Avidity Biosciences Grants Inducement Awards to New Employees

Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNA), a pioneering biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to advancing a groundbreaking class of RNA therapeutics known as Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), recently announced a new initiative aimed at attracting top talent. On May 20, 2025, the company’s Human Capital Management Committee approved the issuance of significant stock incentives to 16 new non-executive employees under the 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan. This sizable endeavor includes grants of 71,000 stock options alongside 35,000 restricted stock units (RSUs).

These inducement grants are designed to encourage new talent to join Avidity by aligning their interests with the company's success, following a strategy permitted under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The goal is to foster a workplace filled with innovative thinkers ready to develop therapies that may change the lives of patients suffering from rare diseases.

The stock options, priced at $31.64 per share—reflecting Avidity's closing stock price on the issuance date—will vest over a four-year period. Importantly, 25% of these shares will vest after one year, with the remainder vesting in equal monthly installments for the following three years, all contingent upon the employees maintaining their roles with the company. Similarly, the RSUs will vest in four equal segments over the same duration, reinforcing a commitment from both the employees and the company.

This initiative is a part of Avidity’s broader mission to revolutionize the treatment landscape with its unique AOC platform, which successfully delivers RNA therapeutics specifically targeting muscle tissue. With a commitment to treating neuromuscular disorders such as myotonic dystrophy type 1, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, Avidity stands at the forefront of RNA therapy innovation.

In addition to these clinical programs, Avidity is also focusing on expanding its capabilities in cardiology, with several development candidates aimed at addressing rare genetic cardiomyopathies. The company’s strategic partnerships are set to broaden its scope, applying the AOC technology to new fields such as immunology, further enhancing its capability to develop effective therapies for diseases that have long been deemed difficult to tackle.

Headquartered in San Diego, California, Avidity is not only committed to scientific advancements but also to ensuring its growth attracts the brightest minds in the industry. By utilizing inducement awards as a method of recruitment, Avidity illustrates its dedication to creating a thriving culture of innovation, where employees are incentivized to contribute to the company’s mission of profoundly improving patient lives through groundbreaking therapies.

As Avidity continues its journey of innovation, the latest round of inducement grants represents a strategic move to expand the team and bolster its research and development efforts, paving the way for future successes in the rapidly evolving field of RNA therapeutics.

For more information about Avidity's initiatives, its pipeline, and developments, visit the official website or engage with Avidity on LinkedIn and other professional media platforms.