Letter from Dr. Saarma (post from another board)



Dear XXX family,

Kiitos tuesta. Thank you for the kind letter and lets hope that there
will be a good cure for your dear daughter.

I am aware of Dr. Urano work and I respect that very much. I hope also
that he will get MANF working in Wolfram Syndrome.

In our case the data on animal models of type 1 diabetes are very
promising. We are now using also genetic model and immune model of
type 1 diabetes to test there the efficacy of MANF. Moreover, we
collaborate with Dr.Timo Otonkoski here in Helsinki on human beta
cells and our factor can rescue also human beta-cells inn culture. So
all looks very promising.

I think 5 years is realistic to get the drug on the market only in
case the animal results are outstanding and that some of the larger
companies will take over the development.

Kind regards,

Mart Saarma