SAN FRANCISCO, April 8, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:AMBS), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics related to cell cycle dysregulation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, neurodegeneration and apoptosis, today announced the appointment of Charlotte Keywood, MD, as Chief Medical Officer of the Company's therapeutics division. Dr. Keywood brings over 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical drug development industry, including the development of Parkinson's disease Levadopa-Induced Dyskynesia (PD LID) drug candidates.

"I am very pleased to be joining the team at Amarantus to lead the clinical development programs of Eltoprazine and MANF," said Dr. Keywood, Amarantus' newly appointed Chief Medical Officer. "Eltoprazine has an attractive profile for a number of potential central nervous system indications. We intend to focus initially on the clinical study planning for Eltoprazine in PD LID and Adult ADHD, based on the successful Phase 2a data that were previously reported in these indications."

Dr. Keywood's experience in the pharmaceutical industry includes running European and US pre- and post-registration clinical development programs across a broad range of therapeutic areas, as well as medical marketing and pharmacovigilance activities. Most recently, she was CMO at Addex Pharma, for ten years, overseeing clinical development of the company's allosteric modulator programs. Dr. Keywood served from 2001 to 2003 as medical director for Axovan, a Swiss biotech company that was acquired by Actelion in 2003. From 1996 to 2001 she was medical director at Vernalis, where she helped bring a new migraine drug, Frova frovatriptan, to the market. From 1991 to 1996 she was medical director of the European subsidiary of US biotechnology company Gensia. Dr Keywood is a cardiologist who completed her post-graduate training at St Thomas' Hospital, London.

"Dr. Keywood brings tremendous clinical drug development experience to Amarantus, particularly in the area of PD LID," said Gerald E. Commissiong, President & CEO of Amarantus. "We believe this experience will be of great value to Amarantus as we prepare to continue the development of Eltoprazine into Phase 2b clinical trials, given her stellar track record in PD LID liaising with Key Opinion leaders and clinical sites and her strong relationships within the community. Dr. Keywood is an excellent addition to our team and will work closely with Dr. David Lowe to execute our clinical strategy."

About Amarantus

Amarantus is a biotechnology company developing treatments and diagnostics for diseases associated with neurodegeneration and protein misfolding-related apoptosis. The Company has licensed Eltoprazine ("Eltoprazine"), a phase 2b ready indication for Parkinson's Levodopa induced dyskinesia and Adult ADHD. The Company has an exclusive worldwide license to the Lymphocyte Proliferation test ("LymPro Test(R)") for Alzheimer's disease and 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. Amarantus 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. The Company also owns intellectual property for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease ("NuroPro") and the discovery of neurotrophic factors ("PhenoGuard"). For further information please visit www.Amarantus.com, or connect with the Company on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+.

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 include, 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.

CONTACT: Investor/Media Contacts
         Aimee Boutcher, Director of Investor Relations
         Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc.
         408-737-2734 x 101
         ir@amarantus.com