RCKT 8-K: Dr. Fong Joins Board; No Related‑Party Transactions Disclosed

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RCKT) disclosed the appointment of Dr. Fong to its board of directors in a current report. The filing states there are no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Fong and any other person regarding the appointment, no family relationships between Dr. Fong and company officers or directors, and no related person transactions as defined under Regulation S-K. The notice is brief and limited to governance disclosures; it confirms the director addition and the absence of conflicts or reportable transactions, giving investors a clear, administrative update on the board composition and compliance with related‑party disclosure rules.

Positive

• Board expanded with the appointment of Dr. Fong, increasing governance capacity
• Filing states no related person transactions, reducing immediate conflict-of-interest concerns

Negative

• None.

Insights

Corporate Governance Analyst

Board addition disclosed with clear conflict statements.

This 8‑K reports Dr. Fong joining the board and explicitly states there are no arrangements, no family relationships, and no related person transactions. That language is standard and intended to show compliance with disclosure rules.

For investors, the filing reduces uncertainty about potential conflicts tied to the new director; it does not, however, disclose Dr. Fong's background or committees, so material governance details remain limited.

Investor Relations Specialist

Administrative update with limited market impact.

The filing serves as a concise administrative disclosure confirming a board change and the absence of reportable related‑party matters. Because it contains no financial metrics, committee assignments, or strategic commentary, its direct impact on valuation or operations is likely minimal.

If elsewhere the company releases Dr. Fong's qualifications or role, that information would be the next material piece for investors.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 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):  September 23, 2025

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-36829	04-3475813
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

9 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, NJ		08512
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (646) 440-9100

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 (see General Instruction A.2):

☐
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, $0.01 par value		RCKT		The 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 Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On September 23, 2025, Dr. Gotham Makker resigned from the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company, effectively as of September 24, 2025.  Dr. Makker’s decision to resign from the Board did not involve any disagreement on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

On September 23, 2025, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, appointed Dr. Peter Fong, who currently serves as President of RTW Investments LP, to the Board, effective September 24, 2025.

Upon Dr. Fong's appointment to the Board, the Board granted Dr. Fong (i) 30,000 restricted stock units, which convert one-to-one to shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01, upon vesting ("RSUs" and such grant, the “First RSU Grant”) and (ii) 23,333 RSUs (the “Second RSU Grant”). The First RSU Grant will vest in equal monthly installments over a three-year period, and the Second RSU Grant will fully vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, in each case subject to Dr. Fong’s continued service on the Board.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Fong and any other person pursuant to which Dr. Fong was appointed as a member of the Board. There are no family relationships between Dr. Fong, on the one hand, and any director, executive officer or any other person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer, on the other. There are no related person transactions (within the meaning of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission) between Dr. Fong, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other.

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.

	Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Date: September 29, 2025	By:	/s/ Martin Wilson
		Martin Wilson
		General Counsel and Chief Corporate Officer, SVP

FAQ

What did Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) report in the 8-K?

The company reported the appointment of Dr. Fong to its board and disclosed there are no arrangements, no family relationships, and no related person transactions involving Dr. Fong.

Does the 8-K disclose any related party transactions for Dr. Fong?

No. The filing explicitly states there are no related person transactions between Dr. Fong and the company.

Are there family ties between Dr. Fong and Rocket's executives or directors?

No. The report states there are no family relationships between Dr. Fong and any director, executive officer, or nominee.

Does the filing describe Dr. Fong's role, committee assignments, or background?

No. The 8-K is limited to the appointment notice and conflict disclosures and does not provide biographical or committee information.

Will this 8-K likely change Rocket Pharmaceuticals' financial outlook?

The filing contains only governance disclosures and no financial data, so it does not provide information that would directly change financial outlooks.