Corbus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CRBP) hires new CMO and details CRB-701, CRB-913 timelines

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Corbus Pharmaceuticals appointed Leonardo Viana Nicacio, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer under a two-year employment agreement effective August 3, 2026. His package includes a $545,000 annual base salary, a target bonus of up to 40% of base pay, and equity awards with an aggregate grant date fair value of $2.1 million, split roughly 75% stock options and 25% restricted stock units with multi‑year vesting.

The agreement provides severance of up to 18 months of base salary, COBRA reimbursement and accelerated equity vesting if he is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason during a defined change in control period, subject to a release and non‑compete. Corbus also highlighted upcoming milestones: initiation of the TEMPO‑1 registrational trial of CRB‑701 in second‑line oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in summer 2026, a 250‑patient randomized study targeting overall response rate for potential accelerated approval, a planned similar trial in second‑line cervical cancer, and topline data from the CANYON‑1 Phase 1b obesity study of CRB‑913 in 240 patients expected in late summer 2026, with additional CRB‑701 data in first‑line OPSCC anticipated in early 2027.

8-K Event Classification

3 items: 1.01, 7.01, 9.01

3 items

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement Business

The company signed a significant contract such as a merger agreement, credit facility, or major partnership.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure

Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

Base salary: $545,000 per year Target bonus: Up to 40% of base salary Equity grant value: $2,100,000 aggregate +3 more

6 metrics

Base salary $545,000 per year Annual base salary for Chief Medical Officer role

Target bonus Up to 40% of base salary Annual performance-based bonus opportunity

Equity grant value $2,100,000 aggregate Inducement equity awards at grant date fair value

Change-in-control severance 18 months base salary Maximum salary continuation during Change in Control Period

TEMPO-1 trial size 250 patients Planned randomized study of CRB-701 in 2L OPSCC

CANYON-1 study size 240 patients Phase 1b 16-week obesity study of CRB-913

Key Terms

Change in Control Period, Fast Track designations, antibody drug conjugate (ADC), overall response rate (ORR), +1 more

5 terms

Change in Control Period financial

"The “Change in Control Period” is defined in the Employment Agreement as the period within the six (6) months immediately preceding or the twelve (12) months immediately following a change in control."

Fast Track designations regulatory

"The FDA has granted two Fast Track designations to CRB-701 in HNSCC and cervical cancer."

A fast track designation is a regulatory status granted to a drug or therapy intended to treat a serious condition with unmet medical need, which gives the developer access to expedited interactions and review procedures with regulators. For investors, it’s like an express lane: it can shorten development and review timelines and reduce regulatory uncertainty, potentially speeding a product to market—but it does not guarantee approval or commercial success.

antibody drug conjugate (ADC) medical

"including his pivotal role advancing the antibody drug conjugate (ADC) TIVDAK® to market for metastatic cervical cancer."

A antibody drug conjugate (ADC) is a targeted medicine that combines an antibody, which seeks out specific cells, with a potent drug payload so the treatment delivers its toxic effect directly to diseased cells while sparing most healthy tissue—think of a guided missile carrying a small explosive. Investors care because ADCs can offer breakthrough therapies with high market value, but their worth depends heavily on clinical trial results, manufacturing complexity and regulatory approval, which create both upside and risk.

overall response rate (ORR) medical

"with overall response rate (ORR) as the primary endpoint for potential accelerated approval"

Overall response rate (ORR) is the percentage of trial participants whose disease measurably improves—typically tumor shrinkage or disappearance—according to predefined medical criteria. Investors watch ORR because it provides an early, concrete signal of a therapy’s effectiveness and commercial potential, similar to seeing what share of products in a test batch actually work before deciding to back wider production.

CB1 inverse agonist medical

"CRB-913 is a once-daily highly peripherally restricted oral CB1 inverse agonist being developed as a potential orthogonal, non-incretin approach to weight loss"

A CB1 inverse agonist is a drug that binds to the brain and nervous system’s CB1 cannabinoid receptor and pushes its activity below its normal resting level, producing effects opposite to those of cannabis-like stimulation. For investors, these drugs matter because altering appetite, mood, pain or addiction pathways can create significant market opportunities or regulatory risks—think of it as turning a dimmer switch lower than the factory setting to achieve a different therapeutic outcome.

