[8-K] Generation Bio Co. Reports Material Event

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Generation Bio Co. announced leadership changes. Geoff McDonough, M.D. will resign as Chief Executive Officer effective October 31, 2025, and will become chairman of the Board. Under a separation agreement, he will receive cash severance of approximately $700,000, a payment in lieu of bonus of approximately $300,000 for 2025, up to 12 months of healthcare coverage, and 25% acceleration of his outstanding unvested equity awards. He will also receive a $70,000 bonus related to the company’s strategic alternatives review.

The company plans to engage Dr. McDonough as a consultant through October 31, 2026 at $500 per hour, with continued equity vesting during consulting. The Board elected Yalonda Howze as Interim CEO and President, with a $575,000 base salary and a target bonus set at 50% of base, plus specified severance protections, including enhanced benefits upon a change in control. Consulting agreements are also expected with COO Antoinette Paone ($360/hour) and CSO Phillip Samayoa ($400/hour) through October 31, 2026, with continued equity vesting.

Insights

Governance & Compensation Analyst

CEO transition with defined severance and interim leadership.

Generation Bio is transitioning its CEO role on October 31, 2025. The outgoing CEO receives severance of $700,000, a prorated 2025 bonus of $300,000, healthcare for up to 12 months, and 25% equity vesting acceleration. He remains Board chair and will consult at $500/hour through October 31, 2026.

Yalonda Howze becomes Interim CEO with a base salary of $575,000 and a 50% target bonus. Her severance terms include 12 months’ salary and COBRA, or enhanced benefits—18 months’ salary, COBRA up to 18 months, a cash bonus at 150% of target, and full equity vesting—if terminated without cause within one year after a change in control.

The company also plans consulting arrangements with the COO and CSO at $360/hour and $400/hour through October 31, 2026. Actual impact depends on execution under interim leadership and any outcomes from the strategic review.

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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): October 21, 2025

Generation Bio Co.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

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Delaware		001-39319		81-4301284
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	​	(Commission File Number)	​	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

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301 Binney Street Cambridge, MA		02142
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	​	(Zip Code)

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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 655-7500

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):

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☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

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☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

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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))

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

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Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share	​	GBIO	​	Nasdaq Global Select Market

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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. ☐

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

Departure of Geoff McDonough, Chief Executive Officer

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On October 21, 2025, Generation Bio Co. (the “Company”) and Geoff McDonough, M.D. agreed that Dr. McDonough would resign from the Company and cease to serve as Chief Executive Officer, effective as of October 31, 2025 (the “Effective Date”).  In connection with the termination of his employment, the Company expects to enter into a separation agreement with Dr. McDonough (the “McDonough Separation Agreement”).

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Pursuant to the McDonough Separation Agreement, the Company will agree to provide Dr. McDonough with separation benefits pursuant to his Severance Plan Benefit Agreement consisting of (i) cash severance of approximately $700,000, which is an amount equal to 12 months of his base salary in effect on the Effective Date, less applicable taxes and withholdings, payable in a lump sum following the effectiveness of the McDonough Separation Agreement, (ii) payment in lieu of bonus of approximately $300,000, which is an amount representing a prorated bonus amount for the 2025 fiscal year based on 100% achievement of the Company’s goals; (iii) healthcare coverage for up to 12 months to the extent he is eligible for and elects such coverage; and (iv) acceleration of vesting as to 25% of his outstanding unvested equity awards as of the Effective Date. In addition, he will be awarded a bonus of approximately $70,000 for the time he remained employed with the Company following the August 12, 2025 announcement of the Company’s engaging in a strategic alternatives review process. The McDonough Separation Agreement will also include a general release of claims by Dr. McDonough and Dr. McDonough’s rights to these benefits would be subject to his execution and non-revocation of the McDonough Separation Agreement with such release.

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Dr. McDonough will continue to serve as director of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and effective as of the Effective Date will also serve as the chairman of the Board. Following the termination of his employment, Dr. McDonough will receive compensation as a non-employee director in accordance with the Company’s non-employee director compensation program.

