Organigram Invests in Sanity Group, a Leading German Cannabis Company
Organigram Holdings has made a significant investment of €14 million in Sanity Group, a leading German cannabis company, marking its strategic entry into the European market.
This investment includes €11.5 million in an unsecured convertible note and €2.5 million for equity interest, with an option to invest an additional €3 million. This collaboration also includes a new supply agreement with higher volumes and plans to commercialize Organigram’s brands in Germany.
Sanity Group, which holds a 10% share of the German medical cannabis market, is expected to benefit from recent legal reforms in Germany and is expanding its footprint in Switzerland through a recreational cannabis pilot program. The investment aims to leverage Sanity's robust distribution network and regulatory advancements in Europe's cannabis market.
- Organigram's €14 million investment establishes a significant footprint in the rapidly growing European cannabis market.
- Sanity Group's robust distribution network includes over 2,000 pharmacies and 5,000 physicians in Germany, enhancing Organigram's market reach.
- The new supply agreement foresees significantly higher annual volumes of dried flower purchases by Sanity Group.
- Organigram gains a pathway to launch its own brands and IP in the European market.
- The convertible note offers a 10% annual paid-in-kind interest for a minimum of three years.
- Organigram's investment involves unsecured convertible notes, which carry inherent financial risks.
- The commercial success of this investment is contingent on the regulatory and market developments in Germany and Europe.
Organigram's strategic investment in Sanity Group signifies a calculated move to capitalize on the burgeoning cannabis market in Europe, particularly the high-growth German sector. Investing
The enhanced supply agreement, promising significantly higher volumes and potential commercialization of Organigram's brands in Germany, positions the company to leverage Sanity’s established distribution network. This move could significantly bolster Organigram’s revenue streams by tapping into Germany’s projected cannabis sales of
Overall, this investment aligns with Organigram’s strategic goals and presents a promising opportunity for growth and increased market share in Europe.
The German cannabis market, spurred by recent regulatory changes, is on an impressive growth trajectory, with an estimated increase of
Sanity Group’s existing infrastructure, including a distribution network spanning over 2,000 pharmacies and partnerships with approximately 5,000 physicians, provides a robust platform for Organigram’s products. Additionally, Sanity’s involvement in Switzerland’s recreational cannabis pilot program indicates a forward-thinking approach to market expansion, aligning well with Organigram’s strategic vision.
This partnership, therefore, offers a strategic entry into the European market, leveraging Sanity’s local expertise and distribution capabilities, which can be pivotal for Organigram’s growth in the region.
The regulatory landscape in Germany and across Europe plays a important role in shaping the success of cannabis companies. The partial legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis in Germany and the positive regulatory developments in neighboring European jurisdictions present a fertile ground for growth. Organigram’s investment in Sanity Group, which holds a
Sanity’s compliance with EU-GMP standards and its commitment to purchasing higher volumes from Organigram upon certification further reinforce the regulatory robustness of this partnership. This relationship offers Organigram a competitive advantage by ensuring consistent quality and compliance with European standards, thereby mitigating regulatory risks and facilitating smoother market entry and expansion.
By aligning with a company that is already navigating the complex regulatory environment in Europe, Organigram bolsters its strategic positioning while minimizing potential legal hurdles.
Second “Jupiter” investment strengthens Organigram’s European access, including to the high-growth market of
Highlights:
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Concurrent to the investment, Organigram and Sanity Group have entered into a new supply agreement to include significantly higher volumes and the intention to work together on the commercialization of Organigram’s brands and intellectual property (IP) in
Germany . - Investment in the form of an unsecured convertible note combined with a minority equity stake in Sanity Group.
- Organigram entitled to appoint a representative to Sanity Group’s Board of Directors.
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(Photo: Business Wire)
Sanity has quickly established itself as a leader in the German cannabis market where it maintains a robust distribution network with over 2,000 pharmacies working with approximately 5,000 physicians in
The Company's investment also expands the previously announced supply agreement between Organigram and Sanity Group. Until such time as Organigram receives EU-GMP certification at its
“A meaningful presence in
“Our investment in Sanity Group establishes a significant European footprint for us. Organigram benefits from Sanity’s expertise and insights in the German (and in the future) other European cannabis markets. This has the potential to provide a pathway for us to launch our own brands and industry-leading IP through Sanity’s extensive distribution network. This relationship also bolsters our European revenue generation through a significantly expanded commercial agreement,” said Beena Goldenberg, CEO of Organigram.
“We are extremely pleased to close this strategic financing with Organigram who has consistently demonstrated itself to be a leader in the highly competitive and regulated Canadian cannabis market,” said Finn Hansel, co-founder and CEO of Sanity Group. “With its commitment to responsible R&D, innovation and product development, including through its relationship with BAT (British American Tobacco), we feel that we have chosen a partner that will support us in becoming a leader in the rapidly expanding legal European markets,” he concluded.
The German and European Cannabis Market
The German cannabis industry is poised for significant expansion following the recreational cannabis legal reforms enacted on April 1, 2024. According to BDSA estimates,
Strategic Rationale and Potential Opportunities
- Establishes a significant European footprint for Organigram through a leading regional cannabis company with a presence in multiple markets.
- Organigram benefits from Sanity’s expertise and insights in the German (and in future) other European cannabis markets.
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Provides a pathway for Organigram to launch its own brands and industry-leading IP in
Europe through Sanity’s extensive distribution network. - Bolsters Organigram’s European revenue generation through an expanded commercial agreement with improved terms and commitments.
- Further investment opportunities may allow Organigram to increase its unsecured convertible note and ownership position in Sanity Group.
Investment Details
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€14 million initial investment consists of€11.5 million structured as an unsecured convertible note (the “Note”) issued by Sanity Group to the Company as lender and€2.5 million of already issued equity interests purchased from existing shareholders. -
The Note yields
10% annual paid-in-kind (PIK) interest for a minimum of three years and is convertible at a discount to the price established by Sanity Group’s next qualified financing into the most senior class of shares (currently Series B). -
Organigram has an option, subject to certain terms and conditions, to invest an additional
€3 million on substantially the same terms as the Note which would bring its total investment to€17 million . - Sanity’s use of proceeds includes investments in various initiatives that are expected to give it access to over 100,000 patients, and aid in recreational cannabis pilot project expansion in applicable regions.
- Notable previous investors in Sanity Group include BAT, Casa Verde Capital (Snoop Dog), Will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas), Navy Capital, Scooter Braun and Alyssa Milano amongst others.
About Organigram Holdings Inc.
Organigram Holdings Inc. is a NASDAQ Global Select Market and TSX listed company whose wholly owned subsidiary Organigram Inc. is a licensed producer of cannabis, cannabis-derived products and cannabis infused edibles in
Organigram is focused on producing high-quality cannabis for adult recreational consumers, as well as developing international business partnerships to expand the Company’s global footprint. Organigram has also developed and acquired a portfolio of adult-use recreational cannabis brands, including Edison, Holy Mountain, Big Bag O’ Buds, SHRED, SHRED’ems, Monjour, Laurentian, Tremblant Cannabis and Trailblazer. Organigram operates production facilities in
About Sanity Group
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events, or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events, performance or achievements of Organigram and Sanity Group to differ materially from current expectations or future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained in this news release.
Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information include applicable regulatory and market conditions in
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For Investor Relations enquiries:
Max Schwartz, Director of Investor Relations
investors@organigram.ca
For Media enquiries:
Megan McCrae, Senior Vice President – Global Brands and Corporate Affairs
megan.mccrae@organigram.ca
Source: Organigram Holdings Inc.
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