---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-23-221586"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "DSGN"
cik: "0001807120"
company_name: "Design Therapeutics, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-08-25T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-11T03:37:03.021985+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Design Therapeutics CEO Siffert resigns; Chair Shah appointed CEO, receives stock options

## Summary
- João Siffert resigned as President/CEO/principal financial officer effective Aug 25, 2023; employee status ends Sept 1, 2023.
- Pratik Shah, Ph.D., Board Chair, appointed President, CEO and principal financial officer effective Aug 25, 2023; Simeon George named lead independent director.
- Siffert receives 12-month salary continuation, $230,220 prorated bonus, 12-month COBRA, extended option exercisability (6 months).
- Shah granted options: 1,050,000 shares time-vesting; 525,000 shares contingent on FA IND clearance; 525,000 shares contingent on FA Phase 2a start.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-23-221586
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: DSGN
- cik: 0001807120
- company_name: Design Therapeutics, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-08-25T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1807120/000119312523221586/0001193125-23-221586-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1807120/000119312523221586/d530547d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-221586
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-221586.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-221586.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  João Siffert resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer at Design Therapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: President, Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer
  source text: agreed to the resignation of Dr. Siffert from all offices of the Company and from the Board, effective immediately
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1807120/000119312523221586/0001193125-23-221586-index.htm
- Executive change
  Pratik Shah was appointed as President, Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer at Design Therapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President, Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer
  source text: On August 25, 2023, the Board appointed Pratik Shah, Ph.D., as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1807120/000119312523221586/0001193125-23-221586-index.htm
- Executive change
  Simeon George was appointed as Lead Independent Director at Design Therapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Lead Independent Director
  source text: the Board appointed Simeon George, M.D., as the Company’s lead independent director
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1807120/000119312523221586/0001193125-23-221586-index.htm

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