Voyageur Pharmaceuticals (TSXV:VM) (OTC:VYYRF) is focused on vertically integrating the barium, iodine and carbon contrast imaging market – think radiology drugs and medical imaging. Its business plan is set to generate immediate cash flow by partnering with third party GMP pharmaceutical manufacturers in Canada before transitioning to being a high margin manufacturer of radiology drugs.
TMH: Brent, let’s start by focusing on the barium side of the business, which is unusual for a pharmaceutical company. The company has its own natural source of barite. Can you let investors know where this project stands?
Brent Willis: We’ve been advancing the project. We’ve identified a resource of one of the highest-grade barium sulfate deposits to be discovered. And the next phase is applying for our notice of work to do a 1,000 to 2,000 sample so that we have the material ready for when our plant is completed and ready for production. At the same time we’re taking the data that we’re collecting out in the field, and we’re going to be using that to apply for our quarry permit where we’re working on getting the Francis Creek Project permitted in 2024 for quarry operations.
TMH: Can you expand a little bit on what is contrast imaging and what makes it so valuable to the company?
Brent Willis: Well, contrast imaging is radiology. People go in for scans for X-ray, CTs, MRIs and we develop the products used to help differentiate between the tissues in the body and a disease that may exist within the body. So it’s a diagnostic tool. And the drugs we make is for diagnosing disease, which is very important in this day and age.
TMH: More recently you announced a deal with Rain Cage Carbon to develop fullerene. For investors who don’t know, what is fullerene and how can it help in the medical imaging market?
Brent Willis: Well, fullerene or carbon allotropes consist of carbon 20 to carbon 120, and we’re focused on taking these fullerenes and creating new drugs with them. It’s been proven that there’s an application where you can use it as drug delivery. And in the radiology business, we are looking at using it to deliver iodine, gadolinium and safely move those products around the body and increase the efficiency of those scans to help detect disease earlier.
TMH: What has the progress of the company been for the last two to three years and why should investors invest now?
Brent Willis: Well, we’ve made a lot of inroads. We have a resource ready to go into the production phase. We have five products that are Health Canada approved. We are working with the FDA, we’re going to get FDA approval. Our goal is in 2024 for all our products. And we’re competing in a growing market, and it’s a very exciting time for Voyageur and for investors to join us on this journey.
TMH: Looking at both, the North American and the wider global markets in the medium and long term, what patterns do you see developing, and where does Voyageur fit in?
Brent Willis: Well, we’re seeing an increase in inflammatory disease that has been increasing lately. We have GE Healthcare who have stated that they expect the market for iodine contrast to double in the next 10 years. And that’s just a reflection on the high demand in our western world that requires these drugs to diagnose disease. So we’re in a bull market in radiology. And it’s going to continue. It’s a very, very exciting time for Voyageur and for Voyageur investors.
Learn more about Voyageur at voyageurpharmaceuticals.ca.
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