NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – GE Healthcare said today it has expanded its licensing agreement with Geron for the development of cellular assays and models derived from embryonic stem cells.
The assays and models are for use in drug discovery and toxicity screening, and under the terms of the expanded deal, GE has exclusive rights to Geron's IP and know-how for developing and selling cellular assays derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.
GE and Geron originally partnered on stem cell-based assays in 2009. Expanding the deal will progress GE in its goal to bring "the benefits of stem cell derived assays and models to pharmaceutical and cell science research," Amr Abid, general manager of cell technologies for GE Healthcare Life Sciences, said in a statement.
"In the immediate term it will allow us to accelerate the development of new technologies and products for our customers in drug discovery. Longer term, by taking a licence from GE Healthcare, the wider industry will also benefit from the ability to use key intellectual property without violating patent right," he said.
Financial and other terms were not disclosed.