DiaMedica Welcomes Dr. Nancy Chang to its Strategic Advisory Board

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA--(Marketwired - April 25, 2017) - DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:DMA)(OTCQB:DMCAF) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Nancy Chang to its Strategic Advisory Board to support the Company's development of its lead product, DM199. Dr. Chang brings more than 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, successfully developing and commercializing therapeutic and diagnostic products. She is the co-founder of Tanox, Inc., a biotechnology company known for the development of Xolairâ, the breakthrough drug which changed the treatment model for allergy-induced asthma. Dr. Chang served as President and CEO of Tanox until its acquisition in 2007 by Genentech for US$919 million.

"We are delighted to have attracted such an accomplished research scientist, businesswoman, and philanthropist as Dr. Chang to add to the quality and depth as a Strategic Advisory Board member.  We believe the combination of Dr. Chang's scientific experience in developing best-in-breed products for significant unmet medical needs in treating major human neurological and endocrine diseases and her business acumen in the U.S., European, and Asian biopharmaceutical industry will bring a unique perspective to our clinical development program, as well as licensing and partnership opportunities." - Rick Pauls, President and CEO of DiaMedica Therapeutics

Dr. Nancy Chang is the co-founder of Tanox, Inc., a Houston-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutics to address major unmet medical needs in the areas of asthma, allergy, inflammation, aged macular degeneration and other diseases affecting the human immune system. She served the roles of President, CEO, and Chairman until its acquisition in 2007 by Genentech. Prior to Tanox, Dr. Chang held several leadership positions at Centocor, now a division of Johnson & Johnson, where she conducted pioneering work in the field of HIV/AIDS research and was instrumental in developing the first diagnostic assay to detect HIV infection. Dr. Chang received her PH.D. in biological chemistry from Harvard University and conducted her post-doctoral research at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology.

Dr. Chang currently serves as President and CEO of Apex Enterprises, an investment management company focusing on healthcare, education and socially responsible ventures. Previously, she served as the Chairperson and Senior Managing Director of Caduceus Asia Partners Fund at OrbiMed Advisors L.L.C., one of the largest healthcare-focused investment firms. Dr. Chang has served on the board of directors of several organizations, including: The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Houston Branch, BioHouston, and Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

About DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc.

DiaMedica Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for neurological and kidney diseases. DiaMedica's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "DMA" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "DMCAF". For more information, please visit www.diamedica.com. Follow DiaMedica on social media - Twitter, LinkedIn.

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