Swiss Joint Venture
On 01.08.2022, Switzerland’s BetmG was amended and cannabis was approved for medicinal use via medical prescription without the need for a licence from the Federal Office of Public Health. The new regulation also created the legal framework for the import and export of medicinal cannabis products.
Strategic partnership for the medical cannabis business
As an international company, Astrasana Holding AG is not only active in Switzerland, where its headquarters are located, but also in the Czech Republic, Germany and Japan. Astrasana focuses on the cultivation, processing and distribution of cannabis products and has recently entered into a partnership with the pharmaceutical specialist Solumedics. Together, they have now managed the first import of medicinal cannabis for Swiss pharmacies, hospitals and care institutions.
Especially in the consultation-intensive cooperation with pharmacies, Astrasana proves to be a competent contact for all questions on the topic of medicinal cannabis. The partner Solumedics has many years of experience in working with radiotherapy and other medical products and was able to obtain authorisation for the distribution of medicinal products that are legally relevant under the BetmG.
The CEO of Astrasana Holding sees all the prerequisites for a storybook partnership in the cooperation with Solumedics
“We are talking about a win-win situation. The liberalisation of the cannabis market creates conditions for committed companies that have done the necessary groundwork. Now two companies are meeting here that together have control over all steps from cultivation of the plants to patient care. From our side, in addition to our own customer network, we primarily contribute extensive know-how in order to offer high-quality raw materials from sustainable production. Solumedics, in turn, supports us with the BTM licence to enable the import of medicinal cannabis for the first time.”
Reno Löffler, CEO of Solumedics AG, was also positive about the cooperation with Astrasana:
“Pharmacists and doctors must be able to rely on the fact that there are no fluctuations in the efficacy and tolerability of the medicines.
That is why we were looking for a partner who imports GMP-certified pharmaceutical raw materials.
With our experience as a pharmaceutical producer, we are able to process first-class raw materials into valuable medicines for individualised medicine.
Together with Astrasana, we can now serve this market.”