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) May 9, 2016

 

 

NAVIDEA BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 001-35076 31-1080091
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)

 

5600 Blazer Parkway, Suite 200, Dublin, Ohio 43017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (614) 793-7500

 

 

 

(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 (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 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))
  

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

On May 12, 2016 Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) received a demand for arbitration from Ricardo Gonzalez, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, claiming that he was terminated without cause and, alternatively, that he resigned in accordance with Section 4G of his Employment Agreement pursuant to a notice received by the Company on May 9, 2016. On May 13, 2016, the Company notified Mr. Gonzalez that his failure to undertake responsibilities assigned to him by the Board of Directors and otherwise work after being ordered to do so on multiple occasions constituted an effective resignation, and the Company accepted that resignation. The Company rejected the resignation of Mr. Gonzalez pursuant to Section 4G of his Employment Agreement. Also, the Company notified Mr. Gonzalez that, alternatively, his failure to return to work after the expiration of the cure period provided in his Employment Agreement constituted cause for his termination under his Employment Agreement. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims by Mr. Gonzalez and intends to vigorously defend its position.

 

On May 9, 2016, Brent Larson, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, was approved for short term disability by the Company’s insurance carrier and is accordingly no longer acting as Chief Financial Officer.

 

Jed A. Latkin, the Company’s Interim Chief Operating Officer, is expected to function as the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer until replacements are hired.

 

 

 

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.

 

  Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.  
       
       
Date: May 13, 2016 By: /s/ Jed A. Latkin  
   

Jed A. Latkin, Interim Chief Operating Officer