Rocket One Inc. 10-K

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES Evaluation of Disclosure Controls Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2025, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. As of December 31, 2025, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control Integrated Framework 2013. Based on this assessment, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2025, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on such criteria. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Other than as described above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION During our last fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2025, none of our directors or executive officers adopted , modified or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or a “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” as such terms are defined under Item 408 of Regulation S-K. ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS. Not applicable. 46 PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The following table sets forth the name, age and positions of our executive officers and directors as of March 26, 2026. NAME AGE POSITION Robb Knie 57 President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman David Briones 49 Chief Financial Officer Wayne Linsley 69 Director David B. Sarnoff 58 Director Chris Camarra 44 Director Jeff Pavell 59 Director The business background and certain other information about our directors and executive officers are set forth below. Robb Knie Robb Knie has served as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company since May 2017 and served as our principal financial and accounting officer from June 2018 until March 2019. From October 2020 to January 2023, Mr. Knie served as the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and chairman of the board of directors of FoxWayne Enterprises Acquisition Corp. (“FoxWayne”), a special purpose acquisition corporation. Mr. Knie served as the President of Lifeline Industries Inc. since its inception in 1995. From 2002 to 2010 he was a Semiconductor Analyst for PAW Partners. From 1993 until 1995, Mr. Knie served as Northeast Regional Manager of American Express Financial Advisors. Mr. Knie has served as a board member for Nasdaq-listed companies. He has been featured on Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes Magazine as an Independent Equity Analyst. Mr. Knie has over 20 years of equity markets experience. Mr. Knie has been a member of the American Chemical Society, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, as well as The National Alliance for Youth Sports. We believe that Mr. Knie is qualified to serve as a director because of his business and leadership experience and experience as a board member of public companies in the healthcare industry. David Briones David Briones has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since March 2019 and has over 25 years of public accounting and executive level experience. He consults with various public companies in financial reporting, internal control development and evaluation, budgeting and forecasting. Since October 2010, he has served as the managing member and founder of Brio Financial Group, LLC, a full-service financial consulting firm that brings experienced finance and accounting expertise to both public and private companies. Since 2010, Mr. Briones has served over 75 companies as well as numerous banks, hedge funds, venture capital funds and private equity firms. In addition, from May 2018 until its dissolution in April 2021, Mr. Briones served as Executive Chair of Zovis Pharmaceuticals, and from September 2021 to December 2022, Mr. Briones served as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary and a member of the board of directors of Larkspur Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: LSPR), a special purpose acquisition corporation that merged with ZyVersa Therapeutics Inc. Prior to founding Brio Financial Group, LLC, Mr. Briones was an auditor with Bartolomei Pucciarelli, LLC in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in New York, New York. Since May 2020, Mr. Briones has served as a member of the board of directors of Unique Logistics International Inc (OTC Pink: UNQL). Mr. Briones received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Fairfield University. Wayne Linsley Wayne D. Linsley has served as a director of the Company since April 2020. Mr. Linsley has been in business management for over 40 years. He possesses a wide and varied skillset including sales and sales management, finance (for both public and private companies), accounting, audit support and financial reporting. He has a bachelor’s in business administration from Siena College in Loudonville, New York. From 2014 to September 2021, Mr. Linsley served as the Vice President of Operations at CFO Oncall, Inc., a company that provides financial reporting and controller services on an outsourced basis and previously, from 2012 to 2014, Mr. Linsley worked at CFO Oncall, Inc. as an independent contractor. From 2009 to September 2021, he worked for a financial reporting firm that works with publicly traded companies. He has extensive knowledge of financial statements, MD&A, SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, etc.), Edgar, etc. He often negotiated on behalf of clients in such areas as audit fees, transfer agents, Edgar companies, etc. He currently serves as an independent director for Myseum, Inc. (f/k/a DatChat Inc.) (Nasdaq: MYSE), serving as the chair of its audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee, and Silo Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: SILO) serving as the chair of its audit committee and compensation committee. We believe Mr. Linsley is qualified to serve as a member of the board because of his business management experience. 