0001517022FALSE180 Third AvenueFloor 2WalthamMassachusettsNasdaq00015170222026-10-072026-10-07
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): October 7, 2026
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AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Delaware | | 001-36352 | | 20-8756903 |
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation) | | (Commission
File Number) | | (IRS Employer
Identification No.) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
180 Third Avenue, Floor 2 Waltham, Massachusetts | | 02451 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 871-2098
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:
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| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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| ☐ | 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:
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| | | | |
| Title of each class | | Trading
symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange
on which registered |
| Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share | | AKBA | | The Nasdaq Capital Market |
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).
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 October 7, 2026, Nicholas Grund, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company of his decision to resign his employment with the Company for personal reasons. His resignation will be effective November 6, 2026 (the “Resignation Date”). In connection with his resignation, on October 13, 2026, Mr. Grund and the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement, effective as of the Resignation Date, pursuant to which Mr. Grund will provide consulting and advisory services to the Company until April 30, 2027 (the “Consulting Period”), unless earlier terminated by the Company with at least 10 days' prior written notice or by Mr. Grund with at least 30 days’ prior written notice. Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Grund will be paid an hourly rate for his services during the Consulting Period.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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| | AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC. |
| | |
Date: October 14, 2026 | By: | /s/ John P. Butler |
| | Name: John P. Butler |
| | Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
