---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-22-018252"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "GERN"
cik: "0000886744"
company_name: "GERON CORP"
filed_at: "2022-09-08T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-23T13:26:04.877402+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.3
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Geron appoints John F. McDonald to Board of Directors

## Summary
- John F. McDonald appointed as Class I director, term expiring at 2024 annual meeting.
- McDonald is Corporate VP, Global R&D Business Development at Novo Nordisk; previously VP at Biogen.
- Received initial option grant for 200,000 shares at $2.72/share, vesting over 3 years.
- Eligible for annual option grants of 125,000 shares and $42,500 cash retainer.
- Board determined McDonald is independent under Nasdaq and SEC rules.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-22-018252
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: GERN
- cik: 0000886744
- company_name: GERON CORP
- filed_at: 2022-09-08T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.3
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017022018252/0000950170-22-018252-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017022018252/gern-20220907.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-22-018252
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-22-018252.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-22-018252.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  John F. McDonald was appointed as Director at GERON CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: appointed John F. McDonald to the Board, effective immediately, as a Class I Board member
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017022018252/0000950170-22-018252-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.