Ocular Therapeutix (NASDAQ: OCUL) granted equity inducement awards to its new SVP, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Beth Rada, under its 2019 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
The awards, effective August 10, 2026, include a non-statutory option to purchase up to 85,000 shares at an exercise price of $9.24 per share, with a ten-year term and four-year vesting schedule, and restricted stock units covering 28,000 shares vesting in three equal annual installments, all subject to continued service and applicable award agreement terms.
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News Explained
The awards became effective on August 10, 2026, but do not immediately deliver all covered shares: the 28,000-share restricted stock units vest over three years, while the 85,000-share option is a right to purchase shares under a ten-year term, creating potential dilution for existing common holders as the awards vest or are exercised.
Market Context
OCUL’s recent insider record was classified as Net Selling. That context places the inducement award...
Analysis
OCUL’s recent insider record was classified as Net Selling. That context places the inducement awards alongside existing ownership activity and an active S-3ASR shelf; vesting conditions remain important to monitor.
Key Figures
Option Shares:85,000 sharesRestricted Stock Units:28,000 sharesExercise Price:$9.24 per share+4 more
7 metrics
Option Shares85,000 sharesInducement stock option award
"consist of a non-statutory stock option award to purchase up to 85,000 shares"
A non-statutory stock option is a company-granted right that lets a person buy shares later at a set price but does not receive special tax-favored treatment under tax law. It matters to investors because when the option is used the holder usually pays ordinary income tax on the gain and the company records compensation cost and issues new shares, which can reduce existing owners’ percentage ownership—think of it like a coupon to buy stock that creates a taxable event and some dilution.
restricted stock unitfinancial
"restricted stock unit awards representing the right to receive an aggregate"
A restricted stock unit is a promise from a company to give an employee shares of stock after certain conditions are met, like staying with the company for a set amount of time. It’s like earning a bonus that turns into company stock once you’ve proven your commitment, making it a way to motivate and reward employees.
nasdaq listing rule 5635(c)(4)regulatory
"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.
vestingfinancial
"vests over four years, with 25% of the original number of shares"
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.
BEDFORD, Mass., Aug. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCUL, “Ocular” or the “Company”), an integrated biopharmaceutical company committed to redefining the retina experience, today announced that it has granted inducement awards to Ms. Beth Rada, the Company’s new SVP, Government Affairs and Public Policy. The awards were made as an inducement material to the recipient’s acceptance of employment with Ocular under Ocular’s 2019 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
The inducement equity awards granted to Ms. Rada were effective as of August 10, 2026 and consist of a non-statutory stock option award to purchase up to 85,000 shares of Ocular’s common stock and restricted stock unit awards representing the right to receive an aggregate of 28,000 shares of Ocular’s common stock.Ms. Rada’s stock option award has an exercise price of $9.24 per share, equal to the closing price of Ocular’s common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on the effective date of grant.The stock option award has a ten-year term and vests over four years, with 25% of the original number of shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and the remainder vesting in equal monthly installments over the three years after such date, subject to the recipient’s continued service to Ocular through the applicable vesting dates.The restricted stock unit awards vest over three years, in equal annual installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the recipient’s continued service to Ocular through the applicable vesting dates.
The inducement equity awards are subject to the terms and conditions of the award agreements covering the grants and Ocular’s 2019 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan.
About Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. is an integrated biopharmaceutical company committed to redefining the retina experience. AXPAXLI™ (also known as OTX-TKI), Ocular’s investigational product candidate for retinal disease, is an axitinib intravitreal hydrogel based on its ELUTYX™ proprietary bioresorbable hydrogel-based formulation technology. AXPAXLI is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), and diabetic retinal disease, including non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).
Ocular’s pipeline also leverages the ELUTYX technology in its commercial product DEXTENZA®, an FDA-approved corticosteroid for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery in adults and pediatric patients and ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis in adults and pediatric patients aged two years or older, and in its investigational product candidate OTX-TIC, which is a travoprost intracameral hydrogel that has completed a Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Ocular is currently evaluating next steps for the OTX-TIC program.
Follow the Company on its website, LinkedIn, or X.
DEXTENZA® is a registered trademark of Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. The Ocular Therapeutix logo, AXPAXLI™, ELUTYX™, and Ocular Therapeutix™ are trademarks of Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Investors & Media Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. Bill Slattery Vice President, Investor Relations bslattery@ocutx.com
FAQ
What inducement equity grants did Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL) award to Beth Rada on August 10, 2026?
Ocular Therapeutix granted Beth Rada a stock option for 85,000 shares and 28,000 restricted stock units. According to Ocular Therapeutix, these inducement awards were made under its 2019 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan as a material condition of her employment.
What is the exercise price and term of the new OCUL stock options granted to Beth Rada?
The stock options have an exercise price of $9.24 per share and a ten-year term. According to Ocular Therapeutix, the exercise price equals the closing price of its common stock on Nasdaq on the August 10, 2026 grant date.
How do the OCUL stock options granted to Beth Rada vest over time?
The options vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary and the remainder monthly over three years. According to Ocular Therapeutix, vesting requires Ms. Rada’s continued service through the applicable vesting dates.
What is the vesting schedule for the 28,000 restricted stock units granted by Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL)?
The 28,000 restricted stock units vest in three equal annual installments over three years. According to Ocular Therapeutix, vesting occurs on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject to Ms. Rada’s continued service.
Under which plan and Nasdaq rule were the Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL) inducement awards to Beth Rada granted?
The awards were granted under Ocular Therapeutix’s 2019 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). According to Ocular Therapeutix, they qualify as inducement grants material to Ms. Rada’s acceptance of employment.
