---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001493152-21-023269"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ABEO"
cik: "0000318306"
company_name: "ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC."
filed_at: "2021-09-21T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-29T02:26:40.250918+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Abeona appoints new CEO, chairman; prepares for two BLA submissions

## Summary
- Michael Amoroso resigns as President/CEO effective Oct 14, 2021; appointed Chairman Oct 15.
- Steven Rouhandeh retires as Chairman and board member effective Oct 14, 2021.
- Vishwas Seshadri appointed President/CEO and director effective Oct 15; base salary $500K plus equity.
- Promotions: Brendan O'Malley to General Counsel, Brian Kevany to CTO; adds regulatory veterans Carl Denny and Kate Imhoff.
- Leadership changes aim to support two BLA submissions for EB-101 (RDEB) and ABO-102 (MPS IIIA).

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001493152-21-023269
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ABEO
- cik: 0000318306
- company_name: ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC.
- filed_at: 2021-09-21T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/318306/000149315221023269/0001493152-21-023269-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/318306/000149315221023269/form8-k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-21-023269
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-21-023269.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-21-023269.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Steven Rouhandeh departed as Chairman of the Board at ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC..
  - Action: retired and resigned
  - Role: Chairman of the Board
  source text: Steven Rouhandeh, Chairman of the Board, notified the Company of his retirement and resignation as a member of the Board effective October 14.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/318306/000149315221023269/0001493152-21-023269-index.htm
- Executive change
  Vishwas Seshadri was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer and director at ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer and director
  source text: the Board appointed Vishwas Seshadri, Ph.D., M.B.A., as President and Chief Executive Officer and director effective October 15, 2021.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/318306/000149315221023269/0001493152-21-023269-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael Amoroso resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer at ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Michael Amoroso, President and Chief Executive Officer of Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”), and a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), notified the Company of his resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer effective October 14, 2021.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/318306/000149315221023269/0001493152-21-023269-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael Amoroso was appointed as Chairman of the Board at ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chairman of the Board
  source text: the Board voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Amoroso Chairman of the Board effective October 15.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/318306/000149315221023269/0001493152-21-023269-index.htm

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