Khiron Life Sciences Signs Binding LOI to Acquire 100% of NettaGrowth, Securing the First Medical THC and CBD Cannabis Licence and Cultivation Capacity in Uruguay, and Entry to the Brazilian Market
- Licenced for up to 120 tonnes of cannabis production per year
- Up to 170,000 plants
- Allows for the export of dry flower
- Further diversifies Khiron's production capability to three countries in Latin America
- Retail marketing legend, Joseph Mimran to join Khiron Colombia SAS Board
- Michael Beck , iconic capital markets veteran, and company builder to join Khiron Board of Directors
TORONTO , Jan. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (KHRN.V), (KHRNF), (Frankfurt:A2JMZC), an integrated medical cannabis company with its core operations in Latin America , announced today that the Company has entered into a binding letter agreement dated January 24, 2019 to acquire 100% of NettaGrowth International Inc. ("NettaGro"), an arm's length party, which will own, at the time of completion of the transaction, all the outstanding shares of Dormul S.A. (doing business as Cannapur). Dormul has obtained the first licence to produce medical cannabis with THC for commercialization in Uruguay . With this acquisition, Khiron will be able to significantly expand its cultivation capacity to a third jurisdiction, and through the Mercosur Regional Free Trade Bloc, will gain access to an export market of approximately 75 million people in Southern Brazil . As consideration for the acquisition of NettaGro, Khiron will issue 8,498,821 common shares to the shareholders of NettaGro, at a deemed price of $1.61 per common share.
Upon completion of the acquisition of NettaGrow, renowned Canadian entrepreneur Joseph Mimran will join the board of Khiron's Colombian operating subsidiary and will provide strategic counsel to Khiron on packaged goods and retail development for the Latin American market. Mr. Mimran is Co-founder and Chairman of Gibraltar and Company, and an internationally recognized brand and retail concept visionary known for brands such as Joe Fresh and Club Monaco.
Michael Beck , an equity investor with extensive experience in venture capital, has agreed, subject to receipt of all required approvals, to join Khiron's board of directors following the completion of the transaction.
Uruguay was the first country to establish legislation for cannabis and Dormul has secured a medical cannabis cultivation and commercialization licence for the jurisdiction, with a cultivation capacity of up to 120 tonnes and 170,000 plants. In addition, Dormul has an application pending for its extraction licence. Upon receipt of its extraction licence, Dormul is expected to become the first company in Uruguay to be approved for medical cannabis based CBD oils for both domestic and export purposes. With a strong commitment to research and development, Dormul has established a strategic partnership with the prestigious Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , a foundation between the Uruguayan and French governments, and was recently recognized by the Uruguayan Ministry of Industry for the important social and economic impact its operations will have for the country.
Marco Algorta, Dormul's founder, stated, "As we develop our patient network in Uruguay and into Brazil , joining the Khiron family gives us access to their market leading expertise and resources, to accelerate our research and development mission, and to deliver medical cannabis products across one of the world's largest trading blocs. We begin with Uruguay , and export to Southern Brazil , and expect to move quickly across the regions trading countries."
Alvaro Torres , Khiron Co-founder and CEO, stated, " This acquisition marks a significant advancement on our strategy to serve the largest markets in Latin America . Like us, NettaGro is a market innovator that is shaping how and where the cannabis industry grows across the region. Welcoming Joseph Mimran and Mike Beck ensures we execute on the potential that NettaGro offers, bringing us exceptional global expertise and unmatched market access."
South America , which includes Uruguay , represents a population of 417 million people, of which countries with approximately 350 million people have recent or pending legislation permitting access to cannabis and/or CBD oils for medicinal use. Of these, Brazil is poised to become the largest Latin American cannabis market with an overall population of 208 million.
Completion of the transaction is subject to the execution of a definitive agreement and receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.
About NettaGro and Dormul
NettaGro, through Dormul, is a Latin America export focused cannabis company based in Uruguay , and is well positioned to serve Brazil and the growing Latin American market. They will employ the latest growing, extracting and processing technologies to produce high quality medical cannabis products for the Latin American market.
About Khiron
Khiron Life Sciences Corp. is positioned to be the dominant integrated medical cannabis company in Latin America . Khiron has core operations in Colombia and is fully licenced 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 one of the first Colombian-based medical cannabis companies 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/
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
Canadian 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", "expects", "continue", "estimate",
"forecasts" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking
statements herein include, but are not limited to, statements
regarding the execution of a definitive agreement, receipt of
required regulatory approvals, including the TSXV and the proposed
cultivation, extraction and exportation of medicinal cannabis
products by Dormul in Uruguay and sales of such product in Brazil .
Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on
forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may
differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.
Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment analyses, expectations
or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its
securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable).
Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in
forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable,
such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations,
factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to
be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties,
certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk
factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information 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 information, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
SOURCE Khiron Life Sciences Corp.
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