---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-23-070765"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "GERN"
cik: "0000886744"
company_name: "GERON CORP"
filed_at: "2023-12-15T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-07T12:24:51.188026+00:00"
event_type: "debt"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Geron amends loan with SVB/Hercules; draws $30M tranche at reduced 9%+ rate

## Summary
- Increased fourth tranche from $10M to $30M and drew the full $30M on Dec 14, 2023.
- Outstanding principal now $80M of the $125M total term loan facility.
- Annual interest rate reduced to greater of 9.0% or (Prime Rate - 4.5% + 9.0%).
- Interest-only period extended through June 30, 2024; extendable to Dec 31, 2024 on milestone.
- Fifth tranche of $20M commitment extended to Dec 15, 2024, subject to regulatory milestone.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-23-070765
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: GERN
- cik: 0000886744
- company_name: GERON CORP
- filed_at: 2023-12-15T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: debt
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 2.03, 3.03, 5.03, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017023070765/0000950170-23-070765-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017023070765/gern-20231214.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-23-070765
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-23-070765.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-23-070765.txt

## Key facts
- Debt Financings
  GERON CORP incurred term loan of $30,000,000 with Silicon Valley Bank and Hercules Capital Inc. at the greater of: (x) 9.0%, or (y) the sum of (A) the Prime Rate (as reported in T.
  - Instrument: term loan
  - Principal: $30,000,000
  - Counterparty: Silicon Valley Bank and Hercules Capital Inc.
  - Rate: the greater of: (x) 9.0%, or (y) the sum of (A) the Prime Rate (as reported in T
  - Event: incurrence
  source text: tranches, subject to certain terms and conditions. The Amended Loan Agreement also provides that (i) the fourth tranche of the Term Loan has been increased from $10,000,000 to $30,000,000, (ii) the commitment period for the fifth tranche of the Term Loan of $20 million, which is available subject to achievement of a regulatory milestone and satisfaction of certain
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017023070765/0000950170-23-070765-index.htm
- Governance Changes
  GERON CORP: Amended and restated bylaws to reflect statutory changes under Delaware law, clarify language, incorporate SEC rule changes, enhance advance notice provisions, and reflect current public company practices (effective 2023-12-14).
  - Change: bylaw amendment
  - Effective: 2023-12-14
  source text: On December 14, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company, upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, approved the amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (as so amended and restated, the “Bylaws”), which had not been amended since 2010, to, among other things, reflect statutory changes under Delaware law, clarify and simplify language in certain provisions, incorporate rule changes from the Securities and Exchange Commission, enhance the advance notice provisions, and reflect current practices among public companies.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017023070765/0000950170-23-070765-index.htm
- Material Agreements
  GERON CORP amended Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and Hercules Capital Inc. valued at $125 million (effective 2023-12-14).
  - Action: amendment
  - Agreement: credit facility
  - Counterparty: Silicon Valley Bank and Hercules Capital Inc.
  - Value: $125 million
  - Effective: 2023-12-14
  source text: On December 14, 2023 (the “Amendment Effective Date”), Geron Corporation (“Geron” or the “Company”) amended its existing term loan facility with Silicon Valley Bank and Hercules Capital Inc. as lenders (the “Lenders”) and Hercules Capital Inc. as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders pursuant to a Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement (the “Third Amendment,” and the existing Loan and Security Agreement as amended, the “Amended Loan Agreement”) by and among the Company, the Lenders and the Agent.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017023070765/0000950170-23-070765-index.htm

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