DiaMedica to Expand Focus of DM199 Development into Acute Vascular Diseases

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA--(Marketwired - Feb. 2, 2015) - DiaMedica Inc. (TSX VENTURE:DMA) today, announced that the company will pursue the development of DM199, its recombinant form of the naturally occurring protein, tissue kallikrein-1 in acute vascular disease of the brain, kidney and heart. The primary focus will be on acute ischemic stroke and acute kidney injury indications.

Stroke represents an area of tremendous unmet medical need. Published pre-clinical and clinical research with a naturally occuring tissue kallikrein-1 has demonstrated reduced blood pressure, cell death, inflammation and increased angiogenesis (creation of new blood vessels). As such DiaMedica's recombinant form of tissue kallikrein-1 has the potential to treat a broad spectrum of clinical scenarios where re-establishing blood flow and reducing inflammation in patients is vital to preserving organ function (e.g. brain, kidney and heart). Lower tissue kallikrein-1 levels in the blood have been independently associated with first-ever stroke and are an independent predictor of recurrence after an initial stroke.

"DM199 is a very promising potential rescue therapy for vascular diseases in patients where improving blood flow and preserving organ function of the brain, kidney and heart is critical," stated Dr. Michael Giuffre, DiaMedica board member and cardiologist.

"We are excited about the potential of DM199 in light of the clinical results with the naturally occurring version of tissue kallikrein-1 for the treatment of stoke," said Mr. Pauls, President & CEO of DiaMedica. "We intend to act expeditiously to move DM199 into clinical trials for stroke."

About DiaMedica

DiaMedica is a publicly traded (TSX VENTURE:DMA) development stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on large unmet diseases including novel approaches to treat vascular and metabolic diseases. DiaMedica's lead product, DM199, is recombinant human tissue kallikrein-1 protein (rhKLK1). DiaMedica's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada under the trading symbol 'DMA'.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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