Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Rhea-AI Summary

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ZNTL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a WEE1 inhibitor for ovarian cancer treatment, has announced inducement grants under its 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan. The company granted stock options for 381,000 shares to six new employees.

The options, priced at $1.72 per share, will vest over four years with 25% vesting in the first year and the remaining 75% vesting monthly over three years. These grants, approved by the Compensation Committee, comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and are designed to attract new talent to the company.

News Market Reaction

-0.58%

9 alerts

-0.58% News Effect

+3.2% Peak Tracked

-6.8% Trough Tracked

-$764K Valuation Impact

$131M Market Cap

0.5x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, ZNTL declined 0.58%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +3.2% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -6.8% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 9 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $764K from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $131M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zentalis® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZNTL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a potentially first-in-class and best-in-class WEE1 inhibitor for patients with ovarian cancer and other tumor types, today announced that on September 2, 2025, the Compensation Committee of Zentalis’ Board of Directors granted non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 381,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to six (6) newly hired employees. The stock options were granted under the Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan (2022 Inducement Plan) as an inducement material to each such individual’s entering into employment with Zentalis in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The 2022 Inducement Plan is used exclusively for the grant of equity awards to individuals who were not previously employees of Zentalis, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to each such individual’s entering into employment with Zentalis, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The stock options have an exercise price of $1.72 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Zentalis’ common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. The stock options have a 10-year term and will vest over four years, with 25% of the options vesting on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and the remaining 75% of the options vesting in equal monthly installments over the three years thereafter.

Vesting of the stock options is subject to the employee’s continued service to Zentalis on each vesting date.

About Zentalis Pharmaceuticals
Zentalis® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing azenosertib (ZN-c3), a potentially first-in-class and best-in-class WEE1 inhibitor for patients with Cyclin E1+ platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). Azenosertib is being evaluated as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple tumor types in clinical trials and has broad franchise potential. In clinical trials, azenosertib has been well tolerated and has demonstrated anti-tumor activity as a single agent across multiple tumor types. The Company is also leveraging its extensive experience and capabilities to translate its science to advance research on additional areas of opportunity for azenosertib outside PROC. Zentalis has operations in San Diego.

For more information, please visit www.zentalis.com. Follow Zentalis on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/zentalis-pharmaceuticals.

ZENTALIS^® and its associated logo are trademarks of Zentalis and/or its affiliates. All website addresses and other links in this press release are for information only and are not intended to be an active link or to incorporate any website or other information into this press release.

Contacts:
Aron Feingold – VP, IR & Corp Comms
ir@zentalis.com

FAQ

What stock options did Zentalis Pharmaceuticals (ZNTL) grant to new employees in September 2025?

Zentalis granted non-qualified stock options to purchase 381,000 shares to six new employees at an exercise price of $1.72 per share.

What is the vesting schedule for Zentalis (ZNTL) employee stock options granted in September 2025?

The options vest over 4 years, with 25% vesting after the first year and the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments over the following three years.

What is Zentalis Pharmaceuticals' (ZNTL) main drug development focus?

Zentalis is developing a potentially first-in-class and best-in-class WEE1 inhibitor for patients with ovarian cancer and other tumor types.

What is the purpose of Zentalis' (ZNTL) 2022 Inducement Plan?

The 2022 Inducement Plan is used exclusively for granting equity awards to new employees as an inducement for joining Zentalis, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).