# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001722482
**File Stem:** 0001193125-25-161950
**Filing Date:** 2025-7
**Character Count:** 16411
**Document Hash:** 40bbc3d9c2492eba8bd4ec46ea9eb1a7
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-25-161950.hdr.sgml**: 20250721

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-25-161950

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 15

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20250715

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Regulation FD Disclosure

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250721

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250721

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Avantor, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001722482
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS [3826]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 08 Industrial Applications and Services
- **EIN:** 822758923
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-38912
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251137889

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** RADNOR CORPORATE CENTER, BUILDING ONE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 200, 100 MATSONFORD ROAD
- **CITY:** RADNOR
- **STATE:** PA
- **ZIP:** 19087
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** (610) 386-1700

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** RADNOR CORPORATE CENTER, BUILDING ONE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 200, 100 MATSONFORD ROAD
- **CITY:** RADNOR
- **STATE:** PA
- **ZIP:** 19087

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Avantor, Inc
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20190206

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Vail Holdco Corp
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20171113

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? 8-K

### UNITED STATES

### SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

#### Washington, D.C. 20549

### FORM 8-K

#### CURRENT REPORT

#### Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

#### of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

#### Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 15, 2025
![LOGO](g69795g0712224722677.jpg)

## Avantor, Inc.

#### (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **001-38912** | **82-2758923** |
| **(State or other jurisdiction**<br> **of incorporation)** | **(Commission**<br> **File Number)** | **(I.R.S. Employer<br>Identification No.)** |

---

---

| |
|:---|
| **Radnor Corporate Center, Building One, Suite 200** |
| **100 Matsonford Road** |
| **Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087** |

---

#### (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(610) 386-1700

#### (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

#### Not Applicable

#### (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading<br>Symbol** | **Exchange on<br>which registered** |
| Common Stock, $0.01 par value | AVTR | New York Stock Exchange |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). ☐ Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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#### Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On July 21, 2025, Avantor, Inc. (the "Company"), announced that it has named Emmanuel Ligner as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective as of August 18, 2025. Mr. Ligner will become a member of the Company's Executive Leadership Team and serve as its principal executive officer. In connection with this appointment, the Company's current Chief Executive Officer, Michael Stubblefield, who previously agreed to step down from his role as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer will cease serving effective as of August 18, 2025.

Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ligner, age 55, served as Chief Executive Officer of Cerba HealthCare from March 2024 to March 2025. Prior to that, Mr. Ligner served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cytiva and a Group Executive of Danaher Corporation from April 2020 to March 2024. Mr. Ligner also served in several roles at GE HealthCare from April 2008 to April 2020, including President and Chief Executive Officer, Life Sciences. Mr. Ligner began his career in biopharma as a Medical Representative at Otsuka Pharmaceutical in 1996, later serving in various roles at Abbott Diagnostics and at Whatman International. Mr. Ligner holds a B.A. in Marketing from University College of Wales and an MBA in Commerce from Université de Savoie.

In connection with his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, on July 15, 2025, VWR International Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a contract of employment (the "Agreement") with Mr. Ligner. The term of the Agreement is one year, with automatic annual renewals, unless it is not renewed by either party or Mr. Ligner's employment terminates in accordance with the Agreement. Upon receipt of a work visa granting Mr. Ligner authorization to work in the United States, the Agreement will also terminate, and he will be employed by the Company on substantially consistent terms.

Mr. Ligner's initial annual base salary is £775,000 and his target annual incentive bonus opportunity is 150% of base salary, pro-rated for 2025 based on his hire date. Mr. Ligner will be eligible to participate in the Company's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") beginning in 2026, pursuant to which he will be eligible for an annual equity grant, with a target value of $9,000,000, as determined by the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Ligner will also receive a one-time new hire equity award under the Plan with a target amount of $5,000,000, half of which will be granted in the form of restricted stock units and half of which will be granted in the form of premium priced stock options. These awards will vest ratably over three years, subject to the Plan's terms and conditions.

In the event that Mr. Ligner is involuntarily terminated without "cause" or resigns for "good reason" he will receive a lump-sum payment of $75,000 for repatriation expenses and severance on terms consistent with the terms of the Company's Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan, which is described in the Company's current report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2025, and a copy of which will be filed with the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2025.

The foregoing description of the Agreement is a summary only and does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text, a copy of which will be filed with the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2025.

Avantor confirms that (1) there is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Ligner and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer; (2) there is no family relationship between Mr. Ligner and any director or executive officer of the Company; and (3) there are no transactions involving Mr. Ligner that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 7.01.** | **Regulation FD Disclosure.**  |

---

On July 21, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Ligner. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit No. 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and

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incorporated herein by reference. The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, is furnished and shall not be deemed filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

#### Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| 99.1 | [Press Release, dated July 21, 2025](d69795dex991.htm) |
| 104 | The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL |

---

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#### SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Avantor, Inc.** | **Avantor, Inc.** | **Avantor, Inc.** |
| Date: July 21, 2025 | By: | Name: Claudius Sokenu | Name: Claudius Sokenu |
|  |  | Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer |

---

## Exhibit 99.1

**Exhibit 99.1**![LOGO](g69795g0719030723409.jpg)

**News release** 

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** 

**Avantor Announces Emmanuel Ligner as Next President and CEO** 

*Seasoned Executive with Proven Track Record of Value Creation in Life Sciences* 

**RADNOR, Pa. – July 21, 2025 –** Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR), a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and advanced technology industries, today announced that it has named Emmanuel Ligner, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 18, 2025.

Mr. Ligner succeeds Michael Stubblefield, who will, as previously announced, step down from his role as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer upon Mr. Ligner's appointment.

Mr. Ligner brings more than 30 years of experience and an outstanding track record of driving growth and value creation in the life sciences industry. During his 12 years at GE Life Sciences, Mr. Ligner held several global leadership positions with a focus on commercial growth, culminating in his appointment as President and CEO. Following the sale of the biopharma business at GE Life Sciences to Danaher Corporation, Mr. Ligner led the launch of Cytiva and spent four years building the business into a powerful standalone life sciences brand including the integration of Pall Life Sciences. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Cerba HealthCare.

"Emmanuel is a proven CEO and leader with extensive experience driving commercial growth and building high-performing, empowered teams at large-scale global life sciences organizations," said Jonathan Peacock, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "The Board is confident Emmanuel is the right person to lead Avantor in its next chapter to deliver competitive growth and value in both Lab Solutions and Bioscience Production."

Mr. Ligner said, "I have long admired Avantor as an industry leader with an attractive portfolio, global supply chain and diverse customer base. I believe this company has tremendous potential and I look forward to working closely with our Board, leadership team and the thousands of talented associates around the world to capitalize on market opportunities and create value for shareholders."

------

![LOGO](g69795g0719030723409.jpg)

**About Emmanuel Ligner** 

Mr. Ligner most recently served as Chief Executive Officer at Cerba HealthCare. Prior to that, Mr. Ligner was President and Chief Executive Officer of Cytiva, a part of the Danaher Corporation. Before Cytiva, he held several leadership positions in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, culminating in his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Life Sciences. Mr. Ligner began his career in Japan with Otsuka Pharmaceuticals before joining Abbott Japan.

Mr. Ligner holds an MA of Commerce from Université e de Savoie in France and a BA of Marketing from University College of Wales in the U.K.

**Second Quarter 2025 Results and Conference Call** 

As previously announced, Avantor will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

**About Avantor** 

Avantor<sup>®</sup> is a leading life science tools company and global provider of mission-critical products and services to the life sciences and advanced technology industries. We work side-by-side with customers at every step of the scientific journey to enable breakthroughs in medicine, healthcare, and technology. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities at more than 300,000 customer locations in 180 countries. For more information, visit <u>avantorsciences.com</u> and find us on <u>Linkedln</u>, <u>X</u> <u>(Twitter)</u> and <u>Facebook</u>.

**Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements** 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, including our cost transformation initiative, objectives, future performance and business. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words "aim," "anticipate," "assumption," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "intend," "likely," "long-term," "near-term," "objective," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "project," "projection," "prospects," "seek," "target," "trend," "can," "could," "may," "should," "would," "will," the negatives thereof and other words and terms of similar meaning.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions; they are not guarantees of performance. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Although we believe that our assumptions made in connection with the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that the assumptions and

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![LOGO](g69795g0719030723409.jpg)

expectations will prove to be correct. Factors that could contribute to these risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the factors described in "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. In addition, all forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise other than as required under the federal securities laws.

**Investor Relations Contact** 

Allison Hosak

Senior Vice President, Global Communications

Avantor

908-329-7281

<u>Allison.Hosak@avantorsciences.com</u>

**Global Media Contact** 

Eric Van Zanten

Head of External Communications

Avantor

610-529-6219

<u>Eric.VanZanten@avantorsciences.com</u>

SOURCE: Avantor and Financial News

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