Precigen, Inc. received an amended Schedule 13G filing (Amendment No. 6) from Ares Trading SA, Merck Serono SA, Merck KGaA and E. Merck KG, collectively reporting their position in Precigen’s common stock. These affiliated entities together beneficially own 17,467,152 shares of common stock.
The filing reports 4.9% of the outstanding class, with sole voting and dispositive power over all 17,467,152 shares and no shared voting or dispositive power. The 4.9% figure is calculated using 358,035,247 shares outstanding as of July 31, 2026, as reported in Precigen’s Form 10-Q. The group states that it now owns 5 percent or less of the class and has entered into a Joint Filing Agreement to report this ownership collectively.
Positive
None.
Negative
None.
Key Figures
Beneficial ownership:17,467,152 sharesPercent of class:4.9%Sole voting power:17,467,152 shares+2 more
5 metrics
Beneficial ownership17,467,152 sharesCommon stock beneficially owned by the reporting persons
Percent of class4.9%Reported percentage of Precigen’s outstanding common stock
Sole voting power17,467,152 sharesShares over which reporting persons have sole power to vote
Sole dispositive power17,467,152 sharesShares over which reporting persons have sole power to dispose
Shares outstanding baseline358,035,247 sharesPrecigen common shares outstanding as of July 31, 2026, per Form 10-Q
Key Terms
beneficially owned, Sole Voting Power, Sole Dispositive Power, Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class, +2 more
Beneficially owned describes securities or assets where a person has the economic rights and control—such as the right to receive dividends and to direct voting—even if legal title is held in another name. Think of it like having the keys and using a car that’s registered to someone else: you get the benefits and make decisions. Investors care because beneficial ownership reveals who truly controls value and voting power, affecting corporate decisions and takeover dynamics.
Sole Voting Powerfinancial
"5 | Sole Voting Power 17,467,152.00 6 | Shared Voting Power 0.00"
Sole voting power is the exclusive right to cast votes attached to a shareholder’s stock without needing approval from anyone else. Like holding the only remote control for a TV, it lets that holder decide corporate matters such as board members, mergers, and policy changes, making it important to investors because it concentrates control and can strongly influence a company’s strategy and the value of its shares.
Sole Dispositive Powerfinancial
"7 | Sole Dispositive Power 17,467,152.00 8 | Shared Dispositive Power 0.00"
Sole dispositive power is the exclusive legal authority to decide what happens to a security — for example, whether to sell, transfer, or retain shares — without needing anyone else’s permission. Investors care because it signals who truly controls the economic outcome of an investment: like holding the only key to a safe, the holder can realize gains or losses and may trigger regulatory reporting, insider rules, or influence over corporate ownership.
Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Classfinancial
"Item 5. | Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class."
Joint Filing Agreementregulatory
"filed with this as Exhibit 99.1, pursuant to which the Reporting Persons"
power of attorneyregulatory
"Comments accompanying signature: Power of attorney for signatories signing as Attorney"
A power of attorney is a legal document that allows one person to make decisions and act on behalf of another person, often in financial or legal matters. It’s like giving someone a trusted helper or agent the authority to handle important tasks if you are unable to do so yourself. This matters to investors because it can impact how their assets are managed or transferred if they become unable to oversee their affairs.
How many Precigen (PGEN) shares do the Merck-affiliated reporting persons beneficially own?
The reporting persons collectively beneficially own 17,467,152 shares of Precigen common stock. This position is held with sole voting and dispositive power and is reported jointly under a Joint Filing Agreement.
What percentage of Precigen (PGEN) does Ares Trading and related Merck entities report owning?
They report owning 4.9% of Precigen’s common stock. This percentage is explicitly disclosed as their percent of class and is also referenced under the item titled “Ownership of 5 percent or less of a class.”
What share count was used to calculate the 4.9% Precigen (PGEN) ownership figure?
The 4.9% figure is based on 358,035,247 shares of Precigen common stock outstanding as of July 31, 2026, as reported on the cover page of Precigen’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
Do the Merck-affiliated reporting persons share voting or dispositive power over Precigen (PGEN) shares?
No. The filing states sole voting power over 17,467,152 shares and sole dispositive power over 17,467,152 shares, with 0 shares reported under shared voting or shared dispositive power categories.
Which entities are included as reporting persons in this Precigen (PGEN) Schedule 13G/A?
The reporting persons are Ares Trading SA, Merck Serono SA (an affiliate of Merck KGaA), Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and E. Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany, which have agreed to file jointly under a Joint Filing Agreement.
What does the filing say about owning 5 percent or less of Precigen (PGEN) stock?
