Apellis (APLS) counsel exercises 888 options, updates share holdings

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Apellis Pharmaceuticals general counsel David O. Watson reported an insider equity transaction. On January 7, 2026, he exercised a stock option for 888 shares of Apellis common stock at an exercise price of $14.95 per share. Following this option exercise, he directly holds 104,618 shares of Apellis common stock.

The filing also lists indirect holdings. A custodial account for his minor children holds 10,000 shares. In addition, 50,136 shares are held by The David O. Watson Irrevocable Trust of 2023, for which William Zorn serves as trustee; Watson disclaims beneficial ownership of those trust shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number:			3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:			0.5

Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

X

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Watson David O.

(Last) (First) (Middle)

C/O APELLIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC

100 FIFTH AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR

(Street)

WALTHAM MA 02451

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [ APLS ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	General Counsel

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
01/07/2026

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	01/07/2026		M		888	A	$14.95	104,618	D
Common Stock								10,000	I(1)	Indirect Owner (Custodial Account for minor children)
Common Stock								50,136	I(2)	Indirect Owner (The David O. Watson Irrevocable Trust of 2023)

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$14.95	01/07/2026		M			888	(3)	02/15/2028	Common Stock	888	$0	14,000	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. This represents a custodial account held by the reporting person for the sole benefit of his minor children.

2. The securities are held by The David O. Watson Irrevocable Trust of 2023. William Zorn is the trustee of The David O. Watson Irrevocable Trust of 2023. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership over the shares held by The David O. Watson Irrevocable Trust of 2023 except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

3. This option was granted on February 16, 2018 and will vest as to 25% of the shares underlying the options on the first anniversary of the grant, with the remaining 75% of the shares underlying the options vesting in equal monthly installments thereafter through the fourth anniversary of the grant, subject to continued service.

	David Watson	01/09/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.

FAQ

What insider transaction did Apellis Pharmaceuticals (APLS) report for David O. Watson?

The filing shows that David O. Watson, general counsel of Apellis Pharmaceuticals, exercised a stock option on January 7, 2026, acquiring 888 shares of Apellis common stock.

At what price were the Apellis (APLS) stock options exercised and how many shares are now held directly?

Watson exercised a stock option covering 888 shares of Apellis common stock at an exercise price of $14.95 per share. After this transaction, he directly owns 104,618 shares of Apellis common stock.

What indirect Apellis Pharmaceuticals (APLS) holdings are reported for David O. Watson?

The filing lists 10,000 shares held in a custodial account for his minor children. It also reports 50,136 shares held by The David O. Watson Irrevocable Trust of 2023, for which Watson disclaims beneficial ownership except for his pecuniary interest.

What does transaction code "M" mean in the Apellis (APLS) Form 4 for David O. Watson?

The transaction in the Form 4 is coded "M", which in this context indicates the exercise of a stock option (Stock Option (Right to Buy)) into common stock, rather than an open-market purchase or sale.

What is David O. Watson’s role at Apellis Pharmaceuticals (APLS) according to this filing?

The filing identifies David O. Watson as an officer of Apellis Pharmaceuticals, serving as the company’s General Counsel.

How were the Apellis (APLS) stock options originally structured for David O. Watson?

The filing explains that the reported option was granted on February 16, 2018, with 25% of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the grant and the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments through the fourth anniversary, subject to continued service.