Asterias Biotherapeutics Announces Intention to Distribute 3.15 Million Warrants to Purchase Common Shares of Asterias to Asterias Shareholders

FREMONT, Calif., Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AST), a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company with a focus on pluripotent stem cell technology, today simplified its capital structure through the previously announced Asset Swap with BioTime, Inc. In conjunction with the Asset Swap, Asterias also announces its intention, at its discrestion, to distribute the 3.15 million warrants to purchase common shares of Asterias received pursuant to the Asset Swap to Asterias shareholders on terms to be determined by its Board of Directors.

"I am pleased to announce that Asterias ended 2015 with approximately $21 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities," said Pedro Lichtinger, President and CEO of Asterias. "After the upcoming distribution, if the holders exercise their warrants, we believe Asterias will have the cash it needs to fund operations for at least the next 12 months. In addition, BioTime's ownership of Asterias would be reduced from 58% to 54%." 

About Asterias Biotherapeutics

Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a leading biotechnology company in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. The company's proprietary, industry leading platforms are based on its pluripotent stem cell and dendritic cell immunotherapy technologies. Asterias is focused on developing therapies to treat conditions in several medical areas where there is high unmet medical need and inadequate available therapies. AST-OPC1 (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells) is currently in a Phase 1/2a dose escalation clinical trial in spinal cord injury. AST-VAC1 (antigen-presenting autologous dendritic cells) has demonstrated promise in a Phase 2 study in acute myelogenous leukemia. AST-VAC2 (antigen-presenting allogeneic dendritic cells) represents a second generation, allogeneic approach to dendritic cell vaccines. Additional information about Asterias can be found at www.asteriasbiotherapeutics.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 
Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development, and potential opportunities for Asterias, 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 businesses of Asterias, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in Asterias's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Asterias disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.asteriasbiotherapeutics.com