Category: News Releases

MediPharm Labs Supports Industry Development With Loyalist College Alliance

MediPharm Labs Supports Industry Development With Loyalist College Alliance

BARRIE, Ontario, Oct. 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQX: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) (the “Company”) a global leader in specialized, research-driven cannabis extraction, distillation, purification and cannabinoid isolation, is pleased to announce its wholly-owned subsidiary, MediPharm Labs Inc. (“MediPharm Labs”), has entered into a four-year strategic alliance with Loyalist College of Applied Arts & Technology (“Loyalist”) for education, training, development and applied research projects in collaboration with its Cannabis Applied Science program, the first post-graduate certificate of its kind in Canada.

“MediPharm Labs is pleased to partner with the forward-thinking team at Loyalist to help shape the future of the cannabis industry through innovative research and by contributing to the development of the next generation of cannabis scientists and professionals,” says Pat McCutcheon, Chief Executive Officer of MediPharm Labs. “The possibilities for unique product development and further advancements in cannabis processing methodologies and technology are very exciting, made possible by uniting our respective skills and expertise through this unique private/public partnership.”

MediPharm Labs will donate a total of $100,000 in value of cannabis concentrates, full spectrum extract, specially formulated distillates and/or isolates over the four-year alliance, for applied research projects conducted in collaboration with students and researchers at Loyalist’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis – Technology Access Centre.  Utilizing green technologies, including supercritical CO2 extraction, research projects will focus on cannabis product development, inform process optimization, and address natural product quality, consistency and safety. Through annual field trips and work-integrated placements at MediPharm Lab’s advanced processing facility, students will learn about Good Manufacturing Practices (“GMP”) and industrial-scale supercritical CO2 extraction, short-path distillation and chromatography for high-quality cannabinoid-based derivatives.

“Loyalist College is very proud to partner with MediPharm Labs,” says Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “This alliance demonstrates our capacity to collaboratively support commercially relevant applied research while facilitating student learning experiences. With advanced equipment and analytics, our industry-leading labs support education and training of students and industry personnel, while enhancing innovation, productivity and global competitiveness of industry partners.”

Results of the applied research projects that develop from this partnership will be accessible to MediPharm Labs to incorporate into its platform built to GMP standards. This collaboration will strengthen MediPharm Labs’ capability to be a lead player in the marketplace.  

About MediPharm Labs Corp.

Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the production of purified, pharmaceutical-like cannabis oil and concentrates and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices designed facility and ISO standard built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities with five primary extraction lines having 300,000 kg of annual processing capacity to deliver pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. Through its wholesale, white label and tolling platforms, they formulate, process, package and distribute cannabis extracts and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international markets. As a global leader, the Company also completed its first commercial export to Australia in June 2019 and is nearing completion of its Australian extraction facility expected in 2019 with 75,000 kg of annual processing capacity.

About Loyalist College

Loyalist is Ontario’s Destination College, empowering students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. The College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Of 2017-18 Loyalist graduates, 88.5% percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com; including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses; and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 5.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $465 million annually to the regional economy – based on an October 2018 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit youregoingplaces.com.

Loyalist College’s Cannabis Applied Science Program

Loyalist College’s eight-month Cannabis Applied Science (CSGS) Ontario College post-graduate certificate program is the first of its kind in Canada. It allows students to build on their Ontario College diploma, degree or equivalent in the Sciences, Biology or a related discipline with in-depth skills to support cannabis product development, inform process optimization, and address natural product quality, consistency and safety. Cannabis Applied Science students learn in Loyalist’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC), a state-of-the-art Health Canada licensed facility, using advanced extraction technologies, and outside the classroom during a field placement with Licensed Producers where they apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. Students navigate cannabis regulations, investigate tissue culture, formulation and advanced product development while developing a range of lab techniques for the extraction and analysis of cannabis, which can provide them and their employers with a competitive advantage. The program, which was developed based on extensive consultation with Licensed Producers and industry experts across the sector, focuses on green technologies, including supercritical CO2 extraction, to support industry’s transition away from the use of petrochemical solvents. It prepares students for new career opportunities, ranging from roles such as cannabis quality assurance manager and lead processing technician to formulation chemist. Applications for the program are accepted through ontariocolleges.ca.

Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis
In June 2019, Loyalist College launched Canada’s first Technology Access Centre (TAC) for Natural Products and Cannabis. Loyalist College was the recipient of a $1,750,000 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program grant over five years to launch the TAC. In addition, Loyalist received $1M through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) College-Industry Innovation Fund (CIIF) to add specialized equipment. As a TAC, Loyalist is building on the ARC’s 15 years of natural product extraction expertise and analysis-based applied research. In transitioning to a TAC, Loyalist’s ARC is significantly increasing the College’s capacity to lead applied research of commercially relevant natural products and cannabis, and to support innovation by enhancing industries’ access to sector-relevant expertise and technology. Loyalist offers companies across Canada a supportive, community-oriented platform from which to enhance their productivity, expand their reach and augment their competitiveness in the global market.

For further information, please contact:
Laura Lepore, Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications
Telephone: 705-719-7425 ext 216
Email: investors@medipharmlabs.com   
Website: www.medipharmlabs.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:
This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, product development and further advancements in cannabis processing methodologies and technology, completion of the Company’s Australian facility and timing thereof, and expected processing capacity of the Australian facility. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of the Company to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; and other factors discussed in the Company’s filings, available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

Loyalist College to Launch Canada’s First Technology Access Centre for Natural Products and Cannabis

Loyalist College to Launch Canada's First Technology Access Centre for Natural Products and Cannabis

Belleville, Ontario, June 13, 2019 – Loyalist College is the recipient of a $1,750,000 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program grant over five years to launch Canada’s first Technology Access Centre (TAC) for natural products and cannabis. In addition, Loyalist received $1M through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) College-Industry Innovation Fund (CIIF) to add specialized equipment to the TAC.

Loyalist was one of 90 recipients at colleges, cégeps and polytechnics across the country to receive part of the $73M in funding, announced today by the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. Through the CCI Program and the CIIF, this investment will help post-secondary institutions partner directly with local employers to facilitate commercialization and transform the results of research and development into new technologies to help businesses expand and grow.

The rapid growth of Canada’s cannabis, hops and natural products sectors positions Loyalist’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC) as a national innovation hub for small- to medium-sized enterprises. As a TAC, Loyalist will build on the ARC’s 15 years of natural product extraction expertise and analysis-based applied research. In transitioning to a TAC, Loyalist’s ARC will significantly increase the College’s capacity to lead applied research of commercially relevant natural products and cannabis, and to support innovation by enhancing industries’ access to sector-relevant expertise and technology.

The TAC initiative will cultivate an environment for College-industry partnerships to thrive while providing students with unparalleled opportunities for work-integrated learning; investigating extraction, isolation, and formulation; and product development. In partnership with the Quinte Economic Development Commission (QEDC), Loyalist will support the Bay of Quinte’s burgeoning natural products and cannabis sectors to generate regional socioeconomic benefits, and to provide opportunities for a new generation of innovators. Loyalist will also offer companies across Canada a supportive, community-oriented platform from which to enhance their productivity, expand their reach and augment their competitiveness in the global market.

Quotes

“NSERC values the tremendous contributions of Canada’s colleges in the research and innovation ecosystem. Today’s investment will enhance our country’s world-class research capacity, help businesses innovate to create growth, and train our next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs.”– Dr. Marc Fortin, Vice-President, Research Partnerships, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

“The power of research is exemplified when it is applied to tackle real-world problems. Whether addressing the development of novel agri-food products or expanding the frontiers of aerospace and manufacturing technologies, researchers at colleges and polytechnics are well equipped to partner with industry to help boost Canadian innovation.” Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation

“We are very grateful for NSERC’s continued support and proud to be Canada’s first TAC for natural products and cannabis. Loyalist currently has more than 25 companies interested in applied research, and as our ARC transitions into a TAC, we will be able to meet their requirements while significantly extending our network to help more companies to innovate. Our Biosciences and Cannabis Applied Science students will have the advantage of being involved in ground-breaking research that propels Canada forward as the world leader in cannabis and natural product developments.” Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President & CEO

“It’s great to see this NSERC and CFI funding come through for Loyalist College’s launch of Canada’s first TAC for research in natural products and cannabis. Being able to conduct research in a state-of-the-art facility means that students working in the College’s ARC will be able to build up their expertise in product analysis; which can then be applied directly to commercial development. This is just the beginning of seeing a new series of natural products being designed, assessed, made and delivered from our region.” Neil R. Ellis, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte

“I am so proud to see the innovation that is driving research and economic development in our rural community through Loyalist College’s ARC. Innovation is key to Rural Sustainability and this investment will ensure that we are training the next generation in the latest technological advances. I congratulate them on their NSERC and CFI grant, and wish them all the best of success.” Mike Bossio, Member of Parliament for Hastings—Lennox and Addington

“The Quinte Economic Development Commission is proud to be a supporting partner with Loyalist College on this important initiative that is aligned with economic development opportunities and priorities in the region. The TAC will support industry research and innovation for companies in key industry sectors as well as helping students develop in-demand skills and experience. Congratulations to the team at Loyalist on launching this important project.” Chris King, Chief Executive Officer, Quinte Economic Development Commission

About Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis
Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC) is a state-of-the-art laboratory with expertise in clean technologies, including innovative supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and advanced analytical technologies. In January 2017, Loyalist was the first College in Canada to receive approval from Health Canada to investigate cannabis for research purposes. Committed to meeting the objectives of its partners, the ARC provides analysis of commercially relevant biologically active compounds, with applications in the food and beverage industry, functional food and natural health products, and cannabis industry.

About Loyalist College
Loyalist is Ontario’s Destination College, empowering students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. The College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. When it comes to Ontario college graduates getting jobs, Loyalist is the top College in the province, according to KPI results, released November 2018. Of 2016-17 Loyalist graduates, 90.8 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com; including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses; and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 5.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $465 million annually to the regional economy – based on an October 2018 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.

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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536

Loyalist College Awarded Government Grant for Research Equipment

Loyalist College Awarded Government Grant for Research Equipment

Belleville, Ontario, November 9, 2018 – Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC) has been awarded $150,000 in funding from the Government of Canada’s College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program – Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grant through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This grant will support the purchase of research equipment to enhance the ARC’s capacity to respond to industry and support innovation.

On November 5, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced investments to support 94 forward-thinking partnerships, including Loyalist College, to address challenges that affect all Canadians, locally and nationally. These projects will receive over $45 million through the CCI Program and the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF). The CCI Program is one of the largest vehicles for funding applied research at colleges, polytechnics and CÉGEPs across Canada. This research helps businesses innovate, grow and train the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs. 
 
Loyalist’s ARC is an 1,800-square-foot state-of-the-art laboratory which provides industry with access to a hub of resources and expertise in clean technologies, including innovative supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and advanced analysis of commercially relevant biologically active compounds, with applications in the natural health products, beer, hops, cannabis and hemp industries.
 
In April 2018, Loyalist introduced Canada’s first Cannabis Applied Science program, an eight-month Ontario College post-graduate certificate, created in response to the burgeoning cannabis job market. The new program was the first of its kind in Canada to allow students to build on their Biosciences degree or diploma with in-depth skills to support cannabis product development, inform process optimization, and address natural product quality, consistency and safety.
 

