siga_def14a.htm
UNITED STATES
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 14A
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   o
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
o      Preliminary Proxy Statement
o   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Under Rule § 240.14a-12

SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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SIGA Technologies, Inc.
35 East 62nd Street
New York, New York 10065 
(212) 672-9100
 
April 12, 2010
 
Dear Stockholder:
 
     You are cordially invited to attend our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. (local time), at the offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10036. On the following pages you will find the formal notice of the annual meeting and proxy statement.
 
     To ensure that you are represented at the Annual Meeting, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, please read carefully the accompanying proxy statement, which describes the matters to be voted upon, and please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card promptly.
 
     I hope that you will attend the meeting and I look forward to seeing you there.
 
Sincerely,
  
  
Eric A. Rose, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board



SIGA Technologies, Inc.
35 East 62nd Street
New York, New York 10065
 
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 13, 2010
 
     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of SIGA Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SIGA”), will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. (local time), at the offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10036, and at any adjournment.
 
     At the Annual Meeting, SIGA’s stockholders will be voting on proposals to do the following:
 
      1.      
To elect ten directors to the Board of Directors of SIGA;
 
2.
To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of SIGA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010;
 
3.
To adopt the SIGA Technologies, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan; and
 
4.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
     Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2010 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. A list of such stockholders will be available at the Annual Meeting and for any purpose properly related to the Annual Meeting, during the ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, at SIGA’s office, during ordinary business hours.
 
     All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. If you do not expect to be present at the Annual Meeting, you are requested to fill in, date and sign the enclosed proxy and mail it promptly in the enclosed envelope to make sure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting. In the event you decide to attend the Annual Meeting in person, you may, if you desire, revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person.
 
     Directions to the offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP are included on the outside back cover of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting.
 
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
 
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO BE PRESENT PERSONALLY, PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED PROXY, WHICH IS BEING SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND RETURN
IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
 
By Order of the Board of Directors,
  
  
Ayelet Dugary
Secretary

New York, New York
April 12, 2010
 
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on May 13, 2010.
 
The Proxy Statement and 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K are
available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at
www.siga.com
 


SIGA Technologies, Inc.
35 East 62nd Street
New York, New York 10065
(212) 672-9100
 
———————
 
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 13, 2010

———————
 
     This proxy statement is furnished to stockholders of SIGA Technologies, Inc. (“SIGA”, the “Company” or “we”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies, in the accompanying form, by the Board of Directors of SIGA (the “Board of Directors”) for use in voting at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at the offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10036, on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. (local time), and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
     This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or about April 12, 2010.
 
VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
Purpose of the Annual Meeting
 
     The specific proposals to be considered and acted upon at the Annual Meeting are summarized in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each proposal is described in more detail in this proxy statement.
 
Record Date and Outstanding Shares
 
     The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 30, 2010 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any and all adjournments or postponements thereof. As of the Record Date, SIGA had issued and outstanding 43,573,727 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share (“Common Stock”).
 
Voting at the Annual Meeting
 
     Each share of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Cumulative voting by stockholders is not permitted.
 
     The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum. Abstentions will be counted as shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum on all matters. Brokers holding shares for beneficial owners in “street name” must vote those shares according to specific instructions they receive from the owners of such shares. If instructions are not received, brokers may vote the shares, in their discretion, depending on the type of proposals involved. Broker “non-votes” result when brokers are precluded from exercising their discretion on certain types of proposals. Brokers have discretionary authority to vote under the rules governing brokers to vote without instructions from the beneficial owner on certain “routine” items, such as the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 2) and, accordingly, your shares may be voted by your broker on Proposal 2. However, brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote on the other proposals included herein. Shares that are voted by brokers on some but not all of the matters will be treated as shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum on all matters, but will not be treated as shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting on those matters as to which authority to vote is withheld by the broker.
 
     For the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast is required. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” are not considered to have been voted for the purpose of the election of directors.
 
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     For the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of SIGA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast on such proposal in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” are not considered to have been voted on this proposal. Brokers and other nominees continue to have discretionary voting power to vote without instructions from the beneficial owner on the ratification of the appointment of the independent auditor and, accordingly, your shares may be voted by your broker on this proposal.
 
     For the adoption of the SIGA Technologies, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast on such proposal in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” for such proposal are not considered to have been voted on the proposal.
 
Dissenters’ Rights
 
     Proposals 1, 2 and 3 do not give rise to any statutory right of a stockholder to dissent and obtain the appraisal of or payment for such stockholder’s shares.
 
Revocability and Voting of Proxies
 
     Any person signing a proxy in the form accompanying this proxy statement has the power to revoke it prior to the Annual Meeting or at the Annual Meeting prior to the vote pursuant to the proxy. A proxy may be revoked by any of the following methods:
 
by writing a letter delivered to Ayelet Dugary, Secretary of SIGA, stating that the proxy is revoked;
 
by submitting another proxy with a later date; or
 
by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
 
     Please note, however, that if a stockholder’s shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and that stockholder wishes to vote at the Annual Meeting, the stockholder must bring to the Annual Meeting a letter from the broker, bank or other nominee confirming that stockholder’s beneficial ownership of the shares.
 
     Unless we receive specific instructions to the contrary or unless such proxy is revoked, shares represented by each properly executed proxy will be voted: (i) FOR the election of each of SIGA’s nominees as a director; (ii) FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of SIGA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010; (iii) FOR the adoption of the SIGA Technologies, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan; and (iv) with respect to any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, at the discretion of the proxy holders. SIGA does not presently anticipate that any other business will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting.
 
Solicitation
 
     SIGA will pay the costs of soliciting proxies. SIGA may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to beneficial owners. Directors, officers and regular employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile or other means or in person. They will not receive any additional payments for the solicitation.
 
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PROPOSAL NO. 1
 
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Ten directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them FOR the election of the ten persons named in the table below as directors of SIGA. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the nominees named. In the event that any of the below listed nominees for director should become unavailable for election for any presently unforeseen reason, the persons named in the accompanying proxy form have the right to use their discretion to vote for a substitute.
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF DR. ROSE, MR. ANTAL, MR. BAYER, MR. CONSTANCE, MR. FASMAN, DR. HAMMER, MR. MARSHALL, MR. SAVAS, MR. SLOVIN AND DR. WEINER AS DIRECTORS (ITEM 1 OF THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD).
 
Director Nominee Information
 
     The following table sets forth biographical information of each director nominee, including their ages, data on their business backgrounds and the names of public companies and other selected entities for which they also serve as directors:
 
Name   Age Position
Eric A. Rose, M.D.   59 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
James J. Antal* 59   Director
Michael J. Bayer* 62 Director
Thomas E. Constance* 73 Director
Steven L. Fasman* 47 Director
Scott M. Hammer, M.D.* 62 Director
Joseph W. Marshall, III* 57 Director
Paul G. Savas* 47 Director
Bruce Slovin* 74 Director
Michael A. Weiner, M.D.* 63 Director
 
* Determined by the Board of Directors to be independent pursuant to Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.

     Eric A. Rose, M.D. was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors on January 25, 2007, and, on March 1, 2007, became the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Rose has served as a director of SIGA since April 19, 2001 and served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of SIGA during April-June 2001. In April 2008, Dr. Rose assumed the chairmanship of the Department of Health Policy at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. From 1994 through 2007, Dr. Rose served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief of the Columbia Presbyterian Center of New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Rose is a director of Abiomed, Inc. and a former director of PharmaCore, Inc., TransTech Pharma, Inc., Nephros, Inc., Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and Nexell Therapeutics Inc. Dr. Rose is a graduate of both Columbia College and Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. In addition to his roles at SIGA, Dr. Rose holds a position as Executive Vice President – Life Sciences at MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., an affiliate of a SIGA shareholder. Dr. Rose’s experience and training as a practicing physician and a nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon enables him to bring valuable insight to the Board of Directors, including through his understanding of the scientific aspects of our business and the ability to assist in prioritizing opportunities for drug development. In addition, Dr. Rose managed a large research portfolio and an extensive research and education budget at the Columbia Presbyterian Center, giving him a critical perspective on drug discovery and development and the issues facing pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
 
     James J. Antal has served as a director of SIGA since November 2004. Mr. Antal has been an active consultant and founding investor in several Southern California based emerging companies since his retirement from Experian in 2002. He has served as Chief Financial Advisor to Black Mountain Gold Coffee Co. (2003-2005), and as Chief Financial Officer of Pathway Data, Inc. (2005 to 2009). Mr. Antal joined the board of directors and serves as the chairman of the audit committee for Cleveland Bio Labs, effective upon the completion of its initial public offering in July 2006. Mr. Antal was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer from 1996 to 2002 for Experian, a $1.6 billion global information services subsidiary of UK-based GUS plc. Prior to the GUS acquisition of Experian (the former TRW Inc. Information Systems and Services businesses), Mr. Antal held various finance positions with TRW from 1978 to 1996, including Senior Vice President of Finance for TRW Information Systems and Services and TRW Inc. Corporate Director of Financial Reporting and Accounting. He earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from The Ohio State University in 1973, and became a certified public accountant (Ohio) in 1974. He engaged in active practice as a CPA with Ernst & Ernst until 1978. Mr. Antal has served as a director of First American Real Estate Solutions, an Experian joint venture with First American Financial Corp. Mr. Antal has many years of valuable business, leadership and management experience that provides him with insight into many aspects of SIGA’s business, including an understanding of corporate finance, financial statements, accounting matters and capital markets. Mr. Antal also brings financial experience to the Board of Directors through his 32-year career as an entrepreneur, his various financial positions at other public companies and through his service as chairman of the audit committee for Cleveland Bio Labs.
 
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     Michael J. Bayer has served as a director of SIGA since October 2008. Mr. Bayer has been a private consultant in the energy and national security sectors since 2003. Mr. Bayer is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dumbarton Strategies LLC, an energy and national security consulting firm. He is the Chairman of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Business Board and a member of the Sandia National Laboratory’s National Security Advisory Panel, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Science Board and the Chief of Naval Operations’ Executive Panel. Mr. Bayer serves as a director of Dyncorp International, Inc., where he serves on the audit committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee, and as a director of Willbros Group, Inc., where he chairs the governance and nomination committee. Mr. Bayer is a former director of Stratos Global Corporation, Duratek, Inc. and Athena Inc. Mr. Bayer brings many years of experience in the defense industry to the Board of Directors, which positions him to provide oversight for our Company in a highly regulated industry and to provide guidance in government relations, particularly with the Department of Defense and other government agencies. Mr. Bayer also brings substantial corporate governance and compliance oversight expertise through his service on the audit committee and nominating and corporate governance committee of Dyncorp International and through his service as the chair of the governance and nominating committee of Willbros Group.
 
     Thomas E. Constance has served as a director of SIGA since April 2001. Mr. Constance is Chairman and, since 1994, a partner of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, a law firm in New York City, which SIGA has retained to provide certain legal services. Mr. Constance serves as a Trustee of the M.D. Sass Foundation and St. Vincent’s Services. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Directors of Barington Capital, L.P. As a practicing attorney, Mr. Constance brings to the Board of Directors many years of experience counseling public companies with respect to governance and other legal matters.
 
     Steven L. Fasman has served as a director of SIGA since May 2007. He has been Senior Vice President-Law at MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. since 2004. Prior to that, he served as Vice President-Law at MacAndrews & Forbes during 1998-2003 and Senior Counsel at MacAndrews & Forbes during 1992-1997. From 1987 to 1992, he was associated with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Mr. Fasman’s extensive business and legal experience in pharmaceutical regulation and as a practicing attorney is valuable to SIGA with respect to the evaluation of potential business transactions as well as ongoing corporate governance matters. Mr. Fasman’s experience in the field of intellectual property law is particularly beneficial to SIGA, given the central importance of intellectual property to SIGA’s business.
 
     Scott M. Hammer, M.D. has served as a director of SIGA since December 2006. Dr. Hammer is the Harold C. Neu Professor of Medicine, Professor of Epidemiology and Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC). Dr. Hammer’s major investigative interest is the treatment and prevention of HIV disease. He is an investigator in the National Institutes of Health sponsored AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), a multicenter organization which performs clinical trials designed to improve the understanding and treatment of HIV infection and its complications. As an ACTG investigator, Dr. Hammer chaired the two largest national trials of antiretroviral therapy carried out by that group in the 1990’s, studies which contributed to the current standard of care of HIV infection. In addition to his interest in the treatment of persons with established HIV infection, Dr. Hammer is an investigator in the National Institutes of Health sponsored HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), a multicenter organization whose mission is to develop an effective preventive HIV vaccine. He is the current protocol chair of HVTN 505, an advanced phase II study of the preventive HIV vaccine regimen developed by NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center. He is a former Chair of the AIDS Vaccine Research Working Group of the Division of AIDS, NIAID, and the Antiviral Products Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration and currently serves on the Editorial Board of the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Hammer is a former Chair of the International AIDS Society-USA’s Antiretroviral Guidelines Panel and is Vice Chair of the World Health Organization’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Committee for HIV/AIDS. He formerly chaired the Guidelines Development Group of the WHO’s Antiretroviral Guidelines for Resource Limited Settings and co-chaired the Steering Committee of the WHO’s Global HIV Drug Resistance Surveillance Program. In his role as Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at CUMC, he is dedicated to fellow and faculty growth and to the development of state-of-the-art infection surveillance at the institutional and regional levels to improve and protect the public health. Dr. Hammer’s experience and training in epidemiology and infectious diseases bring valuable insight to the Board, including through his understanding of the scientific aspects of our business, his understanding of the healthcare community that forms SIGA’s customer base and his perspectives on the development of antiviral drugs.
 
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     Joseph W. “Chip” Marshall, III has served as a director of SIGA since early 2009. Mr. Marshall is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Temple University Health System (2001-2008). In 2000, he became Chair of Temple University Health System and served in that capacity until 2007. Prior to 2000, Marshall was a founding partner at Goldman & Marshall P.C., Philadelphia, PA, a corporate health-care law firm. He received his B.A. and J.D. degrees (1975 and 1979, respectively) from Temple University. In 1990, he joined the Temple University Board of Trustees. He was a founding member of the Temple University Health System Board of Directors in 1995. He served on the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, including as Chairman for a portion of that period. During 2005-2006, he served as a Member of the Federal Medicaid Commission. Additionally, during 2004-2006, he served as a Member of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Mr. Marshall has more than 30 years of experience in health care and is a prominent and highly regarded figure in the health care and higher education sectors. His excellent leadership, visibility and expertise in health care are of considerable value to the Board of Directors.
 
     Paul G. Savas has served as a director of SIGA since January 2004. Mr. Savas is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. He joined MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. in 1994 as Director of Corporate Finance, served in various positions of increasing responsibility and became Chief Financial Officer in 2007. He also serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of M & F Worldwide Corp. and serves as a director of Harland Clarke Holding Corp. and TransTech Pharma, Inc. Mr. Savas is a former director of REV Holdings LLC and PharmaCore Inc. Mr. Savas provides our Board valuable business, leadership and management insights with respect to our strategic operational and financial direction. Mr. Savas’s strong financial background, including his work at MacAndrews & Forbes and his service on other boards, also provides financial expertise to the Board of Directors, including an understanding of financial statements, corporate finance, accounting and capital markets.
 
     Bruce Slovin has served as a director of SIGA since October 2008. Mr. Slovin has been the President of 1 Eleven Associates, LLC, a private investment firm, for over five years. From 1980 to 2000, Mr. Slovin was an executive officer of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. and several of its affiliates. Mr. Slovin is a director of Cantel Industries and M & F Worldwide Corp. As a result of Mr. Slovin’s long career in various operating and financial positions, he provides the Board of Directors valuable business, leadership and management insights into many aspects of our business.
 
