Patents Assigned to Geron Corporation
  • Marker system for preparing and characterizing high-quality human embryonic stem cells
    Patent number: 7153650
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for qualifying embryonic stem cells intended for human therapy. A large-scale sequencing project has identified important markers that are characteristic of undifferentiated pluripotent cells. Combinations of these markers can be used to validate the self-renewing capacity of ES cells, and their ability to differentiate into tissue types suitable for regenerative medicine. The marker system of this invention has been used to screen feeder cells, media additives, and culture conditions that promote proliferation of stem cells without differentiation. A culture system optimized by following these markers is suitable for rapid expansion of undifferentiated cells from existing lines, or the derivation of new lines that are equally apposite for clinical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Stanton, Ralph Brandenberger, Joseph D. Gold, John M. Irving, Ramkumar Mandalam, Michael Mok
  • Treating cancer using an oligonucleotide N3?->N5? thiophosphoramidate
    Patent number: 7138383
    Abstract: Oligonucleotides with a novel sugar-phosphate backbone containing at least one internucleoside 3?-NHP(O)(S?)O-5? linkage, and methods of synthesizing and using the inventive oligonucleotides are provided. The inventive thiophosphoramidate oligonucleotides were found to retain the high RNA binding affinity of the parent oligonucleotide N3??P5? phosphoramidates and to exhibit a much higher acid stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Sergei Gryaznov, Krisztina Pongracz, Tracy Matray
  • Animal tissue with carbohydrate antigens compatible for human transplantation
    Patent number: 7126039
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for generating animal tissue with carbohydrate antigens that are compatible for transplantation into human patients. The tissue is inactivated homozygously for expression of ?(1,3)galactosyltransferase, and comprises a transgene for ?(1,2)fucosyltransferase. As a result, cell-surface N-acetyl lactosamine is not converted to the Gal?(1,3)Gal xenoantigen. Instead, it is converted to Fuc?(1,2)Gal, which is H substance, a self-antigen in humans. The tissue may also contain A or B-transferase, which will cause H substance to be converted into other ABO blood group antigens for compatibility with patients of the same blood type. This invention improves transplant compatibility of the xenograft tissue by lessening the risk of reactions resulting from xenoantigen and unconverted N-acetyl lactosamine acceptor determinants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Denning, A. John Clark, J. Michael Schiff
  • Inactive variants of the human telomerase catalytic subunit
    Patent number: 7091021
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods related to human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT), the catalytic protein subunit of human telomerase. Catalytically active and inactive human telomerase reverse transcriptase variants comprising deletions or other mutations are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventor: Gregg B. Morin
  • Producing telomerase activators and inhibitors by screening with purified telomerase
    Patent number: 7067283
    Abstract: This invention provides purified telomerase and methods of purifying it. The methods involve the use of several sequential steps, including the use of matrices that bind molecules bearing negative charges, matrices that bind molecules bearing positive charges, intermediate-selectivity matrices, methods that separate molecules based on their size, shape, or buoyant density, and by affinity purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Scott L. Weinrich, Edward M. Atkinson, III, Serge P. Lichtsteiner, Alain P. Vasserot, Ronald A. Pruzan
  • Telomerase
    Patent number: 7056513
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel telomerase nucleic acids and amino acids. In particular, the present invention is directed to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences encoding various telomerase protein subunits and motifs, including the 123 kDa and 43 kDa telomerase protein subunits of Euplotes aediculatus, and related sequences from Schizosaccharomyces, Saccharomyces sequences, and human telomerase. The present invention is also directed to polypeptides comprising these telomerase protein subunits, as well as functional polypeptides and ribonucleoproteins that contain these subunits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignees: Geron Corporation, 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 human embryonic stem cells for drug screening and toxicity testing
    Patent number: 7041438
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an improved system for culturing human pluripotent stem (pPS) cells in the absence of feeder cells. The role of the feeder cells can be replaced by supporting the culture on an extracellular matrix, and culturing the cells in a conditioned medium. Permanent cell lines are provided that can produce conditioned medium on a commercial scale. Methods have also been discovered to genetically alter pPS cells by introducing the cells with a viral vector or DNA/lipid complex. The system described in this disclosure allows for bulk proliferation of pPS cells for use in studying the biology of pPS cell differentiation, and the production of important products for use in human therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Melissa K. Carpenter, Margaret S. Inokuma, Chunhui Xu
  • Islet cells from human embryonic stem cells
    Patent number: 7033831
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for producing pancreatic islet cells from embryonic stem cells. Differentiation is initiated towards endoderm cells, and focused using reagents that promote emergence of islet precursors and mature insulin-secreting cells. High quality populations of islet cells can be produced in commercial quantities for use in research, drug screening, or regenerative medicine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Fisk, Margaret S. Inokuma
  • Methods for detecting nucleic acids encoding human telomerase reverse transcriptase
    Patent number: 7005262
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of identifying in a sample nucleic acids that encode human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) or its fragments. The present invention is also directed to oligonucleotide primers used in such methods. The invention is further directed to PCR products that hybridize under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide encoding hTRT, as well as hybridization complexes comprising one strand of a cellular hTRT nucleic acid and one strand of nucleic acid comprising a recombinant or synthetic fragment of hTRT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    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
