---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001447028-24-000006"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ABUS"
cik: "0001447028"
company_name: "Arbutus Biopharma Corp"
filed_at: "2024-01-04T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-07T03:54:48.858107+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO Collier retires, gets $207K bonus; interim CEO McElhaugh gets $515K salary + $127.5K stipend

## Summary
- William Collier retired as CEO effective Dec 31, 2023; receives prorated 50% target bonus of $207,058.
- Collier enters consulting agreement for 3 months at $400/hour; RSUs and stock options continue to vest during term.
- Michael McElhaugh appointed Interim President & CEO; base salary increased to $515,000, target bonus 45%, additional yearly stipend of $127,500.
- McElhaugh will be nominated for election to the Board of Directors.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001447028-24-000006
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ABUS
- cik: 0001447028
- company_name: Arbutus Biopharma Corp
- filed_at: 2024-01-04T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702824000006/0001447028-24-000006-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702824000006/abus-20231231.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001447028-24-000006
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001447028-24-000006.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001447028-24-000006.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Michael J. McElhaugh was appointed as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at Arbutus Biopharma Corp.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On January 1, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), Michael J. McElhaugh, the Company’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, and Arbutus entered into that certain Fourth Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702824000006/0001447028-24-000006-index.htm
- Executive change
  William H. Collier retired as Chief Executive Officer at Arbutus Biopharma Corp.
  - Action: retired
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: William H. Collier retired as Chief Executive Officer of Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (the “Company”), effective December 31, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702824000006/0001447028-24-000006-index.htm

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