Quotes

“On campuses across the country, colleges are pursuing exciting research opportunities and at the same time helping companies enhance their products and processes, bringing promising ideas to the marketplace. With research areas ranging from advanced manufacturing to artificial intelligence, the projects being funded today will have real-life benefits for all Canadians.” – The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport
 
“NSERC is proud of its role as a convener and enabler of innovation-driven activities that help businesses compete and thrive through interactions with colleges and polytechnics. Today’s recipients also exemplify how researchers are effective at closely aligning their activities with regional needs to strengthen their communities.” – Dr. Marc Fortin, Vice-President, Research Partnerships, NSERC
 
“Canada’s commitment to science supports our Applied Research Centre in doing what it does best – breaking ground with industry and elevating our students’ educational experiences. We’re very grateful to receive this grant for lab equipment to further enable our students, faculty and technicians to innovate with natural products and medical cannabis.” – Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO
 

About NSERC

NSERC invests over $1.2 billion each year in natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. Our investments deliver discoveries—valuable world-firsts in knowledge claimed by a brain trust of over 11,000 professors. Our investments enable partnerships and collaborations that connect industry with discoveries and the people behind them. Researcher-industry partnerships established by NSERC help inform research and development and solve scale-up challenges. NSERC also provides scholarships and hands-on training experience for more than 30,000 post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows. These young researchers will be the next generation of science and engineering leaders in Canada.
 

About Loyalist College’s Applied Research and Innovation Department

Loyalist was the first College in Canada to have a laboratory approved to conduct research activities with cannabis under the Narcotic Control Regulations, as listed on the Government of Canada’s website. Through Loyalist’s Applied Research and Innovation Department, the College collaborates with industry partners in various fields on applied research projects, creating amazing learning experiences for students and faculty of all disciplines. The College has had success with funding support through Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) on a variety of projects. This allows Loyalist to increase capacity to work with local industries and businesses, support faculty who are committed to conducting research and to facilitating student research experiences. It has increased the capacity of Ontario industries to conduct applied research and attract new investors, stimulating innovative product development and job creation in the region. For more information, visit loyalistcollege.com.
 
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Contacts
 
Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536
 
Valérie Levert-Gagnon, Media and Public Affairs Officer 
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, media@nserc-crsng.gc.ca, 613-996-2341

Vivo and Loyalist College Collaborate on Cannabis Applied Research Project

Vivo and Loyalist College Collaborate on Cannabis Applied Research Project

Napanee, Ontario, October 5, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSXV:VIVO, OTCQX: VVCIF) (“VIVO” or the “Company”), through its wholly owned subsidiary ABcann Medicinals Inc., and Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC) have entered into an applied research agreement to investigate and develop innovative processes for the extraction and formulation of cannabis oil for commercialization.

By partnering with Loyalist, VIVO aims to develop optimized processes for extraction, expand its capacity to develop new products, and contribute to unique and advanced experiential learning opportunities for students while preparing them to become future leaders in the Canadian cannabis industry.

VIVO and Loyalist’s ARC intend to achieve the following objectives as part of this agreement:

• Investigate new processes and technologies to increase the efficiency of producing high-quality, well-characterized medical cannabis oil for commercialization;

• Facilitate applied research projects in extraction and testing;

• Investigate opportunities for new product formats and formulations for commercialization; and

• Implement experiential learning opportunities at VIVO that allow Loyalist students to apply and advance their industry knowledge.

“VIVO is excited to enter into this collaboration with Loyalist,” said Jaipaul Massey-Singh, VP of Product Development and Supply at VIVO. “The changes in our industry are rapid and dynamic, and to be successful it’s critical that we not only seek ways to innovate in the present but also foster future innovation. We believe our agreement with Loyalist will be highly beneficial for both organizations and look forward to collaborating on a range of projects that will allow students to contribute to our growth while we all learn and continue to produce the highest quality products for our customers.”

“We look forward to investigating new processes and technologies with VIVO,” said Ann Drennan, Senior Vice-President Academic and Chief Learning Officer. “This collaboration gives Loyalist students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in green technologies while working with an industry partner in the cutting-edge cannabis oil industry.”

