---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-23-101377"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "BDTX"
cik: "0001701541"
company_name: "Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-09-18T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-10T14:57:20.582334+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Black Diamond Therapeutics appoints Mark Velleca as CEO; David Epstein steps down

## Summary
- David M. Epstein separated as President and CEO effective Sept 15, 2023; remains on board until 2024 annual meeting.
- Mark Velleca, M.D., Ph.D. appointed President and CEO effective Sept 16, 2023; continues as Chairman.
- Velleca receives $620K base salary, 55% target bonus, and stock options for 1,000,000 shares.
- Samarth Kulkarni appointed Lead Independent Director; Audit/Nominating committees unchanged.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-23-101377
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: BDTX
- cik: 0001701541
- company_name: Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-09-18T23:59:59+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/1701541/000110465923101377/0001104659-23-101377-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1701541/000110465923101377/tm2326304d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-101377
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-101377.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-101377.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Samarth Kulkarni was appointed as Lead Independent Director at Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Lead Independent Director
  source text: The Board appointed Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D. to serve as the Lead Independent Director of the Board
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1701541/000110465923101377/0001104659-23-101377-index.htm
- Executive change
  David M. Epstein departed as President and Chief Executive Officer at Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: separated
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On September 18, 2023, Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that it separated with David M. Epstein, Ph.D. as President and Chief Executive Officer and principal executive officer of the Company, in each case, effective as of September 15, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1701541/000110465923101377/0001104659-23-101377-index.htm
- Executive change
  Mark A. Velleca was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer at Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Effective September 16, 2023, the Board appointed Mark A. Velleca, M.D., Ph.D. as President and Chief Executive Officer and principal executive officer of the Company
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1701541/000110465923101377/0001104659-23-101377-index.htm

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