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RNAC names Carsten Brunn Board Chair; adds Lead Independent Director

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Cartesian Therapeutics (RNAC) announced board leadership changes and a bylaws update. On October 29, 2025, Carrie S. Cox resigned from the Board, effective immediately, following her appointment as Executive Chair of another public company. The company stated her resignation was not the result of a disagreement regarding operations, policies, or practices.

The Board appointed Carsten Brunn, Ph.D., as Chairman; named Patrick Zenner, M.B.A., as Lead Independent Director; and appointed Kemal Malik, M.B.B.S., as Chair of the Compensation Committee. Dr. Brunn will not receive additional pay for serving as Chairman, while Mr. Zenner and Dr. Malik will be compensated per the Non-Employee Director Compensation Program.

Also on October 29, 2025, the Board approved amended and restated bylaws to include references to the Lead Independent Director role. On October 30, 2025, the company furnished a press release announcing Dr. Brunn’s appointment.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Leadership transitions with clarified governance; neutral impact.

Cartesian Therapeutics reports a Chair transition as Carrie S. Cox resigns, with the company noting no disagreement on operations or policies. The Board elevates CEO Carsten Brunn, Ph.D., to Chairman, establishes Patrick Zenner as Lead Independent Director, and assigns Kemal Malik to chair Compensation.

Compensation details indicate Dr. Brunn receives no additional pay as Chair, while the Lead Independent Director and Compensation Chair are paid under the stated program. The bylaws amendment, effective October 29, 2025, codifies the Lead Independent Director role, a common governance mechanism to enhance independent board oversight.

A press release dated October 30, 2025 was furnished. Overall, this appears administrative and continuity-focused; actual impact depends on how the new roles guide oversight and committee workflows over time.


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): October 29, 2025

CARTESIAN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
001-37798
26-1622110
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

7495 New Horizon Way, Frederick, MD 21703
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(301) 348-8698
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

N/A
(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 (Par Value $0.0001)
RNAC
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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.
 
In connection with her recent appointment as Executive Chair of another publicly-traded company and the additional responsibilities and time commitment related thereto, on October 29, 2025, Carrie S. Cox, a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company of her resignation from the Board, effective immediately. Prior to her resignation, Ms. Cox served as Chairman of the Board, as Chairman of the Board’s Compensation Committee and as a member of the Board’s Audit Committee. In connection with her resignation from the Board, Ms. Cox will cease service as Chairman of the Board and on such committees. Ms. Cox’s resignation was not the result of a disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.
 
Ms. Cox has served as Chairman of the Board since 2019, providing exemplary service and many important contributions during her tenure. The Company thanks Ms. Cox for her advice and leadership as Chairman of the Board and wishes Ms. Cox well as she focuses on her other commitments.
 
In connection with Ms. Cox’s resignation from the Board, on October 29, 2025, the Board appointed Carsten Brunn, Ph.D., as Chairman of the Board, appointed Patrick Zenner, M.B.A., as Lead Independent Director of the Board, and appointed Kemal Malik, M.B.B.S., as Chairman of the Board’s Compensation Committee. Dr. Brunn will not receive any additional compensation for service in his role as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Zenner will be provided compensation for his service as Lead Independent Director of the Board and Dr. Malik will be provided compensation for his service as Chairman of the Board’s Compensation Committee in accordance with the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Program.
 
Item 5.03
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
 
On October 29, 2025, the Board approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, which became effective the same day. The Amended and Restated Bylaws now include appropriate references to the position of Lead Independent Director of the Board.
 
The preceding summary of the Amended and Restated Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and should be read in connection with, the complete copy of the Amended and Restated Bylaws attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.2 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure.
 
 On October 30, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing Dr. Brunn’s appointment as Chairman of the Board. A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
The information contained in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
 
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits
 
Exhibit
No.
 
Exhibit Description
     
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc.
99.1
 
Press release of Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. dated October 30, 2025.
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
 

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.
 
 
CARTESIAN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
   
Date: October 30, 2025
By:
/s/ Carsten Brunn, Ph.D.
   
Carsten Brunn, Ph.D.
   
President and Chief Executive Officer



FAQ

What did Cartesian Therapeutics (RNAC) disclose in this update?

The company announced the resignation of Carrie S. Cox from the Board, new leadership appointments, and amended bylaws to reference a Lead Independent Director.

Why did Carrie S. Cox resign from the RNAC Board?

She resigned due to her appointment as Executive Chair of another public company; the company stated it was not due to a disagreement.

Who are the new board leaders at Cartesian Therapeutics (RNAC)?

Carsten Brunn, Ph.D., was appointed Chairman; Patrick Zenner, M.B.A., became Lead Independent Director; Kemal Malik, M.B.B.S., chairs the Compensation Committee.

Were there any compensation changes disclosed for the new roles?

Dr. Brunn will not receive additional compensation as Chairman. Mr. Zenner and Dr. Malik will be compensated per the Non-Employee Director Compensation Program.

What change was made to RNAC’s bylaws?

The bylaws were amended and restated on October 29, 2025, to include references to the Lead Independent Director role.

Did Cartesian Therapeutics (RNAC) issue a press release?

Yes. A press release announcing Dr. Brunn’s appointment as Chairman, dated October 30, 2025, was furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
Cartesian

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Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Preparations
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United States
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