Loyalist and VIVO begin research for cannabis oil commercialization

VIVO Cannabis Inc., 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, Napanee-based 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.

Objectives as part of this agreement include investigating new processes and technologies to increase the efficiency of producing high-quality, well-characterized medical cannabis oil for commercialization.

The two plan to 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.”

Ann Drennan, Loyalist’s Senior Vice-President Academic and Chief Learning Officer, is looking forward to the collaboration.

“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.”

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.

VIVO, based in Napanee, holds production and sales licences from Health Canada and operates its indoor cultivation facilities with proprietary plant-growing technology.

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 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 scalable network of specialty medical cannabis clinics as well as a new free telemedicine app providing education and support, it reports, to more than 15,000 patients.