CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) S-8Registration of securities for employees

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2022

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

CRISPR THERAPEUTICS AG

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

CRISPR Therapeutics AG

2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

C T Corporation System

28 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10005

(Name and address of agent for service)

(212) 894-8800

(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

Part I

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the CRISPR Therapeutics AG 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) of CRISPR Therapeutics AG (the “Registrant”) is being filed for the purpose of registering an additional 1,700,000 of the Registrant’s common shares, CHF 0.03 per share, as other securities for which a Registration Statement on Form S-8 has previously been filed and is effective. Accordingly, this Registration Statement on Form S-8 incorporates by reference the contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-225369) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2018 by the Registrant, the contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-232877) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2019 by the Registrant, and the contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-240120) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2020 by the Registrant, each relating to the 2018 Plan except, in each case, for “Item 8. Exhibits.”

Part II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 8. Exhibits.

*Filed herewith.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts on August 8, 2022.

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENT, that each individual whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Samarth Kulkarni, Brendan Smith and James R. Kasinger, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below in the capacities indicated: