BioTime, Inc. announced it has submitted a Clinical Investigation Protocol (CIP) to European regulatory authorities for approval to initiate studies for its Renevia(TM) stem cell delivery platform. The Principal Investigator for the studies will be Ramon Llull, MD, and the planned trials will be conducted at the Stem Center, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The Stem Center is operated by the GID Group, Inc., of Louisville, Colorado.

BioTime is currently completing the production of clinical materials according to current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. The initiation of human clinical studies is expected in second quarter of this year upon approval of the CIP. Renevia(TM), a member of the company's HyStem(R) family of hydrogels, is a proprietary formulation that mimics the human extracellular matrix, a web of molecules surrounding cells that is essential to cellular function.

Renevia(TM) is designed to be a liquid injectable matrix capable of safely polymerizing in the body into a three-dimensional tissue-like scaffold in combination with transplanted cells.