Cellular Goods boosts team with five appointments

12 April 2021

 Cellular Goods PLC

("Cellular Goods" or "the Company")

Cellular Goods strengthens team with five new appointments

Cellular Goods (LSE: CBX), a UK-based provider of premium consumer products based on biosynthetic cannabinoids, is pleased to announce that it has appointed a new Head of Process and Applied Sciences, made two senior hires to its product development team and contracted two expert consultants to advise on the development of the Company's pet care and skincare ranges.

Istok Nahtigal joins as Head of Process and Applied Sciences to focus on Cellular Goods' cannabinoid supply chain and will be responsible for optimising the Company's relationships with its manufacturing partners. Istok is a Chartered Chemist and cannabis industry expert in the field of fermentation and bio-extractions. He has an impressive track record and his work has led to multiple inventions and patents in cannabinoid purification. Previously, Istok was a key scientific member of LAVVAN, a pioneering company focused on commercialising high-quality cannabinoid ingredients using synthetic biology, and MedReleaf Corp, one of the first Canadian producers of medical cannabis to receive a license from Health Canada. Prior to this, he held the role of Process Scientist at Bionche Life Sciences, leading the group evolving novel fermentation and downstream purification schemes for an E.coli vaccine.

Amanda Pape and Melissa Santolini join the product development team as Senior Quality Assurance Manager and Lead Project Manager respectively and will support Cellular Goods' product development, quality assurance, and roll out. Amanda is a healthcare professional with over 15 years of experience working in hospital diagnostic laboratories who has transferred her expertise to the cannabis industry. In 2020 Amanda founded her own quality assurance consulting company, working collaboratively with cannabis licensed providers to implement regulatory requirements and Quality Management Systems. Prior to this, she was also the Quality Assurance Manager at LAVVAN. Melissa has experience in the cannabis, pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors. She was most recently at LAVVAN, where she focused on driving regulatory, product development and quality initiatives. Prior to LAVVAN, Melissa led product chemistry projects as a chemist at UPL Ltd, a global provider of crop protection chemicals, and held an analytical R&D role at Apotex Pharmachem Inc, a division of the Apotex group of companies.

Caroline Queen has been appointed as Pet Care Advisor and will provide consultancy regarding the development of Cellular's pet care range. This will include identifying suitable applications for cannabinoids in pet products and meeting associated regulatory and veterinary requirements. Caroline has an extensive background in the clinical and veterinary industry. She was formerly the Senior Business Development Director at Vet Partners Ltd, a veterinary group providing centralised support to individual practices across the UK.

Antony Buck has been appointed as Skincare Business Adviser and will be providing consultancy regarding the development of the Company's skincare range which will launch this year. In 2000 Antony created REN Skincare, a multi-award-winning brand that is sold in 50 countries and has a committed consumer base, with its range being sold predominantly in specialty stores and pharmacies. Antony successfully grew REN into a global brand with annual turnover excess of £40m before selling the business to Unilever in 2015.

Alexis Abraham, Chief Executive of Cellular Goods, commented: "Cellular Goods is executing on our differentiated business strategy: one focused on delivering clarity and consistent quality for consumers and leading the fast-moving consumer goods cannabinoid market through science and brand expertise. I am very pleased to welcome Istok, Caroline, Amanda, Melissa, and Antony. In their respective areas they complement our world-class team and will be a huge asset as we continue product development and gear up to releasing the first items in our skincare line this autumn."