DiamiR Announces Publication and Discusses Merits of Universal Screening Test Based on Organ-Enriched microRNA Signatures

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ--(Marketwired - November 03, 2014) - DiamiR Biosciences Corp., a developer of innovative diagnostic tests for neurodegenerative and other diseases, announced today the publication entitled " Universal Screening Test based on analysis of circulating organ-enriched microRNAs: a novel approach to diagnostic screening" in Expert Reviews of Molecular Diagnostics [http://dx.doi.org/10.1586/14737159.2014.973858].

Early detection is critical for effective treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and other pathologies, where disease progression leads to irreversible changes in underlying pathophysiological processes. DiamiR has proposed a novel framework for early detection of pathology in a particular organ system, organ or tissue based on analysis of circulating organ- enriched microRNAs, the Universal Screening Test (UST). In the publication the company's researchers provide an overview of the current approaches to screening, discuss feasibility and potential benefits of the UST, and outline the development and implementation strategy for the test. The data generated by DiamiR on the detection of pathologies of three organ systems (gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and neurological): four cancers (esophageal, gastric, colon, and non-small cell lung cancer), three neurodegenerative pathologies (mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases), and three inflammatory diseases (pneumonia, asthma, and Crohn's disease), are summarized and discussed.

"The development and clinical implementation of specific tests for primary screening of hundreds of human diseases could be expensive and impractical. Instead, we propose detecting the presence of a pathology in a particular organ or organ system, rather than diagnosing specific diseases. Once a pathology is detected, more specific, invasive and/or expensive tests can be utilized to precisely define the nature of the disease. Early detection of a pathology, preferably at an asymptomatic stage, would enable more effective and cost-efficient therapeutic intervention," said Dr. Samuil Umansky, President and CSO of DiamiR. "The UST can be implemented step-by-step, one organ system with respective biomarker signatures at a time, eventually resulting in a comprehensive panel of noninvasive routine tests. Other potential applications of the UST include analysis of age-related changes in the human body, effects of various environmental factors, and safety during drug development."

About DiamiR Biosciences Corp.

DiamiR is a privately held molecular diagnostics company focused on developing noninvasive tests for early detection and monitoring of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions. The proprietary technology is based on quantitative analysis of organ-enriched microRNA signatures 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.