---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001213900-26-003030"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: null
cik: "0001845459"
company_name: "NKGen Biotech, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-01-09T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T11:05:44.513559+00:00"
event_type: "debt"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# NKGen Biotech enters $25.84M secured promissory note with AlpineBrook at 12% interest

## Summary
- Note principal $25,840,106; 12% interest; initial maturity 2 months, extendable at lender's sole discretion.
- Note documents $25,540,106 in prior advances plus $300,000 new cash; no prepayment without lender consent.
- Includes most-favored-nation clause; security interests in US personal/real property and NKGen Korea shares.
- Change of control triggers 20% prepayment premium; restrictive covenants limit additional debt and liens.
- Security interests subordinated to East West Bank and BDW Investments liens; Korean share pledge after July 2026 lock-up.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001213900-26-003030
- form_type: 8-K
- cik: 0001845459
- company_name: NKGen Biotech, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-01-09T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: debt
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 2.03, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1845459/000121390026003030/0001213900-26-003030-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1845459/000121390026003030/ea0272061-8k_nkgen.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001213900-26-003030
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001213900-26-003030.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001213900-26-003030.txt

## Key facts
- Debt Financings
  NKGen Biotech, Inc. incurred loan of $25,840,106 with AlpineBrook Capital GP I Limited at 12% per annum maturing initially on the date falling two months after issuance, subject to extension at the Lender’s discretion.
  - Instrument: loan
  - Principal: $25,840,106
  - Counterparty: AlpineBrook Capital GP I Limited
  - Rate: 12% per annum
  - Maturity: initially on the date falling two months after issuance, subject to extension at the Lender’s discretion
  - Event: incurrence
  source text: On January 5, 2026, NKGen Biotech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and NKGen Operating Biotech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company Sub ,” and together with the Company, the “ Borrowers ”), entered into a secured promissory note (the “ Note ”) with AlpineBrook Capital GP I Limited (the “ Lender ”), in the original principal amount of $25,840,106, bearing interest at 12% per annum and maturing initially on the date falling two months after issuance, subject to extension at the Lender’s discretion.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1845459/000121390026003030/0001213900-26-003030-index.htm
- Material Agreements
  NKGen Biotech, Inc. entered into Note with AlpineBrook Capital GP I Limited valued at original principal amount of $25,840,106 (effective 2026-01-05).
  - Action: entry
  - Counterparty: AlpineBrook Capital GP I Limited
  - Value: original principal amount of $25,840,106
  - Effective: 2026-01-05
  source text: On January 5, 2026, NKGen Biotech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and NKGen Operating Biotech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company Sub ,” and together with the Company, the “ Borrowers ”), entered into a secured promissory note (the “ Note ”) with AlpineBrook Capital GP I Limited (the “ Lender ”), in the original principal amount of $25,840,106, bearing interest at 12% per annum
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1845459/000121390026003030/0001213900-26-003030-index.htm

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