Rua Bioscience CCO Steps Down

Rua Bioscience (NZX: RUA) announces that Andi Grant is to step down from the role of Chief Commercial Officer. The role will be filled by current Chief Operating Officer, Paul Naske.

Andi joined Rua in June 2021 and has substantially progressed Rua’s global and New Zealand business goals.

Rua Managing Director, Anna Stove, says “Andi has significantly advanced our entry into Germany, where we will launch by year’s end. Andi played a key role in the acquisition of Zalm and has progressed our cultivation partnership with Cann Group which resulted from that transaction. Andi also penned the recently announced five-year supply agreement with Motagon, securing Rua’s entry into further high-value European markets”.

Ms Stove says Dr Grant has also made a difference in the lives of medicinal cannabis patients throughout Aotearoa.

“Andi launched Rua’s first product here in New Zealand and established the domestic industry’s first medicinal cannabis compassionate access programme, of which Rua is incredibly proud,” she says.

“Andi is dynamic, tenacious and passionate and we’re grateful for her inspired mahi.”

Speaking about her departure, Dr Grant says “It has been a privilege to be a part of RUA’s journey. I am proud of our achievements as a team, and I will always hold the people I have had the opportunity of working alongside in the highest regard. With Paul ready and able to take up the mantle, I am confident RUA will continue this path of commercial success and fulfilment of its social mission to benefit its founding community”.

Paul Naske has been overseeing Rua’s topline business operations since the beginning of 2019 and has been critical in the design and efficient execution of Rua’s global strategy.

“Paul has been with Rua since the very early days and helped build our organisation. He oversaw the construction of Rua’s two world-class medicinal cannabis facilities in Mangaoporo and Gisborne. He supported the team through the GMP process and was instrumental in navigating the regulatory environment within which Rua launched its first product for New Zealand patients,” says Ms Stove.

“As Rua has transitioned to commercialisation, Paul and Andi have worked closely to drive the business forward. Paul’s knowledge of the commercial environment has ensured Rua’s alignment with the business needs of our global clients. His expertise complements that of Andi’s, so we expect a seamless transition over the next couple of months.”

ENDS


For more information, please contact:
Kerry Donovan
Communications Manager Rua Bioscience
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 021 128 7689

---

Announcement PDF