TORONTO - HLS Therapeutics Inc. ('HLS' or the 'Company') (TSX: HLS), a specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on central nervous system and cardiovascular markets, is pleased to update investors that Vascepa (icosapent ethyl, or 'IPE') will become available to Canadians on or about February 18, 2020.

At launch, Vascepa will be supported by the Company's national Cardiovascular salesforce, initially sized at 22 representatives, in addition to eight other field-based roles.

On December 31, 2019, Vascepa was approved by Health Canada and is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, coronary revascularization or hospitalization for unstable angina) in statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides who are at high risk of cardiovascular events due to established cardiovascular disease or diabetes and at least one other cardiovascular risk factor.

Vascepa was granted a Priority Review as it met Health Canada's criteria of intending to address a serious, life-threatening or debilitating disease or condition for which no drug was marketed in Canada, and for which there is substantial evidence of clinical effectiveness of the treatment.

As a result of its approval, Vascepa is now the first and only drug in Canada indicated to reduce persistent residual cardiovascular risk in patients stabilized on a statin, with elevated triglycerides and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Disease is an Urgent Public Health Issue

'There is no doubt that cardiovascular disease is an urgent and growing public health issue, with more than half of Canadian adults2 impacted by the disease in ways that can be tragic and costly,' said Greg Gubitz, Chief Executive Officer of HLS. 'Cardiovascular disease costs Canadians more than $21.2 billion each year2, and stroke alone costs the Canadian economy $3.6 billion a year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages and decreased productivity2. Vascepa was developed and tested over the course of a decade and at a cost of more than $500.0 million in order to bring a new preventative care solution that may help the many family members, friends and neighbors who may be at risk for a cardiac event. We look forward to bringing this product to Canadians in the coming weeks.'

Health Canada's regulatory approval was based on data from the 8,179 patient REDUCE-IT outcomes trial, a landmark cardiovascular outcome study that has been referred to as the most significant of the last 25 years in the field of preventative cardiology3.

ABOUT VASCEPA (ICOSAPENT ETHYL) CAPSULES

VASCEPA (icosapent ethyl) capsules are the first-and-only prescription treatment comprised solely of the active ingredient, icosapent ethyl (IPE), a unique form of eicosapentaenoic acid. Amarin has been issued multiple patents internationally based on the unique clinical profile of Vascepa, including the drug's ability to lower triglyceride levels in relevant patient populations without raising LDL-cholesterol levels. HLS in-licensed the exclusive rights to Vascepa for the Canadian market from Amarin Corporation (NASDAQ:AMRN).

ABOUT HLS THERAPEUTICS INC.

Formed in 2015, HLS is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition and commercialization of late stage development, commercial stage promoted and established branded pharmaceutical products in the North American markets. HLS's focus is on products targeting the central nervous system and cardiovascular therapeutic areas. HLS's management team is composed of seasoned pharmaceutical executives with a strong track record of success in these therapeutic areas and at managing products in each of these lifecycle stages.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding HLS and its business. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of HLS's management. In some cases the forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as 'may', 'will', 'expect', 'plan', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'potential', 'estimate', 'believe' or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements with respect to HLS's pursuit of additional product and pipeline opportunities in certain therapeutic markets, statements regarding growth opportunities and expectations regarding financial performance. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting HLS, including risks relating to the specialty pharmaceutical industry, risks related to the regulatory approval process, economic factors and many other factors beyond the control of HLS. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause HLS's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. A discussion of the material risks and assumptions associated with this release can be found in the Company's Annual Information Form dated April 1, 2019, which has been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and HLS undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact:

Tel: (416) 247-9652

Email: dave.mason@loderockadvisors.com

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