On September 25, 2017– BioTime, Inc. (NYSE American: BTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing products addressing degenerative diseases, reported that its Board of Directors has approved a distribution of some or all of the shares of AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. owned by BioTime to BioTime’s shareholders (Press release, BioTime, SEP 25, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2302486 [SID1234520622]). The Board also authorized management to work with investment banks and other financial institutions to finalize and implement the strategy for taking AgeX public, which may include a tax-free distribution.
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"Asterias BioTherapeutics and OncoCyte Corporation, two companies founded by BioTime, were successfully transitioned into independent, publicly-traded companies that created significant value for BioTime and its shareholders," said Alfred Kingsley, BioTime’s Chairman of the Board. "We believe the formation and independent funding of AgeX, and a subsequent distribution to BioTime shareholders, will similarly unlock the significant value of the previously embedded BioTime assets related to the treatment of aging and age-related diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke and cancer."
AgeX Therapeutics focuses on technologies relating to cellular immortality and the regenerative biology of aging. Aging and age-related diseases have recently garnered significant investor interest, as evidenced by the formation of companies such as Calico, Human Longevity Inc., Unity Biotechnology, and Samumed, as well as others. These companies have attracted major financial supporters, many of whose investments were made at multibillion-dollar market valuations. AgeX’s initial investors similarly include institutions and accomplished business leaders, whose support creates a foundation for the company’s potential future success.
AgeX closed its initial $10 million equity financing in August of 2017 with a post-money valuation of approximately $68 million. BioTime currently owns approximately 85% of the outstanding shares of AgeX, with a post-money valuation of approximately $58 million, or 50 cents per BioTime share. The equity financing is expected to fund AgeX’s general operations and product development well into 2019, while saving BioTime more than $5 million annually on these programs and associated operational expenses.
Building on the recent success of the formation, funding and launch of AgeX, BioTime’s management and Board are now exploring all options for making AgeX a publicly-traded company, including a potential tax-free distribution of all AgeX shares to BioTime shareholders. Once BioTime’s management completes its discussions with investment banks and other financial firms, and its analysis of remaining tax, legal, commercial and regulatory issues, BioTime will announce further details of the resulting plan.