STOCK TITAN

Merit Medical (NASDAQ: MMSI) holders okay 2026 equity and ESPP plans

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. reported results from its 2026 annual meeting and related governance actions. Shareholders approved the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, which authorizes awards such as stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units, and the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, allowing eligible employees to buy common stock through payroll deductions at a discount.

Shareholders elected Martha G. Aronson, Lonny J. Carpenter and Scott R. Ward to three-year board terms and Lynne N. Ward to a one-year term, and gave majority support to the advisory say-on-pay vote. They also ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026. Following plan approval, the board adopted a base form restricted stock unit award agreement for directors and approved Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws, which fully replace the prior bylaws.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year Governance
The company amended its charter documents, bylaws, or changed its fiscal year.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Governance
Results of a shareholder vote on proposals at an annual or special meeting.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Shares entitled to vote 59,648,292 shares Common stock entitled to vote as of March 20, 2026 record date
Shares represented at meeting 52,532,073 shares Common stock represented in person or by proxy at 2026 annual meeting
Equity Incentive Plan share reserve 2,700,000 shares Maximum Share Reserve under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan
Employee Stock Purchase Plan shares 500,000 shares Maximum shares available under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Director annual equity/cash cap $750,000 Standard maximum aggregate annual compensation for a non-employee director
Initial-year director cap $1,000,000 Higher maximum aggregate compensation in a non-employee director’s first fiscal year
ESPP reference stock price $66.71 per share Closing price of common stock on NASDAQ Global Select Market on March 20, 2026
ESPP plan duration July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2036 Effective period of the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
2026 Equity Incentive Plan financial
"shareholders approved (i) the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan"
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement financial
"approved a base form Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement related to the grant of restricted stock units to directors"
A restricted stock unit (RSU) award agreement is a formal promise from a company that an employee or contractor will receive company shares (or cash equal to their value) after meeting certain conditions, such as staying with the company for a set time or hitting performance targets. Investors care because RSUs can dilute existing shares when converted, reveal how management is paid and incentivized, and signal future share issuance that can affect earnings and stock value.
Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws regulatory
"the Board approved and adopted the Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company"
employee stock purchase plan financial
"intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code"
An employee stock purchase plan is a company program that lets workers buy shares through small payroll deductions, often at a discount to the market price and after a set offering period. Think of it like a workplace savings plan that turns into ownership: it encourages employees to share in the company’s success and can create predictable buying or selling of stock that investors watch because it affects supply, demand and employee incentives.
Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code regulatory
"intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code"
say-on-pay financial
"a majority of votes cast with respect to the advisory “say-on-pay” proposal were “for” approval"
A say-on-pay is a shareholder vote that gives investors a chance to approve or disapprove a company’s executive compensation packages, typically held at annual meetings. It matters because the vote signals investor satisfaction with how leaders are paid—like customers rating how well managers are rewarded—and can push boards to change pay plans, reducing governance risk and affecting investor confidence and stock value even though the vote is usually advisory rather than legally binding.
0000856982false--12-3100008569822026-05-132026-05-13

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): May 13, 2026

Graphic

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Utah

  ​ ​ ​

0-18592

  ​ ​ ​

87-0447695

(State or other jurisdiction of

(Commission

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

File Number)

Identification No.)

1600 West Merit Parkway

  ​ ​ ​

South Jordan, Utah

84095

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(801) 253-1600

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

  ​ ​ ​

Trading Symbol(s)

  ​ ​ ​

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, no par value

MMSI

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company        

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

At the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) held on May 13, 2026, the Company’s shareholders approved (i) the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan (the “EIP”) and (ii) the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The Company’s executive officers and directors are among those eligible to participate in the EIP, and the Company’s officers are among those eligible to participate in the ESPP. Descriptions of the EIP and the ESPP are set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2026 (the “Proxy Statement”) in the section titled “Equity Incentive Plans” and are incorporated herein by reference. The description of the EIP is filed herein as Exhibit 99.1, and the description of the ESPP is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.2.

The descriptions of the EIP and ESPP contained herein and in the Proxy Statement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the EIP and ESPP, as applicable, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

Following the approval of the EIP by the shareholders, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved a base form Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement related to the grant of restricted stock units to directors (the “Director RSU Agreement”). Under the Director RSU Agreement, directors are granted a specified number of restricted stock units, which vest after 350 days provided that the respective director provides continuous service through the vesting date. The description of the Director RSU Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by the base form Director RSU Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.3

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On May 14, 2026, the Board approved and adopted the Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Fifth A&R Bylaws”). The Fifth A&R Bylaws became effective immediately upon approval by the Board and amend and restate entirely the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws. Among other things, the Fifth A&R Bylaws:

Clarify the ability of shareholders and proxyholders to attend and participate in shareholder meetings by means of remote communication equipment;
Permit delivery of notice of shareholder meetings by electronic communication;
Clarify the ability of directors to participate in Board meetings by means of remote communication equipment;
Update provisions relating to the “universal proxy” rules under Rule 14a-19 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”);
Modify the composition of officers of the Company;
Permit shares of stock of the Company to be represented in certificated and uncertificated form; and
Modify provisions related to the Company’s obligation to indemnify directors and officers to more closely track the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act;

The Fifth A&R Bylaws also make certain other technical, conforming, modernizing and clarifying changes to the prior bylaws of the Company. The forgoing summary of the Fifth A&R Bylaws is not a complete description of the Fifth A&R Bylaws and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Fifth A&R Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

On May 13, 2026, the Company held its Annual Meeting. A total of 59,648,292 shares of the Company’s common stock were entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting as of March 20, 2026, the record date for the Annual Meeting, of which 52,532,073 shares were represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

2

The Company’s shareholders voted on the following proposals:

(1)Election of four nominees, three to serve as directors until the Company’s 2029 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and one to serve as a director until the Company’s 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or until each of his or her successors is duly elected and qualified;
(2)Non-binding advisory proposal to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, otherwise known as a “say-on-pay” vote;
(3)Approval of the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan;
(4)Approval of the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan; and
(5)Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.

The voting results with respect to each of the proposals are set forth below.

Proposal 1 - Election of Directors

The votes cast for or withheld for each director nominee for the term length indicated were as follows:

Director Nominee

 

For

Against

Abstain

Broker Non-Votes

Martha G. Aronson (three year term)

 

50,057,322 

197,560 

13,927 

2,263,264 

Lonny J. Carpenter (three year term)

 

49,048,111 

1,206,492 

14,206 

2,263,264 

Lynne N. Ward (one year term)

 

49,027,930 

1,115,001 

125,878 

2,263,264 

Scott R. Ward (three year term)

50,071,431 

176,296 

21,082 

2,263,264 

Accordingly, each of Martha G. Aronson, Lonny J. Carpenter and Scott R. Ward was elected to serve as a director of the Company until the Company’s 2029 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and Lynne N. Ward was elected to serve as a director of the Company until the Company’s 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, in each case, or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.

Proposal 2 - Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

The voting results with respect to a non-binding advisory proposal to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers were as follows:

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

48,835,995

1,415,355

17,459

2,263,264

Accordingly, a majority of votes cast with respect to the advisory “say-on-pay” proposal were “for” approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement.

3

Proposal 3 - Approval of the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan

The voting results with respect to the proposal to approve the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan were as follows:

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

48,750,003

1,510,844

7,962

2,263,264

Accordingly, the Company’s shareholders approved the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan.

Proposal 4 – Approval of the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The voting results with respect to the proposal to approve the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan were as follows:

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

50,109,861

151,208

7,740

2,263,264

Accordingly, the Company’s shareholders approved the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Proposal 5 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The voting results with respect to the proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 were as follows:

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

50,369,058

2,151,392

11,623

Accordingly, the Company’s shareholders ratified the appointment of Deloitte and Touche LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.

No other matters were submitted to a vote of shareholders at the Annual Meeting.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 19, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the election of Scott R. Ward as a director of the Company. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.3 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.

The information under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.3, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

4

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)            Exhibits

EXHIBIT NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

3.1

Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

10.1

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 15, 2026, File No. 333-295944)†

10.2

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan†

10.3

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Directors†

99.1

Summary of Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan from proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2026

99.2

Summary of Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan from proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2026

99.3

Press release, dated May 19, 2026, entitled “Merit Medical Shareholders Elect Scott R. Ward to the Board of Directors”

104

The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL

† Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

5

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

Date: May 19, 2026

By:

/s/ Brian G. Lloyd

Brian G. Lloyd

Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

6

Exhibit 99.1

SUMMARY OF MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. 2026 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

The following is a brief description of the principal features of the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2026 Equity Incentive Plan”). This summary does not contain all of the terms and conditions of the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan which is included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on May 19, 2026. This summary is derived from the summary of the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2026 (the “Proxy Statement”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Proxy Statement.

Purpose

The purpose of the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan is to assist the Company and its subsidiaries in attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as directors and employees of, and consultants and advisors to, the Company and our subsidiaries. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that the awards granted under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan will align incentives of such individuals to those of our shareholders and help us achieve our long-term objectives, which in turn will inure to the benefit of all our shareholders. These incentives will be provided through such combination of one or more of the following types of awards as the Compensation and Talent Development Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) may determine: stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units and other share-based awards.

Eligibility

All directors, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and our subsidiaries will be eligible to receive awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, subject to selection as award recipients by the Compensation Committee or its delegate. Plan participation is, therefore, based upon selection by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has not yet determined who will receive future awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan. As of the March 20, 2026, if the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan had been in effect, there were approximately 7,600 employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (including six total executive officers, which includes five named executive offices (each an “NEO”)) and nine non-employee directors who would have been potentially eligible to participate in the Plan pursuant to the terms of the Plan. As of such date, we estimate that no consultants or advisors would have been eligible to participate in the Plan.

Administration

The Compensation Committee will administer the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee will have broad authority to interpret and construe the provisions of the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan and to make all decisions and determinations relating to the operation of the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, including the authority and discretion to:

select the individuals to receive awards under the plan, and the types and amounts of awards to be granted;
oversee the valuation of our Common Stock for purposes of grants of awards;
determine the time or times when, and performance-based or other conditions under which, stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance stock unit or other


awards will vest; provided that awards generally may not vest prior to one year from their date of grant (or prior to 350 days from the date of grant in the case of awards to non-employee directors);

establish the terms and conditions upon which awards may be exercised or settled;
establish and approve the forms of the written (including electronic) award agreements pursuant to which awards will be issued and documented;
prescribe, amend and rescind rules relating to the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, including creating sub-plans; and
modify or amend the plan and awards, subject in certain cases to shareholder or participant approval.

Subject to certain limitations, the Compensation Committee may delegate to a subcommittee or to the CEO, if the CEO is then serving as a director of the Company, authority to make option grants to employees other than executive officers and directors.

The Compensation Committee’s decisions, interpretations and other actions with respect to the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan are final and binding on all participants and will be given the maximum deference permitted by applicable law.

Duration

The 2026 Employee Incentive Plan became effective on May 13, 2026. The 2026 Equity Incentive Plan will continue in effect until May 13, 2036 unless sooner terminated by the Board; provided, that Awards issued under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan prior to termination will continue in effect until their expiration, exercise or settlement date.

Shares Subject to Plan

A maximum Share Reserve of 2,700,000 shares of our Common Stock is authorized for issuance under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, subject to adjustment in the event of a change in Company capitalization as described below. The Share Reserve will not be increased by any otherwise available remaining or later forfeited shares under the 2018 Incentive Plan. Each share of our Common Stock subject to an award issued under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, whether pursuant to a stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock grant, restricted stock unit grant, performance stock unit grant or other award, will count as one share against the Share Reserve.

If an award expires or becomes un-exercisable without having been exercised in full, or, with respect to any Full Value Awards, the underlying shares are forfeited or are not issued due to failure to vest or satisfy other applicable conditions, the unpurchased shares (or for Full Value Awards, the forfeited or unissued shares) will become available for future grant and issuance under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan.

In the event the outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased, decreased, changed into, or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities through reorganization, merger, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction (a Recapitalization), the Share Reserve under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan will be proportionately adjusted.

We intend to register the new shares authorized for issuance under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan on a Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as soon as practicable after receiving shareholder approval.

Limitation on Awards to Non-Employee Directors


Notwithstanding anything in the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan to the contrary, no non-employee director may be granted in any one Company fiscal year aggregate compensation in the form of cash, shares or other plan awards for such Board service having an aggregate value (measured as of the grant date and calculated based on the grant date fair value of plan awards for financial reporting purposes) in excess of $750,000 (or in excess of $1,000,000 in the non-employee director’s initial fiscal year of service as such).

Types of Awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan

The 2026 Equity Incentive Plan provides for the following types of awards: (a) stock options; (b) stock appreciation rights; (c) restricted stock; (d) restricted stock units, including performance stock units; and (e) other share-based awards. Awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan may vest based upon such factors as are determined by the Compensation Committee and set forth in the applicable award agreement, including without limitation the participant’s continuing future service through specified dates, the achievement of performance targets and other factors. Except in the case of certain Change in Control transactions with respect to the Company as described below, all awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan will have a minimum vesting requirement of at least one year of continuous service from the date of grant (or in the case of grants to non-employee directors, at least 350 days of continuous director service from the date of grant).

Stock Options

The Compensation Committee may from time to time award options to any 2026 Equity Incentive Plan participant. Stock options will give the holder the right to purchase shares of our Common Stock within a specified time at a specified exercise price. Two types of stock options may be granted under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan: (a) incentive stock options (ISOs), which are subject to special tax treatment as described below and which are limited to employees of the Company and our subsidiaries and special limitations under the Code; and (b) non-statutory options (NSOs), which are available to all directors, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and our subsidiaries. The aggregate number of shares that may be acquired through ISOs will not exceed the Share Reserve.

The exercise price per share of an option granted under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant (or in the case of ISOs granted to any individual who owns, as of the date of grant, stock possessing more than ten (10) percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of our Common Stock (a Ten Percent Owner), not less than 110% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant). The term of an option may not exceed seven years from its date of grant (or in the case of an ISO granted to a Ten Percent Owner, not more than five years from the date of grant).

After the termination of service of an employee, director or consultant, he or she may exercise the otherwise vested exercisable portion of his or her option for the period of time stated in his or her option award agreement. In the absence of another applicable exercise deadline specified in the applicable award agreement, the option will generally remain exercisable for three months following the termination of service. An option, however, may not be exercised later than the expiration of its stated maximum term. A participant may pay the applicable option exercise price in cash, by certified check or by wire transfer, or if permitted under the applicable award agreement or by the Compensation Committee, by tendering previously acquired shares, by withholding of shares or through a cashless broker-assisted exercise program.

Other than appropriate adjustments to reflect a Recapitalization, the Compensation Committee may not without the approval of our shareholders: (a) lower the option exercise price of an option after it is granted; (b) cancel an option when the option exercise price exceeds the fair market value of the underlying shares in exchange for another award; or (c) take any other action with respect to an option that may be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of Nasdaq.


