LA JOLLA, Calif., March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Auspex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASPX), a late clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel medicines for the treatment of orphan diseases, today announced that the Company was added to the Russell 2000® Index (as well as the larger Russell 3000® Index) at the close of market on March 31, 2014 as part of the quarterly Initial Public Offering (IPO) update to the Russell indexes.

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000® Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and members of the Russell 2000® Index are also included in the Russell Global Index. These indexes are updated quarterly for new IPO's and reconstituted annually, and are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for passive and active investment strategies.

About Auspex Pharmaceuticals
Auspex Pharmaceuticals is a late clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel medicines for the treatment of orphan diseases. Auspex's pipeline includes product candidates to address unmet medical needs in hyperkinetic movement disorders, such as chorea associated with Huntington's disease, tardive dyskinesia and Tourette syndrome, as well as other orphan indications. Auspex's lead product candidate, SD-809, is in a Phase 3 registration clinical trial for the treatment of chorea (abnormal involuntary movements) associated with Huntington's disease. Auspex has employed its deuterium chemistry approach to optimize other deuterium-containing compounds in its portfolio that are at various stages of development. For further information, please visit the company's website www.auspexpharma.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Auspex's ability to successfully complete its ongoing clinical trials and development programs and Auspex's ability to obtain regulatory approval for its product candidates. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: Auspex's future preclinical studies and clinical trials may not be successful; changes in regulatory requirements in the United States and foreign countries may prevent or significantly delay regulatory approval of Auspex's product candidates; Auspex may change its plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may not agree with Auspex's interpretation of the data from clinical trials of its product candidates; Auspex may decide, or the FDA may require Auspex, to conduct additional clinical trials or to modify Auspex's ongoing clinical trials; Auspex may experience delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical testing for its product candidates, or significant issues regarding the adequacy of its clinical trial designs or the execution of its clinical trials, which could result in increased costs and delays, or limit Auspex's ability to obtain regulatory approval; the third parties with whom Auspex has partnered with for the development of its product candidates and upon whom Auspex relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates may not perform as expected; Auspex's product candidates may not receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of Auspex's product candidates could delay or prevent regulatory approval or commercialization; Auspex may be unable to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; the loss of key scientific or management personnel; Auspex's ability to obtain additional financing; and the accuracy of Auspex's estimates regarding expenses, future revenues and capital requirements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Other risks and uncertainties affecting Auspex are described more fully in Auspex's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Auspex undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

SOURCE Auspex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.