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CNS Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CNSP) appoints new CMO Lynne Kelley

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

CNS Pharmaceuticals has appointed Dr. Lynne Kelley as Chief Medical Officer effective March 2, 2026. Her employment agreement includes a base salary of $450,000, an annual bonus target equal to 40% of base salary, and eligibility for future equity grants determined by the board’s Compensation Committee.

Dr. Kelley will also receive an initial grant of 9,500 restricted stock units, vesting 25% after six months, 25% after twelve months, and the remaining 50% in twelve quarterly installments, subject to continued employment. If she is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, she is entitled to six months of base salary, a pro-rated target bonus, and accelerated vesting of all unvested equity, subject to a release of claims and covenant compliance.

The company also entered into a separation and severance agreement with former Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sandra Silberman, providing severance equal to three months of her current annualized base salary, paid in three monthly installments.

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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): February 26, 2026

___________________________

CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

___________________________

 

Nevada 001-39126 82-2318545

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

2100 West Loop South, Suite 900

Houston, Texas 77027

 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 946-9185

 

Not Applicable

(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))

 

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.  

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading Symbols(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share CNSP The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

 

 

   

 

 

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

 

On February 26, 2026, CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Lynne Kelley to serve as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer effective March 2, 2026. The Employment Agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of $450,000, eligibility for an annual bonus with a target equal to 40% of base salary based on goals approved by the Compensation Committee, and eligibility for annual equity grants under the Company’s stock incentive plans, in each case as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Employment Agreement also provides for an initial grant of 9,500 restricted stock units, vesting as follows: 25% on the six-month anniversary of the effective date, 25% on the twelve-month anniversary of the effective date, and the remaining 50% in twelve quarterly installments thereafter, subject to continued employment. Dr. Kelley is entitled to participate in the Company’s benefit plans and programs for similarly situated executives, expense reimbursement in accordance with Company policy, and other standard benefits.

 

Under the Employment Agreement, if Dr. Kelley’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause (and other than due to death or disability) or by Dr. Kelley for good reason, she will be entitled to (i) severance equal to six months of base salary, payable over six months, (ii) her target annual bonus for the period of time between the end of the last fiscal year and the termination date; and (iii) accelerated vesting of all unvested equity previously granted, in each case subject to her timely execution and non-revocation of a release of claims and continued compliance with applicable covenants.

 

Dr. Kelley, age 63, most recently served as Chief Medical Officer of Tissium, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, from September 2024 to February 2026. From May 2022 to February 2026, Dr. Kelley served as Founder and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Xenthera, Inc., a clinical-stage oncology company, and continues to serve as an advisor for the assets. From February 2019 to February 2026, Dr. Kelley provided executive-level medical, clinical, and regulatory leadership services through Wedgemere Consulting, serving as an interim Chief Medical Officer and clinical development lead to biotechnology companies, venture capital-backed startups, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device companies. From July 2020 to October 2021, Dr. Kelley served as Chief Medical Officer of Servier Pharmaceuticals, a global non-profit pharmaceutical company. From April 2019 to April 2020, she served as Chief Medical Officer of X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on rare diseases and oncology. From January 2016 to May 2018, Dr. Kelley served as Chief Medical Officer of Senseonics Holdings, Inc., a medical device company focused on diabetes management. From 2011 to 2016, she served as Worldwide Vice President, Medical Affairs at Becton, Dickinson and Company, a global medical technology company. Dr. Kelley currently serves on the Dartmouth Medical School Dean’s Advisory Council and on the Board of Directors of the Dartmouth Center for Health Equity. Dr. Kelley received her M.D. from Dartmouth Medical School and her B.A. in Biology from Boston University. There are no transactions in which Dr. Kelley has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. There are no family relationships between Dr. Kelley and any director or executive officer of the Company that would require disclosure under Item 401(d) of Regulation S-K.

 

On February 27, 2026, the Company and Dr. Sandra Silberman, the Company’s former Chief Medical Officer, entered into a Separation and Severance Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”), which memorializes the terms of Dr. Silberman’s separation from service with the Company. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, subject to Dr. Silberman’s timely execution, non-revocation, and compliance with the agreement’s terms, the Company will provide severance benefits, equal to three months of Dr. Silberman’s current annualized base salary, paid in three equal monthly installments.

 

The foregoing summaries of the Employment Agreement and Separation Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

No.   Description
10.1   Employment Agreement between Lynne Kelley and CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. dated February 26, 2026
10.2   Separation and Severance Agreement between Sandra Silberman and CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. dated February 27, 2026
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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.

 

 

  CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  
       
       
  By: /s/ Rami Levin                                      
    Rami Levin  
    Chief Executive Officer and President  

 

 

Dated: March 2, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FAQ

What executive leadership change did CNSP report in this 8-K filing?

CNS Pharmaceuticals appointed Dr. Lynne Kelley as Chief Medical Officer effective March 2, 2026. She replaces former CMO Dr. Sandra Silberman, whose departure terms are covered by a separation and severance agreement providing three months of base-salary severance.

What is Dr. Lynne Kelley’s compensation as CNSP Chief Medical Officer?

Dr. Kelley will receive a base salary of $450,000 and an annual bonus target equal to 40% of base salary. She is also eligible for annual equity grants under CNS Pharmaceuticals’ stock incentive plans, as determined by the Board’s Compensation Committee.

What equity award did CNSP grant to new CMO Lynne Kelley?

CNS Pharmaceuticals granted Dr. Kelley 9,500 restricted stock units. Vesting occurs 25% at six months, 25% at twelve months, and the remaining 50% in twelve quarterly installments thereafter, all contingent on her continued employment with the company.

What severance protection does CNSP provide to Dr. Lynne Kelley?

If Dr. Kelley is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, she receives six months of base salary, her target annual bonus for the partial year, and accelerated vesting of all unvested equity, subject to signing and not revoking a release and honoring covenants.

What are the key terms of former CMO Dr. Sandra Silberman’s separation from CNSP?

Under a separation and severance agreement, Dr. Silberman is entitled to severance equal to three months of her current annualized base salary. This amount will be paid in three equal monthly installments, subject to her compliance with the agreement’s terms.

Does CNSP disclose any related-party or family relationships for Dr. Lynne Kelley?

CNS Pharmaceuticals states there are no transactions involving Dr. Kelley requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. The company also reports no family relationships between Dr. Kelley and any director or executive officer that require disclosure under Item 401(d).

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Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Preparations
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