Guardant Health Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Rhea-AI Summary

Guardant Health (Nasdaq: GH) announced on April 22, 2024, that its Compensation Committee has approved the granting of restricted stock units (RSUs) and non-qualified stock options to new non-executive employees under its 2023 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan. This move, compliant with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), involves RSUs representing 215,601 shares of common stock to 94 employees and stock options to purchase 98,076 shares to three employees. The RSUs and stock options have a vesting schedule tied to continued employment, with stock options priced at $24.00 per share, the closing price on May 13, 2024.

Positive

• Approval of inducement grants represents a strategic move to attract new talent.
• 215,601 RSUs and 98,076 stock options offered, potentially increasing employee retention.
• Stock options priced at $24.00 per share, aligning with market value on grant date.

Negative

• Potential dilution of existing shareholder value due to the issuance of new shares.
• Employee retention is contingent upon continued employment, adding uncertainty to long-term retention.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today announced that on April 22, 2024, the Compensation Committee of Guardant’s Board of Directors approved the granting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) representing 215,601 shares of its common stock to 94 new non-executive employees and non-qualified stock option awards to purchase an aggregate of 98,076 shares of its common stock to three new non-executive employees with a grant date of May 13, 2024, under the Guardant Health, Inc., 2023 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan (the “Inducement Plan”). The RSUs and stock options were granted as inducements material to the employees entering into employment with Guardant in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The Inducement Plan is used exclusively for the grant of equity awards to individuals who were not previously employees of Guardant, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to such individuals’ entering into employment with Guardant, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

One-third of the shares underlying each RSU award vest on an annual basis on the anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to each employee’s continued employment with Guardant as of each such vesting date. The RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the Inducement Plan and the terms and conditions of a RSU award agreement covering the grant.

All stock options have an exercise price of $24.00 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Guardant’s common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 13, 2024. One-third of the shares underlying each stock option award vest on the one-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date and continue to vest monthly thereafter over 24 months, subject to each employee’s continued employment with Guardant as of each such vesting date. The stock options are subject to the terms and conditions of the Inducement Plan and the terms and conditions of a stock option award agreement covering the grant.

About Guardant Health

Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Founded in 2012, Guardant is transforming patient care by providing critical insights into what drives disease through its advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data and AI analytics. Guardant tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care, including screening to find cancer early, monitoring for recurrence in early-stage cancer, and helping doctors select the best treatment for patients with advanced cancer. For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240517082061/en/

Investor Contact:

Zarak Khurshid

investors@guardanthealth.com

Media Contact:

Melissa Marasco

press@guardanthealth.com

+1 650-647-3711

Source: Guardant Health, Inc.

FAQ

What stock option price did Guardant Health set for the new employees?

Guardant Health set the stock option price at $24.00 per share.

How many RSUs were granted by Guardant Health on April 22, 2024?

Guardant Health granted RSUs representing 215,601 shares of common stock.

What is the vesting schedule for the RSUs granted by Guardant Health?

One-third of the shares underlying each RSU award vest annually on the anniversary of the vesting commencement date.

How many shares can be purchased under the stock options granted by Guardant Health?

Stock options to purchase an aggregate of 98,076 shares were granted.

When will the stock options granted by Guardant Health start to vest?

The stock options start to vest on the one-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date and continue monthly over 24 months.