Form 4: ACHV CFO Mark Oki Earns 168,000 Performance Stock Units

ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC. Chief Financial Officer Mark Oki earned 168,000 performance restricted stock units after meeting specific company performance criteria.

Summary

• Mark K. Oki, Chief Financial Officer of ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC. (ACHV), earned 168,000 Performance Restricted Stock Units (PRSUs).
• The PRSUs were earned on September 4, 2025, upon the achievement of certain performance criteria.
• The Compensation Committee of the Issuer's Board of Directors certified the achievement of these performance criteria.
• Each PRSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of the issuer's common stock at settlement.
• The PRSUs were previously reported on December 9, 2024.
• The total number of shares underlying the PRSUs vest upon the achievement of one of certain milestones, with an expiration date of December 6, 2028.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The earning of performance-based stock units by a key executive indicates successful achievement of company performance criteria, which is a positive signal for operational execution and management alignment.

Positives

• The earning of 168,000 PRSUs by the CFO indicates that specific, pre-defined company performance criteria were successfully met.
• Certification by the Compensation Committee confirms the achievement of these performance milestones, signaling effective management execution.
• This event aligns management incentives with shareholder interests, as the compensation is tied to company performance.

Future Outlook

The earned PRSUs represent a contingent right to receive one share of the issuer's common stock at settlement. The total number of shares underlying the PRSUs will vest upon the achievement of one of certain milestones, with an expiration date of December 6, 2028.

Management Comments

• The Compensation Committee of the Issuer's Board of Directors certified the achievement of certain performance criteria.

Industry Context

This executive compensation event is a standard practice in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, where performance-based equity awards are used to incentivize management to achieve strategic and financial milestones. The earning of these units suggests the company is progressing towards its internal objectives, which is a common indicator of operational health within the sector.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Performance-based equity awards like PRSUs are a common component of executive compensation packages across the biotech and pharma sectors, similar to practices at companies like Moderna, Pfizer, or Amgen, where a significant portion of executive pay is tied to achieving R&D milestones, regulatory approvals, or financial targets.
• The structure, where PRSUs convert to common stock upon meeting specific milestones, aligns with best practices for incentivizing long-term value creation, comparable to how executives at Biogen or Gilead Sciences are compensated for drug development success or market share growth.

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Positive impact as executive compensation is directly tied to the achievement of company performance criteria, aligning management incentives with shareholder value creation.
• Employees: May signal a positive internal environment where performance goals are being met, potentially boosting morale and confidence in leadership.

Next Steps

• The earned PRSUs will settle into common stock upon the achievement of one of certain milestones, as per the award agreement.

Key Dates

Keywords

ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, ACHV, Mark Oki, CFO, Performance Restricted Stock Units, PRSUs, Executive Compensation, Insider Transaction, SEC Form 4, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals