Rua Bioscience Announces CCO with Global Pharma 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 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.

---

Announcement PDF