Stock Appreciation Rights

The Compensation Committee may grant stock appreciation rights under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan to eligible participants. A stock appreciation right is the right to receive payment of an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the award over (B) the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the award, multiplied by (ii) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to the award. The Compensation Committee shall determine the time or times at which a stock appreciation right may be exercised in whole or in part, provided that the term of any stock appreciation right will not exceed seven years. Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, the amount payable under the award will be paid in shares of Common Stock.

Restricted Stock

The Compensation Committee may grant restricted shares of Common Stock under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan to such eligible participants, in such amounts, at such purchase prices (including zero) and subject to such terms and conditions (including time-based and performance-based vesting conditions) as the Compensation Committee determines in its discretion. Awards of restricted stock may be made in exchange for services or other lawful consideration. Awards of restricted stock will be subject to transfer restrictions and the requirement that the shares be forfeited to the Company unless the vesting conditions set forth in the applicable award agreement are met. Subject to those restrictions, conditions and forfeiture provisions, any recipient of an award of restricted stock will have all the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the shares upon grant subject to those restrictions, conditions and forfeiture provisions. Dividends otherwise payable on shares of restricted stock, however, will not be paid unless and until the shares of restricted stock vest.

Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units

The Compensation Committee may grant restricted stock units under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan. Restricted stock units represent a right to receive at one or more specified later settlement dates a payment in the form of shares of our Common Stock having a value determined by reference to a designated number of shares of our Common Stock. Restricted stock units may be granted to such eligible participants, in such amounts, and subject to such terms and conditions (including vesting conditions) as the Compensation Committee determines in its discretion.

Restricted stock units may be granted in a manner under which the applicable vesting and number of shares earned and issuable upon vesting and later settlement, is conditioned upon the participant’s period of continuing service following the date of grant and/or the attainment of designated performance goals measured over specified performance periods. The latter type of restricted stock units are referred to ‘performance stock units.” If the combined continuing service and performance requirements applicable to a performance stock unit award are met, the grantee of such performance stock units will receive shares of Common Stock equal to the applicable number of vested shares of Common Stock set forth in the applicable award agreement.

Performance Measures, Goals and Attainment

In the case of performance stock units and other awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan the vesting or settlement value of which wholly or partially performance-based, the Compensation Committee will have discretion to set the applicable financial, operational and other quantitative and qualitative measures to be taken into account, the target and other goals applicable to the awards, and the period over which performance is to be measured. Designated performance measures and goals may be Company-wide, subsidiary, divisional or department specific, based on individual performance criteria, or a combination thereof. The Compensation Committee may in its discretion modify such performance measures, goals and periods or the actual levels of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Compensation Committee deems


appropriate and equitable to take into account changes in law or accounting standards or other extraordinary events.

Other Share-Based Awards

The Compensation Committee may also make other awards payable in the form of shares of Common Stock under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan subject to the satisfaction of specified performance or other criteria. Other share-based awards shall be paid in shares of Common Stock only.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

No dividends or dividend equivalents will be paid with respect to stock option rights or stock appreciation rights. Any dividends payable on shares of restricted stock or dividend equivalents provided for in the award agreement in the case of restricted stock units or performance stock units will be subject to the same restrictions on vesting and payment as the shares under the applicable award.

Effect of a Change in Control

Under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, in the event of a Change in Control with respect to the Company, the transaction documents may provide that some or all awards will be assumed by the successor entity (or its parent or subsidiary), replaced by substantially equivalent substitute equity awards of the successor entity (or its parent or subsidiary), or remain outstanding at the Company level in accordance with their original terms. There will be no automatic “single trigger” accelerated exercisability, vesting, settlement, deemed performance satisfaction or payout of such continuing, assumed or substituted awards; provided, however, the award agreement may provide for acceleration if a Change in Control occurs and the applicable participant’s employment is terminated without “cause” or he or she resigns for “good reason” within 18 months (or such other shorter period as is designated in the applicable award agreement) after the Change in Control.

Alternatively, upon a Change in Control in which outstanding awards will not be assumed or replaced, the Compensation Committee may elect to cancel all or any portion of the outstanding awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan in exchange for a payment (in cash, shares or other property) equal to the value of the cancelled awards computed as if they were fully exercisable and vested and as if all applicable performance goals were satisfied at 100% of target performance levels (or if greater, the level of target performance goals actually attained).

A Change in Control means: (a) certain changes in the majority of the Board within a 12-month period; (b) the acquisition by any person of 50% or more of the voting securities of the Company; (c) consummation of a merger or reorganization of the Company in which neither the Company nor another entity controlled by our shareholders is the surviving entity; (d) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets to another entity that is not controlled by our shareholders; or (e) shareholder approval of a liquidation of the Company.

Recoupment and Clawback

The Company is entitled to recoup compensation of whatever kind paid under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan by the Company at any time to the extent required by applicable securities or other law or as provided in the Clawback Policy. See “Return of Incentive Compensation” on Page 56.

Provisions for Foreign Participants

The Compensation Committee may modify awards granted to participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish, amend or rescind rules, sub-plans or procedures under the


2026 Equity Incentive Plan to recognize differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefits or other matters.

