Company: RNAC
Filing Date: 2025-04-28
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001453687-25-000075
Chunk: 71

Company: Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-04-28
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 71
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 and retain the services of these individuals, which we believe are essential to our long-term success.

We also maintain the 2018 Plan, which was adopted by the Board on September 25, 2018 without stockholder approval pursuant to Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq listing rules (“Rule 5635(c)(4)”) and provides for the grant of equity-based awards in the form of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, RSU awards and other stock or cash based awards. In accordance with Rule 5635(c)(4), awards under the 2018 Plan may only be made to a newly hired employee who has not previously been a member of the Board, or an employee who is being rehired following a bona fide period of non-employment by the Company, as a material inducement to the employee’s entering into employment with the Company.

In connection with the Merger, we adopted the Old Cartesian Plan as described in the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Merger” above.

Our stock option awards have an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant and typically vest as to 25% of the underlying shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and in equal annual installments over the following three years, subject to the holder’s continued employment with us and potential accelerated

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vesting in certain circumstances. From time to time, our Board may also construct alternate vesting schedules as it determines are appropriate to motivate particular employees. Our stock option awards may be intended to qualify as incentive stock options under the Code.

In early 2024, we made the following grants under the 2016 Plan: (i) to Dr. Brunn options to purchase 199,033 shares of our Common Stock and 155,136 RSUs; (ii) to Mr. Davis options to purchase 103,666 shares of our Common Stock and 80,800 RSUs; (iii) to Dr. Kurtoglu options to purchase 65,499 shares of our Common Stock; and (iv) to Dr. Jewell options to purchase 33,265 shares of our Common Stock. Additionally, we made the following grants under the Old Cartesian Plan: (i) to Dr. Kurtoglu 51,033 RSUs and (ii) to Dr. Jewell 25,940 RSUs.

Retirement, Health,