# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001994702
**File Stem:** 0001193125-26-009810
**Filing Date:** 2026-1
**Character Count:** 40533
**Document Hash:** 8a3647c8470e714d475b213f5d0c1853
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-26-009810.hdr.sgml**: 20260112

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-26-009810

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 13

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20260108

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Results of Operations and Financial Condition

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

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260112

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260112

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001994702
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 03 Life Sciences
- **EIN:** 831365441
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-41947
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26524722

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 5980 HORTON STREET
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 550
- **CITY:** EMERYVILLE
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94608
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 5106268331

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 5980 HORTON STREET
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 550
- **CITY:** EMERYVILLE
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94608

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

**UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

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## FORM 8-K

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**CURRENT REPORT**

**Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

**Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):** January 08, 2026<br>

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Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc.

**(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Delaware | 001-41947 | 83-1365441 |
| **(State or Other Jurisdiction<br>of Incorporation)** | **(Commission File Number)** | **(IRS Employer<br>Identification No.)** |
| 5980 Horton St., Suite 550 |  |  |
| Emeryville**,** California |  | 94608 |
| **(Address of Principal Executive Offices)** |  | **(Zip Code)** |

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**Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:** (510) 925-2492<br>

**(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)**

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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:**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **<br>Title of each class** | **Trading<br>Symbol(s)** | **<br>Name of each exchange on which registered** |
| Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share | KYTX | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |

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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 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On January 12, 2026, Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release providing a corporate update and outlining its strategic priorities for 2026, as well as announcing the appointment of Christi Shaw as Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and providing certain preliminary financial information for the year ended December 31, 2025. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Item 2.02 of this Current Report by reference. The preliminary financial information presented in the press release is unaudited, based on the Company's current expectations and subject to completion and may be adjusted as a result of, among other things, completion of year-end closing procedures.

In accordance with General Instructions B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this Item 2.02 of this Current Report, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

## Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On January 8, 2026, the Board appointed Christi Shaw, a current member of the Board, as the Company's Executive Chairperson of the Board, effective January 12, 2026 (the "Effective Date"). In this role, Ms. Shaw will serve as the Chairperson of the Board. Ian Clark, the former Chairperson of the Board, will remain a member of the Board.

Ms. Shaw's biographical information is set forth in the section of the Company's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2025, titled "Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors – Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders", and such information is incorporated herein by reference. There are no family relationships between Ms. Shaw and any director or executive officer of the Company, and she was not selected by the Board to serve as Executive Chairperson pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with any person. Ms. Shaw has not engaged in any transaction that would be reportable as a related party transaction under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

In connection with her appointment, on January 10, 2026, Ms. Shaw and the Company entered into an offer letter (the "Offer Letter") pursuant to which Ms. Shaw is employed on an "at-will" basis. Under the Offer Letter, Ms. Shaw's initial annualized salary is $400,000. In addition, on the Effective Date, pursuant to the Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company will grant Ms. Shaw (i) an option to purchase 185,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Option"), which will vest over four years, with 25% of the total number of shares subject to the Option vesting on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date and 1/48th of the total number of shares subject to the Option vesting monthly thereafter, subject to Ms. Shaw's continued service to the Company on each applicable vesting date, (ii) restricted stock units with respect to 30,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "RSUs"), which will vest over four years, with 25% of the total number of shares subject to the RSUs vesting on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date and 25% of the total number of shares subject to the RSUs vesting annually thereafter, subject to Ms. Shaw's continued service to the Company on each applicable vesting date, and (iii) performance restricted stock units (the "PRSUs") for such number of shares of the Company's common stock as is equal to $200,000 divided by the per share Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) as of the date of grant, which will vest upon the Company's common stock reaching certain price targets, subject to Ms. Shaw's continued service to the Company on each applicable vesting date. Upon the termination of Ms. Shaw's employment with the Company for any reason, the Option, the RSUs and the PRSUs will only continue to vest if she remains on the Board as its Chairperson or Vice Chairperson upon and following the termination of her employment.

