Cytokinetics Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(C)(4)

Cytokinetics (Nasdaq: CYTK) announced inducement equity awards granted April 15, 2026 to 33 new employees hired March–April 2026.

Rhea-AI Summary

Cytokinetics (Nasdaq: CYTK) announced inducement equity awards granted April 15, 2026 to 33 new employees hired March–April 2026.

The company granted 49,358 stock options (10-year term, $65.37 exercise price) and 32,734 RSUs that vest over three years per the stated schedule. Awards follow Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

Argus Apr 21 session

-0.51% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – CYTK

On Apr 21, the first trading day after this news, CYTK closed 0.51% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Apr 21 session.

Market Context

This announcement details equity inducement grants—stock options and 32,734 RSUs—issued to 33 recent...

Analysis

This announcement details equity inducement grants—stock options and 32,734 RSUs—issued to 33 recent hires under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The options carry a $65.37 exercise price and a 10-year term, with multi-year vesting schedules designed to retain talent. In recent months, the company has paired such routine equity and conference updates with more material events like its Feb 24, 2026 earnings release and MYQORZO approvals. Investors may watch future financial reports and clinical milestones for more directional catalysts than these compensation-related filings.

Key Figures

Stock options granted: 49,358 shares RSUs granted: 32,734 RSUs Employees receiving awards: 33 employees +5 more

Stock options granted

49,358 shares

Inducement options granted on April 15, 2026

RSUs granted

32,734 RSUs

Inducement RSUs granted to new employees

Employees receiving awards

33 employees

New hires in March and April 2026

RSU vesting term

3 years

Inducement RSUs vest over three years

RSU vesting schedule

40% / 40% / 20%

Annual vesting on years 1, 2, and 3

Option exercise price

$65.37 per share

Equal to CYTK closing price on April 15, 2026

Option vesting term

4 years

Quarterly then monthly vesting subject to service

Option term

10 years

Contractual life of inducement stock options

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Apr 06

5 events

1. Apr 06

   Conference participation

   24h Move

   +0.8%

   Announcement of participation in Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference webcast.

2. Mar 18

   Inducement grants

   24h Move

   +1.2%

   Disclosure of Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4) inducement equity awards to new hires.

3. Mar 16

   Clinical presentations

   24h Move

   +0.9%

   Four ACC 2026 presentations on MYQORZO data across multiple oHCM analyses.

4. Mar 02

   Investor conferences

   24h Move

   -1.2%

   Plans for multiple March investor events and fireside chats in Miami Beach.

5. Feb 24

   Earnings & update

   24h Move

   -10.3%

   Q4 and 2025 results with MYQORZO approvals, $88M revenue, and 2026 spend guidance.

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

Key Terms

stock options, restricted stock units, RSUs, exercise price, +2 more

6 terms

stock options financial

"it granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 49,358 shares of common stock"

Stock options are agreements that give a person the right to buy or sell a company's stock at a specific price within a certain time frame. They are often used as a reward or incentive, similar to a coupon that can be used later if the stock price rises, allowing the holder to make a profit.

restricted stock units financial

"and 32,734 restricted stock units (RSUs) that will be settled in shares of 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.

RSUs financial

"32,734 restricted stock units (RSUs) that will be settled in shares of common stock upon vesting"

RSUs, or restricted stock units, are a form of company shares given to employees as part of their compensation. They are typically awarded with certain restrictions, such as a waiting period before they can be fully owned or sold, similar to earning a gift that becomes fully yours over time. For investors, RSUs can impact a company's stock offerings and reflect how much the company relies on stock-based incentives to attract and retain talent.

exercise price financial

"The stock options that were granted are subject to an exercise price of $65.37 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.

equity incentive plan financial

"terms and conditions of the Company's Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan"

An equity incentive plan is a program that gives employees, executives or directors the right to receive company stock or options to buy stock as part of their pay. Think of it as offering slices of future company profit to motivate people to boost long‑term performance; for investors it matters because it can align employee goals with shareholder value but also increases the number of shares outstanding, which can dilute existing ownership.

Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) regulatory

"material inducements to employment 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.

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cytokinetics, Incorporated (Nasdaq: CYTK) today announced that on April 15, 2026 it granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 49,358 shares of common stock and 32,734 restricted stock units (RSUs) that will be settled in shares of common stock upon vesting to 33 employees, whose employment commenced in March and April 2026 as a material inducement to their employment.

The RSUs will vest over 3 years, with 40% of the RSUs vesting on the first anniversary of the applicable grant date, an additional 40% of the RSUs vesting on the second anniversary of the grant date and the final 20% vesting on the third anniversary of the grant date, in each case, subject to each respective employee’s continued service with the Company. The stock options that were granted are subject to an exercise price of $65.37 per share, which is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on April 15, 2026 and will vest over 4 years, with 1/4^th of the shares underlying the employee’s option vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and the remaining shares thereafter vesting in monthly installments at a rate of 1/48^th of the shares underlying such stock options over the subsequent 36 months, subject to each respective employee’s continued service with the Company. The stock options have a 10-year term. These awards are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and the applicable award agreements pursuant to which the awards were granted.

The stock options and RSUs were granted as material inducements to employment in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

About Cytokinetics

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction. Cytokinetics’ MYQORZO^® (aficamten) is a cardiac myosin inhibitor approved in the U.S., Europe and China for the treatment of adults with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM). Aficamten is also being studied for the potential treatment of non-obstructive HCM. Cytokinetics is also developing omecamtiv mecarbil, an investigational cardiac myosin activator for the potential treatment of patients with heart failure with severely reduced ejection fraction and ulacamten, an investigational cardiac myosin inhibitor for the potential treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, while continuing pre-clinical research and development in muscle biology.

For additional information about Cytokinetics, visit www.cytokinetics.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Disclaimer 
Omecamtiv mecarbil and ulacamten are investigational medicines. They have not been approved nor determined to be safe or efficacious for any disease state or any indication by FDA or any other regulatory agency.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Cytokinetics disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements and claims the protection of the Act's Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Cytokinetics' and its partners' research and development activities of Cytokinetics’ product candidates. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to the risks related to Cytokinetics' business outlined in Cytokinetics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission particularly under the caption “Risk Factors” in Cytokinetics’ latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and Cytokinetics' actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which it operates, may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any forward-looking statements that Cytokinetics makes in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Cytokinetics assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

CYTOKINETICS® and the CYTOKINETICS C-shaped logo are registered trademarks of Cytokinetics in the U.S. and certain other countries.

MYQORZO^® is a registered trademark of Cytokinetics in the U.S. and the European Union.

Contact:
Cytokinetics
Diane Weiser
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(415) 290-7757

FAQ

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

How many shares did Cytokinetics (CYTK) grant as inducement awards on April 15, 2026?

Cytokinetics granted a total of 82,092 equity awards as inducements on April 15, 2026. According to the company, that total comprises 49,358 stock options and 32,734 RSUs issued to 33 new employees.

What is the vesting schedule for the RSUs granted by Cytokinetics (CYTK)?

The RSUs vest over three years with 40% at year one, 40% at year two, and 20% at year three. According to the company, vesting is subject to each employee's continued service.

What are the terms of the stock options Cytokinetics (CYTK) granted April 15, 2026?

Stock options have a 10-year term and an exercise price of $65.37, equal to the April 15, 2026 close. According to the company, options vest over four years with 1/4 after one year, then monthly thereafter.

Do Cytokinetics' (CYTK) inducement awards comply with Nasdaq rules?

Yes. The awards were granted as material inducements under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). According to the company, the grants were made in accordance with that Nasdaq provision.

How many employees received inducement grants from Cytokinetics (CYTK) in April 2026?

A total of 33 employees received inducement grants in March–April 2026. According to the company, the awards were granted to employees whose employment commenced in March and April 2026.

What is the exercise price significance for CYTK stock options granted April 15, 2026?

The exercise price of $65.37 equals the company's closing stock price on April 15, 2026. According to the company, setting exercise price at closing price aligns option strike with that trading-day value.