Form 4: Aprea Therapeutics Director Marc Duey Reports Acquisition of Equity Compensation

Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. Director Marc Duey reported the acquisition of 1,045 restricted stock units and 4,185 stock options on June 5, 2025, as part of his compensation.

Summary

• Marc Duey, a Director of Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (APRE), reported transactions on June 5, 2025, as detailed in a Form 4 filing dated June 9, 2025.
• He acquired 1,045 shares of Common Stock in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) at a price of $0.00 per share. These RSUs are scheduled to vest and be settled in common stock on June 5, 2026, contingent on his continued service on the Issuer's board of directors.
• He also acquired 4,185 Stock Options with an exercise price of $1.81 per share. These options vest in full on June 5, 2026, also subject to his continued board service, and have an expiration date of June 5, 2035.
• Following these transactions, Mr. Duey directly beneficially owns 234,696 shares of Common Stock and 4,185 Stock Options.
• An additional 602 shares are indirectly beneficially owned by his spouse, for which Mr. Duey disclaims beneficial ownership.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing reports a standard equity compensation grant to a director, which is a positive for aligning interests and retaining talent, but it does not contain information that would significantly alter the company's financial outlook or operations. It's a routine, slightly positive event.

Positives

• The acquisition of restricted stock units and stock options aligns the director's interests with long-term shareholder value, as vesting is tied to continued service on the board.
• The grant of equity compensation is a standard practice for retaining and incentivizing experienced board members, contributing to corporate governance stability.

Risks

• The vesting of the acquired restricted stock units and stock options is subject to the reporting person's continued service on the Issuer's board of directors through and including the applicable vesting date.

Future Outlook

The vesting of the granted restricted stock units and stock options on June 5, 2026, is contingent upon the director's continued service, aligning future incentives with company performance and board stability.

Management Comments

• The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of securities held by their spouse, and this report shall not be deemed an an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or for any other purpose.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing reflects a routine equity compensation grant to a director, a common practice across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries to attract and retain experienced board members and align their interests with long-term company performance. Such grants are typical for companies like Aprea Therapeutics, which often rely on equity incentives given their development-stage nature and focus on long-term value creation.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of restricted stock units and stock options to a director is a standard compensation practice in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, comparable to similar equity incentive programs observed at peer companies.
• For instance, many small to mid-cap biotech firms, particularly those in clinical development stages, frequently use equity grants to compensate board members, often with vesting schedules tied to continued service, similar to this grant by Aprea Therapeutics.
• Specific comparable companies would include other clinical-stage oncology companies with similar market capitalizations, where director compensation packages typically include a mix of cash and equity to incentivize long-term commitment and performance.

Related Party Transactions

• Indirect beneficial ownership of 602 shares by spouse, with the reporting person disclaiming beneficial ownership.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The equity grant aligns the director's interests with long-term shareholder value, potentially fostering more stable and committed board oversight.

Next Steps

• Vesting of 1,045 restricted stock units on June 5, 2026, subject to continued service.
• Vesting of 4,185 stock options on June 5, 2026, subject to continued service.

Key Dates

Keywords

Aprea Therapeutics, APRE, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Director Compensation, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Options, Equity Grant, Marc Duey