Rocket Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RCKT) appoints new Principal Accounting Officer

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced leadership changes in its finance organization. John Militello, VP of Finance, Senior Controller, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, has resigned effective July 7, 2026 to pursue other opportunities. Joseph Manhede, currently Associate Vice President, Corporate Controller, will become Principal Accounting Officer effective July 8, 2026.

Manhede, age 48, joined Rocket in April 2026 and previously held senior finance roles at Outlook Therapeutics, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Unilife Corporation and Celator Pharmaceuticals after starting his career at Deloitte. He is a CPA with an MBA from Holy Family University. The company states there are no new compensatory arrangements or related-party transactions tied to his designation.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Rocket executes a routine but important transition in its principal accounting role.

Rocket Pharmaceuticals is transitioning its Principal Accounting Officer role from John Militello to internal candidate Joseph Manhede, who has extensive public-company finance and SEC reporting experience. The change takes effect immediately after Militello’s departure in early July 2026, providing continuity.

Manhede’s background spans controllership, SOX compliance, IPO readiness and acquisition integration at multiple biopharma companies, plus Big Four audit experience and a CPA credential. With no new compensation arrangements or related-party transactions disclosed, this appears to be a standard leadership rotation focused on sustaining reporting and control functions.

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.

Key Figures

Militello resignation effective date: July 7, 2026 Manhede appointment effective date: July 8, 2026 Manhede age: 48 years +2 more

5 metrics

Militello resignation effective date July 7, 2026 Resignation as VP of Finance, Senior Controller, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer

Manhede appointment effective date July 8, 2026 Effective date as Principal Accounting Officer

Manhede age 48 years Age of newly appointed Principal Accounting Officer

Manhede Rocket start date April 2026 Became Associate Vice President, Corporate Controller

Rocket phone number (609) 659-8001 Registrant’s telephone number

Key Terms

Principal Accounting Officer, Certified Public Accountant, Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, Emerging growth company

4 terms

Principal Accounting Officer financial

"was appointed as the Company’s Principal Accounting Officer, effective July 8, 2026."

The Principal Accounting Officer is the person responsible for making sure a company's financial records are accurate and follow the rules. They play a key role in preparing financial reports that show how well the company is doing. This helps investors, managers, and regulators trust the company's financial information.

Certified Public Accountant financial

"Mr. Manhede is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Master of Business Administration"

A certified public accountant (CPA) is a licensed accounting professional who has passed rigorous exams and met education and experience requirements to prepare, review, and officially certify financial statements and tax filings. For investors, a CPA's involvement is like a neutral referee confirming that a company's reported numbers are accurate and follow accounting rules, which improves trust in financial reports and lowers the risk of unexpected errors or misleading information.

Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K regulatory

"no transactions involving Mr. Manhede that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K."

Emerging growth company regulatory

"405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company"

An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.

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Understanding 8-K Material Events →

Available on EDGAR 06/30/2026 - 05:16 PM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 06/30/2026 - 05:16 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

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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): June 24, 2026

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: (609) 659-8001

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 June 24, 2026, John Militello informed Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company” or “Rocket”) of his resignation as VP of Finance, Senior Controller, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, effective July 7, 2026, to pursue other opportunities.

On June 30, 2026, Joseph Manhede, the Company’s Associate Vice President, Corporate Controller, was appointed as the Company’s Principal Accounting Officer, effective July 8, 2026.

Mr. Manhede, age 48, has served as the Company’s Associate Vice President, Corporate Controller since April 2026.  Prior to Rocket, Mr. Manhede was the Vice President and Financial Controller for Outlook Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, where he was responsible for leading accounting and finance functions, including financial reporting, SEC compliance, internal controls, budgeting, and strategic financial planning, as well as supporting financing transactions and corporate governance initiatives.  Prior to his time at Outlook, Mr. Manhede held senior finance and accounting positions at Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Unilife Corporation, and Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he served as Corporate Controller and played a key role in financial reporting, IPO readiness, SOX compliance, and acquisition integration. He began his career at Deloitte, where he served as an Audit Manager. Mr. Manhede is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Master of Business Administration from Holy Family University.

No new compensatory arrangements will be entered into with Mr. Manhede in connection with his designation as the Company’s Principal Accounting Officer. There are no family relationships between Mr. Manhede and any other director or executive officer of the Company, and no transactions involving Mr. Manhede that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

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: June 30, 2026	By:	/s/ Martin Wilson
		Martin Wilson
		General Counsel and Chief Corporate Officer

FAQ

What executive change did Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) disclose in this 8-K?

Rocket Pharmaceuticals disclosed that John Militello resigned as VP of Finance, Senior Controller, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, effective July 7, 2026. The company simultaneously appointed Joseph Manhede, its Associate Vice President, Corporate Controller, as the new Principal Accounting Officer effective July 8, 2026.

Who is the new Principal Accounting Officer at Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT)?

Joseph Manhede will serve as Rocket’s Principal Accounting Officer starting July 8, 2026. He has been Associate Vice President, Corporate Controller since April 2026 and previously held senior finance roles at Outlook Therapeutics, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Unilife Corporation, Celator Pharmaceuticals, and began his career at Deloitte.

Why did Rocket Pharmaceuticals’ prior Principal Accounting Officer resign?

John Militello informed Rocket Pharmaceuticals that he would resign as VP of Finance, Senior Controller, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer effective July 7, 2026 to pursue other opportunities. The filing does not describe any dispute, focusing instead on timing and the succession plan.

Did Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) change compensation for its new Principal Accounting Officer?

No. Rocket Pharmaceuticals states that no new compensatory arrangements will be entered into with Joseph Manhede in connection with his designation as Principal Accounting Officer. This suggests his existing compensation package as Associate Vice President, Corporate Controller will continue without additional awards tied to the new title.

Are there related-party transactions involving Rocket Pharmaceuticals’ new Principal Accounting Officer?

The company reports that there are no transactions involving Joseph Manhede requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and no family relationships between him and any Rocket director or executive officer. This indicates no disclosed related-party or familial conflicts linked to his appointment.

What is the professional background of Rocket Pharmaceuticals’ new Principal Accounting Officer?

Joseph Manhede, age 48, previously served as VP and Financial Controller at Outlook Therapeutics and held senior roles at Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Unilife, and Celator. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from Holy Family University, with early career experience as an Audit Manager at Deloitte.

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