Geron Signs Agreement with Synteni
MENLO PARK, CALIF. (July 28) BW HEALTHWIRE -July 28, 1997--Geron
Corporation (NASDAQ:GERN) announced today that the company has entered
into an agreement with Synteni, Inc. to utilize Synteni's Gene
Expression Micro-Array (GEM(TM)) technology in Geron's drug discovery
programs targeting age-related disorders.
Synteni will fabricate custom GEMs using gene tags provided by Geron.
These GEMs will be used to measure gene expression patterns in a number
of clinically relevant populations of senescent cells.
"Synteni is a leader in array technology. The information we gain will
accelerate our identification of genes and gene products differentially
expressed in senescent cells," said Ronald W. Eastman, Geron's chief
executive officer. "Normal cells become senescent with the telomere
shortening that accompanies cell division. Senescent cells have a
pattern of gene expression that differs significantly from young cells
and plays a causal role in numerous age-related diseases."
According to Calvin B. Harley, Geron's chief scientific officer, "Our
work has indicated that various age-related skin conditions such as
wrinkles, skin atrophy and fragility are directly associated with the
genes differentially expressed with age in fibroblasts. We will use
Synteni's technology to extend the work done to date by Geron in
identifying expression patterns in senescent cell lines, particularly
in skin fibroblasts where we have already identified over a hundred
differentially expressed genes or gene products. We expect this
collaboration to lead to the identification of targets for reversing or
modifying the gene expression of senescent cells which we believe, in
skin and other tissues, is a causal factor in age-related disorders."
Geron Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering
and developing therapeutic and diagnostic products based upon the
company's understanding of telomeres and telomerase, fundamental
biological mechanisms underlying cancer and other age-related diseases.
Synteni is a genomics company commercializing DNA micro-array
technology. Synteni's GEM technique accurately and efficiently
determines the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously
using arrays of microscopic cDNA elements, micro-volume hybridizations,
and two-color fluorescent hybridization detection. Over twenty
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are currently using
Synteni's GEM technology in their drug discovery programs. -0-
Note to Editors: This release moved over Business Wire July 28, 1997
This press release may contain forward-looking statements which are
subject to change. Actual results may differ materially from those
described in any forward-looking statements. Additional information on
potential factors that could affect the company's results are included
in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1997.
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CONTACT: Geron Corporation
David Greenwood, 415/473-7700 (Chief Financial Officer)
or
StratiPoint Group, Inc.
Mike Jackman, 415/388-3216
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