| From: Savant | 2/1/2013 1:52:06 AM | | | | | | RT... LifeMap Sciences, a Subsidiary of BioTime, Announces Publication of Research
Report Describing Non-Redundant Compendium of Human Non-Coding RNA Authored by
GeneCards(R) Scientists
Report shows the existence of a^ 1/480,000 human non-redundant non-coding RNAs
covering 71% of the human genome, slightly less than the ENCODE prediction of 80%
ALAMEDA, Calif., Jan 30, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- LifeMap Sciences, Inc., a
subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. (nyse mkt:BTX), announced today the publication of a
paper authored by a research group under the supervision of Prof. Doron Lancet
from the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science
describing the analysis and display of a non-redundant compendium of human
non-coding RNA genes, which was made available as part of GeneCards(R) Version
3.09, released November 18, 2012. LifeMap Sciences holds the exclusive worldwide
license to market GeneCards(R) from Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd.,
the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) genes are increasingly acknowledged for their importance
in the human genome, and are implicated in various disease processes. Therefore
they are of interest to many academic and industry researchers in various
biomedical fields, and to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies engaged in
discovery and development of diagnostic and therapeutic products. The ENCODE
project Click for Detail, launched in 2003 has recently predicted
that ~80% of all genomic territories are transcribed in one fashion or another.
In the GeneCards(R) publication, in the journal Bioinformatics
Click for Detail, the scientists leveraged the
effective platform of GeneCards(R) to unify all ncRNA gene entries obtained from
15 different primary data sources. Overlapping entries were clustered to unified
locations based on an algorithm employing genomic coordinates, resulting in a a^
1/45-fold increase, to a total of a^ 1/480,000 human non-redundant ncRNAs,
belonging to 14 classes. The total genome territory covered is 71% of the human
genome, slightly less than the ENCODE prediction. This difference may be due to
dataset input and computation discrepancies or may represent ncRNA genes still
awaiting identification and characterization.
GeneCards(R) is a comprehensive online database that provides concise genomic
information on all known and predicted human genes. With over 12 million page
visits per year from hundreds of thousands of unique users worldwide,
GeneCards(R) is accessed by professionals in academia, research hospitals, patent
offices, and leading biotech and pharma companies. GeneCards(R) was developed,
and is continuously enhanced by ongoing research, by the bioinformatics team at
the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science in
Israel, with principal investigator Professor Doron Lancet, head of the Crown
Human Genome Center, and team leader Marilyn Safran.
"It is wonderful to see how GeneCards(R) allowed us to overcome the great
obstacles of grand unification of ncRNA genes. This allows scientists to make
discoveries on biological and disease-related roles for genes belonging to this
newly open vista of the human genome," said Professor Doron Lancet, Ph.D., The
Ralph D. and Lois R. Silver Professor of Human Genomics, at the Weizmann
Institute of Science.
"The addition of detailed annotated ncRNAs information, while providing the big
picture on ncRNAs is a significant addition to GeneCards(R)," stated Yaron
Guan-Golan, Head of Marketing at LifeMap Sciences. "We have already seen
substantial interest from companies and academic users to access this new
information for their research and product discovery efforts. We believe that
this new information, and the synergies between GeneCards(R), MalaCards, and
LifeMap Discovery(TM) will significantly enhance basic research, and contribute
greatly to the discovery and development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic
products and technologies."
About LifeMap Sciences, Inc. |
| | Geron Corp. | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last Read |
|
| From: Savant | 2/1/2013 1:53:02 AM | | | | | | RT...BioTime's Subsidiary OncoCyte Corporation Provides an Update on the Development
of the Novel Pan-Cancer Diagnostic Product PanC-Dx(TM)
Multi-center clinical study of a blood-based diagnostic test for the early
detection of cancer planned for 2013
ALAMEDA, Calif., Jan 31, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- BioTime, Inc. (nyse mkt:BTX) and
BioTime's subsidiary OncoCyte Corporation provided an update on the progress of
development of PanC-Dx(TM), a novel blood-based diagnostic test utilizing
molecular markers discovered at BioTime and OncoCyte designed to detect the
presence of various human cancers, including cancers of the breast, lung,
bladder, uterus, stomach, and colon. By facilitating early, non-invasive cancer
detection, PanC-Dx(TM) could lead to more successful therapeutic outcomes through
earlier diagnosis and treatment. This diagnostic test could also reduce the cost
of cancer monitoring and increase the availability of affordable cancer screening
worldwide. OncoCyte first announced the development of PanC-Dx(TM) during
December 2011 and last provided a progress update in March 2012. In addition to
this update, OncoCyte intends to release additional information regarding the
progress of PanC-Dx(TM) development throughout 2013.
