Shares of Geron Corporation (NASDAQ:GERN) are on investors radar since last one week. Earlier in the last week, the stock recorded strong gains after the company reported that a second internal review of imetelstat clinical trials for blood-based malignancies, lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes and relapsed or refractory MF, warrants further analysis for both indications. Janssen is handling the clinical program via a collaborative license with company.
The details
When the report of first internal data review of imetelstat was released, it was considered that its utility in myelofibrosis was in doubt. However, after closed patient registration in the 4.7 mg per kg dosing arm of the trial, detected a positive trend in the higher dosing arm of 9.4 mg/kg.
The two firms posted that the latest internal review supported the higher dosing arm as an appropriate initial dose for subjects with relapsed or refractory MF. It is encouraging to note that imetelstat appears to be offering a clinical advantage in MF worthy of increased investment by Janssen.
Going by the latest report, it appears that Imetelstat’s study in MF will continue unchanged, offering the hope that this drug will record numerous indications in the high-value hematology segment, and if it happens it can become a blockbuster product.
Moreover, Geron and Janssen reported that that the second part of drug’s other study in MDS will be filed for refinements to the U.S. FDA. If all happens as per the plan, imetelstat can transition into the pivotal phase of its study for MDS by Q4 2017.
Clearly, the company and its investors are starting to expect a lot more from ongoing imetelstat trials. Considering the high anticipation of imetelstat performing in these trials, it might be prudent to start investing in Geron stock, however, it should be done with a cautious view on this small-cap biotech.
