Revolutionary Surface Demonstrates Continued Commitment to Delivering Products that Enable Advanced Drug Discovery Research
CORNING, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) today introduced the Corning® Synthemax™ surface, a novel synthetic surface that supports the growth and differentiation of stem cells. The surface is being commercialized as a result of Corning’s ongoing collaboration with Geron Corporation (NASDAQ:GERN). This development enables researchers to take the next step toward scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of stem cells for potential therapies in the treatment of degenerative diseases.
“By leveraging our unique expertise in materials and surfaces, as well as Geron’s advanced therapeutic stem cell techniques, we have been able to develop what we believe is the first and only synthetic surface in the world to enable this level of stem cell growth and differentiation.”
Data presented by Corning and Geron at the World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore in September 2009 demonstrated multi-passage growth of multiple undifferentiated human stem cell lines and the subsequent differentiation of one of these cell lines into cardiomyocytes. This is the first time the differentiation has been demonstrated with the results presented on a synthetic surface. The growth and differentiation of stem cells on the Synthemax surface is robust and reproducible, an important condition for the large-scale production of cells and therapeutic development.
“The commercialization of the Synthemax surface is a clear proof point of the success of our collaboration with Geron,” said Dr. Jeff Mooney, director of commercial technology for Corning Life Sciences. “By leveraging our unique expertise in materials and surfaces, as well as Geron’s advanced therapeutic stem cell techniques, we have been able to develop what we believe is the first and only synthetic surface in the world to enable this level of stem cell growth and differentiation.”
The Corning Synthemax surface allows for the scalable expansion of stem cells for more than 20 serial passages in a defined xeno-free medium with:
Since 2006, Corning has worked with Geron to develop synthetic surface matrices to support the scalable manufacturing of stem cells and derived differentiated cell types (e.g., cardiomyocytes). Synthetic growth surfaces could replace the biological surface coatings that are widely used today to grow and differentiate pluripotent stem cells and may offer increased reproducibility, cost savings, and regulatory advantages.
Laboratory products using specialized surfaces, such as the Synthemax surface, are being commercialized by Corning. Currently, Corning’s six-well plate with the Corning Synthemax surface is available in North America.
Corning Life Sciences brings new and innovative laboratory technologies to researchers worldwide and helps customers succeed by providing innovative, high-quality products and services in the areas of polymer science, biochemistry and molecular biology, glass melting and forming, surface modification, and characterization science.
For additional information on the new Corning Synthemax surface or any other Corning Life Sciences products, please contact a customer service representative at 1-800-492-1110, toll free in the United States, (+1) 1-978-442-2200 internationally, or visit www.corning.com/lifesciences.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which are based on current expectations and assumptions about Corning’s financial results and business operations, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include: the effect of global political, economic and business conditions; conditions in the financial and credit markets; currency fluctuations; tax rates; product demand and industry capacity; competition; reliance on a concentrated customer base; manufacturing efficiencies; cost reductions; availability of critical components and materials; new product commercialization; pricing fluctuations and changes in the mix of sales between premium and non-premium products; new plant start-up or restructuring costs; possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity, armed conflict, political instability or major health concerns; adequacy of insurance; equity company activities; acquisition and divestiture activities; the level of excess or obsolete inventory; the rate of technology change; the ability to enforce patents; product and components performance issues; stock price fluctuations; and adverse litigation or regulatory developments. These and other risk factors are detailed in Corning’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day that they are made, and Corning undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.
About Corning Incorporated
Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 150 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. Our products include glass substrates for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems; optical fiber, cable, hardware & equipment for telecommunications networks; optical biosensors for drug discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass solutions for a number of industries including semiconductor, aerospace, defense, astronomy and metrology.
Geron Safe Harbor
This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release regarding potential applications of Geron’s human embryonic stem cell technology constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of Geron’s intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect Geron’s results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Geron’s periodic reports including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
About Geron Corporation
Geron is developing first-in-class biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer and chronic degenerative diseases, including spinal cord injury, heart failure and diabetes. The company is advancing an anti-cancer drug and a cancer vaccine that target the enzyme telomerase through multiple clinical trials in different cancers. For more information, visit www.geron.com.
