eXoZymes former parent holds 43.50% stake
The ownership table lists MDB Capital Holdings, LLC as beneficially owning 43.50% of common stock, based on the September 15, 2026 share count.
Sentiment and the balance of points
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eXoZymes Inc. asks shareholders to elect six directors for one-year terms and ratify RBSM LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The board recommends a vote “FOR” both proposals. The virtual annual meeting is scheduled for November 13, 2026; shareholders of record on September 15, 2026 may vote.
As of September 15, 2026, 9,304,701 common shares were outstanding, and 4,652,351 shares are required for a quorum. The ownership table lists former parent and controlling shareholder MDB Capital Holdings, LLC as beneficially owning 4,136,426 shares, or 43.50%. President and CEO Michael Heltzen’s reported 2025 total compensation was $1,060,374. Chief Commercial Officer Damien Perriman’s employment terms provide for an equity award equal to 2.5% of the company’s total outstanding common shares, with 70% in stock options and the remainder in restricted stock units.
RBSM audit fees billed were $222,500 in 2025 and $145,000 in 2024. Proposal 1 is non-routine for broker voting, while proposal 2 is a routine matter brokers may vote on without shareholder instructions.
Filing Explained
The proxy identifies directors Christopher Marlett and Anthony DiGiandomenico as majority shareholders and directors of former parent MDB Capital Holdings, and says director Edgardo Rayo works for an MDB affiliate.
Key Figures
Key Terms
broker non-vote regulatory
Clawback Policy financial
householding regulatory
restricted stock units financial
overhang financial
Compensation Summary
| Name | Total Compensation |
|---|---|
| Michael Heltzen | $1,060,374 |
| Tyler Korman | $314,773 |
| Damien Perriman | $310,762 |
| Paul Opgenorth | $310,595 |
| Fouad Nawaz | $351,741 |
- Election of six directors for one-year terms
- Ratification of RBSM LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026
FAQ
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What is EXOZ asking shareholders to vote on?
What was EXOZ CEO Michael Heltzen’s total compensation for 2025?
How many shares does EXOZ need for a quorum?
How much did EXOZ’s auditor bill for audit fees?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
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☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-11(c) or §240.14a-2 |
☒ | No fee required. |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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1. | To elect the six nominees to serve as directors until the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified; |
2 | To ratify the appointment of RBSM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; and |
3. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
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2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS | 1 | ||
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 5 | ||
Board Leadership Structure | 5 | ||
Role of the Board of Directors in Risk Oversight | 5 | ||
Family Relationships | 5 | ||
Director Independence | 5 | ||
Attendance at Board Meetings and Committees | 6 | ||
Board Attendance at Annual Stockholders’ Meeting | 6 | ||
Committees of the Board of Directors | 6 | ||
Communications with the Board of Directors | 7 | ||
Insider Trading Arrangements and Policies | 8 | ||
Clawback Policy | 8 | ||
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance | 8 | ||
Compensation Principles for Members of the Board of Directors | 8 | ||
Director Compensation | 9 | ||
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Indemnification of Directors and Officers | 9 | ||
Indemnification Agreements | 10 | ||
PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 11 | ||
Nominees | 11 | ||
Required Vote | 13 | ||
PROPOSAL NO. 2 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 14 | ||
Principal Accounting Fees and Services | 14 | ||
Audit Committee Policy on Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 14 | ||
Required Vote | 14 | ||
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE | 15 | ||
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 16 | ||
Executive Compensation | 16 | ||
Options Exercisable as of December 31, 2025 | 17 | ||
Equity Compensation | 17 | ||
Executive Employment Arrangements | 17 | ||
2020 Equity Incentive Plan and 2025 Equity Incentive Plan | 18 | ||
Policy on Granting Equity Awards | 19 | ||
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS | 20 | ||
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | 22 | ||
General Policy for Evaluating Related Party Transactions | 22 | ||
Former Parent Corporation | 22 | ||
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 23 | ||
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS | 23 | ||
ANNUAL REPORT | 23 | ||
Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report and SEC Filings | 23 | ||
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2027 | 24 | ||
