Amarantus BioSciences Inc. (OTCBB: AMBS) is a biotechnology company focused on developing a therapeutic protein that addresses apoptosis – or cell death. By utilizing MANF, a highly-potent neurotrophic factor, the company hopes to treat a number of apoptosis-related diseases and conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and Ischemic Heart Disease.
Neurotrophic factors are proteins that promote the survival, growth and function of neurons in the brain. Since Parkinson’s Disease is characterized by the death of dopamine neurons, these proteins are of great interest to researchers in the space. Preventing the death of these cells could reduce the motor and other adverse symptoms associated with the disease.
To learn more about MANF and its impact on Parkinson’s Disease, see the company’s website: http://www.amarantus.com/therapeutic-development/parkinsons-disease.html
Amarantus Partners to Combat Parkinson’s Disease
In April of 2010, Amarantus BioSciences received a research grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to finance a study of the efficacy of MANF for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. These early-stage preclinical results suggested that MANF could be as effective or more effective than GDNF, another neurotrophic factor that has already undergone more rigorous testing.
Currently, the only therapies approved to treat Parkinson’s Disease only treat the symptoms and not the underlying causes. As a result, there is an urgent medical need for curative treatments that fill the fundamental gap in treatment by arresting disease progression. While MANF is still in clinical trials, early results suggest that it may safely and efficaciously promote dopamine producing neuron development.
Recently, the Michael J. Fox Foundation also published a prospectus on the topic:
http://biotechstocktrader.com/amarantus-biosciences-ambs-interviewed-by-michael-j-fox-foundation-270/
Early-Stage Investors Could Benefit from Catalysts
Early-stage biotechnology investors may want to take a closer look at Amarantus BioSciences Inc. (OTCBB: AMBS). With a market capitalization of just $25 million, the market has yet to price in any successful developments for its treatments for not only Parkinson’s Disease, but also a range of other conditions including diabetes and Ischemic Heart Disease.
Meanwhile, the biotechnology company also has significant long-term potential in the form of its PhenoGuard Cell Line Library. As a pioneer in the development of immortalized mammalian cells that retain the phenotype of their parent cell, the company’s 80 cell lines could target a wide array of disease and conditions in a way never before possible.
For more information about Amarantus BioSciences, please visit their website:
http://www.amarantus.com/
Or, view their latest 10-K filing at SECFilings.com:
http://secfilings.com/SearchResults.aspx?ticker=&name=amarantus