General Provisions

Unless authorized by the Compensation Committee in the agreement evidencing an award granted under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, awards may not be transferred other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and may be exercised during the participant’s lifetime only by the participant or the participant’s guardian or legal representative.

The Board may, from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan. However, if any amendment (i) will materially increase the number of shares which may be issued under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, (ii) will materially modify the requirements for participation in the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, or (iii) must otherwise be approved by the Company’s shareholders in order to comply with applicable law or the Nasdaq listing requirements, then such amendment will be subject to shareholder approval and will not be effective unless and until such approval has been obtained. Additionally, no amendment or termination may substantially impair rights under any outstanding award without the consent of an affected participant.

Unless sooner terminated by the Board of Directors, the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan will automatically terminate on the 10-year anniversary date of the plan’s effective date. No grants may be made under the plan following the date of termination, although grants made prior to that date will remain outstanding following the termination of the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan until their scheduled expiration date.

Awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan will be subject to the withholding of taxes to the extent required by the Code or other applicable law. The Compensation Committee may authorize the withholding of shares subject to an award to satisfy required tax withholding.

Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan. This summary is made as of the date of this Proxy Statement, is not (and is not intended to be) complete, and does not describe state, local, foreign, or other tax consequences. The tax information summarized is not tax advice. The U.S. federal tax laws may change and the federal, state and local tax consequences for any participant will depend upon his or her individual circumstances. Tax consequences for any particular individual may be different. We advise participants to consult with a tax advisor regarding the tax implications of their awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan.

Tax Consequences to the Company. To the extent that a participant recognizes ordinary income in the circumstances described below as a result of the grant, exercise or payment of an award under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company or the subsidiary for which the participant performs services will be entitled to a corresponding deduction for income tax purposes, but only if, among other things, the expense: (a) meets the test of reasonableness; (b) is an ordinary and necessary business expense; (c) is not an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, as described below; and (d) is not disallowed by the $1 million limitation on executive compensation deductions under Section 162(m) of the Code, as described below.

Tax Consequences to Participants. The U.S. federal income tax consequences to participants receiving various types of awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan are summarized below:

Nonqualified Stock Options. In general, for recipients of NSOs: (a) no income will be recognized by the participant at the time an NSO is granted; (b) at the time of exercise of an NSO, ordinary income will be recognized by the participant in an amount equal to the difference between the option exercise price paid for the shares of Common Stock and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise; and


(c) at the time of sale of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an NSO, appreciation (or depreciation) in value of the shares after the date of exercise will be treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on how long the shares have been held. For post-exercise appreciation in share value to qualify for long-term capital gain treatment, the shares must be held for more than one year from their date of issuance.

Incentive Stock Options (ISOs). No income will be recognized by a participant upon the grant to the participant of an ISO. In general, no income will be recognized by the participant upon the exercise of an ISO for regular income tax purposes. However, the difference between the option price paid and the fair market value of the shares at exercise may constitute a preference item triggering alternative minimum tax on the participant. If shares of Common Stock are issued to a participant pursuant to the exercise of an ISO, and if no disqualifying disposition of such shares is made by such option holder within two years after the date of the grant or within one year after the issuance of such shares to the option holder, then upon later sale of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the option price will be taxed to the participant as long-term capital gain and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss. If shares of Common Stock acquired upon the timely exercise of an ISO are disposed of prior to the expiration of either holding period described above, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of such shares at the time of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of such shares if a sale or exchange) over the option exercise price paid for such shares. Any further gain (or loss) realized by the participant generally will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on the holding period.
Stock Appreciation Rights. No income will be recognized by a participant in connection with the grant of a stock appreciation right. When the appreciation right is exercised, the participant normally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income in the year of exercise an amount equal to the fair market value of any unrestricted shares of Common Stock or other property received on the exercise.
Restricted Stock. The recipient of restricted stock generally will not be subject to tax until the shares are no longer subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transfer for purposes of Section 83 of the Code (Restrictions). At such time, the participant will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the then fair market value of the restricted stock (reduced by any amount paid by the participant for such restricted stock). However, a participant who makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code through a filing with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the date of issuance of the shares will have taxable ordinary income on the date of transfer of the shares equal to the excess of the fair market value of such shares (determined without regard to the Restrictions) over the purchase price, if any, of such restricted stock. Any appreciation (or depreciation) after the date the value of the restricted stock initially becomes taxable to the participant which the participant later realizes upon a subsequent disposition of such shares will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain (or loss) depending upon how long the shares have been held. If a Code Section 83(b) election has not been made, any dividends received with respect to shares of restricted stock that are subject to the restrictions generally will be treated as deferred compensation that is taxable as ordinary income to the participant.
Restricted Stock Units (including Performance Stock Units). Generally, no income will be recognized by a participant upon the award of restricted stock units, including performance stock units. The recipient of a restricted stock unit award or performance stock unit award generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of any unrestricted shares of Common Stock received on the date that such shares are issued to the participant under the award (reduced by any amount paid, if any, by the participant for such restricted stock units). Similarly, any dividend equivalencies with respect to restricted stock units (including performance stock units) will be taxable as ordinary income to the recipient when vested and paid.
Other Share-Based Awards. No income generally will be recognized by a participant upon the grant of other Share-Based Awards until such awards become vested and payable. Upon payment in respect of other Share-Based Awards, the recipient generally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income


in the year of receipt an amount equal to the then fair market value of any nonrestricted shares of Common Stock received.

