Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Vericel Corporation 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2022 Plan”) was approved on April 27, 2022, and provides incentives through the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. The exercise price of stock options granted under the 2022 Plan shall not be less than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The 2022 Plan replaced the 1992 Stock Option Plan, the 2001 Stock Option Plan, the Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, the 2009 Second Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan, the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, and the Amended and Restated 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Prior Plans”), and no new grants have been granted under the Prior Plans after approval of the 2022 Plan. However, the expiration or forfeiture of options previously granted under the Prior Plans will increase the number of shares available for issuance under the 2022 Plan.

Stock Compensation Expense

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense (service-based stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchase plan) is summarized in the following table:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2023		2022
Cost of product sales	$	885	$	1,118
Research and development	977		1,350
Selling, general and administrative	6,869		7,063
Total non-cash stock-based compensation expense	$	8,731	$	9,531

Service-Based Stock Options

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company granted service-based options to purchase common stock of 467,957 and 993,589, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of service-based options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $18.00 and $20.99 per option, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company granted 496,505 and 343,022 restricted stock units, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $29.82 and $34.97 per unit, respectively.