Helius Therapeutics's guest appearances

Helius Therapeutics

Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Don Brash

Sally Mackay

Scott Morrison

Jane Goodall

Emma John

Matt Brown

Elliot Smith

Vernon Tava

Nicki Jackson

John Key

Michael Sergel

Nikki Kaye

Steve Hansen

Jessica Wilson

Alex Sims

OwlTail

Helius Therapeutics is now certified to dry and finish medicinal cannabis flowers. Now the only fully certified company in the country, patients can rely on locally sourced dried flower products. Helius chief executive, Carmen Doran joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helius Therapeutics is now certified to dry and finish medicinal cannabis flowers. Now the only fully certified company in the country, patients can rely on locally sourced dried flower products. Helius chief executive, Carmen Doran joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVESee <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Carmen Doran: Helius Therapeutics CEO on becoming only fully certified medicinal cannabis flower company in NZ

Leila de Koster

Giving your pet cannabis might not seem like a good idea, but a Kiwi company sees it as a lucrative business opportunity.New Zealand cannabis firm Helius Therapeutics has announced the launch of a medicinal product range targeting ailments suffered by pets.The East Tamaki-based firm has spent $2.5 million to establish Helius Animal Health, which will be led by managing director Lelia de Koster.The aim of this side of the business isn't to get any pets high.The organisation will only use non-psychotropic CBD to develop therapeutic products that help to alleviate anxiety, stress, nausea, skin conditions, arthritis and seizures in pets.De Koster said that the immediate objective is to get off-the-shelf nutraceutical products into vet clinics and pet retailers."We'll be starting with a range of premium supplement products made from natural ingredients, then we'll be moving to deliver cannabis-focused products, including clinically-proven animal medicines," de Koster said.The barrier for entry for such products is lower than it would be for humans, which in turn opens an immediate source of revenue for the company.However, when the company goes on to develop to develop animal medicines, it will need to meet strict standards and go through a number of clinical trials.Leila de Koster and Paul Manning in the East Tamaki facility. (Photo / supplied)De Koster said the company aims to work with regulators to gain ACVM (Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines) registration for New Zealand's first prescription medicinal cannabis products for animals.Helius chief executive Paul Manning says that while novel, the pet sector has become a major growth opportunity for cannabis firms internationally and expects to see similar demand on a local level.With New Zealand home to 1.1 million dogs and 1.5 million cats, Manning says pet owners already spend $1.8 billion on pet products and services every year."To have high-quality, locally-produced therapeutic cannabis products readily available in New Zealand will be a game-changer for many Kiwi pet owners, desperate to alleviate their companion's pain and suffering naturally," he says."Our team, which includes scientific experts from the animal health sector, have already completed substantial product development and regulatory groundwork in this space."Manning actually intended to launch the business far earlier, but faced major delays due to Covid-19.He says that the impact of the pandemic pushed out deadlines and interfered with his business plans."We actually wanted products on the shelf by this stage," says Manning.CBD products are already available on US shelves. (Photo / Getty)The loss in revenue opportunity saw Helius claim $91,384 through the Government's wage subsidy scheme."We've seen much of research and plans put on hold due to the pandemic," he said."The timing was really terrible for cannabis firms because we actually had New Zealand's cannabis law come into effect in the middle of lockdown."Manning says that with the restrictions now relaxed, he decided the time was right to take the next step with the business.

