Spruce Biosciences Appoints Will Charlton, M.D., M.A.S., as Chief Medical Officer

Spruce Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPRB), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for rare endocrine disorders with significant unmet medical need, today announced that Will Charlton, M.D., M.A.S., has been appointed Chief Medical Officer, and will succeed Rosh Dias, M.D., who has stepped down to pursue other opportunities. Dr. Charlton is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist with over 15 years of clinical research experience in industry and academia and will lead the company’s clinical development and global drug development strategy.

“We are pleased to welcome Will as our Chief Medical Officer, and we look forward to his leadership and guidance as we continue to advance our pipeline of treatments for patients with rare endocrine disorders,” said Javier Szwarcberg, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Executive Officer of Spruce Biosciences. “With his extensive background in late-stage rare disease drug development, paired with his experience as a board-certified endocrinologist, we are confident that Will’s expertise will be a strong asset to Spruce as we progress tildacerfont through clinical development for adults and children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia and women with polycystic ovary syndrome.”

Dr. Will Charlton is an accomplished physician-scientist with nearly two decades of experience as a clinician and industry executive building successful programs across clinical development, medical affairs and drug safety. He joins Spruce from 89bio, Inc., where he served as Vice President, Clinical Development. Prior to 89bio, he was Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development at Ascendis Pharma. Prior to Ascendis, Dr. Charlton served as Executive Medical Director, Clinical Development, Liver Therapeutic Area at Allergan. Prior to his career in industry, Dr. Charlton spent over a decade in clinical practice as a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist. Dr. Charlton earned a medical degree from the University of Southern California. He completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and his fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco.

"It is a privilege to be joining Spruce at such an important time in the company’s growth,” said Will Charlton, M.D., M.A.S., Chief Medical Officer of Spruce Biosciences. “Throughout my career as an endocrinologist and scientist, I have seen first-hand the unmet medical need and challenges that patients with rare endocrine disorders face. With tildacerfont advancing through global clinical development for multiple endocrine disorders, including adult and pediatric classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Spruce is poised to improve the lives of people who have not benefited from a new treatment option in approximately 50 years. As we enter our next phase of growth, I look forward to guiding Spruce’s progress in the clinic and delivering value to patients and stakeholders.”

About Spruce Biosciences

Spruce Biosciences is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for rare endocrine disorders with significant unmet medical need. Spruce is initially developing its wholly-owned product candidate, tildacerfont, as the potential first non-steroidal therapy for patients suffering from classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Classic CAH is a serious and life-threatening disease with no known novel therapies approved in approximately 50 years. Spruce is also developing tildacerfont for women suffering from a rare form of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with primary adrenal androgen excess. To learn more, visit www.sprucebiosciences.com and follow us on Twitter @Spruce_Bio, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the impact of new management hires and promotions, the fulfillment of Spruce’s strategic business objectives, and the advancement of Spruce’s drug development pipeline. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “will”, “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Spruce’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with Spruce’s business in general, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the other risks described in Spruce’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Spruce undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

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