SAN FRANCISCO, April 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Via OTC PR Wire -- Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. (OTCPink:AMBS) (the "Company" or AMBS), a US-based
JLABS-alumnus biotechnology holding company, developing first-in-class orphan neurologic, regenerative medicine and ophthalmic
therapies through its subsidiaries, today announced the temporary relocation of its headquarters from San Francisco, CA to the
WeWork location at 110 Wall St. in New York, NY. The temporary relocation reflects management's commitment to completing its
previously announced capital restructuring, as well as the raising of independent funding for its subsidiaries.
"The New York life sciences community is vibrant, and its financial community has grown more familiar with the
biopharma holding company business model," said Gerald E. Commissiong, President & CEO of Amarantus. "With the recent completion of the Tender Exchange, Amarantus is now positioned, from a capital structure
standpoint, to unlock the tremendous value inherent in the Company's subsidiaries. The WeWork facilities provide us with everything
we need to continue the execution of the Company's reorganization effort in New York City."
About Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc.
Amarantus Bioscience Holdings (AMBS), a JLABS alumnus company, 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 attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, commonly known as ADHD. AMBS acquired the rights to the Engineered Skin Substitute program, 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 79.25 million shares of Avant Diagnostics, Inc. (OTCPink:AVDX) 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 Elto Pharma, Inc.
Elto Pharma, Inc. is developing Eltoprazine, an oral small molecule 5HT1A/1B partial agonist in clinical
development for the treatment of Parkinson's disease levodopa-induced dyskinesia (PD-LID), Alzheimer's aggression and adult
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adult ADHD). Eltoprazine has been evaluated in over 680 human subjects to date, and has a
well-established safety profile, with statistically significant efficacy results across multiple central nervous system
indications. Eltoprazine has received orphan drug designation (ODD) from the US FDA for the treatment of PD-LID.
Eltoprazine was originally developed by Solvay (now Abbvie) in aggression-related indications. The eltoprazine
program was out-licensed to PsychoGenics, Inc. (PGI). PGI licensed eltoprazine to Amarantus in 2014 after a successful
proof-of-concept trial in PD-LID.
In April 2017, Amarantus incorporated the wholly-owned subsidiary Elto Pharma, Inc. for the purpose of raising
capital to finance the further clinical development of Eltoprazine.
About Cutanogen Corporation
Engineered Skin Substitute (ESS) is a tissue-engineered skin prepared from autologous (patient's own) skin
cells. It is a combination of cultured epithelium and a collagen-dermal fibroblast implant that produces a skin substitute which
contains both epidermal and dermal components. This model has been shown in preclinical studies to generate a functional skin
barrier. Most importantly, because ESS is composed of a patient's own cells, it is less likely to be rejected by the immune system
of the patient, unlike with porcine or cadaver grafts in which immune system rejection is a possibility. A non-GMP version ESS has
been used in investigator-initiated and compassionate-use clinical settings in over 150 human subjects, primarily pediatric
patients, for the treatment of severe burns up to 95% of total body surface area. The non-GMP version has also been used in the
treatment of two patients with Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (GCMN).
In July 2015, Amarantus' acquired Lonza Walkersville's wholly-owned subsidiary Cutanogen Corporation, the sole
licensor of intellectual property rights to ESS from Cincinnati's Shriner's Hospital for Children and the University of Cincinnati.
Cutanogen Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amarantus.
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 frontrunner and primary holder of
intellectual property around MANF, and is initially focusing on the development of MANF-based protein therapeutics.
In April 2017, Amarantus incorporated the wholly-owned subsidiary MANF Therapeutics, Inc. to focus on the
preclinical and clinical development of MANF. 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements
relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are
based, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believes,"
"project," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "strategy," "plan," "may," "will," "would," "will be," "will
continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and
assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements. Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently
uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects on a consolidated basis
includes but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, availability of capital, interest
rates, competition, and generally accepted accounting principles. These risks and uncertainties should also be considered in
evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.
Amarantus Investor and Media Contact:
Ascendant Partners, LLC
Richard Galterio
+1-732-410-9810
rich@ascendantpartnersllc.com
