Geron Statement Regarding European Cancer Vaccine Patents
MENLO PARK, Calif., May 09, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Geron Corporation (GERN)
today commented on a ruling from the European Patent Office (EPO) with regard to
its European patent 084139, and the issuance of a second Geron patent covering
telomerase peptides, EP1783139.
In a March 31 ruling, the EPO Technical Board of Appeal (TBA) upheld a 2006
decision by the EPO Opposition Division cancelling three of the 47 claims of EP
084139 and maintaining the other 44 claims in the patent. The cancelled claims
covered the use of telomerase peptides in vaccines for treating cancer. The
opposition was originally brought by Pharmexa A/S of Denmark, which was
developing GV1001, a telomerase peptide cancer vaccine. The rights to GV1001 were
subsequently acquired by KAEL-GemVax, which is now conducting a European Phase 3
trial combining GV1001 with other agents to treat pancreatic cancer. An earlier
Phase 3 single agent study of GV1001 in pancreatic cancer was reported to have
been halted after a preliminary analysis showed no survival benefit.
"We understood the basis for the decision of the Opposition Division in 2006 and
indicated at that time that we would file a divisional patent application to
secure equivalent claim coverage," said David J. Earp, J.D., Ph.D., Geron's chief
patent counsel and senior vice president of business development. "We have been
successful in that strategy and have been awarded a second European patent,
EP1783139. The claims in this second patent were drafted in view of the earlier
Opposition Division decision and specifically focus on telomerase peptides. The
claims of this second issued patent clearly cover commercial use of the GV1001
product. While this patent has also been opposed by KAEL-GemVax, we believe that
the issued claims are robust and should be upheld."
Geron holds worldwide exclusive patent rights for technologies enabled by the
cloning of the telomerase gene, which was accomplished by a team of Geron
scientists and Dr. Tom Cech and his colleagues at the University of Colorado. In
addition to the European patents, Geron holds rights to telomerase patents
worldwide including the U.S., Japan, Australia, South Korea and China. Geron has
two product candidates, GRNVAC1 and GRNVAC2, designed to generate immune
responses to telomerase using nucleic acids delivered to dendritic cells. Patent
claims covering these programs were upheld in the TBA decision; in addition,
these programs are also covered by patent filings that are unrelated to those
involved in the current hearings.
"We are committed to building value in our telomerase technologies through
development of our own product candidates as well as through licensing and
partnerships," continued Dr. Earp. "Securing and enforcing our core intellectual
property rights is key to all of these opportunities."
About Geron
Geron is developing first-in-class biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer
and chronic degenerative diseases. The company is advancing anti-cancer therapies
through multiple Phase 2 clinical trials in different cancers by targeting the
enzyme telomerase and with a compound designed to penetrate the blood-brain
barrier. The company is developing cell therapy products from differentiated
human embryonic stem cells for multiple indications, including central nervous
system (CNS) disorders, heart failure, diabetes and osteoarthritis, and has
initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial in spinal cord injury. For more information
about Geron, 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 telomerase and immunotherapy technologies constitute
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including,
without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of
potential products, the uncertainty and preliminary nature of clinical trial
results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need to raise additional capital,
dependence upon collaborators and protection 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 March 31, 2011. Undue reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, and,
except as required by law. Geron disclaims any obligation to update these
forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstance.
SOURCE: Geron Corporation
Geron Corporation
Anna Krassowska, Ph.D., 650-473-7765
Investor and Media Relations
info@geron.com |
