UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

 

OR

 

 

For the transition period from            to            .

 

Commission File Number: 0-20859

 

 

GERON CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(650) 473-7700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

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.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

 

 

---

GERON CORPORATION

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

---

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

GERON CORPORATION

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

See accompanying notes.

1

---

 

GERON CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

See accompanying notes.

2

---

 

GERON CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(IN THOUSANDS)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

See accompanying notes.

3

---

 

GERON CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 

4

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The terms “Geron”, the “Company”, “we” and “us” as used in this report refer to Geron Corporation. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018 or any other period. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements for each of the three years ended December 31, 2017, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accompanying condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date.

Prior Period Reclassification

With the adoption of Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash, or ASU No. 2016-18, the prior period presentation of cash and cash equivalents in the condensed statements of cash flows has been updated to conform with current period presentation. See “New Accounting Pronouncements – Recently Adopted” in this Note 1 on Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further discussion of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-18.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods presented, without consideration for potential common shares. Diluted net income per share would be calculated by adjusting the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding for the periods presented, as determined using the treasury-stock method. Potential dilutive securities consist of outstanding stock options and warrants to purchase our common stock. Diluted net loss per share excludes potential common shares outstanding for all periods presented as their effect would be anti-dilutive. Accordingly, basic and diluted net loss per share is the same for all periods presented in the accompanying condensed statements of operations. Since we incurred a net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the diluted net loss per share calculation excludes potential common shares of 23,075,718 and 22,996,422, respectively, related to outstanding stock options and warrants as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Use of Estimates

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to accrued liabilities, revenue recognition, fair value of marketable securities and equity investments, income taxes, and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other market specific and relevant assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We are subject to credit risk related to our cash equivalents and marketable securities. We place our cash and cash equivalents in money market funds and cash operating accounts.

We classify our marketable debt securities as available-for-sale. We record available-for-sale securities at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and

5

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

losses are included in interest and other income and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold and have been insignificant to date. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned and included in interest and other income in our condensed statements of operations. We recognize a charge when the declines in the fair values below the amortized cost bases of our available-for-sale securities are judged to be other-than-temporary. We consider various factors in determining whether to recognize an other-than-temporary charge, including whether we intend to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that we would be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. Declines in market value judged as other-than-temporary result in a charge to interest and other income. We have not recorded any other-than-temporary impairment charges on our available-for-sale securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. See Note 2 on Fair Value Measurements.

Equity Investments

With the adoption of ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, or ASU 2016-01, beginning January 1, 2018, we measure our investment in equity securities at fair value at each reporting period. Changes in fair value resulting from observable price changes are included in change in fair value of equity investment and changes in fair value resulting from foreign currency translation are included in other expense in our condensed statements of operations. See “New Accounting Pronouncements – Recently Adopted” in this Note 1 on Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information on the adoption of ASU 2016-01.

Revenue Recognition

Beginning January 1, 2018, we recognize revenue in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or Topic 606. In determining the appropriate amount and timing of revenue to be recognized under this guidance, we perform the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with our customer; (ii) identify the promised goods or services in the agreement and determine whether they are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the agreement; (iii) measure the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations based on stand-alone selling prices; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy each performance obligation. See “New Accounting Pronouncements – Recently Adopted” in this Note 1 on Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further discussion of the adoption of Topic 606.

A performance obligation is a promise in an agreement to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account in Topic 606. Significant management judgment is required to determine the level of effort required and the period over which completion of the performance obligations is expected under an agreement. If reasonable estimates regarding when performance obligations are either complete or substantially complete cannot be made, then revenue recognition is deferred until a reasonable estimate can be made. Revenue is then recognized over the remaining estimated period of performance using the cumulative catch-up method.

We allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation based on the estimated relative stand-alone selling prices of the promised goods or services underlying each performance obligation. Estimated selling prices for license rights are calculated using an income approach model and include the following key assumptions, judgments and estimates: the development timeline, revenue forecast, commercialization expenses, discount rate and probabilities of technical and regulatory success.

Following is a description of the principal activities from which we generate revenue. License fees and royalty revenue primarily represent amounts earned under agreements that out-license our technology to various companies.

