X0306 4 2012-11-01 0 0001126234 NEWLINK GENETICS CORP NLNK 0001261262 LINK GORDON H JR C/O NEWLINK GENETICS CORPORATION 2503 SOUTH LOOP DR., SUITE 5100 AMES IA 50010 0 1 0 0 Chief Financial Officer Common Stock 2012-11-01 4 M 0 1000 2.1 A 5313 D Common Stock 2012-11-01 4 F 0 153 13.7671 D 5160 D Common Stock 2012-11-01 4 S 0 847 13.7671 D 4313 D Stock Option (Right to Buy) 2.1 2012-11-01 4 M 0 1000 0 D 2018-08-05 Common Stock 100000 82739 D Represents a "net exercise" of outstanding stock options. The reporting person received 847 shares of common stock on net exercise of option to purchase 1,000 shares of common stock. The reporting person forfeited 153 shares of common stock underlying the option in payment of the exercise price, using the weighted average stock price from the sale of $13.7671. The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $13.64 to $13.86, inclusive. The reporting person undertakes to provide to the issuer, any security holder of issuer, or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the ranges set forth in footnote 2 to this Form 4. The sales reported in this Form 4 were effected pursuant to a 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by the Reporting Person on 10/1/2012. 1/4th of the shares vest on August 4, 2009, which is one year after the vesting commencement date. 1/48th of the shares vest monthly thereafter over the next three years. /s/ Gordon H. Link, by power of attorney 2012-11-02