Form: 4

Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities

July 29, 2026

SEC Form 4
FORM 4 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP


Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
  
Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person*
Royston Aaron

(Last) (First) (Middle)
22722 29TH DR. SE
SUITE 100

(Street)
BOTHELL WA 98021

(City) (State) (Zip)
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC. [ ACHV ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
X Director 10% Owner
Officer (give title below) Other (specify below)
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
07/27/2026
4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
X Form filed by One Reporting Person
Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price
Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year) 7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Option (right to buy) $6.18 07/27/2026 A 25,000 (1) 07/27/2036 Common Stock 25,000 $0 25,000 D
Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) (2) 07/27/2026 A 16,700 (3) 07/27/2036 Common Stock 16,700 $0 16,700 D
Explanation of Responses:
1. The options vest 100% on the earlier of July 27, 2027 or the date immediately prior to the Issuer's 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, subject to the Reporting Person's provision of service to the Issuer on the vesting date.
2. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Issuer's common stock at settlement.
3. Pursuant to the terms of the RSU, the shares underlying the RSU vest 100% on the earlier of July 27, 2027 or the date immediately prior to the Issuer's 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, subject to the Reporting Person's provision of service to the Issuer on the vesting date.
Remarks:
Dr. Royston is a member of venBio Global Strategic GP V, LLC, which is the general partner of venBio Global Strategic Fund V, L.P. ("venBio V"), and is a member of the board of directors of the Issuer. These options and RSUs are held by Dr. Royston for the benefit of venBio V. Pursuant to policies of venBio Partners, the manager of venBio V, with respect to director compensation, upon the exercise of these options, the vesting and settlement of these RSUs, and the sale of the underlying securities, the proceeds will be remitted to venBio V. Dr. Royston disclaims beneficial ownership over the shares underlying the options and RSUs held for the benefit of venBio V except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, and the filing of this Form 4 shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other purpose.
Sandra Thomson as attorney-in-fact 07/29/2026
** Signature of Reporting Person Date

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).

** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).

Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.

Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.