- Study conducted by leading researchers at University of Miami -
- Data demonstrate MANF preserves photoreceptor cells and light-sensing function -
SAN FRANCISCO and GENEVA, May 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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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