New MaxCyte (NASDAQ: MXCT) CFO Parmeet Ahuja joins from Agilent

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

MaxCyte, Inc. has appointed Parmeet Ahuja as Chief Financial Officer and principal accounting officer, effective March 30, 2026, succeeding Douglas Swirsky following a previously announced transition. Ahuja brings over 20 years of finance leadership experience from Agilent Technologies, including roles in investor relations, FP&A, operations and global financial operations.

Ahuja will receive an annual base salary of $450,000, with a target annual cash bonus equal to 50% of base salary. As an inducement to join, he will be granted a nonqualified stock option for 375,000 shares of common stock and a restricted stock unit award covering 187,500 shares. A severance agreement is expected, providing salary continuation, bonus, COBRA coverage and equity vesting acceleration if he is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, with enhanced benefits in connection with a change of control.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 5.02, 9.01

2 items

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.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

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

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 23, 2026

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MaxCyte, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Delaware	​ ​ ​	001-40674	​ ​ ​	52-2210438
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	​	(Commission File Number)	​	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

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9713 Key West Avenue, Suite 400

Rockville, Maryland 20850

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

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(301) 944-1700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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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:

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☐ 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))

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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, $0.01 par value	​	MXCT	​	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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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).

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Emerging growth company    ☒

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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 account 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.

Appointment of Parmeet Ahuja as Chief Financial Officer

On March 23, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of MaxCyte, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Parmeet Ahuja as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, effective March 30, 2026. Mr. Ahuja will also serve as the Company’s principal accounting officer. Mr. Ahuja succeeds Douglas Swirsky, who is transitioning from the role as previously announced in November 2025.

Prior to joining MaxCyte, Mr. Ahuja, 57, served as Vice President, Investor Relations of Agilent Technologies, Inc., a life sciences tools company, (“Agilent”) from August 2021 to October  2025, and previously served as Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis, Operations and Supply Chain at Agilent from July 2017 to July 2021.  Mr. Ahuja brings over 20 years of finance leadership experience across a global, publicly traded, life sciences organization. Previously, he held several leadership roles at Agilent in operational finance, financial planning and analysis, enterprise audit and controls, and global financial operations. Mr. Ahuja holds an MBA from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Delhi University. 

There are no family relationships between Mr. Ahuja and any director or executive officer of the Company and no transaction involving Mr. Ahuja that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Ahuja and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected to serve as the Company’s principal financial officer. 

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Mr. Ahuja will receive an annual base salary of $450,000 and will be eligible to receive an annual cash performance bonus with an initial target bonus percentage equal to 50% of his base salary. In connection with his employment, as an inducement for Mr. Ahuja to join the Company, Mr. Ahuja will be granted a nonqualified stock option to purchase 375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and a restricted stock unit award with respect to 187,500 shares of the Company’s common stock. 

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The Company expects to enter into the Company’s form of severance agreement with Mr. Ahuja. Under the form of severance agreement, if Mr. Ahuja is terminated by the Company other than for “cause” (as defined in the severance agreement), or if he resigns for “good reason” (as defined in the severance agreement), and if such termination or resignation occurs within three months prior or during the twelve month period ending on the anniversary of a “change of control” (as defined in the severance agreement), then Mr. Ahuja would be eligible to receive (i) payment of his monthly base salary (calculated as his total base salary during the 12-month period prior to his date of termination divided by 12) for the 12 months following his departure (less applicable tax withholdings), (ii) 100% of his “target bonus” (as defined in the severance agreement) (less applicable tax withholdings) paid in monthly installments over 12 months, (iii) COBRA premium coverage for up to 12 months, and (iv) full acceleration of the vesting of the unvested shares subject to his outstanding equity awards. If Mr. Ahuja is terminated by the Company other than for “cause,” or if he resigns for “good reason,” and if such termination or resignation occurs more than three months prior to a “change in control,” then Mr. Ahuja would be eligible to receive (i) payment of his monthly base salary (calculated as his total base salary during the 12-month period prior to his date of termination divided by 12) for the nine months following his departure (less any amounts paid to Mr. Ahuja during such nine-month period under the Company’s short-term or long-term disability plans, and less applicable tax withholdings) and (ii) COBRA premium coverage for up to nine months. 

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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

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(d) Exhibits

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Exhibit Number	​ ​ ​	Exhibit Description
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99.1	​	Press Release, dated March 23, 2026
104	​	Cover Page Interactive Data (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.

