XPhyto Therapeutics said Bunker Pflanzenextrakte GmbH, its wholly-owned German subsidiary, has begun a strategic exclusive partnership for research and development of cannabis-focused products, specifically beverages, with the chair of brewing and beverage technology at the Technical University of Munich (“TUM”), School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan Weihenstephan.
The company has made the announcement two weeks after striking a three-year supply, import and distribution deal with PharmaCielo, deemed one of the highest quality and lower cost cannabis cultivator in the word. More info on this deal below.
“We are pleased to be working with XPhyto on cannabis-based beverages that have great potential and create opportunities for product innovations in a new rapidly growing global market,” said Martina Gastl, group leader of the research group Raw material-based brewing and beverage technology at the TUM, Weihenstephan.
Drink design process chain
Weihenstephan is home to the International Beverage Research Center Weihenstephan (iGZW), a best-in-class interdisciplinary research and development centre, capable of handling the entire drink design process chain, from basic molecular biology research through biotechnology processes to the final product.
The iGZW has kicked off with a start-up cost of EUR 22 million, including a state-of-the-art pilot brewing plant. The efforts are focused on running trials for the manufacture of a broad range of beers following the German Purity Law and other fermented beverages using un-malted cereals and alternative starch carriers, as well as non-fermented beverages.
The institution has a specific focus on flavour process engineering, raw material and product design, food safety, and relevant legislative issues
XPhyto recognised the chair of brewing and beverage technology has a well-earned reputation for expertise in the field of food and beverage science with an emphasis on commercial applicability. “The institution has a specific focus on flavour process engineering, raw material and product design, food safety, and relevant legislative issues, such as EU designated novel foods,“ the company explained.
“We are extremely pleased that we are able to collaborate with a globally recognised partner for the research and development of cannabis-based products and beverages. Our recently signed and announced supply, import and distribution agreement for cannabis extracts and isolates with one of the highest quality and largest cannabis cultivators in the world, will ensure the supply of necessary ingredients for all the products developed,” said Hugh Rogers, XPhyto CEO.
Rogers said XPhyto has been approached by beverage companies in Europe and North America with interest in potential collaboration for the development of cannabis-infused products at Weihenstephan. “We are confident that we are on the right track with this exclusive strategic partnership,” he concluded.
PharmaCielo cannabis deal
XPhyto said it has signed a three-year definitive supply, import and distribution agreement with PharmaCielo, the Toronto-based cannabis cultivators.
The aim is for XPhyto to commence the commercial import of cannabis oils and isolates in mid-2020 with a three-year minimum sales target of approximately 30,000 kg for a full range of extracted products, including 99% pure CBD and THC isolates, broad-spectrum CBD oils, and full-spectrum THC oils.