Exhibit 99.1


    GERON CONTINUES AGGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY

MENLO PARK, CA -- NOVEMBER 1, 2001 -- Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) today
reaffirmed its commitment to the company's ongoing development program for
commercializing embryonic stem cell technology.

As Geron has previously described, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
(WARF) has brought a lawsuit against Geron seeking a declaratory judgment
concerning Geron's rights and WARF's obligations under the 1999 license
agreement between WARF and Geron. The license agreement covers the
commercialization of six cell types made from human embryonic stem cells. Geron
funded the research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that led to the
isolation of human embryonic stem cells.

WARF's lawsuit addresses Geron's option to obtain an exclusive license to cell
types in addition to the six cell types already licensed to Geron and the scope
of Geron's exclusive license to commercialize research products based on those
six cell types. On October 3, 2001, Geron filed an answer and a motion for
judgment on the pleadings in the lawsuit. WARF's response to Geron's motion was
filed on October 30, 2001.

In the course of a recent discussion in which Geron made a proposal to settle
the lawsuit, WARF indicated that it was dissatisfied with the development plans
for the six cell types that Geron had submitted to WARF under the license
agreement. WARF subsequently sent Geron a letter stating its concerns about
these development plans and about Geron's progress in commercializing
therapeutic products based on the WARF patents. WARF's letter requested that
Geron revise the development plans to make them acceptable to WARF. In
principle, WARF has the right to terminate Geron's license rights with respect
to any cell type that Geron does not develop diligently.

Geron believes that its development of the technology has been more than
diligent. In fact, Geron has spent more than $48 million since 1995 on embryonic
stem cell research and development. Geron believes that its development plans
are both reasonable and consistent with its obligations under the license
agreement. Geron is committed to developing commercial products based on the
WARF patents, as well as on Geron's own embryonic stem cell intellectual
property, as rapidly and effectively as possible consistent with regulatory
requirements and patient safety. Geron is committed to developing therapeutic
products that are safe and effective, and that do not fail in clinical trials or
before the FDA for lack of pre-clinical research. In that respect, Geron
believes that its interests and WARF's interests are identical.

Geron continues to be committed to resolving its differences with WARF amicably
and in a way that advances both the private interests of the parties, as well as
the public interest. However, if WARF seeks to diminish the rights that WARF
willingly granted Geron, after Geron funded the research, paid WARF for a
license, and invested substantially in developing the technology thereby greatly
enhancing its value, then Geron intends to resist vigorously.




Geron is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing
therapeutic and diagnostic products for applications in oncology and
regenerative medicine, and research tools for drug discovery. Geron's product
development programs are based upon three patented core technologies:
telomerase, human embryonic stem cells and nuclear transfer.

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 such forward-looking statements in this press
release regarding product development and future applications of Geron's
technology constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development
and commercialization of potential products, dependence on collaborative
partners, and the 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, 2001.

Contacts:
Investor and Media Relations                     Investor Inquiries
Geron Corporation                                Nancy Robinson
David Greenwood                                  Burns McClellan, Inc.
650-473-7765                                     415-352-6262

Additional information about Geron Corporation can be obtained at
http://www.geron.com.




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