SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of
Report (date of earliest event reported): June 27, 2008
BioTime,
Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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California
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1-12830
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94-3127919
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS
Employer Identification No.)
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1301
Harbor Bay Parkway
Alameda,
California 94502
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(510)
521-3390
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
[ ] Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
[ ] Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
Statements made in this Report that
are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements that are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those discussed. Such risks and uncertainties include
but are not limited to those discussed in this report and in our other reports
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Words such as “expects,”
“may,” “will,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,”
“estimates,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking
statements.
Section
7 - Regulation FD
Item 7.01
- - Regulation FD Disclosure
The press release filed as Exhibit 99.1
is incorporated by reference.
Section
9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item
9.01 - Financial Statements and Exhibits
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Exhibit
Number
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Description
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99.1
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Press
Release dated June 27, 2008
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2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
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BIOTIME,
INC.
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Date: June
27, 2008
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By /s/
Steven A. Seinberg
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Chief
Financial Officer
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3
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Exhibit
Number
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Description
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99.1
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Press
Release dated June 27, 2008
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4
Exhibit
99.1
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BioTime,
Inc.
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1301
Harbor Bay Parkway
|
|
|
Alameda,
CA 94502
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||
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Tel:
510-521-3390
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||
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Fax:
510-521-3389
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www.biotimeinc.com
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www.embryome.com
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BioTime,
Inc. and Embryome Sciences, Inc. Launch Embryome.com and the International
Embryome Initiative
ALAMEDA, CA, June 27, 2008 –
BioTime, Inc., (OTCBB: BTIM) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Embryome Sciences,
Inc. announced today the launch of Embryome.com and the International Embryome
Initiative, an international collaboration with scientists around the world to
create the first systematic map of all the cell types derived from human
embryonic stem cells. In a paper published today titled “The International
Embryome Initiative: A Collaborative Database for Navigating the Complexities of
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation,” available online at www.futuremedicine.com/loi/rme,
BioTime and Embryome Sciences describe the collaboration to map the “embryome”
in a manner similar to the international initiatives to map the human DNA or
genome in the 1990s. While the database launched today at Embryome.com is
currently populated with nearly 2,000 distinct cell types, the complete map will
require the collective efforts of hundreds of scientists over the coming
months.
The
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which is the funding arm of the
$3 billion California stem cell initiative, has agreed to be the first
subscriber to all features of the database on behalf of all researchers residing
within the state of California. Details are available at log in to the database
at www.embryome.com.
“Human
embryonic stem (hES) cells have the innate potential to become all of the
diverse cell types of the human body,” said Dr. Michael D. West, CEO of BioTime
and Embryome Sciences. “However, understanding how to control and use that
potential is the greatest challenge in the field of regenerative medicine today.
The sheer complexity of cell types and the lack of an international standard of
the markers that distinguish the cell types are slowing the advance of the
field. We hope this collaborative map will speed the day when life-saving
therapies can be translated from the laboratory to the host of patients
suffering from life-threatening disease.” Like other collaborative databases,
Embryome.com offers an online discussion forum where scientists can debate
issues, exchange ideas, and transmit data related to stem cell research for the
data base. An editorial board will ultimately control the content of the
site.
At
Embryome.com, Embryome Sciences and other companies will market a host of
specialty research products and supplies, including ESpanTM cell
culture media, for scientists to use in the field of stem cell research. Other
products that Embryome Sciences has planned for future sale on Embryome.com
include ESpyTM
cell lines, which will be gene trapped and constitutive derivatives of hES cells
that send beacons of light in response to the activation of particular
genes. The progenitor ESpy™ cell lines will be produced and
distributed in joint
efforts
with Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC utilizing Embryome Sciences’ proprietary
“Embryomics™” technology, International Stem Cell’s proprietary parthenogenetic
stem cell lines derived from unfertilized human eggs, and technology and
approved hES cell lines licensed by BioTime from the Wisconsin Alumni Research
Foundation (WARF). Data on these cell lines also will be presented on
the embryome.com online database.
According
to Dr. West, “While many have focused on the therapeutic opportunities of hES
cells, and the generous $3 billion of funding provided by the State of
California to fund this research, we believe that the greatest rate of return on
investment may be in commercializing research products. We intend to
win the race to profitability in this important field of medicine.”
About
BioTime, Inc. (BTIM.OB):
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 Corp. under exclusive licensing
agreements. BioTime has recently entered the field of regenerative medicine
through its wholly owned subsidiary Embryome Sciences, Inc. where it plans to
develop 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.
Contact:
BioTime,
Inc.
Judith
Segall
jsegall@biotimemail.com
510-521-3390
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