Debra Borchardt
Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) said that it has entered into an agreement with Cannamedical Pharma GmbH through its wholly-owned subsidiary Tilray Portugal Unipessoal Lda. to export a wholesale shipment of $3.3 (€3) million worth of medical cannabis from Portugal to Germany. The shipment, which is expected to be completed in fall 2019, will be Tilray’s first from its state-of-the-art EU campus in Portugal to supply patients in Germany.
“This is a significant milestone for Tilray as we ramp up our capacity to serve international markets and generate revenue from our EU campus through the end of 2019,” says Tilray CEO Brendan Kennedy. “We believe our 2.5 million square feet of cultivation and state-of-the-art processing space in Europe is an important differentiator, which will enable us to reduce costs and improve margins while hedging against regulatory risk.”
Roughly 5.5 % of Tilray’s revenues are generated in Germany, but Cowen & Co. analyst Vivien Azer believes international markets could represent approximately $2.8 billion in business as the company expands into other countries. She has forecast that by 2021, the international business could contribute 30% of the company’s total sales.
Germany based Cannamedical is fully licensed and GDP-certified to import and distribute high-quality medical cannabis products. The privately-owned company is a leading independent supplier of medical cannabis products to 2,500 pharmacies and clinical facilities across Germany.
“We at Cannamedical Pharma are committed to helping doctors, medical specialists and pharmacists improve their patients’ quality of life,” says Cannamedical CEO David Henn. “Tilray’s product has passed our strict quality control standards, and we’re excited to have found a partner able to deliver medical cannabis products for use in Cannamedical’s own brands. We look forward to increasing access for patients in need across the country.”
According to Azer, the international growth for Tilray is expected to be driven by Germany, then followed by Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. She thinks the three countries mentioned will be a $1.1 billion medical cannabis market by 2021.
“We are pleased to enter into an agreement with a partner who shares Tilray’s commitment to product quality and safety and patient access,” says Sascha Mielcarek, Tilray’s Managing Director, Europe. “This initial shipment will be the first of many from our EU Campus in Portugal to Germany as well as other European and international markets.”
