VANCOUVER, February 3rd, 2020 – Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) (“Aequus” or the “Company”), a specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on developing, advancing and promoting differentiated products, announced today that Ian Ball, Chief Commercial Officer, will transition to a full-time senior management role with the Company’s partner, Medicom Healthcare in the UK, as of February 1st, 2020.
As part of the transition, Aequus is pleased to welcome Stu Fowler to the team, one of the most experienced commercial ophthalmology executives in Canada. Mr. Fowler joins the Company in an operational role as a Strategic Commercial Advisor and has accepted joining Aequus’ Board of Directors with an expected start date of mid-February. Mr. Fowler has an impressive background of operational and leadership experience in ophthalmology and is the immediate past General Manager of Alcon in Canada, and past President and General Manager of Allergan Canada, two of the largest ophthalmology companies in Canada and globally.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Aequus Board,” said Mr. Fowler. “I’m looking forward to supporting Doug and the team directly as they build their presence not just in Canada but across the rapidly expanding North American eye care market.”
“We are excited to welcome Stu to the team and look forward to his insights contributing to the next phase of our commercial growth as a company, especially the Canadian launch of the Evolve Dry Eye products,” said Doug Janzen, Chairman and CEO of Aequus. “Stu will build on a commercial foundation that was largely orchestrated by Ian. Ian has been a core part of this team over the past five years, setting Aequus up for success in his departure. We are going to miss working alongside him and I wouldlike to personally thank him for his commitment and many contributions during his time here. I am delighted he is able to move back to England with his family by taking a senior commercial role with Medicom. While a loss for Aequus, this move will undoubtedly strengthen our rapidly growing strategic relationship with Medicom. The entire Aequus team will continue to work closely with Ian as both Medicom and Aequus prepare for the launch of Evolve in North America.”
“We are delighted to welcome Ian to Medicom Healthcare,” said Simon Martin, Chairman and CEO of Medicom. “Ian will join as Commercial Director and will be sitting on our Executive Committee. Ian’s commercial responsibility will be to lead Asia-Pacific and the Americas, where we are partnered with Aequus. Ian has an outstanding record of ‘getting things done’ that he demonstrated throughout his career but especially at Aequus and Novartis.”
Medicom has made significant progress on the audit required for Evolve in Canada. Aequus continues to work through the launch planning process and will continue to give updates as relevant milestones are achieved.
ABOUT AEQUUS PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V:AQS) (OTCQB:AQSZF) is a growing specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing high quality, differentiated products. Aequus has grown its pipeline to include several commercial products in ophthalmology and transplant, and a development stage pipeline in neurology. For further information, please visit www.aequuspharma.ca
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER
This release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential” and similar expressions. Forward- looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe are appropriate. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to: the implementation of our business model and strategic plans; revenue growth trends into the future; expected timing for product launches; the Company’s expected revenues; the regulatory approval of its products; the Company’s ability to attract international partners; and ongoing discussions with and the Company’s ability to secure potential partners to further grow our product portfolio. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Aequus, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In making the forward looking statements included in this release, the Company has made various material assumptions, including, but not limited to: obtaining regulatory approvals; general business and economic conditions; the Company’s ability to successfully out license or sell its current products and in-license and develop new products; the assumption that the Company’s current good relationships with third parties will be maintained; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and technology offered by the Company’s competitors; the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Company’s operations; and the Company’s ability to protect patents and proprietary rights. In evaluating forward looking statements, current and prospective shareholders should specifically consider various factors set out herein and under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated April 30, 2021, a copy of which is available on Aequus’ profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, and as otherwise disclosed from time to time on Aequus’ SEDAR profile. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties, or a risk that is not currently known to us materialize, or should assumptions underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward looking statements.
