PetVivo appoints Michael Handley to board
PetVivo Holdings, Inc. (PETV) reported a Board change, with director Joseph Jasper resigning effective September 22, 2026, and life sciences executive Michael K. Handley appointed the same day to fill the resulting vacancy, keeping the Board at six directors.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
PetVivo Holdings, Inc. (PETV) reported a Board change, with director Joseph Jasper resigning effective September 22, 2026, and life sciences executive Michael K. Handley appointed the same day to fill the resulting vacancy, keeping the Board at six directors. The company states that Mr. Jasper’s resignation was not due to any disagreement regarding operations, policies or practices.
Mr. Handley brings more than 25 years of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device experience, including raising over $700 million in capital, supporting over 80 global product launches, and involvement in transactions exceeding $4 billion in aggregate value. He will initially serve as a non-employee director, receiving compensation consistent with other non-employee directors, prorated for his service period, and there are no related-party transactions or family relationships requiring disclosure.
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8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
emerging growth company regulatory
Regulation S-K regulatory
forward-looking statements regulatory
intra-articular injection medical
OsteoCushion technology medical
biomaterials medical
FAQ
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What Board change did PETV announce on September 22, 2026?
Did Joseph Jasper resign from PETV’s Board due to a disagreement?
Who is Michael K. Handley, the new PETV director, and what is his background?
How long will Michael K. Handley serve on the PETV Board?
How will PETV compensate Michael K. Handley for his Board service?
What is PetVivo Holdings, Inc. (PETV)’s business focus and lead product?
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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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.
Resignation of Joseph Jasper
Effective September 22, 2026, Joseph Jasper resigned as a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of PetVivo Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”). Mr. Jasper’s resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. The Board expresses its appreciation to Mr. Jasper for his leadership, guidance and contributions during his tenure on the Board.
Appointment of Michael K. Handley
Effective September 22, 2026, the Board appointed Michael K. Handley as a director of the Company to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Jasper’s resignation, thereby maintaining the size of the Board at six directors. Mr. Handley will serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
Mr. Handley is a life sciences executive and board director with more than 25 years of experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. He has raised more than $700 million in public and private capital, supported more than 80 global product launches, and led or contributed to transactions with an aggregate value exceeding $4 billion. His experience includes corporate strategy and governance, capital markets, investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, clinical development, regulatory affairs, commercialization and global operations.
Mr. Handley served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Valion Bio, Inc. from March to August 2026 and as its Chief Operating Officer and President of Statera Biopharma from February 2025 to March 2026. From July 2021 to February 2025, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Statera Biopharma, Inc. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Immune Therapeutics, Inc. from July 2019 to March 2020 and of Armis Biopharma from 2012 to 2018. Mr. Handley helped found Vessix Vascular, Inc. in 2011 and served as its Vice President of Clinical, Quality and Regulatory until its acquisition by Boston Scientific Corporation in 2012. He also served as Global Head of Regulatory at Acclarent, Inc. and held senior executive positions at Spectranetics Corporation, Accelapure Corporation, Genentech, Inc., Amgen Inc. and Gliatech Inc.
Mr. Handley graduated cum laude from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Physiology and minors in Chemistry and Neuroanatomy. He attended the Executive MBA program at Pepperdine University and completed the Global C-Suite Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He has served on corporate and nonprofit boards, taught in Colorado State University’s Regulatory Affairs Program, lectured at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, and is an inventor and author of issued patents, published patent applications and peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Mr. Handley’s extensive life sciences leadership experience, together with his background in capital raising, strategic transactions, regulatory affairs and commercialization, were material factors in the Board’s determination that he is qualified to serve as a director of the Company.
Mr. Handley will initially serve as a non-employee director and receive compensation consistent with that of the Company’s other non-employee directors, prorated for his period of service. The Company’s non-employee director compensation program is described in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2025. His compensation for Board service may be adjusted by the Board in connection with any subsequent employment by the Company or one of its subsidiaries.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Handley and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected as a director of the Company and there are no transactions or proposed transactions in which Mr. Handley has a direct or indirect interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K or Item 5.02(d) of Form 8-K. Mr. Handley does not have any family relationship with any of the Company’s directors or executive officers or any persons nominated or chosen by the Company to be a director or executive officer.
