( BW)(BIOTIME-INC)(BTIM) BioTime to optimize Hextend® clinical trial

protocol





   Business Editors & Medical/Biotechnology Writers





   BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 1996--BioTime Inc.

(NASDAQ:BTIM) announced that the company is in discussion with

the Food and Drug Administration for the purpose of modifying its

proposed protocol for Phase III clinical trials to increase the

likelihood that, upon successful completion, these trials will meet

the regulatory requirements for filing a new drug application for

Hextend®, BioTime's proprietary blood plasma volume expander.



   Dr. Paul Segall, BioTime president and chief executive officer,

said that this represents an important opportunity for BioTime.  "It

provides a chance to optimize the protocol to obtain the broadest

allowable indication," he said.



   BioTime, with headquarters in Berkeley, is engaged in the

research and development of blood plasma volume expanders and

low-temperature blood substitute solutions and technology for use

in surgery, emergency trauma treatment and the preservation of organs

awaiting transplant and other applications.





   --30--MEW/la*  JUN/la





   CONTACT:  BioTime Inc., Berkeley



             Victoria Bellport, 510/845-9535