Board of Vera Therapeutics (VERA) seeks votes on directors, auditor and say-on-pay
Vera Therapeutics, Inc. has called its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders for May 21, 2026, to be held exclusively online via webcast. Holders of Class A common stock at the March 24, 2026 record date, when 71,713,905 shares were outstanding, may vote.
Stockholders will vote on electing three Class II directors to terms ending at the 2029 meeting, ratifying KPMG LLP as independent auditor for 2026, and approving an advisory "say‑on‑pay" resolution on executive compensation. The board recommends voting for all three proposals.
The proxy describes Vera’s classified 11‑member board, committee structure, and independence determinations, and details executive pay practices emphasizing performance‑based annual bonuses and multi‑year equity awards. It also outlines stock ownership of significant investors and insiders, governance policies (including a clawback and insider trading policy), and procedures for submitting future stockholder proposals and director nominations.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Key Terms
broker non-votes financial
plurality of the votes financial
say-on-pay financial
clawback policy financial
insider trading policy financial
Compensation Summary
- Election of three Class II directors to terms ending at the 2029 annual meeting
- Ratification of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year ending December 31, 2026
- Advisory approval of compensation of named executive officers (say-on-pay)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Filed by the Registrant | ☒ | ||
Filed by a party other than the Registrant | ☐ | ||
☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
N/A |
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant) |
☒ | No fee required |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials |
☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. | To elect the three Class II directors named herein to hold office until the Company’s 2029 annual meeting of stockholders. |
2. | To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. |
3. | To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. |
4. | To conduct any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting. |

Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please vote over the telephone or the internet as instructed in these materials, or, if you receive a paper proxy card by mail, by completing and returning the proxy mailed to you, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares of Class A common stock are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the Annual Meeting, you may be required to obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder. | ||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |||
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING | 1 | ||
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 7 | ||
INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 11 | ||
DIRECTOR NOMINATION PROCESS AND QUALIFICATIONS | 11 | ||
DIRECTOR CANDIDATES RECOMMENDED BY STOCKHOLDERS | 11 | ||
INDEPENDENCE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 11 | ||
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE | 12 | ||
ROLE OF THE BOARD IN RISK OVERSIGHT | 12 | ||
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 12 | ||
INFORMATION REGARDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 13 | ||
AUDIT COMMITTEE | 13 | ||
AUDIT COMMITTEE COMMITMENTS | 14 | ||
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD | 15 | ||
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE | 16 | ||
NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE | 17 | ||
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD | 18 | ||
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS | 18 | ||
INSIDER TRADING POLICY | 18 | ||
PROHIBITION ON SPECULATIVE TRADING | 18 | ||
PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 19 | ||
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | 19 | ||
PROPOSAL 3 ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 20 | ||
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | 21 | ||
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 23 | ||
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS | 25 | ||
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | 26 | ||
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | 26 | ||
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PRACTICES | 26 | ||
STOCKHOLDER ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 27 | ||
HOW WE DETERMINE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 27 | ||
COMPETITIVE MARKET REVIEW | 28 | ||
OBJECTIVES AND ELEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 28 | ||
EMPLOYMENT OFFER LETTERS | 31 | ||
SEVERANCE AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS | 31 | ||
OTHER FEATURES OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM | 31 | ||
OTHER POLICIES AND CONSIDERATIONS | 32 | ||
COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES AS THEY RELATE TO RISK MANAGEMENT | 32 | ||
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT | 33 | ||
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES | 34 | ||
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE | 34 | ||
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL 2025 | 35 | ||
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END | 36 | ||
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL 2025 | 37 | ||
PENSION BENEFITS | 37 | ||
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION | 37 | ||
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL | 37 | ||
CEO PAY RATIO | 38 | ||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |||
POLICIES AND PRACTICES RELATED TO THE GRANT OF CERTAIN EQUITY AWARDS CLOSE IN TIME TO THE RELEASE OF MATERIAL NONPUBLIC INFORMATION | 39 | ||
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE | 40 | ||
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION | 44 | ||
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 45 | ||
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS AND INDEMNIFICATION | 47 | ||
INDEMNIFICATION | 47 | ||
PARTICIPATION IN 2025 FOLLOW-ON PUBLIC OFFERING | 47 | ||
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS | 47 | ||
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS | 48 | ||
OTHER MATTERS | 49 | ||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | Proposal 1: To elect the three Class II directors named herein to hold office until the Company’s 2029 annual meeting of stockholders. |
• | Proposal 2: To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. |
• | Proposal 3: To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. |
• | To vote during the Annual Meeting, if you are a Class A common stockholder of record as of the Record Date, follow the instructions at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VERA2026. You will need to enter your 16-digit control number. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | To vote prior to the Annual Meeting (until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 20, 2026), you may vote through the Internet; by telephone; or by completing and returning your proxy card, as described below. |
○ | To vote through the Internet prior to the Annual Meeting, go to www.proxyvote.com to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the control number from the Notice. Your Internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 20, 2026 to be counted. |
