ANAVEX APPOINTS DAVID TOUSLEY AS CFO

HOBOKEN, NJ, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Anavex Life Sciences Corp. ("ANAVEX") (OTCBB: AVXL) today announced the appointment of David L. Tousley, CPA, MBA, as Chief Financial Officer of the company, pursuant to a contractor agreement effective September 1, 2010. He will also remain on the company's Board of Directors.

Mr. Tousley has over 25 years of senior-level experience in biotech, specialty pharmaceuticals and full-phase pharmaceutical companies. He has held the position of President, COO and CFO at companies including airPharma, PediaMed Pharmaceuticals, AVAX Technologies, and Pasteur, Merieux, Connaught, (known today as Sanofi-Pasteur). During his career, Mr. Tousley has led all aspects of operations, including pharmaceutical development, in both the private and public company environment. His accomplishments include the raising of over $100 million in debt and equity financings and he has led key business development activities, including joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions and divestitures in the U.S., Europe and Australia.

Mr. Tousley holds an MBA in accounting from Rutgers Graduate School of Business and a B.A. in English from Rutgers College, both in New Jersey. He belongs to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

As a result of Mr. Tousley's appointment, Harvey Lalach has been appointed COO of ANAVEX. Mr. Lalach will also continue to serve as President, Secretary and Director of the company.

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel drug candidates for the treatment of neurological and cancer diseases. The company's proprietary SIGMACEPTOR(TM) Discovery Platform involves the rational design of drug compounds targeted to specific receptors involved in the modulation of multiple cellular biochemical signaling pathways.

ANAVEX's SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-N program involves the development of novel drug candidates that target neurological and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, depression, pain). The company's lead drug candidates exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors, which have been extensively documented as potentially valuable drug targets and have demonstrated anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties.

Anavex is a publically traded company under the symbol "AVXL".

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press include that we discover and develop novel drugs for neurological and cancer diseases; and that our drugs are potentially valuable for disease treatment. 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; the inability of the company to finance the full development of its drugs; the ability to file an IND or commence clinical studies; the inability to get regulatory approval; the potential of harmful side effects; and the likelihood of our competitors developing better or cheaper alternatives. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. 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: [email protected]; Shareholder & Media Relations, Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895; Outside North America: +1 (416) 489-0092, Email: [email protected], www.anavex.com

SOURCE ANAVEX LIFE SCIENCES CORP.