SEC Info℠

Home

Search

My Interests

Help

Sign In

Please Sign In

Geron Corp. – ‘424B5’ on 3/29/22

On:  Tuesday, 3/29/22, at 4:05pm ET   ·   Accession #:  1564590-22-12202   ·   File #:  333-248637

Previous ‘424B5’:  ‘424B5’ on 11/6/20   ·   Next:  ‘424B5’ on 3/30/22   ·   Latest:  ‘424B5’ on 3/20/24   ·   15 References:   To:  Geron Corp. – ‘DEF 14A’ on 3/22/22 for 5/10/22 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘10-K’ on 3/10/22 for 12/31/21 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘8-K’ on 2/18/22 for 2/16/22 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘8-K’ on / for 9/4/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘10-Q’ on 8/6/20 for 6/30/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘8-K’ on 6/9/20 for 6/5/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘10-Q’ on 5/28/20 for 3/31/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘8-K’ on 5/26/20 for 5/21/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘8-K’ on 5/21/20 for 5/20/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘8-K’ on / for 5/8/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘DEF 14A’ on 4/14/20 for 6/5/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘8-K’ on 4/2/20 for 4/1/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘10-K’ on 3/12/20 for 12/31/19 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘8-K’ on 2/14/20 for 2/11/20 To:  Geron Corp. – ‘8-A12G’ on 6/13/96 

in

this entire Filing. an “Entity” Search.

Show

Documents searched

and

each “hit”. the 1st “hit”.

↓↑Hints

 Text Wildcards:  ? (any letter/digit),  * (many).  Search Logic:  for Documents:  & (and),  | (or);  for Text:  | (anywhere),  "(&)" (near).  Details... 

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 3/29/22  Geron Corp.                       424B5                  1:910K                                   ActiveDisclosure/FA

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 424B5       Prospectus - Primary Offering or Shelf Securities   HTML    444K 
                - New Facts or Events                                            

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-248637

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, dated March 29, 2022

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated November 6, 2020)

Shares of Common Stock

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase           Shares of Common Stock

Warrants to Purchase           Shares of Common Stock

__________________________________

We are offering (i)                      shares of our common stock, or for certain investors that so choose, in lieu of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, or the “pre-funded warrants,” and (ii) accompanying warrants, which we refer to herein as the “purchase warrants,” to purchase up to an aggregate of                      shares of our common stock (and the shares of common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of each of the purchase warrants and pre-funded warrants pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The common stock and pre-funded warrants will be sold in combination with an accompanying purchase warrant to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock issued for each share of common stock or pre-funded warrant sold. The shares of common stock (or the pre-funded warrants) and purchase warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately. The purchase warrants will be exercisable immediately and will expire on the earlier to occur of (a) the date that is 30 business days following the date on which we first issue a press release announcing, if applicable, that the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has accepted for filing a New Drug Application submitted to the FDA for imetelstat in Low or Intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes, as more specifically described herein (or, if such date is not a business day, then the next business day following such date) and (b)                     . The purchase warrants will have an exercise price of $                     per whole share of common stock, subject to adjustment as described elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. The pre-funded warrants will be exercisable immediately and are exercisable for one share of our common stock. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant is equal to the combined purchase price at which a share of common stock and the accompanying purchase warrant is sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.001, and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant is $0.001 per share of common stock.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “GERN.” On March 28, 2022, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market was $1.21 per share. There is no established public trading market for the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for listing of the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or recognized trading system.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the securities to investors on or about                      , 2022.

____________________________

Book-Running Managers

Stifel                                                    Baird

Lead Manager

Needham & Company

Prospectus supplement dated                     , 2022.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

PROSPECTUS

S-i

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the securities we are offering and also adds to, and updates, information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus dated November 6, 2020, including the documents incorporated by reference, provides more general information. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, before the date of this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may give you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, is accurate only as of the dates of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections of this prospectus supplement entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the terms “Geron,” “Geron Corporation,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Geron Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

S-1

S-2

S-3

S-4

S-5

S-6

S-7

The Offering

S-8

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering as shown above is based on 323,731,591 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2021. This number excludes the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the purchase warrants and the pre-funded warrants offered hereby, and also excludes, as of December 31, 2021, the following:

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding immediately following this offering does not include up to approximately $79.1 million of our common stock that remained available for sale as of December 31, 2021 under the at market issuance sales agreement we entered into with B. Riley FBR, Inc., dated as of September 4, 2020, or the Sales Agreement. Since December 31, 2021, we have not sold any shares under the Sales Agreement.

Unless otherwise stated, all information in this prospectus supplement:

S-9

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below and discussed under the section “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in its entirety, together with the other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the information and documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to This Offering

Our failure to obtain substantial additional capital following this offering would force us to further delay, reduce or eliminate the development of imetelstat in current and any potential future clinical trials of imetelstat, and our potential future imetelstat commercialization efforts, any of which would severely and adversely affect our financial results, business and business prospects, and might cause us to cease operations.

Successful drug development and commercialization requires significant amounts of capital. Under current planning assumptions, we believe our existing capital resources, together with the net proceeds from this offering (excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the purchase warrants offered hereby) and future interest income, will be sufficient to fund continued development of imetelstat through top-line results in IMerge Phase 3, potential regulatory filings in the United States and European Union for imetelstat in lower risk MDS, assuming top-line results in IMerge Phase 3 are supportive, and to support toward the completion of IMpactMF and the planned exploratory studies in new indications, including IMproveMF and investigator-led trials in AML and higher risk MDS, the preclinical work in lymphoid malignancies and the discovery research program related to next generation telomerase inhibitors. We will require substantial additional funding following this offering in order to further advance the imetelstat program, including through the completion of IMpactMF and conducting the clinical, regulatory and potential commercialization activities necessary to potentially bring imetelstat to market in lower risk MDS and refractory MF, as well as completing the planned exploratory studies in new indications, including IMproveMF and investigator-led trials in AML and higher risk MDS. In addition, our ability to commercialize imetelstat in the United States, if regulatory approval is granted, depends on us being able to establish sales and marketing capabilities.

Because the outcome of any clinical activities and/or regulatory approval process is highly uncertain, we cannot reasonably estimate whether any development activities we may undertake will succeed, and we may never recoup our investment in any imetelstat development, which would adversely affect our financial condition and our business and business prospects, and might cause us to cease operations. In addition, our plans and timing expectations will be further delayed or interrupted if COVID-19 pandemic conditions continue unabated, or worsen, creating further limitations on our clinical trial activities. Our future capital requirements are difficult to forecast and will depend on many factors, including:

S-10

Until we can generate a sufficient amount of revenue from imetelstat to finance our cash requirements, which we may never achieve, we expect to finance future cash needs through a combination of public or private equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements and other marketing and

S-11

distribution arrangements, which may not be possible. Availability of such financing sources may be negatively impacted with any further delays in reporting results from IMerge Phase 3 or IMpactMF.

