LiveWell Canada to Acquire Acenzia, a Leading Developer and Manufacturer of Supplements and Natural Health Products Français
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Acquisition boosts LiveWell's product innovation platform, to meet current and future consumer needs for hemp and cannabis health and wellness products
- A global-patented research model for pre-clinical trials
- Acenzia has generated $2.9 million in revenue for the four month period ended August 31, 2018 and $5.6 million in revenue for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2018
- Health Canada-certified, NSF GMP and NSF GMP for Sport-registered manufacturing facility
OTTAWA, Oct 5, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – LiveWell Canada Inc. ("LiveWell" or the "Company"), (TSXV: LVWL) (OTC: LXLLF), today signed a binding letter of intent (LOI) to acquire 100% of Acenzia Inc. (the "Transaction"), a leading developer and manufacturer of next-generation natural health products located strategically near the Canada/US border near Windsor, Ontario.
The Transaction is part of LiveWell's vision to become a world leader in health and wellness through quality outcomes and strategic partnerships. LiveWell is an innovative Canadian hemp and cannabis company focused on advanced research in CBD and other cannabinoids, as well as developing and distributing prescription and consumer health products supported by data, discovery, science and technology.
Blending science and advanced manufacturing, Acenzia is an innovator in rapid product development, as well as personalized diagnostics and therapeutics specific to particular medical conditions. These capabilities will further LiveWell's leadership in health-related research in cannabis and hemp, and fast-track its product development at a lower cost than conventional product development.
As legalization and acceptance of CBD accelerates at a rapid pace globally, the demand for CBD products to improve health and wellness is exploding. LiveWell has conducted major research on CBD, a white paper on CBD from Industrial Hemp, and is investing in technologies for the extraction and isolation of CBD and other cannabinoids for use in prescription and consumer health products. As previously announced, LiveWell has secured inventory of hemp biomass for its own products and to sell as isolate for delivery in 2019.
Strategically located 15 kilometres from the Canada-U.S. border, in Tecumseh, Ontario, Acenzia researches and manufactures next-generation natural health products, such as powders, sports drinks, functional foods, probiotics and other therapeutics, as well as individualized diagnostics. Acenzia's 36,000-square-foot facility includes 20 state-of-the-art, pharmaceutical-grade clean rooms. It is certified by Health Canada, and has NSF certifications for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), for Sport, is a USDA-Certified Organic Manufacturer and is an FDA-registered facility. The company has achieved several significant milestones, including:
- a global-patented in-vivo zebrafish research model for pre-clinical trials, allowing more rapid product development at a lower cost
- an easy-to-access diagnostic toolkit that enables consumers to measure product efficacy at an individual level
- a new patent-pending delivery technology (oral time-released pouch) for the sports nutrition market in a partnership with PRO-DIP. The company is entering a 10-year exclusive manufacturing agreement for this technology, and receives 6% of gross sales revenue
- evidence-based nutritional supplement manufactured with batch-to-batch efficacy
Of particular note is its global-patented animal research model using zebrafish modified to mimic the human body. The zebrafish models allow for faster, more economical and effective trials that maximize safety and efficacy. Importantly, the research model optimizes product development to meet functional outcomes. Acenzia is currently applying its global-patented zebrafish research model to oncology, to predict metastasis and support therapeutic decisions, and it holds much wider applications, including cannabinoids.
"The acquisition of Acenzia represents an opportunity for proprietary brand insight and product innovation," said David Rendimonti, President of LiveWell Canada. "Such next-generation therapeutics can be paired with easy-to-access diagnostics that enable evaluation of the product efficacy at an individual level. These innovative products fall into a category of their own."
In addition to Acenzia's research, product development and manufacturing expertise, LiveWell welcomes the addition of Acenzia's leadership to its team. Dr. Indrajit Sinha and Grant Bourdeau are the co-Founders and co-Presidents of Acenzia. "Indrajit is a very strong researcher and Grant is a very capable manufacturer, and together create a strong culture that aligns with LiveWell," said Mr. Rendimonti.
Acenzia's Mr. Bourdeau said the Transaction brings together "like-minded partners to realize the vision of improving the outcome of individuals' health optimization." Adds Dr. Sinha: "We are an innovative company with a big dream. To put the pieces together – manufacturing and research to commercialize – is difficult. To go the next level you need a strategic partner who understands customers' needs, with knowledge of the market. LiveWell brings us that."
Transaction Summary
- Total purchase consideration is set at $20 million, $2 million cash paid at closing and $18 million in common shares of LiveWell based on the 20-day weighted average immediately prior to the date of the definitive agreement.
- $8 million of the $18 million in common shares will be held in escrow and will be released subject to achieving profitability milestone for calendar 2019.
- Acenzia's revenue for the four month ended August 31, 2018 was $2.9 million and for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2018 its revenue was $5.6 million (unaudited).
- A finder's fee of 0.5% will be payable from the cash consideration at closing.
LiveWell Board has unanimously approved this arm's length Transaction subject to due diligence, standard closing conditions, and TSXV approval. No approval of shareholders from either Acenzia or LiveWell is required in connection with this Transaction. This Transaction is expected to close on or before November 30, 2018.
About Acenzia
Based in Tecumseh, Ontario, about 15 kilometres from the Canada-U.S. border, Acenzia uses advanced research and manufacturing processes to formulate and develop next generation natural health products and therapeutics. Among its significant assets is a diagnostics toolkit that allows individual consumers to test if a product is working for them, a global patent on an animal research model using modified zebrafish, and a new patent-pending oral time-released pouch for the sports nutrition market. Acenzia's 36,000-square-foot facility includes 20 state-of-the-art, pharmaceutical-grade clean rooms. It is certified by Health Canada, and has NSF certifications for GMP, for Sport, is a USDA-Certified Organic Manufacturer and is an FDA-registered facility.
About LiveWell Canada
LiveWell Canada Inc. (TSXV:LVWL, OTC: LXLLF) is focused on improving health one person at a time, utilizing innovation supported by data, discovery, science and technology. The cannabis and hemp company is conducting advanced research on CBD and other cannabinoids, as well as developing and distributing prescription and consumer health and wellness products. The company has more than 1.5 million square feet of greenhouses under construction located in Ontario and Québec, and is supported by business partners such as Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED, NYSE:CGC) and Canopy Rivers (TSXV:RIV). For more information, visit livewellcorp.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements about the Company and its business. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "schedule", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements (including negative variations) that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such statements are based on the current expectations of management. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of unknown and known risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company. Further, the Company cautions that this foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive, and readers are encouraged to read all Risk Factors disclosed in the Company's Filing Statement dated May 29, 2018.
In respect of the forward-looking statements and information concerning the anticipated benefits and completion of the Transaction, including the anticipated timing for closing the Transaction, the Company has provided such statements and information in reliance on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time. Further, there can be no assurance that the Transaction will occur, or that it will occur on the terms and conditions contemplated in this news release. Following the due diligence, the Transaction could be modified, restructured or terminated.
The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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 release.
For more information, visit livewellcorp.com
SOURCE LiveWell Canada Inc.
Media. English, Deborah Stokes - 819-576-3789, [email protected]; French, Sonya Lord - 866- 308-1518, [email protected]; Investors, Nicole Marchand - 416-428-3533, [email protected] ; Company, David Rendimonti, Steven Archambault, President & CEO, Chief Financial Officer
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