OTHER MATTERS | 25 | ||
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• | To elect the six nominees to serve as directors until the 2026 Annual Meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified; and |
• | To ratify the appointment of RBSM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; |
• | “FOR” the election of all of the nominees for directors, and. |
• | “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of RBSM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. |
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• | Proposal No. 1: The election of directors requires a plurality vote of the shares of common stock present by remote communication or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote. “Plurality” means that the nominees who receive the largest number of votes cast “FOR” are elected as directors. Any shares not voted “FOR” a particular nominee (as a result of an abstention or a broker non-vote) will not be counted in such nominee’s favor and will have no effect on the outcome of the election. You may vote “FOR” or “WITHHELD” on each of the nominees. |
• | Proposal No. 2: The ratification of the appointment of RBSM LLP requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock, present by remote communication or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote. Abstentions will not be treated as votes cast in favor of or against the proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. |
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• | By Internet: You may submit a proxy over the internet by following the instructions at www.proxyvote.com, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 12, 2026, the day before the meeting (have your Notice or proxy card in hand when you visit the website); |
• | By Toll-Free Telephone: You may submit a proxy by calling 1-800-690-6903 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 12, 2026, the day before the meeting (have your Notice or proxy card in hand when you call); or |
• | By Mail: You may complete, sign and mail your proxy card (if you received printed proxy materials) which must be received by November 12, 2026, the day before the meeting. |
• | You may enter a new vote by internet or by telephone until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 12, 2026, the day before the meeting; |
• | You may submit another properly completed proxy card by mail with a later date, which must be received by us by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 12, 2026, the day before the meeting; or |
• | You may send written notice that you are revoking your proxy to eXoZymes Inc, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 750 Royal Oaks Dr, Suite # 106, Monrovia, CA 91016, which must be received by November 12, 2026, the day before the meeting. |
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• | Establishing the agenda for regular meetings of our Board; |
• | Coordinating with the committee chairs regarding meeting agendas and information requirements and presiding over meetings of our Board; and |
• | Coordinating the activities of the other directors and performing such other duties as our Board may establish or delegate from time to time. |
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• | the appropriate size and composition of our board of directors; |
• | whether or not the person is an “independent” director as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) promulgated by the Nasdaq Stock Market; |
• | the needs of the Company with respect to the particular talents and experience of its directors; |
• | the knowledge, skills and experience of nominees in light of prevailing business conditions and the knowledge, skills and experience already possessed by other members of the board of directors; |
• | familiarity with national and international business matters and the requirements of the industry in which we operate; |
• | experience with accounting rules and practices; |
• | the desire to balance the considerable benefit of continuity with the periodic injection of the fresh perspective provided by new members; and |
• | all applicable laws, rules, regulations and listing standards, if applicable. |
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Name | Year | Fee | Bonus | Shares | Options Awards | Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings | All Other Compensation | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Mohammad “Mo” Hayat(1) | 2025 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mohammad “Mo” Hayat(1) | 2024 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Anthony DiGiandomenico | 2025 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Anthony DiGiandomenico | 2024 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Christopher A. Marlett | 2025 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Christopher A. Marlett | 2024 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
James J. Lalonde | 2025 | $50,000 | — | — | 51,939 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
