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Geron Announces 2019 Accomplishments and Key Development Priorities for 2020
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN), a late-stage clinical development biopharmaceutical company, today announced 2019
About this update from Geron Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":" MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nGeron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN), a late-stage clinical development biopharmaceutical company, today announced 2019 accomplishments and key development priorities for 2020. The Company is currently enrolling patients in the Phase 3 IMerge clinical trial of imetelstat in lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and plans to complete enrollment by the end of 2020 with top-line results expected by mid-year 2022.\n\n\n“From regaining control of the imetelstat program and building an impressive in-house development team to initiating the Company’s first Phase 3 clinical trial, 2019 was a pivotal year for Geron,” said John A. Scarlett, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We plan to build on the progress achieved in 2019 as we set our 2020 priorities and finalize our development plans.”\n\n\n2019 – A Year of Accomplishments\n\n\nAdvancing the Imetelstat Development Program\n\n\nIn May 2019, Geron assumed the imetelstat investigational new drug (IND) sponsorship from Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen), and executed on its 2019 imetelstat development plans, including advancing into late-stage clinical development with the initiation of the Phase 3 IMerge clinical trial in lower risk MDS.\n\n\nGeron completed the transition of the imetelstat program, including the transfer of the remaining non-clinical, manufacturing and ex-U.S. clinical and regulatory responsibilities from Janssen at the end of September 2019.\n\n\nThroughout the year, Geron continued to build a solid foundation of extensive hematology-oncology and drug development expertise in key functional areas by attracting senior leadership with extensive experience, including many new development team members and executives with prior experience with imetelstat. This highly capable in-house team will support current and future imetelstat development plans, including plans to explore additional indications, as well as provide the ability to evaluate other hematology-oncology assets to expand the Company’s pipeline in the future.\n\n\nCommencing the Phase 3 in Lower Risk MDS \n\n\nIn June 2019, Geron presented updated efficacy and safety data for the Phase 2 IMerge clinical trial. The presentation highlighted meaningful and durable transfusion independence, activity across different MDS subtypes and potential disease-modifying activit...