Vancouver, British Columbia – TheNewswire - February 23, 2021 - Universal Ibogaine Inc. (“UI” or the “Company”) is pleased to advise that Dr. Rami Batal has been appointed to serve as CEO of UI effective March 1, 2021.  Dr. Batal is a seasoned biopharmaceutical industry executive and a healthcare professional who has a passion for and expertise in mental health, including substance use disorders. He will succeed Dr. Jeremy Weate, who will retain his ongoing role on UI’s Board of Directors.

Rami has had a global career in biomedical innovation, specifically biopharmaceutical research, development and commercialization of medicines for central nervous system disorders (CNS) and pain, including with multinational pharmaceutical companies and biotech startups.  Most recently, at Antibe Therapeutics (TSX:ATE), Rami was responsible for the commercial readiness of otenaproxesul, a phase 3 pain/osteoarthritis drug candidate, which was recently out-licensed to Nuance Pharma for the Greater China region.

Prior to Antibe, Rami was the Vice-President of Medical Innovation and previously Vice President Medical Research of Canopy Growth Corporation, where he was responsible for biopharmaceutical research and development, and subsequently external innovation partnerships.  Rami came to Canopy Growth through the successful acquisition of CHI – a biotech company he co-founded, which was focused on cannabinoids research for biopharmaceutical purposes. Under Rami’s leadership as the Chief Operating Officer, CHI conducted clinical trials with cannabinoid-based drug candidates for CNS indications as authorized by Health Canada.  Simultaneously, Rami co-founded UK-based Beckley-Canopy Therapeutics, which went on to become Beckley-Psytech, a UK-based biopharmaceutical startup focused on developing innovative psychedelic prescription drugs for CNS indications.

Rami obtained his doctorate in experimental medicine from McGill University. He is licensed to practice pharmacy in the Canadian province of Quebec, and previously Ontario. During his clinical practice work, Rami has had hands-on experience in counselling / preparing, and administering conventional medicines for opioid addiction.

Rami noted, “I am excited to be joining the UI Team at this strategic juncture to lead the company in advancing a potentially transformational clinical development program, targeting opioid use disorder and ultimately other addictions. I am equally thrilled to support UI’s ambition to acquire and operate addiction treatment centres, which will innovate and directly apply authorized tools and technologies to patient care.”

Shayne Nyquvest, Universal Ibogaine Executive Chairman, added, “Rami’s past experience in biopharmaceutical research, particularly in CNS, is exactly the leadership UI needs to advance our planned clinical research program with Health Canada for the use of ibogaine in addiction treatment, which is an integral part of our overall strategy to address the global and devastating opioid addiction crisis.”  Shayne also expressed his thanks and gratitude to acting CEO Jeremy Weate for his valuable interim stewardship.

UI’s planned Canada clinical development program will draw upon the ibogaine-based addiction treatment protocol that was developed by Dr. Alberto Sola (a UI Board member) who, at his Clear Sky Recovery Clinic in Cancun, Mexico, has successfully undertaken more ibogaine based addiction patient treatments than any other physician globally.

Shabir Premji, CEO of P-Squared Renewables (PSQ), UI’s identified Qualifying Transaction CPC, has indicated shareholder support and enthusiasm for Rami’s appointment.  “We look forward to his leadership and team building capabilities, clinical development experience and capital markets recognition.”    

About Universal Ibogaine Inc.

UI is a privately held company formed in 2018 and based in Vancouver, BC.  UI is in the initial stages of implementing and financing its business plan, which aims at developing a global network of addiction clinics, introducing ibogaine in a medical setting where authorized, for the interruption and ideally cessation of addiction to opioids, as well as other substances of abuse, such as alcohol and cocaine.  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: UI’s financing and business plans, go-public plans, and planned future clinical trials.

Words such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements reflect the current beliefs of UI’s management, based on information currently available to them.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to

 receive applicable Board, shareholder or regulatory approvals.  There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

For further information, please contact:  

https://www.ibogaineinc.com/

Jeremy Weate       

Chief Executive Officer       

Universal Ibogaine Inc.       

Telephone: +44 208 144 2649        

Email: jeremy@ibogaineinc.com

Shayne Nyquvest

Chairman

Universal Ibogaine Inc.

Telephone: 604-512-9541