47 David B. Sarnoff David Sarnoff has served as a director of the Company since August 2018. Since May 2015, Mr. Sarnoff has served as the founder and Principal of Sarnoff Group, LLC, and since January 2019, he has served as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Executive Leadership Coach at Loeb Leadership. In addition, since December 2021, Mr. Sarnoff has served as Adjunct Faculty at iCoach Global (formally known as iCoach New York) with respect to a professional coaching program affiliated with the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College. From October 2003 until May 2015, Mr. Sarnoff served as the co-founder and Principal of Morandi, Taub & Sarnoff LLC, an executive search firm, and from July 1998 until October 2003 he served as a Legal Recruiter for Schneider Legal Search, Inc. From August 1994 until July 1998, Mr. Sarnoff served as a litigation associate attorney at Wachtel Missry LLP (formerly known as Gold & Wachtel LLP). Since July 2018, Mr. Sarnoff has served as a member of the advisory committee of the New Jersey Association of School Resource Officers. From January 2015 until January 2018, Mr. Sarnoff served as board President of Fort Lee Board of Education and served as a board member from January 2013 through January 2019. In September of 2020, Mr. Sarnoff was appointed to a three-year term on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of the New York City Bar Association, and in September 2022, he was appointed as Co-Chair of that committee. Mr. Sarnoff received his Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Hofstra University. Mr. Sarnoff is admitted to the New York and New Jersey (retired status) state bars. We believe that Mr. Sarnoff is qualified to serve as a director because of his legal experience as well as his extensive experience in executive leadership and business development. Chris Camarra Chris Camarra has served as a director of the Company since May 2025. In addition, he has served as the Executive Vice President, Communications of TC BioPharm Limited (Nasdaq: TCBP), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, since January 2022, and the President of CMC Ventures, LLC, a strategic communications firm, since 2010. He previously served as a Partner at Capital Markets Group, LLC, Investor Relations Manager at Atari and Financial Managing Associate at EY. From 2021 through 2024, Mr. Camarra served as a member of the board of 3DX Industries Inc., a precision manufacturing company. Mr. Camarra received his Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in communication studies and business administration from West Virginia University. The Company believes that Mr. Camarra is qualified to serve as a director of the Company because of his more than ten years of public markets experience as well as his prior experience serving as a director for other companies. Jeff Pavell Jeff Pavell has served as a director of the Company since December 2022. Since January 2017, Dr. Pavell has served as Chief of Rehabilitation Medicine at Englewood Health, and since November 2021, he has been on the teaching staff at New York-Presbyterian. In addition, since December 2020 he has been on the teaching staff at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall. Furthermore, since 2010, Dr. Pavell has served as a partner at Patient Care Associates, an outpatient surgical center, and since 2002, he has served as a Partner at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, a private medical practice serving patients with spine, sports and occupational injuries. Dr. Pavell is a Board-Certified physician specializing in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Pavell is also certified in pain medicine and specializes in the most advanced non-operative treatments for spine, sports and interventional pain medicines. Dr. Pavell received his Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University and his D.O. degree with honors from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. From January 2021 to January 2023, Dr. Pavell served as a member of the board of directors as well as chairman of the audit committee and a member of the compensation committee of FoxWayne, a special purpose acquisition corporation. Furthermore, since September 2022, Dr. Pavell has served as a director of Silo Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: SILO) as well as a member of the audit committee, compensation committee and chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee. We believe that Dr. Pavell is qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive experience practicing in the healthcare industry as well as his prior experience serving as a director for other public companies. Family Relationships There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors. Arrangements Between Officers and Directors Except as set forth herein, to our knowledge, there is no arrangement or understanding between any of our officers or directors and any other person pursuant to which the officer or director was selected to serve as an officer or director. Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings We are not aware of any of our directors or officers being involved in any legal proceedings in the past ten years relating to any matters in bankruptcy, insolvency, criminal proceedings (other than traffic and other minor offenses), or being subject to any of the items set forth under Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K. Committees of Our Board of Directors Our board of directors directs the management of our business and affairs, as provided by Nevada law, and conducts its business through meetings of the board of directors and its standing committees. We have a standing audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee. In addition, from time to time, special committees may be established under the direction of the board of directors when necessary to address specific issues. 48 Our board of directors has determined that all of the members of the audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee are independent as defined under the applicable rules of Nasdaq, including, in the case of all of the members of our audit committee, the independence requirements contemplated by Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In making such determination, the board of directors considered the relationships that each director has with our Company and all other facts and circumstances that the board of directors deemed relevant in determining director independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each director. Audit Committee Our audit committee is responsible for, among other things: ● approving and retaining the independent registered public accounting firm to conduct the annual audit of our consolidated financial statements; ● reviewing the proposed scope and results of the audit; ● reviewing and pre-approval of audit and non-audit fees and services; ● reviewing accounting and financial controls with the independent registered public accounting firm and our financial and accounting staff; ● reviewing and approving transactions between us and our directors, officers and affiliates; ● establishing procedures for complaints received by us regarding accounting matters; ● overseeing internal audit functions, if any; and ● preparing the report of the audit committee that the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission require to be included in our annual meeting proxy statement. Our audit committee consists of Wayne Linsley, David Sarnoff and Chris Camarra, with Wayne Linsley serving as chair. Each member of our audit committee meets the financial literacy requirements of the Nasdaq rules. In addition, our board of directors has determined that Wayne Linsley qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. Our board of directors adopted a written charter for the audit committee which is available on our website at www.hoththerapeutics.com . Compensation Committee Our compensation committee is responsible for, among other things: ● reviewing and recommending the compensation arrangements for management, including the compensation for our president and chief executive officer; ● establishing and reviewing general compensation policies with the objective to attract and retain superior talent, to reward individual performance and to achieve our financial goals; ● administering our stock incentive plans and Clawback Policy ; and ● preparing the report of the compensation committee that the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission require to be included in our annual meeting proxy statement. Our compensation committee currently consists of Wayne Linsley, Chris Camarra and Jeff Pavell, with Wayne Linsley serving as chair. Our board of directors adopted a written charter for the compensation committee which is available on our website at www.hoththerapeutics.com. Nominating and Governance Committee Our nominating and governance committee is responsible for, among other things: ● identifying and nominating members of the board of directors; ● developing and recommending to the board of directors a set of corporate governance principles applicable to our Company; and ● overseeing the evaluation of our board of directors. 49 Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Wayne Linsley, Chris Camarra and David Sarnoff, with Wayne Linsley serving as chair. Our board of directors adopted a written charter for the nominating and corporate governance committee which is available on our website at www.hoththerapeutics.com. Scientific Advisory Board In July 2017, the board of directors formed a Scientific Advisory Board. As of March 26, 2025, the members of such board are as follows: (i) Dr. Mario Lacouture, Dr. William Weglicki, and Dr. Adam Friedman as Medical Doctor members and (ii) Dr. Glenn Cruse, Dr. Carla Yuede, Dr. John Cirrito, and Sergio Traversa as Non-Medical Doctor members. Code of Business Code and Ethics Conduct We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code is posted on our website at www.hoththerapeutics.com. Disclosure regarding any amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of the code of conduct and ethics that apply to our directors, principal executive and financial officers will be posted on the “Investors-Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.hoththerapeutics.com or will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we will file within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver. Insider Trading Policy We have adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale, and/or any other disposition of our securities that applies to our directors, officers and employees, and other covered persons. We believe that our insider trading policy is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and listing standards applicable to our Company. A copy of our insider trading policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Changes in Nominating Procedures None. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Summary Compensation Table The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 to our principal executive officer (the “named executive officer”): ● Robb Knie, Chief Executive Officer and President Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($)(1) Stock Awards ($)(4) Option Awards ($)(2) Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings ($) All Other Compensation ($)(3) Total ($) Robb Knie 2025 485,833 200,000 968,000 129,370 - - 146,877 1,930,080 Chief Executive Officer and President 2024 450,000 200,000 - 449,685 - - 127,107 1,226,792 (1) Represents payments of discretionary bonuses for performance during the applicable years as determined by the board, and as further described below Bonus Arrangements. (2) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, rather than the amount paid to or realized by Robb Knie. See Note 6, “Stockholders’ Equity” in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the Company’s accounting for share-based compensation plans. 