GlobeNewswire Inc | Aug 25, 2021 08:00AM EDT

August 25, 2021

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aequus PharmaceuticalsInc.(TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) (Aequus)a speciality pharmaceutical company,is pleasedto announce that Dr. Robert K.KoenekoopMD,MSc, PhD, FRCS(C), FARVOhas joined as amedical and clinical consultantto Aequuson inherited retinal diseases, and specifically to supportAequus collaboration announced July 17, 2021 withreVisionTherapeutics, Inc. for theproduct REV-0100, a potential therapy for Stargardt disease.

Dr. Koenekoop is aPediatricOphthalmologistand Director of PediatricOphthalmologyand Molecular BiologyofBlindnessattheMontreal Children's Hospital(MCH). Healso holds positions asProfessor of Paediatric Surgery, Human Geneticsand Adult Ophthalmology atMcGill University and Director of theLaboratory for Retinal Genetics and Therapeutics, and Chief of Paediatric Ophthalmologyat MCH Glen site.

Dr.Koenekoopbrings over 25years of national and internationalbasic and clinicalresearch expertisein ophthalmology,inboth children and adults.With Dr.Koenekoopsexpert background and medical practicein Canadafor inherited retinal diseases, his valuable insights will helpthe REV-0100 programme move forward.

Stargardt macular dystrophy and all the other inherited retinal degenerations were deemed untreatable by the discoverers of these diseases andmanygenerations of clinical teachers and researchers in this field, said Dr. Koenekoop. It isvery exciting after all these yearsofseeing patientsvision decline, that now for the firsttime we are seeing stabilization and even improvements in vision with some of the experimental agents. I am thrilled that Aequus has made this decision to collaborate on studying REV-0100safety and efficacy inpatients.

REV-0100 is a potential therapy for patients with Stargardt disease that is designed to bind and clear a toxiclipidcalled lipofuscin. Accumulation of lipofuscin in Stargardt disease leads to cell death and retinal degeneration. REV-0100 has the potential to reduce lipofuscin levels in the retina. There are no other known products in development that remove accumulated lipofuscin through this mechanism of action and no other approved treatment for Stargardt disease.

Aequus Pharmaceuticalsand Dr.Koenekooplook forward to working closelywithreVision Therapeutics to support the development of REV-0100for Stargardt disease.

About Stargardt DiseaseStargardt disease is also called Stargardt macular dystrophy, juvenile macular degeneration, or fundusflavimaculatus. The disease causes progressive damage or degeneration of the macula and the fovea, which is an area in the center of the retina thatis responsible forsharp, straight-ahead vision. Stargardt disease is one of several but the most common cause of genetic disorders that cause juvenile macular degeneration. Experts estimate that 1 in 8-10 thousand peoplehave Stargardt disease.

AboutreVision and REV-0100reVision Therapeutics, Inc. is aprivately-held,early stagebiopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies forocularand rare diseases.reVision'slead product candidate REV-0100 is being developed as a treatment for Stargardt disease and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

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 sales and marketing efforts to include several commercial products in ophthalmology and transplant. Aequus plans to build on its commercial platform through the launch ofadditionalproducts that are either created internally or brought in through an acquisition orlicense;remainingfocused on highly specialized therapeutic areas.

Forward-Looking Statement DisclaimerThis release maycontainforward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statementscontainingthe 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 usin light ofour experience andperceptionof historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe areappropriate. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relatingto:the implementation of our business model and strategic plans; revenue growth trends into the future; the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our products; the Companys expected revenues; and the therapeutic benefits, effectiveness and safety of our product candidates and third-party products. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upona number ofestimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Aequus, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive,politicaland socialuncertaintiesand contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results,performanceor 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 manufacturing capacity of third-party manufacturers for our product candidates; our ability to promote and market third party and licensed products; obtaining regulatory approvals; general business and economic conditions; the Companys ability to successfully out-license or sell its current products and in-license and develop new products; the assumption that the Companys current good relationships with its manufacturer and other third parties will be maintained; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Companys ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and technology offered by the Companys competitors; and the Companys ability to protect patents and proprietary rights. In evaluating forward looking statements, current and prospective shareholders should specifically considervarious factorsset outhereinand under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Information Form dated April 28, 2020, a copy of which is available on Aequus profile on the SEDAR website atwww.sedar.com, and as otherwisedisclosedfrom 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 describedherein. 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 onforward lookingstatements.

Contact InformationAequus Investor RelationsEmail:investors@aequuspharma.caPhone: 604-336-7906