Akebia Therapeutics Reports Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Rhea-AI Summary

Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) has granted stock options to three new employees as part of their employment inducement package. The options total 137,000 shares with an exercise price of $3.03 per share, matching the closing price on May 30, 2025. These options follow a 4-year vesting schedule with 25% vesting after the first year and the remaining 75% vesting quarterly thereafter. The options have a 10-year term and are subject to continued employment with Akebia. The grants were made in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) as part of Akebia's inducement award program.

Positive

• Company is expanding its workforce with three new strategic hires
• Stock options align employee interests with shareholders through long-term vesting schedule

Negative

• Potential future dilution from 137,000 new stock options

News Market Reaction – AKBA

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+5.23% News Effect

On the day this news was published, AKBA gained 5.23%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akebia Therapeutics^®, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, granted three newly-hired employees options to purchase an aggregate of 137,000 shares of Akebia’s common stock on May 30, 2025. The options were granted as an inducement material to each employee entering into employment with Akebia. The options were granted in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The options have an exercise price of $3.03 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Akebia’s common stock on the grant date. The stock options vest over four years, with 25% of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 75% of shares vesting quarterly thereafter, in each case, subject to the new employee’s continued service with Akebia. Each stock option has a 10-year term and is subject to the terms and conditions of Akebia’s inducement award program and a stock option agreement covering the grant.

About Akebia Therapeutics

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease. Akebia was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit our website at www.akebia.com, which does not form a part of this release.

Akebia Therapeutics Contact

Mercedes Carrasco
mcarrasco@akebia.com

FAQ

How many stock options did Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) grant to new employees in May 2025?

Akebia Therapeutics granted options to purchase 137,000 shares of common stock to three newly-hired employees.

What is the exercise price for AKBA's May 2025 employee stock options?

The stock options have an exercise price of $3.03 per share, equal to the closing price on May 30, 2025.

What is the vesting schedule for Akebia's May 2025 employee stock options?

The options vest over 4 years, with 25% vesting after the first year and the remaining 75% vesting quarterly thereafter.

How long is the term of AKBA's May 2025 employee stock options?

Each stock option has a 10-year term.