Released on: December 17, 2007, 6:12 am

Press Release Author: ANAVEX LIFE SCIENCES

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (\"ANAVEX\") (OTCBB: AVXL - News)
today announced the appointment of Dr. Cameron Durrant to its Board of Directors.
Dr. Durrant is currently Worldwide Vice President of Virology Global Strategic
Marketing at Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ - News).

Press Release Body: GENEVA, Switzerland, Dec. 17, 2007- Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
(\"ANAVEX\") (OTCBB: AVXL - News) today announced the appointment of Dr. Cameron
Durrant to its Board of Directors. Dr. Durrant is currently Worldwide Vice President
of Virology Global Strategic Marketing at Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ - News).

\"ANAVEX is both pleased and privileged to welcome Dr. Durrant to our Board,\" said
Dr. Kontzalis, Chief Executive Officer for ANAVEX. \"Dr. Durrant is a medically
trained MBA who has a unique entrepreneurial background coupled with major
international pharmaceutical experience. This combination of biotech and business
development credentials adds considerable depth to the ANAVEX Board and we are
confident that Dr. Durrant will help guide us as we work to aggressively execute our
business plan.\"

\"This is an exciting time for ANAVEX and I welcome the opportunity to contribute to
the company\'s continued growth,\" said Dr. Durrant. \"ANAVEX\'s novel SIGMACEPTOR
technology platform offers great potential for both central nervous system and
cancer applications.\"

Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Durrant was President and CEO of Pediamed
Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Durrant\'s background also includes executive-level positions
with Merck & Co., GlaxoSmithKline and Pharmacia (now Pfizer). He was a regional
winner and national finalist for Ernst & Young\'s Entrepreneur of the Year award in
2005. Dr. Durrant holds a MBA from Henley Management College at Oxford and a MB and
BCh (equivalent to American MD degree) from the Welsh National School of Medicine in
Cardiff, U.K.

About ANAVEX
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 (Alzheimer\'s
disease, epilepsy, depression, etc.). The company\'s lead drug candidates exhibit
high, non-exclusive 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\'s SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-C program involves the development of novel and original
drug candidates targeting cancer. The company\'s lead drug candidates exhibit high,
non-exclusive 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, lung, etc.

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/press_release_2007_12_17.html

Contact Details: 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