James J. Lalonde | 2024 | $8,333 | — | — | 51,939 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
James U. Bowie | 2025 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
James U. Bowie | 2024 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Lon E. Bell | 2025 | $50,000 | — | — | 51,939 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Lon E. Bell | 2024 | $8,333 | — | — | 51,939 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Edgardo Rayo(2) | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Edgardo Rayo(2) | 2024 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Mr. Mo Hayat resigned as a director February 17, 2025. |
(2) | Mr. Rayo was appointed as an independent director on February 17, 2025 |
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Name | Age | Position | ||||
Christopher A. Marlett | 62 | Chairman of the Board and Director | ||||
Anthony DiGiandomenico | 60 | Director | ||||
James U. Bowie | 67 | Director | ||||
James J. Lalonde | 65 | Director | ||||
Lon E. Bell | 86 | Director | ||||
Edgardo Rayo | 39 | Director | ||||
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2025 | 2024 | |||||
Audit fees(1) | $222,500 | $145,000 | ||||
Audit-related fees(2) | — | — | ||||
Tax fees | — | — | ||||
Total principal accountant fees and services | $222,500 | $145,000 | ||||
(1) | Audit fees consisted primarily of fees for the audit of our annual financial statements and reviews of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports and current reports. |
(2) | Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under Audit fees. |
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Name | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus(1) ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Options Awards ($) | RSU Awards ($) | Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Heltzen, President and CEO | 2025 | 358,333 | 250,000 | — | 452,041 | — | — | — | — | 1,060,374 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 231,250 | 40,000 | — | 110,028 | — | — | — | — | 381,278 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tyler Korman, Chief Scientific Officer | 2025 | 222,917 | 37,500 | 37,500 | 16,856 | — | — | — | — | 314,773 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 191,220 | 54,450 | — | 20,279 | — | — | — | — | 265,949 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Damien Perriman, Chief Commercial Officer | 2025 | 237,797 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 72,965 | 310,762 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Paul Opgenorth, Vice President, Development | 2025 | 219,792 | 37,500 | 37,500 | 15,803 | — | — | — | — | 310,595 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 190,000 | 52,800 | — | 19,011 | — | — | — | — | 261,811 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Fouad Nawaz, Vice President, Finance | 2025 | 214,583 | 43,750 | 43,750 | 49,658 | — | — | — | — | 351,741 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 168,750 | 15,000 | — | 29,340 | — | — | — | — | 213,090 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | The “Bonus” column represents discretionary bonuses earned pursuant to our annual incentive bonus program. |
(2) | Mr. Heltzen was employed at an annual salary of $250,000 and was entitled to a cash bonus of up to 100% of the then annual base salary. He has been granted two options, one for 311,636 shares and an incentive option for 22,097, both of which vest over a five-year period. Effective June 17, 2025, Mr. Heltzen’s annual base salary was increased to $450,000, and his annual bonus was discontinued. In connection with this compensation change, he was granted 235,817 stock options, which vest over four years beginning July 1, 2025. |
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Option Awards(1) | Stock Awards(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise (#) Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units That Have Vested ($) | ||||||||||||||
Mohammad Hayat, Chairman and CEO(3) | 2/1/2021 | 306,442 | 5,194 | 2.44 | 1/31/2028 | $— | |||||||||||||||
7/19/2021 | — | — | 2.44 | 7/17/2031 | 82,118 | 200,368 | |||||||||||||||
3/28/2022 | — | — | 2.44 | 3/25/2032 | 102,647 | 250,457 | |||||||||||||||
5/1/2023 | — | — | 3.31 | 4/28/2033 | 37,747 | 125,318 | |||||||||||||||
Michael Heltzen, President and CEO | 11/1/2023 | 72,715 | 83,103 | 3.31 | 8/31/2031 | $— | |||||||||||||||
2/1/2024 | 54,536 | 101,282 | 3.31 | 1/31/2032 | |||||||||||||||||
4/12/2024 | 7,734 | 14,363 | 8.00 | 3/31/2031 | |||||||||||||||||
7/1/2025 | 29,477 | 206,340 | 12.40 | 07/1/2032 | |||||||||||||||||
Tyler Korman, Chief Scientific Officer | 2/1/2021 | 40,859 | 693 | 2.44 | 1/31/2028 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
3/28/2022 | — | — | 2.44 | 3/25/2032 | 56,456 | 137,753 | |||||||||||||||
5/1/2023 | — | — | 3.31 | 4/28/2033 | 22,648 | 75,191 | |||||||||||||||
Paul Opgenorth, Vice President, Product Development | 2/1/2021 | 38,306 | 649 | 2.44 | 1/31/2028 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
3/28/2022 | — | — | 2.44 | 3/25/2032 | 52,720 | 128,636 | |||||||||||||||
