Ground Swell - Voluntary Help
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 10:27 pm
Attached below is an email I send (tried to send) to Geron Management after the 2018 crash. Posting Unedited to maintain transparency, and solicit ideas.
================================
Dear Geron Management,
First, I hope you are doing well under the circumstances. The eyes of the world, and most
importantly, the hopes of the patients lie on you. When the going gets tough, the tough get
going. Now is our time to get going.
I am A***** S***, and my eclectic professional journey seems to have been molded for
precisely such an opportunity. I have nearly 10 years of experience in product development,
nearly 10 years of experience in Oncology Drug Development (A***) supporting cross
functional product strategy teams (Clinical, Commercial, Regulatory, Manufacturing), and
nearly 5 years of executive experience in technology services industry.
From the outside (my limited perspective), Geron’s expected challenges (and potential
response) are included below. To be clear, the challenges outlined are my assumptions which
need to be validated, and are likely (not certainly) to be true:
Challenge #1: Geron needs to maximize resources and reach the next decision point
expeditiously. Recommendations: Target professionals who are very familiar with the
product & strategy and explore hiring them or bring them as consultants (assuming
limited non-compete exists). Target Janssen subcontractors or their employees if
Janssen employees are out of reach (I have experience doing this at VSolvit). Geron
needs a few generalists who have - grown teams rapidly, handled wide range of cross
functional responsibilities, and can bridge strategy with execution. Target
professionals who are very familiar with cross functional drug development, can utilize
technology effectively to magnify individual performance, and are able to think outside
the box (I have experience doing this at A*****).
Challenge #2: Grow, Nurture, and Harvest Belivers. Recommendations: Pandora (the
online music company) has an incredible story where many employees worked for years
without paycheck because they believed in the product! Let’s see if that can work @
Geron. I certainly would be willing to do that. Geron has “believers” as evidenced by
the social media. Let’s think outside the box and tap in to this social media / social
responsibility following by enlisting these resources to help with our challenges. While
$$ is a typical motivator, we can start groundswell advocacy movement ~ and explore
the unprecedented steps like open source drug development, and widely supporting
compassionate access program. Show the world that each Geron employee is a
believer and rebuild confidence. Approach the regulatory agencies armed with Data,
and a willingness to push the boundaries of traditional approval. Enlist experts and tap
in to the new regulatory acceleration pathways.
Resume Attached. I look forward to helping you in whatever capacity I can.
A***** S***.
A Geron Believer 805*** **** AS****@******.com
================================
Dear Geron Management,
First, I hope you are doing well under the circumstances. The eyes of the world, and most
importantly, the hopes of the patients lie on you. When the going gets tough, the tough get
going. Now is our time to get going.
I am A***** S***, and my eclectic professional journey seems to have been molded for
precisely such an opportunity. I have nearly 10 years of experience in product development,
nearly 10 years of experience in Oncology Drug Development (A***) supporting cross
functional product strategy teams (Clinical, Commercial, Regulatory, Manufacturing), and
nearly 5 years of executive experience in technology services industry.
From the outside (my limited perspective), Geron’s expected challenges (and potential
response) are included below. To be clear, the challenges outlined are my assumptions which
need to be validated, and are likely (not certainly) to be true:
Challenge #1: Geron needs to maximize resources and reach the next decision point
expeditiously. Recommendations: Target professionals who are very familiar with the
product & strategy and explore hiring them or bring them as consultants (assuming
limited non-compete exists). Target Janssen subcontractors or their employees if
Janssen employees are out of reach (I have experience doing this at VSolvit). Geron
needs a few generalists who have - grown teams rapidly, handled wide range of cross
functional responsibilities, and can bridge strategy with execution. Target
professionals who are very familiar with cross functional drug development, can utilize
technology effectively to magnify individual performance, and are able to think outside
the box (I have experience doing this at A*****).
Challenge #2: Grow, Nurture, and Harvest Belivers. Recommendations: Pandora (the
online music company) has an incredible story where many employees worked for years
without paycheck because they believed in the product! Let’s see if that can work @
Geron. I certainly would be willing to do that. Geron has “believers” as evidenced by
the social media. Let’s think outside the box and tap in to this social media / social
responsibility following by enlisting these resources to help with our challenges. While
$$ is a typical motivator, we can start groundswell advocacy movement ~ and explore
the unprecedented steps like open source drug development, and widely supporting
compassionate access program. Show the world that each Geron employee is a
believer and rebuild confidence. Approach the regulatory agencies armed with Data,
and a willingness to push the boundaries of traditional approval. Enlist experts and tap
in to the new regulatory acceleration pathways.
Resume Attached. I look forward to helping you in whatever capacity I can.
A***** S***.
A Geron Believer 805*** **** AS****@******.com