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): August 10, 2021

APTINYX INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

909 Davis Street, Suite 600

Evanston, IL 60201

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(847) 871-0377

(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:

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))

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  x

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 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On August 10, 2021, Aptinyx Inc., issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. A copy of the press release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information contained in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto is intended to be furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

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

In addition, in its press release dated August 10, 2021, Aptinyx Inc. announced that the Board of Directors approved a leadership transition plan. Effective January 1, 2022, current chief executive officer, Norbert Riedel, will transition to the role of executive chairperson. Following such transition, Dr. Riedel will devote 60% of his working time to the role of executive chairperson. Additionally, effective January 1, 2022, current president and chief operating officer, Andy Kidd, will be promoted to the role of president and chief executive officer. In conjunction with these transitions, current board chairperson, Patrick Enright, will transition to the role of lead independent director.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(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.