West Des Moines-based Spotlight Innovation Inc. announced it has entered into a sponsored research agreement with Florida State University to support research aimed at developing safe and effective drugs to treat patients infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus. The research is directed by FSU professor Hengli Tang, an accomplished virologist who in March co-authored a study that demonstrated for the first time the ability of the virus to target human embryonic cortical neural progenitor cells. After infecting these crucial brain development cells, the virus replicates and interferes with cell growth, function and viability. “Professor Tang is a true pioneer in the scientific community’s efforts to combat Zika virus,” said Geoffrey Laff, Spotlight Innovation’s senior vice president of business development. “We are thrilled that he has chosen to collaborate with us to develop novel therapies for Zika virus infection.” Read an article about Spotlight Innovation at BusinessRecord.com.