  • Human telomerase catalytic subunit
    Publication number: 20060040307
    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 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicants: Geron Corporation, The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Thomas Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen Chapman, Gregg Morin, Calvin Harley, William Andrews
  • Using undifferentiated embryonic stem cells to control the immune system
    Publication number: 20050282272
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for minimizing the alloreactivity of tissue transplants. The patient is administered with undifferentiated embryonic stem cells or early progenitor cells. This induces a state of inflammatory quiescence or immune unresponsiveness, which in turn enhances engraftment of cells derived from the same stem cell line given for purposes of regenerative medicine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicants: The Robarts Research Institute, Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Mickie Bhatia, Joaquin Madrenas, Iris Ferber, Anish Majumdar
  • Methods and compositions for inhibition of RNA splicing
    Patent number: 6958215
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting the self-splicing of a Group I intron is disclosed. The method uses an oligonucleotide having a sequence essentially identical to a guide sequence found in the 5? flanking exon and terminates with a 3? ribonucleoside. Usually the oligonucleotide has N3??P5? phosphoramidate or N3??P5? thiophiosphoramidate linkages rather than phosphodiester linkages. A method of inhibiting the growth of organisms having Group I intron, particularly certain pathogenic fungi including P. carinii, C. albicans, and A. nidulans using the oglionucleotide is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignees: Geron Corporation, The University of Rochester
    Inventors: Stephen M. Testa, Matthew D. Disney, Sergei M. Gryaznov, Douglas H. Turner
  • Genes for human telomerase reverse transcriptase and telomerase variants
    Patent number: 6927285
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel telomerase nucleic acids and amino acids. In particular, the present invention is directed to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences encoding various telomerase protein subunits and motifs, including the 123 kDa and 43 kDa telomerase protein subunits of Euplotes aediculatus, and related sequences from Schizosaccharomyces, Saccharomyces sequences, and human telomerase. The present invention is also directed to polypeptides comprising these telomerase protein subunits, as well as functional polypeptides and ribonucleoproteins that contain these subunits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignees: Geron Corporation, University Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews
  • Telomerase
    Patent number: 6921664
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to expression vectors comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) protein, variant, or fragment. The present invention is also directed to host cells that comprise expression vectors comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a hTRT protein variant, or fragment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Colorado, Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews
  • Selective antibody targeting of undifferentiated stem cells
    Patent number: 6921665
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for producing differentiated cells from a stem cell population for use wherever a relatively homogenous cell population is desirable. The cells contain an effector gene under control of a transcriptional control element (such as the TERT promoter) that causes the gene to be expressed in relatively undifferentiated cells in the population. Expression of the effector gene results in expression of a cell-surface antigen that can be used to deplete the undifferentiated cells. Model effector sequences encode glycosyl transferases that synthesize carbohydrate xenoantigen or alloantigen, which can be used for immunoseparation or as a target for complement-mediated lysis. The differentiated cell populations produced are suitable for use in tissue regeneration and non-therapeutic applications such as drug screening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignees: Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Jim McWhir, Joseph D. Gold, J. Michael Schiff
  • Vaccine containing the catalytic subunit of telomerase for treating cancer
    Publication number: 20050013825
    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: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicants: GERON CORPORATION, UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen Chapman, Gregg Morin, Calvin Harley, William Andrews
  • Oligonucleotide N3??P5? Thiophosphoramidates: their synthesis and use
    Patent number: 6835826
    Abstract: Oligonucleotides with a novel sugar-phosphate backbone containing at least one internucleoside 3′-NHP(O)(S−)O-5′ linkage, and methods of synthesizing and using the inventive oligonucleotides are provided. The inventive thiophosphoramidate oligonucleotides were found to retain the high RNA binding affinity of the parent oligonucleotide N3′→P5′ phosphoramidates and to exhibit a much higher acid stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Sergei Gryaznov, Krisztina Pongracz, Tracy Matray
  • Making neural cells for human therapy or drug screening from human embryonic stem cells
    Patent number: 6833269
    Abstract: This invention provides populations of neural progenitor cells, differentiated neurons, glial cells, and astrocytes. The populations are obtained by culturing stem cell populations (such as embryonic stem cells) in a cocktail of growth conditions that initiates differentiation, and establishes the neural progenitor population. The progenitors can be further differentiated in culture into a variety of different neural phenotypes, including dopaminergic neurons. The differentiated cell populations or the neural progenitors can be generated in large quantities for use in drug screening and the treatment of neurological disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventor: Melissa K. Carpenter
  • Treating cancer using a telomerase vaccine
    Publication number: 20040247613
    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: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicants: GERON CORPORATION, UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews
  • Vector encoding inactivated telomerase for treating cancer
    Publication number: 20040242529
    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: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicants: GERON CORPORATION, UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cech, Joachim Lingner, Toru Nakamura, Karen B. Chapman, Gregg B. Morin, Calvin B. Harley, William H. Andrews