Rare Dual Certification Enables Wider EU
Expansion
TSX: ACB
VANCOUVER, Dec. 11, 2017
/CNW/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the "Company" or "Aurora") (TSX: ACB)
(OTCQB: ACBFF) (Frankfurt: 21P;
WKN: A1C4WM) today announced that Aurora has received European
Union (EU) Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
certification regarding the production, handling, storage and
packaging of cannabis flowers. The certificate granted covers both
Chapter I and Chapter II of the EU GMP regulations, certifying
Aurora for the production of active ingredients and their
formulation into a pharmaceutical drug. Additionally,
Aurora's wholly-owned subsidiary, Pedanios Gmbh ("Pedanios"),
Germany's largest distributor of
cannabis to pharmacies, has received EU GMP certification
pertaining to the import, release and distribution of dried
cannabis flowers, also within chapter I and II of the EU GMP
regulation.
EU GMP certification is the highest such recognition attainable
by companies in the pharmaceutical space, and is a requirement for
companies to supply the German and wider EU markets with medical
cannabis. Aurora becomes only the second Canadian company with
wholly owned subsidiaries possessing an EU GMP certification for
production, handling, storage and packaging in Canada, as well as, for the import, release,
and distribution in Germany and
beyond.
"We cannot overstate the value to Aurora of receiving these
certifications. They enable us to accelerate expansion and market
penetration in the EU, while the vast majority of our competitors
are precluded from participating in these important and
fast-growing markets," said Terry
Booth, CEO. "The opportunity we are pursuing aggressively in
Europe is vast. Germany, which provides broad insurance
coverage for medically prescribed cannabis, has a population in
excess of 82 million, approximately 2.5 times that of Canada, while the wider EU represents a market
of well over 400 million people. Being one of a select few
integrated cannabis companies with a global infrastructure, the
required certification, and strong capitalization in a market with
substantial barriers to entry, positions us extremely well to
leverage our first mover advantage and continue to accelerate our
growth."
Patrick Hoffmann, Managing
Director of Pedanios, added, "Receiving our EU GMP certification is
a clear validation of the quality of our products and operations,
and reflects how Aurora and Pedanios continue to execute
exceptionally well. With considerable additional production
capacity coming online at Aurora in the coming quarters, we look
forward to further accelerating customer growth and cementing our
position as the leading medical cannabis distributor in
Germany and the broader EU
markets."
About Aurora
Aurora's wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora Cannabis Enterprises
Inc., is a licensed producer of medical cannabis pursuant to Health
Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations
("ACMPR"). The Company operates a 55,200 square foot,
state-of-the-art production facility in Mountain View County,
Alberta, known as "Aurora
Mountain", a second 40,000 square foot high-technology production
facility known as "Aurora Vie" in Pointe-Claire, Quebec on Montreal's West Island, and is currently
constructing an 800,000 square foot production facility, known as
"Aurora Sky", at the Edmonton
International Airport, as well as is completing a fourth facility
in Lachute, Quebec through its
wholly owned subsidiary Aurora Larssen Projects Ltd.
In addition, the Company holds approximately 19.18% of the
issued shares in leading extraction technology company Radient
Technologies Inc., based in Edmonton, and is in the process of completing
an investment in Edmonton-based
Hempco Food and Fiber for an ownership stake of up to 50.1%.
Furthermore, Aurora is the cornerstone investor with a 22.9% stake
in Cann Group Limited, the first Australian company licensed to
conduct research on and cultivate medical cannabis. Aurora also
owns Pedanios, a leading wholesale importer, exporter, and
distributor of medical cannabis in the European Union, based in
Germany. The Company offers
further differentiation through its acquisition of BC Northern
Lights Ltd. and Urban Cultivator Inc., industry leaders,
respectively, in the production and sale of proprietary systems for
the safe, efficient and high-yield indoor cultivation of cannabis,
and in state-of-the-art indoor gardening appliances for the
cultivation of organic microgreens, vegetables and herbs in home
and professional kitchens. Aurora's common shares trade on the TSX
under the symbol "ACB".
On behalf of the Boards of Directors,
AURORA CANNABIS INC.
Terry
Booth
CEO
This news release includes statements containing certain
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
securities law ("forward-looking statements"), including, but not
limited to the performance of the Company and its intended
expansion in the EU. Forward-looking statements are frequently
characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect",
"project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may",
"will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or
statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur.
These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were
used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained
in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release.
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates
of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject
to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that
could cause actual events or results to differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is
under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or
obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as expressly required by applicable law.
Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in the policies of Toronto Stock Exchange) accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.