DiaMedica Announces the Appointment of Dr. Mark Robbins as Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs

DiaMedica Announces the Appointment of Dr. Mark Robbins as Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 9, 2013) - DiaMedica (TSX VENTURE:DMA) is pleased to announce that Mark Robbins, Ph.D., J.D., has joined as Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs to oversee DiaMedica's clinical programs. Dr. Robbins has over 30 years of experience in biopharmaceutical drug development with broad therapeutic experience in endocrine/metabolic, cardiology, neurology, dermatology, and oncology. Dr. Robbins has developed and successfully implemented regulatory/clinical strategies leading to 11 successful NDA/BLA approvals.

"We are very fortunate to be have recruited someone of Mark's history, reputation and capability to this key role at DiaMedica," said Rick Pauls, Chairman and CEO. "His tremendous depth of experience will support our strategy in designing and managing clinical trials and regulatory aspects as DiaMedica moves its lead products from the development stage through manufacturing and into clinical trials."

"The drugs currently in development at DiaMedica could significantly improve the lives of millions of patients, and I look forward to advancing these compounds aggressively through the clinic," stated Mark Robbins, Ph.D., J.D., "I am enthusiastic to help DiaMedica achieve its goals of commercial success and continued growth."

Dr. Robbins was most recently President & CEO of Kodiak Strategic Consultants, which provides strategic clinical, regulatory and business development consultation to biotechnology companies, and President & CEO of Tychon Bioscience, Inc. a targeted drug delivery biotech venture. Dr. Robbins spent 15 year with Upsher-Smith Laboratories, advancing to Executive Vice President, Legal, Scientific and Technical Operations, Chief Scientific Officer and Assistant Secretary, where he oversaw the clinical and regulatory strategies for several drugs ranging from R&D to manufacturing and Phase I to Phase III. Previous to this role, Dr. Robbins spent 13 years at Mallinckrodt Group, Inc., advancing to Director of Medical Affairs.

The Company issued Dr. Robbins 200,000 stock options in accordance with the Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of $1.25 and a term of 10 years. The options are subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture exchange.

About DiaMedica

DiaMedica Inc. is a publicly traded (TSX VENTURE:DMA) biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapies to treat diabetes and the complications associated with diabetes. DiaMedica's lead compound, DM-199, is a recombinant human protein that represents a novel approach to treating Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Based on the Company's understanding of the postprandial state, DiaMedica is also developing a novel monoclonal antibody, DM-204 for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Chronic treatment with DM-204 in a pre-clinical Type 2 diabetes model resulted in a significant improvement in blood glucose control as measured by HbA1c and also significant improved blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels.

The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada under the trading symbol 'DMA'.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts contain forward-looking information that involves risk and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address DiaMedica's expectations, should be considered forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's exercise of business judgment as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in this document, the words "may", "will", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and words of similar import, are intended to identify any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect a current view of future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties as contained in the Corporation's filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update, revise or otherwise publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events. Although management believes that expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these expectations will materialize.

Contact Information

    DiaMedica Inc.
    Rick Pauls
    Chairman & CEO
    763-710-4455
    [email protected]