Aphria Signs Agreement to Provide Sponsorship and Medical Marijuana to Large Three-Year Observational Research Study

LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 3, 2015) - Aphria Inc. ("Aphria") (TSX VENTURE:APH) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Canadian-based Apollo Applied Research Inc. ("Apollo") to be a sponsor of, and supplier to, a three-year medical marijuana observational research study being conducted by Apollo. The study has received ethics approval to conduct clinical research on up to 1,100 qualified subjects across Ontario.

Apollo, renowned in Canada for advanced medical marijuana research, offers an evidence-based approach to pain management. Data collected through the study, which commenced March 1, 2015, will be systematically analyzed in order to evaluate and understand the impact of medical marijuana on quality of life for those suffering from various chronic pain conditions. It will also be used to identify dosing regimens and specific conditions that may benefit from cannabis-based treatment.

"Apollo is conducting important groundbreaking research," stated Vic Neufeld, Chief Executive Officer of Aphria. "Medical marijuana as a patient-accepted and physician-supported health and wellness alternative will greatly benefit from the advancement of this large ethics approved study. We are thrilled to supply Aphria-grown product to the project and its subjects who will be working with some of Canada's leading specialists in the field of pain management."

"While there are many players in the Canadian medical marijuana space, we were impressed by Aphria's management team, facilities and ability to supply large uninterrupted quantities of top quality product," stated Bryan Hendin, President and Director of Apollo. "Apollo has been investigating and furthering medical marijuana research for the past two years and this study is a culmination of this work. Aphria is our first industry sponsor."

Apollo's clinical team is comprised of nationally and internationally recognized pain physicians and scientists who share the objective of treating chronic pain patients with medical cannabis. The physicians participating in this project include some of Canada's leading specialists in pain management, including doctors from pain departments at several large nationally-recognized hospitals. They will assist in introducing Apollo to patients looking for a natural alternative treatment that addresses their daily chronic pain needs.

Added Neufeld, "Apollo is the foremost expert in Canada when it comes to cannabis-based research for chronic pain management. Using proprietary technology, Apollo can capture and analyze the cannabis strains and certain of the related underlying benefits specific to chronic pain. We have entered into this relationship with Apollo because they bring knowledge and expertise as well as integrity and commitment in line with Aphria's values and long-term goals."

To support its research efforts, Apollo is currently expanding its clinical research capacity, opening 5 research sites across Ontario, with plans to for an additional ten sites across Canada.

About Aphria

Aphria, a company continued under the laws of the Province of Ontario and based in Leamington, Ontario, is in the business of producing, supplying and selling medical marijuana pursuant to the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (the "MMPR"). Under the MMPR, Health Canada is responsible for the oversight of commercial medical marijuana growers such as Aphria. Aphria's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol "APH".

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Aphria's intended business focus, anticipated future demand for medical marijuana and Aphria's ability to meet that demand, Apollo's future expansion plans and expectations regarding participation in the study. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; marketing costs; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments involving medical marijuana; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the medical marijuana industry in Canada generally, income tax and regulatory matters; the ability of Aphria to implement its business strategies; competition; crop failure; currency and interest rate fluctuations and other risks.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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Source: Aphria Inc.