---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-24-140833"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SPRB"
cik: "0001683553"
company_name: "SPRUCE BIOSCIENCES, INC."
filed_at: "2024-12-27T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-28T23:04:16.416762+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Spruce Biosciences CMO departing Dec 31; Kirk Ways named interim CMO

## Summary
- Dr. Ralph Charlton III's employment ends Dec 31, 2024; severance includes $343,200 lump sum plus 9 months COBRA.
- Dr. Kirk Ways (73), Board member since June 2021, appointed interim CMO effective Dec 20, 2024.
- Ways previously served as interim CMO of MBX Biosciences and Development Head at Janssen.
- Severance amount equals 9 months of base salary at $343,200 paid as lump sum.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-24-140833
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SPRB
- cik: 0001683553
- company_name: SPRUCE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
- filed_at: 2024-12-27T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1683553/000095017024140833/0000950170-24-140833-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1683553/000095017024140833/sprb-20241220.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-140833
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-140833.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-140833.txt

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