Amarantus Subsidiary MANF Therapeutics Announces Issuance of Japanese Patent Covering Therapeutic Use of MANF in Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

• Issued claims include therapeutic protein, gene therapy and cell therapy applications
• Patent extends MANF Therapeutics' exclusivity for MANF treatment of Parkinson's disease in Japan into 2029

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20, 2017 -- via OTC PR Wire -- Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. (OTCPK:AMBS), a US-based biotechnology holding company with wholly-owned subsidiaries developing first-in-class orphan neurologic, regenerative medicine and ophthalmic therapies, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary MANF Therapeutics, Inc. was issued a patent by the Japan Patent Office entitled "Neurodegenerative Disorders" covering the use of MANF as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. The issued patent extends coverage for MANF Therapeutics' use of MANF in the treatment of Parkinson's in Japan into 2031.

The key claim issued in this patent is "Use of MANF for the manufacture of a medicament for administration to the substantia nigra region of the brain for treating Parkinson's disease." The substantia nigra is a key area of the brain where dopamine producing neurons degenerate in Parkinson's disease. Additional claims covering combinations with MANF and other therapeutic moieties were also granted, as well as gene therapy and cell therapy claims. This patent adds to Amarantus' extensive international intellectual property portfolio covering compositions of matter, methods of use and formulations for MANF in numerous disease indications.

Significant pre-clinical efficacy and delivery data supporting the use of MANF in the treatment of Parkinson's disease is available in peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as summary results that Amarantus previously made publicly available. Certain data is available at the links below:

• Mesencephalic Astrocyte-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Is Neurorestorative in Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease
• Convection-enhanced delivery of MANF Volume of distribution analysis in porcine putamen and substantia nigra
• Comparison and Actions of MANF and GDNF in Rodent Models of Parkinson's Disease

A Whitepaper on MANF commissioned by Amarantus in Q2/2013 is available here: http://content.stockpr.com/amarantus/files/pdf/MANF+WhitePaper+2013-04-30+FINAL.pdf

About Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc.

Amarantus Bioscience Holdings (AMBS) is a biotechnology company developing treatments and diagnostics for diseases in the areas of neurology, regenerative medicine and orphan diseases through its subsidiaries. AMBS' wholly-owned subsidiary Elto Pharma, Inc. has development rights to eltoprazine, a Phase 2b-ready small molecule indicated for Parkinson's disease levodopa-induced dyskinesia, Alzheimer's aggression and adult ADHD. AMBS acquired the rights to the Engineered Skin Substitute program (ESS), a regenerative medicine-based approach for treating severe burns with full-thickness autologous skin grown in tissue culture that is being pursued by AMBS' wholly-owned subsidiary Cutanogen Corporation. AMBS' wholly-owned subsidiary MANF Therapeutics, Inc. owns key intellectual property rights and licenses from a number of prominent universities related to the development of the therapeutic protein known as mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF). MANF Therapeutics, Inc. is developing MANF-based products as treatments for brain and ophthalmic disorders. MANF was discovered by the Company's Chief Scientific Officer John Commissiong, PhD. Dr. Commissiong discovered MANF from AMBS' proprietary discovery engine PhenoGuard. AMBS also owns approximately 80 million shares of Avant Diagnostics, Inc. via the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary Amarantus Diagnostics, Inc. that occurred in May 2016.

For further information please visit www.Amarantus.com, or connect with the Amarantus on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+.

About MANF Therapeutics, Inc.

MANF (mesencephalic-astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor) is believed to have broad potential because it is a naturally-occurring protein produced by the body to reduce/prevent apoptosis (cell death) in response to injury or disease, via the unfolded protein response. By administering exogenously produced MANF the body, Amarantus is seeking to use a regenerative medicine approach to assist the body with higher quantities of MANF when needed. Amarantus is the front-runner and primary holder of intellectual property around MANF, and is initially focusing on the development of MANF-based protein therapeutics.

MANF's lead indication is retinitis pigmentosa, and additional indications including Parkinson's disease, diabetes and Wolfram's syndrome are envisioned. Further applications for MANF may include Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, myocardial infarction, antibiotic-induced ototoxicity and certain other orphan diseases.

In April 2017, Amarantus incorporated the wholly-owned subsidiary MANF Therapeutics, Inc. to focus on progressing preclinical and clinical development of MANF.

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Source: Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc.