Geron Licenses Nuclear Transfer Technology to Revivicor, Inc.
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2004--Geron
Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) announced today that it has entered into two
non-exclusive license agreements with Revivicor, Inc., under which
Revivicor is granted rights to use Geron's nuclear transfer technology
for animal cloning. The first license grants Revivicor the right to
use the technology to produce animal organs and tissues for
xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantion, which involves the use of
animal organs and tissues for transplant into humans, offers the
potential to address critical shortages of donated human tissues and
fulfill currently unmet clinical needs. The second license grants
Revivicor the right to use the technology to produce human proteins
from the blood of animals for pharmaceutical uses, such as polyclonal
antibodies for vaccine use.
In consideration for the licenses, Geron will receive an equity
interest in Revivicor. Geron will also receive a royalty on
Revivicor's future revenues.
Revivicor, Inc., a development-stage biotechnology company with
facilities in Virginia and Pennsylvania, is working to produce
genetically modified pigs from which cells, tissues and organs can be
used for transplantation into humans. The genetic modifications are
designed to reduce or eliminate transplant rejection problems.
Revivicor is currently studying transgenic pigs in which both copies
of a key transplant rejection gene -- the alpha 1,3 gal gene -- have
been knocked out. It will now apply Geron's nuclear transfer
technology to produce second generation animals having other genetic
modifications that are aimed at further reducing the risk of
transplant rejection. Revivicor has already commenced pre-clinical
trials to test the use of xenograft hearts, kidneys and islets, in
collaboration with its partners at the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center and the London Health Sciences Center in Canada. In
addition, Revivicor will use the nuclear transfer technology to
produce fully-human polyclonal antibodies in the blood of genetically
modified pigs. These antibodies may be used for the treatment of
infectious agents, including antibiotic resistant bacteria, viruses,
potential biowarfare pathogens, and for clearance of toxins.
"These licenses represent an important milestone in the
implementation of Revivicor's business strategy," said Dr. David
Ayares, Ph.D., Revivicor's chief executive officer. "The combination
of Geron's cloning technology and Revivicor's expertise in producing
genetically modified animals in the xenotransplant area will enable us
to more rapidly develop organs and tissues useful for transplant
treatments for the cure of intractable human diseases, such as islets
for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes. In addition, the license to
Geron's nuclear transfer technology for the expression of human
proteins in animal blood will permit Revivicor to develop therapies
against a variety of infectious diseases that currently have no
effective treatment."
"Geron has granted a number of licenses for this technology to
companies that are positioned to be leaders in their fields," stated
David J. Earp, Ph.D., J.D., Geron's chief patent counsel and senior
vice president of business development. "We are pleased that these
licenses to our technology will help enable Revivicor's product
development and commercialization plans."
Geron is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and
commercializing therapeutic and diagnostic products for cancer based
on its telomerase technology, and cell-based therapeutics using its
human embryonic stem cell technology.
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's nuclear transfer technology constitute
forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties,
including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and
commercialization of potential products, reliance on collaborators,
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 September 30, 2004.
--30--AD/sf*
CONTACT: Geron Corporation
David L. Greenwood, 650-473-7765
or
Revivicor, Inc.
David Ayares, 540-941-5559
www.revivicor.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY MEDICAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT
SOURCE: Geron Corporation
Copyright Business Wire 2004
Nov-16-2004 12:30 GMT
Symbols:
US;GERN |
