Aequus Announces Proposed Equity Financings of Up to C$2,750,000

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan. 7, 2016) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

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, is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement in the United States of up to 2,000,000 Common Shares (the "Private Placement") and a non-brokered public offering in Canada of up to 3,500,000 Common Shares (the "Public Offering"), at a price of C$0.50 per Common Share for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$2,750,000.

The Private Placement of up to 2,000,000 Common Shares at a price of C$0.50 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to C$1,000,000 is expected to close on or about January 12, 2016. Securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a four month hold period in Canada following the date of closing and will be "restricted securities" as defined in U.S. federal securities laws.

The Public Offering of up to 3,500,000 Common Shares at a price of C$0.50 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to C$1,750,000 will be made in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company's base shelf prospectus dated June 30, 2015. The Public Offering is expected to close on or about January 12, 2016.

Aequus intends to use the net proceeds of both financings for research and development and general working capital purposes. Completion of these financings are subject to a number of conditions, including the execution of definitive documentation and receipt of any required regulatory approvals, including receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange for the listing of the common shares issuable on closing.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Aequus Pharmaceuticals

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:AQS)(OTCQB:AQSZF) is a Vancouver-based, specialty pharmaceutical company primarily 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 and to establish strategic partnerships to accelerate product development and maximize the reach of its product candidates worldwide. Through the recent acquisition of TeOra Health, Aequus now has a Canadian commercial platform to build on for the launch of 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 contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact. 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 in this release include but are not limited to statements relating to Aequus' intention to complete, and the terms of, the Private Placement and the Public Offering, the expected closing date of the Private Placement and the Public Offering, the preparation of a prospectus supplement to Aequus' base shelf prospectus dated June 30, 2015, and the intended use of the net proceeds of the Private Placement and Public Offering by Aequus. 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 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 the market for Aequus' common shares and the fulfillment of the conditions to the Private Placement and the Public Offering. In evaluating forward-looking statements, current and prospective shareholders should specifically consider various factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's base shelf prospectus dated June 30, 2015, 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.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.