DiaMedica Inc. Appoints Dr. Ralph A. DeFronzo to its Scientific Advisory Board

DiaMedica Inc. ("DiaMedica") (TSX VENTURE:DMA), a clinical stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of diabetes and its
complications, announced today the appointment of Ralph A. DeFronzo, MD, to the
Company's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. DeFronzo, is a Professor of Medicine,
the Chief of the Diabetes Division at the University of Texas Health Science
Center, and the Deputy Director of the Texas Diabetes Institute, San Antonio,
Texas.


With more than 650 articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals, Dr.
DeFronzo is a distinguished diabetes researcher, clinician, and teacher, and is
a recipient of several prestigious national and international awards. In 2008,
Dr. DeFronzo received the Banting Award from the American Diabetes Association
(ADA) and the Claude Bernard Award from the European Association for the Study
of Diabetes (EASD). These represent the highest scientific achievement awards
given by the American and European Diabetes Associations, respectively. In 2008,
Dr. DeFronzo also received the Italian Diabetes Mentor Prize and the Philip
Bondy Lectureship at Yale University. He also is the recipient of the ADA's
Albert Renold Award (2002) for lifetime commitment to the training of young
diabetes investigators. For his work in this area, Dr. DeFronzo received the
prestigious Lilly Award (1987) from the ADA, the Banting Lectureship (1988) from
the Canadian Diabetes Association, and the Novartis Award (2003) for outstanding
clinical investigation worldwide. Dr. DeFronzo has served as an Advisory Board
member for several pharmaceutical companies and has delivered numerous keynote
speeches at major national and international conferences on diabetes and its
complications.


"Dr. DeFronzo is a world-renowned researcher, clinician, and educator in the
diabetes field. We are honored and delighted to have him join DiaMedica's
Scientific Advisory Board," said Rick Pauls, DiaMedica's President and CEO. "We
intend to leverage Dr. DeFronzo's vast knowledge on the subject of diabetes and
kidney disease, and his reputable standing with numerous international diabetes
organizations, as we move forward with our products."


Dr. DeFronzo commented, "It is a pleasure to join DiaMedica's distinguished
Scientific Advisory Board. I am eager to begin working with the Company and to
share my expertise with the team to develop innovative approaches for treating
diabetes and related complications."


Dr. DeFronzo is a graduate of Yale University (BS) and Harvard Medical School
(MD) and completed his training in Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins
Hospital. He completed fellowships in Endocrinology at the National Institutes
of Health and Baltimore City Hospitals and in Nephrology at the Hospital of the
University of Pennsylvania. His major interests focus on the pathogenesis and
treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the central role of insulin resistance
in the metabolic-cardiovascular cluster of disorders known collectively as the
Insulin Resistance Syndrome. Using the euglycemic insulin clamp technique in
combination with radioisotope turnover methodology, limb catheterization,
indirect calorimetry, and muscle biopsy, he has helped to define the biochemical
and molecular disturbances responsible for insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes
mellitus.


About DiaMedica

DiaMedica is a publicly traded (TSX VENTURE:DMA) clinical stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel
therapies to treat diabetes and the complications associated with diabetes.
DiaMedica's lead clinical stage product, DM199, is a recombinant human protein
known as rhKLK1 that represents a novel approach to treating diabetes and
associated complications. DiaMedica is also developing DM204, a
preclinical-stage monoclonal antibody for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.


DiaMedica's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada under
the trading symbol 'DMA'.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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forward - looking information that involves risk and uncertainties. All
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incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in
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not intend, to update, revise or otherwise publicly release any revisions to
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date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events, unless
required by law. Although management believes that expectations are based on
reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these expectations will
materialize.


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term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this press
release.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
DiaMedica Inc.
John Savage
Chief Financial Officer
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