     Michael A. Weiner, M.D. has served as a director of SIGA since 2001. Dr. Weiner has been the Hettinger Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons since 1996. Dr. Weiner is also the Director of Pediatric Oncology at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Weiner was a director of Nexell Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a VimRx) from March 1996 to February 1999. Dr. Weiner is a 1972 graduate of the New York State Health Sciences Center at Syracuse and was a post-graduate student at New York University and Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Weiner’s many years of experience and training as a practicing physician enable him to bring important perspectives on issues facing our drug discovery process and assist us in prioritizing opportunities for drug development. Dr. Weiner’s prominence in the medical field and relationships in the medical and academic communities are a valuable asset to the Board of Directors.
 
Meetings of the Board of Directors
 
     During 2009, the Board of Directors held eight meetings. During 2009, one director, Michael J. Bayer, attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees on which he served during the period for which he has been a director or committee member. During 2009, no action was taken by unanimous written consent of the Board of Directors.
 
     Those members of the Board of Directors who are independent as defined by Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules (the “Independent Directors”) are also required, pursuant to Rule 5605(b)(2) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, to regularly convene executive sessions where only such Independent Directors are present. Such meetings may be in conjunction with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors. Each member of the Board of Directors is also urged to attend the annual meeting of SIGA’s stockholders. Eight members of the Board of Directors attended SIGA’s 2009 annual meeting of stockholders.
 
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Committees of the Board of Directors
 
     The Board of Directors currently has, and appoints the members of, standing Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. Each member of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees is an Independent Director. Each of these committees has a written charter approved by the Board of the Directors in March 2004. A copy of each charter is posted on SIGA’s website at www.siga.com under the “Corporate Governance” section.
 
     Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, which currently consists of directors Paul G. Savas, James J. Antal, and Bruce Slovin, held twelve meetings during 2009. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is “independent” under the applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Company has determined that Mr. Savas is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in the oversight of the integrity of SIGA’s financial statements, SIGA’s compliance with legal and regulatory matters, the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, and the performance of SIGA’s independent registered public accounting firm. The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in its charter and include various matters with respect to the oversight of SIGA’s accounting and financial reporting process and audits of the financial statements of SIGA on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee also selects the independent registered public accounting firm to conduct the annual audit of SIGA’s financial statements; reviews the proposed scope of such audit; reviews the Company’s accounting and financial controls with the independent registered public accounting firm and our financial accounting staff; and reviews and approves transactions, if any, between us and our directors, officers, and their affiliates. A copy of the Audit Committee charter is available on SIGA’s website at www.siga.com under the “Corporate Governance” section. Also see the section of this proxy statement entitled “Report of the Audit Committee”.
 
     Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee, which currently consists of directors Steven L. Fasman, Paul G. Savas, Bruce Slovin, and Michael A. Weiner, held five meetings during 2009. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Compensation Committee is “independent” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation Committee functions include reviewing and approving the compensation and benefits for SIGA’s executive officers, administering SIGA’s stock plans and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding these matters. A copy of the Compensation Committee charter is available on SIGA’s website at www.siga.com under the “Corporate Governance” section. Also see the section of this proxy statement entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”.
 
     Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), which currently consists of directors Michael J. Bayer, James J. Antal and Michael A. Weiner, held three meetings in 2009. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Nominating Committee is “independent” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards. The Nominating Committee is responsible for searching for and recommending to the Board of Directors potential nominees for director positions, making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the size and composition of the Board of Directors and its committees, monitoring the Board of Director’s effectiveness and developing and implementing SIGA’s corporate governance procedures and policies. A copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter is available on SIGA’s website at www.siga.com under the “Corporate Governance” section.
 
     In selecting candidates for the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee begins by determining whether the incumbent directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders desire and are qualified to continue their service on the Board of Directors. SIGA is of the view that the continuing service of qualified incumbents promotes stability and continuity of the Board of Directors, giving SIGA the benefit of the familiarity and insight into SIGA’s affairs that its directors have accumulated during their tenure, while contributing to the Board of Director’s ability to work as a collective body. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Nominating Committee, absent special circumstances, to nominate qualified incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the Nominating Committee’s criteria for membership on the Board of Directors, whom the Nominating Committee believes will continue to make important contributions to the Board of Directors and who consent to stand for re-election and, if re-elected, to continue their service on the Board of Directors. If there are positions on the Board of Directors for which the Nominating Committee will not be re-nominating an incumbent director, or if there is a vacancy on the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee will solicit recommendations for nominees from persons whom the Nominating Committee believes are likely to be familiar with qualified candidates, including members of the Board of Directors and management of SIGA. The Nominating Committee may also engage a professional search firm to assist in the identification of qualified candidates, but did not do so in 2009. As to each recommended candidate that the Nominating Committee believes merits serious consideration, the Nominating Committee will collect as much information, including without limitation, soliciting views from other directors and SIGA’s management and having one or more Nominating Committee members interview each such candidate, regarding each candidate as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to make an informed decision with respect to such candidate. The Nominating Committee considers the overall qualifications of prospective nominees for director, including the particular experience, expertise and outlook that they would bring to the Board of Directors. While diversity may contribute to this overall evaluation, it is not considered by the Nominating Committee as a separate or independent factor in identifying nominees for director. Based on all available information and relevant considerations, the Nominating Committee will select, for each directorship to be filled, a candidate who, in the view of the Nominating Committee, is most suited for membership on the Board of Directors. In making its selection, SIGA will evaluate candidates proposed by stockholders under criteria similar to the evaluation of other candidates, except that the Nominating Committee may consider, as one of the factors in its evaluation of stockholder recommended nominees, the size and duration of the interest of the recommending stockholder or stockholder group in the equity of SIGA. This consideration may also include how long the recommending stockholder intends to continue holding its equity interest in SIGA.
 
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     The Nominating Committee has adopted a policy with regard to the minimum qualifications that must be met by a Nomination Committee-recommended nominee for a position on the Board of Directors. Pursuant to this policy, the Nominating Committee generally requires that all candidates for the Board of Directors be of high personal integrity and ethical character and not have any interest that would, in the view of the Nominating Committee, materially impair the candidate’s ability to (i) exercise independent judgment or (ii) otherwise discharge the fiduciary duties owed as a director to SIGA and its stockholders. In addition, candidates must be able to represent fairly and equally all stockholders of SIGA without favoring or advancing any particular stockholder or other constituency of SIGA. Candidates must have demonstrated achievement in one or more fields of business, professional, governmental, communal, scientific or educational endeavor. Candidates are expected to have sound judgment and a general appreciation regarding major issues facing public companies of a size and operational scope similar to SIGA, including contemporary governance concerns, regulatory obligations of a public issuer, strategic business planning, competition in a global economy, and basic concepts of corporate finance. Candidates must also have, and be prepared to devote, adequate time to the Board of Directors and its committees. It is expected that, taking into account their other business and professional commitments, including their service on the boards of other companies, each candidate will be available to attend meetings of the Board of Directors and any committees on which the candidate will serve, as well as SIGA’s annual meeting of stockholders. SIGA also requires that at least a majority of the directors serving at any time on the Board of Directors are independent, as defined under the rules of the NASDAQ stock market and that at least three of the directors satisfy the financial literacy requirements required for service on the Audit Committee under the rules of the NASDAQ stock market.
 
     The Nominating Committee has adopted a policy, summarized in this paragraph, with regard to the consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders. The Nominating Committee will consider recommendations for the nomination of directors submitted by holders of SIGA’s shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. The Nominating Committee will give consideration to these recommendations for positions on the Board of Directors where the Nominating Committee has not determined to re-nominate a qualified incumbent director. While the Nominating Committee has not established a minimum number of shares that a stockholder must own in order to present a nominating recommendation for consideration, or a minimum length of time during which the stockholder must own its shares, the Nominating Committee may take into account the size and duration of a recommending stockholder’s ownership interest in SIGA. The Nominating Committee may also consider whether the stockholder making the nominating recommendation intends to maintain an ownership interest in SIGA of substantially the same size as at its interest at the time of making the recommendation. The Nominating Committee may refuse to consider recommendations of nominees who do not satisfy the minimum qualifications prescribed by the Nominating Committee for board candidates.
 
     The Nominating Committee has adopted procedures to be followed by stockholders in submitting recommendations of candidates for directors. The procedures are posted on SIGA’s website at www.siga.com under the “Corporate Governance” section. Pursuant to these procedures, a stockholder (or group of stockholders) wishing to submit a nominating recommendation for an annual meeting of stockholders should arrange to deliver it to SIGA not later than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the prior annual meeting of stockholders. All stockholder nominating recommendations should be in writing, addressed to the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee” in care of SIGA’s Chief Financial Officer at SIGA’s principal headquarters, 35 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. Submissions should be made by mail, courier or personal delivery. A nominating recommendation should be accompanied by the following information concerning each recommending stockholder:
 
The name and address, including telephone number, of the recommending stockholder;
 
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The number and class of SIGA’s shares owned (beneficially or of record) by the recommending stockholder and the time period for which such shares have been held;
 
A statement from the stockholder as to whether the stockholder has a good-faith intention to continue to hold the reported shares through the date of SIGA’s next annual meeting of stockholders;
 
Sufficient information about the proposed nominee for the Nominating Committee to make an informed decision regarding the qualifications of the proposed nominee;
 
Any relationship between the proposed nominee and the recommending stockholder; and
 
Such other information as the Nominating Committee may reasonably request.
 
     The nominating recommendation must be accompanied by the consent of the proposed nominee to be interviewed by the Nominating Committee, if the Nominating Committee chooses to do so in its discretion (and the recommending stockholder must furnish the nominee’s contact information for this purpose), and, if nominated and elected, to serve as a director of SIGA.
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
     None.
 
Code of Ethics
 
     SIGA has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that applies to its officers, directors and employees, including without limitation, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Scientific Officer. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is available, free of charge, on SIGA’s website at www.siga.com under the “Corporate Governance” section. In the event that there is any amendment to or waiver from any provision of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that requires disclosure under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K, SIGA intends to satisfy these disclosure requirements by posting such information on its website, as permitted by Item 5.05(c) of Form 8-K.
 
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
 
     SIGA stockholders may send communications to the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors or an individual director. The process for so communicating is posted on SIGA’s website at www.siga.com under the “Corporate Governance” section.
 
Board Leadership Structure
 
     The Board of Directors believes that our CEO is best situated to serve as Chairman because he is the director most familiar with our business and industry and most capable of effectively identifying strategic priorities and leading the discussion and implementation of strategy. Independent directors and management have different perspectives and roles in strategy development. Our independent directors bring experience, oversight skills and expertise from outside our organization and industry, while the CEO brings company-specific experience and expertise. The Board of Directors believes that the combined role of Chairman and CEO promotes strategy development and implementation, and facilitates information flow between management and the Board of Directors, which are essential to effective governance.
 
     One of the principal responsibilities of the Board of Directors is to develop strategic direction and hold management accountable for implementing the strategy once it is developed. The Board of Directors believes the combined role of Chairman and CEO, together with an informed and engaged Board, is in the best interest of shareholders because it provides the appropriate balance between strategy development and independent oversight of management. The Board of Directors has no independent director permanently designated as a “Lead Director”, although the independent directors designate a leader for that meeting each time that they go into executive session. The Board of Directors intends to review its leadership structure periodically and consider whether other structures might be appropriate.
 
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The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
 
     The Board of Directors has an active role, as a whole and at the committee level, in overseeing management of our risks. The Board of Directors regularly reviews information about our financial condition and operations, and the risks associated with each. Our Board’s Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee oversees management of financial reporting risks and considers the effects of systemic risks inherent in our business. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of the Board of Directors and potential conflicts of interest. Although each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of those risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed about them through committee reports.
 
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
 
     The members of the Audit Committee have been appointed by the Board of Directors. During the 2009 fiscal year, the Audit Committee consisted solely of independent directors, as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter that was amended and restated by the Board of Directors in March 2004 in order to assure continued compliance by SIGA with SEC and NASDAQ rules enacted in response to requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of its written charter on an annual basis.
 
     The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in monitoring the integrity of SIGA’s financial statements, the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm, and SIGA’s compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Management is responsible for SIGA’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of SIGA’s financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and for issuing a report on those financial statements. The Audit Committee monitors and oversees these processes.
 
     In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009 with management and with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, SIGA’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Oversight Board in Rule 3200T, which includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of SIGA’s annual financial statements.
 
     The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the issue of their independence from SIGA and management. In addition, the Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services by the independent registered public accounting firm in 2009 is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence and has concluded that it is.
 
     Based on its review of the audited financial statements and the various discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in SIGA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Audit Committee has also recommended, subject to stockholder ratification, the selection of SIGA’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010.
 
     The members of the Audit Committee are Paul G. Savas, James J. Antal, and Bruce Slovin, none of whom is, or, during the fiscal year 2009, was, an employee of SIGA.
 
     During the period January 1, 2009 through May 13, 2009, the Audit Committee was comprised of Paul G. Savas, James J. Antal, and Judy S. Slotkin. On May 13, 2009, the Board of Directors elected Bruce Slovin to serve on the Committee. Some events described in this report occurred before Mr. Slovin joined to serve as a member of the Audit Committee.
 
Respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee,
Paul G. Savas, Chairman
James J. Antal
Bruce Slovin

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The Compensation Committee, comprised of independent directors, has:
 
(1) reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement with management; and
 
(2) based on the review and discussions referred to in paragraph (1) above, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s proxy statement relating to the 2010 Annual Meeting of shareholders.
 
Respectfully submitted by the Compensation Committee,
Steven L. Fasman, Chairman
Paul G. Savas
Bruce Slovin
Michael A. Weiner

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
Ownership of Common Stock
 
     The following tables set forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of SIGA’s voting securities as of March 10, 2010 of (i) each person known to SIGA to beneficially own more than 5% of the applicable class of voting securities, (ii) each director and director nominee of SIGA, (iii) each Named Executive Officer and (iv) all directors and executive officers of SIGA as a group. As of March 10, 2010, a total of 43,244,635 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on matters on which holders of Common Stock are eligible to vote. The column entitled “Percentage of Total Voting Stock Outstanding” shows the percentage of total voting stock beneficially owned by each listed party.
 
     The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under those rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares which the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 10, 2010, through the exercise or conversion of any stock option, convertible security, warrant or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table has sole voting power and investment power (or shares that power with that person’s spouse) with respect to all shares of capital stock listed as owned by that person or entity.
 
Amount of Percentage of Percentage of
Name and Address of Beneficial Common Stock Total Voting
Beneficial Owner (1)         Ownership (2)       Outstanding       Stock Outstanding
MacAndrews & Forbes LLC. (3) 8,291,036  (5) 18.19 % 18.19 %
 
STH Partners L.P. (4) 3,851,969 8.91 % 8.91 %
 
James J. Antal
30952 Steeplechase Dr.
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 86,154  (6) * *
 
Michael J. Bayer
Dumbarton Strategies
3130 Dumbarton Street, NW
Washington D.C., 20007 35,000  (7) * *
 
Thomas E. Constance
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036 281,267  (8) * *
 
Steven L. Fasman 47,000  (9) * *
 
Scott M. Hammer, M.D.
161 Fort Washington Ave.
New York, NY 10032 55,000  (10) * *
 
Joseph W. Marshall III
500 Office Center Drive, Suite 400
Ft. Washington, PA 19034 35,000  (7) * *
 
Eric A. Rose, M.D. 913,648  (12) 2.07 % 2.07 %
 
Paul G. Savas 111,484  (13) * *
 
Bruce Slovin
1 Eleven Associates LLC
111 East 61st Street
New York, NY 10065 55,000  (7) * *
 
Michael A. Weiner, M.D.
161 Fort Washington Ave.
New York, NY 10032 60,000  (11) * *
 
Ayelet Dugary 156,667  (14) * *

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Amount of Percentage of Percentage of
Name and Address of Beneficial Common Stock Total Voting
Beneficial Owner (1)         Ownership (2)       Outstanding       Stock Outstanding
Dennis E. Hruby, Ph.D. 641,666  (14) 1.46 % 1.46 %
 
All Executive Officers and Directors as a
group (twelve persons) 2,477,886  (15) 5.6 % 5.6 %

(1)       Unless otherwise indicated the address of each beneficial owner identified is 35 East 62nd Street, New York, New York 10065.
 
