---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-139094"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "COYA"
cik: "0001835022"
company_name: "Coya Therapeutics, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-04-02T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T07:52:11.563754+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Coya Therapeutics founder Howard Berman steps down as Executive Chairman; Mark Pavao appointed independent director

## Summary
- Howard Berman resigned as Executive Chairman and Board member effective April 1, 2026; part of planned CEO transition initiated November 2024.
- Separation agreement includes prorated 2026 bonus at 100% target, COBRA coverage through March 2027, and continued vesting of stock options for 12 months.
- Mark H. Pavao appointed as independent Class III director, term expiring at 2028 annual meeting; granted option for 10,000 shares vesting in one year.
- Pavao brings 30+ years of biopharma commercial experience, including roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb and R-Pharm US.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-139094
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: COYA
- cik: 0001835022
- company_name: Coya Therapeutics, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-04-02T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1835022/000119312526139094/0001193125-26-139094-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1835022/000119312526139094/d104763d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-139094
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-139094.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-139094.txt

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