VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) (“Aequus” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce an agreement for the Zepto Precision Pulse Capsulotomy device (“Zepto”) with The Kensington Eye Institute, a world renowned clinic and leader in Canada for cataract, glaucoma, and retina surgery. Additionally, Aequus is pleased to announce the extension of the Zepto distribution agreement with Mynosys, which prolongs the term to April, 2022.
“The Zepto Capsulotomy System has received positive feedback with our customers in specific types of cataract surgeries,” said Ian Ball, CCO of Aequus. “We’re proud to have the Zepto placed in one of the top clinics in Canada, where over 10,000 cataract surgeries are performed every year. Kensington has consistently been home to some of the top eye surgeons in the country and leads in the introduction and development on new technologies in ophthalmology. This placement, along with the extension of the distribution agreement, provides further validation of Aequus’ ability to successfully commercialize assets within Canada.”
“I am really pleased to have access to the Zepto system at Kensington,” said Dr. Rosa Braga-Mele, Director of Cataract Surgery at Kensington Eye Institute. “It has been really useful in my complex cataract surgeries and I'm looking forward to gaining further experience with Zepto.”
The extension of the Mynosys distribution agreement adds an additional year onto the previously agreed upon initial term of the agreement. Thereafter, the term will automatically renew for consecutive three-year terms given Aequus meets certain requirements set out in the agreement.
“We are delighted to announce that we have extended the relationship between the two companies,” said Pat Lydon, Vice President, Mynosys. “We have been tremendously impressed by the professionalism of the company – the excellence of the marketing and overall advocacy that Aequus has created for Zepto has gone beyond our expectations in a partner. We look forward to continuing our partnership to bring this much needed device to the market.”
ABOUT THE ZEPTO PRECISION PULSE CAPSULOTOMY SYSTEM
The Zepto capsulotomy system provides consistent, high quality anterior lens capsulotomies during cataract surgery in a convenient, cost-effective, disposable format. Zepto integrates seamlessly into the routine steps of cataract surgery with phacoemulsification. The Zepto System consists of a disposable Zepto capsulotomy handpiece that is attached to a small control console. Zepto uses the precision pulse capsulotomy method, a proprietary combination of calibrated suction and a 4-millisecond multipulse energy algorithm to produce highly accurate capsulotomies. Zepto is ideal for surgery using premium lenses as well as difficult cases and creates a capsulotomy with an edge strength greater than conventional methods or femtosecond lasers. For more information, please visit https://www.zeptocapsulotomy.ca.
ABOUT KENSINGTON EYE INSTITUTE
The Kensington Eye Institute is a state-of-the-art academic health centre located in Toronto, Ontario that provides ambulatory surgical and medical vision care and supports ophthalmic research and education. The Kensington Eye Institute is licensed under the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care as an Independent Health Facility, and are affiliated with the University of Toronto Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences.
ABOUT DR. ROSA BRAGA-MELE
Dr. Rosa Braga-Mele is a cataract specialist and educator who speaks frequently at both the national and international level on advanced surgical techniques, innovations in phacoemulsification surgery, complicated cataract cases, and IOL development. She was voted by her peers as one of the top 50 opinion leaders in cataract and refractive surgery and has over 150 published abstracts and papers within the field. She has been involved in clinical trials pertaining to wavefront IOL’s, multifocal IOL’s, and phacoemulsification surgery. Dr. Braga-Mele has been active within the ophthalmic community throughout her career, currently serving as Chair of the Education Clinical Committee for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), holding various roles in the past with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Canadian Ophthalmology Society, and achieving several awards for her contributions to mentorship and volunteer service within the community. Dr. Braga-Mele is a Professor of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Toronto and the Cataract Director at the Kensington Eye Institute.
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 pipeline to include several commercial products in ophthalmology and transplant, and a development stage pipeline in neurology and psychiatry with a goal of addressing the need for improved medication adherence through enhanced delivery systems. As a complement to its focus in neurology, our most recent addition to the development pipeline was a long-acting form of medical cannabis, where there is a high need for a consistent, predictable and pharmaceutical-grade delivery of products for patients. 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
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release may contain 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”, “potential” 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 include but are not limited to statements relating to: Aequus meeting certain requirements for agreement renewal. 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: obtaining positive results of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; general business and economic conditions; the Company’s ability to successfully outlicense or sell its current products and in-license and develop new products; the assumption that the Company’s current good relationships with its manufacturer and other third parties will be maintained; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and technology offered by the Company’s competitors; and the Company’s ability to protect patents and proprietary rights. 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 Company’s Annual Information Form dated April 30, 2018, 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.
Aequus Contact Information:
Aequus Investor Relations
Email: investors@aequuspharma.ca
Phone: 604-336-7906
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