Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Awards Grant to Amarantus Therapeutics

SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - April 28, 2010) -

Amarantus Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company developing first-in-class disease-modifying treatments that address the underlying cause of cell death, today announced that it has received a research grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Amarantus Therapeutics will use the funding to study the efficacy of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), a highly potent, neurotrophic factor currently in pre-clinical development for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is helping to speed up drug development for Parkinson’s with innovative strategies that identify and address roadblocks along the therapeutic development pipeline. The grant was awarded as part of the Foundation’s commitment to do whatever it takes to push forward investigations of promising neuroprotective therapeutic targets for Parkinson’s.

Specifically, this study will compare and contrast the neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties of MANF with those of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), another molecule that is also indicated for Parkinson’s disease. The intent of the project is to provide a firm basis for investing in the development of MANF to get a neurotrophic factor to market to treat neurodegenerative disease. The results from this project are intended to pave the way for additional preclinical studies of MANF, leading to a clinical trial.

“We are excited to advance research on MANF, and to work alongside the Michael J. Fox Foundation in its efforts to end this devastating disease,” said Amarantus Therapeutics CEO Martin D. Cleary.

About the Michael J. Fox Foundation

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the development of better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda. MJFF has funded nearly $179 million in research to date. www.michaeljfox.org.

About Amarantus Therapeutics, Inc.

Amarantus Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately-held biotechnology company developing first-in-class disease-modifying treatments that address the underlying cause of cell death, known as apoptosis, associated with a wide range of diseases, including but not limited to, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular. The Company’s most advanced drug candidate, AMRS001, is a growth factor indicated for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and Myocardial Infarction. Currently incubating at the Parkinson’s Institute, Amarantus Therapeutics is seeking to raise a $1 million investment as a bridge to a $15 million Series A that it will use to advance its lead programs in Parkinson’s and Myocardial Infarction into clinical development. www.amarantustherapeutics.com