Released on: April 16, 2008, 6:52 am

Press Release Author: ANAVEX LIFE SCIENCES Corp.

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Press Release Summary: Anavex Life Sciences Corp.(OTCBB: AVXL) today announced the
appointment of Dr. Dimitri Goundis as Project Director of Clinical Development.

Press Release Body: GENEVA, Switzerland, April 16, 2008l/ - Anavex Life Sciences
Corp. (\"ANAVEX\") (OTCBB: AVXL) today announced the appointment of Dr. Dimitri
Goundis as Project Director of Clinical Development as the company prepares to enter
human clinical trials with its lead Alzheimer\'s compound within the next 12 months.

Dr. Goundis has more than 20 years experience in the management of clinical trials,
including leadership positions at Speedel AG (SWX: SPPN), The Medicines Company
(NASDAQ: MDCO) and Roche (SWX: ROG). He has successfully led the development of
several medications currently on the market, including SPP 100 (Tekturna/Rasilez),
which was licensed by Novartis (NYSE: NVS) and subsequently approved by the US Food
and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Commission and the Swiss Agency for
Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic), Switzerland\'s drug and device regulatory agency.

Dr. Goundis will lead the clinical development of ANAVEX\'s robust pipeline. He will
establish a clinical development team as well as select and manage the contract
research organizations that will work with ANAVEX to move its drug candidates
through clinical trials in preparation for submission to the FDA and other
regulatory agencies. Dr. Goundis will be responsible for medicinal chemistry and for
galenics, which pertains to the formulation of therapeutic agents into palatable or
otherwise practically useful formulations.

\"We are honored to welcome Dr. Goundis as a key member of ANAVEX\'s senior management
team and believe we will benefit enormously from his wealth of drug development
experience,\" said Dr. Kontzalis, Chief Executive Officer for ANAVEX. \"Dr. Goundis\'
successful track record in clinical trials and his proven achievements in
accelerating drug development programs will provide critical support for our
business objectives as we look to file Investigational New Drug applications for
three lead drug candidates and commence Phase 1 clinical trials of our lead
Alzheimer\'s compound over the next 12 months.\"

\"I am pleased to join the ANAVEX team at such a critical juncture in the company\'s
growth and to be leading the development of a group of novel drug compounds with
disease-modifying potential,\" said Dr. Goundis. \"ANAVEX\'s approach to treating
diseases is unique and unmatched in the industry. Our drug candidates have the
potential to be safer and more effective than medications currently on the market
because they aim to modify and treat the underlying causes, as opposed to just the
symptoms, of Alzheimer\'s, epilepsy and various types of cancer.

Prior to joining ANAVEX, Dr. Goundis spent six years in various management roles
with his most recent as Managing Director at Speedel Experimenta, the late-stage
research unit of public biopharmaceutical company Speedel AG. During his tenure, Dr.
Goundis led the successful development of SPP100 from Phase I through Phase IIb
clinical trials, at which time Novartis exercised its license-back option. Today,
SPP100 is sold in the United States under the trade name Tekturna and in Europe
under the name Rasilez to treat hypertension. In addition, Dr. Goundis spent several
years with lead responsibility for the company\'s entire development portfolio,
including compounds in Phases I, II and III.

Dr. Goundis\' background also includes director-level positions with The Medicines
Company, where he was responsible for leading and managing the CNS business unit,
and Roche, where he managed projects across a variety of therapeutic areas including
Rocaltrol® in osteoporosis, Aurorix® in anxiety disorders and Alcar® in diabetic
peripheral neuropathy. He holds a B.Sc. (Honors) in chemistry and biochemistry from
the University of London, a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Oxford University and a
Certificate in Investment Management from the London Business School.

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is an emerging biopharmaceutical company
engaged in the discovery and development of novel drug targets for the treatment of
cancer and neurological diseases. The company\'s proprietary SIGMACEPTOR(TM)
Discovery Platform involves the rational drug design of compounds that fulfill
specific criteria based on unmet market needs and new scientific advances. Selected
drug candidates demonstrate high, non-exclusive affinity for sigma receptors, which
are involved in the modulation of multiple cellular biochemical signaling pathways.

ANAVEX\'s SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-N program involves the development of novel and original
drug candidates, targeting neurological and neurodegenerative diseases (including
Alzheimer\'s disease, epilepsy, depression). The company\'s lead drug candidates
exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors with strong evidence for anti-amnesic,
neuroprotective, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive,
anti-depressant and anxiolytic properties.

ANAVEX SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-C program involves the development of novel and original drug
candidates targeting cancer. The company\'s lead drug candidates exhibit high
affinity for sigma receptors with strong evidence for selective pro-apoptotic,
anti-metastatic and low toxicity properties in various types of solid cancers such
as colon, prostate, breast and lung.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are
forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on current
information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual
events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such
statements due to various factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in
drug discovery and development, which include, without limitation, the potential
failure of development candidates to advance through preclinical studies or
demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical testing and the ability to file an IND
or commence clinical studies. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is
made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to
revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the
date hereof.

CONTACT: Anavex Life Sciences Corp., Research & Business Development, Email:
info@anavex.com; Shareholder & Media Relations, Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895, Outside
North America: (416) 489-0092, Email: ir@anavex.com, www.anavex.com



Web Site: http://www.anavex.com

Contact Details: Anavex Life Sciences Corp., Research & Business Development, Email:
info@anavex.com; Shareholder & Media Relations, Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895, Outside
North America: (416) 489-0092, Email: ir@anavex.com, www.anavex.com