Aptevo Therapeutics Inc — Current Report (Form 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

APTEVO THERAPEUTICS INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(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:

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

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. ☐

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On June 29, 2026, Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Grant Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund (the “Grantor”), a Washington State–established public research endowment.

Under the Agreement, the Grantor will provide the Company with $1,499,951.00 in funding on a reimbursement basis only to support Investigational New Drug (“IND”) - enabling studies for APVO451, the Company’s trispecific antibody candidate for solid tumor indications during the grant period. Funding is subject to the Company providing any applicable matching non-state contributions in an amount at least equal to the CARE Fund’s contribution.

The project period is expected to extend through June 2028, subject to earlier termination in accordance with the Agreement.

Payments will be made based on reimbursement of eligible costs incurred by the Company in accordance with an approved budget and are subject to the achievement of specified milestones, reporting requirements, and compliance with applicable terms and conditions. The Agreement includes customary provisions regarding use of funds, audit rights, reporting obligations, and termination, including termination for cause or failure to achieve project requirements.

The Company retains ownership of intellectual property generated under the project, subject to certain obligations, including acknowledgment of Grantor support and commitments related to commercialization and public benefit.

The foregoing summary of the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Agreement, a copy of which the Company intends to file as an exhibit to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On June 30, 2026, Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. issued a press release announcing its entry into the Agreement. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

SIGNATURES

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