TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb 25, 2015) -

Editor's Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Tilray, Canada's leading licensed producer of medical cannabis, has announced the appointment of former pharmaceutical executive Greg Engel as Chief Executive Officer. Engel will lead Tilray's growing team of industry-leading experts diligently working to advance the science, safety and efficacy of medical cannabis for patients and physicians in Canada and around the world. He will split his time between Tilray's operations in British Columbia and Ontario.

"In less than a year, Tilray has firmly established itself as Canada's most precise, professional and patient-focused licensed producer of medical cannabis," said Engel. "I am thrilled to be joining Tilray's expert team of researchers, horticulturists, former RCMP officers, and patient advocates as we aim to build the world's most trusted and admired medical cannabis company, right here in Canada."

Engel has more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. Prior to joining Tilray, Engel led the commercial efforts of four successful health care companies, three in Canada and one globally. His former roles include: General Manager of Forest Laboratories Canada, General Manager of Encysive Canada, Chief Operating Officer of Northern Therapeutics and Director of Sales, Marketing and Regulatory Affairs for Atrax Medical Group.

"Greg is well-known in the health care industry for leading early-stage companies to new levels of global growth by meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of patients and physicians, particularly underserved patients and physicians who lack access to appropriate therapies," said Christian Groh, chief operating officer of Privateer Holdings. "He brings exactly the type of strategic and operational leadership that will propel Tilray and Canada to the forefront of medical cannabis research and development globally."

Tilray, which operates with a federal license from Health Canada, opened a state-of-the-art research and production facility to grow, process, package and ship medical cannabis directly to Canadian patients in April 2014. Located in Nanaimo, British Columbia, the $25 million, 60,000-square-foot facility serves more than 3,500 patients and employs more than 100 professionals including:

  • Joshua Eades, Chief Science Officer (PhD, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Victoria): research scientist and plant biology and genetics expert responsible for Tilray's horticulture, quality and research and development teams. Previously served as Senior Technology Officer at the University of British Columbia and as a research scientist for Mycologic Inc. and the Canadian Forest Service.

  • Jake Ryan, Director of Security: former RCMP Intelligence Officer and federal criminal investigator overseeing all aspects of Tilray's security protocols and operations.

  • John Sweeney, Vice President, Operations (MS, Engineering Management, Tufts University): senior operations leader with health care manufacturing management experience at Sanofi Aventis, Pfizer and Wyeth Biotech.

  • Philippe Lucas, Vice President, Patient Research & Services (PhD Candidate, Social Dimensions of Health, University of Victoria): researcher, advocate and community activist responsible for patient advocacy at Tilray.

About Tilray

Tilray (www.tilray.ca) is a premium medical cannabis company, offering unparalleled quality and consistency for patients who utilize and health care professionals who prescribe medical cannabis.

For more information visit: www.tilray.ca www.facebook.com/tilray www.twitter.com/tilray

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