Amarantus Acquires Option for Alzheimer's Blood Test License

Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA, USA), a biotechnology company, which develops new treatments and diagnostics for Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injury, has acquired an exclusive option to license the LymPro Alzheimer's Diagnostic Blood Test from Memory Dx LLC (MDx; Paradise Valley, AZ, USA).

The LymPro Alzheimer's diagnostic blood test identifies immune-based biomarkers in the blood of Alzheimer's patients. It differentiates Alzheimer's disease from other forms of dementia based on these biomarkers. The blood test is a potentially invaluable tool in patient recruitment for Alzheimer's disease therapeutic clinical trials where there has been a well-documented history of patient recruitment failures.

"Coming off our recent success in securing the license for the NuroPro Parkinson's diagnostic blood test, the LymPro Alzheimer's diagnostic blood test option agreement will give Amarantus additional leverage over the next few months in negotiations as we look to partner our diagnostic assets," said Gerald E. Commissiong, president and CEO of Amarantus. "The market opportunity for a minimally-invasive Alzheimer's blood test capable of detecting the disease early on is tremendous given recent Phase III clinical data produced by Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Eli Lilly, all suggesting that patients with mild cases of Alzheimer's disease are the best subpopulation of clinical candidates for beta-amyloid targeting disease-modifying treatments, a potential blockbuster target for each of these companies. We expect that NuroPro and LymPro will create an attractive investment package for potential partners."

The LymPro test originated at the University of Leipzig (Germany). Two human clinical studies have been completed to date, and the Phase 2 validation study is about to be started. This study is necessary in order for LymPro to begin generating revenue as a laboratory developed test (LDT) at an already-selected Certified Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified laboratory. LymPro is then expected to begin its regulatory process with the US Food and Drug Administration (Silver Spring, MD, USA) towards approval.

Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. is a development-stage biotechnology company with a focus on developing biologics to treat and/or diagnose Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and other human diseases. The company owns the intellectual property rights to a therapeutic protein known as Mesencephalic-Astrocyte-derived Neurotrophic Factor (MANF) and it is developing MANF-based products as treatments for brain disorders. It is also a Founding Member of the Coalition for Concussion Treatment .

Related Links:
Amarantus BioSciences, Inc.
MDx
University of Leipzig