Historically, tumultuous times offer some of the best opportunities to buy stocks, and the market's recent mess surely qualifies. There aren't many companies that are poised to flourish these days, but many investors think biopharmaceutical company Geron (NASDAQ:GERN) is one of them.

In our Motley Fool CAPS community, more than 88% of the 607 investors rating the company are bullish, so there's no shortage of reasons why Geron will thrive, three of which I've highlighted below.

But here at The Motley Fool, we're all for looking at both the good and bad sides of an investment. Once you're done with this article, you can read the case against the stock, weigh in with your own comments below, or rate Geron in CAPS.

1. Stem cell pioneer
CAPS members like the potential Geron has as a leader in the field of regenerative medicine. Companies like Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), Abbott Labs (NYSE:ABT), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), and sanofi-aventis (NYSE:SNY) have all started to pump significant resources into stem cell strategies in recent years, and Geron has made some progress of its own toward stem-cell-based therapies that some investors think could one day transform it from an early pioneer into a cash cow.

2. Anticancer therapies
In addition to pushing for successful stem-cell-based therapies like Cytori Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CYTX) and other regenerative-medicine-focused companies, Geron is also focused on developing anticancer therapies. CAPS members like the recent advancements it has made with its GRNVAC1 vaccine, which prompts the immune system to fight tumor cells, and they also like the promise that its experimental drug imetelstat shows in treating multiple types of cancer.           

3. Friends in high places
Investors aren't the only ones that see potential value in Geron's technologies and portfolio of patents -- drug giants do, too. While Pfizer is hoping the next big thing is in its deal with Athersys, Geron has teamed up with larger players like Merck (NYSE:MRK) and General Electric's GE Healthcare, which some investors see as a highly positive validation of the potential of its treatments.                                        

To see details of what CAPS members are saying now about Geron, just click on over to Motley Fool CAPS and have a look -- or add your own thoughts directly to this story in the comments box below.