So long as Ms. Shaw remains employed by the Company, she will not be eligible to receive compensation as a member of the Board under the Company's Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Program, as may be amended or restated from time to time (the "Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy"). However, following cessation of Ms. Shaw's employment with the Company, if she remains a member of the Board, she shall again become eligible to receive compensation under the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy; provided that until such time as the Option and the RSUs have either vested in full or ceased vesting, Ms. Shaw will only be entitled to receive cash retainers for her service on the Board and shall not be entitled to receive any equity awards under the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.

Pursuant to the Offer Letter, if there is a "Change in Control" (as defined in the Offer Letter) during the term of Ms. Shaw's employment, Ms. Shaw shall be entitled to full acceleration of vesting with respect to 100% of all unvested equity awards held by her (with any performance-based vesting requirements being deemed satisfied at target).

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In connection with her employment, Ms. Shaw also entered into the Company's standard Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement, which includes confidentiality provisions, an invention assignment and non-compete covenants during her employment and non-solicit covenants during her employment and for one year thereafter.

The foregoing description of the Offer Letter does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Offer Letter, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

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

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Number | Description |
| 10.1 | [<u>Employment Offer Letter, dated January 9, 2026, between Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. and Christi Shaw.</u>](kytx-ex10_1.htm) |
| 99.1 | [<u>Press Release, dated January 12, 2026.</u>](kytx-ex99_1.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL). |

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**SIGNATURES**

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.

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  |  |  | **KYVERNA THERAPEUTICS, INC.** |
| Date: | January 12, 2026 | By:  | /s/ Marc Grasso |
|  |  |  | Name: Marc Grasso<br>Title: Chief Financial Officer |

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## Exhibit 10.1

**Exhibit 10.1**

![img244929906_0.jpg](img244929906_0.jpg)

<br>January 9, 2026

Christi Shaw<br>via email to [...\*\*\*...]

**Re: Employment Terms**

Dear Christi:

Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (the "***Company***") is pleased to offer you employment beginning on January 12, 2026 (the "***Start Date***"); provided, however, if your employment does not commence on the Start Date, this letter shall be null and void and without force or effect.

**Position**

Your position will be Executive Chairperson of the Company's Board of Directors (the "***Board***") with responsibilities, duties, and authority as usual and customary for such position, reporting to the Board. You will be expected to dedicate three days per week in this role and will work on a hybrid (remote and Company office) basis. The Board may change your position, duties, and work location from time to time in its discretion, subject to the severance protections outlined below. Your employment with the Company as Executive Chairperson is expected to be for an initial term of approximately one year from the Start Date, and will be re-evaluated by the Board around the one-year anniversary of the Start Date.

**Compensation and Benefits**

Your initial base salary will be paid at the rate of $400,000 per year, less payroll deductions and withholdings, paid on the Company's normal payroll schedule ("***Base Salary***"). The Compensation Committee of the Board (the "***Compensation Committee***") shall review your Base Salary not less than annually.

*Benefits*

During your employment, you will be eligible to participate in the benefits plans offered to similarly situated employees of the Company, subject to the terms of the applicable plan and generally applicable Company policies.

Currently, the Company has a flexible vacation policy for exempt employees. Vacation hours are not allotted or accrued, and there is no "unused" vacation time to be carried over from one year to the next nor paid out upon termination. Vacation time off can be taken as needed. The Company also provides pre-set paid holidays each year.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;**Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc.** | &nbsp;&nbsp;5980 Horton Street, Suite 550<br>Emeryville, CA 94608 | &nbsp;&nbsp;hello@kyvernatx.com<br>kyvernatx.com |

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A full description of current benefits is available for your review. The Company may change compensation and benefits from time to time in its discretion, subject to the severance protections outlined below.

The Company will reimburse all reasonable business expenses that are documented by you and incurred in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the Company's standard policies and procedures.

