Centessa (CNTA) sets Dr. Saurabh Saha advisory role and exit package

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc outlines final arrangements with former Chief Executive Officer Saurabh Saha, M.D., Ph.D., following his previously disclosed departure effective January 1, 2026. On February 9, 2026, the company entered into an Advisory Agreement and a Separation Agreement with Dr. Saha.

Under the Advisory Agreement, Dr. Saha will provide advisory services for an initial six-month term, automatically continuing unless terminated, at an hourly fee of $376.00 plus reimbursed business expenses. The Separation Agreement provides vesting of equity grants scheduled to vest on or before February 2, 2026, with later-vesting equity forfeited, and an exercise period of three months after the advisory role ends.

The Separation Agreement also includes, subject to Compensation Committee approval, a bonus equal to 100% of Dr. Saha’s target bonus for the year ended December 31, 2025, and continued eligibility for applicable company benefit plans. These extended benefits replace other severance or noncompetition payments under prior agreements and are conditioned on a general release of claims becoming effective after a seven-business-day revocation period.

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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 9, 2026

CENTESSA PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

(Exact name of Registrant, as specified in its charter)

England and Wales		001-40445		98-1612294
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

Mailing address:

3rd Floor

1 Ashley Road

Altrincham

Cheshire WA14 2DT

United Kingdom

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +1 (617) 468-5770

Former name or 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(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary shares, nominal value £0.002 per share		CNTA		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC*
American Depositary Shares, each representing one ordinary share, nominal value £0.002 per share		CNTA		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of the American Depositary Shares on 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.

As previously disclosed, effective January 1, 2026, Saurabh Saha, M.D., Ph.D., stepped down from his position as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc (the “Company” or “Centessa”). In connection with his appointment as advisor to the CEO, on February 9, 2026, the Company entered into an Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) and a separation agreement and general release (the “Separation Agreement”) with Dr. Saha. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, Dr. Saha has agreed to provide certain advisory services to the Company for an initial six-month period, automatically continuing thereafter unless terminated by either party, for an hourly advisory fee of $376.00, plus reimbursement of business expenses. The Separation Agreement provides for (i) vesting of Dr. Saha’s equity grants that were due to vest on or prior to February 2, 2026 under the Centessa Amended and Restated 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, with all equity due to vest after that date forfeited, and with an exercise window for vested equity awards through three months following termination of the Advisory Agreement, (ii) subject to Compensation Committee approval, a bonus payment equal to 100% of Dr. Saha’s target bonus for the year ended December 31, 2025, and (iii) eligibility to participate in applicable Company benefit plans. These extended benefits are provided in lieu of any other severance payments or noncompetition consideration under prior agreements, and the Separation Agreement, which includes a general release of claims, becomes effective upon expiration of a seven-business-day revocation period following execution.

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.

Date: February 13, 2026

		CENTESSA PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
		By:		/s/ John Crowley
		Name:		John Crowley
		Title:		Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What executive leadership change does Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA) describe in this 8-K?

Centessa confirms that Saurabh Saha, M.D., Ph.D., stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and board member effective January 1, 2026. The filing focuses on his subsequent Advisory Agreement and Separation Agreement rather than announcing a new CEO or broader leadership restructuring.

What are the key terms of Saurabh Saha’s Advisory Agreement with Centessa (CNTA)?

Dr. Saha will provide advisory services for an initial six-month period, automatically continuing unless either party terminates. He will be paid an hourly advisory fee of $376.00 and reimbursed for business expenses incurred while performing these services for Centessa Pharmaceuticals.

How does the Separation Agreement affect Saurabh Saha’s equity awards at Centessa (CNTA)?

The Separation Agreement allows vesting of Dr. Saha’s equity grants that were scheduled to vest on or before February 2, 2026, under the 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan. All equity that would have vested after that date is forfeited, with vested awards exercisable for three months after the advisory role ends.

What bonus payment is Saurabh Saha eligible for under Centessa’s Separation Agreement?

Subject to Compensation Committee approval, Dr. Saha is eligible for a bonus equal to 100% of his target bonus for the year ended December 31, 2025. This payment forms part of the overall separation package provided in lieu of other severance or noncompetition consideration.

What benefits and conditions are included in Saurabh Saha’s Separation Agreement with Centessa (CNTA)?

Dr. Saha remains eligible to participate in applicable company benefit plans, alongside equity vesting and bonus provisions. These benefits replace any other severance or noncompetition payments under prior agreements and require a general release of claims, effective after a seven-business-day revocation period.

Do the new agreements with Saurabh Saha replace prior severance arrangements at Centessa (CNTA)?

Yes. The extended benefits in the Separation Agreement, including equity vesting, potential 2025 bonus, and benefit eligibility, are expressly provided in lieu of any other severance payments or noncompetition consideration under earlier agreements between Dr. Saha and Centessa Pharmaceuticals.

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• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE 14.6 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 24.2 KB
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