License and/or Collaboration Agreements

We have entered into several license agreements with various oncology, diagnostics, research tools and biologics production companies. Economic terms in these agreements may include non-refundable upfront license payments in cash or equity securities, annual license maintenance fees, cost sharing arrangements, milestone payments, royalties on future sales of products, or any combination of these items. Non-refundable upfront fees, annual license maintenance fees and funding of research and development activities are considered fixed, while milestone payments and royalties are identified as variable consideration.

Licenses of Intellectual Property. If we determine the license to intellectual property is distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the agreement and the licensee can use and benefit from the license, we recognize revenue from non-

6

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

refundable upfront fees allocated to the license upon the completion of the transfer of the license to the licensee. For such licenses, we recognize revenue from annual license maintenance fees upon the start of the new license period. For licenses that are bundled with other performance obligations, we assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue from non-refundable upfront fees or annual license maintenance fees. At each reporting period, we reassess the progress and, if necessary, adjust the measure of performance and related revenue recognition.

Milestone Payments. At the inception of each agreement that includes milestone payments, we evaluate whether the milestones are considered probable of being achieved and estimate the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the value of the associated milestone is included in the transaction price. For milestones that we do not deem to be probable of being achieved, the associated milestone payments are fully constrained and the value of the milestone is excluded from the transaction price with no revenue being recognized. Milestone payments that are not within our control, such as regulatory-related accomplishments, are not considered probable of being achieved until those accomplishments have been communicated by the relevant regulatory authority. Once the assessment of probability of achievement becomes probable, we recognize revenue for the milestone payment under collaboration revenue. At each reporting period, we assess the probability of achievement of each milestone under our current agreements.

Royalties. For agreements with sales-based royalties, including milestone payments based on the level of sales, where the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties relate, we recognize revenue at the later of (a) when the related sales occur, or (b) when the performance obligation, to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated, has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). At each reporting period, we estimate the sales incurred by each licensee based on historical experience and accrue the associated royalty amount.

Cost Sharing Arrangements. Research and development and other expenses being shared by both parties under an agreement are recorded as earned or owed based on the performance obligations by both parties under the respective agreement. For arrangements in which we and our collaboration partner in the agreement are exposed to significant risks and rewards that depend on the commercial success of the activity, we recognize payments between the parties on a net basis and record such amounts as a reduction or addition to research and development expense. For arrangements in which we have agreed to perform certain research and development services for our collaboration partner and are not exposed to significant risks and rewards that depend on the commercial success of the activity, we recognize the respective cost reimbursements as revenue under the collaborative agreement over time in a manner proportionate to the costs we incurred to perform the services using the input method.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of funds maintained in a separate certificate of deposit account for credit card purchases.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist of expenses incurred in identifying, developing and testing product candidates resulting from our independent efforts as well as efforts associated with collaborations. These expenses include, but are not limited to, in-process research and development acquired in an asset acquisition and deemed to have no alternative future use, payroll and personnel expense, lab supplies, non-clinical studies, clinical trials, including support for investigator-sponsored clinical trials, raw materials to manufacture clinical trial drugs, manufacturing costs for research and clinical trial materials, sponsored research at other labs, consulting, costs to maintain technology licenses, our proportionate share of research and development costs under cost sharing arrangements with collaboration partners and research-related overhead. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, including costs incurred under our collaboration and/or license agreements.

For the clinical development activities being conducted by Janssen Biotech, Inc., or Janssen, under the recently-terminated collaboration and license agreement, or Collaboration Agreement, we monitor patient enrollment levels and related activities to the extent possible through discussions with Janssen personnel and base our estimates of clinical trial costs on the best information available at the time. However, additional information may become available to us which would allow us to make a more accurate estimate in future periods. In this event, we may be required to record adjustments to research and development expenses in future periods when the actual level of activity becomes more certain.

7

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

Depreciation and Amortization

We record property and equipment at cost and calculate depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally four years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or remaining term of the lease.

