Lexeo Therapeutics (NASDAQ: LXEO) installs new COO and CMO

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Lexeo Therapeutics, Inc. reported senior leadership changes, adding operational and medical depth to its management team. The board appointed Jose Manuel Otero, Ph.D., the current Chief Technical Officer, as Chief Operating Officer effective January 2, 2026, with an approved annual base salary of $510,000. The company states there are no special arrangements, family relationships, or related-party transactions tied to his appointment.

Lexeo also appointed Narinder P. Bhalla, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer effective January 20, 2026, succeeding Eric Adler, M.D., the Company’s Head of Research. Dr. Adler will no longer be an executive officer as of January 27, 2026, and will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Myoventive, Inc. while remaining a senior clinical and scientific advisor to Lexeo.

Insights

Biotech corporate governance analyst

Lexeo refreshes its operating and medical leadership without signaling strategic upheaval.

Lexeo Therapeutics is consolidating operations under a newly appointed Chief Operating Officer while bringing in a dedicated Chief Medical Officer. Elevating Jose Manuel Otero, Ph.D., from Chief Technical Officer to COO effective January 2, 2026 formalizes his role in running day-to-day activities, with an annual base salary of $510,000, which indicates a senior executive scope but not an outlier package for this level.

The appointment of Narinder P. Bhalla, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer effective January 20, 2026 clarifies clinical leadership as Eric Adler, M.D., transitions to lead Myoventive, Inc. Dr. Adler’s move out of executive officer status on January 27, 2026 but continued role as senior clinical and scientific advisor suggests knowledge continuity even as he focuses on the co-founded cardiac precision medicines company. Overall, these changes look like an evolution of management structure rather than a disruptive reset.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

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.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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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): January 27, 2026

Lexeo Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware			001-41855	85-4012572
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
345 Park Avenue South, Floor 6
New York, New York				10010
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 212 547-9879

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
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share		LXEO		Nasdaq Global 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.

Appointment of Chief Operating Officer

On January 27, 2026, Lexeo Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) appointed Jose Manuel Otero, Ph.D., the Company’s current Chief Technical Officer, to serve as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective as of January 2, 2026.

For Dr. Otero’s biographical information, see the disclosure included under the heading “Executive Officers” included in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 28, 2025, which disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Otero and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed to serve as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Otero does not have any family relationship with any director or other executive officer of the Company, or any person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer. Dr. Otero has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In connection with Dr. Otero’s appointment, the compensation committee of the Board approved a new annual base salary for Dr. Otero of $510,000 per annum. Dr. Otero is otherwise continuing under the terms of his existing compensation arrangement with the Company. Dr. Otero has previously entered into the Company’s standard form of indemnification agreement for officers and directors, a copy of which has been filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-274777) filed with the SEC on September 29, 2023.

Chief Medical Officer Transition

On January 27, 2026, the Company announced that the Board appointed Narinder P. Bhalla, M.D., to serve as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer, effective as of January 20, 2026. Dr. Bhalla succeeds Eric Adler, M.D., the Company’s Head of Research. Dr. Adler will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Myoventive, Inc., a cardiac precision medicines company that was co-founded in June 2025 by the Company, Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Funds and venBio Partners. Effective on January 27, 2026, Dr. Adler will no longer be an executive officer of the Company within the meaning of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. He will remain a senior clinical and scientific advisor to the Company.

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.

			Lexeo Therapeutics, Inc.
Date:	January 27, 2026	By:	/s/ R. Nolan Townsend
			R. Nolan Townsend, Chief Executive Officer

FAQ

What leadership changes did Lexeo Therapeutics (LXEO) announce?

Lexeo Therapeutics announced that its board appointed Jose Manuel Otero, Ph.D., as Chief Operating Officer effective January 2, 2026, and Narinder P. Bhalla, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer effective January 20, 2026.

What is the new salary for Lexeo Therapeutics COO Jose Manuel Otero?

In connection with his appointment as Chief Operating Officer, Lexeo Therapeutics set Jose Manuel Otero’s annual base salary at $510,000 per year.

Does Jose Manuel Otero have related-party or family ties to Lexeo leadership?

Lexeo states there are no arrangements or understandings behind Jose Manuel Otero’s appointment, he has no family relationship with any director or executive officer, and he has no material interest in transactions reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Who is replacing Eric Adler, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer at Lexeo Therapeutics (LXEO)?

Lexeo appointed Narinder P. Bhalla, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer, effective January 20, 2026, succeeding Eric Adler, M.D., who is the Company’s Head of Research.

What is Eric Adler, M.D.’s new role after leaving Lexeo executive management?

Effective January 27, 2026, Eric Adler, M.D., will no longer be an executive officer of Lexeo. He will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Myoventive, Inc. and remain a senior clinical and scientific advisor to Lexeo.

Is Narinder P. Bhalla’s biographical information included in this Lexeo 8-K filing?

Detailed biographical information is not repeated here; the company incorporates it by reference to the Executive Officers section of its Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 28, 2025.