HOUSTON and VANCOUVER, March 14,
2019 /CNW/ - ESSA Pharma Inc. (TSX-V: EPI; Nasdaq: EPIX) ("ESSA" or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company
focused on developing novel therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer announced the Company will be attending the
31st Annual ROTH Conference to be held on March 17 -19 at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
in Dana Point, California. Dr. David R. Parkinson, President & Chief Executive
Officer and Peter Virsik, Chief Operating Officer will be available for one-on-one meetings
throughout the conference.
About ESSA Pharma Inc.
ESSA is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel and proprietary therapies for the treatment of
castration-resistant prostate cancer ("CRPC") in patients whose disease is progressing despite treatment with current therapies.
ESSA believes that its proprietary compounds can significantly expand the interval of time in which patients suffering from CRPC
can benefit from hormone-based therapies, by disrupting the androgen receptor ("AR") signaling pathway that drives prostate
cancer growth and by preventing AR transcriptional activity by binding selectively to the N-terminal domain ("NTD") of the AR. A
functional NTD is essential for transactivation of the AR. In preclinical studies, blocking the NTD has demonstrated the
capability to overcome the known AR-dependent mechanisms of CRPC. ESSA was founded in 2009.
ESSA proprietary compounds, otherwise known as aniten compounds, bind to the N-terminal domain of the androgen receptor
("AR"). The company is currently conducting studies on a small number of next generation compounds with higher potency and
metabolic stability, longer half-life and superior pharmaceutical properties. ESSA intends to make a final IND candidate
selection following full compound selectivity characterization and in vivo animal model results.
About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and the fifth most common cause of male cancer
death worldwide (Globocan, 2012). Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is dependent on androgen for tumor progression and depleting or
blocking androgen action has been a mainstay of hormonal treatment for over six decades. Although tumors are often initially
sensitive to medical or surgical therapies that decrease levels of testosterone, disease progression despite castrate levels of
testosterone generally represents a transition to the lethal variant of the disease, metastatic CPRC ("mCRPC"), and most patients
ultimately succumb to the illness. The treatment of mCRPC patients has evolved rapidly over the past five years. Despite these
advances, additional treatment options are needed to improve clinical outcomes in patients, particularly those who fail existing
treatments including abiraterone or enzalutamide, or those who have contraindications to receive those drugs. Over time, patients
with mCRPC generally experience continued disease progression, worsening pain, leading to substantial morbidity and limited
survival rates. In both in vitro and in vivo animal studies, ESSA's novel approach to blocking the androgen pathway has been
shown to be effective in blocking tumor growth when current therapies are no longer effective.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This release contains certain information which, as presented, constitutes "forward-looking information" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and/or applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking
information involves statements that relate to future events and often addresses expected future business and financial
performance, containing words such as "look forward", "anticipate" and, "believe", and statements that an action or event "is
expected", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions and includes, but is not limited to, statements
regarding timing of identifying the next-generation aniten product candidate, the anticipated timing of submitting an
Investigational New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration and beliefs as to ESSA's proprietary compounds can
significantly expand the interval of time in which patients suffering from CRPC can benefit from hormone-based therapies.
Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are
beyond the ability of ESSA to control or predict, and which may cause ESSA's actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from those expressed or implied thereby. Such statements reflect ESSA's current views with respect to future
events, are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while
considered reasonable by ESSA as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant medical, scientific,
business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. In making forward-looking statements, ESSA
may make various material assumptions, including but not limited to (i) the accuracy of ESSA's financial projections; (ii)
obtaining positive results of clinical trials; (iii) obtaining necessary regulatory approvals; and (iv) general business, market
and economic conditions.
Forward-looking information is developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein
and in ESSA's Annual Report on Form 20-F dated December 13, 2018 under the heading "Risk Factors",
a copy of which is available on ESSA's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, ESSA's profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, and as
otherwise disclosed from time to time on ESSA's SEDAR profile. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs,
estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and ESSA undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking
statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as may be required by applicable
Canadian and United States securities laws. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue
certainty to forward-looking statements.
Neither 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.
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SOURCE ESSA Pharma Inc
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