---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001493152-26-036268"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ENSC"
cik: "0001716947"
company_name: "Ensysce Biosciences, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-08-06T12:20:41+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-08-06T12:25:18.515013+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Ensysce acquires Cy Biopharma, issues Series C Preferred, raises ~$43M in PIPE

## Summary
- Acquired Cy Biopharma on Aug 5, 2026; Cy stockholders received 282,122 shares of Series C Preferred Stock (convertible 1:1,000 into common).
- Raised ~$43M via PIPE: 120,260 Series C shares in two tranches; initial close Aug 7, 2026, milestone tranche subject to clinical trial.
- Lynn Kirkpatrick resigned as President; James Morrison (founder of Cy) appointed President and director, to become CEO after stockholder vote.
- Eliminated Series B Preferred Stock; all outstanding shares converted into 3,229,276 common shares; Certificate of Elimination filed.
- Certain Cy stockholders and company insiders subject to 180-day lock-up on shares received in the merger.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001493152-26-036268
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ENSC
- cik: 0001716947
- company_name: Ensysce Biosciences, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-08-06T12:20:41+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 5.03, 2.01, 3.02, 3.03, 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1716947/000149315226036268/0001493152-26-036268-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1716947/000149315226036268/form8-k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-26-036268
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-26-036268.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-26-036268.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  James Morrison was appointed as Director at Ensysce Biosciences, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, appointed James Morrison as President and as a director of the Company effective immediately upon the Closing
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1716947/000149315226036268/0001493152-26-036268-index.htm
- Executive change
  James Morrison was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at Ensysce Biosciences, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: appointed Mr. Morrison as Chief Executive Officer effective upon approval of the Meeting Proposals.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1716947/000149315226036268/0001493152-26-036268-index.htm
- Executive change
  James Morrison was appointed as President at Ensysce Biosciences, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President
  source text: the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, appointed James Morrison as President and as a director of the Company effective immediately upon the Closing
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1716947/000149315226036268/0001493152-26-036268-index.htm
- Executive change
  Lynn Kirkpatrick resigned as President at Ensysce Biosciences, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: President
  source text: on August 5, 2026, Lynn Kirkpatrick resigned from her position as President of the Company, effective immediately upon the Closing.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1716947/000149315226036268/0001493152-26-036268-index.htm

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