Form 4: Ginkgo Bioworks Director Christian O. Henry Reports Stock Transactions

Director Christian O. Henry reports acquisition of shares and derivative securities in Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. following vesting of restricted stock units and grant of new awards.

Summary

• Christian O. Henry, a director of Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc., reported transactions involving the company's Class A Common Stock and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• On June 12, 2024, 105,263 Class A shares were acquired upon the vesting of RSUs granted on June 16, 2023.
• Following this transaction, Henry directly owns 1,339,641 shares of Class A Common Stock.
• On June 13, 2024, Henry was granted 432,900 additional RSUs and stock options for 571,428 shares.
• The vesting date for the new RSUs and the exercisable date for the stock options will be the earlier of June 13, 2025, or the day before the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders, contingent on continued service as a Non-Employee Director.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to positive. The transactions reflect standard compensation practices and alignment of interests between the director and shareholders. There are no indications of negative events or concerns.

Positives

• The vesting of RSUs and grant of new equity awards align the director's interests with those of the shareholders.
• The director's continued service is incentivized through the vesting conditions of the RSUs and stock options.

Future Outlook

The vesting of the new RSUs and the exercisability of the stock options are contingent upon the Reporting Person's continued service as a Non-Employee Director through the earlier of June 13, 2025, or the day immediately prior to the date of the Issuer's next Annual Meeting of Shareholders occurring after the grant date.

Industry Context

Form 4 filings are standard practice for reporting insider transactions, providing transparency to investors regarding the actions of company directors and officers. This filing indicates continued director ownership and alignment with company performance.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Equity compensation for board members is a common practice across the biotechnology industry.
• Companies like Amyris and Zymergen (now Ginkgo) have similar equity compensation programs to attract and retain qualified board members.
• The size and structure of the equity awards are generally benchmarked against peer companies to ensure competitiveness.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transactions signal continued confidence from a board member, which can positively influence shareholder sentiment.
• The equity compensation structure incentivizes the director to contribute to the company's long-term success, benefiting shareholders.

Key Dates