'Murderbot' review: Alexander Skarsgård's killer robot comedy is slow to boot up

Security Unit 238776431 is the property of the Company, a powerful mega-conglomerate located in the galaxy's Corporation Rim. Programmed to serve, the heavily armed robot soldier does not love its job. 'I was built to obey humans,' explains SecUnit (Alexander Skarsgård) in the series premiere of Murderbot. 'But humans... well, they're assholes.'
Unbeknownst to its owners, however, this SecUnit — a misanthropic robot in the vein of Marvin the Paranoid Android (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) and Bender (Futurama) — just hacked its 'governor module,' freeing itself from techno-slavery. Though it could kill its human captors and set off on its own, SecUnit does not want to risk discovery as a 'rogue' bot, which would result in being stripped for parts and melted in an acid bath. Choosing instead to bide its time, the SecUnit — which decides to rename itself Murderbot — reluctantly joins its next assignment: Working for a team of researchers from Preservation Alliance, a distant planet that rejects the Corporation Rim's harsh laws and embraces an egalitarian form of government. Murderbot resigns itself to protecting these 'hippie scientists,' though all it really wants to do is watch entertainment 'content' downloaded from the Company's satellite feed.
Murderbot, adapted by Chris and Paul Weitz (About a Boy) from Martha Wells' popular book series, has a hilarious premise, an admirable cast, and a lavish, Apple TV+ budget. It also has a real pacing problem; the first half of the 10-episode season is puzzlingly light on plot momentum and laughs. While the action, characters, and comedy do ultimately gel by the end, viewers will likely have to wait for a season 2 to see Murderbot reach its killer potential.
Preservation Alliance leader Dr. Ayda Mensah (Noma Dumezweni) and her team of scientists — Ratthi (Akshay Khanna), Bharadwaj (Tamara Podemski), Gurathin (David Dastmalchian), Arada (Tattiawna Jones), and her wife, Pin-Lee (Sabrina Wu) — embark on a research expedition to an uninhabited planet with Murderbot in tow. (Though Mensah says her team is 'not comfortable with the idea of a sentient construct being required to work for us,' the Company will not provide insurance for their research project unless the team takes security.) Murderbot has little interest in Mensah and her 'weird' crew. Still, it easily homes in on the team's subtle interpersonal dynamics, as when its pulse-rate monitor identifies a love triangle between Pin-Lee, Ratthi, and Arada. It also quickly realizes that Dr. Gurathin, an 'augmented human' whose brain can perform some computer functions, suspects that it might be rogue.
The unit keeps one 'eye' on the scientists, and the other on its favorite soap opera, The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, which features a romance between a dashing captain (John Cho) and a beautiful Navigation Bot (DeWanda Wise). But when Mensah discovers that another research team on the planet has been killed by unknown assailants, Murderbot is forced to engage with its 'helpless and useless' clients.
It may be a (literally) heartless machine, but Murderbot shares more in common with its clients than it's willing to admit. Like many humans, it is uncomfortable with sustained eye contact; it would rather take an acid bath than give a speech; and it prefers the company of TV characters to real people. Also, its coworkers drive it up a wall. Unfortunately, the Planetary Alliance gang insist on treating Murderbot like one of the team, inviting it to ride in their transport vehicle (instead of the cargo bay, where SecUnits usually travel) and giving it a crew uniform to wear when its armor is damaged.
Murderbot's struggle to accept being embraced — figuratively and literally — by its human clients, who insist on valuing its input and individuality, is the show's comedic engine. When Murderbot gets really desperate, it searches Sanctuary Moon and other TV shows for examples of small talk ('Tell me, Dr. Arada, what planet are you from originally?'), which it mimics with comical discomfort. For nearly five episodes, though, the Weitz brothers stall their lead character's development by relegating its emotional turmoil to excessive voiceovers. Murderbot's inner monologue can be funny ('I don't have a stomach so I can't throw up, but if I did, I would'), but it also keeps the story in a holding pattern: Mensah and her team try to connect with Murderbot; it stonewalls them while stewing over how annoying they are; repeat.
The debut season of Murderbot is based on the first book in Wells' series, All Systems Red, which clocks in at about 150 pages. I mention this because the Apple TV+ adaptation suffers from 'season-long pilot' syndrome — a common malady in which a new streaming series spends much of its initial 8 to 10 episodes restating its premise. The Weitz brothers, credited as the series' sole writers, hew close to Wells' source material for their adaptation, but there simply isn't enough story to fill 10 episodes, even at around 25 minutes each. As a result, the season is nearly half over before Murderbot's dynamic with its team, and the ongoing mystery about the slaughtered researchers, really start to develop.
When Murderbot finally starts voicing its annoyance to Mensah and the team, the series gets a lot more entertaining. 'I wish I didn't have to, but of course I can hear you,' grouses SecUnit, after Pin-Lee complains about its eavesdropping. "I'm a highly advanced piece of technology.' Skarsgård, a stealth comedic presence in Succession, also puts his Nordic reserve to good use as Murderbot. The actor enhances his character's long inner monologues with his eloquent ice-blue eyes, which can convey emotions ranging from disdain and discomfiture to despair and devotion. Dumezweni makes Mensah believable as both a thoughtful leader and an overly anxious empath prone to panic attacks. And Pen15's Anna Konkle drops in for an amusing turn as Leebeebee, a survivor from the other research team who can't stop speculating about Murderbot's anatomy.
Viewers who stick with Murderbot will be rewarded with a moving finale, one that solidifies the characters' relationship with SecUnit and seems to set up the story from Wells' second book, 2018's Artificial Condition. Apple TV+ has yet to announce a renewal, but the streamer isn't opposed to giving expensive sci-fi series multiple seasons, so it's not unreasonable to believe that Skarsgård's restless robot will be back. Now that Murderbot finally found its voice, it deserves a chance to use it. Grade: B-
The first two episodes of Murderbot premiere Friday, May 16 on Apple TV+.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly

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Geek Girl Authority

3 hours ago

• Geek Girl Authority

MURDERBOT Recap: (S01E07) Complementary Species

Murderbot Season 1 Episode 7, 'Complementary Species,' finds our humans debating whether they should dump SecUnit in the middle of nowhere or keep it. Will it inevitably kill them or continue to protect them? The episode is also a clever meditation on the price of human life, and whether it's okay to take one if your own life hangs in the balance. 'Complementary Species' is bolstered by solid performances and a nuanced display of character dynamics. Plus, that cliffhanger will hopefully yield fruit in the form of narrative answers in the remaining three episodes. RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Murderbot episode, 'Command Feed' Murderbot, 'Complementary Species' We open with a flashback to the PresAux crew on Port FreeCommerce one month earlier. They're all having dinner while playing an honesty game. Everyone's airing their grievances, mending fences and forcing those skeletons out of the closet. Bharadwaj (Tamara Podemski) admits she told Pin-Lee (Sabrina Wu) that she had feelings for them. She apologizes to them for making them uncomfortable, which Pin-Lee accepts. Then, it's Gurathin's (David Dastmalchian) turn to share a deep, dark truth. Remember, we can talk about this! Gurathin discloses that he used to be a spy for the Corporation Rim. The Corporation Rim induced Gurathin to be addicted to a number of substances. Unfortunately, only they possessed the formulas for them. His job was to acquire sensitive information that the CR could use to destroy their adversaries and further their reach. Mensah (Noma Dumezweni) was his target. At this point, Gurathin considered ending his life. Then, he met Mensah. He told her everything — being a spy, his addictions. And Mensah forgave him. She supported his desire to leave it all behind. What a beautiful, understated performance from Dastmalchian here. Thankfully, Bharadwaj, Pin-Lee, Arada (Tattiawna Jones) and Ratthi (Akshay Khanna) still love him anyway. RELATED: Alexander Skarsgård Goes Rogue in Murderbot Trailer After this confession, Gurathin and Mensah have an aside. He gives her the cold, hard truth: She's naive. Also, this expedition isn't a good idea. Mensah counters that they'll have a SecUnit with them. However, that makes Gurathin feel worse. He doesn't trust the Corporation Rim, and knows better than anyone what they're capable of. MURDERBOT Season 1 Episode 7, 'Complementary Species.' Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Pack It Up In the present, Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård) orders our crew to finish packing so they can depart in the hopper. Leebeebee's employer is undoubtedly close. Our titular bot can't believe its risk assessment module didn't clock the late Leebeebee as a hostile. Gurathin should probably spend more time in the med bay as he's still pretty injured, but there's no time for that now. SecUnit barrels into the habitat, its helmet on, and orders the crew to pile into the hopper before they lose their lives. Not by it, of course. Whoever employed Leebeebee has it out for the PresAux gang. RELATED: David Dastmalchian Joins Apple TV+ Murderbot Adaptation Later, in the hopper, Ratthi strikes up a conversation with Murderbot to assess its current state. Its inner monologue tells us that the group's 'unwarranted' distrust and fear of it is getting on its nerves. It saved their lives. Why can't they be more grateful? You heard it here first — exploding heads saves lives. Leaving on a Hopper Ratthi admits, in his amiable, disarming way, that the crew is startled. He not-so-subtly wonders if Murderbot was aiming for Gurathin's head, not Leebeebee's. SecUnit states that if it wanted Gurathin dead, he would be, well, dead. So, there's that. Arada asks Ratthi if SecUnit showed any remorse for killing Leebeebee. Well, not exactly. Mensah lands the hopper in a new location on the planet. Murderbot decides to check the perimeter, which is its favorite thing to do — and a means of getting away from the humans. Before it goes, it remarks that Gurathin's body temperature is spiking. Bharadwaj adds that he has a fever. He needs medical care. RELATED: New TV Shows This Week (June 15 – 21) After it leaves, the PresAux team engages in a moral debate. Pin-Lee states that, yes, Murderbot defended them. However, what if it turns on them? It seems inevitable at this point. Mensah counters that she's more concerned about the humans trying to kill them. Mensah adds that it spent years in forced labor and subjugation. Of course it wants autonomy. Wouldn't you? MURDERBOT Season 1 Episode 7, 'Complementary Species.' Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Fine Outside, SecUnit wonders what might happen if it stays in the woods forever, just binge-watching its favorite shows. It could allow itself to shut down organically. It admits that it's quite confused at the moment. Meanwhile, Gurathin asks Mensah if she has a crush on Murderbot. I mean, it does look exactly like Alexander Skarsgård… Then, SecUnit reunites with Mensah. She asks it how it's doing. Our sentient construct had hoped it wouldn't have to answer inane questions since it confessed to hacking its governor module. However, it decides to opt for a very human response: 'Fine.' RELATED: On Location: The Lighterman in Apple TV+'s Slow Horses The others venture outside. Pin-Lee inquires about Murderbot's security methods. It rattles off a retort about Pin-Lee's mission to litigate the Corporation Rim to hell, proving it listens in on their conversations. Also, SecUnit is extra sassy in this episode, and I love it. We Can Talk About This Mensah makes an executive decision — they're gonna hash this out now. We can talk about this. The group, sans Gurathin, encircles SecUnit. They join hands. SecUnit refuses to partake. Mensah asks it to lower its helmet. She explains that she wants the team to 'get past the violence.' She believes that SecUnit removing its helmet will convince the group that it's trying to help. This does the trick. We see its face again. MURDERBOT Season 1 Episode 7, 'Complementary Species.' Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ After this, SecUnit orders everyone to board the hopper. Suddenly, a two-headed creature bursts from the ground, launching itself at the hopper. Murderbot trains its weapon on the beast. However, another, different creature emerges from the other side. And just when our crew thinks the monsters will kill each other, they start mating. Arada is fascinated. She remarks that they're 'complementary species.' RELATED: On Location: The Phoenicia Diner on Apple TV+'s Severance Gotta love it when two alien creatures f*ck on top of a ship. Once the lovers depart, the PresAux team heads back outside. They discover egg sacs on the side of the hopper. Mensah says they can leave them there for now. Please Remain Calm (or Don't) Suddenly, a top-of-the-line SecUnit launches itself toward our SecUnit. It jammed our bot's threat assessment module. 'Please remain calm,' the enemy says as it kicks Murderbot. The crew attempts to defend themselves and protect Murderbot. Ratthi throws a spear. Arada shoves the hostile, and Pin-Lee kicks it. Murderbot multitasks here, simultaneously attacking the other SecUnit while protecting the humans from it. MURDERBOT Season 1 Episode 7, 'Complementary Species.' Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Then, the enemy SecUnit fires on the egg sacs, taking some of them out. The two-headed creature returns. It rips the SecUnit's head off before grabbing the remainder of the egg sacs and burrowing back underground. The gang celebrates. Seccy does it again. RELATED: Read our Murderbot recaps Next, Gurathin collapses. His fever is rising. The PresAux team decides to return to the habitat to get him proper medical care. (They're also still a month out from the Corporation Rim arriving to take them home.) Murderbot believes this is unwise. The habitat will be crawling with hostiles, especially since it killed Leebeebee. Mensah makes another executive decision. They're going back to the habitat whether it likes this choice or not. It can join them or stay. They take care of their own (even Sanctuary Moon haters like Gurathin). Murderbot drops new episodes every Friday on Apple TV+. TED LASSO Season 4 Is Officially a Go at Apple TV+ Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.

