---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-25-097799"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "RNAZ"
cik: "0001829635"
company_name: "Transcode Therapeutics, Inc."
filed_at: "2025-10-08T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-17T04:20:18.694491+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# TransCode acquires ABCJ, gets $25M investment from DEFJ, appoints new CEO

## Summary
- Acquired 100% of ABCJ for 83,285 common shares (9.99% of pre-close), convertible preferred, and up to $95M milestone payments.
- DEFJ invests $25M via Series B convertible preferred ($20M cash + $5M promissory note due Jan 1, 2026 at 4% interest).
- Shareholders as of Oct 20, 2025 receive one CVR per share entitling to 50% of future milestone proceeds (7-year term).
- Philippe Calais appointed CEO; Thomas Fitzgerald remains CFO; Elizabeth Czerepak joins board and chairs Audit Committee.
- Filed Certificate of Designation for Series A and B non-voting convertible preferred stock with PIK dividends and conversion rights.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-25-097799
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: RNAZ
- cik: 0001829635
- company_name: Transcode Therapeutics, Inc.
- filed_at: 2025-10-08T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 5.03, 2.01, 3.02, 3.03, 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1829635/000110465925097799/0001104659-25-097799-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1829635/000110465925097799/tm2528282d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-25-097799
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-25-097799.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-25-097799.txt

## Source-grounded claims
- claim_id: 6fd77c7d2173db300efbf62dc6fd0fc7d88694a8
  claim: Transcode Therapeutics, Inc.: Filed Certificate of Designation for Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, establishing their rights, preferences, and limitations (effective 2025-10-08).
  evidence_excerpt: On October 8, 2025, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the Acquisition and the Investment referenced in Item 1.01 above.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1829635/000110465925097799/0001104659-25-097799-index.htm
- claim_id: 012789a4cd6c7c835de3ba27d7b6a0768697a5e7
  claim: Transcode Therapeutics, Inc. completed an acquisition involving DEFJ, LLC (closed 2025-10-08).
  evidence_excerpt: On October 8, 2025, the Company completed its acquisition of DEFJ.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1829635/000110465925097799/0001104659-25-097799-index.htm

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