Spotlight Innovation Launches Development of STL-182 to Treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Spotlight Innovation Inc. (OTCQB: STLT) today announced that it has obtained an exclusive, worldwide license from Indiana University Research and Technology Corp. to commercialize STL-182, an orally-available small molecule that may have therapeutic potential for treating Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is an autosomal recessive disorder that is a leading genetic cause of death in infants and toddlers. Synthesis and early preclinical testing of STL-182 was accomplished through a research collaboration between Professors Elliot Androphy of Indiana University School of Medicine and Kevin Hodgetts, director of the Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Their work was supported in part by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

Spinal Muscular Atrophy affects between 1 in 6,000 and 1 in 10,000 newborns. Approximately 1 in 40 to 1 in 50 adults have only a single intact spinal motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which encodes a protein (SMN) required for proper neuromuscular function. An infant who inherits no intact SMN1 gene from either parent may develop SMA and lose the ability to sit, stand, walk, swallow, and/or breathe. In about 60% of cases, patients with SMA die by age two.

Even in SMA patients, low levels of functional SMN protein are produced by an SMN1-related gene called SMN2. One therapeutic strategy to treat SMA is to increase levels of functional SMN protein encoded by SMN2. In mouse models of SMA, STL-182 may restore neuromuscular function by stabilizing endogenous SMN protein.

About Spotlight Innovation Inc.

Spotlight Innovation Inc. (OTCQB: STLT) identifies and acquires rights to innovative, proprietary technologies designed to address unmet medical needs, with an emphasis on rare, emerging and neglected diseases. To find and evaluate unique opportunities, we leverage our extensive relationships with leading scientists, academic institutions and other sources. We provide value-added development capability to accelerate development progress. When scientifically significant benchmarks have been achieved, we will endeavor to partner with proven market leaders via sale, out-license or strategic alliance. For more information, visit www.spotlightinnovation.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/spotlightinno.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements herein include statements regarding Spotlight Innovation's efforts to develop and commercialize STL-182, and its various technologies, and to achieve its stated benchmarks. Actual outcomes and actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: risks and uncertainties, such as the inability to finance the planned development of the technologies; the inability to hire appropriate staff to develop the technologies; unforeseen technical difficulties in developing the technologies; the inability to obtain regulatory approval for human use; competitors' therapies proving to be more effective, cheaper or otherwise more preferable; or, the inability to market a product. All of which could, among other things, delay or prevent product release, as well as other factors expressed from time to time in Spotlight Innovation's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with Spotlight Innovation's periodic filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date of this press release and Spotlight Innovation undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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SOURCE Spotlight Innovation Inc.

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