UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
May 7, 2015
AMARANTUS BIOSCIENCE HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in
its charter)
Nevada |
000-55016 |
26-0690857 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
IRS Employer
Identification No.) |
655 Montgomery Street, Suite 900
San Francisco, CA |
94111 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
(Zip Code) |
(408) 737-2734
(Registrant’s telephone number, including
area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act |
| ¨ | Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
On May
7, 2015, Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing 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. A copy of the Company’s press release
is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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99.1
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Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. Press Release, dated May
7, 2015. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
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AMARANTUS BIOSCIENCE HOLDINGS, INC. |
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Date: May 8, 2015 |
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By: |
/s/ Gerald E. Commissiong |
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Name: Gerald E. Commissiong |
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Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 99.1
Amarantus Announces the Presentation
of Data Showing MANF’s Positive Effect
on Retinal Function at Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
Annual Meeting
- Study conducted by leading researchers
at University of Miami -
- Data demonstrate MANF preserves photoreceptor
cells and light-sensing function -
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, and GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
– May 7, 2015 - 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 for MANF in both the US and EU, the presentation of
this data is very timely as we build momentum in this devastating orphan indication, as well as continue to build up 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 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+.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements, other than purely historical
information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected operating results,
and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally
are identified by the words "believes," "project," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates,"
"intends," "strategy," "plan," "may," "will," "would," "will be,"
"will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from
the forward-looking statements. Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently
uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects on a consolidated basis include,
but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, availability of capital, interest rates,
competition, and generally accepted accounting principles. These risks and uncertainties should also be considered in evaluating
forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.
Investor and Media Contact:
Jenene Thomas
Jenene Thomas Communications, LLC
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Advisor
T: (US) 908.938.1475
E: jenene@jenenethomascommunications.com
Source: Amarantus Bioscience Holdings,
Inc.
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