Geron Announces Publication of Studies Demonstrating Hematopoietic Stem Cells Differentiated From Human Embryonic Stem Cells Engraft and Establish Hematopoiesis in Animals
Tuesday May 10, 7:30 am ET
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2005--Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN - News) announced today the publication of studies demonstrating that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can establish hematopoiesis in mouse models, leading to production of all major human blood cell types. These results document the potential of differentiated hESCs to survive and establish functional tissue in vivo and have positive implications for strategies to promote therapeutic graft acceptance without use of long-term immunosuppression.
Dr. Mickie Bhatia and his colleagues from the Krembil Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Robarts Research Institute in London, Ontario, Canada have now published studies in the May issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine showing that hESCs can be differentiated into HSCs, the cells which produce all of the cellular components of blood. When transplanted into immune deficient mice, the hESC-derived HSCs survive and establish multi-lineage hematopoiesis-producing human lymphocytes, red blood cells, and myeloid cells. These studies were sponsored in part by Geron Corporation.
"This work provides strong evidence that functional hematopoietic stem cells can be derived from human embryonic stem cells," stated Jane S. Lebkowski, Ph.D., Geron's senior vice president of regenerative medicine. "Dr. Bhatia's studies have also elucidated several key differences between hematopoietic stem cell populations derived from human embryonic stem cells versus cord blood, providing a series of benchmarks to enable the optimized production of hESC-derived hematopoietic cells."
The successful establishment of hematopoiesis in vivo by hESC-derived HSCs has a positive implication for inducing acceptance of therapeutic grafts without need for long-term immunosuppression. Employing the principles of hematopoietic chimerism, hESC-derived HSCs and the therapeutic cells would be differentiated from the same hESC line. Administration of the hESC-derived HSCs may allow "education" of the recipient's immune system to accept the therapeutic graft without rejection.
"We are particularly excited by the developments described in this publication, especially considering the difficulties scientists have had in the past establishing hematopoietic engraftment from mouse embryonic stem cells," stated Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron's president and chief executive officer. "We are continuing to develop hematopoietic chimerism approaches as one means to limit the need for long-term immunosuppression for human embryonic stem cell-derived grafts."
Geron is a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing three groups of products: i) therapeutic products for oncology that target telomerase; ii) pharmaceuticals that activate telomerase in tissues impacted by senescence, injury or degenerative disease; and iii) cell-based therapies derived from its human embryonic stem cell platform for applications in multiple chronic diseases.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements in this press release regarding potential applications of Geron's technologies constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, need for future capital, reliance on collaborators, and maintenance of our intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Geron's periodic reports, including the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
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Contact:
Geron Corporation
David L. Greenwood, 650-473-7765
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Source: Geron Corporation |
