Nektar Therapeutics Grants Equity Awards to New Employees Under 2025 Inducement Plan

In a recent announcement, Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) revealed that on August 20, 2026, their Board of Directors’ Organization and Compensation Committee approved the grant of stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs) to eleven newly hired employees. This action aligns with the company's 2025 Inducement Plan, which was specifically developed to provide equity awards as an incentive for new talent joining the firm.

The program, initiated on November 6, 2025, allows Nektar to provide equity awards to individuals who were previously not employees or non-employee directors of the company as a way to entice them into employment, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). In total, the committee granted options to purchase 25,200 shares of common stock along with 5,000 RSUs to these selected employees.

Each stock option carries an exercise price of $74.53, which corresponds to the closing price of Nektar's stock on the grant date. These options are set to vest over a span of four years; one-fourth will vest on the first anniversary of the grant, while the remaining will vest monthly over the subsequent three years contingent on the employees’ ongoing employment with Nektar. On the other hand, the RSUs will also vest over four years in a similar fashion—one-fourth vesting after a year, followed by quarterly vesting for three more years.

The grants are bound by the terms outlined in Nektar's 2025 Inducement Plan, alongside the stipulations from the stock option and RSU agreements covering these awards.

About Nektar Therapeutics

Nektar Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on advancing treatments to rectify immune system malfunctions prevalent in autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammation. The company is currently working on several innovative therapies, including its leading candidate, rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG or NKTR-358), which is being investigated for atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, and Type 1 diabetes. Other projects within Nektar’s pipeline consist of preclinical antibodies and proteins aimed at enhancing cancer treatment and immune responses, such as NKTR-0165 and NKTR-0166, and NKTR-422.

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Nektar continues to expand its reach and influence in the biotechnology sector. For further insights and updates on their latest projects and developments, interested parties can visit their official website at www.nektar.com or follow them on LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note

It’s important to note that this announcement includes forward-looking statements regarding the company’s business strategy and the therapeutic potential of its products, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Results may vary significantly based on various factors, and stakeholders should remain informed regarding developments through official communications and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The introduction of the 2025 Inducement Plan marks a strategic effort by Nektar Therapeutics to attract and retain top-tier talent in the competitive biotechnology landscape, demonstrating their commitment to fostering innovation and growth within their organization.