OncoCyte's plans for 2013 include the initiation of a clinical study focused on
breast cancer screening at a group of leading cancer research institutions.
OncoCyte has been developing, characterizing, and manufacturing monoclonal
antibodies in preparation for the initiation of the clinical study and is
currently working with a select group of cancer researchers to design the trial
and select the study sites. If its laboratory findings are validated in clinical
trials, PanC-Dx(TM) may be used as a simple, routine blood test that could be
performed in women of any age at any desired frequency to detect breast cancer
with as much if not better accuracy and with less cost than a conventional
mammogram.
OncoCyte has achieved several key advances in the past year, including:
-- Completion of the development and characterization of over 50 proprietary,
patent pending, monoclonal antibodies targeting 7 novel cancer antigens.
OncoCyte's findings show a significant elevation of these antigens in the blood
of cancer patients when compared to healthy control patients;
-- Initiation of validation studies of ELISA assays in order to demonstrate
high-sensitivity detection of target antigens using proprietary monoclonal
antibodies;
-- Completion of large-scale manufacturing of 11 proprietary monoclonal
antibodies;
-- Initiation of prototype development for a second detection format (solid phase
ELISA point of care testing) through a collaborative development agreement; and
-- Initiation of clinical trial protocol design analysis in consultation with key
opinion leaders and outside diagnostic experts.
Key goals for 2013 will be:
-- Completion of validation of our proprietary ELISAs in our patient sample
dataset;
-- Formalization of additional relationships with key opinion leaders at major
medical institutions;
-- Institutional review board (IRB) approval and initiation of a large,
prospective multicenter patient study at leading breast cancer institutions;
-- Presentation of key findings at major oncology-related scientific conferences;
and
-- Submission of manuscripts to peer-reviewed scientific journals for
publication.
Based on large unmet need, market size, and data generated thus far from patient
sera screening, OncoCyte is initially focusing its efforts on biomarkers
associated with breast cancer. The apparent high correlation of certain
combinations of biomarkers in breast cancer has made this indication an
attractive initial target. If clinical trials are successful, OncoCyte intends to
launch PanC-Dx(TM) as an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) in Europe, potentially
commencing in 2014, before seeking FDA approval required to market PanC-Dx(TM) in
the United States. Some CLIA-certified clinical laboratories may choose to offer
PanC-Dx(TM) on a limited basis prior to EU and FDA approval.
"OncoCyte has made substantial progress in the development of PanC-Dx(TM) since
our last update in March of 2012," said Joseph Wagner, Ph.D., CEO of OncoCyte.
"Most importantly, we have developed and characterized a large repertoire of
proprietary monoclonal antibodies to a set of breast cancer-related protein
markers that we have identified and validated over the last few years. OncoCyte
has filed patent applications on these novel, unique markers that we believe are
early indicators of the presence of breast cancer. We have manufactured
substantial quantities of a subset of these proprietary antibodies that show the
greatest promise and we are currently assembling ELISA-format assays. Once we
have completed the validation of these assays and our clinical trial design work,
we intend on initiating a large, multicenter clinical trial later this year."
"There is a great need for rapidly deployed, effective screens to identify a wide
array of human cancers at their earliest stages. A blood-based test with superior
accuracy designed to detect breast cancer at early stages would have a
substantial impact in the women's health community," said Dr. Andrew von
Eschenbach, former Director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute and former U.S.
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner. Dr. von Eschenbach, a specialist in
urological cancer, is a member of the BioTime and OncoCyte boards of directors.
"Early detection remains our current best hope for achieving cures. Therefore,
the development of more accurate diagnostics and screens for all major cancer
types should be a national priority."
Michael West, Ph.D., CEO of BioTime added, "We are pleased with the deep insights
into cancer biology generated by this discovery effort. These discoveries were
the direct outcome of the broad regenerative medicine and bioinformatics platform
that has been built at the BioTime family of companies and demonstrates the
breadth of potential applications of our technology. Besides leading to novel
diagnostics, these new insights may point the way to future therapeutic
strategies to target and destroy cancer cells while leaving normal tissue
intact."
About BioTime, Inc.
