World-Renowned Aging Researcher and Biomedical Gerontologist to Lead AgeX’s Research
ALAMEDA, Calif. & MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AgeX Therapeutics (“AgeX”), a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT:BTX) with a focus on developing new therapies in the field of biomedical gerontology, today announced the appointment of distinguished researcher and advocate Aubrey de Grey, Ph.D. as Vice-President of New Technology Discovery.
“One of the world’s foremost researchers in the science of aging, and a tireless advocate for such research, Aubrey will be a strong addition to AgeX as the Company is positioned to emerge as a leader in the field of biomedical gerontology,” commented Michael D. West, Ph.D., co-CEO of BioTime. “He has already moved the field forward to a considerable degree and will help accelerate our research and development programs.”
A biomedical gerontologist, Dr. de Grey is Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of SENS Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to researching, developing and promoting comprehensive regenerative medicine solutions for the diseases of aging. He will continue in his current capacity at SENS Research and his role at AgeX will be part-time. He is also editor-in-chief of the bimonthly academic journal Rejuvenation Research, from Mary Ann Liebert publishers. He has authored the books Ending Aging: The Rejuvenation Breakthroughs That Could Reverse Human Aging in Our Lifetime (co-author, 2008, St. Martin’s Griffin) and The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Aging (1999, R.J Landes) as well as numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and the American Aging Association, and sits on the editorial and scientific advisory boards of many journals and organizations. He has been interviewed by a variety of top-tier media outlets, including CBS’ “60 Minutes,” the New York Times, FORTUNE, the Washington Post, TIME, and “The Colbert Report,” among many others. He received his B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, England.
“The opportunity to help Mike West shape AgeX is a huge next step in my vision of how to hasten the defeat of aging,” said Dr. de Grey. “In creating a rejuvenation biotechnology industry, it is critically important to engage new companies and investors in this work. I am delighted to be involved in the work of a private company like AgeX to make this happen.”
“Attracting Dr. de Grey to AgeX represents a significant milestone in the company’s development and further enhances AgeX’s emerging leadership,” stated Adi Mohanty, co-CEO of BioTime. “Additionally, Dr. de Grey’s appointment allows BioTime to better focus on its three core segments of ophthalmology, aesthetics and cell and drug delivery.”
About AgeX Therapeutics
AgeX Therapeutics, a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT:BTX), is a biotechnology company applying technology relating to cell immortality and regenerative biology, to aging and age-related diseases. The company has three initial areas of product development: pluripotent stem cell-derived brown adipocytes (AGEX-BAT1); vascular progenitors (AGEX-VASC1); and induced Tissue Regeneration (iTR). Initial planned indications for these products are Type II diabetes, cardiac ischemia, and cancer respectively. A discussion with Dr de Grey regarding AgeX can be viewed here: http://investor.biotimeinc.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=83805&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=5259612
About BioTime
BioTime is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing products addressing degenerative diseases. Our clinical programs are based on two platform technologies: pluripotent cells and cell/drug delivery. The foundation of our core therapeutic technology platform is pluripotent cells that are capable of becoming any of the cell types in the human body. The foundation of our cell delivery platform is its HyStem® cell and drug delivery matrix technology. The Company’s current clinical programs are targeting three primary sectors, aesthetics, ophthalmology and cell/drug delivery. We also have significant equity holdings in two publicly traded companies, Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (“Asterias”) and OncoCyte Corporation (“OncoCyte”), which we founded and which, until recently, were our majority-owned consolidated subsidiaries.
BioTime common stock is traded on the NYSE MKT and TASE under the symbol BTX. For more information, please visit www.biotimeinc.com or connect with the company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Google+.
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About SENS Research Foundation
SENS Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to research, develop, and promote comprehensive regenerative medicine solutions for the diseases of aging. SRF is focused on a damage repair paradigm for treating the diseases of aging, which it advances through scientific research, advocacy, and education. SENS Research Foundation supports research projects at universities and institutes around the world with the goal of curing such age-related diseases as macular degeneration, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Educating the public and training researchers to support a growing regenerative medicine field are also major endeavors of the organization that are being accomplished though advocacy campaigns and educational programs. For more information, visit www.sens.org.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development, and potential opportunities for BioTime, Inc. 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, Inc. and its subsidiaries, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC (copies of which may be obtained at www.sec.gov). Subsequent events and developments may cause these forward-looking statements to change. BioTime specifically disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise these forward-looking statements as a result of changed events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release, except as required by applicable law.
Investor Contact:
EVC Group, Inc.
Michael Polyviou, 646-445-4800
mpolyviou@evcgroup.com
or
Media Contact for AgeX:
Gotham Communications, LLC
Bill Douglass, 646-504-0890
bill@gothamcomm.com
or
Media Contact for BioTime:
JQA Partners, Inc.
Jules Abraham, 917-885-7378
jabraham@jqapartners.com
or
Media Contact for SENS Research Foundation
Jerri Barrett, 408-204-7229
Jerri.barrett@sens.org