Section 280G of the Code. Section 280G of the Code limits the deduction that the employer may take for otherwise deductible compensation payable to certain individuals if the compensation constitutes an “excess parachute payment.” Excess parachute payments arise from payments made to disqualified individuals that are in the nature of compensation and are contingent on changes in ownership or control of the employer or certain affiliates. Accelerated vesting or payment of awards under the Plan upon a change in ownership or control of the employer or its affiliates could result in excess parachute payments. In addition to the deduction limitation applicable to the employer, a disqualified individual receiving an excess parachute payment is subject to a 20% excise tax on the amount thereof.

Section 162(m) of the Code. Under Section 162(m) of the Code, income tax deductions of publicly-traded companies may be limited to the extent total compensation (including, without limitation, base salary, annual bonus, stock option exercises, and restricted stock vesting) for certain current or former executive officers exceeds $1 million in any one taxable year. Although the Compensation Committee may take action to limit the impact of Section 162(m) of the Code, it also believes that deductibility of executive compensation is only one of several important considerations in setting compensation and reserves the right to approve executive compensation arrangements that are not fully tax deductible if it believes that doing so is in the best interests of the Company or our shareholders.

Section 409A of the Code. Generally, to the extent that deferrals of award, if any, fail to meet certain requirements under Section 409A of the Code, such awards will be subject to immediate taxation and tax penalties in the year they vest unless the requirements of Section 409A of the Code are satisfied. It is our intent that awards under the Plan will be structured and administered in a manner that complies with or is exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

New Plan Benefits

We are unable to determine the amount of benefits that may be received by participants under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan as grants of awards under the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan are discretionary with the Compensation Committee.


Exhibit 99.2

Summary of Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The following is a brief description of the principal features of the Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan”). This summary does not contain all of the terms and conditions of the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan which is included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on May 19, 2026. This summary is derived from the summary of the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2026 (the “Proxy Statement”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Proxy Statement.

Purpose

The purpose of the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is to provide a method whereby employees of the Company and any subsidiary designated by the Company, will have an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company through the purchase of shares of Common Stock. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is important because it provides incentives to present and future employees of the Company and its subsidiaries by allowing them to share in the Company’s growth. The 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).

Administration

The Compensation and Talent Development Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) will administer the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Compensation Committee will have broad authority to interpret and construe the provisions of the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and to make all decisions and determinations relating to the operation of the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, including the authority and discretion to:

determine eligibility and to whom, when and how options to purchase shares will be offered under the plan;
establish the terms and conditions upon which options will be offered under the plan;
establish and approve the forms of the written (including electronic) agreements pursuant to which options will be issued and documented;
determine the allocation of available shares in oversubscribed offerings; and
prescribe, amend and rescind rules relating to the plan, including creating sub-plans.

The Compensation Committee may delegate to a subcommittee or the Chief Executive Officer authority to act on behalf of the Compensation Committee with respect to the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The Compensation Committee’s decisions, interpretations and other actions with respect to the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan are final and binding on all participants and will be given the maximum deference permitted by applicable law.

Duration

The 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan will become effective July 1, 2026 and will remain in effect through and until June 30, 2036 unless sooner terminated by the Board.


Shares Subject to Plan

A maximum of 500,000 shares of our Common Stock are available for issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the outstanding shares of our Common Stock are increased, decreased, changed into, or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities through reorganization, merger, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction, the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be proportionately adjusted. The closing price of a share of our Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on March 20, 2026 was $66.71 per share.

We intend to register the new shares authorized for issuance under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan on a Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as soon as practicable after receiving shareholder approval.

Eligibility

Participation in the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is limited to employees of the Company and any Company subsidiary designated by the Company who have completed 30 days of continuous employment with the Company or the designated subsidiary since their most recent employment commencement date and are customarily scheduled to work at least 20 hours a week. No employee will be granted an option under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for a particular offering, however, (i) if such employee would own directly or indirectly or have the right to purchase 5% or more of the total combined voting power of the Company or (ii) which permits him or her to purchase in excess of $25,000 of our Common Stock per calendar year. The Compensation Committee may also elect to exclude from any offering some or all “highly compensated employees” within the meaning of Code Section 414(q).

As of the Record Date, approximately 3,100 employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (including six total executive officers, which includes five NEOs) would have been eligible to participate in the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan had it then been in effect. Non-employee directors of the Company are not eligible to participate in the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. We estimate that the same approximate number of employees will be eligible to participate in the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan on its effective date. No non-employee directors of the Company are eligible to participate in the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Offerings Under the Plan

The 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan provides for four three-month offering periods, commencing on the first trading day of each January, April, July and October, in each of the years during the term of the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and ending on the last trading day of such calendar quarter. The maximum number shares of our Common Stock that may be offered in any given quarterly offering period is 12,500 shares plus any unissued shares from prior offerings that could have been but were not issued in such prior offerings, but in no event more than the remaining unissued portion of the Share Reserve.

