Mersana Therapeutics Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Rhea-AI Summary

Mersana Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MRSN) has granted inducement awards of stock options for 42,000 shares and restricted stock units (RSUs) for 97,665 shares to 10 new employees starting January 2023. The stock options have an exercise price of $6.72 per share, matching the stock's closing price on February 1, 2023. Vesting for options occurs over four years, while the RSUs will vest annually over four years. This grant aligns with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and emphasizes Mersana's commitment to enhancing its workforce as it develops its pipeline of antibody-drug conjugates for cancer treatment.

Positive

• Company has attracted new talent with stock options and RSUs, potentially boosting productivity.
• Inducement awards align with Nasdaq rules, supporting corporate governance.
• Stock options priced at market value could incentivize employees to drive share price growth.

Negative

• None.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRSN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing a pipeline of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting cancers in areas of high unmet medical need, today announced that on February 1, 2023, an authorized sub-committee of the Board of Directors of Mersana granted inducement awards, consisting of stock options to purchase an aggregate of 42,000 shares of its common stock and restricted stock unit awards (RSUs) to acquire an aggregate of 97,665 shares of its common stock, to 10 new employees whose employment commenced in January 2023. The awards were granted pursuant to terms and conditions fixed by the Compensation Committee and as an inducement material to each new employee entering employment with Mersana in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The option awards have an exercise price of $6.72 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Mersana’s common stock on February 1, 2023. Each option has a 10-year term and will vest over a period of four years, with 25% of the shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the commencement of the employee’s employment and the remainder vesting in equal quarterly installments over the following three years, subject to the applicable employee’s continued service with Mersana on each such vesting date. The options are subject to the terms and conditions of Mersana’s 2022 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan and the terms and conditions of a stock option agreement covering each grant.

The RSUs will vest in four equal annual installments following February 15, 2023, subject to the applicable employee’s continued service with Mersana on each such vesting date. The RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of Mersana’s 2022 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan and the terms and conditions of an RSU agreement covering each grant.

About Mersana Therapeutics
Mersana Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company using its differentiated and proprietary ADC platforms to rapidly develop novel ADCs with optimal efficacy, safety and tolerability to meaningfully improve the lives of people fighting cancer. Mersana’s lead product candidate, upifitamab rilsodotin (UpRi), is a Dolaflexin ADC targeting NaPi2b that is being studied in UPLIFT, a single-arm registrational trial in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer; UPGRADE-A, a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating UpRi in combination with carboplatin; and UP-NEXT, a Phase 3 clinical trial of UpRi as monotherapy maintenance following treatment with platinum doublets in recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Mersana is also advancing XMT-1660, a Dolasynthen ADC targeting B7-H4, and XMT-2056, an Immunosynthen ADC targeting a novel epitope of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), in addition to other earlier-stage assets. In addition, multiple partners are using Mersana’s platforms to advance their ADC pipelines. Mersana routinely posts information that may be useful to investors on the “Investors & Media” section of its website at www.mersana.com.

Contact:
Jason Fredette
617-498-0020
jason.fredette@mersana.com

FAQ

What stock options were granted by Mersana Therapeutics on February 1, 2023?

Mersana Therapeutics granted stock options to purchase 42,000 shares at an exercise price of $6.72 per share.

How many restricted stock units (RSUs) did Mersana grant on February 1, 2023?

Mersana granted RSUs to acquire 97,665 shares to new employees.

What is the vesting schedule for Mersana's stock options?

The options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary and the rest quarterly.

What is the purpose of the inducement awards granted by Mersana?

The awards are intended to enhance workforce capability and attract new talent as part of Mersana's growth strategy.