<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2024-07-02</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000907654</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARCA biopharma, Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ABIO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001274173</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JANUS HENDERSON GROUP PLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>201 BISHOPGATE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LONDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>EC2M 3AE</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>UNITED KINGDOM</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0002030299</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Janus Henderson Biotech Innovation Master Fund Ltd</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>201 BISHOPGATE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LONDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>EC2M 3AE</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>UNITED KINGDOM</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1482535</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Fund</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The securities reported are beneficially owned directly by Janus Henderson Biotech Innovation Master Fund Ltd. (the &quot;Fund&quot;). Janus Henderson Group plc has a 100% ownership stake in Janus Henderson Investors US LLC, which serves as the investment advisor to the Fund, and may therefore be deemed a beneficial owner of the securities reported herein. Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein, if any.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michelle Rosenberg, CAO, General Counsel &amp; Company Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-07-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Janus Henderson Biotech Innovation Master Fund Ltd., By: Janus Henderson Investors US LLC, By: Peter Falconer, Assistant Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-07-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
