Pyxis Oncology names Thomas Civik permanent CEO and Chairman

Pyxis Oncology, Inc. announced on September 8, 2026 that its board appointed Thomas Civik as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, effective September 4, 2026. Mr. Civik had served as the company's Interim Chief Executive Officer since February 2, 2026 and as a member of the Board since September 2021.¹

In connection with Mr. Civik's appointment as Chairman, John Flavin, co-founder and founding Chairman of Pyxis Oncology, will transition to Lead Independent Director and will continue to serve as a member of the Board.¹ The board also appointed Flavin as a member and Chair of the Compensation Committee, which now also includes Rachel Humphrey, M.D., and Michael A. Metzger.¹

Under an amended employment agreement, Civik will continue to receive an annualized base salary of $710,000 and remain eligible for an annual target bonus opportunity equal to 60% of his base salary.¹ He will also receive a one-time cash sign-on bonus of $100,000, subject to repayment if his employment ends for Cause or he resigns without Good Reason before the six-month anniversary of the appointment.¹ The board also approved a nonqualified stock option grant for 2,503,050 shares under the 2021 Equity and Incentive Plan, vesting 25% after one year and the remainder in 36 monthly installments.¹

Separately, on September 3, 2026, Dr. Santhosh Palani, Ph.D., CFA, notified the company of his resignation from the board and all committees, effective September 4, 2026,¹ reducing board size from eight to seven members.

On the pipeline, Pyxis expects updated Phase 1 monotherapy data in second-line and beyond R/M HNSCC in Fall 2026, and updated Phase 1/2 combination data with pembrolizumab in first-line R/M HNSCC in the fourth quarter of 2026.¹