○ | To vote by telephone prior to Annual Meeting, dial toll-free 1-800-690-6903 using a touch-tone phone and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the control number from the Notice. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 20, 2026 to be counted. |
○ | To vote using the proxy card prior to the Annual Meeting, simply complete, sign and date the proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If we receive your signed proxy card before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares of Class A common stock as you direct. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date. |
• | You may grant a subsequent proxy by telephone or through the internet. |
• | You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to Vera Therapeutics, Inc., 2000 Sierra Point Parkway, Suite 1200, Brisbane, California 94005, Attention: Corporate Secretary. |
• | You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote online. Simply attending the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Proposal Number | Proposal Description | Vote Required for Approval | Voting Options | Effect of Abstentions or Withhold votes, as applicable | Effect of Broker Non- Votes | Board Recommendation | ||||||||||||
1 | Election of three Class II Directors named in this Proxy Statement to hold office until the 2029 annual meeting of stockholders | Plurality of the votes of shares of Class A common stock present virtually or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of directors | For or Withhold | No Effect | No Effect | For All Nominees | ||||||||||||
2 | Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 | Majority of the voting power of shares of Class A common stock present in person, by remote communication, or represented by proxy at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on the matter | For, Against or Abstain | No Effect | Not Applicable | For | ||||||||||||
3 | Advisory approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers | Majority of the voting power of shares of Class A common stock present in person, by remote communication, or represented by proxy at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on the matter | For, Against or Abstain | No Effect | No Effect | For | ||||||||||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Director Name | Age | Term Expires | Class | Position(s) Held | Director Since | ||||||||||
Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D. | 65 | 2026 | II | Director, Chair | 2022 | ||||||||||
Patrick G. Enright | 64 | 2026 | II | Director | 2020 | ||||||||||
James R. Meyers | 61 | 2026 | II | Director | 2025 | ||||||||||
Maha Katabi, Ph.D. | 52 | 2026 | II | Director | 2020 | ||||||||||
Andrew Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. | 59 | 2027 | III | Director | 2017 | ||||||||||
Christopher Hite | 59 | 2027 | III | Director | 2026 | ||||||||||
Scott Morrison | 68 | 2027 | III | Director | 2020 | ||||||||||
Christy Oliger | 56 | 2027 | III | Director | 2024 | ||||||||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | 52 | 2028 | I | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer | 2016 | ||||||||||
Kimball Hall | 60 | 2028 | I | Director | 2021 | ||||||||||
Beth Seidenberg, M.D. | 69 | 2028 | I | Director | 2016 | ||||||||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Name | Audit | Compensation | Nominating and Corporate Governance | ||||||
Michael Morrissey, Ph.D. | X | X | |||||||
Andrew Cheng, M.D., Ph.D.(1) | X | ||||||||
Patrick Enright | X* | ||||||||
Kimball Hall | X | ||||||||
Christopher Hite(2) | |||||||||
Maha Katabi, Ph.D., C.F.A. | X* | ||||||||
James Meyers(3) | X | ||||||||
Scott Morrison | X* | ||||||||
Christy Oliger | X | ||||||||
Beth Seidenberg, M.D. | X | ||||||||
Total meetings in 2025 | 4 | 4 | 3 | ||||||
* | Committee Chair |
(1) | Dr. Cheng has been appointed as a member and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, effective following the Annual Meeting. |
(2) | Mr. Hite was appointed as a member of the Board in March 2026. |
(3) | Mr. Meyers was appointed as a member of the Board and Audit Committee in November 2025. |
• | overseeing our corporate accounting and financial reporting processes; |
• | managing the selection, engagement, qualifications, independence and performance of a qualified firm to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements; |
• | discussing the scope and results of the audit with the independent registered public accounting firm, and reviewing, with management and the independent accountants, our interim and year-end operating results; |
• | developing procedures for employees to submit concerns anonymously about questionable accounting or audit matters; |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | monitoring and assessing, and overseeing the reporting of, any material cybersecurity breaches and associated risks; |
• | reviewing related person transactions; |
• | helping the Board oversee our legal and regulatory compliance, including risk assessment; |
• | obtaining and reviewing a report by the independent registered public accounting firm at least annually, that describes our internal quality control procedures, any material issues with such procedures, and any steps taken to deal with such issues when required by applicable law; and |
• | approving, or, as permitted, pre-approving, audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | reviewing and approving the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers and senior management, and overseeing the development and performance of our officers; |
• | reviewing and recommending to our Board the compensation paid to our non-employee directors for their service on the Board and its committees; |
• | administering our equity incentive plans and other benefit programs; |
• | reviewing, adopting, amending and terminating, incentive compensation and equity plans, severance agreements, profit sharing plans, bonus plans and any other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers and other senior management; |
• | reviewing matters related to human capital management, including our policies and strategies regarding recruiting, retention, career development and progression, inclusivity and other employment practices; |
• | reviewing annually the independence of any compensation consultant, outside legal counsel or any such other advisor engaged by the Compensation Committee; |
• | reviewing and discussing with management the compensation disclosures in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of our annual reports, registration statements and proxy statements; |
• | reviewing, evaluating and recommending to our Board succession plans for our executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer); and |
• | reviewing and establishing general policies relating to compensation and benefits of our employees. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | identifying and evaluating candidates, including the nomination of incumbent directors for reelection and nominees recommended by stockholders, to serve on the Board; |
• | considering and making recommendations to the Board regarding the composition and chairmanship of the committees of the Board; |
• | overseeing succession planning for the Board and key leadership roles on the Board and its committees; |
• | periodically reviewing and making recommendations to our Board regarding the leadership structure of the Board; |
• | reviewing, evaluating and recommending to our Board succession plans for our Chief Executive Officer; |
• | instituting plans or programs for the continuing education of our Board and orientation of new directors; |
• | reviewing and making recommendations to our Board regarding environmental, social responsibility and sustainability matters; |
• | evaluating developments in corporate governance and shareholder engagement and reviewing the Company’s governance documents, disclosures and other actions related thereto; |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | reviewing and making recommendations to our Board regarding corporate governance guidelines and matters; and |
• | overseeing periodic evaluations of Board performance, including committees of the Board. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 | |||||
Audit Fees | $2,028,160 | $1,560,000 | ||||
Audit-related Fees | $20,000 | $— | ||||
Tax Fees | $— | $— | ||||
All Other Fees | $— | $— | ||||
Total Fees | $2,048,160 | $1,560,000 | ||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Name | Age | Position | ||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | 52 | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. | 58 | Chief Medical Officer | ||||
Sean Grant | 41 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
David Johnson | 56 | Chief Operating Officer | ||||
William Turner | 60 | Chief Regulatory Officer | ||||
Matthew Skelton | 61 | Chief Commercial Officer | ||||
Jane Wright-Mitchell | 57 | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | ||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock; |
• | each of our directors, including the nominees named herein; |
• | each of our named executive officers; and |
• | all of our current executive officers and directors as a group. |
Name of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned | ||||
5% Stockholders: | ||||||
Avoro Capital Advisors LLC(1) | 5,610,000 | 7.8% | ||||
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(2) | 5,461,988 | 7.6% | ||||
Entities affiliated with Longitude Venture Partners IV, L.P.(3) | 5,394,212 | 7.5% | ||||
Deep Track Capital, LP(4) | 3,921,362 | 5.5% | ||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers: | ||||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D.(5) | 1,802,043 | 2.5% | ||||
Robert Brenner, M.D.(6) | 230,906 | * | ||||
Sean Grant(7) | 471,397 | * | ||||
David Johnson(8) | 98,959 | * | ||||
William Turner(9) | 151,041 | * | ||||
Andrew Cheng, M.D., Ph.D.(10) | 154,381 | * | ||||
Beth Seidenberg, M.D.(11) | 272,458 | * | ||||
Maha Katabi, Ph.D.(12) | 2,861,837 | 4.0% | ||||
Patrick Enright(13) | 5,467,944 | 7.6% | ||||
Scott Morrison(14) | 136,893 | * | ||||
Kimball Hall(15) | 77,775 | * | ||||
Michael Morrissey, Ph.D.(16) | 88,000 | * | ||||
Christy Oliger(17) | 32,959 | * | ||||
James Meyers(18) | 3,472 | * | ||||
Christopher Hite(19) | 1,385 | * | ||||
All directors and current executive officers as a group (17 persons)(20) | 11,897,411 | 15.9% | ||||
* | Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent. |
(1) | Consists of 5,610,000 shares of Class A common stock held by Avoro Capital Advisors LLC (“Avoro”). Avoro and Behzad Aghazadeh, the portfolio manager and controlling person of Avoro, exercises sole voting and dispositive control over the shares held by Avoro. The address for Avoro and Mr. Aghazadeh is 110 Greene Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10012. The foregoing information was obtained from a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2025. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(2) | Consists of 5,461,988 shares of Class A common stock held by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. has sole dispositive power over 5,461,976 shares and sole voting power over 5,376,319 shares. The address for T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is 1307 Point Street, Baltimore, MD 21231. The foregoing information was obtained from a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 17, 2026. |
(3) | Consists of (i) 3,596,593 shares of Class A common stock held by Longitude Venture Partners IV, L.P. (“LVPIV”) and (ii) 1,797,619shares of Class A common stock held by Longitude Prime Fund, L.P. (“LPF”). Longitude Capital Partners IV, LLC (“LCPIV”) is the general partner of LVPIV and may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these securities. Longitude Prime Partners, LLC (“LPP”) is the general partner of LPF and may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to the securities held by LPF. Juliet Tammenoms Bakker and Patrick G. Enright, a member of our Board, are the managing members of LCPIV and LPP and may each be deemed to share voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these securities. Each of LVPIV, LPF, LCPIV, LPP Ms. Bakker and Mr. Enright disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein. The address for these individuals and entities is 2740 Sand Hill Road, 2nd Floor, Menlo Park, California 94025. The foregoing information was obtained from a Schedule 13D/A filed on November 4, 2024 and updated based on a Form 4 filed on December 15, 2025. |
(4) | Consists of 3,921,362 shares of Class A common stock held by Deep Track Capital, LP, Deep Track Biotechnology Master Fund, Ltd. (together with Deep Track Capital, LP, the Deep Track entities) and David Kroin. The Deep Track entities and David Kroin, a control person of Deep Track Capital, LP, exercise shared voting and shared dispositive control over all the shares. The address for the Deep Track Capital, LP and David Kroin is 200 Greenwich Ave, 3rd Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830. The address for Deep Track Biotechnology Master Fund, Ltd. is c/o Walkers Corporate Limited, 190 Elgin Ave, George Town, KY1-9001, Cayman Islands. The foregoing information was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed on March 11, 2026. |
(5) | Consists of (i) 89,459 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Dr. Fordyce, (ii) 122,949 shares of Class A common stock held by MWF 2024 Annuity Trust, of which Dr. Fordyce is trustee and exercises sole voting and sole dispositive power over such shares, (iii) 99,081 shares of Class A common stock held by The Fordyce Revocable Trust, of which Dr. Fordyce is trustee and exercises shared voting and shared dispositive power over such shares and (iv) 1,490,554 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Dr. Fordyce. |
(6) | Consists of (i) 6,803 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Dr. Brenner and (ii) 224,103 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Dr. Brenner. |
(7) | Consists of (i) 56,913 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Mr. Grant (ii) 5,000 shares of Class A common stock held by the Grant Brandt Revocable Trust, of which Mr. Grant is trustee and exercises shared voting and shared dispositive power of such shares and (ii) 409,484 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Grant. |
(8) | Consists of (i) 6,314 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Mr. Johnson and (ii) 92,645 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Johnson. |
(9) | Consists of (i) 3,438 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Mr. Turner and (ii) 147,603 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Turner. |
(10) | Consists of (i) 17,488 shares of Class A common stock held by the Andrew Cheng 2010 Trust UA 10-26-2010, of which Dr. Cheng is trustee and exercises sole voting and sole dispositive power over such shares and (ii) 136,893 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Dr. Cheng. |
(11) | Consists of (i) 4,012 shares of Class A common stock held by the Samuel B. Seidenberg Irrevocable Trust, established July 1, 2013, of which Dr. Seidenberg is trustee and exercises shared voting and shared dispositive power over such shares (ii) 131,553 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Dr. Seidenberg and (iii) 136,893 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held directly by Dr. Seidenberg. |
(12) | Consists of (i) 2,793,987 shares of Class A common stock held by Sofinnova Venture Partners X, L.P. (“SVP X”). Sofinnova Management X, L.P. (“SM X LP”), the general partner of SVP X, may be deemed to have sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by SVP X, Sofinnova Management X-A, L.L.C. (“SM X LLC”), the general partner of SM X LP, may be deemed to have sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by SVP X, and each of James Healy and Maha Katabi, the managing members of SM X LLC, may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power over the shares owned by SVP X. Ms. Katabi disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of her pecuniary interests therein. The address for each of SVP X, SM X LP, SM X LLC, James Healy and Maha Katabi is c/o Sofinnova Investments, 3000 Sand Hill Road, Building 4-Suite 250, Menlo Park, California 94025. The foregoing information was obtained from a Schedule 13D/A filed on March 26, 2024 and (ii) 67,850 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Dr. Katabi. |
(13) | Consists of (i) the shares described in note 3 above, (ii) 5,882 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Mr. Enright and (iii) 67,850 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Enright. |
(14) | Consists of 136,893 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Morrison. |
(15) | Consists of 77,775 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Ms. Hall. |
(16) | Consists of 88,000 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Dr. Morrissey. |
(17) | Consists of (i) 2,987 shares of Class A common stock held directly by Ms. Oliger and (ii) 29,972 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Ms. Oliger. |
(18) | Consists of 3,472 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Meyers. |
(19) | Consists of 1,385 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Hite. |
(20) | Consists of (i) 8,749,946 shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned by our current executive officers and directors and (ii) 3,147,465 shares of Class A common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date and held by our executive officers and directors. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | Marshall Fordyce, M.D., our President and Chief Executive Officer; |
• | Sean Grant, our Chief Financial Officer; |
• | David Johnson, our Chief Operating Officer; |
• | Robert Brenner, M.D., our Chief Medical Officer; and |
• | William Turner, our Chief Regulatory Officer. |
• | The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted priority review to the Biologics License Application for atacicept for the treatment of IgAN in adults, and assigned a PDUFA target action date of July 7, 2026; and |
• | We also presented positive primary endpoint results from the ORIGIN Phase 3 clinical trial of atacicept for the treatment of (IgAN) in a featured late-breaking oral presentation during the opening plenary session of ASN Kidney Week 2025 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. |
What We Do: | What We Do Not Do: | ||||||||
✔ | Performance metrics tied to Company performance. The performance metrics for our annual executive bonus plan are tied to Company performance, aligning the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. | ✘ | No tax gross-ups. None of our compensation agreements and arrangements provides for tax “gross-ups.” | ||||||
✔ | Multi-year vesting requirements. The equity awards we grant to our executive officers generally vest over multi-year periods, consistent with current market practice and our retention objectives. | ✘ | No special perquisites. We generally do not provide our executives with perquisites or other personal benefits that differ materially from those available to employees generally. | ||||||
✔ | Double-trigger termination rights. Our agreements with our executive officers require both a change-in-control and a termination of employment for full severance benefits, including any equity acceleration, to be triggered. | ✘ | No retirement plans other than 401(k). We do not provide any pension or other retirement benefits to our executive officers, except that we offer all employees the right to participate in a Company-sponsored 401(k) plan under which we make matching contributions of up to $3,000 per employee per year. | ||||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What We Do: | What We Do Not Do: | ||||||||
✔ | Independent compensation committee. Our Compensation Committee comprises solely independent members of our Board. | ✘ | No special health or welfare benefits. We do not provide our executives with any special health or welfare benefits. Our executive officers participate in the same broad-based Company-sponsored health and welfare benefits programs made available to our other full-time, salaried employees. | ||||||
✔ | Independent compensation consultant. Our Compensation Committee uses an independent compensation consultant that provides no other material services to the Company. | ✘ | Hedging, short selling and pledging prohibited. Our insider trading policy prohibits our executive officers and directors from hedging, short-selling or pledging our securities. | ||||||
✔ | Clawback policy. We maintain a compensation recovery policy that complies with applicable SEC rules and stock exchange listing standards. | ✘ | No single-trigger change-in-control benefits. We do not provide cash or equity vesting based solely on a change in control without a qualifying employment termination. | ||||||
✔ | Ongoing stockholder engagement. We consider prior say-on-pay results in our decisions with respect to our compensation program. | ✘ | No guaranteed annual bonuses. We do not provide guaranteed minimum annual incentive payouts. | ||||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Akero Therapeutics Inc. (AKRO) | Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CRNX) | Protagonist Therapeutics Inc. (PTGX) | ||||
AnaptysBio Inc. (ANAB) | IDEAYA Biosciences Inc. (IDYA) | Soleno Therapeutics Inc. (SLNO) | ||||
Arcellx Inc. (ACLX) | Immunovant Inc. (IMVT) | Spyre Therapeutics Inc. (SYRE) | ||||
Avidity Biosciences Inc. (RNAM) | Kymera Therapeutics Inc. (KYMR) | Structure Therapeutics Inc. (GPCR) | ||||
Celldex Therapeutics Inc. (CLDX) | Neumora Therapeutics Inc. (NMRA) | Summit Therapeutics Inc. (SMMT) | ||||
Cogent Biosciences Inc. (COGT) | Pliant Therapeutics Inc. (PLRX) | Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SNDX) | ||||
• | attracting, retaining, and motivating top quality executives; |
• | providing incentives that reward the achievement of performance goals; |
• | aligning the interests of executives with those of stockholders; and |
• | linking pay to company performance. |
Element of Compensation | Objectives | Key Features | ||||
Base Salary (fixed cash) | Provides financial stability and security through a fixed amount of cash for performing job responsibilities. | Generally reviewed annually and determined based on a number of factors (including individual performance and the overall performance of our Company) and by reference, in part, to market data provided by our independent compensation consultant. | ||||
