Source
Marketwire
Date 10/01/2015
Time 06:16:37 AM
Company
AEQUUS PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
Title Aequus Announces a Binding Term Sheet for the Marketing and
Promotion of
Transplant Products in Canadian Market
CDNX Symbol: AQS
Press Release
NEWS RELEASE TRANSMITTED BY MARKETWIRED
FOR: Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc.
TSX VENTURE SYMBOL: AQS
OTCQB SYMBOL: AQSZF
October 1, 2015
Aequus Announces a Binding Term Sheet for the Marketing and Promotion of
Transplant Products in Canadian Market
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 1, 2015) - Aequus
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:AQS)(OTCQB:AQSZF) ("Aequus" or the
"Company"), a specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on
developing,
advancing and promoting differentiated products, announced today it has
entered
into a binding term sheet (the "Term Sheet") with an unnamed partner in
Canada
to be its exclusive promotion and marketing partner in the Canadian
market for
tacrolimus IR, an immunosuppressive therapy used for the treatment and
prevention of acute rejection following organ transplantation, and
potentially
in connection with two additional transplant products. The Term Sheet
provides
that the parties will negotiate and enter into a more detailed,
definitive
service agreement. Aequus anticipates generating revenues from tacrolimus
IR in
Q1 of 2016.
There are approximately 2,000 transplants performed each year in Canada.
Immunosuppressive therapy is prescribed to patients as part of their
overall
lifelong management to prevent graft rejection. The immunosuppressive
market in
Canada is estimated to be over $300M CAD, of which, tacrolimus products
account
for approximately 30% of the market. Patients are typically prescribed
more
than one medication with an estimated annual cost of therapy per patient
of
$15,000 CAD. Tacrolimus IR is the only generic tacrolimus currently
approved in
Canada, and the only generic tacrolimus to achieve the EMA, Health
Canada, and
FDA requirements for critical dose bioequivalence.
"The additional promotion and marketing activities provided for under the
Term
Sheet significantly increase the resources behind generic tacrolimus, and
will
provide Canadian transplant recipients with a safe and affordable
alternative
to this lifesaving medication," said Ian Ball, Chief Commercial Officer
at
Aequus. "We will be able to leverage the significant body of existing
tacrolimus clinical data in transplants from around the world to expand
the
access to patients in Canada."
The Term Sheet expands on the existing Ophthalmology deal between the
organisations and enables both companies to maximize the treatment and
market
opportunity of tacrolimus in Canada by leveraging Aequus' core
competencies in
the commercialization of high-quality products, as well as its strong
relationships with key opinion leaders, physicians, payers and patients
across
the transplant community in Canada. This extended relationship builds on
Aequus' newly acquired commercial infrastructure in Canada and leverages
the
value of existing internal resources.
"This development provides us with a step forward towards building a
focused
therapeutic transplant franchise," said Doug Janzen, Chairman and CEO of
Aequus. "It is part of our broader strategy to become a leading provider
of
high quality medications to the benefit of patients, physicians and
payers in
Canada."
About Aequus Pharmaceuticals
Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:AQS)(OTCQB:AQSZF) is a
Vancouver-based, specialty pharmaceutical company primarily 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 and to establish strategic partnerships to accelerate
product development and maximize the reach of its product candidates
worldwide.
Through the recent acquisition of TeOra Health, Aequus now has a Canadian
commercial platform to build on for the launch of products that are
either
created internally or brought in through an acquisition or license;
remaining
focused on highly specialized therapeutic areas. For further information,
please visit www.aequuspharma.ca.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains 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 in this release include but are
not
limited to statements relating to: the entry into a definitive agreement
relating to the matters described in the Term Sheet, the anticipated
revenues
from tacrolimus IR, the implementation of our business model and
strategic
plans and the impact of the Term Sheet on such implementation. 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 the ability of the parties to negotiate a definitive
agreement, the ability of Aequus to integrate the matters provided for
under
the Term Sheet into its business model and strategic plans and general
business
and economic conditions.
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 Short-Form Base Shelf Prospectus
dated
June 30, 2015, 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 forwardlooking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and are inherently
uncertain. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance
on
forward-looking statements.
- 30 CONTACT INFO:
Aequus Investor Relations
604-336-7906
investors@aequuspharma.ca
www.aequuspharma.ca
INDUSTRY: Medical and Healthcare - Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and
Biotech Biotech, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech - Drugs
SUBJECT: PRT - PARTNERSHIPS
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