BTIM BioTime Launches New Stem Cell Lines in Anticipation of President Obama’s Removal of Restrictions on Federal Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
New Cell Line Products to be Presented at Stem Cells World Conference
BioTime, Inc. (OTCBB:BTIMstock news) Chief Executive Officer Michael West, Ph.D.,
will deliver a presentation on January 21, 2009 at the Select
Biosciences Stem Cells World Congress meeting in Palm Springs,
California. Dr. West’s presentation is titled “Embryomics: High
Throughput Generation and Mapping of Embryonic Progenitors.”
This year’s conference will focus on new technologies in stem cell
research and development, including the basic biology, medical
applications, regulation, and business of stem cells. Dr. West’s
presentation will include a description of BioTime’s stem cell research
programs and near-term stem cell products being marketed to the research
community.
Dr. West will announce the launch of 11 new cell line products and
present data on their unique properties and potential utility in
regenerative medicine. The new cell lines show markers of neural,
muscle, vascular, and cartilage progenitors, as well as other properties
of interest to the medical research community. The cells will initially
be marketed to universities and pharmaceutical companies for use in
research programs focused on developing new cell-based therapies for
neurodegenerative disease, muscular dystrophy, heart disease, cancer,
and arthritis, as well as other potential applications in the emerging
field of regenerative medicine. Information about these cell lines is
now available online at www.embryome.com,
and the cells themselves are available for purchase for research
purposes only, through the same website.
President Barack Obama has indicated that he will rescind President
Bush’s August 9, 2001 restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic
stem cell research. Since 2001, hundreds of new embryonic stem cell
lines have been made, including 72 novel cell types isolated by BioTime
scientists, that will not be eligible for use in federally-funded
research to fashion new medical therapies until the restrictions imposed
by the Bush Administration are rescinded.
“We look forward to a change in policy that allows federally-funded
researchers to utilize human embryonic stem cells generated since 2001,”
said Michael West, Ph.D., BioTime’s CEO. “We have scaled up inventory
for the launch of these new cell lines and plan on launching additional
similar products in the future.”
About BioTime, Inc.:
BioTime, headquartered in Alameda, California, develops blood plasma
volume expanders, blood replacement solutions for hypothermic (low
temperature) surgery, organ preservation solutions, and technology for
use in surgery, emergency trauma treatment and other applications.
BioTime's lead product Hextend is manufactured and distributed in the
U.S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ CheilJedang Corp. under
exclusive licensing agreements.
BioTime operates in the field of regenerative medicine through its
wholly owned subsidiary Embryome
Sciences, Inc. where it is developing new medical and research
products using embryonic stem cell technology. Additional information
about BioTime can be found on the web at www.biotimeinc.com.
Hextend®, PentaLyte®, HetaCool®,
EmbryomicsTM, ESpyTM, and ESpanTM, are
trademarks of BioTime, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results,
future growth in research, technology, clinical development and
potential opportunities for the company and its subsidiary, along with
other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans,
or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking
statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but
not limited to statements that contain words such as “will,” “believes,”
“plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,”) should also be
considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks
inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential
products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory
approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, and maintenance of
intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from
the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such
should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the
company's business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary
statements found in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
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