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation (at-risk cash) | Motivates and rewards for attaining key annual corporate performance goals and individual contributions that relate to our key business objectives. | Target bonus amounts are generally reviewed annually and determined based upon positions that have similar impact on the organization and competitive bonus opportunities in our market. Bonus opportunities are dependent upon achievement of specific corporate | ||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Element of Compensation | Objectives | Key Features | ||||
performance objectives consistent with our long-term strategic plan and may also include individual performance objectives that relate to the officer’s role and expected contribution toward reaching our corporate goals, generally determined by the Compensation Committee and communicated at the beginning of the year. Actual bonus amounts earned are determined by taking into account both corporate and individual performance objectives. | ||||||
Equity Compensation (at-risk equity) | Motivates and rewards for long-term Company performance; aligns executives’ interests with stockholder interests and changes in stockholder value. Attracts highly qualified executives and encourages their continued employment over the long-term. | Equity opportunities are generally reviewed annually and may be granted during the first half of the year or as appropriate during the year for new hires, promotions, or other special circumstances, such as to encourage retention, or as a reward for significant achievement. Individual awards are determined based on a number of factors, including current corporate and individual performance and market data provided by our independent compensation consultant. | ||||
Name | 2024 Base Salary | 2025 Base Salary | Percentage Increase | ||||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | $620,000 | $660,000 | 6% | ||||||
Sean Grant | $478,400 | $507,000 | 6% | ||||||
David Johnson | $500,000 | $510,000 | 2% | ||||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. | $480,000 | $509,000 | 6% | ||||||
William Turner | $455,000 | $473,000 | 4% | ||||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Name | 2025 Target Performance Bonus (%) of Salary | 2025 Target Performance Bonus | ||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | 60% | $396,000 | ||||
Sean Grant | 40% | $202,800 | ||||
David Johnson | 40% | $204,000 | ||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. | 40% | $203,600 | ||||
William Turner | 40% | $189,200 | ||||
Name | 2025 Base Salary | Target ($) | Total 2025 Cash Incentive Compensation | ||||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | $660,000 | $396,000 | $554,400 | ||||||
Sean Grant | $507,000 | $202,800 | $283,920 | ||||||
David Johnson | $510,000 | $204,000 | $285,600 | ||||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. | $509,000 | $203,600 | $285,040 | ||||||
William Turner | $473,000 | $189,200 | $264,880 | ||||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Name | Stock Option Grant (#) | RSU Grant (#) | ||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | 161,500 | 80,750 | ||||
Sean Grant | 53,800 | 26,900 | ||||
David Johnson | 53,800 | 26,900 | ||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. | 53,800 | 26,900 | ||||
William Turner | 45,000 | 22,500 | ||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($)(2) | Option Awards ($)(3) | Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(4) | All Other Compensation ($)(5) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. President and Chief Executive Officer | 2025 | 660,000 | — | 2,356,285 | 3,415,725 | 554,400 | — | 6,986,410 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | 616,250 | — | 1,323,000 | 3,299,751 | 409,200 | — | 5,648,201 | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | 585,638 | 32,450 | — | 2,519,595 | 292,050 | — | 3,429,733 | |||||||||||||||||
Sean Grant Chief Financial Officer | 2025 | 507,000 | — | 784,942 | 1,137,870 | 283,920 | 3,000 | 2,716,732 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | 476,100 | — | 441,000 | 1,099,800 | 229,632 | — | 2,246,532 | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | 455,000 | — | — | 1,120,000 | 184,000 | — | 1,759,000 | |||||||||||||||||
David Johnson Chief Operating Officer(1) | 2025 | 510,000 | — | 784,942 | 1,137,870 | 285,600 | 3,000 | 2,721,412 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. Chief Medical Officer(1) | 2025 | 509,000 | — | 784,942 | 1,137,870 | 285,040 | 3,000 | 2,719,852 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | 476,615 | 120,000 | — | 3,627,050 | 229,138 | 3,000 | 4,455,803 | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
William Turner Chief Regulatory Officer(1) | 2025 | 473,000 | — | 656,550 | 951,750 | 264,880 | — | 2,346,180 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
(1) | Mr. Johnson was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in July 2024. Mr. Johnson was not a named executive officer in 2024 and therefore his compensation information that year has been omitted. Dr. Brenner was appointed as Chief Medical Officer in January 2024. Mr. Turner was appointed as Chief Development Officer in January 2024 and later appointed as Chief Regulatory Officer in January 2025. Mr. Turner was not a named executive officer in 2024 and therefore his compensation information that year has been omitted. |
(2) | The dollar amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs granted during the indicated fiscal year computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The grant date fair value of each equity award is measured based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on the date of grant. These amounts do not necessarily correspond to the actual value recognized or that may be recognized by the named executive officers. |
(3) | The amounts disclosed represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards granted to our named executive officers during the indicated fiscal year, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value of the stock options are set forth in Note 8 to our audited financial statements included within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. This amount does not reflect the actual economic value that may be realized by the named executive officer. |
(4) | The amounts disclosed represent cash incentive compensation earned in 2025 but paid in the beginning of 2026. |
(5) | The amounts shown in this column represent matching payments under our 401(k) Plan, a tax-qualified retirement plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) | Grant Date Fair value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(2) | |||||||||||||||||
Name | Award Type | Grant Date | Target ($) | ||||||||||||||||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | RSU | 2/18/2025 | — | 80,750 | — | — | 2,356,285 | ||||||||||||||
Stock Option | 2/18/2025 | — | — | 161,500 | 29.18 | 3,415,725 | |||||||||||||||
Cash Incentive Bonus | 2/18/2025 | 396,000 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Sean Grant | RSU | 2/18/2025 | — | 26,900 | — | — | 784,942 | ||||||||||||||
Stock Option | 2/18/2025 | — | — | 53,800 | 29.18 | 1,137,870 | |||||||||||||||
Cash Incentive Bonus | 2/18/2025 | 202,800 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
David Johnson | RSU | 2/18/2025 | — | 26,900 | — | — | 784,942 | ||||||||||||||
Stock Option | 2/18/2025 | — | — | 53,800 | 29.18 | 1,137,870 | |||||||||||||||
Cash Incentive Bonus | 2/18/2025 | 204,000 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. | RSU | 2/18/2025 | — | 26,900 | — | — | 784,942 | ||||||||||||||
Stock Option | 2/18/2025 | — | — | 53,800 | 29.18 | 1,137,870 | |||||||||||||||
Cash Incentive Bonus | 2/18/2025 | 203,600 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
