NFL Pro Bowler E.J. Henderson Supports Amarantus Biosciences #C4CT Concussion Program
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. (OTCQB: AMBS), a biotechnology company developing new treatments for brain-related disorders including Parkinson's disease and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) centered on its unique proprietary anti-apoptotic therapeutic protein known as MANF, today announced the commitment by former Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl linebacker E.J. Henderson to support the further development of Amarantus' TBI research collaboration with Banyan Biomarkers. Mr. Henderson will be working alongside NFL veterans Jack Brewer and Corey Chavous to raise awareness and broaden the support base for the Amarantus-Banyan research collaboration by utilizing the Coalition for Concussion Treatment (#C4CT) awareness campaign on Twitter, led by Brewer Sports International.
"Concussions and their long-term side effects are a huge problem for NFL players and alumni," said Mr. Henderson. "I have been following Amarantus since they announced their collaboration with Banyan last November, and I was impressed with the initial success achieved this summer. As a result, I've decided to become actively involved with Amarantus in order to help bring their research to the forefront in the mainstream media. I believe these types of advances in scientific research can ultimately help current NFL players and NFL alumni who are at an unusually high risk of developing long-term side effects from multiple concussions."
ESPN reported in June that NFL players were at an unusually high risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease due to the traumatic impact of multiple concussions and sub-concussive hits. Former NFL players such as Messrs. Henderson, Brewer and Chavous have become significantly more active in seeking solutions to these chronic problems by looking to pool NFL players' collective influence to help research potential medical treatments.
"NFL players are well aware of the risks associated with their sport, being directly affected by Traumatic Brain Injuries on a daily basis. Many are taking an active role in supporting pertinent and relevant scientific research such as the research undertaken here at Amarantus," said Gerald Commissiong, President & CEO of Amarantus and former professional football player with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. "E.J. Henderson understands the potential value and long-term benefits that our research effort could have for football players and their families. The awareness generated by the support of known athletes for our program should contribute to Amarantus' growth, allowing us to attract capital to pursue our mission of developing new treatments for patients with brain disorders such as Parkinson's and TBI."
In June 2012, Amarantus announced positive data for its Traumatic Brain Injury collaboration with Banyan Biomarkers. The research was supported by a research grant by Brewer Sports International. Amarantus and Banyan are currently working on the design of the next phase of testing MANF as a disease-modifying treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury.
About Amarantus BioSciences, Inc.
Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. is a development-stage biotechnology company founded in January 2008. The Company has a focus on developing certain biologics surrounding the intellectual property and proprietary technologies it owns 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 is developing MANF-based products as treatments for brain disorders. The Company also is a Founding Member of the Coalition for Concussion Treatment (#C4CT), a movement initiated in collaboration with Brewer Sports International seeking to raise awareness of new treatments in development for concussions and nervous-system disorders. For further information please visit www.Amarantus.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the possible benefits of MANF therapeutic applications and/or advantages presented by Amarantus' PhenoGuard technology, as well as statements about expectations, plans and prospects of the development of Amarantus' new product candidates. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks that the anticipated benefits of the therapeutic drug candidates or discovery platforms, as well as the risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the development of Amarantus' new product candidates, including those identified under "Risk Factors" in Amarantus' most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other filings Amarantus periodically makes with the SEC. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements Amarantus does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this presentation.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Amarantus BioSciences, Inc.
Gerald E. Commissiong
408-737-2734
[email protected]
SOURCE Amarantus BioSciences, Inc.
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