Oxidation of L-mannonic gamma-lactone (I) with aqueous nitric acid provided bislactone (II). Subsequent treatment of bislactone (II) with benzyl trichloroacetimidate (III) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid furnished dibenzyl ether (IV). Then, nucleophilic opening of both lactone groups of (IV) with (1S,2R)-1-amino-2-indanol (V) in refluxing dichloromethane yielded the title bisamide.