TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avicanna Inc. (“Avicanna” or “Company”) (TSX: AVCN) (OTCQX: AVCNF) (FSE: 0NN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of plant-derived cannabinoid-based products, is pleased provide an update on the progress of its new cannabis care platform MyMedi.ca since its’ successful launch nationwide in Canada on August 1, 2023.

“We are thrilled with the launch of our new medical cannabis care platform which allowed us to successfully transition the patients from Medical Cannabis by Shoppers. In a short period of time, MyMedi.ca has been established as a comprehensive medical cannabis platform with a robust patient support program backed by privacy standards that meet the highest requirements by insurers for insurance coverage for patients” said Aras Azadian, CEO. Azadian further stated, “Our ongoing commitment to patients and dedication to improving the patient journey remains our core focus and we will continue to work toward raising standards so Canadians may look towards having a patient-first medical cannabis care platform.”

The Company update on the progress of its new medical cannabis care platform, MyMedi.ca, includes:

• Transition of over 96% of active patients from Medical Cannabis by Shoppers to MyMedi.ca and an increase of approximately 10% of net new medical patients since launch.

• Developed infrastructure to offer insurance reimbursement services for patients through several private insurance providers and public institutions including six provincial worker safety boards.

• Offer ongoing specialty care services for distinct patient groups and the opportunity to serve thousands of our Canada’s veterans with a dedicated program including robust adjudication services.
• An established network of over 50 specialized clinics and medical institutions representing more than 1,500 healthcare providers.

• Offer training, medical education, products and services, and resources to facilitate the incorporation of medical cannabis into health care regimens including the Company’s own Avicenna Academy and the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoid Syllabus.

• An opening portfolio of 200 products across 35 brands, expanding to 45 brands with more than 200 SKUs supplied by 15 Canadian licensed producers.

• Since launch, an increase in the Company’s SKUs resulting in a proportional increase of 40% in sales realized through improved access, and inventory management efficiencies.

• Facilitation of transfer and advancement of the Company’s previously announced real world evidence clinical studies, including the epidermolysis bullosa study in collaboration with the Hospital for Sick Children and musculoskeletal pain and inflammation study with Sante Cannabis, to MyMedi.ca 

• Enhanced operational efficiencies in reducing response time and expanding pharmacist-led, bilingual patient care services.

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 and delivering a comprehensive medical cannabis care platform in Canada. 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: 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 features diverse and scientifically curated products from leading Canadian licensed producers in addition to pharmacist-led and bilingual patient support programs with 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 collaborates with public and private providers for adjudication and reimbursement. 

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For more information about Avicanna, visit www.avicanna.com, contact Ivana Maric by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow us on social media on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information contained in this news release may be identified by the use of words such as, “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “likely”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “forecast”, “project”, “estimate”, “outlook” and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained in this news release includes, without limitation, statements related to the Offering, including the use of proceeds, the receipt of all approvals of the Toronto Stock Exchange in connection with the Offering, statements with respect to the Company's future business operations, the opinions or beliefs of management and future business goals. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to current and future market conditions, including the market price of the common shares of the Company, and the risk factors set out in the Company’s annual information form dated March 31, 2023 and final short form prospectus dated November 27, 2020, filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.