"Geron's Imetelstat Receives FDA Advisers' Backing for Blood Disorder Treatment"
FDA advisers backed Geron's blood disorder drug, imetelstat, for treating transfusion-dependent anemia in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, despite concerns about risks and toxicities. The panel voted 12-to-2 in favor of the drug's benefits, with discussions focusing on the high rate of cytopenias in patients tested with the drug. If approved, imetelstat will compete with Bristol Myers Squibb's Reblozyl and is projected to generate $933 million in sales by 2029. The FDA is expected to make a decision on the drug by June 16.