- Study conducted by leading researchers at
University of Miami -
- Data demonstrate MANF preserves photoreceptor
cells and light-sensing function -
Amarantus BioScience Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:AMBS), a biotechnology
company focused on developing therapeutic and diagnostic products
for neurological disorders and orphan indications, announced the
presentation of positive preclinical data for MANF
(mesencephalic-astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor) in retinitis
pigmentosa (RP) at the Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, being held in Denver, CO. The results
from preclinical studies demonstrate that MANF preserves the
light-sensing function of photoreceptor cells in a genetic model of
RP.
"We are very pleased with the data generated in RP from Dr.
Wen's lab at University of Miami's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, one
of the world's most prestigious ophthalmology research and
treatment centers," said Gerald E. Commissiong, President & CEO
of Amarantus BioScience Holdings, Inc. "Given the recent granting
of orphan drug designations in both the US and EU, the presentation
of this data is very timely as we build momentum for MANF in this
devastating orphan indication, as well as continue to further
establish the MANF orphan ophthalmology franchise."
MANF is a naturally-occurring protein that reduces and prevents
apoptosis (programmed cell death) in response to injury or disease.
Previous studies conducted by Rong Wen, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of
Ophthalmology, at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and the inventor of the
technology encompassing MANF treatment for RP and other retinal
disorders, have shown that recombinant human MANF protects
photoreceptors in a retinal degeneration rat model of RP carrying
the S334ter rhodopsin mutation.
Dr. Wen's poster on MANF entitled, "ERG preservation by
intravitreal injected recombinant mesencephalic astrocyte-derived
neurotrophic factor (MANF) in rd10 mice," disclosed the results of
the effect of MANF on the electrophysiological activities of
retinal cells in the rd10 mice, a retinal degeneration model of RP
carrying the Pde6brd10 mutation. The data demonstrated
that intravitreal injection of recombinant human MANF preserves the
light-sensing function of photoreceptor cells, as measured by the
b-wave amplitude using electroretinography. The data was
presented today at the ARVO 2015 Annual Meeting, abstract
5405-A0254, Yiwen Li and Rong Wen, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute,
University of Miami, Miami, Florida, U.S.A..
Dr. Wen commented, "We continue to see very encouraging
preclinical data with MANF. I am looking forward to continue
further development of MANF in collaboration with Amarantus, as I
believe it has the potential to address RP, as well as other
ophthalmologic disorders with serious unmet need and improve the
quality of life of patients where no viable treatments exist
today."
About Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of
Miami
The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine has been ranked No. 1 nationally in
ophthalmology in U.S. News & World Report's annual "Best
Hospitals" rankings for 11 consecutive years. Founded in 1962,
Bascom Palmer is the largest ophthalmic care, research and
educational facility in the southeastern United States. Its staff
treats more than 250,000 patients and performs more than 13,000
surgeries annually. At the forefront of innovation in ophthalmology
for more than five decades, the institute's physicians and
scientists are internationally recognized for their expertise in
every eye disorder, including glaucoma, macular degeneration,
diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, dry eye, eye cancers and eye
diseases in children.
About Mesencephalic-Astrocyte-derived Neurotrophic
Factor (MANF)
MANF (mesencephalic-astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor) is
believed to have broad potential because it is a
naturally-occurring protein produced by the body for the purpose of
reducing and preventing apoptosis (cell death) in response to
injury or disease, via the unfolded protein response. By
manufacturing MANF and administering it to 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.
MANF's lead indication is retinitis pigmentosa, and additional
indications including Parkinson's disease, diabetes and Wolfram's
syndrome are currently pursued. Further applications for MANF may
include Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, myocardial
infarction, antibiotic-induced ototoxicity and certain other rare
orphan diseases currently under evaluation.
About Amarantus BioScience Holdings, Inc.
Amarantus BioScience Holdings (AMBS) is a biotechnology company
developing treatments and diagnostics for diseases in the areas of
neurology, psychiatry, ophthalmology and regenerative medicine.
AMBS' Therapeutics division has development rights to eltoprazine,
a Phase 2b ready small molecule indicated for Parkinson's disease
levodopa-induced dyskinesia, adult ADHD and Alzheimer's aggression,
and owns the intellectual property rights to a therapeutic protein
known as mesencephalic-astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF)
and is developing MANF-based products as treatments for brain and
ophthalmic disorders. AMBS' Diagnostics division owns the rights to
MSPrecise®, a proprietary next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS)
assay for the identification of patients with relapsing-remitting
multiple sclerosis (RRMS) at first clinical presentation, has an
exclusive worldwide license to the Lymphocyte Proliferation test
(LymPro Test®) for Alzheimer's disease, which was developed by
Prof. Thomas Arendt, Ph.D., from the University of Leipzig, and
owns intellectual property for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
(NuroPro). AMBS also owns the discovery of neurotrophic factors
(PhenoGuard™) that led to MANF's discovery.
For further information please visit www.Amarantus.com, or
connect with the Company on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and
Google+.
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Jenene Thomas Communications, LLC
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