On April 7, 2021 Sesen Bio (Nasdaq: SESN), a late-stage clinical company developing targeted fusion protein therapeutics for the treatment of patients with cancer, reported that leading independent proxy advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. ("ISS") and Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC ("Glass Lewis") have both recommended Sesen Bio’s (the "Company") stockholders vote "FOR" the proposal to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock by 200 million ("Proposal 2") which is on the ballot for the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 3, 2021 (the "Annual Meeting") (Press release, Sesen Bio, APR 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234577698]).

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ISS and Glass Lewis are widely recognized as leading independent voting advisory firms. Their impartial analyses and reports are developed with the objective of delivering transparency to help investors make informed investment decisions.

Notably, ISS stated in its report that support for Proposal 2 is warranted given that the proposed increase in the number of authorized shares is reasonable and that there is a specific and severe risk to stockholders if Proposal 2 is not approved.

Glass Lewis also concluded in its report that the proposed increase in the number of authorized shares is reasonable, citing the relatively limited amount of shares currently available to the Company (only 7% of its issued share capital as of March 18, 2021, which is the record date for the Annual Meeting). As part of its methodology, Glass Lewis undertakes an analysis to ensure that the additional shares are truly needed.

"The ISS and Glass Lewis recommendations are consistent with our view that an increase in the number of authorized shares is both needed and in the best interest of our stockholders," said Dr. Thomas Cannell, president and chief executive officer of Sesen Bio. "We have not requested an increase since going public in 2014, and we believe the requested increase will allow us to execute on our strategy as we transition into a commercial, revenue generating company. We are committed to issue shares to support our strategic initiatives which we believe drive value for stockholders, such as the planned commercialization of Vicineum and advancing our promising pipeline."

Since the proposed increase to the number of authorized shares of common stock will not affect the number of shares outstanding, it will not by itself have a dilutive effect on the Company’s current stockholders. Sesen Bio believes this increase will be enough to achieve corporate profitability, and therefore the Company is hopeful this may be the last time it needs to request additional shares.

Sesen Bio’s stockholders are encouraged to vote as ISS and Glass Lewis recommend by voting "FOR" the proposed increase in authorized shares. Voting will be open through the conclusion of the Annual Meeting on May 3, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. EDT. Stockholders with questions about how to vote may contact the Company’s proxy solicitor, Okapi Partners, at (888) 785-6709 or [email protected].

Stockholders who have already voted and want to change their vote can update their vote at any time – Sesen Bio will count your vote in accordance with the last instruction received prior to the closing of the polls.

ISS and Glass Lewis are independent proxy advisory firms and do not have any business relationship with Sesen Bio. Sesen Bio did not engage or compensate either firm for their analysis or recommendations.

Where to Find Additional Information

On March 25, 2021, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC in connection with the Annual Meeting (such proxy statement and any supplements or amendments thereto, "the Annual Meeting Proxy Materials"). The Annual Meeting Proxy Materials contain important information about the Annual Meeting. Stockholders are urged to read the Annual Meeting Proxy Materials carefully. Stockholders are able to obtain free copies of the Annual Meeting Proxy Materials and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov and at View Source The Company, its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in respect of the Annual Meeting. Detailed information regarding the identity of participants, and their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise, are set forth in the definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting.

1This amount is preliminary and is subject to change upon completion of the Company’s financial statements for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021.

About Vicineum

Vicineum, a locally administered fusion protein, is Sesen Bio’s lead product candidate being developed for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Vicineum is comprised of a recombinant fusion protein that targets epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antigens on the surface of tumor cells to deliver a potent protein payload, Pseudomonas Exotoxin A. Vicineum is constructed with a stable, genetically engineered peptide tether to ensure the payload remains attached until it is internalized by the cancer cell, which is believed to decrease the risk of toxicity to healthy tissues, thereby improving its safety. In prior clinical trials conducted by Sesen Bio, EpCAM has been shown to be overexpressed in NMIBC cells with minimal to no EpCAM expression observed on normal bladder cells. Sesen Bio is currently in the follow-up stage of a Phase 3 registration trial in the US for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. In February 2021, the FDA accepted for filing the Company’s BLA for Vicineum for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC and granted the application Priority Review with a PDUFA date of August 18, 2021. Additionally, Sesen Bio believes that cancer cell-killing properties of Vicineum promote an anti-tumor immune response that may potentially combine well with immuno-oncology drugs, such as checkpoint inhibitors. For this reason, the activity of Vicineum in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC is also being explored at the US National Cancer Institute in combination with AstraZeneca’s immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab.