Executive shake-up at Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) as CMO and President exits

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Achieve Life Sciences, Inc. reported that Dr. Cindy Jacobs has chosen to resign from her roles as Chief Medical Officer and President, effective October 6, 2025. She informed the board on September 5, 2025. The company is negotiating a consulting agreement so Dr. Jacobs can continue providing advisory services after her departure.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Departure of Chief Medical Officer and President: Dr. Cindy Jacobs is resigning from both roles effective October 6, 2025, which may introduce leadership and continuity risk for clinical and operational activities, even though a consulting arrangement is being negotiated.

Insights

Biotech governance and leadership analyst

Key R&D leader and president is leaving but may stay on as consultant.

Achieve Life Sciences disclosed that Dr. Cindy Jacobs will step down as Chief Medical Officer and President effective October 6, 2025. For a biotech company, these positions typically oversee clinical strategy, trial execution, and a large portion of day-to-day operations.

The company is negotiating a consulting agreement under which Dr. Jacobs would continue providing advisory services. That arrangement may help preserve institutional knowledge and continuity around ongoing programs, but the long-term scope of her involvement is not defined in this excerpt.

Leadership transitions at the CMO and president level can affect clinical development and regulatory interaction. Subsequent disclosures may clarify succession plans for these roles and whether advisory work by Dr. Jacobs will cover specific programs or broader strategic oversight.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 5, 2025

ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware		033-80623		95-4343413
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)
22722 29th Drive SE, Suite 100 Bothell, WA				98021
1040 West Georgia, Suite 1030 Vancouver, BC, Canada				V6E 4H1
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (604) 210-2217

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share	ACHV	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On September 5, 2025, Dr. Cindy Jacobs informed the board of directors (the “Board”) of Achieve Life Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”), that she has elected to resign from her role as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer and President, effective as of October 6, 2025. The Company is in the process of negotiating the terms of a consulting agreement with Dr. Jacobs pursuant to which Dr. Jacobs will continue to provide advisory services to the Company.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
Date: September 11, 2025	/s/ MARK OKI
	Mark Oki Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

FAQ

What leadership change did Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) disclose?

Achieve Life Sciences disclosed that Dr. Cindy Jacobs will resign as Chief Medical Officer and President, effective October 6, 2025. She informed the board on September 5, 2025, marking a notable executive leadership transition for the company’s clinical and operational oversight.

When does Dr. Cindy Jacobs’ resignation from Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) take effect?

Dr. Cindy Jacobs’ resignation as Chief Medical Officer and President becomes effective October 6, 2025. She notified the board on September 5, 2025, giving roughly one month for transition planning before her formal departure from these executive roles.

Will Dr. Cindy Jacobs continue working with Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) after resigning?

Achieve Life Sciences is negotiating a consulting agreement under which Dr. Cindy Jacobs would continue providing advisory services. This potential consulting role is intended to maintain access to her expertise even after she steps down as Chief Medical Officer and President.

Which positions is Dr. Cindy Jacobs leaving at Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV)?

Dr. Cindy Jacobs is resigning from two key roles: Chief Medical Officer and President of Achieve Life Sciences. These positions typically oversee clinical development and corporate operations, making her departure a significant management change for the company.

Did Achieve Life Sciences (ACHV) mention a successor to Dr. Cindy Jacobs?

The disclosure notes only that Dr. Cindy Jacobs will resign and that a consulting agreement is being negotiated. It does not identify successors for the Chief Medical Officer or President roles, leaving future leadership arrangements for those positions to later communications.