(2) Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares indicated. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares as of a given date which such person has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person or group of persons named above on a given date, any security which such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date is deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such person or persons, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
 
(3) MacAndrews & Forbes LLC is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., a holding company whose sole stockholder is Ronald O. Perelman.
 
(4) STH Partners L.P. (“STH”) is a holding company, the general partner of which is MK Holdings One LLC and the limited partner of which is MacAndrews & Forbes LLC (having a 100% limited partner interest in STH). STH and its general and limited partners are parties to a letter agreement pursuant to which the parties agreed that (i) the general partner of STH shall have sole power to dispose of the shares of Common Stock held by STH and (ii) on all matters to be voted on by the stockholders of the Company, all shares of Common Stock held by STH shall be voted in the same proportion as the votes cast by all other holders of voting stock of the Company.
 
(5) Includes 2,329,004 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants.
 
(6) Includes 75,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(7) Includes 35,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
 
(8) Includes 265,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(9) Includes 45,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(10) Includes 55,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(11) Includes 60,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(12) Includes 786,668 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(13) Includes 9,123 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants and 75,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
 
(14) Neither of Ms. Dugary or Dr. Hruby own shares of Common Stock. All shares listed as beneficially owned by each of them are shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.
 
(15) See footnotes (5)-(13).
 
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MANAGEMENT
 
Executive Officers
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the executive officers of SIGA:
 
Name       Age       Position
Eric A. Rose, M.D. 59 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Ayelet Dugary (1) 43 Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Dennis E. Hruby, Ph.D. 58 Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer

(1)       Ms. Dugary was appointed to serve as Acting Chief Financial Officer on February 1, 2009 and as Chief Financial Officer effective April 29, 2009.
 
     Ayelet Dugary became Chief Financial Officer of SIGA as of April 29, 2009. Ms. Dugary served as SIGA’s Acting Chief Financial Officer from February 2009 to April 2009, and Director of Finance and Controller from December 2004 to January 2009. From 1997 to 2004, Ms. Dugary served in various positions of increasing responsibility with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, the last of which was Senior Manager, where she gained substantial auditing experience and assisted clients in the development of their financial reporting and regulatory compliance procedures. Ms. Dugary holds an MBA from the University of Santa Clara, CA.
 
     Dennis E. Hruby, Ph.D. has served as Vice President - Chief Scientific Officer since June 2000. From April 1, 1997 through June 2000, Dr. Hruby was our Vice President of Research. From January 1996 through March 1997, Dr. Hruby served as a senior scientific advisor to SIGA. Dr. Hruby is a Professor of Microbiology at Oregon State University, and from 1990 to 1993 was Director of the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program and Associate Director of the Center for Gene Research and Biotechnology. Dr. Hruby specializes in virology and cell biology research, and the use of viral and bacterial vectors to produce recombinant vaccines. He is a member of the American Society of Virology, the American Society for Microbiology and a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. Dr. Hruby received a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Colorado Medical Center and a B.S. in microbiology from Oregon State University.
 
     See Director Nominee Information, above, for a biography of Dr. Rose.
 
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
Overview
 
     The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for implementing the Board of Director’s directives relating to the compensation of our named executive officers, as well as our other key employees. In this regard, the Compensation Committee has the responsibility to establish a compensation policy for officers and key employees designed to (i) attract and retain the best possible executive talent; (ii) tie annual and long-term cash and stock incentives to achievement of measurable corporate and individual performance objectives; and (iii) provide competitive compensation to our officers and key employees to align executives’ incentives with the creation of stockholder value.
 
     As a general matter, the compensation policy for officers and key employees includes:
     This section discusses the principles underlying our executive compensation policies, our decisions to date and the principles that we expect to use in coming years.
 
Our Named Executive Officers
 
     For 2009, our Named Executive Officers and their titles were:
 
Name             Title
Dr. Eric A. Rose Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Ayelet Dugary Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (1)
Dr. Dennis E. Hruby Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President
Thomas N. Konatich Former Chief Financial Officer (2)

(1)       On April 29, 2009, Ms. Dugary became Chief Financial Officer.
 
(2) Mr. Konatich became Chief Financial Officer on April 1, 1998. Effective January 31, 2009 the Company and Mr. Konatich agreed not to extend the terms of Mr. Konatich’s employment agreement and effective January 31, 2009, Mr. Konatich’s employment with the Company ended.
 
Our Executive Compensation Decision Process
 
Overview
 
     Our Compensation Committee reviews and approves on a periodic basis the corporate goals and objectives with respect to the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers.
 
Role of Executive Officers in Setting Compensation Decisions
 
     Regarding most compensation matters, the Chief Executive Officer has historically provided recommendations to the Compensation Committee relying on his personal experience with respect to evaluating the contribution of our other executive officers. Dr. Eric A. Rose, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, is involved in compensation recommendations, with input from our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, as it relates to the compensation of other key employees. The Compensation Committee considers, but retains the right to reject or modify, such recommendations. Although the Chief Executive Officer may attend a portion of the meetings of the Compensation Committee, neither he nor any other member of management may be present during executive sessions of the Compensation Committee. Moreover, the Chief Executive Officer may not be present when decisions with respect to his compensation are made. The Committee has used, on more than one occasion, a third-party compensation consultant.
 
Compensation Advisors
 
     The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants to advise the Compensation Committee as it deems necessary to carry out its duties. In 2009, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Compensation Advisory Partners LLC as its independent executive compensation consultant. In connection with this engagement, the Compensation Committee requested that Compensation Advisory Partners LLC review the fairness of the compensation package for Dr. Rose, Dr. Hruby and Ms. Dugary.
 
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Competitive Market Analysis and Benchmarking
 
     In reviewing and recommending the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, the Compensation Committee considers the compensation awarded to officers of similarly situated companies, our performance, the respective individual’s performance, compensation given to our officers in past years, anticipated changes to future duties and other factors the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. As a framework for the Compensation Committee’s decisions regarding the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers during 2010, the Compensation Committee evaluated aggregate executive compensation data from the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 regarding the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and chief scientific officer of Emergent Biosolutions Inc., Human Genome Sciences, Inc., Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ViroPharma Inc, Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Dynavax Technologies Corp., and Hemispherx Biopharma Inc. SIGA’s third-party compensation consultant selected these companies as similarly situated because they are all biotechnology companies specializing either in small-molecule drugs or solutions to bioterrorism and, with the exception of Human Genome Sciences and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, have comparable market capitalizations. The Committee found the aggregate compensation paid to each of the Company’s named executive officers, in general, was consistent with the compensation paid to executive officers of the selected peer group after taking into account differences, such as product sales, total research revenue, scope of supervisory responsibility of employees and nature of other commitments, between the Company and the peer group.
 
Evaluations
 
     The Compensation Committee evaluates at least once a year the performance of our officers and other key employees in light of goals and objectives established by the Committee and, based upon these evaluations, the Compensation Committee recommends to the full Board of Directors the annual compensation for our officers and key employees, including base salary, bonus, incentive, and equity compensation. In its evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considers overall management of the Company, the progress achieved by our drug candidates, the establishment and maintenance of successful relationships with the Company’s various funding and research partners and potential customers and successful relations with the Board of Directors and the shareholders. In its evaluation of the Chief Financial Officer, the Committee considers the Company’s financial performance, the Chief Financial Officer’s role in achieving our financial goals, the Chief Financial Officer’s relationships with the shareholders and potential investors, the Chief Financial Officer’s efforts with respect to financial regulatory compliance (including compliance with NASDAQ rules, the securities laws and all related regulations), and the preparation of and compliance with the Company’s budget. In its evaluation of the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer, the Committee considers achievement of program objectives within budgetary requirements, new grants and other third-party funding obtained, relationships with regulators and current and possible future scientific partners, compliance with grant requirements and management of the Company’s research facility located in Corvallis, OR.
 
Our Compensation Philosophy and Program Objectives
 
     The overall objectives of the Company's compensation program are to attract and retain the best possible executive talent, to motivate these executives to achieve the goals inherent in the Company's business strategy, to maximize the link between executive and stockholder interests through a stock option plan and to recognize individual contributions as well as overall business results. To achieve these objectives, the Company has developed an overall compensation strategy and specific compensation plans that tie a substantial portion of an executive's compensation to performance.
 
Our Executive Compensation Program
 
Overview
 
      The key elements of the Company's compensation program consist of fixed compensation in the form of base salary, and the discretion to award variable compensation in the forms of incentive compensation and stock option awards. The Compensation Committee's policies with respect to each of these elements are discussed below. In addition, while the elements of compensation described below are considered separately, the Compensation Committee takes into account the full compensation package offered by the Company to the individual, including pension benefits, insurance and other benefits, as well as the programs described below.
 
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Base Salary
 
     The compensation philosophy of the Company is to maintain executive base salary at a competitive level to enable the Company to attract and retain executives and key employee talent needed to accomplish the Company’s goals. In determining the appropriate base salary levels and, to a lesser extent, other compensation elements, the Compensation Committee considers the scope of responsibility, prior experience and past accomplishments, and anticipated changes to future job responsibilities, as well as historical practices within the Company. Economic and business conditions affecting the Company are also considered. The Compensation Committee also considers historical levels of salary paid by the Company as well as the provisions in the various executive’s employment contracts with the Company, which contracts are more fully discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement.
 
     Periodic adjustments in base salary may be merit-based with respect to individual performance or tied to the Company’s financial condition or other competitive factors. The Compensation Committee takes into account the effect of any corporate transactions that have been consummated during the relevant year and, where appropriate, also considers non-financial performance measures. These include the Company's competitive position, scientific developments and improvements in relations with employees and investors.
 
     For Dr. Rose, Ms. Dugary and Dr. Hruby, we paid as base salary in 2009 the amounts required under their employment agreements. These amounts were reviewed and set by our Compensation Committee. These base salary levels reflect our Compensation Committee’s subjective judgment, which took into account each executive’s respective position and tenure, our present needs, the executive’s individual performance, achievements and prior contributions and anticipated performance levels.
 
Annual Incentive Compensation
 
     The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may establish cash incentive programs and otherwise award bonuses to executive officers and key employees. Annual incentive compensation to our executive officers is payable pursuant to contractual provisions with certain executives that provide eligibility to receive discretionary bonuses, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors based on the executives’ performance, economic and business conditions affecting the Company, and the financial condition of the Company. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to such amounts. For 2009, Dr. Hruby received a discretionary bonus of $75,000 and no other executive officers received a discretionary bonus. In addition, Dr. Hruby is contractually entitled to certain guaranteed cash bonus payments each year of his current employment agreement. His guaranteed cash bonus for 2009 was $75,000. Ms. Dugary is also contractually entitled to certain guaranteed cash bonus payments. Her guaranteed cash bonus for 2009 was $50,000. Dr. Rose’s employment agreement does not provide for guaranteed bonus payments. We believe that the annual incentive bonuses motivate and encourage our executives to fulfill our objectives and provide us with the opportunity to recognize superior individual performance.
 
Long-Term Incentive Awards
 
     The Compensation Committee believes that granting stock options provides officers and key employees with a strong economic interest in maximizing stock price appreciation over the long term. The Committee also believes that the practice of granting stock options can be useful in retaining and recruiting the key talent necessary to ensure the Company’s continued success. This element of compensation has been governed by the Amended and Restated 1996 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”), which provides for grants of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to our executives, directors and key employees. The Option Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee, which reviews management’s recommendations concerning persons to be granted stock options, and determines the number of stock options to be granted to each such person, and the terms and conditions of any stock options as permitted under the Option Plan. The exercise price of stock options is set by the Compensation Committee and has been at a price at least equal to the market price of the Common Stock on the date of the grant. The options therefore do not have any value to the executive unless the market price of the Common Stock rises, which ensures that the interests of our executives are aligned with those of our shareholders. Through these option grants, we seek to emphasize the importance of improving the performance of our stock price, increasing shareholder value over the long-term. Elsewhere in this proxy, the Board urges that the stockholders approve an updated version of the Option Plan.
 
     Both incentive options (“Incentive Options”) and nonqualified options (“Nonqualified Options”) may be granted under the Option Plan. An Incentive Option is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As such, any Incentive Option granted under the Option Plan will have an exercise price of not less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date on which such option is granted. With respect to an Incentive Option granted to an employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting stock of SIGA or of any parent or subsidiary of SIGA, the exercise price for such option must be at least 110% of the fair market value of the shares subject to the option on the date the option is granted.
 
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     In determining the size of an option grant to a named executive officer, the Compensation Committee considers not only competitive market factors, changes in responsibility and the executive officers’ achievement of pre-established goals, but also the number, term and vesting of options previously granted to the officer. The Compensation Committee may also consider the total compensation package or changes made thereto, when determining whether to make an option award.
 
Additional Benefits and Perquisites
 
     Our officers and key employees are entitled to participate in the benefit plans which are generally available to all employees, including health, dental, life, and accidental disability. For each of these benefit plans, the Company makes contributions to the premiums paid to the plans. The Company also offers a 401(k) defined contribution plan, but it makes no contribution to the 401(k) plan. In each case, we provide these benefits to our executive officers on the same basis as our other employees.
 
Severance and Change in Control Agreements
 
     We also provide some of our executive officers with severance and change in control arrangements in their employment contracts. We believe that severance and change of control packages are a common characteristic of compensation for key executive officers. They are intended to provide our executive officers with a sense of security in making the commitment to dedicate their professional careers to our success. Due to our size relative to other public companies and our operating history, we believe that severance and change in control arrangements are necessary to help us attract and retain necessary skilled and qualified executive officers to continue to grow our business.
 
Our Compensation Policies
 
Section 162(m) Policy
 
     The Compensation Committee has found it unnecessary to consider the applicability of Section 162(m) of the Code because no executive officer receives compensation in excess of one million dollars.
 
Common Share Ownership Requirements
 
     While we have not adopted a formal written policy on common share ownership requirements, part of our compensation philosophy involves common share ownership by our executive officers, because we believe that it helps to align their financial interests with those of our shareholders. We also recognize, on the other hand, that our executive officers cannot acquire more than 10% of our common shares without triggering adverse tax consequences. In addition, we expect our executive officers to abide by the provisions of our 2004 Policy on Confidential Information and Insider Trading.
 
Timing of Awards
 
     Our Compensation Committee has the authority to issue equity awards under our Option Plan. We expect that the Compensation Committee will continue making option awards to our executive officers and key employees when appropriate. The Compensation Committee strives to ensure that any award is made in such a manner to avoid even the appearance of manipulation because of its award date.
 
Financial Restatement
 
     Although we have not adopted a formal written policy, it is our Board of Directors’ informal policy that the Compensation Committee will, to the extent permitted by governing law, have the sole and absolute authority and discretion in consultation with the Board of Directors, to make retroactive adjustments to any cash or equity based incentive payments to executive officers where the payment was based upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of a restatement, without regard to misconduct being involved. If the Compensation Committee chose to exercise this discretion, we would seek to recover any amount determined to have been improperly paid to the executive officer.
 
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Summary Compensation Table
 
     The following table sets forth the total compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
  Change in
Pension
Non- Value and
Equity Nonqualified
Incentive Deferred
Stock Option Plan Compensation All Other
Name and Principal Bonus Awards Awards Compensation Earnings Compensation
Position    Year    Salary ($)    ($)    ($)    (4) ($)    ($)    ($)    ($)    Total ($)
Eric A. Rose, M.D. 2009 400,000 - - - - - - 400,000
Chief Executive 2008 400,000 - - 590,760 - - - 990,760
       Officer (1) 2007 333,750 - - 366,180 - - - 699,930
 
Ayelet Dugary 2009 225,000 50,000 - 135,045 - - - 410,045
Chief Financial 2008 180,000 40,000 - - - - - 220,000
       Officer (2) 2007 180,000 40,000 - 45,773 - - - 265,773
 
Dennis E. Hruby, Ph.D. 2009 275,000 150,000 - 135,045 - - - 560,045
Chief Scientific Officer 2008 250,000 125,000 - - - - - 375,000
2007 250,000 125,000 - 549,270 - - - 924,270
 
Thomas N. Konatich 2009 40,063 125,000 165,063
Former Chief Financial 2008 250,000 60,000 - - - - - 310,000
       Officer (3) 2007 250,000 60,000 - 274,635 - - - 584,635

(1)       Dr. Rose became Chief Executive Officer on March 1, 2007.
 
(2) Ms. Dugary became Acting Chief Financial Officer on February 1, 2009 and Chief Financial Officer on April 29, 2009.
 
(3) Mr. Konatich became Chief Financial Officer on April 1, 1998. Effective January 31, 2009 the Company and Mr. Konatich agreed not to extend the terms of Mr. Konatich’s employment agreement and effective January 31, 2009, Mr. Konatich’s employment with the Company ended.
 
(4) Option awards represent the fair value on the grant date.
 
Salary
 
     The amounts reported in the “Salary” column above represent base salaries paid to each of the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended 2009.
 
Bonus
 
     The amounts reported in the “Bonus” column above for the year ended December 31, 2009, include bonus which was accrued and paid with respect to 2009 performance.
 
Option Awards
 
     The Option Plan was adopted in 1996 and amended in 2001, 2004 and 2005. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Option Plan is 11,000,000. Stock options may be granted to key employees, consultants and outside directors pursuant to the Option Plan.
 
     The Option Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee, which reviews management’s recommendations concerning persons to be granted stock options, and determines the number of stock options to be granted to each such person, and the terms and conditions of any stock options as permitted under the Option Plan. The members of the Compensation Committee are Steven L. Fasman, who serves as Chair, Paul G. Savas, Bruce Slovin, and Michael A. Weiner, M.D. See “Committees of the Board of Directors” above for more information.
 
     Both Incentive Options and Nonqualified Options may be granted under the Option Plan. An Incentive Option is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Option granted under the Option Plan will have an exercise price of not less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date on which such option is granted. With respect to an Incentive Option granted to an employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting stock of SIGA or of any parent or subsidiary of SIGA, the exercise price for such option must be at least 110% of the fair market value of the shares subject to the option on the date the option is granted.
 
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     Options to purchase 7,506,054 shares of Common Stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2009.
 
All Other Compensation
 
     The amount reported in the “All Other Compensation” reflects payments made to Mr. Konatich under a separation and release agreement entered into with Mr. Konatich on January 29, 2009.
 
Grants of Plan Based Awards
 
     During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Compensation Committee recommended the award of 50,000 options to each of Ayelet Dugary, Chief Financial Officer, and Dennis Hruby, Chief Scientific Officer. For each award, the Compensation Committee recommended that the options become exercisable according to the following vesting schedule: 16,666 shall vest on March 5, 2010, 16,667 shall vest on March 5, 2011 and the remaining 16,667 shall vest on March 5, 2012. The Board of Directors approved the award, and all of the aforementioned options have an exercise price of $4.70 per share.
 
     The Compensation Committee determined that it was in the best interest of our Company to issue stock options to motivate the aforementioned executive officers to contribute to our growth and to continue their service with our Company. The number of shares granted to each named executive officer was determined by the Committee based on its consideration of the named executive officer’s individual responsibilities and ability to significantly enhance key company initiatives.
 
     The following table provides a summary regarding plan-based awards granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2009:
 
Grant
Option Awards: Date Fair
Number of Exercise Value of
Securities Price of Stock
Name and Principal Grant Underlying Option Option
Position      Date      Options      Awards      Awards
Ayelet Dugary 03/05/09   50,000   $    4.70 135,045
Dennis E. Hruby, Ph.D.   03/05/09 50,000 $ 4.70 135,045

Employment Agreements
 
     We currently have employment agreements with Dr. Rose, Ms. Dugary and Dr. Hruby. Dr. Rose’s employment agreement became effective as of March 1, 2007 and the most recent amendments to the employment agreements of Ms. Dugary and Dr. Hruby became effective as of March 11, 2009. We have included below descriptions of the current employment agreements of each of these officers, as amended. On January 29, 2009, SIGA and Mr. Konatich agreed not to extend the current term of Mr. Konatich’s employment agreement, and therefore his employment with SIGA terminated effective January 31, 2009.
 
Eric A. Rose – Chief Executive Officer
 
     On January 31, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement with Eric A. Rose, M.D., pursuant to which he became our Chief Executive Officer, effective as of March 1, 2007. The current term of his employment agreement expires on December 31, 2010, and, unless either party provides thirty (30) days notice prior to the end of the term, shall automatically renew for additional one (1) year periods thereafter. Pursuant to the employment agreement, we agree to pay to Dr. Rose an annual base salary of $400,000, subject to any cost of living adjustments as may be approved by our Board of Directors. Dr. Rose is also eligible to receive bonus payments (in either cash or stock options) as may be approved by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. We may terminate his employment agreement (with or without cause), provided that upon any termination by us without cause (including, without limitation, termination without cause upon a change in control), or termination by Dr. Rose for good reason, we will be obligated to continue to pay Dr. Rose’s base salary for one year, and all stock options and other stock-based grants to Dr. Rose shall immediately and irrevocably vest and become exercisable upon the date of termination and shall remain exercisable for a period of not less than one (1) year from the date of termination. Further detail on our severance obligations to Dr. Rose, including the definitions of “cause”, “good reason” and “change in control” is set forth below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control”.
 
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Ayelet Dugary –Chief Financial Officer
 
     On March 11, 2009, we amended Ayelet Dugary’s existing employment agreement, and pursuant to such amendment she became our Acting Chief Financial Officer, effective as of February 1, 2009. On April 29, 2009, Ms. Dugary because our Chief Financial Officer. The current term of Ms. Dugary’s employment agreement expires on January 22, 2011. Pursuant to her employment agreement, as amended, we agree to pay to Ms. Dugary an annual base salary of $225,000, subject to any cost of living adjustments as may be approved by our Board of Directors, and an annual cash bonus of $50,000. Ms. Dugary is also eligible to receive bonus payments (in either cash or stock options) as may be approved by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. We may terminate the employment agreement (with or without cause), provided that upon any termination by SIGA without cause (including, without limitation, termination without cause upon a change in control, as such term is defined in the employment agreement), or termination by Ms. Dugary for good reason (as such term is defined in the employment agreement), SIGA will be obligated to continue to pay Ms. Dugary’s base salary for one year, and all stock options and other stock-based grants to Ms. Dugary shall immediately and irrevocably vest and become exercisable upon the date of termination and shall remain exercisable for a period of not less than one year from the date of termination. In addition, unless either party provides notice of its desire not to renew the Dugary Employment Agreement thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then-current term, the employment Agreement shall automatically renew for additional one (1) year periods. In the event that Ms. Dugary’s employment is not renewed by SIGA upon the expiration of its term, Ms. Dugary will receive severance in an amount equal to her annual base salary at the time of such non-renewal. The agreement also provides that Ms. Dugary shall report to the Board of Directors, SIGA’s Chief Executive Officer or any other executive officer in a position senior to her. All other material terms of the original employment agreement remain unchanged.
 
     Previously Ms. Dugary was employed as SIGA’s Director of Finance and Controller since December 2004, where she was responsible for SIGA’s financial planning and reporting, including SIGA’s SEC filings and communication with the Board of Directors.
 
     Further detail on our severance obligations to Ms. Dugary including the definitions in her current employment agreement of “cause”, “good reason” and “change in control” is set forth below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control”.
 
Dennis E. Hruby – Chief Scientific Officer
 
     On January 22, 2007, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Dr. Dennis E. Hruby, our Chief Scientific Officer, which replaced his prior employment agreement. The current employment agreement expires on January 21, 2011. On March 11, 2009, we amended Dr. Hruby’s employment agreement whereby we agreed to pay Dr. Hruby an annual base salary of $275,000, subject to any cost of living adjustments as may be approved by our Board of Directors, and an annual cash bonus of no less than $75,000 and no more than $150,000. In addition, unless either party provides notice of its desire not to renew the Hruby Employment Agreement thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then-current term, the employment Agreement shall automatically renew for additional one (1) year periods. In the event that Dr. Hruby’s employment is not renewed by SIGA upon the expiration of its term, Dr. Hruby will receive severance in an amount equal to his annual base salary at the time of such non-renewal. The agreement also provides that Dr. Hruby shall report to the Board of Directors, SIGA’s Chief Executive Officer or any other executive officer in a position senior to him. All other material terms of the original employment agreement remain unchanged. Pursuant to his employment agreement, we may terminate his employment agreement (with or without cause), provided that upon any termination by us without cause (including, without limitation, termination without cause upon a change in control), or termination by Dr. Hruby for good reason, we will be obligated to continue to pay Dr. Hruby’s base salary for two years, and all stock options and other stock-based grants to Dr. Hruby shall immediately and irrevocably vest and become exercisable upon the date of termination and shall remain exercisable for a period of not less than two (2) years from the date of termination.
 
     Further detail on our severance obligations to Dr. Hruby including the definitions in his current employment agreement of “cause”, “good reason” and “change in control” is set forth below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control”.
 
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Thomas N. Konatich – Former Chief Financial Officer
 
     On January 29, 2009, SIGA and Mr. Konatich agreed not to extend the current term of Mr. Konatich’s employment agreement, and therefore his employment with SIGA terminated effective January 31, 2009. In connection with Mr. Konatich’s departure, SIGA entered into a Separation and Release Agreement (the “Konatich Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Konatich on January 29, 2009. Pursuant to the Konatich Separation Agreement, Mr. Konatich resigned as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of SIGA, effective January 31, 2009. In addition, all existing employment agreements between SIGA and Mr. Konatich were terminated.
 
     Mr. Konatich continued to receive his base salary for a period of six months following January 31, 2009. In addition, Mr. Konatich elected COBRA continuation coverage for health insurance benefits and SIGA provided to Mr. Konatich health insurance benefits through July 31, 2009. The Konatich Separation Agreement further provided that certain vested stock options granted to Mr. Konatich under the Option Plan, which would otherwise have expired within 90 days of January 31, 2009, be extended until December 31, 2009.
 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
 
     The following table provides certain summary information concerning unexercised options and equity incentive plan awards for each Named Executive Officer as of December 31, 2009.
 
Equity Equity
Incentive Incentive
Plan Plan
Awards: Awards:
Number Market or
Equity Market of Payout
Incentive Value of Unearned Value of
Plan Awards: Number of   Shares or Shares, Unearned
Number of Number of Number of Shares or Units of Units or Shares,
Securities Securities Securities Units of Stock Other Units or
Underlying Underlying Underlying Stock That Rights Other
Name and Unexercised Unexercised Unexercised Option Option That Have Have Not That Rights That
Principal Options (#) Options (#) Unearned Exercise Expiration Not Vested Have Not Have Not
Position    Exercisable    Unexercisable    Options (#)    Price ($)    Date    Vested    (#)    Vested (#)    vested ($)
Eric A. Rose, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer (1)
600,000 - - 2.50 5/3/2011 -   - - -
10,000 - -   1.22   6/2/2015   - -   -   -
10,000 - - 2.72 12/19/2016 - - - -
133,334 - 66,666 3.10 7/26/2017 - - - -
33,334 - 366,666 2.49 11/14/2018 - - - -
Ayelet Dugary
Chief Financial Officer (2)
  140,000   -   - 1.50 12/15/2014 - - - -
16,666 - 8,334 3.10 7/26/2017 - - - -
- - 50,000 4.70 3/5/2019 - - - -
Dennis E. Hruby,
Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer
125,000 - - 2.00 5/25/2010
300,000 - - 2.50 7/23/2012 - - - -
150,000 - - 1.40 6/29/2014 - - - -
66,666 - 233,334 3.10 7/26/2017 - - - -
- - 50,000 4.70 3/5/2019 - - - -

(1)         Dr. Rose became Chief Executive Officer on March 1, 2007.
 
(2) Ms. Dugary became Acting Chief Financial Officer on February 1, 2009 and Chief Financial Officer on April 29, 2009.
 
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
 
     During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, no options were exercised by any of our officers. Our officers did not receive any stock awards during the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Fiscal Year-End Option Values
 
     The following table provides certain summary information concerning stock options held as of December 31, 2009 by SIGA’s Named Executive Officers.
 
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Number of Securities Value of Unexercised In-The-
Underlying Unexercised Money Options At Fiscal Year-
Options # End ($) (1)
     Exercisable      Unexercisable      Exercisable      Unexercisable
Eric A. Rose, M.D. 786,667   433,333 $    2,526,934   -
Ayelet Dugary (2)   136,876 78,124   $ 575,232 -
Dennis E. Hruby, Ph.D.   608,333   316,667 $ 2,214,999 -

(1)         Based upon the closing price on December 31, 2009, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market and the exercise price per option.
 
(2) Ms. Dugary became Acting Chief Financial Officer on February 1, 2009 and Chief Financial Officer on April 29, 2009.
 
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
 
Severance Arrangement for Eric A. Rose
 
     The following table and footnotes describe and quantify the potential payments to Dr. Rose upon termination or change in control, assuming that such termination or change in control was effective as of December 31, 2009:
 
Termination by the
Company without cause Termination by the
(or by the officer for Termination upon death Company due to a
       Dr. Eric A. Rose      good cause)      or disability      change in control
Aggregate monthly cash payments   $    400,000 $    -   $    400,000
Lump sum cash payment -   - -
Value of accelerated stock options   663,588 - 663,588
       Total $ 1,063,588 $ - $ 1,063,588
 
     Pursuant to Dr. Rose’s current employment agreement (which was effective as of March 1, 2007), the following termination and change in control-related circumstances would trigger payments or the provision of other benefits:
     If Dr. Rose’s employment agreement is terminated without cause or if Dr. Rose terminates his employment for good reason, he will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with his employment agreement; (iv) any benefits to which he may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants, (v) the continued payment of his salary for one (1) year; and (vi) the Company shall take all such action as is necessary such that all stock options and other stock-based grants to Dr. Rose shall, immediately and irrevocably vest and become exercisable as of the date of termination and shall remain exercisable for a period of not less than one (1) year from the date of termination.
 
     If Dr. Rose’s employment agreement is terminated within 90 days after the occurrence of a change in control other than for cause, he will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with his employment agreement; (iv) any benefits to which he may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants, (v) the continued payment of his salary for one (1) year; and (vi) the Company shall take all such action as is necessary such that all stock options and other stock-based grants to Dr. Rose shall, immediately and irrevocably vest and become exercisable as of the date of termination and shall remain exercisable for a period of not less than one (1) year from the date of termination.
 
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     If Dr. Rose’s employment is terminated for cause, or if he voluntarily terminates his employment, he will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with his employment agreement; and (iv) any benefits to which he may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants.
 
     If Dr. Rose’s employment is terminated prior to the expiration of the term by reason of death or total disability, his estate or beneficiaries will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with his employment agreement; and (iv) any benefits to which he may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants.
 
Severance Arrangement for Ayelet Dugary
 
     The following table and footnotes describe and quantify the potential payments to Ms. Dugary upon termination, change in control or in the event that her contract is not renewed, assuming that such termination, change in control or non-renewal was effective as of December 31, 2009:
 
Termination by the
Company without cause Termination by the
(or by the officer for Termination upon death Company due to a
       Ayelet Dugary      good cause)      or disability      change in control
Aggregate monthly cash payments   $    225,000 $    -   $    225,000
Lump sum cash payment -     - -
Value of accelerated stock options   150,304 - 150,304
       Total $ 375,304 $ - $ 375,304
 
     Pursuant to Ms. Dugary’s employment agreement, the following termination and change in control-related circumstances would trigger payments or the provision of other benefits:
     If Ms. Dugary’s employment agreement is terminated without cause or if Ms. Dugary terminates her employment for good reason, she will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with her employment agreement; (iv) any benefits to which she may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants, (v) the continued payment of her salary for one (1) year; and (vi) the Company shall take all such action as is necessary such that all stock options and other stock-based grants to Ms. Dugary shall, immediately and irrevocably vest and become exercisable as of the date of termination and shall remain exercisable for a period of not less than one (1) year from the date of termination.
 
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     If Ms. Dugary’s employment agreement is terminated within 90 days after the occurrence of a change in control other than for cause, she will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with her employment agreement; (iv) any benefits to which she may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants, (v) the continued payment of her salary for one (1) year; and (vi) the Company shall take all such action as is necessary such that all stock options and other stock-based grants to Ms. Dugary shall, immediately and irrevocably vest and become exercisable as of the date of termination and shall remain exercisable for a period of not less than one (1) year from the date of termination.
 
     If Ms. Dugary’s employment is terminated for cause, or if she voluntarily terminates her employment, she will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with her employment agreement; and (iv) any benefits to which she may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants.
 
     If Ms. Dugary’s employment is terminated prior to the expiration of the term by reason of death or total disability, her estate or beneficiaries will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with her employment agreement; and (iv) any benefits to which she may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants.
 
     In the event that the Company elects not to renew Ms. Dugary’s employment agreement, she shall be entitled to the continued payment of the Base Salary for one year (such sums to be paid at the times and in the amounts such Base Salary would have been paid had Executive’s employment continued).
 
     No other material changes were made to Ms. Dugary’s severance arrangement.
 
Severance Arrangement for Dennis E. Hruby
 
     The following table and footnotes describe and quantify the potential payments to Dr. Hruby upon termination, change in control or in the event that his contract is not renewed, assuming that such termination, change in control or non-renewal was effective as of December 31, 2009:
 
Termination by the
Company without cause Termination by the
(or by the officer for Termination upon death Company due to a
       Dr. Dennis E. Hruby      good cause)      or disability      change in control
Aggregate monthly cash payments $    550,000 $    - $    550,000
Lump sum cash payment     -   - -
Value of accelerated stock options 562,256 - 562,256
       Total $ 1,112,256 $ - $ 1,112,256
 
     Pursuant to Dr. Hruby’s employment agreement, the following termination and change in control-related circumstances would trigger payments or the provision of other benefits:
     If Dr. Hruby’s employment agreement is terminated without cause or if Dr. Hruby terminates his employment for good reason, he will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with his employment agreement; (iv) any benefits to which he may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants, (v) the continued payment of his salary for two (2) years; and (vi) the Company shall take all such action as is necessary such that all stock options and other stock-based grants to Dr. Hruby shall, immediately and irrevocably vest and become exercisable as of the date of termination and shall remain exercisable for a period of not less than one (1) year from the date of termination.
 
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     If Dr. Hruby’s employment agreement is terminated within 90 days after the occurrence of a change in control other than for cause, he will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with his employment agreement; (iv) any benefits to which he may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants, (v) the continued payment of his salary for two (2) years; and (vi) the Company shall take all such action as is necessary such that all stock options and other stock-based grants to Dr. Hruby shall, immediately and irrevocably vest and become exercisable as of the date of termination and shall remain exercisable for a period of not less than one (1) year from the date of termination.
 
     If Dr. Hruby’s employment is terminated for cause, or if he voluntarily terminates his employment, he will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with his employment agreement; and (iv) any benefits to which he may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants.
 
     If Dr. Hruby’s employment is terminated prior to the expiration of the term by reason of death or total disability, his estate or beneficiaries will be entitled to the following: (i) any accrued but unpaid salary for services rendered through the date of termination (ii) any vacation accrued to the date of termination, in accordance with Company policy; (iii) any accrued but unpaid expenses through the date of termination required to be reimbursed in accordance with his employment agreement; and (iv) any benefits to which he may be entitled upon termination pursuant to the plans, programs and grants referred to in the employment agreement in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs and grants.
 
     In the event that the Company elects not to renew Dr. Hruby’s employment agreement, he shall be entitled to the continued payment of the base salary for one year (such sums to be paid at the times and in the amounts such Base Salary would have been paid had Dr. Hruby’s employment continued).
 
     No other material changes were made to Dr. Hruby’s severance arrangement.
 
Severance Arrangement for Thomas N. Konatich
 
     On January 29, 2009, SIGA and Thomas N. Konatich, SIGA’s Chief Financial Officer, agreed not to extend the current term of Mr. Konatich’s employment agreement, and therefore his employment with SIGA terminated effective January 31, 2009. In connection with Mr. Konatich’s departure, SIGA entered into the Konatich Separation Agreement with Mr. Konatich on January 29, 2009. Pursuant to the Konatich Separation Agreement, Mr. Konatich resigned as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of SIGA, effective January 31, 2009. In addition, all existing employment agreements between SIGA and Mr. Konatich were terminated. Mr. Konatich received his base salary of $20,833 per month for a period of six months following January 31, 2009. In addition, because Mr. Konatich timely elected COBRA continuation coverage for health insurance benefits and Mr. Konatich did not become employed by a third party that provided medical and dental benefits, SIGA provided to Mr. Konatich health insurance benefits through July 31, 2009. The Konatich Separation Agreement further required that certain vested stock options granted to Mr. Konatich under the Option Plan, which would otherwise have expired within 90 days of January 31, 2009, were extended until December 31, 2009.
 
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Other General Terms
 
Circumstances Triggering Payments
 
     “Cause”, “good reason” and “change of control” are defined in Dr. Rose, Ms. Dugary, and Dr. Hruby’s current employment agreement as follows:
 
“Cause” generally includes:
“Good reason” generally includes:
a “Change in Control” is deemed to occur upon:
     Pursuant to each of their respective current employment agreements, during the respective terms thereof plus an additional twenty-four months thereafter, Dr. Rose, Ms. Dugary and Dr. Hruby have agreed not to engage in any competitive business with us or to induce our employees to terminate their employment or to solicit our customers. We agree to indemnify each of them under their respective employment agreements for liabilities incurred because of their employment and to provide each of them with the full protection of any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained generally for the benefit of our officers.
 
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
     The following table sets forth certain compensation plan information with respect to both equity compensation plans approved by security holders and equity compensation plans not approved by security holders as of December 31, 2009:
 
Number of securities
remaining available for
Number of securities Weighted-average future issuance under
to be issued upon exercise price of equity compensation
exercise of outstanding plans (excluding
outstanding options, options, warrants securities reflected in
Plan Category warrants and rights and rights column (a))
     (a)      (b)      (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) 6,124,917 $    2.76 584,464
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders   125,000   $ 2.00   -
Total 6,249,917 $ 2.74 584,464

(1)         The Option Plan.
 
(2) A total of 2,630,983 options awarded under the plan were previously exercised by their holders.
 
     As of December 31, 2009, there were no outstanding options that had been awarded outside of the Company’s equity compensation plan.
 
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Director Compensation
 
     During the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, the directors of SIGA received Total Compensation under the Option Plan as shown in the following table.
 
  Non-Equity Nonqualified
Fees Earned Option Incentive Plan Deferred All Other
or paid in Stock Awards (9) Compensation Compensation Compensation
Name      Cash ($)      Awards ($)      ($)      ($)      earnings ($)      ($)
James J. Antal (2) (3) 15,500 - 40,883 - - -
Michael J. Bayer (2) 6,000 40,883
Thomas E. Constance 8,000 - 40,883 - - -
Steven L. Fasman (4) 13,000 - 40,883 - - -
Scott M. Hammer, M.D. 6,000 - 40,883 - - -
Joseph W. Marshall, III (1) 6,000 79,161   - - -
Adnan M. Mjalli, Ph.D. (7) 2,000 -   40,883 - - -
Mehmet C. Oz, M.D. (8) 5,000 - 40,883 - - -
Eric A. Rose, M.D. (5)   -   - - - - -
Paul G. Savas (2) (4) 22,500 - 40,883 -   -   -
Judy S. Slotkin 6,500 - - - - -
Bruce Slovin (2) (4) 14,000 - 40,883 - - -
Michael Weiner, M.D. (3) (4) 11,500 - 40,883 - - -

(1)         Mr. Marshall was elected to serve on the Board of Directors on March 11, 2009.
 
(2) Member of the Audit Committee
 
(3) Member of the Nominating Committee
 
(4) Member of the Compensation Committee
 
(5) Chairman of the Board
 
(6) Ms. Slotkin served on the Board of Directors until May 13, 2009.
 
(7) Dr. Mjalli served on the Board of Directors until December 15, 2009.
 
(8) Dr. Oz served on the Board of Directors until January 12, 2010.
 
(9) Option awards represent the fair value on the grant date.
 
     The aggregate number of stock option awards held by each of the directors at December 31, 2009, and the number of stock option awards granted in the current fiscal year are shown in the following table:
 
Total Option
Awards
Option Awards Outstanding at
During the Current December 31, 2009
Name      Year (#)      (#)
James J. Antal 10,000 75,000
Michael J. Bayer 10,000 35,000
Thomas E. Constance 10,000 265,000
Steven L. Fasman 10,000   45,000
Scott M. Hammer, M.D.   10,000 55,000
Joseph W. Marshall, III 35,000 35,000
Adnan M. Mjalli, Ph.D. 10,000 75,000
Mehmet C. Oz, M.D. 10,000 150,000
Eric A. Rose, M.D. - 786,668
Paul G. Savas 10,000 75,000
Bruce Slovin 10,000 35,000
Michael Weiner, M.D. 10,000 60,000

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Director Fees and Equity Compensation
 
     Directors who are not currently receiving compensation as officers or employees of the Company or any of its affiliates receive $1,000 per meeting for board meetings and will be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in connection with serving on our Board of Directors. The chairman of each of the Audit Committee, Nominating Committee, and the Compensation Committee will each receive $1,000 per meeting for meetings of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Compensation Committee, respectively. All other members of the respective committees will receive $500 per meeting for meetings of the committees.
 
     Non-employee directors will receive an initial grant of 25,000 options, upon such non-employee director's first election to the Board of Directors, which such options will be granted under the Option Plan. In addition, non-employee directors will receive an annual grant of 10,000 options under the Option Plan, made at each Annual Meeting and commencing with the 2005 Annual Meeting. All such options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying SIGA shares on the date of grant.
 
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TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
 
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
 
     The Company’s policies and procedures for reviewing, approving, and ratifying transactions with related persons are set forth in a written policy.
 
     Under these procedures, at each calendar year’s first regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting, management recommends related party transactions be entered into by the Company for that calendar year, including the proposed aggregate value of such transactions, if applicable. After review, the Audit Committee either approves or disapproves such transactions, and at each subsequently scheduled meeting, management is required to update the Audit Committee as to any material change to those proposed transactions.
 
     Further, in the event management recommends any further related party transactions subsequent to the first calendar year meeting, such transactions may be presented to the Audit Committee for approval or preliminarily entered into by management subject to ratification by the Audit Committee; provided that, if ratification shall not be forthcoming, management shall make all reasonable efforts to cancel or annul such transactions.
 
     In addition, with respect to any related party transaction that includes a compensation component, management will submit the terms of such proposed compensation (or any subsequent material changes to such compensation) to the Compensation Committee for its review. After its review, the Compensation Committee either approves or disapproves the compensation component of the related party transaction and informs management and the Audit Committee of such approval or disapproval.
 
Transactions with Related Persons
 
     Based on information provided by the directors and the executive officers, the Audit Committee determined that there were no related person transactions to be reported in this proxy statement other than:
 
     Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, the Company’s legal counsel, billed the Company for legal services provided to the Company. One of our directors, Thomas Constance, is a partner at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
 
     On June 19, 2008, SIGA entered into a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”), with MacAndrews & Forbes LLC (“M&F”), a related party, for M&F’s commitment to invest (the “Investment Commitment”), at SIGA’s discretion, up to $8 million over a one-year period (the “Investment Period”) in exchange for (i) SIGA common stock at per share price equal to the lesser of (A) $3.06 or (B) the average of the volume-weighted average price per share for the 5 trading days immediately preceding each funding date, and (ii) warrants to purchase 40% of the number of SIGA shares acquired by M&F, exercisable at 115% of the common stock purchase price on such funding date (the “Consideration Warrants”). The Consideration Warrants will be exercisable for up to 4 years following the issuance of such warrants. M&F has the option, during the Investment Period, to invest in the Company under the same investment terms (the “Investment Option”).
 
     On April 29, 2009, SIGA and M&F entered into a letter agreement (the “Extension Agreement”) extending the Investment Period of the Company’s Letter Agreement with M&F through June 19, 2010 and increasing the number of draws pursuant to the Investment Commitment and the Investment Option to no more than six. On April 30, 2009, the Company issued M&F 490,196 shares of common stock and 196,078 warrants to acquire common stock in exchange for total proceeds of $1.5 million. The warrants are exercisable until April 30, 2013, for an exercise price of $3.519 per share. On September 17, 2009, the Company issued M&F 326,797 shares of common stock and 130,719 warrants to acquire common stock in exchange for total proceeds of $1.0 million. The warrants are exercisable until September 17, 2013, for an exercise price of $3.519 per share. As of December 31, 2009, $5.5 million of the commitment remains outstanding.
 
     In addition, in consideration for the commitment of M&F, on June 19, 2008, M&F received warrants to purchase 238,000 shares of SIGA common stock, exercisable at $3.06 (the “Commitment Warrants”). The Commitment Warrants are exercisable until June 19, 2012. The Company initially recorded all costs related to the Letter Agreement, including the fair value of the Commitment Warrants, as deferred transaction costs. Upon the issuance of common stock and warrants to purchase shares of common stock on April 30, 2009, the Company recorded a reduction in its additional paid-in capital for the effect of the related transaction costs.
 
     On December 1, 2009 the Company entered into an Office Service Agreement with an affiliate of M&F to occupy office space for approximately $8,000 per month. The agreement is cancelable upon 60 days notice by SIGA or the affiliate.
 
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PROPOSAL NO. 2
 
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
     The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as SIGA’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of SIGA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, and recommends that stockholders vote for ratification of this appointment. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has audited SIGA’s financial statements since January 1997. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions. The affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast on such proposal in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
 
     If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection of auditors. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year, if it determines that such change would be in the best interests of SIGA and its stockholders.
 
