Berlin/Dresden, 15. April 2021 - DEMECAN, Germany’s only independent producer of medical cannabis, has closed another multi-million Euro financing round. The investment will be used for further growth as well as the expansion of the production facility, located near Dresden, into Europe's most modern facility for the cultivation and processing of medicinal cannabis.
The investment in the upper single-digit million range comes from private and institutional investors, among whom is new investor Futury Fund as well as existing shareholders, including the btov Private Investor Network.
"It is DEMECAN’s mission to guarantee the nationwide supply of high-quality medical cannabis for the benefit of patients in Germany. Therefore, we not only focus on the cultivation of medical cannabis but are also active in the field of R&D to develop new and innovative dosage forms," explains Dr. Adrian Fischer, physician, co-founder, and CEO of DEMECAN.
This financing round is an important step for DEMECAN in its rapid growth trajectory since being selected as a supplier of medical cannabis for the Federal Republic of Germany in 2019. In addition to product development and distribution, strategic objectives include collaborations with research-based pharmaceutical companies and the coordination and strengthening of operational pharmaceutical distribution.
To implement the corporate strategy, the DEMECAN Group intends to establish a subsidiary in the state of Hessen. The immediate proximity to pharmaceutical companies is critical as is cooperation with smaller cannabis companies in the region. The aim is to establish a dedicated medical cannabis research cluster, where knowledge of medical cannabis is combined with experience from large-scale pharmaceutical production. This will further enable DEMECAN to grow and conduct research more rapidly.
"DEMECAN has been able to establish itself early on as a leader in the medical cannabis market and we are convinced that it is positioned to take a leading role in Europe as well," said Benjamin Krahmer, Managing Director of Futury.
About DEMECAN
DEMECAN is the only independent German company that covers the entire production chain for medical cannabis - from cultivation, processing, and storage to distribution to pharmacies. The company was founded in 2017 by Dr. Adrian Fischer, Dr. Cornelius Maurer, and Dr. Constantin von der Groeben to guarantee patients access to medical cannabis with "Made in Germany" quality. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) awarded DEMECAN the contract to grow and process medical cannabis in May 2019. Cultivation and further processing are carried out in accordance with the highest pharmaceutical standards at the facility near Dresden. As a pharmaceutical wholesaler, DEMECAN cooperates with cannabis producers worldwide and imports medical cannabis that meets its high-quality standards. The DEMECAN Group is a member of the Federal Association of Pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Companies (BPC) and a supporting member of the Association of Cannabis Supplying Pharmacies (VCA e.V.).
Further Information: www.demecan.de
Press contact: press@demecan.de
Berlin/Dresden, 03. March, 2021 - For just under four years, seriously ill patients have been able to obtain medical cannabis on prescription. Tens of thousands of patients with chronic pain, spasticity, anorexia/wasting, nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy already benefit from this additional therapy option. But growing demand exceeds availability, and bureaucratic hurdles make prescribing difficult. Despite this imbalance, patient care must be ensured. DEMECAN, as a German pioneer, is committed to the security of supply and ensuring therapeutic diversity under the highest pharmaceutical quality.
The possibility of prescribing cannabinoids for the therapy of seriously ill people has added an important add-on therapy to the framework of a multimodal therapy approach. In the first half of last year, over 160,000 SHI prescriptions of cannabinoids were recorded. As use increases, so does knowledge about the indications, effects, and side effects, as well as the therapeutic diversity of the products. In addition to the indication of chronic pain, other areas of application include oncology (e.g. tumor pain) and neurological diseases (e.g. epilepsy). Nevertheless, significant underuse of seriously ill patients is to be expected, especially in the field of family medicine. The main reasons are bureaucratic hurdles in the application process and skepticism on the part of physicians and insurances.
