Aurora Cannabis has appointed longtime biopharmaceutical executive Faris El Refaie to a newly created position overseeing the company’s global commercial operations as it seeks to expand its international medical marijuana business.
El Refaie will join Aurora as executive vice president, global commercial, effective September 28, the company announced September 9.
In the new role, El Refaie will oversee Aurora’s global commercial strategy, including its medical marijuana portfolio, customer engagement and commercial operations across Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other international markets.
El Refaie has 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has held leadership positions at JAMP Pharma Group, GSK and AstraZeneca. His experience includes work involving oncology, specialty medicines, vaccines and consumer healthcare, as well as commercial operations across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.
“Faris brings decades of executive leadership in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a particular focus on commercial growth and market leadership,” said Aurora Executive Chairman and CEO Miguel Martin.
Martin said the company has developed a global medical marijuana platform centered on science, product quality and patient care, with El Refaie expected to help strengthen Aurora’s position in existing and emerging markets.
The appointment comes as Aurora continues to place significant emphasis on international medical marijuana markets. The Canada-based company currently serves medical markets in Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Aurora operates Good Manufacturing Practice-certified production facilities in Canada and Germany and sells products under brands including Aurora, MedReleaf, Pedanios, IndiMed, San Rafael and Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation.
Aurora’s shares trade on the Nasdaq and Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ACB.
