BioTime Appoints Walter Funk Vice President for Stem Cell Research
10 August 2009 - 10:30PM
Business Wire
BioTime, Inc. (OTCBB:BTIM) announced today that Walter Funk,
Ph.D. has joined its management team as Vice President for Stem
Cell Research. Dr. Funk will participate in the management of
BioTime’s team of scientists developing numerous products from
human embryonic stem cells for use in research and in novel
therapies for human diseases.
Dr. Funk is an experienced biotechnology professional, having
held both senior technical and executive research positions over
the past 15 years. He trained in Biochemistry (Ph.D., University of
British Columbia) and has published over 45 peer-reviewed journal
articles. He was one of the first scientists to join Geron
Corporation, and participated in the isolation of the telomerase
gene which allows certain cells, such as embryonic stem cells, to
proliferate without aging. Later at Geron, he worked with the
world's first human embryonic stem cell lines and provided the
first detailed description of their gene expression patterns
through a collaboration with Celera Corporation. Dr. Funk
subsequently held the position of V.P. Research at Nuvelo, Inc.,
where he led a team developing novel human biotherapeutics. His
group identified R-spondin proteins, an important new class of
human growth factors that have completed Phase 1a clinical trials,
and also developed new antibodies intended for use in the treatment
of human malignancies. Most recently, Dr. Funk co-founded Parallax
Venture Partners, a seed-stage venture capital group, and sits on
the boards of Gene Oracle, a leading provider of synthetic gene
technologies and services and Phyllom, LLC, an agricultural biotech
product development company.
“I am excited to join the BioTime team at such an important time
in the company’s development,” said Dr. Funk. “The development of
the ACTCellerateTM embryonic progenitor cell technology represents
a fundamental advancement of cell therapeutic strategies, providing
for the first time an elegantly simple means of scaling up
commercial quantities of highly purified human cell types. I look
forward to helping BioTime execute a strategic plan to push this
technology towards commercialization. Our recent award of a
prestigious CIRM grant will help BioTime and its collaborators make
rapid progress toward this goal.”
“We couldn’t be more enthusiastic about Dr. Funk’s decision to
join the BioTime management team. He has a track record of
consistently providing critical scientific expertise and executive
acumen,” said Michael D. West, Ph.D., CEO of BioTime. “His
expertise in genomics will help us reach our goal of leading the
emerging industry of regenerative medicine by providing the first
detailed gene expression map of BioTime’s hundreds of proprietary
cell lines.”
About BioTime, Inc.
BioTime, headquartered in Alameda, California, is a
biotechnology company focused on regenerative medicine and blood
plasma volume expanders. BioTime develops and markets research
products in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine
through its wholly owned subsidiary Embryome Sciences, Inc. In
addition to its stem cell products, BioTime has developed blood
plasma volume expanders and related technology for use in surgery,
emergency trauma treatment, and other applications. BioTime's lead
product, Hextend®, is a blood plasma expander manufactured and
distributed in the U.S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ
CheilJedang Corp. under exclusive licensing agreements. Additional
information about BioTime can be found on the web at
www.biotimeinc.com.
ACTCellerate™ is a trademark licensed to BioTime’s subsidiary
Embryome Sciences, Inc. by Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating
results, future growth in research, technology, clinical
development and potential opportunities for the company and its
subsidiary, 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 company's business,
particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in
the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The
company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
To receive ongoing BioTime corporate communications, please
click on the following link to join our email alert list:
http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1152&to=ea&s=0
Boatim (CE) (USOTC:BTIM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024
Boatim (CE) (USOTC:BTIM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024