GERMANTOWN, Md., Aug. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neuralstem, Inc. (Nasdaq:CUR), a biopharmaceutical company
developing novel treatments for nervous system diseases, today announced that it has been awarded a Phase 2 Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of up to $997,068 over two years to conduct preclinical
research to evaluate the potential of NSI-189, a novel small molecule compound, for the prevention and treatment of diabetic
neuropathy.
The research funded by this award will build on a previous study performed in collaboration with Drs. Corinne Jolivalt’s and
Nigel Calcutt’s groups at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), that demonstrated NSI-189 could prevent and/or reverse
peripheral neuropathy in mouse models for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. NSI-189 was shown to significantly protect motor and sensory
nerve function in mice with Type 1 diabetes when given from onset of disease, and improve nerve function when given 2 months after
disease onset. Similarly, NSI-189 protected motor and sensory nerve function in a genetic model of Type 2 diabetes (db/db
mouse).
“We look forward to continuing these important studies with UCSD to better understand the potential of NSI-189 in treating
diabetic neuropathy,” said Rich Daly, chairman and CEO, Neuralstem. “Diabetic neuropathy is a chronic and debilitating
disease that remains an unmet medical need, and we appreciate the NIH’s recognition of the importance of this research.”
“The initial data obtained from our preclinical study with Neuralstem’s compound showed improvement in almost all indices of
peripheral neuropathy. This is rather unique, and we look forward to testing NSI-189 in greater depth with this funding,”
said Dr. Corinne Jolivalt, the lead collaborator at UCSD where the animal study will take place and with whom the grant money will
be shared.
About Neuralstem
Neuralstem is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for nervous system diseases of
high unmet medical need. NSI-189 is a small molecule in clinical development for major depressive disorder (MDD) and in
preclinical development for Angelman’s syndrome, irradiation-induced cognitive impairment, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and
stroke.
NSI-566 is a stem cell therapy being tested for treatment of paralysis in stroke, chronic spinal cord injury (cSCI) and
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Neuralstem’s diversified portfolio of product candidates is based on its proprietary
neural stem cell technology.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate to future, not past, events and may often be identified by
words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature
address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Specific risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to
differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include risks inherent in the development and
commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need for
future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of our intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ
materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could
affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Neuralstem’s periodic reports, including the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2017, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and in other reports filed with the SEC. We do not assume any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements.
Contact: Danielle Spangler Director of Investor Relations, Neuralstem 301-366-1481 dspangler@neuralstem.com Kimberly Minarovich Argot Partners (Investor Relations) 212-600-1902 kimberly@argotpartners.com Lori Rosen LDR Communications (Public Relations) 917-553-6808 lori@ldrcommunications.com
