Form 4: Apellis CSO Awarded 25,840 Restricted Stock Units

Apellis Pharmaceuticals' Chief Scientific Officer, Pascal Deschatelets, received an award of 25,840 Restricted Stock Units vesting over four years.

Summary

• Pascal Deschatelets, Chief Scientific Officer of Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (APLS), was granted 25,840 shares of Common Stock in the form of a Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) award.
• The transaction date for this acquisition was January 28, 2026.
• The RSUs were granted at a price of $0 per share, which is typical for such awards.
• Following this transaction, Pascal Deschatelets beneficially owns 1,177,222 shares of Common Stock.
• The RSU award vests 25% annually over four years from the grant date, contingent upon continued service to the company.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a slightly positive event, reflecting standard executive compensation practices aimed at retaining key talent and aligning management interests with long-term company performance.

Positives

• The RSU grant aligns the Chief Scientific Officer's long-term interests with those of shareholders, promoting retention and performance.
• This form of equity compensation is a standard practice for retaining key executive talent in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Negatives

• The issuance of new shares upon vesting will result in a minor dilution for existing shareholders, though this is a common aspect of equity compensation plans.

Future Outlook

The vesting schedule of the RSU award, extending over four years, indicates an expectation of continued service from the Chief Scientific Officer, reinforcing long-term strategic alignment.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that RSU grants are a prevalent form of executive compensation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, designed to incentivize long-term performance and retain critical scientific and leadership talent. This grant to Apellis's Chief Scientific Officer is consistent with industry norms for rewarding and aligning key executives.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to a Chief Scientific Officer is a common compensation practice across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, comparable to grants observed at companies like Biogen, Gilead Sciences, and Amgen, which frequently use equity awards to attract and retain top scientific talent.
• A four-year annual vesting schedule is standard for RSU awards in the sector, aiming to ensure long-term commitment and align executive interests with shareholder value creation over a sustained period.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Experience minor dilution upon vesting but benefit from the retention and incentivization of a key executive.
• Employees: This grant reinforces the company's commitment to competitive executive compensation, potentially boosting morale and demonstrating career progression opportunities.

Next Steps

• The RSU award will vest 25% annually over the next four years, subject to Pascal Deschatelets' continued employment with Apellis Pharmaceuticals.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine executive compensation event (RSU grant) and does not provide new fundamental information that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. It is a standard practice for retaining key personnel and aligning interests, which is generally positive but not a catalyst for a 'buy' or 'sell' decision on its own.

Keywords

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, APLS, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Executive Compensation, Insider Transaction, Pascal Deschatelets, Chief Scientific Officer, Equity Grant