Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – March 8, 2021) – Lobe Sciences Ltd. (CSE: LOBE) (OTC Pink: GTSIF) (“Lobe” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce, further to its press release dated February 23, 2021, that it has completed the sale to Ionic Brands Corp. (“Ionic Brands“) of Lobe’s non-core cannabis assets relating to Washington-based Cowlitz County Cannabis Cultivation Inc. (“Cowlitz“) held by Lobe’s subsidiary vendor, Green Star Biosciences Inc. (the “Transaction“).
Philip Young, CEO and Director of Lobe stated, “This sale provides us with substantial non-dilutive capital to grow our business and accelerate our research and device development. Ionic Brands has been expanding their footprint in the US cannabis market, and this sale allows Lobe to continue to be invested in this exciting sector. The Company continues to focus on its psychedelics business segment, and plans to provide an update on its pre-clinical studies with the University of Miami in the near future. The Company intends to capitalize on the growing mental health sector including the use of other psychedelics with and without NAC using our proprietary nasal delivery device.”
Transaction Highlights:
- Strengthens Lobe’s balance sheet with $1.75 million cash on closing
- Provides equity ownership in Ionic Brands through the issuance of class E non-voting preferred shares which carry a two-year 13% annual, cumulative, preferential dividend on the issue price per share of $0.30, and which are convertible into common shares of Ionic Brands on a one-for-one basis, as well as additional equity upside through warrants to purchase up to 4,000,000 common shares (subject to Lobe’s covenant not to convert if conversion would result in Lobe becoming an insider of Ionic Brands based on post-conversion beneficial ownership)
- Commitment from Ionic Brands to significantly improve its balance sheet through the conversion of outstanding Debentures
- Lobe’s subsidiary vendor issued a US$50,000 promissory note from Ionic Brands bearing interest at 7% and maturing in two years, secured against the purchased assets
- Allows Lobe to continue to be exposed to the cannabis sector and the broader mental health and wellness industry utilizing transformative medicine, while permitting Lobe to focus on its core business relating to R&D of psychedelic medicines
- Provides Lobe with certain minority board representation rights with respect to the board of directors of Ionic Brands
Further to the Company’s press release dated February 23, 2021, in connection with the closing of the Transaction, the Company amended the terms of the asset purchase agreement governing the Transaction. In particular, and following Ionic Brand’s news release on March 2, 2021 confirming that it had closed a $14.7 million oversubscribed private placement and had entered into debenture conversion and voting support agreement with holders of 80.2% of the outstanding principal amount of secured convertible debentures (the “Ionic Debentures“), Ionic Brands covenanted in favour of Lobe’s vendor subsidiary to convert, within 60 days following the date hereof, at least 90% of the principal amount of the outstanding Ionic Debentures, resulting in obligations outstanding (including principal and accrued interest, if any) of no more than $1,800,000 as at the date of conversion. Furthermore, Ionic Brands has agreed to certain minority board nomination rights in favour of Lobe.