Crescita Therapeutics Inc.™ and Tetra Natural Health Collaborate to Enhance Transdermal Delivery of Beta-Caryophyllene in Tetra's Dermatology Product Portfolio

LAVAL, QC, and ORLEANS, ON, Feb. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - 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.

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
This Press Release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods.  Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the Company's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, the future of its business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company's control. Crescita's actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, readers should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause Crescita's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, the risk factors included in Crescita's most recent Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2018 under the heading "Risks Factors", and as described from time to time in the reports and disclosure documents filed by Crescita with Canadian securities regulatory agencies and commissions. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Crescita's forward-looking statements. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, no assurance can be given as to any such future results, levels of activity or achievements and none of Crescita or any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this Press Release is based only on information currently available to it and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, Crescita undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

More information at: www.tetrabiopharma.com

SOURCE Crescita Therapeutics Inc.

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