Amarantus Subsidiary MANF Therapeutics Announces Retinal Patent
Issuances in Europe Covering MANF & CDNF and Positive Data for
MANF in Glaucoma
- Patents extend MANF Therapeutics' exclusivity for MANF and CDNF
treatment of retinal disorders in Europe into 2031
Literature Watch
"Super-MANF" article published in American Journal of
Transplantation outlines microenvironment immunomodulatory role for
MANF in the
retina
- Positive Data for MANF in Glaucoma and retinal ganglion cell
repair published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Frontiers
in Molecular Neuroscience
San Francisco, CA -- December 26, 2017 --
InvestorsHub NewsWire -- Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. (OTCPK:
AMBS), a US-based biotechnology holding company with
wholly-owned subsidiaries developing first-in-class orphan
neurologic, regenerative medicine and ophthalmic therapies, today
announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary MANF Therapeutics, Inc.
was issued patents in Europe entitled "Method of Treatment for
Retinal Disorders" covering the therapeutic use of mesencephalic
astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) and cerebral dopamine
neurotrophic factor (CDNF) as treatments for retinal disorders,
including Glaucoma. The patents extend exclusivity for the use of
MANF and CDNF in the treatment of retinal disorders in Europe into
2031, and are in addition to the recent issuance of a patent from
the Japan Patent Office based on the same parent patent
application. Related patent applications in the US, China and other
jurisdictions remain in active prosecution. Additionally, the
Company announced the publication of two peer-reviewed articles
outlining MANF's role in the treatment of retinal disorders in the
peer-reviewed journals American Journal of Transplantation and
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience.
The article published in the American Journal of Transplantation
entitled "Super-MANF to the Rescue:
Immunomodulation Improves Retinal Repair and Regenerative Cell
Therapy" provides insights on the strong immunomodulatory role
of MANF in promoting retinal tissue repair and function, and
describes a potential mechanism of action which
could also explain MANF's role as a cardiomyokine that protects
cardiomyocytes in response to ischemic damage in the heart.
The data published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
entitled "Identification of Mesencephalic Astrocyte-Derived
Neurotrophic Factor as a Novel Neuroprotective Factor for Retinal
Ganglion Cells" examined the effect of MANF on retinal ganglion
cells (RGCs), its underlying neuroprotective mechanisms and
measured the concentrations of MANF in the vitreous of patients
with different retinopathies. In summary the results provided
important evidence for MANF's potential as a therapeutic protein
treatment for a range of retinal pathologies in either the
preclinical stage or after diagnosis to promote the survival of
RGCs. In addition, the authors concluded that MANF is highly
expressed in RGCs and that exogenous MANF can protect RGCs from
hypoxia-induced cell injury and apoptosis in both a rat model of
chronic glaucoma in vivo and hypoxia-induced RGC apoptosis in
vitro.
The Company owns MANF composition of matter patents and patent
applications in the United States and Europe. It also owns, or has
acquired exclusive rights to, US and international patents and
patent applications covering the therapeutic use of MANF in the
treatment of retinal disorders, beta cell disorders, Parkinson's
disease, and several other diseases.
About Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc.
Amarantus Bioscience Holdings (AMBS) is a biotechnology company
developing treatments and diagnostics for diseases in the areas of
neurology, regenerative medicine and orphan diseases through its
subsidiaries. AMBS' wholly-owned subsidiary Elto Pharma, Inc. has
development rights to eltoprazine, a Phase 2b-ready small molecule
indicated for Parkinson's disease levodopa-induced dyskinesia,
Alzheimer's aggression and adult ADHD. AMBS acquired the rights to
the Engineered Skin Substitute program (ESS), a regenerative
medicine-based approach for treating severe burns with
full-thickness autologous skin grown in tissue culture that is
being pursued by AMBS' wholly-owned subsidiary Cutanogen
Corporation. AMBS' wholly-owned subsidiary MANF Therapeutics, Inc.
owns key intellectual property rights and licenses from a number of
prominent universities related to the development of the
therapeutic protein known as mesencephalic astrocyte-derived
neurotrophic factor (MANF). MANF Therapeutics, Inc. is developing
MANF-based products as treatments for brain and ophthalmic
disorders. MANF was discovered by the Company's Chief Scientific
Officer John Commissiong, PhD. Dr. Commissiong discovered MANF from
AMBS' proprietary discovery engine PhenoGuard. AMBS also owns
approximately 80 million shares of Avant Diagnostics, Inc. via the
sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary Amarantus Diagnostics, Inc.
that occurred in May 2016.
For further information please visit www.Amarantus.com, or connect with the Amarantus on
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+.
About MANF Therapeutics, Inc.
MANF (mesencephalic-astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor) is
believed to have broad potential because it is a
naturally-occurring protein produced by the body to reduce/prevent
apoptosis (cell death) in response to injury or disease, via the
unfolded protein response. By administering exogenously produced
MANF the body, Amarantus is seeking to use a regenerative medicine
approach to assist the body with higher quantities of MANF when
needed. Amarantus is the front-runner and primary holder of
intellectual property around MANF, and is initially focusing on the
development of MANF-based protein therapeutics.
In April 2017, Amarantus incorporated the wholly-owned
subsidiary MANF Therapeutics, Inc. to focus on the preclinical and
clinical development of MANF. MANF's lead indication is retinitis
pigmentosa, and additional indications including Parkinson's
disease, diabetes and Wolfram's syndrome are envisioned. Further
applications for MANF may include Alzheimer's disease, traumatic
brain injury, myocardial infarction, antibiotic-induced ototoxicity
and certain other orphan diseases.
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Amarantus Investor and Media Contact:
Ascendant Partners, LLC
Richard Galterio
+1-732-410-9810
rich@ascendantpartnersllc.com
Source: Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc.