Geron Hopes To Restart Stem-cell Study In 2010

MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — Biotechnology company Geron Corp. said Friday it hopes to pave the way for restarting human studies on a potential stem-cell treatment for spinal cord injury by conducting additional preclinical studies.

Geron said that following discussions with the Food and Drug Administration, it expects data from current preclinical studies to enable the company to restart human studies by the third quarter of 2010.

In August, the company delayed human clinical trials of the drug candidate because some of the animals treated with the injection developed microscopic spinal cysts. The company has been testing the product on rats and mice.

Shares of Geron rose 24 cents, or 4.2 percent, to $6.01 in afternoon trading. The stock has traded between $2.48 and $9.24 over the last 52 weeks.