Form 4: Neurocrine Biosciences Executive Julie Cooke Executes Stock Option and Sells Shares

Julie Cooke, Chief Human Resources Officer at Neurocrine Biosciences, exercised stock options and sold shares under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Summary

• On August 1, 2024, Julie Cooke, Chief Human Resources Officer of Neurocrine Biosciences, exercised non-qualified stock options to acquire 12,632 shares of common stock at a price of $61.82 per share.
• Simultaneously, Cooke sold 12,632 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $153.2629 per share, with individual sales prices ranging from $150.53 to $156.51.
• The transactions were executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted on March 14, 2024.
• Following these transactions, Cooke directly owns 18,202 shares and indirectly owns 16,538 shares through the Cooke Family Trust of 2004.
• She also holds options for an additional 12,632 shares.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The document is a standard SEC filing detailing stock transactions by an executive. It doesn't inherently convey positive or negative sentiment, but rather provides factual information about the transactions.

Industry Context

Executive stock transactions are a common occurrence in publicly traded companies. Monitoring these transactions can provide insights into management's perspective on the company's valuation and future prospects. Rule 10b5-1 plans are frequently used to avoid accusations of insider trading.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Executive compensation packages, including stock options, are standard practice across the biotechnology industry.
• Companies like Amgen, Gilead Sciences, and Biogen also utilize stock options as part of their executive compensation plans.
• The vesting schedules and exercise prices are typically benchmarked against industry peers to attract and retain talent.
• The use of Rule 10b5-1 trading plans is a common practice among executives to manage their stock holdings while avoiding insider trading concerns, similar to practices seen at companies like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

Stakeholder Impact

• The stock sale could have a minor impact on shareholders, potentially creating slight downward pressure on the stock price in the short term.
• The transaction does not directly impact employees, customers, suppliers, or creditors.

Key Dates