5/1/2023 | — | — | 3.31 | 4/28/2033 | 21,893 | 72,683 | |||||||||||||||
Fouad Nawaz, Vice President, Finance | 11/1/2023 | 19,391 | 22,161 | 3.31 | 8/31/2031 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
6/1/2024 | 7,272 | 13,504 | 8.00 | 3/31/2031 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
(1) | Each equity award is subject to the terms of the specific equity plan under which it was granted. |
(2) | All RSU are fully vested and remain outstanding. |
(3) | Mr. Hayat ceased being the CEO on February 1, 2024, and became the Chairman and President commencing February 1, 2024, upon the appointment of Michael Heltzen as the CEO on February 1, 2024. Mr. Hayat resigned as Chairman and President as of February 17, 2025. |
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• | each shareholder of our Common Stock who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our Common Stock; |
• | each of our executive officers; |
• | each of the members of the board of directors; and |
• | all of the members of the board of directors and current executive officers as a group. |
Common Stock | ||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares Owned Beneficially(1) | Percentage of Class(2) | ||||
Directors | ||||||
Christopher A. Marlett(3) | 4,162,396 | 43.65% | ||||
Anthony DiGiandomenico(3) | 4,162,396 | 43.65% | ||||
James U Bowie(4) | 603,880 | 6.47% | ||||
Edgardo Rayo(5) | 77,909 | 0.84% | ||||
James J. Lalonde(6) | 32,895 | 0.35% | ||||
Lon Edward Bell(7) | 25,104 | 0.27% | ||||
Executive Officers who are not Directors | ||||||
Michael Heltzen(8) | 257,104 | 2.69% | ||||
Fouad Nawaz(9) | 44,461 | 0.48% | ||||
Tyler Korman(10) | 803,639 | 8.57% | ||||
Damien Perriman(11) | 86,900 | 0.93% | ||||
Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (8 Persons)(12) | 6,094,288 | 58.00% | ||||
Five Percent Ownership | ||||||
Tyler Korman(10) | 803,639 | 8.57% | ||||
Paul Opgenorth(13) | 717,537 | 7.65% | ||||
MDB Capital Holdings, LLC(14) | 4,136,426 | 43.50% | ||||
* | Less than 0.1% |
(1) | Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. |
(2) | Based on a total of 9,304,701 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of September 15, 2026. |
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(3) | Includes (i) 3,931,133 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock held by MDB Capital Holdings, LLC, (ii) 205,293 shares underlying a warrant held by MDB Capital Holdings, LLC, over which Anthony DiGiandomenico shares voting and dispositive authority, and (iii) 25,970 shares subject to currently exercisable options held individually. (See footnote 11.) |
(4) | Includes 577,910 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, 25,970 shares subject to currently exercisable options. |
(5) | Includes 77,909 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. |
(6) | Includes 32,895 shares subject to currently exercisable options. Excludes 26,835 shares subject to options that vest in the future. |
(7) | Includes 25,104 shares subject to currently exercisable options. Excludes 26,835 shares subject to options that vest in the future. |
(8) | Includes 8,841 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, 248,263 shares subject to currently exercisable options. Excludes 321,287 shares subject to options that vest in the future. |
(9) | Includes 9,488 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, 34,973 shares subject to currently exercisable options. Excludes 27,355 shares subject to options that vest in the future. |
(10) | Includes 729,123 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, 41,552 shares subject to currently exercisable options, 32,964 shares deliverable upon settlement of vested RSUs. Excludes 46,140 shares subject to unvested RSUs. |
(11) | Includes 8,887 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, 51,863 shares subject to currently exercisable options, 26,150 shares deliverable upon settlement of vested RSUs. Excludes 94,574 shares subject to options that vest in the future. Excludes 36,609 shares subject to unvested RSUs. |
(12) | See footnotes 3 - 11 above. |
(13) | Includes 647,493 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, 38,955 shares subject to currently exercisable options, 31,089 shares deliverable upon settlement of vested RSUs. Excludes 43,524 shares subject to unvested RSUs. |
(14) | Includes (i) 3,931,133 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock held, and (ii) 205,293 shares of Common Stock underlying a previously issued warrant, all of which 4,136,426 shares of Common Stock are held by MDB Capital Holdings, LLC, over which Messrs. Christopher A. Marlett and Anthony DiGiandomenico have the voting and dispositive authority over the shares of Common Stock of the Company. Excludes 25,970 shares under vested options which each of Messrs. Marlett and DiGiandomenico hold individually. The address of MDB Capital Holdings, LLC, and the business address of Messrs. Marlett and DiGiandomenico is 14135 Midway Road, Suite G-150, Addison, TX 75001. |
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