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MONTREAL, August 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Telesta Therapeutics Inc. (TSX:TST; PNK:BNHLF) announced today that it has received its BLA Filing Notification for MCNA  from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  This formal letter communicates that the FDA has completed its initial review of Telesta's Biologics License Application (BLA) submitted on June 29, 2015 and has accepted it for filing.  In the same letter, the FDA communicated that it has designated the file for 6 month Priority Review and has set February 27, 2016 as the review goal date for MCNA. The FDA has also advised that it will be organizing an advisory committee to discuss the BLA application.

Commenting on the FDA letter, Dr. Michael Berendt, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientist noted: "Today is a historic day for Telesta Therapeutics and for all of our staff and collaborators who have worked so diligently to advance our new treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer towards potential regulatory approval early next year.  While we recognize that the FDA must complete its full review of our BLA filing before rendering its ultimate decision, we are working extremely hard, at all levels, to prepare for commercial launch in the United States."  

About MCNA 

MCNA is a biologic therapy developed to provide high risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients who are refractory to or relapsing from front line therapy with a therapeutic alternative to surgery. MCNA is derived from the cell wall fractionation of a non-pathogenic bacteria.  Its activity is believed to be through a dual mechanism of immune stimulation and direct anti-cancer effects. MCNA was developed to be delivered as a sterile suspension for intravesical administration by urologists and urology nurses, following the same dosing paradigm as first-line bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy, with the advantage that it can be prepared, handled and disposed of easily and safely. The efficacy, duration of

responses and safety data from MCNA's pivotal Phase 3 trial was recently published in The Journal of Urology. The FDA has set February 27, 2016 as its review goal date for MCNA's potential approval.

About Telesta Therapeutics Inc. 

Telesta Therapeutics Inc. is a late stage therapeutics company with near term commercial potential focused on the manufacturing, marketing and licensing/acquisition of proprietary and innovative therapies for the global health market. The Company's primary goal is to develop and commercialize products that advance human health and increase shareholder value. For more information, please visit http://www.telestatherapeutics.com

Except for historical information, this news release may contain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. Forward-looking statements and information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while, considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees and there can be no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information. These forward-looking statements and information involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All written and oral forward-looking statements and information attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements.  

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[1] Mycobacterium phlei cell wall-nucleic acid complex

For further information:

Donald Olds, Chief Operating Officer
Telesta Therapeutics Inc.
Telephone: +1(514)394-7921
Donald.Olds@telestatherapeutics.com