Business Wire

13 hours ago

• Business Wire

OrsoBio to Present Preclinical Data on Mitochondrial Protonophore Portfolio in Models of Obesity at the American Diabetes Association's 85th Scientific Sessions

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OrsoBio, Inc. ('OrsoBio' or 'the Company'), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for obesity and obesity-associated disorders, today announced new preclinical data being presented at the 85th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) being held June 20-23, 2025, in Chicago, Ill. The Company will present three abstracts highlighting the efficacy of its mitochondrial protonophores to induce weight loss and provide glycemic benefits while preserving lean mass in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. The studies demonstrate the potential of TLC-6740 and TLC-1180—as monotherapy and in combination with the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide—for both the induction and maintenance of weight loss following incretin treatment. 'The mechanism of our mitochondrial protonophores to increase energy expenditure complements that of incretins to enhance and sustain weight loss and provide additive metabolic benefits,' said Mani Subramanian, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of OrsoBio. 'These preclinical findings mark an important step in fulfilling our mission to develop innovative, effective, oral therapies for obesity that preserve muscle and support cardiometabolic health.' OrsoBio is advancing a pipeline of novel therapies targeting obesity through mechanistically distinct and complementary approaches. The Company's lead candidates include TLC-6740 and TLC-1180, both mitochondrial protonophores that promote weight loss by increasing energy expenditure. In addition, OrsoBio is developing TLC-3595, a selective inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACC2), designed to enhance fat oxidation. "GLP-1 receptor agonists have transformed obesity treatment but are limited by gastrointestinal side effects and loss of muscle mass,' said Rob Myers, MD, Chief Medical Officer of OrsoBio. 'Our preclinical data show that our mitochondrial protonophores drive sustained, fat-selective weight loss and metabolic benefits when combined with or sequenced after GLP-1 receptor agonists. These findings support our ongoing Phase 1b study of TLC-6740 in combination with tirzepatide (NCT05822544)." Poster information: Sequential Combination of the Mitochondrial Protonophore TLC-6740 With Semaglutide Normalizes Body Weight and Preserves Lean Mass in DIO Mice Abstract #1687-P Poster Session: Monday, June 23, 2025 (12:30 - 1:30 p.m. CT) This preclinical study assessed TLC-6740 alone, in combination with low-dose semaglutide (sequential combination), and as maintenance therapy following semaglutide discontinuation in DIO mice. The sequential combination of TLC-6740 with low-dose semaglutide produced superior body weight and fat mass loss, and improved glycemic parameters compared with TLC-6740 alone and high-dose semaglutide. Initiating TLC-6740 after semaglutide discontinuation maintained body weight and fat mass loss, and glycemic benefits. These findings support evaluation of TLC-6740 in combination with incretins in people living with obesity; a 24-week combination study of TLC-6740 with tirzepatide is ongoing (NCT05822544). De Novo or Sequential Combination of the Mitochondrial Protonophore TLC-1180 With Semaglutide Improves Weight Loss and Preserves Lean Mass in DIO Mice Abstract #1694-P Poster Session: Monday, June 23, 2025 (12:30 - 1:30 p.m. CT) This preclinical study evaluated the effects of TLC-1180 alone, in combination with semaglutide, and as a maintenance treatment following semaglutide discontinuation