Geron Gains Merck Milestone for Cancer Vax IND

Merck has filed an IND with the FDA for a cancer vaccine candidate that targets telomerase. Merck is developing the vaccine under a July, 2005 Research, Development and Commercialization License Agreement with Geron Corp., which provided exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize non-dendritic cell-based vaccines targeting telomerase. Geron received a $4 million milestone payment from Merck after the IND filing, and is eligible to receive additional development milestones as well as royalties on worldwide product sales.

“We are pleased with the progress that Merck has made in advancing this program towards the clinic,” said Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron’s president and chief executive officer. “We appreciate the collaborative nature of our relationship with Merck and look forward to working with them to realize the therapeutic potential of this cancer vaccine candidate.”