Geron Corporation in Board changes; CEO John A. Scarlett takes over as Board Chariman after Chairman Huh resigns

Geron Corporation on Monday said that its Chairman of the board Dr. Hoyoung Huh has resigned from the Board, his roles as Chairman of the Board and as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, noting personal reasons.Dr. Huh has served as Chairman of the Board since September 2011, and as a member of the Board since May 2010. Dr. Huh’s resignation is not due to any disagreement on matters relating to the Company’s future prospects, operations, policies or practices, the company said.

“Although I am resigning as a board member from all my public companies, including Geron, to pursue several personal objectives, I am optimistic about imetelstat’s promising future in hematologic myeloid malignancies as it moves into Phase 3 clinical development and potential commercialization,” said Dr. Huh.  The company said it will begin the Phase 3 portion of its IMerge clinical trial in lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes by mid-year 2019.

John A. Scarlett, Geron’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very grateful to Hoyoung for his long service to Geron’s Board, where he has provided insightful strategic leadership, as well as strong support for the Company’s programs and development initiatives.” 

Geron said in the press release that, effective December 27, 2018, the Board has appointed John A. Scarlett, M.D., to serve as Chairman of the Board, in addition to his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Also effective December 27, 2018, the Board has appointed Karin Eastham, who has served on Geron’s Board since 2009, to serve as Lead Independent Director for the Board. Ms. Eastham will also retain her roles as Chairperson of the Company’s Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee. As Lead Independent Director, Ms. Eastham will provide active leadership on behalf of the independent directors of the Board.