---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001171843-23-004433"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ABUS"
cik: "0001447028"
company_name: "Arbutus Biopharma Corp"
filed_at: "2023-07-10T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-13T10:32:35.868775+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.3
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Arbutus appoints Karen Sims as CMO, Christopher Naftzger as GC and CCO

## Summary
- Dr. Karen Sims promoted from VP Clinical Development to Chief Medical Officer, effective immediately.
- Christopher Naftzger appointed General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer; Dr. Elizabeth Howard remains advisor on patent litigation.
- Naftzger granted inducement option for 500,000 common shares at July 10, 2023 closing price, vesting over 4 years.
- Sims has 12+ years experience, previously at Bristol-Myers Squibb; Naftzger has 25+ years legal experience, most recently at Nabriva Therapeutics.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001171843-23-004433
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ABUS
- cik: 0001447028
- company_name: Arbutus Biopharma Corp
- filed_at: 2023-07-10T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.3
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000117184323004433/0001171843-23-004433-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000117184323004433/f8k_070723.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-23-004433
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-23-004433.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-23-004433.txt

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