50 (3) All other compensation represents the employer matching contributions to Robb Knie’s 401(k) account and the amounts received for his executive health or supplemental health insurance premiums. Mr. Knie received (i) an employer 401(k) contribution in the amount of $21,000 and $20,475 for fiscal years 2025 and 2024, respectively, and (ii) payments for executive health or supplemental medical insurance premiums in the amount of $125,877 and $106,632 for fiscal years 2025 and 2024, respectively. (4) Represents the grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. On August 28, 2025, we issued 800,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Knie as compensation under our equity incentive plan. The total grant-date fair value of the awards was $968,000, which was recognized as compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025. In connection with the issuance, we withheld 310,744 shares with a total fair value of $376,000 to satisfy employees’ minimum statutory tax withholding obligations. As a result, we issued a net of 489,256 shares to Mr. Knie. The shares withheld for taxes are accounted for as a repurchase of shares and do not reduce the amount of compensation expense recognized. The Company remitted the related cash obligation to taxing authorities during the period. Employment Agreements Robb Knie Employment Agreement On August 21, 2025, the board of directors of the Company approved the entry into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Robb Knie and on August 22, 2025 (the “Effective Date”) the Company entered into the Employment Agreement with Robb Knie pursuant to which Mr. Knie shall continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. Unless terminated earlier pursuant to its terms, the Employment Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until the third anniversary of the Effective Date and thereafter shall automatically renew for successive one year terms unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal to the other party at least six months prior to the last day of the then-current term. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Knie shall (i) receive an annual base salary of $550,000, (ii) be eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to $550,000 based upon the achievement of Company and individual performance targets established by the Company’s compensation committee, (iii) be eligible to receive equity incentive and (iv) be entitled to participate in any benefit plans offered by the Company (the “Benefit Plans”). Furthermore, the Company will cover Mr. Knie under directors’ and officers’ liability insurance during his employment and for a period of six years following the termination of his employment. In addition, if during the term of the Employment Agreement (and so long as Mr. Knie is employed by the Company on the closing date of the Transaction (as defined below)), the Company enters into a Transaction, Mr. Knie will be eligible to receive a one-time bonus (the “Transaction Bonus”), based on the Equity Value (as defined in the Employment Agreement) of the Company measured as of the closing date of such Transaction as set forth in the Employment Agreement; provided that if multiple Transactions occur during the term of the Employment Agreement which would qualify as the Transaction, the Transaction Bonus will only be payable with respect to the first Transaction. The Transaction Bonus shall be payable to Mr. Knie in the same form of consideration received by the Company’s stockholders or in cash at the rate of 1.5% of license fees received from an out license agreement. Mr. Knie’s employment may be terminated (i) upon his death, (ii) by the Company (A) in the event of his Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement), (B) for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or (C) without Cause on 30 days’ prior written notice or (iii) by Mr. Knie for (A) Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or (B) on 30 days’ prior written notice to the Company. If Mr. Knie’s employment is terminated by (i) the Company without Cause or the Company’s decision not to renew the Employment Agreement or (ii) by Mr. Knie for Good Reason or his voluntary termination, Mr. Knie shall receive (A) his accrued but unpaid base salary and reimbursement of expenses through the date of termination (“Accrued Salary”), (B) a cash payment equal to the sum of 24 months (or 36 months if such termination occurs within 12 months of a Change in Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement)) of his base salary, (C) his annual bonus as in effect as of the last day of employment, (D) 24 months (or 36 months if such termination occurs within 12 months of a Change in Control) of COBRA coverage, (E) any annual bonus earned with respect to a fiscal year ending prior to the date of termination but unpaid as of such date (“Earned Bonus”), (F) any annual bonus accrued for the year in which Mr. Knie’s employment ends as determined by the Company’s board (“Accrued Bonus” and together with the Earned Bonus, the “Termination Bonus”) and (G) all other accrued or vested amounts or benefits due to Mr. Knie in accordance with the Employment Agreement, the Company’s benefit plans, programs or policies (other than severance) (the “Accrued Benefits”). In addition, Mr. Knie’s awards shall be treated as set forth in the respective award agreements. Furthermore, if Mr. Knie complies with the restrictive covenants set forth in the Employment Agreement, the outstanding and unvested portion of any time-vesting equity award granted to Mr. Knie shall automatically accelerate and vest in full upon his termination. If Mr. Knie’s employment is terminated for death or Disability, Mr. Knie shall receive the Accrued Salary, the Termination Bonus and the Accrued Benefits and any then outstanding and unvested portion of any time-vesting equity award granted to Mr. Knie shall accelerate and vest in full. In the event Mr. Knie’s employment is terminated due to non-renewal by Mr. Knie or by him without Good Reason, Mr. Knie shall receive the Accrued Salary, the Earned Bonus and the Accrued Benefits and his awards shall be treated as set forth in the respective award agreements. If Mr. Knie’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, Mr. Knie shall receive his Accrued Salary and Accrued Benefits and his awards shall be treated as set forth in the respective award agreements. The foregoing payments other than the Accrued Salary, Earned Bonus and Accrued Benefits shall be payable if Mr. Knie executes a general release in favor of the Company as set forth in the Employment Agreement. The Employment Agreement contains non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement, confidentiality and assignment of Inventions (as defined in the Employment Agreement) provisions. 