- Allowed claims include the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Once issued, patents extend exclusivity for MANF in the US into 2032
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. (OTCPK:AMBS), a US-based biotechnology holding company with subsidiaries developing first-in-class orphan neurologic, regenerative medicine and ophthalmic therapies, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary MANF Therapeutics, Inc. has received a notice of allowance from the US Patent & Trademark Office for a patent application covering the use of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) as a treatment for beta cell disorders, including Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Multiple research groups have published data demonstrating the therapeutic potential of MANF in treating diabetes, including data published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Cell Reports entitled "MANF Is Indispensable for the Proliferation and Survival of Pancreatic Cells." That study demonstrated the therapeutic benefit of MANF in protecting and restoring pancreatic beta cells in vitro and in vivo in animal models of diabetes. The study's authors determined "lack of MANF in vivo in mouse leads to chronic unfolded protein response (UPR) activation in pancreatic islets. Importantly, MANF protein enhanced cell proliferation in vitro and overexpression of MANF in the pancreas of diabetic mice enhanced cell regeneration. We demonstrate that MANF specifically promotes cell proliferation and survival, thereby constituting a therapeutic candidate for cell protection and regeneration."
MANF Therapeutics is preparing to restart IND-enabling development of MANF in 2018, initially in ophthalmology. There is strong belief that MANF has significant therapeutic potential across multiple disease areas, including large indications such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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.
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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.
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.
In April 2017, Amarantus incorporated the wholly-owned subsidiary MANF Therapeutics, Inc. to focus on progressing preclinical and clinical development of MANF.
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Source: Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc.