Convenient, High Bioavailability, Rapid Onset
of Action Drug Delivery
TSX: ACB TSX: CMED OTC: CTTH
EDMONTON, SASKATOON and HAMILTON, ON, April 16,
2018 /CNW/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. ("Aurora") (TSX:
ACB) (OTCQB: ACBFF) (Frankfurt:
21P; WKN: A1C4WM), CanniMed Therapeutics Inc. ("CanniMed")
(TSX: CMED) and CTT Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc., ("CTT")
(OTC:CTTH) announced today that further to the CanniMed/CTT news
release of February 17, 2017, the
companies have entered into a three-way agreement that provides
Aurora, through its ownership of CanniMed, with joint exclusivity
on the distribution in Canada of
CTT's novel, patented drug delivery technologies.
This collaboration includes the licensing by CTT to CanniMed and
Aurora of six patents related to cannabinoid delivery for pain
management that will enable CanniMed and Aurora to exclusively
develop and commercialize this unique, sub-lingual (beneath the
tongue) wafer, drug delivery system in Canada.
Orally Dissolvable Thin Film ("ODF") Wafers are a proprietary
drug delivery mechanism in the form of paper-thin polymer films
used as carriers for pharmaceutical agents, with the following
benefits:
- ODF Wafer is taken orally but does not require water or
swallowing
- ODF Wafers dissolve quickly in the oral cavity (5-15 seconds),
with the active ingredient rapidly absorbed and diffused for direct
access to the bloodstream.
- The active ingredient, once absorbed, can bypass the liver's
first-pass effect, improving therapeutic outcomes and efficacy
through improved bioavailability and facilitates excellent patient
compliance.
- ODF Wafers are suitable for a wide range of patients, including
for geriatric and pediatric patients who experience difficulty
swallowing.
The companies are currently working together toward obtaining
Health Canada approval prior to marketing and distributing the
sub-lingual wafer.
"Aurora is rapidly developing new product forms and delivery
technologies, to provide our Canadian and international patients
with a wide range of convenient, reliable and effective means of
using medical cannabis," stated Terry
Booth, CEO of Aurora. "We believe that a significant segment
of the medical cannabis market remains untapped, as it requires
novel drug delivery technologies such as these to address as yet
unmet needs. Through our acquisition of CanniMed, we are now able
to accelerate growth of both companies by combining improved access
to medical innovations and our well-developed domestic and
international distribution channels."
Dr. Pankaj Modi, CEO of CTT
Pharma, added, "We are excited about the growth potential that our
exclusive Canadian partnership with CanniMed and Aurora offers.
Their large and rapidly growing patient base, both in Canada and around the world represent a
significant distribution opportunity for our sub-lingual wafer
technology, and with the establishment of CanniMed as the heart of
Aurora's Medical Cannabis Centre of Excellence, we anticipate that
Aurora's proven track record of execution will accelerate market
development for our products."
Aurora is accelerating a number of strategic initiatives,
including the key objective of marketing and developing new, high
margin, standardized dosage forms including the oral wafer
technology licensed by CanniMed from CTT Pharmaceuticals.
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 Inc.
Aurora is close to completion of the acquisition of all the
outstanding shares of CanniMed Therapeutics Inc, Canada's most experienced licensed producer of
medical cannabis, adding over 20,000 kg per annum in funded
capacity, as well as Canada's
strongest medical cannabis brand.
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 to develop 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".
About CanniMed Therapeutics
CanniMed is a Canadian-based, international plant
biopharmaceutical company and a leader in the Canadian medical
cannabis industry, with 17 years of pharmaceutical cannabis
cultivation experience, state-of-the-art, GMP-compliant production
process and world class research and development platforms with a
wide range of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products.
CanniMed, through its subsidiaries, was the first producer to be
licensed under the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, the
predecessor to the current Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes
Regulations. It was the sole supplier to Health
Canada under the former medical marijuana system for 13 years
and has been producing safe and consistent medical cannabis for
thousands of Canadian patients, with no incident of product
diversion or recalls.
For more information, please visit our
websites: www.cannimed.ca
About CTT Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc.
CTTH's principal asset is a unique and novel patented drug
delivery technology, an orally administered, fast dissolving thin
film (the "Wafer"). This technology platform will target both the
human and veterinarian (pet) markets for treatment of many
diseases. The Company believes that its Wafer technology will be
one of the first to gain use in major markets such as pain
management. Several Canadian and U.S. patents protect the Oral Thin
Film (Wafer) formulation.
CTTH's oral fast dissolving drug delivery systems consists of
edible Wafers that dissolve without water and within a few seconds
after placement in the mouth. The majority of drugs administered
using our drug delivery system mirror injections in that they have
the ability to enter the bloodstream quickly, are convenient and
discrete, and can be administered anywhere. A faster absorption
rate is achieved because the mouth contains a very thin mucosa and
is extremely vascular. There is no bitter taste, no smoke
inhalation, less degradation of medication (by bypassing the
stomach) and most importantly lower dosage units are required given
the efficacy of absorption. Patient compliance is also improved
especially with those who have a fear of choking or difficulty
swallowing, and/or are pediatric, geriatric or incapacitated.
For more information, please visit our website:
www.cttpharmaceuticals.com
Forward looking statements
This news release includes statements containing certain
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
securities law ("forward-looking statements"). 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 companies are under no obligation,
and expressly disclaim 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) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
AURORA CANNABIS
INC.
|
CanniMed Therapeutics
Inc
|
Terry
Booth
|
André
Jérôme
|
CEO
|
Interim
CEO
|
SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.