---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-23-014424"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FNCHQ"
cik: "0001733257"
company_name: "Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-04-25T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-16T16:32:45.754948+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Finch Therapeutics replaces CEO and CFO; Blischak appointed CEO effective May 16

## Summary
- CEO Mark Smith and COO Marc Blaustein terminated without cause, effective May 15, 2023; Smith resigns from board.
- Matthew P. Blischak named CEO effective May 16; base salary $400k, target bonus 40%, option grant of 962,899 shares.
- Lance Thibault (Danforth Advisors) named CFO effective May 16; paid hourly $525.
- Former executives to remain as consultants under advisory agreements.
- Company emphasizes foundational IP estate (over 70 issued patents) as key asset.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-23-014424
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FNCHQ
- cik: 0001733257
- company_name: Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-04-25T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1733257/000095017023014424/0000950170-23-014424-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1733257/000095017023014424/fnch-20230421.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-23-014424
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-23-014424.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-23-014424.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Matthew P. Blischak was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Additionally, on April 21, 2023, and effective as of May 16, 2023, the Board appointed Matthew P. Blischak to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1733257/000095017023014424/0000950170-23-014424-index.htm
- Executive change
  Marc Blaustein was terminated as Chief Operating Officer at Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc..
  - Action: terminated
  - Role: Chief Operating Officer
  source text: On April 21, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the termination of employment, without cause, of each of Mark Smith, Ph.D., and Marc Blaustein, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, in each case effective May 15, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1733257/000095017023014424/0000950170-23-014424-index.htm
- Executive change
  Mark Smith resigned as Director at Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: Further, on April 21, 2023, Dr. Smith resigned as a member of the Board, effective as of May 15, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1733257/000095017023014424/0000950170-23-014424-index.htm
- Executive change
  Lance Thibault was appointed as Chief Financial Officer at Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: and Lance Thibault to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1733257/000095017023014424/0000950170-23-014424-index.htm
- Executive change
  Mark Smith was terminated as Chief Executive Officer at Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc..
  - Action: terminated
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On April 21, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the termination of employment, without cause, of each of Mark Smith, Ph.D., and Marc Blaustein, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, in each case effective May 15, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1733257/000095017023014424/0000950170-23-014424-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.