Jeremy Bender joins Aura Biosciences (NASDAQ: AURA) board as independent director
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Aura Biosciences expanded its Board of Directors from six to seven members and appointed Jeremy Bender, Ph.D., M.B.A., as a Class II independent director effective July 7, 2026, with a term running through the 2029 annual stockholders’ meeting. He will also serve on the Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.
Under the company’s amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, Dr. Bender receives an initial stock option for 60,000 shares and an initial restricted stock unit award for 30,000 shares, vesting in three equal annual installments. The policy provides a $40,000 annual board retainer for members, higher retainers for committee roles, and larger ongoing annual equity awards, subject to caps of $800,000 for initial grants and $400,000 for annual grants. The press release highlights his biotechnology leadership experience and Aura’s late-stage development of its lead candidate bel-sar for early choroidal melanoma.
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8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
independent director financial
restricted stock unit financial
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy financial
Phase 3 CoMpass trial medical
special protocol assessment agreement regulatory
forward-looking statements regulatory
FAQ
What did Aura Biosciences (AURA) announce in this 8-K filing?
Who is Jeremy Bender and what is his role at Aura Biosciences (AURA)?
What equity awards will Jeremy Bender receive as a new Aura Biosciences director?
How did Aura Biosciences (AURA) change non-employee director compensation?
What are the new annual cash retainers for Aura Biosciences board committees?
What clinical stage is Aura Biosciences’ lead candidate bel-sar in?
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
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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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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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.
Appointment of New Director to the Board of Directors
On July 3, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Aura Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) increased the size of the Board from six to seven directors and unanimously appointed Jeremy Bender, Ph.D., M.B.A., as a Class II director, effective July 7, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), to fill the newly created vacancy. Dr. Bender’s term will expire at the Company’s 2029 annual meeting of stockholders. Dr. Bender also has been appointed to the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, effective on the Effective Date. The Board has determined that Dr. Bender qualifies as an independent director and is qualified to serve under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.
For his service on the Board, Dr. Bender is eligible to receive the same cash compensation as the Company’s other non-employee directors in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, which was amended and restated by the Board on June 11, 2026 and is described below (the “Policy”). Consistent with the Policy, Dr. Bender has received an initial, one-time stock option award to purchase 60,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.00001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and an initial, one-time restricted stock unit award covering 30,000 shares of Common Stock. These initial awards will vest in equal annual installments over three years, and will generally stop vesting if Dr. Bender ceases to serve on the Board.
In addition, Dr. Bender will enter into an indemnification agreement with the Company, the form of which was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-260156) on October 25, 2021, pursuant to which the Company may be required, among other things, to indemnify Dr. Bender for certain expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes and settlement amounts actually and reasonably incurred by him in any action or proceeding arising out of his service as a director of the Company.
There are currently no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Bender and any other person pursuant to which Dr. Bender was appointed to the Board and there are no family relationships between Dr. Bender and any of the Company’s directors or executive officers. There are currently no transactions in which Dr. Bender has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
A copy of the Company’s press release announcing Dr. Bender’s appointment to the Board is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and shall be deemed furnished and not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
Pursuant to the Policy, as amended and restated by the Board on June 11, 2026, the following cash compensation will be provided to each non-employee director of the Board:
Board of Directors: |
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Members |
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40,000 |
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Annual retainer for non-executive chair |
$ |
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30,000 |
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Audit Committee: |
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Members (other than chair) |
$ |
10,000* |
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Retainer for chair |
$ |
20,000* |
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Compensation Committee: |
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Members (other than chair) |
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7,500* |
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Retainer for chair |
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15,000* |
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: |
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Members (other than chair) |
$ |
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5,000 |
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Retainer for chair |
$ |
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10,000 |
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*Prior to June 11, 2026, the annual retainers for members of the Audit Committee was $7,500 per year ($15,000 for the chair), and the annual retainers for members of the Compensation Committee was $6,000 per year ($12,000 for the chair).
Further, upon initial election to the Board, each non-employee director will receive an initial, one-time stock option award to purchase 60,000 shares (increased from 34,000 shares on June 11, 2026) of Common Stock (the “Initial Option Award”), and an initial, one-time restricted stock unit award covering 30,000 shares (increased from 26,000 shares on June 11, 2026) of Common Stock (the “Initial RSU Award”, and together with the Initial Option Award, the “Initial Award”), provided, if the Value (as defined in the
Policy) of the Initial Award would be greater than $800,000 (the “Initial Award Cap”), the Initial Option Award and the Initial RSU Award each shall be proportionally reduced to the nearest whole number of stock options and RSUs such that the aggregate Value is less than or equal to the Initial Award Cap. The Initial Award will vest in three equal annual installments, and is generally subject to the non-employee director’s continued service through the applicable vesting date. Furthermore, on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, each non-employee director who continues as a non-employee director following such meeting (other than a non-employee director who received the Initial Award) will be granted an annual stock option award to purchase 30,000 shares (increased from 17,000 shares on June 11, 2026) of Common Stock (the “Annual Option Award”, and an annual restricted stock unit award covering 15,000 shares (increased from 13,000 shares on June 11, 2026) of Common Stock (the “Annual RSU Award”, and together with the Annual Option Award, the “Annual Award”), provided, if the Value of the Annual Award would be greater than $400,000 (the “Annual Award Cap”), the Annual Option Award and the Annual RSU Award each shall be proportionally reduced to the nearest whole number of stock options and RSUs such that the aggregate Value is less than or equal to the Annual Award Cap. The Annual Award will vest in full on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the grant date or (ii) the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders, and is generally subject to the non-employee director’s continued service through the applicable vesting date. Such awards are subject to full accelerated vesting upon the sale of the Company.
