APRI Apricus Biosciences, Inc.

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® permeation enhancer technology used in topical drug delivery. The salts provide NexACT® 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® technology and related products. This latest patent will be fundamental to our NexACT® 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® 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®, 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® 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 and marketed 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® 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