TORONTO, April 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (KHRN.V), (KHRNF), (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), a vertically integrated cannabis leader with core operations in Latin America, today announced four key additions to its executive team to strengthen its market reach in Mexico and Chile, and implement its joint venture initiative with Dixie Brands, a partnership that will bring more than 100 market-leading Dixie brands to the Latin American market.
As Khiron grows to a company of more than 200 employees across four jurisdictions, it continues to execute its market expansion strategy to deploy a formidable and well-connected team in every market in which it operates, furthering its first-mover advantage across the region.
John Cooke - VP Corporate
Development
John is an experienced leader who has been at
the forefront of the Canadian and global cannabis sector with 25
years of senior capital markets experience, working as Managing
Director and Partner at Beacon Securities. Mr. Cooke has also
served as a Senior Managing Partner at Paradigm Capital. In his
role as VP of Corporate Development at Khiron, John brings a
valuable network to the Company and the ability to build fruitful
commercial and capital markets relationships. Based in
Toronto, John is a chartered financial analyst and
holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the
University of Toronto.
Luis Chavas – Country Manager,
Mexico
Luis is a senior executive in the
pharmaceutical and health care sector with more than two decades of
market experience across Latin America, Luis has an
extensive track record with global brands that operate in the
region, which include Pfizer and Wyeth. Mr. Chavas also served as a
Business Unit head for Novartis Mexico. As Khiron's Country Manager
in Mexico, Luis will play a key role in establishing
and growing relationships in the Mexican market, as well as
developing brand strategies, patient association relationship and
guiding legislative affairs to accelerate the Company's growth.
As previously announced, Khiron is strategically positioned to enter the Mexican cannabis market through its Mexican subsidiary and has initiated an in-depth regulatory review of the country's legal medical cannabis landscape as well as an assessment of market needs. Mexico comprises a population of approximately 124 million people, with nearly 11.7 million potential patients for medical cannabis.
Rodrigo Azócar – Country Manager,
Chile
An experienced pharmaceutical industry
specialist, Rodrigo Azocar has played an important
role in marketing, brand positioning, management, and corporate
development for leading pharma organizations in Chile,
over a career span of 20+ year. Rodrigo is also current member of
the board of ASILFSA, the Chile-based industrial
association of pharmaceutical laboratories. As Khiron's Country
Manager in Chile, Rodrigo will leverage his experience
and market expertise to lead the Company's market development,
patient and doctor relationship activity, and guide regulatory
requirements, ensuring the effective execution of the Company
strategy for Chile.
As announced on January 21, 2019, Khiron expanded to a second cultivation jurisdiction on closing an agreement with Dayacann to enter the Chilean market. This multi-jurisdiction strategy secures access to cannabis cultivation for the Company's use in Chile, participation in clinical trials, and access to commercialize products to meet the needs of a market of 1.8 million patients across the country.
Rodrigo Durán – Lead, Dixie Brands Joint
Venture
Highly skilled marketing and sales
executive, Rodrigo has over 17 years of experience in the consumer
goods and pharma industry. His wealth of experience covers
directing go-to-market strategies, managing teams, and bringing
brands to the consumer market across Latin America. As
Consumer Brands Director for Team Foods, Rodrigo was responsible
for $70 Million in US sales through retail and digital
channels As part of the Khiron executive team, Rodrigo will
be responsible for the development and execution of a market
strategy for the joint venture in Latin America,
including identifying opportunities to introduce Dixie
Brand products to market, fostering strategic partnerships
and aligning sales efforts to achieve the Company's business
goals.
As previously announced, Khiron and Dixie Brands have established a joint venture to bring Dixie Brands portfolio of 100+ cannabis-infused products to Latin America. By combining Dixie's proven product success with Khiron's established footprint in Latin America, the companies aim to capture first-mover advantage and establish leadership in the region of 620 million people within a cannabis market that is estimated to reach $12 billion by 2028 (source:Prohibition Partners).
Management Commentary
Alvaro
Torres, Khiron CEO and Director, commented: "We are excited
to announce such a talented team will be joining Khiron as we
continue to expand our market initiatives across various
jurisdictions in Latin America. Their deep commitment
and wealth of experience will be invaluable to the Company's
vision, helping us accelerate our market growth across the
region."
About Khiron
Khiron Life Sciences
Corp. is positioned to be the dominant integrated cannabis company
in Latin America. Khiron has core operations in
Latin America and is fully licensed in the country for
the cultivation, production, domestic distribution, and
international export of both THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD
(cannabidiol) medical cannabis. In May 2018, Khiron
listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, becoming the first Colombian
based medical cannabis company to trade on any exchange
globally.
With a focused regional strategy and patient oriented approach, the Company combines global scientific expertise, agricultural advantages, branded product market entrance experience and education to drive prescription and brand loyalty to address priority medical conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, depression and anxiety in the Latin American market of over 620 million people. Khiron is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced executive team, and a knowledgeable Board of Directors that includes former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox.
Further information on Khiron Life Sciences can be found at https://investors.khiron.ca/
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CAUTIONARY NOTES
Market and Industry
Data
This press release contains market and industry data
and forecasts that were obtained from third-party sources, industry
publications and publicly available information. Third-party
sources generally state that the information contained therein has
been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there can
be no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of included
information. Although management believes it to be reliable, the
Company has not independently verified any of the data from
third-party sources referred to in this press release, or analyzed
or verified the underlying studies or surveys relied upon or
referred to by such sources, or ascertained the underlying economic
assumptions relied upon by such sources.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release may contain certain
"forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All
information contained herein that is not historical in nature may
constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements
may be identified by statements containing the words
"believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should",
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expressions. Forward-looking statements herein include, but are not
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which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks
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Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information
contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this
cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. Khiron
disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility,
except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking
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or otherwise.
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