Exhibit 14.1

 

DELMAR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

CODE OF ETHICS AND BUSINESS CONDUCT

 

A goal of DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is to promote professional and ethical conduct with respect to its business practices worldwide. This code provides ethical standards to which all of our executive officers, including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers, our directors, our financial managers and all employees are expected to adhere and promote regarding individual and peer responsibilities, and responsibilities to other employees, the Company, the public and other stakeholders.

 

Any waiver of the Code may only be implemented by the Board of Directors and a notice of such must be sent to the shareholders and security regulators.

 

1. TREAT IN AN ETHICAL MANNER THOSE TO WHOM WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION

 

We are committed to honesty, just management, fairness, the provision of a safe and healthy environment free from the fear of retribution, and respecting the dignity due everyone.

 

For the communities in which we live and work we are committed to observe sound environmental business practices and to act as concerned and responsible neighbors, reflecting all aspects of good citizenship.

 

For our shareholders we are committed to pursuing sound growth and earnings objectives and to exercising prudence in the use of our assets and resources.

 

For our suppliers and partners we are committed to fair competition and the sense of responsibility required of a good customer and teammate.

 

2. PROMOTE A POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT

 

All employees want and deserve a workplace where they feel respected, satisfied, and appreciated. We respect cultural diversity and will not tolerate harassment, bullying or discrimination of any kind -- especially involving race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, and veteran or marital status.

 

Providing an environment that supports honesty, integrity, respect, trust, responsibility, and citizenship permits us the opportunity to achieve excellence in our workplace. While everyone who works for the Company must contribute to the creation and maintenance of such an environment, our executives and management personnel assume special responsibility for fostering a work environment that is free from the fear of retribution and will bring out the best in all of us. Supervisors must be careful in words and conduct to avoid placing, or seeming to place, pressure on subordinates that could cause them to deviate from acceptable ethical behavior.

 

 

All employees must report if they know about or have reasonable grounds to suspect any unethical, dishonest or corrupt conduct.

 

3. PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR FELLOW EMPLOYEES, AND THE WORLD WE LIVE IN

 

We are committed to providing a drug-free, safe and healthy work environment, and to observing environmentally sound business practices. We will strive, at a minimum, to do no harm and where possible, to make the communities in which we work a better place to live. Each of us is responsible for compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.

 

4. KEEP ACCURATE AND COMPLETE RECORDS

 

We must maintain accurate and complete Company records. Transactions between the Company and outside individuals and organizations must be promptly and accurately entered in our books in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices and principles. No one should rationalize or even consider misrepresenting facts or falsifying records. It will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action.

 

5. OBEY THE LAW

 

We will conduct our business in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Compliance with the law does not comprise our entire ethical responsibility. Rather, it is a minimum, absolutely essential condition for performance of our duties. In conducting business, we shall:

 

5a. STRICTLY ADHERE TO ALL COMPETITION LAWS

 

Officer, directors and employees must strictly adhere to all antitrust and related competition and antimonopoly laws. Such laws exist in the United States, Canada and other countries where the Company may conduct business. These laws prohibit practices in restraint of trade such as price fixing and boycotting suppliers or customers. They also bar pricing intended to run a competitor out of business; disparaging, misrepresenting, or harassing a competitor; stealing trade secrets; bribery; and kickbacks.

 

5b. STRICTLY COMPLY WITH ALL SECURITIES LAWS

 

We must always be alert to and comply with the securities laws and regulations of the United States, Canada, and other countries where the Company may conduct its business.

 

 

5c. DO NOT ENGAGE IN SPECULATIVE OR INSIDER TRADING

 

United States law and Company policy prohibits officers, directors and employees, directly or indirectly through their families or others, from purchasing or selling company stock while in the possession of material, non-public information concerning the Company. This same prohibition applies to trading in the stock of other publicly held companies on the basis of material, non-public information. To avoid even the appearance of impropriety, Company policy also prohibits officers, directors and employees from trading options on the open market in Company stock under any circumstances.

 

Material, non-public information is any information that could reasonably be expected to affect the price of a stock. If an officer, director or employee is considering buying or selling a stock because of inside information they possess, they should assume that such information is material. It is also important for the officer, director or employee to keep in mind that if any trade they make becomes the subject of an investigation by the government, the trade will be viewed after-the-fact with the benefit of hindsight. Consequently, officers, directors and employees should always carefully consider how their trades would look from this perspective.

 

Two simple rules can offer some protection in this area: (1) Do not use non-public information for personal gain. (2) Do not pass along such information to someone else who has no need to know.

 

This guidance also applies to the securities of other companies for which you receive information in the course of your employment.

 

5d. BE TIMELY AND ACCURATE IN ALL PUBLIC REPORTS

 

We must be fair and accurate in all reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Our officers, directors and management are responsible for ensuring that all reports are filed in a timely manner and that they fairly present the financial condition and operating results of the Company.

 

Securities laws are vigorously enforced. Violations may result in severe penalties including significant fines against the Company. There may also be sanctions against individual employees including substantial fines and prison sentences.

 

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will certify to the accuracy of reports filed with the SEC in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Officers and Directors who knowingly or willingly make false certifications may be subject to criminal penalties or sanctions including fines and imprisonment.

 

 

6. AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

Our officers, directors and employees have an obligation to give their complete loyalty to the best interests of the Company. They should avoid any action that may involve, or may appear to involve, a conflict of interest with the company. Officers, directors and employees should not have any financial or other business relationships with suppliers, customers or competitors that might impair, or even appear to impair, the independence of any judgment they may need to make on behalf of the Company.

 

EXAMPLES OF “CONFLICT OF INTEREST” THAT COULD ARISE:

 

- Employment by a competitor, or potential competitor, regardless of the nature of the employment, while employed by us.

 

- Acceptance of gifts, payment, or services from those seeking to do business with us.

 

- Placement of business with a firm owned or controlled by an officer, director or employee or his/her family.

 

- Ownership of, or substantial interest in, a company that is a competitor, client or supplier.

 

- Acting as a consultant to one of our customers, clients or suppliers.

 

- Seeking the services or advice of an accountant or attorney who has provided services to us.

 

Officers, directors and employees are under a continuing obligation to disclose any situation that presents the possibility of a conflict or disparity of interest between the officer, director or employee and the Company. Disclosure of any potential conflict is the key to remaining in full compliance with this policy.

 

7. COMPETE ETHICALLY AND FAIRLY FOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

 

We must comply with the laws and regulations that pertain to the acquisition of goods and services. We will compete fairly and ethically for all business opportunities. In circumstances where there is reason to believe that the release or receipt of non-public information is unauthorized, do not attempt to obtain and do not accept such information from any source.

 

If you are involved in Company transactions, you must be certain that all statements, communications, and representations are accurate and truthful.

 

8. AVOID ILLEGAL AND QUESTIONABLE GIFTS OR FAVORS

 

The sale and marketing of our products and services should always be free from even the perception that favorable treatment was sought, received, or given in exchange for the furnishing or receipt of business courtesies. Our officers, directors and employees will neither give nor accept business courtesies that constitute, or could be reasonably perceived as constituting, unfair business inducements or that would violate law, regulation or policies of the Company, or could cause embarrassment to or reflect negatively on the Company's reputation.

 

 

9. MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF CONSULTANTS, AGENTS, AND REPRESENTATIVES

 

Business integrity is a key standard for the selection and retention of those who represent us. Agents, representatives and consultants must certify their willingness to comply with the Company's policies and procedures and must never be retained to circumvent our values and principles. Paying bribes or kickbacks, engaging in industrial espionage, obtaining the proprietary data of a third party without authority, or gaining inside information or influence are just a few examples of what could give us an unfair competitive advantage and could result in violations of law.

 

10. PROTECT PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

 

Proprietary Company information may not be disclosed to anyone without proper authorization. Keep proprietary documents protected and secure. In the course of normal business activities, suppliers, customers and competitors may sometimes divulge to you information that is proprietary to their business. Respect these confidences.

 

11. OBTAIN AND USE COMPANY ASSETS WISELY

 

Personal use of Company property must always be in accordance with corporate policy. Proper use of Company property, information resources, material, facilities and equipment is your responsibility. Use and maintain these assets with the utmost care and respect, guarding against waste and abuse, and never borrow or remove Company property without management's permission.

 

12. FOLLOW THE LAW AND USE COMMON SENSE IN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

 

We encourage our employees to become involved in civic affairs and to participate in the political process. Employees must understand, however, that their involvement and participation must be on an individual basis, on their own time and at their own expense. United States law prohibits corporations from donating corporate funds, goods, or services, directly or indirectly, to candidates for governmental offices either in the United States or Canada -- this includes employees' work time. Local and state/provincial laws also govern political contributions and activities as they apply to their respective jurisdictions.

 

13. ENFORCEMENT OF THE COMPANY’S CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Company’s Audit Committee shall be empowered to enforce the Company’s Code of Ethics. The Audit Committee will report to the Board of Directors at least once each year regarding the general effectiveness of the Company's Code of Ethics, the Company's controls and reporting procedures and the Company's business conduct.

 

The Company shall consistently enforce its Code of Ethics through appropriate means of discipline. Violations of the Code shall be promptly reported to the Audit Committee. Pursuant to procedures adopted by it, the Audit Committee shall determine whether violations of the Code have occurred and, if so, shall determine the disciplinary measures to be taken against any employee or agent of the Company who has so violated the Code.

 

 

Any information you may have concerning any violation of this Code of Ethics should be brought to the attention of the Audit Committee. If you provide information to the Audit Committee, it will be treated in confidence. Communications to the Audit Committee should be sent to the attention of one of the Audit Committee Representatives. The Audit Committee Representatives shall be the chairman of the audit committee and one other member of the audit committee who is designated for that purpose by the audit committee. The names and contact information for initial Audit Committee Representatives is set forth on Exhibit A. A copy of this Code of Ethics will be maintained on our website at www.delmarpharma.com. The Code of Ethics on our website will include the names of and contact information for the Audit Committee Representatives.

 

The disciplinary measures, which may be invoked at the discretion of the Audit Committee, include, but are not limited to, counseling, oral or written reprimands, warnings, probation or suspension without pay, demotions, reductions in salary, termination of employment and restitution.

 

Persons subject to disciplinary measures shall include, in addition to the violator, others involved in the wrongdoing such as (i) persons who fail to use reasonable care to detect a violation, (ii) persons who if requested to divulge information withhold material information regarding a violation, and (iii) supervisors who approve or condone the violations or attempt to retaliate against employees or agents for reporting violations or violators.

 

 

 

 

 

Approved by the Board of Directors

 

January 21, 2016

 

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