HeartSciences Inc. Announces CEO Appointment at Fortitude, Merger Update

What Happened HeartSciences (HSCS) filed an 8-K on Sept. 17, 2026 reporting that Fortitude Mining Holdings, Inc. issued a press release announcing Jaime Leverton will become Chief Executive Officer of Fortitude and a member of Fortitude’s board effective Sept. 21, 2026. The filing also reports that Andrea Childs will step down as Fortitude’s CEO on Sept. 21, 2026, will be appointed Fortitude’s Chief Operating Officer, and has resigned from Fortitude’s board effective immediately. These management changes are disclosed in the context of the previously announced Merger Agreement dated June 23, 2026 between HeartSciences, Fortitude, Fortitude Mining HoldCo, LLC and Cordis Acquisition, LLC for a proposed business combination. HeartSciences previously filed a preliminary proxy on Schedule 14A (July 27, 2026) and cautions investors to review forthcoming definitive proxy materials.

Key Details

• 8-K filed Sept. 17, 2026 (Regulation FD Disclosure and Other Events); Fortitude press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
• Board approval: Fortitude’s board approved Jaime Leverton’s appointment on Sept. 16, 2026; Leverton’s CEO role and board seat effective Sept. 21, 2026.
• Andrea Childs: resigns from Fortitude’s board immediately; will move from CEO to COO effective Sept. 21, 2026.
• Transaction context: Merger Agreement executed June 23, 2026; HeartSciences may be renamed “Fortitude Mining Group, Inc.” and Leverton is anticipated to join HeartSciences’ board and serve as CEO upon closing. HeartSciences has filed related SEC materials (preliminary proxy) and will mail definitive proxy when available.

Why It Matters These are material leadership changes at Fortitude that tie directly to the planned merger with HeartSciences. A new CEO designation (and anticipated CEO role at the combined company) can affect integration planning, governance and investor expectations after closing. HeartSciences warns the proposed transaction is subject to customary closing conditions (including shareholder approval) and contains forward-looking statements; risks cited include the possibility the deal may not close on schedule or at all and operational risks tied to Fortitude’s business (including volatility in digital-asset prices such as Zcash). Investors should review the definitive proxy and related SEC filings when available before making any investment decisions.