Form 4: Apellis Officer Sells Shares for Tax Withholding

Apellis Pharmaceuticals' Chief Business & Strategy Officer, Mark DeLong, sold 1,780 shares of common stock to cover tax obligations related to restricted stock unit vesting.

Summary

• Mark Jeffrey DeLong, Chief Business & Strategy Officer of Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (APLS), reported a sale of common stock.
• The transaction involved the disposition of 1,780 shares of Apellis Pharmaceuticals common stock.
• The shares were sold at a price of $22.1872 per share.
• The sale occurred on January 13, 2026, and was executed to cover tax withholding obligations associated with Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) that vested on January 12, 2026.
• Following this transaction, Mr. DeLong beneficially owns 83,058 shares of common stock.
• This beneficial ownership includes 893 shares acquired through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) on April 30, 2025.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating it was pre-scheduled.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral as this is a routine, non-discretionary sale of shares to cover tax obligations related to RSU vesting, which is a common occurrence for executives and does not reflect a change in company fundamentals or management's outlook.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or strategic direction.

Management Comments

• The reported sale of 1,780 shares was solely to cover tax withholding obligations upon the release of Restricted Stock Units.

Industry Context

This is a routine insider transaction related to compensation and tax obligations, and it does not provide specific insights into broader industry trends or competitive landscape for Apellis Pharmaceuticals.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minimal impact as this is a routine, non-discretionary sale for tax purposes and does not signal a change in management's confidence or company performance.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing details a routine, non-discretionary sale of shares by an executive to cover tax withholding on vested restricted stock units, executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. This type of transaction is common and does not provide new material information about the company's operational performance, financial health, or future prospects. Therefore, it does not warrant a change in investment thesis, and a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate based solely on this filing.

Keywords

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, APLS, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Sale, Tax Withholding, Restricted Stock Units, Mark DeLong, 10b5-1 Plan