(BSNS WIRE) Geron Announces Commercial Launch of Telomerase-Immortalized
Geron Announces Commercial Launch of Telomerase-Immortalized Cell Line
Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 8, 1999--Geron
Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) and Clontech Laboratories, Inc. announced
today the launch of the hTERT-RPE1 Cell Line, a human retinal pigment
epithelial (RPE) cell line that stably expresses human telomerase
reverse transcriptase (hTERT).
The hTERT-RPE1 Cell Line is the first cell type to be offered as
part of the new Infinity(TM) Telomerase-Immortalized Cell Line product
family available from Clontech Laboratories, Inc., under a product
marketing agreement with Geron.
Telomerase is an enzyme shown by Geron to confer unlimited
replicative capacity to normal cells without causing deregulation of
normal growth control (Bodnar, et al 1998, Science 279:349-352; Jiang,
et al 1999, Nature Genetics 21:111-114; Morales, et al 1999, Nature
Genetics 21:115-118). Telomerase-immortalized normal human cell lines
provide significant advantages over primary cells and cells
transformed with oncogenes that are routinely used in cell-based
research.
Normal primary cells have a finite lifespan in culture which has
limited their use in research applications. Cells that have been
transformed with oncogenes exhibit abnormal gene expression and
impaired metabolism which confound the study of various biological
mechanisms and limit their effectiveness for drug screening and
testing.
In contrast, telomerase-immortalized human cells provide stable,
uniform cell populations for functional cell-based assays and
long-term gene expression studies. Moreover, these immortalized cells
can undergo repeated rounds of genetic engineering, thus enhancing
their potential utility in biological studies, cell-based drug
screens, and drug toxicity testing, as well as cell and gene therapy
applications.
"Telomerase-immortalized normal human cell lines are a
significant step forward for cell-based research in the pharmaceutical
industry and provide an attractive replacement for primary and
transformed cell lines. Through our alliance with Clontech, we plan to
expand the family of Infinity(TM) Cell Lines over the coming months,"
said Melissa A. Kelly, Geron's director of corporate development.
Geron Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on
discovering, developing and commercializing therapeutic and diagnostic
products to treat cancer and other age-related chronic degenerative
diseases. Geron's technology platform includes the discovery of small
molecule inhibitors of telomerase for cancer therapy; telomere and
telomerase-based research and diagnostic tools; telomerase activation
to extend the replicative lifespan of normal cells; and complementary
stem cell, gene therapy and nuclear transfer approaches to restore the
function of degenerating organs.
Clontech Laboratories, Inc., a Becton Dickinson company,
develops, manufactures, and markets products for life science
research. With over 1,500 products, the company has assembled one of
the broadest portfolios of molecular biology research tools in the
industry. The company's products facilitate research analysis in the
areas of gene identification, gene expression analysis, functional
analysis, and target validation. To order the hTERT-RPE1 Cell Line,
please call Clontech at 800/662-2566 (CLON) or 650/424-8222. For
additional information, visit Clontech's Web site at
clontech.com.
Geron desires to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provision of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically,
the company wishes to alert readers that the matters discussed in this
press release may constitute forward-looking statements that are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ
materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements. Additional information on potential factors that could
affect the company's results is included in the company's quarterly
report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.
To receive an index and copies of recent press releases, call
Geron's News On Demand toll-free fax service, 800/782-3279. Additional
information about Geron Corporation can be obtained at
geron.com.
--30--pw/sf*
CONTACT: Geron Corporation
Nancy Robinson, 650/473-7700 (Media/Investors)
or
Burns McClellan
John Nugent, 212/213-0006 (Investors)
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT
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