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​	MaxCyte, Inc.
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Dated: March 27, 2026	By:	/s/ Maher Masoud
​	​	Maher Masoud
​	​	Chief Executive Officer

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Exhibit 99.1

MaxCyte Appoints Parmeet Ahuja as Chief Financial Officer

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – MaxCyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: MXCT), a leading cell-engineering focused company providing enabling platform technologies to advance the discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation cell therapeutics, today announced that it has appointed Parmeet Ahuja as Chief Financial Officer, effective March 30, 2026. Mr. Ahuja succeeds Douglas Swirsky, who is transitioning from the role as previously announced in November 2025.

"Parmeet is an exceptionally talented finance leader whose experience and expertise position him well to strengthen MaxCyte’s financial operations," said Maher Masoud, Chief Executive Officer. "His deep background in financial operations, strategic FP&A, and investor relations, developed over more than two decades at Agilent, makes him well suited to support our next phase of growth. We are confident in Parmeet's ability to partner across our organization and further elevate finance's strategic role."

Mr. Ahuja brings over 20 years of finance leadership experience across a global, publicly traded, life sciences organization, most recently serving as Vice President, Investor Relations at Agilent Technologies, where he worked closely with senior leadership to help shape and communicate the company’s narrative to analysts and investors. Previously, he held several leadership roles at Agilent in operational finance, financial planning and analysis, enterprise audit and controls, and global financial operations. Mr. Ahuja holds an MBA in Finance from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Delhi University.

"I am honored to join MaxCyte at a pivotal moment in the company's trajectory,” said Parmeet Ahuja. “MaxCyte’s electroporation platform is transformative for the Cell and Gene Therapy industry, and I am excited to contribute to the company's continued success. I look forward to working with Maher and the entire MaxCyte team to strengthen our financial foundation, support disciplined execution, and advance the company's strategic priorities."

About MaxCyte

At MaxCyte®, we are committed to building better cells together. As a leading cell-engineering company, we are driving the discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation cell therapies. Our best-in-class Flow Electroporation® technology and SeQure DX™ gene editing risk assessment services enable precise, efficient and scalable cell engineering. Supported by expert scientific, technical and regulatory guidance, our platform empowers researchers from around the world to engineer diverse cell types and payloads, accelerating the development of safe and effective treatments for human health. For more than 25 years, we've been advancing cell engineering, shaping the future of medicine. Learn more at maxcyte.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

MaxCyte Contacts:

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Investor Relations

Gilmartin Group

David Deuchler, CFA

ir@maxcyte.com

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Media Contact

Oak Street Communications

Kristen White

+1 415-608-6060

kristen@oakstreetcommunications.com

FAQ

What does MaxCyte (MXCT) announce in this 8-K filing?

MaxCyte announces the appointment of Parmeet Ahuja as Chief Financial Officer and principal accounting officer, effective March 30, 2026. He replaces Douglas Swirsky and receives a defined compensation, equity, and severance package aligned with executive-level responsibilities.

Who is MaxCyte’s new CFO Parmeet Ahuja and what is his background?

Parmeet Ahuja is a seasoned finance leader with over 20 years at Agilent Technologies. He served as Vice President, Investor Relations, and previously led financial planning and analysis, operations, audit, controls, and global financial operations, with an MBA from San Jose State University and commerce degree from Delhi University.

What compensation will MaxCyte (MXCT) pay its new CFO Parmeet Ahuja?

Parmeet Ahuja will receive a base salary of $450,000 per year and an annual cash performance bonus targeted at 50% of base salary. This structure combines fixed pay with performance-linked incentive compensation typical for senior public-company finance executives.

What equity awards is MaxCyte granting to new CFO Parmeet Ahuja?

As an inducement to join, Ahuja will receive a nonqualified stock option to purchase 375,000 MaxCyte common shares and a restricted stock unit award for 187,500 shares. These equity grants are designed to align his incentives with long-term shareholder value.

What severance and change-of-control protections does MaxCyte’s CFO receive?

Under MaxCyte’s expected severance agreement, Ahuja may receive salary continuation, target bonus installments, up to 12 months of COBRA premiums, and full equity vesting acceleration if terminated without cause or for good reason around a change of control, with reduced benefits outside that window.

When does Parmeet Ahuja officially assume the CFO role at MaxCyte (MXCT)?

Parmeet Ahuja’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer and principal accounting officer becomes effective on March 30, 2026. Until then, he is transitioning into the role previously held by Douglas Swirsky, whose departure had been announced earlier.

Are there any related-party or conflict-of-interest concerns with MaxCyte’s new CFO?

The company states there are no family relationships between Ahuja and any directors or executive officers and no transactions requiring Item 404(a) disclosure. It also notes there are no arrangements or understandings with others under which he was selected.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 7.4 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 EX-101.SCH 2.6 KB
• EX-101 EX-101.LAB 16.2 KB
• EX-101 EX-101.PRE 10.5 KB