BioTime, headquartered in Alameda, California, is a biotechnology company focused
on regenerative medicine and blood plasma volume expanders. Its broad platform of
stem cell technologies is enhanced through subsidiaries focused on specific
fields of application. BioTime develops and markets research products in the
fields of stem cells and regenerative medicine, including a wide array of
proprietary PureStem(TM) cell lines, HyStem(R) hydrogels, culture media, and
differentiation kits. BioTime is developing Renevia(TM) (formerly known as
HyStem(R)-Rx), a biocompatible, implantable hyaluronan and collagen-based matrix
for cell delivery in human clinical applications. BioTime's therapeutic product
development strategy is pursued through subsidiaries that focus on specific organ
systems and related diseases for which there is a high unmet medical need.
BioTime's majority owned subsidiary Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. is developing
therapeutic products derived from stem cells for the treatment of retinal and
neural degenerative diseases. BioTime's subsidiary OrthoCyte Corporation is
developing therapeutic applications of stem cells to treat orthopedic diseases
and injuries. Another subsidiary, OncoCyte Corporation, focuses on the diagnostic
and therapeutic applications of stem cell technology in cancer, including the
diagnostic product PanC-Dx(TM) currently being developed for the detection of
cancer in blood samples. ReCyte Therapeutics, Inc. is developing applications of
BioTime's proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell technology to reverse the
developmental aging of human cells to treat cardiovascular and blood cell
diseases. BioTime's subsidiary LifeMap Sciences, Inc. markets GeneCards(R), the
leading human gene database, as part of an integrated database suite that also
includes the LifeMap Discovery(TM) database of embryonic development, stem cell
research and regenerative medicine, and MalaCards, the human disease database.
LifeMap Sciences also markets BioTime research products and PanDaTox, an
innovative, recently developed, searchable database that can aid in the discovery
of new antibiotics and biotechnologically beneficial products. BioTime
Acquisition Corporation is a new subsidiary being used to acquire the stem cell
assets of Geron Corporation, including patents and other intellectual property,
biological materials, reagents and equipment for the development of new
therapeutic products for regenerative medicine. BioTime's lead product,
Hextend(R), is a blood plasma volume expander manufactured and distributed in the
U.S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ CheilJedang Corporation under
exclusive licensing agreements. Additional information about BioTime can be found
on the web at biotimeinc.com.
About OncoCyte Corporation
OncoCyte Corporation is a majority-owned subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. OncoCyte's
mission is to develop novel products for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in
order to improve both the quality and length of life of cancer patients.
OncoCyte's molecular diagnostics division is developing products for earlier
detection of a variety of cancers. In addition to its diagnostic product line,
OncoCyte is developing cellular therapies to treat cancer based on the unique
biology of vascular precursor cells. The goal of OncoCyte's therapeutic research
efforts is to derive vascular cells that can be engineered to deliver a toxic
payload to the developing blood vessels of a malignant tumor to destroy the tumor
without killing nearby normal tissues in the body. Additional information on
OncoCyte can be found on the web at oncocyte.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results, future growth
in research, technology, clinical development, and potential opportunities for
BioTime and its subsidiaries, 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 business of BioTime and its subsidiaries, particularly those
mentioned in the cautionary statements found in BioTime's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings. BioTime disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
To receive ongoing BioTime corporate communications, please click on the
following link to join our email alert list:
phx.corporate-ir.net
cts.businesswire.com
SOURCE: BioTime, Inc.
BioTime, Inc.
Peter Garcia, 510-521-3390, ext 367
Chief Financial Officer
pgarcia@biotimemail.com
Judith Segall, 510-521-3390, ext 301
jsegall@biotimemail.com |
| | Geron Corp. | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last Read |
|
| From: Savant | 3/12/2013 12:21:28 PM | | | | | | RT..
BioTime Appoints Stephen C. Farrell to Board of Directors
ALAMEDA, Calif., Mar 12, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- BioTime, Inc. (nyse mkt:BTX)
today announced that Stephen C. Farrell has been appointed to its Board of
Directors.
"We are pleased to welcome an experienced executive of Steve's caliber to
BioTime's board," said Alfred D. Kingsley, Chairman of the Board of BioTime.
"Steve adds critical and highly relevant experience as a successful leader and
director of healthcare companies during periods of rapid growth. His operational
and financial experience and his strategic vision will be valuable additions to
our board during an exciting period of growth for BioTime."
