Form 8-K
8-K — Azenta, Inc.
Accession: 0001628280-26-062474
Filed: 2026-09-17
Period: 2026-09-11
CIK: 0000933974
SIC: 3559 (SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC)
Item: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits
Documents
8-K — azta-20260911.htm (Primary)
EX-99.1 (letteragreementdatedsept.htm)
GRAPHIC (letteragreementdatedsept001.jpg)
GRAPHIC (letteragreementdatedsept002.jpg)
GRAPHIC (letteragreementdatedsept003.jpg)
XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT (R1.htm)
8-K
8-K (Primary)
Filename: azta-20260911.htm · Sequence: 1
azta-20260911
0000933974FALSE00009339742026-09-112026-09-11
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): September 11, 2026
Azenta, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-25434 04-3040660
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation) (Commission File
Number) (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
200 Summit Drive, Burlington, MA 01803
(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)
(888) 229-3682
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(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:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o 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:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value AZTA The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
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 o
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. o
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Compensation
As previously disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 24, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Azenta, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Dr. Martin D. Madaus as the Company’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 22, 2026 (the “Start Date”), and the Company was reviewing his compensation in connection with that appointment.
On September 14, 2026, upon the recommendation of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board, the Board approved, and the Company entered into, a letter agreement with Dr. Madaus (the “Letter Agreement”) setting forth the terms of his employment as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. The Letter Agreement provides for an annual base salary of $600,000, effective as of the Start Date, and a cash performance recognition bonus equal to 100% of his annual base salary in lieu of participation in the Company’s annual incentive compensation plan. The performance recognition bonus will be earned and vest in full on the first anniversary of the Start Date, subject to Dr. Madaus’s continued employment as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer through that date, or on a pro rata basis upon an earlier termination of his employment; provided, however, that the bonus will be forfeited if the Company terminates his employment for Cause, as defined in the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), or if he voluntarily terminates his employment other than at the request of the Board. Any earned and vested performance recognition bonus will be paid in a lump sum on January 1, 2028, subject to Dr. Madaus’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims.
The Letter Agreement also provides for the grant to Dr. Madaus, as of September 14, 2026 (the “CEO Grant Date”), of restricted stock units under the Plan having an award value of $1,200,000. The number of restricted stock units subject to the award is determined by dividing $1,200,000 by the average closing price of the Company’s common stock over the 20 trading days ending on and including the CEO Grant Date. The award will vest as to 1/12 of the restricted stock units on each monthly anniversary of the Start Date, subject to Dr. Madaus’s continued service as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer through each vesting date. The award is subject to the terms of the Plan, the Company’s standard restricted stock unit award agreement, and the Company’s Clawback Policy.
Dr. Madaus is eligible to participate in the Company’s health, welfare, and other benefit plans for similarly situated employees. His employment is at will, and he will not participate in any Company severance or change in control policy or program. The foregoing description of the Letter Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Letter Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Also on September 14, 2026, the Board reconstituted the Nominating and Governance Committee to consist of William L. Cornog, as Chair, Frank E. Casal, and Robyn C. Davis, and Dr. Madaus ceased serving as a member of that committee.
Named Executive Officer Retention Awards
On September 11, 2026, the Committee approved one-time retention awards of restricted stock units (each, a “Retention Award”) under the Plan, for the following named executive officers in the indicated award values: Lawrence Lin, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, $1,000,000; Ephraim Starr, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, $500,000; Olga Pirogova, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, $500,000; and Trey Martin, Senior Vice President and President, Multiomics, $500,000.
The Retention Awards were granted on September 14, 2026 (the “Retention Grant Date”). The number of restricted stock units subject to each Retention Award is determined by dividing the applicable award value by the average closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market over the 20 trading days ending on and including the Retention Grant Date, rounded to the nearest whole unit.
Each Retention Award consists solely of time-based restricted stock units, 50% of which will vest on each of the first and second anniversaries of the Retention Grant Date, subject to the applicable officer’s continued employment through each vesting date. If the officer’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by the officer for Good Reason (each as defined in the applicable award agreement), 50% of the restricted stock units subject to the Retention Award will vest if the termination occurs before the first anniversary of the Retention Grant Date, and all then-outstanding and unvested restricted stock units subject to the Retention Award will vest if the termination occurs on or after the first anniversary of the Retention Grant Date. Each Retention Award is subject to the terms of the Plan, the Company’s Clawback Policy, and the Company’s other applicable policies, in each case as in effect from time to time.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)Exhibits
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
99.1
Letter Agreement, dated September 14, 2026, between Azenta, Inc. and Dr. Martin D. Madaus
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL document).
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.
AZENTA, INC.
/s/ Ephraim Starr
Date: September 17, 2026 Ephraim Starr
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
EX-99.1
EX-99.1
Filename: letteragreementdatedsept.htm · Sequence: 2
letteragreementdatedsept
GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC
Filename: letteragreementdatedsept001.jpg · Sequence: 6
Binary file (178381 bytes)
Download letteragreementdatedsept001.jpg
GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC
Filename: letteragreementdatedsept002.jpg · Sequence: 7
Binary file (256896 bytes)
Download letteragreementdatedsept002.jpg
GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC
Filename: letteragreementdatedsept003.jpg · Sequence: 8
Binary file (47167 bytes)
Download letteragreementdatedsept003.jpg
XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
XML
Filename: R1.htm · Sequence: 10
v3.26.3
Cover
Sep. 11, 2026
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type
8-K
Document Period End Date
Sep. 11, 2026
Entity Registrant Name
Azenta, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code
DE
Entity File Number
0-25434
Entity Tax Identification Number
04-3040660
Entity Address, Address Line One
200 Summit Drive
Entity Address, City or Town
Burlington
Entity Address, State or Province
MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code
01803
City Area Code
888
Local Phone Number
229-3682
Written Communications
false
Soliciting Material
false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer
false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer
false
Title of 12(b) Security
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol
AZTA
Security Exchange Name
NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company
false
Entity Central Index Key
0000933974
Amendment Flag
false
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_AmendmentFlag
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Area code of city
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_CityAreaCode
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Cover page.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_CoverAbstract
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
For the EDGAR submission types of Form 8-K: the date of the report, the date of the earliest event reported; for the EDGAR submission types of Form N-1A: the filing date; for all other submission types: the end of the reporting or transition period. The format of the date is YYYY-MM-DD.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_DocumentType
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:submissionTypeItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Name of the City or Town
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Code for the postal or zip code
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Name of the state or province.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:stateOrProvinceItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityCentralIndexKey
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:centralIndexKeyItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityFileNumber
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:fileNumberItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:edgarStateCountryItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityRegistrantName
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:employerIdItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Local phone number for entity.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_LocalPhoneNumber
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 13e
-Subsection 4c
+ Details
Name:
dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14d
-Subsection 2b
+ Details
Name:
dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Title of a 12(b) registered security.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b
+ Details
Name:
dei_Security12bTitle
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:securityTitleItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection d1-1
+ Details
Name:
dei_SecurityExchangeName
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:edgarExchangeCodeItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14a
-Subsection 12
+ Details
Name:
dei_SolicitingMaterial
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_TradingSymbol
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:tradingSymbolItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Securities Act
-Number 230
-Section 425
+ Details
Name:
dei_WrittenCommunications
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration