Biotech

Greenlab joins Purplefarm Genetics to develop next-generation medical cannabis strains

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By Danica Cullinane - 
Greenlab Purplefarm Genetics develop next-generation medical cannabis strains New Zealand

Greenlab is partnering with Canada’s Purplefarm Genetics to develop unique cannabinoids for the medical market.

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New Zealand-based biotech Greenlab has inked a deal with private Canadian cannabis company Purplefarm Genetics to develop next-generation medicinal cannabis strains.

Founded in 2019, Greenlab became one of the first companies on New Zealand’s South Island to secure a cannabis research and development licence. Its lab is based at Lincoln University near Christchurch.

Likewise, Purplefarm holds licences for cultivation, processing and medical sales of cannabis at its Johnstown facility in Ontario, Canada. The company is regarded as a skilled grower of ‘whole flower’ cannabis for the Canadian and global markets.

The two companies have been engaged since 2020.

Pushing the limits of therapeutic cannabinoids

Purplefarm Genetics director Jonah Clifford said the pair share a common objective to produce high levels of unique cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids that will “yield great value for patients, consumers, and our companies”.

“Greenlab’s leadership in medicinal cannabis germplasm research and development and Purplefarm’s best-in-class cultivation practices partnership leverages our core competencies to create an unparalleled gold standard of cannabis cultivation and compliant product development,” he said.

The new strains will be developed under Health Canada and New Zealand Ministry of Health import and export regulations.

Greenlab director of research and commercialisation Dr Parmjit Randhawa added that both companies are driven by a shared passion to push the limits of per-square-metre yield of therapeutic cannabinoids, aiming to lead to “unique pharmaceutical products urgently demanded by medical doctors and needed by immunocompromised patients”.

“The Purplefarm Genetics team have a wealth of cultivation expertise, an extensive Canadian cultivar library, and a precision-controlled facility that will complement the Greenlab fully controlled environment research at Lincoln University, thus fast tracking the product development efforts,” Dr Randhawa said.

Australian supply deal

Earlier this year, Greenlab’s Australian subsidiary secured a two-year deal to supply pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid products to Australian medical cannabis distributor Cannvalate for sales to approved patients.