Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, can be a convenient way for the body to rid itself of cells it no longer needs. In large quantities, however, cell death can become a catalyst for disease. Excessive cell death is known to play a role in a variety of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, cardiac ischemia, and Alzheimer’s.
Sunnyville, Calif.-based Amarantus Therapeutics is developing treatments to reverse the process of apoptosis. The company’s pipeline is based on a protein called AMRS001 (also known as MANF), which has recently received acclaim in several scientific publications. When cells begin to die, MANF arrives on the scene and arrests cell death. The company’s lead drug candidate utilizes MANF to treat Parkinson’s disease. Amarantus is also developing treatments for myocardial infarction and transplant-related cell death.
OneMedTV caught up with Martin Cleary, President and CEO of Amarantus Therapeutics, at the 2010 OneMedForum in San Francisco.