Entia Biosciences Secures The Michael J. Fox Foundation Grant

SHERWOOD, OR--(Marketwired - July 14, 2014) - Entia Biosciences Inc. (OTCQB: ERGO), an emerging leader in the field of nutrigenomics, has been awarded a grant by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to conduct a preclinical study of its ErgoD2® medical food formulation as a potential therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study is the second and final in a series of planned studies conducted by Entia utilizing a transgenic murine model developed by Dr. Robert Nussbaum. The first study was successfully conducted in collaboration with Dr. Jack Rogers, PhD, at the Massachusetts General Hospital Neurochemistry Laboratory, in which ErgoD2® was shown to increase muscle strength and reduce the toxic buildup of midbrain alpha-synuclein levels. The newly commissioned study has been expanded to measure brain iron levels, key brain biomarkers, as well as, alpha-synuclein levels -- an approach that aims to provide insight into the overall physiologic system of the disease, which may prove invaluable in further substantiating ErgoD2’s future role in the treatment and/or prevention of PD.

Parkinson’s is a chronic progressive movement disorder characterized by shaking and difficulties with walking, movement, and coordination. The causes of PD are yet unknown, however, several risk factors have been identified, among which are alpha-synuclein and iron overload in the brain. Alpha-synuclein protein is increased in PD and its toxic form contributes to progressive neurodegeneration of nerve cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that helps regulate movement and muscle coordination. Iron accumulation in these neurons can also contribute to neurodegeneration in PD, because increased intracellular iron is associated with oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation, both of which, in turn, perpetuate the disease.

Entia’s ErgoD2® technology aims to slow PD progression by stabilizing iron levels, reducing inflammation, and boosting the internal antioxidant system. At the core of this technology are L-Ergothioneine and Ergocalciferol, which, in previous clinical studies conducted by Entia in diabetes and chronic kidney disease, have been shown to stimulate iron export from the cell. These findings are now being applied to PD as a way to reduce the iron burden inside the degenerating dopamine-producing cells. The resulting reduction in intracellular iron levels is hypothesized to mitigate the associated inflammation and oxidative stress in the PD brain, thereby slowing degeneration of nerve cells. This systems-level approach -- designed by Entia Biosciences -- will also be applied in future clinical studies, in which ErgoD2® will be evaluated for its impact on various biological indicators of health and disease.

“We are grateful and excited to be working with The Michael J. Fox Foundation,” said Dr. Marvin Hausman, MD., Chairman and CEO of Entia Biosciences Inc. “To date, the small molecule, drug development approach to this complex problem has not yielded a viable therapy. We believe that the overall health of the body, and the genetically required nutrients found in ErgoD2®, may be playing a major role in regulating the onset and/or progression of neurodegenerative and other debilitating diseases. With the Foundation’s support, we intend to validate this hypothesis and accelerate the availability of our ErgoD2® medical food to the millions of people who suffer from or are at-risk for developing PD.” Additional information about the grant and the study’s objectives can be found at: https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/grant-detail.php?grant_id=1341

About ErgoD2®

ErgoD2® is a proprietary pharmaceutical grade organic compound from whole food that contains the micro-nutrients L-Ergothioneine, an amino acid with a dedicated transporter (SLC22A4), and Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). These nutrients are naturally enhanced and concentrated to therapeutic levels using Entia’s patented technology.

About Entia Biosciences, Inc.

Entia is an authority on the clinical effects of oxidative stress and free radical reactions and is bringing this expertise to the fields of food science biotechnology and Nutrigenomics. The Company identifies, scientifically validates, patents, and commercializes solutions that address multi-billion dollar markets for health, beauty and agriculture. www.entiabio.com.

Any statements contained in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks associated with the transaction described in this press release, and other risks identified in the filings by Entia Biosciences with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further information on risks faced by the Company and its shareholders are detailed in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These filings are or will become available on a website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov. The information contained in this press release is accurate as of the date indicated. Actual results, events or performance may differ materially. Entia does not undertake any obligation to publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.