Giving your pet cannabis might not seem like a good idea, but a Kiwi company sees it as a lucrative business opportunity. New Zealand cannabis firm Helius Therapeutics has announced the launch of a medicinal product range targeting ailments suffered by pets. The East Tamaki-based firm has spent $2.5 million to establish Helius Animal Health, which will be led by managing director Lelia de Koster. The aim of this side of the business isn't to get any pets high. The organisation will only use non-psychotropic CBD to develop therapeutic products that help to alleviate anxiety, stress, nausea, skin conditions, arthritis and seizures in pets. De Koster said that the immediate objective is to get off-the-shelf nutraceutical products into vet clinics and pet retailers. "We'll be starting with a range of premium supplement products made from natural ingredients, then we'll be moving to deliver cannabis-focused products, including clinically-proven animal medicines," de Koster said. The barrier for entry for such products is lower than it would be for humans, which in turn opens an immediate source of revenue for the company. However, when the company goes on to develop to develop animal medicines, it will need to meet strict standards and go through a number of clinical trials. Leila de Koster and Paul Manning in the East Tamaki facility. (Photo / supplied) De Koster said the company aims to work with regulators to gain ACVM (Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines) registration for New Zealand's first prescription medicinal cannabis products for animals.Helius chief executive Paul Manning says that while novel, the pet sector has become a major growth opportunity for cannabis firms internationally and expects to see similar demand on a local level. With New Zealand home to 1.1 million dogs and 1.5 million cats, Manning says pet owners already spend $1.8 billion on pet products and services every year. "To have high-quality, locally-produced therapeutic cannabis products readily available in New Zealand will be a game-changer for many Kiwi pet owners, desperate to alleviate their companion's pain and suffering naturally," he says. "Our team, which includes scientific experts from the animal health sector, have already completed substantial product development and regulatory groundwork in this space." Manning actually intended to launch the business far earlier, but faced major delays due to Covid-19. He says that the impact of the pandemic pushed out deadlines and interfered with his business plans. "We actually wanted products on the shelf by this stage," says Manning. CBD products are already available on US shelves. (Photo / Getty) The loss in revenue opportunity saw Helius claim $91,384 through the Government's wage subsidy scheme. "We've seen much of research and plans put on hold due to the pandemic," he said. "The timing was really terrible for cannabis firms because we actually had New Zealand's cannabis law come into effect in the middle of lockdown." Manning says that with the restrictions now relaxed, he decided the time was right to take the next step with the business.

Leila de Koster: Helius Therapeutics eyes opportunity to make cannabis for pets

New Zealand medicinal cannabis startup Helius Therapeutics has received backing from richlister Guy Haddleton.The New Zealand entrepreneur has a long history of investments in the startup space. He previously founded and sold business planning software Adaytum to IBM Cognos in 2003 for US$160 million, then went on to become one of the early investors in Xero and also started what is now the billion-dollar software business Anaplan."Helius Therapeutics has all the features we seek in a high-potential investment," Haddleton told the Weekend Herald via email from winter break in the South of France."The company has a clear and large vision, extraordinary talent and deep go-to-market experience."His interest in the little-known startup came about after reading about the ambitious plans of entrepreneurs Gavin Pook, JP Schmidt and Paul Manning to tap into a market that doesn't yet exist in New Zealand.Manning says the initial news coverage in the Herald sparked enormous interest and led to him receiving between 400 and 500 enquiries from investors interested in backing the idea."A lot of those investors were smaller investors who would've been more suited to a retail or an IPO scenario, but a number were also serious, institutional investors and one of those was Guy," Manning says.Thereafter, Manning and his partners went to meet Haddleton and his wife Sue at their home in Takapuna to further discuss the opportunity."We knew as soon as we met them we knew they were the investors for us," says Manning."For starters, you're talking about a guy who has played a part in building not one but several billion-dollar businesses. He's an incredibly astute entrepreneur, so you can imagine the experience and the wealth of knowledge someone like that would bring to our business."Manning says that beyond the money, they were also looking "for the right fit," someone who could lend experience and advice to the process of building "a startup business in what is essentially a startup industry".Haddleton now joins as the inaugural chairman, leading a group of other high net-worth investors and taking a 40 per cent stake in the business. The three co-founding partners will each retain a 20 per cent share.Some of the early investment into the business has gone into the development of a sprawling industrial facility and office building, located in East Tamaki.The site will include a 6000 square metre indoor hydroponic cultivation area, with the ability to expand up to 20,000 square metres as the business develops. At capacity, this will allow the company to handle 140,000 plants capable of delivering as much as 50 tonnes of medicinal cannabis product.PreviousManning anticipates that this facility will be able to produce around $700 million in cannabinoid therapeutics per annum.Well aware that it's to take more than four people (even if one is a richlister) to achieve this, Manning and his team will be going on a hiring spree in the new year to appoint biotech staff familiar with the high standards required to ensure GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification for any product produced on site.Manning says he plans to eventually recruit approximately 120 staff across a range of disciplines within the building.Manning says security was an important consideration in keeping everything indoors in the building.Whether medicinal or not, the company is still involved in the cultivation of cannabis products – and this presents an obvious security risk from those who might want to get their hands on it.Manning explains it's far easier to secure a building than it is to secure an outdoor plantation.The other two major consideration was the desire to create high quality product at scale. Every part of the process will be controlled within the building, which in turn means that nothing can be compromised in the back of a truck or when handled by numerous parties in different places.The size of the building also ensures that Helius...

New Zealand medicinal cannabis startup Helius Therapeutics has received backing from richlister Guy Haddleton. The New Zealand entrepreneur has a long history of investments in the startup space. He previously founded and sold business planning software Adaytum to IBM Cognos in 2003 for US$160 million, then went on to become one of the early investors in Xero and also started what is now the billion-dollar software business Anaplan. "Helius Therapeutics has all the features we seek in a high-potential investment," Haddleton told the Weekend Herald via email from winter break in the South of France. "The company has a clear and large vision, extraordinary talent and deep go-to-market experience." His interest in the little-known startup came about after reading about the ambitious plans of entrepreneurs Gavin Pook, JP Schmidt and Paul Manning to tap into a market that doesn't yet exist in New Zealand. Manning says the initial news coverage in the Herald sparked enormous interest and led to him receiving between 400 and 500 enquiries from investors interested in backing the idea. "A lot of those investors were smaller investors who would've been more suited to a retail or an IPO scenario, but a number were also serious, institutional investors and one of those was Guy," Manning says. Thereafter, Manning and his partners went to meet Haddleton and his wife Sue at their home in Takapuna to further discuss the opportunity. "We knew as soon as we met them we knew they were the investors for us," says Manning."For starters, you're talking about a guy who has played a part in building not one but several billion-dollar businesses. He's an incredibly astute entrepreneur, so you can imagine the experience and the wealth of knowledge someone like that would bring to our business." Manning says that beyond the money, they were also looking "for the right fit," someone who could lend experience and advice to the process of building "a startup business in what is essentially a startup industry". Haddleton now joins as the inaugural chairman, leading a group of other high net-worth investors and taking a 40 per cent stake in the business. The three co-founding partners will each retain a 20 per cent share. Some of the early investment into the business has gone into the development of a sprawling industrial facility and office building, located in East Tamaki. The site will include a 6000 square metre indoor hydroponic cultivation area, with the ability to expand up to 20,000 square metres as the business develops. At capacity, this will allow the company to handle 140,000 plants capable of delivering as much as 50 tonnes of medicinal cannabis product. Previous Manning anticipates that this facility will be able to produce around $700 million in cannabinoid therapeutics per annum. Well aware that it's to take more than four people (even if one is a richlister) to achieve this, Manning and his team will be going on a hiring spree in the new year to appoint biotech staff familiar with the high standards required to ensure GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification for any product produced on site. Manning says he plans to eventually recruit approximately 120 staff across a range of disciplines within the building. Manning says security was an important consideration in keeping everything indoors in the building. Whether medicinal or not, the company is still involved in the cultivation of cannabis products – and this presents an obvious security risk from those who might want to get their hands on it. Manning explains it's far easier to secure a building than it is to secure an outdoor plantation. The other two major consideration was the desire to create high quality product at scale. Every part of the process will be controlled within the building, which in turn means that nothing can be compromised in the back of a truck or when handled by numerous parties in different places. The size of the building also ensures that Helius...

Kiwi richlister invests $15 million in Kiwi cannabis startup Helius Therapeutics