Exhibit 5.1

October 13, 2017

BioTime, Inc.

1010 Atlantic Avenue
Suite 102
Alameda, California 94501

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to BioTime, Inc., a California corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the offering of up to 11,057,693 shares of the Company’s common stock, no par value (the “Shares”), including up to 1,442,308 Shares that may be sold pursuant to the exercise of an option to purchase additional Shares, pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended (Registration Statement No. 333-217182) (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), the prospectus included in the Registration Statement (the “Base Prospectus”), and the prospectus supplement relating to the Shares filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act (the “Prospectus Supplement” and, together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as currently in effect, and the originals or copies certified to our satisfaction of such records, documents, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not sought to independently verify such matters.

In rendering this opinion, we have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures on original documents, the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; and the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials.

Our opinion herein is expressed solely with respect to the General Corporation Law of the State of California. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein. We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any particular jurisdiction are applicable to the subject matter hereof. We are not rendering any opinion as to compliance with any federal or state law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof.

Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130
t: (650) 843-5000 f: (650) 849-7400 cooley.com

BioTime, Inc.

October 13, 2017

Page Two

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when sold and issued against payment thereof in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus, the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and the incorporation by reference of this opinion in the Registration Statement.

Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130
t: (650) 843-5000 f: (650) 849-7400 cooley.com