Twist Bioscience Corporation Announces Inducement Grants under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Rhea-AI Summary

Twist Bioscience (NASDAQ: TWST) has announced new equity awards as employment inducements under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4). The company granted 110,300 restricted stock units (RSUs) to 43 new employees and up to 37,500 performance stock units (PSUs) to VP Colby Souders. The RSUs vest over 48 months, with 25% vesting after one year and 1/16 vesting quarterly thereafter. The PSUs vest based on performance metrics for FY2024-2026, with potential earnings of 80%-150% of target, subject to continued employment.

Positive

• Successful recruitment of 44 new employees including a VP, indicating company growth
• Structured compensation plan with performance incentives (PSUs) tied to company goals

Negative

• Potential shareholder dilution from issuance of new equity awards

Insights

Financial Analyst

The equity grants, while routine for new hires, represent a notable compensation structure with 147,800 total equity awards. The 110,300 RSUs follow a standard 4-year vesting schedule with a one-year cliff, aligning with industry practices for retention. The performance-based component for the VP position, with 37,500 PSUs tied to 2024-2026 metrics and potential upside of 150%, indicates aggressive growth targets. This compensation structure suggests Twist is investing in talent acquisition while maintaining performance accountability, particularly in strategic roles. The variable component range of 80-150% provides meaningful upside potential while protecting against underperformance.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As required by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Twist Bioscience Corporation (NASDAQ: TWST) (“Twist” or the “Company”), a company enabling customers to succeed through its offering of high-quality synthetic DNA using its silicon platform, today announced that it has granted a total of 147,800 equity awards, consisting of 110,300 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to 43 recently hired individuals and an individually negotiated award of up to 37,500 performance stock units (“PSUs”) to Colby Souders, a recently hired VP, in each case as an inducement material to their acceptance of employment with Twist. The employment inducement awards were granted under Twist’s Inducement Equity Incentive Plan and related form of restricted stock award agreement 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 Twist, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to such individuals entering into employment with Twist, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The 110,300 RSUs vest over a 48-month period for each employee as follows: 25% vests on the one year anniversary of the start date of the employee (the “Vesting Commencement Date”), and 1/16 of the RSUs vest on each quarterly anniversary (or the last day of the month if no such day exists) of the Vesting Commencement Date thereafter, subject to the employee’s continued service through each vesting date. The up to 37,500 PSUs vest on achievement of certain performance metrics set by the Company’s Compensation Committee for the second half of fiscal year 2024 through fiscal year 2026 (which can be earned at 80%-150% of 100% target), subject, in each case, to his continued service through the applicable vesting dates.

About Twist Bioscience Corporation

Twist Bioscience is a leading and rapidly growing synthetic biology and genomics company that has developed a disruptive DNA synthesis platform to industrialize the engineering of biology. The core of the platform is a proprietary technology that pioneers a new method of manufacturing synthetic DNA by “writing” DNA on a silicon chip. Twist is leveraging its unique technology to manufacture a broad range of synthetic DNA-based products, including synthetic genes, tools for next-generation sequencing (NGS) preparation, and antibody libraries for drug discovery and development. Twist is also pursuing longer-term opportunities in digital data storage in DNA and biologics drug discovery. Twist makes products for use across many industries including healthcare, industrial chemicals, agriculture and academic research.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241107954437/en/

For Investors:

Angela Bitting

SVP, Corporate Affairs

925-202-6211

abitting@twistbioscience.com

For Media:

Amanda Houlihan

Communications Manager

774-265-5334

ahoulihan@twistbioscience.com

Source: Twist Bioscience Corporation

FAQ

How many RSUs did Twist Bioscience (TWST) grant in their latest inducement awards?

Twist Bioscience granted 110,300 restricted stock units (RSUs) to 43 new employees.

What is the vesting schedule for Twist Bioscience's (TWST) new RSU grants?

The RSUs vest over 48 months, with 25% vesting after one year and 1/16 vesting quarterly thereafter.

How many PSUs did Twist Bioscience (TWST) grant to Colby Souders?

Twist Bioscience granted up to 37,500 performance stock units (PSUs) to Colby Souders, with potential earnings of 80%-150% based on performance metrics.