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): March 26, 2020

APTEVO THERAPEUTICS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (206) 838-0500

Not Applicable

(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):

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 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

(a) Amendment of Articles of Incorporation to Effect Reverse Stock Split

On March 11, 2020, Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”) held a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) at which the Company’s stockholders approved a series of alternate amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect, at the option of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), a reverse split of the Company’s common stock at a ratio ranging from 1-for-2 to 1-for-20, inclusive, with the effectiveness of one of such amendments and the abandonment of the other amendments, or the abandonment of all amendments, to be determined by the Board in its sole discretion following the Special Meeting. The specific 1-for-14 reverse split ratio was subsequently approved by the Board on March 23, 2020

On March 26, 2020, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amendment”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect a 1-for-14 reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The Amendment was effective at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time on March 26, 2020 (the “Effective Time”).

The Amendment provides that, at the Effective Time, every 14 shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock was automatically combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock, without any change in par value per share. As a result of the reverse stock split, proportionate adjustments will be made to the per share exercise price and/or the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or vesting of all then outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and warrants, which will result in a proportional decrease in the number of shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise or vesting of such stock options, restricted stock units and warrants, and, in the case of stock options and warrants, a proportional increase in the exercise price of all such stock options and warrants. In addition, the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans immediately prior to the Effective Time will be reduced proportionately.

No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Stockholders of record who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share will receive a cash payment in lieu thereof. The reverse stock split will affect all stockholders proportionately and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership of the Company’s common stock (except to the extent that the reverse stock split results in any stockholder owning only a fractional share).

The Company’s common stock will begin trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market on a split-adjusted basis when the market opens on March 27, 2020. The new CUSIP number for the Company’s common stock following the reverse stock split is 03835L207.

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by the Amendment, which is attached as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this report on Form 8-K that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements about the reverse stock split and can be identified by using the word “will”. For such statements, the Company claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from the Company’s expectations. Factors that could cause actual

results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include delays in regulatory approvals and those disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s judgment as of the time of this report on Form 8-K. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law.

SIGNATURE

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.