I am not sure it is so simple, telomerase is actually an enzyme that either help resynthesis of telomere (dangling participles in the form of many TTAGGG sequences at the end of chromosomes, which after each cell division, get shortened), or prevent the clipping of such after cell division. Somehow, telomerase is present in most cancerous tissue (whether it is the cause or the effect, I don't think anyone knows). Telomerase inhibitors, theoretically could starve cancer cells of telomerase and thus allow the normal cell death cycle to be reinstated. Entermed tried another "cancer starving" trick with an enzyme that inhibit the growth of new bood vessels (without which cancer tissue dies), and the jury is still out on that one as well. I can see a lot of "ups and downs" as the story evolves. For instance, it is already known that telomerase inhibitors render men (maybe also women) infertile. What is not researched yet is how telomerase inhibitors affect other healthy tissue that require constant "rejuvenation" (like lining of the stomach and the gastro intestinal tract). I understand that many tissues reaction with telomerase inhibitors in vitro show no negative impact, but the in vivo tests is much more demanding.
Originally, Geron obtained patents on telomerase promoters (if memory serves, the name Geron was intended to reflect the company's charter to treat geriatrics, or lengthen life in general , and since lack of telomerase allows the clipping of telomeres at the end of chromosome in dividing cells, it puts a time limit , or number of divisions allowed, on such cell lines in the body, causing aging), to hopefully use such in life extension drugs. The problem with that is that we all have somewhere in our body some crazy cells that are misbehaving and could become cancerous, additional telomerase (or telomerase promoters) would enhance those lines, overwhelming the immune system that usually keeps such crazy cells in check, in healthy individuals. So that avenue of future success will have its ups and downs as well.
As for the third leg of GERN's technology, their work on stem cells, the politics around that is just too much for now. GERN would be wise to do a secondary here around $15/$20 share , maybe some 10 Mm shares to make sure they have enough cash for the next five years, they'll surely need it.
Good luck to all playing this game, we'll all need it....
In edit, I see additional posters clarified some, part of this post is thus redundant, sorry...
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