"BioTime's development and progress toward the acquisition of novel technologies
in the stem cell space over the past year, along with its recent successful
financings, have further established it as a leader in regenerative medicine,"
said Mr. Farrell. "I am honored to join the BioTime Board of Directors during
such an important time in the Company's growth, and look forward to contributing
to the development of these new technologies, which have the potential to
significantly improve the health and quality of life of patients around the
world."
Mr. Farrell currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Convey
Health Solutions (formerly known as NationsHealth, Inc.), a healthcare business
process outsourcing company headquartered in Sunrise, Florida. Convey Health
Solutions utilizes both technology and staff to manage end-to-end insurance
processes for business clients. Previously, he served as President of PolyMedica
Corporation, a publicly traded provider of diabetes supplies and related services
that was acquired in 2007 by Medco Health Solutions in a transaction valued at
$1.5 billion. During his eight year tenure at PolyMedica, Mr. Farrell served as
its President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance
Officer, and Treasurer. Mr. Farrell also served as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Stream Global Services, Inc., a business process
outsourcing company. Earlier in his career, Mr. Farrell served as Senior Manager
at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Farrell holds an A.B. from Harvard University,
and an M.B.A. from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. Mr. Farrell
currently serves on the board and is chairman of the Audit Committee of Questcor
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (QCOR), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the
treatment of patients with serious, difficult-to-treat autoimmune and
inflammatory disorders.
About BioTime, Inc.
BioTime, headquartered in Alameda, California, is a biotechnology company focused
on regenerative medicine and blood plasma volume expanders. Its broad platform of
stem cell technologies is enhanced through subsidiaries focused on specific
fields of application. BioTime develops and markets research products in the
fields of stem cells and regenerative medicine, including a wide array of
proprietary PureStem(TM) cell lines, HyStem(R) hydrogels, culture media, and
differentiation kits. BioTime is developing Renevia(TM) (formerly known as
HyStem(R)-Rx), a biocompatible, implantable hyaluronan and collagen-based matrix
for cell delivery in human clinical applications. BioTime's therapeutic product
development strategy is pursued through subsidiaries that focus on specific organ
systems and related diseases for which there is a high unmet medical need.
BioTime's majority-owned subsidiary Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. is developing
therapeutic products derived from stem cells for the treatment of retinal and
neural degenerative diseases. BioTime's subsidiary OrthoCyte Corporation is
developing therapeutic applications of stem cells to treat orthopedic diseases
and injuries. Another subsidiary, OncoCyte Corporation, focuses on the diagnostic
and therapeutic applications of stem cell technology in cancer, including the
diagnostic product PanC-Dx(TM) currently being developed for the detection of
cancer in blood samples. ReCyte Therapeutics, Inc. is developing applications of
BioTime's proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell technology to reverse the
developmental aging of human cells to treat cardiovascular and blood cell
diseases. BioTime's subsidiary LifeMap Sciences, Inc. markets GeneCards(R), the
leading human gene database, as part of an integrated database suite that also
includes the LifeMap Discovery(TM) database of embryonic development, stem cell
research and regenerative medicine, and MalaCards, the human disease database.
LifeMap Sciences also markets BioTime research products and PanDaTox, an
innovative, recently developed, searchable database that can aid in the discovery
of new antibiotics and biotechnologically beneficial products. BioTime
Acquisition Corporation is a new subsidiary being used to acquire the stem cell
assets of Geron Corporation, including patents and other intellectual property,
biological materials, reagents, and equipment for the development of new
therapeutic products for regenerative medicine. BioTime's lead product,
Hextend(R), is a blood plasma volume expander manufactured and distributed in the
U.S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ CheilJedang Corporation under
exclusive licensing agreements. Additional information about BioTime can be
obtained at biotimeinc.com. |
| | Geron Corp. | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last Read |
|
| From: Savant | 4/25/2013 6:20:00 PM | | | | | | Geron Unveils Further Work Cuts, Discontinues Discovery Research Program
By Nathalie Tadena