51 Equity Grant Practices 2018 Equity Incentive Plan On May 4, 2018, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan became effective on May 4, 2018 upon approval of the 2018 Plan by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to the 2018 Plan, the Company can grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, annual or long-term performance awards or other stock-based awards. As of December 31, 2025, the outstanding option awards under the 2018 Plan total 170,362 as described in the table under “Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2025” below. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan On March 24, 2022, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) initially reserving 96,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for issuance thereunder. The 2022 Plan became effective on June 23, 2022 upon approval of the 2022 Plan by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. On June 2, 2023, the Company’s board of directors approved the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended and Restated 2022 Plan”) which was approved by stockholders on August 18, 2023. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2022 Plan, the Company can grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, annual or long-term performance awards or other stock-based awards. As of December 31, 2025, the outstanding option awards under the Amended and Restated 2022 Plan total 1,090,000 as described in the table under “Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2025” below. Bonus Arrangements Pursuant to the terms of the executive employment agreements described above, the Company, through the board, has the discretion to determine the amounts of the annual incentive bonus payments which executives may receive. Based on the review of the Company’s performance for calendar year 2025, the board, in its sole discretion, determined to pay the bonus to the named executive officer listed in the summary compensation table above. 401(k) Plan The Company maintains a defined contribution employee retirement plan, or 401(k) plan, for its employees. The 401(k) plan is intended to qualify as a tax-qualified plan under Section 401(k) of the Code so that contributions to the 401(k) plan, and income earned on such contributions, are not taxable to participants until withdrawn or distributed from the 401(k) plan. The Company will match a participant’s contribution 100% up to 6% of their compensation, subject to statutory limits. Perquisites Perquisites are not a material component of compensation. In general, named executive officers do not receive reimbursements for meals, airlines, and travel costs, other than those costs allowed for all employees. During 2025, our named executive officer did not receive an allowance from the Company or any of the above or a reimbursement for any expense incurred for non-business purposes. Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2025 The following table provides information regarding option awards held by our named executive officer that were outstanding as of December 31, 2025. There were no stock awards or other equity awards outstanding as of December 31, 2025. Option Awards Name Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable Option Exercise Price ($) Option Expiration Date Robb Knie 10,000 (1) - $ 131.50 12/24/2029 3,201 (1) - $ 76.25 7/21/2030 9,000 (1) - $ 52.75 1/29/2031 20,000 (1) - $ 14.75 3/16/2032 40,000 (1) - $ 2.59 7/17/2033 225,000 (1) - $ 1.36 1/5/2034 325,000 (1) - $ 0.7548 8/19/2034 100,000 (1) - $ 1.55 1/14/2035 (1) Stock options granted to Robb Knie vested in full immediately upon grant. 52 Pay Versus Performance Disclosure In accordance with the SEC’s disclosure requirements regarding pay versus performance (“PVP”), this section presents the SEC-defined “Compensation Actually Paid,” (“CAP”) of our NEO for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, and our financial performance. Also required by the SEC, this section compares CAP to various measures used to gauge performance at HOTH for each such fiscal year. Pay versus Performance Table — Compensation Definitions Salary, Bonus, Stock Awards, and All Other Compensation are each calculated in the same manner for purposes of both CAP and Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) values. The primary difference between the calculation of CAP and SCT total compensation is the calculation of the value of “Stock Awards,” with the table below describing the differences in how these awards are valued for purposes of SCT total and CAP: SCT Total CAP Stock Awards Grant date fair value of stock and option awards granted during the year Year over year change in the fair value of stock and option awards that are unvested as of the end of the year, or vested or were forfeited during the year Pay Versus Performance Table Year (1) Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (2) Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (2) Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On Total Shareholder Return Net Loss (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (h) 2025 $ 1,930,080 $ 1,930,080 $ - $ - $ 1.67 $ (12,469,302 ) 2024 $ 1,226,792 $ 1,226,792 $ - $ - $ 1.26 $ (8,188,300 ) 2023 $ 846,342 $ 846,342 $ - $ - $ 2.43 $ (8,106,122 ) 2022 $ 1,060,370 $ 1,060,370 $ - $ - $ 13.16 $ (11,361,023 ) (1) The PEO (CEO) in the 2025 and 2024 reporting year is Robb Knie. (2) The CAP was calculated beginning with the PEO’s SCT total. No amounts were deducted from or added to the applicable SCT total compensation. Since all equity awards were fully vested prior to 2022, no reconciliation with respect to equity awards for summary compensation numbers was required. Non-Employee Director Compensation The following table presents the total compensation for each person who served as a non-employee member of our board of directors and received compensation for such service during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Other than as set forth in the table and described more fully below, we did not pay any compensation, make any equity awards or non-equity awards to, or pay any other compensation to any of the non-employee members of our board of directors in 2025. Name Fees earned or paid in cash ($) Stock Awards ($) Option Awards ($) Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings ($) All Other Compensation ($) Total ($) Jeff Pavell 50,000 - - - - - 50,000 David Sarnoff 50,000 - - - - - 50,000 Chris Camarra 32,361 - - - - - 32,361 Graig Springer(1) 14,560 - - - - - 14,560 Wayne Linsley 56,000 - - - - - 56,000 (1) Graig Springer resigned from the Board on April 9, 2025. 