Gemphire Therapeutics Reports Inducement Grant Under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(C)(4)

LIVONIA, Mich., April 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gemphire Therapeutics Inc. GEMP, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for cardiometabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), today announced that on April 9, 2018, the Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors, which is composed entirely of independent directors, approved an equity award under Gemphire's Inducement Plan, as a material inducement to one individual entering into employment with Gemphire.  The equity award was approved in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), which also requires a public announcement of equity awards that are not made under a stockholder approved equity plan.

In connection with the individual entering into employment with Gemphire, the individual, who was not previously an employee or director of Gemphire, received options to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of Gemphire's common stock.  The option award was granted effective as of April 9, 2018 and has an exercise price equal to $6.02, the closing price of Gemphire's common stock on that date.   The option award has a ten-year term and vests over a period of four years from April 9, 2018, with 25% of the shares vesting on April 30, 2019 and the remaining 75% vesting in 36 approximately equal monthly increments, provided the employee's employment is continuing on each such date, and subject to acceleration or forfeiture upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the employee's option agreement.  The option award shall fully vest and become exercisable on or after a change in control.

About Gemphire
Gemphire is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is committed to helping patients with cardiometabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia and NASH.  The Company is focused on providing new treatment options for cardiometabolic diseases through its complementary, convenient, cost-effective product candidate gemcabene as add-on to the standard of care, especially statins, that will benefit patients, physicians, and payors.  Gemphire's Phase 2 clinical program is evaluating the efficacy and safety of gemcabene in hypercholesterolemia, including FH and ASCVD, SHTG and NASH/NAFLD.  Two trials supporting hypercholesterolemia have been completed under NCT02722408 and NCT02634151.  Gemphire has completed recruitment for a clinical trial for SHTG under NCT02944383, and has initiated separate trials for adult NASH and pediatric NAFLD. Please visit www.gemphire.com for more information.

Forward Looking Statements 
Any statements in this press release about Gemphire's future expectations, milestones, goals, plans and prospects, including statements about Gemphire's financial prospects, future operations and sufficiency of funds for future operations, clinical development of Gemphire's product candidate, expectations regarding future clinical trials, regulatory submissions and meetings and future expectations and plans and prospects for Gemphire, expectations for the future competitive environment for gemcabene,  expectations regarding operating expenses and cash used in operations, and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "targets," "may," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," "scheduled" and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: developments in the capital markets, the success and timing of Gemphire's regulatory submissions and pre-clinical and clinical trials; regulatory requirements or developments; changes to Gemphire's clinical trial designs and regulatory pathways; changes in Gemphire's capital resource requirements; the actions of Gemphire's competitors; Gemphire's ability to obtain additional financing; Gemphire's ability to successfully market and distribute its product candidate, if approved; Gemphire's ability to obtain and maintain its intellectual property protection; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Gemphire's annual report and in other filings Gemphire makes with the SEC from time to time.  In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Gemphire's views as of the date hereof.  Gemphire anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Gemphire's views to change.  However, while Gemphire may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Gemphire specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.  These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Gemphire's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

Contact:
Andrew McDonald, Ph.D.
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
(646) 597-6987

Jeff Mathiesen, CFO
Gemphire Therapeutics Inc.
(734)-245-1700