NASDAQ | TSX: ACB
- Initial fulfillment satisfies obligation as primary
provider of dried medical cannabis
- Premium, medical cannabis products sourced from the
company's EU GMP facility in Denmark
EDMONTON, AB, Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurora Germany
GmbH, a subsidiary of Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the "Company" or
"Aurora") (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), the Canadian company
defining the future of cannabinoids worldwide, and Ethypharm, have
successfully delivered their initial shipment of cannabis to the
French medical cannabis pilot program, set to begin serving
patients in the coming weeks. Aurora and Ethypharm were selected by
the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products
(ANSM) to supply the entire medical cannabis dried flower range
(three lots of the tender) to French patients during the pilot
program.
"The first prescriptions of dried medical cannabis as part of
the French pilot program are a significant step toward providing
access to patients and will support the destigmatization of medical
cannabis in France," says
Miguel Martin, Chief Executive
Officer of Aurora Cannabis. "This accomplishment is another example
of Aurora's leadership in global cannabis, with a proven track
record of supporting the advancement of international medical
cannabis markets alongside government bodies. By demonstrating a
deep commitment to compliance and focus on product quality, we won
three of the nine available tenders. If successful, this pilot
program could lead to one of the largest regulated medical cannabis
markets in Europe."
"Combining our pharmaceutical skills is, in our view, the right
approach to build trust and confidence in medical cannabis for the
long term in France," declared
Jean Monin, Chief Commercial
Operations Officer of Ethypharm. "We want to be a driving force to
support patients suffering from chronic pain when there is no other
therapeutic option than medical cannabis. With our deep expertise
in disorders of the central nervous system and an expertise in
highly regulated medicines, we are well prepared to collaborate
with the health authorities and physicians. If positive, Ethypharm
will, as a pharmaceutical company, ensure distribution and patient
access to new therapeutic cannabis options."
Aurora Nordic, the Company's European Good Manufacturing
Practice (EU GMP) production facility certified by Danish Health
Authorities in Odense,
Denmark, is committed to providing sufficient and consistent
supply to patients and healthcare professionals for the pilot
program. There are three types of high-quality pharmaceutical-grade
dried flower medical cannabis available in the pilot program:
Aurora 20/1 XPE (high-THC dried flower), Aurora 8/8 XPE (THC:CBD
balanced dried flower) and Aurora 1/12 XPE (high-CBD dried flower).
Dried flower is administered with a vaporizer by STORZ &
BICKEL, a reputable medical device tested and used by patients
across Europe, recently selected
by the ANSM. Up to 3,000 patients will benefit from the two-year
trial led by the ANSM.
Aurora and Ethypharm signed an agreement to serve the French
pilot program in October 2020,
leveraging both parties' expertise. Under the terms of the
exclusive agreement, Aurora supplies medical cannabis sourced from
the Company's largest greenhouse production facility on European
soil, Aurora Nordic, as well as EU GMP manufacturing and logistics
support. Ethypharm's French subsidiary, Laboratoires
Ethypharm, is responsible for
pharmaceutical distribution in France.
About Aurora
Aurora is a global leader in the
cannabis industry serving both the medical and consumer markets.
Headquartered in Edmonton,
Alberta, Aurora is a pioneer in global cannabis dedicated to
helping people improve their lives. The Company's brand portfolio
includes Aurora, Aurora Drift, San Rafael '71, Daily Special,
AltaVie, MedReleaf, CanniMed, Pedanios, Whistler, and Reliva CBD.
Providing customers with innovative, high-quality cannabis
products, Aurora's brands continue to break through as industry
leaders in the medical, performance, wellness and recreational
markets wherever they are launched. For more information, please
visit our website at www.auroramj.com.
Aurora's common shares trade on the TSX and NASDAQ under the
symbol "ACB" and is a constituent of the S&P/TSX Composite
Index.
About Ethypharm
Ethypharm is a European
pharmaceutical company focused on two therapeutic areas: the
Central Nervous System and Critical Care. Ethypharm markets its
drugs directly in Europe and
China, and with partners in
North America and the Middle East where its drugs are in high
demand. The Group employs more than 1,500 people, mainly in
Europe and China. Ethypharm works closely with
authorities and healthcare professionals to ensure the appropriate
use of and access to its medicines, by as many people as
possible.
For more information visit www.ethypharm.com and follow us
on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Information
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. Forward-looking statements made in this news
release include statements regarding the beginning and completion
of the pilot program, the potential for a regulated market for
medical cannabis in France, and
the continued supply of cannabis from Aurora Nordic for the pilot
program. These forward-looking 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, estimates and assumptions of management in light
of management's experience and perception of historical trends,
current conditions and expected developments at the date the
statements are made, such as current and future market conditions,
the ability to maintain SG&A costs in line with current
expectations, the ability to achieve high margin revenues in the
Canadian consumer market, the current and future regulatory
environment and future approvals and permits. Forward-looking
statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and
other factors that management believes to be relevant and
reasonable in the circumstances could cause actual events, results,
level of activity, performance, prospects, opportunities or
achievements to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements, including the risks associated with:
entering the U.S. market, the ability to realize the anticipated
benefits associated with the acquisition of Reliva, achievement of
Aurora's business transformation plan, general business and
economic conditions, changes in laws and regulations, product
demand, changes in prices of required commodities, competition, the
effects of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and other risks,
uncertainties and factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors"
in the Company's annual information form dated September 24, 2020 (the "AIF") and filed with
Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer
profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and filed with and available
on the SEC's website at www.edgar.gov. The Company cautions that
the list of risks, uncertainties and other factors described in the
AIF is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect
its results. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties
and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking
statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
information. 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 securities law.
For Media: Michelle Lefler, VP,
Communications & Public Relations, media@auroramj.com; In
Europe: Yvonne Moeller, Director,
Communications Europe, press@auroramedicine.com; For Investors:
ICR, Inc., Investor Relations, aurora@icrinc.com
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