AtheroNova Announces Publication of Positive Pre-Clinical Results with AHRO-001 in the FASEB Journal

IRVINE, Calif., June 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AtheroNova Inc. (OTCBB: AHRO), a biotech company focused on the research and development of compounds to safely regress atherosclerotic plaque and improve lipid profiles in humans, today announced publication of the preclinical study that supported the clinical development of the Company's investigational AHRO-001 drug.  The study, which was conducted by scientists at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, was published in the June 10, 2013 online issue of the FASEB Journal in advance of the print issue.

"This was essential work in the early development of AHRO-001 and we feel this is a validation of our hypotheses regarding our compound and its methods of action," commented AtheroNova CEO Thomas W. Gardner.  "We would like to thank our friends at the Lusis Lab at UCLA for all of their diligent research, analysis writing and editing of this milestone publication in the FASEB Journal. This continues our recent string of accomplishments as we continue the transition from the development-stage to the clinical stage of the Company."

In this study, investigators examined the effects of AHRO-001 on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-null (LDLRKO) mice. Female LDLRKO mice were maintained on a high fat diet for 8 weeks and then divided into two groups that received chow, or chow + AHRO-001, diets for 15 weeks. Notable study findings include:

• Investigators observed that mice fed the AHRO-001 diet were leaner and exhibited a 37% decrease in fasting plasma glucose level.
• AHRO-001 supplementation significantly decreased atherosclerotic lesion size at the aortic root region, the entire aorta, and the innominate artery by 44% (P<0.0001), 48% (P<0.01), and 94% (P<0.01), respectively, as compared with the chow group.
• Plasma VLDL/IDL/LDL cholesterol levels were significantly decreased, by 61% (P<0.05), in the AHRO-001 group as compared with the chow diet group. AHRO-001 supplementation decreased intestinal cholesterol absorption by 76% (P<0.0001) as compared with the chow group.
• HDL isolated from the AHRO-001 group exhibited significantly increased ability to mediate cholesterol efflux ex vivo as compared with HDL of the chow diet group.
• AHRO-001 significantly increased the expression of genes involved in cholesterol efflux, such as Abca1, Abcg1, and Apoe, in a macrophage cell line. Thus, AHRO-001 is a candidate for anti-atherosclerotic drug therapy.

"This study supports AHRO-001 as a potential new agent to not only lower cholesterol level but decrease atherosclerotic lesions," noted Diana Shih, PhD., Associate Professor, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, and lead author of the study. "These results provide the rationale for larger and longer studies to learn more about the effectiveness of this drug, and to give us a better chance of identifying the most effective ways in treating these conditions."

About AHRO-001
AHRO-001 is AtheroNova's first novel application for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic plaque is the primary, underlying cause of heart disease and stroke in industrialized countries. AtheroNova has shown positive results in animal models for regression of plaque and is now starting human studies in pursuit of these same successful results.

About AtheroNova
AtheroNova Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, research, development and licensing of novel compounds to safely reduce or regress atherosclerotic plaque deposits and improve lipid profiles in humans. In addition to its lead compound AHRO-001, AtheroNova plans to develop multiple applications for its patented and patents-pending therapies in market sectors that include: Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, Peripheral Artery Disease, Dementia and Alzheimer's and Erectile Dysfunction, all of which have been linked to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis and its related pharmaceutical expenses for these indications cost consumers more than $41 billion annually in the United States alone. For more information, please visit www.AtheroNova.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of AtheroNova's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; significant fluctuations in expenses associated with clinical trials, failure to secure additional financing, the inability to complete regulatory filings with the Food and Drug Administration, general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; AtheroNova's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of AtheroNova's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

AtheroNova undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in AtheroNova's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov).

SOURCE AtheroNova Inc.