Patents Assigned to Geron Corporation
  • Cancer treatment by combined inhibition of proteasome and telomerase activities
    Publication number: 20100010064
    Abstract: A method and kit for inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells are disclosed, based on a combination of a proteasome inhibitor and a telomerase inhibitor. When used in cancer therapy, the two compounds in combination enhance the anti-cancer treatment efficacy obtained with the proteasome inhibitor alone or the telomerase inhibitor alone. Preferably, efficacy is supraadditive or synergistic in nature relative to the combined effects of the individual agents, with minimal exacerbation of side effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicants: Geron Corporation, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
    Inventors: Malcolm A. S. Moore, Allison C. Chin
  • USE OF TGF BETA SUPERFAMILY ANTAGONISTS AND NEUROTROPHINS TO MAKE NEURONS FROM EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS
    Publication number: 20090305405
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for efficiently producing differentiated cells from pluripotent cells, such as human embryonic stem cells. Rather than permitting the cells to form embryoid bodies according to established techniques, differentiation is effected directly in monolayer culture on a suitable solid surface. The cells are either plated directly onto a differentiation-promoting surface, or grown initially on the solid surface in the absence of feeder cells and then exchanged into a medium that assists in the differentiation process. The solid surface and the culture medium can be chosen to direct differentiation down a particular pathway, generating a cell population that is remarkably uniform. The methodology is well adapted to bulk production of committed precursor and terminally differentiated cells for use in drug screening or regenerative medicine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: GERON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Melissa K. Carpenter, R. Scott Thies
  • Neural Cell Populations from Primate Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Publication number: 20090291495
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for efficiently producing differentiated cells from pluripotent cells, such as human embryonic stem cells. Rather than permitting the cells to form embryoid bodies according to established techniques, differentiation is effected directly in monolayer culture on a suitable solid surface. The cells are either plated directly onto a differentiation-promoting surface, or grown initially on the solid surface in the absence of feeder cells and then exchanged into a medium that assists in the differentiation process. The solid surface and the culture medium can be chosen to direct differentiation down a particular pathway, generating a cell population that is remarkably uniform. The methodology is well adapted to bulk production of committed precursor and terminally differentiated cells for use in drug screening or regenerative medicine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Melissa K. Carpenter, R. Scott Thies
  • Human telomerase reverse transcriptase polypeptides
    Patent number: 7622549
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods related to human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT), the catalytic protein subunit of human telomerase. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases, for changing the proliferative capacity of cells and organisms, and for identification and screening of compounds and treatments useful for treatment of diseases such as cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignees: Geron Corporation, The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews
  • Kit for detection of telomerase reverse transcriptase nucleic acids
    Publication number: 20090269739
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods related to human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT), the catalytic protein subunit of human telomerase. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases, for changing the proliferative capacity of cells and organisms, and for identification and screening of compounds and treatments useful for treatment of diseases such as cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicants: Geron Corporation, The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru M. Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews
  • Differentiation of Primate Pluripotent Stem Cells to Hematopoietic Lineage Cells
    Publication number: 20090246869
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of differentiating primate pluripotent stem cells into cells of hematopoietic lineage. The invention further provides hematopoietic lineage cells differentiated from primate pluripotent stem cells, as well as methods of using the same and kits comprising the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Suyi Tseng, Anish Sen Majumdar, Kevin Nishimoto, Anita Reddy, Jane S. Lebkowski
  • Increasing the proliferative capacity of cells using telomerase reverse transcriptase
    Patent number: 7585622
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods related to human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT), the catalytic protein subunit of human telomerase. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases, for changing the proliferative capacity of cells and organisms, and for identification and screening of compounds and treatments useful for treatment of diseases such as cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignees: Geron Corporation, The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews
  • Inhibitory polynucleotides directed against the RNA component of telomerase
    Patent number: 7585966
    Abstract: This invention provides inhibitory polynucleotides, such as antisense molecules, directed against accessible regions in the telomerase ribonucleoprotein. The polynucleotides are useful for inhibiting the activity of telomerase in cells and for treating cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Kealey, Ronald Pruzan, Scott L. Weinrich
  • Oligonucleotide conjugates
    Patent number: 7563618
    Abstract: Oligonucleotide conjugates, where an oligonucleotide is covalently attached to an aromatic system, are provided. In particular embodiments the oligonucleotide is complementary to the RNA component of human telomerase and is covalently attached to a nucleobase via an optional linker. The conjugates inhibit telomerase enzyme activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Sergei Gryaznov, Krisztina Pongracz, Richard L. Tolman, Gregg B. Morin
  • Nucleic acid compositions for eliciting an immune response against telomerase reverse transcriptase
    Patent number: 7560437
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a telomerase reverse transcriptase polypeptide or a polypeptide homologous to a telomerase reverse transcriptase. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polynucleotide encoding either of the aforesaid polypeptides. The present invention is further directed to methods for eliciting an immune response to telomerase reverse transcriptase in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignees: Geron Corporation, The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews
  • Use of TGF beta superfamily antagonists to make dopaminergic neurons from embryonic stem cells
    Patent number: 7560281
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for efficiently producing differentiated cells from pluripotent cells, such as human embryonic stem cells. Rather than permitting the cells to form embryoid bodies according to established techniques, differentiation is effected directly in monolayer culture on a suitable solid surface. The cells are either plated directly onto a differentiation-promoting surface, or grown initially on the solid surface in the absence of feeder cells and then exchanged into a medium that assists in the differentiation process. The solid surface and the culture medium can be chosen to direct differentiation down a particular pathway, generating a cell population that is remarkably uniform. The methodology is well adapted to bulk production of committed precursor and terminally differentiated cells for use in drug screening or regenerative medicine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Melissa K. Carpenter, R. Scott Thies
  • Hair Follicle Pharmacodynamic Assay for Telomerase Activity
    Publication number: 20090142770
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for determining the efficacy of treatment with telomerase modulators in mammals by the analysis of the level of telomerase reverse transcriptase activity in mammalian hair follicle cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Ning F. Go, Calvin B. Harley, Ekaterina Bassett, Zhu Zhen Pirot
  • Protein and peptide fragments from mouse telomerase reverse transcriptase
    Publication number: 20090111157
    Abstract: This invention provides for murine telomerase reverse transcriptase (mTERT) enzyme proteins and nucleic acids, including methods for isolating and expressing these nucleic acids and proteins, which have application to the control of cell proliferation and aging, including the control of age-related diseases, such as cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg B. Morin, Richard Allsopp, Ronald A. DePinho, Roger A. Greenberg
  • Muteins of human telomerase reverse transcriptase lacking telomerase catalytic activity
    Patent number: 7517971
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods related to human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT), the catalytic protein subunit of human telomerase. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases, for changing the proliferative capacity of cells and organisms, and for identification and screening of compounds and treatments useful for treatment of diseases such as cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignees: Geron Corporation, The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews
  • Modified oligonucleotides for telomerase inhibition
    Patent number: 7494982
    Abstract: Compounds comprising an oligonucleotide moiety covalently linked to a lipid moiety are disclosed. The oligonucleotide moiety comprises a sequence that is complementary to the RNA component of human telomerase. The compounds inhibit telomerase activity in cells with a high potency and have superior cellular uptake characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Sergei Gryaznov, Krisztina Pongracz
  • Synthesis of protected 3?-amino nucleoside monomers
    Patent number: 7485717
    Abstract: Orthogonally protected 3?-amino nucleoside monomers and efficient methods for their synthesis are described. The methods employ selective protection of the 3?-amino group in the presence of the unprotected nucleoside base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Sergei M. Gryaznov, Krisztina Pongracz, Daria Zielinska
  • Protocols for making hepatocytes from embryonic stem cells
    Patent number: 7473555
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a newly developed strategy and particular options for differentiating pluripotent stem cells into cells of the hepatocyte lineage. Many of the protocols are based on a strategy in which the cells are first differentiated into early germ layer cells, then into hepatocyte precursors, and then into mature cells. The cells obtained have morphological features and phenotypic markers characteristic of human adult hepatocytes. They also show evidence of cytochrome p450 enzyme activity, validating their utility for commercial applications such as drug screening, or use in the manufacture of medicaments and medical devices for clinical therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Ramkumar Mandalam, Saadia Faouzi, Isabelle Nadeau, Kristina Pfendler-Bonham, Namitha Rao, Melissa K. Carpenter, Lakshmi Rambhatla, Choy-Pik Chiu
  • Medium for growing human embryonic stem cells
    Patent number: 7455983
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an improved system for culturing human pluripotent stem cells. Traditionally, pluripotent stem cells are cultured on a layer of mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder cells to prevent them from differentiating. In the system described here, the role of feeder cells is replaced by defined components added to the culture environment that support rapid proliferation without differentiation. The medium contains an isotonic buffer, a blend of essential nutrients such as protein and lipids, and an effective growth factor or combination of factors that promote proliferation while inhibiting differentiation. Culturing human embryonic stem cells in fresh medium on an extracellular matrix according to this invention causes the cells to expand surprisingly rapidly, while retaining the ability to differentiate into cells representing all three embryonic germ layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Chunhui Xu, Yan Li, Ramkumar Mandalam
  • Direct differentiation method for making cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells
    Patent number: 7452718
    Abstract: This invention provides a new procedure for generating cardiomyocyte lineage cells from embryonic stem cells for use in regenerative medicine. Differentiating by way of embryoid body formation or in serum is no longer required. Instead, the stem cells are plated onto a solid substrate, and differentiated in the presence of select factors and morphogens. After enrichment for cells with the appropriate phenotype, the cells are allowed to cluster into cardiac bodies™, which are remarkably homogeneous and suitable for the treatment of heart disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Gold, Mohammad Hassanipour, Lila R. Collins, Chunhui Xu
  • Immunogenic composition
    Publication number: 20080279871
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods related to human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT), the catalytic protein subunit of human telomerase. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases, for changing the proliferative capacity of cells and organisms, and for identification and screening of compounds and treatments useful for treatment of diseases such as cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicants: GERON CORPORATION, UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru M. Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews