8-K

UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

HCW Biologics 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:

☐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 (§ 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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

As previously reported on Form 8-K filed on July 18, 2025, HCW Biologics Inc. (the “Company”) and WY Biotech Co., Ltd. (“WY Biotech”) agreed to extend the date for payment of the $7.0 million upfront license fee under the worldwide exclusive license agreement between the Company and WY Biotech (the “Agreement”) to on or before September 30, 2025. As previously reported on Form 10-Q filed on August 18, 2025 in regard to the Agreement, the Company delayed recognition of the upfront payment while WY Biotech finalizes agreements with its contract development and manufacturing organization (“CDMO”) and investors. WY Biotech has informed the Company it has not yet finalized such agreements and will likely not meet the amended payment date. The Company and WY Biotech are currently negotiating the terms for potential further revisions of and additions to the Agreement. The foregoing summary of certain terms of the Agreement, the amendment thereto and the referenced terms under negotiation does not purport to be complete.

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.