$AMBS News - Amarantus BioScience, U.S. Army and Rutgers University in Partnership to Expand Development of Engineered Skin Substitute (ESS) for the Treatment of Severe Thermal Burn Wounds

SAN FRANCISCO and GENEVA, - (http://www.financialnewsmedia.com News Alert) - Amarantus BioScience Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX:AMBS), a biotechnology company developing therapeutic and diagnostic product candidates in orphan indications and neurology, announced the signing of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Rutgers University) to expand the development of Amarantus\' autologous full thickness skin replacement product, Engineered Skin Substitute (ESS), for the treatment of deep partial- and full-thickness burn wounds in adult patients.



\"This CRADA represents an important partnership for Amarantus as we work with the USAISR and Rutgers to advance the clinical program for ESS,\" said Gerald E. Commissiong, President & CEO of Amarantus. \"The study is designed to evaluate patient response to ESS as compared to meshed split-thickness autograft (AG). We believe the autologous dermal and epidermal cell matrix from ESS has the potential to provide a more effective direct permanent restoration of structure and function of full thickness skin with minimal scarring.\"



Amarantus is developing ESS for the treatment of severe burns and is preparing to commence Phase 2 clinical studies in the third quarter of 2015. ESS has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hospitalized patients with deep partial and full thickness burns requiring grafting, and has an open corporate-sponsored IND under which the clinical study can proceed.



Rick Jocz, Program Manager, Research Directorate, at USAISR, commented, \"The U.S. Army is working to address the need for more effective treatments for severe burns. We expect this partnership with Amarantus and Rutgers to enhance our capabilities given that ESS has the potential to provide meaningful reduction in morbidity after life-threatening burns by decreasing the need for skin grafts following wound closure.\"



In the United States, there are between 500 and 2,000 burn cases annually involving greater than 50% total body surface area, many of which include deep partial or full thickness burns. Recovery from full-thickness burn injuries requires costly and complex critical care. Despite the administration...