Geron Presents Data On HIV/AIDS Drug Candidate at the XVI International AIDS Conference
August 21, 2006 07:30:29 (ET)
MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug 21, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Geron Corporation (GERN, Trade) announced today the presentation of new data supporting the development of TAT0002, a small molecule telomerase activator for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto.
The data, which were presented by Calvin Harley, Ph.D., Geron's chief scientific officer, and co-authored by collaborating scientists at the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, confirm and extend earlier findings that TAT0002 enhances the function of key immune cells from HIV/AIDS donors. The results show that TAT0002 stimulates RANTES, MIP1-alpha and MIP1-beta, molecules that attract other immune cells to assist in the anti-viral response.
As in previous functional studies, the activity of TAT0002 was blocked by co-treatment with a potent and specific telomerase inhibitor, suggesting that TAT0002 works through telomerase activation. TAT0002 was previously shown to stimulate the production of IFN-gamma -- a molecule involved in the anti-viral response of cytotoxic CD8 T-cells specific for the HIV-1 AIDS virus -- and to enhance the ability of the CD8 cells to proliferate and kill HIV-1-infected CD4 cells.
Dr. Harley also presented data showing that TAT0002 is orally bioavailable in animals. These studies, in conjunction with pilot toxicology results, suggest that therapeutic blood levels of TAT0002 can be achieved with safe, oral doses of TAT0002.
"The new studies demonstrate that our orally available telomerase activator drug broadly reactivates anti-HIV immunity in AIDS patients' lymphocytes," said Thomas Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron's president and chief executive officer. "The lymphocytes are the primary mechanism for containing HIV infection early in the course of the disease. Over time, telomere loss in these cells results in the gradual decline of their anti-HIV function, leading to clinical disease progression. Our hope is to use TAT0002 to prevent this immune decline and thereby prevent HIV progression."
TAT0002 is being developed at TA Therapeutics Ltd., a joint venture between Geron Corporation and the Biotechnology Research Corporation, a company established by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). For more information on HKUST, visit www.ust.hk.
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