MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2006--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.