About Loyalist College’s Applied Research and Innovation Department

Currently, Loyalist is the only College in Canada and the only Ontario academic institution to have a laboratory approved to conduct research activities with cannabis under the Narcotic Control Regulations, as listed on the Government of Canada’s website. Through Loyalist’s Applied Research and Innovation Department, the College collaborates with industry partners in various fields on applied research projects, creating amazing learning experiences for students and faculty of all disciplines. The College has had success with funding support through Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) on a variety of projects. This allows Loyalist to increase capacity to work with local industries and businesses, support faculty who are committed to conducting research and to facilitating student research experiences. It has increased the capacity of Ontario industries to conduct applied research and attract new investors, stimulating innovative product development and job creation in the region. For more information, visit loyalistcollege.com.

About VIVO Cannabis™

VIVO, based in Napanee, Ontario, is recognized for trusted, high-quality products and services. It holds production and sales licences from Health Canada and operates world-class indoor cultivation facilities with proprietary plant-growing technology. VIVO has a collection of premium brands targeting unique customer segments, including Beacon Medical™, FIRESIDE™, Canna Farms™ and Lumina™. In August 2018, VIVO acquired Canna Farms Limited, a premium cannabis company based in Hope, British Columbia. Canna Farms was B.C.’s first Licensed Producer and has several years of craft cultivation experience and expertise, as well as a significant patient base and positive cash flow. The Company is significantly expanding its production capacity and pursuing partnership and product development opportunities domestically, as well as in select international markets, including Germany and Australia. VIVO also operates Harvest Medicine, a patient-centric and highly scalable network of specialty medical cannabis clinics as well as a new free telemedicine app providing best-in-class education and support to over 15,000 patients. VIVO has a healthy balance sheet with over $100 million in cash and is well-positioned to accelerate the growth of our business, in Canada and internationally.

More Information

Barry Fishman, CEO VIVO Cannabis: barry.fishman@vivocannabis.com
Michael Bumby, CFO VIVO Cannabis: michael.bumby@vivocannabis.com
Kerry Lorimer, Director of Marketing, Communications & Recruitment: klorimer@loyalistcollege.com
Website: vivocannabis.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Barry Fishman (CEO and Director)

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may be considered forward-looking statements, which are statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding the beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions of VIVO and its management regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements relating to the intended objectives and expected benefits of the collaboration with Loyalist.  Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including the possibility that the collaboration with Loyalist will not be successful or that VIVO may not derive the expected benefits from the collaboration including with respect to the Company’s ongoing product development efforts. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are urged to consider these factors, and the more extensive risk factors included in the Company’s annual information form dated April 30, 2018 and other continuous disclosure filings, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Loyalist College and Entomo Farms Extend Applied Research Partnership

Loyalist College and Entomo Farms Extend Applied Research Partnership

Belleville, Ontario, May 11, 2018 – Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC) has extended its applied research project with Entomo Farms, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), for another year.

For the past 12 months, the ARC has collaborated with Entomo Farms through an Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and NSERC grant to determine optimal storage and a ‘best before’ date of 12 months for their cricket powder product. Throughout the year-long study, the powder did not show any significant signs of deterioration. As a result, the ARC will conduct another year of analyses in order to gather additional data. 

This project will provide further recommendations for storage and a more accurate ‘best before’ date, which Entomo Farms requires in order to effectively distribute their cricket powder nationally and internationally. It aims to validate Entomo Farms’ scientific methods while illustrating the environmental, social and nutritional benefits of insect farming and support the adoption of insect protein for human, pet and livestock diets. Entomo Farms intends to transfer the knowledge gathered from this project to their other powder products.