Stock-Based Compensation

We recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses on our condensed statements of operations related to stock options and employee stock purchases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 which was allocated as follows:

 

 

As stock-based compensation expense recognized in our condensed statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures, but at a minimum, reflects the grant-date fair value of those awards that actually vested in the period. Forfeitures have been estimated at the time of grant based on historical data and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

Stock Options

We grant options with service-based vesting under our equity plans to employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The vesting period for employee options is generally four years. The fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 has been estimated at the date of grant using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The fair value of employees’ purchase rights during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 has been estimated using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

 

Dividend yield is based on historical cash dividend payments. The expected volatility is based on historical volatilities of our stock since traded options on Geron stock do not correspond to option terms and the trading volume of options is limited. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Zero Coupon Treasury Strip Yields for the expected term in effect on the date of grant for an award.

8

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

The expected term of options is derived from actual historical exercise and post-vesting cancellation data and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The expected term of employees’ purchase rights is equal to the purchase period.

Non-Employee Stock-Based Awards

For our non-employee stock-based awards, the measurement date on which the fair value of the stock-based award is calculated is equal to the earlier of: (i) the date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instrument is reached or (ii) the date at which the counterparty’s performance is complete. We recognize stock-based compensation expense for the fair value of the vested portion of non-employee stock-based awards in our condensed statements of operations.

Segment Information

Our executive management team represents our chief decision maker. We view our operations as a single segment, the development of therapeutic products for oncology. As a result, the financial information disclosed herein materially represents all of the financial information related to our principal operating segment.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements – Recently Adopted

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU No. 2014-09, which amends the guidance for accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. This ASU superseded the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, or Topic 605, and created Topic 606.

We adopted Topic 606 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method for those agreements which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Financial results for the reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under Topic 605.

In connection with the adoption of Topic 606, we recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment to our opening balance of accumulated deficit and an increase to interest and other receivables of $204,000 as of January 1, 2018 for projected sales-based royalties on product sales occurring in 2017 for which payments had not yet been received as of December 31, 2017. Such royalties were recognized as revenue in prior periods when payments were received from our licensees. In accordance with Topic 606-10-50-14a, we have elected to exclude providing further information about our sales-based royalties.

The adoption of Topic 606 did not result in any changes to the estimated transaction price or the performance obligations for current agreements or the amounts allocated to satisfied performance obligations. We do not have any deferred revenue associated with unsatisfied performance obligations. Since we view our operations as a single segment and all of our revenues are recognized at a point in time from similar license agreements, disaggregated revenue disclosures would not materially provide additional information. We do not expect the application of Topic 606 to have a material impact on our financial results on an ongoing basis in comparison to results that would have been realized if we had continued to apply Topic 605.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 which requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the statements of operations. To further clarify ASU 2016-01, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, or ASU 2018-03, in February 2018. ASU 2018-03 requires application of a prospective transition approach only for those equity investments for which the new measurement alternative is being applied. We adopted ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2018-03 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method and recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment to our opening balance of accumulated deficit and other assets for the fair value of our equity investment in Sienna Cancer Diagnostics Limited, or Sienna. In accordance with ASU 2016-01, we remeasured the fair value of our equity investment in Sienna at each reporting date in 2018 and included the change in fair value resulting from observable price changes in change in fair value of equity investment and the change in fair value resulting from foreign currency translation in other expense in our condensed statements of operations. See Note 2 on Fair Value Measurements for additional information on our equity investment in Sienna.

9

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

The cumulative-effect adjustments to our January 1, 2018 condensed balance sheet for the adoption of Topic 606 and ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2018-03 were as follows (in thousands):

As of January 1, 2018, we also adopted ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash, and ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting. With the adoption of ASU No. 2016-18, changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are presented in our condensed statements of cash flows. The adoption of these new standards did not have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

New Accounting Pronouncements – Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), or ASU 2016-02. ASU 2016-02 requires an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all lease arrangements with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. Certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures about leasing arrangements also are required. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, or ASU 2018-11. In issuing ASU 2018-11, the FASB decided to provide another transition method in addition to the existing transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. We plan to adopt ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach as allowed under ASU 2018-11. In addition, we plan to apply the practical expedients provided by the FASB. In evaluating the impact of adopting the new lease guidance, we have determined that our current operating lease for our office space will require us to record an asset and an obligation for the arrangement upon adoption of ASU 2016-02. We have also evaluated other facilities and equipment service contracts and believe such agreements do not contain any embedded lease arrangements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, or ASU 2018-07, to simplify the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees by aligning it with the accounting for share-based payments to employees, with certain exceptions. The new guidance applies to nonemployee awards issued in exchange for goods or services used or consumed in an entity’s own operations. There are no new disclosure requirements. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period for which financial statements have not been issued. We plan to adopt ASU 2018-07 on January 1, 2019. Since we currently project that all of our share-based payments to nonemployees will be fully vested as of the adoption date, we do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2018-07 will have a material impact on our financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. While we continue to assess the potential impact of this standard, we do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our condensed financial statements.

