- MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BW
HealthWire)--Nov. 13, 2000--Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN - news) announced
the publication of research demonstrating that the telomerase gene restores
the ability of aging human skin cells to form normal skin structures in
a mouse model of tissue formation. Published in the journal Experimental
Cell Research, the work was conducted by scientists at Geron Corporation
and Stanford University.
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- Age-related changes in skin cells play a role in conditions
such as chronic ulcers and photoaging. Skin is composed of two principal
cell types: keratinocytes, which form the upper epidermal layer, and fibroblasts,
which form the underlying dermal structures. These layers are connected
by a tight junctional membrane. The research team discovered that fibroblasts
aged in the laboratory lost the ability to form a robust junction with
young human keratinocytes when the two cells were put into an animal model
of tissue formation. This condition is observed in the elderly and is
manifested by increased skin frailty and subepidermal blistering.
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- In the study, introduction of telomerase to aging fibroblasts
dramatically increased their division capacity and restored their ability
to reconstitute normal human skin structures in the model system. A genomics
microarray analysis also showed that telomerase restored a normal pattern
of expressed genes to old fibroblasts. Telomerase, therefore, not only
confers replicative immortality to skin fibroblasts, but also prevents
or reverses the loss of biological function associated with aging cells.
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- ``This is the first demonstration of a beneficial effect
of telomerase activation in human cells in an in vivo animal model,'' stated
Calvin Harley, Ph.D., Geron's chief scientific officer. ``The research
brings the company one step closer to a telomerase gene therapy for the
treatment of chronic degenerative diseases in the elderly, including debilitating
skin ulcers.''
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- The two critical genes for human telomerase activity
were cloned and characterized by Geron scientists (Science 269, 1236-1241,
1995 and Science 277, 955-959, 1997). Telomerase is an enzyme that maintains
telomere length in immortal cells and confers replicative immortality
without malignant transformation. Generally, normal human body cells lack
telomerase and lose a small amount of telomeric DNA at each cell division,
until a threshold length is reached which triggers senescence and loss
of function. Critical telomere loss in certain cells at sites of chronic
stress in humans contributes in a fundamental way to diseases of the elderly.
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- ``Demonstrating that telomerase restores a youthful function
to aging human cells in an animal model supports our belief that this
technology can be developed for regenerative medicine,'' noted Thomas
Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron's chief executive officer. ``We have multiple
opportunities for the treatment of disease in which telomerase can be
incorporated into cell and gene therapies. Chronic skin ulcers and liver
diseases are two applications among others that we are actively pursuing.''
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- Geron is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering,
developing and commercializing therapeutic and diagnostic products for
applications in oncology, research tools for drug discovery and regenerative
medicine. Geron's product development programs are based upon three patented
core technologies: telomerase, human pluripotent stem cells and nuclear
transfer.
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- 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 product development and future
applications of Geron's technology constitute forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks
inherent in research and development efforts, enforcement of patents and
proprietary rights, potential competition and uncertainty of regulatory
approvals or clearances. 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 Sept.
30, 2000.
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- A copy of the referenced paper can be obtained at http://www.idealibrary.com.
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- To receive an index and copies of recent press releases,
call Geron's News On Demand toll-free fax service, 800/782-3279. Additional
information about Geron Corp. can be obtained at http://www.geron.com.
Contact: Geron Corp. David Greenwood, 650/473-7765 (Investor, Media Relations)
or Burns McClellan Ailene Schimmel, 212/213-0006 (Investor Inquiries)
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