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Nasdaq warns TransCode (NASDAQ: RNAZ) on equity shortfall and delisting risk

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K/A

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. received a Nasdaq notice that its stockholders’ equity no longer meets the Nasdaq Capital Market’s minimum requirement. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) requires at least $2,500,000 of stockholders’ equity, while TransCode reported $1,251,427 as of March 31, 2026.

The company has 45 days, until July 3, 2026, to submit a plan to regain compliance. It expects to rely on stockholder approval to convert its Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock so that this security can be reclassified from temporary equity to equity and restore compliance.

If stockholders do not approve the conversion by December 31, 2026, holders of Series A Preferred Stock may elect redemption at estimated fair value, which keeps it in temporary equity. Nasdaq staff may grant additional time or ultimately move toward delisting, and any delisting of the common stock is described as potentially having a material adverse effect on the company and the value of its shares.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • Nasdaq equity deficiency and delisting risk: TransCode reported stockholders’ equity of $1,251,427 as of March 31, 2026, below Nasdaq’s $2,500,000 minimum, triggering a deficiency notice and creating a clear risk of eventual delisting if its compliance plan and preferred stock conversion strategy are unsuccessful.

Insights

Nasdaq warns TransCode on equity shortfall; compliance hinges on preferred stock conversion.

TransCode Therapeutics has fallen below Nasdaq’s $2,500,000 stockholders’ equity requirement, reporting only $1,251,427 as of March 31, 2026. This triggers a formal deficiency process but does not immediately remove the stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market.

The company’s primary remedy is accounting reclassification: obtaining stockholder approval to convert Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock so it can move from temporary equity into equity. This could lift reported stockholders’ equity above Nasdaq’s threshold without necessarily adding new cash, so the outcome depends on the shareholder vote and associated proxy process.

If Nasdaq staff rejects the compliance plan or TransCode cannot demonstrate compliance within permitted extension periods, a delisting determination could follow, though hearing rights may delay or modify that outcome. Any delisting, as the company notes, would likely reduce liquidity and could pressure valuation, so subsequent disclosures around the July 3, 2026 plan submission and the stockholder meeting will be important for understanding listing status.

Item 3.01 Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing Securities
The company received a delisting notice or transferred its listing to a different exchange.
Nasdaq minimum stockholders’ equity $2,500,000 Required under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) for continued listing
Reported stockholders’ equity $1,251,427 As of March 31, 2026, per Form 10-Q
Plan submission deadline July 3, 2026 45 calendar days from May 19, 2026 Nasdaq deficiency letter
Potential extension period 180 calendar days Maximum extension Nasdaq staff may grant to regain compliance
Series A conversion approval deadline December 31, 2026 By this date holders may elect redemption if no conversion approval
Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) regulatory
"Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) requires companies listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market to maintain stockholders’ equity of at least $2,500,000"
Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock financial
"conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (“Series A Preferred Stock”)"
Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock is an early-round ownership share that gives holders priority over common shareholders for payouts and protections, but does not grant voting control. It can be exchanged later for common shares—like a coupon that can be turned into regular stock—allowing investors to share in upside while limiting immediate influence on company decisions; this affects potential returns, dilution for other shareholders, and the balance of control in future financing or sale events.
temporary equity financial
"Due to this redemption feature, as of March 31, 2026, the Series A Preferred Stock was classified within temporary equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet."
Nasdaq Hearings Panel regulatory
"At that time, the Company may appeal the Staff’s determination to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel."
A Nasdaq hearings panel is a group of experts that reviews cases when a company's stock listing is at risk of being removed from the exchange. They evaluate whether the company has met certain standards and determine if it can keep trading on Nasdaq. This process matters to investors because it can affect a company's ability to raise money and maintain credibility in the market.
change of control regulatory
"the approval of a “change of control” under Nasdaq Listing Rules 5110 and 5635(b), among other matters."
A change of control occurs when the ownership or management of a company shifts significantly, such as through a sale, merger, or acquisition, resulting in new leadership or ownership structure. This change can impact the company's direction and decision-making, which is important for investors because it may affect the company's stability, strategy, and future prospects.
preliminary proxy regulatory
"A preliminary proxy for such meeting was filed with the SEC on May 8, 2026."
A preliminary proxy is the first, draft version of the document a company sends to shareholders ahead of a vote, outlining meeting agenda items such as board elections, compensation plans, and major corporate proposals. It matters to investors because it gives an early look at what will be voted on, how the company’s leaders recommend voting, and any material changes being proposed — like receiving a meeting agenda in advance so you can judge and prepare your vote.
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K/A

Amendment No. 1

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 19, 2026

 

TRANSCODE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-40363   81-1065054
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

TransCode Therapeutics, Inc.

6 Liberty Square, #2382
Boston, Massachusetts 02109

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(857) 837-3099

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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)

 

x 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 per share   RNAZ   The Nasdaq Capital 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  x

 

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.  ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explanatory note

 

TransCode Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is filing this Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment No.1”) to its Current Report on Form 8-K originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 22, 2026 (the “Prior Form 8-K”) to amend and restate the disclosure previously included therein to provide additional information regarding the Company’s plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), and to check the box indicating that this Current Report on Form 8-K includes soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.

 

Item 3.01Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing

 

On May 19, 2026, TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the minimum stockholders’ equity requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) requires companies listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market to maintain stockholders’ equity of at least $2,500,000 (the “Stockholders’ Equity Requirement”). The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2026, reported stockholders’ equity of $1,251,427, which is below the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement.

 

This Nasdaq notification has no immediate effect on the Company’s continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. In accordance with Nasdaq rules, the Company has been provided 45 calendar days, or until July 3, 2026, to submit a plan to regain compliance (the “Compliance Plan”).

 

The Company expects to include in its Compliance Plan that the Company expects to regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement after stockholder approval of the conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (“Series A Preferred Stock”) is obtained at its upcoming meeting of the stockholders. A preliminary proxy for such meeting was filed with the SEC on May 8, 2026. As previously disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2026, in the event the Company is unable to obtain an affirmative stockholder vote by December 31, 2026, to permit conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to elect, at the holder’s option, to have their shares of Series A Preferred Stock redeemed by the Company for an amount equal to the estimated fair value of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder at the time of redemption. Due to this redemption feature, as of March 31, 2026, the Series A Preferred Stock was classified within temporary equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. If stockholder approval has been obtained, the Series A Preferred Stock will be re-classified as equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, and the Company will then regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement.

 

The Staff may grant an extension of 180 calendar days from the date of the deficiency letter to regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement. If the Staff does not accept the Compliance Plan, the Staff will provide written notification to the Company that the Compliance Plan has been rejected. At that time, the Company may appeal the Staff’s determination to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel.

 

Readers are cautioned that the Staff may not accept the Company’s plan to regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement. Further, even if the Company’s Compliance Plan is accepted, the Company may be unable to evidence compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement during any extension period that the Staff may grant, either through additional equity financings, improved operational results or shareholder actions. If the Staff does not accept the Company’s Compliance Plan or if the Company is unable to regain compliance within any extension period granted by the Staff, the Staff would be required to issue a delisting determination. The Company would at that time be entitled to request a hearing before a Nasdaq Hearings Panel to present its Compliance Plan and to request a further extension period to regain compliance. The request for a hearing would stay any delisting action by the Staff. No assurances can be given that the Company’s efforts to comply with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement will be successful. Any delisting of the Company’s common stock from Nasdaq would have a material adverse effect on the Company, its operations and reputation, and on the value of the Company’s shares.

 

2

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

Any statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K about the future expectations, plans and prospects of the Company, including without limitation, statements regarding: the Company’s plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules, timing of the stockholder meeting, ability to obtain stockholder approval of the conversion of Preferred Stock and other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “hypothesize,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “would” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, but not limited to those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as supplemented by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in other filings made with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K represent the Company’s views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any intention to update any forward-looking statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K unless required by law.

 

Important Information About the Conversion of Preferred Stock and Where to Find It

 

The Company expects to file a proxy statement with the SEC relating to the approval by the Company’s stockholders of the conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (“Series B Preferred Stock”) into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and (ii) the approval of a “change of control” under Nasdaq Listing Rules 5110 and 5635(b), among other matters. The definitive proxy statement will be sent to all Company stockholders. Before making any voting decision, investors and securityholders of the Company are urged to read the proxy statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposals included in the proxy statement as they become available because they will contain important information about the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, the related transactions and the other proposals to be voted upon. Investors and securityholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by the Company through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

Participants in Solicitation

 

The Company and its directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is available in the Company’s Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2026, under “Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” and “Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.” Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

 

3

 

 

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.

 

  TRANSCODE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Thomas A. Fitzgerald
  Name:  Thomas A. Fitzgerald
  Title: Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
May 26, 2026    

 

4

 

FAQ

Why did Nasdaq issue a deficiency notice to TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ)?

Nasdaq issued a deficiency notice because TransCode’s stockholders’ equity fell below the required $2,500,000. The company reported stockholders’ equity of $1,251,427 as of March 31, 2026, which violates Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

How does TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) plan to regain Nasdaq equity compliance?

TransCode plans to regain compliance mainly by converting its Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock after stockholder approval. Once approved, this preferred stock would be reclassified from temporary equity to equity, potentially raising reported stockholders’ equity above Nasdaq’s $2,500,000 minimum requirement.

What deadlines has Nasdaq set for TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) to address the deficiency?

TransCode has 45 calendar days, until July 3, 2026, to submit a written plan to regain compliance. Nasdaq staff may then grant an extension of up to 180 calendar days from the May 19, 2026 deficiency letter for the company to demonstrate compliance with the equity requirement.

What happens if TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) stockholders do not approve preferred stock conversion?

If stockholders do not approve conversion of Series A Preferred Stock by December 31, 2026, each holder may elect redemption at estimated fair value. Because of this redemption right, the Series A Preferred Stock remains classified as temporary equity, making it harder for TransCode to meet Nasdaq’s stockholders’ equity requirement.

What are the potential consequences if TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) cannot regain Nasdaq compliance?

If TransCode’s plan is rejected or it fails to regain compliance within any extension, Nasdaq staff would issue a delisting determination. TransCode could then request a hearing before a Nasdaq Hearings Panel, but the company warns that any delisting could materially harm its operations, reputation, and share value.

How is the Series A Preferred Stock currently reported in TransCode Therapeutics (RNAZ) financials?

As of March 31, 2026, the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock is classified within temporary equity on TransCode’s consolidated balance sheet. This classification reflects holders’ redemption rights at estimated fair value if conversion is not approved by December 31, 2026, and affects reported stockholders’ equity levels.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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