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Geron Reports Publication of Studies Demonstrating Long-Term Stability and Biological Uniformity of Different Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines 12/15/03 MENLO PARK, Calif., Dec 15, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN) announced today the publication of two studies that show that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are highly stable over long periods when maintained using Geron's feeder-free culture methods, and that different hESC lines exhibit substantial uniformity of biological characteristics. The two newly published studies, performed by Geron scientists and collaborators at the National Institutes of Health and the Robarts Research Institute in London, Ontario, are available today in the online edition of Developmental Dynamics http://www.wiley.com/legacy/products/subject/life/anatomy/anat_devdyn.html The first publication reports on three different hESC lines that were maintained in continuous culture under Geron's feeder-free conditions for up to two years and analyzed periodically for growth characteristics, surface marker expression, pluripotency and genetic stability. The data demonstrate that all three lines maintain genetically stable phenotypes for more than one year, with chromosomal stability similar to normal cells from other sources maintained in long-term culture. All three lines demonstrated similar stable growth rates, surface marker expression, gene expression patterns, high telomerase expression, long telomere lengths and in vivo pluripotency for up to two years in continuous culture. The second publication describes in-depth molecular analysis of surface markers, expression of growth factor receptors and transcription factors, overall gene expression patterns and telomerase expression in four different hESC lines, each maintained in feeder-free culture. These data provide, for the first time, a detailed molecular comparison of different hESC lines and reveal remarkable uniformity of these biological characteristics among the different lines maintained under identical culture conditions. 'These two studies provide important support for Geron's approach to making cell therapy practical and affordable,'said Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron's president and chief executive officer. 'Geron plans to use undifferentiated hESCs in master cell banks for multiple repeated production runs of differentiated therapeutic cells originating from a single cell line, in much the same way that monoclonal antibody therapeutics are now produced. This will enable low cost-of-goods production that cannot be achieved with any other source of therapeutic cells. This approach requires that the hESCs be stable over the long term, and the first paper documents that stability in three different undifferentiated hESC lines maintained in our feeder-free culture system. The second study both demonstrates that different hESC lines cultured under identical feeder-free conditions have uniform molecular and biological characteristics and identifies reliable markers that can be used to routinely define the characteristics of hESCs maintained in vitro.' 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 forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, reliance on collaborators, need for additional capital, need for regulatory approvals or 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 Sept. 30, 2003. SOURCE: Geron Corp. Geron Corp. David L. Greenwood, 650-473-7765 SOURCE: Business Wire / StockHouse.com http://www.stockhouse.com/news/news.asp?tick=GERN&newsid=2062556 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn