Aequus Obtains Public Reimbursement for Vistitan in Two Additional Provinces

Alberta and Manitoba

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - December 01, 2016) - 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 that it has successfully obtained provincial formulary coverage from Alberta Health and Manitoba Health for Vistitan™ (bimatoprost 0.03% w/v, ophthalmic solution). Alberta Health have additionally listed Vistitan™ as interchangeable to Lumigan RC^® for the purposes of its formulary coverage, giving Aequus rapid access to an existing market in Alberta. According to IMS data, Lumigan RC^® sold over CND$5M in Alberta and Manitoba combined in 2015.

Vistitan™ is approved for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. At the time of Aequus' launch of this product in April 2016, bimatoprost was only commercially available in a 0.01% concentration in Canada for this indication.

"We continue to work diligently to expand access to Vistitan™ across Canada," said Ian Ball, Chief Commercial Officer of Aequus, 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 bimatoprost products currently available."

As previously announced, Vistitan™ is currently listed among 90% of private payor groups and as a benefit under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program.

About VISTITAN™

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 commercially available version of 0.03% bimatoprost ophthalmic solution indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Please refer to the product monograph for more details.

About Aequus

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: 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 further information, please visit www.aequuspharma.ca.