In August 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Release No. 33-10532 that amends and clarifies certain financial reporting requirements. The principal change to our financial reporting will be the inclusion of the annual disclosure requirement of changes in stockholders’ equity in Rule 3-04 of Regulation S-X to interim periods. We will adopt this new rule beginning with our financial reporting for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Upon adoption, we will include a Statement of Stockholders’ Equity with each quarterly filing on Form 10-Q.

10

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

2. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

Cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities by security type at September 30, 2018 were as follows:

 

 

Cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities by security type at December 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

 

11

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

Cash equivalents and marketable securities with unrealized losses that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 12 months or longer at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

 

The gross unrealized losses related to government-sponsored enterprise securities, commercial paper and corporate notes as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were due to changes in interest rates and not credit risk. We determined that the gross unrealized losses on our marketable securities as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were temporary in nature. We review our investments quarterly to identify and evaluate whether any investments have indications of possible other-than-temporary impairment. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis and whether we intend to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that we would be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. We currently do not intend to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases.

Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

We categorize financial instruments recorded at fair value on our condensed balance sheets based upon the level of judgment associated with inputs used to measure their fair value. The categories are as follows:

 

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Below is a description of the valuation methodologies used for financial instruments measured at fair value on our condensed balance sheets, including the category for such financial instruments.

Money market funds are categorized as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy as their fair values are based on quoted prices available in active markets. U.S. government-sponsored enterprise securities, commercial paper, corporate notes and equity investments are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as their fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows.

12

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

The following table presents information about our financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and indicates the fair value category assigned.

 

 

Equity Investment

In December 2007, we received 13,842,625 ordinary shares in Sienna in connection with a license we granted to them for our human telomerase reverse transcriptase, or hTERT, technology for use in human diagnostics. The shares were recorded at a zero cost basis upon receipt under the cost method of accounting. On August 3, 2017, Sienna became a publicly traded company on the Australian Securities Exchange Limited, or ASX, under the ticker symbol SDX. In connection with Sienna’s initial public offering under Australian securities regulations, we signed a restriction agreement with Sienna which subjects our shares in Sienna to a 24-month trading restriction from the effective date of Sienna’s listing on the ASX. Due to this trading restriction, under the cost method of accounting, we maintained a zero cost basis for our shares in Sienna as of December 31, 2017. With the adoption of ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2018-03, as described in Note 1 on Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, our equity investment in Sienna must be reported at fair value and therefore, we recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment of $1,189,000 on our condensed balance sheet for the fair value of our shares in Sienna, as measured using the closing stock price reported on the ASX and converted to U.S. dollars as of January 1, 2018. As of September 30, 2018, the fair value of our shares in Sienna was $851,000. In accordance with ASU 2016-01, we remeasured the fair value of our shares in Sienna as of September 30, 2018 and recognized the resulting increase in fair value of $175,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and overall decrease in fair value of $338,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The changes in fair value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 include a loss of $30,000 and $68,000, respectively, related to foreign currency translation.

 

3. COLLABORATION AGREEMENT

On November 13, 2014, we and Janssen entered into the Collaboration Agreement under which we granted to Janssen exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize imetelstat for all human therapeutic uses, including hematologic myeloid malignancies. Upon the effectiveness of the Collaboration Agreement in December 2014, we received $35,000,000 from Janssen as an upfront payment. Under the Collaboration Agreement, Janssen has been conducting two clinical trials of imetelstat: a Phase 2 trial in myelofibrosis, referred to as IMbark, and a Phase 2/3 trial in myelodysplastic syndromes, referred to as IMerge. Development costs

