There is less than a month to go until MedCan 2022. Have you got your ticket? If you aren’t able to travel to Auckland to join us in person, you can still be a part of MedCan 2022 by purchasing a ticket to attend virtually.
MedCan 2022 builds on the inaugural event that was held in October 2020. Eighteen months on, the industry is in a different position with local products available for New Zealand patients, less stigma associated with medicinal cannabis and a growing interest from the healthcare sector to understand more about the pharmaceutical product for their patients.
It is becoming clearer than ever that cannabis is considered to be medicine.
Globally, we are seeing the big pharma moving into the cannabis space. Pfizer has entered the market with a US$6.7 billion acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company focusing on new treatments for inflammatory ailments. This follows global biopharma company Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ purchase of GW Pharmaceuticals for US$7.2 billion in February last year. These deals highlight the immense growth potential for cannabis-based medical research.
So what is 2022 expected to bring for the New Zealand cannabis industry? Everything from brand building, to companies pivoting, to companies consolidating and building strategic partnerships, to continued growth and expansion, and to new and exciting innovations in this sector. Come and hear it first hand at MedCan 2022.
Register now to have first access to Roundtables
Expert-led roundtable discussions on the second day of MedCan 2022 will give attendees the chance to engage with local experts and other people interested in the table’s topic in a small, informal setting.
A limited number of seats are available at each table and these seats will be allocated on a first-in, first-served basis through the Virtual Event Platform. Delegates are encouraged to get their MedCan 2022 ticket now so they will be able to reserve their spot at their chosen roundtable as soon as the Virtual Event Platform goes live (via email link) in early February.
These roundtables are for in-person attendees only and won’t be recorded.
International and national experts speaking at MedCan 2022
Closed borders won’t stop some of the world’s best medicinal cannabis experts being a part of MedCan 2022, with Canada’s Dr Dave Hepburn, America’s Bonni Goldstein MD and Australia’s Dr Adele Hosseini making virtual addresses to share their international experiences.
Closer to home, the leaders of New Zealand’s top medicinal cannabis companies will share their predictions as the CEO Panel discusses the state of play for New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis industry in 2022 and beyond. Hear from Helius Therapeutics’ Carmen Doran, Eqalis’ Mitch Cuevas, Rua Bioscience’s Rob Mitchell, Cannasouth’s Mark Lucas and Tim Aldridge from Puro.
Our opening keynote Melissa Clark-Reynolds will share insights into what medicinal cannabis consumption trends look like across the globe and opportunities for future expansions, while Eqalis’ Pharmaceutical Director Mitch Cuevas will outline what is required to create a $2 billion CBD opportunity for New Zealand.
For the medical professionals in attendance, Dr Mark Hotu will speak about prescribing trends, the frequently asked questions he receives from patients and where he sees the New Zealand product sitting in the prescription landscape.
Everything medicinal cannabis will be at MedCan 2022, so make sure you’re there too!
Landmark agreement paves way for NZ grown cannabis medicines
New Zealand’s two largest medicinal cannabis companies have signed a supply contract that will provide Kiwis further access to locally made medicines and pave the way for international export success.
The five year multi-million-dollar deal between Marlborough-based cultivator Puro and Auckland-based Helius Therapeutics is New Zealand’s largest to date.
Carmen Doran, Chief Executive of Helius Therapeutics, says the partnership is an important milestone for the sunrise industry in New Zealand.
“It gives Helius a secure local supply chain of premium, organic medicinal cannabis which we process into 100% New Zealand-grown, manufactured, and branded medicines to support our future products.”
Puro’s Managing Director Tim Aldridge says the agreement is a massive win for the wider industry.
“It is significant in its size and scale, and in what it signals for the future. It’s the start of a long-term commercial partnership between Helius and Puro, where we’ll work together to develop the local industry, establishing pathways for an exciting new export industry for New Zealand,” says Mr Aldridge.
Medicinal Cannabis: Growing NZ’s Economy
Demystifying the medicinal cannabis industry for Kiwi innovators is essential if the sector is to fulfil its enormous potential as a valuable contributor to the national economy.
There are many fledgling businesses out there, with an idea rooted in medicinal cannabis, that don’t know how to get started, let alone walk the path to commercialisation.Callaghan Innovation is thrilled to be a sponsor of MedCan Summit 2022, and to help the medicinal cannabis sector to support businesses with their R&D and innovations launch.
Learn more about Callaghan Innovation’s involvement at MedCan 2022.
Meet the Doctors behind CannaPlus+
Launching this February, CannaPlus+ aims to improve the lives of New Zealanders by empowering them to live an optimal, healthier life with access to affordable and quality Medicinal Cannabis. Meet the diverse team of doctors who will be running the CannaPlus+ clinic.
Yours sincerely,
Zahra Champion
MedCan Summit