SCHEDULE: Versant Funds Trim Stake in LENZ Therapeutics

Sentiment:

Beneficial Ownership Update


Versant Venture Capital funds have reduced their beneficial ownership in LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. through recent share sales totaling over $10 million.

Worse than expectedVersant Venture Capital funds, significant holders, reduced their stake in LENZ Therapeutics, which could be interpreted as a decrease in conviction or a strategic rebalancing, potentially signaling a negative outlook.

Summary

  • Versant Venture Capital VI, L.P. (Versant VI) sold a total of 175,679 shares of Common Stock in two transactions on August 15, 2025, and August 18, 2025.
  • The August 15, 2025 sale by Versant VI involved 145,051 shares at $39.500 per share, yielding approximately $5,729,514.50.
  • The August 18, 2025 sale by Versant VI involved 30,628 shares at a weighted average price of $38.5611 per share, yielding approximately $1,181,049.37.
  • Versant Venture Capital VII, L.P. (Versant VII) sold a total of 85,034 shares of Common Stock in two transactions on August 15, 2025, and August 18, 2025.
  • The August 15, 2025 sale by Versant VII involved 69,949 shares at $39.500 per share, yielding approximately $2,762,985.50.
  • The August 18, 2025 sale by Versant VII involved 15,085 shares at a weighted average price of $38.5611 per share, yielding approximately $581,694.19.
  • Following these sales, Versant VI beneficially owns 1,400,220 shares, representing 4.9% of the class.
  • Versant Vantage II, L.P. beneficially owns 842,162 shares, representing 3.0% of the class.
  • Versant VII beneficially owns 1,033,412 shares, representing 3.6% of the class, which includes 70,534 shares issuable upon warrant exercise.

Sentiment

Score: 4

Explanation: The reduction in beneficial ownership by a significant institutional investor, Versant Venture Capital, could be perceived as a slight negative signal regarding their long-term conviction in LENZ Therapeutics, although it may also represent portfolio rebalancing.

Negatives

  • The reduction in beneficial ownership by significant institutional investors like Versant Venture Capital funds could be perceived negatively by the market, potentially signaling a decrease in their long-term conviction or a strategic rebalancing.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

This filing primarily details changes in beneficial ownership by a specific investment group and does not provide broader industry context or trends.

Stakeholder Impact

  • Shareholders may react negatively to a significant institutional investor reducing its stake, potentially leading to downward pressure on the stock price.

Key Dates

DateDescription
July 9, 2021Original Schedule 13D filed by certain Reporting Persons.
November 17, 2023Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed.
March 25, 2024Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D filed.
November 8, 2024Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed.
June 12, 2025Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D filed.
June 24, 2025Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D filed.
July 14, 2025Amendment No. 6 to Schedule 13D filed.
July 24, 2025Date of Common Stock outstanding reported in the Issuer's quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
July 30, 2025Issuer's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, filed with the SEC.
August 15, 2025Versant VI and Versant VII sold shares of Common Stock.
August 18, 2025Versant VI and Versant VII sold additional shares of Common Stock, which is the event date requiring this filing.
August 20, 2025Date of signature for the Schedule 13D Amendment No. 7 filing.

Recommendation

hold

The filing indicates a reduction in beneficial ownership by Versant Venture Capital funds through recent share sales. While this action by a significant investor could be interpreted as a slight negative signal or portfolio rebalancing, it does not provide sufficient new information about the company's fundamentals or future prospects to warrant a strong buy or sell recommendation. Investors should hold and monitor for further developments or company-specific news.

Keywords

LENZ Therapeutics, Versant Venture Capital, Schedule 13D, Share Sales, Beneficial Ownership, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical

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