Mr. Craig Millian reports

HLS ANNOUNCES THAT VASCEPA IS NOW REIMBURSED BY BRITISH COLUMBIA'S PROVINCIAL DRUG PLAN

HLS Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a product listing agreement (PLA) with the Province of British Columbia for the listing and public reimbursement of Vascepa (icosapent ethyl). The PLA with B.C. PharmaCare is effective Feb. 6, 2024.

Under the terms of the PLA, Vascepa will be reimbursed as a special authority product by B.C. PharmaCare for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, coronary revascularization or hospitalization for unstable angina) in statin-treated patients with established cardiovascular disease and elevated triglycerides.

The PLA with B.C. PharmaCare also paves the way for Vascepa to be reimbursed by Pacific Blue Cross, which provides health care benefits for approximately 40 per cent of the privately insured lives in British Columbia. The Pacific Blue Cross reimbursement process for Vascepa is near completion and is also expected to take effect this month.

"The product listing agreement with B.C. PharmaCare and the subsequent listing by Pacific Blue Cross will significantly improve access and reimbursement throughout Canada's third-largest province," said Craig Millian, chief executive officer of HLS. "Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading killers worldwide, so we are very pleased that Vascepa will now be more accessible to a greater number of B.C. residents who are eligible for treatment."

Approximately 14 per cent of all Canadians live in British Columbia. As disclosed previously, HLS has achieved public reimbursement for Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Veterans Affairs, and the NIHB (non-insured health benefits) program for first nation and Inuit peoples.

About Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) capsules

Vascepa capsules are the first and only prescription treatment comprising solely the active ingredient, icosapent ethyl (IPE), a unique form of eicosapentaenoic acid. Vascepa was approved by Health Canada and added to Health Canada's Register of Innovative Drugs and benefits from data protection for a term of eight years as well as being the subject of multiple issued and pending patents based on its unique clinical profile. HLS in-licensed the exclusive rights to Vascepa for the Canadian market from Amarin Corp.

About HLS Therapeutics Inc.

Formed in 2015, HLS is a 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 record of success in these therapeutic areas and at managing products in each of these life cycle stages.

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