Imetelstat sodium is a Oligonucleotide owned by Geron, and is involved in 18 clinical trials, of which 13 were completed, 3 are ongoing, and 2 are planned.

Imetelstat (GRN163L) is a 13-mer oligonucleotide N3'– P5' thiophosphoramidate (NPS oligonucleotide) that is covalently attached to a C16 (palmitoyl) lipid moiety, which increases potency and improves its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Imetelstat binds directly with high affinity to the template region of the RNA component of human telomerase (hTR), which lies in the active or catalytic site of hTERT, the telomerase reverse transcriptase. Imetelstat binding to hTR results in direct, competitive inhibition of telomerase enzymatic activity. Upregulation of telomerase is necessary for most cancer cells to replicate indefinitely and thereby enable tumor growth and metastasis. Inhibiting telomerase activity can result in telomere shortening which can cause aging and death of cancer cells. GRN163L competitive inhibition of telomerase enzymatic activity can, thus, lead to the death of cancer cells.

The revenue for Imetelstat sodium is expected to reach a total of $4bn through 2038. This change impacts the valuation of this asset and is an important factor to understand the current value of the drug in a clinical process. GlobalData uses proprietary data and analytics to provide a complete picture of this assessment in their Imetelstat sodium NPV Report.

Imetelstat sodium is originated and owned by Geron.

Imetelstat sodium Overview

Imetelstat (JNJ-63935937) is under development for the treatment of intermediate-2-risk or high-risk myelofibrosis, intermediate-1 or intermediate-2 risk myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia multiple myeloma, myeloproliferative neoplasms and lymphoid hematologic malignancy. The drug candidate is administered by intravenous infusion. It is a new molecular entity (NME). It is a 13-mer oligonucleotide N3'–P5' thio-phosphoramidate (NPS oligonucleotide) that is covalently attached to a C16 (palmitoyl) lipid moiety. GRN163L binds directly with high affinity to the template region of the RNA component of human telomerase (hTR), which lies in the active or catalytic site of hTERT, the telomerase reverse transcriptase. GRN163L binding to hTR results in direct, competitive inhibition of telomerase enzymatic activity. It is a new molecular entity.     Imetelstat (GRN163L) was under development for the treatment of chronic lymphoproliferative disease including, small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), T cell prolymophocytic leukemia (T-PLL), B cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL), mantle cell lymphoma or other non-Hodgkins lymphoma in leukemic phase, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis, post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis, non-small cell lung cancer, solid tumors, neuroblastoma, polycythemia vera and breast cancer.

Geron Overview

Geron is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development and commercialization of imetelstat, a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor in hematologic myeloid malignancies. The company’s clinical studies include Imerge, a Phase 2 trial in lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes; and IMbark, a Phase 2 clinical trial in intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis. Imetelstat received Fast Track designation from the US FDA to treat patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to lower or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF). The company utilizes core expertise in telomerase and telomere biology and its proprietary nucleic acid chemistry for the development of imetelstat. Geron is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the US.

The company reported revenues of (US Dollars) US$1.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 2021 (FY2021), compared to a revenue of US$0.3 million in FY2020. The operating loss of the company was US$114 million in FY2021, compared to an operating loss of US$76.9 million in FY2020. The net loss of the company was US$116.1 million in FY2021, compared to a net loss of US$75.6 million in FY2020. The company reported revenues of US$0.1 million for the first quarter ended March 2022, a decrease of 88.2% over the previous quarter.

Quick View – Imetelstat sodium

Report Segments
  • Innovator
Drug Name
  • Imetelstat sodium
Administration Pathway
  • Intravenous
Therapeutic Areas
  • Oncology
Key Companies
Highest Development Stage
  • Phase III

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

To create this model, GlobalData takes into account factors including patent law, known and projected regulatory approval processes, cash flows, potential applicable patients, drug margins, company expenses, and pricing estimates. Combining these data points with GlobalData’s world class analysis creates high value models that companies can use to help in evaluation processes for each drug or company.

The rNPV method integrates the probability of a drug reaching a clinical stage into the cash flow at that time, which provides a more accurate rNPV, as it considers the probability that the drug never makes it through the clinical pathway to commercialization. GlobalData’s rNPV model uses proprietary likelihood of approval (LoA)and phase transition success rate(PTSR) data for the indication in the highest development stage, which can be found on GlobalData’s Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center.