EU Pharma Markets (By Size)

[Hoosier Investor]

Came across this while doing a little research. Thought I'd share it as it's likely to reflect our EU roll-out plan.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/458 ... -turnover/

[kmall]

If we add the UK into the equation it's the fourth largest in "Europe" after Italy and 7th in the world at 2.4% (2022)

https://www.statista.com/statistics/245 ... l-markets/


With this in mind, I for one am beyond perplexed as to why we haven't had a PR from Geron on an application being made to the MHRA in the UK for approval, considering they were granted Innovative Passport Designation over 3yrs ago.......talk about a head scratcher. -Kmall

https://ir.geron.com/investors/press-re ... fault.aspx

[biopearl123]

Thanks for posting this. Definitely a huge market. Think the Brits would rethink Brexit if they could. As to Passport Designation, definite classic Geron football snatch.

[lausanne]

Despite the optimism that many of us have painfully shared and hoped for, the way this company and its valuation are managed seems to follow a different script. When it comes to communication or addressing the interests of retail investors, Geron management is, at best, far from exemplary.

[Hoosier Investor]

Kmall,

Good catch & addition. I had forgotten about the GB/UK market at the time of my post. Status of the UK application is a good question to ask of Investor Relations and/or Company Reps in future meeting...the 2025 shareholder meeting at the latest. I've already started my list of questions for next year's shareholder meeting.

[Zhears]

Viewing the lack of UK movement in a positive light. I am assuming that it would be part of a Buyout or ExUS deal.

The reality is more likely that the NHS has no cash and JS would be retired before NICE gets the paperwork done.

Healthcare over here is going through quite a bad time at the moment.

[Hoosier Investor]

Lausanne,

I think we all share your frustration with the stock price. We don't seem to be trading on fundamentals at this point.

We currently sit with a largely de-risked asset (and company) that has plenty of cash, is on the verge of achieving financial (EPS) break-even, and has significant revenue growth & profitability (LR-MDS alone) in front of it... not to mention the high likelihood of an additional approval in MF ($1.8B opportunity) within the next 2-3 years... with patent protections for these two indications extending to 2037/2038. Further, our company officers have publicly declared their hope/desire/belief of "no further equity sales/dilution", and they recently hinted at positive efficacy in both the IMproveMF (IMET + Ruxo) and the IMpactMF trials.

My thoughts on our recent share price (decline) are outlined below.
1) We may be losing some investors who jumped in hoping for a quick sale (buyout by Big Pharma).
2) We may be losing some investors looking for higher returns elsewhere (opportunity costs).
3) We may be losing some investors to year-end tax loss selling (perhaps some who purchased at higher mid-year prices).
4) We may be experiencing price volatility as a function of Stock Options trading & positions.

#4 has been on my mind for a while as we've closed right at the option (strike price) break point (on options expiration day) a few times over the last 6-9 months. For example, today is an options expiration day and a $3.50 closing price would seem to benefit those who sold call & put options on both sides of $3.50/share. ***Full Disclosure....I'm not an options expert, so my interpretations may not be accurate.***

I suppose a competitor (or potential acquirer) would potentially benefit from us being stuck with a lower share price. However, it doesn't seem likely (to me) that one or more of our competitors would actively try to influence (or limit) our publicly traded share price.

Other thoughts and/or experiences on the topic???

[Ryan]

Thanks for all the info, and thoughts, in this thread.

Just had to say, in re: options, that today was OpEx and the stock closed at $3.49. Every single $3.50 Call, of which there are plenty of them, end up worthless and no shares had to be supplied. Just wild.

[kmall]

To even add a little more intrigue as to the absence of an application for approval in the UK, Geron has the bulk of their Regulatory Affairs team based there (over a half dozen employees) - headed by none other than Sharon McBain (hired 2019):

https://ir.geron.com/investors/press-re ... fault.aspx


Director Of Supply Chain in the UK - Tim Tickner (hired 2022):

https://theorg.com/org/geron/org-chart/tim-tickner


And last but not least a "satellite office" incorporated in 2021 less than a month prior to announcing their Innovative Passport Designation by the UK MHRA:

https://find-and-update.company-informa ... y/13650601


In true Geron fashion......more questions than answers. -Kmall

[Zhears]

For the UK, the office is only the address of the accountant, it's not a Geron office. Its just somewhere to send the post.

However, if you want a bit more detail you can always have a look here.
https://find-and-update.company-informa ... ng-history

[jayfish101]

Great job, Kmall and others. Good to know of a UK presence.

[kmall]

Zhears - hence the quotations around "satellite office".....yes, well aware that Oakwood Corporate Secretary Limited (the actual company residence for that address) is a management/filing agency for thousands of corporations - Geron being only one of many.......to date I believe around 3,195 -Kmall

https://find-and-update.company-informa ... pointments