Leading supplements manufacturer, Ambrosia-SupHerb and medical cannabis brand, Tikun Olam-Cannbit are teaming up to launch a joint pilot for research & development (R&D), production and marketing of cannabis and mushroom supplements for the Israeli and EU markets.
The joint pilot will involve R&D teams from both companies working together to develop a range of products using components from existing nutritional supplements, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and plants, as well as cannabis and mushrooms.
The specific components chosen for each product are expected to strengthen the immune system and promote bowel health, according to Tikun Olam-Cannbit, Head of R&D, Lihi Bar lev-Schleider.
Once the partnership is ratified the team will submit an application to Israel’s medical cannabis unit (IMCA) at the Ministry of Health to get final approval for the research and development activity in Israel, subject to EU regulations.
Bar lev-Schleider said, “At first, we’ll develop the products in Tikun Olam-Cannbit’s advanced manufacturing facility in the north of Israel and later on the mass production will be in Europe according to the EU regulations.”
Demand for mushrooms
There is burgeoning demand for supplements with mushrooms, said Tikun Olam-Cannbit, General Manager, Avinoam Sapir. He confirmed the market is experiencing accelerated growth with an estimated value in the hundreds of millions of dollars. “This is a market with tremendous sales potential, as we have seen the mushroom market flourishing in the East and growing in the US.”
Bar lev-Schleider cited extensive research that demonstrates the therapeutic benefits of mushroom supplementation which offers “sufficient proof and understanding that the combination of specific strains and components of cannabis and mushrooms for specific target indication will have better effects”.
Experience and knowledge
Sapir postulated that while products with cannabidiol (CBD) or other cannabinoids and mushrooms are already being produced, it is the combined strengths of the two companies that will enable innovation beyond the propositions currently available.
He believes the accumulated “broad experience and deep knowledge of each field – cannabis and mushrooms” (including Tikun Olam-Cannbit’s clinical and preclinical studies and Ambrosia-SupHerb’s manufacturing capabilities) will bring added value in the development of new innovative products that “heralds a new message for patients worldwide”.
Tikun Olam-Cannbit works closely with doctors, hospitals and universities in Israel during development and has a global customer base. It supplies medical cannabis oils to UK pharmaceutical company ITH Pharma for the UK and Northern Ireland markets, and distributes to Austria, Brazil, Germany and Switzerland.
Bar lev-Schleider said: “The differentiation and uniqueness of our products are that we chose a specific composition of cannabinoids that we already found effective on specific indication that we focused on in our clinical research.”
Meanwhile, Ambrosia-SupHerb is Israel’s largest vitamin, mineral and supplement (VMS) manufacturer, specializing in coated tablets, herbal capsules, syrups and soft gel capsules. It also manufactures and markets products for the Solgar nutritional supplement brand in Israel.
Investment opportunity
The partnership agreement also involves the transfer of 4.98% shares from Tikun Olam-Cannbit to Ambrosia-SupHerb through a material private placement for approximately NIS12m (€3.15m).
Sapir commented, “We are delighted that Ambrosia SupHerb has decided to invest in the company and thank them for their trust in our vision and their decision to make this strategic investment.”