# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000907654
**File Stem:** 0001213900-25-120676
**Filing Date:** 2025-12
**Character Count:** 13935
**Document Hash:** d33dbde34a319e34c6e86e10c9707464
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001213900-25-120676.hdr.sgml**: 20251211

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001213900-25-120676

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 14

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20251211

**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**: 20251211

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20251211

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000907654
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 03 Life Sciences
- **EIN:** 363855489
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 000-22873
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251565098

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 855 OAK GROVE AVE.
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 100
- **CITY:** MENLO PARK
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94025
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 650-606-7910

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 855 OAK GROVE AVE.
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 100
- **CITY:** MENLO PARK
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94025

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** ARCA biopharma, Inc.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20090128

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** NUVELO INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20030203

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** HYSEQ INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19970610

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

**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): December 11, 2025**

**Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.**

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

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **000-22873** | **36-3855489** |
| **(State or Other Jurisdiction<br> of Incorporation)** | **(Commission**<br> **File Number)** | **(IRS Employer<br> Identification No.)** |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **855 Oak Grove Avenue**<br> **Suite 100**<br>**Menlo Park, California** | **94025** |
| **(Address of Principal Executive Offices)** | **(Zip Code)** |

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**Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (650) 606-7910**

**N/A**

**(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:**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading Symbol(s)** | **Name of each exchange on which registered** |
| Common stock, $0.001 Par Value | ORKA | The Nasdaq Global Market |

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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 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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. ☐

**Item 5.02** **Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Resignation of Director

On December 11, 2025, Cameron Turtle resigned as a member of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. ("Oruka" or the "Company"). Such resignation was not because of a disagreement with the registrant on any matter relating to Oruka's operations, policies or practices, nor was the resignation a result of removal for cause by the Board.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Election of Director

On December 11, 2025, the Board appointed Christopher Martin to serve as a Class II director, with a term expiring at the Company's 2026 annual meeting of stockholders. The Board also appointed Mr. Martin as the Chair of the Company's Compensation Committee and as a member of the Company's Audit Committee.

Mr. Martin, age 49, served as Chief Commercial Officer from January 2024 to October 2025 for Verona Pharma, which was acquired by Merck & Co. for approximately $10 billion in October 2025. As Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Martin was responsible for building the commercial organization and launch strategy for the company's first product launch, Ohtuvayre® (ensifentrine). Mr. Martin previously served in other management positions at Verona, including Senior Vice President of Commercial from January 2022 to December 2023 and Vice President of Commercial from June 2020 and December 2022. Prior to Verona, he served as Executive Director of Marketing at SK Life Science, which is focused on developing novel therapeutics for central nervous system conditions, from March 2018 to June 2020. Mr. Martin was instrumental in developing the commercial and marketing strategy and the framework for launching their first commercial product, XCOPRI® (cenobamate tablets). Until its acquisition by Melinta Therapeutics, Mr. Martin was Head of Marketing at Cempra where he led the development and launch strategy for the company's first product, solithromycin. Prior to Cempra, he was at Salix Pharmaceuticals for 10 years in roles of increasing responsibility and led the Xifaxan® marketing team during the company's acquisition by Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Martin also is a member of the board of directors of Edgewise Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: EWTX). Mr. Martin received a Bachelor of Science in Financial Management from Clemson University.

The Board determined that Mr. Martin qualifies as independent under the director independence standards set forth in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. In addition, the Board determined that Mr. Martin qualifies as a "non-employee director" for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Martin and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Martin was selected as a director. In addition, there are no transactions in which Mr. Martin has an interest that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

As a non-employee director, Mr. Martin will receive compensation in accordance with Oruka's non-employee director compensation program. Pursuant to this program, on December 11, 2025 (the effective date of his appointment), Mr. Martin was granted a stock option to acquire 35,000 shares of Oruka common stock, which will vest in 36 equal monthly installments from December 11, 2025, subject to continued service to Oruka through each vesting date. Pursuant to this program, he is also eligible for an annual cash retainer in the amount of $40,000 for his service as a member of the Board, and an annual cash retainer in the amount of $12,000 for his service as Chair of the Compensation Committee and $7,500 for his service as a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Martin also entered into an indemnification agreement with Oruka consistent with the form agreement executed with each of Oruka's current executive officers and directors.

