AORT ownership update: BlackRock now holds nearly 6M shares, 13.9% of float

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

BlackRock, Inc. has filed Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13G revealing a 5,950,909-share position in Artivion, Inc. (AORT) as of 30 June 2025. The stake equals 13.9 % of the outstanding common stock, giving BlackRock sole voting authority over 5,884,199 shares and sole dispositive authority over all 5,950,909 shares; no shared authority is reported.

The disclosure is made pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b) with BlackRock classified as a parent holding company/control person (HC). Management certifies the shares are held in the ordinary course, without intent to influence control. The filing notes that the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, a BlackRock vehicle, independently owns more than 5 % of Artivion’s float.

A double-digit passive stake from the world’s largest asset manager enhances Artivion’s institutional ownership base and may support liquidity, but the absence of activist language suggests no immediate strategic impact.

Positive

• BlackRock holds 13.9 % of Artivion’s common stock, indicating strong institutional support and enhanced liquidity.

Negative

• Concentration risk: a large passive stake could create selling pressure if ETF mandates shift or rebalance.

Insights

Portfolio Manager

TL;DR: 13.9 % passive stake shows confidence but no control ambitions.

BlackRock’s nearly 6 million-share holding firmly places Artivion within major ETF and index-fund mandates, likely stabilising trading volumes and widening the investor base. As the filing is a 13G (not 13D), it signals passive intent, so governance intervention is unlikely. For AORT shareholders, the disclosure is neutral-to-positive: higher institutional sponsorship can lower volatility, yet the same stake could become an overhang should ETF rebalancing trigger sales. Absent evidence of buying or selling trends versus prior amendments, the market impact should be modest.

Corporate Governance Analyst

TL;DR: Large passive ownership boosts oversight optics, limited strategic implications.

BlackRock’s 13.9 % ownership increases the free-float portion held by a governance-focused institution, which often presses boards on ESG and compensation through proxy voting. However, because voting authority is exercised across multiple index products, influence is diffuse. The filing’s certification that the shares are not for control purposes confirms no takeover risk. Overall governance risk profile remains unchanged; disclosure is impactful only in signalling continued institutional monitoring.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No. 4)

ARTIVION, INC.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)

228903100

(CUSIP Number)

06/30/2025

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

Rule 13d-1(b)

Rule 13d-1(c)

Rule 13d-1(d)

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP No. 228903100

1

Names of Reporting Persons

BlackRock, Inc.

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

DELAWARE

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 5,884,199.00
6	Shared Voting Power 0.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 5,950,909.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 0.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

5,950,909.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

13.9 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

HC, HC

SCHEDULE 13G

Item 1.
(a)	Name of issuer: ARTIVION, INC.
(b)	Address of issuer's principal executive offices: 1655 ROBERTS BOULEVARD N W, KENNESAW, GEORGIA, 30144
Item 2.
(a)	Name of person filing: BlackRock, Inc. In accordance with SEC Release No. 34-39538 (January 12, 1998), this Schedule 13G reflects the securities beneficially owned, or deemed to be beneficially owned, by certain business units (collectively, the "Reporting Business Units") of BlackRock, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. It does not include securities, if any, beneficially owned by other business units whose beneficial ownership of securities are disaggregated from that of the Reporting Business Units in accordance with such release.
(b)	Address or principal business office or, if none, residence: BlackRock, Inc., 50 Hudson Yards New York, NY 10001
(c)	Citizenship: See Item 4 of Cover Page
(d)	Title of class of securities: Common Stock
(e)	CUSIP No.: 228903100
Item 3.	If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)	Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)	Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)	Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)	Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)	An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)	An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)	A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)	A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)	A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)	A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:
(k)	Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.	Ownership
(a)	Amount beneficially owned: 5,950,909
(b)	Percent of class: 13.9%
(c)	Number of shares as to which the person has:
	(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 5,884,199
	(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0
	(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 5,950,909
	(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0
Item 5.	Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Item 6.	Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
	If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required. The interest of 1 such person, iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, in the common stock of ARTIVION, INC. is more than five percent of the total outstanding common stock.
Item 7.	Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
	If a parent holding company has filed this schedule, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant subsidiary. If a parent holding company has filed this schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identification of the relevant subsidiary. See Exhibit 99
Item 8.	Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
	Not Applicable
Item 9.	Notice of Dissolution of Group.
	Not Applicable

Item 10.

Certifications:

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

BlackRock, Inc.

Signature:	Spencer Fleming
Name/Title:	Managing Director
Date:	07/21/2025

Exhibit Information

Exhibit 24: Power of Attorney Exhibit 99: Item 7