Precision BioSciences promotes CFO to COO, names new CFO effective August 1

Precision BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTIL) disclosed in an 8-K that its Board of Directors approved the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer, the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer, and other changes to its executive leadership team on July 23, 2026.¹ The company made these changes public in a press release dated July 27, 2026. All of the changes take effect on August 1, 2026.¹

Under the changes, Alex Kelly, age 60, who has served as Chief Financial Officer since May 2021, was appointed Chief Operating Officer.¹ The company said the move was mutually agreed and was not the result of any disagreement over operations, policies, practices, or accounting.¹ Kelly's annual base salary will rise to $510,000, with a target annual bonus of 45% of base salary, effective on the effective date.¹

Naresh Tanna, age 45, was appointed Chief Financial Officer,¹ and his employment agreement sets an annual base salary of $400,000 with a target annual bonus of 40% of base salary, pro-rated for 2026.¹ Tanna previously served as Vice President of Investor Relations and Chief of Staff to the CEO since joining the company in January 2022, and before that worked at Amgen, AbbVie, Celgene, and Eli Lilly.

Separately, Mei Burris, age 40, the company's Vice President of Finance, will be designated principal accounting officer and Chief Accounting Officer effective August 1, 2026.¹ Cindy Atwell continues to lead clinical development across the company's two clinical stage programs, PBGENE-HBV and PBGENE-DMD, while Cassie Gorsuch now oversees all research functions.¹