LA JOLLA, Calif., Nov. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christopher D. Breder, MD, PhD as Clinical and Regulatory Advisor. Dr. Breder will provide strategic guidance for MediciNova's Drug Development programs and will lead the Scientific Advisory Board upon its formation.

Dr. Christopher D. Breder, MD, PhD, is a distinguished physician-scientist and regulatory expert with over two decades of experience across the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and major pharmaceutical companies. He served for more than a decade at the FDA, including roles as Medical Officer and Lead Medical Officer, where he developed and taught NDA review and safety analysis courses for FDA reviewers. He played a key role in the review and initial approvals of numerous therapies for neurological conditions, including treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Myasthenia Gravis (MG), and Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). More recently, Dr. Breder contributed as an industry advisor to another ALS drug approval in 2022.

Dr. Breder's dual perspective provides deep expertise in clinical trial design, regulatory strategy, and the development of novel therapies in neuroscience and rare diseases. And his extensive experience bridges regulatory science and industry innovation, making him uniquely positioned to advise MediciNova on advancing its pipeline and navigating regulatory pathways. He holds an M.D. and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and completed his clinical training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

"We are honored to welcome Dr. Breder to our team" said Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D., MediciNova President and Chief Executive Officer. "His deep understanding of FDA processes and proven track record in ALS and other neurological disorders will be invaluable as we accelerate our mission to deliver transformative therapies to patients."

"Our mission is to advance innovative solutions for neurodegenerative diseases," said Dr. Breder, who serves as a strategic advisor to the program. "By combining rigorous science with patient-centered design, we aim to accelerate meaningful outcomes."

About MediciNova

MediciNova, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad late-stage pipeline of novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on two compounds, MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast), with multiple mechanisms of action and strong safety profiles, MediciNova has 11 programs in clinical development. MediciNova's lead asset, MN-166 (ibudilast), is currently in Phase 3 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and is Phase 3-ready for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). MN-001 (tipelukast) is in a Phase 2 trial treating hypertriglycedemia in type 2 diabetic patients. MediciNova has a strong track record of securing investigator-sponsored clinical trials funded through government grants.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of MN-166 and MN-001. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by, or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," "considering," "planning" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development of MN-166 and MN-001, and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund MediciNova's operations and contribution to clinical development, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the potential cost, expected timing and risks associated with clinical trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the viability of further development considering these factors, product development and commercialization risks, the uncertainty of whether the results of clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with the reliance on third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks regarding intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials, and the timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities, MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova's ability to obtain third party funding for programs and raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and its subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.

INVESTOR CONTACT:

David H. Crean, Ph.D.

Chief Business Officer

MediciNova, Inc

info@medicinova.com

MediciNova Appoints Dr. Christopher Breder, MD, PhD as Clinical and Regulatory Advisor