32. Share-Based Payments
Subscription right plans
Presented below is a summary of subscription right activities for the reported periods. Various subscription right plans were approved by the Board of Directors for the benefit of our employees, members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and independent consultants.
The subscription rights offered to members of the Board of Directors vest over a period of 36 months at a rate of 1/36th per month. Effective January 1, 2020, we no longer grant subscription rights to members of the Board of Directors (Non-Executive Directors), taking into account the stricter rules of the BCCA and 2020 Code.
Within the framework of the authorized capital and for the benefit of the Executive Committee members and employees of the Galapagos group, the Board of Directors issued “Subscription Right Plan 2025 (A)”, for a total of 925,000 subscription rights (after acceptance by the beneficiary) on May 27, 2025, and “Subscription Right Plan 2025 (B)” for a total of 905,000 subscription rights (after acceptance by the beneficiaries) on August 7, 2025, and for a total of 420,000 subscription rights (after acceptance by the beneficiaries) on November 19, 2025.
Following table shows when a subscription right becomes exercisable, per issued subscription right plan:
|
Cliff vesting |
Graded vesting |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Subscription right exercisable as from |
|
First tranche of 25% |
Second tranche of 25% |
Third tranche of 50% |
Subscription right plans before 2021 |
First day after end of third calendar year following the grant |
– |
– |
– |
Subscription right plan 2021BE |
First day after end of third calendar year following the grant |
– |
– |
– |
Subscription right plan 2021RMV and ROW |
– |
January 1, 2023 |
January 1, 2024 |
January 1, 2025 |
Subscription right plan 2022 (A) |
– |
January 1, 2023 |
January 1, 2024 |
January 1, 2025 |
Subscription right plan 2022 (B) |
January 1, 2026 |
– |
– |
– |
Subscription right plan 2022BE |
January 1, 2026 |
– |
– |
– |
Subscription right plan 2022RMV and ROW |
– |
January 1, 2024 |
January 1, 2025 |
January 1, 2026 |
Subscription right plan 2023BE |
January 1, 2027 |
– |
– |
– |
Subscription right plan 2023RMV and ROW |
– |
January 1, 2025 |
January 1, 2026 |
January 1, 2027 |
Subscription right plan 2024BE |
January 1, 2028 |
– |
– |
– |
Subscription right plan 2024RMV and ROW |
– |
January 1, 2026 |
January 1, 2027 |
January 1, 2028 |
Subscription right plan 2025 (A) |
June 12, 2028 |
– |
– |
– |
Subscription right plan 2025 (B) |
August 22, 2028 |
– |
– |
– |
Subscription right plan 2025 (B) |
December 9, 2028 |
– |
– |
– |
In the event of a change of control over Galapagos NV, all outstanding subscription rights vest immediately (to the extent they had not all vested yet) and will become immediately exercisable in accordance with the relevant subscription right plan rules.