Ensure supply
The health policy objective of a quality-assured and demand-oriented supply of patients in Germany with cannabis-based medicinal products primarily provides for the regulated cultivation in Germany. DEMECAN was awarded the contract for the cultivation of medical cannabis by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and has set itself the task of ensuring the nationwide supply of high-quality medical cannabis in "Made in Germany" quality for the benefit of patients. For this purpose, medical cannabis is produced under strictly controlled conditions near Dresden.
From cultivation to further processing and storage to delivery to pharmacies - at DEMECAN everything is covered from a single source - making it the only independent German company that cultivates cannabis for medical purposes in Germany.
Focus on the patient
Only a small proportion of severely ill patients who could benefit from additional add-on therapy are already receiving add-on therapy with cannabis-based medicines today. The total of 3.8 million patients with severe chronic pain alone suggests an undersupply. Also, data from the cannabis companion survey ordered by the federal government indicate that the diagnostic spectrum of medical cannabis is expanding. Imports must be relied upon to meet national supply needs, preferably from companies with existing medical and quality-assured expertise.
For this reason, DEMECAN has entered into a collaboration agreement with Little Green Pharma, a vertically integrated company from Australia specializing in medical cannabis. Little Green Pharma, like DEMECAN, actively promotes educational programs and participates in clinical trials and research projects of medical cannabis.
With the launch of the medical cannabis flower DEMECAN 20:01 Florestura, a THC-rich flower with Sativa dominance, DEMECAN provides high-quality medical cannabis for patient care.
Safe supply
"Securing care, safe care" is the motto of the Pain and Palliative Day of the German Society for Pain Medicine (DGS) taking place in March. The presidium under Dr. Johannes Horlemann is strongly committed to the adequate care of seriously ill patients. Among other things, for the dismantling of bureaucratic hurdles to facilitate access to medication. But also in the evaluation of the evidence situation around the therapeutic variety of the different dosage forms. In this context, flowers represent an important part of the supply alongside extracts and finished medicinal products. In 2021, the practice guideline "Cannabis in Pain Medicine" will therefore be further developed to take into account the improved study situation in the use of all applications of cannabinoids. Therapy with cannabis flowers will be re-evaluated. DEMECAN has also set itself the goal of ensuring therapeutic diversity and will provide further cannabinoids in pharmaceutical quality for the care of patients soon.
About DEMECAN
DEMECAN is the only independent German company that covers the entire production chain for medical cannabis - from cultivation, processing, and storage to distribution to pharmacies. The company was founded in 2017 by Dr. Adrian Fischer, Dr. Cornelius Maurer and Dr. Constantin von der Groeben with the aim of guaranteeing patients access to medical cannabis with "Made in Germany" quality. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) awarded DEMECAN the contract to grow and process medical cannabis in May 2019. Cultivation and further processing are carried out in accordance with the highest pharmaceutical standards at the facility near Dresden. As a pharmaceutical wholesaler, DEMECAN cooperates with cannabis producers worldwide and imports medical cannabis that meets its own high-quality standards. The DEMECAN Group is a member of the Federal Association of pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Companies (BPC) and a supporting member of the Association of Cannabis Supplying Pharmacies (VCA e.V.).
Further information: www.demecan.de
Press contact: press@demecan.de
Berlin/Dresden, 01. February 2021 - DEMECAN enters into a Supply-Agreement with MediPharm Labs Australia (MediPharm Labs) for the supply of multiple proprietary full-spectrum cannabis extracts. Under the agreement MediPharm Labs will supply DEMECAN over the next three years – with the option to extend the term of the agreement – an annual volume of at least 9,000 units of white-label cannabis extracts. Delivery is expected to commence in 2021, subject to regulatory and permitting requirements.
DEMECAN’s mission is the nationwide supply of high-quality medicinal cannabis for the benefit of patients in Germany. DEMECAN is the only independent German company that is mandated to cultivate and process medicinal cannabis nationally on behalf of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Furthermore, as a pharmaceutical wholesaler, DEMECAN cooperates with a selected number of international GMP-certified producers to guarantee a reliable and continuous supply of medical cannabis products for German patients. MediPharm Labs produces according to the same high pharmaceutical standards as DEMECAN. “As a global market leader and innovator in the production and supply of GMP certified cannabis extracts, we are excited to add DEMECAN to our international portfolio and work together to bring pharmaceutical quality products patients in Europe can trust”, said Warren Everitt, CEO, Asia Pacific, MediPharm Labs.
