Marisa Bellini - News Release under the Early Warning System

CALGARY, Dec. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - This news release is issued by Mrs. Marisa Bellini ("Mrs. Bellini") as required under Regulation 62-103 Respecting the Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues (the "Regulation"). On December 2, 2010, Mrs. Bellini acquired ownership of and control over 300,000 common shares ("Shares") of Bellus Health Inc. (the "Corporation"), which represents approximately 0.23% of the outstanding number of Shares of the Corporation. This transaction took place on the TSX Venture Exchange. Mrs. Bellini now owns and controls 13,127,393 Shares of the Corporation, representing approximately 10.03% of the outstanding number of Shares of the Corporation.

The Bellini Foundation (the "Foundation"), a Trust of which Mrs. Bellini is one of the three trustees, owns and controls 1,500,000 Shares of the Corporation, representing approximately 1.15% of the outstanding number of Shares of the Corporation. Under applicable securities legislation, the Foundation is presumed to be a joint actor of Mrs. Bellini. This news release does not constitute an admission that Mrs. Bellini and the Foundation in fact act jointly or in concert with respect to the acquisition or disposition of Shares or other securities of the Corporation.

Mrs. Bellini and the Foundation hold their Shares for investment purposes only. Each of Mrs. Bellini and the Foundation may, subject to market conditions and in accordance with applicable securities laws, make additional investments in or dispositions of additional Shares or other securities of the Corporation. Mrs. Bellini's address is 922 5th Ave SW, Suite #516, Calgary, Alberta T2P 5R4.

A copy of the report under Regulation 62-103 to be filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) will be available by contacting Mr. Marc-André Blais at 403-262-1555.

For further information:

Mr. Marc-André Blais
[phone]