---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001213900-23-070110"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "EMMA"
cik: "0000822370"
company_name: "Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-08-23T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-11T05:12:42.920049+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Emmaus CEO and Chairman steps down; interim Co-Presidents appointed

## Summary
- Yutaka Niihara, M.D., Ph.D., leaves CEO and Chairman roles effective Aug 18, 2023, to pursue other projects; remains a director.
- Willis Lee (COO) and George Sekulich (CIO) appointed interim Co-Presidents pending CEO search.
- George Sekulich's base salary set at $210,000; eligible for stock plan awards.
- Company to focus on Endari sales in U.S. and MENA, expects generic competition in 2024.
- Discontinuing non-Endari activities to reduce operating costs and improve cash flow.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001213900-23-070110
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: EMMA
- cik: 0000822370
- company_name: Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-08-23T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/822370/000121390023070110/0001213900-23-070110-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/822370/000121390023070110/ea184081-8k_emmaus.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001213900-23-070110
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001213900-23-070110.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001213900-23-070110.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Willis Lee was appointed as interim Co-President at Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: interim Co-President
  source text: Willis Lee and George Sekulich have been appointed as interim Co-Presidents of Emmaus.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/822370/000121390023070110/0001213900-23-070110-index.htm
- Executive change
  George Sekulich was appointed as interim Co-President at Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: interim Co-President
  source text: Willis Lee and George Sekulich have been appointed as interim Co-Presidents of Emmaus.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/822370/000121390023070110/0001213900-23-070110-index.htm

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