MONTREAL, CANADA--(Marketwired - May 11, 2015) - Affinor Growers (CSE:AFI)(FRANKFURT:1AF)(OTCQB:RSSFF) ("Affinor" or the "Corporation), a diversified agriculture and biotechnology company with proprietary vertical farming systems, is pleased to announce that Dr. Hyder A. Khoja is joining Affinors' team as Chief Scientific Officer.
Dr. Khoja is a tenacious leader with a distinguished career primarily within the high technology sector and an extensive experience in a broad range of life sciences, combined with functional expertise in general business management coupled with strong adaptive abilities in leading diverse regulatory program areas with a solid background, both in science and regulatory domains. Known as a great speaker, he sits on some key National & International Scientific & Advisory boards for cutting-edge companies. Recently, he dealt with several business and research operations.
His industrial experience spans from advising, innovating, operating and contributing towards developing multitude for R&D, including: Cellular & Molecular Genomics, Metabolomics, Therapeutics, Environment Management, Alternative energy (Biofuels & Feed-stocks), Agri-Land Management, Food Safety and Sovereignty, Plant Breeding & Genetics, QC & QA of medicinal crops for drug platform development focusing on Natural Health Products (NHP) from highly potent medicinal plant extracts.
He successfully led multi-disciplinary teams from professionals - biologists, engineers, planners and scientists for several organizations, which resulted in consistent delivery of a broad range of products in a timely fashion. While working with a team of experts, he built a foundation of strong cross-functional skills including Research & Business development.
He holds his PhD., and MSc., in Cellular & Molecular Biology from a French Ivy League "INP-ENSAT" and had a Post-Doctorate from Michigan State University. Later, he served as a Faculty for Virginia-Tech, University of Wyoming & Texas-Tech University-Health Sciences Centre; respectively where he demonstrated an "Out-of-Box" approach for R&D. In 2010 his work was recognized by the US-DOE's multi-million dollars grant for an alternative energy and globally by the United Nation's-FAO (Food & Agriculture Organization). His scientific work has been published in over 22 peer-reviewed journals. Under the terms, Dr. Khoja will receive 200,000 incentive stock options to purchase common shares. The options are exercisable on or before May 10, 2018, at an exercise price of 15 cents per share.
Nick Brusatore, Affinor Chairman, comments: "This is a great move for Affinor as we move into the drug discovery utilizing our lab (Herbal Analytics) in Washington and enable us to apply for the Health Canada exemption to handle controlled substances for our R&D and we will begin to utilize our Vertical Farming Technology at the highest level of production and replication data humanly possible to insure our validation for consistent medical grade compound for therapeutics. I expect that after we show case our ability as a team, we will look forward in potential licensing opportunities for pharmaceutical companies".
Dr. Hyder A. Khoja, comments: "I'm joining Affinor Growers which is aiming to be a cutting edge Research & Development company with its "Vertical Design Technology". As the company developing its drug discovery and diversifying its technology, it is the ideal opportunity for me to step in and gear it to its right path and continue my passion for doing plant genomics and metabolomics for therapeutics to the market. I look forward to leveraging my expertise for the goals they are aiming for."
About Affinor Growers Inc.
Affinor Growers is a diversified publicly traded company on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ("AFI"). Affinor is focused on growing high quality crops such as romaine lettuce, spinach, strawberries and high quality medical Marijuana. Affinor is committed to becoming a pre-eminent grower, using exclusive vertical farming techniques.
| On Behalf of the Board of Directors |
| AFFINOR GROWERS INC. |
| "Sebastien Plouffe" |
| President & CEO |
The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
This News Release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this News Release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. This News Release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.