Geron Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent for Cardiomyocytes From Human Embryonic
Stem Cells
MENLO PARK, Calif., Sep 16, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Geron Corporation (GERN)
today announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,425,448, with broad claims to
cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The patent runs
until at least April 2025 (subject to any patent term extension that may be
available). Geron's GRNCM1 program is developing hESC-derived cardiomyocytes for
the treatment of heart disease.
"This patent provides broad coverage of hESC-derived cardiomyocytes for cell
therapy and drug screening applications," said David J. Earp, J.D., Ph.D.,
Geron's senior vice president of business development and chief patent counsel.
"The addition of this patent to our robust portfolio of Geron-owned and
exclusively licensed intellectual property covering embryonic stem cells,
technologies for scalable production of pluripotent stem cells, and methods for
their differentiation will further strengthen and extend our proprietary
position."
"GRNCM1 has potential to address a global unmet medical need for better
treatments of heart disease. Evidence from preclinical studies for the utility of
Geron's hESC-derived cardiomyocytes was published last year in collaboration with
researchers at the University of Washington," said Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D.,
Geron's president and chief executive officer. "The scalable production methods
described in that publication have enabled Geron to initiate studies of GRNCM1 in
large animal models in preparation for an IND. We are also exploring the
potential to use these functional human cardiomyocytes in various drug discovery
applications, as a tool enabling the development of safer and more effective
drugs."
Geron's portfolio of owned and in-licensed patents relating to pluripotent stem
cells includes over 35 patents issued in the U.S., more than 70 issued in other
countries and over 200 applications pending worldwide. Geron holds the exclusive
right under the fundamental hESC patents assigned to the Wisconsin Alumni
Research Foundation, upheld in recent re-examinations, to develop and
commercialize hESC-derived cardiomyocytes, pancreatic islet cells and neural
cells for therapeutic applications.
Geron is a biopharmaceutical company that is developing first-in-class
therapeutic products for the treatment of cancer and chronic degenerative
diseases, including spinal cord injury, heart failure and diabetes. The products
are based on our core expertise in telomerase and human embryonic stem cells. For
more information, visit geron.com.
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 statements in this press release regarding potential
applications of Geron's human embryonic stem cell technology constitute
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including,
without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of
potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals
or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon 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 June
30, 2008.
SOURCE: Geron Corporation
Geron Corporation
Anna Krassowska, 650-473-7765
Investor and Media Relations
info@geron.com |
