17. Commitments and Contingencies BioTime had no fixed, non-cancelable contractual obligations as of December 31, 2012, with the exception of office and laboratory facility operating leases. The lease ofBioTime's office and laboratory in Alameda, California expires on January 31, 2016. BioTime hasan option to extend the lease for one additional term of five years, with the rent to be determined at the time of the extension based on the prevailing market rate for comparable facilities. Base monthly rent under thecurrent Alameda facility lease is $29,856 from December 2012 and will increase by three percent each year. In addition to the base rent, BioTimepays a pro rata share of real property taxes and certain costs associated to the operation and maintenance of the building in which the leased premises are located. BioTime also currently pays $5,050 per month for the use of approximately 900 square feet of office space in New York City, which is made available by one of BioTime's directors at his cost for use in conducting meetings and other business affairs. ESI's lease of office space in Singapore expired on October 31, 2012. Base monthly rent under that lease was S$2,241 (approximatelyUS$1,800). The lease was not renewed. ESI's Singapore lease of lab space expires on October 31, 2013. Base monthly rent under the Singapore laboratory lease is S$9,600 (approximatelyUS$7,850). In addition to base rent, ESI pays a pro rata share of real property taxes and certain costs related to the operation and maintenance of the building in which the leased premises are located. LifeMap Sciences' lease of office space in Tel Aviv, Israel expired on April 30, 2012. Base monthly rent under that lease was ILS 15,000 (approximatelyUS$4,000) per month. The lease was renewed with additional space effective June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2015. Base monthly rent under the renewed lease is ILS 20,720 (approximatelyUS$5,550) per month. The original lease was extended through May 31 as the new space was not ready on May 1. In addition to ba