Groowe Groowe BETA / Newsroom
⏱ News is delayed by 15 minutes. Sign in for real-time access. Sign in

Form 8-K

sec.gov

8-K — Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc.

Accession: 0001213900-26-079176

Filed: 2026-07-17

Period: 2026-07-14

CIK: 0001937993

SIC: 2834 (PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS)

Item: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits

Documents

8-K — ea0298082-8k_cadrenal.htm (Primary)

EX-10.1 — CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE, DATED AS OF JULY 9, 2026, BY AND BETWEEN CADRENAL THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND JAMES J. FERGUSON III (ea029808201ex10-1.htm)

XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT (R1.htm)

8-K — CURRENT REPORT

8-K (Primary)

Filename: ea0298082-8k_cadrenal.htm · Sequence: 1

false

0001937993

0001937993

2026-07-14

2026-07-14

iso4217:USD

xbrli:shares

iso4217:USD

xbrli:shares

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 14, 2026

Cadrenal

Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact

name of registrant as specified in charter)

Delaware

001-41596

88-0860746

(State

or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS

Employer

Identification No.)

822

A1A North, Suite 306

Ponte

Vedra, Florida 32082

(Address

of principal executive offices and zip code)

(904)

300-0701

(Registrant’s

telephone number including area code)

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 registrant under any

of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Written

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

Soliciting

material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) 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

Symbols

Name

of each exchange on which registered

Common

Stock, par value $0.001 per share

CVKD

The

Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

(Nasdaq Capital Market)

Indicate

by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in 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 checkmark 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.

On

July 14, 2026, Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a confidential separation agreement and general release

(the “Separation Agreement”), dated as of July 9, 2026, with James J. Ferguson III, the Company’s Chief Medical Officer.

As previously reported, on July 7, 2026, Dr. Ferguson advised the Board of Directors of the Company of his decision to resign from his

position as Chief Medical Officer of the Company, effective July 31, 2026 (the “Separation Date”). The Company continues

to conduct a search for Dr. Ferguson’s replacement.

Pursuant

to the Separation Agreement, Dr. Ferguson will receive (i) payment of his current salary through the Separation Date; (ii) if Dr. Ferguson

chooses to continue medical coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”), payment by

the Company of one hundred percent (100%) of his COBRA premiums to continue such coverage (including coverage for his eligible dependents,

if applicable) (the “COBRA Premiums”) through the period starting on the Separation Date and ending six (6) months after

the Separation Date (the “COBRA Premium Period”), provided, however, that the Company’s provision of the COBRA Premiums

shall immediately cease if during the COBRA Premium Period Dr. Ferguson becomes eligible for group health insurance coverage through

a new employer or he ceases to be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage for any reason; and (iii) approved, unreimbursed business

expenses. Within seven days of Dr. Ferguson’s execution of the Separation Agreement, he may revoke the terms thereof. Therefore,

the Separation Agreement shall not be effective or enforceable until the seven-day revocation period (the “Revocation Period”)

has expired and the Company’s obligations to make the COBRA Premiums described above will not commence until a second release is

executed on the Separation Date and not revoked during the second seven-day revocation period. The Separation Agreement contains a general

release of all claims against the Company and its current and former officers, directors, employees, and agents, and a non-disparagement

clause relating to the Company or any released party.

The

foregoing description of the Separation Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by

reference to, the full text of the Separation Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by

reference.

Item

9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits

The

following exhibits are furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K:

Exhibit

Number

Exhibit

Description

10.1

Confidential Separation Agreement and General Release, dated as of July 9, 2026, by and between Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. and James J. Ferguson III

104

Cover

Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within in the inline XBRL document)

1

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.

Dated:

July 17, 2026

CADRENAL

THERAPEUTICS, INC.

By:

/s/

Quang X. Pham

Name:

Quang

X. Pham

Title:

Chairman

and Chief Executive Officer

2

EX-10.1 — CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE, DATED AS OF JULY 9, 2026, BY AND BETWEEN CADRENAL THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND JAMES J. FERGUSON III

EX-10.1

Filename: ea029808201ex10-1.htm · Sequence: 2

Exhibit

10.1

CONFIDENTIAL

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

This

Confidential Separation Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) is dated as of July 9, 2026, and entered into

by and between Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with each and every of its predecessors, successors (by

merger or otherwise), partners, affiliates, joint venture partners, divisions, directors, officers, insurers, employees and agents, whether

present or former, the “Company”), and James J. Ferguson III (hereinafter referred to as “you,”

or “your”), to set forth our mutual agreement relating to your separation from employment with the Company.

