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Assembly Biosciences Reports Inducement Grant Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Key Takeaway: Assembly Biosciences, Inc. announced the grant of stock options to its new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anuj Gaggar, as part of an inducement to accept the role. The grant includes 500,000 non-qualified stock options at an exercise price of $0.85 per share, with a vesting schedule of four years. This award was approved in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and highlights the company's efforts to attract key talent in the biotechnology sector. The options are granted from various incentive plans, which emphasizes the company's commitment to employee retention and strategic growth.

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • Inducement grant to a key executive indicating strong company leadership.
  • Significant stock options granted show confidence in future performance.
  • Long vesting period encourages retention and alignment with company goals.

Full Press Release Details

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASMB), a biotechnology company developing innovative antiviral therapeutics targeting serious viral diseases, today announced a grant of inducement awards to its chief medical officer, Anuj Gaggar, MD, PhD on November 8, 2023.
The Company granted Dr. Gaggar non-qualified stock options to purchase 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.85 per share, the closing price of Assembly Bio’s common stock as reported by Nasdaq on November 8, 2023. The stock options were granted as a material inducement to Dr. Gaggar to accept the Assembly Bio’s offer of employment as its Chief Medical Officer. The stock options have a ten-year term and vest over four years, with one-fourth vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining three-fourths vesting in substantially equal monthly installments over the next 36 months. The stock options are subject to Dr. Gaggar’s continued service with Assembly Bio through the applicable vesting dates and to acceleration upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the award agreements evidencing the stock options.
A portion of the stock options were granted outside of Assembly Bio’s stockholder-approved equity incentive plans, as 259,038 of the stock options were granted pursuant to Assembly Bio’s 2017 Inducement Award Plan and 181,480 of the stock options were granted pursuant to Assembly Bio’s 2020 Inducement Award Plan. The remaining 59,482 stock options were granted pursuant to Assembly Bio’s Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, which is a stockholder-approved plan. The stock option award was approved by the Compensation Committee of Assembly Bio’s Board of Directors, which is comprised solely of independent directors, as a material inducement to entering into employment with Assembly Bio in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), which requires this public announcement.
About Assembly Biosciences
Assembly Biosciences is a biotechnology company dedicated to the development of innovative small-molecule antiviral therapeutics designed to change the path of serious viral diseases and improve the lives of patients worldwide. Led by an accomplished team of leaders in virologic drug development, Assembly Bio is committed to improving outcomes for patients struggling with the serious, chronic impacts of herpesvirus, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infections. For more information, visit assemblybio.com.
SVP, Investor Relations, Corporate Affairs and Alliance Management

Related Links

Assembly Bio Website
Assembly Bio LinkedIn

Frequently Asked Questions

What inducement awards were given to Dr. Anuj Gaggar?

Dr. Gaggar was granted stock options for 500,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.85.

How long is the term for the stock options granted to Dr. Gaggar?

The stock options have a ten-year term and vest over four years.

What plans were involved in Dr. Gaggar's stock option award?

The options were granted under the 2017 and 2020 Inducement Award Plans and a stockholder-approved plan.

What is Assembly Biosciences focused on developing?

Assembly Biosciences develops small-molecule antiviral therapeutics for serious viral diseases.

Who approved the stock option award for Dr. Gaggar?

The award was approved by the Compensation Committee of Assembly Bio’s Board of Directors.

Last updated: Nov 10, 2023