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In a move to motivate and retain its employees, Tenaya Therapeutics , Inc. (NASDAQ:TNYA), a biotechnology firm specializing in biological products, has announced the repricing of certain stock options. The decision comes as the company’s stock has declined over 70% in the past six months, according to InvestingPro data, with shares currently trading near their 52-week low of $0.99. On Monday, January 24, 2025, the company’s Compensation Committee approved a change in the exercise price of nonstatutory stock options that were underwater.
The repricing affects options that were granted under the company’s equity incentive plans, with an original exercise price per share of $3.00 or higher. These options were held by employees and certain service providers as of the effective date. Notably, this includes options for the company’s Chief Medical (TASE:PMCN) Officer, Whit Tingley, which cover 630,982 shares. InvestingPro analysis reveals the company maintains a strong current ratio of 5.27, indicating solid short-term financial stability despite challenging market conditions.
The new exercise price for these options is set at $1.21 per share, matching the closing price of Tenaya’s common stock on the day of the repricing. However, if options are exercised before the fulfillment of specific retention goals, a premium equal to the pre-repricing exercise price must be paid. The retention goals require option holders to either remain with the company until July 24, 2025, or to be in service at the time of a corporate change in control, should it occur before that date.
The Compensation Committee made this decision after reviewing various alternatives and consulting with an independent compensation advisor. The aim of the repricing is to prevent stock dilution from additional equity grants and to avoid the need for increased cash compensation.
At the time of the approval, a significant portion of the company’s employee-held stock options were underwater, with exercise prices above the current market value of Tenaya’s stock. The total number of shares affected by the repricing is approximately 4.1 million, with previous exercise prices ranging from $3.06 to $21.01 per share.
This strategic decision is based on the company’s commitment to align the interests of its employees with those of its shareholders and to maintain a competitive edge in the biotechnology industry. The information regarding this corporate action is based on a recent SEC filing by Tenaya Therapeutics. While the company faces challenges, including a rapid cash burn rate noted by InvestingPro, analyst price targets remain optimistic, ranging from $6 to $40 per share. InvestingPro subscribers can access 14 additional key insights about Tenaya’s financial health and market position, along with detailed valuation metrics and peer comparison tools.
In other recent news, Tenaya Therapeutics has been making significant advancements in its gene therapy clinical trials. The company has reported early positive results from its MyPEAK-1 clinical trial for TN-201, a gene therapy for MYBPC3-associated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The Data Safety Monitoring Board approved the continuation of dosing in the second cohort of the study. Additionally, Tenaya has initiated a Phase 1b study for TN-401, a gene therapy aimed at treating arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, with preliminary data expected in 2025.
Amid these developments, Tenaya announced the departure of Leone Patterson, its Chief Financial and Business Officer, and is currently seeking a replacement. Despite this, analyst firms such as H.C. Wainwright and Piper Sandler have maintained their Buy and Overweight ratings respectively, showing confidence in Tenaya’s ongoing developments.
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