Aequus Pharmaceuticals Becomes Reporting Issuer

VANCOUVER, Feb. 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the "Company" or "Aequus") is pleased to announce that it has received a receipt (the "Receipt") for a final prospectus filed with securities regulators in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario (the "Jurisdictions") on February 19, 2015 (the "Prospectus"). The receipt makes Aequus a reporting issuer in the Jurisdictions with all of the reporting requirements associated with that status.

The Company has applied to list its common shares ("Common Shares") on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") and anticipates its Common Shares will trade under the trading symbol "AQS". The listing of the Common Shares is subject to the Company fulfilling all of the listing requirements and the approval of the TSX-V. "To begin trading on the TSX-V is a major milestone for Aequus, and becoming a reporting issuer is a significant step toward achieving that milestone," said Doug Janzen, President and CEO of Aequus. "Once we are publicly traded, we will be able to access larger pools of capital which will enable us to aggressively grow our business."

Previously, on November 20, 2014, the Company issued a total of 7,618,780 special warrants (the "Special Warrants") and 425,521 agents' special warrants (the "Agents' Special Warrants") of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Special Warrants and Agents' Special Warrants, as a result of the Company receiving the Receipt each Special Warrant and Agents' Special Warrant will be deemed to be exercised for no additional consideration. Each Special Warrant will be exercised into one unit ("Unit") consisting of one Common Share and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire an additional Common Share at a purchase price of C$0.75 during the period ending 24 months from closing. Each Agents' Special Warrant will be exercised into one agent warrant which will be exercisable to acquire one Unit at a price of C$0.55 per agent warrant for a period of 24 months from closing.

About Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a Vancouver-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on enhancing delivery methods for approved drugs and select consumer products that are limited by non-compliance, high frequency dosing, first-pass metabolism side-effects, painful injections, or where the therapeutic profile can be improved by making a long-acting alternative available. 

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

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" 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 intention to complete the listing of the Common Shares on the TSX-V and all transactions, listing requirements and approvals related thereto; the exercise of the Special Warrants and Agents' Special Warrants; the implementation of our business model and strategic plans; our ability to access capital; and the Company's reporting obligations.

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 general business and economic conditions and the availability of financing on reasonable terms.

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 Prospectus, 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.

SOURCE Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc.