Aethlon Medical's Exosome Sciences To Participate In Clinical Research Study To Diagnose Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Exosome Sciences, Inc., in collaboration with majority shareholder Aethlon Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:AEMD), announced today that it has agreed to participate in a clinical research study to establish methods for detecting and diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) during life as well as examining risk factors for CTE. CTE is a disease of the brain often found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive head impacts. At present, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed through post-mortem examination of brain tissue.

The research study will be conducted under a $16 million grant that the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH/NINDS) has awarded to researchers from Boston University, the Cleveland Clinic, Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Overall, the project will involve a group of approximately 50 investigators, representing 17 research institutions. Exosome Sciences has agreed to test an exosomal tau biomarker (TauSome™) that it has been advancing as a blood-based candidate to diagnose CTE.

"We are truly grateful that our colleagues at the Boston University CTE Center have expanded our opportunity to validate our Tausome™ biomarker as a candidate to detect and monitor CTE in living individuals," stated Jim Joyce, Executive Chairman at Exosome Sciences and Chairman and CEO of Aethlon Medical.

Following its participation in the Diagnosing and Evaluating Traumatic Encephalopathy Using Clinical Tests (DETECT) study conducted by the Boston University CTE Center, Exosome Sciences also disclosed that it has agreed to provide follow-on TauSome™ testing to former NFL players who participated in that study. The DETECT study was the first research project on CTE to be funded by the NIH, with support from NINDS, the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).  The DETECT study enrolled former NFL players (ages 40-69) and same-age "control" athletes who played non-contact sports. A manuscript which details TauSome™ (exosomal tau) data resulting from the DETECT study is pending publication. 

About CTE

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a disease of the brain found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive head impacts. This type of trauma can trigger progressive degeneration of the brain tissue, including the build-up of an abnormal form of a protein called tau. The brain degeneration is associated with memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and eventually progressive dementia. A study recently conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Boston University found CTE in 87 of 91 examined brains (post-mortem autopsy) of former NFL players. At present, the diagnosis of CTE can only be made through post-mortem examination of brain tissue.

About Exosome Sciences

Exosome Sciences, Inc., in collaboration with majority shareholder Aethlon Medical (Nasdaq:AEMD), is focused on discovering exosomal biomarkers to diagnose and monitor Alzheimer's disease (AD), Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurological disorders. Our TauSome™ biomarker (also referred to as exosomal tau) is being studied as the basis for a blood-based test to identify CTE through the DETECT Study being conducted by the Boston University CTE Center. TauSome™ detection and the use of a TauSome™ biomarker to identify and monitor CTE and other neurological disorders are protected by multiple patent applications. Visit www.exosomesciences.com for additional details.

About Aethlon Medical, Inc.

Aethlon Medical creates affinity biofiltration devices to treat life-threatening diseases. The Aethlon Hemopurifier® is a leading broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against infectious viral pathogens. The device, which has been successfully administered to individuals infected with HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV) and Ebola virus, is currently the subject of FDA approved clinical studies. Aethlon is also studying the potential use of the Hemopurifier® to address exosomes secreted by tumors to promote the spread of metastasis and suppress the immune system of cancer patients. The Company provides government contracting services to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) related to the development of a biofiltration device to treat sepsis and maintains majority ownership of Exosome Sciences, Inc., which is focused on the discovery of exosomal biomarkers to diagnose and monitor Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurological disorders. Additional information can be found online at www.AethlonMedical.com or you can connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks and uncertainties. Statements containing words such as "may," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "will," "projections," "estimate," or similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may contribute to such differences include, without limitation, the Company's ability to maintain its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or any other national securities exchange, that the Company or its subsidiary will not be able to commercialize its products, that the FDA will not approve the initiation or continuation of the Company's clinical programs or provide market clearance of the Company's products, including products developed by Exosome Sciences, Inc., the Company's ability to raise capital when needed, the Company's ability to complete the development of its planned products, the Company's ability to manufacture its products either internally or through outside companies, the impact of government regulations, patent protection on the Company's proprietary technology, the ability of the Company to meet the milestones contemplated in its contract with DARPA, product liability exposure, uncertainty of market acceptance, competition, technological change, and other risk factors. The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is illustrative, but is not exhaustive. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements can be found under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015, and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not intend, nor does it undertake any duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.

Contacts:

Mike Smargiassi/Brad Edwards
Brainerd Communicators, Inc.
212-986-6667
smarg@braincomm.com 
edwards@braincomm.com

James A. Joyce
Chairman and CEO
(Office) 858.459.7800 x301
(Cell) 619-368-2000
jj@aethlonmedical.com

Jim Frakes
Chief Financial Officer
858.459.7800 x300
jfrakes@aethlonmedical.com

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SOURCE Aethlon Medical, Inc.