Audit Fees
 
     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed SIGA $390,600 in the aggregate, for professional services rendered and expenses incurred by them for the audit of SIGA’s annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, reviews of the interim financial statements included in SIGA’s Forms 10-Q filed during the year ended December 31, 2009 and consents and reviews of various documents filed with the SEC during the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed SIGA $324,000 in the aggregate, for professional services rendered and expenses incurred by them for the audit of SIGA’s annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, reviews of the interim financial statements included in SIGA’s Forms 10-Q filed during the year ended December 31, 2008 and consents and reviews of various documents filed with the SEC during the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Audit Related Fees
 
     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed SIGA $230,800 in the aggregate, for audit related services rendered by them during the year ended December 31, 2009, related to the audit of our government grants.
 
     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed SIGA $20,000 in the aggregate, for audit related services rendered by them during the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Tax Fees
 
     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not render any professional services for tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning during either of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 or December 31, 2008.
 
All Other Fees
 
     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed SIGA $2,400 in the aggregate for a subscription to technical accounting software during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009.
 
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
     The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services, and other services.
 
     SIGA did not make use in fiscal year 2009 of the rule that waives pre-approval requirements for non-audit services in certain cases if the fees for these services constitute less than 5% of the total fees paid to the auditor during the year.
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS SIGA’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010 (ITEM 2 OF THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD).
 
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PROPOSAL 3
 
SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 2010 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 
Background and Reasons for Adoption
 
     The Board of Directors has adopted the SIGA Technologies, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders at the Annual Meeting. The purpose of the Plan is to update and supersede the Amended and Restated 1996 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan in order to establish a flexible vehicle through which the Company may offer equity-based compensation incentives to eligible personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries in order to attract, motivate, reward and retain such personnel and to further align the interests of such personnel with those of the Company’s stockholders. The following description of the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such Plan, which is set forth in Annex A to this proxy statement.
 
General Description of the Plan
 
     Awards. The Plan authorizes the grants of non-qualified stock options (“NQOs”), incentive stock options (“ISOs”), shares of restricted stock and shares of unrestricted stock (collectively, NQOs, ISOs, restricted stock and unrestricted stock are referred to as “Awards”). Under the Plan, the Company may deliver authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, treasury shares of Common Stock, and shares of Common Stock acquired by the Company for the purposes of the Plan.
 
     Maximum Number of Shares. A maximum of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock are available for grants pursuant to Awards under the Plan. The following shares of Common Stock shall again become available for Awards under the Plan: any shares subject to an Award under the Plan that remain unissued upon the cancellation or termination of the Award for any reason; any shares of restricted stock that are forfeited, provided that any dividends paid on such shares are also forfeited; any shares in respect of an Award that is settled for cash and any shares subject to an Award that are withheld or surrendered in order to pay the exercise price or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to the Award. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which any individual may be granted Awards during any one calendar year is 1,000,000 shares.
 
     Administration. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, or such other committee or subcommittee as the Board of Directors appoints (the “Committee”). If the Committee does not exist, or for any other reason determined by the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may act as the Committee. The Committee or the Board of Directors may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to designate the individuals (from among those eligible to receive Awards, other than such officer(s) themselves) who will receive Awards under the Plan, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The Committee determines the key persons who will receive Awards, the type of Awards granted, and the number of shares subject to each Award. The Committee also determines the prices, expiration dates and other material features of Awards. The Committee has the authority to interpret and construe any provision of the Plan and to adopt such rules and regulations for administering the Plan as it deems necessary or appropriate. All decisions and determinations of the Committee are final, binding and conclusive. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award.
 
     Eligibility. Officers, directors (including non-employee directors), and salaried employees of, and consultants to, the Company and its subsidiaries, as the Committee in its sole discretion shall select, are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. As of March 31, 2010, the Company believes approximately 60 individuals are eligible to participate in the Plan. However, the granting of Awards is discretionary and it is not possible to determine how many individuals actually will receive Awards under the Plan.
 
     Termination of Plan. No Award may be granted under the plan after the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Plan.
 
     Power to Amend. The Board of Directors may, at any time, suspend or discontinue the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever. The Board of Directors will determine whether any amendment should be subject to the approval of the stockholders of the Company.
 
     The Committee may, in its sole discretion, without amending the Plan, amend any Award in any manner, including to (i) accelerate the date on which an Award becomes exercisable or vested, (ii) waive any condition imposed with respect to an Award, or (iv) waive any forfeiture or expiration of an Award in connection with a termination of employment. No amendment or modification to the Plan or any Award may impair the grantee’s rights under any previously granted and outstanding Award without the consent of the grantee.
 
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Summary of Awards Available Under the Plan
 
     Non-Qualified Stock Options. The exercise price per share of each NQO granted under the Plan is determined by the Committee on the grant date and will not be less than the fair market value of a share of Stock on the grant date. Each NQO is exercisable for a term, not to exceed ten years, established by the Committee on the grant date. The exercise price must be paid in cash or, subject to the approval of the Committee, in shares of Stock valued at their fair market value on the date of exercise or by such other method as the Committee may from time to time prescribe.
 
     The Plan contains provisions applicable to the exercise of NQOs subsequent to a grantee’s termination of employment for “cause,” other than for cause, or due to “disability” (as each such term is defined in the Plan) or death. These provisions apply unless the Committee establishes alternative provisions with respect to an Award. In general, these provisions provide that NQOs that are not exercisable at the time of such termination shall expire upon the termination of employment and NQOs that are exercisable at the time of such termination shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the expiration of their original term and (i) in the event of a grantee’s termination other than for cause, the expiration of 90 days after such termination of employment and (ii) in the event of a grantee’s disability or death, the first anniversary of such termination. In the event the Company terminates the grantee’s employment for cause, all NQOs held by the grantee, whether or not then exercisable, terminate immediately as of the commencement of business on the termination of employment date.
 
     Stock options generally are not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, except that the Committee may permit transfers to the grantee’s family members or trusts for the benefit of family members.
 
     Incentive Stock Options. Generally, ISOs are options that may provide certain federal income tax benefits to a grantee not available with NQOs. An ISO has the same Plan provisions as a NQO, except that:
     Restricted Stock. Prior to the vesting of any restricted shares, the shares are not transferable by the grantee and are forfeitable. Vesting of the shares may be based on continued employment with the Company and/or upon the achievement of specific performance goals, as the Committee determines on the grant date. The Committee, at the time that shares of restricted stock are granted, may impose additional conditions to the vesting of the shares. Unvested shares of restricted stock are forfeited upon a grantee’s termination of employment for any reason.
 
     Unrestricted Stock. Shares of Stock may be granted by the Committee and may be payable at such times and subject to such conditions as the Committee determines; provided that any such awards to officers or directors shall involve a number of shares determined by the Committee as being reasonable and shall be identified as being granted in lieu of salary or cash bonus.
 
Certain Corporate Changes
 
     The Plan provides that in the event of a change in the capitalization of the Company, a stock dividend or split, a merger or combination of shares and certain other similar events, there will be an adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock available to be delivered under the Plan, the number of shares subject to Awards, and the exercise prices of certain Awards. The Plan also provides for the adjustment or termination of Awards upon the occurrence of certain corporate events.
 
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Tax Withholding
 
     The Plan provides that a grantee may be required by the Committee to meet certain tax withholding requirements by remitting to the Company cash or, if the Committee approves, through the withholding of shares otherwise payable to the grantee.
 
New Plan Benefits
 
     Since no Awards have been made under the Plan and since Awards under the Plan are wholly discretionary, amounts payable under the Plan are not determinable at this time.
 
Summary of Federal Tax Consequences
 
     The following is a brief description of the federal income tax treatment that will generally apply to Awards under the Plan based on current federal income tax rules.
 
     Non-Qualified Options. The grant of an NQO will not result in taxable income to the grantee. Except as described below, the grantee will realize ordinary income at the time of exercise in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock acquired over the exercise price for those shares, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Gains or losses realized by the grantee upon disposition of such shares will be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such Common Stock equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise.
 
     Incentive Stock Options. The grant of an incentive stock option will not result in taxable income to the grantee. The exercise of an incentive stock option will not result in taxable income to the grantee provided that the grantee was, without a break in service, an employee of the Company or a subsidiary during the period beginning on the date of the grant of the option and ending on the date three months prior to the date of exercise (one year prior to the date of exercise if the grantee is disabled, as that term is defined in the Code). The excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of the exercise of an incentive stock option over the exercise price is an adjustment that is included in the calculation of the grantee’s alternative minimum taxable income for the tax year in which the incentive stock option is exercised.
 
     If the grantee does not sell or otherwise dispose of the Common Stock within two years from the date of the grant of the incentive stock option or within one year after the transfer of such Common Stock to the grantee, then, upon disposition of such Common Stock, any amount realized in excess of the exercise price will be taxed to the grantee as capital gain and the Company will not be entitled to a corresponding deduction. A capital loss will be recognized to the extent that the amount realized is less than the exercise price.
 
     If the foregoing holding period requirements are not met, the grantee will generally realize ordinary income at the time of the disposition of the shares, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) the excess, if any, of the amount realized upon disposition of the shares over the exercise price and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. If the amount realized exceeds the value of the shares on the date of exercise, any additional amount will be capital gain. If the amount realized is less than the exercise price, the grantee will recognize no income, and a capital loss will be recognized equal to the excess of the exercise price over the amount realized upon the disposition of the shares. The Company will be entitled to a deduction to the extent that the grantee recognizes ordinary income because of a disqualifying disposition.
 
     Restricted Stock. The grant of restricted stock will not result in taxable income at the time of grant and the Company will not be entitled to a corresponding deduction, assuming that the restrictions constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” for federal income tax purposes. Upon the vesting of shares of restricted stock, the holder will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the then fair market value of those shares, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Gains or losses realized by the grantee upon disposition of such shares will be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such shares equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of vesting. Dividends paid to the holder during the restriction period, if so provided, will also be compensation income to the grantee and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. A grantee may elect pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code to have income recognized at the date of grant of a restricted stock award and to have the applicable capital gain holding period commence as of that date, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.
 
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     Unrestricted Stock. The grant of unrestricted stock will result in taxable income for the recipient at the time of grant in an amount equal to the then fair market value of those shares and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Gains or losses realized by the grantee upon disposition of such shares will be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such shares equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of grant.
 
     $1 Million Limit. Section 162(m) of the Code disallows a federal income tax deduction for certain compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid to each of the Company’s chief executive officer and its four other most highly compensated executive officers. Stock options generally are exempt from this limitation.
 
     Change in Control. Any acceleration of the vesting or payment of Awards under the Plan caused by an event of a change in control in the Company may cause part or all of the consideration involved to be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under the Code, which may subject the grantee to a 20% excise tax and preclude deduction by the Company.
 
     Tax Advice. The preceding discussion is based on federal tax laws and regulations presently in effect, which are subject to change, and the discussion does not purport to be a complete description of the federal income tax aspects of the Plan. A grantee may also be subject to state and local taxes in connection with the grant of Awards under the Plan.
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ADOPTION OF THE SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 2010 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (ITEM 3 OF THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD).
 
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ANNEX A
 
SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
2010 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 
I. General
 
     a) Purpose
 
          The purpose of the SIGA Technologies, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to establish a flexible vehicle through which SIGA Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), may offer equity-based compensation incentives to eligible personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries in order to attract, motivate, reward and retain such personnel and to further align the interests of such personnel with those of the stockholders of the Company.
 
     b) Administration
 
          1. Administration by Committee; Constitution of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or such other committee or subcommittee as the Board may designate (the “Committee”). The members of the Committee shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board. If the Committee does not exist, or for any other reason determined by the Board, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.
 
          2. Committee’s Authority. The Committee shall have the authority to (i) exercise all of the powers granted to it under the Plan, (ii) construe, interpret and implement the Plan and any award certificates issued under the Plan, (iii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules governing its own operations, (iv) make all determinations necessary or advisable in administering the Plan, (v) correct any defect, supply any omission and reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, and (vi) amend the Plan to reflect changes in applicable law.
 
          3. Committee Action; Delegation. Actions of the Committee shall be taken by the vote of a majority of its members. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, any action may be taken by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Committee members, and action so taken shall be fully as effective as if it had been taken by a vote at a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan, the Committee (or the Board acting instead of the Committee), may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to designate the individuals (other than such officer(s)), among those eligible to receive awards pursuant to the terms of the Plan, who will receive rights or options under the Plan and the size of each such grant, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
 
          4. Determinations Final. The determination of the Committee on all matters relating to the Plan or any award under the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive.
 
          5. Limit on Committee Members’ Liability. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any award thereunder.
 
     c) Persons Eligible for Awards
 
          The persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan are those officers, directors (whether or not they are employed by the Company), and salaried employees of, and consultants to, the Company and any direct or indirect subsidiaries (collectively, “key persons”) as the Committee in its absolute discretion shall select.
 
     d) Types of Awards Under Plan
 
          Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of (a) incentive stock options, (b) non-qualified stock options, (c) restricted stock and (d) unrestricted stock, all as more fully set forth in Article II. The term “award” means any of the foregoing. No incentive stock option may be granted to a person who is not an employee of the Company or one of its subsidiary corporations on the date of grant.
 
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     e) Shares Available for Awards; Adjustments to Awards
 
          6. Aggregate Number Available; Certificate Legends. Subject to adjustment as provided under Section 1.5(d)(i) below, the total number of shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) with respect to which awards may be granted pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed the sum of 2,000,000 shares. Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued Common Stock, authorized and issued Common Stock held in the Company’s treasury or Common Stock acquired by the Company for the purposes of the Plan. The Committee may direct that any stock certificate evidencing shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting forth such restrictions on transferability as may apply to such shares.
 
          7. Individual Limits. Except as provided in this Section 1.5(b), no provision of this Plan shall be deemed to limit the number or value of shares otherwise available for awards under the Plan with respect to which the Committee may make awards to any one eligible person. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 1.5(d)(i) hereof, the total number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which awards may be granted to any one employee of the Company or a subsidiary during any one calendar year shall not exceed 1,000,000 shares. Stock options and stock appreciation rights granted and subsequently canceled or deemed to be canceled in a calendar year shall count against this limit even after their cancellation.
 
          8. Certain Shares to Become Available Again. The following shares of Common Stock shall again become available for awards under the Plan: (i) any shares that are subject to an award under the Plan and that remain unissued upon the cancellation or termination of such award for any reason whatsoever, (ii) any shares subject to awards that are settled in cash, (iii) any shares subject to an award that are withheld or surrendered in order to pay the exercise or purchase price under an award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations associated with the exercise, vesting or settlement of an award and (iv) any shares of restricted stock forfeited pursuant to the terms of the Plan or the award, provided that any dividends paid on such shares are also forfeited.
 
          9. Adjustments to Available Shares and Existing Awards Upon Changes in Common Stock or Certain Other Events. Upon certain changes in Common Stock or other corporate events, the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance with respect to awards that may be granted under the Plan, and that are the subject of existing awards, shall be adjusted or shall be adjustable, as follows:
 
     (a) Shares Available for Grants. In the event of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding by reason of any stock dividend or split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares or similar corporate change, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Committee may grant awards under Section 1.5(a) above and the annual individual limit under Section 1.5(b) above, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee. In the event of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding by reason of any other event or transaction, the Committee may, but need not, make such adjustments in the maximum number and class of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Committee may grant awards under Section 1.5(a) above and the annual individual limit under Section 1.5(b) above, in each case as the Committee may deem appropriate.
 
     (b) Outstanding Restricted Stock. Unless the Committee in its absolute discretion otherwise determines, any securities or other property (including dividends paid in cash) received by a grantee with respect to a share of restricted stock, which has not yet vested, as a result of any dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares or otherwise, will not vest until such share of restricted stock vests, and shall be promptly deposited with the Company.
 
     (c) Outstanding Options – Increase or Decrease in Issued Shares Without Consideration. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event of any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares of Common Stock or the payment of a stock dividend (but only on the shares of Common Stock), or any other increase or decrease in the number of such shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Committee shall proportionally adjust the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each outstanding option and the exercise price-per-share of Common Stock of each such option to the extent necessary to prevent the enlargement or dilution of rights with respect to such options.
 
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     (d) Outstanding Options – Certain Mergers. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, in the event that the Company shall be the surviving corporation in any merger or consolidation (except a merger or consolidation as a result of which the holders of shares of Common Stock receive securities of another corporation), each option outstanding on the date of such merger or consolidation shall pertain to and apply to the securities which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such option would have received in such merger or consolidation.
 
     (e) Outstanding Options – Certain Other Transactions. In the event of (1) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (2) a merger or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or (3) a merger or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the holders of shares of Common Stock receive securities of another corporation and/or other property, including cash, the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, either:
 
     (i) cancel, effective immediately prior to such event (whether or not prior to the occurrence of such event, each option outstanding is exercisable), and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the grantee to whom such option was granted an amount in cash, for each share of Common Stock subject to such option, equal to the excess of (x) the value, as determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion, of the property (including cash) received by the holder of a share of Common Stock as a result of such event over (y) the exercise price of such option;
 
     (ii) Cause all options, whether or not otherwise exercisable, to be fully exercisable on a date at least 10 days prior to the completion of such event, and to expire as of the completion of such event; or
 
     (iii) if the acquiring or successor entity is publicly traded on a major securities exchange, provide for the exchange of each option outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then exercisable) for an option with respect to, as appropriate, the number of shares of stock in such acquiring or successor entity which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such option would have received and, incident thereto, make an equitable adjustment as determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion in the exercise price of the option or the number of shares or amount of property subject to the option or, if appropriate, provide for a cash payment to the grantee to whom such option was granted in partial consideration for the exchange of the option.
 
     (f) Outstanding Options – Other Changes. In the event of any change in the capitalization of the Company or a corporate change other than those specifically referred to in Section 1.5(d)(iii), (iv) or (v) above, the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares subject to options outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in the per-share exercise price of each such option as the Committee may consider appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. In addition, if and to the extent the Committee determines it is appropriate, the Committee may elect to cancel each option outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then exercisable), and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the grantee to whom such option was granted an amount in cash, for each share of Common Stock subject to such option, equal to the excess of (x) the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the date of such cancellation over (y) the exercise price of such option.
 
     (g) No Other Rights. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no grantee shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to an award or the exercise price of any option.
 
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     f) Definitions of Certain Terms
 
          10. The term “Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in any employment agreement between the Participant and the Company in effect as of the date the event giving rise to cause occurred. In the absence of such an employment agreement provision, “Cause” shall mean: (i) the Participant's conviction of any crime (whether or not involving the Company) constituting a felony in the jurisdiction involved; (ii) conduct of the Participant related to the Participant's employment for which either criminal or civil penalties against the Participant or the Company may be sought; (iii) material violation of the Company's policies, including, without limitation, those relating to sexual harassment, the disclosure or misuse of confidential information, or those set forth in Company manuals or statements of policy; (iv) serious neglect or misconduct in the performance of the Participant's duties for the Company or willful or repeated failure or refusal to perform such duties; or (v) any material violation by the Participant of the terms of any agreement between the Participant and the Company, including, without limitation, any employment or non-competition agreement. Any rights the Company may have hereunder in respect of the events giving rise to Cause shall be in addition to the rights the Company may have under any other agreement with a Participant or at law or in equity. Any determination of whether a Participant's employment is (or is deemed to have been) terminated for Cause shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. If, subsequent to a Participant's termination of employment (whether voluntary or involuntary) without Cause, it is discovered that the Participant's employment could have been terminated for Cause, such Participant's employment shall be deemed to have been terminated for Cause. A Participant's termination of employment for Cause shall be effective as of the date of the occurrence of the event giving rise to Cause, regardless of when the determination of Cause is made.
 
          11. The term “employment” shall be deemed to mean an employee’s employment with, or a consultant’s provision of services to, the Company or any Company subsidiary and each Board member’s service as a Board member.
 
          12. The “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock on any day shall be the last sale price on such date on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or, if no reported sales take place on the applicable date, the average of the high bid and low asked price of Common Stock on such date or, if no such quotation is made on such date, on the next preceding day on which there were quotations, provided that such quotations shall have been made within the ten (10) business days preceding the applicable date, and if there is no such quotation, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee in a manner consistently applied.
 
          13. The term “incentive stock option” means an option that is intended to qualify for special federal income tax treatment pursuant to sections 421 and 422 of the Code as now constituted or subsequently amended, or pursuant to a successor provision of the Code, and which is so designated in the applicable award certificate. Any option that is not specifically designated as an incentive stock option shall under no circumstances be considered an incentive stock option. Any option that is not an incentive stock option is referred to herein as a “non-qualified stock option”.
 
          14. In relation to the Company, the term “subsidiary corporation” shall be defined in accordance with sections 424(f) of the Code.
 
          15. A grantee shall be deemed to have “terminated employment” on (i) the date the grantee ceases to be employed by, or to provide consulting services for, the Company or any Company subsidiary, or any corporation (or any of its subsidiaries) which assumes the grantee’s award in a transaction to which section 424(a) of the Code applies; or (ii) the date the grantee ceases to be a Board member, provided, however, that in the case of a grantee (x) who is, at the time of reference, both an employee or consultant and a Board member, or (y) who ceases to be engaged as an employee, consultant or Board member and immediately is engaged in another of such relationships with the Company or any Company subsidiary, the grantee shall be deemed to have a “termination of employment” upon the later of the dates determined pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 1.6(f). For purposes of clause (i) of this Section 1.6(f), a grantee who continues his or her employment or consulting relationship with a Company subsidiary subsequent to its sale by the Company shall have a termination of employment upon the date of such sale. The Committee may in its absolute discretion determine whether any leave of absence constitutes a termination of employment for purposes of the Plan and the impact, if any, of any such leave of absence on awards theretofore made under the Plan.
 
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II. Awards Under the Plan
 
     g) Certificates Evidencing Awards
 
     Each award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written certificate (“award certificate”) which shall contain such provisions as the Committee may in its absolute discretion deem necessary or desirable. By accepting an award pursuant to the Plan, a grantee thereby agrees that the award shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable award certificate.
 
     h) Terms of Stock Options
 
          16. Stock Option Grants. The Committee may grant incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options (collectively, “options”) to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company, to such key persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its absolute discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan.
 
          17. Option Exercise Price. Each award certificate with respect to an option shall set forth the amount (the “option exercise price”) payable by the grantee to the Company upon exercise of the option evidenced thereby. The option exercise price per share shall be determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion; provided, however, that the option exercise price shall be at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the option is granted, and provided further that in no event shall the option exercise price be less than the par value of a share of Common Stock.
 
          18. Exercise Period. The exercise of an option shall be subject to the following:
 
     (a) Ten-Year Limit. No stock option shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date of grant.
 
     (b) Vesting. The Committee shall determine and set forth in the applicable award certificate the date or dates on which such option shall become vested, which may be based on continued employment and/or the achievement of specified performance goals.
 
     (c) Beginning of Exercise Period. An option will be exercisable when it vests, and may be exercised in whole or in part.
 
     (d) End of Exercise Period. Unless the applicable award certificate otherwise provides, once an installment becomes exercisable, it shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (A) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of the award or (B) the expiration, cancellation or termination of the award.
 
     (e) Termination of Employment – Generally. Except as otherwise provided below in this Section 2.2(c), or in the applicable award certificate, upon a Participant’s termination of employment, the following shall apply:
 
     (iv) Generally. If a Participant’s employment terminates for any reason other than death, disability or cause, then: (x) all options not yet exercisable as of the date of such termination shall expire on the date of such termination and (y) all options that are exercisable as of the date of such termination shall remain exercisable for the 90-day period following such termination of employment.
 
     (v) Death or Disability. If a Participant’s employment terminates due to the Participant’s death or disability, then: (x) all options not yet exercisable as of the date of such termination shall expire on the date of such termination and (y) all options that are exercisable as of the date of such termination shall remain exercisable until the first anniversary of the Participant’s termination of employment.
 
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     (vi) Cause. If a Participant’s employment is terminated for cause, all options not theretofore exercised shall terminate upon the commencement of business on the date of the Participant’s termination of employment.
 
     (vii) Restrictions on Exercise Following Death. Any exercise of an option following a grantee’s death shall be made only by the grantee’s executor or administrator or other duly appointed representative reasonably acceptable to the Committee, unless the grantee’s will specifically disposes of such option, in which case such exercise shall be made only by the recipient of such specific disposition. If a grantee’s personal representative or the recipient of a specific disposition under the grantee’s will shall be entitled to exercise any option pursuant to the preceding sentence, such representative or recipient shall be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable award certificate which would have applied to the grantee.
 
     (f) Special Rules for Incentive Stock Options. No option that remains exercisable for more than three months following a grantee’s termination of employment for any reason other than death (including death within three months after the termination of employment or within one year after a termination due to disability) or disability, or for more than one year following a grantee’s termination of employment as the result of disability, may be treated as an incentive stock option.
 
          19. Incentive Stock Options: $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the stock with respect to which incentive stock options are first exercisable by any employee during any calendar year shall exceed $100,000, or such higher amount as may be permitted from time to time under section 422 of the Code, such options shall be treated as non-qualified stock options.
 
          20. Incentive Stock Options: 10% Owners. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.2, an incentive stock option may not be granted under the Plan to an individual who, at the time the option is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of his or her employer or of its parent or subsidiary (as such ownership may be determined for purposes of section 422(b)(6) of the Code) unless (i) at the time such incentive stock option is granted the option exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the shares subject thereto and (ii) the incentive stock option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of 5 years from the date it is granted.
 
     i) Exercise of Options
 
     Subject to the other provisions of this Article II, each option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable as follows:
 
          21. Notice of Exercise. An option shall be exercised by the filing of a written notice with the Company or the Company’s designated exchange agent (the “exchange agent”), on such form and in such manner as the Committee shall in its absolute discretion prescribe.
 
          22. Payment of Exercise Price. Any written notice of exercise of an option shall be accompanied by payment for the shares being purchased. Such payment shall be made: (i) by certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Company or its exchange agent) for the full option exercise price; or (ii) with the consent of the Committee, by delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the grantee (whether acquired by option exercise or otherwise, provided that if such shares were acquired pursuant to the exercise of a stock option, they were acquired at least six months prior to the option exercise date or such other period as the Committee may from time to time determine) having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the exercise date) equal to all or part of the option exercise price and a certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Company or its exchange agent) for any remaining portion of the full option exercise price; (iii) by means of a brokered cashless exercise; or (iv) at the discretion of the Committee and to the extent permitted by law, by such other provision, consistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee may from time to time prescribe.
 
          23. Delivery of Certificates Upon Exercise. Promptly after receiving payment of the full option exercise price, the Company or its exchange agent shall deliver to the grantee or to such other person as may then have the right to exercise the option, certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock for which the option has been exercised or shall establish an account evidencing ownership of such shares in uncertificated form. If the method of payment employed upon option exercise so requires, and if applicable law permits, a grantee may direct the Company, or its exchange agent, as the case may be, to deliver the stock certificate(s) to the grantee’s stockbroker.
 
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          24. No Shareholder Rights. No grantee of an option (or other person having the right to exercise such option) shall have any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to shares subject to such option until the issuance of a stock certificate to such person for such shares or the establishment of such account. Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.5(d) above, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, securities or other property) for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued or such account is established.
 
     j) Compensation in Lieu of Exercise of an Option
 
     Upon written application of the grantee of an option, the Committee in its absolute discretion may determine to substitute, for the exercise of such option, compensation to the grantee not in excess of the difference between the option exercise price and the Fair Market Value of the shares covered by such written application on the date of such application. Such compensation shall be in shares of Common Stock, and the payment thereof may be subject to conditions, all as the Committee shall determine in its absolute discretion. In the event compensation is substituted pursuant to this Section 2.4 for the exercise, in whole or in part, of an option, the number of shares subject to the option shall be reduced by the number of shares for which such compensation is substituted.
 
     k) Transferability of Options
 
     Except as otherwise provided in an applicable award certificate evidencing an option, during the lifetime of a grantee, each option granted to a grantee shall be exercisable only by the grantee and no option shall be assignable or transferable otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempt to transfer any option other than as permitted herein shall be void and immediately cancelled, and no such option shall in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of any person who shall be entitled to such option, nor shall any option be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such person. The Committee may, in any applicable award certificate evidencing an option (other than an incentive stock option to the extent inconsistent with the requirements of section 422 of the Code applicable to incentive stock options), permit a grantee to transfer all or some of the options to (A) the grantee’s spouse, children or grandchildren (“immediate family members”), (B) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such immediate family members, or (C) other parties approved by the Committee in its absolute discretion. Following any such transfer, any transferred options shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the transfer, and the transferee shall be subject to all obligations under the Plan as if such person were the grantee.
 
     l) Grant of Restricted Stock
 
          25. Restricted Stock Grants. The Committee may grant restricted shares of Common Stock to such key persons, in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its absolute discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan. Restricted stock awards may be made independently of or in connection with any other award under the Plan. A grantee of a restricted stock award shall have no rights with respect to such award unless such grantee accepts the award within such period as the Committee shall specify by accepting delivery of an award certificate in such form as the Committee shall determine and, in the event the restricted shares are newly issued by the Company, makes payment to the Company or its exchange agent in an amount at least equal to the par value of the shares as required by the Committee and in accordance with the applicable Delaware law.
 
          26. Issuance of Stock Certificate(s). Promptly after a grantee accepts a restricted stock award, the Company or its exchange agent shall issue to the grantee a stock certificate or stock certificates for the shares of Common Stock covered by the award or shall establish an account evidencing ownership of the stock in uncertificated form. Upon the issuance of such stock certificate(s) or establishment of such account, the grantee shall have the rights of a shareholder with respect to the restricted stock, subject to: (i) the nontransferability restrictions and forfeiture provision described in Sections 2.6(d) and 2.6(e) below; (ii) in the Committee’s absolute discretion, a requirement that any dividends paid on such shares shall be held in escrow until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed; and (iii) any other restrictions and conditions contained in the applicable award certificate.
 
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          27. Custody of Stock Certificate(s). Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, any stock certificates issued evidencing shares of restricted stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such shares are free of any restrictions specified in the applicable award certificate. The Committee may direct that such stock certificate(s) bear a legend setting forth the applicable restrictions on transferability and that any such account include electronic coding indicating such restrictions.
 
          28. Nontransferability. Shares of restricted stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or the applicable award certificate. The Committee at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates (which may depend upon or be related to a period of continued employment with the Company, the attainment of performance goals or other conditions or a combination of such conditions) on which the nontransferability of the restricted stock shall lapse.
 
