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Immunome Inc. (NASDAQ:IMNM) announced that Philip Tsai, its Chief Technical Officer, received a significant equity compensation package on July 23, 2026. The grant included 38,250 restricted stock units (RSUs) and 76,500 employee stock options exercisable at $22.01 per share. This award underscores the company’s strategy to retain key technical leadership as it progresses its development pipeline and operational goals.
Key Points
- NASDAQ ticker: IMNM
- Philip Tsai granted 38,250 RSUs vesting 25% annually over four years
- Received 76,500 stock options with a $22.01 exercise price, expiring July 22, 2036
- Options vest 25% on July 23, 2027, with remaining shares vesting monthly thereafter, contingent on continuous service
- Post-transaction, Tsai directly owns 81,550 common shares of Immunome
Details of RSU Award and Vesting Terms
Philip Tsai’s compensation includes 38,250 restricted stock units, which are rights to receive common stock upon vesting. The RSUs vest over four years, with 25% vesting on each anniversary of the grant date, contingent on Tsai’s continuous employment. This vesting schedule aligns with common equity compensation practices in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, promoting long-term retention of senior technical executives.
The RSUs were granted at no cost to Tsai, with the company absorbing the full value. This delayed vesting approach incentivizes sustained commitment and aligns Tsai’s interests with Immunome’s long-term performance, a standard strategy among publicly traded life sciences firms.
Stock Option Grant and Exercise Conditions
Alongside the RSUs, Tsai was awarded 76,500 employee stock options at an exercise price of $22.01 per share, granted on July 23, 2026, and expiring on July 22, 2036. These options provide potential upside if Immunome’s stock price rises above the strike price during the ten-year term.
The option vesting differs from the RSUs, with 25% vesting one year from grant on July 23, 2027, followed by monthly vesting of the remaining shares over the next 36 months, contingent on continuous service. This structure offers gradual equity participation tied to ongoing employment, typical of executive retention plans.
Philip Tsai’s Beneficial Ownership
After the equity transactions, Tsai beneficially owns 81,550 shares of Immunome common stock directly. This total includes shares settled from prior awards and any previously held shares. The company did not disclose acquisition prices for any previously held shares.
Tsai’s direct ownership aligns his financial interests with shareholder value. His dual role as CTO and significant shareholder underscores his influence on Immunome’s technical strategy and company performance. All shares are held in direct ownership form, not through trusts or indirect entities.
CTO Role and Regulatory Reporting
The filing confirms Tsai’s position as Chief Technical Officer, subjecting him to Section 16 reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Form 4 was filed on July 27, 2026, within the required reporting timeframe following the July 23, 2026 transaction.
As CTO, Tsai oversees technical direction including R&D and scientific strategy, making his retention critical. The equity grant reflects Immunome’s commitment to securing experienced leadership in its competitive biotechnology environment.
Grant Pricing and Acquisition Terms
Both the RSUs and stock options were granted at no cost to Tsai, with acquisition prices recorded as $0. This is standard for executive equity awards, where value is realized through stock appreciation and vesting rather than upfront payment. The $22.01 option exercise price reflects the company’s valuation at grant.
Direct Ownership and Custody
The filing shows all securities are directly owned by Tsai, indicated by the "D" designation. This direct ownership simplifies reporting and confirms personal equity holdings. The filing was signed by Sandra Stoneman as attorney-in-fact, a common practice that does not affect beneficial ownership or reporting obligations.
Vesting Contingencies and Service Requirements
Both RSUs and stock options require continuous service for vesting. RSUs vest 25% annually over four years, with unvested units forfeited upon termination before vesting dates. Options vest 25% after one year with monthly vesting thereafter over three years. The filing does not specify acceleration or forfeiture provisions for termination scenarios.
Transaction Timeline and Regulatory Disclosure
The equity awards were granted on July 23, 2026, with the Form 4 filed on July 27, 2026. This timely disclosure complies with insider reporting rules. The transaction code "A" indicates acquisition of securities, with no sales reported. The filing provides full transparency on Tsai’s equity position changes related to this compensation.
Investor Insights and Transparency
This equity grant reveals Immunome’s approach to compensating and retaining senior technical leadership through substantial RSU and option awards with multi-year vesting. The $22.01 option strike price offers a benchmark for evaluating insider confidence relative to market price at grant. While the filing does not include forward-looking statements or guidance, it offers investors clarity on insider ownership and compensation practices within the company.
