Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) today announced support for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s veto of Senate Bill 1565. The proposed legislation would have implemented a number of changes counter to the original provisions of Proposition 71 overwhelmingly approved by California voters to support research with human embryonic stem cells and the development of therapies.

Geron’s human embryonic stem cell development programs include oligodendroglial progenitor cells (GRNOPC1) for spinal cord injury, cardiomyocytes (GRNCM1) for heart failure and pancreatic islets (GRNIC1) for diabetes. Geron is also pursuing other hESC-derived cell types, including dendritic cells for cancer immunotherapy and graft acceptance, chondrocytes for osteoarthritis, osteoblasts for osteoporosis and hepatocytes for liver failure and ADME/TOX drug testing.

Geron is a biopharmaceutical company that is developing first-in-class therapeutic products for the treatment of cancer and chronic degenerative diseases, including spinal cord injury, heart failure and diabetes. The products are based on our core expertise in telomerase and human embryonic stem cells. For more information, visit www.geron.com.

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 our 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 our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Geron’s periodic reports, including the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

Contacts:

Geron Corporation
Anna Krassowska, 650-473-7765
Investor and Media Relations
info@geron.com