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Understanding 8-K Material Events →

Available on EDGAR 07/06/2026 - 08:16 AM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 07/06/2026 - 08:15 AM 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): July 2, 2026

CORBUS PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware			001-37348	46-4348039
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
500 River Ridge Drive
Norwood, Massachusetts				02062
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (617) 963-0100

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:

☐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 $0.0001 per share		CRBP		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).

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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On July 2, 2026, Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Leonardo Viana Nicacio, MD, effective August 3, 2026, and will be effective for a period of two (2) years from the date thereof. Dr. Nicacio’s employment agreement provides for him to serve as Chief Medical Officer and provides for an annual base salary of $545,000. In addition, Dr. Nicacio is eligible to receive an annual bonus, which is targeted at up to 40% of his base salary but which may be adjusted by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) based on his individual performance and the Company’s performance as a whole. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement as a material inducement for employment with the Company, Dr. Nicacio will be granted equity awards having an aggregate grant date fair value of $2,100,000, which shall consist of approximately 75% stock options to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of a share of common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on August 3, 2026 which will vest 25% after one year of employment and thereafter monthly over the following 36 months, subject to continuous employment with the Company, and approximately 25% restricted stock units with respect to the Company’s common stock, which will vest 25% on each of the first, second, third and fourth annual anniversary of the award date, subject to continuous employment with the Company. In addition, Dr. Nicacio is eligible to receive, from time to time, equity awards under our existing equity incentive plan, or any other equity incentive plan the Company may adopt in the future, and the terms and conditions of such awards, if any, will be determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), in their discretion. Dr. Nicacio is subject to non-compete provisions, which apply during the term of his employment and for a period of six (6) months from the date of cessation of his employment, subject to the Company providing as severance ((x) if the Company terminates Dr. Nicacio’s employment without cause or he terminates his employment for good reason during the term of the employment agreement and (y) he timely executes and does not revoke a general release, which will include a non-compete covenant, and complies with such covenants) twelve (12) months of his base salary (three (3) months if such termination occurs prior to the one-year anniversary of the effective date and other than during the Change in Control Period (as defined below)), other than during the Change in Control Period, in which case it will be increased to eighteen (18) months. Dr. Nicacio will be subject to non-solicitation provisions, which apply during the term of his employment and for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of cessation of his employment. In addition, the employment agreement contains customary confidentiality and assignment of inventions provisions. The “Change in Control Period” is defined in the Employment Agreement as the period within the six (6) months immediately preceding or the twelve (12) months immediately following a change in control.

If the Company terminates Dr. Nicacio’s employment without cause or he terminates his employment for good reason during the term of his employment agreement, other than during the Change in Control Period, the Company is required to pay him as severance reimbursement of the cost of COBRA coverage (or to use commercially reasonable best efforts to provide the cost of other comparable coverage if COBRA reimbursement would incur tax penalties or violate the law) for twelve (12) months (three (3) months if such termination occurs prior to the one-year anniversary of the effective date and other than during the Change in Control Period), and he may be paid a pro-rated bonus if his employment terminates on or after the one-year anniversary of the effective date, each subject to his timely execution of a general release, which will include a non-compete covenant, and continuing compliance with such covenants. If the Company terminates Dr. Nicacio’s employment without cause or he terminates his employment for good reason during the term of the employment agreement, and during the Change in Control Period, the Company is required to pay him as severance reimbursement of the cost of COBRA coverage (or to use commercially reasonable best efforts to provide the cost of other comparable coverage if COBRA reimbursement would incur tax penalties or violate the law) for eighteen (18) months, accelerated vesting of all of his outstanding options, restricted stock and other equity incentive awards and his current year bonus at target levels, each subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of a general release, which will include a non-compete covenant, and continuing compliance with such covenants. Dr. Nicacio’s severance payments and other applicable payments and benefits will be subject to reduction to the extent doing so would put him in a better after-tax position after taking into account any excise tax he may incur under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999 in connection with any change in control of the Company or his subsequent termination of employment. Dr. Nicacio’s employment agreement expires on August 3, 2028.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Employment Agreement and does not purport to be complete. A copy of the Employment Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