The table below sets forth a summary of subscription rights outstanding and exercisable on December 31, 2025, per subscription right plan:
Subscription |
Allocation |
Expiry |
Exercise |
Outstanding at January 1, 2025 |
Granted and accepted |
Exercised |
Forfeited |
Expired |
Outstanding at December 31, 2025 |
Exercisable at December 31, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 (B) |
01/20/2017 |
01/19/2025 |
62.50 |
10,000 |
|
|
|
(10,000) |
– |
– |
2017 |
05/17/2017 |
05/16/2025 |
80.57 |
585,000 |
|
|
|
(585,000) |
– |
– |
2017 RMV |
05/17/2017 |
05/16/2025 |
80.57 |
105,000 |
|
|
|
(105,000) |
– |
– |
2018 |
04/19/2018 |
04/18/2026 |
79.88 |
929,995 |
|
|
(5,000) |
|
924,995 |
924,995 |
2018 RMV |
04/19/2018 |
04/18/2026 |
79.88 |
117,500 |
|
|
|
|
117,500 |
117,500 |
2019 |
04/10/2019 |
04/09/2027 |
95.11 |
1,144,990 |
|
|
(17,000) |
|
1,127,990 |
1,127,990 |
2019 RMV |
04/10/2019 |
04/09/2027 |
95.11 |
153,500 |
|
|
(1,750) |
|
151,750 |
151,750 |
2020 |
04/17/2020 |
04/16/2028 |
168.42 |
1,315,692 |
|
|
(13,456) |
|
1,302,236 |
1,302,236 |
2020 RMV |
04/17/2020 |
04/16/2028 |
168.42 |
179,175 |
|
|
(11,100) |
|
168,075 |
168,075 |
2021BE |
04/30/2021 |
04/29/2029 |
64.76 |
1,015,033 |
|
|
(252) |
|
1,014,781 |
1,014,781 |
2021RMV |
04/30/2021 |
04/29/2029 |
64.76 |
218,925 |
|
|
(8,325) |
|
210,600 |
210,600 |
2021ROW |
04/30/2021 |
04/29/2029 |
64.76 |
591,450 |
|
|
(5,625) |
|
585,825 |
585,825 |
2022 (A) |
01/13/2022 |
01/12/2030 |
46.18 |
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
30,000 |
2022 (B) |
01/26/2022 |
01/25/2030 |
50.00 |
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
2022BE |
05/06/2022 |
05/05/2030 |
57.46 |
804,232 |
|
|
(1,588) |
|
802,644 |
802,644 |
2022BE |
08/05/2022 |
05/05/2030 |
51.58 |
78,000 |
|
|
(6,000) |
|
72,000 |
72,000 |
2022RMV |
05/06/2022 |
05/05/2030 |
57.46 |
199,069 |
|
|
(4,780) |
|
194,289 |
194,289 |
2022ROW |
05/06/2022 |
05/05/2030 |
57.46 |
631,100 |
|
|
(16,673) |
|
614,427 |
614,427 |
2022ROW |
08/05/2022 |
08/04/2030 |
51.58 |
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
60,000 |
2023BE |
05/05/2023 |
05/04/2031 |
35.11 |
593,250 |
|
|
|
|
593,250 |
|
2023RMV |
05/05/2023 |
05/04/2031 |
35.11 |
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
50,000 |
2023ROW |
05/05/2023 |
05/04/2031 |
35.11 |
496,900 |
|
|
(28,750) |
|
468,150 |
235,950 |
2023BE |
06/15/2023 |
06/14/2031 |
38.58 |
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
2023ROW |
11/17/2023 |
05/04/2031 |
32.99 |
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
10,000 |
2024BE |
05/16/2024 |
05/15/2032 |
26.90 |
667,798 |
|
|
(50,000) |
|
617,798 |
|
2024RMV |
05/16/2024 |
05/15/2032 |
26.90 |
21,500 |
|
|
|
|
21,500 |
5,375 |
2024ROW |
05/16/2024 |
05/15/2032 |
26.90 |
602,000 |
|
|
(62,000) |
|
540,000 |
135,000 |
2024BE |
10/01/2024 |
09/30/2032 |
25.88 |
3,500 |
|
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
2024ROW |
10/01/2024 |
09/30/2032 |
25.88 |
37,500 |
|
|
|
|
37,500 |
9,375 |
2025 (A) |
05/27/2025 |
06/11/2033 |
25.64 |
– |
925,000 |
|
|
|
925,000 |
|
2025 (B) |
08/07/2025 |
08/06/2033 |
28.16 |
– |
905,000 |
|
|
|
905,000 |
|
2025 (B) |
11/19/2025 |
11/18/2033 |
26.75 |
– |
420,000 |
|
|
|
420,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
11,911,109 |
2,250,000 |
|
(232,299) |
(700,000) |
13,228,810 |
8,822,812 |
|
Subscription |
Weighted average exercise price (€) |
|---|---|---|
Outstanding on December 31, 2023 |
11,472,520 |
77.93 |
Exercisable on December 31, 2023 |
5,836,538 |
101.93 |
|
|
|
Granted and accepted during the year |
1,381,000 |
26.87 |
Forfeited during the year |
(547,911) |
72.66 |
Exercised during the year |
– |
– |
Expired during the year |
(394,500) |
46.10 |
Outstanding on December 31, 2024 |
11,911,109 |
73.19 |
Exercisable on December 31, 2024 |
5,182,941 |
107.03 |
|
|
|
Granted and accepted during the year |
2,250,000 |
26.86 |
Forfeited during the year |
(232,299) |
55.51 |
Exercised during the year |
– |
– |
Expired during the year |
(700,000) |
80.31 |
Outstanding on December 31, 2025 |
13,228,810 |
65.24 |
Exercisable on December 31, 2025 |
8,822,812 |
83.32 |
|
2025 (A) |
2025 (B) |
2025 (B) |
2024BE/ |
2024BE |
2024RMV/ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
May 27, 2025 |
August 7, 2025 |
November 19, 2025 |
October 1, 2024 |
May 16, 2024 |
May 16, 2024 |
Weighted average exercise price (€) |
25.64 |
28.16 |
26.75 |
25.88 |
26.90 |
26.90 |
Weighted average share price at acceptance date (€) |
25.46 |
28.16 |
27.04 |
26.00 |
23.80 |
23.80 |
Weighted average fair value on the acceptance date (€) |
9.80 |
10.98 |
10.06 |
10.57 |
9.78 |
9.11 |
Weighted average historical volatility (%) |
38.79 |
38.77 |
35.98 |
41.73 |
42.19 |
42.19 |
Weighted average expected life of the subscription right (years) |
5.50 |
5.50 |
5.50 |
5.28 |
6.22 |
5.44 |
Weighted average risk free rate (%) |
2.03 |
2.19 |
2.21 |
2.17 |
2.56 |
2.58 |
Expected dividends |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
The exercise price of the subscription rights is determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Belgian Law of March 26, 1999.
The weighted average estimated volatility is calculated on the basis of the implied volatility of the share price over the weighted average expected life of the subscription rights. For the plans issued in 2024 and 2025 we used the historical volatility.
The weighted average expected life of the subscription right is calculated as the estimated duration until exercise, taking into account the specific features of the plans. For the plans issued in 2024 and 2025 we assumed an exercise at mid-point.
Our share-based compensation expense in 2025 in relation to subscription right plans amounted to €23,999 thousand (2024: €19,886 thousand), of which €23,999 thousand (2024: €17,685 thousand) from continuing operations and nil (2024: €2,201 thousand) from discontinued operations.
The following table provides an overview of the outstanding subscription rights per category of subscription right holders on December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:
|
December 31 |
|
|---|---|---|
Category (in number of subscription rights) |
2025 |
2024 |
Members of the Board of Directors |
7,500 |
7,500 |
Executive Committee members |
1,666,500 |
1,616,500 |
Personnel |
11,554,810 |
10,287,109 |
Total subscription rights outstanding |
13,228,810 |
11,911,109 |
The outstanding subscription rights at the end of the accounting period have a weighted average exercise price of €65.24 (2024: €73.19) and a weighted average remaining life of 1,528 days (2024: 1,560 days).
Restricted stock units (RSUs)
Each RSU represents the right to receive, at our discretion, one Galapagos share or a payment in cash of an amount equivalent to the volume-weighted average price of the Galapagos share on Euronext Brussels over the 30-calendar day period preceding the relevant vesting date, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relevant RSU program.
