[Form 4] Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. Insider Trading Activity
Robert J. Bitterman, Chairman, President and CEO of Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (PHIO), reported equity transactions on a Form 4 filed for activity dated 09/11/2025. The filing shows 4,111 shares were withheld by the issuer to satisfy tax withholding related to vested restricted stock units; no shares were sold.
The reporting person was also granted 250,000 restricted stock units on that date that vest on the first annual anniversary of the grant. After these transactions the filing reports 271,421 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Bitterman. The Form 4 was signed by an attorney-in-fact on 09/15/2025.
- Large RSU award disclosed: 250,000 restricted stock units granted on 09/11/2025, increasing alignment of CEO compensation with shareholders
- No open-market sale: 4,111 shares were withheld for tax withholding purposes, explicitly noted as not sold
- Potential dilution: 250,000 RSUs represent future issuance of shares when they vest, increasing outstanding shares upon settlement
- Concentration of insider compensation: A sizable RSU grant to the CEO may concentrate executive equity, affecting dilution metrics
Insights
TL;DR: Insider received a large RSU grant and had shares withheld for taxes; ownership rises to 271,421 shares, a routine compensation event.
The 250,000 restricted stock units granted on 09/11/2025, with vesting on the first anniversary, represent a significant executive compensation award disclosed by the CEO. The withholding of 4,111 shares to satisfy tax obligations is a non-sale, administrative action commonly seen when RSUs vest. From an investor-materiality perspective this is a compensation and ownership disclosure rather than a liquidity event; it increases potential future dilution when RSUs vest and shares are issued.
TL;DR: This filing documents standard executive equity award and tax withholding; it is governance-related but not an adverse disclosure.
The report identifies Robert J. Bitterman as Chairman, President & CEO and discloses his equity-based compensation (250,000 RSUs) and the withholding of 4,111 shares for taxes. The disclosure is consistent with routine board-approved equity grants and required Section 16 reporting. It provides transparency on insider ownership and the mechanics of RSU vesting but contains no indication of unusual governance actions or sales by the reporting person.