---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001140361-26-034320"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "PDSB"
cik: "0001472091"
company_name: "PDS Biotechnology Corp"
filed_at: "2026-08-25T20:08:06+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-08-25T20:09:45.851814+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# PDS Bio cuts 36% of workforce, removes COO Toutain; $842K charge

## Summary
- Board approved Aug 6, 2026; RIF affects ~36% of workforce; notified Aug 21, 2026; Q3 completion.
- Q3 2026 one-time charge ~$842K for severance and benefits; all cash expenditures.
- COO Stephan Toutain removed without cause Aug 21, 2026; gets 12 months base salary plus COBRA.
- RIF aligns operating expenses with strategic priorities focused on advancing PDS0301.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001140361-26-034320
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: PDSB
- cik: 0001472091
- company_name: PDS Biotechnology Corp
- filed_at: 2026-08-25T20:08:06+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.05, 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1472091/000114036126034320/0001140361-26-034320-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1472091/000114036126034320/ef20081077_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-26-034320
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-26-034320.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-26-034320.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Stephan Toutain was removed as Chief Operating Officer at PDS Biotechnology Corp.
  - Action: removed
  - Role: Chief Operating Officer
  source text: On August 21, 2026, the Company delivered a notice of termination without cause to Stephan Toutain and removed him from his position as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1472091/000114036126034320/0001140361-26-034320-index.htm

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