Aequus Obtains Ontario Provincial Listing for Vistitan

Sep 29, 2016

Vancouver, BC. September 29, 2016– 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 it has successfully obtained provincial formulary coverage from the Ontario Drug Benefit Program for PrVistitan™ (bimatoprost 0.03% w/v, ophthalmic solution). According to IMS data, over 80% of Ontario’s glaucoma patient population rely on public medication coverage, who will now have improved access to this product.

“This is a major milestone since the launch of PrVistitan™ as Ontario accounts for over 40% of prescription volume in the prostaglandin class of medications,” said Ian Ball, Chief Commercial Officer at Aequus. “Improved access to PrVistitan™ in Canada’s largest market is expected to drive revenues during the remainder of 2016 and beyond.”

PrVistitan™ is approved for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Prior to Aequus’ launch of this product in April 2016, bimatoprost had only been available in a 0.01% concentration in Canada for this indication

“We brought bimatoprost 0.03% back to the Canadian market due to its strong, sustained efficacy at lowering IOP,” said Ian Ball, Chief Commercial Officer, adding, “this product is a valuable addition to the treatment line-up and we are proud to be able to offer it to patients and Canadian payor groups at a reduced cost relative to other agents in this class of medications.”

As previously announced, PrVistitan™ is currently listed among 90% of private payor groups. Aequus continues to work towards coverage in all other Provincial Health Authorities.

About PrVistitan™

Bimatoprost is a synthetic prostamide analogue and is structurally related to prostaglandin F2α. Its mechanism of action resembles that of prostaglandin F2α, a naturally occurring substance. Vistitan, which was approved by Health Canada in 2014, is currently the only marketed version of 0.03% bimatoprost ophthalmic solution indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Bimatoprost 0.03% has been studied in two randomized, multicenter, double-blinded, parallel-group clinical studies, of 12 months duration, conducted on 1198 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, versus timolol twice-daily as an active control. Over the 12 month study duration bimatoprost predictability lowered IOP in over 90% of patients to 22mgHg or less, with approximately 50% of patients having IOPs of 17mmHg or less. Please refer to the product monograph for more details.

ABOUT AEQUUS PHARMACEUTICALS

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) is a growing specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing high quality, differentiated products. Aequus’ development stage pipeline includes several products in neurology and psychiatry with a goal of addressing the need for improved medication adherence through enhanced delivery systems. Aequus intends to commercialize its internal programs in Canada alongside its current portfolio of marketed established medicines and will look to form strategic partnerships that would maximize the reach of its product candidates worldwide. Aequus plans to build on its Canadian commercial platform through the launch of additional products that are either created internally or brought in through an acquisition or license; remaining focused on highly specialized therapeutic areas. For more information please visit www.aequuspharma.ca.

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Aequus Contact Information
‍investors@aequuspharma.ca
604-336-7906