--- schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1" accession: "0001140361-24-043915" form_type: "8-K" ticker: "IRD" cik: "0001228627" company_name: "Opus Genetics, Inc." filed_at: "2024-10-22T23:59:59+00:00" generated_at: "2026-05-30T11:29:48.748414+00:00" event_type: "m_and_a" sentiment: "neutral" materiality_score: 0.9 calibrated_materiality_score: 0.9 confidence: "high" source: SEC EDGAR --- # Ocuphire completes merger with Opus Genetics; renamed Opus Genetics with $37M pro forma cash ## Summary - Merger closed Oct 22; Ocuphire issued ~5.24M common shares and 14,145 Series A Preferred (convertible into ~14.1M common) to Opus securityholders. - Pro forma cash ~$37M as of Sep 30, 2024; cash runway expected into 2026. - Name changed to Opus Genetics, Inc. effective Oct 23; ticker begins trading as 'IRD' on Oct 24, 2024. - Dr. Benjamin Yerxa appointed President; base salary $425,000, 35% target bonus, 332,800 RSUs; Board expanded to 9. - 180-day lock-up agreements on shares held by certain stockholders and all directors/officers. ## SEC filing metadata - accession: 0001140361-24-043915 - form_type: 8-K - ticker: IRD - cik: 0001228627 - company_name: Opus Genetics, Inc. - filed_at: 2024-10-22T23:59:59+00:00 - event_type: m_and_a - sentiment: neutral - materiality_score: 0.9 - calibrated_materiality_score: 0.9 - confidence: high - sec_items: 1.01, 5.03, 2.01, 2.02, 3.02, 3.03, 5.02, 7.01, 9.01 - EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/0001140361-24-043915-index.htm - EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/ef20037500_8k.htm ## Machine-readable alternates - HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-24-043915 - JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-24-043915.json - Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-24-043915.txt ## Key facts - Executive change Benjamin R. Yerxa was appointed as President at Opus Genetics, Inc.. - Action: appointed - Role: President source text: Dr. Yerxa, age 58, has also been appointed to serve as Ocuphire’s President, effective October 22, 2024. evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/0001140361-24-043915-index.htm - Executive change Benjamin R. Yerxa was appointed as Director at Opus Genetics, Inc.. - Action: appointed - Role: Director source text: Dr. Benjamin R. Yerxa, Ph.D., Dr. Jean Bennett, Ph.D., M.D., and Dr. Adrienne Graves, Ph.D., were appointed as members of the Board evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/0001140361-24-043915-index.htm - Executive change Jean Bennett was appointed as Director at Opus Genetics, Inc.. - Action: appointed - Role: Director source text: Dr. Benjamin R. Yerxa, Ph.D., Dr. Jean Bennett, Ph.D., M.D., and Dr. Adrienne Graves, Ph.D., were appointed as members of the Board evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/0001140361-24-043915-index.htm - Executive change Jay Pepose resigned as Director at Opus Genetics, Inc.. - Action: resigned - Role: Director source text: Dr. Jay Pepose resigned from the Board, effective immediately after the time of the filing of the First Merger Certificate of Merger evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/0001140361-24-043915-index.htm - Executive change Adrienne Graves was appointed as Director at Opus Genetics, Inc.. - Action: appointed - Role: Director source text: Dr. Benjamin R. Yerxa, Ph.D., Dr. Jean Bennett, Ph.D., M.D., and Dr. Adrienne Graves, Ph.D., were appointed as members of the Board evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/0001140361-24-043915-index.htm - Governance Changes Opus Genetics, Inc.: Amended the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change the corporate name to Opus Genetics, Inc., effective October 23, 2024, and updated the Bylaws accordingly (effective 2024-10-23). - Change: bylaw amendment - Effective: 2024-10-23 source text: Corporate Name Change to Opus Genetics, Inc. On October 22, 2024, following the Merger, Ocuphire filed an amendment to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change its name to “Opus Genetics, Inc.”, effective October 23, 2024. evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/0001140361-24-043915-index.htm - Governance Changes Opus Genetics, Inc.: Filed a Certificate of Designation for Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, establishing the preferences, rights, and limitations of the new series (effective 2024-10-22). - Change: charter amendment - Effective: 2024-10-22 source text: Series A Preferred Stock On October 22, 2024, Ocuphire filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “ Certificate of Designation ”) in connection with the Merger referenced in Item 1.01 above. evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/0001140361-24-043915-index.htm - M&A Transactions Opus Genetics, Inc. completed an acquisition involving Opus Genetics Inc. (closed 2024-10-22). - Action: acquisition - Counterparty: Opus Genetics Inc. - Closing: 2024-10-22 source text: On October 22, 2024, Ocuphire completed its business combination with Opus. evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036124043915/0001140361-24-043915-index.htm This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.