Sellas Life Sciences Short Interest Hits 33% as Severance Changes Spark Buyout Talk
SLS•Sellas Life Sciences short interest rose to nearly 33% of its 186 million-share float, up from 25.5% in April, as shares gear up for a sixth weekly gain. Amendments to CEO and senior executive severance agreements triggered buyout speculation and potential short squeeze ahead of a Phase 3 AML trial update.
1. Record Short Interest and Stock Rally
Short interest in Sellas Life Sciences rose to 33% of its 186 million-share float as of June 15, up from 25.5% in April and 28.4% at the year’s start, while shares advanced toward a sixth consecutive weekly gain.
2. Enhanced Executive Severance Agreements
Sellas amended CEO Angelos Stergiou’s contract to allow lump-sum severance on change in control, and granted CFO John Burns and CDO Dragan Cicic 15 months’ salary, full bonus, and accelerated equity vesting under similar terms.
3. Surge in Buyout and Short Squeeze Speculation
Bullish retail sentiment and a 250% spike in messaging volumes fed speculation of a buyout and potential short squeeze as investors focused on the new severance terms.
4. Phase 3 AML Trial Update Looms
The Phase 3 Regal trial of Galinpepimut-S in AML patients remains the key catalyst, with a clinical update expected to drive the next major share movement.
