ZYUS Life Sciences Corporation Provides General Business Update and Announces Changes in Executive Leadership

ZYUS Life Sciences Corporation Provides General Business Update and Announces Changes in Executive Leadership

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SASKATOON, SK, Sept. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- ZYUS Life Sciences Corporation (the "ZYUS" or "Company") (TSXV: ZYUS), a clinical-stage life sciences company focused on the development and commercialization of novel drug product candidates for chronic pain, today provided a general business update and announced changes in executive leadership, effective September 14, 2026. As part of this business update, trading in the Company's common shares (the "Shares") on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") commenced at market open on September 14, 2026, and the Company advised that it expects to release topline results, including analysis of pain reduction and opioid-sparing for breakthrough pain, from its ongoing Phase 2a UTOPIA-1 clinical trial by the end of Q3 or early Q4 2026.

In addition, as part of the changes in executive leadership, the Company announced that John L. Knowles, a member of the Company's Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee, has been appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective September 14, 2026.

General Business Update: Phase 2a UTOPIA-1 Clinical Trial Progress

The Company expects to release topline results from its ongoing Phase 2a UTOPIA-1 (Unique Treatment of Oncology Pain in Advanced Cancer) trial evaluating Trichomylin^® softgel capsules in patients experiencing moderate to severe cancer-related pain, by the end of Q3 or early Q4 2026. Pain reduction is one of the primary endpoints of the trial, with opioid-sparing for breakthrough pain as a key secondary endpoint. As previously disclosed in the Company's January 8, 2026 announcement, Trichomylin^® softgel capsules were generally well tolerated in the preliminary Phase 2a analysis, with no serious adverse events related to treatment. These findings were consistent with the Company's Phase 1 Z-TRI-10001 trial (NCT04867057). The Company looks forward to sharing complete Phase 2a topline results, including data on the primary endpoints, which includes pain reduction, and the key secondary endpoint, which includes evaluating opioid-sparing for breakthrough pain, by the end of Q3 or early Q4 2026.

Appointment of Interim CFO

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of John L. Knowles as Interim CFO, effective September 14, 2026. Mr. Knowles brings more than 30 years of board and executive experience with Canadian and international companies. He joined the Board of CanniMed Therapeutics Inc. when it was a private company and remained with the business through its growth, serving as CFO from 2016 until its acquisition in 2018 for approximately CAD$1.2 billion. He has also held senior executive and board positions with several Canadian public companies, including Aur Resources Inc., Hudbay Minerals Inc. and Wildcat Exploration Ltd. He has served as Chair of ZYUS' Audit Committee since September 2020.

In his role as Interim CFO, Mr. Knowles will oversee the Company's financial reporting, accounting and corporate finance functions. The Company notes that Mr. Knowles has a long-standing history of timely financial reporting and regulatory compliance. In connection with his appointment as Interim CFO, Mr. Knowles will step down as Chair of the Audit Committee effective immediately but will remain a member of the Company's Board of Directors.

Further to the Company's news release dated July 20, 2026, John Hyshka, who has been on an indefinite leave of absence from his position as CFO, is no longer with the Company, effective September 14, 2026.

John Eagle, who has been serving as Acting CFO, will continue in his existing role as Vice President, Finance and Accounting.

"We are pleased to welcome Mr. Knowles as Interim CFO," said Brent Zettl, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZYUS. "His extensive board and executive experience, including his role as CFO of CanniMed Therapeutics through its buyout, along with his deep familiarity with ZYUS as Chair of our Audit Committee since 2020, make him well-positioned to support the Company through this transition. We thank Mr. Eagle for his support and leadership during the transition, and we look forward to sharing topline results from ZYUS' Phase 2a UTOPIA-1 trial in the coming weeks."

About ZYUS Life Sciences Corporation

ZYUS (TSXV: ZYUS) is a clinical stage life sciences company focused on the development and commercialization of novel cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical drug candidates for pain management. Through rigorous scientific exploration and clinical research, ZYUS aims to secure intellectual property protection, safeguarding its innovative therapies and bolstering shareholder value. ZYUS' unwavering commitment extends to obtaining regulatory approval of non-opioid-based pharmaceutical solutions, in pursuit of transformational impact on patients' lives. For additional information, visit www.zyus.com or follow us on X @ZYUSCorp.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's business. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company's expectations with respect to its financial reporting, accounting and corporate finance functions, the CFO transition and the duration or terms thereof, the results of the Company's Phase 2a UTOPIA-1 clinical trial, and the advancement of the Company's clinical and corporate objectives.

Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "expected", "expectation", "anticipates", "believes", "intends," "estimates", "predicts", "continues", "potential", "targeted", "plans", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will," "may," "could," "would" or "should" occur or be achieved, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions, including that the topline results of the Phase 2a UTOPIA-1 clinical trial will be released as anticipated, the results of the Phase 2a UTOPIA-1 clinical trial will reflect the preliminary results as well as the primary and secondary endpoints, the transition of the Interim CFO will occur as anticipated, the Interim CFO will effectively oversee the Company's financial reporting, accounting and corporate finance functions, and that the appointment of the Interim CFO will provide the anticipated financial leadership and continuity to support the Company's clinical and corporate objectives. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors, assumptions, and risks is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf, except as required by applicable law.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE ZYUS Life Sciences Corporation