DiaMedica Announces Positive Results from a Hypertension Study With Its GSK3B-Blocking Antibody

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - March 2, 2011) - DiaMedica (TSX VENTURE:DMA) today announces antihypertensive results with its lead monoclonal antibody DM-204. Consistent and significant blood pressure lowering results are observed with DM-204 in all animals and the lower blood pressure occurred for the duration of the study performed.

In a preclinical study conducted by Physiogenix Inc. (Madison, WI), DiaMedica's DM-204 has been shown to significantly and durably lower systolic blood pressure in all animals by an average of 15 mm Hg (p<0.05) over the duration of the study. These findings have important implications for commercial prospects of DM-204 for treating hypertension (high blood pressure). DM-204 blocks the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), a key cell signaling enzyme linked to several diseases including diabetes and certain cancers.

Hypertension affects nearly one third of adult Americans and is a leading risk factor for early cardiovascular disease and stroke. Hypertensive patients are adequately controlling their blood pressure in only 20% of cases with currently available medicines. Multiple antihypertensive medications are often required to treat patients with high blood pressure. Moreover, approximately 70% of Type 2 diabetes patients suffer from high blood pressure. As a result, an anti-hypertensive therapy that simultaneously improves the diabetic condition is expected to have greatly enhanced commercial prospects.

"If the significant lowering of systolic blood pressure observed in the pre-clinical study is emulated clinically, then DM-204 has the potential to replace the current standard of care for treating hypertension patients. The current standard of care typically consists of a daily administration of two or more drugs compared with our single compound, which could potentially be administered as infrequently as once a month," stated Rick Pauls, President and CEO of DiaMedica. "Results of the present study further demonstrate the exceptional potential of DM-204 that is also being tested for diabetes and other indications".

About Hypertension

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a chronic medical condition in which blood pressure is elevated to 140 mm Hg or greater systolic or 90 mm Hg or greater diastolic blood pressure. Approximately 75 million Americans and close to one billion people worldwide are affected by hypertension. Adults of all ages and backgrounds can develop hypertension including 70% of patients with Type 2 diabetes. According to The American Heart Association estimates, the direct and indirect expenses associated with hypertension cost the health care system more than $73 billion in 2009.

About DiaMedica Inc.

DiaMedica is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutic products that could dramatically improve the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and other large unmet diseases. DiaMedica's lead drug DM-199 has been shown to significantly improve glucose metabolism and protect and proliferate beta cells.

The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture under the trading symbol "DMA". 

For additional information please visit the Companies website: www.diamedica.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities legislation (collectively, the "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, DiaMedica's objectives, goals, targets, strategies, intentions, plans, beliefs, estimates and outlook, and can, in some cases, be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "will," "may" and other similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding matters such as, but not limited to, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering, management's assessment of DiaMedica's future plans, information with respect to the advancement of DiaMedica's research and development programs, and DiaMedica's other estimates and expectations. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things: uncertainties and risks related to our research and development programs, the availability of additional financing, risks and uncertainties relating to the anticipated use of proceeds, changes in debt and equity markets, uncertainties related to clinical trials and product development, rapid technological change, uncertainties related to forecasts, competition, potential product liability, additional financing requirements and access to capital, unproven markets, the cost and supply of raw materials, management of growth, effects of insurers' willingness to pay for products, risks related to regulatory matters and risks related to intellectual property matters.

Additional information about these factors and about the material factors or assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements may be found in the body of this news release, as well as under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in DiaMedica's 2009 annual information form. DiaMedica cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on DiaMedica's forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to DiaMedica, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of estimates and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions regarding the availability of additional financing for research and development companies, and general business and economic conditions. These risks and uncertainties should be considered carefully and investors and others should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, DiaMedica cannot provide assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. DiaMedica undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Additional risk factors, factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, and assumptions relating specifically to our acquisition of Sanomune may be found in our press releases dated February 18, 2010 and April 20, 2010.