Company: STAA
Filing Date: 2025-09-26
Form Type: DEFA14A
Source: 0001193125-25-219844
Chunk: 33

Company: STAAR SURGICAL CO
Filing Date: 2025-09-26
Form: DEFA14A
Chunk 33
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 6 directors STAAR’s Independent Board Conducted an Extensive Review Received voting support from Broadwood at 2025 Annual Meeting, with each receiving an affirmative vote of at least 97% of votes cast ALL directors Recommended by Broadwood, including STAAR’s CEO 3 directors Between Jan. 1 – Aug. 4, 2025 20+ Board meetings STAAR’s Board Chair is a leading ophthalmologist and past president of ASCRS, and has had previous consulting arrangements with many companies in the eye care and medical device industry in addition to Alcon, including Johnson & Johnson, Bausch + Lomb, Carl Zeiss, and others STAAR was notified of the Board Chair’s prior consulting arrangements, which are a matter of public record, when she joined the STAAR Board, and the Board was reminded of previous arrangements at the August 2, 2025 Board meeting Consulting arrangement with Alcon was not a significant engagement; Board Chair received fees which, in the last 7 years, had not exceeded $90,000 per year STAAR’s Board Chair terminated her consulting arrangement with Alcon in October 2024 and accordingly has not received any consulting fees from Alcon since November 2024 STAAR’s Board Chair recused herself from the August 2 Board meeting and, in her absence, the Board determined that she did not have an interest in Alcon or the potential transaction with Alcon that would impair her ability to exercise her independent business judgment

Broadwood has stated an intent to recruit and nominate new directors. Given Broadwood’s significant input on the Board and management team and strategic direction of STAAR over 30+ years, it is unclear how STAAR’s other stockholders would benefit from even greater control by Broadwood Broadwood supported the Board and acknowledged its “understanding of shareholder alignment and deep understanding of the global medical device industry,” but quickly turned against the Board when it made a decision that Broadwood did not support STAAR has worked collaboratively with Broadwood for many years Broadwood has provided significant input on the composition of the STAAR Board and management team, including recommending three of the Board’s current six members and voting for all of STAAR’s directors at STAAR’s 2025 Annual Meeting Broadwood has supported STAAR’s CEO since his appointment to the Board in 2016 and following his appointment as CEO in 2025 Broadwood has had regular and frequent access to STAAR’s Board and management, including numerous meetings and calls STAAR believes Broadwood wants significant