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

Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) granted a stock option inducement award to one newly hired employee under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

Rhea-AI Summary

Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) granted a stock option inducement award to one newly hired employee under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The option covers 8,400 shares at an exercise price of $1.02 per share, vests over four years, and has a 10-year term.

Argus Jun 2 session

-8.20% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – AKBA

In the Jun 2 session, AKBA declined 8.20%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

The stock moved -8.2% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite this routine i...

Analysis

The stock moved -8.2% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite this routine inducement grant would fit a pattern where Akebia’s shares have been sensitive to broader concerns, including earlier earnings that preceded a -20.27% move. With the stock already far below its $4.0787 52‑week high and under the $1.86 200‑day MA, selling pressure could reflect existing fundamental worries rather than the small 8,400-share option award.

Key Figures

Inducement options: 8,400 shares Exercise price: $1.02 per share Vesting schedule: 4 years (25% then 75% quarterly) +5 more

Inducement options

8,400 shares

Options granted to one newly hired employee on May 29, 2026

Exercise price

$1.02 per share

Equal to AKBA closing price on May 29, 2026 grant date

Vesting schedule

4 years (25% then 75% quarterly)

25% after 1 year, remaining 75% vests quarterly

Option term

10 years

Contractual life of inducement stock options

Current price

$1.03

Pre-news trading level vs $1.02 option exercise price

52-week high discount

74.75% below high

Price vs 52-week high of $4.0787

Volume vs average

0.42x

Today’s volume vs 20-day average volume

Grant date

May 29, 2026

Date inducement options were granted

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 28

5 events

1. May 28

   Conference presentation

   24h Move

   +1.9%

   Announced management presentation at 2026 Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference.

2. May 07

   Earnings report

   24h Move

   -20.3%

   Q1 2026 revenues declined and net loss of $9.1M reported.

3. May 04

   Inducement grants

   24h Move

   -3.3%

   Granted options for 208,800 shares to seven new hires under Rule 5635(c)(4).

4. May 04

   Clinical data

   24h Move

   +7.1%

   Published Phase 3 vadadustat analysis showing statistically significant mortality/hospitalization benefit.

5. Apr 30

   Earnings timing

   24h Move

   +1.4%

   Announced date and call details for Q1 2026 financial results release.

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)

1 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.

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

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 01, 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 one newly-hired employee options to purchase an aggregate of 8,400 shares of Akebia’s common stock on May 29, 2026. The options were granted as an inducement material to the 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 $1.02 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.

What stock option inducement grant did Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) announce on June 1, 2026?

Akebia Therapeutics announced a stock option inducement grant for one new employee covering 8,400 shares at $1.02 per share. According to Akebia, the grant was made on May 29, 2026 as a material inducement to employment under its inducement award program.

What is the exercise price of the new Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) inducement stock options?

The exercise price of the new Akebia inducement stock options is $1.02 per share. According to Akebia, this price equals the closing price of Akebia common stock on the May 29, 2026 grant date, aligning the award with prevailing market value.

How do the Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) inducement stock options vest for the new employee?

The Akebia inducement stock options vest over four years, subject to continued service. According to Akebia, 25% vests on the first anniversary of the grant date, with the remaining 75% vesting quarterly thereafter until fully vested within the four-year period.

Under which Nasdaq rule were Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) inducement options granted in May 2026?

Akebia granted the inducement options under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), which covers equity awards as material inducements to employment. According to Akebia, this framework governs the newly issued 8,400-share option grant to the incoming employee.

What is the term length of the Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) inducement stock option granted in May 2026?

The Akebia inducement stock option has a 10-year term from the grant date. According to Akebia, the option remains exercisable during this period, subject to vesting and the terms of the company’s inducement award program and stock option agreement.