Valion Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: VBIO) filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on October 27, 2026, disclosing the termination of its General Counsel, Melinda Lackey. The company notified Lackey of her employment termination effective October 30, 2026. On October 31, 2026, Valion entered into a Separation Agreement and General Release with Lackey.
Under the terms of the Separation Agreement, subject to compliance and the satisfaction of conditions, Valion agreed to pay Lackey a gross cash severance payment of $26,750, less applicable taxes and withholdings, in a single lump-sum payment. Additionally, the company agreed to pay the applicable COBRA premiums for Lackey and her covered dependents until November 30, 2026, or the date she becomes eligible for healthcare coverage under a subsequent employer’s plan. The agreement includes a general release of claims, confidentiality, non-disparagement, and cooperation obligations. Lackey agreed to forfeit any unvested equity awards and may exercise vested stock options in accordance with the applicable equity plan documents.
In other news, on October 30, 2026, Valion announced that the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) will evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the company’s lead biologic drug candidate, Entolimod. The study, fully funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), will assess whether treatment administered 24 hours after radiation exposure improves survival in a model designed to isolate gastrointestinal injury. The primary endpoint of the study is survival, with results anticipated in early December.
