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): June 20, 2008

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware
0-32353
84-1475642
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1180 Avenue of the Americas, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10036
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(646) 214-0700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


(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))



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

(b) On June 20, 2008, ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. issued a press release announcing that Brian Schwartz, M.D., Senior Vice President for Medical and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, resigned from the Company effective July 11, 2008 and that Jonathan Lewis, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, has assumed the responsibilities of Chief Medical Officer. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release dated June 20, 2008.



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.

   
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.:
   
(Registrant)
        
Date: June 20, 2008
By:
/s/ Richard E. Bagley
 
Name:
Richard E. Bagley
 
Title:
President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief
Financial Officer

 


Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.
Description
      
99.1
Press Release dated June 20, 2008.