Ampion™ Human Macrophage Study Results Accepted for Presentation at the 2017 Annual AAST Meeting in Baltimore

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AMPE) announced today that the results of a scientific study entitled "The Effect of LMWF5A (Ampion™) on Differentiated THP-1 Monocytes: Potential Activation of Anti-Inflammatory Macrophages" has been accepted for presentation at the 2017 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) annual meeting to be held on September 13-16, 2017 in Baltimore, MD.

Dr. David Bar-Or, Ampio's Chief Scientific Officer, clarified "This presentation details new findings regarding the anti-inflammatory properties of Ampion™, (the low molecular weight fraction of 5% human serum albumin LMWF5A), that further clarifies the mechanism-of-action by which Ampion™ provides pain and function relief for KL 4 patients with severe Osteoarthritis of the Knee (OAK)."

Dr. Bar-Or continues, "THP-1 monocytes were transformed into macrophages and treated with either Ampion™ or saline control. After stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell membrane component of gram-negative bacteria, the release of important biomarkers of macrophage activation was measured. Ampion™ significantly decreases (p<0.05) biomarkers of pro-inflammatory macrophage (M1) activation (IL-6 by 50%, CXCL10 by 66% and IL-12 by 50% compared to saline) while significantly increasing (p<0.05) a marker of anti-inflammatory macrophage (M2) activation (IL-10 by 200% compared to saline)."

"These in vitro findings suggest that Ampion™ promotes the activation of anti-inflammatory macrophages while decreasing the activation of pro-inflammatory macrophages thereby becoming a therapeutic switch in subjects with OAK that favors in vivo healing, tissue remodeling and decreased inflammation. These important findings further explain the beneficial effects of Ampion™ in severe OAK (KL 4) observed in our clinical trials because it is known that OAK severity correlates with increased inflammatory macrophage (M1) activation."

About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disorder of the joints involving degradation of the intra-articular cartilage, joint lining, ligaments, and bone. The incidence of developing osteoarthritis of the knee over a lifetime is approximately 45%. As this disease is associated with aging, obesity, and diabetes, the number of OAK patients will continue to grow. Certain risk factors in conjunction with natural wear and tear lead to the breakdown of cartilage. Osteoarthritis is caused by inflammation of the soft tissue and bony structures of the joint, which worsens over time and leads to progressive thinning of articular cartilage. Other symptoms include narrowing of the joint space, synovial membrane thickening, osteophyte formation and increased density of subchondral bone.

About Ampio Pharmaceuticals
Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a development stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of therapies to treat prevalent inflammatory conditions for which there are limited treatment options. We are developing compounds that decrease inflammation by (i) inhibiting specific pro-inflammatory compounds by affecting specific pathways at the protein expression and at the transcription level; (ii) activating specific phosphatase or depletion of the available phosphate needed for the inflammation process; and (iii) decreasing vascular permeability.

Forward-Looking Statements
Ampio's statements in this press release that are not historical fact, and that relate to future plans or events, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ampio's scientific presentations on our Ampion™ product. The risks and uncertainties involved include those detailed from time to time in Ampio's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, under Ampio's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Ampio undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company Contact
Gregory A. Gould
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (720) 437-6500
ggould@ampiopharma.com

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SOURCE Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.