Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) granted stock options to 3 new employees as inducement awards under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The options cover an aggregate 125,600 shares at a per-share exercise price of $1.14, equal to the June 30, 2026 closing price.
Options vest over four years: 25% on the first anniversary, then 75% quarterly, subject to continued service, with a 10-year term under Akebia’s inducement award program and option agreements.
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News Market Reaction – AKBA
+4.84%
+4.84%Session close to close
In the Jul 6 session, AKBA gained 4.84%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.
Akebia’s grant of 125,600 market-priced inducement options to three new employees under Nasdaq Rule ...
Analysis
Akebia’s grant of 125,600 market-priced inducement options to three new employees under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4) adds modest equity compensation over a 10-year term; investors may weigh this against recent insider selling and the company’s broader capital structure.
Key Figures
Inducement option shares:125,600 sharesNew hires receiving grants:3 employeesExercise price:$1.14 per share+3 more
6 metrics
Inducement option shares125,600 sharesAggregate for 3 newly hired employees granted June 30, 2026
New hires receiving grants3 employeesStock option inducement awards
Exercise price$1.14 per shareEqual to AKBA closing price on June 30, 2026 grant date
Initial vesting portion25%Vests on first anniversary of grant date
Subsequent vesting portion75%Vests quarterly after first anniversary, subject to continued service
Option term10 yearsTerm of each inducement stock option
Q1 2026 loss with higher COGS despite growing Vafseo and total revenues.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Pattern Detected
Recent AKBA news has produced mixed reactions, with several positive catalysts met by selling pressure but some safety and conference updates seeing modest gains.
Key Terms
nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4), exercise price, vesting, inducement award program, +1 more
5 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.
exercise pricefinancial
"The options have an exercise price of $1.14 per share"
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.
vestingfinancial
"25% of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date"
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.
inducement award programfinancial
"subject to the terms and conditions of Akebia’s inducement award program"
A program where a company gives new hires or key contributors stock, stock options, or cash bonuses to persuade them to join or stay, like a signing bonus but paid in company shares or equity-based pay. Investors care because these awards can dilute existing share ownership, change executive incentives and company costs, and signal how aggressively the company is investing in talent to drive future performance.
stock option agreementfinancial
"and a stock option agreement covering the grant."
A stock option agreement is a formal contract that gives an individual the right to buy or sell a specific number of shares of a company's stock at a set price within a certain period. For investors, it’s an important tool because it can provide opportunities to profit from stock price movements or to protect against potential losses, making it a key element in financial planning and investment strategies.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 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 3 newly-hired employees options to purchase an aggregate of 125,600 shares of Akebia’s common stock on June 30, 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 $1.14 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.
What inducement stock options did Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) grant on June 30, 2026?
Akebia granted options to purchase an aggregate 125,600 shares of common stock to 3 newly hired employees. According to Akebia, these options were granted as inducement awards material to each employee’s employment with the company.
What is the exercise price of the July 2026 Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) inducement options?
The inducement options have an exercise price of $1.14 per share, equal to the closing price on the June 30, 2026 grant date. According to Akebia, this matches the company’s common stock closing market price that day.
How do Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) July 2026 inducement stock options vest?
Akebia’s inducement options vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date. According to Akebia, the remaining 75% vests quarterly thereafter, subject to the employee’s continued service.
What is the term of Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) inducement stock options granted in June 2026?
Each inducement stock option has a 10-year term from the June 30, 2026 grant date. According to Akebia, the options are subject to the company’s inducement award program and individual stock option agreements.
Why were the June 30, 2026 Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) options granted under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4)?
The options were granted as an inducement material to each new employee entering into employment with Akebia. According to Akebia, this structure aligns with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) for inducement grants to newly hired employees.
