Aura Biosciences Insider Adds 30k+ Equity Units in June 2025 Filing

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Form 4 overview: On 17 June 2025, Aura Biosciences (AURA) director Antony C. Mattessich reported equity-based awards that increase his direct ownership in the company.

• Restricted stock units: 13,000 RSUs were granted at no cost. The units convert 1-for-1 into common shares and vest in full on the earlier of 17 June 2026 or the next annual shareholder meeting, contingent on continued service.
• Stock options: 17,000 options with a US$6.18 exercise price were awarded on the same date. The options vest in full on the same schedule and expire 17 June 2035.
• Post-transaction holding: Mattessich now directly owns 23,500 common shares (includes previously held shares plus the new RSUs).

No open-market purchases or sales occurred; the filing reflects routine director equity compensation aligned with Aura’s 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.

Insights

Financial Analyst

TL;DR: Routine equity grants; modest alignment of director incentives, low immediate market impact.

The awards enlarge Mattessich’s ownership stake but are standard board compensation rather than discretionary buying. Because no cash changed hands and the exercise price roughly matches recent trading ranges, dilution effects are immaterial. Investors can view the grants as strengthening incentive alignment, yet the transaction does not signal management’s valuation view the way an open-market purchase might. Overall, the filing is informational with limited valuation implications.

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Grants follow plan terms; governance appears compliant, no red flags detected.

The RSU and option awards are issued under the 2021 plan, vest on a one-year schedule, and include service-based conditions—standard practice for small-cap biotech boards. The one-year vesting aligns director focus with near-term milestones while limiting excessive dilution. Presence of a power-of-attorney signature indicates proper delegation for timely reporting. There are no indications of 10b5-1 defensive use or transactions during blackout periods, supporting a neutral governance assessment.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number:			3235-0287
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hours per response:			0.5

Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Mattessich Antony C.

(Last) (First) (Middle)

C/O AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.

80 GUEST STREET

(Street)

BOSTON MA 02135

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Aura Biosciences, Inc. [ AURA ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

X	Director		10% Owner
	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
06/17/2025

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	06/17/2025		A		13,000(1)	A	$0	23,500	D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$6.18	06/17/2025		A		17,000		(2)	06/17/2035	Common Stock	17,000	$0	17,000	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. These shares were acquired pursuant to a restricted stock unit ("RSU") award under the Issuer's 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Issuer's Common Stock. These RSUs vest in full upon the earlier to occur of (a) June 17, 2026 or (b) the next annual meeting of the Issuer's stockholders, subject to the Reporting Person's continued service as of such vesting date.

2. This stock option will vest and become exercisable in full upon the earlier to occur of (a) June 17, 2026 or (b) the next annual meeting of the Issuer's stockholders, subject to the Reporting Person's continued service as of such vesting date.

Remarks:

Exhibit 24.1 - Power of Attorney.

	/s/ Conor Kilroy, as Attorney-in-Fact	06/18/2025
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
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FAQ

How many Aura Biosciences (AURA) shares did Antony C. Mattessich acquire?

He received 13,000 restricted stock units, each convertible into one common share.

What is the exercise price of the new stock options granted to the AURA director?

The 17,000 stock options carry a US$6.18 exercise price.

When do the RSUs and options granted on 17 June 2025 vest?

Both the RSUs and options vest in full on the earlier of 17 June 2026 or the next annual shareholder meeting.

What is Antony C. Mattessich’s total direct share ownership after these grants?

Following the awards, he directly owns 23,500 AURA common shares.

Does the Form 4 indicate any open-market purchases or sales?

No. The filing only reports equity grants; no cash purchases or dispositions occurred.