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): November 20, 2020

CEREVEL THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

131 Dartmouth Street, Suite 502

Boston, MA 02116

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(844) 304-2048

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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:

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.  ☐

(a) Dismissal of Previous Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

On November 20, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) of Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as ARYA Sciences Acquisition Corp II) (the “Company”) approved the dismissal of WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately.

The report of Withum on the financial statements of ARYA Sciences Acquisition Corp II (the Company’s legal predecessor) as of June 9, 2020 and for the period from February 20, 2020 (inception) through June 9, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. During the period from February 20, 2020 (inception) through June 9, 2020 and the subsequent interim period, there were no (i) disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K) with Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Withum, would have caused Withum to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on the financial statements of the Company, or (ii) “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

The Company has provided Withum with a copy of the disclosures it is making in this Item 4.01(a) of this Current Report on Form 8-K and requested that Withum furnish a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements above, and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of Withum’s letter dated November 20, 2020 is filed as Exhibit 16.1 hereto.

(b) Engagement of New Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

On November 20, 2020, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. That engagement is effective immediately.

During the period from February 20, 2020 (inception) through June 9, 2020 and the subsequent interim period, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted with E&Y regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and a written report or oral advice was provided to the Company that E&Y concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K or any reportable event within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

(d) Exhibits.

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.