# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001501796
**File Stem:** 0001193125-26-230896
**Filing Date:** 2026-5
**Character Count:** 70633
**Document Hash:** 634329fa87ad2fe7bb9ec7123ec93b6d
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-26-230896.hdr.sgml**: 20260519

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-26-230896

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: S-8

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 17

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260519

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260519

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260519

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Aura Biosciences, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001501796
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 03 Life Sciences
- **EIN:** 320271970
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** S-8
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-296029
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26999373

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 80 GUEST STREET
- **CITY:** BOSTON
- **STATE:** MA
- **ZIP:** 02135
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** (617)500-8864

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 80 GUEST STREET
- **CITY:** BOSTON
- **STATE:** MA
- **ZIP:** 02135

**As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 19, 2026**

**Registration No. 333-** 

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

**FORM S-8**

**REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

***Under***

***The Securities Act of 1933***

## AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.
**(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **32-0271970** |
| **(State or other jurisdiction of**<br> **incorporation or organization)** | **(I.R.S. Employer**<br> **Identification No.)** |

---

**80 Guest Street**

**Boston, MA 02135**

**(617) 500-8864**

**(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)**

**Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award)** 

**Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Inducement Award)** 

**Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award)** 

**(Full title of the plans)**

**Natalie Holles** 

**Chief Executive Officer and President** 

**Aura Biosciences, Inc.**

**80 Guest Street**

**Boston, MA 02135**

**(617) 500-8864**

**(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)**

***Copies to:***

**Stuart Cable, Esq.**

**Danielle Lauzon, Esq.**

**Stephanie A. Richards, Esq.**

**Goodwin Procter LLP**

**100 Northern Avenue**

**Boston, Massachusetts 02210**

**(617) 570-1000**

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.

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
|  |  | Emerging growth company | ☒ |

---

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. ☐

------

**EXPLANATORY NOTE** 

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 registers shares of common stock, $0.00001 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), of Aura Biosciences, Inc. (the "Registrant") issuable pursuant to the inducement awards, as described below. As a material inducement to one newly-hired employee to accept employment with the Registrant, the Registrant granted the following equity awards to such individual (the "Inducement Awards") on the date detailed below:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Restricted stock unit awards with respect to 600,118 shares of Common Stock granted to one newly-hired employee
on May 19, 2026;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Stock options to purchase 2,169,103 shares of Common Stock granted to one newly-hired employee on
May 19, 2026; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Performance-based restricted stock unit award with respect to 553,844 shares of Common Stock granted to one
newly-hired employee on May 19, 2026.

Each Inducement Award was approved by the Registrant's Board of Directors in compliance with and in reliance on Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The Inducement Awards were granted outside of the Registrant's Amended and Restated 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, and its predecessor plans.

**PART I** 

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS** 

The information specified in Part I of Form S-8 is omitted from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and the introductory note to Part I of the Form S-8 instructions. The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to persons to whom the Inducement Awards have been granted as required by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act.

------

**Part II**

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

**Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.** 

The following documents, which have been filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), are incorporated by reference in, and shall be deemed to be a part of, this Registration Statement:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Registrant's Annual Report on [Form 10-K](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312526130401/aura-20251231.htm) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Commission on March 30, 2026;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The information specifically incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the [definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14a](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312526163933/aura-20260417.htm) (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the Commission on April 20, 2026;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The Registrant's Quarterly Report on [Form 10-Q](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312526216808/aura-20260331.htm) for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, filed with the Commission on May 11, 2026;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on [Form 8-A](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312521307948/d243510d8a12b.htm) filed with the Commission on October 26, 2021, including any other amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description, including [Exhibit 4.1](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312526130401/aura-ex4_1.htm) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2026; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement, which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement; provided, however, that documents, reports and definitive proxy or information statements, or portions thereof, which are furnished and not filed in accordance with the rules of the Commission shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.

Any statement contained herein or in a document, all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or amended, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

**Item 4. Description of Securities.** 

Not applicable.

**Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.** 

Not applicable.

**Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.** 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities arising out of actions, suits and proceedings to which they are made or threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that they have served or are currently serving as a director or officer to a corporation. The indemnity may cover expenses (including attorneys' fees) judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding. Section 145 permits corporations to pay expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by directors and officers in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against any liability asserted against them and incurred by them in their capacity as a director or officer, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the director or officer against such liability under Section 145.

