Dr. Shane Morris Appointed Vice President
Product Development and Regulatory Affairs
Dr. Kelly Narine Appointed Vice President of Research
TSX: ACB
EDMONTON, March 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc.
("Aurora") (TSX: ACB) (OTCQB: ACBFF) (Frankfurt: 21P; WKN: A1C4WM) today announced
the appointments of Dr. Shane Morris
as Vice President Product Development and Regulatory Affairs, and
that of Dr. Kelly Narine as Vice
President of Research.
The appointments are part of Aurora`s continued initiative to
develop a dedicated scientific division, tasked with the
development and launch of new technologies and products, as well as
to conduct advanced scientific research. Aurora expects that the
division's initiatives will create novel, higher-margin products
and revenue streams that are safe and backed by rigorous scientific
research/testing.
Vice President Product Development and Regulatory
Affairs
In this newly created role, Dr. Morris will be responsible for
the development and market introduction of new cannabis products,
as well as provide strategic, regulatory leadership on all new
cannabis products. The appointment of Dr. Morris reflects Aurora`s
commitment to rigorous science-based innovation, driving the launch
of higher-margin cannabis-based products for both the medical
market and the adult consumer use market, once legalized. The
Company, which is one of the leading suppliers to the Canadian and
international medical cannabis markets, anticipates strong growth,
driven in part by new adopters of cannabis-based products, and
believes that new formulations and drug delivery methods will be
key elements in driving competitive differentiation.
Dr. Morris, an experienced executive in the cannabis industry
since 2015, was previously part of the senior leadership team at
Hydropothecary, a Quebec based
licensed producer. His proven expertise in quality assurance,
cannabis operations, regulatory affairs and science will prove
essential in bringing new cannabis products to market efficiently
and effectively. Prior to his activities in the cannabis industry,
Dr. Morris had fifteen years of experience at the science and
policy interface, working on high-profile risk issues within the
Canadian Federal Government. He has held senior positions and/or
executive appointments at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,
Public Health Agency of Canada,
Natural Resources Canada and Treasury Board Secretariat, where he
advised cabinet on regulatory issues. Dr. Morris holds a doctorate
from the National University of Ireland
in biotechnology and publishes/lectures widely on regulation, risk
and policy.
Vice President of Research
Dr. Narine will be leading the Company's research
innovation and research partnerships portfolios. Her work will
be focused on human health outcomes, product safety, plant
biotechnology, and early product development &
testing. Dr. Narine has deep expertise in
successfully translating promising research into positive human
health outcomes. Her appointment and the initiatives that the
Company intends on undertaking will drive the development of a
significant pipeline of science-based and -backed offerings, which
management believes will resonate strongly with the large and
rapidly growing domestic and international cannabis markets.
Dr. Narine received her PhD in Medical Genetics from the
University of Alberta where she studied
molecular and cellular changes in pathways of carcinogenesis.
Subsequently, she worked in the life sciences industry in
Edmonton in the areas of clinical
affairs and quality assurance, ultimately as Director of Clinical
Affairs at Afexa Life Sciences, Inc. Transitioning back into
academia at the University of Alberta, Kelly managed two
province-wide interdisciplinary research and education programs,
the first in Cardiology and the subsequent program in Oncology.
Most recently, she was the Director of Operations for two
Translational Science Institutes at the University of Alberta: the Neuroscience and Mental
Health Institute and the Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta.
CanniMed – Aurora Medical Cannabis Centre of
Excellence
With completion of the CanniMed acquisition anticipated shortly,
the Company will be able to accelerate the build up of its medical
science division. The Company intends for CanniMed's Saskatchewan operations to become Aurora`s
Medical Cannabis Centre of Excellence. Dr. Morris and Dr. Narine
will co-ordinate efforts and work closely with the CanniMed science
team on new medical initiatives.
Management commentary
"These key appointments reflect our commitment to a
science-based approach to innovation, product and technology
development," said Terry Booth, CEO.
"Our intention is to develop a strong pipeline of new,
higher-margin revenue streams to capitalize on the tremendous
opportunity in the medical cannabis and adult consumer use markets.
Science and innovation are cornerstones of our global growth
strategy, and with Shane and Kelly we now have highly experienced
leadership for the science division. Furthermore, once completed,
the CanniMed acquisition will provide a strong foundation to build
our medical science division on, and help further differentiate and
diversify our product offering."
Dr. Morris added "I am thrilled to join the Aurora team, a
frontrunner in the cannabis industry in Canada and globally. I look forward to the
exciting opportunity to develop and launch new products for
existing and new markets across the globe, and help Aurora's
continued rapid growth."
Dr. Narine added, "To join the innovation leader in this sector,
and help develop new offerings with positive human health outcomes,
as well as work on the early-stage development of new technologies
for a market that has proven to be exceptionally receptive, is
extremely exciting. I look forward to working with the Aurora team
and helping to advance our scientific leadership in the sector.
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", and a second 40,000 square foot high-technology
production facility known as "Aurora Vie" in Pointe-Claire, Quebec on Montreal's West Island. In January 2018, Aurora's 800,000 square foot
flagship cultivation facility, Aurora Sky, located at the
Edmonton International Airport,
was licensed. Once at full capacity, Aurora Sky is expected to
produce over 100,000 kg per annum of cannabis. Aurora is
completing a fourth facility in Lachute,
Quebec utilizing its wholly owned subsidiary Aurora Larssen
Projects Ltd.
Aurora also owns Berlin-based
Pedanios, the leading wholesale importer, exporter, and distributor
of medical cannabis in the European Union. The Company owns 51% of
Aurora Nordic, which will be constructing a 1,000,000 square foot
hybrid greenhouse in Odense,
Denmark. 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 holds a 19.88% ownership interest in Liquor Stores N.A.,
who intend developing a cannabis retail network in Western Canada. In addition, the Company holds
approximately 17.23% of the issued shares in leading extraction
technology company Radient Technologies Inc., and has a strategic
investment in Hempco Food and Fiber Inc., with options to increase
ownership stake to over 50%. Aurora is also the cornerstone
investor in two other licensed producers, with a 22.9% stake in
Cann Group Limited, the first Australian company licensed to
conduct research on and cultivate medical cannabis, and a 17.62%
stake in Canadian producer The Green Organic Dutchman Ltd., with
options to increase to majority ownership.
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
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"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
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SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.