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Manuel Asensio Report: May 17, 1998 BioTime analyst issues false report. |
Manuel Asensio and Asensio & Company, Inc. ("Asensio") report that David K. Crossen, an analyst employed by NationsBanc Montgomery, issued a new report on BioTime, Inc. (OTC Symbol: BTIM) (Price: $9.625) last week in response to an article criticizing the company in The Wall Street Journal. Since June 10, 1997 Mr. Crossen has written at least 19 highly positive reports on BioTime. According to Manuel Asensio and Asensio, the reports contain numerous material omissions of fact, false statements and factual errors. Mr. Crossen’s April 29th report serves to illustrate his use of false and misleading statements to promote BioTime’s stock.
Manuel Asensio and Asensio further report that in his latest report Mr. Crossen writes that it was BioTime’s bankers and lawyers who claim its products could be used as a blood substitute. This is not true. BioTime’s management is responsible for their material misrepresentation of the possible uses and sales potential of its proposed product. Mr. Crossen also claims that these misrepresentations have no bearing on Hextend’s use by physicians. This is true. Manuel Asensio and Asensio believe that regardless of Mr. Crossen and BioTime’s false statements and claims, the FDA will not allow the use of Hextend without a limitation on dosage, and physicians will not use Hextend beyond those limitations.
Manuel Asensio and Asensio also believe that Mr. Crossen uses his false dose and safety claims in order to support his further false claim that Hextend's sales will exceed even those of the entire hetastarch market. There exists no evidence of any kind that supports either of these claims. Hextend and Hespan are for all intents and purposes the same. Manuel Asensio and Asensio asserts that they are not drugs as Mr. Crossen calls them. They are simple, low cost hetastarch solutions. BioTime’s own trials showed absolutely no statistically significant difference in amount used or bleeding risk between Hextend and Hespan. Any statements to the contrary are necessarily false and irresponsible. |
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