Granting of Options

On each applicable quarterly offering commencement date, a participating eligible employee will be granted an option to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the participant’s balance in his or her plan account on the last day of the offering period by the applicable purchase price per share of the Common Stock; provided, however, that (i) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that a participating employee may purchase under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company during any calendar year may not exceed $25,000 in fair market value; and (ii) the Compensation Committee may limit the number of shares each participant may purchase in a given offering to avoid oversubscription during the offering.


Participation in an Offering

An individual who is an eligible employee at the beginning of an offering may elect to participate in such offering by submitting an enrollment form (including by electronic form) to the Company authorizing the Company to make deductions from his or her base pay on each payday during the time the employee is a participant at any rate designated by the employee, from a minimum of $25.00 per pay period during the offering period to a maximum of 15% of the employee’s base pay. All such payroll deduction contributions will be credited to and held in a non-interest bearing account. An employee’s option to purchase shares of Common Stock will be deemed to have been exercised automatically on the offering termination date applicable to such offering, i.e., at the end of the quarterly offering period, unless the employee gives written notice to the Company to withdraw such payroll deductions. The option will be deemed to have been exercised for the purchase of the number of full shares of Common Stock which the amount in the participant’s account will purchase (but not in excess of the maximum number of shares for which an option has been granted to the employee), and any excess in the account will be returned to the employee.

Exercise Price of Options

The price per share to be paid by participants under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for a given quarterly offering will be equal to 95% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the applicable offering purchase date. The fair market value of the Common Stock shall be the closing sales price as reported on Nasdaq or any other securities exchange or market system on which shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted on the applicable offering purchase date.

Withdrawal; Termination of Employment

Upon withdrawal by a participating employee during a quarterly offering period prior to an offering termination date or the termination of a participant’s employment for any reason during an offering, including retirement and death, the option granted to such employee shall immediately terminate in its entirety, and the payroll deductions or other contributions credited to the participant’s account shall be returned to the participant, or, in the case of death, his or her designated beneficiary, and shall not be used to purchase shares of Common Stock under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Amendment and Termination

The Board may, at any time and for any reason, amend or terminate the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan; provided, however, that to the extent necessary to comply with the rules of Nasdaq or any other securities exchange or market system on which shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, or under Section 423 of the Code (or any successor rule or provision or any applicable law or regulation), the Company must obtain shareholder approval in such a manner and to such a degree as so required. Subject to certain exceptions, no termination, modification, or amendment of the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan may, without the consent of an employee then having an option under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock, adversely affect the rights of such employee under such option.

Corporate Transactions

In the event of certain specified significant corporate transactions, such as the Company’s merger or change in control, a successor corporation may assume, continue or substitute each outstanding purchase right. If the successor corporation does not assume, continue or substitute for the outstanding purchase rights, the offering in progress will be shortened and a new exercise date will be set. The participants’ purchase rights will be exercised on the new exercise date and such purchase rights will terminate immediately thereafter.

General Provisions

No participant or his or her legal representatives, legatees or distributees will be deemed to be the holder of any shares of Common Stock subject to an offering until the option has been exercised and the purchase price for the


shares has been paid. No payroll deductions credited to a participant’s stock purchase account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option to purchase shares of Common Stock under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way by a participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Options under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be exercisable during a participant’s lifetime only by the participant.

Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a brief summary of certain of United States federal income tax consequences relating to the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. This summary is not intended to be complete and does not describe state, local, foreign, or other tax consequences. The tax information summarized below is not tax advice. Participants under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors.

Grant of Options and Payroll Deductions. The 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. A recipient of options under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan incurs no income tax liability, and the Company obtains no income tax deduction, from the grant of the options. The payroll deductions and other contributions by a participant to his or her account are made on an after-tax basis. Participants will not be entitled to deduct or exclude from income or employment taxes any part of their payroll deductions.

Exercise of Options. An employee will not be subject to federal income tax upon the exercise of an option granted under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, nor will the Company be entitled to a tax deduction by reason of such exercise. The employee will have a cost basis in the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise equal to the option exercise price.

Disposition of Shares Acquired Under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In order to defer taxation on the difference between the fair market value and exercise price of shares acquired upon exercise of an option under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the employee must hold the shares throughout a holding period which runs through the later of one year after the option exercise date or two years after the date the option was granted. The only exceptions are for dispositions of shares upon death, as part of a tax-free exchange of shares in a corporate reorganization, into joint tenancy with right of survivorship with one other person, or the mere pledge or hypothecation of shares.

If an employee disposes of stock acquired under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan before expiration of the applicable holding periods in a manner not described above, such as by gift or ordinary sale of such shares, the employee must recognize as ordinary compensation income in the year of disposition the difference between the exercise price and the stock’s fair market value as of the date of exercise. This amount must be recognized as income even if it exceeds the fair market value of the shares as of the date of disposition or the amount of the sales proceeds received. In such an event, the Company will be entitled to a corresponding compensation expense deduction subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code. No deduction will be allowed to the Company in any other case.