in DIO mice. As monotherapy, TLC-1180 demonstrated body weight and fat mass loss and preserved lean mass. Body weight and fat mass loss were amplified, and lean mass was preserved with TLC-1180 in combination with semaglutide. These benefits persisted when TLC-1180 was used as a maintenance treatment after semaglutide discontinuation. These data highlight the potential of TLC-1180 as monotherapy, in combination with incretins, or as maintenance therapy post incretin discontinuation in people living with obesity. Novel Combination of a Mitochondrial Protonophore and an Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase 2 (ACC2) Inhibitor Causes Weight Loss and Preserves Lean Mass in Obese Mice Abstract #1686-P Poster Session: Monday, June 23, 2025 (12:30 - 1:30 p.m. CT) This preclinical study evaluated the effects of the mitochondrial protonophore, TLC-1180, and the ACC2 inhibitor, TLC-3595—as monotherapy and in combination—and semaglutide in DIO mice. TLC-3595 dose dependently reduced body weight, fat mass, and liver biochemistry while preserving lean mass in DIO mice. A combination of TLC-3595 with TLC-1180 had similar weight loss efficacy to semaglutide, but preserved lean mass. Taken together, these data suggest that the novel, all-oral, non-incretin combination of TLC-3595 and TLC-1180 may cause similar weight loss to incretins and may afford additional advantages, including improved weight loss quality and/or tolerability (e.g., reduced incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events). About TLC-6740 TLC-6740 is a novel, oral, liver-targeted mitochondrial protonophore in development for the treatment of obesity and obesity-associated diseases, including diabetes and MASH. Based on active hepatic uptake and mitochondrial protonophore activity, TLC-6740 increases energy expenditure in hepatocytes, and is expected to have broad, systemic metabolic and cardiovascular benefits, including weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and as a treatment for MASH, and dyslipidemia. TLC-6740 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b clinical trial, as monotherapy and in combination with tirzepatide, in patients living with obesity (NCT05822544). About TLC-1180 TLC-1180 is a novel, potent, long-acting mitochondrial protonophore that has been shown to increase energy expenditure in mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO). In preclinical studies of DIO mice, TLC-1180 induced weight loss, improved glucose control, and enhanced the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists, both as a single agent and in combination with incretins. TLC-1180 is currently completing IND-enabling studies and a first-in-human study is expected to initiate in 2025. About TLC-3595 TLC-3595 is a novel and selective ACC2 inhibitor designed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes by increasing fatty acid oxidation (FAO), reducing ectopic lipid accumulation, and improving insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle and liver. The compound may also have potential as a treatment for other conditions characterized by impaired FAO, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). About OrsoBio, Inc. OrsoBio, Inc. is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing therapies to treat obesity and obesity-associated disorders, including type 2 diabetes, MASH, and severe dyslipidemias. OrsoBio currently has four programs in clinical and preclinical development with first-in-class compounds that address central pathways in energy metabolism. For more information, please visit

Business Upturn

a day ago

• Business Upturn

NurExone Advances U.S. Growth Strategy with Acceptance into Prestigious ARMI HealthTech Hub Accelerator and Provides Corporate Update

