HOOKIPA Pharma Inc - FORM 8 (OPD)
HOOKIPA Pharma Inc (HOOK) has filed a Form 8 Public Opening Position Disclosure on January 8, 2025, related to takeover code regulations. The disclosure reveals detailed information about stock positions and options held by company directors and executives. Key directors Julie O'Neill and David R. Kaufman each hold less than 500 common shares. The company has granted various stock options to directors under its 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, with exercise prices ranging from $6.44 to $166.10 and different vesting schedules. Notable grants include 108,695 restricted stock units to Malte Peters and 69,875 to Terry Coelho, both vesting in two equal installments on July 22, 2025 and 2026.
HOOKIPA Pharma Inc (HOOK) ha presentato un modulo 8 di divulgazione pubblica della posizione di apertura l'8 gennaio 2025, relativo alle normative sul takeover. La divulgazione rivela informazioni dettagliate sulle posizioni azionarie e le opzioni detenute dai direttori e dai dirigenti dell'azienda. I principali direttori Julie O'Neill e David R. Kaufman detengono ciascuno meno di 500 azioni comuni. L'azienda ha concesso varie opzioni azionarie ai direttori ai sensi del suo Piano di Opzioni e Incentivi azionari del 2019, con prezzi di esercizio che variano da $6,44 a $166,10 e con diversi programmi di maturazione. Tra le concessioni degne di nota vi sono 108.695 unità azionarie soggette a restrizioni a Malte Peters e 69.875 a Terry Coelho, entrambe con maturazione in due rate uguali il 22 luglio 2025 e nel 2026.
HOOKIPA Pharma Inc (HOOK) ha presentado un formulario 8 de divulgación pública de la posición de apertura el 8 de enero de 2025, relacionado con las regulaciones del código de toma de control. La divulgación revela información detallada sobre las posiciones de acciones y opciones que poseen los directores y ejecutivos de la empresa. Los principales directores Julie O'Neill y David R. Kaufman poseen menos de 500 acciones comunes cada uno. La empresa ha otorgado varias opciones sobre acciones a los directores bajo su Plan de Opciones e Incentivos de 2019, con precios de ejercicio que varían de $6.44 a $166.10 y diferentes cronogramas de consolidación. Las concesiones notables incluyen 108,695 unidades de acciones restringidas a Malte Peters y 69,875 a Terry Coelho, ambas con consolidación en dos cuotas iguales el 22 de julio de 2025 y 2026.
HOOKIPA Pharma Inc (HOOK)는 2025년 1월 8일 인수 코드 규정과 관련된 공개 발행 포지션 공시를 제출하였습니다. 이 공시는 회사 이사 및 임원이 보유한 주식 포지션 및 옵션에 대한 자세한 정보를 공개합니다. 주요 이사인 Julie O'Neill과 David R. Kaufman은 각각 500주 미만의 보통주를 보유하고 있습니다. 회사는 2019년 주식 옵션 및 인센티브 계획에 따라 이사들에게 다양한 주식 옵션을 부여하였으며, 행사 가격은 $6.44에서 $166.10까지 다양하고 다양한 발생 일정이 있습니다. 특히 주목할 만한 부여는 Malte Peters에게 108,695개의 제한된 주식 단위와 Terry Coelho에게 69,875개로, 두 건의 주식 모두 2025년 7월 22일과 2026년에 두 번에 걸쳐 균등하게 발생합니다.
HOOKIPA Pharma Inc (HOOK) a déposé un formulaire 8 de divulgation publique de la position d'ouverture le 8 janvier 2025, en rapport avec les réglementations sur les codes de prise de contrôle. La divulgation révèle des informations détaillées concernant les positions en actions et les options détenues par les directeurs et les dirigeants de l'entreprise. Les directeurs clés Julie O'Neill et David R. Kaufman détiennent chacun moins de 500 actions ordinaires. La société a accordé diverses options sur actions aux directeurs dans le cadre de son Plan d'Options et d'Incitations 2019, avec des prix d'exercice allant de 6,44 $ à 166,10 $ et différents calendriers de maturation. Parmi les attributions notables, on trouve 108 695 unités d'actions restreintes à Malte Peters et 69 875 à Terry Coelho, toutes les deux devant arriver à maturité en deux versements égaux le 22 juillet 2025 et en 2026.
