Nektar Therapeutics Reports Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
Rhea-AI Summary
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) reported that on August 20, 2026 its Organization and Compensation Committee granted non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 25,200 shares of common stock and 5,000 RSUs to eleven new employees under its 2025 Inducement Plan, adopted November 6, 2025. The options have an exercise price of $74.53, equal to the August 20 closing price, an eight-year term, and vest over four years, with 25% after one year and the remainder monthly over three years. The RSUs also vest over four years, with 25% after one year and the balance quarterly over the next three years, all subject to continued employment. Nektar describes itself as a clinical-stage biotech focused on autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases, led by product candidate rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG, NKTR-358).
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Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25 | Clinical publication | Positive | +1.7% | Positive Phase 2b REZOLVE-AD results were published in The Lancet. |
| Aug 13 | Quarterly earnings | Negative | -3.8% | Q2 revenue declined year over year despite improved net loss and stronger liquidity. |
| Jul 28 | Earnings scheduling | Neutral | -0.1% | The company scheduled its Q2 financial results announcement and investor conference call. |
| Jul 24 | Inducement grants | Neutral | +0.9% | Nektar granted stock options to 23 newly hired employees under its inducement plan. |
| Jul 21 | Phase 3 initiation | Positive | +5.9% | Nektar began two global registrational Phase 3 atopic dermatitis trials. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Historical reactions varied: positive clinical announcements aligned with gains, while Q2 results fell and prior inducement grants drew a smaller gain.
Key Terms
non-qualified stock options financial
restricted stock units financial
nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4) regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Nektar's 2025 Inducement Plan was adopted by its Board of Directors on November 6, 2025 and is used exclusively for the grant of equity awards to individuals who were not previously an employee or non-employee director of Nektar (or following a bona fide period of non-employment), as an inducement material to such individual's entering into employment with Nektar, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
The stock options have an exercise price per share equal to
About Nektar Therapeutics
Nektar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments that address the underlying immunological dysfunction in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Nektar's lead product candidate, rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG, or NKTR-358), is a novel, first-in-class regulatory T cell stimulator being evaluated in atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, and Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Nektar's pipeline also includes preclinical bivalent tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) antibody and bispecific programs, NKTR-0165 and NKTR-0166, and a modified hematopoietic colony stimulating factor (CSF) protein, NKTR-422. Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For further information, visit www.nektar.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements which can be identified by words such as: "will", "can," "develop," "potential," "expand," "address," "may," "plan" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the safety and efficacy profile and therapeutic potential of, and future development plans for, rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166, and NKTR-422, and potential patient preferences and market adoption related thereto, and plans and timing of future clinical trials and data releases. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: (i) our statements regarding the therapeutic potential of rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166 and NKTR-422 are based on preclinical and clinical findings and observations and are subject to change as research and development continue; (ii) rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166 and NKTR-422 are investigational agents and continued research and development for these drug candidates is subject to substantial risks, including negative safety and efficacy findings in future clinical studies (notwithstanding positive findings in earlier preclinical and clinical studies); (iii) rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166 and NKTR-422 are in various stages of preclinical and clinical development, the risk of failure is high and can unexpectedly occur at any stage of development, and there can be no assurance that any such drug candidate will obtain regulatory approval; (iv) data reported from ongoing clinical trials may be preliminary or interim and may change as additional patient data become available or as continuing observations, verifications and analysis are completed; (v) the timing of the initiation or completion of clinical trials and the availability of clinical data may be delayed or unsuccessful due to regulatory delays, slower than anticipated patient enrollment, manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care, evolving regulatory requirements, clinical trial design, clinical outcomes, competitive factors, or delay or failure in ultimately obtaining regulatory approval in one or more important markets; (vi) a Fast Track designation does not increase the likelihood that rezpegaldesleukin will receive marketing approval in the United States; (vii) patents may not issue from our patent applications for our drug candidates, patents that have issued may not be enforceable, or additional intellectual property licenses from third parties may be required; and (viii) certain other important risks and uncertainties set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report, as such risks and uncertainties may be amended or supplemented by our other filings with the SEC . Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Contacts
For Investors:
Vivian Wu
628-895-0661
VWu@nektar.com
Corey Davis, Ph.D.
LifeSci Advisors
212-915-2577
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com
For Media:
Susan Roberts
LifeSci Communications
202-779-0929
sroberts@lifescicomms.com
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SOURCE Nektar Therapeutics