Arcutis Biotherapeutics Reports Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Rhea-AI Summary

Arcutis Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: ARQT) reported inducement awards: an aggregate of 94,000 restricted stock units granted to 12 newly hired employees with a grant date of February 2, 2026. The RSUs vest over four years with 25% vesting on each annual anniversary and were approved by the Compensation Committee under the 2022 Inducement Plan, disclosed in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

Key Figures

Inducement RSUs granted: 94,000 units Employees receiving grants: 12 employees Vesting period: 4 years +2 more

5 metrics

Inducement RSUs granted 94,000 units Aggregate restricted stock units granted under 2022 Inducement Plan

Employees receiving grants 12 employees New hires receiving RSU inducement awards

Vesting period 4 years RSUs vest over four years subject to continued employment

Annual vesting rate 25 percent Portion of RSUs vesting on each annual anniversary

Grant date February 2, 2026 Grant date for inducement RSUs under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Market Reality Check

Price: $27.32 Vol: Volume 2,296,047 is 54% a...

high vol

$27.32 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,296,047 is 54% above the 20-day average of 1,488,732 shares. high

Technical Price $26.08 is trading above the 200-day MA at $19.77 and 17.91% below the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

ARQT slipped 0.42% while several biotech peers saw larger declines, including AP...

ARQT slipped 0.42% while several biotech peers saw larger declines, including APGE (-5.98%) and TARS (-4.95%), with IRON notably up 1.62%, suggesting mixed, stock-specific trading rather than a unified sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 02 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 02	Phase 2 topline data	Positive	+0.8%	Positive INTEGUMENT-INFANT Phase 2 results for ZORYVE cream 0.05% in infants.
Jan 26	Promotion agreement change	Positive	+0.5%	Termination of Kowa promotion deal with no further payments and guidance unchanged.
Jan 22	Earnings date, conference	Neutral	-1.7%	Announcement of Q4/FY25 earnings date and participation in Guggenheim biotech summit.
Jan 21	Survey results	Positive	+3.2%	Nationwide survey underscoring concerns with topical steroids and demand for alternatives.
Jan 12	Strategic outlook	Positive	-5.1%	2026 strategic priorities and milestones, including ZORYVE guidance and pipeline plans.

Pattern Detected

Recent ARQT news has generally been received positively, with most clinically or strategically positive updates followed by gains, except for one strategic-priorities update that coincided with a notable selloff.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, Arcutis has reported several key updates. On Jan 12, it highlighted 2026 strategic priorities and ZORYVE net product sales guidance of $455–$470 million, which coincided with a -5.1% move. A nationwide survey on Jan 21 pointing to unmet needs in chronic inflammatory skin conditions saw shares rise 3.21%. Positive INTEGUMENT-INFANT Phase 2 topline data on Feb 2 led to a 0.79% gain. Today’s inducement grants fit into ongoing hiring and growth rather than a major clinical or commercial catalyst.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details grants of 94,000 restricted stock units to 12 new employees under Nasdaq L...

Analysis

This announcement details grants of 94,000 restricted stock units to 12 new employees under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), vesting over four years. It reflects continued hiring and the use of equity-based compensation under Arcutis’ 2022 Inducement Plan. In context with recent positive clinical data, strategic guidance, and documented insider sales in Form 4 and Rule 144 filings, investors may watch how ongoing equity issuance and insider activity interact with future catalysts.

Key Terms

restricted stock units, nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4), inducement plan, vesting

4 terms

restricted stock units financial

"reported the grant of an aggregate of 94,000 restricted stock units of Arcutis’ common stock"

Restricted stock units are a type of company reward where employees are promised shares of stock, but they only fully own these shares after meeting certain conditions, like staying with the company for a set time. They matter because they can become valuable assets and are often used to motivate employees to help the company succeed.

nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4) regulatory

"as an inducement material to the new employees entering into employment with Arcutis, 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.

inducement plan financial

"granted under the Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. 2022 Inducement Plan, with a grant date of February 2, 2026"

An inducement plan is a program a company creates to encourage employees or new hires to stay or join by offering special benefits or rewards. It’s like a company giving extra bonuses or perks to persuade someone to choose their job over others, helping the company attract and keep talented workers.

vesting financial

"The restricted stock units vest over four years, with 25 percent vesting on each annual 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. Not financial advice.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQT), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing meaningful innovations in immuno-dermatology, today reported the grant of an aggregate of 94,000 restricted stock units of Arcutis’ common stock to 12 newly hired employees. These awards were approved by the Compensation Committee of Arcutis’ Board of Directors and granted under the Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. 2022 Inducement Plan, with a grant date of February 2, 2026, as an inducement material to the new employees entering into employment with Arcutis, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The restricted stock units vest over four years, with 25 percent vesting on each annual anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to the employee being continuously employed by Arcutis as of such vesting dates.

Arcutis is providing this information in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

About Arcutis

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQT) is a commercial-stage medical dermatology company that champions meaningful innovation to address the urgent needs of individuals living with immune-mediated dermatological diseases and conditions. With a commitment to solving the most persistent patient challenges in dermatology, Arcutis has a growing portfolio of advanced targeted topicals approved to treat three major inflammatory skin diseases. Arcutis’ unique dermatology development platform coupled with our dermatology expertise allows us to develop differentiated therapies against biologically validated targets, and has produced a robust pipeline for a range of inflammatory dermatological conditions. For more information, visit www.arcutis.com or follow Arcutis on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. For example, statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ include risks inherent in our business, reimbursement and access to our products, the impact of competition and other important factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 25, 2025, as well as any subsequent filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that the company makes in this press release are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update information herein to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

Contacts:
Media
Amanda Sheldon, Head of Corporate Communications
media@arcutis.com

Investors
Brian Schoelkopf, Head of Investor Relations
ir@arcutis.com

FAQ

What did Arcutis (ARQT) announce on February 5, 2026 about inducement grants?

Arcutis granted 94,000 restricted stock units to 12 new hires as inducement awards on February 2, 2026. According to Arcutis, the awards were approved by the Compensation Committee under the 2022 Inducement Plan and disclosed under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

How do the Arcutis (ARQT) restricted stock units vest for new employees?

The restricted stock units vest over four years with 25% vesting on each annual anniversary. According to Arcutis, vesting is subject to continuous employment on each anniversary date under the terms of the award agreements.

How many employees received inducement awards from Arcutis (ARQT) and what was the aggregate size?

Twelve newly hired employees received inducement awards totaling 94,000 restricted stock units. According to Arcutis, the grants were made as material inducements to employment and approved by the Compensation Committee.

Why did Arcutis (ARQT) disclose these stock unit grants under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)?

Arcutis disclosed the grants to satisfy Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) requirements for inducement awards to new hires. According to Arcutis, the disclosure documents the Compensation Committee approval and terms of the awards for compliance.

What is the potential investor significance of Arcutis (ARQT) issuing 94,000 RSUs to new hires?

The grants represent employee equity compensation intended to recruit talent, with potential dilution that is likely immaterial at this size for most investors. According to Arcutis, the awards were granted under the 2022 Inducement Plan and follow Nasdaq rules.