3 nominees · 8 ballot items.
Re-elect three Class II directors; approve PwC as UK statutory auditors and ratify PwC as US independent auditors; authorize the Audit Committee to set PwC’s UK remuneration; receive the UK Annual Report; approve the UK Remuneration Report (advisory) and UK Remuneration Policy; and approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of named executive officers (Say-on-Pay).
Re-elect Stephen R. Biggar, G. Bradley Cole and Barry D. Quart as Class II Directors to serve until the 2029 Annual Meeting.
Approve PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s UK statutory auditors until the close of the 2027 Annual Meeting.
This proposal asks shareholders under English Companies Act practice to approve the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s UK statutory auditors for the period ending at the 2027 Annual Meeting. Management is seeking shareholder approval because, under UK law, the statutory auditors must be appointed or re-appointed at the meeting where the annual report and accounts are presented; the Board and Audit Committee have reviewed PwC’s qualifications, independence, historic performance and the firm’s familiarity with the Company’s UK and US reporting. Approving PwC supports audit continuity across jurisdictions (UK statutory audit and US audit coordination) and maintains institutional knowledge critical to assessing accounting judgments and internal controls, particularly as the Company transitions to sustained profitability and advances clinical programs. The Board’s recommendation cites PwC’s role in auditing the UK statutory accounts and the benefits of leveraging a single firm for cross-border audit coordination. If shareholders do not approve, the Audit Committee could appoint an alternate auditor, which could be disruptive and impose transition costs. The Board’s rationale balances audit quality, independence considerations, and the operational efficiency of continuing PwC. Given the Company’s dual-reporting requirements and the timing of reporting cycles, management frames this as a routine governance step that nevertheless has material implications for financial reporting quality and investor confidence. The recommendation emphasizes PwC’s communications with the Audit Committee on independence issues and that PwC will be available to respond to shareholder questions at the Annual Meeting.
Ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s US independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
Authorize the Board of Directors, through the Audit Committee, to determine PwC’s remuneration in its capacity as UK statutory auditors until the close of the 2027 Annual Meeting.
This proposal asks shareholders to delegate authority to the Board, acting through its Audit Committee, to determine the remuneration payable to PwC in its role as the Company’s UK statutory auditors until the close of the 2027 Annual Meeting. Management seeks this authorization because, under the Companies Act, auditor remuneration must be fixed at a general meeting or determined in the manner authorized by the meeting; delegating to the Audit Committee allows the Company to negotiate and set fees in the ordinary course as audit scope, regulatory requirements or audit-related services evolve. The Board and Audit Committee have highlighted that centralized oversight by the Audit Committee enables evaluation of audit quality, fee reasonableness, and the independence implications of non-audit services while preserving shareholder oversight via the appointment vote. Granting this authority reduces administrative burden and avoids the need for separate shareholder votes to adjust remuneration that reflect changes in audit scope or jurisdictions. The Board recommends the vote for reasons of governance practicality and because the Audit Committee is best positioned to assess the auditor’s performance and determine appropriate compensation. The recommendation underscores established pre-approval processes, the Committee’s role in assessing auditor independence, and the expectation that PwC’s fees will be subject to the Committee’s ongoing review. If shareholders withhold authorization, the Audit Committee would need to seek shareholder approval for remuneration adjustments, potentially delaying fee arrangements and audit planning.
Receive, on an advisory basis, the Company’s UK statutory annual accounts and report for the period ended December 31, 2025.
This proposal presents the Company’s UK statutory annual accounts and related directors’ and auditors’ reports for shareholder receipt and questions. Management is asking shareholders to formally receive these documents as part of the statutory meeting process under English law; the resolution is advisory and provides an opportunity for shareholders to raise questions about the audited financial statements, accounting policies, audit findings and management’s stewardship. The Board’s presentation of the UK Annual Report at the meeting reflects legal and governance norms for UK-incorporated companies and ensures transparency regarding the Company’s financial performance, including the transition to net income in 2025 and material developments such as ARCALYST commercial growth and pipeline progress. Although receipt does not constitute approval of the accounts (approval mechanisms differ under company law), the vote functions as an important engagement point between management, auditors and shareholders. The Board recommends a vote FOR to reaffirm confidence in the audited financial statements and to facilitate an orderly opportunity for discussion at the Annual Meeting. Investors should treat this as a routine, informational resolution, while recognizing it is an occasion to probe audit-related matters, accounting judgments, or forward-looking disclosures. In the event shareholders raise substantive concerns at the meeting, the Board and Audit Committee would need to assess any follow-up actions, including potential changes in accounting presentation or audit focus areas.
Approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the Company’s UK Statutory Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report for the period ended December 31, 2025.