------

The Registrant's certificate of incorporation and bylaws limit or eliminate the personal liability of the Registrant's directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. Consequently, a director will not be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages or breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any unlawful payments related to dividends or unlawful stock purchases, redemptions or other distributions; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

These limitations of liability do not alter director liability under the federal securities laws and do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission.

In addition, the Registrant's bylaws provide that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the Registrant will indemnify its directors, officers and, in the discretion of the Registrant's board of
directors, certain employees to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it now exists or may in the future be amended; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the Registrant will advance reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, to its directors and, in the
discretion of the Registrant's board of directors, to its officers and certain employees, in connection with legal proceedings relating to their service for or on behalf of the Registrant, subject to limited exceptions.

The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements provide that the Registrant will indemnify each of its directors, its executive officers and, at times, their affiliates to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The Registrant will advance expenses, including attorneys' fees (but excluding judgments, fines and settlement amounts), to each indemnified director, executive officer or affiliate in connection with any proceeding in which indemnification is available and the Registrant will indemnify its directors and officers for any action or proceeding arising out of that person's services as a director or officer brought on behalf of the Registrant or in furtherance of the Registrant's rights. Additionally, certain of the Registrant's directors or officers may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance provided by their affiliates or other third parties, which indemnification relates to and might apply to the same proceedings arising out of such director's or officer's services as a director referenced herein. Nonetheless, the Registrant has agreed in the indemnification agreements that the Registrant's obligations to those same directors or officers are primary and any obligation of such affiliates or other third parties to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the expenses or liabilities incurred by those directors are secondary.

The Registrant also maintains general liability insurance which covers certain liabilities of its directors and officers arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

**Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.** 

Not applicable.

------

**Item 8. Exhibits.**

**EXHIBIT INDEX**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit<br>No.** | **Description** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1 | [Specimen Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-260156), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 2021).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312521305934/d209588dex41.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2 | [Tenth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as currently in effect, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment, dated June 20, 2024 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-40971) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2024).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000095017024093308/aura-ex3_1.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3 | [Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, as currently in effect (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-40971) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 2022).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000095017022004425/aura-ex3_2.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.4 | [Fifth Amended and Restated Investors' Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-260156) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2021).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312521295543/d209588dex42.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.5 | [Form of Pre-Funded Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-40971) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2025).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312525121677/d213451dex41.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.6 | [Form of Common Stock Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-40971) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2025).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312525121677/d213451dex42.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.7 | [Form of Pre-Funded Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-40971) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2026.](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1501796/000119312526206804/d133115dex41.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1\* | [Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP.](d118275dex51.htm) |
| 23.1\* | [Consent of Ernst & Young, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.](d118275dex231.htm) |
| 23.2\* | [Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).](d118275dex51.htm) |
| 24.1\* | [Power of Attorney (included on signature page).](d118275ds8.htm#sig) |
| 99.1\*# | [Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award)](d118275dex991.htm) |
| 99.2\*# | [Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Inducement Award)](d118275dex992.htm) |
| 99.3\*# | [Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award)](d118275dex993.htm) |
| 107\* | [Filing Fee Table](d118275dexfilingfees.htm) |

---

\* Filed herewith.

# Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

**Item 9. Undertakings.** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

*provided, however,* that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial *bona fide* offering thereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial *bona fide* offering thereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

------

**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 this 19th day of May, 2026.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.** | **AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.** |
| By: | /s/ Natalie Holles |
|  | Name: Natalie Holles |
|  | Title: Chief Executive Officer and President |

---

**POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES**

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENT, that each individual whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Natalie Holles, Anthony Gibney and Amy Elazzouzi, 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, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following person in the capacities and on the date indicated.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name** | **Title** | **Date** |
| /s/ Natalie Holles<br> Natalie Holles | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director<br> *Principal Executive Officer* | May 19, 2026 |
| /s/ Anthony Gibney<br> Anthony Gibney | Chief Financial and Business Officer<br> *Principal Financial Officer* | May 19, 2026 |
| /s/ Amy Elazzouzi<br> Amy Elazzouzi | Senior Vice President, Finance<br> *Principal Accounting Officer* | May 19, 2026 |
| /s/ Teresa Bitetti<br> Teresa Bitetti | Director | May 19, 2026 |
| /s/ David Johnson<br> David Johnson | Director | May 19, 2026 |
| /s/ Giovanni Mariggi<br> Giovanni Mariggi, Ph.D. | Director | May 19, 2026 |
| /s/ Antony Mattessich<br> Antony Mattessich | Director | May 19, 2026 |
| /s/ Sapna Srivastava<br> Sapna Srivastava, Ph.D. | Director | May 19, 2026 |
| /s/ Karan Takhar<br> Karan Takhar | Director | May 19, 2026 |

---

## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1** 

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| ![LOGO](g118275dsp011.jpg)  | *Goodwin Procter LLP*<br> *100 Northern Ave.*<br> *Boston, MA 02210*<br> *goodwinlaw.com*<br> *+1 617 570 1000* |

---

May 19, 2026

Aura Biosciences, Inc.

80 Guest St.

Boston, MA 02135

Re: <u>Securities Being Registered under Registration Statement on Form S-8</u>

We have acted as your counsel in connection with your filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), on or about the date hereof relating to an aggregate of 3,323,065 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share ("Common Stock"), of Aura Biosciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), that may be issued pursuant to that certain Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award), that certain Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Inducement Award) and that certain Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award) between the Company and one newly-hired employee, for inducement awards granted on May 19, 2026 (collectively, the "Award Agreements").

We have reviewed such documents and made such examination of law as we have deemed appropriate to give the opinion set forth below. We have relied, without independent verification, on certificates of public officials and, as to matters of fact material to the opinion set forth below, on certificates of officers of the Company.

For purposes of the opinion set forth below, we have assumed that, at the time Shares are issued, the total number of then unissued Shares, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock issued, subscribed for, or otherwise committed to be issued, does not exceed the number of shares of Common Stock authorized by the Company's certificate of incorporation.

The opinion set forth below is limited to the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Award Agreements, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

This opinion letter and the opinion it contains shall be interpreted in accordance with the Core Opinion Principles as published in 74 *Business Lawyer* 815 (Summer 2019).

We hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/S/ GOODWIN PROCTER LLP

GOODWIN PROCTER LLP

## Exhibit 23.1

**Exhibit 23.1** 

**Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm** 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award), Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Inducement Award), and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award) of Aura Biosciences, Inc. of our report dated March 30, 2026, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Aura Biosciences, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

May 19, 2026

## Exhibit 99.1

**EXHIBIT 99.1** 

**AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.** 

**RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT** 

**(INDUCEMENT AWARD)** 

---

| |
|:---|
|  Name of Grantee: |
|  No. of Restricted Stock Units: |
| Grant Date: |

---

Aura Biosciences, Inc. (the "Company") hereby grants an award of the number of Restricted Stock Units listed above (an "Award") to the Grantee named above. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall relate to one share of Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the "Stock"), of the Company. This Award is not issued under the Aura Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended through the date hereof (the "Plan") and does not reduce the share reserve under the Plan. However, for purposes of interpreting the applicable provisions of this Award, the terms and conditions of the Plan (other than those applicable to the share reserve) shall govern and apply to this Award as if this Award had actually been issued under the Plan. This Award has been granted as an inducement pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), and consequently is intended to be exempt from the Nasdaq rules regarding stockholder approval of equity compensation plans. This Agreement and the terms and conditions of this Award shall be interpreted in accordance with and consistent with such exemption.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. <u>Restrictions on Transfer of Award</u>. This Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Grantee, and any shares of Stock issuable with respect to the Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of until (i) the Restricted Stock Units have vested as provided in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement and (ii) shares of Stock have been issued to the Grantee in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. <u>Vesting of Restricted Stock Units</u>. The restrictions and conditions of Paragraph 1 of this Agreement shall lapse on the Vesting Date or Dates specified in the following schedule so long as the Grantee continues to have a Service Relationship of the Company or a Subsidiary on such Vesting Dates. If a series of Vesting Dates is specified, then the restrictions and conditions in Paragraph 1 shall lapse only with respect to the number of Restricted Stock Units specified as vested on such date.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Incremental Number of<br> Restricted Stock Units Vested | Vesting Date |
| **_____________ (%)** |  |
| **_____________ (%)** |  |
| **_____________ (%)** |  |
| **_____________ (%)** |  |

