Sativa Investments (NEX: SATI) CEO Geremy Thomas talks to DirectorsTalk about having completed its 1000th cannabinoid and terpenes test at its on-site testing facility, PhytoVista Laboratories. Geremy explains the types of tests, the significance of passing this milestone, ISO accreditation and planning for a larger market share.
Sativa Investments PLC, the UK’s first medicinal cannabis investment vehicle, announced that it has completed its 1000th cannabinoid and terpenes test at its on-site testing facility, PhytoVista Laboratories. The increased growth of the CBD industry in the UK has led to a rise in the demand for high-quality testing and batch certification, with PhytoVista being a leading service provider.
PhytoVista has state-of-the-art equipment to enable testing for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, cannabinoids, terpenes and mycotoxins. The laboratory is able to certify that products and samples conform to regulatory standards. Turnaround time is usually five days or less. It is believed to be the only testing facility in the UK to focus on CBD and it also intends to test medicinal cannabis products once its relevant Home Office handling licences are granted.
PhytoVista also announces the recruitment of an analytical chemist and a microbiologist to expand capacity and also to operate a bespoke micro laboratory which is under construction and nearing completion. PhytoVista’s Chief Scientific Officer, Nick Clarkson, is developing additional testing methods and the Company is in the process of obtaining ISO 17025 accreditation. PhytoVista is already operating to ISO 17025 at present.
Nick was a keynote speaker at the Future Cannabis Strategies event in London in January 2019, where PhytoVista was also co-sponsor. PhytoVista also exhibited at the Hemp & CBD Expo this March in Birmingham. PhytoVista will also be at the Europe CBD Expo in London this June to showcase its testing facility.
Geremy Thomas, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sativa Investments, said:
“The Company is fulfilling what it has set out to do through its holistic seed-to-consumer strategy and reaching its 1000th test is an early milestone. The laboratory can test the full spectrum of cannabinoid profiles and terpene content, from CBD wellness products to e-liquids, beer, chocolate and toothpaste.
“PhytoVista is also a key part of Sativa’s internal strategic development as having an in-house, on-site testing facility is assisting the Company’s Home Office Research Licence application. The laboratory is also attracting significant interest from the pharmaceutical and academic research arenas which need an independent testing facility that mandates Good Laboratory Practice to verify and validate their own findings.”