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[ISN] Hacker posts phony press release.

From: William Knowles (wkC4I.ORG)
Date: Thu Feb 17 2000 - 18:15:05 CST

http://www.marketwatch.newsalert.com/bin/story?StoryId=CokUaubebDxmTAgfJA2vK&FQ=v%25upi&Title=Headlines%20for%3A%20v%25upi%20

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 17 (UPI) [2.17.00] - Aastrom Biosciences Inc.
Thursday initiated an investigation after a computer hacker posted a
fake press release on its Web site announcing a merger with Geron
Inc., a California biopharmaceutical company.

Aastrom officials said they think the hacker was trying to manipulate
the stock of both companies. Aastrom fell to 4 9/16 in early trading
while Geron rose $9 to 56 .

Aastrom President and CEO R. Douglas Armstrong said there was nothing
to the merger announcement.

"We are appalled by this ruthless attempt to manipulate markets and
potentially harm the shareholders of both companies," Armstrong said.

He apologized to shareholders and said the company was investigating
security on its Web site.

Geron said it was not conducting any merger talks with Aastrom.

Aastrom officials discovered the fake press release on the web site
Thursday morning and contacted Nasdaq and law enforcement authorities.

The Ann Arbor, Mich., firm is developing technology to help replace
cells damaged by cancer chemotherapy and holds patents on ways to grow
human stem cells.

Aastrom traded for as little as 31 cents a share in October but is
considered a mover after reaching a 52-week high of $6.44 on Monday.

Geron, of Menlo Park, Calif., is involved in research on aging, cancer
and other age-related chronic diseases.

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"Communications without intelligence is noise;
Intelligence without communications is irrelevant."
Gen. Alfred. M. Gray, USMC
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C4I Secure Solutions http://www.c4i.org
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