AMBS is clearly setting itself up for a partnership with a larger pharma company. Remember what Rubinfeld said:
"I have reviewed a great number of technologies in my 45 year career in the biopharmaceutical field, and I believe that MANF could be one of the biggest successes that I have ever seen. The fundamental scientific premise of reducing protein misfolding is basic, yet very profound. The data, while early, demonstrates very clearly at the cellular level and in animals that MANF reduces apoptosis, improves cellular function, and restores behavioural deficits in a number of disease models, including Parkinson's, Stroke, Myocardial Infarction and Traumatic Brain Injury. These are all indications with very large markets and clear unmet medical need. I believe that if we are able to further de-risk MANF with positive toxicology studies and early clinical data, the Company's new orphan drug strategy could get MANF to market rather expeditiously. MANF has the commercial potential to become a blockbuster drug."
The most recent advisors added to the board are:
*Dr Joseph Rubinfeld - co-founder of Amgen
*Clinton Allen - Bristol Myers Squibb, Director of Product Development and Commercialization, Director of In-licensing and Business Development
*Dr. Robert Zimmerman - Vice President of Biotechnology Research at Bayer Corporation
Keep in mind what Mr. Zimmerman said:
"I have been involved with Amarantus formally and informally for the past three years supporting the founders as they work tirelessly to advance MANF to a stage where it has real commercial potential," said Robert J. Zimmerman, SD. "While that effort has been centered on Parkinson's disease, I believe additional opportunities exist to diversify this therapeutic candidate. Ischemia/reperfusion, cardiovascular disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, diabetes and potentially other disease conditions appear to be impacted by MANF based upon preclinical studies and the literature."
They stated in their press release that "Dr. Zimmerman will also assist in the procurement of relationships with top-tier vendors".
Additionally, they are pursuing an Orphan Drug strategy with MANF which many investors seem to have forgotten about.
And don't forget their patents on MANF which don't expire until 2031:
“Today’s announcement is transformational for Amarantus from a scientific data standpoint,” said Gerald E. Commissiong, President & CEO of Amarantus. “Despite the many clear scientific
advantages we believe MANF possesses over GDNF, most notably impacting protein folding and modulating toxic calcium levels, the Company had previously been unable to point to a definitive behavioural animal model data to show improved benefit of MANF over GDNF in the Parkinson’s disease indication. The data we now have validates the approach we have been taking over the last several years, and we believe that it will allow us to attract the interest of investment firms and potential partners who will be able to now characterize the substantial opportunity our technology represents. We believe that we are well positioned to leverage the MANF opportunity for Amarantus shareholders and Parkinson’s patients because of the expansive intellectual property (IP) portfolio the Company owns, including composition of matter patents in the US and Europe, use patents worldwide and provisional delivery dosing patents that have been filed based on today’s data, extending marketing exclusivity for MANF through 2031. This IP position may make MANF more attractive to a potential partner than other neurotrophic factors in development that do not have the same patent runway.”"
