Cannabinoids

Patent No. US 11,998,632 B2 (“Patent”) covers Avicanna’s self-emulsifying drug delivery system (“SEDDS”) oral cannabinoid composition and methods of treating neuropathic painTORONTO, June 19, 2024 (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 to announce the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) issuance of the Patent covering Avicanna’s SEDDS oral cannabinoid compositions and methods for treating neuropathic pain. “We are delighted to announce the USPTO’s issuance of the Patent covering our SEDDS drug delivery technology. Research, development, and evaluation of the potential role of cannabinoids in advanced drug delivery systems for therapeutic benefit have been at the core of the Company’s mission since inception. We are appreciative of the work done by our scientists that have brought us to this milestone, and we are excited about the possibilities of further clinical applications for cannabinoid treatments in neuropathic pain and working closely with healthcare providers to support patients in need,” stated Aras Azadian, CEO. About the SEDDS Technology Due to the highly lipophilic nature and poor water-solubility of cannabinoids, the formulations currently available in the Canadian market have been generally described as having poor absorption and high variability of onset. SEDDS oral delivery systems offer a route for non-invasive and non-inhalation administration of cannabinoids.1-4 Avicanna’s SEDDS technology demonstrated shelf-life stability with more than 90% of the total cannabinoid(s) remaining after 6 months in accelerated conditions. CBD and THC dissolution profiles were also tested in biorelevant media which mimic human intestinal fluid and demonstrated more than 90% dispersion within one hour with continued stabilization of the emulsion. About Avicanna Inc. Avicanna is a commercial-stage international biopharmaceutical company focused on the advancement and commercialization of cannabinoid-based products and formulations for the global medical and pharmaceutical market segments. Avicanna has an established scientific platform including R&D and clinical development leading to the commercialization of more than thirty proprietary, evidence-based finished products and supporting four commercial stage business pillars. Medical Cannabis formulary (RHO Phyto™): The formulary offers a diverse range of proprietary products including oral, sublingual, topical, and transdermal deliveries with varying ratios of cannabinoids, supported by ongoing patient and medical community education. RHO Phyto is an established leading medical brand in Canada currently available nationwide to patients across several medical channels and continues to expand into new international markets. Medical cannabis care platform (MyMedi.ca): MyMedi.ca is a medical cannabis care platform formed with the aim to better serve medical cannabis patients’ needs and enhance the patient journey. MyMedi.ca is operated by Northern Green Canada Inc. and features a diverse portfolio of products and bilingual pharmacist-led patient support programs. MyMedi.ca also provides specialty services to distinct patient groups such as veterans and collaborates with public and private payers for adjudication and reimbursement. MyMedi.ca provides educational resources to the medical community to facilitate the incorporation of medical cannabis into health care regimens. Pharmaceutical products (Trunerox™) and pipeline: Leveraging Avicanna’s scientific platform, vertical integration, and real-world evidence, Avicanna has developed a pipeline of proprietary, indication-specific pharmaceutical products that are in various stages of clinical development. These cannabinoid-based drug candidates aim to address unmet medical needs in dermatology, chronic pain, and various neurological disorders. Avicanna’s first indication-specific pharmaceutical drug, Trunerox™, was approved Q1 2024 by the Health Authority of Colombia INVIMA as an adjuvant treatment for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome in Colombia. Trunerox™ has not been approved as a drug in Canada by Health Canada. Active pharmaceutical ingredients (Aureus Santa Marta™): Active pharmaceutical ingredients are supplied by the Company’s majority owned subsidiary Santa Marta Golden Hemp SAS which is a commercial-stage business dedicated to providing a various forms high-quality CBD, THC and CBG to the Company’s international partners for use in the development and production of food, cosmetics, medical, and pharmaceutical products. The business unit also forms part of the Company’s supply chain and is a source of reliable input products for its consumer retail, medical cannabis, and pharmaceutical products globally. References: 1 Maji, et al., Solid self emulsifying drug delivery system: Superior mode for oral delivery of hydrophobic cargos. Journal of Controlled Release, 337, 2021;646-660. 2 Salawi A. Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems: a novel approach to deliver drugs. Drug Deliv. 2022 Dec;29(1):1811-1823. 3 Khaled, A.; Ayat, A. A.; Mahmoud, E.-B., Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems: Easy to Prepare Multifunctional Vectors for Efficient Oral Delivery. In Current and Future Aspects of Nanomedicine, Islam Ahmed Hamed, K., Ed. IntechOpen: Rijeka, 2019; p Ch. 4 4 Pathak, Ashish Kumar et al. “Recent advances in self emulsifying drug delivery system – A review.” Drug Invention Today (2010): 123-129. SOURCE Avicanna Inc. Stay Connected For more information about Avicanna, visit our website, contact Ivana Maric by email at info@avicanna.com or follow us on social media on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. The Company posts updates through videos from the Company YouTube channel. 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 using words such as, “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “likely”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “forecast”, “project”, “estimate”, “outlook” and other similar expressions. 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 April 1, 2024 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.

