Geron acquires patent portfolio from Lynx

Geron Corp has acquired from fellow US firm Lynx Therapeutics all of thelatter's patents relating to oligonucleotides containing phosphoramidate backbone linkages, for a consideration of around $2.5 million payable in a combination of cash and stock. The deal covers ownership and all licensing rights to issued and pending patents in the USA and worldwide.

Included in the acquisition is a manufacturing process for Geron's telomerase inhibitor, GRN163, a compound currently in preclinical development as an anticancer agent. "The development of GRN163 is a high priority at Geron," said chief financial officer David Greenwood, adding: "we initiated discussions with Lynx for the rights to these patents to gain freedom to operate. The acquisition, rather than a license, will substantially improve Geron's economics in the marketing of the drug."