LWLG Form 4: Craig Ciesla Receives 20,161 RSUs; Vesting Dates Listed

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Craig Ciesla, a director of Lightwave Logic, Inc. (LWLG), was granted 20,161 restricted stock units (RSUs) on 09/30/2025. Each RSU converts into one share of common stock upon vesting. After the reported transactions, Mr. Ciesla beneficially owns 81,903 shares of common stock, which includes prior restricted stock awards and vested restricted shares.

The filing shows vesting schedules: portions of prior restricted stock awards include 17,241 shares from a 2016 award and 2,881 shares that vested on 06/18/2024. The new 2025 Equity Incentive Plan grant schedules 20,162 RSUs to vest on 07/15/2025, with additional tranches of 20,161 shares vesting on 09/30/2025, 12/31/2025, and 03/31/2026, subject to continued service; unvested shares are forfeitable.

Positive

• 20,161 RSU grant aligns director incentives with shareholder value through equity compensation
• Vesting schedule disclosed with specific dates (07/15/2025, 09/30/2025, 12/31/2025, 03/31/2026) provides transparency on timing

Negative

• Potential near-term dilution as multiple RSU tranches vest on 09/30/2025, 12/31/2025, and 03/31/2026
• Significant portion of holdings unvested and subject to forfeiture, indicating continued service is required to realize ownership

Insights

Corporate Governance Analyst

Director granted 20,161 RSUs; ownership now 81,903 shares.

The grant of 20,161 RSUs aligns the reporting director’s compensation with shareholder value by delivering equity that vests over time. Vesting dates are explicit: a tranche vested on 07/15/2025 and subsequent tranches on 09/30/2025, 12/31/2025, and 03/31/2026, subject to continued service.

This filing documents standard equity-based retention mechanics rather than a sale; the director’s increased beneficial ownership to 81,903 shares is a factual change in holdings disclosed under Section 16.

Equity Compensation Specialist

RSU structure: staggered vesting with forfeiture on termination.

The RSUs represent contingent rights to one share each at vesting and carry no purchase price ($0.00 per underlying share in the disclosure). The filing lists both previously issued restricted stock and the new RSU award under the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan.

The schedule creates multiple near-term vesting events (including 09/30/2025), which will increase outstanding common shares when they vest and settle.

Insider Trade Summary

20,161 shares exercised/converted

Mixed 2 txns

Insider Ciesla Craig

Role Director

Type	Security	Shares	Price	Value
Exercise	Restricted Stock Unit	20,161	$0.00	--
Exercise	Common Stock	20,161	$0.00	--

Holdings After Transaction: Restricted Stock Unit — 40,322 shares (Direct); Common Stock — 81,903 shares (Direct)

Footnotes (1)

1. Each restricted stock unit ("RSU") represents the contingent right to receive, upon vesting of the RSU, one share of the Issuer's common stock. Includes 17,241 shares of common stock issued pursuant to a restricted stock award granted pursuant to the Issuer's 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, 2,881 shares of restricted stock vested on June 18, 2024, with the remaining restricted stock awards vesting in 10 equal quarterly installments beginning on July 1, 2024, subject to continued service with the Issuer through the applicable vesting dates. Any unvested portion of this award is subject to forfeiture. Represents a grant of RSUs under the Issuer's 2025 Equity Incentive Plan. 20,162 RSU's vest on July 15, 2025, with remaining vesting as follows: 20,161 shares vest on each of September 30, 2025, December 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026, subject to continued service with the Company through the applicable vesting dates. Unvested shares are subject to forfeiture.

Form 4 Insider Transactions: What Each Field Means →

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).

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Ciesla Craig

(Last) (First) (Middle)

369 INVERNESS PARKWAY

SUITE 350

(Street)

ENGLEWOOD CO 80112

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Lightwave Logic, Inc. [ LWLG ]

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

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

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
09/30/2025

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	09/30/2025		M		20,161	A	(1)	81,903(2)	D

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
Restricted Stock Unit	(1)	09/30/2025		M			20,161	(3)	(3)	Common Stock	20,161	$0.00	40,322	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. Each restricted stock unit ("RSU") represents the contingent right to receive, upon vesting of the RSU, one share of the Issuer's common stock.

2. Includes 17,241 shares of common stock issued pursuant to a restricted stock award granted pursuant to the Issuer's 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, 2,881 shares of restricted stock vested on June 18, 2024, with the remaining restricted stock awards vesting in 10 equal quarterly installments beginning on July 1, 2024, subject to continued service with the Issuer through the applicable vesting dates. Any unvested portion of this award is subject to forfeiture.

3. Represents a grant of RSUs under the Issuer's 2025 Equity Incentive Plan. 20,162 RSU's vest on July 15, 2025, with remaining vesting as follows: 20,161 shares vest on each of September 30, 2025, December 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026, subject to continued service with the Company through the applicable vesting dates. Unvested shares are subject to forfeiture.

	/s/ James S. Marcelli, Attorney-in-fact for Craig Ciesla	10/02/2025
	** 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 did Lightwave Logic (LWLG) disclose in this Form 4 for Craig Ciesla?

The Form 4 reports a grant of 20,161 RSUs on 09/30/2025 and shows Mr. Ciesla beneficially owns 81,903 shares after the transaction.

How do the RSUs awarded to Craig Ciesla vest?

The filing states RSUs vest in tranches: 20,162 RSUs vested on 07/15/2025, and 20,161 RSUs vest on each of 09/30/2025, 12/31/2025, and 03/31/2026, subject to continued service.

Does the Form 4 show any cash purchase price for the RSUs?

No cash price is reported; the underlying shares are shown at a $0.00 price in the disclosure, indicating RSUs convert to shares upon vesting without a purchase price.

How many previously issued restricted shares are included in Mr. Ciesla’s holdings?

The filing discloses 17,241 shares from a 2016 restricted stock award and 2,881 shares that vested on 06/18/2024 as part of the 81,903 total.

Who signed the Form 4 and when was it filed?

The Form 4 was signed by James S. Marcelli, Attorney-in-fact for Craig Ciesla on 10/02/2025.