DGAP-News: Apricus Biosciences Announces Allowance of Additional NexACT(R) Patent in Japan

Apricus Biosciences, Inc.

08.12.2011 16:01
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SAN DIEGO, 2011-12-08 16:01 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —
Apricus Biosciences, Inc. (–Apricus Bio– or the –Company–) (Nasdaq:APRI)
announced today that the Japanese Patent Office has issued an official decision
to allow Japanese patent application entitled, –Crystalline Salts of Dodecyl
2-(N,N-Dimethylamino)-Propionate.– The patent will cover compositions and
methods related to crystalline salts contained in the Company–s NexACT(r)
permeation enhancer technology used in topical drug delivery. The salts provide
NexACT(r) with an important range of physio-chemical characteristics with various
potential advantages versus other drug delivery technologies including,
improved compatability, water solubility and permeation profiles. This patent,
when issued, will provide Japanese patent protection to May 2020, and will be
the 15th patent granted for these salts worldwide with four applications
pending in this patent family.

Commenting on today–s news, Dr. Bassam Damaj, Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Apricus Bio, stated, –We are delighted to receive this
additional important patent in Japan for our NexACT(r) technology and related
products. This latest patent will be fundamental to our NexACT(r) patent
portfolio in Japan and is the eighth Japanese patent granted for this
technology and resulting products, along with 11 pending patent applications in
that country. The receipt of this patent represents an important step in
solidifying our drug delivery technology, which enables multi-route
administration of new and improved compounds across numerous therapeutic
classes. We look forward to speaking with potential Japanese partners
regarding the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products
using this proprietary technology.–

About Apricus Biosciences, Inc.

Apricus Bio, a San Diego-based, revenue-generating, biopharmaceutical company,
has leveraged the flexibility of its clinically-validated NexACT(r) drug delivery
technology to enable multi-route administration of new and improved compounds
across numerous therapeutic classes.

Revenues and growth are driven from out-licensing of this technology for the
development and commercialization of such compounds to pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies worldwide. In addition, the Company is seeking to
monetize its existing Rx Division product pipeline, including its first
product, Vitaros(r), approved in Canada for the treatment of erectile
dysfunction, as well as compounds in development from pre-clinical through
Phase III, currently focused on Sexual Dysfunction, Oncology, Dermatology,
Autoimmune, Pain, Anti-Infectives, Diabetes and Cosmeceuticals among others.

The Company is also developing its Consumer Healthcare Division by developing a
number of drugs that utilize the Company–s NexACT(r) technology to comply with
the FDA–s over-the-counter (–OTC–) requirements, can be cleared as 510(k)
topical creams that are considered to be medical devices or approved as
Abbreviated New Drug Applications (–ANDAs–) as generic drugs. The Company will
also seek to market such drugs through these similar procedures in Japan and
other countries.

In addition, the Company is seeking to in-license and acquire revenue
generating, FDA and other regulatory approved andmarketed drugs to add to its
product portfolio and future revenue stream.

For further information on Apricus Bio, visit http://www.apricusbio.com, and
for information on its subsidiary please visit http://www.nexmedusa.com. You
can also receive information at http://twitter.com/apricusbio and
http://facebook.com/apricusbio.

Apricus Bio–s Forward-Looking Statement Safe Harbor

Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended: with
the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the
matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein
described for a variety of reasons that are outside the control of the Company,
including, but not limited to, its ability to further develop its and their
products and product candidates, to have its products and product candidates
approved by relevant regulatory authorities, including in Japan, to
successfully commercialize such NexACT(r) products and product candidates and to
achieve its development, commercialization and financial goals in Japan and
other countries. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements as actual results could differ materially from the
forward-looking statements contained herein. Readers are urged to read the risk
factors set forth in the Company–s most recent annual report on Form 10-K,
subsequent quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q and other filings made with the
SEC. Copies of these reports are available from the SEC–s website or without
charge from the Company.

CONTACT: Apricus Biosciences, Inc.
Edward Cox, V.P.
Investor Relations&Corporate Development
Apricus Bio, Inc.
(858) 848-4249
ecox@apricusbio.com

Apricus Bio Investor Relations
Paula Schwartz
Rx Communications Group, LLC
(917) 322-2216
pschwartz@rxir.com
News Source: NASDAQ OMX

08.12.2011 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP –
a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

DGAP–s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
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Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

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Language: English
Company: Apricus Biosciences, Inc.

United States
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail:
Internet:
ISIN: US9901429525
WKN:

End of Announcement DGAP News-Service

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