BioTime, Inc. announced that it will launch seven new human embryonic progenitor cell lines and seven novel culture media for these lines on September 1, 2010. These progenitor lines were produced from embryonic stem cells using the company's ACTCellerate technology.
Human embryonic progenitor cells are intermediate in the developmental process between embryonic stem cells and fully differentiated cells. The cells may possess the ability to become a wide array of cell types with potential applications in research, drug discovery, and potential novel regenerative stem cell therapies. The cells are relatively easy to manufacture on a large scale and in a purified state, which may make it advantageous to work with these cells compared to the direct use of human embryonic stem cells. The seven new cell lines have markers of diverse mesoderm and neural crest cell types and are designated W11, Z2, SK31, SM35, T36, EN51, and EN55. In addition to offering these new cell lines, BioTime will also simultaneously launch corresponding cell culture media and differentiation kits.
BioTime wishes to clarify that it does not use or depend upon U.S. federal grant funding to develop its products, nor does the company depend upon sales to federally funded research projects. The majority of the target market for BioTime's research products is and has always been researchers that are not funded by US NIH grants, the only research funding that has been suspended because of the recent US District Court decision in Sherley v. Sebelius. These other researchers include international researchers, private researchers, and researchers funded by other US governmental entities such as CIRM (California Institute for Regenerative Medicine).
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 developed through subsidiaries focused on specific fields of applications.