Prelude Therapeutics hires new Chief Medical Officer

Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated appointed Dr. Charles Morris as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, effective April 20, 2026.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated appointed Dr. Charles Morris as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, effective April 20, 2026. He brings over 30 years of oncology drug development experience, including prior CMO roles at Lava Therapeutics, Celyad Oncology, Radius Health, ImmunoGen and Allos Therapeutics.

Under his employment agreement, Dr. Morris will receive a $535,000 initial annual base salary, a discretionary target bonus up to 40% of base salary, and an option to purchase 450,000 shares of common stock vesting over four years. If his employment is terminated without Cause or he resigns for Good Reason, he is eligible for nine months of salary and healthcare premiums, increasing to 12 months of salary and healthcare, 100% of his target bonus, and full vesting of equity awards if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control.

The company describes itself as a clinical-stage precision oncology firm with programs in KAT6A degraders and JAK2V617F mutant-selective inhibitors, aiming to move two lead programs into clinical development in 2026.

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, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

Initial base salary: $535,000 per year Target bonus: Up to 40% of base salary Stock options granted: 450,000 shares +5 more

8 metrics

Initial base salary $535,000 per year Annual base salary in Dr. Morris’s employment agreement

Target bonus Up to 40% of base salary Annual discretionary bonus opportunity for CMO

Stock options granted 450,000 shares Option Award under 2020 Equity Incentive Plan

Initial vesting cliff 25% after 1 year One-year anniversary of April 20, 2026 appointment date

Ongoing vesting rate 1/48 per month Monthly vesting of remaining option shares after year one

Standard severance period 9 months Base salary and healthcare premiums after qualifying termination

Change in Control severance 12 months + 100% target bonus Benefits if terminated within 12 months after Change in Control

Healthcare coverage duration (CIC) Up to 12 months Premium payments after qualifying Change in Control termination

Key Terms

Change in Control, Good Reason, KAT6A degraders, JAK2V617F mutant selective inhibitors, +2 more

6 terms

Change in Control financial

"during the 12-month period following a "Change in Control", then in lieu of the foregoing"

A "change in control" occurs when the ownership or management of a company shifts significantly, such as through a merger, acquisition, or sale of a large part of its assets. This change can impact how the company is run and may influence its future direction. For investors, it matters because it can affect the company's stability, strategy, and value, often signaling potential changes in investment risk or opportunity.

Good Reason financial

"he resigns for “Good Reason” (each as defined in the Employment Agreement)"

KAT6A degraders technical

"Its pipeline features highly selective KAT6A degraders and JAK2V617F mutant selective inhibitors"

KAT6A degraders are drug candidates that bind the KAT6A protein—a cellular enzyme that helps switch genes on—and mark it for destruction by the cell’s natural recycling machinery. For investors, they matter because removing a problematic protein can be a more decisive way to stop disease processes (think pulling a broken part out of a machine rather than just turning it off), which can translate into new treatments, clinical trial value, and potential commercial upside if safety and effectiveness are proven.

JAK2V617F mutant selective inhibitors technical

"KAT6A degraders and JAK2V617F mutant selective inhibitors -- new approaches"

A class of drugs that specifically block the activity of the JAK2 protein carrying the V617F mutation, a faulty switch that drives abnormal blood cell growth in certain blood cancers. By targeting the mutant form while sparing the normal protein, these inhibitors aim to control disease with fewer side effects—like fixing a single bad fuse instead of shutting down the whole circuit. For investors, they matter because successful development or approval can change treatment standards and create substantial commercial and clinical value.

degrader antibody conjugates (DACs) technical

"to create and develop next generation degrader antibody conjugates (DACs) with novel payloads"

Degrader antibody conjugates (DACs) are engineered molecules that pair an antibody’s ability to find a specific cell or protein with a linked agent that triggers that target’s destruction inside the cell, rather than just blocking it. Like a guided removal crew that locates and disposes of a faulty part, DACs can tackle disease-causing proteins that are hard to drug, which can create significant therapeutic upside and development risk for investors.

precision oncology medical

"a clinical-stage precision oncology company, today announced that Dr. Charles Morris"

Precision oncology uses detailed biological information from a patient’s tumor—like genetic changes or specific markers—to choose treatments most likely to work for that individual, much like tailoring a suit to a person’s measurements instead of selling one-size-fits-all clothing. It matters to investors because these targeted approaches can improve treatment success, support premium pricing and companion diagnostic tests, and shorten development and approval timelines, creating focused markets with both higher potential returns and specialized risks.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Prelude Therapeutics (PRLD) announce in this 8-K filing?

