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EXHIBIT 99.1
FIRST DERIVATION OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS
REPORTED IN SCIENCE
GERON HOLDS WORLDWIDE LICENSE TO A BREAKTHROUGH DISCOVERY WITH PROMISE FOR
TREATING DEGENERATIVE DISEASES
MENLO PARK, CA -- November 5, 1998 -- Human embryonic stem cells (hES cells) --
unique cells capable of forming all the different cell types and tissues in the
body -- have been successfully derived and maintained in culture for the first
time by scientists at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, according to an
article to be published in the November 6 issue of the journal Science. The
research was led by James A. Thomson, VMD, Ph.D., Developmental Biologist at
UW-Madison, and was supported by and is licensed to Geron Corporation
(NASDAQ:GERN).
"These cells are different from all other human stem cells isolated to date,"
said Dr. Thomson. "As the source of all cell types, they hold great promise for
use in transplantation medicine, drug discovery and development, and the study
of human developmental biology."
The Embryonic Stem Cell
Embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst
formed during early embryogenesis. Distinguished from all other stem cells, they
are pluripotent, able to develop into virtually any and all cells and tissues in
the body; and, consistent with their expression of telomerase, self-renewing, a
potentially limitless source of cells.
"Geron is focused on developing products to treat age-related degenerative
diseases. The availability of hES cells opens extraordinary opportunities for
tissue transplantation, and for developing cell and gene therapy products with
breakthrough medical potential," said Thomas Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron's vice
president of research and development. "Further, Geron's proprietary telomerase
technology for prolonging the replicative lifespan of cells derived from hES
cells positions the company to potentially supply the preferred cells for
transplantation medicine."
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PAGE TWO / FIRST DERIVATION OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS REPORTED IN SCIENCE
Broad Potential for Medicine, Science and Drug Discovery
Human embryonic stem cells hold enormous promise for transplantation medicine
because they can potentially produce unlimited quantities of any cell or tissue
in the body. In addition, they may be genetically altered to improve therapeutic
value, for instance, to prevent immune system rejection by transplant
recipients. Examples of cells that Geron may develop for transplantation
therapies include heart muscle cells for use in repairing the tissue damage
inflicted by heart attacks, blood forming cells for use in bone marrow
transplantation procedures for cancer patients, and nerve cells for use in
treating patients with Parkinson's disease, stroke or Alzheimer's disease.
Human embryonic stem cells also represent a new technology for pharmaceutical
research and development. Geron plans to generate a variety of different cell
types for use in drug screening and toxicology testing. In addition, hES cells
can potentially be engineered to create in vivo models of human disease for drug
development as a superior alternative to current mouse models. For example,
brain neurons derived from hES cells might be engineered to develop the
characteristics of Alzheimer's disease and used to discover effective drug
treatments.
Human embryonic stem cells should also further our understanding of embryonic
development with potential applications toward the treatment of infertility and
premature pregnancy loss, and the diagnosis and prevention of birth defects.
Finally, hES cells open the door to a new field of research -- the genomics of
human developmental biology. Until now, early genetic events in human embryology
have been largely inaccessible to direct observation. Research with hES cells
may lead to the discovery of novel genes that fundamentally control tissue
differentiation. These gene products could result in the development of
therapeutic drugs and proteins with potential applications in wound healing,
stroke, heart attack and spinal cord injury.
Collaborations with ES Cell Leaders
To accomplish its hES cell program objectives, Geron has established
collaborations with renowned researchers in the field. The company funds
research by and holds worldwide licensing agreements with John D. Gearhart,
M.D., Ph.D., professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine, and Roger A. Pedersen, Ph.D., professor at the University of
California, San Francisco.
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PAGE THREE / FIRST DERIVATION OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS REPORTED IN SCIENCE
Next steps in Geron's hES cell program include the development and optimization
of enabling technologies. These include techniques for the production and scale
up of hES cells; the identification of cell differentiation factors; techniques
for genetically engineering hES cells, and the development of models to test
proposed transplant products.
"As we pursue these next steps, Geron recognizes that research in this field
should be conducted according to appropriate guidelines," said Ronald W.
Eastman, Geron's president and CEO. "This discovery holds great promise for the
treatment of a variety of human diseases and conditions. In concert with our
Ethics Advisory Board and the Institutional Review Boards of our collaborators,
Geron is committed to realizing the vast potential of this technology in a
responsible manner."
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.
Contact:
Geron Corporation Media Inquiries Investor Inquiries
David Greenwood CLM Communications Burns McClellan
Chief Financial Officer Carole Melis or Mike Jackman Lisa Burns or John Nugent
650/473-7700 650/342-5686 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 HTTP://WWW.GERON.COM.
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