---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001079973-26-000955"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "LWLG"
cik: "0001325964"
company_name: "Lightwave Logic, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-07-20T13:00:14+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-07-20T13:01:30.227605+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Lightwave Logic appoints Fred Graffam as CFO; base salary $450k, sign-on equity $2.4M

## Summary
- Fred Graffam appointed CFO effective July 20, 2026; replaces Snizhana 'Ana' Quan who becomes VP of Finance.
- Base salary $450k, discretionary bonus up to 40%, sign-on cash $70k (pro-rata clawback if resigns within 12 months).
- Sign-on equity award of $2.4M in RSUs: 25% vests at 1 year, 75% quarterly over 3 years.
- Graffam previously CFO of Fidium (formerly CNSL) and Ascent Capital (ASCMA); brings 20+ years experience.
- Severance: if terminated without cause, base salary + target bonus + COBRA for 12 months; double if within 12 months of change in control.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001079973-26-000955
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: LWLG
- cik: 0001325964
- company_name: Lightwave Logic, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-07-20T13:00:14+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1325964/000107997326000955/0001079973-26-000955-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1325964/000107997326000955/lwlg_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001079973-26-000955
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001079973-26-000955.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001079973-26-000955.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Fred A. Graffam III was appointed as Chief Financial Officer at Lightwave Logic, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: On July 20, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Lightwave Logic, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Fred A. Graffam III as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1325964/000107997326000955/0001079973-26-000955-index.htm

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