Prelude Therapeutics announced the appointment of Dr. Charles Morris as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, effective April 20, 2026. The filing outlines his background, compensation terms, equity awards, and severance protections, and reiterates the company’s focus on precision oncology programs.

What are the key compensation terms for PRLD’s new Chief Medical Officer?

Dr. Morris will receive an initial annual base salary of $535,000 and a discretionary annual bonus up to 40% of that salary. He is also granted an option to purchase 450,000 shares of Prelude Therapeutics common stock, vesting over four years from his appointment date.

How do Dr. Morris’s stock options at Prelude Therapeutics vest?

The option to purchase 450,000 shares vests 25% on the one-year anniversary of his April 20, 2026 appointment date. The remaining 75% vests in equal monthly installments over the following three years, aligning his long-term incentives with the company’s ongoing development progress.

What severance protections does PRLD provide to its new Chief Medical Officer?

If Dr. Morris is terminated without Cause or resigns for Good Reason, he is entitled to nine months of base salary and healthcare premiums. If this occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, severance increases to 12 months of salary, 100% of target bonus, healthcare premiums, and full equity vesting.

What is Prelude Therapeutics’ clinical focus as described alongside the CMO appointment?

Prelude Therapeutics describes itself as a clinical-stage precision oncology company. Its pipeline includes highly selective KAT6A degraders, JAK2V617F mutant-selective inhibitors, and next-generation degrader antibody conjugates, with two lead programs expected to enter clinical development in 2026 targeting myeloproliferative neoplasms and ER+ breast cancer.

What experience does Dr. Charles Morris bring to Prelude Therapeutics (PRLD)?

Dr. Morris is a medical oncologist with over 30 years of oncology drug development experience. He has held Chief Medical Officer roles at Lava Therapeutics, Celyad Oncology, Radius Health, ImmunoGen, and Allos Therapeutics, contributing to multiple cancer drug approvals across solid and hematologic tumor indications.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 04/15/2026 - 07:41 AM EDT Learn about SEC filing dates

0001678660false00016786602026-04-152026-04-15

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 15, 2026

Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware		001-39527				81-1384762
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(Commission File Number)				(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
175 Innovation Boulevard Wilmington, Delaware				19805
(Address of principal executive offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (302) 467-1280

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:

☐ 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		PRLD		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.

(c)

On April 15, 2026 Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated, (the “Company”) announced that the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) appointed Charles Q. Morris, M.D., age 61, as the Chief Medical Officer of the Company, effective on April 20, 2026 (the “Appointment Date”).

Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Morris served as Chief Medical Officer at Lava Therapeutics N.V. from February 2023 until its acquisition by XOMA Royalty in October 2025. Previously, he was Chief Medical Officer at Celyad Oncology from April 2021 to January 2023 and Radius Health from September 2018 to December 2020. Dr. Morris received his Degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Sheffield University Medical School, a Bachelor of Medical Science in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics from Sheffield University Medical School, and is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians of London.

In connection with Dr. Morris’ appointment as Chief Medical Officer, the Compensation Committee of the Board approved the Company’s entry into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Dr. Morris, which includes the following terms: (i) an initial annual base salary of $535,000 per year (the “Initial Base Salary”), (ii) an annual discretionary bonus of up to 40% of the Initial Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), (iii) an option to purchase up to 450,000 shares of Company’s common stock (the “Option Award”) under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan with 1/4th of the shares underlying the Option Award vesting and becoming exercisable on the one-year anniversary of the Appointment Date, and 1/48th of the shares underlying the Option Award vesting and becoming exercisable on a monthly basis thereafter. Additionally, in the event Dr. Morris experiences a termination of his employment without “Cause” or he resigns for “Good Reason” (each as defined in the Employment Agreement), provided that he executes and makes effective a release of claims against the Company and its affiliates, Dr. Morris will become entitled to (i) continued base salary for nine months, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and (ii) premium payments for continued healthcare coverage for up to nine months. In the event Dr. Morris experiences a termination without “Cause” or he resigns for “Good Reason” during the 12-month period following a "Change in Control", then in lieu of the foregoing, Dr. Morris would become entitled to (i) continued base salary for 12 months, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices; (ii) 100% of his annual Target Bonus; (iii) premium payments for continued healthcare coverage for up to 12 months; and (iv) 100% accelerated vesting his then-outstanding equity awards.

