Biotech Values

[biopearl]

Re Geron: Thanks for abstract. Pretty thick stuff. Imetelstat is not a JAK2 inhibitor so clearly works by different mechanism (telomerase inhibition). TERT variants associated with CLL and breast interesting as both failed to respond to telomerase inhibition in other studies. Any thoughts as to why no data reported in the two PV patients on imetelstat? I estimated that these patients received therapy for at least six month. The ET cohorts showed responses at one month or so, so I was a little concerned that the failure to report data suggested suboptimal response in PV and might put a dent in the proof of concept claim for targeting the common malignant clone in MPN. One hopes it will do so for MF. Geron claimed at least 2 of 11 patients had to have pre specified responses required to take the study forward and the study did move forward so this is positive but any ideas from anyone as to how response is defined? In Gerons myeloma study there were responses as well but no PR or CR which would indicate the long sought remission in the case of MF. Clearly Geron is all in on this one and will soar or destruct when (and if) the MF data from Mayo Clinic (Investigator Sponsored Study) is presented at Dec. ASH. Regards, bp