proxy Statement. If any other business is properly presented at the Special Meeting, your proxy card grants authority to the proxy holders to vote on such matters in their discretion.
Can I access the Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement via the Internet?
Yes, this Notice of Special Meeting and the Proxy Statement are available on our website at www.ontrak-inc.com. Instead of receiving future proxy statements and accompanying materials by mail, most stockholders can elect to receive an e-mail that will provide electronic links to them. Opting to receive your proxy materials online will save us the cost of producing documents and mailing them to your home or business, and also gives you an electronic link to the proxy voting site.
Stockholders of Record: You may enroll in the electronic proxy delivery service at any time by accessing your stockholder account at www.amstock.com and following the enrollment instructions.
Beneficial Owners: You also may be able to receive copies of these documents electronically. Please check the information provided in the proxy materials sent to you by your broker, bank or other holder of record regarding the availability of this service.
Who will pay for the cost of this proxy solicitation?
Ontrak will pay the cost of soliciting proxies. Proxies may be solicited on our behalf by Directors, officers or employees in person or by telephone, electronic transmission and facsimile transmission or by other means of communication. Directors, officers or employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Special Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Special Meeting. Final voting results will be reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
AUTHORIZATION OF THE ELIMINATION OF THE 382 RESTRICTIONS
Original Background and Purpose of the 382 Restrictions
We have available NOLs, NCLs and certain other tax attributes to reduce our future taxable income. NOLs and NCLs benefit us by reducing current or future taxable income, if any (subject to certain limitations) and thereby reducing or eliminating the U.S. federal corporate income tax on such income. The benefit of the NOLs, NCLs and certain other tax attributes can be reduced or eliminated if we undergo an ownership change, or Ownership Change, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Generally, there is an “Ownership Change” if, at any time, one or more 5% shareholders (as
defined in the Code) have aggregate increases in their ownership in the corporation of more than 50 percentage points looking back over the relevant testing period, which can occur as a result of acquisitions and certain dispositions of common stock by 5% shareholders. At the time of entering into the Note Purchase Agreement providing for the issuance of our Senior Secured Notes due 2024, our Board believed that it was in the best interests of our company and our stockholders to adopt provisions in our certificate of incorporation, that were designed, subject to certain exceptions, to restrict direct and indirect acquisitions of our common stock and similar securities that could result in the imposition of limitations on our use, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of the NOLs, NCLs and certain other tax attributes that are and will be available to us (collectively, the “382 Restrictions”).
Our NOLs and NCLs and a Description of Section 382 and Section 383
We have NOLs and NCLs that are expected to reduce a substantial portion of any future taxable income and gain. We also may recognize losses and deductions ("built-in losses") in future years with respect to assets whose value currently exceeds our tax basis in such assets. Sections 382 and 383 of the Code impose significant limitations on the ability of a corporation to use its NOLs and NCLs to offset income in circumstances where such corporation has experienced an Ownership Change. Those sections may also limit our ability to use any built-in losses recognized within five years of any such Ownership Change. Generally and as indicated above, there is an Ownership Change if, at any time, one or more 5% shareholders (as defined in the Code) have aggregate increases in their ownership in the corporation of more than 50 percentage points looking back over the relevant testing period. The relevant testing period is generally the prior three-year period, but the testing period generally does not begin before the first year in which a NOL or NCL was generated, unless the corporation has a net unrealized built-in loss at the time of an Ownership Change. We currently have a net unrealized built-in loss. The principal reason for adopting the 382 Restrictions was to prevent investors from aggregating or reducing ownership in our company and triggering an Ownership Change and thus preserve such tax attributes to reduce future U.S. federal corporate taxable income.
Collateral Effects of the 382 Restrictions
To implement the 382 Restrictions, in 2019 we amended and restated our Certificate of Incorporation to add Article Eight containing the provisions regarding the 382 Restrictions, which generally prohibit any direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment, exchange, issuance, grant, redemption, repurchase, conveyance, pledge or other disposition of shares of common stock of our company or rights or options to purchase common stock of our company or any other interests that would be treated as stock of our company under the income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, if as a result of such sale, transfer, assignment, exchange, issuance, grant, redemption, repurchase, conveyance, pledge or other disposition, any person or group becomes a Substantial Stockholder, which generally includes a person or group that beneficially owns 4.9% or more of the market value of the total outstanding shares of common stock of our company, or the percentage of common stock of our company owned by a Substantial Stockholder would be increased or decreased. As a result of these restrictions, certain transfers of stock by or to existing Substantial Stockholders are prohibited. Any attempted transfer in violation of the foregoing restrictions are null and void unless the transferor or transferee obtained the written approval of our Board.
Following the effectiveness of the 382 Restrictions, if our Board determined that a transfer would be prohibited, then, upon our written demand, the purported transferee would be required to transfer the securities that were the subject of the prohibited transfer, or cause such securities to be transferred, to an agent designated by our Board. The agent would then sell the securities to a buyer or buyers, which may include our company, in one or more arm's-length transactions that comply with the 382 Restrictions. If the purported transferee had resold the securities before receiving our demand to surrender them to our agent, the purported transferee would be deemed to have sold the securities for the agent and would be required to transfer to the agent any distributions received with respect to such securities and any proceeds of the sale of such securities (except for any proceeds which our company granted the purported transferee written permission to retain and which do not exceed the amount that the purported transferee would have received from the agent if the agent had resold such securities). The proceeds of the sale of any such securities would be applied first to the agent to cover its costs and expenses, second to the purported transferee, up to the lesser of the amount paid by the purported transferee for the securities or the fair market value of the securities at the time of the attempted transfer, and third to one or more charitable organizations selected by our Board.
The 382 Restrictions, subject to certain exceptions, require any person who acquires or attempts to acquire shares of our common stock or rights or options to purchase our common stock or any other interests that would be treated as our stock under the income tax regulations in violation of the Section 382 Ownership Limit described above to provide to us such information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such purported transfer on the preservation and usage of the benefit of our NOLs, NCLs and certain other tax attributes.
Upon effectiveness of the 382 Restrictions, all certificates representing newly issued shares of our stock as well as certificates issued in connection with the transfer of shares that are subject to the foregoing restrictions bore a legend referencing such restrictions.
Although the 382 Restrictions were intended to reduce the likelihood of an Ownership Change, they significantly reduced the flexibility of our company to issue equity securities, as any such issuance needs to be evaluated in light of the possibility of an Ownership Change implicating the 382 Restrictions and voiding the issuance of such securities. As a result, and in light of our current financial situation and forecasts of our ability to utilize our NOLs and NCLs, at this time the Board of Directors believes that the potential benefits of the 382 Restrictions may be greatly outweighed by the severe restrictions they impose on our ability to pursue equity financings and, should the requisite holders of our outstanding Senior Secured Notes due 2024 approve such amendment, the Board of Directors should be given discretion to amend the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to remove the 382 Restrictions. The removal of the 382 Restrictions could result in an Ownership Change which could have the effect of limiting otherwise available NOLs, NCLs and certain other tax attributes to reduce our future taxable income. Our Board currently believes that the flexibility from the removal of the 382 Restrictions substantially outweighs the loss of such tax attributes. However, even if approved by stockholders at the Special Meeting, prior to filing an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to remove the 382 Restrictions, the Board of Directors may determine, in its sole discretion, not to effect the removal of the 382 Restrictions and not to file any amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.