---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001698530-22-000009"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "XCUR"
cik: "0001698530"
company_name: "EXICURE, INC."
filed_at: "2022-02-04T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-27T11:07:48.963632+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Exicure CEO Brian Bock resigns; CSO Matthias Schroff appointed CEO; board reduced from 8 to 5

## Summary
- Brian C. Bock resigns as President and CEO effective Feb 4, 2022; becomes Special Advisor for 3 months at $25k/month.
- Matthias Schroff, previously CSO, appointed CEO and board member; base salary increased to $550k, target bonus 50%.
- Three board members resign: Timothy Walbert (chair), Bosun Hau, Andrew Sassine; Betsy Garofalo appointed chair.
- Board size reduced from 8 to 5 directors; committees reconstituted with Garofalo, Cleland, Muralidhar, Sulat.
- Former CTO David Giljohann separated Jan 31, 2022; receives $550k separation payment.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001698530-22-000009
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: XCUR
- cik: 0001698530
- company_name: EXICURE, INC.
- filed_at: 2022-02-04T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1698530/000169853022000009/0001698530-22-000009-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1698530/000169853022000009/xcur-20220131.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001698530-22-000009
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001698530-22-000009.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001698530-22-000009.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Brian C. Bock departed as President and Chief Executive Officer at EXICURE, INC..
  - Action: ceased serving
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Effective February 4, 2022 (the “ Transition Date ”), Brian C. Bock will cease serving as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board to pursue other opportunities.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1698530/000169853022000009/0001698530-22-000009-index.htm
- Executive change
  Matthias Schroff was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer at EXICURE, INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: The Board appointed Matthias Schroff, Ph.D., the Company’s current Chief Scientific Officer, to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board to succeed Mr. Bock, effective February 4, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1698530/000169853022000009/0001698530-22-000009-index.htm
- Executive change
  David A. Giljohann departed as Chief Technology Officer at EXICURE, INC..
  - Action: separated
  - Role: Chief Technology Officer
  source text: David A. Giljohann, Ph.D. was appointed to the position of Chief Technology Officer of the Company through January 31, 2022, at which time Dr. Giljohann separated from the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1698530/000169853022000009/0001698530-22-000009-index.htm

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