Disposition of shares after expiration of the required holding periods (including disposition upon death) will result in the recognition of gain or loss in the amount of the difference between the amount realized on the sale of the shares and the exercise price for such shares. Any loss on such a sale will be a long-term capital loss. Any gain on such a sale will be taxed as ordinary compensation income up to the amount of the difference between exercise price and the stock’s fair market value as of the date of exercise, with any additional gain taxed as a long-term capital gain. The Company will not be allowed a deduction in the event of disposition after expiration of the required holding periods

Not an ERISA Plan. The 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.


New Plan Benefits

The Company is unable to determine the amount of benefits that may be received by participants under the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as participation is discretionary with each employee.


Exhibit 99.3

Graphic

Merit Medical Shareholders Elect Scott R. Ward to Board of Directors

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, May 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI), a leading global manufacturer and marketer of healthcare technology, today announced that shareholders elected Scott R. Ward to the company’s Board of Directors at Merit’s annual meeting of shareholders.

Mr. Ward was elected to serve a three-year term.

“On behalf of the Board, we are pleased with Scott Ward’s election to Merit’s Board of Directors,” said F. Ann Millner, Merit’s Chair of the Board. “Scott’s extensive industry experience, strategic insight, and commitment to innovation will be tremendous assets as we continue advancing the company’s strategic priorities.”

“We are proud to welcome Scott Ward to Merit’s Board,” said Martha G. Aronson, Merit’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Scott brings deep medical device experience and a proven leadership track record. As we continue building on our foundation and advancing our strategy, his perspective will be invaluable to our long-term growth.”

“I am honored to join the Merit Board of Directors,” Ward said. “I have great respect for Merit’s commitment to innovation and its focus on serving patients and healthcare providers around the world. I look forward to contributing my experience as the company continues to grow and expand its impact.”

Mr. Ward brings more than 40 years of experience in the healthcare and medical device industry, including nearly three decades at Medtronic, where he held senior leadership roles such as senior vice president and president of the cardiovascular, neurological, and diabetes businesses. He most recently served as CEO, President and Chairman of Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., leading the company through a period of expansion and its acquisition by Abbott.

Mr. Ward is also the founder of Raymond Holdings, a firm focused on venture capital, strategy, and advisory services for medical technology and life sciences companies, and has served on numerous public and private company boards. Merit’s Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Ward to serve on its Governance and Sustainability and Finance and Operating Committees.

ABOUT MERIT MEDICAL

Founded in 1987, Merit is engaged in the development, manufacture, and distribution of proprietary medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care, and endoscopy. Merit serves customers worldwide with a domestic and international sales force and clinical support team totaling more than 800 individuals. Merit employs approximately 7,600 people worldwide.


TRADEMARKS

Unless noted otherwise, trademarks and registered trademarks used in this release are the property of Merit Medical Systems, Inc., its subsidiaries, or its licensors.

CONTACTS

Media Inquiries

Sarah Comstock

Merit Medical

+1-801-432-2864 | sarah.comstock@merit.com

Investor Inquiries

Mike Piccinino, CFA, IRC

ICR Healthcare

+1-443-213-0509 | mike.piccinino@icrhealthcare.com


FAQ

What equity plans did Merit Medical Systems (MMSI) shareholders approve?

Shareholders approved the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The equity plan supports stock-based awards, while the purchase plan lets eligible employees buy Merit Medical common stock at a discount through payroll deductions.

Which directors were elected at Merit Medical Systems’ 2026 annual meeting?

Shareholders elected Martha G. Aronson, Lonny J. Carpenter and Scott R. Ward to three-year terms and Lynne N. Ward to a one-year term. Each director received a majority of votes cast, confirming continued board stability and planned refreshment.

Did Merit Medical Systems (MMSI) shareholders approve executive compensation?

Shareholders approved the non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation. Votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal were 48,835,995 for, 1,415,355 against and 17,459 abstaining, indicating broad support for the company’s disclosed pay programs.

What audit firm did Merit Medical Systems shareholders ratify for 2026?

Shareholders ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The vote totaled 50,369,058 for, 2,151,392 against and 11,623 abstentions, confirming Deloitte’s continued engagement.

What changes did Merit Medical make to its bylaws in May 2026?

The board approved Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws on May 14, 2026, which fully replace the prior Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws. The new bylaws include technical, conforming, modernizing and clarifying updates, and became effective immediately upon board approval.

How many Merit Medical shares were eligible and represented at the 2026 meeting?

A total of 59,648,292 Merit Medical common shares were entitled to vote as of the March 20, 2026 record date. Of these, 52,532,073 shares were represented in person or by proxy at the annual meeting, providing a strong quorum for all proposals.

What is the purpose of Merit Medical’s 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan?

The 2026 Employee Stock Purchase Plan lets eligible employees acquire a proprietary interest in the company by purchasing common stock at 95% of fair market value. It is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

9 documents