Ensysce Biosciences, Inc. filed a current report on Form 8-K on November 4, 2026, disclosing leadership transition plans including the planned resignation of a board director and a title change for its longtime Chief Executive Officer following the company's December 14, 2026 annual stockholder meeting.

Key Highlights

  • Director resignation planned: Board member Will Chang has advised the company he intends to resign as a director following the next annual meeting of stockholders, scheduled for December 14, 2026.
  • CEO title change: Dr. Lynn Kirkpatrick, age 69, agreed on October 29, 2026 to assume the title of Chief Operating Officer immediately following the annual meeting, relinquishing her title of Chief Executive Officer.
  • Incoming CEO: According to the filing, company President James Morrisson will assume the title of Chief Executive Officer immediately following the annual meeting, as previously reported.
  • Severance agreement: Dr. Kirkpatrick agreed that her acceptance of the Chief Operating Officer position will not trigger the company's obligation to pay severance under her September 14, 2021 employment offer letter.
  • EBIR, Inc. ownership: The company disclosed it owns 79.2% of EBIR, Inc., with Dr. Kirkpatrick personally owning 9.9% and Mucokinetica, Ltd. owning 1.0% of the remaining interest.
  • Long tenure: According to the filing, Dr. Kirkpatrick has served as the company's Chief Executive Officer since January 2009.

Ensysce Biosciences Discloses Executive Leadership Changes Set for December 2026

Ensysce Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSC) disclosed a series of leadership transition steps in an 8-K current report filed November 4, 2026, with the earliest reported event dated October 29, 2026. The filing covers Item 5.02, addressing departures, elections, appointments, and compensatory arrangements of certain officers and directors.

The filing states that board member Will Chang advised the company of his intent to resign as a director following the annual meeting of stockholders, which has been scheduled for December 14, 2026. The filing notes that "Mr. Chang has not provided a writing concerning his resignation or a date of resignation." Separately, on October 29, 2026, Dr. Lynn Kirkpatrick agreed to move from Chief Executive Officer to Chief Operating Officer immediately after the annual meeting, with James Morrisson, the company's current President, set to assume the Chief Executive Officer title at the same time. The filing adds that if the annual meeting is delayed, both her assumption and relinquishment of titles will be delayed accordingly.

As part of the transition, Dr. Kirkpatrick agreed to execute an amendment to her September 14, 2021 employment offer letter to document the title change and to confirm that her acceptance of the Chief Operating Officer role will not trigger severance obligations under that agreement. The filing also disclosed that the company owns 79.2% of EBIR, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company, while Dr. Kirkpatrick personally owns 9.9% and Mucokinetica, Ltd. owns 1.0%. The filing states there is no revenue sharing agreement between the company and EBIR, Inc.

What Was Disclosed

Ensysce Biosciences reported the planned resignation of director Will Chang, the agreed transition of Dr. Lynn Kirkpatrick from CEO to COO, and the forthcoming elevation of James Morrisson to CEO, all contingent on the December 14, 2026 annual stockholder meeting.