William Turner | RSU | 2/18/2025 | — | 22,500 | — | — | 656,550 | ||||||||||||||
Stock Option | 2/18/2025 | — | — | 45,000 | 29.18 | 951,750 | |||||||||||||||
Cash Incentive Bonus | 2/18/2025 | 189,200 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
(1) | This column sets forth the target annual cash bonus amounts that could be earned by each named executive officer under our cash incentive compensation program. “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards” in 2025 did not have a threshold or maximum value. The dollar value of the actual bonus award earned for 2025 for each named executive officer is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above. As such, the amounts set forth in these columns do not represent either additional or actual compensation earned by the named executive officers for 2025. For a description of our cash incentive compensation program, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Cash Incentive Compensation” above. |
(2) | The dollar amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs and option awards granted during the indicated fiscal year computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The grant date fair value of RSUs are measured based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on the date of grant. Assumptions used in the calculation of the grant date fair value of the option awards are included in Note 8 to our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. These amounts do not necessarily correspond to the actual value recognized or that may be recognized by the named executive officers. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Option Awards(1) | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price Per Share ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#)(2) | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($)(3) | ||||||||||||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | 2/18/2025(4) | — | — | — | — | 80,750 | 4,089,180 | ||||||||||||||
2/18/2025(5) | 33,645 | 127,855 | 29.18 | 2/17/2035 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
1/16/2024(6) | — | — | — | — | 59,062 | 2,990,900 | |||||||||||||||
1/16/2024(7) | 140,156 | 152,344 | 16.80 | 1/15/2034 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
2/15/2023(8) | 318,750 | 131,250 | 7.87 | 2/14/2033 | |||||||||||||||||
2/16/2022(9) | 168,814 | 7,340 | 20.94 | 2/15/2032 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
5/13/2021(10) | 110,038 | — | 11.00 | 5/12/2031 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
12/16/2020(10) | 609,051 | — | 2.90 | 12/15/2030 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Sean Grant | 2/18/2025(4) | — | — | — | — | 26,900 | 1,362,216 | ||||||||||||||
2/18/2025(5) | 11,208 | 42,592 | 29.18 | 2/17/2035 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
1/16/2024(6) | — | — | — | — | 19,687 | 996,950 | |||||||||||||||
1/16/2024(7) | 46,718 | 50,782 | 16.80 | 1/15/2034 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
2/15/2023(8) | 141,666 | 58,334 | 7.87 | 2/14/2033 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
2/16/2022(9) | 86,250 | 3,750 | 20.94 | 2/15/2032 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
7/13/2021(10) | 80,172 | — | 14.87 | 7/12/2031 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
David Johnson | 2/18/2025(4) | — | — | — | — | 26,900 | 1,362,216 | ||||||||||||||
2/18/2025(5) | 11,208 | 42,592 | 29.18 | 2/17/2035 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
7/1/2024(11) | 56,666 | 103,334 | 36.29 | 6/30/2034 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. | 2/18/2025(4) | — | — | — | — | 26,900 | 1,362,216 | ||||||||||||||
2/18/2025(5) | 11,208 | 42,592 | 29.18 | 2/17/2035 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
1/3/2024(12) | 167,708 | 182,292 | 15.36 | 1/02/2034 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
William Turner | 2/18/2025(4) | — | — | — | — | 22,500 | 1,139,400 | ||||||||||||||
2/18/2025(5) | 9,375 | 35,625 | 29.18 | 2/17/2035 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
1/5/2024(13) | 101,770 | 143,230 | 15.53 | 1/04/2034 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
(1) | All of the option awards granted prior to May 13, 2021 were granted under the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (“2017 Plan”). All of the option and stock awards granted on or subsequent to May 13, 2021 were granted under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (“2021 Plan”) or under the 2024 Inducement Plan (“Inducement Plan”). |
(2) | Awards in this column consist of RSU awards that were unvested as of December 31, 2025. |
(3) | Amounts in this column represent the market value of the RSU awards that were unvested as of December 31, 2025. The market value is calculated by multiplying the number of shares underlying the RSU award shown in the table by $50.64, the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 31, 2025. |
(4) | One-fourth of the total RSUs vest on each of February 20, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029, subject to continuous service through each vesting date. |
(5) | One-forty-eighth of the shares subject to the option award vest each month after February 18, 2025, subject to continuous service through each vesting date. |
(6) | One-fourth of the total RSUs vest on each of February 20, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028, subject to continuous service through each vesting date. |
(7) | One-forty-eighth of the shares subject to the option award vest each month after January 16, 2024, subject to continuous service through each vesting date. |
(8) | One-forty-eighth of the shares subject to the option award vest each month after February 15, 2023, subject to continuous service through each vesting date. |
(9) | One-forty-eighth of the shares subject to the option award vest each month after February 16, 2022, subject to continuous service through each vesting date. |
(10) | Fully vested. |
(11) | One-fourth of the shares subject to the option award vest on July 1, 2025, and the remaining shares subject to the award vest in 36 substantially equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to continuous service through each vesting date. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(12) | One-fourth of the shares subject to the option award vest on January 3, 2025, and the remaining shares subject to the award vest in 36 substantially equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to continuous service through each vesting date. |
(13) | One-fourth of the shares subject to the option award vest on January 5, 2025, and the remaining shares subject to the award vest in 36 substantially equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to continuous service through each vesting date. |
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1) | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2) | ||||||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | 17,500 | 679,842 | 19,688 | 582,962 | ||||||||
Sean Grant | — | — | 6,563 | 194,330 | ||||||||
David Johnson | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
William Turner | 30,000 | 887,920 | — | — | ||||||||
(1) | The value realized on exercise is based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on the date of exercise minus the exercise price. |
(2) | The value realized on vesting is based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on the vesting date. |
Termination without Cause or for Good Reason | Change in Control Termination | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Cash(1) | Continued Benefits(2) | Equity Acceleration | Total | Cash(3) | Continued Benefits(4) | Equity Acceleration(5) | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Marshall Fordyce, M.D. | 660,000 | 43,552 | — | 703,552 | 1,386,000 | 65,328 | 20,810,730 | 22,262,058 | ||||||||||||||||
Sean Grant | 380,250 | — | — | 380,250 | 709,800 | — | 7,597,973 | 8,307,773 | ||||||||||||||||
David Johnson | 382,500 | 41,327 | — | 423,827 | 714,000 | 55,103 | 3,759,083 | 4,528,186 | ||||||||||||||||
Robert Brenner, M.D. | 381,750 | 44,059 | — | 425,809 | 712,600 | 58,746 | 8,707,502 | 9,478,848 | ||||||||||||||||
William Turner | 354,750 | 18,930 | — | 373,680 | 662,200 | 25,240 | 6,932,718 | 7,620,158 | ||||||||||||||||
(1) | Represents a lump sum cash payment equal to 12 months of base salary (for Dr. Fordyce) or 9 months of base salary (for the other named executive officers). |
(2) | Represents a lump sum cash payment equal to 12 months of COBRA benefits (for Dr. Fordyce) or 9 months of COBRA benefits (for the other named executive officers). |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(3) | Represents (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to 18 months of base salary (for Dr. Fordyce) or 12 months of base salary (for the other named executive officers) and (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to the named executive officer’s target bonus for the applicable fiscal year. |
(4) | Represents a lump sum cash payment equal to 18 months of COBRA benefits (for Dr. Fordyce) or 12 months of COBRA benefits (for the other named executive officers). |
(5) | Represent accelerated vesting of 100% of the then-outstanding equity awards in connection with a Change in Control. The value of restricted stock unit award vesting acceleration is based on the closing price of $50.64 per share of our Class A common stock as of December 31, 2025. The value of accelerated stock options is the aggregate spread between $50.64, the closing price of our Class A common stock on December 31, 2025, and the exercise prices of the accelerated stock options. |
• | the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of the Company (other than the CEO) was $428,720; and |
• | the annual total compensation of the CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement, was $6,986,410. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for our PEO(1)(2) ($) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(1)(3) ($) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs(1)(2) ($) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs(1)(3) ($) | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On Total Stockholder Return (“TSR”)(4) ($) | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On Peer Group TSR(5) ($) | Net Income (Loss) (in thousands)(6) ($) | ||||||||||||||
2025 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | The following individuals are our PEO and other Non-PEO NEOs for each fiscal year |
Year | PEO | Non-PEO NEOs | ||||
2025 | Sean Grant David Johnson Robert Brenner, M.D. William Turner | |||||
2024 | Robert Brenner, M.D. Jason Carter | |||||
2023 | Sean Grant Cecilia Lin, M.D. | |||||
(2) | Represents the amount of total compensation reported for Marshall Fordyce, M.D. (our Chief Executive Officer) and the average total compensation for our Non-PEO NEOs for each corresponding year in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Refer to “Executive Compensation Tables—Summary Compensation Table.” |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(3) | Represents the amount of CAP to Marshall Fordyce, M.D. and the average amount of CAP to our Non-PEO NEOs, respectively, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to our NEOs during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to the total compensation amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each fiscal year to determine the CAP: |
Year | NEOs | Summary Compensation Table Total Compensation ($) | Deduct: Grant Date Fair Value of the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” Columns in the Summary Compensation Table for Applicable FY* ($) | Add: Fair Value at Applicable FY End of Awards Granted during Applicable FY that Remain Unvested as of Applicable FY End* ($) | Add: Change in Fair Value from the end of the Prior FY to the end of the Applicable FY of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Applicable FY End* ($) | Add: Vesting Date Fair Value of Awards Granted in Applicable FY that Vested During Applicable FY* ($) | Add: Change in Fair Value from the end of the Prior FY to the Vesting Date of Awards Granted during Prior FY that Vested During Applicable FY* ($) | CAP ($) | ||||||||||||||||
2025 | PEO | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Average Non-PEO NEOs | ( | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | PEO | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Non-PEO NEOs | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | PEO | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
Average Non-PEO NEOs | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
* | In calculating the CAP amounts, the fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of the equity award adjustments included in such calculations was computed in accordance with ASC 718 and the valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. |
(4) | For the relevant fiscal year, the TSR reflected in this column represents the cumulative TSR of our common stock at the end of each fiscal year. In each case, we assume an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2022. |
(5) | For the year ended December 31, 2025, the TSR reflected in this column represents the cumulative TSR of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index at the end of each fiscal year. In each case, we assume an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2022. The Company qualified as a “smaller reporting company” for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and 2024 and therefore included the scaled disclosure for these years. |
(6) | The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of Net Income (Loss) reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS


TABLE OF CONTENTS

• |
• |
• |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Plan Category | Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) | ||||||
(a) | (b) | (c) | |||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) | 6,394,565 | $15.33(2) | 3,820,669(3) | ||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(4) | 2,000,725 | $33.18(2) | 468,665(5) | ||||||
Total | 8,395,290 | $19.59(2) | 4,289,334 | ||||||
(1) | Consists of the 2017 Plan, the 2021 Plan, and our 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan is subject to an automatic increase on January 1st of each year for a period of 10 years, beginning on January 1, 2022 and continuing through January 1, 2031, in an amount equal to (a) 5% of the total number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding on December 31st of the immediately preceding year or (b) a lesser number of shares of Class A common stock determined by the Board no later than the date of any such increase. The number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP is subject to an automatic increase on January 1st of each year for a period of 10 years, beginning on January 1, 2022 and continuing through January 1, 2031. The number of shares added each year will be equal to the lesser of: (a) 1% of the total number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year; and (b) 440,502 shares of Class A common stock, except before the date of any such increase, the Board may determine that such increase will be less than the amount set forth in clauses (a) and (b). On January 1, 2026, the numbers of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan and the ESPP were increased by 3,563,371 and 440,502, respectively, pursuant to the automatic increase provisions of such plans. |
