Geron Corporation

- Founded in 1992
- Headquarters located in Menlo Park, California
- CEO: Dr. Thomas B. OkarmaWashingtonPost.com: FDA Oks 1st Embryonic Stem Cell Trial (January 23, 2009)
- Given approval to start the first human trial of stem cell research
- FDA gave approval on January 23, 2009WashingtonPost.com: FDA Oks 1st Embryonic Stem Cell Trial (January 23, 2009)
- Will implant embryonic stem cells into 8-10 quadriplegic patientsWashingtonPost.com: FDA Oks 1st Embryonic Stem Cell Trial (January 23, 2009)
- Patients will be treated within two weeks after their injuries occurWashingtonPost.com: FDA Oks 1st Embryonic Stem Cell Trial (January 23, 2009)
- Study begins in the summer of 2009WashingtonPost.com: FDA Oks 1st Embryonic Stem Cell Trial (January 23, 2009)
- Geron is also researching ways of using embryonic stem cells to treat failing hearts and as a treatment for type 1 diabetesWashingtonPost.com: FDA Oks 1st Embryonic Stem Cell Trial (January 23, 2009)
- Stock closed at $8.15 on January 26, 2009, a 15% increase from January 23, 2009Forbes: Geron shares rise on potential stem cell policy (January 26, 2009)

Geron Corp is a biopharmaceuticals company based in California. Geron specializes in researching anti-cancer drugs, and treatments for heart disease, diabetes and spinal cord injuries.Official Site: About Geron
Geron was the first company to receive permission to do a clinical trial using stem cells as treatment. Geron's stock rose sharply after the January 23, 2009 announcement and throughout the following week. Forbes: Geron shares rise on potential stem cell policy (January 26, 2009)
First Stem Cell Clinical Trials

On January 23, 2009, Geron Corp received clearance from the FDA to proceed with the world's first clinical trial utilizing human embryonic stem cells in a medical treatment.Geron will treat between eight and 10 spinal cord patients with embryonic stem cells. It is hoped that the injected cells will help repair damaged nerves and tissues.WashingtonPost.com: FDA Oks 1st Embryonic Stem Cell Trial (January 23, 2009) It is believed that the Obama administration may ease restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research.Forbes: Geron shares rise on potential stem cell policy (January 26, 2009)
Stem Cell Trial Quotes
"This marks the dawn of a new era in medical therapeutics. This approach is one that reaches beyond pills and scalpels to achieve a new level of healing."—Dr. Thomas Okarma, CEO of Geron CorpWashingtonPost.com: FDA Oks 1st Embryonic Stem Cell Trial (January 23, 2009)
"This is not just a comet across our sky, this is really more like dawn. We are beginning a vast human experiment, and we have been waiting an extremely long time to get to this point. This is a very significant development."'—Peter Kiernan, chairman of the Christopher And Dana Reeve FoundationWashingtonPost.com: FDA Oks 1st Embryonic Stem Cell Trial (January 23, 2009)