HOOKIPA Pharma Inc (HOOK) hat am 8. Januar 2025 ein Formular 8 zur öffentlichen Offenlegung der Eröffnungsposition eingereicht, das sich auf Übernahme-Code-Vorschriften bezieht. Die Offenlegung enthält detaillierte Informationen über die Aktienpositionen und Optionen der Unternehmensleiter und -führungen. Die wichtigen Direktoren Julie O'Neill und David R. Kaufman halten jeweils weniger als 500 Stammaktien. Das Unternehmen hat verschiedenen Direktoren basierend auf seinem Aktienoptions- und Anreizplan von 2019 verschiedene Aktienoptionen gewährt, wobei die Ausübungspreise zwischen $6,44 und $166,10 liegen und unterschiedliche Vesting-Zeitpläne gelten. Zu den bemerkenswerten Zuwendungen gehören 108.695 beschränkte Aktieneinheiten an Malte Peters und 69.875 an Terry Coelho, die beide in zwei gleichmäßigen Raten am 22. Juli 2025 und 2026 fällig werden.
- Structured equity compensation plan in place for directors and executives
- Long-term vesting schedules (up to 2026) encourage management retention
- Low insider ownership with directors holding minimal common shares (less than 500 shares each)
- High exercise prices on some historical options ($99.60-$166.10) may be underwater if current stock price is lower
Insights
This Form 8 disclosure reveals potential takeover activity surrounding HOOKIPA Pharma, with the company acting as the offeror. The filing details insider holdings and stock options, which is particularly notable for a micro-cap biotech company with just a
The disclosure shows minimal direct stock ownership by directors, with Julie O'Neill and David Kaufman holding only 496 and 457 shares respectively. However, there are significant option grants, including recent July 2024 restricted stock units to key personnel like Malte Peters (108,695 units) and Terry Coelho (69,875 units). The exercise prices ranging from
Most critically, this takeover-related disclosure suggests HOOKIPA is pursuing strategic alternatives, which could lead to a significant premium for shareholders given the company's depressed valuation. The lack of any indemnity arrangements or special voting agreements indicates this is still in early stages.
The filing's implications for HOOKIPA's financial positioning are significant. The company's directors hold minimal equity stakes, suggesting potential alignment challenges with shareholder interests. However, the substantial new option grants from July 2024, particularly to Peters and Coelho, indicate efforts to retain key leadership during a potential transaction period.
The option strike prices tell an important story - newer grants at
With no disclosed borrowing arrangements or derivative positions, HOOKIPA appears to be approaching this potential transaction from a clean capital structure perspective, which could facilitate a smoother deal process.
This Form 8 filing under the Takeover Code carries substantial legal significance. The detailed disclosure of director holdings and option structures indicates HOOKIPA is positioning itself as an offeror in a potential transaction. The vesting schedules of recent equity awards, particularly the July 2024 grants, are structured to incentivize retention through a potential change-of-control event.
The absence of any indemnity arrangements or special voting agreements in Section 4 suggests this is a preliminary stage disclosure. The filing's timing and format comply with Rule 8.1 and 8.2 requirements, providing transparency to the market about potential takeover activity.
The careful documentation of all share-based instruments and their terms protects the company from future litigation risks while setting the groundwork for potential transaction negotiations.
NEW YORK and VIENNA, Austria, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
FORM 8 (OPD)
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE BY A PARTY TO AN OFFER
Rules 8.1 and 8.2 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
1. KEY INFORMATION
| (a) Full name of discloser: | HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. |
| (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. | N/A |
| (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree | HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (Offeror) |
| (d) Is the discloser the offeror or the offeree? | Offeror |
| (e) Date position held: The latest practicable date prior to the disclosure | 7 January 2025 |
| (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A” | No |
2. POSITIONS OF THE PARTY TO THE OFFER MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates
| Class of relevant security: | HOOKIPA Common Stock of | |||
| Interests | Short positions | |||
| Number | % | Number | % | |
| (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: | 0 | - | 0 | - |
| (2) Cash-settled derivatives: | 0 | - | 0 | - |
| (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: | 0 | - | 0 | - |
TOTAL: | 0 | - | 0 | - |
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
Details of any securities borrowing and lending positions or financial collateral arrangements should be disclosed on a Supplemental Form 8 (SBL).
(b) Rights to subscribe for new securities
| Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: | N/A |
| Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages: | N/A |
3. POSITIONS OF PERSONS ACTING IN CONCERT WITH THE PARTY TO THE OFFER MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Details of any interests, short positions and rights to subscribe (including directors’ and other employee options) of any person acting in concert with the party to the offer making the disclosure:
a) Interests held by the directors of HOOKIPA Pharma Inc., their close relatives and related trusts
| Name | Class | Number of Shares | Percentage shareholding (%)* | |
| Julie O’Neill | Common Stock | 496 | 0.00 | % |
| David R. Kaufman | Common Stock | 457 | 0.00 | % |
*Rounded down to two decimal places.
