Ensysce Biosciences discloses CEO transition and board departure plan

Ensysce Biosciences, Inc. filed an 8-K dated October 29, 2026, disclosing leadership changes set to take effect around the company's upcoming annual meeting.

The company said board member Will Chang has advised that he intends to resign as a director following the next annual meeting of stockholders.¹ That annual meeting has been scheduled for December 14, 2026.¹ Chang has not provided a written resignation or set a specific resignation date.¹

On October 29, 2026, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Lynn Kirkpatrick, age 69, agreed to assume the title of Chief Operating Officer immediately following the annual meeting, giving up her CEO title.¹ If the annual meeting is delayed, both the assumption and relinquishment of titles will be delayed as well.¹ The company noted that, as previously reported, President James Morrisson will become CEO immediately after the annual meeting.¹

Kirkpatrick also agreed to sign an amendment to her September 14, 2021 employment offer letter to reflect the title change and to confirm that moving to COO will not trigger severance obligations under that agreement.¹

The filing also detailed Kirkpatrick's background. She has served as Ensysce's Chief Executive Officer since January 2009.¹ She previously co-founded ProlX Pharmaceuticals, an oncology discovery company, before it was acquired by Biomira Inc., where she became Chief Scientific Officer.¹ In 2009 she co-founded PHusis Therapeutics while also becoming Ensysce's CEO.¹

Separately, the filing disclosed details of a related entity. Ensysce owns 79.2% of EBIR, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing a compound used in the company's overdose protection program for treating COVID-19.¹ The remaining 20.8% is held by two company affiliates and Mucokinetica, Ltd., with Kirkpatrick owning 9.9% and Mucokinetica owning 1.0%.¹ Kirkpatrick also serves as CEO of EBIR, Inc., and the filing states there is no revenue sharing agreement between Ensysce and EBIR.¹