German physicians are permitted since 2017 to prescribe cannabis-based drugs to patients, including cannabis flowers and extracts. Full-spectrum cannabis extracts maintain the entire profile of active ingredients of the cannabis plant and are characterized by a simple oral administration and allow exact dosing. DEMECAN’s product portfolio offers the whole spectrum of combinations of THC and CBD, the two main active ingredients of cannabis, including product formulations with a high THC content, high CBD content and balanced proportions of THC and CBD. “We are excited to include MediPharm Labs in our international network of experienced suppliers, and offer physicians and patients a range of customized full-spectrum cannabis extracts in a timely manner”, said Dr. Cornelius Maurer, Managing Director and co-founder of DEMECAN.
About DEMECAN
DEMECAN is the only independent German company that covers the entire production chain for medical cannabis - from cultivation, processing, and storage to distribution to pharmacies. The company was founded in 2017 by Dr. Adrian Fischer, Dr. Cornelius Maurer and Dr. Constantin von der Groeben with the aim of guaranteeing patients access to medical cannabis with "Made in Germany" quality. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) awarded DEMECAN the contract to grow and process medical cannabis in May 2019. Cultivation and further processing are carried out in accordance with the highest pharmaceutical standards at the facility near Dresden. As a pharmaceutical wholesaler, DEMECAN cooperates with cannabis producers worldwide and imports medical cannabis that meets its own high-quality standards. The DEMECAN Group is a member of the Federal Association of pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Companies (BPC) and a supporting member of the Association of Cannabis Supplying Pharmacies (VCA e.V.).
Further Information: www.demecan.de
Press contact: press@demecan.de
Berlin/Dresden, 10. September 2020 – DEMECAN, the only German pharmaceutical producer and wholesaler of medical cannabis, is committed to the nationwide supply of high-quality medical cannabis to patients in Germany.
For this purpose, DEMECAN purchased the production facility of the former cannabis producer Wayland near Dresden and is building Europe's largest indoor production facility for medical cannabis in Europe.
On September 9th, the site was visited by representatives from the German Cannabisagency of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). The DEMECAN facility is of high interest to BfArM, as it will ensure that the domestic supply for medicinal cannabis is provided for by a domestic manufacturer.
Established in 2017, BfArM strictly monitors the cultivation of cannabis plants for medical purposes in Germany. The agency must ensure that only cannabis of highest pharmaceutical quality is delivered to pharmacies. In May 2019 DEMECAN was the only domestic company that received a licenset to grow and distribute medical cannabis in Germany.
Dr. Constantin von der Groeben, Managing Director and co-founder of DEMECAN: "We are delighted that the cannabis agency has visited our production facility. The purchase of the facility was an essential milestone for us in securing the supply of high-quality medical cannabis for patients in Germany".
After completion of its own production facility, DEMECAN will produce medical cannabis Made in Germany as an independent supplier to ensure sufficient availability of medical cannabis for patients in Germany.
About DEMECAN
DEMECAN is the only Germany company that covers all manufacturing steps for medical cannabis – including cultivation, processing, storage and delivering to pharmacies. Dr. Adrian Fischer, Dr. Cornelius Maurer und Dr. Constantin von der Groeben founded DEMECAN in 2017 with the goal of giving patients the access to medicinal cannabis with “Made in Germany” quality. In May 2019 the BfArM awarded DEMECAN a government contract to produce and process medicinal cannabis in Germany. The production and processing of medicinal cannabis will follow the highest pharmaceutical standards. In addition to its German cultivation operations, DEMECAN operates as a cannabis wholesaler and works together with cannabis producers all over the world to import medicinal cannabis that meet the highest pharmaceutical standards. The DEMECAN group has its headquarters in Berlin and is a member of the “Verband der Cannabis versorgenden Apotheken e.V.”