*Equity*

As soon as practicable following your Start Date, the Company will grant you (i) a stock option to purchase 185,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "***Common Stock***"), with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant (the "***Option***"), (ii) restricted stock units (the "***RSUs***") for 30,000 shares of Common Stock, and (iii) performance restricted stock units (the "***PRSUs***") for such number of shares of Common Stock as is equal to $200,000 divided by the per share Fair Market Value (as defined in the Company's 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the "***Plan***")) as of the date of grant (or if the date of grant is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day). The Option, the RSUs and the PRSUs will be granted pursuant to, and governed by, the Plan and the standard forms of option agreement and restricted stock award agreement used pursuant to the Plan. The Option will vest with respect to 25% of the Option shares on the 12-month anniversary of your Start Date, and as to the balance in equal monthly installments over the next 36 months, subject to your Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) as of each such date but with the vesting acceleration set forth in the Vesting Upon a Change in Control section below. The RSUs will vest with respect to 25% of the RSU shares on the 1-year anniversary of your Start Date, and as to the balance in equal annual installments of 25% over the next 3 years, subject to your Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) as of each such date but with the vesting acceleration set forth in the Vesting Upon a Change in Control section below. The PRSUs will vest as set forth in the PRSU award agreement governing the PRSUs, subject to your Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) as of each applicable vesting date but with the vesting acceleration set forth in the Vesting Upon a Change in Control section below.

The compensation to be provided to you pursuant to this letter is in lieu of any compensation you would be entitled receive as a member of the Board under the Company's Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Program, as may be amended or restated from time to time (the "Non-Employee Director Compensation Program"). By signing this letter, you acknowledge and agree that, commencing on the Start Date and so long as you are employed by the Company, you shall not be entitled to receive any compensation pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Compensation Program. Following cessation of your employment with the Company, if you remain a member of the Board, you shall again become eligible to receive compensation under the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy; provided that until such time as the Option and the RSUs have either vested in full or ceased vesting, you shall only be entitled to receive cash retainers for your service on the Board under the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy and shall not be entitled to receive any equity awards under the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy until such time as the Option and the RSUs have vested in full or ceased vesting.

**Confidential Information and Company Policies**

As a Company employee, you will be expected to abide by Company rules and policies. As a condition of employment, you must sign and comply with the Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement in the form attached hereto as <u>Exhibit A</u>, which prohibits unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company's proprietary information, among other obligations.

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By signing this letter, you are representing that you have full authority to accept this position and perform the duties of the position without conflict with any other obligations and that you are not involved in any situation that might create, or appear to create, a conflict of interest with respect to your loyalty or duties to the Company. You specifically warrant that you are not subject to an employment agreement or restrictive covenant preventing full performance of your duties to the Company. You agree not to bring to the Company or use in the performance of your responsibilities at the Company any materials or documents of any former or other employer that are not generally available to the public, unless you have obtained express written authorization from such former or other employer for their possession and use. You also agree to honor all obligations to former and other employers during your employment with the Company.

**At-Will Employment and Exempt Status**

Your employment with the Company will be "at-will." You may terminate your employment with the Company at any time and for any reason whatsoever simply by notifying the Company. Likewise, the Company may terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. Your employment at-will status can only be modified in a written agreement signed by you and by an officer of the Company. You agree that, unless you and the Company agree otherwise, the termination of your employment shall be treated as your resignation from all positions you hold with the Company and its affiliates, and you agree to execute any letter of resignation consistent with the foregoing that the Company reasonably requests.

**Termination of Employment**

If, at any time, the Company terminates your employment for any reason, if you resign for any reason, or your employment terminates as a result of your death or disability, you will receive your Base Salary accrued through the last day of your employment. Under these circumstances, you will not be entitled to any other form of compensation from the Company, including severance benefits, and the Option, the RSUs and the PRSUs will only continue to vest to the extent that you remain on the Board as its Chairperson or Vice Chairperson upon and following the termination of your employment. Otherwise, the Option, the RSUs and the PRSUs will cease vesting upon the termination of your employment.

**Vesting Upon a Change in Control**

If a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) occurs during the term of your employment, any service-based vesting requirements with respect to your then outstanding Company stock options, restricted stock awards, RSU awards and PRSUs, if any, shall be deemed fully satisfied and any performance-based vesting requirements with respect to such options and awards, if any and as applicable, shall be deemed satisfied at target.