Quotes:

“Entomo Farms is changing the way people think about insects as protein and nutrient-rich food sources, which have the potential to improve global food security while preserving biodiversity. Their products continue to present our ARC with innovative research opportunities through which students and faculty test powder quality and preservation. As eating insects is still a relatively novel concept, the findings of this project will be particularly important in informing society’s approval and adoption.” – Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President & CEO

“The groundbreaking and pioneering research we are conducting in partnership with Loyalist is helping to establish empirical evidenced based frameworks for understanding elements of insect foods, specifically cricket powder performance, characteristics and functionality. It is creating confidence and normalizing this emerging food category. We are excited and look forward to many more collaborative projects in the future.” – Dr. Jarrod Goldin, President of Entomo Farms

About NSERC

NSERC invests over $1.2 billion each year in natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. Our investments deliver discoveries—valuable world-firsts in knowledge claimed by a brain trust of over 11,000 professors. Our investments enable partnerships and collaborations that connect industry with discoveries and the people behind them. Researcher-industry partnerships established by NSERC help inform research and development and solve scale-up challenges.

NSERC also provides scholarships and hands-on training experience for more than 30,000 post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows. These young researchers will be the next generation of science and engineering leaders in Canada.

About Loyalist College’s Applied Research and Innovation Department

Through Loyalist’s Applied Research and Innovation Department, the College collaborates with industry partners in various fields on applied research projects, creating amazing learning experiences for students and faculty of all disciplines. The College has had success with funding support through the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) on a variety of projects. Having access to funding support allows Loyalist to increase capacity to work with local industries and businesses, support faculty who are committed to conducting research and to facilitating student research experiences. It has increased the capacity of Ontario industries to conduct applied research and attract new investors, stimulating innovative product development and job creation in our region.

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About Loyalist College

Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre, which is LEED® Silver certified, are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million annually – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.

Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536

Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis Collaborates with Province Brands of Canada

Loyalist College's Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis Collaborates with Province Brands of Canada

Belleville, Ontario, April 30, 2018 – Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC) has launched a year-long applied research project with Province Brands of Canada, makers of alcohol-free cannabis beers and spirits.

In February 2018, Loyalist was awarded $660,000 in funding for the project through the Government of Ontario’s Colleges Applied Research and Development Fund (CARDF), administered by Ontario Centres of Excellence in partnership with Colleges Ontario. Funding provided through the CARDF program allows Province Brands of Canada to leverage $300,000 from the Ontario Centres of Excellence, with their contribution of $300,000 cash and in-kind towards the research and development efforts.

The research project aims to help Province Brands of Canada further develop and commercially scale-up their patent-pending process for converting cannabis plant components into an aqueous solution as a base for producing fermented beverages, including premium beer products. It is a significant contribution to Province Brands of Canada’s efforts to bring to market the world’s first beers brewed entirely from cannabis plants, instead of barley or grains.

The ARC is Canada’s only College with a laboratory approved to conduct research with cannabis under the Narcotic Control Regulations, as listed on the Government of Canada’s website.

Quotes:

“Our province needs talent to continue to sustain its growing innovation eco-system. Investing in applied research and development is a step towards a brighter and more prosperous future for our province. By bringing together colleges and the R&D sector, we’re creating opportunities for our students and ensuring they are ready for the jobs of tomorrow.” – Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science

“Loyalist’s ARC is uniquely positioned to collaborate with Province Brands of Canada to conduct the analytical testing and process development they need. This will be the first project of its kind in Canada to utilize the whole cannabis plant, creating an opportunity to eliminate waste streams in cannabis and industrial hemp industries. Our focus on sustainability and entrepreneurship through innovative applied research provides our students with exceptional educational experiences that prepare them for forward-thinking roles.” – Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President & CEO

“We are thrilled that Ontario Centres of Excellence sees the value in our groundbreaking research to create a new brewing tradition, which will ultimately create jobs across Ontario and most importantly, introduce consumers to a safer alternative to alcohol.” – Dooma Wendschuh, Co-Founder and CEO of Province Brands of Canada

