NeuroSigma Expands Its Management Team with Two Former Amgen Finance Executives

LOS ANGELES, March 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuroSigma, Inc. (NeuroSigma), a California-based life sciences company focused on commercialization of its non-invasive Monarch™ eTNS™ System for the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, announced the promotion of Carl Adams to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the appointment of Craig Rostamian as Vice President of Finance, overseeing Financial Planning & Analysis.

Prior to his promotion to the position of CFO, Mr. Adams served briefly as NeuroSigma's Controller and Vice President.  He has brought 20 years of experience in accounting and corporate finance to NeuroSigma.  After nine years at Ernst and Young LLP, culminating as a Senior Manager in the firm's audit practice, Mr. Adams joined Amgen, Inc.  While at Amgen he served as a Senior Manager, Associate Director and Director for SEC Reporting and Corporate Accounting. Mr. Adams was responsible for SEC reporting, commercial accounting, research and development accounting and technical accounting matters affecting Amgen, as well as Sarbanes Oxley compliance relating to internal controls over financial reporting. He later became a co-founder and partner of TAC Solutions LLC, a provider of advisory services in financial reporting, complex accounting matters, audit preparation and support, and accounting policies and procedures. Mr. Adams graduated from California State University, Northridge, and obtained his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in California.

Mr. Rostamian brings 20 years of experience in accounting and corporate finance to NeuroSigma.  After seven years at Ernst and Young LLP, culminating as Audit Manager, he became Manager of Corporate Finance at Xircom, Inc., (acquired by Intel Corporation in March 2001) for two years; followed by four years at Amgen, Inc., starting as Senior Manager, leading the SEC Reporting Group, followed as Associate Director, Finance, in the Partnership and Acquisition Group, conducting due diligence on potential transactions, including the acquisition of Tularik, Inc., and ending as Associate Director, Finance of the Worldwide Cost Analysis Group, responsible for directing the worldwide consolidation of cost of goods sold, cost analysis and inventory reporting and analysis. He later became a co-founder and partner of TAC Solutions LLC, a provider of advisory services in financial reporting, complex accounting matters, audit preparation and support, and accounting policies and procedures. Mr. Rostamian is a CPA and received an MBA from UCLA and a BS in Business Administration from the California State University at Northridge.

"We applaud the accomplishments of Carl since becoming a member of the NeuroSigma team and are delighted that Craig, who also brings extensive financial experience in the life sciences industry, has joined NeuroSigma expanding our management team," said Leon Ekchian, Ph.D., President & CEO of NeuroSigma.

Background – The Monarch eTNS System from NeuroSigma

In August 2012, NeuroSigma received CE Mark approval to market NeuroSigma's first TNS product, the Monarch™ eTNS™ System in the European Union, for the adjunctive treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and major depressive disorder (MDD) for adults and children 9 years and older. In addition, the Monarch™ eTNS™ System also received a Class II medical device license from Health Canada in April of 2013 allowing NeuroSigma to market the system for treatment of DRE and MDD for adults and children 9 years and older.  NeuroSigma is currently offering the Monarch™ eTNS™ System to patients in the European Union and Canada with a physician's prescription.

The Monarch™ eTNS™ System is composed of a cell phone-sized pulse generator and a single-use patch that is applied to the forehead.  Signals are transmitted through lead wires to the patch in order to stimulate the trigeminal nerve in the skin of the forehead; triggering these nerve fibers sends signals to targeted brain regions and changes the activity there. Patients may conveniently self-administer the Monarch™ eTNS™ System at home and typically use the device while sleeping.

Background – TNS

The trigeminal nerve is the largest cranial nerve, offering a high-bandwidth pathway for signals to enter the brain, bilaterally and at high frequency. The trigeminal nerve projects to specific areas of the brain, such as the locus coeruleus, nucleus tractus solitarius, thalamus and the cerebral cortex, which are involved in epilepsy, depression, PTSD, ADHD and other disorders. 

Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS) is the electrical stimulation of branches of the trigeminal nerve, which are located near the surface of the forehead.  Functional neuroimaging data suggests the mechanism of action of TNS is related to its ability to modulate activity in targeted brain regions.

CAUTION: In the United States, eTNS™ is an investigational device and is limited by Federal law to investigational use.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given NeuroSigma approval to proceed with a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of eTNS in drug-resistant epilepsy. Completion of that Phase 3 study is necessary before the FDA will consider permitting the marketing and sale of eTNS in the United States.

eTNS, Monarch, and Monarch eTNS are trademarks of NeuroSigma, Inc.

About NeuroSigma, Inc.

NeuroSigma is a Los Angeles-based life sciences company established to develop TNS technologies with the potential to transform medical practice and patients' lives.  NeuroSigma is focused on TNS neuromodulation therapies based on intellectual property licensed on an exclusive basis from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), including TNS therapies for epilepsy, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For more information about NeuroSigma, please visit www.neurosigma.com

Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, research and development outcomes, efficacy, adverse reactions, market and product potential, product availability and other statements regarding our eTNS™ system.  These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the Company's expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, general industry and medical device market conditions; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in the research and development and regulatory processes; challenges related to new product marketing, such as the unpredictability of market acceptance for new medical device products; inconsistency of treatment results among patients; potential difficulties in manufacturing a new product; general economic conditions; and governmental laws and regulations affecting domestic and foreign operations.

SOURCE NeuroSigma

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