Neptune Announces Closing of US$34.1 Million Underwritten Offering of Common Shares

LAVAL, Quebec, Oct. 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. ("Neptune") (Nasdaq:NEPT) (TSX:NTB), a biotechnology company engaged primarily in the development, manufacture and commercialization of marine-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, announced today the closing of its previously announced public offering of 7,318,000 common shares at US$4.10 per common share. Prior to the closing, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 989,762 common shares, resulting in a total of 8,307,762 common shares being issued today for gross proceeds of approximately US$34.1 million. RBC Capital Markets and JMP Securities LLC acted as Joint Book-Running Managers for the offering and Byron Capital Markets acted as Manager.

Neptune intends to allocate the net proceeds from the offering as follows: (i) approximately US$9.0 million for sales, marketing and krill inventory purchases for NKO® and EKO™, (ii) approximately US$8.0 million to support Acasti Pharma Inc. ("Acasti") in the development and validation of CaPre® and other product candidates, and to support NeuroBioPharm Inc. ("NeuroBio") in the development and validation of its product candidates, (iii) approximately US$5.0 million to fund the expansion of its Sherbrooke plant that is intended to increase Neptune's annual production capacity to 500,000 kilograms of krill oil, (iv) approximately US$3.0 million to fund product development, clinical trials and regulatory affairs of Neptune (including management and protection of its intellectual property portfolio), and (v) the balance for general corporate and other working capital purposes.

The common shares were issued in the United States pursuant to Neptune's effective shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and in Canada pursuant to a final short form base shelf prospectus filed with the securities regulatory authorities in the Provinces of Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.

Neptune is a biotechnology company engaged primarily in the development, manufacture and commercialization of marine-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs. Neptune produces omega-3 PUFAs through its patented process of extracting oils from Antarctic krill, which omega-3 PUFAs are then principally sold as bulk oil to Neptune's distributors who commercialize them under their private label primarily in the U.S., European and Australian nutraceutical markets. Neptune's lead products, Neptune Krill Oil (NKO®) and ECOKRILL Oil (EKO™), generally come in capsule form and serve as a dietary supplement to consumers.

Through its subsidiaries Acasti (TSX-V:APO) and NeuroBio, in which Neptune respectively holds 57% and 99% of the voting rights, Neptune is also pursuing opportunities in the medical food and prescription drug markets. Acasti and NeuroBio respectively focus on the research and development of safe and therapeutically effective compounds for highly prevalent atherosclerotic conditions, such as cardiometabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases, and for neurodegenerative and inflammation related conditions. Acasti's lead prescription drug candidate is CaPre®, a purified high omega-3 phospholipid concentrate derived from Neptune krill oil being developed to address the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic disorders, including hypertriglyceridemia, which is characterized by abnormally high levels of triglycerides.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release may be considered forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, both of which we refer to as forward-looking statements. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on Neptune's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Neptune and relate to, among other things, Neptune's strategy, strategic goals, research and development activities, research and clinical testing outcome, future operations, future financial position, future revenues/results, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by Neptune in the prospectus related to this offering and in its public securities filings available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. Except as required by law, Neptune disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. 

CONTACT: Neptune Contact:
         Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.
         Andre Godin, CFO
         +1.450.687.2262
         This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
         www.neptunebiotech.com
         
         Howard Group Contact:
         Dave Burwell
         (888) 221-0915
         This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
         www.howardgroupinc.com