USP PET results qualify Apricus Bio's NexACT as anti-microbial preservative

Apricus Biosciences ("Apricus Bio") (Nasdaq: APRI), backed by a revenue generating CRO business and seeking to leverage its multi-route NexACT^® drug delivery technology and internal pipeline through out-licensing partnerships, today announced that results from a United States Pharmacopeia Preservative Efficacy Test (USP PET) qualified NexACT as an anti-microbial preservative. The results show that NexACT was effective in killing more than 23 strains of bacteria, fungus and mold, well beyond the requirements for passing the USP PET. These results are supported by the Company's prior, long-term stability and microbiology data, generated from its clinical batches of Vitaros^® (Apricus Bio's topical treatment for erectile dysfunction).

Commenting on today's news, Bassam Damaj, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Apricus Bio, stated, "The ability of NexACT to function as a preservative opens up new partnering opportunities with pharmaceutical and cosmetic developers. The safety of NexACT has been tested extensively in over 4,500 patients to date, with excellent results. We therefore think it has the potential to compete with commonly used preservatives, such as parabens, which are in more than 90 percent of all marketed cosmetic products and can cause allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis and delayed hypersensitivity reaction in about 10% of the population. We look forward to publishing this data and sharing our findings with potential partners."