Janssen Biotech terminates collaboration with Geron Corp

Janssen Biotech has decided to terminate their collaboration and licence agreement with Geron group for cancer drug imetelstat, due to a strategic portfolio evaluation and prioritisation of assets.
Geron will now regain the rights to develop the drug after Janssen held the rights under the groups’ collaboration dating back to 2014.
“The clinical results from IMbark provided insights into the potential development of drug imetelstat.” Said Geron’s President and Chief Executive John Scarlett. “We believe that the combined data gathered from the initial expansion will support further development of the drug, and we are prioritising phase III of IMerge.”
The programmes transition from Janssen to Geron will take place over a 12 month period.