Full Press Release Details
Subsidiary OncoCyte Corporation Publishes Data on the Gene FSIP1
as a Breast Cancer-Specific Marker
is one component of a panel of markers comprising PanC-DxTM,
a blood-based cancer screen -
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 5, 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-DxTM
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-DxTM as an in vitro diagnostic
(IVD) in Europe before seeking FDA approval required to market PanC-DxTM
in the United States.
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
cell lines, HyStem hydrogels, culture media, and differentiation
kits. BioTime is developing Renevia (formerly known as HyStem -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 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 , the leading human gene
database, as part of an integrated database suite that also includes the LifeMap
Discovery 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 , 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