Chris Twitty
About Chris Twitty
Chris Twitty, Ph.D., age 53, is Chief Scientific Officer of Skye Bioscience, appointed in December 2022; he holds a B.S. in molecular biology from San Diego State University and a Ph.D. in molecular microbiology and immunology from Oregon Health Sciences University . Company pay-versus-performance data show cumulative TSR (value of $100 investment) of $31.15 in 2022, $20.92 in 2023, and $21.77 in 2024, alongside net losses of $(19.5)M, $(37.6)M, and $(26.6)M, respectively, reflecting a high-investment development phase during his tenure . Skye’s insider trading policy prohibits hedging and derivative transactions, reinforcing alignment safeguards for executives .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Years | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onchilles Pharma | Chief Scientific Officer | Oct 2021 – Dec 2022 | Led development of novel immunotherapeutics; scientific leadership through preclinical programs |
| OncoSec Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCS) | VP R&D; Chief Scientific Officer | 2018 – Oct 2021 | Directed early R&D discovery, IND submissions, and clinical biomarker programs; built and trained multifunctional scientific teams |
External Roles
No public company directorships or external board roles disclosed for Twitty in Skye’s proxy and filings .
Performance Compensation
| Instrument | Grant/Disclosure Source | Quantity | Exercise/Terms | Expiration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Options | Form 3 (initial statement) | 17,004 | $3.50 | 09/29/2033 | Direct holdings; option right to buy |
| Stock Options | Form 3 | 75,000 | $14.56 | 02/28/2034 | Direct holdings; option right to buy |
| Stock Options | Form 3 | 7,100 | $3.50 | 08/25/2033 | Direct holdings; option right to buy |
Notes:
- Company equity plans use standard monthly vesting schedules for options under the Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan; RSUs for NEOs have market-cap and price milestones (context for plan design; Twitty-specific vesting terms not disclosed) .
Equity Ownership & Alignment
| Metric | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Total Beneficial Ownership (shares) | 122,205 | Includes 41,182 shares held directly and 80,023 options exercisable within 60 days as of April 18, 2025 |
| Ownership as % of Shares Outstanding | <1% | Denoted “*” less than 1% in proxy table |
| Vested Options (within 60 days) | 80,023 | Options exercisable or becoming exercisable within 60 days |
| Hedging/Pledging | Hedging prohibited; pledging not disclosed | Insider trading policy prohibits derivative and hedging transactions; no pledging policy disclosed in proxy |
Employment Terms
- Role start date: Appointed CSO in December 2022 .
- Years in current role: ~3 years as of late 2025 .
- Contract, severance, change-of-control terms for Twitty: Not disclosed in the proxy; only CEO/CFO/COO agreements are detailed .
Trading Arrangements and Vesting/Selling Pressure
| Date | Arrangement | Scope | Termination/End | Purpose/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 2025 | Rule 10b5-1 plan | Indeterminate sales to cover tax liabilities upon RSU vesting | Through Dec 31, 2026 | Adopted plan aligned to Rule 10b5-1(c) affirmative defense |
| Aug 25, 2025 | Rule 10b5-1 plan | Potential sale of up to 154,832 shares (subject to RSUs and options) | Through Dec 31, 2026 | Additional planned selling capacity under Rule 10b5-1 |
Company Performance Context (during Twitty’s tenure)
| Metric | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative TSR – Value of $100 Investment ($) | 31.15 | 20.92 | 21.77 |
| Net Income (Loss) ($) | (19,481,602) | (37,644,784) | (26,567,123) |
Scientific Execution Highlights (CSO-led program)
- Preclinical obesity models showed nimacimab-driven weight loss with lean mass preservation, glycemic improvements, and adipose/liver inflammation reduction; combination of nimacimab plus tirzepatide delivered ~31.5% weight loss in DIO models, supporting monotherapy and combination potential .
- Mechanistic differentiation: nimacimab is a peripherally restricted, negative allosteric CB1 antibody; potency remained stable under elevated endocannabinoid levels vs small-molecule CB1 inhibitors, bolstering chronic-use rationale .
- KOL event and press release reinforced lower rebound on treatment withdrawal and favorable comparison versus monlunabant in in vivo studies, consistent with peripheral CB1 inhibition objectives .
Investment Implications
- Alignment: Twitty’s stake is modest (<1%), with meaningful vested options; the company’s anti-hedging policy reduces misalignment risk although no pledging disclosure exists .
- Selling pressure: Two Rule 10b5-1 plans add potential supply through year-end 2026 (up to 154,832 shares plus tax-related sales on vesting), a factor for short-term float/overhang analysis .
- Execution leverage: CSO-led data generation and mechanistic differentiation underpin Skye’s obesity franchise; near-term value creation depends on Phase 2a/extension readouts and durability/safety outcomes vs incretins, in line with the company’s stated timelines and development plans .
- Risk: Development-stage losses persist as the pipeline advances; outcomes and regulatory path remain key drivers of TSR and compensation-alignment effectiveness .