News Release

Results of collaborative research to be shared at 2009 World Stem Cell Summit

CORNING, N.Y. & MENLO PARK, Calif., September 21, 2009 - Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) and Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) today announced the successful development of novel synthetic surface matrices demonstrated to enhance and support the scalable manufacturing and growth of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

Through its ongoing collaboration with Geron, Corning has developed a synthetic surface that supports the growth and differentiation of hESCs in a defined (animal-free) medium. Data presented today at the World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore, Md., will show multi-passage growth of multiple undifferentiated hESC lines and the subsequent differentiation of one of these cell lines into cardiomyocytes. The growth and differentiation of hESCs on this surface is robust and reproducible, an important condition for the large-scale production of cells and therapeutic development. Data will specifically be presented in a poster titled, "Synthetic Peptide-Acrylate Surfaces for Long-Term Self-Renewal and Cardiomyocyte Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Defined Medium."

"We are excited to share the results our research with Geron has generated with the scientific community," said Dr. Jeff Mooney, director of commercial technology for Corning Life Sciences. "This collaboration is an example of our commitment to bringing Corning's unique expertise in materials and surfaces to enhance cell growth and deliver critical products to the life sciences industry."

Since 2006, Corning has worked with Geron to develop synthetic surface matrices to support the scalable manufacturing of hESCs and differentiated cell types derived from them. Synthetic growth surfaces could replace the biological surface coatings that are widely used today to grow and differentiate pluripotent stem cells and may offer increased reproducibility, cost savings, and regulatory advantages.

"We are pleased with the achievements to date of our collaborative efforts with Corning," said Dr. Jane S. Lebkowski, Geron's senior vice president and chief scientific officer for regenerative medicine. "Together our teams have developed a synthetic surface that can be manufactured into multiple culture vessel formats and directly supports the growth and differentiation of hESCs. Geron scientists have previously established techniques for feeder-free growth of hESCs and this is the important next step for scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of therapies for degenerative diseases from hESCs."

Laboratory products using specialized surfaces resulting from this collaboration will be commercialized by Corning subject to certain commercial use restrictions. Geron will receive a royalty on future product sales and has exclusive rights to use the surfaces in the manufacturing of certain therapeutic products. Through this collaboration, a platform of surfaces is in development to support the needs of stem cell researchers worldwide in their efforts to grow specific cells in quantities desired for research purposes.

Corning Life Sciences brings new and innovative laboratory technologies to researchers worldwide and helps customers succeed by providing innovative, high-quality products and services in the areas of polymer science, biochemistry and molecular biology, glass melting and forming, surface modification, and characterization science.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 150 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. Our products include glass substrates for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems; optical fiber, cable, hardware & equipment for telecommunications networks; optical biosensors for drug discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass solutions for a number of industries including semiconductor, aerospace, defense, astronomy and metrology.

About Geron

Geron is developing first-in-class biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer and chronic degenerative diseases, including spinal cord injury, heart failure and diabetes. The company is advancing an anti-cancer drug and a cancer vaccine that target the enzyme telomerase through multiple clinical trials in different cancers. For more information about Geron, visit www.geron.com.

Corning Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which are based on current expectations and assumptions about Corning's financial results and business operations, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include: the effect of global political, economic and business conditions; conditions in the financial and credit markets; currency fluctuations; tax rates; product demand and industry capacity; competition; reliance on a concentrated customer base; manufacturing efficiencies; cost reductions; availability of critical components and materials; new product commercialization; pricing fluctuations and changes in the mix of sales between premium and non-premium products; new plant start-up or restructuring costs; possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity, armed conflict, political instability or major health concerns; adequacy of insurance; equity company activities; acquisition and divestiture activities; the level of excess or obsolete inventory; the rate of technology change; the ability to enforce patents; product and components performance issues; stock price fluctuations; and adverse litigation or regulatory developments. These and other risk factors are detailed in Corning's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day that they are made, and Corning undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

Geron Safe Harbor

This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the "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 Geron's 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, 2009.

CONTACTS:

Corning Media Relations Contacts

Dana D. Moss
607-974-7860
mossdd@corning.com

Lisa A. Burns
607-974-4897
burnsla@corning.com

Corning Investor Relations Contact

Kenneth C. Sofio
607-974-7705
sofiokc@corning.com

Geron Investor and Media Relations Contact:

Anna Krassowska, Ph.D.
650-473-7765
info@geron.com