Additional financing through public or private debt or equity financings, including pursuant to the Sales Agreement, the remaining $25.0 million Tranche C drawdown under our term loan facility, or the Loan Agreement, with Hercules Capital, Inc., or Hercules, and Silicon Valley Bank, or SVB, to the extent available, capital lease transactions or other financing sources may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. We may be unable to raise equity capital, or may be forced to do so at a stock price or on other terms that could result in substantial dilution of ownership for our stockholders. The receptivity of the public and private debt and equity markets to proposed financings has been substantially affected by uncertainty in the general economic, market and political climate caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and may in the future be affected by other factors which are unpredictable and over which we have no control. In this regard, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have increased market volatility and could result in a significant long-term disruption of global financial markets, which could reduce or eliminate our ability to raise additional funds through financings, and could negatively impact the terms upon which we may raise those funds. Similarly, the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia has created extreme volatility in the capital markets and is expected to have further global economic consequences. If the equity and credit markets deteriorate, including as a result of a resurgence of COVID-19, political unrest or war, it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult to obtain in a timely manner or on favorable terms, more costly or more dilutive. Political unrest, such as the current conflict with Ukraine and Russia, a resurgence of COVID-19 or war may also cause volatility and disruption in the global economy. If we are unable to raise additional capital or establish alternative collaborative arrangements with third-party collaborative partners for imetelstat, the development of imetelstat may be further delayed, altered or abandoned, which might cause us to cease operations.

In addition, we may seek additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. Due to uncertainty in the general economic, market and political climate, we may determine that it is necessary or appropriate to raise additional funds proactively to meet longer-term anticipated operating plans. To the extent that we raise additional capital following this offering through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, including pursuant to the Sales Agreement, your ownership interest may be diluted, and the terms may include liquidation or other preferences that materially and adversely affect your rights as a stockholder. In addition, we have borrowed, and in the future may borrow, additional capital from institutional and commercial banking sources to fund imetelstat development and our future growth, including pursuant to our Loan Agreement or potentially pursuant to new arrangements with different lenders. We may borrow funds on terms under agreements, such as the Loan Agreement, that include restrictive covenants, including covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. Moreover, if we raise additional funds through alliance, collaborative or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to imetelstat or our technologies or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.

We cannot assure you that our existing capital resources, together with the net proceeds from this offering, future interest income, and potential future sales of our common stock, including under the Sales Agreement or potential future drawdown, if available, of the remaining $25.0 million of Tranche C under our Loan Agreement, will be sufficient to fund our operating plans. In this regard, under the Loan Agreement, our ability to draw down any funds under Tranche C is subject to certain conditions, including approval by an investment committee comprised of Hercules and SVB. Without investment committee approval, we will not be eligible to draw down any funds under Tranche C of the Loan Agreement, and we will need to obtain additional or alternative financing to advance our development of imetelstat. Further, we cannot predict when or if the purchase warrants offered hereby or our currently outstanding warrants will be exercised, and it is possible that the purchase warrants and our currently outstanding warrants may expire and may never be exercised.

We will require substantial additional funding following this offering in order to further advance the imetelstat program, including through the completion of IMpactMF and conducting the clinical, regulatory and potential commercialization activities necessary to potentially bring imetelstat to market in lower risk MDS and refractory MF, as well as completing the planned exploratory studies in new indications, including IMproveMF and investigator-led trials in AML and higher risk MDS, and our need for additional funds may arise sooner than

S-12

planned. If adequate funds are not available on a timely basis, if at all, we may be unable to pursue further development of the imetelstat program, which would severely harm our business and we might cease operations.

Our stock price is extremely volatile and your investment may suffer a decline in value.

Historically, our stock price has been extremely volatile. Between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2021, our stock has traded as high as $7.79 per share and as low as $0.75 per share. Between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, the price has ranged between a high of $2.36 per share and a low of $1.19 per share. The significant market price fluctuations of our common stock have been due to and may in the future be influenced by a variety of factors, including:

S-13

Stock prices and trading volumes for many biopharmaceutical companies fluctuate widely for a number of reasons, including factors which may be unrelated to their businesses or results of operations, such as media coverage, statements made on message boards and social media forums, legislative and regulatory measures and the activities of various interest groups or organizations. In addition to the risk factors described in this section and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, overall market volatility, as well as general domestic or international economic, market and political conditions, including those resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and/or geopolitical events, could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock and the return on your investment in our securities.

Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering and may not use the proceeds effectively.

Because we have not designated the amount of net proceeds from this offering to be used for any particular purpose, our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering. Our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not improve our financial condition or market value.

If you purchase securities in this offering, you will experience immediate dilution in your investment. You will experience further dilution if we issue additional equity securities in future fundraising transactions.

Purchasers of our securities in this offering will pay a combined price per share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant) and accompanying purchase warrant to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock in this offering that exceeds the net tangible book value per share of our common stock. After giving effect to this offering at the combined public offering price of $              per share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant) and accompanying purchase warrant to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us (but excluding the shares of common stock to be issued and the proceeds received, if any, from exercises of the purchase warrants or pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering), you will experience immediate dilution of $              per share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2021 after giving effect to this offering (but without giving effect to the exercise of the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering) and the combined public offering price. If the holders of the purchase warrants exercise the purchase warrants in full, our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering would be $             , representing an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value per share of $              to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in as adjusted net tangible book value per share of $              to new investors purchasing securities in this offering. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you would incur if you purchase our securities in this offering.

If we issue additional common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock, our stockholders, including investors who purchase our securities in this offering, will experience additional dilution, and any such issuances may cause the price of our common stock to decrease. We also cannot assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than either the combined price per share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant) and accompanying purchase warrant to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock paid by investors in this offering or the exercise price you may pay upon exercise of the purchase warrants, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to investors in this offering.

S-14

There is no public market for the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants being offered by us in this offering.

There is no established public trading market for the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants being sold in this offering, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or recognized trading system. Without an active market, the liquidity of the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

The purchase warrants are speculative in nature. You may not be able to recover your investment in the purchase warrants, and the purchase warrants may expire worthless.

The purchase warrants do not confer any rights of common stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of common stock at a fixed price for a limited period of time. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of purchase warrants may exercise their right to acquire the underlying common stock and pay an exercise price per share equal to $             , subject to certain adjustments, and the period the purchase warrants are to be exercisable relates to our announcement, if applicable, that the FDA has accepted for filing an NDA submitted to the FDA for imetelstat in lower risk MDS. We  expect top-line results in IMerge Phase 3 to be available in early January 2023, based on current planning assumptions. Assuming the results of IMerge Phase 3 support regulatory submissions, we plan to submit an NDA in the United States in the first half of 2023 for imetelstat in lower risk MDS and such an NDA could potentially be accepted for filing by the FDA within 60 days thereafter. Accordingly, the period the purchase warrants will be outstanding and exercisable could be substantially shorter than five years from the purchase warrant issuance date and will in any event expire on                    , after which any unexercised purchase warrants will have no further value. Moreover, following this offering, the market value of the purchase warrants, if any, is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the purchase warrants will equal or exceed their imputed offering price. In addition, there can be no assurance that the market price of our common stock will equal or exceed the exercise price of the purchase warrants for a sustained period of time or at all, and, consequently, it may not ever be profitable for holders of the purchase warrants to exercise the purchase warrants.

Holders of the purchase warrants and the pre-funded warrants will have no rights as common stockholders until they acquire our common stock.

Until you acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants, you will have no rights with respect to our common stock issuable upon exercise of the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants, including the right to receive dividend payments, vote or respond to tender offers. Upon exercise of your purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants, you will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors and will be at the discretion of our board of directors. In addition, the terms of our Loan Agreement prevent us from paying dividends and any future debt agreements may continue to preclude us from paying dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be the sole source of gain for our stockholders for the foreseeable future.

S-15

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

S-16

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “plan,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “potential” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks, uncertainties and other factors in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments. Thus, you should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.

S-17

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the                      shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase                  shares of common stock and accompanying purchase warrants that we are offering, excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants offered hereby, will be approximately $                    , based on the combined public offering price of $              per share of common stock (or pre-funded warrants at the combined public offering price less $0.001) and accompanying purchase warrant to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We currently intend to use the anticipated net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities to fund potential regulatory filings in the United States and European Union for imetelstat in lower risk MDS, assuming top-line results in IMerge Phase 3 are supportive, and to support toward the completion of IMpactMF and the planned exploratory studies in new indications, including IMproveMF and investigator-led trials in AML and higher risk MDS, the preclinical work in lymphoid malignancies and the discovery research program related to next generation telomerase inhibitors. We intend to use the remaining proceeds, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes.

This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures, may change and will depend on a number of factors, such as the progress, timing, magnitude, scope and costs of clinical development and manufacturing of imetelstat, any further delays or interruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or geopolitical events, and the amount of cash used in our operations. Accordingly, we will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering.

We will require substantial additional funding following this offering in order to further advance the imetelstat program, including through the completion of IMpactMF and conducting the clinical, regulatory and potential commercialization activities necessary to potentially bring imetelstat to market in lower risk MDS and refractory MF, as well as completing the planned exploratory studies in new indications, including IMproveMF and investigator-led trials in AML and higher risk MDS. While we anticipate seeking additional capital in the future through further equity offerings and/or debt borrowings, or through collaboration agreements, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements or marketing and distribution arrangements, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to raise additional capital on reasonable terms or at all.

Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to temporarily invest the proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments until we are ready to use them.

If all of the purchase warrants sold in this offering were to be exercised in cash at an exercise price per share equal to $                    , we would receive additional proceeds of approximately $                     million. We cannot predict when or if the purchase warrants will be exercised. It is also possible that the purchase warrants may expire and may never be exercised. We may not sell any pre-funded warrants in this offering. If we sell any pre-funded warrants, we will receive only $0.001 per share upon exercise thereof.

S-18

DILUTION

Our net tangible book value as of December 31, 2021 was approximately $126.4 million, or $0.39 per share. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing the net tangible book value, which is tangible assets less total liabilities, by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock as of December 31, 2021.

Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of securities in this offering, and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after completion of this offering.

After giving effect to the sale of (i)                      shares of our common stock and accompanying purchase warrants to purchase an additional                       shares of our common stock in this public offering at the combined public offering price of $                     per share and (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase                      shares of our common stock and accompanying purchase warrants to purchase an additional                      shares of our common stock in this public offering at the combined public offering, price minus $0.001 (excluding, in each case, the shares of common stock to be issued and the proceeds received, if any, from exercises of the pre-funded warrants and the purchase warrants, as applicable), and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2021 would have been approximately $                     million, or $                     per share. This represents an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of $                     per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $                     per share to investors purchasing securities in this offering. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

Investors who purchase common stock upon the exercise of the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants offered hereby may experience dilution depending on our net tangible book value at the time of exercise.

The above discussion and table are based on 323,731,591 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021, and excludes the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants offered hereby and also excludes, as of December 31, 2021, the following:

The above discussion and table also do not include the up to approximately $79.1 million of our common stock that remained available for sale as of December 31, 2021 under the Sales Agreement. Since December 31, 2021, we have not sold any shares under the Sales Agreement.  

S-19

After giving effect to the sale of (i)                     shares of our common stock and accompanying purchase warrants to purchase an additional                      shares of our common stock in this public offering at the combined public offering price of $                     per share and (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase                      shares of our common stock and accompanying purchase warrants to purchase an additional                      shares of our common stock in this public offering at the combined public offering price, minus $0.001 (including, in each case, the shares of common stock to be issued and the proceeds received, if any, from exercises of the pre-funded warrants and the purchase warrants, as applicable), and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2021 would have been approximately $                    , representing an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value per share of $                     to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in as adjusted net tangible book value per share of $                     to investors purchasing securities in this offering.

We have not yet determined whether the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants will be classified and accounted for as liabilities or as stockholders’ equity.

To the extent that options or the warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2021 have been or are exercised, or other shares are issued, investors purchasing our securities in this offering will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital, including pursuant to the Sales Agreement, due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

S-20

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING

We are offering                      shares of our common stock, or for certain investors that so choose, in lieu of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, or the pre-funded warrants, and accompanying warrants to purchase an additional                      shares of our common stock, or the purchase warrants. The common stock (or pre-funded warrants) and the purchase warrants will be sold together. Each share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant) will be sold with a purchase warrant to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock. The shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants) and the accompanying purchase warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately. The shares of common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the purchase warrants and the pre-funded warrants, if any, are also being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Common Stock

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes us to issue 675,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of the preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of preferred stock legally available for distribution to stockholders. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights and no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which we may designate in the future. For more information, see “Description of Capital Stock” in Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which Exhibit 4.1 is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “GERN.” The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Pre-Funded Warrants

The material terms and provisions of the pre-funded warrants being issued in this offering are summarized below. The following description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the form of pre-funded warrant which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by us with the SEC in connection with this offering. You should review the form of pre-funded warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the pre-funded warrants. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page S-39 of this prospectus supplement.

Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. The holder may also exercise the pre-funded warrant through a “cashless exercise,” in which case, the holder would receive upon such exercise, the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant. The exercise price must be paid by the holder in cash in immediately available funds.

Exercise Limitations. A holder (together with its affiliates and other attribution parties) may not exercise any portion of a pre-funded warrant to the extent that immediately prior to or after giving effect to such exercise the holder would own more than 9.99% of our outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, which percentage may be changed at the holder's election to a higher or lower percentage not in excess of 19.99% (if exceeding such percentage would result in a change of control under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(b) or any successor rule) upon 61 days' notice to us subject to the terms of the pre-funded warrants.

S-21

Exercise Price. Each pre-funded warrant offered hereby has an initial exercise price per share equal to $0.001. The pre-funded warrants are immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock.

Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws, the pre-funded warrants are separately tradeable immediately after issuance at the option of the holders and may be transferred at the option of the holders.

No Listing. There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for listing of the pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or recognized trading system, including Nasdaq. Without an active market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

Fundamental Transactions. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the pre-funded warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.

Rights as a Stockholder. Except for the right to participate in certain dividends and distributions and as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrant or by virtue of a holder's ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their pre-funded warrants.

Warrant Agent. We are acting as warrant agent for the pre-funded warrants.

Purchase Warrants

The material terms and provisions of the purchase warrants being issued in this offering are summarized below. The following description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the form of purchase warrant which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by us with the SEC in connection with this offering. You should review the form of purchase warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the purchase warrants. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page S-39 of this prospectus supplement.

General. Each purchaser of a share of common stock will receive a purchase warrant to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock.

Exercisability. The purchase warrants will be immediately exercisable and will expire on the earlier to occur of (a) the date that is 30 business days following the date on which we first issue a press release announcing, if applicable, that the FDA has accepted for filing an imetelstat NDA in lower risk MDS (or, if such date is not a business day, then the next business day following such date) and (b)                    . For purposes of the purchase warrants, an “imetelstat NDA in lower risk MDS” means an NDA submitted to the FDA required for the approval from the FDA in order to commence the commercial sale of imetelstat in lower risk MDS in the United States, as more specifically provided for in the purchase warrants. The purchase warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us or the warrant agent a duly executed exercise notice and by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. However, if a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying a purchase warrant held by holder under the Securities Act is not effective or available for the issuance of such shares to such holder at the time of exercise, the holder may only exercise the purchase warrant through a “cashless

S-22

exercise,” in which case, the holder would receive upon such exercise, the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the purchase warrant. Apart from the limited circumstance where such a registration statement is not then effective or available, the exercise price must be paid by the holder in cash in immediately available funds.

Exercise Limitations. A holder (together with its affiliates and other attribution parties) may not exercise any portion of a purchase warrant to the extent that immediately prior to or after giving effect to such exercise the holder would own more than 9.99% of our outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, which percentage may be changed at the holder's election to a higher or lower percentage not in excess of 19.99% (if exceeding such percentage would result in a change of control under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(b) or any successor rule) upon 61 days' notice to us subject to the terms of the purchase warrants.

Exercise Price. The initial per share exercise price of the purchase warrants is $           . The exercise price is subject to adjustment in the event of stock combinations, subdivisions or similar events affecting our common stock.

Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws, the purchase warrants are separately tradeable immediately after issuance at the option of the holders and may be transferred at the option of the holders. The purchase warrants will be issued in book-entry form under a warrant agency agreement between the warrant agent and us, and shall initially be represented by one or more book-entry certificates deposited with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC, or as otherwise directed by DTC.

No Listing. There is no established public trading market for the purchase warrants and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for listing of the purchase warrants on any securities exchange or recognized trading system, including Nasdaq. Without an active market, the liquidity of the purchase warrants will be limited.

Fundamental Transactions. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the purchase warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the purchase warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the purchase warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the purchase warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.

Rights as a Stockholder. Except for the right to participate in certain dividends and distributions and as otherwise provided in the purchase warrant or by virtue of a holder's ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the purchase warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their purchase warrants.

Warrant Agent. Our warrant agent for the purchase warrants is Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

S-23

UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement, each of the underwriters named below has severally agreed to purchase from us the aggregate number of securities set forth opposite its name below:

_____________________

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to various conditions, including approval of legal matters by counsel. The nature of the underwriters’ obligations commits them to purchase and pay for all of the securities listed above if any are purchased.

The underwriting agreement provides that we will indemnify the underwriters against liabilities specified in the underwriting agreement under the Securities Act, or will contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make relating to these liabilities.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated and Robert W. Baird & Co., Incorporated are acting as representatives of the underwriters, and expect to deliver the securities to purchasers on or about,                     , 2022.

Commissions and Discounts

The underwriters propose to offer the securities directly to the public at the combined public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $             per share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant) and accompanying purchase warrant. The underwriters may allow, and the other dealers may re-allow, concessions not in excess of $               per share of common stock (and pre-funded warrant) and accompanying purchase warrant to these other dealers. After this offering of the securities, the combined public offering price, concessions and other selling terms may be changed by the underwriters. The securities are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the underwriters and to the other conditions, including the right to reject orders in whole or in part.

The following table summarizes the compensation to be paid to the underwriters by us and the proceeds, before expenses, payable to us:

We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for costs and expenses incident to the performance of their obligations under the underwriting agreement, including up to $30,000 of the fees and expenses of the underwriters’ outside counsel.

S-24

Indemnification of Underwriters

We will indemnify the underwriters against some civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities arising from breaches of our representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we will contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

No Sales of Similar Securities

All of our officers and directors have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to (1) directly or indirectly (i) offer, pledge, sell, or contract to sell; (ii) sell any option or contract to purchase or purchase any option or contract to sell; (iii) grant any option, right or warrant for the sale; or (iv) dispose of or transfer any shares; or (2) otherwise enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our common stock, whether now owned or acquired hereafter, without the prior written consent of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement.

The restrictions described above do not prohibit our directors and executive officers from transferring shares of our common stock in accordance with a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act already in place and scheduled as of the date hereof, provided that any public announcement of filing shall include a statement to the effect that the sale occurred pursuant to such trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1.

We have also agreed that for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, we will not, without the prior written consent of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, and subject to certain exceptions, (i) directly or indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock or file any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any of the foregoing, or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the common stock, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Securities

In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail. In addition, one or more of the underwriters may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of their Internet subscription customers. Any such underwriter may allocate a limited number of securities for sale to its online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus is available on the Internet websites maintained by any such underwriter. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the websites of any such underwriter is not part of this prospectus supplement.

Nasdaq Global Select Market Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “GERN.” There is no established public trading market for the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not plan on making an application to list the purchase warrants or the pre-funded warrants on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, any securities exchange or any recognized trading system. The purchase warrants will be issued in book-entry form pursuant to a warrant agency agreement between us and our warrant agent. We will act as warrant agent for the pre-funded warrants.

Short Sales, Stabilizing Transactions, and Penalty Bids

In order to facilitate this offering, persons participating in this offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of common stock during and after this offering. Specifically, the underwriters may engage in the following activities in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

S-25

Short sales. Short sales involve the sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering. Covered short sales are short sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares from us in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or by purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares. Naked short sales are any short sales in excess of such option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

Stabilizing transactions. The underwriters may make bids for or purchases of the shares for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the shares, so long as stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

Penalty bids. If the underwriters purchase shares in the open market in a stabilizing transaction or syndicate covering transaction, they may reclaim a selling concession from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those shares as part of this offering. Stabilization and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the shares to be higher than it would be in the absence of these transactions. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of the shares if it discourages presales of the shares.

The transactions above may occur on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or otherwise. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the shares. If these transactions are commenced, they may be discontinued without notice at any time.

The underwriters may also engage in passive market-making transactions in our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act during the period before the commencement of offers or sales of common stock and extending through the completion and distribution. A passive market-maker must display its bids at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of the security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market-maker’s bid, that bid must be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full-service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates, and may in the future provide, various commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and such affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve and relate to our assets, securities or instruments (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) or persons and entities with relationships with us. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.

S-26

Selling Restrictions

General

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.

The securities offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Relevant State”), no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that the securities may be offered to the public in that Relevant State at any time:

provided that no such offer of the securities shall require us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the securities in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

United Kingdom

No securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that the securities may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:

provided that no such offer of the securities shall require us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

S-27

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the securities in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Switzerland

The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of, and has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, us, or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.

Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus supplement relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or the DFSA. This prospectus supplement is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus supplement. The securities to which this prospectus supplement relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Australia

This prospectus supplement:

The securities may not be directly or indirectly offered for subscription or purchased or sold, and no invitations to subscribe for or buy the securities may be issued, and no draft or definitive offering memorandum, advertisement or other offering material relating to any securities may be distributed in Australia, except where disclosure to

S-28

investors is not required under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act or is otherwise in compliance with all applicable Australian laws and regulations. By submitting an application for the securities, you represent and warrant to us that you are an Exempt Investor.

As any offer of securities under this document will be made without disclosure in Australia under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act, the offer of those securities for resale in Australia within 12 months may, under section 707 of the Corporations Act, require disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D.2 if none of the exemptions in section 708 applies to that resale. By applying for the securities you undertake to us that you will not, for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the securities, offer, transfer, assign or otherwise alienate those securities to investors in Australia except in circumstances where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act or where a compliant disclosure document is prepared and lodged with ASIC.

Hong Kong

The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the securities has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, none of the securities nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any “resident” of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.

Singapore

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

S-29

China

This prospectus supplement does not constitute a public offer of the securities, whether by sale or subscription, in the PRC. The securities are not being offered or sold directly or indirectly in the PRC to or for the benefit of, legal or natural persons of the PRC.

Further, no legal or natural persons of the PRC may directly or indirectly purchase any of the securities or any beneficial interest therein without obtaining all prior PRC’s governmental approvals that are required, whether statutorily or otherwise. Persons who come into possession of this document are required by the issuer and its representatives to observe these restrictions.

Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and such affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In addition, from time to time, certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers, and hold on behalf of themselves or their customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future.

Canada

This prospectus constitutes an “exempt offering document” for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of the securities. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this prospectus or on the merits of the securities and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

Canadian investors are advised that this prospectus has been prepared in reliance on section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”). Pursuant to section 3A.3 of NI 33-105, this prospectus is exempt from the requirement that the company and the underwriters provide Canadian investors with certain conflicts of interest disclosure pertaining to “connected issuer” and/or “related issuer” relationships that may exist between the company and the underwriters as would otherwise be required pursuant to subsection 2.1(1) of NI 33-105.

The offer and sale of the securities in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and is exempt from the requirement that the company prepares and files a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. Any resale of securities acquired by a Canadian investor in this offering must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with Canadian prospectus requirements, pursuant to a statutory exemption from the prospectus requirements, in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements or otherwise under a discretionary exemption from the prospectus requirements granted by the applicable local Canadian securities regulatory authority. These resale restrictions may under certain circumstances apply to resales of the securities outside of Canada.

S-30

Each Canadian investor who purchases securities will be deemed to have represented to the Company, the underwriters and to each dealer from whom a purchase confirmation is received, as applicable, that the investor is (i) purchasing as principal, or is deemed to be purchasing as principal in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution; (ii) an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or, in Ontario, as such term is defined in section 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario); and (iii) is a “permitted client” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations.

Any discussion of taxation and related matters contained in this prospectus does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a Canadian investor when deciding to purchase the securities and, in particular, does not address any Canadian tax considerations. No representation or warranty is hereby made as to the tax consequences to a resident, or deemed resident, of Canada of an investment in the securities or with respect to the eligibility of the securities for investment by such investor under relevant Canadian federal and provincial legislation and regulations.

Securities legislation in certain of the Canadian jurisdictions provides certain purchasers of securities pursuant to an offering memorandum (such as this prospectus), including where the distribution involves an “eligible foreign security” as such term is defined in Ontario Securities Commission Rule 45-501 Ontario Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and in Multilateral Instrument 45-107 Listing Representation and Statutory Rights of Action Disclosure Exemptions, as applicable, with a remedy for damages or rescission, or both, in addition to any other rights they may have at law, where the offering memorandum, or other offering document that constitutes an offering memorandum, and any amendment thereto, contains a “misrepresentation” as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. These remedies, or notice with respect to these remedies, must be exercised or delivered, as the case may be, by the purchaser within the time limits prescribed under, and are subject to limitations and defenses under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. In addition, these remedies are in addition to and without derogation from any other right or remedy available at law to the investor.

Upon receipt of this document, each Canadian investor hereby confirms that it has expressly requested that all documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of the securities described herein (including for greater certainty any purchase confirmation or any notice) be drawn up in the English language only. Par la réception de ce document, chaque investisseur canadien confirme par les présentes qu’il a expressément exigé que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque manière que ce soit à la vente des valeurs mobilières décrites aux présentes (incluant, pour plus de certitude, toute confirmation d’achat ou tout avis) soient rédigés en anglais seulement.

New Zealand

The securities offered hereby have not been offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly in New Zealand and no offering materials or advertisements have been or will be distributed in relation to any offer of securities in New Zealand, in each case other than:

in other circumstances where there is no contravention of the Securities Act 1978 of New Zealand (or any statutory modification or reenactment of, or statutory substitution for, the Securities Act 1978 of New Zealand).

S-31

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following is a general discussion of the material United States, or U.S., federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering, or the Shares, the purchase, exercise, disposition and lapse of warrants to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to this offering, or the Purchase Warrants, the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants, or the Warrant Shares, and the purchase, ownership and disposition of pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering, or the Pre-Funded Warrants. The Shares, the Purchase Warrants, the Warrant Shares and the Pre-Funded Warrants are collectively referred to herein as our “securities.” All prospective holders of our securities should consult their tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our securities.

This discussion is not a complete analysis of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our securities. This discussion is based on current provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code, existing U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published administrative pronouncements and rulings of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement. These authorities are subject to change and to differing interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. Any change or differing interpretation could alter the tax consequences to holders described in this discussion. There can be no assurance that a court or the IRS will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a holder of the purchase, ownership or disposition of our securities.

We assume in this discussion that a holder holds our securities as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of that holder’s individual circumstances, nor does it address any alternative minimum, Medicare contribution, estate or gift tax consequences, or any aspects of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. taxes or any other U.S. federal tax laws. This discussion also does not address consequences relevant to holders subject to special tax rules, such as holders that own, or are deemed to own, more than 5% of our capital stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below), corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, tax-exempt organizations, governmental organizations, banks, financial institutions, investment funds, insurance companies, brokers, dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies, regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts, persons that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar, tax-qualified retirement plans, holders who hold or receive our securities pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, holders holding our securities as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy, conversion transaction or other integrated investment, holders deemed to sell our securities under the constructive sale provisions of the Code, holders subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents.

In addition, this discussion does not address the tax treatment of partnerships (or entities or arrangements that are treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or persons that hold our securities through such partnerships. If a partnership, including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such partners and partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our securities.

Treatment of Pre-Funded Warrants

Although it is not entirely free from doubt, we believe a Pre-Funded Warrant should be treated as a Share for U.S. federal income tax purposes and a holder of Pre-Funded Warrants should generally be taxed in the same manner as a holder of Shares, as described below. Accordingly, no gain or loss should be recognized upon the exercise of a Pre-Funded Warrant and, upon exercise, the holding period of a Pre-Funded Warrant should carry over to the Share received. Similarly, the tax basis of the Pre-Funded Warrant should carry over to the Share received upon exercise, increased by the exercise price of $0.001 per share. However, our characterization is not binding on

S-32

the IRS, and the IRS may treat the Pre-Funded Warrants as warrants to acquire our Shares. If so, the amount and character of your gain with respect to an investment in our Pre-Funded Warrants could change. Accordingly, each holder should consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the risks associated with the acquisition of Pre-Funded Warrants pursuant to this offering (including potential alternative characterizations). The balance of this discussion generally assumes that the characterization described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Allocation of Purchase Price

Each purchaser of Shares or Pre-Funded Warrants must allocate its purchase price for such Shares or Pre-Funded Warrants between each Share or Pre-Funded Warrant, as applicable, and the associated Purchase Warrant based on the respective relative fair market values of each at the time of issuance. This allocation of the purchase price will establish the holder’s initial tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes for each Share, Pre-Funded Warrant and Purchase Warrant. A holder’s allocation of the purchase price among the Shares, Pre-Funded Warrants and Purchase Warrants is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with a holder's allocation. Each holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the allocation of the purchase price among the Shares, Pre-Funded Warrants and Purchase Warrants.

Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders

Definition of U.S. Holder

In general, a “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our securities (other than a partnership or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

Distributions on the Shares or the Warrant Shares

As described in the section entitled “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate declaring or paying any future distributions. However, if we do make distributions on the Shares or the Warrant Shares, such distributions will constitute dividends to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, and will be includible in your income as ordinary income when received. However, with respect to dividends received by individuals, such dividends are generally taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rates, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the U.S. holder’s investment, up to such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares or the Warrant Shares, as applicable. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such Shares or Warrant Shares, subject to the tax treatment described below in “—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the Shares, Purchase Warrants or Warrant Shares.”

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the Shares, Purchase Warrants or Warrant Shares

Upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the Shares, Purchase Warrants (other than by exercise) or Warrant Shares, a U.S. holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon the sale, exchange or other taxable

S-33

disposition and such U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in the Shares, Purchase Warrants or Warrant Shares. This capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder's holding period in such Shares, Purchase Warrants or Warrant Shares is more than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals, generally will be subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Exercise of Purchase Warrants

A U.S. holder generally will not recognize gain or loss on the exercise of a Purchase Warrant and the related receipt of Warrant Shares (unless cash is received in lieu of the issuance of a fractional Warrant Share). A U.S. holder’s initial tax basis in a Warrant Share will be equal to the sum of (a) such U.S. holder's tax basis in the Purchase Warrant plus (b) the exercise price paid by such U.S. holder on the exercise of such Purchase Warrant. A U.S. holder’s holding period in a Warrant Share received on the exercise of a Purchase Warrant generally should begin on the day after the date that such Purchase Warrant is exercised by such U.S. holder.

In certain circumstances, the Purchase Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of an exercise of a warrant on a cashless basis is not clear, and could differ from the consequences described above. It is possible that a cashless exercise could be a taxable event. U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of an exercise of a Purchase Warrant on a cashless basis, including with respect to their holding period and tax basis in the Warrant Share.

Lapse of Purchase Warrants

Upon the lapse or expiration of a Purchase Warrant, a U.S. holder will recognize a loss in an amount equal to such U.S. holder's tax basis in the Purchase Warrant. Any such loss generally will be a capital loss and will be long-term capital loss if the Purchase Warrant is held for more than one year. Deductions for capital losses are subject to limitations.

Certain Adjustments to the Purchase Warrants

The terms of each Purchase Warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares for which the Purchase Warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the Purchase Warrant in certain events, and a distribution upon exercise that corresponds to distributions, if any, made on the Warrant Shares after issuance of the Purchase Warrants and prior to exercise. An adjustment to the exercise price of a Purchase Warrant may be treated as a constructive distribution to a U.S. holder of the Purchase Warrants depending on the circumstances of such adjustment if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in our “earnings and profits” or assets, depending on the circumstances of such adjustment. In addition, the failure to provide for such an adjustment (or to adequately adjust) may also result in a deemed distribution to U.S. holders of the Purchase Warrants or Shares. Any such constructive distribution may be taxable whether or not there is an actual distribution of cash or other property. However, adjustments to the exercise price of Purchase Warrants made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution of the interest of the holders thereof generally should not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Generally, such deemed distributions will be taxable in the same manner as an actual distribution as described above under “—Distributions on the Shares or the Warrant Shares,” except that it is unclear whether such deemed distributions would be eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to certain dividends paid to non-corporate holders or the dividend-received deduction applicable to certain dividends paid to corporate holders. Generally, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the underlying stock will be increased to the extent any such constructive distribution is treated as a dividend. Proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations address the amount of, timing of, and withholding obligations in respect to, constructive distributions made to holders of convertible securities such as the Purchase Warrants. These proposed regulations are effective for constructive distributions made on or after the date of finalization, but may generally be relied upon as to certain matters for constructive distributions that occur prior to such date. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of such regulations and other tax considerations relating to the possibility of constructive distributions.

S-34

Contingent Payments on the Purchase Warrants

The Purchase Warrants entitle a holder to receive payments upon the occurrence of certain contingencies, including a distribution on shares of the Company’s common stock or a failure of the Company to deliver Warrant Shares upon exercise of a Purchase Warrant. The tax treatment of such payments, if made, is subject to substantial uncertainty, but may result in ordinary income to a U.S. holder and, in the case of distributions, would likely not be eligible for the lower tax rate applicable to certain dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. holders of Shares and Warrant Shares as described above in “—Distributions on the Shares or the Warrant Shares.” U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the appropriate tax treatment of any such contingent payments that may be made to them in respect of the Purchase Warrants.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

A U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding when such holder receives payments on our securities (including constructive dividends) or receives proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of our securities. Certain U.S. holders are exempt from backup withholding, including C corporations and certain tax-exempt organizations. A U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding if such holder is not otherwise exempt and such holder:

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption.

Tax Considerations Applicable to Non-U.S. Holders

Definition of non-U.S. Holder

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our securities that is neither a U.S. holder nor a partnership or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Exercise of Purchase Warrants

A non-U.S. holder generally will not recognize gain or loss on the exercise of a Purchase Warrant and the related receipt of Warrant Shares (unless cash is received in lieu of the issuance of a fractional Warrant Share and certain other conditions are present, as discussed below under “—Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities”). See “—Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders—Exercise of Purchase Warrants.” However, if a cashless exercise of Purchase Warrants results in a taxable exchange, as described in “—Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders—Exercise of Purchase Warrants,” the rules described below under “Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities” would apply.

Lapse of Purchase Warrants

If a non-U.S. holder allows a Purchase Warrant to expire unexercised, such non-U.S. holder will recognize a capital loss in an amount equal to such holder's tax basis in the Purchase Warrant. See “—Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders—Lapse of Warrants” above.

S-35

Certain Adjustments to the Purchase Warrants

See the discussion of the rules applicable to constructive distributions on a Purchase Warrant under the heading “—Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders—Certain Adjustments to the Warrants” above. If an adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares that will be issued on the exercise of the Warrants, or an adjustment to the exercise price of the Purchase Warrants, results in a constructive distribution, as described in “—Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders—Certain Adjustments to the Purchase Warrants,” the rules described below under “—Distributions on the Shares or the Warrant Shares” would apply. U.S. federal income tax required to be withheld on any portion of such constructive distribution that is treated as a dividend (as described below under “— Distributions on the Shares or the Warrant Shares”) may be withheld from Warrant Shares, sales proceeds subsequently paid or credited, or other amounts payable or distributable to a non-U.S. holder.

Contingent Payments on the Purchase Warrants

As described above under the heading “—Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders— Contingent Payments on the Purchase Warrants,” in certain circumstances, a holder of Purchase Warrants may receive payments upon the occurrence of certain contingencies. The tax treatment of such payments, if made, is subject to substantial uncertainty. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the appropriate U.S. federal income tax treatment of any such contingent payments that may be made to them in respect of the Purchase Warrants and the potential for any such payments being subject to a U.S. dividend or other withholding tax. Any U.S. federal income tax required to be withheld on any portion of such contingent payment may be withheld from Warrant Shares, sales proceeds subsequently paid or credited, or other amounts payable or distributable to a non-U.S. holder.

Distributions on the Shares or the Warrant Shares

If we make distributions on the Shares or the Warrant Shares such distributions will constitute dividends to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the non-U.S. holder’s investment, up to such non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares or the Warrant Shares, as applicable. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such Shares or Warrant Shares, subject to the tax treatment described below in “—Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities.”

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder will generally be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such non-U.S. holder's country of residence for purposes of such treaty.

Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by a non-U.S. holder within the United States and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, that are attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder within the United States, are generally exempt from the 30% withholding tax if the non-U.S. holder satisfies applicable certification and disclosure requirements. However, such U.S. effectively connected income, net of specified deductions and credits, is taxed at the same U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons (as defined in the Code). Any U.S. effectively connected income received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such non-U.S. holder's country of residence for purposes of such treaty.

To claim a reduction or exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. holder generally will be required to provide (a) a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or successor form) and satisfy applicable certification and other requirements to claim the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such non-U.S. holder's country of residence, or (b) a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI stating that dividends are not subject to withholding because they are effectively connected with such non-U.S. holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under a relevant income tax treaty.

S-36

A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax under an income tax treaty may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Distributions will also be subject to the discussion below under the headings “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—Foreign Accounts.”

Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities

Subject to the discussion below under the headings “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—Foreign Accounts,” in general, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to any U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon such non-U.S. holder's sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our securities unless:

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the gross amount of the dividends on our securities paid to such non-U.S. holder and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to such dividends. Non-U.S. holders will have to comply with specific certification procedures to establish that the holder is not a U.S. person (as

S-37

defined in the Code) in order to avoid backup withholding at the applicable rate with respect to any dividends on our securities. A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends on our securities if it certifies its non-U.S. status by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or successor form) or IRS Form W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption; provided we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know such non-U.S. holder is a U.S. person, as defined in the Code. Dividends paid to non-U.S. holders subject to the U.S. withholding tax, as described above in “—Distributions on the Shares or the Warrant Shares” generally will be exempt from U.S. backup withholding.

Information reporting and backup withholding will generally apply to the proceeds of a disposition of our securities by a non-U.S. holder effected by or through the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, unless the holder certifies its status as a non-U.S. holder and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds to a non-U.S. holder where the transaction is effected outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, for information reporting purposes, dispositions effected through a non-U.S. office of a broker with substantial U.S. ownership or operations generally will be treated in a manner similar to dispositions effected through a U.S. office of a broker. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

Copies of information returns may be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a non-U.S. holder may be allowed as a credit against the non-U.S. holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Accounts

The Code generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends and, subject to the discussion below regarding proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the gross proceeds of a disposition of our securities paid to a “foreign financial institution” (as defined in the Code), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to, among other things, withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding accounts held by certain “specific United States persons” or “United States owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), or otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. A U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% also applies to dividends and, subject to the discussion below regarding proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, will apply to the gross proceeds of a disposition of our securities paid to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as defined in the Code), unless such entity provides the withholding agent with either a certification that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code), provides information regarding each substantial United States owners of the entity, or otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify the requirements described in this paragraph.

The withholding provisions described above currently apply to dividends paid on our securities. The U.S. Treasury Department released proposed regulations which, if finalized in their present form, would eliminate the U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% applicable to the gross proceeds of a sale or other disposition of our securities. In its preamble to such proposed regulations, the U.S. Treasury Department stated that taxpayers may generally rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued.

S-38

EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAWS.

LEGAL MATTERS

Cooley LLP, San Francisco, California, has passed upon the validity of the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The underwriters are being represented in connection with this offering by Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., Boston, Massachusetts.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of Geron Corporation appearing in Geron Corporation’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus supplement is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such filings are also available free of charge through our website at www.geron.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the website will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus supplement.

We will furnish without charge to you, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference, including exhibits to these documents. You should direct any requests for documents to Stephen Rosenfield, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Geron Corporation, 919 East Hillsdale Boulevard, Suite 250, Foster City, California 94404, telephone: (650) 473-7700.

S-39

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information in this prospectus supplement supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus supplement. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 000-20859):

Any information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that information in this prospectus supplement or in a later filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or replaces such information.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of the offering of the common stock covered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

S-40

PROSPECTUS

$350,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants

From time to time, we may offer and sell up to $350,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in combination with other securities. We may also offer common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of debt securities, common stock upon conversion of preferred stock, or common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants.

We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “GERN.” On September 1, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $1.94 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

The securities may be sold directly by us to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section titled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts and over-allotment or other options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is November 6, 2020.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

i

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in combination with other securities, in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $350,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before buying any of the securities being offered.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, along with the information contained in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so.

The information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference include trademarks, services marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectuses are the property of their respective owners.

1

2

3

4

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and discussed under the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be unduly relied upon to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also read carefully the section below titled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

5

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “plan,”, “intend,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “potential” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We discuss in greater detail, and incorporate by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, many of these risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement, in any free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering, and in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments. Thus, you should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include funding research and development, general and administrative activities and capital expenditures, as well to potentially in-license or acquire other oncology products, programs or companies to diversify our business. Pending the use of the net proceeds, we intend to temporarily invest the proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments.

6

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

As of the date of this prospectus, our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, or the Restated Certificate, authorizes us to issue 450,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.

The following summary description of our capital stock is based on the provisions of our Restated Certificate, our amended and restated bylaws, as amended, or the Bylaws, and applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the applicable provisions of our Restated Certificate, our Bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law. For information on how to obtain copies of our Restated Certificate and Bylaws, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Common Stock

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of the preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of preferred stock legally available for distribution to stockholders. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights and no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.

Additional shares of authorized common stock may be issued, as authorized by our board of directors from time to time, without stockholder approval, except as may be required by applicable stock exchange requirements.

Preferred Stock

Pursuant to our Restated Certificate, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences, privileges and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. The board of directors, without stockholder approval, can issue preferred stock with voting, conversion or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of common stock. Preferred stock could thus be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common stock and may adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and reduce the likelihood that common stockholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

Our board of directors will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. This description will include:

7

When we issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will rank, with respect to dividends and upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up:

The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

8

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the state of our incorporation, provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of that preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions of Charter Documents and Delaware Law

Charter Documents. Our Restated Certificate and Bylaws contain provisions that could discourage potential takeover attempts and make it more difficult for stockholders to change management, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our Restated Certificate limits the personal liability for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty of our directors to Geron and our stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The inclusion of this provision in our Restated Certificate may reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty.

Our Restated Certificate provides that all stockholder action must be effected at a meeting of stockholders and not by a consent in writing. In addition, our Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors, the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer or president (in the absence of a chief executive officer), or at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority of the amount of our entire capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Further, our Bylaws establish procedures, including advance notice procedures, with regard to the nomination of candidates for election as directors and stockholder proposals. Finally, our Bylaws provide that our stockholders may alter, amend or repeal our Bylaws or adopt new bylaws only by the affirmative vote of 66⅔% of the outstanding voting stock, but our board of directors may also unilaterally alter, amend, repeal our Bylaws or adopt new bylaws.

Our Bylaws provide for the board of directors to be divided into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered three-year terms. As a result, approximately one-third of the board of directors will be elected each year. The classified board provision could have the effect of discouraging a third party from making a tender offer or attempting to obtain control of us. In addition, the classified board provision could delay stockholders who do not agree with the policies of the board of directors from removing a majority of the board of directors for two years.

These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control and may also delay or prevent changes in management of Geron, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Delaware Law. We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 203 generally prohibits a public Delaware corporation such as us from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

9

Section 203 defines a business combination to include:

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

Although Section 203 permits us to elect not to be governed by its provisions, we have not made this election. As a result of the application of Section 203, potential acquirers of Geron may be discouraged from attempting to effect an acquisition transaction with us, thereby possibly depriving holders of our securities of certain opportunities to sell or otherwise dispose of such securities at above-market prices pursuant to such transactions.

Forum Selection Bylaw

Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of Geron, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder of Geron to Geron or to our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Restated Certificate or the Bylaws or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware, in all cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of Geron is deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum selection provisions of the Bylaws. This provision does not apply to actions arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or any claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the applicable prospectus supplement for that series.

Listing on The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “GERN.”

10

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

General

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:

11

12

Conversion or Exchange Rights

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.

Events of Default Under the Indenture

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

13

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

14

In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

Discharge

Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

15

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book- entry, a description of terms relating to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

Information Concerning the Trustee

The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt

16

securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.

17

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectuses that we may authorize to be distributed to you, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.

We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants that may be offered as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the warrants are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements, that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including:

18

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Upon receipt of payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office, including ours, indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants (or the warrants represented by such warrant certificate) are exercised, a new warrant or a new warrant certificate, as applicable, will be issued for the remaining warrants.

Governing Law

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and any warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

Each warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

19

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee, depositary or warrant agent maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

Book-Entry Holders

We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

As a result, investors in a book-entry security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not legal holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

We may terminate a global security or issue securities that are not issued in global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any applicable trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

Legal Holders

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee and of any third parties employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the

20

legal holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the legal holders contact the indirect holders up to the legal holders.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

Global Securities

A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, DTC will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under the section captioned “Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated” in this prospectus. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and legal holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations for Global Securities

The rights of an indirect holder relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

21

There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

In a few special situations described below, a global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own names, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and neither we nor any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

22

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, “at the market” offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment or other option. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

23

We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

All securities we may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

Any underwriters that are qualified market makers on The Nasdaq Global Select Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP, San Francisco, California.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

24

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 000-20859):

Any information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that information in this prospectus or in a later filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or replaces such information.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of such registration statement, until we file a post-effective amendment that indicates the termination of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus and will become a part of this prospectus from the date that such documents are filed with the SEC. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

We will furnish without charge to you, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference, including exhibits to these documents. You should direct any requests for documents to Stephen Rosenfield, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Geron Corporation, 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404, telephone: (650) 473-7700.

25

           Shares of Common Stock

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase            Shares of Common Stock

Warrants to Purchase            Shares of Common Stock

Prospectus Supplement

Book-Running Managers

Stifel                  Baird

Lead Manager

Needham & Company]

                    , 2022

---

Dates Referenced Herein   and   Documents Incorporated by Reference

This ‘424B5’ Filing		Date		Other Filings
		5/10/22		4,  8-K,  DEF 14A
Filed on:		3/29/22		8-K
		3/28/22
		12/31/21		10-K,  4
		1/1/21
		11/6/20		424B5,  EFFECT
		9/4/20		8-K,  S-3
		9/1/20
		6/30/20		10-Q,  4
		3/31/20		10-Q,  4
		12/31/19		10-K,  4
		1/1/11
				List all Filings

---

15 Previous Filings that this Filing References

As Of Filer Filing For·On·As Docs:Size Issuer Filing Agent 3/22/22 Geron Corp. DEF 14A 5/10/22 1:3.5M ActiveDisclosure/FA 3/10/22 Geron Corp. 10-K 12/31/21 84:12M ActiveDisclosure/FA 2/18/22 Geron Corp. 8-K:5 2/16/22 10:184K DG3/FA 9/04/20 Geron Corp. 8-K:1,9 9/04/20 11:429K DG3/FA 8/06/20 Geron Corp. 10-Q 6/30/20 48:7.4M ActiveDisclosure/FA 6/09/20 Geron Corp. 8-K:5,9 6/05/20 2:154K DG3/FA 5/28/20 Geron Corp. 10-Q 3/31/20 48:5.8M ActiveDisclosure/FA 5/26/20 Geron Corp. 8-K:1,2,9 5/21/20 5:389K DG3/FA 5/21/20 Geron Corp. 8-K:8 5/20/20 1:14K DG3/FA 5/08/20 Geron Corp. 8-K:8 5/08/20 1:32K DG3/FA 4/14/20 Geron Corp. DEF 14A 6/05/20 1:3M ActiveDisclosure/FA 4/02/20 Geron Corp. 8-K:8,9 4/01/20 2:31K DG3/FA 3/12/20 Geron Corp. 10-K 12/31/19 84:10M ActiveDisclosure/FA 2/14/20 Geron Corp. 8-K:5 2/11/20 1:25K DG3/FA 6/13/96 Geron Corp. 8-A12G 2:9K Bowne - Palo Alto/FA

↑Top

---

Filing Submission 0001564590-22-012202   –   Alternative Formats (Word / Rich Text, HTML, Plain Text, et al.)

---

---

Copyright © 2024 Fran Finnegan & Company LLC – All Rights Reserved.
About — Privacy — Redactions — Help — Sun., Apr. 28, 7:03:03.1pm ET