Cartesian Therapeutics Announces New Employment Inducement Grants

Rhea-AI Summary

Cartesian Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RNAC) announced inducement stock option awards to two new employees granted on January 2, 2026. The company issued options to purchase an aggregate of 7,350 shares at an exercise price of $6.76, equal to the Nasdaq closing price on the grant date.

The options were granted under the company’s Amended and Restated 2018 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan, approved by the board, vest 25% on January 2, 2027 and then in 36 equal monthly installments, fully vesting on January 2, 2030, and have a ten-year term. Grants were made under Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

Key Figures

Option grant size 7,350 shares Aggregate inducement stock options to two new employees on Jan 2, 2026

Exercise price $6.76 Closing price on Nasdaq Global Market on Jan 2, 2026 grant date

Initial vesting 25% Portion of options vesting on January 2, 2027

Subsequent vesting period 36 months Remaining options vest in substantially equal monthly installments

Full vesting date January 2, 2030 Date when options are scheduled to be fully vested

Option term 10 years Expiration period for the inducement stock options

Market Reality Check

$7.04 Last Close

Volume Volume 114,178 is below the 20-day average of 241,073 (relative volume 0.47x). low

Technical Shares at $6.91 are trading below the 200-day MA of $10.16, indicating a pre-news downtrend.

Peers on Argus 1 Up

RNAC showed a modest pre-news gain of 2.22% while several high-affinity biotech peers (e.g., CADL, AVIR, DBVT, NMRA, OMER) had negative moves, and only DBVT appeared in momentum scanners with a 4.3% upside move.

Common Catalyst One peer (AVIR) reported conference-related news tied to the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, suggesting some sector activity around investor events rather than broad price alignment.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 18	Board appointment	Positive	-1.9%	Added experienced R&D executive Adrian Bot to Board and key committee.
Nov 13	Clinical trial update	Positive	-4.6%	Reported strong Phase 2 Descartes-08 SLE efficacy and outlined myositis plans.
Nov 06	Earnings and update	Neutral	-1.6%	Q3 2025 financials and pipeline progress with cash outlook into mid-2027.
Oct 30	Inducement grants	Neutral	-1.1%	Issued stock options to two employees under inducement plan and Nasdaq rule.
Oct 30	Leadership change	Neutral	-1.1%	Named CEO Carsten Brunn as Chairman and updated board leadership structure.

Pattern Detected

Recent history shows that positive clinical and management news for RNAC has often been followed by negative next-day price moves, while neutral corporate or option-related updates tended to see modest declines more in line with the overall trend.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, RNAC has focused on strengthening its leadership and advancing Descartes-08. Management changes in October–December 2025 added experienced board members and a new Chairman. Clinical updates, including strong Phase 2 SLE efficacy and progress toward a Phase 3 AURORA trial, were accompanied by guidance that cash of $145.1M should fund operations into mid-2027. Prior employment inducement grants on Oct 27–29, 2025 mirror today’s small stock option awards.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a small employment-related option grant totaling 7,350 shares at an exercise price of $6.76, vesting over four years with a 10-year term, under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4). It mirrors similar inducement grants disclosed in late 2025 and does not change previously reported cash, trial plans, or leadership structure. Investors following RNAC may focus more on upcoming clinical milestones and financial updates as key drivers.

Key Terms

stock options financial

"the Company issued to these employees options to purchase an aggregate of 7,350 shares"

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.

exercise price financial

"shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $6.76"

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.

Nasdaq Global Market regulatory

"the closing trading price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market"

The Nasdaq Global Market is a section of the stock exchange where larger, well-established companies are listed and publicly traded. It functions like a marketplace where investors can buy and sell shares of these companies, providing them with access to capital and opportunities for growth. Its role is important because it helps investors identify and invest in reputable companies with strong financial backgrounds.

Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan financial

"pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2018 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan"

An employment inducement incentive award plan is a program that gives new hires upfront or time‑based rewards—often company stock, options or cash—designed to persuade talent to join and stay. Think of it as a signing bonus that vests over time to align the new employee’s interests with the company’s future performance. Investors care because these awards create ongoing costs and can dilute existing ownership, while shaping management incentives and retention.

Nasdaq Listing Rules regulatory

"under Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules as an inducement"

Nasdaq listing rules are the rulebook a company must follow to have its shares traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange, covering entry requirements and ongoing standards for finances, corporate governance, public disclosure and reporting. For investors they matter because the rules create baseline checks — like a driver’s license and regular inspections for a car — that promote transparency, comparability and reduce the risk of fraud or sudden delisting.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

FREDERICK, Md., Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNAC) (the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering cell therapy for autoimmune diseases, today announced the granting of inducement awards to two new employees. On January 2, 2026, the Company issued to these employees options to purchase an aggregate of 7,350 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $6.76, the closing trading price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. The options were granted pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2018 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan and were approved by the Company’s board of directors. The options vest as to 25% on January 2, 2027, and then in thirty-six substantially equal monthly installments thereafter such that the options will be fully vested on January 2, 2030. The options have a ten-year term. The options were granted under Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules as an inducement material to the employees’ entry into employment with the Company.

About Cartesian Therapeutics

Cartesian Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company pioneering cell therapy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The Company’s lead asset, Descartes-08, is a CAR-T in Phase 3 clinical development for patients with generalized myasthenia gravis with plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial in myositis. For more information, please visit www.cartesiantherapeutics.com or follow the Company on LinkedIn or X, formerly known as Twitter.

Contact Information:
Investor Contact:
Megan LeDuc
Associate Director, Investor Relations
megan.leduc@cartesiantx.com

Media Contact:
David Rosen
Argot Partners
david.rosen@argotpartners.com

FAQ

What stock option awards did Cartesian Therapeutics (RNAC) grant on January 2, 2026?

The company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 7,350 shares at an exercise price of $6.76 on January 2, 2026.

What is the vesting schedule for the RNAC inducement options granted January 2, 2026?

Options vest 25% on January 2, 2027, then in thirty-six substantially equal monthly installments, fully vesting on January 2, 2030.

Under which plan and Nasdaq rule were Cartesian Therapeutics (RNAC) inducement awards granted?

The options were granted under the company’s Amended and Restated 2018 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan and under Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

What is the exercise price and term of the RNAC inducement options?

The exercise price is $6.76 per share and the options have a ten-year term from the grant date.

Who approved the inducement option grants at Cartesian Therapeutics (RNAC)?

The company’s board of directors approved the inducement option grants.