Allogene Therapeutics names Zachary Roberts as new CEO

Allogene Therapeutics announced that its Board appointed Zachary Roberts, M.D., Ph.D. as President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding David Chang, M.D., Ph.D. effective July 1, 2026.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Allogene Therapeutics announced that its Board appointed Zachary Roberts, M.D., Ph.D. as President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding David Chang, M.D., Ph.D. effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Chang’s last day as President and CEO will be June 30, 2026, after which he will remain on the Board as a non-employee director.

On the Effective Date, Dr. Roberts will also join the Board as a Class I director, serving until the 2028 annual meeting or until a successor is elected and qualified. He currently serves as Executive Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Medical Officer, and will continue as Chief Medical Officer on an interim basis.

His new compensation includes an annualized base salary of $680,000, an annual target cash incentive of 60% of base salary, an option to purchase 476,190 shares, and a restricted stock unit award of 134,530 shares, all subject to service-based vesting. Both Dr. Roberts and Dr. Chang are entitled to severance and change in control benefits under the company’s existing Severance Plan as described in its April 30, 2026 proxy statement.

Insights

Biotech governance and compensation analyst

Allogene names an internal R&D leader as CEO with a sizable equity package.

The Board is transitioning leadership from founding CEO David Chang to Zachary Roberts, who has been Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer. Elevating an internal R&D leader suggests continuity in scientific and clinical direction rather than a strategic reset, based on the roles described.

Roberts’ package combines a $680,000 base salary, a 60% target bonus, and large equity grants of 476,190 options plus 134,530 RSUs, vesting over several years. This structure ties most upside to long-term share performance and continued service. Both outgoing and incoming CEOs participate in an existing Severance Plan, which standardizes potential payouts but may also represent a governance cost if activated by termination or change in control.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Key Figures

CEO base salary: $680,000 per year Target cash incentive: 60% of base salary Stock option grant: 476,190 shares +3 more

6 metrics

CEO base salary $680,000 per year Annualized base salary for Zachary Roberts as CEO effective July 1, 2026

Target cash incentive 60% of base salary Annual target performance cash incentive for new CEO

Stock option grant 476,190 shares Option Award to purchase company common stock for Zachary Roberts

RSU grant 134,530 shares Restricted stock unit award for Zachary Roberts as CEO

Effective date of CEO change July 1, 2026 Date when Roberts becomes CEO and director; Chang becomes non-employee director

Roberts’ age 48 years Age of Zachary Roberts at time of appointment as CEO

Key Terms

restricted stock unit, Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan, Continuous Service, non-employee director, +1 more

5 terms

restricted stock unit financial

"and (iv) a restricted stock unit of 134,530 shares of the Company’s common stock"

A restricted stock unit is a promise from a company to give an employee shares of stock after certain conditions are met, like staying with the company for a set amount of time. It’s like earning a bonus that turns into company stock once you’ve proven your commitment, making it a way to motivate and reward employees.

Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan financial

"eligible for certain severance benefits under the terms of the Company’s Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan"

Continuous Service financial

"subject to Dr. Roberts’ Continuous Service as of each such vesting date"

non-employee director financial

"will become a non-employee director commencing on the Effective Date"

Executive Vice President, Research and Development financial

"serves as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Medical Officer"

FAQ

What leadership change did Allogene Therapeutics (ALLO) announce in this 8-K?

Allogene Therapeutics is appointing Zachary Roberts, M.D., Ph.D. as President and Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2026, replacing David Chang, M.D., Ph.D. Chang’s last day as CEO is June 30, 2026, and he will remain on the Board as a non-employee director.

When does Zachary Roberts become CEO and director of Allogene Therapeutics (ALLO)?

Zachary Roberts becomes President and Chief Executive Officer of Allogene Therapeutics on July 1, 2026. On the same Effective Date, he joins the Board as a Class I director, serving until the company’s 2028 annual stockholder meeting or until a successor is elected and qualified.

What compensation will the new Allogene Therapeutics (ALLO) CEO receive?

Zachary Roberts’ CEO compensation includes a $680,000 annualized base salary and a target cash incentive equal to 60% of base salary. He will also receive an option to purchase 476,190 shares and a restricted stock unit award covering 134,530 shares, each subject to multi-year vesting.

How do the stock option and RSU awards for Allogene’s new CEO vest?

