leviek
It's not Geron that is considered here Sarg, it's Geron's stockholders.
Geron can do anything they want with JNJ but it's the stockholders that have to approve. Geron obviously reviews the data.
JNJ cannot bypass stockholders and work out a deal with Scarlett. That's not how its done. Before everything is out on the table there would be an uproar, and many class action lawsuits if JNJ and Geron colluded to make a deal.
It doesn't matter. Shareholders have to vote for any merger and there's very little shareholders can know at this time to make a rational decision.
If, after a positive continuation decision is made, and all information is known about the trials, JNJ can then make a case to Geron's stockholders that it is in their best interest to merge with JNJ. They'd better come up with a good reason, other than price. Scarlett would also have to convince shareholders that just taking the milestones and future royalties is not as beneficial in the long run.
There's been a lot of talk about something that is highly unlikely to happen any time soon. First things first!
