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

Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) granted inducement stock options to 13 newly hired employees on March 31, 2026, covering an aggregate of 679,900 shares.

Rhea-AI Summary

Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) granted inducement stock options to 13 newly hired employees on March 31, 2026, covering an aggregate of 679,900 shares.

The options carry a $1.39 exercise price equal to the closing price on the grant date, vest over four years (25% at one year, then quarterly), and have a 10-year term under Akebia’s inducement award program in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

Argus Apr 6 session

-4.35% close to close 0.9x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – AKBA

On Apr 6, the first trading day after this news, AKBA closed 4.35% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Apr 6 session.

Key Figures

New-hire options: 679,900 shares Exercise price: $1.39 per share Vesting schedule: 25% at 1 year; 75% quarterly +5 more

New-hire options

679,900 shares

Aggregate options granted to 13 newly hired employees on March 31, 2026

Exercise price

$1.39 per share

Option exercise price, equal to closing price on March 31, 2026

Vesting schedule

25% at 1 year; 75% quarterly

Four-year vesting subject to continued service

Option term

10 years

Term of each inducement stock option grant

Current share price

$1.41

Price prior to publication; up 1.44% over 24 hours

52-week range

$1.14–$4.0787

Current price 23.68% above low, 65.43% below high

Market cap

$372,352,142

Equity value prior to the inducement grant announcement

Shares float

251,429,553 shares

Free float from risk context

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 19

5 events

1. Mar 19

   Pipeline R&D day

   24h Move

   +0.0%

   Announced virtual R&D Day to review kidney disease pipeline programs.

2. Mar 03

   Conference appearance

   24h Move

   -3.2%

   Planned CEO and CFO fireside chat at Leerink healthcare conference.

3. Mar 02

   Inducement grants

   24h Move

   -3.2%

   Inducement stock options totaling 46,200 shares to new hires.

4. Feb 26

   Earnings results

   24h Move

   +9.1%

   Reported higher Q4 and full‑year 2025 revenues and narrowed net loss.

5. Feb 19

   Earnings date set

   24h Move

   +0.0%

   Scheduled Q4 and full‑year 2025 earnings release and conference call.

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

Key Terms

nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4), stock option, exercise price, vesting

4 terms

nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4) regulatory

"The options were granted in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)."

NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) is a rule that requires a company to get approval from its shareholders before selling a large amount of its shares, usually over 20%. This helps protect investors by making sure the company doesn't flood the market with new shares without their say, which could lower the stock's value.

stock option financial

"Each stock option has a 10-year term and is subject to the terms and conditions..."

A stock option is a contract that gives you the right to buy or sell a company's stock at a specific price within a certain time frame. People use them to potentially make money if the stock's price moves favorably or to protect against losses. It's like holding a coupon that can be used to buy or sell stock at a set price later on.

exercise price financial

"The options have an exercise price of $1.39 per share, which is equal to the closing price..."

The exercise price is the fixed amount at which you can buy or sell an asset, like a stock, when using an options contract. It matters because it helps determine whether exercising the option will be profitable or not, depending on the current market price. Think of it as the set price you agree on today to buy or sell later.

vesting financial

"The stock options vest over four years, with 25% of the shares vesting on the first anniversary..."

Vesting is the process by which you earn full ownership of something, like company stock or a retirement benefit, over time. It’s like earning the right to keep a gift piece by piece the longer you stay with a company, making sure employees stay committed before they receive all the benefits.

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

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akebia Therapeutics^®, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, granted 13 newly-hired employees options to purchase an aggregate of 679,900 shares of Akebia’s common stock on March 31, 2026. 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 $1.39 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

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

How many shares did Akebia (AKBA) grant in inducement options on March 31, 2026?

Akebia granted inducement options covering 679,900 shares to 13 new employees. According to Akebia, the grants were made under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) to induce each hire to join the company and are subject to plan and agreement terms.

What is the exercise price and term of the AKBA inducement stock options granted March 31, 2026?

The options have an exercise price of $1.39 per share and a 10-year term. According to Akebia, $1.39 equals the closing price on the grant date and each option is governed by the inducement award program.

How do the Akebia (AKBA) inducement options vest for employees hired March 31, 2026?

Options vest over four years with 25% at the first anniversary and the remaining 75% vesting quarterly thereafter. According to Akebia, vesting is contingent on the new employee’s continued service with the company.

Do Akebia's (AKBA) March 31, 2026 inducement grants comply with Nasdaq rules?

Yes. The grants were made in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), which permits inducement awards for new hires. According to Akebia, the awards follow the company’s inducement award program and option agreements.

Will the AKBA inducement options granted March 31, 2026 cause immediate dilution?

The company granted options on 679,900 shares, which may dilute existing shareholders when exercised. According to Akebia, these are inducement awards; actual dilution depends on future exercises and outstanding share count.