13

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

for IMbark and IMerge were shared between us and Janssen on a 50/50 basis. Additionally, under the terms of the Collaboration Agreement, we remained responsible for prosecuting, at Janssen’s direction, the patents licensed to Janssen at the time we entered into the Collaboration Agreement, with costs shared between us and Janssen on a 50/50 basis. The cost sharing arrangement with Janssen began in January 2015. As of September 30, 2018, accrued collaboration charges of $1,560,000 on our condensed balance sheet represent the net amount owed to Janssen for our proportionate share of development costs incurred by Janssen under the Collaboration Agreement for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Janssen terminated the Collaboration Agreement effective September 28, 2018. Upon the effective date of termination, we regained the global rights to the imetelstat program and plan to continue development of imetelstat on our own. As a result of the termination of the Collaboration Agreement, we will not receive any further milestone payments or royalties from Janssen for the development or commercialization of imetelstat, including any clinical development or sales milestones, and Janssen has no further obligations to us or any third parties, such as clinical sites or vendors, to fund any potential future imetelstat clinical trials. In addition, cost sharing for IMbark and IMerge clinical development expenses and patent prosecution expenses ceased upon the effective date of termination. Under the terms of the Collaboration Agreement, we expect Janssen to provide operational support for the imetelstat program during transition of the program to us, which is expected to take approximately 12 months, including the orderly transfer of all ongoing clinical, regulatory, medical affairs, manufacturing and non-clinical activities to us. Costs related to transition activities will be borne by each company unless otherwise specified in the Collaboration Agreement. In addition, Janssen is expected to supply imetelstat to us for up to 24 months during a transition period for clinical manufacturing and such supply will be charged to us at Janssen’s cost plus a premium.

4. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

At Market Issuance Sales Agreements

On August 28, 2015, we entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, or the 2015 Sales Agreement, with MLV & Co. LLC, or MLV, under which we could elect to issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000. Pursuant to the 2015 Sales Agreement, common stock was sold at market prices prevailing at the time of sale through MLV as our sales agent. We paid MLV an aggregate commission rate equal to up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of the sales price per share for common stock sold through MLV under the 2015 Sales Agreement. From January 2018 through April 2018, we completed the sale of the remaining common stock subject to the 2015 Sales Agreement and issued an aggregate of 13,195,106 shares of our common stock, resulting in net cash proceeds to us of approximately $47,651,000 after deducting sales commissions and offering expenses payable by us. No further shares of common stock may be sold under the 2015 Sales Agreement.

On May 18, 2018, we entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, or the 2018 Sales Agreement, with B. Riley FBR, Inc., or B. Riley FBR, pursuant to which we may elect to issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 in such quantities and on such minimum price terms as we set from time to time through B. Riley FBR as our sales agent. We pay B. Riley FBR an aggregate commission rate equal to up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of the sales price per share for common stock sold through B. Riley FBR under the 2018 Sales Agreement. From May 2018 through July 2018, we sold an aggregate of 10,083,079 shares of our common stock pursuant to the 2018 Sales Agreement, resulting in net cash proceeds to us of approximately $38,366,000 after deducting sales commissions and offering expenses payable by us. The 2018 Sales Agreement will expire upon the earlier of: (a) the sale of all common stock subject to the 2018 Sales Agreement and (b) May 18, 2021.

2018 Equity Incentive Plan

On May 15, 2018, our stockholders approved the adoption of the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2018 Plan, as the successor to our 2011 Incentive Award Plan, or 2011 Plan. The 2018 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, other stock awards, and performance awards that may be settled in cash, stock, or other property. Eligible participants under the 2018 Plan include our employees, consultants and directors. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2018 Plan (subject to adjustment for certain changes in capitalization) is equal to the sum of (i) the unallocated shares of common stock remaining available for grant under the 2011 Plan as of May 15, 2018, (ii) 10,000,000 newly reserved shares of common stock and (iii) the number of shares subject to awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2002 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2002 Plan, and the 2011 Plan as such shares become available from time to time, referred to as the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares. Such Prior Plans’ Returning Shares become available for issuance under the 2018 Plan if outstanding stock awards granted under the 2002 Plan and the 2011 Plan, after May 15, 2018, expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement or are forfeited, cancelled or otherwise returned to us because of the failure to meet a

14

---

GERON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(UNAUDITED)

 

contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares, or, subject to certain exceptions, are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with a stock award. As a result of the approval of the 2018 Plan, no additional awards may be granted from the 2011 Plan.

