RespireRx , University of Alberta And University of Florida Provide Update On Collaborative Research Activities

GLEN ROCK, NJ--(Marketwired - April 01, 2016) - RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCQB: RSPI) (“RespireRx” or the “Company”), a leader in the development of medicines for respiratory disorders, including sleep apneas and drug-induced respiratory depression, is providing an update on the Company’s collaborative research and development programs.

Scientists at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida will present their collaborative data on the use of ampakines being developed by RespireRx as a novel therapy for overcoming central respiratory depression at the Experimental Biology Conference being held on April 2 - 6, 2016 in San Diego, California.

Dr. John Greer, Professor of Physiology, University of Alberta and Chairman of the RespireRx Scientific Advisory Board, will present a symposium paper on the use of ampakines to overcome opioid-induced respiratory depression. Dr. Greer’s presentation has direct relevance for the potential to provide a pharmacological solution to assist with the serious and rapidly growing problem of overdose from the use of fentanyl and oxycodone.

Dr. David Fuller, Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Florida, and his research team will present data they generated in a collaborative initiative with Dr. Greer demonstrating that ampakines can significantly improve respiratory function after spinal cord injury. Dr. Greer and Dr. Fuller also demonstrated that ampakines boost the efficacy of an emerging therapy using intermittent hypoxia that strengthens the motor control of patients after spinal cord injury.

Dr. Greer commented, “Dr. Fuller’s laboratory has made impressive progress in demonstrating the potential for ampakine therapy to help patients with spinal cord injury. Our strategy is to collaborate with leading laboratories, such as the research group at the University of Florida, to test our ideas on how ampakines may overcome a wide range of unmet clinical needs related to respiratory depression caused by disease, drugs and injury. These efforts are now starting to show promising results with rapid and exciting progress on a number of fronts.”

Based on the research to be presented by Dr. Greer and a license facilitated through TEC Edmonton on behalf of the University of Alberta, RespireRx recently initiated a clinical trial at the Duke University School of Medicine Clinical Research Unit to study the use ampakines as a means of preventing opioid-induced respiratory depression. “Supporting healthcare innovation has always been a priority for us and we’re delighted to see Dr. Greer’s work proceeding into clinical trials,” said Chris Lumb, CEO of TEC Edmonton. “Dr. Greer’s research is a prime example of the world class innovation produced at the University of Alberta. It’s exciting to see it already demonstrating tremendous potential to improve quality of life for patients faced with respiratory challenges.”

In acknowledgement of the fruitful collaboration between the University of Alberta, the University of Florida and RespireRx, Dr. James S. Manuso, President and Chief Executive Officer of RespireRx stated, “It is an honor for the RespireRx team to ally with such accomplished and productive researchers at the Universities of Alberta and Florida. We look forward to working with our collaborators to develop medicines that have the potential to help patients with a variety of diseases where breathing deficits play a major role, including sleep apneas, respiratory despression, Pompe disease and spinal cord injury.”

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this news release, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of the Company and its drug development programs, constitute forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “contemplate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “continue,” “budget,” “estimate,” “may,” “schedule” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding future plans, targets, estimates and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Due to these various risks and uncertainties, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.