Further information: www.demecan.de
Press contact: press@demecan.de
Berlin/Dresden, May 19, 2020 – DEMECAN – the German specialist for medical cannabis – has raised a seven-figure sum in a new financing round. The Berlin pharmaceutical company received substantial funding from a German entrepreneur in the consumer goods sector. The capital infusion will serve to expand the DEMECAN production facility and strengthen its operations. It is another milestone in the company’s growth strategy in the medical cannabis market. Previously, the btov Private Investor Network and a German Single Family Office had invested in DEMECAN.
DEMECAN is the only German company that covers all manufacturing steps for medical cannabis – from cultivation, processing, and storage to delivery to pharmacies. In 2019 the company was awarded a contract to cultivate medical cannabis by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Due to its German production capacity, DEMECAN will guarantee German patients a consistent supply of the highest pharmaceutical quality of medical cannabis.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of domestic production for national patient care. The closure of borders only exacerbates existing supply gaps and can further endanger international supply chains in the long term.
Dr. Constantin von der Groeben, co-founder and managing director of DEMECAN, explains: “The market for medical cannabis continues to grow rapidly despite the current pandemic. DEMECAN was a first mover in the market and we remain firm in our mission to reliably supply medical cannabis of the highest pharmaceutical quality to patients in Germany. We continue to develop our facilities near Dresden and truly look forward to another strong and experienced partner on our side to fulfill our mission.”
About DEMECAN
DEMECAN is the only Germany company that covers all manufacturing steps for medical cannabis – including cultivation, processing, storage and delivering to pharmacies. Dr. Adrian Fischer, Dr. Cornelius Maurer und Dr. Constantin von der Groeben founded DEMECAN in 2017 with the goal of giving patients the access to medicinal cannabis with “Made in Germany” quality. In May 2019 the BfArM awarded DEMECAN a government contract to produce and process medicinal cannabis in Germany. The production and processing of medicinal cannabis will follow the highest pharmaceutical standards. In addition to its German cultivation operations, DEMECAN operates as a cannabis wholesaler and works together with cannabis producers all over the world to import medicinal cannabis that meet the highest pharmaceutical standards. The DEMECAN group has its headquarters in Berlin and is a member of the “Verband der Cannabis versorgenden Apotheken e.V.”
Further information: www.demecan.de
Press contact: press@demecan.de
Berlin/Dresden, 06. May 2020 – The German medicinal drug market is currently experiencing exceptional circumstances due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Supply chain disruptions around the world have affected pharmaceutical imports to Germany, including medical cannabis imports. For example, many Canadian products are currently severely backordered. DEMECAN – the German specialist for medicinal cannabis – helps by importing medicinal cannabis from Bedrocan from the Netherlands to ensure a consistent supply for German pharmacies.
Even prior to the pandemic, in 2019 there were increasing cannabis supply shortages in Germany. The pandemic has encouraged DEMECAN to close supply gaps locally. To that end, last year the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) awarded DEMECAN a contract to produce and process medicinal cannabis for Germany. DEMECAN is currently constructing the manufacturing facility near Dresden. In addition, the DEMECAN wholesale department started the import of medicinal cannabis and is expanding its distribution network.
Dr. Cornelius Maurer, Co-founder and Managing Director of DEMECAN explains: “The current restrictions concerning the corona pandemic make it clear that Germany has to close supply chain gaps and provide its citizens with consistent access to medicinal cannabis. We are looking forward to cultivating our own medicinal cannabis in Germany soon and are glad to be able to provide Bedrocan cannabis to German pharmacies in the meantime. It is our goal to help patients in this hard time.”
