---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-24-051383"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AKTX"
cik: "0001541157"
company_name: "Akari Therapeutics Plc"
filed_at: "2024-05-01T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-03T02:48:23.888381+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Akari Therapeutics CEO and COO exit; merger portfolio prioritizes ADC and GA over other programs

## Summary
- Rachelle Jacques stepped down as CEO effective May 1; COO Melissa Bradford-Klug terminated without cause same date.
- Board member Samir Patel appointed interim CEO; compensated $50k monthly in RSUs.
- Interim CFO DiCicco gets $40k/month, 45% bonus, transaction bonus, and 1% RSU grant.
- Merger with Peak Bio to focus on ADC platform (TROP-2) and PAS-nomacopan for Geographic Atrophy.
- HSCT-TMA program suspended, PHP 303 discontinued; merger expected close Q3 2024.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-24-051383
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AKTX
- cik: 0001541157
- company_name: Akari Therapeutics Plc
- filed_at: 2024-05-01T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1541157/000095017024051383/0000950170-24-051383-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1541157/000095017024051383/aktx-20240425.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-051383
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-051383.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-051383.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Melissa Bradford-Klug departed as Chief Operating Officer at Akari Therapeutics Plc.
  - Action: terminated without cause
  - Role: Chief Operating Officer
  source text: our Chief Operating Officer, Melissa Bradford-Klug, was terminated without cause, effective May 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1541157/000095017024051383/0000950170-24-051383-index.htm
- Executive change
  Rachelle Jacques departed as President and Chief Executive Officer at Akari Therapeutics Plc.
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Rachelle Jacques stepped down as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Akari Therapeutics, Plc (the “Company”), effective May 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1541157/000095017024051383/0000950170-24-051383-index.htm
- Executive change
  Samir R. Patel was appointed as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at Akari Therapeutics Plc.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Board appointed Samir R. Patel, M.D., a member of the Board, to Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2024
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1541157/000095017024051383/0000950170-24-051383-index.htm

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