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Xenon Pharmaceuticals (XENE) boosts 2025 inducement equity plan share reserve

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

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. amended and restated its 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan to expand the share pool used for new-hire equity awards. The maximum number of common shares reserved under the plan increased from 900,000 to 1,175,000 shares, subject to adjustment under the plan’s terms.

These shares may be granted as nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted stock, or performance awards, and are intended as inducements for individuals being hired or rehired as employees of Xenon or its subsidiaries. In line with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), shareholder approval was not obtained for this inducement-only plan.

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 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Previous inducement plan share reserve 900,000 shares Maximum common shares reserved under 2025 Inducement Plan before amendment
New inducement plan share reserve 1,175,000 shares Maximum common shares reserved under amended and restated 2025 Inducement Plan
Approval standard Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) Basis for not seeking shareholder approval of inducement-only equity plan
Plan amendment date April 7, 2026 Date Xenon Pharmaceuticals amended and restated its 2025 Inducement Plan
2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan financial
"amended and restated the Company’s Amended and Restated 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan"
nonstatutory stock options financial
"to be used exclusively for grants of nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights"
A nonstatutory stock option is a company-issued right that lets an employee or contractor buy shares later at a set price, but it does not qualify for special tax breaks. Think of it like a voucher to buy stock at today’s price; when used, the difference between market price and voucher price is taxed as ordinary income to the holder. Investors care because these options create potential share dilution, affect reported compensation costs, and influence employee incentives and cash flow when taxes and withholdings are settled.
restricted stock units financial
"stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted stock, and performance awards"
Restricted stock units are a type of company reward where employees are promised shares of stock, but they only fully own these shares after meeting certain conditions, like staying with the company for a set time. They matter because they can become valuable assets and are often used to motivate employees to help the company succeed.
Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) regulatory
"In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), the Company did not seek approval"
NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) is a rule that requires a company to get approval from its shareholders before selling a large amount of its shares, usually over 20%. This helps protect investors by making sure the company doesn't flood the market with new shares without their say, which could lower the stock's value.
performance awards financial
"restricted stock units, restricted stock, and performance awards as an inducement"
false000158231300-000000000015823132026-04-072026-04-07

 

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): April 07, 2026

 

 

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Canada

001-36687

Not applicable

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

3650 Gilmore Way

 

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

 

V5G 4W8

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (604) 484-3300

 

Not Applicable

(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 Shares, without par value

 

XENE

 

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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.

On April 7, 2026, Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”) amended and restated the Company’s Amended and Restated 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “2025 Inducement Plan”) to increase the maximum number of shares of its common stock reserved for issuance under the 2025 Inducement Plan from 900,000 shares to 1,175,000 shares (subject to adjustments as provided in the 2025 Inducement Plan) to be used exclusively for grants of nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted stock, and performance awards as an inducement material to individuals being hired, or rehired following a bona fide period of interruption of employment, as an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), the Company did not seek approval of the 2025 Inducement Plan by its shareholders.

The foregoing is a brief description of the material terms of the 2025 Inducement Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2025 Inducement Plan filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number

Description

10.1

Amended and Restated 2025 Inducement Equity Plan and related form agreements.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 


SIGNATURES

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

 

 

 

XENON PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

 

 

 

 

Date:

April 13, 2026

By:

/s/ Thomas P. Kelly

 

 

 

Thomas P. Kelly
Chief Financial Officer

 


FAQ

What did Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (XENE) change in its 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan?

Xenon Pharmaceuticals increased the share pool under its 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan. The maximum common shares reserved rose from 900,000 to 1,175,000, allowing more equity awards to be granted to new or rehired employees as hiring incentives.

How many Xenon Pharmaceuticals (XENE) shares are now reserved under the 2025 Inducement Plan?

The 2025 Inducement Plan now reserves up to 1,175,000 common shares, up from 900,000 previously. These shares are earmarked exclusively for inducement equity awards to employees joining or rejoining Xenon Pharmaceuticals or its subsidiaries, subject to customary adjustment provisions.

What types of awards can Xenon Pharmaceuticals (XENE) grant under the amended 2025 Inducement Plan?

Under the amended plan, Xenon can grant nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted stock, and performance awards. These awards serve as inducements that are considered material to attracting or rehiring employees for Xenon and its subsidiaries.

Why did Xenon Pharmaceuticals (XENE) not seek shareholder approval for the 2025 Inducement Plan changes?

Xenon Pharmaceuticals did not seek shareholder approval because the plan is structured to comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). That rule permits inducement equity awards for new or rehired employees without shareholder approval when used as material hiring incentives.

Who is eligible to receive awards under Xenon Pharmaceuticals’ 2025 Inducement Plan?

Eligible recipients are individuals being hired, or rehired after a bona fide break in employment, as employees of Xenon Pharmaceuticals or its subsidiaries. The equity awards are intended to be material inducements for accepting employment offers with the company.

When did Xenon Pharmaceuticals (XENE) approve the amendments to the 2025 Inducement Plan?

Xenon Pharmaceuticals approved the amended and restated 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan on April 7, 2026. This action expanded the reserved share pool for inducement-based equity awards to support future employee hiring and rehiring activities.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

2 documents