Company: BOLT
Filing Date: 2025-04-16
Form Type: PRE 14A
Source: 0000950170-25-054405
Chunk: 18

Company: Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-04-16
Form: PRE 14A
Chunk 18
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 the following directors are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards: Drs. Dupont and Onetto, Mr. O’Callaghan, and Mses. LaPorte and Berner. In making this determination, the Board found that none of these directors or nominees for director had a material or other disqualifying relationship with the Company. Mr. Quinn is not considered independent because he is our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Board previously affirmatively determined that Edgar G. Engleman, M.D., James I. Healy, M.D., Ph.D., Frank D. Lee, Mahendra G. Shah, Ph.D. and Randall C. Schatzman, Ph.D. each of whom served on the Board during 2024 were independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers.

Board Leadership Structure

In May 2024, Mr. O’Callaghan was appointed independent, non-executive Chair of the Board. Mr. O’Callaghan possesses significant knowledge and experience in our industry and a deep understanding of our strategic objectives, all of which will benefit the Company during the year ahead. We believe that the separation of the positions of the Chair and chief executive officer reinforces the independence of the Board in its oversight of our business and affairs. In addition, we believe that having an independent Chair creates an environment that is more conducive to the Board’s objective evaluation and oversight of management’s performance, increasing management accountability, and improving the ability of the Board to monitor whether management’s actions are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, including with respect to evaluating whether steps management is taking to manage risks are appropriate for the Company. Mr. O’Callaghan’s responsibility is to ensure that our Board functions properly and to work with our chief executive officer to set the Board’s agenda. Accordingly, he has substantial ability to shape the work of the Board. We expect him to facilitate communications among our directors and between the Board and senior management. While Mr. O’Callaghan provides independent leadership, he also works closely with our chief executive officer to ensure that our directors receive the information that they need to perform their responsibilities, including discussing and providing critical review of the matters that come before the Board and assessing management’s performance. As a result, we believe that such separation can enhance the effectiveness of our Board as a whole. We believe that the leadership structure of our Board is appropriate