DiamiR Reports Validation of Two Families of Brain-Enriched microRNAs as Highly Promising Blood-Based Biomarkers of Mild Cognitive Impairment

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ--(Marketwired - January 02, 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 the publication entitled "Plasma microRNA biomarkers for detection of mild cognitive impairment: biomarker validation study" in Aging. Mild Cognitive Impairment is a condition characteristic of early stages of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. The article can be accessed online at http://www.impactaging.com/papers/v5/n12/abs/100624a.html.

DiamiR reported that two families of microRNA biomarkers, miR-132 and miR-134 families, detect Mild Cognitive Impairment with the overall accuracy of 96 percent and 87 percent respectively, when plasma samples of Mild Cognitive Impairment patients are compared to plasma samples of age/gender matched control subjects. The two families of biomarkers were identified among neurite/synapse enriched microRNAs and paired with brain-enriched microRNA normalizers using proprietary algorithms and software developed at DiamiR. The biomarkers are believed to reflect pathological processes underlying synaptic dysfunction and destruction characteristic of an early, preclinical stage of dementia development. This biomarker validation study follows pilot, feasibility and small longitudinal studies reported by DiamiR scientists in 2012.

"The results of this study are highly encouraging for the development of a test for early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment, a condition affecting millions of Americans. The reported data validates DiamiR's innovative approach of using organ-enriched microRNAs for early detection of a pathology, when therapeutic intervention as well as life style changes are much more likely to have a meaningful positive impact," said Dr. Samuil Umansky, President and CSO of DiamiR. The framework of DiamiR's approach and additional applications in the areas of cancer and inflammatory diseases are reported in the Journal of Translational Medicine and can be accessed online at http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/11/1/304/abstract.

"There is a great need for easily accessible, cost effective, noninvasive diagnostics of early stages of Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Kira Sheinerman, CEO of DiamiR. "Early disease detection, preferably at an asymptomatic stage, could lead to more efficient enrollment into clinical trials and enable effective treatment as well as better planning by patients and caregivers. As the next steps, we will focus on conducting larger studies and developing a test with the goal of making it available to the scientific and medical community as quickly as possible."

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.