NOW,

THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements and promises hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration,

the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1. Separation.

Based on your voluntary resignation, your employment and role as Chief Medical Officer will be terminated. The final date of your active

employment with the Company will be July 31, 2026 (the “Separation Date”). As of the Separation Date: (a) all

benefits will cease unless specifically provided for herein; and (b) you will resign without the need for any further act or deed,

from any offices or positions you hold with the Company.

2. Earned

Compensation. The Company will pay your final wages for all accrued and unpaid Base Salary, including any accrued but unused vacation,

in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices through the Separation Date, which final wages shall be paid on or

before the Separation Date. You will also be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable business expenses incurred as of the Separation

Date in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy. You receive the earned compensation and reimbursement of business

expenses even if you do not sign this Agreement.

3. Consideration,

Separation Payments, and Benefits. Provided that you are in compliance with your obligations pursuant to this Agreement and Section

8 of the employment agreement entered into between you and the Company dated January 29, 2025 attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Employment

Agreement”), including your execution of this Agreement and the expiration of the Revocation Period (as defined herein), without

any revocation by you, and your execution of the Updated Release attached hereto as Exhibit B within twenty-one (21) days of the

Separation Date and expiration of the Second Revocation Period (as defined in Exhibit B attached to this Agreement) without any

revocation by you and in consideration of your release of any and all claims, including employment related claims, you might have against

the Released Parties (as defined herein), the Company agrees to:

(a) COBRA

Premiums. Your health benefits will run through the Separation Date. Thereafter, you may choose to continue medical coverage pursuant

to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”). Information on COBRA and the elections process will

be sent to you under separate cover. If you choose to continue medical coverage pursuant to COBRA, and upon your timely completion of

the appropriate COBRA forms, the Company shall pay one-hundred percent (100%) of your COBRA premiums to continue your coverage (including

coverage for your eligible dependents, if applicable) (the “COBRA Premiums”) through the period starting on the Separation

Date and ending six (6) months after the Separation Date (the “COBRA Premium Period”); provided, however,

that the Company’s provision of the COBRA Premiums shall immediately cease if during the COBRA Premium Period you become eligible

for group health insurance coverage through a new employer or you cease to be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage for any reason,

including plan termination. If you choose not to execute the Updated Release you will not be eligible for

the benefits described in this Section 3 of this Agreement.

4. No

Additional Payments or Benefits. You acknowledge and agree that, except for (a) the COBRA Premiums (if you elect to continue

medical coverage under COBRA); and (b) approved, unreimbursed business expenses, you will receive no additional payments or benefits

other than as set forth herein or as required by law.

5. General

Release of Claims. In exchange for the promises herein which you acknowledge as good and valuable consideration, and except as provided

in Section 6 below, effective on the date of this Agreement, you release and discharge the Company and its past, present

and future parents, divisions, subsidiaries, and affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns, and its and their past, present, and

future officers, directors, members, managers, partners, attorneys, employees, independent contractors, agents, clients, franchisees,

franchisors, and representatives (“Released Parties”) from any and all actions, causes of action, debts, dues, claims

and demands of every name and nature, without limitation, at law, in equity, or administrative, against the Released Parties which you

may have had, now have, or may have, by reason of any matter or thing arising up to the Separation Date, including the ending of your

employment. Those claims and causes of action from which you release the Released Parties include, but are not limited to, any known

or unknown claim or action sounding in tort, contract, or discrimination of any kind, and/or any cause of action arising under federal,

state or local constitution, statute or ordinance, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII),

the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Equal Pay

Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (regarding unvested benefits), the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Section 1981 of

U.S.C. Title 42, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, the Age Discrimination

in Employment Act (ADEA), the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (OWBPA), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the Uniform

Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), the Consolidated Omnibus

Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, any local, state,

or federal law arising from and/or enacted to address the COVID-19 virus; any claims arising under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination;

the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act; the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law; the New Jersey Family Leave Insurance provisions

of the New Jersey Temporary Disability Benefits Law; the New Jersey Family Leave Act; the New Jersey Wage Payment Law; the New Jersey

