WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - June 14, 2012) - DiaMedica Inc. (TSX VENTURE:DMA) is pleased to report the findings of a pre-clinical study presented this past weekend at the American Diabetes Association Conference (ADA) in a Late Breaking Poster Presentation entitled "A Novel Agonist Antibody to the Bradykinin 2 Receptor for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes".
The poster presentation outlined the performance of DM-204 chronically administered in a pre-clinical in vivo model of Type 2 diabetes. Treatment with DM-204 resulted in superior glucose control (e.g. decreased HbA1c and lower fasting blood glucose levels) over the length of the three-week study compared to approved anti-diabetic drugs included as controls. In addition, DM-204 treated animals demonstrated statistically significant positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart rate when compared to control.
DM-204 is an agonist antibody to the bradykinin 2 receptor, a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR). GPCR agonist antibodies are highly sought after targets for drug development, as they are generally believed to be superior to short acting molecules. "Despite the interest in GPCR receptor agonists there has been very little development success to date, and none that we are aware of for the treatment of diabetes," stated Mark Williams, Vice President of Research at DiaMedica.
"The data presented from the DM-204 study generated a great deal of interest from both the medical community and pharmaceutical companies attending the conference," stated Rick Pauls, Chairman and CEO of DiaMedica. "We look forward to the future results of our ongoing development plan, with the hope of providing a novel new approach to the treatment of diabetes".
About DiaMedica
DiaMedica is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovery and development of novel therapeutic compounds for diabetes and other major, medically-unmet diseases. DiaMedica's lead compound, DM-199, is a recombinant human protein that represents a novel approach to treating Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. In a Type 1 diabetes model, DM-199 halted the autoimmune attack on beta cells by stimulating regulatory T-cells, and resulted in a 12-fold increase in C-peptide levels. In Type 2 diabetes models, DM-199 treatment stimulated proliferation of insulin producing beta cells, resulting in significant improvement in glucose control.
DiaMedica is also developing a novel monoclonal antibody, DM-204 as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Chronic treatment with DM-204 in a Type 2 diabetes model resulted in significant improvement in blood glucose control and HbA1c levels and also significant decreases in blood pressure and serum cholesterol.
Diamedica's DM-199 and DM-204 were both named Windhover's "2011 Top 10 Cardiovascular/ Metabolic Projects to Watch".
The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol 'DMA'.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts contain forward-looking information that involves risk and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address DiaMedica's expectations, should be considered forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's exercise of business judgment as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in this document, the words "may", "will", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and words of similar import, are intended to identify any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect a current view of future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties as contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update, revise or otherwise publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events. Although management believes that expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these expectations will materialize.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this News Release.
Contact Information:
Rick Pauls
President and CEO
204.477.7590
info@diamedica.com