SCHEDULE 13D/A: Versant Funds Reduce Stake in LENZ Therapeutics, Selling Over $10 Million in Shares
Schedule 13D Amendment
Versant Venture Capital and its affiliated funds have filed an Amendment No. 4 to their Schedule 13D, reporting a reduction in their beneficial ownership of LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. common stock following a significant share sale.
Summary
- Versant Venture Capital VI, L.P., Versant Vantage II, L.P., and Versant Venture Capital VII, L.P., along with their respective general partners, collectively hold a significant beneficial ownership in LENZ Therapeutics, Inc.
- As of May 1, 2025, LENZ Therapeutics had 28,146,154 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
- Versant Venture Capital VI, L.P. beneficially owns 2,101,199 shares, representing 7.5% of the outstanding Common Stock.
- Versant Vantage II, L.P. beneficially owns 842,162 shares, representing 3% of the outstanding Common Stock.
- Versant Venture Capital VII, L.P. beneficially owns 1,319,323 shares, representing 4.7% of the outstanding Common Stock, which includes 70,534 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant.
- On June 10, 2025, Versant Venture Capital VII, L.P. sold 350,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $29.00 per share, generating aggregate proceeds of approximately $10,150,000.00.
Sentiment
Score: 4
Explanation: The document reports a significant share sale by a major investor, which, while a routine reporting requirement, can be perceived as a slightly negative signal regarding the investor's long-term outlook or a move to realize gains, potentially impacting market sentiment.
Negatives
- Versant Venture Capital VII, L.P. sold 350,000 shares of Common Stock, reducing its stake in LENZ Therapeutics, which could be perceived as a lack of further conviction or a move to realize gains.
Future Outlook
This Schedule 13D amendment primarily reports a change in beneficial ownership and does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance from the company's management.
Industry Context
This filing reflects a specific investment firm's portfolio management decision regarding its stake in a publicly traded company, rather than broader industry trends. It indicates a partial exit or profit-taking by a venture capital investor in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical sector, where LENZ Therapeutics operates.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: The sale by a significant institutional investor could lead to increased selling pressure or a negative perception, potentially impacting the share price. Existing shareholders might interpret this as a signal of reduced confidence.
- Company Management: While not directly impacting operations, a reduction in a major investor's stake might prompt questions from other investors regarding the company's performance or future prospects.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2021-07-09 | Original Schedule 13D filing date by certain Reporting Persons. |
| 2023-11-17 | Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed. |
| 2024-03-25 | Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D filed. |
| 2024-11-08 | Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed. |
| 2025-05-01 | Date as of which 28,146,154 shares of Common Stock were outstanding, as reported in the Issuer's Form 10-Q. |
| 2025-06-10 | Date of event requiring filing of this statement; Versant VII sold 350,000 shares of Common Stock. |
| 2025-06-12 | Date of signing for Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D. |
Keywords
LENZ Therapeutics, Versant Venture Capital, Schedule 13D, Beneficial Ownership, Share Sale, SEC Filing, Common Stock, Institutional Investor
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