(b) Interests held as options or awards under the share plans of HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. by the directors of HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. and their close relatives and related trusts who are not exempt principal traders for the purposes of Rule 8 of the Code
| Name | Share Plan | No. of ordinary shares under option | Date of grant | Vesting date | Expiry date | Exercise price per share (p) | |
| Malte Peters | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 108,695 | 7/22/2024 | (1) | N/A | N/A | |
| Malte Peters | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 4,900 | 06/17/2024 | (2) | 06/17/2034 | ||
| Malte Peters | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 5,200 | 6/09/2023 | (3) | 06/09/2033 | ||
| Terry Coelho | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 69,875 | 7/22/2024 | (1) | N/A | N/A | |
| Terry Coelho | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 4,900 | 06/17/2024 | (2) | 06/17/2034 | ||
| Terry Coelho | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 5,200 | 6/09/2023 | (3) | 06/09/2033 | ||
| Julie O’Neill | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 4,900 | 06/17/2024 | (2) | 06/17/2034 | ||
| Julie O’Neill | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 2,600 | 06/09/2023 | 06/09/2024 | 06/09/2033 | ||
| Julie O’Neill | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 2,000 | 06/30/2022 | 06/30/2023 | 06/30/2032 | ||
| Julie O’Neill | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 960 | 06/01/2021 | 06/01/2022 | 06/01/2031 | ||
| Julie O’Neill | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 960 | 06/18/2020 | 06/18/2021 | 06/18/2030 | ||
| Julie O’Neill | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 960 | 12/18/2019 | 12/18/2020 | 12/18/2029 | ||
| Julie O’Neill | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 692 | 04/17/2019 | (4) | 04/17/2029 | ||
| Julie O’Neill | 2018 Stock Option and Grant Plan | 1,227 | 12/31/2018 | (5) | 12/31/2026 | ||
| David R. Kaufman | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 4,900 | 06/17/2024 | (2) | 06/17/2034 | ||
| David R. Kaufman | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 2,600 | 06/09/2023 | 06/09/2024 | 06/09/2033 | ||
| David R. Kaufman | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 2,000 | 06/30/2022 | 06/30/2023 | 06/30/2032 | ||
| David R. Kaufman | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 960 | 06/01/2021 | 06/01/2022 | 06/01/2031 | ||
| David R. Kaufman | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 960 | 06/18/2020 | 06/18/2021 | 06/18/2030 | ||
| David R. Kaufman | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 1,920 | 04/17/2019 | (4) | 04/17/2029 | ||
| Sean Cassidy | 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan | 9,800 | 07/22/2024 | (6) | 7/22/2034 | ||
(1) The restricted stock units shall vest in two equal installments on July 22, 2025 and July 22, 2026, subject to the director’s continuous service through each such date.
(2) This option award shall vest and become fully exercisable on the earlier to occur of (a) June 17, 2025 and (b) the date of the Company’s next annual meeting of its stockholders.
(3) One-third of this option vested on June 9, 2024, with the remainder vesting in 8 equal quarterly installments thereafter.
(4)
(5)
(6) The shares subject to this option will vest in thirty-six equal monthly installments commencing July 22, 2024, subject to the director’s continuous service through each such date.
c) Interests and short positions held by investment managers, investment advisers and connected advisors of HOOKIPA Pharma Inc.
Not applicable.
(d) Interests held by other presumed concert parties of HOOKIPA Pharma Inc.
Not applicable.
(e) Rights to subscribe for new securities held by other presumed concert parties of HOOKIPA Pharma Inc.
Not applicable.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
Details of any securities borrowing and lending positions or financial collateral arrangements should be disclosed on a Supplemental Form 8 (SBL).
4. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
| Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the party to the offer making the disclosure or any person acting in concert with it: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none” |
| None |
(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
| Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the party to the offer making the disclosure, or any person acting in concert with it, and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none” |
None |
(c) Attachments
Are any Supplemental Forms attached?
| Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) | NO |
| Supplemental Form 8 (SBL) | NO |
| Date of disclosure: | 8 January 2025 |
| Contact name: | Terry Coelho, EVP & CFO |
| Telephone number: | +43 1 890 63 60 |
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
FAQ
What stock options were granted to HOOK directors in July 2024?
How many common shares do HOOK directors Julie O'Neill and David Kaufman own?
What is the exercise price range for HOOK's 2019 Stock Option Plan grants?
When do the most recent HOOK stock option grants expire?
