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

Clearside Biomedical, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(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. ☐

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

On February 2, 2023, Thomas Ciulla provided Clearside Biomedical, Inc. (the “Company”) notice of his resignation from his position as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Development Officer of the Company, with such resignation to be effective on February 17. 2023 (the “Effective Date”). Following the Effective Date, Dr. Ciulla will provide advisory services to the Company, including as the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Company and as Chief Medical Advisor – Retina. The Company and Dr. Ciulla intend to enter into a consulting agreement regarding Dr. Ciulla’s advisory services to the Company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements may be identified by the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” or other similar terms or expressions that concern the Company’s expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to Dr. Ciulla’s provision of advisory services to the Company and the Company’s and Dr. Ciulla’s intention to enter into a consulting agreement regarding such services. Any forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs. Actual events or results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained herein, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 11, 2022, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 9, 2022 and in subsequent filings the Company makes with the SEC from time to time. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

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.