Press release
Geron Announces Appointment of Chief Business Officer
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and
About this update from Geron Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":" FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nGeron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of treatments for hematologic malignancies, today announced the appointment of Edward Koval as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer.\n\n“Ed Koval’s business development expertise, extensive industry network and successful track record in corporate deal-making further strengthens our executive team,” said John A. Scarlett, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “With top-line results from our IMerge Phase 3 trial in lower risk MDS expected 13 months from now, and an interim analysis of our ongoing IMpactMF Phase 3 trial in refractory myelofibrosis expected in 2024, Ed will be a key member of our executive management as we explore multiple strategies to build and accrete value in both our imetelstat and telomerase inhibitor franchises.”\n\n“Geron’s application of telomerase inhibition to treat hematologic malignancies and the disease modification potential of imetelstat stands apart from other approaches in use or in development today,” said Edward Koval, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer. “I am excited to be joining this exceptional executive team and look forward to contributing to Geron becoming a leader in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, and to maximizing the value of imetelstat for patients, physicians and shareholders.”\n\nIn his role at Geron, Mr. Koval will be a member of the Company’s Executive Management Committee and report to Dr. Scarlett. Mr. Koval will be responsible for business development, including evaluation and execution of out-licensing, in-licensing and strategic transaction opportunities. In connection with Mr. Koval’s appointment as Chief Business Officer, Melissa Kelly Behrs has been appointed Executive Vice President, Business Operations, and Chief Alliance Officer, and will continue to serve on the Executive Management Committee and report to Dr. Scarlett.\n\nMr. Koval brings more than 25 years of biotech and pharmaceutical experience in business development and both in-licensing and out-licensing of products and platform technologies. Prior to joining Geron, Mr. Koval was the Chief Business Officer of ZebiAI Therapeutics, a company spun out of X-Chem Pharmaceuticals in order to discover and deve...