CytoDyn names Robert Hoffman CEO, moves Lalezari to research role

CytoDyn Inc. announced on October 19, 2026 that Robert E. Hoffman will become Chief Executive Officer, effective October 20, 2026, as the clinical-stage oncology company advances leronlimab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the CCR5 receptor in indications including colorectal cancer and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.¹

Hoffman succeeds Jacob Lalezari, who had served as CEO since November 2023.¹ Lalezari will stay at CytoDyn as Head of Research and Translational Sciences, focusing on new opportunities for leronlimab in solid-tumor oncology.¹ According to the company's 8-K, the Board appointed Hoffman at a meeting on October 16, 2026, after discussions with Lalezari, who confirmed his resignation as CEO effective October 20, 2026 and accepted the new research role.¹

Hoffman, age 60, has served as the company's Chief Financial Officer since May 15, 2025,¹ and will continue to serve as principal accounting officer alongside his new CEO duties.¹ His background includes roles as President, CEO, interim CFO and Chairperson of Kintara Therapeutics from November 2021 to October 2024; CFO of Heron Therapeutics from April 2017 to October 2020; and CFO of AnaptysBio from July 2015 to September 2016.¹ He currently sits on the boards of TuHURA Biosciences, a clinical stage immuno-oncology company that acquired Kintara Therapeutics in October 2024, and Fibrobiologics, a clinical stage company focused on chronic diseases.¹

On compensation, the Board's Compensation Committee approved for fiscal 2027, raising Hoffman's base salary to $525,000, lifting his bonus target from 40% to 50%, and granting options for 2,500,000 shares priced at the higher of the closing stock prices on October 16 and October 20, 2026, vesting 25% after one year and the remainder monthly through October 16, 2030.¹

CytoDyn and Lalezari also signed a new employment agreement for his research role, replacing his prior executive agreement, with no change to his compensation.¹