Kulkarni Samarth 4

What Happened

• Samarth Kulkarni, CEO of CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP), sold 10,020 common shares in an open-market transaction on 2026-03-23 at $46.78 per share, totaling $468,736.
• The Form 4 also reports multiple March 20, 2026 derivative-related items: a stock option grant for 114,249 shares (derivative), an RSU award for 81,875 shares, and entries showing 19,687 shares marked as an exercise/conversion (reported both as acquired and disposed). The filing also references previously granted RSUs (78,750) with a vesting tranche on 2026-03-20.
• The 10,020-share sale was reported as a withholding sale to satisfy tax obligations associated with RSU vesting (per the company’s RSU Settlement Policy), not a discretionary sell decision by the CEO.

Key Details

• Transaction dates/prices: 2026-03-20 (option grant and RSU grants; exercise/conversion of 19,687 shares reported), 2026-03-23 sale at $46.78/share (10,020 shares; $468,736).
• Shares owned after transaction: not specified in the filing.
• Notable footnotes:
  • F3: The 10,020-share sale was mandated to cover tax withholding on RSU vesting (company policy) — not discretionary.
  • F4–F6: Describe vesting schedules — option (114,249 shares) vests monthly over 48 months starting Apr 20, 2026; RSU (81,875) vests in four annual tranches (Mar 20, 2027–2030); prior RSU (78,750 from 2024) vests quarterly through 2028.
  • F1: Some shares remain subject to a lock-up with underwriters for the issuer’s convertible note offering.
• Timeliness: Period of report is 2026-03-20 and the Form 4 was filed 2026-03-24; filing appears timely per Form 4 reporting rules.

Context

• Derivative explanation: the "M" code indicates an option exercise/conversion. The filing shows 19,687 shares both acquired and disposed on the same date, which commonly reflects a net or cashless exercise (exercise and immediate sale/withholding), though the form does not state cash proceeds for that entry.
• RSU withholding sales to cover taxes are routine and generally do not signal voluntary insider selling for investment reasons. Purchases or outright discretionary buys carry more weight as bullish signals; this filing mainly reflects compensation-related activity plus a required tax-withholding sale.