SMLR names CEO Dr. Murphy‑Chutorian interim CFO after Cormier exit

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Semler Scientific (SMLR) announced a leadership change. On October 16, 2025, Renae Cormier resigned as Chief Financial Officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, effective October 30, 2025, to pursue another opportunity.

The board appointed President and CEO Dr. Douglas Murphy‑Chutorian to serve as interim Chief Financial Officer and as principal financial officer and principal accounting officer effective October 30, 2025. He will receive no additional compensation for these interim duties. Biographical information for Dr. Murphy‑Chutorian is incorporated by reference from the company’s July 17, 2025 proxy statement.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

CFO resigns; CEO assumes interim finance roles.

Semler Scientific disclosed that its CFO resigned effective October 30, 2025. The board named CEO Dr. Douglas Murphy‑Chutorian interim CFO and principal accounting officer, consolidating executive oversight.

This arrangement centralizes decision-making and may streamline near-term reporting, but it also concentrates responsibilities in one individual. The company states Dr. Murphy‑Chutorian will receive no additional compensation for these interim duties.

Key near-term milestone is the effectiveness date of the role change on October 30, 2025. Subsequent disclosures may detail the search process and timing for a permanent finance leader.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 16, 2025

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SEMLER SCIENTIFIC, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Delaware		001-36305		26-1367393
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

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51 E Campbell Ave, Suite 107-D Campbell, CA		95008
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (877) 774-4211

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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))

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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Title of each class		Trading  Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share		SMLR		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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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. ☐

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Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appoint of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Departure of Chief Financial Officer

On October 16, 2025, Renae Cormier resigned from her position as Chief Financial Officer (and as principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) of Semler Scientific, Inc., or Semler Scientific, effective October 30, 2025, to pursue another opportunity.

Appointment of Interim Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer

In light of Ms. Cormier’s resignation, the board of directors of Semler Scientific appointed Dr. Douglas Murphy-Chutorian, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer), to serve as Semler Scientific’s interim Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, in addition to his current duties effective from October 30, 2025.

Biographical information for Dr. Murphy-Chutorian is set forth in Semler Scientific’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 17, 2025 and is incorporated herein by reference. Dr. Murphy-Chutorian will not receive any additional compensation in connection with this interim appointment.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements herein and the documents incorporated herein by reference may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, which statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements regarding Semler Scientific’s business and acquiring and holding Bitcoin, the outlook and expectations of Strive Inc., or Strive, and Semler Scientific, respectively, with respect to the proposed transaction, the strategic benefits and financial benefits of the proposed transaction, including the expected impact of the proposed transaction on the combined company's future financial performance, the timing of the closing of the proposed transaction, and the ability to successfully integrate the combined businesses. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualified words (and their derivatives) such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "project," "predict," "potential," "assume," "forecast," "target," "budget," "outlook," "trend," "guidance," "objective," "goal," "strategy," "opportunity," and "intend," as well as words of similar meaning or other statements concerning opinions or judgment of Strive, Semler Scientific or their respective management about future events. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the time they are made and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, include, among others, the following:

● risks related to volatility in Bitcoin; along with other risks related to Semler Scientific’s Bitcoin treasury strategy and its healthcare business;

● the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement between Strive, Semler Scientific and the other parties thereto;

● the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close when expected or at all because the conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all;

● the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Strive or Semler Scientific or the combined company;

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● the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including anticipated cost savings and strategic gains, are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, implementation of Bitcoin treasury strategies and risks associated with Bitcoin and other digital assets, general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement;

● the possibility that the integration of the two companies may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected;

● the possibility that the proposed transaction may be more expensive or take longer to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events;

● the diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities;

● dilution caused by Strive's issuance of additional shares of its Class A common stock in connection with the proposed transaction;

● potential adverse reactions of Strive’s or Semler Scientific’s customers or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction;

● changes in Strive’s or Semler Scientific’s share price before closing; and

● other factors that may affect future results of Strive, Semler Scientific or the combined company.

These factors are not necessarily all of the factors that could cause Strive’s, Semler Scientific’s or the combined company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of the forward-looking statements. Other factors, including unknown or unpredictable factors, also could harm Strive, Semler Scientific’s or the combined company's results.