(2) | The weighted average exercise price is calculated based solely on outstanding stock options. It does not take into account the shares of our Class A common stock underlying RSUs, which have no exercise price. |
(3) | Consists of shares available for future issuance under the 2021 Plan and the ESPP. As of December 31, 2025, 2,381,813 shares of our Class A common stock were available for issuance under the 2021 Plan, and 1,438,856 shares of our Class A common stock were available for issuance under the ESPP. |
(4) | Consists of the Inducement Plan, which was adopted in February 2024 without stockholder approval pursuant to Rule 5635(c) of the Nasdaq listing rules. The Inducement plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards. Stock awards granted under our Inducement Plan may only be made to individuals not previously employees or non-employee directors of the Company or an affiliate of the Company (or following such individuals’ bona fide period of non-employment with the Company or an affiliate of the Company), as an inducement material to the individuals’ entering into employment with the Company or an affiliate of the Company or in a manner otherwise permitted by Rule 5635(c) of the Nasdaq listing rules. In addition, stock awards must be approved by either a majority of the Company’s “independent directors” (as such term is defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing rules) or the Compensation Committee, provided such committee comprises solely independent directors. The terms of our Inducement Plan are otherwise substantially similar to our 2021 Plan (including with respect to the treatment of stock awards upon corporate transactions involving us or certain changes in our capitalization), except stock awards granted under our Inducement Plan may not be repriced without stockholder approval. On February 3, 2024, the Company initially reserved 500,000 shares of our Class A common stock for issuance under the Inducement Plan. On August 28, 2024, the Company reserved an additional 750,000 shares of our Class A common stock for issuance under the Inducement Plan. On January 28, 2025, the Company reserved an additional 1,590,000 shares of our Class A common stock for issuance under the Inducement Plan. On September 19, 2025, the Company reserved an additional 600,000 shares of our Class A common stock for issuance under the Inducement Plan. |
(5) | Consists of shares available for future issuance under the Inducement Plan. As of December 31, 2025, 468,665 shares of our Class A common stock were available for issuance under the Inducement Plan. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Option Awards ($)(1)(2) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||
Michael Morrissey, Ph.D. | 90,000 | 296,660 | — | 386,660 | ||||||||
Andrew Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. | 47,500 | 296,660 | — | 344,160 | ||||||||
Patrick Enright | 55,000 | 296,660 | — | 351,660 | ||||||||
Kimball Hall | 47,500 | 296,660 | — | 344,160 | ||||||||
Maha Katabi, Ph.D. | 50,000 | 296,660 | — | 346,660 | ||||||||
Scott Morrison | 60,000 | 296,660 | — | 356,660 | ||||||||
Christy Oliger | 45,000 | 296,660 | — | 341,660 | ||||||||
Beth Seidenberg, M.D. | 50,000 | 296,660 | — | 346,660 | ||||||||
James Meyers | 4,891 | 735,750 | — | 740,641 | ||||||||
(1) | The amounts disclosed represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock options granted to our non-employee directors during 2025 under our 2021 Plan, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value of the stock options are set forth in Note 8 to our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025. This amount does not reflect the actual economic value that may be realized by the non-employee director. |
(2) | The aggregate number of shares underlying outstanding options to purchase our Class A common stock held by our non-employee directors as of December 31, 2025 was 776,154, as follows: 88,000 by Dr. Morrissey; 136,893 by Dr. Cheng; 67,850 by Mr. Enright; 77,775 by Ms. Hall; 67,850 by Dr. Katabi; 136,893 by Mr. Morrison; 39,000 by Ms. Oliger; 136,893 by Dr. Seidenberg; and 25,000 by Mr. Meyers. |
• | an annual cash retainer of $40,000; and an additional annual cash retainer of $35,000 for services as non-executive chair of our Board (the “Chair Retainer”); |
• | an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000, $7,500 and $5,000 for service as a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee, respectively (the “Committee Member Retainer”); |
• | an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000, $7,500 and $5,000 for service as chair of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee, respectively (the “Committee Chair Retainer”); |
• | an initial option grant to purchase the lesser of (i) 25,000 shares of our Class A common stock and (ii) the maximum number of shares of our Class A common stock that would result in the option having a grant-date fair value of not more than $700,000, on the date of each such non-employee director’s appointment to our Board (the “Initial Grant”); and |
• | an annual option grant to purchase the lesser of (i) 14,000 shares of our Class A common stock and (ii) the maximum number of shares of our Class A common stock that would result in the option having a grant-date fair value of not more than $400,000 (the “Annual Grant”), on the date of each of our annual stockholder meetings, for non-employee directors who joined our Board no later than February 28 of the year in which the stockholders meeting is held. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• | the annual cash retainer for service as member of the Board was increased to $45,000; |
• | the Chair Retainer was decreased to $30,000; |
• | the Initial Grant was amended to provide for the lesser of (i) 32,000 shares of our Class A common stock and (ii) the maximum number of shares of our Class A common stock that would result in the option having a grant-date fair value of not more than $700,000, on the date of each such non-employee director’s appointment to our Board; and |
• | the Annual Grant was amended to provide for the lesser of (i) 18,000 shares of our Class A common stock and (ii) the maximum number of shares of our Class A common stock that would result in the option having a grant-date fair value of not more than $400,000, on the date of each of our annual stockholder meetings, for non-employee directors who joined our Board no later than February 28 of the year in which the stockholders meeting is held. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Name | Shares of Class A Common Stock Purchased | Aggregate Cash Purchase Price | ||||
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(1) | 201,000 | $8,542,500 | ||||
Deerfield Partners(2) | 165,000 | $7,012,500 | ||||
Patrick Enright(3) | 5,882 | $249,985 | ||||
(1) | Entities affiliated with T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. collectively beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock. |
(2) | Entities affiliated with Deerfield Partners collectively beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the 2025 Follow-on Offering. |
(3) | Patrick Enright is a member of our Board of Directors. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
