Opus Genetics Reports Inducement Grant Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Rhea-AI Summary

Opus Genetics (Nasdaq: IRD) announced on Dec 16, 2025 that its Compensation Committee approved an inducement equity award under the 2021 Inducement Plan to a newly hired non-executive employee in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The award consists of options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the grant date.

The options vest over four years: 25% at one year and the remaining 75% in quarterly installments, subject to acceleration or forfeiture per the award agreement.

Key Figures

Inducement options 50,000 shares Options to purchase common stock granted to one non-executive employee

Vesting period 4 years Option award vests over four years subject to award agreement terms

Cliff vesting 25% Vests on the one-year anniversary of the grant date

Remaining vesting 75% Vests in quarterly installments after the first year

Q3 2025 revenue $3.079 million License and collaboration revenue from 10-Q filed 2025-11-12

Q3 2025 net loss $17.454 million Net loss with basic and diluted loss per share of $0.25

Cash & cash equivalents $30.815 million Balance as of Q3 2025 per 10-Q filing

Market Reality Check

$2.02 Last Close

Volume Volume 358,006 is at 0.62x the 20-day average (580,828), indicating subdued trading ahead of this update. low

Technical Shares at $2.13 are trading above the 200-day MA of $1.33, following a -9.75% 24h move.

Peers on Argus

Biotech peers in Pharmaceutical Preparations were generally lower, with names like ANEB (-3.98%), IMUX (-3.35%), OKYO (-5.5%), and OVID (-4.29%). IRD’s -9.75% decline was steeper than these peers, pointing to more stock-specific pressure ahead of this routine inducement grant.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 11	Conference presentation	Neutral	-2.4%	J.P. Morgan 2026 Healthcare Conference presentation announcement and webcast detail.
Dec 09	Clinical trial update	Positive	+4.4%	IDMC gave positive recommendation to continue Phase 1/2 BEST1 trial without changes.
Dec 02	Inducement grant	Neutral	-0.5%	Inducement stock options for two new employees under 2021 Inducement Plan.
Nov 20	Investor conferences	Neutral	+3.8%	Management participation in BTIG Ophthalmology Day and Piper Sandler Healthcare Conference.
Nov 13	Clinical trial initiation	Positive	-3.6%	First participant dosed in OPGx‑BEST1 Phase 1/2 gene therapy trial for Best disease.

Pattern Detected

Recent news flow shows mixed price reactions: positive clinical updates sometimes aligned with gains, while other clinical and corporate milestones saw selloffs, suggesting inconsistent trading responses to catalysts.

Recent Company History

Over the past two months, Opus Genetics issued a mix of clinical, corporate, and conference updates. On Nov 13, dosing of the first participant in the OPGx‑BEST1 Phase 1/2 trial preceded a -3.65% move. A positive IDMC recommendation for the BEST1 trial on Dec 9 saw shares rise 4.37%. Conference participation and presentation announcements on Nov 20 and Dec 11 produced modest swings. A prior inducement grant disclosure on Dec 2 triggered only a -0.5% reaction, framing today’s similar HR-related grant as part of ongoing hiring activity.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement focused on a standard employee inducement option grant of 50,000 shares under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4), vesting over 4 years with a 25% one-year cliff and quarterly vesting thereafter. It follows prior inducement grants and recent clinical advances in Best disease. Investors may contextualize this within Q3 2025 financials, including $3.079 million in revenue, a $17.454 million net loss, and $30.815 million in cash when monitoring future funding and hiring trends.

Key Terms

nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4) regulatory

"approved an equity award under the Company’s 2021 Inducement Plan... 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.

equity award financial

"approved an equity award under the Company’s 2021 Inducement Plan, as amended, as a material inducement to employment"

An equity award is a form of pay where a company gives employees, executives or other stakeholders the right to own or buy company shares—either immediately or after meeting certain conditions. Think of it like receiving slices of the company pie now or coupons to claim slices later; it matters to investors because it affects ownership dilution, executive incentives and reported compensation costs, and signals how management is being rewarded and retained.

exercise price financial

"The option award has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of an underlying 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.

fair market value financial

"exercise price equal to the fair market value of an underlying share of Company common stock"

The price a willing buyer and a willing seller would agree on for an asset or security when neither is under pressure and both have access to the same information. Think of it as the market’s neutral estimate of what something is worth, like the price two neighbors would settle on for a car after comparing similar listings. Investors care because fair market value guides buying and selling decisions, tax reporting, portfolio valuation, and how accurately company assets are reflected in financial statements.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opus Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: IRD), (“Opus Genetics” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies to restore vision and prevent blindness in patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), today announced that the Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors approved an equity award under the Company’s 2021 Inducement Plan, as amended, as a material inducement to employment to one non-executive employee who was not previously an employee or director of the Company. The equity award was approved in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), which also requires a public announcement of any equity awards that are not made under a stockholder approved equity plan.

The equity award was granted in the form of options to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The option award has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of an underlying share of Company common stock as of the date of grant and vest over a period of four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 75% vesting in quarterly installments thereafter, subject to acceleration or forfeiture upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the applicable award agreement.

About Opus Genetics

Opus Genetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies to restore vision and prevent blindness in patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). The Company is developing durable, one-time treatments designed to address the underlying genetic causes of severe retinal disorders. The Company’s pipeline includes seven AAV-based programs, led by OPGx-LCA5 for LCA5-related mutations and OPGx-BEST1 for BEST1-related retinal degeneration, with additional candidates targeting RHO, RDH12, and MERTK. Opus Genetics is also advancing Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%, an approved small-molecule therapy for pharmacologically induced mydriasis, with additional indications in late-stage development for presbyopia and low-light visual disturbances following keratorefractive surgery. The Company is based in Research Triangle Park, NC. For more information, visit www.opusgtx.com.

Contacts

Investors
Jenny Kobin
Remy Bernarda
IR Advisory Solutions
ir@opusgtx.com

Media
Kimberly Ha
KKH Advisors
917-291-5744
kimberly.ha@kkhadvisors.com

FAQ

What did Opus Genetics (IRD) announce on December 16, 2025?

Opus Genetics announced an inducement option award of 50,000 shares to a newly hired non-executive employee under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4).

How do the Opus Genetics (IRD) options vest and when do shareholders expect dilution?

The options vest over 4 years (25% at one year, then quarterly for 75%); dilution timing depends on when options are exercised.

What is the exercise price for the Opus Genetics (IRD) inducement options?

The exercise price equals the fair market value of a share of common stock on the grant date.

Why did Opus Genetics (IRD) make a public announcement for this equity award?

Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) requires public disclosure for equity awards granted as material inducements outside a stockholder-approved plan.

Who received the Opus Genetics (IRD) inducement award?

The award was granted to one newly hired non-executive employee who was not previously an employee or director.