Geron Corporation (NASDAQ:GERN) has confirmed the issuance of its first patent. The three U.S. 9,375,485 which are linked to the company’s telomerase inhibitor, imetelstat cover the use of telomerase inhibitor compounds. The sole role of these compounds is to alleviate if not all at least one symptom of myelofibrosis or myelodysplastic syndromes. Speculations have it that the patent will stay in force at least up to March 2033.
Another 9,388,415 and U.S. 9,388,416 U.S. patents claims covering methods that use imetelstat to slow down the activity of telomerase. The use of imetelstat also hinders the increase of cancer cell. They will remain valid at least up to September 2024. As this happens, the patent U.S. 7,494,982 issued in 2009 remains in force until at least December 2025. If need be, there would be more extensions for other patents.
Has the use imetelstat gone through clinical testing?
Geron’s portfolios of patents and related products have obtained full licensing to Janssen Biotech Inc., (Janssen). The license is in the exclusive worldwide category that calls for partnership conformity of all human disorders or medical conditions.
However, Janssen will still carry out other clinical trials of imetelstat under the terms agreeable between Geron and Janssen. There shall be a Phase 2/3 trial that will be assessing two dosing levels of imetelstat enduring with Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) intermediate-2. A Phase 2/3 clinical trial will evaluate imetelstat in patients with International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) Low, those that are relying on transfusion.
The facts about imetelstat
Being a first-in-class compound, preliminary clinical data indicate that it has disease-modifying activities that inhibit the progenitor cells of the spiteful clones related with hematologic malignancies. It is administered by intravenous infusion and relatively selective.
However, it has its downsides that include fatigue. Others that come along are gastrointestinal symptoms and cytopenias. Nevertheless, even with all its hype, it has still not gained any regulatory approval for its marketing.
