1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): MARCH 22, 2001 MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 0-28006 94-3186021 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (COMMISSION FILE NO.) (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.) ----------------------------- 850 MAUDE AVENUE MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94043 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES INCLUDING ZIP CODE) (650) 428-1550 (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE) 2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On March 22, 2001, the Registrant publicly disseminated a press release announcing that the Registrant's President and Chief Executive Officer will step down as President and CEO upon the hiring of a successor and will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Registrant's Press Release dated March 22, 2001, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS (c) Exhibits. 99.1 Registrant's Press Release dated March 22, 2001. 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 thereunto duly authorized. MICROCIDE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. By: /s/ DONALD D. HUFFMAN ------------------------------------- Donald D. Huffman VICE PRESIDENT - FINANCE AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (principal financial officer) 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description - ------- ----------- 99.1 Registrant's Press Release dated March 22, 2001.