DiaMedica Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(C)(4)

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative treatments for conditions such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and acute ischemic stroke, has announced an inducement grant of stock options to five newly hired non-executive employees. As disclosed on September 18, 2025, DiaMedica has granted stock options to acquire a total of 490,000 shares of its common stock, with the employment of these individuals commencing in August and September 2025.

The stock options were authorized by the Compensation Committee of DiaMedica's Board of Directors under the Amended and Restated 2021 Employment Inducement Incentive Plan. Each option features an exercise price of $6.76 per share, reflecting the closing price of the company’s stock on the date of the grant. The options are structured to vest cumulatively, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, followed by the remaining 75% vesting in quarterly increments over the subsequent three years, contingent upon the continued employment of the recipients. These options are valid for a ten-year period.

This incentive was a crucial element of the new employees’ compensation as per Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), aimed at attracting talented individuals to join DiaMedica. The company is notably advancing its lead candidate, DM199, which represents a synthetic recombinant form of the KLK1 protein and is under investigation in the United States for treating acute ischemic stroke and other vascular-related diseases.

For further information about DiaMedica and its developments, interested individuals can visit their official website at www.diamedica.com.

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC) recently made headlines by granting stock options to 490,000 shares to five newly appointed non-executive employees. This strategic move, as part of their Amended and Restated 2021 Employment Inducement Incentive Plan, underscores DiaMedica's commitment to attracting and retaining key talent, particularly as it advances its promising lead candidate, DM199.

The exercise price of $6.76 per share mirrors the closing price on the day of the grant, ensuring that the options are fairly valued for the recipients. The structured vesting schedule—25% after one year and the remainder in quarterly installments over three years—aligns employee incentives with company performance, promoting long-term commitment and engagement.

From an investor’s perspective, this move can be seen as a positive indicator of the company's growth strategy and ambition. At this stage of development, attracting high-caliber personnel is crucial for pushing forward clinical programs and ultimately advancing commercialization efforts of DM199 and other therapies. DM199, being developed for acute ischemic stroke, brings unique potential given its status as the first synthetic form of the KLK1 protein in the U.S., a modality already established in China.

However, while these inducement grants are a strategic effort to strengthen the team, potential investors should remain cautious. Phase II clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and market acceptance will be critical in determining the stock's trajectory. With a ten-year option term, the company has set a long-term foundation for talent retention which, if successful, could yield significant value.

Ultimately, investors should consider holding shares in DiaMedica as it gets closer to clinical milestones while keeping a vigilant eye on market dynamics and trial outcomes. The overall market sentiment regarding biopharmaceutical innovations targeted at critical conditions like stroke could also sway the company's valuation, suggesting potential for both growth and volatility.