Geron Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent for Production of Insulin Secreting Cells From Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN - News) announced today that it has been granted U.S. Patent No. 7,033,831, covering the production of insulin secreting cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

The new patent covers methods developed by Geron scientists working towards the scalable production of pancreatic islet cells from hESCs for use in new cell-based treatments for diabetes. Earlier this year, Geron presented data showing the differentiation of hESCs to produce cells that secrete insulin and glucagon and express genetic markers consistent with human islet cells. Working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Geron scientists have also shown that these cells generate detectable human insulin upon glucose challenge when transplanted into animals and that such transplants can extend the lifespan of diabetic animals.

"The successful development of hESC-based therapies will require the manufacture of hESCs at commercial scale and the efficient differentiation of hESCs to the desired therapeutic cell type," noted David J. Earp, J.D., Ph.D., Geron's chief patent counsel and senior vice president of business development. "Geron has made significant progress in both of these areas, and this patent reflects our progress towards the production of cells for use in diabetes therapy. We were granted a U.K. patent for this technology earlier this year. Our global stem cell patent portfolio now includes over 260 filings that are either owned by, or licensed to, Geron."

Geron is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing three groups of products: i) therapeutic products for oncology that target telomerase; ii) pharmaceuticals that activate telomerase in tissues impacted by senescence, injury or degenerative disease; and iii) cell-based therapies derived from its human embryonic stem cell platform for applications in multiple chronic diseases.