Lifespot Health appoints cannabis specialists to board of directors
Lifespot has appointed Dr Andrew Saich and Darryl
Australian medicinal cannabis device company Lifespot Health (ASX: LSH) has appointed two non-executive directors to its board to help execute a strategy of delivering innovative medication systems and therapies to market.
Cannabinoid specialists Dr Andrew Saich and Darryl Davies have a wealth of combined industry experience and are believed to be well-qualified to drive the company’s growth objectives.
UK-trained physician
Dr Saich is a UK-trained physician with degrees in physiology and medicine from the University of London, and post-graduate qualifications from the Royal College of Physicians specialising in emergency medicine.
He joined the pharmaceutical industry over 20 years ago and has experience in international management, medicines commercialisation and pharmaceutical research and development.
His work history includes a role as European medical director for Intercept Pharmaceuticals when the company was expanding into 13 countries across Europe.
In 2016, he created and led GW Pharmaceuticals International Medical in preparation for the launch of Epidyolex (cannabidiol) for the treatment of rare and debilitating drug-resistant epilepsies.
Cannabinoid forefront
Before its acquisition by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, GW Pharmaceuticals was at the forefront of cannabinoid medicine development and Dr Saich was a senior member of the company’s international management team, strategic launch team, clinical development committee and corporate drug safety team.
After GW Pharmaceuticals, he moved into the role of chief medical officer at Senzer Pharmaceuticals with responsibility for a clinical development program utilising inhaled cannabinoids.
Dr Saich is currently chief medical officer of US-based biotechnology company Return Health, which is developing novel psychedelic treatments for patients with dementia.
He is a co-founder of cannabinoid prescription medicines investment group Diligenc Capital and one of a number of senior cannabinoid specialists working for the Diligenc Pathways consultancy.
Harm minimisation
Graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 2006, Mr Davies has over 15 years experience in psychology, healthcare and harm minimisation.
One of his first roles was with UK non-government organisation Addaction, which works to transform the lives of people affected by drugs and alcohol.
He developed his experience of harm minimisation in Thailand while working at several detoxification centres, supporting patients from around the world with a combination of western and eastern practices.
Since migrating to Australia in 2011, Mr Davies has worked in “for-purpose” and non-government roles in the areas of compliance, business development, and educational social enterprise.
Early adopter
In 2016, he started working with a wellness device start-up where he became involved with the medicinal cannabis industry as an early adopter, co-ordinating doctor-led educational initiatives in regional areas.
In 2018, Mr Davies co-founded private medicinal cannabis service provider Cannvalate where he led an award-winning patient access and distribution program and developed the Medicinal Cannabis Research Collaboration.
He is an Australian director of Canadian manufacturer The Valens Company and sits on the board of directors for New Zealand cultivation company Greenfern Industries.