BTIM: Is it Time for BioTime

BioTime http://www.biotimeinc.com/ is a california based biotech company with established products in the "plasma expanders" market "Hextend". These plasma expanders are used in high blood loss surgery. Hextend is approved for major surgeries and is distributed in US and Canada by "Hospira" http://www.hospira.com/ and in south Korea by CJ Corporation. (1.2 million USD royalty payment year ending Dec 2008 from Hospira for Hextend). Hextend is also going to be licensed to Summit Pharmaceuticals International/ Maruishi Pharmaceutical for Japan, China & Tiwan.

BioTime also has other products such as "PentaLyte" (Phase II Trial completed), HetaCool all part of the "plasma expander" family of products for specialised conditions.

BioTime through its wholly owned subsidiary "Embryome Sciences Inc" is entering into emerging field of "regenerative medicine". Embryome Sciences plan is to provide advanced stem cell technologies related research products and services to the research companies/institutions.

(I must state that Embryome and BioTime have been working on developing Embryonic stem cells from a non controversial source)

- Embryome Sciences will provide and maintain a commercial database (website) that provides the first detailed map of the embryome, aiding researchers in identifying many hundreds of cell types comming from embryonic stem cells. The new website will also be used to market the stem cell research products developed by Embryome Sciences and other companies.
- Embryome Sciences will also market products (growth & differentiating factors) researchers need to induce the cells to become desired cell types. these products are also available for sale on the website since June 2008.
- Embryome Science will sell purification tools usefull to researchers in purification and quality control analysis of products in regenerative medicine.

Ticker symbol: BTIM
Company Name: BioTime
CMP: 2.05 USD Market Cap: 52.95 million USD

My take: BioTime is really trying to be in the front and center of embryonic stem cell related development. Setting up the market place where people (research companies and institutes) will go to buy raw products and sell the finished products(hopefully).
It is trying to be the facilitator of all future developments in embryonic stem cell field.
It has acquired key technologies licenses which will then be sold/marketed to research firms.
It has acquired key technologies to induce growth of the desired cell types.
It is using a non controversial way to build stem cells using somatic cells. (Process is called induced pluripotent stem cells - iPS)
Dr. West who has worked on telomere extension (telemorase - Geron Corp www.Geron.com ) and with ACTC (Advance Cell Technology) as per my understanding is simplifying the stem cell technology through BioTime - Embryome Sciences initiative. Dr. West and his team are effectively going to provide the basic plumbing required for research groups to kick start their research in Stem cell field.

Just like the Internet before and after the web browser is a completely different story.
This collaboration initiative will bring stem cell research to prime time. BioTime - Embryome Sciences success will depend on how popular the site and its tools/services become. They need to strike a fine balance of freedom and control to see the site and volume of business to grow.

Considering the lineage of BioTime (Dr West) I would give more than a 50-50 chance for the company to hit big time. This is a good time to get in.

Interesting Read:
- Life Extension Magazine: Will BioTime reset the clock of Aging: Regenerative Medicine breakthrough
- BioTime Company Website