Geron Receives U.S. Patent for Its Leading Telomerase Inhibitor Drugs
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 2003--Geron
Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) announced today that it has been granted
U.S. Patent No. 6,608,036 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The
patent includes 19 claims drawn to oligonucleotides that are targeted
to the RNA component of human telomerase and have thiophosphoramidate
linkages. Geron is currently conducting pre-clinical testing for this
class of compounds, which includes its lead compounds, GRN163 and
GRN719.
"The patent claims cover the oligonucleotide drugs as well as
methods of using them to inhibit growth of cancer cells in patients,"
noted David J. Earp, J.D., Ph.D., Geron's vice president of
intellectual property. "It will provide patent coverage for these
compounds through 2020, subject to any available extension."
Geron recently reported progress in the pre-clinical testing of
these oligonucleotide drugs, including GRN163, which act by inhibiting
the telomerase enzyme, in the July 2003 issue of Cancer Research and
at the 2003 Annual Meeting for the Association for Cancer Research
held in Washington D.C.
Worldwide, Geron currently owns or has licensed over 200 patents
and patent applications relating to telomerase.
Geron is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, and
commercializing therapeutic and diagnostic products for applications
in oncology and regenerative medicine, and research tools for drug
discovery. Geron's product development programs are based upon three
patented core technologies: telomerase, human embryonic stem cells and
nuclear transfer.
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 future
applications of Geron Corporation's technology constitute
forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties,
including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and
commercialization of potential products, need for additional capital,
need for regulatory approvals or clearances, and the 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 June 30, 2003.
--30--WG/sf*
CONTACT: Geron Corporation
David L. Greenwood, 650-473-7765
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
SOURCE: Geron Corporation
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Aug-19-2003 11:30 GMT
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