Vir Biotechnology adds Suzanne Topalian to board of directors

Vir Biotechnology, Inc. disclosed in an 8-K filing that on October 26, 2026, its Board of Directors approved an increase in the size of the Board from eight to nine members and the appointment of Suzanne Topalian, M.D., to fill the newly created vacancy and serve on the Board as a Class III director until the Company's 2028 annual meeting of stockholders, as well as the appointment of Dr. Topalian to the Science and Technology Committee of the Board, in each case effective as of October 27, 2026.¹

The filing states that Dr. Topalian was not selected by the Board to serve as a director pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with any person, and there are otherwise no related party transactions between the Company and Dr. Topalian that are subject to disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.¹

As compensation, the filing notes that as a non-employee director, Dr. Topalian will receive the standard cash and equity compensation set forth in the Company's non-employee director compensation policy and described under the caption "Director Compensation" in the Company's 2026 Proxy Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 16, 2026.¹ The filing also states that pursuant to the automatic grant program under such policy, on her appointment date, Dr. Topalian was granted stock option and restricted stock unit awards under the Company's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, each in the amounts set forth and subject to vesting and other terms as provided for in the policy.¹

Additionally, the company confirmed that in addition to the indemnification provided for directors in the Company's Bylaws, the Company has entered into its standard form of indemnity agreement with Dr. Topalian, a copy of which was previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's registration statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on September 3, 2019.¹

The 8-K was signed on October 28, 2026 by Marianne De Backer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vir Biotechnology. The filing does not provide details on Dr. Topalian's professional background or prior experience.