0001172661-20-001427.txt : 20200601 0001172661-20-001427.hdr.sgml : 20200601 20200601171541 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001172661-20-001427 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13G PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20200601 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20200601 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GERON CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000886744 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834] IRS NUMBER: 752287752 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-49251 FILM NUMBER: 20934387 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 919 EAST HILLSDALE BOULEVARD STREET 2: SUITE 250 CITY: FOSTER CITY STATE: CA ZIP: 94404 BUSINESS PHONE: 6504737700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 919 EAST HILLSDALE BOULEVARD STREET 2: SUITE 250 CITY: FOSTER CITY STATE: CA ZIP: 94404 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GERON CORPORATION DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19960521 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GREAT POINT PARTNERS LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001281446 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 165 MASON STREET, 3RD FLOOR CITY: GREENWICH STATE: CT ZIP: 06830 BUSINESS PHONE: 203 971-3300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 165 MASON STREET, 3RD FLOOR CITY: GREENWICH STATE: CT ZIP: 06830 SC 13G 1 greatpoint-gern052220.htm SCHEDULE 13G



 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13G

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )*



Geron Corporation

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

374163103

(CUSIP Number)

 

 

May 22, 2020
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 

o Rule 13d-1(b)

x Rule 13d-1(c)

o Rule 13d-1(d)

 

 

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

 


 

CUSIP No.  374163103
 SCHEDULE 13G
Page 2 of 9 Pages

 

         
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
 
Great Point Partners, LLC
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a) o
(b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
 

23,097,117

7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
23,097,117
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
23,097,117
10
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
 
o
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
 
7.3%1
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IA/OO

1 Based on a total of 306,863,956 shares of common stock outstanding and warrants convertible into 7,699,038 shares of common stock as reported by the Issuer in its Form 424B5 filed with the SEC on May 26, 2020.

 


 

CUSIP No.  374163103
 SCHEDULE 13G
Page 3 of 9 Pages

 

         
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
 
Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a) o
(b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
23,097,117
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
23,097,117
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
23,097,117
10
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
 
o
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
 
7.3%1
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN/HC

1 Based on a total of 306,863,956 shares of common stock outstanding and warrants convertible into 7,699,038 shares of common stock as reported by the Issuer in its Form 424B5 filed with the SEC on May 26, 2020.

 


 

CUSIP No.  374163103
 SCHEDULE 13G
Page 4 of 9 Pages

 

         
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
 
Mr. David Kroin
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a) o
(b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
23,097,117
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
23,097,117
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
23,097,117
10
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
 
o
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
 
7.3%1
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN/HC

1 Based on a total of 306,863,956 shares of common stock outstanding and warrants convertible into 7,699,038 shares of common stock as reported by the Issuer in its Form 424B5 filed with the SEC on May 26, 2020.

 


 

 

CUSIP No. 374163103
 SCHEDULE 13G
Page 5 of 9 Pages

 

Item 1.(a) Name of Issuer

Geron Corporation

Item 1.(b) Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices

919 E. Hillsdale Boulevard, Suite 250

Foster City, California 94404

Item 2.(a) Names of Persons Filing:

Great Point Partners, LLC

Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.

Mr. David Kroin

 

The Reporting Persons have entered into a Joint Filing Agreement, dated June 1, 2020, a copy of which is filed with this Schedule 13G as Exhibit A, pursuant to which the Reporting Persons have agreed to file this statement jointly in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Act.

 

Item 2.(b) Address of Principal Business Office:

The address of the principal business office of each of the Reporting Persons is

 

165 Mason Street, 3rd Floor

Greenwich, CT 06830

 

Item 2.(c) Citizenship:

Great Point Partners, LLC is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D. is a citizen of the United States. Mr. David Kroin is a citizen of the United States.

  

Item 2.(d) Title of Class of Securities

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

 

Item 2.(e) CUSIP No.:

374163103

 

CUSIP No.  374163103
 SCHEDULE 13G
Page 6 of 9 Pages

 

 

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

  (a) ¨ Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
 
  (b) ¨ Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
 
  (c) ¨ Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
 
  (d) ¨ Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
 
  (e) o An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
 
  (f) ¨ An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
 
  (g) ¨ A parent holding company or control person in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
 
  (h) ¨ A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
 
  (i) ¨ A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
 
  (j) ¨ A non-U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J);
 
  (k) ¨ A group, in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:                            
       

 

CUSIP No. 374163103
 SCHEDULE 13G
Page 7 of 9 Pages

 

 

Item 4. Ownership

Biomedical Value Fund, L.P. (“BVF”) is the record owner of 5,219,949 shares and warrants convertible into 2,609,974 shares (the “BVF Shares”). Great Point Partners, LLC (“Great Point”) is the investment manager of BVF, and by virtue of such status may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the BVF Shares. Each of Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D. (“Dr. Jay”), as senior managing member of Great Point, and Mr. David Kroin (“Mr. Kroin”), as special managing member of Great Point, has voting and investment power with respect to the BVF Shares, and therefore may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the BVF Shares.

Biomedical Offshore Value Fund, Ltd. (“BOVF”) is the record owner of 6,944,533 shares and warrants convertible into 3,472,266 shares (the “BOVF Shares”). Great Point is the investment manager of BOVF, and by virtue of such status may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the BOVF Shares. Each of Dr. Jay, as senior managing member of Great Point, and Mr. Kroin, as special managing member of Great Point, has voting and investment power with respect to the BOVF Shares, and therefore may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the BOVF Shares.

GEF-SMA, L.P. (“GEF-SMA”) is the record owner 3,233,597 shares and warrants convertible into 1,616,798 shares (the “GEF-SMA Shares”). Great Point is the investment manager with respect to the GEF-SMA Shares, and by virtue of such status may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the GEF-SMA Shares. Each of Dr. Jay, as senior managing member of Great Point, and Mr. Kroin, as special managing member of Great Point, has voting and investment power with respect to the GEF-SMA Shares, and therefore may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the GEF-SMA Shares.

Great Point is the investment manager with respect to shares issuable from warrants on behalf of BVF, BOVF, and GEF-SMA. The ability of the Reporting Persons to convert the warrants into common shares is subject to blocker provisions. Specifically, the warrants may only be converted to the extent that the conversion would not cause any of the Reporting Persons to be the beneficial owners of greater than 9.99% of the outstanding shares of the issuer's Common Stock.

Notwithstanding the above, Great Point, Dr. Jay and Mr. Kroin disclaim beneficial ownership of the BVF Shares, the BOVF Shares, and the GEF-SMA Shares, except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests.

Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.

1. Great Point Partners, LLC

(a) Amount beneficially owned: 23,097,117 

(b) Percent of class: 7.3%1 

(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 23,097,117

(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0

(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 23,097,117

 

2. Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.

(a) Amount beneficially owned: 23,097,117 

(b) Percent of class: 7.3%1 

(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 23,097,117

(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0

(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 23,097,117

 

3. Mr. David Kroin

(a) Amount beneficially owned: 23,097,117 

(b) Percent of class: 7.3%1 

(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 23,097,117

(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0

(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 23,097,117 

1 Based on a total of 306,863,956 shares of common stock outstanding and warrants convertible into 7,699,038 shares of common stock as reported by the Issuer in its Form 424B5 filed with the SEC on May 26, 2020.

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ].

Item 6. Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

See Item 4.

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person

Not Applicable.

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

Not Applicable.

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group 

Not Applicable.

Item 10. Certification

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

 

 
CUSIP No. 374163103
 SCHEDULE 13G
Page 8 of 9 Pages

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Dated: June 1, 2020

 

 

 

 

Great Point Partners, LLC

       
  By:  /s/ Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.
    Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D., as Senior Managing Member
       
 

Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.

       
  By:  /s/ Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.
    Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.
       
 

Mr. David Kroin

       
  By:  /s/ Mr. David Kroin
    Mr. David Kroin
       

 

 
CUSIP No. 374163103
 SCHEDULE 13G
Page 9 of 9 Pages

 

Exhibit A

 

JOINT FILING STATEMENT

 

PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(k)

 

The undersigned hereby agree as follows:

 

(i) Each of them is individually eligible to use the Schedule 13G to which this Exhibit is attached, and such Schedule 13G is filed on behalf of each of them; and

 

(ii) Each of them is responsible for the timely filing of such Schedule 13G and any amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning such person contained therein; but none of them is responsible for the completeness or accuracy of the information concerning the other persons making the filing, unless such person knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.

 

Dated: June 1, 2020

 

 

Great Point Partners, LLC

       
  By:  /s/ Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.
    Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D., as Senior Managing Member
       
 

Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.

       
  By:  /s/ Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.
    Dr. Jeffrey R. Jay, M.D.
       
 

Mr. David Kroin

       
  By:  /s/ Mr. David Kroin
    Mr. David Kroin