DiamiR Granted Key US Patent for the Use of Circulating Brain-Enriched microRNAs for Early Detection of Neurodegeneration

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ--(Marketwired - February 12, 2014) - DiamiR, LLC, a molecular diagnostics company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative blood-based tests for detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued U.S. Patent No. 8,648,017, entitled "Methods of using small RNA from bodily fluids for diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases." The patent, which is set to expire in November 2030, claims the use of methods developed by DiamiR for early detection and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

"This important patent provides a solid foundation for the DiamiR patent portfolio in the area of neurodegeneration. DiamiR is currently developing diagnostic tests for early detection and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases and expects its first product to be a test for Mild Cognitive Impairment", said Dr. Kira Sheinerman, CEO of DiamiR. "Careful analysis of clinical data generated in Alzheimer's drug trials suggests the disease can be slowed down, if treatment starts early. Thus, accurate noninvasive tests that are sufficiently sensitive to enable early detection could facilitate patient stratification and enrollment into clinical trials and allow for effective therapeutic intervention."

About Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a heterogeneous syndrome characteristic of early stages of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and other dementias. MCI symptoms include noticeable and measurable decline in cognitive abilities. Various long-term studies estimate MCI prevalence at 10-20 percent in people older than 65 years old. About 15 percent of people with MCI progress to Alzheimer's disease every year.

About microRNAs as biomarkers of brain health

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding functional RNA molecules modulating target gene expression and protein production. Many miRNAs are enriched in certain organs (e.g. brain), tissues or organ regions (e.g. hippocampus), cell types (e.g. neurons), and cellular compartments (e.g. synapses and neurites). Due to their small size (~22 nucleotides), miRNAs can cross the blood-brain barrier and appear in the bloodstream. Thus, the properties of brain- enriched miRNAs make them suitable surrogate biomarkers of brain health detectable in systemic circulation.

About DiamiR, LLC

DiamiR, LLC is a privately held molecular diagnostic company focused on developing noninvasive tests for early detection and monitoring of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. The proprietary technology is based on quantitative analysis of circulating organ-enriched microRNAs in plasma and can be used for screening, patient stratification as well as disease and treatment monitoring. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.diamirbio.com.

Please Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events. These statements are just predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the results, timing, costs and regulatory review of our studies and clinical trials; the results of studies of our product candidates conducted by others; our ability to obtain future funding on acceptable terms; our ability to obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates; the possible impairment of, or inability to obtain, intellectual property rights; and innovation by our competitors.