---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-305344"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "IRIX"
cik: "0001006045"
company_name: "IRIDEX CORP"
filed_at: "2026-07-16T10:01:18+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-07-16T10:11:45.127478+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Iridex alleges stealth proxy campaign by Novel; Novel discloses 39% stake after belated 13D filing

## Summary
- All five director nominees elected despite 'withhold' campaign targeting Huss and Shuda; plurality standard applied.
- Board alleges Novel and a 'Group of 17' coordinated withhold campaign, violating SEC proxy rules.
- Novel amended Schedule 13D on July 13, 2026, disclosing 6.7M shares (39% of common, 29.9% fully diluted).
- Company investigating whether Novel's purchases included March 27, 2026, 30% drop before conversion price reset proposal.
- Novel offered to change its vote if one targeted director resigned and investigation ended; Board rejected.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-305344
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: IRIX
- cik: 0001006045
- company_name: IRIDEX CORP
- filed_at: 2026-07-16T10:01:18+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.07, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1006045/000119312526305344/0001193125-26-305344-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1006045/000119312526305344/d101758d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-305344
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-305344.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-305344.txt

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