DiaMedica Therapeutics Appoints Dr. Lorianne Masuoka as Chief Medical Officer

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for neurological disorders and cardio-renal disease, announced today the appointment of Lorianne Masuoka, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Masuoka is a board-certified neurologist with more than 25 years of experience and a successful track record of managing clinical programs from early stage to drug approvals and strategic alliances.

“We are delighted to have Lorianne join our executive leadership team,” said Rick Pauls, DiaMedica’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “She is a board-certified neurologist and recognized clinical leader in the neurology with a demonstrated track record in progressing the development of therapeutics for multiple neuroscience indications. Having worked with several early and mid-stage companies, she is very experienced in clinical research and managing drug candidates through the clinical development and regulatory process. Her experience also includes playing a key role in the acquisition of multiple biotechnology companies. We welcome Lorianne and believe her extensive expertise will benefit us tremendously as our ReMEDy 2 trial for acute ischemic stroke is now recruiting patients.”

“This is a very exciting time to join DiaMedica as it resumes enrollment in its ReMEDy2 trial,” said Dr. Masuoka, “I look forward to accelerating the development of DM199 and bringing a treatment option to the large number of ischemic stroke patients who currently have no good treatment options.”

Dr. Masuoka has more than 25 years of experience building and expanding high value pipelines in the biopharmaceutical industry that have resulted in drug approvals and strategic alliances. She is a board-certified neurologist, experienced in treating stroke patients, who has successfully created and overseen high performing teams to lead the clinical development of new medicines, with a focus in neurology and oncology. Dr. Masuoka served as Chief Medical Officer of Epygenix Therapeutics, Marinus Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: MRNS), Cubist Pharmaceuticals ($9.5B acquisition by Merck), and Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) where, as a member of executive management, she managed teams in the areas of clinical research, pharmacovigilance, biostatistics and data management, regulatory affairs, and clinical operations. Previously, she held various roles of increasing responsibility at FivePrime Therapeutics ($1.9B acquisition by Amgen) and Chiron (now Novartis). In addition to her executive roles, Dr. Masuoka most recently served as a Board member at Pfenex Inc. ($516M acquisition by Ligand) and serves as a Board member at Opiant Pharmaceuticals (up to $500M acquisition by Indivior). Dr. Masuoka received her medical degree from the University of California, Davis, where she also completed her residency in neurology. She completed her epilepsy fellowship at Yale University and is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.