Press Releases May 1, 2026 04:01 PM

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Reports Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

Xenon Pharmaceuticals grants inducement equity awards to new employees under Nasdaq guidelines

By Nina Shah XENE
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Reports Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
XENE

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc., a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company, announced inducement equity grants comprising 25,600 share options and 15,000 restricted share units to seven new non-officer employees. These awards, granted at market price and vesting over four years, align with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) to attract talent. The company is advancing clinical development in neurological disorders with lead and early-stage drug candidates.

Key Points

  • Xenon Pharmaceuticals issued inducement equity grants including share options and RSUs to new employees at an exercise price matching the closing stock price on April 30, 2026.
  • Grants vest over four years with structured schedules and are subject to the company's incentive plan terms.
  • Xenon focuses on neuroscience drug development, with its lead molecule in Phase 3 trials targeting epilepsy and mood disorders, alongside early-stage pain therapies.
  • This impacts the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, with particular emphasis on neuroscience therapeutics development.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia and BOSTON, MA, May 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: XENE), a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need, today announced equity inducement grants to seven new non-officer employees consisting of an aggregate of 25,600 share options and 15,000 restricted share units (RSUs). All of the foregoing share options and RSUs were approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors with an effective date of April 30, 2026 and were granted as inducements material to the employees entering into employment with the Company in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The share options have an exercise price of $56.04 per common share, which is equal to the closing price per share of Xenon’s common shares on the grant date of April 30, 2026. The share option grants vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of the respective employee’s start date and 1/36th of the remaining options vesting monthly thereafter on the last day of each month, subject to such option recipient’s continued service relationship with the Company. Each option has a 10-year term and is subject to the terms and conditions of the share option agreement and the terms of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan. The RSUs will vest as to 25% of the underlying shares on each of the first four anniversaries of the respective employee’s start date, subject to such employee’s continued service relationship with the Company. Each RSU grant is subject to the terms and conditions of the restricted share unit award agreement and the terms of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2025 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan.

About Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Xenon Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need. Xenon’s lead molecule, azetukalner, is a novel, potent, selective KV7 potassium channel opener in Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of epilepsy, major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BPD). Xenon is also advancing an early-stage portfolio of multiple promising potassium and sodium channel modulators, including KV7 and NaV1.7 programs in Phase 1 development for the potential treatment of pain. Xenon has offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.xenon-pharma.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Xenon and the Xenon logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the US, Canada, and elsewhere. All other trademarks belong to their respective owner.

Contacts:
For Investors: 
Tucker Kelly 
Chief Financial Officer 
[email protected] 

For Media:
Colleen Alabiso 
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs 
[email protected] 


Risks

  • Employee retention depends on continued service as vesting is time-based, which may affect workforce stability.
  • Equity inducement grants increase share dilution, potentially impacting shareholders and stock valuations in biotech equity markets.
  • Clinical development risks remain given ongoing trials for lead and early-stage drug candidates that determine future commercial success.

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