Advanced Cell Technology (OTC:ACTC) & Geron Corp. (NASDAQ:GERN) - A David & Goliath Comparison

Released on: May 09, 2011, 6:18 am
Author: investorstemcell.com
Industry: Financial, Biotech, Healthcare

Regenerative medicine is a highly complicated and vastly misunderstood science. Investor Stem Cell is dedicated to bringing investors and stakeholders together in thoughtful discussion to educate and publicize the incredible advancements unfolding in the regenerative medicine sector. A quantum leap in health care is upon the world. Will you profit from this emerging sector & help bring cures to millions? Find out now what the street thinks at www.investorstemcell.com

Side by side comparison of Advanced Cell Technology & Geron Corporation:

Geron Corporation (NASDAQ:GERN), Approved by the FDA to use human embryonic stem cell (hESC) treatments to treat spinal cord injuries. The research Goliath is a well-funded machine employing the top minds in the world working on everything from mid-stage oncology trials to promising (hESC) drugs for spinal cord injuries, heart disease & cancer.

Snap shot of Goliath: Geron Corpoartion-(NASDAQ:GERN)-
• Seven oncology Phase 2 trials currently underway, and has several big Pharma joint venture agreements in oncology animal and human trials
• Five hESC areas of investigation underway. GRNOPC1 is the lead candidate. Geron destroys the human embryo through its (hESC) R&D, of which the company uses the blastocyst embryo formation at day five after fertilization from IVF clinics
• Cash, restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities: $221,274.000.00
• Total operating expenses in 2010: $114,730,000.00
• 175 employees; over 100 hold PhD or MD degrees
• Geron Corporation was founded in 1990 and is based in Menlo Park, California
• Trades on the NASDAQ providing liquidity & large institutional investors
• Corporate financial statements: http://www.geron.com/investors/reports/GeronAnnualReport2010.pdf

Advanced Cell Technology not too long ago was the predominant leader in the field of regenerative medicine. It fell from that distinction in part due to executive management hubris and ultimately the credit crisis in mid-2008. ACT was able to resurrect itself from near bankruptcy in June 2008 and now has the distinction of holding two out of the three FDA approved (hESC) trials. ACT is led by a competent executive management team and employs several of the most predominant regenerative researcher(s) in the world.

Snap shot of David: Advanced Cell Technology-(OTC:ACTC)-
• Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Program is their lead program-(HESC) trials for both SMD/AMD are expected to start in week(s) Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA ) will conduct the 2 (hESC) trials for Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy (SMD) and Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Filed a European Clinical Trial Application for Phase 1/2 study using (hESC) to treat macular degeneration
• Issued a broad patent for hESC-derived RPE cells in China
• Seeking funding & joint venture partner for Myoblast program for the treatment of cardiovascular disease Phase 2 approved by the FDA
• Joint ventured with Korean medical giant CHA to form “Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine International” (SCRMI). This partnership expected to file an investigational new drug application (IND) with the FDA in Q-4 of this year. CHA biotech is waiting for final approval from the Korea Food and Drug Administration for (hESC) trial for AMD
• Issued patent on its “single-blastomere” technique. Patent Number 7,893,315 broadly covers ACT’s proprietary single-blastomere technology that provides a non-destructive alternative for deriving hESC lines. This “Embryo-Safe” one-cell biopsy approach similar to pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which is widely used in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process and does not interfere with the embryo’s developmental potential
• 22 full-time employees, six hold PhD or MD degrees-Formed in 1994, HQ in Menlo Park, California with laboratory facilities in Marlborough, MA
• Total operating expenses in 2010: $22,044,701
• Cash, restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities: $34,889,409
• Trades on the OTC:BB ACTC is a Sarbanes–Oxley Act SEC reporter
• Corporate financial statements: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1140098/000101376211000631/form10k.htm

If you are looking for maximum possible ROI in the short term and can tolerate high risk, then maybe Advanced Cell Technology (OTC:ACTC) is for you? If ACT is validated by the FDA, the (RPE) MA-09 “embryo-safe” cell lines would open up an annual $25,000,000,000.00 market treating (AMD). Yes that is (b) with an (illion) annual market share! No FDA approved treatment exist for (AMD) in the world. This disease effects 30 million in the USA & EU alone. Cell lines have potential to treat 200 retinal eye diseases. ACT has been approved for U.S. Orphan Drug status protection for (SMD). This status by the FDA provides ACT seven years of market protection. ACT is expecting EU-Orphan Drug status for (SMD) and if awarded would receive 10-years of market protection. The recent patent protection for ACT’s RPE cells in China firmly establish potential world dominance of the (AMD) market. What is the down side? One glaring red flag is that ACT has two years of operating capital and enough cash to fund both the SMD/AMD Phase-1/2 trials in the U.S. If ACT’s AMD/SMD trials are not validated, ACT would most likely be forced to institute a massive reverse split due to the O/S nearing its A/S. ACT has placed all of its eggs in one pipeline basket, choosing the low hanging fruit model. ACT is counting on the exceptional Casey Eye Clinic animal results. Dr. Raymond Lund Ph.D., considered one of the world’s foremost experts in retinal cell physiology and vision restoration. Dr. Lund recently said the following: “The study results of ACT’s RPE cells implanted in the various animal models of macular degeneration was phenomenal. If ACT observes even a fraction of that benefit in humans, it will be nothing short of a home run."

Disclosure: www.investorstemcell.com is the world’s only online discussion forum dedicated bringing investors & stakeholders together in thoughtful discussion about stem cell & regenerative medicine. www.investorstemcell.com nor any of its Companies have been compensated by “any” party for this article. Before making an investment decision an investor should perform due diligences. Once completed find out what the street thinks at www.investorstemcell.com

Contact Details: www.investorstemcell.com
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