This first-of-its-kind phase 2 grant will expedite the commercialization of cannabinoid ingredient production via precision fermentation. The funding aims to develop cost-effective active pharmaceutical ingredients for treating conditions such as appetite suppression, obesity, inflammation, and diabetes. Cellibre, established in 2019 by a team of biomanufacturing innovators, is dedicated to creating a sustainable manufacturing company that utilizes biological processes as production catalysts. “Every cell on Earth functions like a tiny factory, capable of being engineered as a new way to produce chemicals and ingredients in a better, cheaper, and more sustainable way," said Cellibre CEO Ben Chiarelli. "Cellibre harnesses the world’s most elegant manufacturing technology, nature, by moving cellular assembly lines found in natural systems into microorganisms like yeast to create proprietary molecular factories. By feeding these cells nutrients, they produce pure, natural ingredients or chemicals, reducing the need to disrupt ecosystems – creating a revolution in sustainable manufacturing.” Cellibre secures $2 million NIH grant for sustainable cannabinoid production The grant will support the production of high-demand, non-euphoric cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG). THCV is promising for appetite suppression and obesity management, while CBG is being studied for antibacterial properties and potential treatments for cancer and inflammatory diseases. Cellibre’s technology reduces cannabinoid production costs by over ten-fold compared to traditional agricultural methods. Additionally, the environmental impact of growing plants for cannabinoid production is comparable to the greenhouse gas footprint of 15 million cars annually. Cellibre’s approach significantly lowers land, water, and energy use while improving the quality and consistency of these ingredients. googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('text-ad1'); }); “Cannabinoids have significant therapeutic benefits, but manufacturing these ingredients through legacy agriculture is riddled with challenges,” said Cellibre’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Spiros Kambourakis. “Our precision fermentation platform solves these problems by using biology to produce high-quality, lower-cost, more sustainable cultured cannabinoids – in essence deploying nature to combat climate change, improve supply chain resilience, and improve human wellness.” Cellibre’s platforms have already shown economic and quality advantages over traditional supply chains. The award will accelerate these advances as Cellibre moves from research and development to full commercialization, focusing on therapeutically relevant cannabinoids. Precision fermentation: The future of cost-effective pharmaceutical ingredients Cellibre’s precision fermentation 'cell factory platform' drastically reduces the greenhouse gas footprint associated with agricultural and petrochemical-based supply chains for various plant-based compounds. The technology ensures a consistent, scalable supply of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, free from the variability and impurities of agricultural-based production. Beyond cannabinoids, Cellibre’s platform also includes key bioactives for clean beauty and wellness, such as resveratrol, naringenin, bakuchiol, and other functional ingredients. “Biology is the future of manufacturing,” Kambourakis stated. “By moving production from fields to fermentation, we can create products faster, at lower costs, and with higher quality, all while protecting our natural ecosystems.” Innovative bio-manufacturing reduces environmental impact and production costs With the global cannabinoid isolate market projected to surpass $34 billion by 2030 and over 400 active clinical trials in progress, Cellibre’s technologies are crucial for ensuring patient safety and access. Cellibre is a manufacturing technology company that employs an organism-agnostic approach to turn cells into specialized, sustainable factories for large-scale production of globally significant products. The company’s scientific team has led programs from ideation to commercialization, pioneering breakthroughs in energy, ingredients, medicines, and more. Initially, Cellibre focuses on enabling the production of pharmaceutical-grade natural products and bioactives, eliminating the need for agriculture and revolutionizing the sourcing, production, and consumption of these ingredients. Cellibre was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.