Form 4: Ginkgo Bioworks CFO Reports Routine Stock Transactions

Ginkgo Bioworks' CFO, Steven P. Coen, reported the acquisition of Class A Common Stock through RSU vesting and a subsequent sale to cover tax obligations.

Summary

• Steven P. Coen, Chief Financial Officer of Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA), reported multiple transactions involving Class A Common Stock and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• On January 16, 2026, Coen acquired a total of 1,805 shares of Class A Common Stock through the vesting and exercise of RSUs (587, 156, and 1,062 shares from separate RSU grants).
• Following these acquisitions, his direct beneficial ownership of Class A Common Stock increased to 9,293 shares.
• Concurrently, 1,805 RSUs were disposed of as they converted into common stock upon vesting.
• On January 20, 2026, Coen sold 972 shares of Class A Common Stock at a price of $8.917 per share.
• This sale was explicitly stated as a 'sell to cover' transaction to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of restricted stock and/or RSUs, and was not a discretionary trade.
• After all reported transactions, Coen directly beneficially owned 8,321 shares of Class A Common Stock and 13,472 Restricted Stock Units.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The filing details routine insider transactions related to equity compensation vesting and tax-related sales, which are standard occurrences and do not indicate a significant positive or negative shift in company fundamentals or executive sentiment.

Positives

• The vesting of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) indicates continued equity compensation for the Chief Financial Officer, aligning management's interests with shareholders.
• The acquisition of 1,805 shares of Class A Common Stock through RSU vesting demonstrates the executive's continued ownership stake in the company.

Negatives

• The sale of 972 shares of Class A Common Stock, even if for tax purposes, reduces the executive's direct shareholding.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or outlook.

Management Comments

• Sales to cover tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of such securities do not represent discretionary trades by the Reporting Person.
• The Issuer's equity incentive plans allow the Issuer to require that satisfaction of tax withholding obligations be funded by a 'sell to cover' transaction.

Industry Context

This insider transaction report is specific to an individual executive's equity compensation and does not provide broader industry context or trends.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minimal impact as these are routine, non-discretionary transactions related to executive compensation. The 'sell to cover' mechanism is standard practice.
• Employees: No direct impact mentioned beyond the general structure of equity incentive plans.

Key Dates

Keywords

Ginkgo Bioworks, DNA, Form 4, Insider Trading, Restricted Stock Units, RSU Vesting, Sell to Cover, Equity Compensation, Chief Financial Officer