CannTrust and Australia's Gold Coast University Hospital Partner in ALS Clinical Trial

VAUGHAN, Ontario, July 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of CannTrust's Cannabidiol Oil Capsules in slowing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) progression 

CannTrust Holdings Inc. ("CannTrust" or the "Company") (TSX: TRST), one of Canada's leading licensed producers of medical cannabis, announced today that it has partnered with Australia's Gold Coast University Hospital ("Gold Coast") to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the efficacy of CannTrust cannabidiol (CBD) oil capsules in slowing the disease progression in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Patient safety and tolerability will also be assessed. The study has received Research Ethics Board approval and Australian Therapeutic Good Administration Acknowledgement for the study drug.

The six-month study will be led by Gold Coast Neurologist, Dr. Arman Sabet, MD. Gold Coast is one of Australia's leading tertiary referral institutions for ALS management and Dr. Sabet has been involved in many international clinical trials specializing in neuromuscular disorders and stroke.

Dr. Sabet's research will also analyze the effects of CannTrust CBD oil capsules on study participants' spasticity, pain, weight loss and quality of life.

"ALS is a fatal disease with no known cure. This study will help advance our understanding of the potential effects of CannTrust's standardized CBD oil capsules on ALS/MND, both as a disease modifying agent and as a symptomatic treatment and will become the basis for conducting future cannabinoid and ALS clinical trials," said Dr. Sabet, MD, Senior Staff Specialist, Gold Coast University Hospital.

"The rate of ALS progression is often rapid, creating high levels of disability for patients. People diagnosed with ALS have an average life expectancy of 2.5 years. CannTrust is proud to participate in this important study which aims to help us better understand the potential impact of CannTrust CBD oil capsules on ALS and MND, so that patients might face better outcomes," said Eric Paul, CEO, CannTrust.

About CannTrust
Since its inception in 2014, CannTrust has led the Canadian market in producing standardized product.

As a federally regulated licensed producer, CannTrust brings more than 40 years of pharmacy and healthcare experience to the medical cannabis industry. CannTrust currently operates a 60,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art hydroponic facility in Vaughan, Ontario, as well as the recently completed 250,000 sq. ft. Phase One redevelopment of its 450,000 sq. ft. Niagara Perpetual Harvest Facility. The Phase Two expansion is underway and is anticipated to be completed and in cultivation by fall 2018. Phase Three construction, with an additional projected 600,000 sq. ft., is fully funded and has begun.

CannTrust is committed to research and innovation, as well as contributing to the growing body of evidence-based research regarding the use and efficacy of cannabis. Our product development teams along with our exclusive global pharma partner, Apotex Inc., are diligently innovating and developing products that will make it easier for patients to use medical cannabis. We support ongoing patient education about medical cannabis and have a compassionate use program to support patients with financial needs. For more information, please visit: http://www.canntrust.ca.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation which are based upon CannTrust's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs and views of future events. Forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expect", "likely", "may", "will", "should", "intend", "anticipate", "potential", "proposed", "estimate" and other similar words, including negative and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "would" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy.

The forward-looking information in this news release is based upon the expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and views of future events which management believes to be reasonable in the circumstances. Forward-looking information includes estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, targets, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to internal expectations, expectations with respect to actual production volumes, expectations for future growing capacity and the completion of any capital project or expansions. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the medical cannabis industry in Canada generally; the ability of CannTrust to implement its business strategies; competition; crop failure; and other risks.

Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, CannTrust does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for CannTrust to predict all such factors. When considering these forward-looking statements, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in CannTrust's Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2018 (the "AIF") and filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. The risk factors and other factors noted in the AIF could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information.

The TSX does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright © 2017 CannTrust Holdings Inc. 

To arrange an interview with Eric Paul, CEO or Dr. Ilana Platt, VP Innovation & Global Regulatory Affairs, please contact Sybil Eastman at Strategic Objectives. Tel: +1(416)366-7735 X254, Email: sybil.eastman@strategicobjectives.com