By GlobeNewswire Published on June 20, 2025, 11:30 IST TORONTO and HAIFA, Israel, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NurExone Biologic Inc. (TSXV: NRX) (OTCQB: NRXBF) (FSE: J90) ('NurExone' or the 'Company'), a biotech company developing exosome-based therapies for central nervous system injuries, announced today that it has been accepted into the HealthTech Hub ('HTH') Accelerator Program. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, home to more than 1,000 biotech companies1, HTH is operated by the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute ('ARMI') and its BioFabUSA initiative. NurExone's acceptance into the prestigious HTH Accelerator Program will support the Company's expansion into the U.S. market following the establishment of Exo-top Inc. ('Exo-TOP'), the Company's wholly owned U.S. subsidiary dedicated to GMP-compliant exosome manufacturing for clinical development and commercial scale-up. HTH, co-led by ARMI and Mass General Brigham, is a competitive accelerator program supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Israel's Ministry of Health. The HTH Accelerator Program selects a limited number of innovative companies each year to help them validate U.S. clinical relevance, strengthen commercialization strategies, and build meaningful collaborations with key stakeholders across the U.S. HealthTech landscape. The program is funded by HTH at no cost to participants. Dr. Lior Shaltiel, CEO of NurExone, commented: 'The HTH Acceleration Program offers the kind of U.S.-based insight and guidance needed at this stage of our growth. As we establish Exo-TOP to manufacture clinical-grade exosomes in the U.S., the HTH will help us sharpen our regulatory and scale-up strategies and pursue meaningful commercial collaboration opportunities. This is a timely and strategic opportunity to accelerate our commercialization pathway in the world's largest healthcare market 2 .' NurExone's participation in the HTH Accelerator Program is expected to enhance its visibility within the U.S. regenerative medicine ecosystem and to support its mission to bring novel exosome-based therapeutics to patients with unmet needs. Omnibus Plan Approval The Company is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated June 4, 2025, at the Company's annual general and special meeting held on June 18, 2025 (the 'Meeting'), disinterested shareholders ratified and approved the amended and restated omnibus incentive plan (the 'Omnibus Plan'), a copy of which is available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at The Omnibus Plan is a hybrid plan that provides flexibility to grant-equity incentive awards in the form of stock options ('Options'), restricted shares ('Restricted Shares') and restricted share units ('RSUs'). The Omnibus Plan is a hybrid 10% rolling and 10% fixed share-based compensation plan that amends and restates the Company's previous equity incentive plan approved by shareholders on June 4, 2024 (the 'Previous Plan'). The Previous Plan was a 20% fixed share-based compensation plan whereby the maximum number of common shares in the capital of the Company ('Common Shares') reserved for issuance was set at 13,166,085, representing 20% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of the effective date. The Omnibus Plan now includes (i) a 10% 'rolling' Option component that shall not exceed 10% of the Company's total issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time; and (ii) a 10% fixed component permitting up to 7,800,781 RSUs and Restricted Shares in the aggregate. Additionally, the Omnibus Plan was amended to increase the number of securities issuable to insiders of the Company. The Previous Plan provided, that unless approved by disinterested shareholders, (i) the maximum number of securities issuable to insiders collectively would not exceed 10% of the Company's securities at any time and (ii) the maximum number of securities issuable to insiders collectively in any twelve-month period would not exceed 10% of the Company's total issued and outstanding securities as at the date any award was granted to an insider. Now, the Omnibus Plan provides the following that (i) the maximum number of the Company's securities issuable to insiders collectively shall not exceed 20% of the Company's total issued and outstanding Common Shares at any point in time and (ii) the maximum number of the Company's securities issuable to insiders collectively, in any 12-month period, when combined with all of the Company's other share compensation arrangements, shall not exceed 20% of the Company's total issued and outstanding securities, calculated as at the date any award is granted or issued to any insider. RSU Grants In addition, the Company announced that it has granted an aggregate of 1,125,000 RSUs to certain officers and directors of the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Omnibus Plan. Each RSU vests on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and may be settled, upon their vesting, into one Common Share. The RSUs and underlying Common Shares are subject to the Exchange Hold Period (as such term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ('TSXV')). About NurExone NurExone Biologic Inc. is a TSXV, OTCQB, and Frankfurt-listed biotech company focused on developing regenerative exosome-based therapies for central nervous system injuries. Its lead product, ExoPTEN, has demonstrated strong preclinical data supporting clinical potential in treating acute spinal cord and optic nerve injury, both multi-billion-dollar marketsi. Regulatory milestones, including obtaining the Orphan Drug Designation, facilitates the roadmap towards clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe. Commercially, the Company is expected to offer solutions to companies interested in quality exosomes and minimally invasive targeted delivery systems for other indications. NurExone has established Exo-Top Inc., a U.S. subsidiary, to anchor its North American activity and growth strategy. For additional information and a brief interview, please watch Who is NurExone?, visit or follow NurExone on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube. For more information, please contact: Dr. Lior ShaltielChief Executive Officer and DirectorPhone: +972-52-4803034 Email: [email protected] Dr. Eva Reuter Investor Relations – GermanyPhone: +49-69-1532-5857 Email: [email protected] Allele Capital Partners Investor Relations – +1 978-857-5075 Email: [email protected] FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain 'forward-looking statements' that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. Wherever possible, words such as 'may', 'will', 'should', 'could', 'expect', 'plan', 'intend', 'anticipate', 'believe', 'estimate', 'predict' or 'potential' or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: the; the Company's acceptance into the prestigious HTH Accelerator Program will support the Company's expansion into the U.S. market; the Company's participation in the HTH Accelerator Program is expected to enhance its visibility within the U.S. regenerative medicine ecosystem and support its mission as discussed herein; each RSU will be settled into one Common Share; and the NurExone platform technology offering novel solutions to drug companies interested in minimally invasive targeted drug delivery for other indications, including recovery of optic nerve function and overall visual health. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof. In developing the forward-looking statements in this press release, we have applied several material assumptions, including: the Company's acceptance into the prestigious HTH Accelerator Program will allow it to support the Company's expansion into the U.S. market; the Company's participation in the HTH Accelerator Program will give the Company the ability to enhance its visibility within the U.S. regenerative medicine ecosystem and support its mission as discussed herein; each RSU will be settled into one Common Share; and the NurExone platform technology offering novel solutions to drug companies interested in minimally invasive targeted drug delivery for other indications, including recovery of optic nerve function and overall visual health Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to risks related to: the Company's early stage of development; lack of revenues to date; government regulation; market acceptance for its products; rapid technological change; dependence on key personnel; dependence on the Company's strategic partners; the fact that preclinical drug development is uncertain, and the drug product candidates of the Company may never advance to clinical trials; the fact that results of preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials may not be predictive of the results of later stage clinical trials; the uncertain outcome, cost, and timing of product development activities, preclinical studies and clinical trials of the Company; the uncertain clinical development process, including the risk that clinical trials may not have an effective design or generate positive results; the inability to obtain or maintain regulatory approval of the drug product candidates of the Company; the introduction of competing drugs that are safer, more effective or less expensive than, or otherwise superior to, the drug product candidates of the Company; the initiation, conduct, and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials may be delayed, adversely affected or impacted by unforeseen issues; the inability to obtain adequate financing; the inability to obtain or maintain intellectual property protection for the drug product candidates of the Company; risks that the Company's intellectual property and technology won't have the intended impact on the Company and/or its business; the Company's inability to carry out its pre-clinical trials and realize upon the stated benefits of the pre-clinical trials; the inability of the Company to realize on the benefits of exosomes; the inability of the Company to produce and/or supply exosomes for a wide range of applications; the inability of the Company's products to be used for patient treatment; there not being broader adoption in the field and/or cell therapy applications; the inability of the Company to fulfill its intended future plans and expectations; there not being growing clinical demand for innovative treatments in spinal cord, optic nerve, and/or other therapeutic areas; the Company's inability to realize upon the stated potential for exosome-loaded drugs in regenerating or repairing damaged nerves; the Company's inability to maintain its ongoing commitment to using its ExoTherapy platform to advance the field of regenerative medicine and/or cell therapy applications; the Company's inability to expand into further studies; the Company will not receive all required regulatory approvals; the Company will not have clinical and/or commercial breakthroughs in regenerative medicine; the Company will be unable to enhance its presence in key markets; the NurExone platform technology not offering novel solutions to drug companies interested in minimally invasive targeted drug delivery for other indications; the Company will not realize its future development plans, operational initiatives, and strategic objectives; the Company will not advance its therapeutic programs and clinical milestones; the Company will not engage with regulatory agencies; the Company's acceptance into the prestigious HTH Accelerator Program will not support the Company's expansion into the U.S. market; the Company's participation in the HTH Accelerator Program will not enhance its visibility within the U.S. regenerative medicine ecosystem and will not support its mission as discussed herein; each RSU will not be settled into one Common Share; and the risks discussed under the heading 'Risk Factors' on pages 44 to 51 of the Company's Annual Information Form dated August 27, 2024, a copy of which is available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at . These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. i Spinal cord injury, Glaucoma 1 2 Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. 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