Organovo Partners With ZenBio, Inc. to Create 3D Tissue Models

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Organovo Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: ONVO) ("Organovo"), a creator and manufacturer of functional, three-dimensional human tissues for medical research and therapeutic applications, and ZenBio Inc., a leading provider of advanced cell-based solutions and services, are partnering to produce three-dimensional human tissues for drug discovery and advanced tissue therapies.

ZenBio will provide unique, validated cellular inputs for use by Organovo with its NovoGen bioprinting technology to enable the generation of living, three-dimensional tissues that reproduce the architectural and functional features of tissues inside the human body. The resulting 3D tissue models may lead to advances in medical research, drug discovery and development as well as direct therapies and transplantation.

"ZenBio is a highly respected provider of human cells, which are key inputs to our 3D tissue models," said Keith Murphy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Organovo. "Together, we can create new tissues and disease models that offer greater preclinical predictive value for drug discovery, and will fill unmet needs for medical research and surgical therapies."

"At ZenBio, we recognize the shift towards 3D cell culturing platforms for assay development. This is especially true for potency assays, which are a regulatory requirement for tissue engineered and regenerative medicine therapeutics. Additionally, our commercial and academic clients are continually seeking 3D cell culturing products as a bridge towards in vivo studies. Organovo's technology has the ability to satisfy the regulatory, academic, and commercial needs for 3D cell culturing," said Dr. John W. Ludlow, Executive Director of Regenerative Medicine at ZenBio Inc.

About Organovo Holdings, Inc.
Organovo designs and creates functional, three-dimensional human tissues for medical research and therapeutic applications. The company is collaborating with pharmaceutical and academic partners to develop human biological disease models in three dimensions. These 3D human tissues have the potential to accelerate the drug discovery process, enabling treatments to be developed faster and at lower cost. In addition to numerous scientific publications, their technology has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, The Economist, and numerous others. Organovo is changing the shape of medical research and practice. Learn more at www.organovo.com

About ZenBio
ZenBio Inc. (ZB) is a leading global provider of advanced cell-based solutions and services to the life science, cosmetics, and personal care communities. The company, founded in 1995, was a pioneer in adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) and continues this legacy by providing cutting edge human primary cell culture products and services. Our mission is to provide the highest quality human cell systems, reagents and contract services to our research partners, to develop and commercialize innovative research tools, leverage our expertise through research and development and strategic alliances, and accelerate discovery. Learn more at www.zen-bio.com

Safe Harbor Statement
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's ability to develop, market and sell products based on its technology; the expected benefits and efficacy of the Company's products and technology; the availability of substantial additional funding for the Company to continue its operations and to conduct research and development, clinical studies and future product commercialization; and the Company's business, research, product development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans and strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including our current report on Form 8-K/A filed on May 11, 2012. We do not undertake to update these forward-looking statements made by us.

SOURCE Organovo Holdings, Inc.

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