STOCK TITAN

SLRX appoints CFO Mark Rosenblum as acting CEO amid CEO resignation

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

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

On August 17, 2025, Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported that its Board appointed Mark J. Rosenblum as acting Chief Executive Officer and designated him the company’s principal executive officer. The appointment follows the resignation of CEO David J. Arthur, who resigned without any reported disagreement with the company and will remain a director to support completion of the previously announced merger with Decoy Therapeutics Inc. Mr. Rosenblum, 72, will continue as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer under his existing employment agreement; no new consulting or employment agreement was entered in connection with the appointment. The company also terminated Mr. Arthur’s consulting agreement effective immediately.

Positive

  • Continuity of leadership: Acting CEO Mark J. Rosenblum continues as CFO, preserving institutional knowledge
  • Support for merger: Former CEO David J. Arthur remains on the Board to assist with the pending merger with Decoy Therapeutics Inc.

Negative

  • Unexpected CEO resignation: Departure of David J. Arthur represents a material leadership change
  • Consolidated responsibilities: Acting CEO also serving as CFO concentrates senior roles in one executive

Insights

Board appointed the CFO as acting CEO after a non‑disagreement resignation.

The Board named Mark J. Rosenblum acting CEO while he retains his role as CFO, preserving executive continuity during a transition. Retaining the former CEO, David J. Arthur, as a director to assist with the pending merger with Decoy Therapeutics Inc. reduces disruption to that transaction.

There was no new employment agreement with Mr. Rosenblum and the company terminated Mr. Arthur’s consulting agreement effective immediately, indicating the leadership change was implemented under existing contracts.

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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): August 17, 2025
SALARIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 001-36812 46-5087339
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number)
     
2450 Holcombe Blvd.
Suite X
Houston, TX
 77021
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(713) 913-5608
(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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
SLRX
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
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.

On August 17, 2025, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Mark J. Rosenblum as the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Company and designated him as the Company’s “principal executive officer” (the “Acting CEO Appointment”). Mr. Rosenblum will also continue serving in his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
The Acting CEO Appointment was made in connection with the resignation of David J. Arthur as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on August 17, 2025. Mr. Arthur’s resignation is not a result of any disagreement with the Company. Mr. Arthur continues to serve as a member of the Board and support the Company as it works to finalize its previously announced merger transaction with Decoy Therapeutics Inc. In connection with Mr. Arthur’s resignation, the Company terminated that certain Consulting Agreement, dated February 20, 2024, as amended, by and between the Company and Mr. Arthur, effective immediately.
Mr. Rosenblum, 72, has served as the Company’s Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer since September 2019. Prior to September 2019, Mr. Rosenblum served as a financial consultant to the Company since February 2019. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rosenblum served as chairman, chief executive officer and a director of ActiveCare, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAR), a healthcare company, from December 2017 to March 2019, which was sold to Biotelemetry, Inc (now Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG). Mr. Rosenblum worked as a financial consultant for various companies from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Rosenblum served as the chief financial officer of Advaxis, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADXS), a biotechnology company, from January 2010 to April 2014. From 1985 through 2003, Mr. Rosenblum was employed by Wellman, Inc., a global public chemical manufacturer, which was subsequently acquired by DAK Americas, serving in various capacities including chief accounting officer. Mr. Rosenblum holds both a Masters in Accountancy and a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Rosenblum began his career in 1977 with Haskins & Sells, CPA (currently known as Deloitte), was a licensed Certified Public Accountant for over 30 years, and is currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The Company did not enter into any new consulting or employment agreement with Mr. Rosenblum in connection with the PEO Appointment and the existing employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Rosenblum remains in effect. There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Rosenblum and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Rosenblum was appointed as acting CEO of the Company, and there is no family relationship between Mr. Rosenblum and any of the Company’s directors or other executive officers. There are no related party transactions between Mr. Rosenblum and the Company 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.
SALARIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Date: August 18, 2025
By:
/s/ Mark J. Rosenblum
Mark J. Rosenblum
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What change did Salarius (SLRX) report on August 17, 2025?

The company appointed Mark J. Rosenblum as acting CEO and principal executive officer after the resignation of David J. Arthur.

Will Mark Rosenblum remain in his CFO role at SLRX?

Yes. Mr. Rosenblum will continue serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer under his existing employment agreement.

Did David J. Arthur leave the company entirely?

No. Mr. Arthur resigned as CEO but remains a member of the Board to support the company’s pending merger with Decoy Therapeutics Inc.

Was a new employment or consulting agreement made for the acting CEO?

No. The company did not enter into any new consulting or employment agreement with Mr. Rosenblum in connection with the appointment.

Was Mr. Arthur’s consulting agreement continued after his resignation?

No. The company terminated the consulting agreement dated February 20, 2024, effective immediately.
Salarius Pharmaceuticals Inc

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Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Preparations
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