Aquinox Announces Closing Of $98.0 Million Public Offering Of Common Stock, Including Full Exercise Of Underwriters' Option To Purchase Additional Shares

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Aquinox") (NASDAQ:AQXP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing targeted therapeutics in disease areas of inflammation and immuno-oncology, announced today the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 6,325,000 shares of its common stock, including 825,000 shares sold pursuant to the underwriters' full exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, at a price to the public of $15.50 per share. The gross proceeds from the offering (inclusive of the option exercise), before underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs, are $98.0 million.

Aquinox intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund clinical research and development of AQX-1125 in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) and potentially other inflammatory and immune-oncology indications, submission of regulatory filings, preparation of commercial activities for AQX-1125 and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Leerink Partners, Canaccord Genuity and Guggenheim Securities acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. Needham & Company acted as lead manager.

The securities described above were offered by Aquinox pursuant to a registration statement previously filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to this offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained from Leerink Partners LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, by telephone at (800) 808-7525 or by email at Syndicate@Leerink.com; from Canaccord Genuity Inc., Attn: Syndicate Department, 99 High Street, Floor 12, Boston, MA 02110, by telephone at (617) 371-3900 or by email at prospectus@canaccordgenuity.com; or from Guggenheim Securities, LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 330 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017, by telephone at (212) 518-9658 or by email at GSEquityProspectusDelivery@guggenheimpartners.com.

About Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis (BPS/IC)

BPS/IC is a chronic inflammatory bladder disease characterized by pelvic pain and increased urinary urgency and/or frequency. For many sufferers, these symptoms are severe and adversely affect all major aspects of their lives, including overall physical and emotional health, employment, social and intimate relationships, and leisure activities. While the cause of the disease remains largely unknown, erosion of the bladder lining is thought to be a significant contributor. BPS/IC is estimated to affect between 5 and 12 million people in the United States. Most BPS/IC patients continue to suffer this debilitating condition, despite treatment with existing therapies. Most current therapies and those in development are focused solely on symptomatic relief of BPS/IC. Aquinox believes new and innovative therapies that target the underlying disease in order to reduce the chronic pain and urinary symptoms are needed.

About AQX-1125

AQX-1125, Aquinox's lead drug candidate, is a small molecule activator of SHIP1, which is a regulating component of the PI3K cellular signaling pathway. By increasing SHIP1 activity, AQX-1125 accelerates a natural mechanism that has evolved to maintain homeostasis of the immune system and reduce immune cell activation and migration to sites of inflammation. AQX-1125 has demonstrated preliminary safety and favorable drug properties in multiple preclinical studies and clinical trials. Aquinox is currently developing AQX-1125 as an oral, once daily treatment in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis. In addition, Aquinox is exploring AQX-1125 for atopic dermatitis in its ongoing KINSHIP Phase 2 trial with top line data expected in Q4 2015.

About Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing targeted therapeutics in disease areas of inflammation and immuno-oncology. Aquinox's lead drug candidate, AQX-1125, is a small molecule activator of SHIP1 suitable for oral, once daily dosing. Aquinox has a broad intellectual property portfolio and pipeline of preclinical drug candidates that activate SHIP1. For more information, please visit www.aqxpharma.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to: the timing of availability of our top-line data in our KINSHIP trial; the planning for and timing of pivotal clinical trials in BPS/IC; potential market opportunities for AQX-1125; and our anticipated cash position. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: our ability to enroll patients in our clinical trials at the pace that we project; the size and growth of the potential markets for AQX-1125 or any future product candidates and our ability to serve those markets; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of AQX-1125 or any future product candidates; and our expectations regarding the potential safety, efficacy or clinical utility of AQX-1125 or any future product candidates. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Aquinox is contained in the company's Quarterly Report Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Aquinox disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

Brendan Payne
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
604.629.9223 Ext. 109
ir@aqxpharma.com

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