Cartesian Therapeutics Announces New Employment Inducement Grants

Rhea-AI Summary

Cartesian Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RNAC) announced inducement stock-option awards to two new employees dated Oct 27, 2025 and Oct 29, 2025. One option covers 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $8.85 (closing price on Oct 27, 2025); the other covers 2,650 shares at an exercise price of $8.20 (closing price on Oct 29, 2025).

Both grants were approved by the board under the Amended and Restated 2018 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan, vest 25% after one year then in three equal annual installments (fully vested in 2029), and carry a 10-year term. Grants were made under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4) as inducements to employment.

FREDERICK, Md., Oct. 30, 2025 (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 October 27, 2025, the Company issued to one employee an option to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $8.85, the closing trading price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. On October 29, 2025, the Company issued to another employee an option to purchase an aggregate of 2,650 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $8.20, 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 first employee’s option vests as to 25% on October 27, 2026, and then in three equal annual installments thereafter such that the option will be fully vested on October 27, 2029. The second employee’s option vests as to 25% on October 29, 2026, and then in three equal annual installments thereafter such that the option will be fully vested on October 29, 2029. 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 and Phase 2 development for systemic lupus erythematosus, with a Phase 2 basket trial planned in additional autoimmune indications. The Company’s clinical-stage pipeline also includes Descartes-15, a next-generation, autologous anti-BCMA CAR-T currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in patients with multiple myeloma. 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 inducement grants did Cartesian Therapeutics (RNAC) issue on Oct 27 and Oct 29, 2025?

The company issued an option for 50,000 shares at $8.85 on Oct 27, 2025 and an option for 2,650 shares at $8.20 on Oct 29, 2025.

What are the vesting schedules for the RNAC inducement options granted in Oct 2025?

Each option vests 25% after one year (Oct 27, 2026 and Oct 29, 2026) then in three equal annual installments, fully vested in 2029.

How long is the term for the Cartesian Therapeutics (RNAC) inducement options granted in Oct 2025?

Both options carry a ten-year term from the grant date.

Under what authority were the RNAC inducement awards granted?

The awards were granted under the company’s Amended and Restated 2018 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan and pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4).

Were the Oct 2025 inducement option exercise prices set at market for RNAC?

Yes; the exercise prices equal the closing Nasdaq trading prices on the respective grant dates: $8.85 (Oct 27) and $8.20 (Oct 29), 2025.

Do the Oct 2025 RNAC inducement grants require board approval?

Yes; the company’s board of directors approved the inducement awards.