Aurora Cannabis Expands Medical Cannabis Pastille Offerings in Australia

Rhea-AI Summary

Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ: ACB) has expanded its medical cannabis pastille offerings in Australia, introducing three new products: 10mg THC Pomegranate Berry, 10:10 Balanced Pineapple, and 25mg CBD Acai Berry pastilles, each in 30-pack formats.

The expansion demonstrates Aurora's response to growing market demand and strengthens its position as the largest global medical cannabis company in legally operating markets. The pastilles offer several advantages, including easy oral intake, prolonged effects, and a discrete, portable format.

According to Andre Jerome, Executive VP of Global Business Development, this expansion showcases Aurora's understanding of market demand and ability to deliver high-quality products in key markets. The company plans to continue introducing new innovations through its pipeline in the coming months.

Positive

• Expansion into growing Australian market with new product line
• Maintains position as largest global medical cannabis company in legal markets
• Pipeline of new products planned for global introduction

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The expansion of Aurora's medical cannabis pastille portfolio in Australia represents a calculated market penetration strategy in one of the fastest-growing medical cannabis markets globally. The Australian medical cannabis market, projected to reach $200 million by 2026, presents a significant opportunity for established players like Aurora to capture market share through differentiated product offerings.

The introduction of three distinct pastille formulations - high THC, balanced THC:CBD, and high CBD - demonstrates sophisticated product segmentation targeting different patient needs. This diversification strategy is particularly noteworthy as oral formats like pastilles typically command higher margins compared to traditional flower products, potentially improving Aurora's gross margin profile in the region.

The extended-release characteristic of pastilles addresses a critical market gap in the Australian medical cannabis sector. The discrete, portable format aligns with increasing patient demand for convenient dosing options, while the controlled-release mechanism provides a competitive advantage over immediate-release alternatives. This product attribute is especially valuable for patients requiring sustained therapeutic effects throughout the day.

From a competitive standpoint, Aurora's timing is strategic. While several cannabis companies operate in Australia, few have launched comprehensive pastille lines with multiple formulation options. This early-mover advantage in the pastille segment could help Aurora establish brand loyalty and capture market share before competitors enter with similar offerings.

However, investors should note that success in the Australian market will depend heavily on:

• Execution of distribution partnerships and pharmacy network expansion
• Pricing strategy in a market where medical cannabis is not covered by insurance
• Educational initiatives to drive physician awareness and prescription confidence
• Supply chain efficiency in meeting potential demand growth

The expansion also signals Aurora's commitment to its international medical cannabis strategy, particularly important as the company focuses on sustainable growth in profitable markets. Australia's well-regulated medical cannabis framework and growing patient base make it an attractive market for premium products with higher margins, aligning with Aurora's focus on profitability over pure volume growth.

Canada's Leading Medical Cannabis Company Broadens Innovative Product Portfolio to Growing Market in Australia

EDMONTON, AB, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), the Canadian-based leading global medical cannabis company, has announced today the company's extended pastille offerings in Australia. This expansion marks another meaningful step in Aurora's deep commitment to offering patients a diverse range of high-quality, premium medical cannabis products to meet their various needs and interests.

"Expanding our portfolio of medical cannabis pastilles in Australia demonstrates our understanding of market demand and is another example of our ability to bring high quality product to this key market as patient interest increases," said Andre Jerome, Executive Vice President of Global Business Development at Aurora. "In this rapidly expanding market, we're leveraging our unique capabilities, including global manufacturing and excellence in navigating regulatory frameworks that define Aurora's leadership."

Medical cannabis pastilles offer several key benefits, including easy oral intake. The prolonged effects provide long-lasting and extended relief after digestion. Pastilles also come in an accessible format that is discrete, portable, and convenient.

The pastilles that are now available in Australia include:

• Aurora Pastilles - 10mg THC Pomegranate Berry (30 pack)
• Aurora Pastilles - 10:10 Balanced Pineapple (30 pack)
• Aurora Pastilles - 25mg CBD Acai Berry (30 pack)

Aurora maintains its position as the largest global medical cannabis company operating in nationally legal markets. The company has a robust innovation pipeline planned for global introduction over the course of the coming months, bringing variety and new options to patients.

About Aurora Cannabis Inc.

Aurora is opening the world to cannabis, serving both the medical and consumer markets across Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Aurora is a pioneer in global cannabis, dedicated to helping people improve their lives. The Company's adult-use brand portfolio includes Drift, San Rafael '71, Daily Special, Tasty's, Being and Greybeard. Medical cannabis brands include MedReleaf, CanniMed, Aurora and Whistler Medical Marijuana Co., as well as international brands, Pedanios, IndiMed and CraftPlant. Aurora also has a controlling interest in Bevo Farms Ltd., North America's leading supplier of propagated agricultural plants. Driven by science and innovation, and with a focus on high-quality cannabis products, Aurora's brands continue to break through as industry leaders in the medical, wellness and adult recreational markets wherever they are launched. Learn more at   www.auroramj.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Aurora's common shares trade on the NASDAQ and TSX under the symbol "ACB".

Forward Looking Information:    

This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements made in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's expanded pastilles offerings in the Australian market, including the associated benefits to the Company, as well as the benefits to the pastille format for patients, and statements regarding expectations for the continued rapid expansion of the Australian market, the Company's upcoming innovation pipeline, and position as the largest medical global cannabis company operating in nationally legal markets.

These forward-looking statements are only predictions. Forward looking information or statements contained in this news release have been developed based on assumptions management considers to be reasonable. Material factors or assumptions involved in developing forward-looking statements include, without limitation, publicly available information from governmental sources as well as from market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which the Company believes to be reasonable. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances could cause actual events, results, level of activity, performance, prospects, opportunities or achievements to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, the ability to retain key personnel, the ability to continue investing in infrastructure to support growth, the ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms, the continued quality of our products, customer experience and retention, the development of third party government and non-government consumer sales channels, management's estimates of consumer demand in Canada and in jurisdictions where the Company exports, expectations of future results and expenses, the risk of successful integration of acquired business and operations (with respect to the Transaction and more generally with respect to future acquisitions), management's estimation that SG&A will grow only in proportion of revenue growth, the ability to expand and maintain distribution capabilities, the impact of competition, the general impact of financial market conditions, the yield from cannabis growing operations, product demand, changes in prices of required commodities, competition, and the possibility for changes in laws, rules, and regulations in the industry, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises and other risks, uncertainties and factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information from dated June 20, 2024 (the "AIF") and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and filed with and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Company cautions that the list of risks, uncertainties and other factors described in the AIF is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aurora-cannabis-expands-medical-cannabis-pastille-offerings-in-australia-302381814.html

SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.

FAQ

What new cannabis pastille products did Aurora (ACB) launch in Australia?

Aurora launched three new cannabis pastille products: 10mg THC Pomegranate Berry, 10:10 Balanced Pineapple, and 25mg CBD Acai Berry, all available in 30-pack formats.

What are the benefits of Aurora's (ACB) cannabis pastilles?

Aurora's cannabis pastilles offer easy oral intake, prolonged effects for extended relief after digestion, and come in a discrete, portable, and convenient format.

How does the Australian expansion affect Aurora's (ACB) global market position?

The expansion reinforces Aurora's position as the largest global medical cannabis company operating in nationally legal markets and demonstrates their ability to meet growing market demand.

What are Aurora's (ACB) future plans for product development?

Aurora has announced a robust innovation pipeline planned for global introduction over the coming months, aimed at bringing more variety and new options to patients.