A Memorandum of Understanding between Malta Enterprise and the La Sapienza University of Rome will lead to the setting up of a state-of-the-art laboratory in Malta dedicated to medical cannabis research, a government statement read.
"This agreement will play a meaningful role in the government's vision to position Malta as a veritable centre of excellence for medical cannabis manufacturing, together with the 17 related projects approved by Malta Enterprise."
"This agreement is a step in the right direction, for the creation of a local medical cannabis ecosystem and the necessary enabling infrastructure for the companies that have been granted a letter of intent from Malta Enterprise - for them to set up their activity, start operations, and affirm Malta's position as a European leader in the medical cannabis sector", said Economy Minister Chris Cardona.
La Sapienza University will be allocated a space for a lab that will carry out tests, validations and verifications in order to enable the further development of the medical cannabis industry, in accordance with Maltese legislation.
Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Rights, Public Cleansing and Support for the Capital City Deo Debattista said that the Medical Cannabis Bill which was recently passed through Parliament is another form of proof of the importance this government is attributing to innovation, science and research. "The pharmaceutical industry is a crucial sector for the Maltese economy, I am confident that our reputation and expertise will be also shown in the production of medical cannabis. Hard work and dedication will make Malta a centre of excellence even in this sector", concluded Deo Debattista
The Ministry for Education and Employment has also started a dialogue exploring possible collaboration between the University of Malta and La Sapienza in R&D in this medical field. The focus will be wide-ranging but shall include product development and process improvement.
The agreement was signed between Malta Enterprise CEO Mario Galea and the Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco of the La Sapienza University of Rome, represented by Professor Bruno Botta.