---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-25-086304"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "APLS"
cik: "0001492422"
company_name: "Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc."
filed_at: "2025-04-21T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-23T10:08:11.162977+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.4
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Apellis appoints Craig A. Wheeler to Board, effective April 17, 2025

## Summary
- Craig A. Wheeler elected as Class III director; will serve until 2026 annual meeting.
- Appointed to Audit Committee effective May 1, 2025; determined independent under Nasdaq rules.
- Received option for 28,195 shares at $18.20 (3-year vest) and 16,483 RSUs (1-year vest).
- Wheeler is former CEO of Momenta Pharmaceuticals (acquired by J&J) and current CEO of Headwaters Biotech Advisors.
- No arrangements or family relationships with existing directors or executive officers.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-25-086304
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: APLS
- cik: 0001492422
- company_name: Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- filed_at: 2025-04-21T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.4
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1492422/000119312525086304/0001193125-25-086304-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1492422/000119312525086304/d918674d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-25-086304
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-25-086304.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-25-086304.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Craig A. Wheeler was elected as Director at Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc..
  - Action: elected
  - Role: Director
  source text: On April 17, 2025, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), upon recommendation from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (the “Nominating Committee”), elected Craig A. Wheeler to the Board as a Class III director to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2026 or until his successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1492422/000119312525086304/0001193125-25-086304-index.htm

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