Shoppers Drug Mart and Avicanna Execute Definitive Asset Purchase Agreement for Avicanna’s Acquisition of the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers Business

TORONTO, May 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avicanna Inc. (“Avicanna” or the “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 execution of the definitive Asset Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”) between Shoppers Drug Mart  (“Shoppers”) and Avicanna for Avicanna’s acquisition of assets of the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers business (“Business”) with a final closing date set for July 31, 2023.

“Since the initial announcement in March 2023, we have worked diligently and collaboratively to develop and execute a seamless process for transitioning patients, and address various patient, product and operations matters through the buildout of MyMedi.ca. We wish to express our thanks to everyone involved, and in particular to the Shoppers Drug Mart team, for getting us to this exciting milestone,” stated Aras Azadian, CEO of Avicanna Inc.

As part of the Agreement’s terms, Avicanna will acquire specific assets of the Business, including inventory and equipment, for approximately $2.6M and will pay Shoppers an earn out, based on net revenues, for a period of two years. During the transition period, patients of Medical Cannabis by Shoppers are still able to purchase products on the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers platform until the closing of the transaction at the end of July. The MyMedi.ca platform will be launched on the closing date of the transaction, at which point, patients may make purchases through MyMedi.ca.  

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. 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.