• This Research Collaboration will be led by Dr. Jessica Kalra’s research team and focus on characterization of Avicanna’s proprietary products and drug pipeline formulations
  
• This Research Collaboration has awarded a two-year grant by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

TORONTO, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avicanna Inc. (“Avicanna” or the “Company”) (TSX: AVCN) (OTCQX: AVCNF) (FSE: 0NN), a commercial stage, international biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization of evidence-based, cannabinoid-based products, is pleased to announce that it has entered a research collaboration with the Applied Research Centre at Langara College that will focus on Avicanna’s proprietary formulations and pharmaceutical pipeline. This research collaboration has been awarded a peer-reviewed grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Applied Research and Development Grant for a period of two years starting Q2 2023.

Dr. Jessica Kalra’s group at the Applied Research Centre at Langara College will be collaborating with Avicanna’s R&D team to perform expand in vitro and in vivo research of the company’s drug delivery systems and commercial formulations including under the RHO Phyto™ brand. The outcomes of the research collaboration would look to gaining a better understanding of the absorption, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the formulations, which may contribute towards product pipeline developments.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Dr. Kalra’s group and look forward to create a deeper understanding of our proprietary cannabinoid formulations which may yield advancements in our drug candidates.” Dr. Frantz Le Devedec, EVP of R&D at Avicanna.

“It is a very exciting time to be researching non-psychoactive pharmaceutically relevant cannabinoids, their impact on the body and how they can be best formulated to provide optimal therapeutic activity. Our team is delighted to have this opportunity to work with Avicanna to support the translation of cannabinoids from bench to bedside.” stated Dr. Kalra.

Dr. Kalra, is a Research Scientist in the Applied Research Centre at Langara College, an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical at the University of British Columbia, and a Staff Scientist in the department of Experimental Therapeutics at the British Columbia Cancer Research Centre. Dr. Kalra’s has over 20 years of experience in drug discovery, cell and molecular research including evaluating drug efficacy in various in vitro and in vivo models and developing novel nanoparticle formulations to address challenges to drug delivery that stems from heterogeneity of disease and/or solubility and lipophilicity of drug entities. The research team has expertise in formulation science and cell and tissue culture that supports the analysis of novel drug entities from a chemical and in vitro biology perspective.

About snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College

Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College provides university-level education to more than 19,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as snəw̓eyəɬ leləm, 'house of teachings', a name given to it by Musqueam, on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.

About Avicanna Inc.

Avicanna is a commercial-stage international biopharmaceutical company focused on the advancement and commercialization of evidence-based cannabinoid-based products for the global medical and pharmaceutical market segments. Avicanna has an established scientific platform including R&D and clinical development that has led to the commercialization of more than thirty products across various market segments:

• Medical Cannabis & Wellness Products (RHO Phyto™): The formulary offers a diverse range of proprietary formulations including oral, sublingual, topical, and transdermal deliveries with varying ratios of cannabinoids and is supported with ongoing patient, and medical community education. RHO Phyto has been established as a leading medical brand in Canada and is currently available nationwide to patients across several medical channels and continues to expand into new international markets.
  
  
• Pharmaceutical Preparations and Pipeline: Leveraging Avicanna’s scientific platform, vertical integration, and real-world evidence, Avicanna has developed an extensive a pipeline of patent-pending drug candidates that are indication-specific and in various stages of clinical development and commercialization. These cannabinoid-based drug candidates look to address unmet medical needs in the areas of dermatology, chronic pain, and various neurological disorders. Avicanna’s first pharmaceutical preparation (Trunerox™) is in the drug registration stage in South America.
  
  
• MyMedi.ca Medical Cannabis Care Portal: MyMedi.ca is Avicanna’s medical cannabis care platform that is formed with the aim to better serve medical cannabis patients’ needs and enhance the patient journey. MyMedi.ca is expected to launch during August 2023 and will feature diverse and scientifically curated products from leading Canadian licensed producers in addition to pharmacist led patient support programs and educational resources to facilitate the incorporation of medical cannabis into health care regimens. MyMedi.ca also provides specialty services to distinct patient groups such as veterans and collaborating with public and private providers for adjudication and reimbursement. 

Click to watch Avicanna’s Corporate Video 2022

SOURCE Avicanna Inc.

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