At this time, Mr. Handley has not been appointed to any committees.
The press release announcing his appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| (d) | Exhibits. | |
99.1 |
Press Release dated September 22, 2026 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| PETVIVO HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| Date: September 22, 2026 | By: | /s/ John Lai |
| Name: | John Lai | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Exhibit 99.1
5151 Edina Industrial Blvd., Suite 575, Minneapolis, MN 55439 | (952) 405-6216 | www.petvivo.com
PRESS RELEASE:
Michael Handley Joins PetVivo Holdings, Inc. Board of Directors
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, US, September 22, 2026
— PetVivo Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: PETV) (the “Company”), together with its subsidiaries PetVivo Animal Health, Inc.,
Somatrix Technologies, Inc. and PetVivo AI, Inc., an emerging biomedical device company focused on the commercialization of innovative
medical devices and therapeutics for companion animals, today announced the appointment of Michael K. Handley to its Board of Directors,
effective September 22, 2026.
“We are pleased to welcome Michael Handley to PetVivo’s Board of Directors,” said John Lai, Chief Executive Officer of PetVivo Holdings, Inc. “Michael brings extensive experience in building life sciences companies, raising capital and guiding technologies through development and commercialization. His perspective across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices will be valuable as we work to expand adoption of our products, evaluate strategic opportunities and build long-term shareholder value.”
Mr. Handley is a life sciences executive and board director with more than 25 years of experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. He has raised more than $700 million in public and private capital, supported more than 80 global product launches, and led or contributed to transactions with an aggregate value exceeding $4 billion. His experience spans corporate strategy and governance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, clinical development, regulatory affairs and global commercialization.
Mr. Handley most recently served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Valion Bio, Inc. Previously, he was President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Statera Biopharma, Inc., and held chief executive and director roles at Immune Therapeutics, Corp and Armis Biopharma. He also helped found Vessix Vascular, Inc., where he served as Vice President of Clinical, Quality and Regulatory until its acquisition by Boston Scientific Corporation in 2012.
Mr. Handley graduated cum laude from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Physiology. He attended the Executive MBA program at Pepperdine University and completed the Global C-Suite Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
“I am excited to join PetVivo’s Board and work with John and the leadership team,” said Mr. Handley. “PetVivo’s focus on bringing innovative technologies to veterinary medicine, together with the potential to develop applications in human health, aligns closely with my experience in life sciences development and commercialization. I look forward to helping the Company evaluate growth opportunities, develop strategic relationships and advance its business in ways that support veterinarians, the animals they care for and, over time, potential human healthcare applications, while building long-term shareholder value.”
Mr. Handley fills the vacancy created by Joseph Jasper’s resignation, effective September 22, 2026. The Board thanks Mr. Jasper for his leadership, guidance and contributions during his tenure. Following these changes, the Board continues to consist of six directors.
About PetVivo Holdings, Inc.
PetVivo Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: PETV), together with its subsidiaries PetVivo Animal Health, Inc., Somatrix Technologies, Inc. and PetVivo AI, Inc., is an emerging biomedical device company focused on the development, manufacturing, commercialization and licensing of innovative medical devices, biomaterials and therapeutics for animal and human health. The Company’s strategy is to leverage its proprietary technologies, intellectual property and scientific expertise to develop and commercialize products addressing unmet needs across veterinary and human medicine.
PetVivo has a robust pipeline of products for the treatment of animals and people. A portfolio of twelve issued and pending patents and six trade secrets protect the Company’s biomaterials, products, production processes and methods of use. The Company’s lead product, SPRYNG® with OsteoCushion® technology, a veterinarian-administered, intra-articular injection for the management of lameness and other joint-related afflictions, including osteoarthritis, in cats, dogs and horses, is currently available for commercial sale.
Company Contact
John Lai, CEO
PetVivo Holdings, Inc.
Email Contact
Tel (952) 405-6216
Forward-Looking Statements
The foregoing information regarding PetVivo Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) may contain “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, each as amended. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, including without limitation the Company’s proposed development and commercial timelines, and can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “should,” “continue” or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future actions or performance. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and its current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect current plans. Risks concerning the Company’s business are described in detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2026 and other periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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