Under the section titled “Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class,” the reporting persons state that their holdings represent 5 percent or less of Precigen’s outstanding common stock, consistent with the reported 4.9% ownership figure.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. 6)
Precigen, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
46122T102
(CUSIP Number)
06/09/2026
(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)
schemaVersion:
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
46122T102
1
Names of Reporting Persons
Ares Trading SA
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
SWITZERLAND
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
17,467,152.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
17,467,152.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
0.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
17,467,152.00
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)
4.9 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO
Comment for Type of Reporting Person: Note to Row 11: This percentage is based upon a denominator of 358,035,247 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 31, 2026 as reported on the cover page of the Issuer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2026.
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
46122T102
1
Names of Reporting Persons
Merck Serono SA, Aubonne, Switzerland, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt
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
SWITZERLAND
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
17,467,152.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
17,467,152.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
0.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
17,467,152.00
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)
4.9 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO
Comment for Type of Reporting Person: Note to Row 11: This percentage is based upon a denominator of 358,035,247 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 31, 2026 as reported on the cover page of the Issuer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2026.
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
46122T102
1
Names of Reporting Persons
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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
GERMANY
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
17,467,152.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
17,467,152.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
0.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
17,467,152.00
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)
4.9 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO
Comment for Type of Reporting Person: Note to Row 11: This percentage is based upon a denominator of 358,035,247 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 31, 2026 as reported on the cover page of the Issuer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2026.
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
46122T102
1
Names of Reporting Persons
E. Merck KG, Darmstadt Germany
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
GERMANY
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
17,467,152.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
17,467,152.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
0.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
17,467,152.00
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)
4.9 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO
Comment for Type of Reporting Person: Note to Row 11: This percentage is based upon a denominator of 358,035,247 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 31, 2026 as reported on the cover page of the Issuer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2026.
This Schedule 13G is being filed by each of the following persons (each, a "Reporting Person" and together, the "Reporting Persons"):
Ares Trading SA
Merck Serono SA, Coinsins, Switzerland, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
E.Merck KG, Darmstadt, Germany
The Reporting Persons have entered into a Joint Filing Agreement, a copy of which is filed with this Schedule 13G as Exhibit 99.1, pursuant to which the Reporting Persons have agreed to file this Schedule 13G jointly in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-1(k)(l) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(b)
Address or principal business office or, if none, residence:
Ares Trading SA: Zone Industrielle de l'Outriettaz, 1170 Aubonne, Switzerland
Merck Serono SA, Aubonne, Switzerland, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Merck KGaA: Frankfurter Strasse 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
E. Merck KG: Emanuel-Merck-Platz 1, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
(c)
Citizenship:
The Reporting Persons Ares Trading SA and Merck Serono SA Coinsins, Switzerland, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany are organized in Switzerland. The Reporting Persons Merck KGaA and E. Merck KG are organized in Darmstadt, Germany.
(d)
Title of class of securities:
Common Stock
(e)
CUSIP No.:
46122T102
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:
17,467,152
(b)
Percent of class:
4.9%
(c)
Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
17,467,152
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
0
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
17,467,152
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
0
Item 5.
Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Ownership of 5 percent or less of a class
Item 6.
Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
Not Applicable
Item 7.
Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
Not Applicable
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 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.
Ares Trading SA
Signature:
/s/ Florence Jolidon
Name/Title:
Florence Jolidon / Board Member
Date:
08/07/2026
Signature:
/s/ Prisca von Ballmoos
Name/Title:
Prisca von Ballmoos / Registered Proxy
Date:
08/06/2026
Merck Serono SA, Aubonne, Switzerland, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt
Signature:
/s/ Florence Jolidon
Name/Title:
Florence Jolidon / Board Member
Date:
08/07/2026
Signature:
/s/ Prisca von Ballmoos
Name/Title:
Prisca von Ballmoos / Registered Proxy
Date:
08/06/2026
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Signature:
/s/ Katharina Kneisel
Name/Title:
Katharina Kneisel / Registered Proxy
Date:
08/07/2026
Signature:
/s/ Abhira Gonge
Name/Title:
Abhira Gonge / Registered Proxy
Date:
08/06/2026
E. Merck KG, Darmstadt Germany
Signature:
/s/ Kristin Eibisch
Name/Title:
Kristin Eibisch / Attorney in Fact
Date:
08/06/2026
Signature:
/s/ Clemens Canel
Name/Title:
Clemens Canel / Attorney in Fact
Date:
08/06/2026
Comments accompanying signature: Power of attorney for signatories signing as Attorney in Fact included in Exhibit 99.1 page 2