We currently have the following RSU programs:
Plan 2021.I, Plan 2022.I, Plan 2023.I, Plan 2024.I, Plan 2025.I to Plan 2025.VI: these plans are intended to provide a long-term incentive to certain of our employees and Executive Committee members. The grants to Executive Committee members appointed in 2025 under Plan 2025.IV were joining arrangements;
Plan 2021.II, Plan 2022.II, Plan 2023.II and Plan 2024.II: these plans are designed with the aim of retaining a specific group of our key employees and Executive Committee members whose retention is considered so important for our future performance that an additional incentive is desirable. The beneficiaries are nominated by the Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors approves this list of beneficiaries. The four-year vesting period is designed to be aligned with long-term shareholder interests;
The main characteristics of all these plans are as follows:
the RSUs are offered for no consideration;
generally, RSUs vest over four years, with 25% vesting each year. Certain plans or some beneficiaries follow a three‑year cliff vesting or one-year cliff vesting schedule under which all RSUs (100%) vest at once;
payout will be in cash or shares, at our discretion, it being understood that in respect of members of the Executive Committee, any vesting prior to the third anniversary of the offer date will always give rise to a payment in cash rather than a delivery of shares;
any unvested RSUs are forfeited upon termination of service before the vesting date.
The table below sets forth a summary of RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2025, per RSU plan:
RSU plan |
Offer date |
Outstanding at |
Granted |
Forfeited |
Paid in cash during |
Outstanding at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plan 2021.I. |
05/05/2021 |
8,448 |
|
(1,598) |
(6,850) |
– |
Plan 2021.II. |
05/06/2021 |
2,031 |
|
|
(2,031) |
– |
Plan 2022.I. |
05/03/2022 |
23,832 |
|
(10,260) |
(9,734) |
3,838 |
Plan 2022.II. |
05/05/2022– |
54,768 |
|
(6,103) |
(29,318) |
19,347 |
Plan 2023.I. |
05/08/2023 |
129,963 |
|
(58,881) |
(31,907) |
39,175 |
Plan 2023.II. |
05/09/2023– |
287,625 |
|
(84,014) |
(95,875) |
107,736 |
Plan 2024.I. |
05/16/2024 |
566,456 |
|
(208,573) |
(130,417) |
227,466 |
Plan 2024.II. |
05/16/2024– |
233,148 |
|
(102,536) |
(54,496) |
76,116 |
Plan 2025.I. |
06/16/2025– |
– |
258,384 |
(22,192) |
|
236,192 |
Plan 2025.II. |
06/16/2025 |
– |
21,416 |
(8,176) |
|
13,240 |
Plan 2025.III. |
06/16/2025 |
– |
6,928 |
(712) |
|
6,216 |
Plan 2025.IV. |
06/16/2025– |
– |
400,000 |
|
|
400,000 |
Plan 2025.V. |
06/23/2025 |
– |
29,924 |
(20,636) |
|
9,288 |
Plan 2025.VI. |
08/07/2025-11/19/2025 |
– |
130,000 |
|
|
130,000 |
Total |
|
1,306,271 |
846,652 |
(523,681) |
(360,628) |
1,268,614 |
(in number of RSUs) |
2025 |
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Outstanding on January 1 |
1,306,271 |
1,175,453 |
|
|
|
Granted and accepted during the year |
846,652 |
840,088 |
Forfeited during the year |
(523,681) |
(476,482) |
Paid in cash during the year |
(360,628) |
(232,788) |
Outstanding on December 31 |
1,268,614 |
1,306,271 |
The RSUs are measured based on the volume-weighted average price of the Galapagos share on Euronext Brussels over the 30-calendar day period preceding the reporting period and they are re-measured at each reporting date. We recognize the corresponding expense and liability over the vesting period. The total liability relating to outstanding RSUs on December 31, 2025 amounted to €14.8 million (2024: €16.7 million).
The following table provides an overview of the outstanding RSUs per category of RSU holders on December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
|
December 31 |
|
|---|---|---|
Category (in number of RSUs) |
2025 |
2024 |
Executive Committee members |
445,967 |
564,034 |
Personnel |
822,647 |
742,237 |
Total outstanding RSUs |
1,268,614 |
1,306,271 |