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

Opus Genetics (Nasdaq: IRD) reported inducement equity grants under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

Rhea-AI Summary

Opus Genetics (Nasdaq: IRD) reported inducement equity grants under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The Compensation Committee approved stock options for ten new non-executive employees under the 2021 Inducement Plan.

The options cover an aggregate 698,000 shares, are priced at fair market value on the grant date, and vest over four years, with 25% after one year and the remainder quarterly, subject to possible acceleration or forfeiture.

Argus May 29 session

+3.81% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – IRD

On May 29, the first trading day after this news, IRD closed 3.81% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 29 session.

Key Figures

New employees: 10 employees Option grant size: 698,000 shares Vesting period: 4 years +4 more

New employees

10 employees

Non-executive hires receiving inducement awards

Option grant size

698,000 shares

Aggregate options under 2021 Inducement Plan

Vesting period

4 years

Options vest over four-year period

Initial vesting tranche

25%

Vests on one-year anniversary of hire date

Remaining vesting

75%

Vests in quarterly installments after year one

Registered resale shares

7,374,632 shares

Common stock issuable upon Series B preferred conversion under S-3/A

Shares outstanding

71,402,472 shares

Common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2026

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 13

5 events

1. May 13

   Conference presentation

   24h Move

   -2.9%

   Announced upcoming RBC healthcare conference presentation and webcast access.

2. May 12

   Earnings and update

   24h Move

   +1.2%

   Reported Q1 2026 results, financing steps and broad pipeline progress.

3. May 07

   ARVO data update

   24h Move

   -6.9%

   Presented ARVO data showing functional gains in multiple IRD programs.

4. May 07

   Clinical enrollment

   24h Move

   +1.9%

   Completed Cohort 1 enrollment in Phase 1/2 OPGx‑BEST1 gene therapy trial.

5. May 04

   FDA program acceptance

   24h Move

   -0.4%

   FDA accepted OPGx‑LCA5 into the Rare Disease Evidence Principles program.

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), exercise price, fair market value, vesting

4 terms

nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4) regulatory

"approved equity awards 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.

exercise price financial

"The option awards have 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

"have an 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.

vesting financial

"and vest over a period of four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year 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. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opus Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: IRD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies to restore vision and prevent blindness in patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) (the “Company”), today announced that the Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors approved equity awards under the Company’s 2021 Inducement Plan, as amended, as a material inducement to employment to ten non-executive employees who were not previously employees or directors of the Company. The equity awards were approved in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The equity awards were granted in the form of options to purchase an aggregate of 698,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The option awards have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of an underlying share of Company common stock as of the grant date and vest over a period of four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of the hire 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 RDH12, MERTK, RHO, CNGB1 and NMNAT1. 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

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

What inducement grants did Opus Genetics (IRD) announce on May 28, 2026?

Opus Genetics announced stock option inducement grants covering 698,000 shares to ten new non-executive employees. According to Opus Genetics, these options were issued under the 2021 Inducement Plan and approved as a material inducement to employment in line with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

How many Opus Genetics (IRD) shares are covered by the new inducement stock options?

The new inducement stock options cover an aggregate 698,000 Opus Genetics common shares. According to Opus Genetics, these options were granted to ten non-executive employees as part of the company’s 2021 Inducement Plan, aligning compensation with long-term shareholder interests and employee retention.

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

The inducement stock options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the grant date. According to Opus Genetics, this pricing approach ties employee incentives directly to the market value of IRD shares at the time of grant, supporting performance-based compensation alignment.

How do Opus Genetics (IRD) inducement stock options vest for new employees?

The inducement stock options vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year hire anniversary. According to Opus Genetics, the remaining 75% vests in quarterly installments thereafter, subject to acceleration or forfeiture under certain events detailed in each employee’s award agreement.

Why did Opus Genetics (IRD) use Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) for these option grants?

Opus Genetics used Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) to grant options as a material inducement to new hires. According to Opus Genetics, these awards to ten non-executive employees were made outside shareholder-approved plans but under the company’s 2021 Inducement Plan, consistent with Nasdaq requirements.