Stock Option Exercises

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, outstanding stock options to purchase 3,144,878 shares of our common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $2.20 per share were exercised resulting in cash proceeds to us of approximately $6,929,000.

5. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Effective October 1, 2018, our Board of Directors, or the Board, adopted a Directors’ Market Value Stock Purchase Plan, or the Directors Market Plan. Under the Directors Market Plan, non-employee members of the Board may purchase shares of Geron common stock at the prevailing market price on the purchase date with cash compensation payable to them for their services as a Board member. As stated in Geron’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, each non-employee member of the Board receives annual cash compensation, payable quarterly in arrears, for their services on the Board and various committees of the Board. As provided in the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, a board member may elect to receive fully vested shares of common stock in lieu of cash and such shares shall be issuable from the Directors Market Plan. A total of 1,000,000 shares of common stock has been reserved for the Directors Market Plan. The Directors Market Plan is intended to qualify for the limited exemption from stockholder approval pursuant to Nasdaq Listing 5635(c)(2), as a plan that merely provides a convenient way to purchase shares from the Company at market value.

 

 

 

15

---

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “projects,” “believes,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. These statements are within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements appear throughout the Form 10-Q and are statements regarding our intent, belief, or current expectations, primarily with respect to our business and related industry developments. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks faced by us and described in Part II, Item 1A, entitled “Risk Factors,” and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q.

OVERVIEW

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed financial statements and notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and with the sections entitled “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 16, 2018.

Business Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company that is focused on the clinical development and potential commercialization of imetelstat, a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor, in hematologic myeloid malignancies. We believe clinical data from two clinical trials of imetelstat (IMbark and Part 1 of IMerge, discussed below) conducted by Janssen Biotech, Inc., or Janssen, support further development of imetelstat in hematologic myeloid malignancies. As such, we expect to initiate patient screening and enrollment for Part 2, or the Phase 3 portion, of IMerge, a trial evaluating imetelstat in transfusion dependent patients with Low or Intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS, who have relapsed after or are refractory to prior treatment with an erythropoiesis stimulating agent, or ESA, have not received prior treatment with either a hypomethylating agent or lenalidomide and do not have a deletion 5q chromosomal abnormality, by mid-year of 2019, after the sponsorship of ongoing imetelstat clinical trials has been transferred from Janssen to us. We also intend to discuss the results of the primary analysis from IMbark with experts in myelofibrosis and regulatory authorities, in order to guide our planning of any potential future clinical trials of imetelstat in patients with Intermediate-2 or High risk myelofibrosis who have relapsed after, or are refractory to, prior treatment with a janus kinase inhibitor.

Status of Collaboration Agreement with Janssen

On November 13, 2014, we entered into a collaboration and license agreement, or the Collaboration Agreement, pursuant to which we granted Janssen the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize imetelstat worldwide for all indications in oncology, including hematologic myeloid malignancies, and all other human therapeutic uses. The Collaboration Agreement became effective on December 15, 2014, and we received $35 million from Janssen as an upfront payment. Under the Collaboration Agreement, we and Janssen established a joint governance structure which included a Joint Steering Committee, or JSC, with equal membership from both companies, to oversee and manage worldwide regulatory, development, manufacturing and commercialization activities for imetelstat during the term of the Collaboration Agreement.

Janssen terminated the Collaboration Agreement effective September 28, 2018. Upon the effective date of termination, we regained the global rights to the imetelstat program. As a result of the termination of the Collaboration Agreement, we will not receive any further milestone payments or royalties from Janssen for the development or commercialization of imetelstat, including any clinical development or sales milestones, and Janssen has no further obligations to us or any third parties, such as clinical sites or vendors, to fund any of the ongoing or any potential future imetelstat clinical trials.

Under the terms of the Collaboration Agreement, Janssen is required to provide operational support for the imetelstat program during transition of the program to us, which is expected to take approximately 12 months, including the orderly transfer of all ongoing clinical, regulatory, medical affairs, manufacturing and non-clinical activities to us. Costs related to transition activities will

16

---

 

be borne by each company unless otherwise specified in the Collaboration Agreement. Under the Collaboration Agreement, Janssen is required, among other things, to: