Achieve Life Sciences Announced Granting of New Hire Inducement Awards

Achieve Life Sciences detailed new hire stock option and RSU inducement awards, outlining grant sizes, vesting schedules, and Nasdaq rule compliance.

Rhea-AI Summary

Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) granted new hire inducement equity awards under its 2024 Equity Inducement Plan to 7 employees, consisting of stock options for 315,000 shares and RSUs covering 283,000 shares of common stock.

The stock options have an exercise price equal to the closing price on the grant date, a four-year term, and vest 25% after one year with the remaining 75% in 36 monthly installments, subject to continued service. RSUs vest over four years in 25% annual increments, also subject to continued service. The grants were approved by the board and made as inducement awards in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The company continues to focus on cytisinicline, supported by completed Phase 3 and Phase 2 studies for smoking and e-cigarette cessation.

News Explained

The awards are approved and granted, but the shares are not all issued now: the 315,000 options require exercise and the 283,000 RSU shares require vesting, creating potential dilution for existing common holders as service conditions are met.

Market Context

The July 31 awards announcement recorded a 1.9% 24-hour reaction, providing the closest historical c...

Analysis

The July 31 awards announcement recorded a 1.9% 24-hour reaction, providing the closest historical comparison. Today’s grant terms were similarly structured; the active resale registration and net insider selling were relevant risks to monitor.

Key Figures

New employees: 7 employees Stock options: 315,000 shares RSUs: 283,000 shares +5 more

8 metrics

New employees 7 employees Recipients of inducement awards

Stock options 315,000 shares Aggregate options granted

RSUs 283,000 shares Aggregate RSU awards

Option term Four years Term for each stock option

Initial option vesting 25% Vests on the first anniversary following employment commencement

Remaining option vesting 75% Vests in 36 equal monthly installments

U.S. cigarette smokers Approximately 25 million adults Adults in the United States who smoke combustible cigarettes

Completed Phase 3 studies Two studies Support for the cytisinicline NDA

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Aug 11 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Aug 11	Q2 earnings report	Neutral	+1.6%	Financing, FDA response letter, operating results, and pipeline updates produced a 1.65% gain.
Aug 03	Leadership appointments	Positive	-1.6%	New CMC and quality leadership appointments were followed by a 1.56% decline.
Jul 31	Inducement awards	Positive	+1.9%	New-hire options and RSUs were followed by a 1.9% gain.
Jun 29	Index inclusion	Positive	+3.5%	Russell 2000 inclusion was followed by a 3.49% gain.
Jun 22	FDA response letter	Negative	+5.2%	Manufacturing and labeling deficiencies preceded a 5.15% gain despite no clinical deficiencies.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Historical reactions were mixed, including a 1.9% gain after the prior inducement-award announcement and a 1.56% decline after an executive appointment.

Key Terms

restricted stock unit, equity inducement plan, new drug application, breakthrough therapy designation, +1 more

5 terms

restricted stock unit financial

"restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards covering an aggregate of 283,000 shares"

A restricted stock unit is a promise from a company to give an employee shares of stock after certain conditions are met, like staying with the company for a set amount of time. It’s like earning a bonus that turns into company stock once you’ve proven your commitment, making it a way to motivate and reward employees.

equity inducement plan financial

"under Achieve’s 2024 Equity Inducement Plan"

An equity inducement plan is a program that gives new hires or targeted employees stock, restricted shares, or stock options as a hiring or retention reward, often separate from the company’s regular long-term incentive plans. Think of it as a signing bonus paid in company stock: it helps attract and keep talent but matters to investors because it can dilute existing shares, change executive incentives, and affect future earnings through compensation expense.

new drug application regulatory

"Achieve’s New Drug Application (NDA) for cytisinicline"

A new drug application is a formal request submitted to government regulators seeking approval to market a new medicine. It is like a detailed proposal that shows the drug has been tested for safety and effectiveness. For investors, receiving approval signals that the drug may soon become available for sale, potentially leading to revenue growth and impacting the company's value.

breakthrough therapy designation regulatory

"received Breakthrough Therapy designation for the vaping cessation indication"

A breakthrough therapy designation is a regulatory fast-track given to a drug or treatment that shows early signs of providing a major improvement over existing options for a serious condition. Think of it as a VIP lane that can speed up development and more intensive guidance from regulators, which matters to investors because it can shorten time to market, reduce development risk and potentially increase a company’s value — though it does not guarantee approval.

nicotinic acetylcholine receptor medical

"high binding affinity to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor"

A nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a protein on the surface of nerve or muscle cells that acts like a lock which opens when the chemical acetylcholine (or nicotine) — the key — binds to it, allowing electrical signals or ions to pass through. Investors care because drugs that activate or block these receptors can change brain function, addiction, or muscle control; successful therapies can create large markets, while safety issues or regulatory hurdles around these receptors can affect a drug’s approval and commercial prospects.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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SEATTLE and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achieve Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACHV), a late-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the global development and commercialization of cytisinicline as a treatment for nicotine dependence, today announced that Achieve’s board of directors approved stock option grants to purchase an aggregate of 315,000 shares of its common stock and restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards covering an aggregate of 283,000 shares of its common stock for 7 new employees under Achieve’s 2024 Equity Inducement Plan.

The stock options have an exercise price equal to the closing price of Achieve’s common stock on the grant date. Each stock option has a four-year term and will vest as to 25% of the shares underlying the stock option on the first anniversary following commencement of employment. The remaining 75% of the shares underlying the stock option will vest in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to the employee’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.

Each RSU award represents the right to receive one share of Achieve’s common stock upon vesting, subject to the recipient’s continued service. The RSUs will vest over four years with 25% of the underlying shares vesting on each anniversary following commencement of employment, subject to the employee’s continued service through each applicable vesting date.

The stock options are subject to the terms and conditions of the 2024 Equity Inducement Plan, as well as the terms and conditions of the stock option agreement covering the grant and were made as an inducement material to the individual entering into employment with Achieve in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

About Cytisinicline
There are approximately 25 million adults in the United States who smoke combustible cigarettes.¹ Cytisinicline is a plant-based alkaloid with a high binding affinity to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. It is believed to aid in treating nicotine addiction for smoking and e-cigarette cessation by interacting with nicotine receptors in the brain, reducing the severity of nicotine craving symptoms, and reducing the reward and satisfaction associated with nicotine products.

About Achieve Life Sciences, Inc.
Achieve Life Sciences, Inc. is a late-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the global development and commercialization of cytisinicline as a treatment for nicotine dependence. Achieve’s New Drug Application (NDA) for cytisinicline for smoking cessation in adults is supported by two successfully completed Phase 3 studies and an open-label long-term safety study. Achieve has also completed a Phase 2 study of cytisinicline in nicotine e-cigarette cessation, conducted an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, and has received Breakthrough Therapy designation for the vaping cessation indication.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements Achieve makes regarding the timing, nature and outcome of cytisinicline clinical development and regulatory review and approval, data results, the timing, nature and success of Achieve’s commercialization activities, the potential market size for cytisinicline, the potential benefits, efficacy, safety and tolerability of cytisinicline, the development and effectiveness of new treatments, the performance of Achieve’s third-party manufacturing partners, the successful launch and commercialization of cytisinicline, the use of proceeds from Achieve’s private placement, and statements concerning Achieve Life Sciences’ future plans and prospects. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Achieve may not actually achieve its plans or product development goals in a timely manner, if at all, or otherwise carry out its intentions or meet its expectations or projections disclosed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including those described in Achieve’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Achieve undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein or to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, other than as may be required by applicable law.

Achieve Contact
Nicole Jones
VP, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations
ir@achievelifesciences.com
425-686-1510

Reference
¹Agaku I. Tobacco Product Use among U.S. Adults, 2023–2024, NEJM Evidence, doi: 10.1056/EVIDpha2500339.

FAQ

What inducement equity awards did Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) grant to new hires?

Achieve granted new hire inducement awards consisting of stock options to purchase an aggregate of 315,000 shares of common stock and restricted stock unit awards covering an aggregate of 283,000 shares, all issued to 7 new employees under its 2024 Equity Inducement Plan.

What are the vesting terms of the new stock options granted by Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV)?

Each stock option has a four-year term and vests 25% of the underlying shares on the first anniversary of employment commencement. The remaining 75% vests in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to the employee’s continued service through each vesting date.

How do the RSU awards for Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) new hires vest?

Each RSU award represents the right to receive one share of Achieve common stock upon vesting. The RSUs vest over four years, with 25% of the underlying shares vesting on each anniversary following commencement of employment, subject to the recipient’s continued service.

Under what plan and Nasdaq rule were the Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) inducement awards granted?

The stock options and RSUs were granted under Achieve’s 2024 Equity Inducement Plan and were made as inducement awards material to the individuals entering employment, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), as stated by the company.

What is cytisinicline and what development stage has Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) reached?

Cytisinicline is a plant-based alkaloid targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and is being developed for smoking and e-cigarette cessation. Achieve’s New Drug Application for smoking cessation in adults is supported by two completed Phase 3 studies and a long-term safety study, plus a completed Phase 2 vaping cessation study and Breakthrough Therapy designation for that indication.