Rua Bioscience
Rua Bioscience has had its first product approved by New Zealand’s Medicinal Cannabis Agency, with plans to begin distribution early next year.
Rua intends to start distributing the prescription-only medicine via GPs and specialists by the end of Q1 or early Q2 2022. Manufacture will take place at its Gisborne facility, having gained Good Manufacturing Practice certification for the product earlier this year.
CEO Rob Mitchell said: “With this approval, we start the revenue-generation phase of our company’s journey and deliver against our commercial imperatives in 2022.”
Rua recently announced the acquisition of Zalm Therapeutics, subject to shareholder approval on January 19.
Elixinol Wellness
Elixinol Wellness has signed a three-year licensing agreement with British Cannabis to manufacture, market and sell CBD products across the UK.
The move follows Elixinol’s recent decision to cease trading in the UK and Europe due to the uncertain regulatory environment in those markets.
The company said it enables the Elixinol brand to maintain distribution in the UK while realising significant cost savings through the cessation of direct operations there.
CEO Oliver Horn said: “Through the partnership with British Cannabis, UK consumers will continue to be able to buy their favourite Elixinol products and we are very excited to see the brand continue.”
Emyria
Emyria has signed a letter of intent with Seattle-based biomedical device company Cydelic to capture biometric data that can assist with real-time patient safety and dose response analysis and the registration of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Cydelic develops wearable devices to monitor the wellbeing of patients undertaking the treatment and Emyria plans to incorporate the technology into its real-world data platform to assess patient physiology.
Emyria managing director Dr Michael Winlo said: “The recent decision by the TGA not to reschedule MDMA and psilocybin at this time highlights the important role companies like Emyria, and our innovative partners, will play to further develop these treatments through clinical studies and careful data collection.
“By paying close attention to a patient’s physiology with remote monitoring we can build a unique real-world data asset that can help clinicians optimise the patient experience and improve clinical outcomes.
“It is hoped this unique data can also help with the registration and reimbursement of these treatments.”
Cann Global
Cann Global has landed a second shipment of Canntab products in Australia, including the first supply of Instacann THC 5mg.
The firm is rolling out a doctor education program to build awareness of Instacann, which is available to patients on prescription.
In October, Cann Global chief executive Sholom Feldman told Cannabiz the arrival of the first hard-pill medicinal cannabis formulations in Australia will open up an entirely new market for the medicine.
The company also soft launched its plant-based skincare range Fuss Pot in Australia at the Hemp Health & Innovation Expo in November.
Meanwhile, new health food brand Grass Roots will launch in Q3 FY22.
Health House International
Health House International’s wholly-owned German subsidiary CanPharma will be a preferred supplier to more than 30 of the country’s statutory health insurance funds under a deal with GWQ.
GWQ represents 47 funds and CanPharma will be a preferred supplier to more than 30 for a selection of its own-branded flower and extracts.
When doctors prescribe medicinal cannabis products for new patients that are insured with one of the GWQ-affiliated funds, they are required to choose a product from a shortlist for the patients to be reimbursed.
CanPharma is one of the few German cannabis companies eligible for the scheme due to its GMP manufacturing licence.
In Germany, public healthcare is provided through a Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) that covers 90% of the population. GWQ is a service provider for public insurance funds that cover approximately 10% of the SHI market.
Health House CEO David Attwood said: “We are delighted to see that CanPharma’s manufacturing licence and its pharma-focussed approach to the market are bearing fruit.”
New Zealand Natural Fibres
New Zealand Natural Fibres (NZNF) has won government funding for a five-year research and development program.
The government is contributing NZ$1.34 million through the Ministry of Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, while NZNF is contributing a further $2 million in cash and in kind.
NZNF CEO Colin McKenzie said the company would use the funds to develop its hemp growing, processing and marketing capability and “towards taking a global leadership position in the development of industrial and consumer products made from hemp fibre”.
