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): February 8, 2022 (February 8, 2022)
Ensysce Biosciences, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | | 001-38306 | | 82-2755287 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (Commission File Number) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
7946 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 201 La Jolla, California | | 92037 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(858) 263-4196
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 to the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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| ☐ | 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 | | ENSC | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
| Warrants to purchase one share of Common Stock | | ENSCW | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
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 February 8, 2022, the Board of Ensysce Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”), upon the recommendation of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, appointed Lee Rauch to its Board of Directors (“Board”), effective immediately (the “New Director”). Ms. Rauch will serve as a Class I director for a term expiring at the Company’s annual general meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022, until her successor is duly elected and qualified or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Our Board has determined that Ms. Rauch is an independent director under applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules. In connection with the appointment of Ms. Rauch to the Board, she has been appointed to serve on the Compensation Committee, effective immediately.
The New Director has entered into the Company’s standard indemnification agreement for directors and officers.
The New Director has been granted an option to purchase up to 20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.70 per share and will receive cash compensation at an annual rate of $7,500, prorated for the period of service on the Board through the 2022 annual general meeting of stockholders.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On February 8, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Lee Rauch as a director, a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
The information in 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, or incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
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.
Dated: February 8, 2022
| | Ensysce Biosciences, Inc. |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Lynn Kirkpatrick |
| | Name: | Dr. Lynn Kirkpatrick |
| | Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