The foregoing summary of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the Employment Agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2026.

The Company expects to enter into its standard form of indemnification agreement for directors and executive officers with Dr. Morris. The form of the indemnification agreement was previously filed by the Company as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 4, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Morris and any other persons, pursuant to which he was appointed as Chief Medical Officer, no family relationships among any of the Company’s directors or executive officers and Dr. Morris and he has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press Release dated April 15, 2026
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document)

SIGNATURE

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.

	PRELUDE THERAPEUTICS INCORPORATED
Date: April 15, 2026	By:	/s/ Bryant Lim
		Bryant Lim
		Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Prelude Therapeutics Announces the Appointment of Charles Morris, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer

WILMINGTON, Del., Apr. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated (Nasdaq: PRLD) (“Prelude Therapeutics” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage precision oncology company, today announced that Dr. Charles Morris will join the Company as Chief Medical Officer effective, April 20, 2026.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Charles Morris to Prelude Therapeutics as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.” stated Kris Vaddi, Chief Executive Officer of Prelude Therapeutics. “With our two lead programs targeting myeloproliferative neoplasms and ER+ breast cancer advancing expected to enter into clinical development in 2026, Dr. Morris’s deep clinical experience, track record of developing successful oncology medicines and proven leadership will be instrumental in ensuring we execute these programs with both rigor and strategic insight.”

“I am excited to join Prelude Therapeutics at this important point in its evolution to help advance its innovative pipeline of novel cancer therapeutics,” stated Charles Morris, MCChB, MRCP, Chief Medical Officer of Prelude Therapeutics. “With the strong science and thorough understanding of the unmet needs that have driven these programs, I see a real opportunity to make an important difference for patients.”

Dr. Morris is a medical oncologist with over 30 years of oncology drug development experience working with global biotech and pharmaceutical companies and managing multiple drug approvals. Most recently, he served as Chief Medical Officer at Lava Therapeutics. Prior to Lava Therapeutics, Dr. Morris served as Chief Medical Officer for Celyad Oncology, Radius Health, where he contributed to the development of ONSERDU (elacestrant) for breast cancer ImmunoGen – advancing ELAHERE (mirvetuximab soravtansine) for ovarian cancer and Allos Therapeutics, where he contributed to all phases of development for solid and hematological tumor indications. He began his career at AstraZeneca and held roles of increasing responsibility including global medical lead for Faslodex® (fulvestrant) which he helped manage through its approval for HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer.

Dr. Morris holds his medical degree and Bachelor of Medical Science in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics from Sheffield University Medical School in the United Kingdom and is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians of London.

About Prelude Therapeutics

Prelude Therapeutics is a leading clinical-stage precision oncology company developing innovative medicines in areas of high unmet need for cancer patients. Its pipeline features highly

Exhibit 99.1

selective KAT6A degraders and JAK2V617F mutant selective inhibitors -- new approaches to clinically validated targets with transformative potential for patients. Prelude Therapeutics is leveraging its expertise in targeted protein degradation to create and develop next generation degrader antibody conjugates (DACs) with novel payloads. Prelude Therapeutics is on a mission to extend the promise of precision medicine to every cancer patient in need. For more information, visit www.preludetx.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, anticipated discovery, preclinical and clinical development activities for Prelude’s product candidates, the potential safety, efficacy, benefits and addressable market for Prelude’s product candidates, the expected timeline for clinical trial results for Prelude’s product candidates, and the expected timeline for entering into clinical development for its two lead programs. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “potential,” “likely,” “projects,” “continue,” “will,” “schedule,” and “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are predictions based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events and various assumptions. Although Prelude believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Prelude cannot guarantee future events, results, actions, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and the timing and results of biotechnology development and potential regulatory approval is inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause Prelude's actual activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including risks and uncertainties related to Prelude's ability to advance its product candidates, the receipt and timing of potential regulatory designations, approvals and commercialization of product candidates, clinical trial sites and our ability to enroll eligible patients, supply chain and manufacturing facilities, Prelude’s ability to maintain and recognize the benefits of certain designations received by product candidates, the timing and results of preclinical and clinical trials, Prelude's ability to fund development activities and achieve development goals, Prelude's ability to protect intellectual property, and other risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in Prelude’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents that Prelude files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Prelude undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as may be required by law.

Investor Contact: Robert A. Doody, Jr. Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated

484.639.7235

rdoody@preludetx.com

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

2 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 19.2 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA WITH EMBEDDED LINKBASES DOCUMENT 30.1 KB