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Avidity Biosciences Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Key Takeaway: Avidity Biosciences announced the grant of non-qualified stock options and restricted stock units to twelve new non-executive employees under its 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan. These grants are aimed at attracting talent to the company, with the options priced at $15.75 per share, equal to the closing stock price on the grant date. Avidity's pipeline includes three clinical programs targeting various muscular dystrophies, highlighting its commitment to advancing RNA therapeutics.

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • Avidity is granting equity awards, indicating company growth and hiring.
  • The 2022 Inducement Plan aims to attract new talent, which can enhance innovation.
  • Avidity's clinical pipeline includes programs that are advancing and may lead to new treatments.

Full Press Release Details

SAN DIEGO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNA), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), today announced that on April 20, 2023, the Human Capital Management Committee of Avidity's Board of Directors granted non-qualified stock option awards to purchase an aggregate of 58,300 shares of its common stock and 29,150 restricted stock units ("RSUs") to twelve (12) new non-executive employees under the Avidity Biosciences, Inc. 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan (the "2022 Inducement Plan"). The awards were granted as inducements material to the employees entering into employment with Avidity in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
The 2022 Inducement Plan is used exclusively for the grant of equity awards to individuals who were not previously employees of Avidity, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to such individuals' entering into employment with Avidity, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
The options have an exercise price of $15.75 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Avidity's common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on April 20, 2023. The shares subject to the stock options will vest over four years, with 25% of the shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the applicable vesting commencement date and the balance of the shares vesting in a series of 36 successive equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to each employee's continued employment with Avidity on such vesting dates. The RSUs will vest in four equal installments on the first four anniversaries of the applicable vesting commencement date, subject to each employee's continued employment with Avidity on such vesting dates. The awards are subject to the terms and conditions of the 2022 Inducement Plan and the terms and conditions of a stock option agreement or RSU agreement, as applicable, covering the grant.
Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Avidity's proprietary AOCs are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to target the root cause of diseases previously untreatable with RNA therapeutics. Avidity's advancing and expanding pipeline has three programs in clinical development. AOC 1001 is designed to treat people with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and is currently in Phase 1/2 development with the ongoing MARINA™ and MARINA-OLE™ trials. AOC 1020 is designed to treat people living with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and is currently in Phase 1/2 development with the FORTITUDE™ trial. AOC 1044 is designed for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping and is currently in Phase 1/2 development with the EXPLORE44™ trial. AOC 1044 is the first of multiple AOCs the company is developing for DMD. Avidity is also broadening the reach of AOCs beyond muscle tissues through both internal discovery efforts and key partnerships as the company continues to deliver on the RNA revolution. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our science, pipeline and people, please visit www.aviditybiosciences.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
SOURCE Avidity Biosciences, Inc.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What awards did Avidity Biosciences grant on April 20, 2023?

They granted stock options for 58,300 shares and 29,150 RSUs to 12 new employees.

What is the exercise price for Avidity's stock options?

The exercise price is $15.75 per share, equal to the closing stock price.

How do the stock options vest for new employees?

Options vest over four years, with 25% vesting after the first year.

What is Avidity's mission?

Avidity aims to improve lives by delivering innovative RNA therapeutics.

What diseases are targeted by Avidity's programs?

They target myotonic dystrophy, muscular dystrophies, and more with AOCs.

Last updated: Apr 21, 2023