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TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) holder moves toward controlling stake via conversions

(Moderate)
(Neutral)
Form Type
SCHEDULE 13D/A

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

DEFJ, LLC and CK Life Sciences Int'l., (Holdings) Inc. report beneficial ownership of 14,134,481 shares of TransCode Therapeutics common stock, including shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock, representing 83.9% of the class based on 3,017,306 shares outstanding as of July 23, 2026.

On July 27, 2026, DEFJ delivered a notice waiving the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in the Certificate of Designation, effective on the 60th day after the notice, and plans to convert its Series A and Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock, after which DEFJ will be the controlling shareholder. On July 23, 2026, DEFJ converted 21.6755 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into 216,755 common shares.

Positive

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Beneficially owned common stock 14,134,481 shares Aggregate shares beneficially owned by each reporting person
Percent of class 83.9% Portion of TransCode common stock beneficially owned, including underlying preferred
Shares outstanding baseline 3,017,306 shares Common shares outstanding as of July 23, 2026, used to calculate ownership
Series A Preferred held 1,181.3859 shares Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock held by DEFJ
Common issuable from Series A 11,813,859 shares Common stock issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred held by DEFJ
Series B Preferred held 202.0582 shares Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock held by DEFJ
Common issuable from Series B 2,020,582 shares Common stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred held by DEFJ
Recent Series B conversion 21.6755 preferred into 216,755 common Conversion by DEFJ on July 23, 2026
Beneficial Ownership Limitation regulatory
"DEFJ submitted a notice ... it waived the Beneficial Ownership Limitation"
A beneficial ownership limitation is a rule that caps the percentage of a company’s shares an investor can be treated as owning or controlling for voting, regulatory or tax purposes. It matters to investors because it can restrict how many shares a person or group can buy or vote, affect takeover chances, and influence share liquidity and value — like a speed limit that prevents any single driver from taking over the whole road.
Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock financial
"11,813,859 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 1,181.3859 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock"
Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock is an early-round ownership share that gives holders priority over common shareholders for payouts and protections, but does not grant voting control. It can be exchanged later for common shares—like a coupon that can be turned into regular stock—allowing investors to share in upside while limiting immediate influence on company decisions; this affects potential returns, dilution for other shareholders, and the balance of control in future financing or sale events.
Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock financial
"2,020,582 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 202.0582 shares of Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock"
A Series B non-voting convertible preferred stock is a class of company shares that gives holders financial priority—such as fixed dividends and first claim on assets if the company is sold—while not granting voting rights. It can be converted into regular common shares under set conditions, which matters to investors because conversion can increase upside participation but also dilute existing owners; the preference reduces downside risk like a safety buffer.
Certificate of Designation regulatory
"Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined in the Certificate of Designation)"
A certificate of designation is a formal document that spells out the specific rights and rules attached to a particular class or series of stock, usually preferred shares. Think of it as a rulebook or menu that lists dividend terms, liquidation priority, conversion or redemption rights and any special voting protections; investors use it to judge how much income, control or downside protection those shares will provide compared with other securities.
controlling shareholder financial
"Upon conversion ... DEFJ will constitute the controlling shareholder of the Company"
A controlling shareholder is a person or entity that holds enough voting power in a company—often a majority of votes or decisive influence through agreements—to determine its board, strategy and major decisions. For investors this matters because that control shapes corporate direction, risk and who benefits from deals; like a driver steering a car, a controlling shareholder can speed up or block changes, which can affect minority shareholders’ returns and the company’s value.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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FAQ

How many TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) shares do DEFJ and CK Life beneficially own?

DEFJ and CK Life beneficially own 14,134,481 TransCode common shares, including shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock. This represents approximately 83.9% of the common stock class, based on 3,017,306 shares outstanding as of July 23, 2026.

What percentage of TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) does DEFJ’s stake represent?

The reporting persons state that their aggregate holdings represent about 83.9% of TransCode’s common stock. This percentage is calculated using 3,017,306 shares outstanding and includes common shares underlying their Series A and Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.

What is the Beneficial Ownership Limitation affecting TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) investors?

DEFJ references a Beneficial Ownership Limitation in the Certificate of Designation that constrained conversions of preferred into common stock. On July 27, 2026, DEFJ submitted a notice waiving this limitation, effective on the 60th day after the notice date.

What preferred stock holdings in TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) are reported by DEFJ?

DEFJ holds 1,181.3859 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and 202.0582 shares of Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock. These are convertible into 11,813,859 and 2,020,582 common shares, respectively, forming most of the reported beneficial ownership.

What recent conversion transaction involving TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) shares is disclosed?

On July 23, 2026, DEFJ converted 21.6755 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into 216,755 TransCode common shares. The reporting persons state that, aside from this conversion, they have not transacted in the common stock during the preceding 60 days.

Will DEFJ become the controlling shareholder of TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ)?

The reporting persons state that, after the Beneficial Ownership Limitation waiver becomes effective and DEFJ converts its Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, DEFJ will constitute the controlling shareholder of TransCode Therapeutics through its resulting common stock position.





89357L501

(CUSIP Number)
Cindy Chiu
CK Life Sciences Int'l., (Holdings) Inc., 7th Fl, Cheung Kong Center, 2 Queen's Rd
Central Hong Kong, K3, -
(852) 2126 1212


Steven Y Li
Freshfields US LLP, 3 World Trade Center, 175 Greenwich St.
New York, NY, 10007
(212) 277-4000

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
07/27/2026

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).




schemaVersion:


SCHEDULE 13D




Comment for Type of Reporting Person:
Note to Row 7, 9, and 11: The reported amount consists of 300,040 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share ("Common Stock") of TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company"), held directly by DEFJ, LLC, 11,813,859 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 1,181.3859 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Series A Preferred Stock") held directly by DEFJ, and 2,020,582 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 202.0582 shares of Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Series B Preferred Stock" and, together with the Series A Preferred Stock, the "Preferred Stock") held directly by DEFJ. Note to Row 13: Based on 3,017,306 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 23, 2026 following the conversion of certain convertible securities of the Company, as disclosed in the Company's Supplement dated July 17, 2026, to its Proxy Statement dated June 2, 2026, and also taking into account the shares of Common Stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock held by the Reporting Persons.


SCHEDULE 13D




Comment for Type of Reporting Person:
Note to Row 7, 9, and 11: The reported amount consists of 300,040 shares of Common Stock, held directly by DEFJ, LLC,11,813,859 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 1,181.3859 shares of Series A Preferred Stock held directly by DEFJ, and 2,020,582 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 202.0582 shares of Series B Preferred Stock held directly by DEFJ. Note to Row 13: Based on 3,017,306 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 23, 2026 following the conversion of certain convertible securities of the Company, as disclosed in the Company's Supplement dated July 17, 2026, to its Proxy Statement dated June 2, 2026, and also taking into account the shares of Common Stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock held by the Reporting Persons.


SCHEDULE 13D


DEFJ, LLC
Signature:/s/ Yu Ying Choi, Alan Abel
Name/Title:Yu Ying Choi, Alan Abel/ Manager
Date:07/27/2026
CK Life Sciences Int'l., (Holdings) Inc.
Signature:/s/ Yu Ying Choi, Alan Abel
Name/Title:Yu Ying Choi, Alan Abel/Director
Date:07/27/2026