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Concurrent with entering into the McDonough Separation Agreement, the Company plans to enter into a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Dr. McDonough, pursuant to which Dr. McDonough will agree to provide advisory and other consulting services to the Company following the Effective Date until October 31, 2026, subject to earlier termination by either party. The Company expects that it will pay Dr. McDonough an hourly consulting fee equal to $500 per hour for his services and any unvested equity will continue to vest under the Consulting Agreement.

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The foregoing descriptions of the McDonough Separation Agreement and the Consulting Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the McDonough Separation Agreement and the Consulting Agreement, copies of which the Company intends to file as exhibits to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.

Election of Yalonda Howze as Interim Chief Executive Officer and President

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On October 21, 2025, the Board elected Yalonda Howze to serve as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and President, effective as of the Effective Date.

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Prior to being appointed as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and President, Ms. Howze served as the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. Information regarding Ms. Howze’s background and business experience is set forth under the caption “Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2024 and is incorporated herein by reference.

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In connection with her election as Chief Executive Officer and President, Ms. Howze will receive an annual base salary of $575,000 and her annual target bonus will be 50% of her annual base salary, prorated for 2025. Further, the Company expects to amend her Severance Plan Benefit Agreement to provide that if her employment is terminated by the Company without cause prior to or more than 12 months following a change in control, as defined in the agreement, the Company will pay her a lump sum equal to 12 months of her then-current base salary and will pay premiums for continuation of health coverage under COBRA for up to 12 months. In addition, the amended Severance Plan Benefit Agreement will provide for a lump sum cash bonus payment determined by reference to Ms. Howze’s target annual cash incentive for the year in which her termination of employment occurs and based on the Company’s and her performance

for such year, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, and prorated based on the number of days she was actually employed for the year in which her termination occurs. If Ms. Howze’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause within one year following a change in control, the amended Severance Plan Benefit Agreement will provide for payment of a lump sum amount equal to 18 months of her then-current base salary; payment of premiums for continuation of health coverage under COBRA for up to 18 months; a lump sum cash bonus payment equal to 150% of her target annual cash incentive for the year in which her employment is terminated; and full acceleration of the vesting of any of her outstanding equity grants.

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The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Ms. Howze’s Promotion Letter, a copy of which the Company intends to file as an exhibit to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.

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Consulting Agreements with Executive Officers

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As previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2025, the Company agreed with each of Antoinette Paone, our Chief Operating Officer, and Phillip Samayoa, our Chief Scientific Officer, that their employment will terminate effective as of the Effective Date. The Company expects to enter into a consulting agreement with each of Ms. Paone and Dr. Samayoa pursuant to which Ms. Paone and Dr. Samayoa will agree to provide advisory and other consulting services to the Company following the Effective Date until October 31, 2026. The Company expects that it will pay Ms. Paone and Dr. Samayoa an hourly consulting fee equal to $360 and $400 per hour, respectively, for their services and any of their unvested equity will continue to vest under the consulting agreements.

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Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release Issued by Generation Bio Co. on October 22, 2025.
104	​	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

​	GENERATION BIO CO.
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Date: October 22, 2025	By:	/s/ Geoff McDonough
​	​	Name: Geoff McDonough, M.D.
​	​	Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

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FAQ

What leadership changes did GBIO announce?

Geoff McDonough, M.D. will resign as CEO effective October 31, 2025, remain as Board chairman, and Yalonda Howze was elected Interim CEO and President.

What are the key severance terms for GBIO’s outgoing CEO?

He is to receive $700,000 cash severance, a $300,000 prorated 2025 bonus, up to 12 months healthcare coverage, and 25% acceleration of unvested equity.

Will GBIO’s former CEO continue working with the company?

Yes. He will consult through October 31, 2026 at $500 per hour, with continued equity vesting during the consulting period.

What compensation was disclosed for GBIO’s Interim CEO, Yalonda Howze?

Her annual base salary is $575,000 with a target bonus of 50% of base, plus severance protections that increase upon a change in control.

What change-in-control protections apply to GBIO’s Interim CEO?

If terminated without cause within one year after a change in control: 18 months base salary, COBRA up to 18 months, 150% of target cash bonus, and full equity vesting.

What consulting arrangements involve other GBIO executives?

COO Antoinette Paone and CSO Phillip Samayoa will consult through October 31, 2026 at $360/hour and $400/hour, with continued equity vesting.