Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. Reports Inducement Grant Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Rhea-AI Summary

Ocuphire Pharma (Nasdaq: OCUP) announced an equity award for Erik Sims as a material inducement for his position as Controller, effective April 1, 2021. The Compensation Committee approved an award of options to purchase 38,000 shares at an exercise price of $6.38 per share, aligning with the stock's closing price on the grant date. The options will vest over four years, with terms contingent on continued employment. Ocuphire focuses on developing therapies for eye disorders, including its lead candidate, Nyxol, which is progressing through clinical trials for various indications.

Positive

• Approval of 38,000 stock options for new Controller Erik Sims, enhancing leadership team.
• Stock options exercise price of $6.38 reflects market value, aligning interests of management with shareholders.

Negative

• None.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., April 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCUP), today announced that the Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors, which is composed entirely of independent directors, approved an equity award under Ocuphire’s Inducement Plan, as a material inducement to Erik Sims in connection with his employment with the Company as Controller of the Company effective on April 1, 2021. The equity award was approved in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), which also requires a public announcement of equity awards that are not made under a stockholder approved equity plan.

In connection with the individual entering into employment with Ocuphire, the individual, who was not previously an employee or director of Ocuphire, received options to purchase an aggregate of 38,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The option awards have an exercise price of $6.38 per share, the closing price of Ocuphire Pharma’s common stock on April 1, 2021. The options have ten-year terms and vest over a period of four years, with 25% vesting one year after the date of grant and the remaining 75% vesting in 36 approximately equal monthly increments, provided the new hire’s employment is continuing on each such date, and subject to acceleration or forfeiture upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the new hire’s option agreement.

About Ocuphire Pharma

Ocuphire is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: OCUP), clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of several eye disorders. Ocuphire’s pipeline currently includes two small-molecule product candidates targeting front and back of the eye indications. The company’s lead product candidate, Nyxol^® (0.75% phentolamine ophthalmic solution) Eye Drops, is a once-daily preservative-free eye drop formulation of phentolamine mesylate, a non-selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist designed to reduce pupil size, and is being developed for several indications, including dim light or night vision disturbances (NVD), reversal of pharmacologically-induced mydriasis (RM), and presbyopia, and has been studied in 8 clinical trials including the recently completed Phase 3 trial in RM. Nyxol is also currently in Phase 3 clinical development for NVD and in Phase 2 for presbyopia. Ocuphire’s second product candidate, APX3330, is an oral tablet designed to inhibit angiogenesis and inflammation pathways relevant to retinal and choroidal vascular diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and has been studied in 11 Phase 1 and 2 trials. APX3330 is entering Phase 2 clinical development for DR/DME. As part of its strategy, Ocuphire will continue to explore opportunities to acquire additional ophthalmic assets and to seek strategic partners for late-stage development, regulatory preparation and commercialization of drugs in key global markets. Please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov to learn more about Ocuphire’s completed Phase 2 trials, recently completed Phase 3 registration trial (NCT04620213), ongoing Phase 3 registration trial (NCT04638660) and Phase 2 trial in presbyopia (NCT04675151), and soon to recruit Phase 2 trial in DR/DME (NCT04692688). For more information, please visit www.ocuphire.com. 

Ocuphire Contacts

Mina Sooch, President & CEO
Ocuphire Pharma, Inc.
ir@ocuphire.com
www.ocuphire.com

Corey Davis, Ph.D.
LifeSci Advisors
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com 

FAQ

What is the significance of the equity award approved by Ocuphire Pharma on April 1, 2021?

The equity award is a key incentive for Erik Sims as he joins Ocuphire as Controller, aligning his interests with the company's performance.

How many shares were included in the stock options for the new Controller at Ocuphire?

Erik Sims received options to purchase an aggregate of 38,000 shares of Ocuphire's common stock.

What is the exercise price of the stock options awarded to Ocuphire's new Controller?

The exercise price for the stock options is $6.38 per share, matching the closing price on the grant date.

How long is the vesting period for the stock options granted to Erik Sims at Ocuphire?

The options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting after one year and the remainder in approximately equal monthly increments.