Insider Trading March 5, 2026

Crinetics CFO Disposes $266,304 in Stock to Cover Tax Liability

Tobin Schilke sold 6,713 shares under a 10b5-1 plan as the company reports stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 results and mixed analyst guidance

By Derek Hwang CRNX
Crinetics CFO Disposes $266,304 in Stock to Cover Tax Liability
CRNX

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Chief Financial Officer Tobin Schilke sold 6,713 shares on March 3, 2026, for $266,304 to meet tax obligations tied to RSU vesting. The sale, executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan, leaves Schilke with 78,121 shares. The company recently beat Q4 2025 EPS and revenue estimates, while at least one analyst trimmed a price target but maintained an outperform rating based on promising early launch metrics for Palsonify.

Key Points

  • CFO Tobin Schilke sold 6,713 shares on March 3, 2026, for $266,304 at an average price of $39.67, leaving him with 78,121 shares.
  • Sale was to satisfy tax obligations from RSU vesting on March 10, 2025, and executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.
  • Crinetics beat Q4 2025 estimates with EPS of -$1.29 versus -$1.34 forecast and revenue of $6.1M versus $4M expected; one analyst lowered the price target to $96 but kept a Market Outperform rating based on early Palsonify adoption metrics.

Transaction details

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CRNX) Chief Financial Officer Tobin Schilke sold 6,713 shares of the companys common stock on March 3, 2026. The shares were disposed of at an average price of $39.67, producing total proceeds of $266,304. Reported trade prices ranged from $39.67 to $39.74.

Context and ownership

At the time of the report, the market price for Crinetics stock was $39.51, and the shares had declined nearly 10% over the prior week. Following the transaction, Schilke retains direct ownership of 78,121 shares.

Reason for the sale and mechanics

The disposition was conducted to cover tax obligations stemming from restricted stock units that vested on March 10, 2025. Crinetics disclosed that the trade was executed pursuant to a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Recent company performance

Crinetics recently released fourth quarter 2025 financial results that surpassed consensus expectations. The company reported an actual earnings per share (EPS) of -$1.29, compared with a forecasted EPS of -$1.34. Revenue for the quarter totaled $6.1 million, ahead of analysts expectations of $4 million.

Analyst guidance and launch metrics

One market analyst cut the firms price target to $96 from $105 but retained a Market Outperform rating. That revision was informed by early launch metrics for the companys drug Palsonify, which the analyst believes shows substantial adoption potential in the treatment of acromegaly. Physician surveys cited in the update indicate an expected adoption rate in the United States of roughly 20% to 30%, implying a U.S. market opportunity between $670 million and $1 billion. This range is notably higher than the analysts own peak sales projection of about $560 million.

Valuation note

An independent analysis noted that, at a $4.14 billion valuation, Crinetics may be trading below its intrinsic value and that overall analyst sentiment is positive. These views sit alongside the recent insider sale and the companies reported operating results.

Takeaway

The insider sale was disclosed as a tax-driven event executed under an established trading plan. It coincides with quarterly results that beat expectations and with mixed but generally constructive analyst commentary tied to early commercial metrics for Palsonify.

Risks

  • Insider sale was tax-driven rather than a signal of company performance, which may be unclear to some investors - impacts equity markets and investor perception.
  • Citizens reduced its price target from $105 to $96, introducing valuation uncertainty despite maintaining an outperform rating - impacts analyst-driven biotech valuations and investor expectations.
  • Early launch metrics for Palsonify imply a wide U.S. adoption range (20% to 30%) and a broad revenue opportunity estimate ($670M to $1B), which creates uncertainty around peak sales and market penetration - impacts commercial forecasts and biotech market projections.

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