Geron Announces UK Authorization For Stem Cell Derivation
Menlo Park, CA – June 11, 2003–– Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) today announced that the Human Fertilization & Embryology Authority (HFEA) of the United Kingdom has authorized the Roslin Institute to derive new human embryonic stem cells (hES cells) from donated excess embryos created as a result of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The Institute’s research, funded by and conducted in collaboration with Geron, seeks to establish new hES cell lines as well as to improve the technology to produce and maintain hES cells in culture. The new hES cells lines will be used in research.
The HFEA is charged with licensing and monitoring IVF procedures, donor insemination and human embryo research in the UK. Any derivation of human embryonic stem cells in the UK requires a license from the HFEA. Before granting a license, the HFEA considers the scientific, ethical, and medical aspects of the project.
"We are pleased that the HFEA has granted a license to enable this important research," said Jane S. Lebkowski, Ph.D., Geron’s vice president of regenerative medicine. "The additional hES cell lines that we expect to derive at Roslin will expand our current resource of six hES cell lines, and increase the genetic diversity of the cell lines we can use for research. We also expect this work to continue our progress in making the derivation and culture of hES cells more efficient."
Human embryonic stem cells are unique cells that can develop into all cells and tissues in the body. Geron is developing hES cell–based approaches to treating spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, diabetes, and other diseases. Geron has built an international portfolio of patent applications covering technologies it has developed to enable the scalable growth and differentiation of hES cells, as well as various differentiated cell types that can be produced from hES cells. In addition to the patents it owns, Geron holds licenses under U.S. Patent Nos. 5,843,780 and 6,200,806, including exclusive rights to develop and commercialize neural, cardiomyocyte and islet cells derived from hES cells for therapeutic applications.
Geron is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapeutic and diagnostic products for applications in oncology and regenerative medicine, and research tools for drug discovery. Geron’s product development programs are based upon three patented core technologies: telomerase, human embryonic stem cells and nuclear transfer.
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 such forward–looking statements in this press release regarding future applications of Geron’s technology constitute statements involving risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, regulatory approvals and clearances, and the 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 March 31, 2003.
Contact: Geron Corporation David L. Greenwood Chief Financial Officer Tel: 650–473–7765
