Vericel (VCEL) CMO reports new option and RSU awards
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
4
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Vericel Corp Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Mark Hopper reported several equity-related transactions. He received a grant of 35,000 stock options and 14,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) on February 19, 2026, both at no cash cost to him.
On February 18, 2026, previously granted RSUs vested, converting into 3,000 and 2,325 shares of common stock. Of these, 3,000 shares were deferred into phantom stock units under Vericel’s Deferred Compensation Plan, payable later in common shares. The company withheld 982 shares of common stock at a fair market value of $37.41 per share to satisfy tax obligations related to the vesting.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insider Trade Summary
5,325 shares exercised/converted
Mixed
7 txns
Insider
Hopper Jonathan Mark
Role
Chief Medical Officer
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant/Award | Stock Option (Right to Buy) | 35,000 | $0.00 | -- |
| Grant/Award | Restricted Stock Unit | 14,000 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit | 3,000 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit | 2,325 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 3,000 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 2,325 | $0.00 | -- |
| Tax Withholding | Common Stock | 982 | $37.41 | $37K |
Holdings After Transaction:
Stock Option (Right to Buy) — 35,000 shares (Direct);
Restricted Stock Unit — 14,000 shares (Direct);
Common Stock — 69,684 shares (Direct)
Footnotes (1)
- The Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) converted to phantom stock units and are deferred under the Vericel Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan. The units will be payable only in shares of Common Stock upon the Reporting Person's elected Benefit Distribution Date. The shares of common stock were acquired by the Reporting Person as a result of the vesting of RSUs granted to the Reporting Person on February 17, 2023. The remaining RSUs will vest on February 17, 2027. Upon the vesting of RSUs granted to the Reporting Person on February 17, 2023, the Reporting Person deferred the receipt of 3,000 shares of Common Stock and instead received 3,000 shares of Phantom Stock pursuant to the Vericel Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan. These shares include shares acquired pursuant to the Issuer's 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan in transactions that were exempt under both Rule 16b-3(d) and Rule 16b-3(c). The shares of common stock were acquired by the Reporting Person as a result of the vesting of RSUs granted to the Reporting Person on February 18, 2022. These shares were withheld by the Issuer to satisfy the tax withholding requirements in connection with the vesting of RSUs. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of common stock of Vericel Corporation. No expiration date for this type of award. The Fair Market Value of the vested derivative securities is $37.41 per share. These options shall begin vesting on February 19, 2026 and shall continue to vest and become exercisable in equal quarterly installments over the course of the following four (4) year period. These RSUs vest in four annual installments with the initial vesting of RSUs granted to the Reporting Person on February 19, 2027. The remaining RSUs will vest in annual installments on February 19, 2028, February 19, 2029, and February 19, 2030, respectively.
FAQ
What equity awards did Vericel (VCEL) grant to its CMO in this Form 4?
Vericel granted its CMO 35,000 stock options and 14,000 RSUs. Both awards were granted on February 19, 2026 at no cash cost to him, forming part of his long-term equity-based compensation package and vesting over multiple years.
What are phantom stock units mentioned in the Vericel (VCEL) Form 4?
Phantom stock units are deferred share-based units payable later in stock. The CMO deferred 3,000 vested shares into phantom stock under Vericel’s Deferred Compensation Plan, to be settled in common stock on his elected benefit distribution date.
How do the new Vericel (VCEL) stock options for the CMO vest over time?
The 35,000 stock options begin vesting on February 19, 2026. They then continue to vest and become exercisable in equal quarterly installments over the following four-year period, linking the CMO’s compensation to Vericel’s longer-term performance.
What is the vesting schedule for the new Vericel (VCEL) RSU grant?
The 14,000 RSUs vest in four annual installments. Initial vesting occurs on February 19, 2027, with remaining installments scheduled annually on February 19, 2028, February 19, 2029, and February 19, 2030, aligning the award with multi-year service.