Geron Releases TAT153 Positive Clinical Data

The data were presented at the American Thoracic Society 2010 International Conference in New Orleans, LA by Geron collaborator Claude Jourdan Le Saux from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Geron’s trial data showed that administration of TAT153 increased telomerase activity in the lung tissue, reduced inflammation, preserved functional lung tissue, slowed disease progression and attenuated loss of pulmonary function.

Geron said that the current study used a standard mouse model of IPF. The fibrotic process and accompanying deterioration of lung function were induced by bleomycin administration into the trachea. TAT153 was given twice daily for three weeks.

Reportedly, study animals showed a 40% decrease in inflammatory cells in the TAT153-treated group. Histology showed less extensive fibrosis.

The study included measurements of lung function in TAT153-treated animals and controls. The TAT153-treated animals showed a 30% increase in lung compliance (elasticity) and a 30% decrease in airway resistance compared to controls, demonstrating an attenuation of functional deterioration.

These positive effects of TAT153 in the mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis were associated with an approximately two-fold increase in telomerase activity in lung tissue samples.

Thomas Okarma, president and CEO of Geron, said: “This is the first demonstration that a telomerase activator can affect fibrotic disease progression in a model system. The data indicate that telomerase activation may be a useful therapeutic modality in IPF.”