X-Message-Number: 12655 Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 18:24:46 -0700 From: Richard Gillmann <> Subject: Revised list of cryopreservation, nanotech and anti-aging Here is my revised list of cryopreservation, nanotech and anti-aging common stocks. They are all publicly traded companies (21CM is private). Note that this is not intended as any kind of investment advice! I am interested in tracking the progress of their research. Some may be worth investing in, but that's another matter. I have not listed any of the pharmaceutical giants like Abbott Labs, just the more specialized companies. Almost any medical or pharmaceutical company can be thought of as working on life extension in some sense, since any new treatment for disease will extend life expectancy. I am limiting myself to those whose research on cryopreservation, nanotechnology and anti-aging medicine is directly relevant to the interests of this newsgroup. Thanks to John de Rivaz, Martha S. Olijnyk, John Grigg and Bruce Waugh for excellent suggestions and feedback. ---Cryopreservation--- CRY (Mkt cap - $141M) CryoLife - cryopreservation of human tissue for transplants http://www.cryolife.com/ From the CryoLife web site - "Over the past decade, we have received 19 exclusive U.S. patents for tissue cryopreservation processing and packaging. Research has yielded patented processes for the cryopreservation of heart valves, veins, arteries, tendons, ligaments and a revolutionary new procedure for meniscus cartilage replacement." BTX (Mkt Cap - $97M) BioTime - Hextend plasma expander, HetaFreeze freeze-protective solution http://www.biotimeinc.com/ From the BioTime web site - HetaFreeze product - "HetaFreeze is one of a family of BioTime's freeze-protective solutions which may ultimately allow the extension of time during which organs and tissues can be stored for future transplant or surgical grafting. BioTime's proprietary freeze-protective compounds have already been used to preserve skin when used as a whole animal perfusate. Silver dollar size full thickness shaved skin samples have been removed after saturation with HetaFreeze solution, frozen at liquid nitrogen temperatures and stored for periods ranging from days to weeks. The grafts were then warmed and sewn onto the backs of host animals. Many of these grafts survived. In other laboratory experiments, BioTime scientists have shown that animals can be revived to consciousness after partial freezing with their blood replaced by HetaFreeze. While this technology has not developed to an extent that allows long term survival of the laboratory subjects, it may have applications in the freezing and long term storage of tissues such as blood vessels and skin." (microcap: VSOGF - Vasogen - prevention of ischemia/reperfusion injury) ---Nanotechnology--- NGEN (Mkt cap - $132M) Nanogen - technology to move and concentrate molecules electronically http://www.nanogen.com/ From the Nanogen web site - "Since DNA has a strong negative charge, it can be electronically moved to an area of positive charge. A test site or a row of test sites on the microchip is electronically activated with a positive charge." "Following electronic addressing, Nanogen uses electronics to move and concentrate target molecules to one or more test sites on the microchip." "The precision, control, and accuracy of Nanogen's platform technology, through the use of the controlled delivery of current in the electronic stringency process, permits the detection of single point mutations, single base pair mismatches, or other genetic mutations, which may have significant implications in a number of diagnostic and research areas." ---Anti-aging--- GERN (Mkt cap - $164M) Geron - R&D on cancer, age-related degenerative diseases, telomerase http://www.geron.com/ There is a long and interesting article about Geron in the Oct. 11, 1999 issue of Fortune magazine. From the Geron web site - "Geron is the leading biotechnology company focused on human aging. Its mission is to develop novel therapeutics for the many manifestations of aging through breakthroughs in the basic genetic mechanism of cell aging and immortalization. The Company's technology is largely centered around the genetic clock of cell aging - the telomere, and the key that is believed to rewind the clock of cell aging - telomerase. The Company's proprietary technology platform has many applications in medicine from age-related diseases to cancer." ============================================================== Richard Gillmann http://www.nwlink.com/~rxg Issaquah, WA (USA) ============================================================== Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=12655