TORONTO, Aug. 10, 2021 /CNW/ - Khiron Life Sciences Corp.
("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN) (OTCQX:
KHRNF)(Frankfurt: A2JMZC), a
vertically integrated medical cannabis leader with core operations
in Latin America and Europe, is pleased to announce the release of
its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report,
which captures the period between January 1,
2020 and December 31,
2020.
Showcasing the Company's commitment to improving environmental
practices, along with the lives of patients, employees, local
communities, shareholders and other stakeholders, the report
outlines actions and initiatives undertaken in 2020 to strengthen
ESG practices throughout the Company's operations and supply chain,
along with Khiron's goals for 2021 and 2022. The report
adheres to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and reflects
the alignment of the Company's goals with the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals. A full copy of the report is
available here.
"At Khiron, sustainability is embedded in our DNA, with the
common belief that strong ESG policies improve performance,
loyalty, and innovation, while reducing corporate risks and capital
costs. Our inaugural ESG report demonstrates our dedication to
strong environmental, social and governance principles as we
deliver on our Mission of improving lives through cannabis. I am
proud of how our team rose to the challenges of 2020, achieving
incredible milestones in an unprecedented year," comments
Alvaro Torres, CEO and Director.
Alvaro Torres, continues,
"Increasingly, institutional investors are using ESG principles to
guide investment decisions, and as one of the first global cannabis
companies to publish an ESG report, we have achieved another
corporate milestone that distinguishes us as an industry leader and
market disruptor. We have set ambitious ESG goals for the next two
years and I am confident our team will deliver on these
objectives."
2020 ESG Highlights
- Conducted initial identification and assessment of material
environmental, social, economic and governance issues, resulting in
the identification and prioritization of 10 overarching goals in
alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Identified eight key stakeholder groups impacted or influenced
by the Company, including shareholders, employees, patients,
clients, local communities, the environment, suppliers, and
government.
- Commissioned solar park to reduce energy consumption at
production facility by up to 40%, while implementing initiatives to
measure and reduce consumption of resources, including energy,
water, and materials.
- Supported local communities during COVID-19 crisis by donating
COVID-19 PCR testing equipment to the Santa Clara Hospital in
Bogota; in addition, provided
nutritional kits to vulnerable families, essential medical supplies
to local hospitals, and COVID-19 training and support to community
health care practitioner.
- Secured 88% of production supplies from local suppliers and
employed 74% local residents at the Company's production
facility.
- Had a positive impact on local communities, with 61% of
surveyed residents indicating that the Company has had positive
impact on the community.
- Achieved wage parity between men and women in the Company's
workforce, while fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Promoted culture of compliance and robust corporate security;
improved voluntary incident reporting by over 135x, conducted over
35 employee training sessions related to the Company's ESG goals,
and had no regulatory infractions.
- Leveraged a culture of innovation and adaptability, pivoting
quickly in response to the COVID-19 crisis, rapidly developing
telemedicine channels, managing supply chain to ensure patients
received medications and reprioritizing capital.
In 2020, global sustainable funds attracted more than
$150 billion in fund flows with
COVID-19 serving as a catalyst for sustainability investing
(Source: Morningstar). Additionally, according to RBC Global Asset
Managements' Responsible Investment Survey 2019, 70% of
institutional investors surveyed use ESG principles when they
invest. The top 3 reasons to apply ESG principles when investing
were cited as (1) lower risks, (2) improved returns, and (3) acting
in clients' interests.
About Khiron Life Sciences Corp.
Khiron is a leading vertically integrated medical cannabis
company with core operations in Latin
America and Europe.
Leveraging wholly-owned medical health centres and proprietary
telemedicine platforms, Khiron combines a patient-oriented
approach, physician education programs, scientific expertise,
product innovation, and agricultural infrastructure to drive
prescriptions and brand loyalty with patients worldwide. The
Company has a sales presence in Colombia, Peru, Germany, UK, and Brazil and is positioned to commence sales in
Mexico in 2021. The Company is led
by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced and
diverse executive team and Board of Directors.
Visit Khiron online at investors.khiron.ca and on Instagram
@khironlife.
Cautionary Notes
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain "forward-looking
information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein
that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking
information. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment on
analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in
respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating
results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the
expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press
release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been
based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future
events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous
risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's
control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual
Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at
www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this
press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement
and is made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention
and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law,
to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
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SOURCE Khiron Life Sciences Corp.