Wage and Hour Law; the New Jersey Equal Pay Act; and retaliation claims under the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law; any state,

county or local fair employment practices act or other employment-related law for each of the states, counties, and locales where you

reside and/or work, all as amended together with all of their respective implementing regulations and/or any other federal, state, local

or foreign law (statutory, regulatory or otherwise) that may be legally waived and released, and/or any claim for attorneys’ fees

or costs, whether presently accrued, accruing to, or to accrue to you on account of, arising out of, or in any way connected with any

acts or activities by you or the Released Parties arising up to the Separation Date. You expressly acknowledge that no claim or cause

of action against the Released Parties from the beginning of time to the Separation Date (other than as provided in Section 6

below) shall be deemed to be outside the scope of this Agreement whether mentioned herein or not. You agree that this release should

be interpreted as broadly as possible to achieve your intention to waive, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any and all claims

against the Released Parties.

You

hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with

respect to the release of any unknown or unsuspected claims you may have against the Released Parties.

6. Rights

and Claims Preserved. Notwithstanding the broad scope of the release in Section 5 above, the release in Section 5

above is not intended to bar any claims that, as a matter of law, whether by statute or otherwise, may not be waived, such as Claims

(as defined in Section 12 below) for workers’ compensation benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, violation of

the ADEA, and violation of SEC rules. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to interfere with administrative proceedings, such as an

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation, provided however, that you expressly release and waive any and all rights to individual

recovery of any type from the Company (except as related to SEC or whistleblower claims or as restricted by applicable laws), including

back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, liquidated or punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, reinstatement, or any other benefit,

in any administrative or court action, whether state or federal, whether under the laws of the United States or any other Country, and

whether brought by you or on your behalf, related in any way to the matters released herein. In the event that you successfully asserts

any ADEA Claims, and you are not awarded damages, You shall be required to give back the consideration set forth, to the extent not prohibited

by federal law and the regulations of the EEOC, as a set-off against such damages. Nothing in this Agreement prevents you from filing

a lawsuit limited to challenging the validity of your waiver of any rights or claims that you may have under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street

Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

2

7. Older

Workers Benefit Protection Act Acknowledgements. The parties intend that this Agreement comply with §201 of the Older Workers

Benefit Protection Act of 1990. Accordingly, you acknowledge, warrant and represent as follows:

a. You

have up to twenty-one (21) days from the date of your receipt of this Agreement to accept

the terms of this Agreement, although you may accept it at any time within those twenty-one

(21) days.

b. You

have been informed of your right to consult with an attorney before executing this Agreement.

c. You

also have the right to revoke this Agreement for a period of seven (7) days after you sign

the Agreement (the “Revocation Period”). This Agreement will not become

effective or enforceable until the expiration of the Revocation Period (the “Effective

Date”).

d. You

may revoke this Agreement at any time before the Effective Date by giving notice in writing

to the Company (Quang Pham, Chief Executive Officer, quang.pham@cadrenal.com)

by 5:00 p.m. ET on the seventh (7th) day after the execution of the Agreement by both parties.

8. No

Admission of Wrongdoing. You and the Released Parties deny any wrongdoing whatsoever in connection with their dealings with each

other, including but not limited to your employment and termination. It is expressly understood and agreed that nothing contained in

this Agreement shall constitute or be treated as an admission of any wrongdoing or liability on the part of you or the Released Parties.

9. Non-Disclosure.

You understand and agree that this Agreement, and the matters discussed in negotiating its terms, are entirely confidential. It is therefore

expressly understood and agreed that you will not reveal, discuss, publish or in any way communicate any of the terms, amount or fact

of this Agreement to any person, organization or other entity, with the exception of your immediate family members and professional representatives,

or in an action to enforce its terms, unless required by subpoena or court order. The Company likewise agrees not to reveal, discuss,

publish or in any way communicate any of the terms, amount, or fact of this Agreement to any person, organization, or other entity, except

as consistent with business need or necessity and/or as required by court order, rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission or legal

process. You further agree that you will not at any time disclose, use or aid third parties in obtaining or using any trade secrets,

or confidential or proprietary information of the Company, including but not limited to any financial, business or personnel information,

except as required or permitted by law. Nothing in this Section 9 shall have the purpose or effect of concealing the details relating

to any claim or allegation of discrimination, retaliation, or harassment or is intended to or shall prohibit you from making statements

or engaging in any activities protected by the National Labor Relations Act.