Although each of Strive and Semler Scientific believes that its expectations with respect to forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its existing knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results of Strive or Semler Scientific will not differ materially from any projected future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in the Registration Statement on Form S-4, or the Registration Statement, filed by Strive with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on October 10, 2025 (including the documents incorporated by reference therein), and other documents subsequently filed by Strive and Semler Scientific with the SEC. The actual results anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to or effects on Strive, Semler Scientific or their respective businesses or operations. Investors are cautioned not to rely too heavily on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and Strive and Semler Scientific undertake no obligation to update or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, Strive filed the Registration Statement to register the Class A common stock to be issued by Strive in connection with the proposed transaction that includes an information statement of Strive, proxy statement of Semler Scientific and a prospectus of Strive, or the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and each of Strive and Semler Scientific may file with the SEC other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. A definitive Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of Semler Scientific to seek their approval of the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF SEMLER SCIENTIFIC ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN THEY BECOME

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AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STRIVE, SEMLER SCIENTIFIC AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.

A copy of the Registration Statement, Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Strive and Semler Scientific, may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, when they are filed, free of charge, from Strive by accessing Strive's website at https://investors.strive.com/. Copies of the Registration Statement, the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Strive by directing a request to Strive's Investor Relations department at 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1400, Dallas, Texas 75201 or by calling (855) 427-7360 or by submitting an inquiry at https://investors.strive.com/ir-resources/contact-ir. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Semler Scientific will be available free of charge on Semler Scientific’s website at https://ir.semlerscientific.com. The information on Strive’s or Semler Scientific’s respective websites is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this communication or incorporated into other filings either company makes with the SEC.

Participants in the Solicitation

Strive, Semler Scientific and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Semler Scientific in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the interests of the directors and executive officers of Strive and Semler Scientific and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of stockholders of Semler Scientific in connection with the proposed transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus related to the proposed transaction, which will be filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Semler Scientific, their ownership of Semler Scientific common stock, and Semler Scientific's transactions with related persons is set forth in the section entitled "INFORMATION REGARDING OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE," "EXECUTIVE OFFICERS," "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT," “DIRECTOR COMPENSATION,” and "TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS" included in Semler Scientific's definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, as filed with the SEC on July 17, 2025. Additional information regarding ownership of Semler Scientific’s securities by its directors and executive officers is included in such persons’ SEC filings on Forms 3 or 4, which are available at https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/own-disp?action=getissuer&CIK=0001554859. Information about the directors and executive officers of Strive is contained in Exhibit 99.1 of Strive’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 15, 2025 and under “Meet the Leadership Team” accessed through the “About Us” link on Strive’s website at https://strive.com/team. Additional information regarding ownership of Strive’s securities by its directors and executive officers is included in such persons’ SEC filings on Forms 3 or 4, which are available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1920406&owner=exclude. These documents and the other SEC filings described in this paragraph may be obtained free of charge as described above under the heading “Additional Information and Where to Find It.”

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote of approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements.

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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.

	SEMLER SCIENTIFIC, INC.
Date: October 17, 2025	By:	/s/  Douglas Murphy-Chutorian
		Name: Douglas Murphy-Chutorian, M.D.
​	​	Title: President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

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FAQ

What did Semler Scientific (SMLR) report in this 8-K?

The company reported that Renae Cormier resigned as CFO, effective October 30, 2025.

Who will serve as Semler Scientific’s interim CFO and when does it take effect?

President and CEO Dr. Douglas Murphy‑Chutorian will serve as interim CFO starting October 30, 2025.

Will the interim CFO receive additional compensation?

No. The company stated no additional compensation will be paid for the interim appointment.

Why did the CFO resign at Semler Scientific (SMLR)?

The company stated she resigned to pursue another opportunity.

Where can I find Dr. Murphy‑Chutorian’s biographical information?

It is incorporated by reference from the July 17, 2025 definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A.

Does this filing mention any proposed transaction related materials?

Yes. It references a Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed October 10, 2025 and related proxy/prospectus materials for a proposed transaction.