Roche Holding AG Message Board

Data from an Additional Six Months of Imetelstat Treatment and Follow-Up since ASH 2012

Imetelstat Continues to be Well Tolerated with No New Safety Signals Reported; No Patients Have Discontinued Treatment Due to Drug-Related Adverse Events


Hematologic and Molecular Responses are Maintained


MENLO PARK, Calif., June 16, 2013 - Geron Corporation today announced that updated clinical results from the company`s Phase 2 trial of imetelstat in essential thrombocytopenia (ET) were presented in an oral session at the 18th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Stockholm by a principal investigator of the trial, Prof. Dr. med. Gabriela M. Baerlocher, of the University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland. ET is a chronic blood disorder that is representative of a group of diseases known as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The initial trial results from 14 patients with ET were presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in December 2012. The updated results, which showed robust hematologic and molecular responses in patients treated with imetelstat, included data for an additional six months of treatment and follow-up for the original 14 patients, as well as data from four additional patients enrolled in the trial after the data cut-off for the ASH presentation.

"The observed 100% hematologic response rate in the updated data set, accompanied by a molecular response rate of 88% among the patients who had a JAK2 V617F mutation, are consistent with the data reported at ASH last year," said Prof. Baerlocher. "Imetelstat continues to be well tolerated in this trial. With no patients on treatment losing hematologic response, and molecular responses maintained in 86% of the patients, the drug also appears to have good durability of its effects on the disease."

Here is a man that knows and tells the truth. The two groups that the GOP has alienated most are: 1. Women, 2. Non-whites. Only the old white men of the Old South still support the GOP, and they are dying-off rather quickly.

It is surprising to me that this election, so far, appears honest and above-board, considering the stealing of and corruption of the 2009-Green election. We will see if the "supreme leader" will let it stand. The implications of this possible moderation are far-reaching, but I don't want to get too hopeful prematurely. This, the Syrian crisis and the G-8 meeting are all coming together internationally. On the domestic side we have the Fed meeting, and the reaction to anything Bernanke says. A positive outcome in Iran, and the right words from Bernanke, in combination, would be very positive for the markets.

I understand that this company is somewhat like LLL, and is very much involved with the US Defense Dept.

After reading so many negative reviews, I wasn't expecting much. After a period of several days and getting use to the differences, I now feel very comfortable and give it an A+.

St. Jude Medical Inc. has won the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (:FDA) approval for its Ellipse and SJM Assura portfolio of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds). The devices received CE Mark approval in May 2013.

The advanced devices from the company’s Cardiac Rhythm Management business incorporate unique features that are capable of delivering high-voltage treatment to patients with heart failure. St. Jude is a pioneer in providing a low-friction coating on the ICD device instead of the lead, that helps lower the risk of lead-to-can abrasion.

A new day for St. Jude:

Ernest Lau, a cardiologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Ireland, was one of the first doctors to identify a defect in Riata that led to its recall in 2011. Now Lau is telling colleagues it’s time to embrace the company’s updated device.

Riata, a wire that connects a life-saving defibrillator to the heart, could break out of its protective coating, putting patients at risk for inappropriate shocks or leaving them untreated when a shock was needed. Lau noted the flaw in 2006, and subsequent tests to patients found the problem occurred in 15 percent. St. Jude pulled the device from the market in 2010, with U.S. regulators calling it a recall the next year.

Cincinnati is a well known GOP point of political power (Taft country). The head of the IRS during these times of scandal was a BUSH2 appointee, that was put in place to create problems for Obama in any way possible. This was a clever effort to have the local IRS break the rules, and try to "gum up the works" for the President, with Tea-Party conspirators in House. The object was to ruin this administration, but the plot has badly failed.

There is no doubt about the fact that PC makers are struggling to sell their products, as a result of the growing popularity of mobile devices. With the industry in turmoil, many PC hardware manufacturers are in serious trouble. However, there is one Asian manufacturer that is easily outpacing the industry in terms of growth. Lenovo has been performing very well despite weakness in the broader market, which is impressive to say the least.

The "old time religion" is back, as these good yield, high quality companies lead the market much higher.

It was only a matter of time until Intel domnated all MP markets again. The technology and Moore's Law are with Intel. They were late to the game with mobile, but now have the most powerful products, with the best power profile, and cost.

Sentiment: Strong Buy