**Section 409A**

The payments and benefits under this Agreement are intended to qualify for exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code ("***Section 409A***"), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions, and to the extent not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A to the extent necessary to avoid adverse taxation under Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement

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providing for the payment of amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a "separation from service" (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), without regard to any alternative definition thereunder, a "***Separation from Service***"). Your right to receive any installment payments will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if you are deemed by the Company at the time of your Separation from Service to be a "specified employee" for purposes of Section 409A, and if any of the payments upon Separation from Service set forth herein and/or under any other agreement with the Company are deemed to be "deferred compensation," then, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of such payments is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A and the related adverse taxation under Section 409A, such payments shall not be provided to you prior to the earliest of (a) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of Separation from Service, (b) the date of your death or (c) such earlier date as permitted under Section 409A without the imposition of adverse taxation. With respect to reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided hereunder (or otherwise) that are not exempt from Section 409A, the following rules shall apply: (x) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during any one taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefit to be provided in any other taxable year, (y) in the case of any reimbursements of eligible expenses, reimbursement shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred, and (z) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

**Dispute Resolution and Complete Agreement**

To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with your employment with the Company, you and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Agreement, your employment with the Company, or the termination of your employment, shall be resolved pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1-16, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS or its successor, under JAMS' then applicable rules and procedures for employment disputes before a single arbitrator (available upon request and also currently available at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/). **You acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding.** In addition, all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by you or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. To the extent that the preceding sentences regarding class claims or proceedings are found to violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable, any claim(s) alleged or brought on behalf of a class shall proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. This paragraph shall not apply to any action or claim that cannot be subject to mandatory arbitration as a matter of law, including, without limitation, claims brought pursuant to the California Private Attorneys General Act of 2004, as amended, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as amended, and the California Labor Code, as amended, to the extent such claims are not permitted by applicable law(s) to be submitted to mandatory arbitration and the applicable law(s) are not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act or otherwise invalid (collectively, the ***"Excluded Claims"***). In the event you intend to bring

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multiple claims, including one of the Excluded Claims listed above, the Excluded Claims may be filed with a court, while any other claims will remain subject to mandatory arbitration. You will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. Questions of whether a claim is subject to arbitration under this agreement shall be decided by the arbitrator. Likewise, procedural questions which grow out of the dispute and bear on the final disposition are also matters for the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrator's essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that you or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. The Company shall pay all JAMS arbitration fees in excess of the administrative fees that you would be required to pay if the dispute were decided in a court of law. Nothing in this letter agreement is intended to prevent either you or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Any awards or orders in such arbitrations may be entered and enforced as judgments in the federal and state courts of any competent jurisdiction.

This letter agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with its express terms, and otherwise in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law, whether of the State of California or any other jurisdiction, and where applicable, the laws of the United States, that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

This letter, together with your Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement, forms the complete and exclusive statement of your employment agreement with the Company. It supersedes any other agreements or promises made to you by anyone, whether oral or written. Changes in your employment terms, other than those changes expressly reserved to the Company's discretion in this letter, require a written modification signed by an officer of the Company. If any provision of this offer letter agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination shall not affect any other provision of this offer letter agreement and the provision in question shall be modified so as to be rendered enforceable in a manner consistent with the intent of the parties insofar as possible under applicable law. This letter may be delivered and executed via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and executed and be valid and effective for all purposes and may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signature page follows]

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Please sign and date this letter, and the Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement and return them to me by 5:00 p.m. Pacific time on January 11, 2026, if you wish to accept employment at the Company under the terms described above.

We look forward to your favorable reply and to a productive and enjoyable work relationship.

Sincerely,<br><u>/s/ Beth Seidenberg, M.D.________________________________</u><br>Beth Seidenberg, M.D.<br>Chairperson of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors<br>Understood and Accepted:

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<br><u>/s/ Christi Shaw</u> <br>Christi Shaw | &nbsp;&nbsp;<br><u>1/10/2025</u> <br>Date |

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## Exhibit 99.1

**Exhibit 99.1**

**Kyverna Therapeutics Provides Corporate Update and Outlines 2026 Strategic Priorities at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference** 

*Advancing valuable commercial opportunity in stiff person syndrome (SPS) following landmark registrational data; Biologics License Application (BLA) submission anticipated in 1H 2026* 

 *First patient enrolled in registrational Phase 3 trial in generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG)*

*Completed follow-on offering extends cash runway into 2028, expected to fully fund SPS BLA filing, commercial launch, and Phase 3 gMG trial*

*Kyverna Board member, Christi Shaw, appointed as Executive Chairperson, further bolstering Company's CAR T commercialization experience; Ian Clark, former Chairperson, to remain on Board*

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 12, 2026 - Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (Kyverna, Nasdaq: KYTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cell therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases, provided today a corporate update and outlined its strategic priorities for 2026.

"Our strong execution in 2025 solidifies our leadership position in autoimmune CAR T with unprecedented clinical trial results for miv-celtiff person syndrome, followed by myasthenia gravis," said Warner Biddle, Chief Executive Officer of Kyverna Therapeutics. "Looking ahead, we remain focused on preparing for our BLA filing with a clear regulatory path forward and the potential near-term launch in SPS, while executing on our Phase 3 gMG trial. These priorities are underpinned by our strong financial position, which will enable us to achieve key milestones across our late-stage programs."

Mr. Biddle continued, "In addition, we are pleased to share that Christi Shaw has been appointed as the Executive Chairperson of our Board. An industry veteran with a proven track record in CAR T, Christi further strengthens our CAR T leadership team experience, and her appointment comes at an important time as we actively prepare our organization to be launch-ready by the end of this year."

"I'm excited to step into this expanded role as Kyverna advances towards delivering the first potential commercial CAR T-cell therapy in autoimmune disease," added Ms. Shaw. "Kyverna has made strong progress demonstrating miv-cel's potential in stiff person syndrome and myasthenia gravis. I look forward to building on this momentum with Warner and the team to bring the transformative promise of CAR T-cell therapy to patients with neuroimmunology conditions."

**Recent Corporate Updates**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•**Initiated Phase 3 registrational trial in gMG:** In December 2025, Kyverna enrolled its first patient in the Phase 3 portion of the FDA-aligned KYSA-6 clinical trial of miv-cel (mivocabtagene autoleucel, KYV-101) in gMG.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•**Strengthened financial position with follow-on offering:** In December 2025, the Company raised approximately $105 million in gross proceeds from a public follow-on offering, extending expected cash runway into 2028. Estimated, preliminary, and unaudited cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of December 31, 2025 were approximately $279 million.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•**Advanced KYV-102, Kyverna's whole blood rapid manufacturing process:** In January 2026, the Company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for KYV-102 was accepted by the U.S. FDA following the filing in December 2025*.* 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•**Independent Director Christi Shaw Appointed Executive Chairperson of the Board:** Ian Clark, who served as Kyverna's Board Chairman, will remain as a Director on the Board. Ms. Shaw brings significant CAR T-cell therapy experience, having served as the Chief Executive Officer of Kite, a Gilead Company. Under Christi's leadership, Kite became the global leader in CAR T with multiple approved blood cancer indications in over 20 countries. In addition, Ms. Shaw brings deep immunology and neurology experience from her time at Eli Lilly and Company and Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation.

**2026 Strategic Priorities and Anticipated Milestones**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•**File BLA for miv-cel in SPS in 1H 2026:** Following positive topline data from the KYSA-8 registrational trial in SPS, Kyverna intends to submit its first BLA to the FDA in the first half of 2026. In addition, the Company plans to report its full registrational data in 1H 2026.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•**Achieve SPS launch readiness by year-end 2026:** Kyverna will continue to build its commercialization infrastructure and execute on its launch-readiness strategy to enable efficient market entry and rapid adoption of miv-cel, the first potential FDA-approved therapy for SPS.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•**Execute on Phase 3 gMG trial:** Building on unprecedented interim Phase 2 data, Kyverna will continue to advance enrollment for the Phase 3 portion of the KYSA-6 clinical trial. In addition, the Company expects to report updated Phase 2 data from the gMG trial in 2026.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•**Evaluate additional pipeline opportunities in a capital-efficient manner:** In 2026, the Company expects to report Phase 2 investigator-initiated trial (IIT) data in rheumatoid arthritis, additional Phase 1 IIT data in multiple sclerosis, Phase 1 data in lupus nephritis and share the development strategy for KYV-102. Further, Kyverna will continue to explore miv-cel with no lymphodepletion (LD) or alternative LD regimen as well as outpatient administration.

**Presentation at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference**

Kyverna will be presenting at the J.P. Morgan 2026 Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, January 14, 2025 at 9:45 am PT. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Investors section of Kyverna's website, <u>www.kyvernatx.com</u>. A replay of the webcast will be available on Kyverna's website for approximately 30 days following the conference.

**About miv-cel (mivocabtagene autoleucel, KYV-101)**

Miv-cel is a fully human, autologous, CD19-targeting CAR T-cell therapy with CD28 co-stimulation, designed for potency and tolerability, which is under investigation for B-cell-driven autoimmune diseases. With a single administration, miv-cel has potential to achieve deep B-cell depletion and immune system reset to deliver durable drug-free, disease-free remission in autoimmune diseases.

**About Kyverna Therapeutics**<br>Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KYTX) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on liberating autoimmune patients through the curative potential of cell therapy. Kyverna's lead

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autologous CD19-targeting CAR T-cell therapy candidate, miv-cel (mivocabtagene autoleucel, KYV-101), has demonstrated the potential to fundamentally change the treatment paradigm across multiple B-cell-driven autoimmune diseases. Kyverna is advancing its potentially first-in-class neuroimmunology franchise with its recently completed registrational trial in stiff person syndrome and an ongoing registrational trial for generalized myasthenia gravis. The Company is also harnessing other KYSA trials and investigator-initiated trials, including in multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, to inform the next priority indications. Additionally, its next generation pipeline includes CAR T-cell therapies deploying novel innovations to improve patient access and experience. For more information, please visit <u>https://kyvernatx.com</u>.

**Forward-Looking Statements**

Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute "forward-looking statements." The words, without limitation, "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these or similar identifying words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, those related to: Kyverna's strategic priorities; opportunities related to miv-cel and SPS, including the potential to be first to market, the potential to be the first FDA approved therapy for SPS, the regulatory path forward and the potential near-term commercial opportunity and launch; Kyverna's continued build out of its commercialization infrastructure and ability to execute on its launch-readiness strategy to enable efficient market entry and rapid adoption of miv-cel; anticipated timing of BLA submission for miv-cel in SPS; expected cash runway; Kyverna's transition to a commercial stage company; the Phase 3 gmG trial, including enrollment and anticipated timing for reporting data; the anticipated timing for reporting data from Phase 2 IIT data in rheumatoid arthritis, additional Phase 1 IIT data in multiple sclerosis, and Phase 1 data in lupus nephritis; the anticipated timing for sharing the development strategy for KYV-102; Kyverna's exploration of miv-cel with no LD or alternative LD regimen and outpatient administration; Kyverna's expected future financial performance; and Kyverna's presentation at the J.P. Morgan 2026 Healthcare Conference. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: uncertainties related to market conditions, the possibility that results from prior clinical trials, named-patient access activities and preclinical studies may not necessarily be predictive of future results; the possibility that the FDA or other regulatory agencies may require additional trials or studies to support its intended BLA submission; intellectual property rights; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Kyverna's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that Kyverna has filed or may subsequently file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the current expectations of Kyverna's management team and speak only as of the date hereof, and Kyverna specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

**Contact:** 

Investors: <u>InvestorRelations@kyvernatx.com</u> <br>Media: <u>media@kyvernatx.com</u> 

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