To: Jane4IceCream who wrote (8674 ) 11/5/1998 6:39:00 PM From: NASDBULL Respond to of 119973
Here is an excerpt from the GERON special report!!geron.com NASDBULL Business Issues Q. How is Geron involved in this breakthrough? A. We have funded Dr. Thomson's research for three years and collaborated with his lab on the characterization of the hES cells he derived. Geron also has a worlwide license to this discovery. Q. What evidence is there to support that there will be any viable commercial uses based on this discovery? A. Several of the proposed hES cell-based therapeutic applications have already been demonstrated in mice with murine ES cells. Geron believes it is likely that these technologies will be transferable with appropriate modifications. We believe that results achieved in animals potentially can be extended and developed into viable therapeutic strategies for humans. Furthermore, there are commercial applications of hES technology that could be reduced to practice before the cells become available for tissue transplantation. We expect to collaborate with one or more genomics companies to identify novel genes that could be used to generate therapeutic proteins to help regenerate tissue in such conditions as spinal cord injury, stroke, or heart attacks. Also, cells derived from hES cells may also be commercialized as a technology for use in drug screening, drug target identification or even identifying teratogens (drugs that cause fetal abnormalities) and therefore make the pharmaceutical research and development process more efficient. Q. What will Geron's sustainable advantage be in competing with other stem cell companies? A. Human embryonic stem cell technology fits in extremely well with Geron's telomere and telomerase technology platform. Geron and its collaborators have cloned the telomerase enzyme and demonstrated its utility in immortalizing cells for potential therapeutic applications. Telomerase gene transfer technology, being developed by Geron, could be important for the development of compatible, transplantable tissues derived from hES cells that result in durable, long lasting grafts. Further, hES cells are the earliest, most upstream pluripotential stem cells and the only human stem cell thus far shown to self-renew in the undifferentiated state. These characteristics provide unique capabilities to these cells which, we believe, will likely translate into technical and commercial competitive advantages. Q. What about differentiated stem cells: are there issued or pending patents on these later-stage cells by other companies or institutions? A. There are issued patents and pending patent applications on later stage differentiated stem cells and non-primate embryonic stem cells held by other companies or institutions. It is possible that Geron may determine it advantageous to negotiate a license certain of these technologies. However, the human embryonic stem cell occurs developmentally upstream from all other stem cells and a broad claim covering these cells has already been allowed by the US patent office. Importantly, we will also attempt to patent genetically engineered downstream cells derived from hES cells. Geron will continue to aggressively pursue worldwide protection for this technology and subsequent related inventions. Q. What about growth and differentiation factors: does Geron need to license this technology? A. Geron may need to in-license certain technologies to enable the development of the full therapeutic potential of hES cells, including certain vector technologies, genetic differentiation technologies, and growth factors. We will attempt to accomplish this via licensing agreements and other forms of partnerships. Q. Isn't there a business risk that work in this field will someday be prohibited by the government? A. Geron Corporation believes that the potential benefits to medicine we have described are enormously important. Geron, and the scientific and medical communities, generally support appropriate scientific and ethical guidelines for conducting research in the field. All product applications will, as is the case for all new therapeutics, be carefully evaluated by the FDA. We anticipate that follow-on research and development from breakthrough discoveries in science such as hES cells will continue to be encouraged. Q. Why should any one company be permitted to own the rights to something as potentially important and valuable as the hES cell? A. hES cells that exist outside the body in culture are derived by a specific and novel laboratory process, and do not exist in nature, so are therefore patentable. Geron will continue to invest in product development based on this discovery. Academic researchers will also work with the cells to develop other potential therapeutic uses for them. Ethical/Social Issues Q. Is it possible that using ES cells will eliminate or reduce the need to rely on controversial methods of research? A. hES cells are expected to provide an immediate source of material for the development of cells and tissues for application in transplantation therapies. As such, hES cells could help relieve the need to continually resource primary human fetal-derived tissues. Q. Who should control and regulate the use of this technology? A. The US Food and Drug Administration is the appropriate regulatory body to supervise the clinical testing of all therapeutic products derived from hES cell technology. 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. Contact:: Geron Corporation David Greenwood Chief Financial Officer 650/473-7700 Media Inquiries CLM Communications Carole Melis or Mike Jackman 650/342-5686 Investor Inquiries Burns McClellan Lisa Burns or John Nugent 212/213-0006 Note to Editors: To receive a copy of this paper, contact Science's News and Information office at (202) 326-6440. Further information on this announcement and Geron Corporation can be obtained at geron.com .