US stem cell pioneer abandons ‘costly’ research

STEM cell therapy pioneer Geron is to abandon stem cell research because of high costs and commercial uncertainties for the field.

The US company is seeking a buyer for its stem cell programme and plans to lay off 66 of its 175 employees.

The company said it would stop enrolling patients in its study of a stem cell-based treatment for spinal cord injury, the first stem cell trial approved in the US.