Amarantus Bioscience

MANF Therapeutics is developing mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) as a therapeutic protein for the treatment of certain protein-misfolding and neurological disorders. MANF is currently in pre-clinical development as a disease modifying treatment for Parkinson’s disease and Wolfram’s Syndrome. In Wolfram’s, many of the key disease etiologies, including vision loss, hearing loss, diabetes and neurodegeneration have protein misfolding as a key molecular signature that MANF could potentially address. The lead application for MANF in Wolfram’s is for the treatment of vision loss. MANF has demonstrated safety and efficacy in animals for the treatment of retinal degeneration, including the increased protection and function of rods, cones and retinal ganglion cells in the retina. Leading scientists in the Wolfram’s community believe MANF could be the first disease-modifying treatment developed for the disease. MANF Therapeutics is in the process of raising capital to support preparations for clinical trials, and thereafter the initiation of human clinical trials in Wolfram’s Syndrome and Parkinson’s. Once the capital is raised, it will take approximately 12-18 months to start clinical development.