Research to support growth of the cannabis
industry in Atlantic Canada
through the application and adaptation of novel
biotechnologies
MONCTON, NB, Nov. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - The Université de
Moncton, in partnership with the
Government of Canada, Genome
Atlantic, Genome Canada, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF)
and Organigram Holdings Inc. (TSX VENTURE:OGI) (OTCQB:OGRMF), today
announced the creation of an institutional research project focused
on cannabis at the Université de Moncton.
Supplying cannabis and cannabis products to a legalized adult
use recreational market represents a major economic opportunity in
New Brunswick and across the
country. Indeed, the retail market value for recreational cannabis
in Canada is expected to reach
$8.7 billion annually. However,
current production capacity will not meet the anticipated
demand.
To date, cannabis has not benefitted from the application of
biotechnologies (particularly genomics) that have led to massive
increases in yields and the sustainability of other agricultural
production systems. The innovative, research-driven approach
supported by this partnership will explore how these novel
approaches can help improve the productivity and quality of
cannabis products.
Genome Atlantic was the catalyst for the project, to which the
project partners will contribute more than $1.1 million over three years. The research will
be led by Dr. David Joly and Dr.
Martin Filion, both professors from
the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Université de
Moncton. Organigram will provide
working space, raw material and expert resources in collaboration
with the Université de Moncton
research team. Genome Atlantic's contribution is made through
Genome Canada's new Regional Priorities Partnership Program
(RP3), which allocates funding for
projects that reflect regional priorities.
Specifically, the research will seek to:
- Improve the quality of the product by identifying specific
traits through genetic mapping, which will result in healthier,
more resistant plants and improved growing techniques
- Improve productivity and lower costs by introducing beneficial
microbial inoculants and developing strains with improved
traits
- Conduct genetic research to identify specific markers
which will allow specific strains to be protected if necessary
- Utilize genomics to determine the impact of different growing
practices on improving key cannabis attributes such as THC/CBD and
terpene levels
The expected results from this project are closely aligned with
New Brunswick's Economic Growth
Plan and will contribute to an economically-viable cannabis
industry by increasing production and potential revenue.
This project also builds on commitments made by the Government
of Canada and the four Atlantic
provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the
Atlantic Growth Strategy. This Strategy supports strategic
investments in initiatives that build on Atlantic Canada's competitive advantages, such
as its growing innovation ecosystem and skilled workforce, and
position the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Other benefits include training of highly qualified personnel
required to support the growth of this industry; developing
proprietary technologies that can be marketed to other
jurisdictions; and enhancing New
Brunswick's and Atlantic
Canada's role as a world leader in cannabis science.
The project partners each echoed their support for the goals of
the project and the value of the unprecedented collaboration:
- "Together with its partners, the Government of Canada makes transformative investments to
build smart, strong and sustainable communities that meet today's
unique challenges and prepare us all for a prosperous future. I am
pleased that our government, through the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency's Business Development Program, is investing
$353,000 in this project that will
enhance Atlantic Canada's role as
a cannabis research and development leader and cannabis genomics
centre of expertise." – The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of
Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister
responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
- "Our partnership with Organigram combines some of the most
promising technologies with a unique access to state-of-the-art
cultivation facilities and some of the most popular strains of
cannabis. Such collaboration is vital to ensure that discoveries
made in our lab can lead to innovations that will prevent losses,
promote productivity and allow the development of novel markets." –
David L. Joly, Assistant Professor,
Université de Moncton
- "The cannabis sector is an area of strategic importance for
New Brunswick and genomics is
critical to many high-value components of the cannabis value chain.
Building local research capacity in cannabis genomics will give
New Brunswick companies a
competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving marketplace." –
Andy Stone, Director of Business
Development, Genome Atlantic
- "Cannabis holds tremendous potential for those parts of
Canada and the world ready to take
advantage of it. The NBIF is pleased to support a project that
increases New Brunswick's
competitive advantage in this burgeoning sector by bringing
together experts in industry and academia to use genomics in new
ways that improve the quality of cannabis products." – Dr.
Laura Richard, Director of Research,
New Brunswick Innovation Foundation.
- "We have been working with the Université de Moncton almost since our inception and look
forward to strengthening the collaboration through this project. It
is a tremendous example of local, provincial and federal support
for the cannabis industry and solidifies Moncton as a world leader in cannabis genetic
research. The Organigram team is excited to continue to work with
Dr. Joly and Dr. Filion and to get started on this very important
project." – Greg Engel, CEO,
Organigram
About Université de Moncton
The Université de Moncton is Canada's largest French-language university
outside Quebec. Founded in 1963,
it is an institution with three constituents (campuses) located in
Edmundston, Moncton and Shippagan, in New
Brunswick. It offers a range of programs in the three study
cycles to meet the training needs of the population it serves. It
provides its services to the vast Francophone diaspora throughout
the country, thus becoming the ideal symbol of the linguistic and
cultural vitality of Francophones living outside Quebec.
www.umoncton.ca
About Genome Atlantic
Genome Atlantic is a not-for-profit corporation with a mission
to help Atlantic Canada reap the
economic and social benefits of genomics and other 'omics
technologies. Since its inception in 2000, the corporation has
worked with a range of private and public-sector partners to enable
more than $100 million in new genomics R&D.
www.genomeatlantic.ca
About Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create
opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping small and
medium-sized businesses become more innovative, productive and
competitive, by working with diverse communities to develop and
diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of
Atlantic Canada.
www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca
About New Brunswick Innovation Foundation
Since its launch 15 years ago, the New Brunswick Innovation
Foundation, an independent, non-profit corporation, has invested
over $100 million in New Brunswick startups and researchers and
leveraged $457 million more from
other private and public sources. Those strategic investments have
helped launch over 100 companies and funded nearly 500 applied
research projects. Profits from NBIF's investments go back into the
foundation for reinvestment in other startups and research
initiatives that drive innovation, attract investment and create
jobs in New Brunswick. Find out
more at nbif.ca.
www.nbif.ca
About Organigram
Organigram Holdings Inc. is a TSX Venture Exchange listed
company whose wholly owned subsidiary, Organigram Inc., is a
licensed producer of cannabis and cannabis-derived products in
Canada.
Organigram is focused on producing the highest-quality,
indoor-grown cannabis for patients and adult recreational consumers
in Canada, as well as developing
international business partnerships to extend the company's global
footprint. In anticipation of the legal adult use recreational
cannabis in Canada, Organigram has
developed a portfolio of brands including The Edison Cannabis
Company, Ankr Organics Trailer Park Buds and Trailblazer.
Organigram's primary facility is located in Moncton, New Brunswick and the Company is
regulated by the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes
Regulations ("ACMPR").
www.organigram.ca
SOURCE OrganiGram