LAVAL, Quebec, and ORLEANS, Ontario, Feb. 04, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crescita Therapeutics Inc. ("Crescita")
(TSX: CTX), a Canadian commercial dermatology company and Tetra Natural Health (NHP), a subsidiary of Tetra Bio-Pharma, a leader in
cannabinoid-derived drug discovery and development, ("Tetra") (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) today announced an agreement to develop
an enhanced version of Tetra’s dermatology portfolio using Crescita’s patented transdermal delivery technologies: Multiplexed
Molecular Penetration Enhancer ("MMPE™") and DuraPeel™. The primary active ingredient contained in the product portfolio to be
reformulated is beta-caryophyllene ("Beta-C"), which is known to work on Cannabidiol ("CBD") 2 receptors. The testing methodology
and the clinical development made possible by the collaboration will help optimize the delivery of Beta-C and several other active
ingredients into the skin and local tissues.
Some of Tetra’s dermatology products have already been approved by Health Canada as natural health products, and
address several medical conditions, including but not limited to, muscle and joint pain, cold sores and hemorrhoids. In late 2018,
Crescita published the favorable results of a study demonstrating the enhanced permeation of CBD, the non-psychoactive component of
cannabis. The in-vitro skin permeation study showed that both MMPE and DuraPeel significantly increased the transdermal permeation
of CBD over the control formulation by up to 14- and 6-fold, respectively. Based on these results, Tetra believes that the use of
Crescita’s patented technologies will improve the permeability and potentially, the efficacy of Beta-C and will enhance the
intellectual property of its dermatology portfolio.
In addition, the companies have entered into discussions related to Crescita’s contract manufacturing services
to produce Tetra’s enhanced product portfolio once the desired results have been attained in the development and testing phases of
the collaboration.
“We are excited to partner with Tetra Natural Health, another home-grown Canadian Company and to assist them
in the development and evaluation of several enhanced-delivery formats of their topical products,” said Serge Verreault,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Crescita. “By integrating Crescita’s patented MMPE and DuraPeel technologies into
their existing formulations, we believe we will be able to significantly enhance the delivery and related efficacy of their
products which will help improve outcomes for Canadians suffering from a variety of painful conditions,” added Mr.
Verreault.
“This new collaborative agreement signed with Crescita will allow Tetra Natural Health to address many
Canadian patients’ dermatology needs. Crescita’s technology is outstanding and we believe it will set our natural health
dermatology portfolio apart from our competition. Not only will it improve permeability of our Beta C derived products, but it may
also improve their efficacy.” said Richard Giguère, Chief Executive Officer of Tetra Natural Health.
About Crescita Therapeutics Inc.
Crescita (TSX: CTX) is a publicly traded, Canadian commercial dermatology company with a portfolio of non-prescription skincare
products and prescription drug products for the treatment and care of skin conditions and diseases and their
symptoms. Crescita owns multiple proprietary drug delivery platforms that support the development of patented formulations
that can facilitate the delivery of active drugs into or through the skin. For additional information, please visit www.crescitatherapeutics.com.
About Tetra Natural Health:
Tetra Natural Health Inc. is a subsidiary of Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc. and focuses on the identification, development and marketing of
hemp or cannabis-based natural health products, or cannabinoid-derived products authorized for sale by Health Canada.
About Tetra Bio-Pharma
Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) a biopharmaceutical leader in cannabinoid-derived drug discovery and development with
a Health Canada approved and FDA reviewed clinical program aimed at bringing novel prescription drugs and
treatments to patients and their healthcare providers. Tetra Bio-Pharma has subsidiaries engaged in the development of an advanced
and growing pipeline of Bio Pharmaceuticals, Natural Health and Veterinary Products containing cannabis and other medicinal
plant-based elements. With patients at the core of its mission, Tetra Bio-Pharma is focused on providing rigorous
scientific validation and safety data required for inclusion into the existing bio pharma industry by regulators, physicians and
insurance companies. For more information visit: www.tetrabiopharma.com.
About MMPE™
The MMPE technology uses synergistic combinations of pharmaceutical excipients included on the FDA's Inactive Ingredient Guide for
improved topical delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) into or through the skin. The benefits of this
technology include the potential for increased penetration of APIs with the possibility of improved efficacy, lower API
concentration and/or reduced dosing. Issued U.S. patents provide intellectual property protection through March 6, 2027.
About DuraPeel™
The DuraPeel technology is a self-occluding, film-forming cream/gel formulation that provides extended release delivery to the site
of application. The cream/gel contains a drug applied to a patient's skin forming a pliable layer that releases drug into the skin
for up to 12 hours. The benefits of the DuraPeel technology include proven compatibility with a variety of active pharmaceutical
ingredients ("APIs"). A self-occluding film reduces product transference risk, provides fast drying time, facilitates easy
application and removal, and enables application to large and irregular skin surfaces. Patents have been issued
in Australia, Canada, Japan and the U.S. with the latest expiry in 2027. The European patent application is
still pending.
More information at: www.tetrabiopharma.com
Source: Tetra Bio-Pharma
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.
Forward-looking statements
Some statements in this release may contain forward-looking information. All statements, other than of historical fact, that
address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in
the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding: the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction for Tetra;
completion and expected timing of the Proposed Transaction; whether the terms of the Proposed Transaction will be as described in
this press release; whether the Proposed Transaction will be successful; the receipt of the approval of the TSXV
in respect of the Proposed Transaction) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable
by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan" or
"project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may
cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without
limitation, the inability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to execute the Company's business plan; competition;
regulation and anticipated and unanticipated costs and delays, the success of the Company's research and development strategies,
the success of products developed using Crescita’s MMPE and DuraPeel technologies, the applicability of the discoveries made
therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process including the applications for
Orphan Drug Designation, the timing of clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions
and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially
from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results or events not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. No definitive
documentation has yet been signed by the parties and there is no certainty that such documentation will be signed. The
forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not
undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or
otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.
More information at: www.tetrabiopharma.com
For further information on Tetra Natural Health, please contact:
Richard Giguere, Chief Executive Officer
Tetra Natural Health
rgiguere@tetrabiopharma.com
For investors information, please contact:
investors@tetrabiopharma.com
(438) 504-5784
Media Contact:
Daniel Granger, C.M.
ACJ Communication
T. 514 840-7990
M. 514 232 1556
Daniel.granger@acjcommunication.com
Charlotte Blanche
T. 514 840-1235 ext. 7772
M. 514 914-0593
c.blanche@acjcommunication.com
For further information on Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc., please contact:
Robert (Bob) Bechard
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Licensing
514-817-2514
Investors@tetrabiopharma.com
For further information, Crescita Therapeutics Inc.
Investor Relations, Email: ir@crescitatx.com
Business Development, Email: bd@crescitatx.com