“We are excited to partner with Province Brands of Canada. This project comes at an important time as Canada is emerging as a leader in the North American hemp industry and in the cultivation of cannabis. It’s an incredible opportunity for our students to work with industry partners on game-changing applied research projects.” – Dr. Kari Kramp, Principal Investigator and Biosciences faculty at Loyalist College

About Loyalist College’s Applied Research and Innovation Department

Through Loyalist’s Applied Research and Innovation Department, the College collaborates with industry partners in various fields on applied research projects, creating amazing learning experiences for students and faculty of all disciplines. The College has had success with funding support through the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) on a variety of projects. Having access to funding support allows Loyalist to increase capacity to work with local industries and businesses, support faculty who are committed to conducting research and to facilitating student research experiences. It has increased the capacity of Ontario industries to conduct applied research and attract new investors, stimulating innovative product development and job creation in our region. For more information, visit loyalistcollege.com.

About Province Brands of Canada

Province Brands of Canada is an early stage, Toronto-based, highly disruptive premium adult beverage company founded by veteran entrepreneurs with extensive experience in the premium alcohol and legal medical and recreational cannabis industries. Province Brand’s patent-pending process has created the world’s first beer brewed entirely from cannabis. Alcohol-free yet highly intoxicating, and with a dose-response curve similar to that of alcohol, Province Brand’s cannabis-powered beers and spirits will challenge the alcohol industry by offering a safer and healthier alternative that is also low in calories and sugar. For more information, please visit: provincebrands.com or email elad@provincebrands.com

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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director of Marketing, Communications & Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536

Loyalist College Introduces Canada’s First Cannabis Applied Science Program

Loyalist College Introduces Canada's First Cannabis Applied Science Program

Belleville, Ontario, April 19, 2018 – Loyalist College has launched an eight-month Cannabis Applied Science (CSGS) Ontario College post-graduate certificate program with funding approval by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development. Created in response to the burgeoning cannabis job market, the new program is the first of its kind in Canada to allow students to build on their degree or Ontario College diploma with the in-depth skills to support cannabis product development, inform process optimization, and address natural product quality, consistency and safety.

“With the impending legalization of cannabis this summer, there is increasing demand among prospective students for post-secondary programs that will ready them for new career opportunities, ranging from roles such as cannabis quality assurance manager and lead processing technician to formulation chemist,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “Our Cannabis Applied Science students will learn both inside our state-of-the-art Health Canada licensed facility using advanced extraction technologies and outside the classroom during a field placement with Licensed Producers where they can apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.” 

The program will be delivered in collaboration with Loyalist’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC), Canada’s only College laboratory approved to conduct research with cannabis under the Narcotic Control Regulations, as listed on the Government of Canada’s website. It will focus on green technologies, including supercritical CO2 extraction, to support industry’s transition away from the use of petrochemical solvents. Students will apply a range of lab techniques for the extraction and analysis of cannabis, developing methods which can provide them and their employers with a competitive advantage.   

“This hands-on program was developed based on extensive consultation with Licensed Producers and industry experts across the sector,” said Ann Drennan, Senior Vice-President Academic and Chief Learning Officer. “Our Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is comprised of specialists in the cannabis field and their expertise is reflected in our highly relevant Cannabis Applied Science curriculum. Graduates of this program will be the qualified personnel employers require to fill their growing number of job opportunities.”

Applications for the College’s first intake of the program, starting in September 2018, are currently being accepted through ontariocolleges.ca. Admission requirements include an Ontario College diploma, Ontario College advanced diploma, degree or equivalent in the Sciences, Biology or a related discipline. To comply with Health Canada regulations and to be eligible to work with cannabis, applicants need to provide a recent and valid criminal record check. For more information about Loyalist’s Cannabis Applied Science program, which builds on the strength of the College’s established Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering and Environmental programs, please visit loyalistcollege.com.

About Loyalist College

Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre, which is LEED® Silver certified, are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million annually – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.

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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536