CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) CEO gets major equity awards, sells shares for taxes
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
CRISPR Therapeutics CEO Samarth Kulkarni reported a mix of equity grants, vesting, and a small mandated share sale. On March 20, 2026, restricted stock units covering 19,687 Common Shares vested and were settled into shares, and he received a new stock option for 114,249 Common Shares at an exercise price of $46.24, plus a new restricted stock unit award for 81,875 Common Shares with vesting from 2027 through 2030.
On March 23, 2026, 10,020 Common Shares were sold at $46.78 per share solely to cover tax withholding tied to the RSU vesting, pursuant to the company’s RSU Settlement Policy and described as a non-discretionary transaction. After these events, Kulkarni held 255,501 Common Shares directly, and certain shares remain subject to a lock-up agreement related to the company’s convertible senior notes due 2031.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Routine CEO equity awards with a small, mandated tax sale.
CRISPR Therapeutics’ CEO received sizeable equity compensation on March 20, 2026, including an option for 114,249 Common Shares at $46.24 and 81,875 new restricted stock units. Existing RSUs partially vested, delivering 19,687 Common Shares and increasing his direct share ownership.
Three days later, 10,020 Common Shares were sold at $46.78 per share. A footnote states this sale was required to cover tax withholding under the company’s RSU Settlement Policy, not a discretionary trade. The sale represents only a small portion of his 255,501 Common Shares held afterward.
Because the activity is primarily compensation-related and the disposition is tax-driven rather than a voluntary reduction of exposure, it appears as routine insider activity rather than a thesis-changing signal. Some of his shares remain subject to a lock-up tied to the company’s convertible senior notes due 2031, which may limit near-term flexibility to sell additional shares.
Insider Trade Summary
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale | Common Shares | 10,020 | $46.78 | $469K |
| Grant/Award | Stock Option (Right to Buy) | 114,249 | $0.00 | -- |
| Grant/Award | Restricted Stock Units | 81,875 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Units | 19,687 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Shares | 19,687 | $0.00 | -- |
Footnotes (1)
- These shares remain subject to a lock-up agreement with the underwriters of the Issuer's offering of convertible senior notes due 2031. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of CRSP Common Shares. Amount reported represents the number of shares required to be sold by the reporting person to cover the tax withholding obligation in connection with the vesting of these restricted stock units. This sale is mandated by the Company's RSU Settlement Policy to fund the tax withholding obligation and does not represent a discretionary trade by the reporting person. This option was granted on March 20, 2026 with respect to 114,249 Common Shares. 100% of the shares will vest in 48 equal monthly installments, with the first vesting date of April 20, 2026. This restricted stock unit award was granted on March 20, 2026 with respect to 81,875 Common Shares, with (i) one quarter of the shares vesting on March 20, 2027 , (ii) one quarter of the shares vesting on March 20, 2028, (iii) one quarter of the shares vesting on March 20, 2029, and (iv) one quarter of the shares vesting on March 20, 2030. This restricted stock unit award was granted on March 20, 2024 with respect to 78,750 Common Shares, with (i) one quarter of the shares vesting on March 20, 2025, (ii) one quarter of the shares vesting on March 20, 2026, (iii) one quarter of the shares vesting on March 20, 2027, and (iv) one quarter of the shares vesting on March 20, 2028.