The option to purchase 476,190 shares vests 25% after one year, then in 36 equal monthly installments, conditioned on Continuous Service. The 134,530-share RSU award vests in four equal annual installments on July 20 of each year following the grant year, also requiring continued service.

Will outgoing CEO David Chang remain involved with Allogene Therapeutics (ALLO)?

David Chang will remain on Allogene’s Board as a non-employee director starting July 1, 2026. He becomes eligible for non-employee director compensation and may receive severance benefits under the company’s Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan, as previously described in its April 30, 2026 proxy statement.

Does Allogene’s new CEO participate in severance and change of control benefits?

Yes. As Chief Executive Officer, Zachary Roberts will be eligible for severance and change of control payments and benefits under Allogene’s Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan. The filing refers investors to the company’s April 30, 2026 proxy statement for detailed potential payments and conditions.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 05/28/2026 - 05:06 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

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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): May 28, 2026

Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-38693		82-3562771
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

210 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 457-2700

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:

☐ 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(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share		ALLO		The Nasdaq Global Select 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).

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 May 28, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Allogene Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), upon the recommendation of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, approved the appointment of Zachary Roberts, M.D., Ph.D. as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing David Chang, M.D., Ph.D. in such capacities. The appointment of Dr. Roberts to these positions will become effective July 1, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), and Dr. Chang’s last day of service in these positions will be June 30, 2026. Effective on the Effective Date, Dr. Roberts was also appointed to the Board as a Class I director, to serve until the Company’s 2028 annual meeting of the stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Dr. Roberts currently serves as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Medical Officer and will continue serving as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer on an interim basis following the Effective Date.

In connection with the conclusion of his service as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Chang will be eligible for certain severance benefits under the terms of the Company’s Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan (the “Severance Plan”) as described under “Executive Compensation—Potential Payments and Benefits Upon Termination or Change in Control” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2026 (the “Proxy Statement”). Dr. Chang will remain on the Board and will become a non-employee director commencing on the Effective Date, and as such will be entitled to compensation for his service on the Board in accordance with the Company’s non-employee director compensation policy.

Dr. Roberts, age 48, has served as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer since April 2023 and as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Research and Development since January 2023. Previously, Dr. Roberts served as Chief Medical Officer for Instil Bio, Inc. (“Instil”) from March 2020 to November 2022. Prior to joining Instil, he served in various roles for Kite, during his four-year tenure, with his last position as Vice President, Clinical Development from February 2018 to May 2019. Prior to joining Kite, Dr. Roberts served in various roles at Amgen, with his last position as Clinical Research Medical Director for Amgen Oncology from January 2015 to July 2015. Dr. Roberts completed his training in internal medicine and hematology/oncology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. He earned his B.S. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Maryland, College Park and both his Ph.D. in immunology and his M.D. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The Board believes Dr. Roberts’ expertise and experience in life sciences and his educational background provide him with the qualifications and skills to serve on the Board.

In connection with Dr. Roberts’ appointment as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the Board, acting upon the recommendation of its Compensation Committee, approved the following compensatory arrangements for Dr. Roberts, effective as of the Effective Date: (i) an annualized base salary of $680,000, (ii) an annual target performance cash incentive of 60% of his base salary, (iii) an option to purchase 476,190 shares of Company common stock (the “Option Award”), and (iv) a restricted stock unit of 134,530 shares of the Company’s common stock (“RSU Award”). The Option Award will vest as follows: 1/4^th of the shares will vest on the one year anniversary of the vesting commencement date, with the balance vesting in a series of 36 successive equal monthly installments measured from the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to Dr. Roberts’ Continuous Service (as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 EIP”)) as of each such vesting date. The RSU Award will vest in four equal annual installments on July 20^th of each year following the year of the grant date, subject to Dr. Roberts’ Continuous Service as of each such vesting date. In addition, Dr. Roberts will be entitled to severance and change of control payments and benefits pursuant to the Severance Plan as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as described under “Executive Compensation—Potential Payments and Benefits Upon Termination or Change in Control” in the Proxy Statement.

Dr. Roberts previously entered into the Company’s standard form of indemnity agreement for officers of the Company, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-227333), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 2018.

SIGNATURES

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 thereunto duly authorized.

				Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.
Date: May 28, 2026				By:		/s/ Earl Douglas
						Earl Douglas
						Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.1 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 16.8 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 10.6 KB