---

The Administrator may at any time accelerate the vesting schedule specified in this Paragraph 2.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. <u>Termination of Service Relationship</u>. If the Grantee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates for any reason (including death or disability) prior to the satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth in Paragraph 2 above, any Restricted Stock Units that have not vested as of such date shall automatically and without notice terminate and be forfeited, and neither the Grantee nor any of his or her successors, heirs, assigns, or personal representatives will thereafter have any further rights or interests in such unvested Restricted Stock Units.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. <u>Issuance of Shares of Stock</u>. As soon as practicable following each Vesting Date (but in no event later than two and one-half months after the end of the year in which the Vesting Date occurs), the Company shall issue to the Grantee the number of shares of Stock equal to the aggregate number of Restricted Stock Units that have vested pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement on such date and the Grantee shall thereafter have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. <u>Incorporation of Plan</u>. As set forth above, this Award is not granted pursuant to the Plan. However, for purposes of interpreting the provisions of this Award, the terms and conditions of the Plan (other than those applicable to the share reserve, but including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan) shall govern and apply to this Award as if this Award had actually been issued under the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. <u>Tax Withholding</u>. The Grantee shall, not later than the date as of which the receipt of this Award becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of any Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. The Company shall have the authority to cause the required tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) withholding from shares of Stock to be issued to the Grantee a number of shares of Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due; or (ii) causing its transfer agent to sell from the number of shares of Stock to be issued to the Grantee, the number of shares of Stock necessary to satisfy the Federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld from the Grantee on account of such transfer.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. <u>Section 409A of the Code.</u> This Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner that all provisions relating to the settlement of the Award are exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code as "short-term deferrals" as described in Section 409A of the Code.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8. <u>No Obligation to Continue Service Relationship</u>. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Grantee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the Grantee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary at any time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9. <u>Integration</u>. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Award and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10. <u>Data Privacy Consent</u>. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the "Relevant Companies") may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the "Relevant Information"). By entering into this Agreement, the Grantee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Grantee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Grantee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11. <u>Notices</u>. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Grantee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC. | AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC. |
| By: |  |
|  | Title: |

---

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company's instructions to the Grantee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  Dated: | |
|  | Grantee's Signature |
|  | Grantee's name and address: |

---

## Exhibit 99.2

**Exhibit 99.2** 

**AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.** 

**NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT** 

**(INDUCEMENT AWARD)** 

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Name of Optionee: |  |
| No. of Option Shares: |  |
| Option Exercise Price per Share: | $**[FMV on Grant Date]** |
| Grant Date: |  |
| Vesting Commencement Date: |  |
| Expiration Date: | **[No more than 10 years]** |

---

Aura Biosciences, Inc. (the "Company") hereby grants to the Optionee named above an option (the "Stock Option") to purchase on or prior to the Expiration Date specified above all or part of the number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the "Stock"), of the Company specified above at the Option Exercise Price per Share specified above subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. This Stock Option is not issued under the Aura Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended through the date hereof (the "Plan") and does not reduce the share reserve under the Plan. However, for purposes of interpreting the applicable provisions of this Stock Option, the terms and conditions of the Plan (other than those applicable to the share reserve) shall govern and apply to this Stock Option as if this Stock Option had actually been issued under the Plan. This Stock Option has been granted as an inducement pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), and consequently is intended to be exempt from the Nasdaq rules regarding stockholder approval of equity compensation plans. This Agreement and the terms and conditions of this Stock Option shall be interpreted in accordance with and consistent with such exemption. This Stock Option is not intended to be an "incentive stock option" under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. <u>Exercisability Schedule</u>. No portion of this Stock Option may be exercised until such portion shall have become exercisable. Except as set forth below, and subject to the discretion of the Administrator (as defined in Section 1 of the Plan) to accelerate the exercisability schedule hereunder, this Stock Option shall be exercisable with respect to 25% of the Option Shares on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, so long as the Optionee continues to have a Service Relationship (as defined in the Plan) with the Company or a Subsidiary on such date. Thereafter, the remaining 75 percent of the Option Shares shall be exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments following the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, provided the Optionee continues to have a Service Relationship with the Company on each vesting date.

Once exercisable, this Stock Option shall continue to be exercisable at any time or times prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date, subject to the provisions hereof and of the Plan.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. <u>Manner of Exercise</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Optionee may exercise this Stock Option only in the following manner: from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date of this Stock Option, the Optionee may give written notice to the Administrator of his or her election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased.

Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator; (ii) through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Stock that have been purchased by the Optionee on the open market or that are beneficially owned by the Optionee and are not then subject to any restrictions under any Company plan and that otherwise satisfy any holding periods as may be required by the Administrator; (iii) by the Optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the option purchase price, provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the option purchase price as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; (iv) by a "net exercise" arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; or (v) a combination of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above. Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.

The transfer to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Option Shares will be contingent upon (i) the Company's receipt from the Optionee of the full purchase price for the Option Shares, as set forth above, (ii) the fulfillment of any other requirements contained herein or in the Plan or in any other agreement or provision of laws, and (iii) the receipt by the Company of any agreement, statement or other evidence that the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options under the Plan and any subsequent resale of the shares of Stock will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In the event the Optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the Optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the shares of Stock attested to.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of this Stock Option shall be transferred to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent upon compliance to the satisfaction of the Administrator with all requirements under applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof and of the Plan. The determination of the Administrator as to such compliance shall be final and binding on the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Stock subject to this Stock Option unless and until this Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company or the transfer agent shall have transferred the shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee's name shall have been entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Optionee shall have full voting, dividend and other ownership rights with respect to such shares of Stock.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The minimum number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option may be exercised at any one time shall be 100 shares, unless the number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option is being exercised is the total number of shares subject to exercise under this Stock Option at the time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of the Plan, no portion of this Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. <u>Termination of Service Relationship</u>. If the Optionee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary (as defined in the Plan) terminates, the period within which to exercise the Stock Option may be subject to earlier termination as set forth below.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) <u>Termination Due to Death</u>. If the Optionee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates by reason of the Optionee's death, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date, to the extent exercisable on the date of death, may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee's legal representative or legatee for a period of 12 months from the date of death or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of death shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) <u>Termination Due to Disability</u>. If the Optionee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates by reason of the Optionee's disability (as determined by the Administrator), any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date, to the extent exercisable on the date of such termination, may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee for a period of 12 months from the date of disability or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of disability shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) <u>Termination for Cause</u>. If the Optionee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates for Cause, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date shall terminate immediately and be of no further force and effect. For purposes hereof, "Cause" shall mean, unless otherwise provided in an employment or other service agreement between the Company and the Optionee, a determination by the Administrator that the Optionee shall be dismissed as a result of (i) any material breach by the Optionee of any agreement between the Optionee and the Company; (ii) the conviction of, indictment for or plea of nolo contendere by the Optionee to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; or (iii) any material misconduct or willful and deliberate non-performance (other than by reason of disability) by the Optionee of the Optionee's duties to the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) <u>Other Termination</u>. If the Optionee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates for any reason other than the Optionee's death, the Optionee's disability or Cause, and unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of termination, for a period of three months from the date of termination or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of termination shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

------

The Administrator's determination of the reason for termination of the Optionee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary shall be conclusive and binding on the Optionee and his or her representatives or legatees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. <u>Incorporation of Plan</u>. As set forth above, this Stock Option is not granted pursuant to the Plan. However, for purposes of interpreting the provisions of this Stock Option, the terms and conditions of the Plan (other than those applicable to the share reserve, but including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan) shall govern and apply to this Stock Option as if this Stock Option had actually been issued under the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. <u>Transferability</u>. This Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee's lifetime, only by the Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee's legal representative or legatee.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. <u>Tax Withholding</u>. The Optionee shall, not later than the date as of which the exercise of this Stock Option becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of any Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. The Company shall have the authority to cause the required tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) withholding from shares of Stock to be issued to the Optionee a number of shares of Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due; or (ii) causing its transfer agent to sell from the number of shares of Stock to be issued to the Optionee, the number of shares of Stock necessary to satisfy the Federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld from the Optionee on account of such transfer.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. <u>No Obligation to Continue Employment</u>. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Optionee's employment with the Company or a Subsidiary and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the Optionee's employment with the Company or a Subsidiary at any time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8. <u>Integration</u>. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Stock Option and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9. <u>Data Privacy Consent</u>. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the "Relevant Companies") may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the "Relevant Information"). By entering

------

into this Agreement, the Optionee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Optionee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Optionee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10. <u>Notices</u>. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC. | AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC. |
| By: |  |
|  | Title: |

---

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company's instructions to the Optionee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  Dated: |  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Optionee's Signature |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Optionee's name and address: |

