Aquinox to Host R&D Day in New York

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 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 that it will host an R&D Day in New York City on Wednesday, October 7^th from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM Eastern Time. This event will provide an opportunity to hear from a distinguished clinical expert on bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC), a debilitating disease affecting millions in the U.S. Aquinox will also be reviewing the full data from its recently completed LEADERSHIP trial and provide an update on the clinical development plans for AQX-1125 in BPS/IC.

Senior members of Aquinox's executive team will be in attendance, including David Main, President & CEO and Dr. Stephen Shrewsbury, Senior VP of Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer. Also attending will be Dr. Robert Evans M.D., Associate Professor of Urology at Wake Forest Baptist Health University and Clinical Instructor, Wake Forest School of Medicine Department of Urology. Dr. Evans has been a practicing urologist for more than 25 years while serving on the American Urologic Association guidelines committee for interstitial cystitis as well as the Medical Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees of the Interstitial Cystitis Association. Dr. Evans is recognized as a foremost authority in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of BPS/IC.

Institutional investors and sell-side analysts may register to attend by sending an email to bpayne@aqxpharma.com. A live webcast of the R&D presentations will be available from the "Events & Presentations" page of Aquinox's website at http://investor.aqxpharma.com/events.cfm. Please dial in 15 minutes early to minimize any delay in joining the webcast.

About the LEADERSHIP trial

The LEADERSHIP trial was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 clinical trial investigating the ability of 200 mg oral, once daily AQX-1125 to reduce pain in female patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). The primary endpoint was to measure the difference in the change from baseline in the mean daily bladder pain score based on an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) at six weeks recorded by electronic diary. The trial was initiated in July of 2013 and conducted at investigative sites across Canada and the United States. A total of 69 subjects were enrolled. For more information on the LEADERSHIP trial, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

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 enrol 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.