AtheroNova Inc. Appoints Balbir S. Brar, PhD, DVM, Senior Vice President of Drug Development

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - June 13, 2011) - AtheroNova Inc. (OTCBB: AHRO) ("AtheroNova"), a biotech company focused on the research and development of compounds to regress atherosclerotic plaque, announced that Balbir (Bal) S. Brar, PhD, DVM, has been appointed Senior Vice President of Drug Development.

"Dr. Brar's extensive experience of successfully guiding drugs through to regulatory approval makes him a perfect choice as Senior VP of Product Development," said Thomas W. Gardner, CEO of AtheroNova. "He has achieved success at established pharmaceutical companies, as well as start-ups; he knows how to maximize resources to achieve development goals; and he has demonstrated the rare ability to lead effective development programs across a broad range of disease targets. Dr. Brar will immediately take charge of our upcoming Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational New Drug (IND) filing and the commencement of human trials. We welcome him to the Company, and expect his appointment to accelerate our development and regulatory programs."

"I've spent a good part of my career shepherding drugs through the approval process, and I've never before encountered a compound with the potential to totally transform the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Up until now, medicine has, at best, been able to slow the progression of atherosclerosis, whereas AtheroNova's atherosclerosis plaque regression compound has the potential to set a new paradigm by actually reversing the disease," said Dr. Brar. "This is a very exciting time at AtheroNova. In addition to cardiovascular related diseases, the Company has strong developmental targets in obesity, lipomas, diabetes and dermatologic applications. I look forward to successfully achieving commercialization of the Company's compound."

Dr. Brar has over 25 years of experience in drug and device development and worldwide registration of eight major drugs, including Botox. His experience includes working with major pharmaceutical companies, including: Lederle/Wyeth, where he developed Azmacort for asthma and topical Aristocort, both multimillion dollar products currently on the market; and SmithKline Beckman as a Senior Director of Drug Safety, where he participated in the development of Tarzotene for psoriasis and acne. At Allergan Inc., Dr. Brar served as Vice President Drug Safety (R&D) and was responsible for the regulatory submission of 50 INDs/510Ks and worldwide approval of six New Drug Applications, which became very successful drugs currently on the market, including Botox (Medical and Cosmetic), Alphagan, Lumigan, Restasis, Ofloxacin, Azelex, Avage (Retinoid), Latisse and Viscoelastic intraocular.

For the past eight years, Dr. Brar has thrived in leadership roles with start-up biotechnology companies, where he held positions as Executive VP-R&D, Chief Technology Officer and Board Member of companies specializing in diabetic related complications, oncology, ophthalmology, dermatology and cardiovascular devices. His responsibilities have included fund raising, selection of contract research organizations (CROs), stability testing, non-clinical studies, clinical studies, Phase I, II and III clinical plans, as well as IND filing and implementation of development plans. He has extensive experience working with CROs and regulatory agencies, including the FDA, worldwide.

Dr. Brar has a PhD in Toxicology/Pathology from Rutgers University and a DVM. from India, with finance training from Harvard Business School. He is a recipient of numerous achievement awards for excellence and is the author/co-author of over 50 scientific publications.

About AtheroNova

AtheroNova, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, AtheroNova Operations, Inc., is a development stage company currently researching novel patents-pending applications of certain natural compounds to regress atherosclerotic plaque deposits, a process called delipidization. The Company plans to develop multiple applications for its compounds to be used in pharmaceutical grade products for the treatment of atherosclerosis, obesity and lipomas.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently unreliable and actual results may differ materially. Examples of forward looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the value of Dr. Brar's appointment as AtheroNova's Senior Vice President of Drug Development, and the development of applications for AtheroNova's technology. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include such factors as 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, the introduction of competing products, or management's ability to attract and maintain qualified personnel necessary for the development and commercialization of its planned products, and other information that may be detailed from time to time in AtheroNova's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. AtheroNova undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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