Geron Corp. (GERN) unveiled plans to cut its workforce by about a third and discontinue its discovery research and companion diagnostics programs, as the pharmaceutical company looks to focus solely on developing its imetelstat drug for hematologic myeloid malignancies. The company said it is closing its research laboratory facility and reducing its workforce from 64 positions to 44. Geron expects to incur restructuring charges of about $1.9 million this year. The discontinued programs and activities were expected to cost up to $19 million during the periods 2014 through 2015. Geron also said its chief medical officer Stephen Kelsey will leave the company on May 3. Geron plans to focus its resources on hematologic myeloid malignancies and does not plan to advance clinical development of imetelstat, its telomerase inhibitor, in non-small cell lung cancer with short telomeres or in essential thrombocythemia. "Diseases such as myelofibrosis represent the greatest value-creating opportunity for the company because many patients with these diseases have significant unmet medical needs and imetelstat has the potential to be a disease-modifying treatment," said Chief Executive John A. Scarlett. Geron also reported its first-quarter loss narrowed to $11.9 million, or nine cents a share, from $18.7 million, or 15 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue declined about 39% to $765,000, but expenses fell, too. The latest job cuts come after Geron in December cut its workforce by 40% and stopped developing its treatment for brain cancers, part of efforts to focus on developing imetelstat. Shares closed at $1.17 and were unchanged after hours. The stock has fallen 30% over the past three months. |
| | Geron Corp. | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last Read |
|
| From: Savant | 6/17/2013 5:46:13 PM | | | | | | Geron reports updated results from its Imetelstat Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in Essential Thrombocythemia
Co announces that updated clinical results from the co's Phase 2 trial of imetelstat in essential thrombocytopenia were presented in an oral session at the Congress of the European Hematology Association. Efficacy Results All 18 ET patients were refractory to, intolerant of or had refused conventional therapies (hydroxyurea, anagrelide and/or interferon-alpha). Platelet counts were reduced in all patients (a 100% hematologic response rate) and normalized in 16 out of 18 patients (an 89% complete response (CR) rate). The JAK2 V617F gene mutation was detected in eight patients. Seven out of the eight (88%) patients achieved 72% to 96% reductions in JAK2 V617F allele burden that qualified as partial molecular responses within three to 12 months of treatment with imetelstat. Molecular PRs were maintained in six of the seven (86%) patients, with a median follow-up of 9.5 months (range 0 to 19 months) after first achieving a response. The median durations of hematologic and molecular response have not yet been reached. Safety Results In the trial, long-term administration of imetelstat was generally well tolerated. There were no new safety signals observed in the six-month update, and no patients discontinued the trial due to drug-related adverse events. The majority of the non-hematologic adverse events were mild-to-moderate in severity, the most frequent assessed as imetelstat-related by investigators being gastrointestinal events and fatigue. No drug-related Grade 4 non- hematologic adverse events were reported. |
| | Geron Corp. | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last ReadRead Replies (1) |
|
| From: tktrimbath | 6/30/2013 6:28:13 PM | | | | | | INTRO Here's my semi-annual exercise to see if I remember why I own the stocks I own, and so I can check back and see if their stories have changed. I post in case it helps others too.
Geron
GERN (market cap was $0.184B is $0.196B)
Geron is a high tech biotech that may yet revolutionize critical care treatment of severe ailments like cancer. Their initial list of impressive technologies has been reduced primarily to one: telomerase. Control telomerase and control cell death and growth, which means control cancer and destructive diseases. Even one success would probably make Geron into a multi-billion dollar company. (Though DNDN's history shows a disconnect between medical success and investment success, so far.) At this point that would probably be a ten-fold increase in stock price. Unfortunately, bold claims require bold proof, and the FDA moves slowly when faced with bold measures. Geron is in Phase II clinical trials, which means FDA approval is probably years away unless a compassionate case can be made. They've been at this for over twenty years. An optimist will say they're due. A pessimist will say they won't make it. I'll hold because their bold claims have good reason to come through. Besides, I may have enough stock if they succeed.
DISCLOSURE LTBH since 1999 and continuing to hold. My finances are strained by similar stories throughout what I thought was a diversified portfolio. My house may go into foreclosure, and additional sacrifices may be made, including selling stocks I'd rather hold, or even buy. So, if I sell, it will probably be because I have to, not because I want to.
