Form 4: Vir Biotech CFO O'Byrne Reports RSU Grant, Option Award

Vir Biotechnology's EVP & CFO Jason O'Byrne reported the acquisition of 55,000 restricted stock units and 110,000 stock options, alongside a tax-related sale of 2,089 shares.

Summary

• Jason O'Byrne, EVP & Chief Financial Officer of Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (VIR), reported transactions.
• On February 22, 2026, O'Byrne acquired 55,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) under the Issuer's Equity Incentive Plan.
• On the same date, O'Byrne was granted 110,000 stock options with an exercise price of $7.56, vesting 25% on February 22, 2027, and the remainder in 36 equal monthly installments.
• On February 23, 2026, O'Byrne disposed of 2,089 shares of common stock at $7.4528 per share.
• This disposition was an automatic and mandatory sale under a Rule 10b5-1 arrangement to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to RSU vesting and was not a discretionary trade.
• Following these transactions, O'Byrne beneficially owns 164,249 shares of common stock and 110,000 stock options.
• The reported common stock holdings include 637 shares acquired on November 28, 2025, through an employee stock purchase program.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this filing as largely routine insider activity, reflecting standard executive compensation practices and tax-related share dispositions under a pre-arranged plan. The equity grants are a positive for executive alignment.

Positives

• Acquisition of 55,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) at a price of $0, indicating a grant as part of compensation.
• Grant of 110,000 stock options with an exercise price of $7.56, providing future potential upside.
• The transactions, including the sale, were made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, indicating pre-planned and non-discretionary activity.

Negatives

• Sale of 2,089 shares of common stock at $7.4528 to cover tax withholding obligations, reducing direct share ownership.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that executive compensation packages often include equity grants like RSUs and stock options, which align management incentives with shareholder value. The use of a Rule 10b5-1 plan for tax-related sales is a standard practice for insiders to manage their equity holdings in compliance with insider trading regulations.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant of RSUs and stock options to a key executive (CFO) aligns management's interests with shareholder value, potentially incentivizing performance. The tax-related sale is a minor, non-discretionary event.
• Employees: The filing mentions an employee stock purchase program, indicating broader employee equity participation.

Next Steps

• The remaining 75% of the stock options will vest in 36 equal monthly installments after February 22, 2027.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details routine executive compensation grants (RSUs and stock options) and a non-discretionary sale of shares for tax withholding purposes, all under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan. Such transactions are standard and do not typically signal a change in the company's fundamental outlook or warrant a change in investment recommendation based solely on this filing. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate as this filing provides no new material information to alter an existing investment thesis.

Keywords

Vir Biotechnology, VIR, Jason O'Byrne, Form 4, Insider Trading, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Stock Options, Equity Incentive Plan, Executive Compensation, Rule 10b5-1, Tax Withholding