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

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))

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 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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. ☐

On May 25, 2021, Dr. Michael T. Cullen resigned as an employee of Panbela Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”) effective immediately. He will remain a member of the Company’s board of directors and as Chairman. Dr. Cullen previously served as Executive Chairman since 2015 and previously held various executive level positions for the Company, including President and CEO from November 2018 to July 2020.

The 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of the Company was held on May 25, 2021 and stockholders voted on the following proposals, each as described further in the definitive proxy statement for the meeting, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2021.

Proposal 1 – Election of Two Class I Directors

Stockholders elected each of the two nominees to serve as a director for a three-year term ending at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024, based on the votes listed below:

Proposal 2 – Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Stockholders ratified the selection of Cherry Bekaert LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, based on the votes listed below:

Proposal 3 – Approval, on an Advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers:

Stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers based on the votes listed below:

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.