53 Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy Our directors receive $50,000 cash compensation per year for their service on the board of directors, as well as reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses with respect to such directors’ attendance at meetings of the board of directors of the Company. Committee chairs receive an additional one-time $6,000 cash compensation upon appointment for their added services in such roles. Company Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Nonpublic Information The Compensation Committee last granted a stock option in January 2025. The Company does not grant stock options or similar awards to Section 16 Insiders, most SVPs, and other Vice Presidents and above who directly report to the CEO in anticipation of the release of material nonpublic information that is likely to result in changes to the price of the Company’s stock, such as a significant positive or negative earnings announcement, or time the public release of such information based on stock option grant dates. In addition, the Company does not grant stock options or similar awards during the four business days prior to or the one business day following the filing of our periodic reports or the filing or furnishing of a Current Report on Form 8-K that discloses material nonpublic information. These restrictions do not apply to RSUs or other types of equity awards that do not include an exercise price related to the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The Company’s executive officers would not be permitted to choose the grant date for any stock option grants. During fiscal 2025, the Company’s named executive officer was awarded stock options. The Company did not time the disclosure of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock as of March 26, 2026 by (i) each person known to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each of our named executive officers and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Beneficial Owner (1) Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Percentage (2) Directors and Named Executive Officers: Robb Knie 1,279,587 (3) 7.53 % Wayne Linsley 61,154 (4) * David Sarnoff 63,420 (5) * Jeff Pavell 62,575 (6) * Chris Camarra - - All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (6 persons) 1,466,846 8.54 % * Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%. (1) The address of each person is c/o Hoth Therapeutics, Inc., 720 Monroe Street, Suite E514, Hoboken, NJ 07030 unless otherwise indicated herein. (2) The calculation in this column is based upon 16,257,652 shares of common stock outstanding on March 26, 2026. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to the subject securities. Shares of common stock that are currently exercisable or convertible within 60 days of March 26, 2026 are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding such securities for the purpose of computing the percentage beneficial ownership of such person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage beneficial ownership of any other person. (3) Includes options to purchase up to 732,200 shares of the Company’s common stock. (4) Includes options to purchase up to 61,020 shares of the Company’s common stock. (5) Includes options to purchase up to 62,420 shares of the Company’s common stock. (6) Includes options to purchase up to 57,500 shares of the Company’s common stock. 54 Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans The following table summarizes information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2025. Plan Category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 1,260,362 $ 4.34 1,202,055 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - - - Total 1,260,362 1,202,055 ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE There were no transactions that occurred during our fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 to which we were a party, including transactions in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeded the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or, to our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination, change in control and other arrangements, which are described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Furthermore, no transaction is currently proposed in which the amount of the transaction exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and in which a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Related Person Transaction Policy We have adopted a formal policy regarding approval of transactions with related parties. For purposes of our policy only, a related person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we and any related person are, were or will be participants in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of our total assets at the end of our last completed fiscal year. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee or director are not covered by this policy. A related person is any executive officer, director or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons. Under the policy, if a transaction has been identified as a related person transaction, including any transaction that was not a related person transaction when originally consummated or any transaction that was not initially identified as a related person transaction prior to consummation, our management must present information regarding the related person transaction to our audit committee, or, if audit committee approval would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our board of directors, for review, consideration and approval or ratification. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct and indirect, of the related persons, the benefits to us of the transaction and whether the transaction is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to or from, as the case may be, an unrelated third-party or to or from employees generally. Under the policy, we will collect information that we deem reasonably necessary from each director, executive officer and, to the extent feasible, significant shareholder to enable us to identify any existing or potential related-person transactions and to effectuate the terms of the policy. In addition, under our code of business conduct and ethics, our employees and directors have an affirmative responsibility to disclose any transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. In considering related person transactions, our audit committee, or other independent body of our board of directors, will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to: ● the risks, costs and benefits to us; ● the impact on a director’s independence in the event that the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated; ● the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and ● the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from employees generally. 55 The policy requires that, in determining whether to approve, ratify or reject a related person transaction, our audit committee, or other independent body of our board of directors, must consider, in light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests and those of our shareholders, as our audit committee, or other independent body of our board of directors, determines in the good faith exercise of its discretion. Director Independence Our board of directors determined that a majority of the board during the year ended December 31, 2025 consisted of members who were “independent” as that term is defined under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). The Board considered Wayne Linsley, David Sarnoff, Chris Camarra and Jeff Pavell to be “independent.” ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by WithumSmith+Brown, PC as described below: 2025 2024 Audit Fees $ 250,472 $ 209,029 Audit Related Fees - - Tax Fees - - All Other Fees - - Total $ 250,472 $ 209,029 Audit Fees: Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services performed by WithumSmith+Brown, PC for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the review of interim consolidated financial statements, and related services that are normally provided in connection with registration statements. There were $250,472 and $209,029 of such fees incurred by the Company during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Audit-Related Fees: Audit related fees consist of fees billed by an independent registered public accounting firm for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements. There were no such fees incurred by the Company during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Tax Fees: Tax fees consist of fees for professional services, including tax compliance, performed by WithumSmith+Brown, PC. There were no such fees incurred by the Company during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. All Other Fees: There were no such fees incurred by the Company during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures In accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley, our audit committee charter requires the audit committee to pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm, including the review and approval in advance of our independent registered public accounting firm’s annual engagement letter and the proposed fees contained therein. The audit committee has the ability to delegate the authority to pre-approve non-audit services to one or more designated members of the audit committee. If such authority is delegated, such delegated members of the audit committee must report to the full audit committee at the next audit committee meeting all items pre-approved by such delegated members. In the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, all of the services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm were pre-approved by the audit committee. 56 PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES (a) The following documents are filed as part of this report: (1) Financial Statements: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 100) F- 2 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 2025 and 2024 F- 4 Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 F- 5 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 F- 6 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 F- 7 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F- 8 The consolidated financial statements required by this Item are included beginning at page F-1. (1) Financial Statement Schedules: All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required or the information required is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto. (b) Exhibits EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Exhibit 3.1 Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed on December 14, 2018) 3.2 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed on December 14, 2018) 3.3 Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed on December 14, 2018) 3.4 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2019) 3.5 Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2019) 3.6 Amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2022) 3.7 Certificate of Change dated October 20, 2022 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2022) 3.8 Certificate of Designation dated November 2, 2022 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 3, 2022) 3.9 Certificate of Amendment (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 13, 2022) 3.10 Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2024) 4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate evidencing the shares of common stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed on December 14, 2018) 4.2 Form of Underwriter Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed on January 11, 2019) 57 4.3 Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 25, 2020) 4.4 Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2020) 4.5 Form of Pre-Funded Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 15, 2023) 4.6 Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 15, 2023) 4.7 Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024) 4.8* Description of the Registrant’s Securities 10.1 Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed on December 14, 2018) 10.2+ 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on February 4, 2022) 10.3 Form of Registration Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed on December 14, 2018) 10.4+ Employment Agreement between Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. and David Briones (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2019) 10.5 Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2019) 10.6 Form of Registration Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2019) 10.7 Form of Placement Agent Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2019) 10.8 License Agreement with North Carolina State University dated November 20, 2019 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2020) 10.9 Development and Royalty Agreement by and between the Company and Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. dated March 23, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 23, 2020) 10.10 License Agreement by and between the University of Cincinnati and Chelexa BioSciences, Inc. dated February 27, 2013 assigned to the Company on May 14, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2020) 10.11 First Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement by and between the University of Cincinnati and Chelexa BioSciences, Inc. dated April 17, 2013 assigned to the Company on May 14, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2020) 10.12 Second Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement by and between the University of Cincinnati and Chelexa BioSciences, Inc. dated February 27, 2013 assigned to the Company on May 14, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2020) 10.13 Assignment and Assumption Agreement by and between the Company and Chelexa BioSciences, Inc. dated May 14, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2020) 10.14 Royalty Agreement by and between the Company and Chelexa BioSciences, Inc. dated May 14, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2020) 10.15 Novation Agreement by and among the Company, Chelexa BioSciences, Inc. and the University of Cincinnati dated May 14, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2020) 10.16 Patent License Agreement by and between the Company and the George Washington University dated August 7, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2020) 58 10.17 Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2021) 10.18 Form of Registration Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2021) 10.19 Form of Placement Agent Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2021) 10.20 Form of Common Stock Warrants (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2021) 10.21 Form of Pre-Funded Warrants (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2021) 10.22 Form of Registration Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2021) 10.23 Form of Placement Agent Warrants (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2021) 10.24+ Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Robb Knie dated as of August 22, 2025 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 22, 2025) 10.25+ Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 21, 2023) 10.26+ Amendment No. 1 to Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 16, 2024) 10.27+ Form of Incentive Stock Option Award pursuant to the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 21, 2023) 10.28+ Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award pursuant to the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 21, 2023) 10.29 Form of Securities Purchase Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 15, 2023) 10.30 Form of Warrant Inducement Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024) 10.31+ Form of Incentive Stock Option Award pursuant to the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025) 10.32+ Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Award pursuant to the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025) 10.33+ Form of Stock Unit Agreement pursuant to the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025) 10.34+ Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement pursuant to the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025) 59 10.35+ Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award pursuant to the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025) 10.36+ Amendment No. 2 to Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 5, 2025) 14.1* Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics 19.1 Amended and Restated Insider Trading Policy (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025) 21.1 Subsidiaries of the registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024) 23.1* Consent of WithumSmith+Brown, PC 24.1* Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto) 31.1* Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 31.2* Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1** Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 97.1 Clawback Policy (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024) 101.INS* Inline XBRL Instance Document 101.SCH* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 104* Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 is formatted in Inline XBRL * Filed herewith. ** Furnished herewith. + Indicates a management contract or any compensatory plan, contract or arrangement. ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY 60 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 27 th day of March 2026. HOTH THERAPEUTICS, INC. /s/ Robb Knie Robb Knie Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ David Briones David Briones Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Robb Knie as his attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ Robb Knie Chief Executive Officer, President and Director March 27, 2026 Robb Knie (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ David Briones Chief Financial Officer March 27, 2026 David Briones (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ Wayne Linsley Director March 27, 2026 Wayne Linsley /s/ David B. Sarnoff Director March 27, 2026 David B. Sarnoff /s/ Chris Camarra Director March 27, 2026 Chris Camarra /s/ Jeff Pavell Director March 27, 2026 Jeff Pavell 61