Rua Bioscience Announces CCO with Global Pharma Experience

PO Box 1387, Gisborne 4040, Aotearoa New Zealand | 0800 RUABIO | www.ruabio.com



FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
NZX Limited
Wellington

Monday, 19 April 2021


Rua Bioscience announces CCO with global pharmaceutical and biotech experience

Rua Bioscience Ltd (NZX: RUA) has appointed experienced global pharmaceutical executive Dr
Andrea Grant as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).

Dr Grant will drive the medicinal cannabis company’s domestic and global commercialisation and
business development strategy. Dr Grant's first priority will be to lead Rua's global expansion into
key markets.

She brings 20 years of business development experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech
industries globally. Dr Grant comes to Rua from Janssen Cilag Pty NZ (the pharmaceutical business of
Johnson & Johnson), where she was the Market Access Manager responsible for commercialising
innovative medicines to NZ patients.

Her global experience in biotech includes senior business development roles at Incyte and
Galapagos, both during their early stages of transitioning to fully integrated pharmaceutical
companies, as well as Management Director of Living Cell Technologies.

Dr Grant will also add value to Rua’s global commercial discipline, her experience garnered from
working with pharmaceutical stalwarts like Janssen and Roche.

Rua Bioscience CEO Rob Mitchell says, “Andi is an exciting hire for the company as we prepare to
enter both the German and domestic markets and develop our IP strategy across the medicinal
cannabis value chain.”

The first market is Germany, where Rua holds an exclusive distribution agreement with Nimbus
Health. In a recent report authored by global researchers Prohibition Partners, it is estimated
Germany’s medicinal cannabis market will be worth over €840 million (NZ$1.4 billion) by the end of
2024. Plans for this market are well-advanced, and Rua hopes to be in a position to supply high
quality, GMP grade flower to Germany under its distribution agreement with Nimbus by year's end.

"Andi has carved out an outstanding international career focused on the commercialisation of
medical innovations in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors across the UK, Europe, USA, NZ and
Asia.

"She's a proven value creator, skilled negotiator and vastly experienced leader who knows how to
bring novel products to market. She is also a great fit for Rua’s unique vision and kaupapa," he says.

Dr Grant says she’s thrilled to join Rua Bioscience.

“Rua’s long-term vision to become a fully integrated pharmaceutical company is eminently
achievable, especially given the company’s laser focus on driving revenue that we can reinvest on
MARKET ANNOUNCEMENT

PO Box 1387, Gisborne 4040, Aotearoa New Zealand | 0800 RUABIO | www.ruabio.com
securing IP” she says. “In my view, Rua is the most advanced New Zealand-based medicinal cannabis
company in regards to product development progress to date, as well as its ability to commercialise
its assets and IP.

She says the Board and CEO have built an extremely strong management team, which will enhance
the company’s potential for success.

Rua’s kaupapa is also something that resonates strongly with Dr Grant.

“Rua’s social vision is well aligned with my own principles both personally and professionally, as
throughout my career I’ve gravitated towards projects grounded in shared value creation for
community stakeholders.” she says.

Dr Grant holds a PhD in molecular neurobiology from the University of Cambridge, UK. She is a
proud parent of a family of two sons and two daughters, and is a keen sportswoman, particularly
enjoying sea swimming, mountain and road biking.

Dr Grant takes up her position with Rua Bioscience on 7 June 2021.


ENDS

For shareholder enquiries please visit www.ruabio.com, or contact:

Kerry Donovan
Communications Manager, Rua Bioscience
media@ruabio.com
0800 RUABIO