Lexaria Bioscience Corp. announced that it has submitted a Health Canada research application, and appointed Dr. Ed Ergenzinger to its executive team. The company has submitted its research application under Health Canada's Cannabis Tracking and Licensing System for the operation of a Kelowna-based R&D laboratory within Lexaria's new head office under construction, to work with cannabinoids. The laboratory will enhance Lexaria's ability to formulate for analytical purposes, various products that may contain cannabinoids or other controlled substances. Lexaria expects to work on cannabinoid related formulations as soon as the lab receives its research license to do so. Experimental work on nicotine formulations, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins and other bioactive compounds of interest will also begin soon after completion of lab construction. Bringing this work in-house is expected to enable the company to greatly expand its work schedules while reducing costs and development timelines. Lexaria has already taken delivery of certain equipment in a separate location where it is combining known nano-emulsification processes with its patented DehydraTECHTM for even greater performance characteristics. This work will also transition to the Kelowna laboratory once operational and licensed. Construction of Lexaria's new head office and laboratory is progressing rapidly and the Company expects to occupy its new space by the end of January 2019. Simultaneously, Lexaria is recruiting additional staff to prepare for more encompassing operations.

The company also announced that Dr. Ed Ergenzinger is appointed as Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President of Innovation for the Company. Dr. Ergenzinger is a U.S. licensed patent attorney who also holds a doctorate in Neuroscience (with concentrations in Pharmacology and Physiology) and is an Adjunct Professor of Law. Dr. Ergenzinger has over 15 years of experience providing patent services to clients that have ranged from small start-ups to some of the world's largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.