10. No

Contact. You agree that you will not contact nor will you discuss the Company or its business practices or to disrupt or divert business

opportunities or customers from the Company with the Released Parties, and that this is a material term of this Agreement.

11. Non-Disparagement.

You agree that you will not disparage any of the Released Parties or make or publish any communication that reflects adversely upon any

of them, their officers, directors, affiliated business entities, franchises or business practices, or has the effect of injuring their

business or reputation. This non-disparagement obligation includes both direct and indirect communications and expressly includes statements

made on the internet (including, but not limited to, social networking websites such as Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor), statements

made under a pseudonym, and statements made to a Company franchise and/or affiliated business partner. The Company agrees that it will

instruct its management team not to disparage you or make or publish any communication that reflects adversely upon you with respect

to your employment with the Company.

3

12. No

Filing of Claims. You represent that you have not filed, and to the maximum extent permitted by law and except as provided in Section 6

above, you agree that you will not file, any charge, complaint, demand for arbitration, lawsuit or claim (collectively, “Claim”)

with any administrative agency, federal, state or local court (collectively, “Agency”) related in any way to your

employment or the separation of your employment with the Company. You further agree that you will not accept, and will not be entitled

to retain, any judgment, award, settlement or other payment or other relief resulting from, or related to, any Claim filed with any Agency

related in any way to your employment with the Company or the termination of your employment. Nothing in this Agreement limits your right,

where applicable, to file a claim for unemployment compensation with the State of New Jersey should you choose to do so.

13. Acknowledgment

of No Further Action. Except as provided in Section 6 above, and/or unless required to do so by court order or subpoena,

you agree that you will not (a) voluntarily make statements, take action, or give testimony adverse or detrimental to the interests

of the Company or its affiliates; or (b) aid or assist in any manner the efforts of any third party to sue or prosecute a claim

against the Company or its affiliates. Should you ever be required to give testimony concerning any matter related to your employment

with the Company, you agree to provide notice of such compulsory process to the Company (Quang Pham, Chief

Executive Officer, quang.pham@cadrenal.com), within two (2) business days of its receipt

so that the Company may take appropriate measures to quash or otherwise defend its interests.

14. Duty

To Cooperate. You will, upon reasonable notice, cooperate fully with the Company and with any legal counsel, expert, or consultant

it may retain to assist it in connection with any judicial proceeding, arbitration, administrative proceeding, governmental investigation

or inquiry, internal audit, or other matter in which you have knowledge based on your work for the Company. Notwithstanding the obligations

of this Section 14, you further agree to avail yourself to the Company to respond to reasonable requests made by the Company during

the COBRA Premium Period.

15. Return

and Non-Disclosure of Company Property. You agree to return to the Company by the Separation Date any and all property belonging

to the Company. You shall not retain copies or distribute to any third-party of any Company property, documents, or materials in hard

copy, digital, or electronic format. Your access to the Company’s property and facilities shall end on the Separation Date. You

verify that you have not downloaded, forwarded, or otherwise have any Company information within your control or on personal devices,

thumb drives or other third-party downloads. You affirm that you will abide by all post-employment confidentiality and nondisclosure

obligations specified in any documents you executed with the Company. You expressly agree that these post-employment obligations are

not time bound and mandate nondisclosure to any third-party entity, whether an affiliated business venture, former employee of the Company

or competitor.

16.

Effect of Breach. You agree that receipt of any consideration under this Agreement is contingent on your full compliance with

the Agreement’s terms and conditions. Should you breach any provision of this Agreement, the terms of any post-employment or restrictive

covenant obligations, including in the Employment Agreement or PIICA, respectively, including but not limited to filing a lawsuit or

arbitration based upon any claim covered by this Agreement (but excluding a lawsuit covered by Section 6 of this Agreement),

the Company shall have the right to seek recovery from you of any COBRA Premium already paid, and the Company shall no longer be obligated

to pay you any COBRA Premium otherwise due. In addition, the Company has the right to seek liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees

and costs, and full repayment of any consideration provided under this Agreement. To the extent either party breaches their obligations

under this Agreement, each party has the right to seek requisite legal remedies.

4

17. Certification

of Understanding and Competence. You acknowledge and agree that (a) you have read this Agreement in its entirety and have been

provided the opportunity to seek independent legal advice; (b) you are competent to understand, and do understand, the content and

effect of this Agreement; (c) by entering into this Agreement, you are releasing forever the Released Parties from any Claim or

liability (including claims for attorney’s fees and costs) arising from your employment with the Company; (d) you are entering

this Agreement of your own free will in exchange for the consideration herein, which you agree is adequate and satisfactory; and (e) neither

the Company nor any of the Released Parties have made any representations to you concerning the terms or effect of this Agreement, other

than those contained in the Agreement.

18. Acknowledgments.

You acknowledge and agree that as of the Separation Date (a) you are not owed any wages by the Company for work performed, whether

as wages or salary, overtime, bonuses or commissions, or for accrued but unused paid time off, and that you have been fully compensated

for all hours worked and any earned bonus or incentive compensation; (b) you are not aware of any factual basis for a claim that

the Company has defrauded the government of the United States or any State; (c) you have incurred no work related injuries; (d) you

have received all family or medical leave to which you were entitled under the law; and (e) you have been and hereby are advised

to consult with legal counsel of your choice prior to execution and delivery of this Agreement, and that you have done so or voluntarily

elected not to do so.

19. Ownership

of Claims. You represent and warrant that you are the sole and lawful owner of all rights, title, and interest in and to all released

matters, claims and demands referred to herein. You further represent and warrant that there has been no assignment or other transfer

of any interest in any such matters, claims or demands which you may have against the Released Parties.

20. Counterparts.

This Agreement (a) may be executed in separate counterparts and by facsimile, and each such counterpart shall be deemed an original

with the same effect as if all parties had signed the same document; and (b) shall to the extent signed and delivered by means of

a facsimile machine or e-mail of a PDF file containing a copy of an executed Agreement (or signature page thereto), be treated in all

manner and respects and for all purposes as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal

effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person.

21. Entire

Agreement. This Agreement including Exhibits A and B constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect

to their subject matter and is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,

personal or legal representatives, successors and/or assigns. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing sentence serves to incorporate

into this Agreement each and all of the restrictive covenants and other post-employment continuing obligations as set forth in the Employment

Agreement and PIICA, which obligations extend beyond the Separation Date. Any modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement

will be effective only if it is in writing signed by the parties.

22. Headings.

The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered a construction of the provisions hereof.

23. Severability

and Governing Law. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, unenforceable, or void for any reason, such provision

shall be severed from the Agreement and shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions. This Agreement shall

be interpreted, enforced, and governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof.

[Signature

Page Follows]

5

IN

WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree to the terms of this Agreement by signing below:

Dated:

July 14, 2026

Cadrenal

Therapeutics, Inc.:

By:

/s/

Quang X. Pham

Name:

Quang

X. Pham

Title:

Chief

Executive Officer

TO

BE SIGNED WITHIN TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT:

You

are advised to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement. The foregoing is agreed to and accepted by:

/s/

James J. Ferguson

James

J. Ferguson III

Date:

July 14, 2026

[signature

page to CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT & GENERAL RELEASE]

6

Exhibit

A

[Employment

Agreement and Proprietary Information, Inventions and Confidentiality Agreement]

7

Exhibit

B

UPDATED

RELEASE OF CLAIMS

Cadrenal

Therapeutics, Inc., (the “Company”) and James J. Ferguson III (the “Employee”) entered into a Separation

Agreement dated July 9, 2026 (the “Agreement”). The parties to that Agreement hereby further agree as follows:

1.

A blank copy of this Updated Release of Claims (“Updated Release”) was attached to the Agreement as Exhibit B.

2.

In consideration of the Company’s provision to the Employee of the separation payments and benefits described in Section 3

of the Agreement for which the Employee becomes eligible only if the Employee signs this Updated Release and does not revoke it, the

Employee hereby extends the release of claims in Section 6 of the Agreement to any claims that arose through the date the Employee

signs this Updated Release and extends the representations the Employee has made in Section 7 of the Agreement through the date

the Employee signs this Updated Release.

3.

The parties agree that this Updated Release is a part of the Agreement.

4.

