First Private Company to Directly Supply
Cannabis to Italian Market
TSX: ACB
VANCOUVER, Jan. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc.
("Aurora") (TSX: ACB) (OTCQB: ACBFF) (Frankfurt: 21P; WKN: A1C4WM) today announced
that, together with its wholly owned German subsidiary Pedanios
GmbH, the Company has won a highly competitive EU-wide public
tender to supply medical cannabis to the Italian government through
the Ministry of Defence, who oversees medical cannabis production
and distribution in Italy.
While the Italian Ministry of Defence currently produces medical
cannabis for the domestic market, certain wholesalers are permitted
to purchase directly from the Dutch Office of Medical Cannabis, a
sharp rise in demand has led to the government seeking external
parties to provide additional supply. The EU-wide public tender
process consisted of 2 rounds. In the first round, those companies
eligible to move towards the final tender round were pre-qualified.
Only two companies, including Pedanios, qualified for this final
round, in which Pedanios was ultimately chosen as the sole supplier
under the tender. Following the signing of the contact in the
coming days, Aurora will export product into Germany through Pedanios, who will supply the
Italian market through the Ministry of Defence.
"I am very proud of Aurora and the Pedanios team for the quality
of their execution in becoming the exclusive winner of this
important tender, and gaining access to one of the largest and most
restricted markets in Europe,"
said Neil Belot, Chief Global
Business Development Officer. "Aurora will soon supply both
Germany and Italy - two of the largest EU markets, with a
total population exceeding 143 million. As the only company to have
been successful in this tender, we have an incredible first mover
advantage in this potentially tremendous growth market."
Andrea Ludwig Ferrari,
responsible for sales and market development in Italy, added, "Aurora and Pedanios' EU GMP
certifications were crucial in being successful in our bid for the
tender in this demanding jurisdiction. We are now the first private
cannabis company in the world able to supply the Italian government
directly, a testament to the quality of our operations and the
standing of our organization. This win positions us exceptionally
well to continue executing successfully on our aggressive
international expansion strategy."
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. The Company
owns a 17.62% interest in the Green Organic Dutchman, as well as a
51% interest in Aurora Nordic, which is constructing a 1,000,000
hybrid greenhouse similar to Aurora Sky. Including prorated
participations, Aurora is on track for a total production capacity
of around 200,000 kg per annum.
In addition, the Company holds approximately 17.23% 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
Forward-Looking Statements
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,
statements with respect to the Italian cannabis market.
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.