SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. (OTCBB: AMBS), a biotechnology company developing MANF, a first-in-class disease–modifying therapeutic protein, today announced U.S. Patent Number 8,084,425 has been issued for MANF entitled, Dopaminergic Neuronal Survival-Promoting Factors and Uses Thereof. This patent covers the discovery of MANF and its composition of matter and complements the Company’s existing portfolio of issued patents and pending patent applications. The key claim allowed under the patent is as follows: A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (i) a substantially purified polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 (MANF); and (ii) a carrier that is pharmaceutically acceptable for administration to the central nervous system.
“The issuance of this new patent validates the novelty of the science Amarantus is producing and validates the tremendous work our scientific team has put forth over the last several years,” said Gerald Commissiong, President and CEO. “We hope to turn this groundbreaking discovery into a game-changing therapy when we ultimately embark on human clinical development for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other disorders of the Central Nervous System. We intend to continue intellectual property prosecution for MANF in other disease states as well.”
About MANF (Mesencephalic-Astrocyte-derived Neurotrophic Factor)
MANF (Mesencephalic-Astrocyte-derived Neurotrophic Factor) is a protein that corrects protein misfolding, one of the major causes of apoptosis (cell death). This property provides a compelling rationale for the research and development of MANF-based products as therapeutics for human disease. The lead MANF product development effort is centered on a therapy for Parkinson's disease, currently funded by a research grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The Company also owns an inventory of 88 cell lines referred to as “PhenoGuard Cell Lines.” MANF was the first therapeutic protein discovered from a PhenoGuard Cell Line. It is anticipated that additional therapeutic proteins useful for various therapeutic approaches to the Central Nervous System will be identified from the Company’s inventory of PhenoGuard Cell Lines.
About Amarantus BioSciences, Inc.
Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. is a California-based development-stage biotechnology company founded in January 2008. The Company has a focus on developing certain biologics surrounding the intellectual property and proprietary technologies it owns to treat Parkinson’s disease and other human diseases. The Company owns the intellectual property rights to a therapeutic protein known as Mesencephalic-Astrocyte-derived Neurotrophic Factor ("MANF"). For further information please visit www.amarantus.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the possible benefits of MANF therapeutic applications and/or advantages presented by Amarantus’ PhenoGuard technology, as well as statements about expectations, plans and prospects of the development of Amarantus' new product candidates. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks that the anticipated benefits of the therapeutic drug candidates or discovery platforms, as well as the risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the development of Amarantus' new product candidates, including those identified under "Risk Factors" in Amarantus' most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other filings Amarantus periodically makes with the SEC. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements Amarantus does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this presentation.