(I've also collected links to the other discussion boards and my other stocks over on my blog trimbathcreative.wordpress.com |
| | Geron Corp. | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last Read |
|
| From: Savant | 8/6/2013 3:04:19 AM | | | | | | BioTime CEO Dr. Michael West to Present at the Case Western Reserve University 6th Annual Regenerative Medicine Business Education Course
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 2013-- BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX), a biotechnology company that develops and markets products in the field of regenerative medicine, announced that Chief Executive Officer Michael D. West, PhD will present today at the Case Western Reserve University in the meeting "The Business of Regenerative Medicine: From Stem Cells to the Market Place" in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. West's presentation titled "Embryomics: Commercial Opportunities in the Increasing Complex Biology of Pluripotency" is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EDT. Dr. West will describe new data relating the company's PureStem(TM) technology and cell lines potentially useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and for Alzheimer's disease research and will soon be made available for sale to the research community. The presentation is available on BioTime's website at www.biotimeinc.com/scientific-presentations. A discussion of the results presented in today's meeting is also discussed by Dr. West in his weekly video update available for viewing at www.biotimeinc.com/video-series/. About BioTime, Inc. BioTime, headquartered in Alameda, California, is a biotechnology company focused on regenerative medicine and blood plasma volume expanders. Its broad platform of stem cell technologies is enhanced through subsidiaries focused on specific fields of application. BioTime develops and markets research products in the fields of stem cells and regenerative medicine, including a wide array of proprietary PureStem(TM) cell lines, HyStem(R) hydrogels, culture media, and differentiation kits. BioTime is developing Renevia(TM) (formerly known as HyStem(R) -Rx), a biocompatible, implantable hyaluronan and collagen-based matrix for cell delivery in human clinical applications. BioTime's therapeutic product development strategy is pursued through subsidiaries that focus on specific organ systems and related diseases for which there is a high unmet medical need. BioTime's majority owned subsidiary Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. is developing therapeutic products derived from stem cells for the treatment of retinal and neural degenerative diseases. BioTime's subsidiary OrthoCyte Corporation is developing therapeutic applications of stem cells to treat orthopedic diseases and injuries. Another subsidiary, OncoCyte Corporation, focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of stem cell technology in cancer, including the diagnostic product PanC-Dx(TM) currently being developed for the detection of cancer in blood samples. ReCyte Therapeutics, Inc. is developing applications of BioTime's proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell technology to reverse the developmental aging of human cells to treat cardiovascular and blood cell diseases. BioTime's subsidiary LifeMap Sciences, Inc. markets GeneCards(R) , the leading human gene database, as part of an integrated database suite that also includes the LifeMap Discovery(TM) database of embryonic development, stem cell research and regenerative medicine, and MalaCards, the human disease database. LifeMap Sciences also markets BioTime research products and PanDaTox, an innovative, recently developed, searchable database that can aid in the discovery of new antibiotics and biotechnologically beneficial products. Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a new subsidiary being used to acquire the stem cell assets of Geron Corporation, including patents and other intellectual property, biological materials, reagents and equipment for the development of new therapeutic products for regenerative medicine. BioTime's lead product, Hextend(R) , is a blood plasma volume expander manufactured and distributed in the U.S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ CheilJedang Corporation under exclusive licensing agreements. Additional information about BioTime can be found on the web at www.biotimeinc.com. |
| | Geron Corp. | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last ReadRead Replies (1) |
|
| To: Savant who wrote (3364) | 8/6/2013 3:05:37 AM | | From: Savant | | | | BioTime Subsidiary LifeMap Sciences Announces Publication of Research Report Describing LifeMap Discovery(TM)
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2013-- LifeMap Sciences, Inc., a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX), announced today that the LifeMap Discovery(TM) product has been documented in a published paper authored by LifeMap Sciences' research and development team. LifeMap Discovery(TM) (available as of November 2012 via discovery.lifemapsc.com is the first "roadmap" directing scientists through the many hundreds of branch points in the stems of the tree of human cellular life. It also merges experimental knowledge on stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, striving to aid researchers in the quest to produce functional cells capable of regenerating particular tissues in the body, for the treatment of a variety of degenerative diseases. LifeMap Discovery(TM) is a key component of LifeMap's therapeutic discovery collaboration with BioTime and is utilized in conjunction with LifeMap's proprietary bioinformatics tools to select the PureStem(TM) cells that are most likely to be useful in developing cell-based regenerative medicine therapies for a wide range of diseases. The publication titled "LifeMap Discovery(TM): The embryonic development, stem cells, and regenerative medicine research portal" in the open access peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE can be viewed via the link dx.plos.org. The publication describes the scientific and technological foundations of LifeMap Discovery(TM), the first road map of embryonic development on a cellular level. Key features that are described in the publication include the following: Embryonic development tree LifeMap Discovery(TM) displays more than 1,400 cell types and anatomical structures of the developing embryo and the cellular differentiation that occurs during mammalian embryonic development, branching from the zygote to the progenitor cells and terminating at the mature cells. It covers developmental paths of various types of cells, including blood, endothelium, motor neurons, bone, cartilage and many more. Stem cell differentiation protocols LifeMap Discovery(TM) provides more than 100 protocols used to induce differentiation of various embryonic and progenitor cells and of induced pluripotent stem cells into various cell types (for example, a protocol for derivation of motor neuron-like cells). Each protocol is displayed in a "card" that contains an informative and interactive viewer, sketching the protocol in a stepwise fashion. Regenerative medicine LifeMap Discovery(TM) provides a wealth of information on diseases which represent potential targets for cell-based therapeutic approaches and medically relevant information relating to regenerative medicine. It also provides cell-based therapy approaches that apply cultured stem cells towards treatment of degenerative diseases, via replacement of damaged cells or tissues, and/or stimulation of the body's natural repair mechanisms. Gene expression and signaling Cells and anatomical compartments of the developing embryo are characterized by specific gene expression profiles and selective markers, as well as by signaling molecules that participate in pathways which guide embryonic development. LifeMap Discovery(TM) provides this molecular information for various cell types as well as for cultured stem, progenitor and primary cells. It also provides a centralized means of identifying cell types throughout in vivo embryonic development or in vitro stem cell differentiation procedures, based on specific gene expression profiles. "The sophisticated detail in the LifeMap Discovery(TM) database is a reflection of a movement underway in regenerative medicine toward a higher definition of cell types in research and therapy," said Dr. Michael West, CEO of BioTime. "We believe the database will not only bring more traffic to the LifeMap database suite, but will also be the backbone for moving this increasingly complex field toward clinical application." "The publication describing LifeMap Discovery(TM) in a leading journal in its field is a validation of the scientific merits of this leading edge state-of-the-art product," stated David Warshawsky, Ph.D., President and CEO of LifeMap Sciences. "Our team is dedicated to continuing to enhance LifeMap Discovery(TM) and we are delighted to see the rapid growth of use by the global research community, already several tens of thousands of users. We are eager to see the impact that this remarkable resource will have in the transformative field of regenerative medicine." About LifeMap Sciences, Inc. LifeMap Sciences' (www.lifemapsc.com) core technology and business is based on the LifeMap Integrated Biomedical Knowledgebase, the discovery platform for biomedical and stem cell research. This web-based platform includes GeneCards(R) , the leading human gene compendium; LifeMap Discovery(TM), the embryonic development, stem cell research and regenerative medicine compendium; and MalaCards, the human disease compendium. According to Google Analytics, the sites have generated more than 2,000,000 unique visitors with more than 13,000,000 page views, from more than 3,000 universities, institutions and biomedical companies in the past 12 months. Via LifeMap BioReagents(TM), LifeMap offers leading edge reagents to researchers in academia, research hospitals, and biotech and pharma companies. LifeMap is BioTime's principal marketing subsidiary for research products, including PureStem(TM) human progenitor cells, PureStem(TM) packages, clinical and research grade human embryonic stem cell (hES) lines, culture media, and cell differentiation kits. The eCommerce portal also offers select recombinant proteins, including growth factors, signaling molecules, differentiation factors, cytokines and chemokines that complement BioTime research product lines. In therapeutic discovery collaboration with BioTime, LifeMap's scientists utilize the Integrated Biomedical Knowledgebase to aid in the development of BioTime's proprietary library of more than 200 PureStem(TM) human progenitor cell types into products for the treatment of human diseases, especially degenerative diseases that might be treatable with cell replacement therapies. A bioinformatics platform developed by LifeMap is used to select the PureStem(TM) cells that are most likely to be useful in developing cell-based regenerative medicine therapies for a wide range of diseases. |
| | Geron Corp. | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last Read |
|
| From: Savant | 8/6/2013 3:12:36 AM | | | | | | BioTime's Subsidiary OncoCyte Corporation Publishes Data on the Gene FSIP1 as a Breast Cancer-Specific Marker
- FSIP1 is one component of a panel of markers comprising PanC-Dx(TM) , a blood-based cancer screen - ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 05, 2013-- BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX) and BioTime's subsidiary OncoCyte Corporation today announced the publication of a scientific report on the gene FSIP1 and its potential as a marker for breast cancer. The paper, published in the peer-reviewed journal Biomarkers in Medicine and available online today, describes the microarray-based approach used to identify FSIP1 as a breast cancer biomarker with significantly elevated expression in breast tumors expressing the estrogen receptor, which represents 70-80% of all breast cancers. In addition to elevated gene expression, FSIP1 protein was also expressed within tumors at significant levels whereas little to no expression was found in most normal tissues, including healthy breast tissue. Combined, these findings lay the foundation for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, including the measurement of FSIP1 in the blood as a screen for the presence of cancer, as well as targeting of FSIP1 as an antigen in cancer immunotherapy approaches. Based on large unmet need, market size, and data generated thus far from patient sample screening, OncoCyte is initially focusing its efforts on identifying biomarkers that may be used to detect and monitor breast and bladder cancers. OncoCyte has been developing, characterizing, and manufacturing monoclonal antibodies for use in detecting breast cancer, in preparation for the initiation of the first clinical study of PanC-Dx(TM) and is currently working with a select group of cancer researchers to finalize a study protocol for submission to the institutional review boards of the study sites. If clinical trials are successful, OncoCyte intends to launch PanC-Dx(TM) as an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) in Europe before seeking FDA approval required to market PanC-Dx(TM) in the United States. About BioTime, Inc. BioTime, headquartered in Alameda, California, is a biotechnology company focused on regenerative medicine and blood plasma volume expanders. Its broad platform of stem cell technologies is enhanced through subsidiaries focused on specific fields of application. BioTime develops and markets research products in the fields of stem cells and regenerative medicine, including a wide array of proprietary PureStem(TM) cell lines, HyStem(R) hydrogels, culture media, and differentiation kits. BioTime is developing Renevia(TM) (formerly known as HyStem(R)-Rx), a biocompatible, implantable hyaluronan and collagen-based matrix for cell delivery in human clinical applications. BioTime's therapeutic product development strategy is pursued through subsidiaries that focus on specific organ systems and related diseases for which there is a high unmet medical need. BioTime's majority owned subsidiary Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. is developing therapeutic products derived from stem cells for the treatment of retinal and neural degenerative diseases. BioTime's subsidiary OrthoCyte Corporation is developing therapeutic applications of stem cells to treat orthopedic diseases and injuries. Another subsidiary, OncoCyte Corporation, focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of stem cell technology in cancer, including the diagnostic product PanC-Dx(TM) currently being developed for the detection of cancer in blood samples. ReCyte Therapeutics, Inc. is developing applications of BioTime's proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell technology to reverse the developmental aging of human cells to treat cardiovascular and blood cell diseases. BioTime's subsidiary LifeMap Sciences, Inc. markets GeneCards(R), the leading human gene database, as part of an integrated database suite that also includes the LifeMap Discovery(TM) database of embryonic development, stem cell research and regenerative medicine, and MalaCards, the human disease database. LifeMap Sciences also markets BioTime research products and PanDaTox, an innovative, recently developed, searchable database that can aid in the discovery of new antibiotics and biotechnologically beneficial products. Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a new subsidiary being used to acquire the stem cell assets of Geron Corporation, including patents and other intellectual property, biological materials, reagents and equipment for the development of new therapeutic products for regenerative medicine. BioTime's lead product, Hextend(R), is a blood plasma volume expander manufactured and distributed in the U.S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ CheilJedang Corporation under exclusive licensing agreements. Additional information about BioTime can be found on the web at www.biotimeinc.com. About OncoCyte Corporation OncoCyte Corporation is a majority-owned subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. OncoCyte's mission is to develop novel products for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in order to improve both the quality and length of life of cancer patients. OncoCyte's molecular diagnostics division is developing products for earlier detection of a variety of cancers. In addition to its diagnostic product line, OncoCyte is developing cellular therapies to treat cancer based on the unique biology of vascular precursor cells. The goal of OncoCyte's therapeutic research efforts is to derive vascular cells that can be engineered to deliver a toxic payload to the developing blood vessels of a malignant tumor to destroy the tumor without killing nearby normal tissues in the body. Additional information on OncoCyte can be found on the web at www.oncocyte.com Forward-Looking Statements Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development, and potential opportunities for BioTime and its subsidiaries, 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 business of BioTime and its subsidiaries, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in BioTime's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. BioTime disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. To receive ongoing BioTime corporate communications, please click on the following link to join our email alert list: news.biotimeinc.com CONTACT: BioTime, Inc. Robert Peabody Sr. VP & CFO 510-521-3390, ext 302 rpeabody@biotimemail.com or Judith Segall 510-521-3390, ext 301 jsegall@biotimemail.com |
| | Geron Corp. | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last ReadRead Replies (1) |
|
| |