---

## Exhibit 99.3

**Exhibit 99.3** 

**AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.** 

**PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT** 

**(INDUCEMENT AWARD)** 

---

| |
|:---|
| Name of Grantee: |
| No. of Restricted Stock Units: |
| Grant Date: |

---

Aura Biosciences, Inc. (the "Company") hereby grants an award of the number of Restricted Stock Units listed above (an "Award") to the Grantee named above. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall relate to one share of Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the "Stock"), of the Company. This Award is not issued under the Aura Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended through the date hereof (the "Plan") and does not reduce the share reserve under the Plan. However, for purposes of interpreting the applicable provisions of this Award, the terms and conditions of the Plan (other than those applicable to the share reserve) shall govern and apply to this Award as if this Award had actually been issued under the Plan. This Award has been granted as an inducement pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), and consequently is intended to be exempt from the Nasdaq rules regarding stockholder approval of equity compensation plans. This Agreement and the terms and conditions of this Award shall be interpreted in accordance with and consistent with such exemption.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. <u>Restrictions on Transfer of Award</u>. This Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Grantee, and any shares of Stock issuable with respect to the Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of until (i) the Restricted Stock Units have vested as provided in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement and (ii) shares of Stock have been issued to the Grantee in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. <u>Vesting of Restricted Stock Units</u>. The restrictions and conditions of Paragraph 1 of this Agreement shall lapse on the Vesting Date or Dates specified in the schedule set forth in Attachment 1 so long as the Grantee continues to have a Service Relationship of the Company or a Subsidiary on such Vesting Dates. If a series of Vesting Dates is specified, then the restrictions and conditions in Paragraph 1 shall lapse only with respect to the number of Restricted Stock Units specified as vested on such date. The Administrator may at any time accelerate the vesting schedule specified in this Paragraph 2.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. <u>Termination of Service Relationship</u>. If the Grantee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates for any reason (including death or disability) prior to the satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth in Paragraph 2 above, any Restricted Stock Units that have not vested as of such date shall automatically and without notice terminate and be forfeited, and neither the Grantee nor any of his or her successors, heirs, assigns, or personal representatives will thereafter have any further rights or interests in such unvested Restricted Stock Units.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. <u>Issuance of Shares of Stock</u>. As soon as practicable following each Vesting Date (but in no event later than two and one-half months after the end of the year in which the Vesting Date occurs), the Company shall issue to the Grantee the number of shares of Stock equal to the aggregate number of Restricted Stock Units that have vested pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement on such date and the Grantee shall thereafter have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. <u>Incorporation of Plan</u>. As set forth above, this Award is not granted pursuant to the Plan. However, for purposes of interpreting the provisions of this Award, the terms and conditions of the Plan (other than those applicable to the share reserve, but including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan) shall govern and apply to this Award as if this Award had actually been issued under the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. <u>Tax Withholding</u>. The Grantee shall, not later than the date as of which the receipt of this Award becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of any Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. The Company shall have the authority to cause the required tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) withholding from shares of Stock to be issued to the Grantee a number of shares of Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due; or (ii) causing its transfer agent to sell from the number of shares of Stock to be issued to the Grantee, the number of shares of Stock necessary to satisfy the Federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld from the Grantee on account of such transfer.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. <u>Section 409A of the Code.</u> This Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner that all provisions relating to the settlement of the Award are exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code as "short-term deferrals" as described in Section 409A of the Code.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8. <u>No Obligation to Continue Service Relationship</u>. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Grantee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the Grantee's Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary at any time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9. <u>Integration</u>. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Award and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10. <u>Data Privacy Consent</u>. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the "Relevant Companies") may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable

------

for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the "Relevant Information"). By entering into this Agreement, the Grantee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Grantee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Grantee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11. <u>Notices</u>. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Grantee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC. | AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC. |
| By: |  |
|  | Title: |

---

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company's instructions to the Grantee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Dated: |  |
|  | Grantee's Signature |
|  | Grantee's name and address: |

---

------

**<u>Attachment 1</u>**

**Vesting Schedule** 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Aura Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as amended through the date hereof (the "Plan") and/or the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which this vesting schedule is attached (the "Agreement").

1. <u>Vesting</u>. The Restricted Stock Units are subject to both a time-based vesting condition (the
"Time-Based Vesting Condition") and performance-based vesting condition (the "Performance-Based Vesting Condition") described in subsections (a) and (b) below, both of which must be satisfied prior to the Expiration Date
before the Restricted Stock Units will be deemed vested and may be settled in accordance with Section 4 of the Agreement. Each date as of which both the Time-Based Vesting Condition and Performance-Based Vesting Condition described in
subsections (a) and (b) above have been satisfied with respect to any Restricted Stock Units shall be referred to as a "Vesting Date." No Vesting Date shall occur after the Expiration Date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a. <u>Time-Based Vesting Condition</u>. The Time-Based Vesting Condition will be satisfied in four equal annual
installments commencing upon the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date (as defined below), subject to the Grantee having a continuous Service Relationship through each such date. For purposes hereof, the "Vesting Commencement
Date" shall be [___].

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b. <u>Performance-Based Vesting Condition</u>. [___].

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c. <u>Expiration Date</u>. The "Expiration Date" shall be the earlier of (i) the sixth (6<sup>th</sup>) anniversary of the Grant Date and (ii) the date Grantee no longer has a Service Relationship. Any Restricted Stock Units that have not vested on or prior to the Expiration Date shall be
immediately forfeited without consideration.

2. <u>Sale Event.</u> Upon a Sale Event that is consummated prior to satisfaction of the Performance-Based Vesting
Condition and the Expiration Date, the Performance-Based Vesting Condition will be deemed satisfied if the Sale Price is equal to or in excess of the Measurement Price (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if the Performance-Based Vesting Condition is
satisfied as of or prior to such Sale Event, the Restricted Stock Units shall be treated as time-based awards for purposes of Section 7(a) of the Company's Executive Severance Plan, as amended). In the event the Performance-Based Vesting
Condition is not satisfied on or prior to the consummation of the Sale Event, then except as the Administrator may otherwise determine, the Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited.

------

3. <u>Adjustments</u>. Without limiting the generality of Section 3(b) of the Plan, the Measurement Price set
forth in Section 1(b) above will be subject to proportionate adjustment in the event of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Company's
capital stock, as determined by the Administrator.

## Ex-Filing

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? EX-FILING FEES

---

| |
|:---|
| **Calculation of Filing Fee Tables**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**S-8**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Aura Biosciences, Inc.**  |

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|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Security Type**  | **Security Class Title**  | **Fee Calculation Rule**  | **Amount Registered**  | **Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit**  | **Maximum Aggregate Offering Price**  | **Fee Rate**  | **Amount of Registration Fee**  |
| 1 | Equity | Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Inducement Award) Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share | Other | 2169103 | $7.63 | $16550255.89 | 0.0001381 | $2285.59 |
| 2 | Equity | Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award) Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share | Other | 600118 | $7.63 | $4578900.34 | 0.0001381 | $632.35 |
| 3 | Equity | Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award) Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share | Other | 553844 | $7.63 | $4225829.72 | 0.0001381 | $583.59 |
| Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: |  | $25354985.95  |  | $3501.53  |
| Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  |  |  |  | $0.00  |
| Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  |  |  |  | $3501.53  |

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 **Offering Note** <br>

<sup>1</sup> (a) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the Registrant's common stock, $0.00001 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), which may become issuable by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock. (b) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) of the Securities Act, and based on the average of the high and low prices reported for the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on May 18, 2026. (c) Represents shares of the Registrant's Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of non-qualified stock options granted to one newly-hired employee pursuant to the Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Inducement Award) as an inducement material to entry into employment with the Registrant under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

<sup>2</sup> (a) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the Common Stock, which may become issuable by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock. (b) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) of the Securities Act, and based on the average of the high and low prices reported for the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on May 18, 2026. (c) Represents shares of the Registrant's Common Stock issuable upon the settlement of restricted stock units granted to one newly-hired employee pursuant to the Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award), as an inducement material to entry into employment with the Registrant under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

<sup>3</sup> (a) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the Common Stock, which may become issuable by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock. (b) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) of the Securities Act, and based on the average of the high and low prices reported for the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on May 18, 2026. (c) Represents shares of the Registrant's Common Stock issuable upon the settlement of performance-based restricted stock units granted to one newly-hired employee pursuant to the Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Inducement Award) as an inducement material to entry into employment with the Registrant under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

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| **Rule 457(p)** |
| Fee Offset Claims |
| Fee Offset Sources |

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