---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001919246-26-000078"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "PTHS"
cik: "0001919246"
company_name: "Pelthos Therapeutics Inc."
filed_at: "2026-05-21T21:00:16+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-21T21:48:38.234762+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Pelthos Therapeutics dismisses CFO Knuettel, appoints Grant Thornton as auditor

## Summary
- CFO Francis Knuettel II terminated effective April 10, 2026; separation agreement provides $430,000 severance (12 months salary) and accelerated vesting of 59,500 options and 19,525 RSUs.
- Auditor change: CBIZ CPAs dismissed, Grant Thornton LLP engaged for FY2026; no disagreements or reportable events reported.
- Knuettel's equity acceleration: 59,500 options and 19,525 RSUs vest; options exercisable until Jan 15, 2027, unvested portion forfeited.
- Separation agreement includes release of claims, confidentiality, non-disparagement, and cooperation; effective after 7-day revocation period.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001919246-26-000078
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: PTHS
- cik: 0001919246
- company_name: Pelthos Therapeutics Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-05-21T21:00:16+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 4.01, 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1919246/000191924626000078/0001919246-26-000078-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1919246/000191924626000078/pths-20260515.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001919246-26-000078
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001919246-26-000078.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001919246-26-000078.txt

## Source-grounded claims
- claim_id: 3901752ccabca5af3bb838b493e456db8a9154b6
  claim: Pelthos Therapeutics Inc. engaged Grant Thornton LLP as its auditor.
  evidence_excerpt: Also on May 16, 2026, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”), as its new independent registered public accounting firm.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1919246/000191924626000078/0001919246-26-000078-index.htm
- claim_id: 8ffcc7ee6d3c23fa4a7a5e3efdaa88363ee60668
  claim: Pelthos Therapeutics Inc. dismissed CBIZ CPAs P.C. as its auditor.
  evidence_excerpt: On May 16, 2026, the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Pelthos Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”) approved the dismissal of CBIZ CPAs P.C. (“CBIZ”), as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1919246/000191924626000078/0001919246-26-000078-index.htm
- claim_id: 77a5ca0ba5
  claim: Francis Knuettel II was terminated as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary at Pelthos Therapeutics Inc..
  evidence_excerpt: the Board terminated Francis Knuettel II from his position as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company, effective April 10, 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1919246/000191924626000078/0001919246-26-000078-index.htm

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