Mount Tam Biotechnologies Names Buck Institute for Age Research CEO, Brian Kennedy, Ph.D., Chairman Of Board Of Directors

NOVATO, Calif., Oct. 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mount Tam Biotechnologies, Inc. ("Mount Tam") (OTCBB:MNTM), a publicly traded, emerging biotechnology firm investigating the potential for inhibiting the mTOR pathway for the treatment of auto-immune diseases such as Lupus, announced today the appointment of Brian Kennedy, Ph.D., CEO of The Buck Institute for Aging, as Chairman of its Board of Directors.

"It is fitting that Dr. Kennedy take on the role as our chairman, as we maintain a close relationship with The Buck Institute, where we have licensed our initial technology, and maintain an exclusive license for autoimmune diseases" said Timothy Powers, Ph.D., CEO of Mount Tam. "His dedication to The Buck Institute's mission to find connections between the natural process of aging and chronic diseases, combined with his intimate understanding of the mTOR pathway, create a powerful synergy that will help drive Mount Tam forward. We look forward to both unparalleled scientific breakthroughs, and measurable business success."

Dr. Kennedy's world-renowned research in the biology of aging began when he was a doctoral student at MIT. Under the guidance of MIT Professor Leonard Guarente, he contributed to the first studies to show that a class of proteins called Sirtuins influence aging. Currently he studies the pathways that modulate longevity in life forms ranging from yeast to mice. A major focus of his current research is to study the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. mTOR generated excitement in the age research field when it was shown recently that the drug rapamycin can extend lifespan in mice.

"Mount Tam possesses a world-class team that is dedicated to bringing innovative solutions to millions of patients suffering with Lupus," added Dr. Kennedy.

Dr. Kennedy, 48, earned his PhD in Biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he took part in groundbreaking studies on aging. He completed postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Dr. Kennedy was an associate professor in the biochemistry department at the University of Washington in Seattle when he was appointed the President and the Chief Executive Officer of the Buck Institute in 2010

Mount Tam's first investigational drug, TAM-01, is a novel mTOR inhibitor which has been optimized for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common form of Lupus. Licensed from The Buck Institute for Aging, this is the first molecule utilizing the Company's unique mechanism for mTOR inhibition, and the Company is currently investigating additional applications for its proprietary platform technology.

TAM-01 has been shown to be efficacious in pre-clinical animal models of SLE while significantly reducing or abolishing the undesirable side effects of other known mTOR inhibitors such as rapamycin. The Company is currently preparing to conduct investigational new drug ("IND") safety studies on TAM-01, with the intention of filing an IND application with the FDA shortly.

About Mount Tam Biotechnologies, Inc.

Formed on World Lupus Day 2014, Mount Tam Biotechnologies, Inc. was established to develop, optimize and bring to market innovative medicines to better the health and well being of millions of people who have been affected by autoimmune diseases. The organization's most advanced product focuses on the treatment of SLE.

For more information visit www.MountTamBiotech.com

About the Buck Institute for Aging

The Buck Institute is the U.S.'s first independent research organization devoted to Geroscience – focused on the connection between normal aging and chronic disease. Based in Novato, CA, The Buck is dedicated to extending "Healthspan", the healthy years of human life and does so utilizing a unique interdisciplinary approach involving laboratories studying the mechanisms of aging and those focused on specific diseases. Buck scientists strive to discover new ways of detecting, preventing and treating age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, cancer, cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration, osteoporosis, diabetes and stroke. In their collaborative research, they are supported by the most recent developments in genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and stem cell technologies. For more information: www.thebuck.org

About Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease involving many systems in the human body. The biologic basis of the disease is a defect in the body's own immune system, leading to the over production of autoantibodies that attack normal organs and tissues and causing irreversible damage. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints and almost every major organ in the body, including the heart, kidneys, skin, lungs, and brain. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, 1.5 million Americans have the disease with more than 16,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The majority of patients are women of childbearing years.

This press release may contain "forward-looking" information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of this Act, statements contained herein that look forward in time that include everything other than historical information, involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's actual results. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by the Company, including, but not limited to, plans and objectives of management for future operations or products, the market acceptance or future success of our products, and our future financial performance. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in its most recent filings with the U S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov). The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

CONTACT: Investor and Media Contact: Jules Abraham JQA Partners, Inc. 917-885-7378 jabraham@jqapartners.com

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