[Form 4] Cytek Biosciences, Inc. Insider Trading Activity
Richard Chin, a director of Cytek Biosciences, Inc. (CTKB), was awarded 4,071 restricted stock units (RSUs) that convert one-for-one into common shares. The RSUs were granted on 08/18/2025 and are reported as 4,071 shares beneficially owned following the award. The filing shows the award has a $0 exercise price because these are restricted stock units rather than paid stock options.
The RSUs vest on a staggered schedule: 2/36 of the total vests on 08/18/2025; 3/36 vests on 11/18/2025 and each November 18 thereafter; 3/36 vests on 03/10/2026 and each March 10 thereafter; 3/36 vests on 05/18/2026 and each May 18 thereafter; and 3/36 vests on 08/18/2026 and each August 18 thereafter until fully vested. The report was signed by an attorney-in-fact on 08/20/2025.
- Director alignment with shareholders: RSU grant ties director compensation to company equity value over time
- Standard time-based vesting: Vesting schedule promotes retention through August 2026
- Potential dilution: Shares will dilute existing shareholders as RSUs convert to common stock upon vesting
- Materiality unclear: Filing does not disclose CTKB's total outstanding shares or size of award relative to peer/board compensation
Insights
TL;DR: Director Richard Chin received 4,071 RSUs that vest over a multi-year schedule, modestly increasing his reported shareholding.
The grant of 4,071 restricted stock units to a board director is a routine equity-based compensation event that aligns the director with shareholder interests without immediate cash outlay by the recipient or the company. The award converts one-for-one into common stock and carries no exercise price, consistent with typical RSU awards. The vesting schedule is time-based and front-loaded with a small initial tranche (2/36) vesting immediately on grant date, then periodic vesting through August 2026. For investors, this is non-dilutive immediately but will dilute outstanding shares as units vest and shares are issued. The size of the award (4,071 shares) should be evaluated relative to CTKB’s total outstanding shares to assess materiality; the form does not provide that context. No cash transactions, sales, or exercised options are reported.
TL;DR: This is a standard director compensation RSU grant with time-based vesting and no additional governance concerns disclosed.
The filing documents a standard practice of granting equity to directors to promote alignment with long-term shareholder value. Vesting terms use fractional monthly/periodic tranches through August 2026, which suggests retention intent. The filing indicates direct beneficial ownership following the grant and is filed singly by the reporting person. There are no indications of related-party transactions, acceleration triggers, or sales that would raise governance flags. Materiality is limited given the modest share count reported; however, the filing lacks disclosure of the total equity pool impact or relation to peer compensation levels.