The awards were approved by the Compensation Committee and are being granted as inducement awards material to Dr. Nicasio’s entering into employment with the Company in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The awards are subject to the terms and conditions of the Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. 2026 Inducement Award Plan (the “Inducement Plan”) and the Company’s forms of Stock Option Award Agreement and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, respectively, under the Inducement Plan which are incorporated by reference as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3 hereto, respectively.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On July 6, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Dr. Nicacio as Chief Medical Officer of the Company. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of 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 Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:

Exhibit No.		Description
10.1		Employment Agreement, dated July 2, 2026, between Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. and Leonardo Viana Nicacio, MD.
10.2		Form of Inducement Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 17, 2026).
10.3		Form of Inducement Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 17, 2026).
99.1		Press Release issued by Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. dated July 6, 2026.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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.

			Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.
Date:	July 6, 2026	By:	/s/ Yuval Cohen
			Name: Yuval Cohen Title: Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Appoints Leonardo Viana Nicacio, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer

Norwood, MA, July 6, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRBP) (“Corbus” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage company focused on developing promising new therapies in oncology and obesity, today announced the appointment of Leonardo Viana Nicacio, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Nicacio to Corbus, particularly as we approach initiation of our TEMPO-1 registrational study of CRB-701 in 2L oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) this summer,” said Yuval Cohen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Corbus. “Dr. Nicacio brings a highly relevant background in solid tumor drug development and commercialization, including his pivotal role advancing the antibody drug conjugate (ADC) TIVDAK® to market for metastatic cervical cancer. His extensive experience in ADCs as well as the HPV-driven oncology space is well matched to our strategic priorities and our continued advancement of CRB-701 for OPSCC and cervical cancer.”

“I’m delighted to join Corbus at a time of notable evolution for the Company. Corbus is advancing toward multiple near-term milestones in quick succession, including CRB-701’s expected imminent entry into late-stage clinical development in 2L OPSCC, a planned readout of the CANYON-1 obesity study of CRB-913 in late summer, and an anticipated data readout of CRB-701 in 1L OPSCC in early 2027,” said Dr. Nicacio. “I’m excited to work with Yuval and the entire team as we simultaneously advance both of these novel drug candidates to address the significant unmet needs of three distinct patient populations.”

Dr. Nicacio’s career spans over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Corbus, he was the Chief Medical Officer at Protara Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company developing therapies for the treatment of cancer and rare diseases. Prior to Protara, Dr. Nicacio served as Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Global Medical Affairs at Stemline Therapeutics, a subsidiary of the Menarini Group, where he was responsible for establishing and executing global strategies for solid tumor development. From 2017 to 2023, he held roles of increasing responsibility at Seagen (acquired by Pfizer in December 2023), most recently as Vice President of Clinical Development, overseeing programs across a range of cancers, including bladder, breast, gynecologic, lung, colorectal, and head and neck cancers, and most notably worked on a therapeutic for metastatic cervical cancer, TIVDAK®. Earlier in his career, Dr. Nicacio served as Senior Global Medical Lead in Global Medical Affairs at AstraZeneca, where he played an integral role in clinical, regulatory, and launch preparation activities leading up to the approval of durvalumab in bladder cancer. He also held leadership roles at Flatiron Health, where he was instrumental in building the first health technology platform focused on organizing real-world oncology data. Additionally, Dr. Nicacio held positions at Sanofi and YM Biosciences.

Dr. Nicacio holds a Medical Degree from Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais in Brazil and completed a molecular biology fellowship at the New York Blood Center. He is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology and has published extensively in top medical journals. Dr. Nicacio is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the European Society of Medical Oncology.

Corbus currently expects to initiate a registrational study of CRB-701 in 2L OPSCC (“TEMPO-1”) in the summer of 2026. Broad alignment was reached with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the trial design for a randomized controlled study (n=250), which will evaluate the efficacy and safety of CRB-701 compared to investigator’s choice of monotherapy with overall response rate (ORR) as the primary endpoint for potential accelerated approval, subject to FDA review of the trial results and satisfaction of applicable regulatory requirements, and potential full approval based on overall survival (OS) benefit. Similarly, broad alignment was reached with the FDA regarding the trial design for a randomized controlled study of CRB-701 in 2L cervical cancer. In addition, Corbus currently expects to report topline findings from its CANYON-1 Phase 1b dose-ranging 16-week study (n=240) of CRB-913 as a treatment for obesity in late summer 2026.

