GeoVax Labs, Inc. Stock Compensation Disclosure
6. Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the award and is allocated to research and development expense or general and administrative expense based upon the classification of the individual to whom the award is granted. We also have issued shares of restricted common stock to consultants and recognize the related expense over the terms of the related agreements.
We use the Black-Scholes model for determining the grant date fair value of our stock option grants. This model utilizes certain information, such as the interest rate on a risk-free security with a term generally equivalent to the expected life of the option being valued and requires certain other assumptions, such as the expected amount of time an option will be outstanding until it is exercised or expired, to calculate the fair value of stock options granted. The significant assumptions we used in our fair value calculations for stock options were as follows:
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2025 |
2024 |
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Weighted average risk-free interest rates |
4.5 | % | 3.8 | % | ||||
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Expected dividend yield |
0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||
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Expected life of option (in years) |
7.0 | 7.0 | ||||||
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Expected volatility |
179.3 | % | 204.2 | % | ||||
The weighted-average grant date fair values of stock options granted during 2025 and 2024 were $61.05 and $55.39, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, there is $1,371,524 of unrecognized compensation expense that will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
The following table summarizes our total stock-based compensation expense for employees, directors and consultants for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
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2025 |
2024 |
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Stock options: |
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Research and development |
$ | 513,867 | $ | 222,202 | ||||
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General and administrative |
597,120 | 252,275 | ||||||
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Total stock option expense |
1,110,987 | 474,477 | ||||||
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Stock awards: |
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General and administrative |
4,167 | 54,167 | ||||||
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Total stock-based compensation expense |
$ | 1,115,154 | $ | 528,644 | ||||
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 15, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Mar 27, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Mar 23, 2023 | |
About Stock Compensation Disclosures
Stock-based compensation disclosures detail the equity awards granted to employees and executives — including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and performance shares — along with the valuation methods and assumptions used to expense them. This section reveals the true cost of talent retention and the alignment between management incentives and shareholder interests.
Key signals: total unrecognized compensation expense and its expected recognition period signal future earnings headwinds from already-granted awards. For stock options, examine Black-Scholes assumptions — expected volatility, risk-free rate, and expected term — as understating any of these reduces reported compensation expense. Compare stock compensation expense as a percentage of revenue against peers to assess dilution cost. Watch vesting schedules for acceleration clauses tied to change-of-control events. Performance-based awards with undemanding targets may indicate weak governance. Add back stock compensation to operating cash flow to calculate a more conservative free cash flow figure.