The Company will reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by directors for their attendance at meetings of the Board or any committee thereof.
The foregoing description of the Policy does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Policy, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No. |
Description |
10.1# |
Aura Biosciences, Inc. Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy |
99.1 |
Press Release Dated July 8, 2026 |
104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
# Indicates a management contract or any compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
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Aura Biosciences, Inc. |
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Date: |
July 8, 2026 |
By: |
/s/ Natalie Holles |
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Natalie Holles (Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 99.1
Aura Biosciences Announces Appointment of Jeremy Bender, Ph.D., M.B.A., to Board of Directors
BOSTON, MA – July 8, 2026 – Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapies for solid tumors designed to preserve organ function, today announced the appointment of Jeremy Bender, Ph.D., M.B.A., to its Board of Directors.
“I am thrilled to welcome Jeremy to our Board of Directors and excited to be working alongside him again,” said Natalie Holles, Chief Executive Officer of Aura Biosciences. “Jeremy is an accomplished biotechnology leader with deep experience advancing innovative therapies through late-stage development, commercialization and significant value creation in rare oncology. As Aura advances toward potential regulatory approval of bel-sar and prepares for its next phase of growth, his operational and commercial expertise will further strengthen our Board. I look forward to his contributions as we continue executing our strategy to bring the first potential frontline, vision-preserving treatment to patients with early choroidal melanoma.”
“I am honored to join Aura's Board at this pivotal time for the company,” said Dr. Bender. “Having worked closely with Natalie during her tenure on the Day One Board, I have seen firsthand her strategic vision, thoughtful leadership and unwavering commitment to patients. With enrollment complete in the Phase 3 CoMpass trial and bel-sar advancing toward a potential regulatory approval, Aura is entering an exciting new chapter. I look forward to working with Natalie, the Board and the management team to execute on the company's strategy, build on its strong foundation and create meaningful value for patients and shareholders.”
Dr. Bender most recently served as Chief Executive Officer, President and a member of the board of directors of Day One Biopharmaceuticals, where he led the company through its evolution into a commercial-stage oncology company, including the approval and launch of OJEMDA® for pediatric low-grade glioma and the company's approximately $2.5 billion acquisition by Servier in 2026. Prior to joining Day One, he served as Vice President of Corporate Development at Gilead Sciences. Earlier in his career, Dr. Bender held executive leadership positions at Tizona Therapeutics, Sutro Biopharma and Allos Therapeutics, where he led corporate strategy, business development and operational execution. He began his career in the life sciences practice at Boston Consulting Group. Dr. Bender currently serves as an independent member of the board of directors of Mereo BioPharma Group plc. He previously served on the board of directors of Fusion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Bender earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Colorado, and an M.B.A. from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
About Aura Biosciences
Aura Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for solid tumors that aim to preserve organ function. Aura’s lead candidate, bel-sar (AU-011), is currently in late-stage development for early choroidal melanoma and in early-stage development in other ocular oncology indications and bladder cancer. Aura is headquartered in Boston, MA. Aura’s mission is to grow as an innovative global oncology company that positively transforms the lives of patients.
For more information, visit aurabiosciences.com. Follow us on X, @AuraBiosciences, and visit us on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other federal securities laws. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “endeavor,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of such words or other similar expressions can be used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include express or implied statements regarding Aura’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including, without limitation, statements regarding the therapeutic potential of bel-sar for the treatment of multiple cancers; statements regarding Aura’s plans and expectations for its ongoing and future clinical trials of bel-sar; statements regarding the timing and plans for Aura’s Phase 3 CoMpass trial in early choroidal melanoma, including the timing of topline data; statements regarding the potential regulatory approval of bel-sar in early choroidal melanoma; statements regarding Aura’s expectations for an improved quality of life of patients after treatment with bel-sar and changes to the treatment paradigm for patients; and statements regarding Aura’s expectations for the estimated patient populations and related market opportunities for bel-sar.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are neither promises nor guarantees, and investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Aura’s control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, uncertainties inherent in clinical trials and in the availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical trials; the expected timing for submissions for regulatory approval or review by governmental authorities; the risk that the results of Aura’s preclinical and clinical trials may not be predictive of future results in connection with future clinical trials; the risk that early or interim data from ongoing clinical trials may not be predictive of final data from completed clinical trials; the risk that governmental authorities may disagree with Aura’s clinical trial designs, even where Aura has obtained agreement with governmental authorities on the design of such trials, such as the Phase 3 special protocol assessment agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; whether Aura will receive regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products; whether Aura’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund its foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; Aura’s ongoing and planned preclinical activities; and Aura’s ability to initiate, enroll, conduct or complete ongoing and planned clinical trials. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include those risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Aura’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in subsequent filings made by Aura with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov/. Except as required by law, Aura disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are based on Aura’s current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof and no representations or warranties (express or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements.
Investor and Media Relations Contact:
Alex Dasalla
Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
IR@aurabiosciences.com