About CRB-701

CRB-701 (SYS6002) is a next-generation antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting Nectin-4, that contains a site-specific, cleavable linker and a homogenous drug antibody ratio of 2, using MMAE as the payload. Nectin-4 is a clinically validated, tumor-associated antigen in urothelial cancer and highly expressed in other tumor types such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and cervical cancer. The FDA has granted two Fast Track designations to CRB-701 in HNSCC and cervical cancer.

About CRB-913

CRB-913 is a once-daily highly peripherally restricted oral CB1 inverse agonist being developed as a potential orthogonal, non-incretin approach to weight loss and long-term weight management.

About Corbus

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. is a clinical-stage company focused on developing promising new therapies in oncology and obesity and is committed to helping people defeat serious illness by bringing innovative scientific approaches to well-understood biological pathways. Corbus’ pipeline includes CRB-701, a next-generation antibody drug conjugate for the treatment of Nectin-4-expressing tumors, and CRB-913, an orally delivered highly peripherally restricted CB1 inverse agonist for the treatment of obesity. Corbus is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts. For more information on Corbus, visit corbuspharma.com. Connect with us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the Company’s website or social media channels is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including those relating to the Company's trial results, product development, clinical and regulatory timelines, including timing for initiation and completion of trials and presentation of data, anticipated timing for initiation of clinical trials, anticipated regulatory interactions and outcomes, including alignment with FDA on trial design and the potential sufficiency of clinical trial results to support regulatory submissions or approvals, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities, sufficiency of cash runway and other statements that are predictive in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management's current beliefs and assumptions.

These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential,” "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events or our financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors relating to our operations, clinical development plans and timelines, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and any subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

All product names, logos, brands and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Their use does not imply affiliation or endorsement by these companies.

INVESTOR CONTACTS:

Sean Moran

Chief Financial Officer

Corbus Pharmaceuticals

smoran@corbuspharma.com

Dan Ferry Managing Director LifeSci Advisors, LLC daniel@lifesciadvisors.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Liz Melone

Founder & Principal

Melone Communications, LLC

Liz@melonecomm.com

FAQ

What role did Corbus Pharmaceuticals (CRBP) appoint Leonardo Viana Nicacio to?

Corbus Pharmaceuticals appointed Leonardo Viana Nicacio, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer. He will oversee clinical development across the company’s oncology and obesity programs, including CRB-701 in oropharyngeal and cervical cancers and CRB-913 in obesity, bringing extensive antibody drug conjugate and solid tumor experience.

What are the key compensation terms in Dr. Nicacio’s Corbus (CRBP) employment agreement?

Dr. Nicacio receives a $545,000 annual base salary, a target bonus up to 40% of salary, and equity awards valued at $2.1 million. About 75% is in stock options and 25% in restricted stock units, each with multi-year vesting schedules tied to continued employment.

What severance protections does Corbus (CRBP) provide to Dr. Nicacio?

The agreement provides up to 12 months of base salary and COBRA reimbursement if he is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, increasing to 18 months during a defined change in control period, plus accelerated vesting and a target bonus in that scenario, subject to a release and covenants.

What is the TEMPO-1 trial of CRB-701 that Corbus (CRBP) plans to start?

TEMPO-1 is a planned registrational randomized controlled study of CRB-701 in second-line oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, enrolling about 250 patients. It will compare CRB-701 to investigator’s choice monotherapy with overall response rate as the primary endpoint for potential accelerated approval.

When does Corbus Pharmaceuticals (CRBP) expect key CRB-913 obesity data?

Corbus expects topline results from the CANYON-1 Phase 1b, 16-week, 240-patient dose-ranging study of CRB-913 in obesity in late summer 2026. The trial is designed to evaluate weight-loss effects and dose selection for this once-daily, highly peripherally restricted oral CB1 inverse agonist.

What regulatory status does CRB-701 have in oncology indications for Corbus (CRBP)?

CRB-701 has received two Fast Track designations from the FDA in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and cervical cancer. Fast Track status is intended to facilitate development and review of drugs targeting serious conditions with potential to address unmet medical needs.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 25.6 KB

Agreements & Contracts

• EX-10.1 EX-10.1 235.4 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA WITH EMBEDDED LINKBASES DOCUMENT 30.5 KB