Amarantus BioSciences and Generex Biotechnology, Inc. have selected a second program under their joint research collaboration for the development of a MANF-based therapeutic for the treatment of the beta cell destruction at the root of diabetes. The first collaboration is for the development of a MANF-based diagnostic test to identify a sub-population at risk of developing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

“Taken together with the MANF-based early diabetes detection diagnostic, the potential therapeutic-diagnostic combination would represent a major step forward in the ability for physicians to manage the health of those persons most at risk of developing diabetes,” said Dr. James Anderson, senior scientific advisor and director of Generex. “The development of a MANF-based therapeutic, would represent a significant, new competitive advantage over other therapeutic interventions currently being studied and dramatically increase convenience and patient well-being.”

“The partnership with Generex will allow Amarantus to exploit its technologies in the field of diabetes through its wholly-owned subsidiary Amarantus MA,” said Martin D. Cleary, chairman and chief executive officer of Amarantus. “These collaboration programs are a major step toward the validation of the enormous potential of the MANF platform that Amarantus is judiciously advancing for the treatment of the apoptosis associated with a wide range of human disorders, including pre-diabetes and diabetes.”