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Xenon Pharmaceuticals Reports Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Key Takeaway: Xenon Pharmaceuticals has announced equity inducement grants to eight new non-officer employees, totaling 17,850 share options and 10,500 restricted share units (RSUs). These grants were approved by the Compensation Committee and are intended to incentivize new hires as per Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The options have a 10-year term and will vest over four years, while the RSUs will vest over four anniversaries.

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • Xenon Pharmaceuticals is expanding its workforce with new hires.
  • The equity inducement grants aim to attract talent to the company.
  • The share options and RSUs are structured to retain employees over time.

BiopharmaWatch Analysis

From our catalyst data and publicly available data · not financial advice
Best trade, last catalyst
+6%
120-day peak, hindsight
Typical move
3.3%
average across 7 past catalysts
Cash runway
~38 mo
Minimal dilution risk
Lead asset
Azetukalner
Phase 3 · Major Depressive Disorder

Full Press Release Details

VANCOUVER, BC and BOSTON, MA, Oct. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: XENE), a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need, today announced equity inducement grants to eight new non-officer employees consisting of an aggregate of 17,850 share options and 10,500 restricted share units (RSUs). All of the foregoing share options and RSUs were approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors with an effective date of October 1, 2026 and were granted as inducements material to the employees entering into employment with the Company in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
The share options have an exercise price of $38.93 per common share, which is equal to the closing price per share of Xenon’s common shares on the grant date of October 1, 2026. The share option grants vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of the respective employee’s start date and 1/36th of the remaining options vesting monthly thereafter on the last day of each month, subject to such option recipient’s continued service relationship with the Company. Each option has a 10-year term and is subject to the terms and conditions of the share option agreement and the terms of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan. The RSUs will vest as to 25% of the underlying shares on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date of October 1, 2026, subject to such employee’s continued service relationship with the Company. Each RSU grant is subject to the terms and conditions of the restricted share unit award agreement and the terms of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan.
About Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. Xenon Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need. Xenon’s lead molecule, azetukalner, is a novel, potent K V 7 potassium channel opener in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of epilepsy, major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. Xenon is also advancing an early-stage portfolio of multiple promising potassium and sodium channel modulators, including K V 7 and Na V 1.7 programs in Phase 1 development for the potential treatment of pain. Xenon has offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.xenon-pharma.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.
Xenon and the Xenon logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the US, Canada and elsewhere. All other trademarks belong to their respective owner.

Contacts: For Investors: Laura Perry/Emily Huang Argot Partners Xenon@argotpartners.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the details of the inducement grants?

Xenon Pharmaceuticals granted 17,850 share options and 10,500 RSUs to eight new employees.

What is the exercise price for the share options?

The exercise price for the share options is $38.93 per common share.

How long is the vesting period for the options?

The share options vest over four years, with 25% vesting after one year.

What is the term of the share options?

Each share option has a term of 10 years.

Last updated: Oct 2, 2026