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Adviser Biographies
Professor Cherry Wainwright
Cherry graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology and subsequently the University of Strathclyde with a PhD in Cardiovascular Pharmacology. Her research career spans more than 42 years, with over 20 years spent at Strathclyde University before moving to Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen where she spent 8 years as the Director of the multi-disciplinary Institute for Health & Wellbeing Research and was the lead in Cardiometabolic Health Research and Co-Director of the Centre for Natural Products in Health.
Throughout her career, Cherry has worked continuously in collaboration with industry conducting research on the identification of novel therapeutic targets of cardiovascular diseases. For the last 20 years her focus has been on the influence of endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids on various cardiovascular disorders (ischaemia/reperfusion, cardiac fibrosis), vascular (atherosclerosis, restenosis) injury and cardiac energy regulation.
Cherry has published around 100 full original articles and invited reviews and holds 3 patents. She is a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society, for which she is currently President Elect.
Dr. Katie Sloper, PhD
Katie graduated from the University of New England with a BSc in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Nutrition, receiving several university Prizes for Excellence. Katie was then the recipient of the University Medal at the Australian National University (ANU) for her Honours thesis on DNA damage repair pathways. Katie subsequently completed her PhD at ANU with a focus on cancer research, before completing postdoctoral fellowships in both Australia and the USA.
In addition to her medical research Katie has over 15 years working in healthcare across both public and private sectors, including as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Queensland Minister for Health and a Member of the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Katie's medical research has recently focussed on understanding the therapeutic profile of cannabis-based medicines and investigating innovative approaches to cancer treatment.
Ananda Developments Plc ('Ananda'), a company whose ambition is to be a leading provider of cannabinoid-based medicines for the treatment of complex, chronic inflammatory pain conditions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Cherry Wainwright and Dr. Katie Sloper, PhD as scientific advisers to assist the Company in developing its in-house capabilities and pipeline of clinical trials.
Professor Cherry Wainwright is a pharmacological research expert with over 42 years of experience and is the President Elect of the British Pharmacological Society ('BPS'), a charity with a mission to promote and advance the whole spectrum of pharmacology (the scientific study of the effects of drugs and chemicals on living organisms). The BPS leads the way in the research and application of pharmacology around the world and has over 4,000 members from more than 60 countries worldwide. Cherry will advise the Company on its drug development activities, areas of potential unmet need that could benefit from Ananda's medicines, and clinical trial activities including protocol development.
Dr. Katie Sloper, PhD is a medical research expert with a particular focus on the therapeutic profile of cannabis-based medicines and innovative approaches to cancer treatment. Katie's work with Ananda will focus on developing the Company's scientific understanding of cannabidiol and its mechanisms of action, with a particular focus on chronic pain and inflammation. Katie will help the Company to continually refine its scientific approach and identify potential new areas for clinical investigation.
Ananda's Chairman, Charles Morgan, commented "Having worked with Cherry and Katie for some time, I am delighted that they are joining Ananda as scientific advisers to support our objective of gaining approval for MRX's cannabis-based formulations to be used in the NHS. Strengthening our team with these highly regarded scientists will both enhance our scientific capabilities and help us to target our research and development efforts even more effectively. It is also a huge opportunity for Ananda to explore new areas of potential unmet need where our cannabinoid medicines could benefit patients”
Here is the response…which is what I expected to honest, but thought I’d chance my arm anyway… 😁
Hi Dave, thanks for your question and we’re glad to know you appreciate the Hub. All reporting on sales will be made formally in annual & interim financial statements. Whilst the market is still in its infancy (between 20,000 and 30,000 patients nationally) our core focus is on building trust with clinicians via the collection of strong & positive clinical data via our clinical trial pipeline. It is our opinion that the only path to significant and consistent sales is by treating our formulations like every other medicine and that means providing the NHS and MHRA with the evidence they need to add MRX oils to Public Health medicine formularies.
It’s good that Ananda has decided to implement this Investor Hub. Having all information in one place is good to see and it’s accessible for existing and prospective shareholders. I also like the fact that Ananda want to engage, which has never really been an issue.
I’d like to see the question section a bit more obvious but it’s a good start.
Another interesting point regarding the genetics programme and the potential for seed sales, she stated that this could be a standalone business. That would indicate a potentially significant revenue from the work stream in time.
Also, and whilst Melissa didn’t talk to these points from the slide, I thought it was noteworthy that we currently have capacity to produce 400,000 to 550,000 grams of dry flower (which equates too approx 0.5 tonnes) in the current facilities, but we have space to scale up-to 75 tonnes of dry flower! If my maths are correct that is approx 75m grams a year!
Given recent info from Melissa where she stated that to build the GMP it would likely cost £2-3m, it was encouraging to see that they are looking at a partnership agreement to fund this.
When discussing the competition slide, the key point here was that Ananda are looking to supply medication to treat conditions where there is currently no medication available, ie they are not looking to replace an incumbent supplier.
When it came to the questions, I felt Melissa didn’t duck any of mine and gave sound answers to every question that was asked.
I don’t know how well attended the IMC presentation was but hopefully it was sufficient to ensure this format will be repeated on a fairly regular basis.
I’ve just listened to the IMC presentation again. Here are my thoughts…
I had some reservations following the announcement to pause the genetics and growing trials programme and what that meant for the business, but this presentation has well and truly put my mind at ease.
Melissa very clearly presented the strategy to complete the genetics programme, to initiate commercial growing when the market was right, develop sales of seeds and deliver RCTs to give a gateway into the NHS for the MRX formulations.
I like the way they have pivoted the business such that funding for every work-stream is going to come from 3rd parties. Melissa’s very short response to my question about her confidence levels for securing funding for the genetics programme with Notts Trent Uni, ‘very confident’, makes me think it is already in the bag. Also, on more than one occasion Melissa commented how these funding routes would avoid further shareholder dilution, so she is clearly conscious of the impact of raises and loans over the last couple of years. I’m not saying this will be the end of fundraises, because I don’t think it will be, but hopefully we’ll see less in the short term than might have been expected.
I think what is significant for the 2 RCTs already announced is the calibre of the investigators who are running the trials. It is clear they are senior and very well respected individuals in their fields including Prof Andrew Horne who is Chairman of the World Endometriosis Congress, so will clearly have huge numbers of contacts which will be beneficial should the Endo RCT be successful.
When it came to more RCTs, I particularly like that there is a 2-way street developing, where Ananda are approaching clinicians but they are also approaching Ananda to use the MRX formulations for their patients. It was stated that they were in discussions with a range of researchers and universities and are building a pipeline of RCTs. I like how they have a stated aim of targeting stage II and III RCTs. My bet is that the next to be announced fairly soon will be for Fybromyalgia given Melissa’s comments.
For commercial growing I thought it was interesting how Melissa stated that commercial growing would not be dependent on completing the genetics programme. There is a clear desire to grow from Ananda’s own seeds but it was also clear that seeds from 3rd parties would be considered for commercial growing should be market be such that growing were to commence ahead of the completion of the genetics programme.
Also good to hear that the that the genetics programme would be started as quickly as possible and was not dependent on the 2024 growing season as the genetics programme was undertaken indoors and not in the tunnels.
Well Gary was in the group but left, rejoined and left again because he didn’t like it when people challenged him in his sour demeanour.
Cookoo isn’t in the group either although I have suggested he should join to get a wider perspective.
However, there are over 70 members of the group, so you be joining a wider community than posts in here. Up to you.
Cookoo - You are sounding very much like Gary! 🤔
It’s a shame you didn’t listen as you might have learnt something and actually refound the reason for you investing in Ananda.
But given you didn’t because you are so embittered, just grow some balls, sell up, take the loss and put yourself out of the misery you are in!
Melissa did a short interview with Zak Mir the other day and in it she talked about 3 workstreams: seeds sales, plant genetics for future growing and the RCTs.
So whilst I can see your viewpoint re growing, it isn’t that work has stopped altogether but it has taken a change in direction. Instead of going it alone and needing to raise new funds, they are now partnering with Notts Uni, seeking grant funding and aiming to progress the genetics work that way.
I’ll say it again, we are different people. Why not join our Telegram group and then you might find out who we are. And you might just get a better insight into the company than you get from the few people who post here.
Oh yeah, and you never did answer either of my questions, so I’m still assuming you are here just to troll!
This really was a good listen. A nice short interview covering the key points around the 3 main work streams of seeds sales, commercial growing and the RCTs.
Also good to hear Melissa state very clearly that more RCTs are in the pipeline.
Nothing removed, all post still there in the thread. And no raw nerves, just staring a few facts that probably don’t like to see. Filter all you like, these posts are not really intended for you, they are for others who are genuinely interested in Ananda but are being deterred by trolls like you.
If anyone in here genuinely wants to join a group where Ananda and the wider industry is discussed, please feel free to join our group. Search for Ananda Developments Investor Group.
You were in our Telegram group Gary so you know full well that we are different people each with our own views and significant holdings.
You twice joined the group and twice dropped out because your sour and cynical attitude was challenged and you took unbridge. Now you are trying to paint a false picture in here to deter other investors.
We all know your game, you are simply trying to drive the price down so you can trade the share. You stated it on more than one occasion when you were in the group.
I see you chose not to answer the question I asked but instead criticise my approach. From that I’ll take it that you either didn’t research or are just here to troll.
And yep, I did my research and have been more than happy with the prices I have bought at. Share price is not currently a concern and hasn’t been since I first invested. My buys have not been driven by current share price but free cash. I’ve invested when I wanted over the last 2.5 years, and now have a substantial holding. Share price was always expected to rise and fall on news and fund raises, which as a developing company were going to be inevitable.
My plan has always been to hold for a minimum of 5 years before I expected to see any type of return.
I’ll give you another chance to answer. How about you? What was your plan?