Geron Corp (GERN)

[rmcint5442]

Bob,

What I gather on the CEGE vs Merck virus platforms is that they do work differently while they both use telomerase in their targeting. The layman version from what I can put together is that Merck uses adenoviruses to teach the immune system to go after targets (say, telomerase positive cancer cells) and much differently, CEGE's oncolytic virus goes around and replicates only inside of T+ cancer cells (destroying them from the inside out). The oncolytic virus concept is a direct killer. You can see the immunological synergies with Geron's GRNVAC1 (using DC's) and Merck's vaccine programs. I've read that there is a significant part of the population with built-in immunity or "readily" capable immunity to the adenoviruses (they are mild compared to other viruses), so tweaking the formula later is necessary if you want to keep using it.

Probably not the silver bullet cure, but just think if a vaccine is effective enough to extend survival times when added to conventional standard of care. Think of the potential if trials of stand alone mono use find it matches survivability of current SOC without the toxicity. --IMHO, RMc