Form 4: aTyr Pharma CFO Granted Stock Options

aTyr Pharma's Chief Financial Officer, Jill Marie Broadfoot, was granted 412,500 employee stock options with an exercise price of $0.7127, vesting over three years.

Summary

• Jill Marie Broadfoot, Chief Financial Officer of aTYR PHARMA INC, reported changes in beneficial ownership.
• She beneficially owns 35,104 shares of Common Stock directly.
• This includes 841 shares acquired on May 15, 2025, and 2,500 shares acquired on November 14, 2025, under the Company's 2015 Employee Purchase Plan.
• She was granted 412,500 employee stock options on January 9, 2026, with an exercise price of $0.7127 per share.
• These options will vest in 36 equal monthly installments starting February 9, 2026, becoming fully exercisable on January 9, 2029.
• The options have an expiration date of January 9, 2036.
• Accelerated vesting applies upon termination without cause following a change of control of the issuer.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The grant of stock options to a key executive is generally a positive sign of management alignment and retention strategy, reflecting confidence in future performance. It's a routine compensation event, not indicative of extraordinary news.

Positives

• The grant of 412,500 employee stock options aligns the CFO's incentives with long-term shareholder value creation.
• The vesting schedule over three years encourages retention and sustained performance from a key executive.
• Inclusion of accelerated vesting upon change of control provides a standard executive protection.

Future Outlook

The vesting schedule for the granted options extends through January 2029, indicating a long-term incentive structure for the Chief Financial Officer.

Industry Context

Executive stock option grants are a standard practice in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry to align executive incentives with long-term company performance and shareholder value, particularly for companies like aTyr Pharma focused on drug development.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of stock options to a key executive like the CFO is a common compensation practice across publicly traded companies, especially in growth-oriented sectors such as biotechnology.
• The vesting schedule over three years is typical for retaining talent and incentivizing sustained performance.
• The inclusion of accelerated vesting upon a change of control is also a standard provision in executive compensation agreements to protect executives in M&A scenarios, comparable to practices at peers like BioNTech or Moderna for their key personnel.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The option grant aligns the CFO's interests with shareholders, potentially leading to better long-term performance. Dilution from future option exercise is a consideration.
• Employees: Reflects standard executive compensation practices, potentially setting a precedent for other key personnel.

Next Steps

• Continued vesting of 412,500 employee stock options in 36 equal monthly installments beginning February 9, 2026.
• Options will become fully exercisable on January 9, 2029.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing reports a routine grant of employee stock options to a key executive, the Chief Financial Officer. While it aligns management incentives with long-term shareholder value, it does not provide new fundamental information about the company's operational performance, financial health, or strategic direction that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. It is a standard compensation event.

Keywords

aTyr Pharma, ATYR, SEC Form 4, Stock Options, Executive Compensation, Jill Marie Broadfoot, CFO, Beneficial Ownership, Employee Stock Option, Rule 10b5-1