Acknowledgments: Employee acknowledges that the Employee has been advised by this writing that:

(a)

the

Employee’s waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the execution date of this Updated

Release;

(b)

the

Employee has been advised hereby that the Employee has the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Updated Release;

(c)

the

Employee had twenty-one (21) days from the date the Employee received the Agreement to consider this Updated Release (the “Review

Period”) although the Employee may choose to voluntarily execute this Agreement earlier;

(d)

the

Employee has seven (7) days following the Employee’s execution of this Updated Release to revoke the Updated Release by delivering

notice in writing to the Company (Quang Pham, Chief Executive Officer, quang.pham@cadrenal.com)

by 5:00 p.m. ET on the seventh (7th) day after the execution of the Updated Release (the “Second Revocation Period”);

(e)

this

Updated Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired unexercised (the “Effective

Date”), which shall be the eighth day after this Updated Release is executed by the Employee; and

(f)

this

Updated Release is legally binding and by signing it the Employee gives up certain rights.

Cadrenal

Therapeutics, Inc.

By:

Name:

Quang

X. Pham

James

J. Ferguson III

Title:

Chief

Executive Officer

Dated:

Dated:

8

XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT

XML

Filename: R1.htm · Sequence: 7

v3.26.1

Cover

Jul. 14, 2026

Cover [Abstract]

Document Type

8-K

Amendment Flag

false

Document Period End Date

Jul. 14, 2026

Entity File Number

001-41596

Entity Registrant Name

Cadrenal

Therapeutics, Inc.

Entity Central Index Key

0001937993

Entity Tax Identification Number

88-0860746

Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code

DE

Entity Address, Address Line One

822

A1A North

Entity Address, Address Line Two

Suite 306

Entity Address, City or Town

Ponte

Vedra

Entity Address, State or Province

FL

Entity Address, Postal Zip Code

32082

City Area Code

(904)

Local Phone Number

300-0701

Written Communications

false

Soliciting Material

false

Pre-commencement Tender Offer

false

Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer

false

Title of 12(b) Security

Common

Stock, par value $0.001 per share

Trading Symbol

CVKD

Security Exchange Name

NASDAQ

Entity Emerging Growth Company

true

Elected Not To Use the Extended Transition Period

false

X

- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_AmendmentFlag

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:booleanItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Area code of city

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_CityAreaCode

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:normalizedStringItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Cover page.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_CoverAbstract

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:stringItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

For the EDGAR submission types of Form 8-K: the date of the report, the date of the earliest event reported; for the EDGAR submission types of Form N-1A: the filing date; for all other submission types: the end of the reporting or transition period. The format of the date is YYYY-MM-DD.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:dateItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_DocumentType

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

dei:submissionTypeItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:normalizedStringItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Address Line 2 such as Street or Suite number

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:normalizedStringItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Name of the City or Town

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:normalizedStringItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Code for the postal or zip code

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:normalizedStringItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Name of the state or province.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

dei:stateOrProvinceItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Exchange Act

-Number 240

-Section 12

-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityCentralIndexKey

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

dei:centralIndexKeyItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Exchange Act

-Number 240

-Section 12

-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:booleanItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Indicate if an emerging growth company has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Securities Act

-Number 7A

-Section B

-Subsection 2

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityExTransitionPeriod

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:booleanItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityFileNumber

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

dei:fileNumberItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

dei:edgarStateCountryItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Exchange Act

-Number 240

-Section 12

-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityRegistrantName

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:normalizedStringItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Exchange Act

-Number 240

-Section 12

-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:

dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

dei:employerIdItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Local phone number for entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_LocalPhoneNumber

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:normalizedStringItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Exchange Act

-Number 240

-Section 13e

-Subsection 4c

+ Details

Name:

dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:booleanItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Exchange Act

-Number 240

-Section 14d

-Subsection 2b

+ Details

Name:

dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:booleanItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Title of a 12(b) registered security.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Exchange Act

-Number 240

-Section 12

-Subsection b

+ Details

Name:

dei_Security12bTitle

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

dei:securityTitleItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Exchange Act

-Number 240

-Section 12

-Subsection d1-1

+ Details

Name:

dei_SecurityExchangeName

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

dei:edgarExchangeCodeItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Exchange Act

-Number 240

-Section 14a

-Subsection 12

+ Details

Name:

dei_SolicitingMaterial

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:booleanItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:

dei_TradingSymbol

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

dei:tradingSymbolItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration

X

- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Securities Act

-Number 230

-Section 425

+ Details

Name:

dei_WrittenCommunications

Namespace Prefix:

dei_

Data Type:

xbrli:booleanItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration