HELIUS
THERAPEUTICS
New Zealand's largest GMP certified medicinal cannabis company.
Helius Therapeutics exists to unlock the extraordinary therapeutic potential of cannabis to improve quality of life. We have a bold vision – to become a world leader in the research, development and distribution of next-generation cannabinoid medicines.
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Our scientists are innovating to create the world’s safest and most efficacious cannabis products in a variety of therapy areas. Future targets will extend beyond symptom relief into disease modification, particularly in the treatment of inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions.
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Innovating to improve accessibility.
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Medical cannabis represents a substantial social and economic opportunity in New Zealand. In 2016, the Ministry of Health estimated that 235,000 patients are already using cannabis for medicinal purposes. That’s 1 in 20 people.
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In April 2020, New Zealand enacted the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, paving the way for commercial cultivation, research, manufacture and export of cannabinoid-based medicines. The Scheme aims improve the accessibility of these natural therapeutics, for all patients who may benefit.
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New Zealand has a world-class, highly-collaborative scientific community. The government offers a range of favourable funding programmes that mean clinical trials of cannabinoid medicines can be undertaken cost effectively. This makes the country an ideal innovation hub for the Asia-Pacific region.
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A new frontier of care.
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In July 2021, Helius became the first medicinal cannabis company in New Zealand to be GMP certified and gain a Licence to Manufacture Medicines.
We are 100% New Zealand owned. The global medical cannabis market is expected to grow to $55.8 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1%.
Backed by a growing body of scientific research, ever more progressive laws, and enthusiastic public opinion, cannabis is earning the reputation it deserves as a ground-breaking health solution in the modern world.
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OPERATING
AT SCALE
Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Helius Therapeutics has grown into one of the country's largest and most advanced cannabis medicines producers.
Our 8,800sqm integrated facility enables indoor controlled cultivation, analytics, research, manufacturing, logistics, management and bonded distribution – all under one roof.
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Certified New Zealand Grown biomass is extracted and manufactured on-site. Our facility is GMP-certified by MedSafe and produces products for domestic, export and wholesale markets.
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OUR
FACILITY
LEADING
EDGE
As a biotechnology company, we are improving quality of life though the research and development of natural cannabis compounds, novel formulae and delivery systems.
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Our strategy will unlock the global potential of medical-grade cannabis therapeutics, developed from New Zealand. With a clear purpose, talented team and modern resources, we aspire to become a world leader in cannabis research, formulation, marketing and distribution.
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Controlling the majority of our supply chain, Helius leverages vertical integration, from plant to patient. Operations connect cultivar breeding to yield optimisation; precision extraction of high-value cannabinoids, next generation medicine development, GMP production, professional partnerships and a market-leading patient experience. Helius will define a new standard for trusted, accessible and efficacious cannabis products.
INTEGRATED
FACILITIES
Helius is a vertically integrated medicines producer, from plant breeding and cultivation, to extraction, analytical testing and manufacturing.
Helius holds a Licence to Manufacture Medicines and a commercial Medicinal Cannabis Licence from New Zealand's Medicinal Cannabis Agency. We are GMP certified by MedSafe, New Zealand's medicines regulator, and a member of PIC/S (recognised as EU-GMP).
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We are approved to grow over forty cannabis cultivars, including a range of high-CBD, high-THC, balanced and rare genetics – sourced from New Zealand and leading international breeders.
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Our medicinal cannabis is processed under pharmaceutical conditions as GMP-certified extracts, administered through a variety of delivery methods.
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Our scientists have developed formulations and delivery mechanisms that allow for consistent and measured dosing of medicinal cannabis.
Every preparation is tested for potency, purity and consistency. Each therapeutic solution is made with comprehensive analysis, compliant with (EU)GMP, including stability profiles, CoAs and drug master files.
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Helius' facilities and capabilities in New Zealand include:
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Advanced cannabis cultivar breeding programme
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Nursery and tissue culture propagation
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Quarantine facility for onboarding new genetics
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GMP CO2 and cryo-ethanol extraction facility
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GMP purification laboratory
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GMP analytics laboratory
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GMP stability testing facilities
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GMP medicines manufacturing facilities
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GMP packing and secure storage facilities
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GMP contract manufacturing and logistics services
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Next-generation cannabinoid R&D centre
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Domestic and export distribution network
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Customer centre and medicines monitoring service
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(EU)GMP and New Zealand GMP are mutually recognised.
Helius gained GMP certification in July 2021.
GMP
QUALITY
Helius Therapeutics is Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified. This ensures all our products are consistent, safe and reliable.
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In 2002, the European Union (EU) and New Zealand's Ministry of Health and Ministry for Primary Industries formed a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance.
This MRA allows EU authorities and their regulatory counterparts in New Zealand to:
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Rely on each other's GMP inspections;
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Waive batch testing of products on entry into their respective territories;
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Share information on inspections and quality.
Helius products are tested for microbiological purity, metals and mycotoxins. Analytical testing for cannabinoid concentration helps ensure Helius patients receive consistent, pharmaceutical grade medicines with accurate ingredient labelling. Stability testing provides a dependable shelf life for every product we manufacture.
Our GMP release process ensures the strictest quality and safety specifications are met.
Helius products are traceable from the mother plant material to the client package, and they are assigned identification numbers to be used in the unlikely event of a recall.
Starting material and formulated products are manufactured in a controlled, GMP compliant environment to ensure consistency of each batch.
RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
Helius is committed to an ongoing programme of advanced research, supporting the development of safe, effective medicinal cannabis products.
Our research into genetics, high-yielding chemotypes, new and novel delivery systems, along with clinical trials, all play their part in developing our leading cannabis products.
New Zealand-grown cannabis has vast therapeutic potential. It’s the world’s most pharmacologically active plant, containing hundreds of beneficial compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenes. The efficacy of cannabinoids in treating a variety of both acute and chronic conditions is an area of medicine that demands thorough study.
As consumer demand shifts towards nutraceuticals, and cannabis reform sweeps across the world, New Zealand is set to become the Asia-Pacific cannabis innovation hub. From here, scientists in the Helius R&D team will thoroughly study the plant and its derivatives.
What's in a name?
As the cannabis industry moves out of the shadows, it is establishing itself among the most highly regulated business environments in the world, on par with financial services and healthcare in terms of depth and complexity within the regulatory framework.​
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The Helius brand is designed to reflect our high professional standards as a world-class therapeutics producer. Our brand helps to differentiate us from traditional pharmaceuticals companies. This identity reflects our quality, modernity, innovation, trust and professionalism.
In Greek mythology, Helius was the titan god of the sun; a guardian of oaths, and the god of sight. The name, Helius, reflects our three core values; harnessing the power of nature (the sun), delivering results for our people, our patients and society as a whole (the oaths), and relentless innovation (the sight).
