MedCan 101

Ora Pharm acquires Helius Therapeutics, creating New Zealand’s largest integrated medicinal cannabis and hemp supply chain for local and export markets.

Ora Pharm has been awarded the FernMark Licence, a prestigious New Zealand government trademark that certifies local ownership, regulatory compliance, and product provenance, enhancing the credibility of its medicinal cannabis products internationally.

Dairy, wool, wine, beef and … medicinal cannabis? Some exporters hope the medicinal cannabis industry could get a boost from a new trade mission to Europe. Zoë Reece is flying out to Europe tomorrow with a New Zealand Trade and Enterprise NZTE trade mission.

These regulatory changes are a game-changer for Ora Pharm. By providing greater flexibility in product development and quality control, we can innovate more freely and respond more effectively to market demands. The ability to export and import cannabis materials for research and testing significantly enhances our capacity to collaborate internationally and improve our product offerings.

Ora Pharm is proud to announce the launch of its new plant processing and export services for other medicinal cannabis cultivators across the country. This strategic move is set to lower barriers to entry and improve profitability for medicinal cannabis growers by reducing costs associated with plant processing, streamlining the export process, ensuring rigorous quality control, and improving overall efficiency.

Waikato-based Ora Pharm has successfully completed its first export order of just under 100kg high quality medicinal cannabis dried flower product to its Australian distribution partner Canngea. It is one of the first New Zealand companies to break into this market. Further orders for ongoing supply have been secured.

Zoe Reece Named University of Auckland Alumni 40 Under 40 Recipient in Entrepreneur Category

In a groundbreaking move, Medsafe, New Zealand’s regulatory authority for medicines and medical devices, has recently reclassified Cannabidiol (CBD) from a prescription-only medicine to a restricted (pharmacist-only) medicine. This significant development signals a new era for accessible healthcare, offering promising avenues for patients and researchers alike.

We celebrate Ora Pharm’s fourth birthday with a sense of pride and gratitude. Time has flown by, and it feels like just yesterday when we embarked on this incredible journey. Today, we want to take a step back and reflect on the milestones, challenges, and achievements that have shaped Ora Pharm into the innovative pharmaceutical company it is today.

Medicinal Cannabis Sales in New Zealand: An Upward Trend

Ora Pharm, a leading medical cannabis company, has become one of the first approved direct investments under the New Investor Visa category in New Zealand. The Active Investor Plus Visa category is designed to attract high net worth individuals who are willing to invest a significant amount of money in New Zealand’s economy, with the goal of creating jobs and fostering economic growth.

In June 2022, Ora Pharm was awarded a grant from Callaghan Innovation to develop new growing technology for the medicinal cannabis industry. The company are currently at the halfway mark of their trials and already seeing more than 40% increase in yield.

Stuart Wilcox (Ora Pharm Chair) and Blake Smith (Ora Pharm CSO), global medicinal cannabis experts were recently introduced to New Zealand as intergral members of the Ora Pharm team. 

Based on the forecasted growth rate of approximately 55%, it is estimated that over 56,000 packs of Medicinal Cannabis will be prescribed in New Zealand by the end of 2022.

Ora Pharm has been awarded a Callaghan Innovation Grant For Environmentally Friendly Innovative Technology to grow high-yield New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis.