================================================================================ 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): MAY 14, 2006 ---------- CYCLACEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 0-50626 91-1707622 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) (IRS EMPLOYER OF INCORPORATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.) 150 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARKWAY, SUITE 100 SHORT HILLS, NJ 07078 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND ZIP CODE) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (973) 847-5955 ---------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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 (see General Instruction A.2. below): |_| 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)) ================================================================================ ITEM 5.05 AMENDMENTS TO THE REGISTRANT'S CODE OF ETHICS, OR WAIVER OF A PROVISION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS On April 17, 2006, Spiro Rombotis, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") purchased 100 shares of common stock of the Company (the "Purchase") for the purpose of monitoring the stock and the timely distribution of corporate information to stockholders. When the Company became publicly traded following a transaction in which Xcyte Therapies, Inc. ("Xcyte") acquired Cyclacel Limited on March 27, 2006, the Company retained the corporate policies of Xcyte, including the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code"). The Code provides, in relevant part, that certain employees may not engage in transactions involving the Company's securities during certain specified blackout periods. Mr. Rombotis was not aware that the insider trading policy of Xcyte, as contained in the Code, applied to the Purchase. An executive officer of the Company became aware of the Purchase on May 14, 2006, and on May 17, 2006, the Audit Committee convened to discuss the facts surrounding the Purchase and the relevant provisions of the Company's insider trading policy referenced in the Code. After due consideration, the Audit Committee determined that a one-time waiver of the relevant provisions of the Company's Code, as they relate to the Purchase, is appropriate because of the de minimis nature of the Purchase and that Mr. Rombotis' violation of the Code was inadvertent. 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. CYCLACEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. Dated: May 18, 2006 By: /s/ Paul McBarron ------------------------------------------ Name: Paul McBarron Title: Executive Vice President, Finance & Chief Operating Officer