About DEMECAN
DEMECAN is the only Germany company that covers all manufacturing steps for medical cannabis – including cultivation, processing, storage and delivering to pharmacies. Dr. Adrian Fischer, Dr. Cornelius Maurer und Dr. Constantin von der Groeben founded DEMECAN in 2017 with the goal of giving patients the access to medicinal cannabis with “Made in Germany” quality. In May 2019 the BfArM awarded DEMECAN a government contract to produce and process medicinal cannabis in Germany. The production and processing of medicinal cannabis will follow the highest pharmaceutical standards. In addition to its German cultivation operations, DEMECAN operates as a cannabis wholesaler and works together with cannabis producers all over the world to import medicinal cannabis that meet the highest pharmaceutical standards. The DEMECAN group has its headquarters in Berlin and is a member of the “Verband der Cannabis versorgenden Apotheken e.V.”
Further information: www.demecan.de
Press contact: press@demecan.de
DEMECAN announces the signing of a three-year supply agreement with Australian-based medical cannabis producer, Little Green Pharma, marking yet another milestone in DEMECAN’s path to guarantee a consistent supply of pharmaceutical grade cannabis to patients in Germany. The agreement is for an annual amount of at least 1,000 kg of dried flower or 48,000 units of medical cannabis oil.
"We are delighted to work together with Little Green Pharma to ensure the supply of high-quality medical cannabis products for German patients," says Dr. Cornelius Maurer, managing director at DEMECAN.
The first shipments of medical cannabis from Australia are expected in the second half of 2020 and will complement the supply from the Netherlands, Canada, and other countries as well as DEMECAN’s own domestic production.
Berlin, February 27, 2020
About DEMECAN:
DEMECAN is the only German company that covers the entire value chain for medical cannabis from cultivation, processing, and storage to distribution to pharmacies. In May 2019, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) awarded DEMECAN the contract to grow medical cannabis. DEMECAN is based in Berlin.The cultivation and processing of medical cannabis takes place in a second facility near Dresden.
Exchange and dialogue:
We are always open for questions about DEMECAN, medical cannabis, and opportunities around phytopharmacological research. Any questions related to regulatory affairs and all questions by regulatory authorities should be directed to info@demecan.de.
DEMECAN is pleased to announce receipt of AmRadV approval from the German cannabis agency, marking the start of cannabis flower sales from the Netherlands. The flowers, manufactured by Bedrocan, are sold exclusively for medical purposes through pharmacies.
The AmRadV regulates the sale of medicinal products treated with ionizing radiation to protect patients from bacteria, mold, or viruses. By late last year, cannabasis supply bottlenecks in Germanyresulted from a lack of AmRadV approvals ofimporters. DEMECAN will now fill this supply gapand ensure that patients have access to medical cannabis.
"DEMECAN was selected by the German government to ensure the production and supply of medical cannabis and we believe the import of medical cannabis from our neighbours is a logical first step, as it guarantees supply for patients in Germany," says Dr. Adrian Fischer, physician and managing director at DEMECAN. "The ability for patients to obtain these pharmaceuticals through DEMECAN is a welcome development in the interest of German patients.”The build-out for DEMECAN’s medical cannabis production facility, in parallel to its import and sales business, is progressing as well. Last year, the company was one of three commissioned by the federal government to grow and process medical cannabis of highest pharmaceutical quality. This guarantees access to cannabis for patients in Germany. The first harvest will be ready by the end of the year.
Dresden, February 24, 2020
About DEMECAN:
DEMECAN is the only German company that covers the entire value chain for medical cannabis from cultivation, processing, and storage to distribution to pharmacies. In May 2019, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) awarded DEMECAN the contract to grow medical cannabis. DEMECAN is based in Berlin.The cultivation and processing of medical cannabis takes place in a second facility near Dresden.
Exchange and dialogue:
We are always open for questions about DEMECAN, medical cannabis, and opportunities aroundphytopharmacological research. Any questions related to regulatory affairs and all questions by regulatory authorities should be directed to info@demecan.de.
