Precision BioSciences Announces Senior Leadership Changes; New CFO & COO

What Happened Precision BioSciences (DTIL) filed an 8-K reporting executive leadership changes approved July 23, 2026 and effective August 1, 2026. Alex Kelly (age 60), previously the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since May 2021, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Naresh Tanna (age 45), formerly Vice President of Investor Relations and Chief of Staff (joined Jan 2022), was appointed Chief Financial Officer and will serve as the principal financial officer. The company issued a press release on July 27, 2026 announcing these changes.

Key Details

• Effective date: August 1, 2026. Announcement filed: 8-K dated July 27, 2026.
• Alex Kelly: promoted to COO; annual base salary increased to $510,000; target annual bonus = 45% of base salary. No other changes to his existing employment agreement.
• Naresh Tanna: named CFO; will receive $400,000 annual base salary; target annual bonus = 40% of base salary (pro-rated for 2026). Formal employment agreement to be filed with the Company’s 10-Q for the quarter ending Sept 30, 2026.
• Mei Burris (VP of Finance) designated principal accounting officer and Chief Accounting Officer; no compensation changes. Cassie Gorsuch, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, assigned all research functions.

Why It Matters These are material leadership changes: the company has a new principal financial officer and a new chief operating officer, which can affect financial reporting, investor communications, and operational oversight. The filing indicates the transitions were mutual and not due to disagreements about company operations or accounting. Investors should note the formal CFO appointment and principal accounting officer designation for future financial disclosures and communications; the company will file Mr. Tanna’s employment agreement in its upcoming 10-Q.