Aardvark Therapeutics: appoints David (Zhongwei) Zhang to board

What happened

• The filing says that on Oct 6, 2026, the board of directors appointed David (Zhongwei) Zhang, Ph.D., MBA, as a Class II director of the company, effective Oct 7, 2026.
• The filing also says that on Oct 8, 2026, the company issued a press release announcing the appointment.

Key details

• Dr. Zhang is age 58 and has over 25 years of experience in clinical program design, pivotal trial analysis and regulatory support.
• Under the company’s non-employee director compensation program, Dr. Zhang is entitled to cash compensation of $40,000 per year, prorated for service during the year.
• On Oct 7, 2026, Dr. Zhang was granted an option equal to $500,000 divided by the per share grant date fair value; the appointment option vests 1/36th of the shares on each monthly anniversary, subject to continued service, and will vest in full if a Change in Control occurs during his service.
• The company entered into its standard form of indemnification and advancement agreement with Dr. Zhang; the filing states there are no family relationships with company directors or executives and no reportable related-party transactions under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Why it may matter

• This filing reports an Item 5.02 director change (departure of directors or certain officers; election of directors) and an Item 8.01 other events (press release). This filing does not show why the insider traded or why the company acted.