This advisory proposal requests shareholder approval of the UK Remuneration Report, which details director remuneration policies, outcomes for the year and how the Compensation Committee administered pay arrangements. Management seeks an advisory endorsement to demonstrate shareholder support for past remuneration decisions and to obtain feedback that will inform future remuneration governance and policy adjustments. The Remuneration Report includes audited sections examined by PwC and narrative disclosure describing base pay, annual bonuses, long-term incentives (including PSUs and the KPL-387 LTIP), and the Committee’s assessment of 2025 performance against corporate goals; it explains that the Compensation Committee awarded a corporate performance multiplier of 181% for annual bonuses reflecting ARCALYST revenue growth and pipeline advancement. While the vote is non-binding, the Board and Compensation Committee state they will review and consider voting outcomes when making future compensation decisions and when setting targets and pay mix; this linkage is particularly relevant given the Company’s shift to profitability in 2025 and evolving long-term incentive design. The Committee emphasizes that the Compensation Report balances retention, pay-for-performance and alignment with shareholder interests, and that it has engaged an independent compensation consultant in setting pay. Investors should view this advisory vote as a governance signal—support validates the Committee’s approach, whereas a weak vote would require the Committee to engage with shareholders and consider changes to policy or disclosure. The Board recommends a vote FOR, citing transparency, oversight by independent directors, and the use of performance-based awards to align management and shareholder interests.
Approve the Company’s UK Statutory Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which sets out the framework for director pay and will be effective for up to three years.
This binding proposal asks shareholders to approve the UK Remuneration Policy that will govern director pay for up to three years unless revised earlier. Management is seeking approval because shareholder endorsement of the policy provides legitimacy and predictability for compensation practices, including base salary, annual cash incentives, and long-term equity awards (options, RSUs, PSUs), plus retirement and benefits. The policy explicitly aims to align director incentives with long-term shareholder value, emphasize performance-based pay, and reflect US-market conventions given the Company’s US-centred operations and executive base—a point the Committee highlights to remain competitive in recruiting executive talent. The Committee also retains discretion to use tailored recruitment awards, make-whole arrangements and to adjust award mix in response to market conditions; shareholders are asked to approve the overall framework and limits. The Board justifies the approach by referencing its independent consultant’s benchmarking, the Company’s peer group, and the introduction of performance-linked award vehicles such as PSUs and the KPL-387 LTIP. If approved, the policy will be applied by the Compensation Committee in making remuneration decisions and will be reported annually; if not approved, the Committee may need to revise the policy and re-submit a proposal, creating governance and market uncertainty. The Board recommends a vote FOR to ensure continuity and to maintain a remuneration framework aligned to strategy, retention and shareholder alignment.
Approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement.
This non-binding Say-on-Pay proposal asks shareholders to approve the aggregate compensation arrangements for the named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement, including the CD&A, compensation tables, and narrative. Management frames this advisory vote as an opportunity for shareholders to express support for the Company’s compensation philosophy, which emphasizes a mix of base salary, performance-based annual bonuses, and long-term equity incentives (options, RSUs, PSUs), with recent increases in PSU allocation and the introduction of the KPL-387 LTIP to align management incentives with strategic development milestones. The Board emphasizes that pay decisions in 2025 reflected strong commercial and pipeline performance—ARCALYST revenue growth and progress on KPL-387—and that the Compensation Committee used an independent consultant and market benchmarking in setting pay levels and mix. While the vote is advisory and not binding on the Board, the Compensation Committee has committed to reviewing and considering the outcome when setting future compensation policies and awards; this is material given the Company’s move to profitability and evolving pay programs. The Board recommends a vote FOR as evidence of shareholder support for the current compensation approach; a negative result would prompt direct engagement with shareholders and possible amendments to policy, disclosure or pay design. Investors should evaluate the Say-on-Pay in the context of recent pay actions (e.g., increased PSU weighting and KPL-387 LTIP awards) and the Company’s performance metrics and governance safeguards, such as clawback and pre-approval policies applied by the Audit and Compensation Committees.
| # | Owner | % of shares | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FMR LLC | 7.4% | 5,681,030 | $274M |
| 2 | Rubric Capital Management LP | 4.9% | 3,750,000 | $181M |
| 3 | BAKER BROS. ADVISORS LP | 3.7% | 2,826,246 | $136M |
| 4 | TANG CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC | 2.9% | 2,259,889 | $109M |
| 5 | VANGUARD PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT LLC | 2.3% | 1,766,268 | $85M |
| 6 | ACADIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC | 1.7% | 1,336,313 | $64M |
| 7 | VANGUARD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC | 1.7% | 1,333,093 | $64M |
| 8 | ARROWSTREET CAPITAL, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | 1.2% | 892,666 | $43M |
| 9 | D. E. Shaw Co., Inc.Activist | 1.0% | 782,431 | $38M |
| 10 | DIMENSIONAL FUND ADVISORS LP | 1.0% | 771,095 | $37M |
The opinions and information contained herein have been obtained or derived from sources believed to be reliable, but Boardroom Alpha cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness, and that of the opinions based thereon.
This report contains opinions and is provided for informational purposes only – it does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. You should not rely solely upon the research herein for purposes of transacting securities or other investments, and you are encouraged to conduct your own research and due diligence, and to seek the advice of a qualified securities professional before you make any investment.
None of the information contained in this report constitutes, or is intended to constitute a recommendation by Boardroom Alpha of any particular security or trading strategy or a determination by Boardroom Alpha that any security or trading strategy is suitable for any specific person. To the extent any of the information contained herein may be deemed to be investment advice, such information is impersonal and not tailored to the investment needs of any specific person.
No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made on behalf of Boardroom Alpha as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Boardroom Alpha does not accept any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on all or any part of this research and any liability is expressly disclaimed.