(BW)(GERON-2)(GERN) PNAS Reports Derivation of Human Pluripotent Stem
Cells From Cultured Primordial Germ Cells; Geron Holds Worldwide
License to Discovery by Johns Hopkins Scientists
Business Editors/Health and Medical Writers
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 5, 1998--Human
pluripotent stem cells -- cells with the demonstrated ability to
differentiate in vitro into all three embryonic germ layers -- have
been successfully derived in culture by scientists at the Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine, according to a paper to be
published in the November 10 issue of Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.
The research was led by John D. Gearhart, Ph.D. at the Johns
Hopkins School of Medicine. The research was funded by and is licensed
to Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN).
"The potential of these unique, versatile cells for human
biologic studies and medicine is enormous," said John Gearhart, Ph.D.,
a professor of obstetrics/gynecology and of physiology who led the
research team. "These cells will rapidly let us study human processes
in a way we couldn't before. Instead of having to rely on mice or
other substitutes for human tissues, we'll have a unique resource
that we can start applying to medicine."
In the Hopkins research, scientists isolated primordial germ
cells (PGCs), cells that would form eggs and sperm, from human fetal
tissue. The PGCs were cultured on feeder layers and in media
containing nutrients and specific growth factors. After successive
passages in culture, PGCs developed into pluripotent stem cells --
cells having certain characteristics including identifiable surface
markers, normal chromosome structure, the ability to replicate and
the capability to differentiate into cells representing the three germ
layers -- endoderm (gut epithelium), mesoderm (striated muscle) and
ectoderm (neural epithelium).
"This achievement is one of two key advances reported this week,"
reported Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron's vice president of
research and development. "Geron has sponsored and licensed the work
of both independent academic efforts. With these collaborators, the
company has pursued the derivation of human pluripotent stem cells
via two different strategies: human embryonic stem (hES) cells derived
from donated in vitro fertilized blastocysts and human embryonic germ
(hEG) cells derived by a different process from human fetal tissue.
Both approaches have now resulted in the successful derivation of
pluripotent stem cells. We anticipate that both hES and hEG cells
will have potential utility as we pursue multiple applications in
transplantation medicine, developmental biology and pharmaceutical
research and development."
The University of Wisconsin-Madison achievement of deriving hES
cells is reported in the November 6 issue of Science. The Johns
Hopkins derivation of hEG cells is reported in the November 10 issue
of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"At this point, the discoveries reported by Dr. Thomson at the
University of Wisconsin and Dr. Gearhart at Johns Hopkins are
complementary technologies," added David L. Greenwood, Geron's chief
financial officer and vice president corporate development. "Both
licenses are in place. Our strategic objective is to establish and
maintain leadership in the field."
Geron Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on
discovering and developing therapeutic and diagnostic products based
upon the company's understanding of human embryonic stem cells, and
of telomeres and telomerase in cells -- fundamental biological
platforms underlying cancer and other age-related degenerative
diseases.
The company desires to take advantage of the "safe harbor"
provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Specifically, the company wishes to alert readers that the matters
discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements
that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results
may differ materially from the results anticipated in these
forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential
factors that could affect the company's results are included in the
company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 1998. |
