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Kiniksa (NASDAQ: KNSA) CSO Tessari resigns, signs $450/hour consulting deal

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

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc reported that Chief Strategy Officer Eben Tessari has decided to resign to pursue another executive role in the life sciences industry. He will leave his officer role on May 15, 2026, but will continue supporting the company as a consultant.

Under a new Consulting Agreement effective May 15, 2026, Tessari will advise on strategic and operational matters and serve as a special advisor to the Science and Research Committee through May 15, 2027, with an option to renew. He will be paid $450 per hour, up to 20 hours per month, plus approved expenses. The company states his resignation is not due to any disagreement regarding its operations, policies, or practices.

Positive

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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Officer departure date May 15, 2026 Date Eben Tessari leaves Chief Strategy Officer role
Consulting term start May 15, 2026 Effective date of Consulting Agreement
Consulting term end May 15, 2027 Scheduled end of initial consulting term
Hourly consulting rate $450 per hour Compensation for consulting services
Monthly hour cap 20 hours per month Maximum billable consulting hours
Consulting Agreement financial
"Pursuant to a Consulting Agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) between Mr. Tessari and the Company"
Emerging growth company regulatory
"Emerging growth company"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
Item 5.02 regulatory
"Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors"
Science and Research Committee other
"serve as a special advisor to the Company’s Science and Research Committee"
0001730430false00017304302026-04-302026-04-30

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): April 30, 2026

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

England and Wales

  ​ ​ ​

001-730430

  ​ ​ ​

98-1795578

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(Commission
File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

105 Piccadilly, Second Floor

London, W1J 7NJ

England, United Kingdom
(781) 431-9100

(Address, zip code and telephone number, including area code of principal executive offices)

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals Corp.

100 Hayden Avenue

Lexington, MA, 02421

(781) 431-9100

(Address, zip code and telephone number, including area code of agent for service)

N/A

(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

Class A Ordinary Shares $0.000273235 nominal value

KNSA

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

(Nasdaq Global Select 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 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. 

On April 30, 2026, Eben Tessari informed Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc (the “Company”) of his decision to resign as Chief Strategy Officer of the Company to pursue another executive position within the life sciences industry. Mr. Tessari will leave the Company on May 15, 2026 and will become a consultant to the Company and an advisor to its Science and Research Committee. Mr. Tessari’s decision to resign was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices.

Pursuant to a Consulting Agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) between Mr. Tessari and the Company, which will be effective as of May 15, 2026, Mr. Tessari will: (i) provide services to the Company related to strategic and operational matters and (ii) serve as a special advisor to the Company’s Science and Research Committee (together, the “Services”). The Consulting Agreement will have a term commencing on May 15, 2026 and ending on May 15, 2027, and may be renewed on the same terms and conditions for an additional one-year period if mutually agreed upon by the parties. The Consulting Agreement may be terminated by the Company or Mr. Tessari with prior written notice to the other party.

Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Tessari will receive compensation of $450 per hour of Services performed, up to 20 hours per month, as well as reimbursement for reasonable pre-approved travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing the Services.

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.

KINIKSA PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, PLC

Date: May 1, 2026

By:

/s/ Douglas Barry

Douglas Barry

Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer

FAQ

Why did Kiniksa (KNSA) Chief Strategy Officer Eben Tessari resign?

Eben Tessari resigned as Chief Strategy Officer to pursue another executive position in the life sciences industry. Kiniksa states his decision was not due to any disagreement regarding the company’s operations, policies, or practices, indicating an amicable and planned leadership transition rather than a conflict-driven departure.

When is Eben Tessari leaving his officer role at Kiniksa (KNSA)?

Eben Tessari will leave his position as Chief Strategy Officer on May 15, 2026. After stepping down from the executive role, he will continue working with Kiniksa as a consultant and special advisor to the Science and Research Committee under a defined one-year Consulting Agreement.

What are the main terms of Eben Tessari’s consulting agreement with Kiniksa (KNSA)?

The Consulting Agreement starts May 15, 2026 and ends May 15, 2027. Tessari will provide strategic and operational services and advise the Science and Research Committee, earning $450 per hour for up to 20 hours per month, plus reimbursement of reasonable pre-approved travel and out-of-pocket expenses.

Can Kiniksa (KNSA) or Eben Tessari terminate the consulting arrangement early?

Yes. The Consulting Agreement may be terminated by either Kiniksa or Eben Tessari upon prior written notice to the other party. This provides flexibility for both sides if circumstances change during the one-year term or any mutually agreed renewal period after May 15, 2027.

Is Eben Tessari’s consulting agreement with Kiniksa (KNSA) renewable?

The Consulting Agreement runs from May 15, 2026 to May 15, 2027 and may be renewed for an additional one-year period. Any renewal must be mutually agreed upon by both Kiniksa and Tessari, and would continue on the same terms and conditions specified in the current agreement.

What compensation will Kiniksa (KNSA) pay Eben Tessari as a consultant?

Kiniksa will pay Eben Tessari $450 per hour for consulting services, capped at 20 hours per month. He will also receive reimbursement for reasonable, pre-approved travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred while performing strategic, operational, and advisory services for the company and its Science and Research Committee.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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