Canopy Growth has entered into an agreement providing the company the exclusive rights and interests to manufacture, distribute, and sell Wana branded products in Canada. Simultaneously, Canopy is to acquire 19,99% interest in Indiva. Under the agreement, Canopy Growth will grant Indiva the exclusive right to manufacture and supply Wana branded products in Canada for a period of five years.
David Klein, CEO of Canopy Growth, said, "Collectively, these agreements provide Canopy Growth more complete ownership over the value chain for the Wana brand in Canada, while ensuring continuity of high-quality manufacturing and consistency with Canopy's asset-light production strategy. By better aligning our ownership position in Wana throughout North America, we expect to accelerate the introduction of product innovation in Canada that has already proven enormously popular in the United States. We expect this arrangement to be immediately accretive to Canopy Growth's EBITDA, and we look forward to partnering with Indiva to further bolster Wana's position as a leading edible brand in Canada."
"We are excited to form this investment and contract manufacturing partnership with Canopy Growth, and we look forward to continuing to produce Wana gummies for many years to come," said Niel Marotta, President and CEO of Indiva. "The benefits of this partnership to Indiva's shareholders are three-fold: First, the strategic investment bolsters Indiva's balance sheet. Second, the initial five-year term of the contract manufacturing agreement, and the potential to renew for an additional five-year term, extends the timeline and economic benefit to Indiva from sales of Wana gummies well beyond the remaining term of the existing licensing agreement. Lastly, Indiva's commitment to production innovation has made us Canada's leading producer of high-quality cannabis edibles, and we look forward to leveraging our recent investments in automation for the processing and packaging of edible products."
"This is a great step forward in solidifying both Wana's brand leadership, as well as integrating Wana with Canopy Growth's strong presence in Canada," said Nancy Whiteman, CEO of Wana Brands. "This new agreement allows us to bring our most innovative products to Canada much more rapidly, while allowing Canopy Growth to begin recognizing the EBITDA benefits that Wana can help drive. We already know the team at Canopy Growth well, which should make for a smooth transition, and it will be great to have the oversight of the Canopy Growth team on the Wana brand in Canada. We thank Indiva for all they have done to make Wana the top edible in Canada over the past three years1 and we are pleased that we will have the opportunity to continue to work with their great team in a production capacity."
For more information:
Canopy Growth
www.canopygrowth.com