The foregoing description of Mr. Martin's offer terms does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of his offer letter, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto.

**Item 9.01** **Financial Statements and Exhibits.**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| 10.1 | [Offer Letter, dated December 1, 2025, between Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and Chris Martin.](ea026892501ex10-1_oruka.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |

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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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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.** | **Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.** |
| Date: December 11, 2025 | By: | /s/ Paul Quinlan |
|  |  | Paul Quinlan<br> General Counsel |

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## Exhibit 10.1

**Exhibit 10.1**

![](ex10-1_001.jpg)

December 1, 2025

Chris Martin

Email – cnm.vrna@gmail.com

Re: Appointment to Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. Board of Directors

Dear Chris:

I am pleased to present this formal offer to join the Board of Directors (the "**Board**") of Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. (the "**Company**") as a member, Chair of our Compensation Committee and member of our Audit Committee. This offer is contingent upon (i) your completion of a Director & Officer Questionnaire with responses satisfactory to the Company, (ii) receipt of a background check satisfactory to the Company, and (iii) formal approval of your appointment by the Board. We very much look forward to your joining the Board and your many contributions to the growth and governance of the Company. Details of the Company's offer are set forth below. The date upon which you commence service on the Board is referred to herein as the "**Effective Date**."

**1. Compensation**. As soon as practicable following the Effective Date, subject to Board or committee approval, you will be granted a non-qualified stock option to purchase up to 35,000 shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 (the "**Common Stock**"), with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of the grant (the "**Option Award**"). The Option Award will vest as to 1/36 of the Option Award on each monthly anniversary of the Effective Date, such that 100% of the Option Award will be vested by the third anniversary of the Effective Date, subject to your continued service on the Board through each vesting date. The Option Award will be governed by the terms of the related award agreements, the Company's 2024 Stock Incentive Plan, and the terms and conditions approved by the Board.

Additionally, you will be entitled to cash compensation for service on the Board and standing Board committees as provided in the Company's Non-Employee Directors' Compensation Program. Such program currently provides an annual cash retainer for Board membership of $40,000 per year, as well as a cash retainer of $12,000 per year as the Chair of our Compensation Committee and $7,500 per year as a member of our Audit Committee. These retainers are payable in equal quarterly installments, in advance, prorated for any months of partial service. Cash and equity-based compensation for non-employee directors is generally reassessed annually and may be changed at any time by the Board.

The Company will reimburse you for ordinary and reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses to cover in-person attendance at and participation in Board and committee meetings; provided, that you submit to the Company appropriate documentation substantiating such expenses in accordance with the Company's travel and expense policy, as in effect from time to time.

**2. Meetings**. As we have discussed, the Board generally will meet on a quarterly basis, in-person twice a year and virtually twice a year. The Board may also hold ad-hoc telephonic meetings from time-to-time as the need arises. Some of the standing committees of the Board (*i.e.*, Audit) will meet quarterly, while other committees (*i.e.*, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance) will meet on a cadence that more closely aligns with its obligations. Committees will also meet on an ad-hoc basis as needed.

**3. Documentation**. The Company will send you a Director & Officer Questionnaire that you will be required to complete, which seeks information required for the Board to make independence determinations for Nasdaq and other purposes, as well as information that may be required to be disclosed in SEC filings. Upon joining the Board, the Company will provide you with a customary indemnification agreement, which provides for indemnification by the Company for certain expenses that may arise relating to your Board service.

**4. Approval and Disclosure Process**. Following receipt of the above-referenced questionnaire, and subject to a formal vote of the Board, you will officially join the Company's Board on a date to be mutually agreed between you and the Company. At a later time, we would announce your appointment to the Board or include such appointment in an appropriate future SEC filing. We will work with you to ensure that we have the necessary SEC filing codes to be able to file a Form 3 on your behalf in connection with your appointment to the Board.

We very much look forward to your addition to the Board and your many contributions to the growth of the Company. If this offer is acceptable, please countersign below and return a copy of this letter to my attention so that we may start the process of formalizing your new role on the Board.

Sincerely,

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| |
|:---|
| /s/ Lawrence Klein |
| Lawrence Klein |
| Chief Executive Officer |
| Agreed and Accepted: |
| /s/ Chris Martin |
| Chris Martin |

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