          29. Forfeiture Upon Termination of Employment. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee at any time prior to a grantee’s termination of employment, a grantee’s termination of employment for any reason (including death) shall cause the immediate forfeiture of all shares of restricted stock that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination of employment. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, all dividends paid on such shares also shall be forfeited, whether by termination of any escrow arrangement under which such dividends are held, by the grantee’s repayment of dividends received directly, or otherwise.
 
     m) Grant of Unrestricted Stock
 
     The Committee may grant (or sell at a purchase price at least equal to par value) shares of Common Stock free of restrictions under the Plan, to such key persons and in such amounts as the Committee shall determine in its absolute discretion. Shares may be thus granted or sold in respect of past services or other valid consideration.
 
     n) Right of Recapture
 
     If at any time after the date on which a grantee has been granted or become vested in an award pursuant to the achievement of performance goals, the Committee determines that the earlier determination as to the achievement of the performance goals was based on incorrect data and that in fact the performance goals had not been achieved or had been achieved to a lesser extent than originally determined, then (i) any award or portion of an award granted based on such incorrect determination shall be forfeited, (ii) any award or portion of an award that became vested based on such incorrect determination shall be deemed to be not vested, and (iii) any amounts paid to the grantee based on such incorrect determination shall be paid by the grantee to the Company upon notice from the Company.
 
III. Miscellaneous
 
     o) Amendment of the Plan; Modification of Awards
 
          30. Amendment of the Plan. The Board may from time to time suspend, discontinue, revise or amend the Plan in any respect whatsoever, except that no such amendment shall materially impair any rights or materially increase any obligations under any award theretofore made under the Plan without the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the person having the right to exercise the award). For purposes of this Section 3.1, any action of the Board or the Committee that in any way alters or affects the tax treatment of any award or that in the absolute discretion of the Board is necessary to prevent an award from being subject to tax under Section 409A of the Code shall not be considered to materially impair any rights of any grantee. The Board shall determine, in its absolute discretion, whether to submit any amendment of the Plan to stockholders for approval; in making such determination it is expected that the Board will take into account the prerequisites for favorable tax treatment to the Company and grantees of awards made under the Plan, and such other considerations as the Board deems relevant.
 
          31. Modification of Awards. The Committee may cancel any award under the Plan. The Committee also may amend any outstanding award certificate, including, without limitation, by amendment which would: (i) accelerate the time or times at which the award becomes unrestricted or vested or may be exercised; (ii) waive or amend any goals, restrictions or conditions set forth in the award certificate; or (iii) waive or amend any applicable provision of the Plan or award certificate with respect to the termination of the award upon termination of employment, provided however, that no such amendment may lower the exercise price of an outstanding option. However, any such cancellation or amendment (other than an amendment pursuant to Section 1.5(d)) above that materially impairs the rights or materially increases the obligations of a grantee under an outstanding award shall be made only with the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the person having the right to exercise the award).
 
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     p) Consent Requirement
 
          32. No Plan Action without Required Consent. If the Committee shall at any time determine that any Consent (as defined in Section 3.2(b) below) is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the granting of any award under the Plan, the issuance or purchase of shares or exercise of other rights thereunder, or the taking of any other action thereunder (each such action being hereinafter referred to as a “Plan action”), then such Plan action shall not be taken or permitted, in whole or in part, unless and until such Consent shall have been effected or obtained to the full satisfaction of the Committee.
 
          33. Consent Defined. The term “Consent” as used herein with respect to any Plan action means (i) any and all listings, registrations or qualifications in respect thereof upon any securities exchange or under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, (ii) any and all written agreements and representations by the grantee with respect to the disposition of shares, or with respect to any other matter, which the Committee shall deem necessary or desirable to comply with the terms of any such listing, registration or qualification or to obtain an exemption from the requirement that any such listing, qualification or registration be made and (iii) any and all consents, clearances and approvals in respect of a Plan action by any governmental or other regulatory bodies.
 
          34. Representations, Legend. The Committee may require as a condition to the receipt of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an award under the Plan that the grantee or any other person receiving shares pursuant to the award represent that such person is not acquiring the shares with a view to distribution thereof and to make such other securities law related representations as the Committee shall request. In addition to any legend required by the Plan, any certificate representing Common Stock acquired in respect of an award may bear such legends as the Company deems advisable to assure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
 
     q) Nonassignability
 
          35. General. Except as expressly provided herein or by the terms of an award certificate: (a) no award or right granted to any person under the Plan or under any award certificate shall be assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; and (b) all rights granted under the Plan or any award certificate shall be exercisable during the life of the grantee only by the grantee or the grantee’s legal representative.
 
          36. Payment to Minors, Etc. Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent person or other person incapable of receipt thereof shall be deemed paid when paid to such person's guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Committee, the Board, the Company, its affiliates and their employees, agents and representatives with respect thereto.
 
     r) Requirement of Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code
 
     If any grantee shall, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan, make the election permitted under section 83(b) of the Code (i.e., an election to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in section 83(b)), such grantee shall notify the Company of such election within 10 days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Code section 83(b).
 
     s) Requirement of Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code
 
     Each grantee of an incentive stock option shall notify the Company of any disposition of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of such option under the circumstances described in section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), within 10 days of such disposition.
 
     t) Withholding Taxes
 
          37. With Respect to Cash Payments. Whenever cash is to be paid pursuant to an award under the Plan, the Company shall be entitled to deduct therefrom an amount sufficient in its opinion to satisfy all federal, state and other governmental tax withholding requirements related to such payment.
 
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          38. With Respect to Delivery of Common Stock. Whenever shares of Common Stock are to be delivered pursuant to an award under the Plan, the Company shall be entitled to require as a condition of delivery that the grantee remit to the Company an amount sufficient in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all federal, state and other governmental tax withholding requirements related thereto. With the approval of the Committee, which the Committee shall have absolute discretion whether or not to give, the grantee may satisfy the foregoing condition by electing to have the Company withhold from delivery shares having a value equal to the amount of tax to be withheld. Such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash. Such a withholding election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the shares to be delivered pursuant to an award.
 
     u) Employment Provisions
 
          39. Right of Discharge Reserved. Nothing in the Plan or in any award certificate shall confer upon any grantee the right to continue employment with the Company or any affiliated entity or affect any right which the Company or any affiliated entity may have to terminate such employment.
 
          40. Confidentiality. The acceptance of an award by a grantee shall be deemed to be a covenant by the grantee that he or she will not disclose to anyone outside the Company or its affiliates, or use in any manner other than in the furtherance of the Company's or its affiliate's business, without written authorization from the Company, any confidential information or proprietary information relating to the business of the Company or its affiliates that is acquired by a grantee prior to the grantee's termination of employment.
 
     v) Nature of Payments
 
          41. Consideration for Services Performed. Any and all grants of awards and issuances of shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be in consideration of services performed for the Company by the grantee.
 
          42. Not Taken into Account for Benefits. All such grants and issuances shall constitute a special incentive payment to the grantee and shall not be taken into account in computing the amount of salary or compensation of the grantee for the purpose of determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit-sharing, bonus, life insurance or other benefit plan of the Company or under any agreement between the Company and the grantee, unless such plan or agreement specifically otherwise provides.
 
     w) Non-Uniform Determinations
 
     The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who receive, or who are eligible to receive, awards under the Plan (whether or not such persons are similarly situated). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled, among other things, to make non-uniform and selective determinations, and to enter into non-uniform and selective award certificates, as to (a) the persons to receive awards under the Plan, (b) the terms and provisions of awards under the Plan, and (c) the treatment of leaves of absence pursuant to Section 1.6(f) above.
 
     x) Severability of Provisions
 
     If any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.
 
     y) Other Payments or Awards
 
     Nothing contained in the Plan shall be deemed in any way to limit or restrict the Company from making any award or payment to any person under any other plan, arrangement or understanding, whether now existing or hereafter in effect.
 
     z) Headings
 
     Any Article, Section or other subdivision headings contained herein are for the purpose of convenience only and are not intended to expand, limit or otherwise define the contents of such subdivisions.
 
46
 


     aa) Effective Date and Term of Plan
 
          43. Adoption; Shareholder Approval. The Plan was adopted by the Board on May 13, 2010, subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders. All awards under the Plan prior to such shareholder approval are subject in their entirety to such approval. If such approval is not obtained prior to the first anniversary of the date of adoption of the Plan, the Plan and all awards thereunder shall terminate on that date.
 
          44. Termination of Plan. Unless sooner terminated by the Board or pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the provisions of the Plan respecting the grant of any award pursuant to which shares of Common Stock will be granted shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date of the Plan’s adoption by the Board. All awards made under the Plan prior to the termination of the Plan shall remain in effect until such awards have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable award certificates.
 
     bb) Restriction on Issuance of Stock Pursuant to Awards
 
     The Company shall not permit any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to awards granted under the Plan unless such shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable, within the meaning of applicable law.
 
     cc) Governing Law
 
     Except to the extent preempted by any applicable federal law, the Plan will be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.
 
47
 


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
     Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in our proxy materials for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received at our principal executive offices, 35 East 62nd Street, New York, New York 10065, Attention: Secretary, not later than December 12, 2010. In order to avoid controversy, stockholders should submit proposals by means, including electronic means, that permit them to prove the date of delivery. Such proposals must comply with SIGA’s By-Laws and the requirements of Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act.
 
     If a stockholder intends to present a proposal for consideration at the next annual meeting outside of the processes of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, we must receive notice of such proposal at the address given above by February 26, 2011. If not received by such date, such notice will be considered untimely under Rule 14a-4(c)(1) under the Exchange Act, and our proxies will have discretionary voting authority with respect to such proposal, if presented at the annual meeting. We will not be required to include any such proposal in our proxy materials.
 
     The deadlines described above are calculated by reference to the mailing date of the proxy materials for this year’s annual meeting. If the date of next year’s annual meeting is more than 30 days earlier or later than the anniversary of this year’s meeting, SIGA will, in a timely manner, inform stockholders of such change and the effect of such change on the deadlines given above by including a notice in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, one of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, a Current Report on Form 8-K or by any other means reasonably calculated to inform stockholders.
 
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
     Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires SIGA’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of SIGA’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish SIGA with copies of all Section 16(a) reports that they file.
 
     Based solely upon review of the copies of such reports furnished to SIGA and written representations from certain of SIGA’s executive officers and directors that no other such reports were required, SIGA believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, no director failed to file on a timely basis a report relating to a transaction as required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except that Dr. Weiner belatedly filed two reports in connection with thirteen transactions involving the sale of shares of common stock.
 
AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL REPORT AND FORM 10-K TO STOCKHOLDERS
 
     SIGA’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2009 accompanies this proxy statement. SIGA will provide to any stockholder, upon written request and without charge, a copy of its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements, as filed with the SEC. All requests for such reports should be directed to the Chief Financial Officer, 35 East 62nd Street, New York, New York 10065, telephone number (212) 672-9100.
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
     At the date of this proxy statement, management was not aware that any matters not referred to in this proxy statement would be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters should come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies in accordance with their best judgment, unless otherwise restricted by law.
 
48
 


“Householding” of Proxy Materials
 
     The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding”, potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. We and some brokers household proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement or annual report to multiple stockholders sharing an address, unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or us that they or we will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement or annual report, please notify us by sending a written request to SIGA Technologies, Inc., 35 East 62nd Street, New York, New York 10065 or by calling us at (212) 672-9100. You may also notify us to request delivery of a single copy of our annual report or proxy statement if you currently share an address with another stockholder and are receiving multiple copies of our annual report or proxy statement.
 
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
 
Ayelet Dugary
Secretary

Dated:   April 12, 2010
 
49
 


ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
May 13, 2010
 
Directions to offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
 
By Air
There are three major airports in the metropolitan area: LaGuardia Airport (which is closest in the NYC Borough of Queens), John F. Kennedy International Airport (on Long Island) and Newark International Airport (in Newark, NJ). From each of these airports, you can take a taxi to and from the office.
 
From Penn Station (Hub for Long Island Railroad, Amtrak and some NJ Transit Trains)
Walk north on Seventh Avenue to 45th Street and make a right onto 45th Street. Walk one avenue east to Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue). 1177 Avenue of the Americas is on your near left corner of 45th.
 
From Port Authority (Hub for NJ Transit Buses and Some Out of Town Buses such as Greyhound)
Walk north on Eighth Avenue to 45th Street and make a right onto 45th Street. Walk three avenues east to Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue). 1177 Avenue of the Americas is on your near left corner of 45th.
 
From Grand Central Station (Hub for Metro North - Connecticut and Westchester)
Walk west two and a half avenues up 42nd Street to Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue). Make a right on 42nd Street and Avenue of the Americas. Walk three blocks north on Avenue of Americas to #1177.
 
Nearest Subway Stations
The B, D, F and Q trains all go to 47th and 50th Streets/Rockefeller Center. The A, C, 7, 1, 2, 3, N, and R trains all go to 42nd Street/Times Square (Broadway and Seventh Avenues). The 4, 5, and 6 trains all go to Grand Central Terminal (42nd-45th Streets between Lexington and Madison Avenues).
 
Parking
The two nearest parking garages are the garage on 46th Street, between 7th Avenue and Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue), right before the Muse Hotel, and the Grace Building Garage on 43rd Street and Avenue of the Americas.
 
The office is located between 45th and 46th Streets. Reception is on the 29th Floor.
 


SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 13, 2010
 
     The undersigned hereby appoints each of Eric Rose and Ayelet Dugary as attorney and proxy of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all of the shares of stock of SIGA Technologies, Inc. which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SIGA Technologies, Inc. to be held at the offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 29th floor, New York, New York 10036, on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. (local time), and at any and all postponements, continuations and adjournments thereof, with all powers that the undersigned would possess if personally present, upon and in respect of the following matters and in accordance with the following instructions, with discretionary authority as to any and all other matters that may properly come before the meeting.
 
UNLESS A CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL NO. 1, “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010, AND “FOR” THE ADOPTION OF THE SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 2010 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AS MORE SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT. IF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH.
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED BELOW, “FOR” THE SELECTION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010, AND “FOR” THE ADOPTION OF THE SIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 2010 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.
 
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE: x
 
1.       To elect ten directors.
 
o   FOR ALL NOMINEES
         
o   WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES
 
o   FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below)
   
NOMINEES:       ¡       Eric A. Rose, M.D.
 
    ¡ James J. Antal
 
¡ Michael J. Bayer
 
¡ Thomas E. Constance
 
¡ Steven L. Fasman
 
¡ Scott M. Hammer, M.D.



                                ¡       Joseph W. Marshall, III
 
¡   Paul G. Savas
 
¡   Bruce Slovin
 
¡   Michael A. Weiner, M.D.

     
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: l
 
2.  
To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of SIGA Technologies, Inc. for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.
 
  o  FOR o  AGAINST o  ABSTAIN
 
3.  
To adopt the SIGA Technologies, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan.
 
  o  FOR o  AGAINST o  ABSTAIN

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IT MAY BE REVOKED PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE.
 
RECEIPT OF NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT IS HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED, AND THE TERMS OF THE NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROXY. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REVOKES ALL PROXIES HERETOFORE GIVEN FOR SAID MEETING OR ANY AND ALL ADJOURNMENTS, POSTPONEMENTS AND CONTINUATIONS THEREOF.
 
PLEASE VOTE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE WHICH IS POSTAGE PREPAID IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
 
 

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. o
 
Signature of Stockholder:            
Date:  
   
Signature of Stockholder:
Date:  

PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS ON THIS PROXY. WHERE SHARES ARE HELD JOINTLY, EACH HOLDER SHOULD SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE AS SUCH. IF SIGNER IS A CORPORATION, PLEASE SIGN IN FULL CORPORATE NAME BY DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICER, GIVING FULL TITLE AS SUCH. IF SIGNER IS A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN IN FULL PARTNERSHIP NAME BY AUTHORIZED PERSON.