Tag: Poda Lifestyle and Wellness

  • Poda to Change Name, Revise Corporate Structure

    Poda to Change Name, Revise Corporate Structure

    Ryan Selby (Photo: Poda)

    Poda Lifestyle and Wellness’ board of directors approved a proposal to change the company’s name from Poda Lifestyle and Wellness Ltd. to Poda Holdings Inc. The change remains subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

    There is no consolidation of the company’s share capital in connection with the planned name change. The proposed name change will not affect the company’s share structure or the rights of the company’s shareholders.

    In addition to the intended name change, the company also announced plans for a new corporate structure, whereby the company will create six strategic subsidiaries, each focused on specific growth areas of the company. The proposed names for the six subsidiaries are Poda (Tobacco), Poda (Alternatives), Poda (Therapeutics), Poda (THC), Poda (CBD) and Poda (Research and Development).

    “This proposed name change is consistent with our business objectives and our long-term strategy,” said Poda CEO Ryan Selby in a statement. “Our valuable intellectual property has applicability across a wide-ranging scope of applications, and I believe the name Poda Holdings Inc. more accurately serves the overarching vision the board has for the company.

    “In addition to the name shift, creating the six new subsidiaries will provide strategic focus and strong growth opportunities in each of the target opportunities. I look forward to sharing more information about our customized strategies for each subsidiary over the coming weeks.”

  • Biodegradable Filter Maker to Supply Poda

    Biodegradable Filter Maker to Supply Poda

    Photo: ASDF

    Poda Lifestyle and Wellness has entered into a supply agreement with biodegradable filter manufacturer Greenbutts.

     Greenbutts has developed a natural filter technology that was created to provide an alternative to the common nonbiodegradable cellulose acetate cigarette filter. Greenbutts created a natural, rapidly degrading cigarette filter using a proprietary blend of food-grade fiber materials including flax, cotton and manila hemp with no artificial compounds or chemical residues. The unique blend of materials is designed to allow for the same sensory experience and filter manufacturing run rates as acetate filters. Greenbutts filters will disperse in water within a few minutes and will degrade in compost within seven days as opposed to 10–15 years as is the case with traditional cellulose acetate filters.

    “Poda is committed to ensuring that the company contributes to a brighter future for all of our stakeholders,” said Ryan Selby, Poda CEO, in a statement. “As CEO, I take this responsibility very seriously, and I am devoted to ensuring that Poda delivers industry-leading performance on our core principles of strong environmental management, responsible societal impacts and robust corporate governance. Pursuant to this commitment, I am very pleased to announce today that Poda has entered into a supply agreement with Greenbutts, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of biodegradable cigarette filters.”

    “This supply agreement will provide the company with access to 100 percent biodegradable filters for use in our Beyond Burn Poda Pods. The inclusion of Greenbutts’ biodegradable filters into our already biodegradable and compostable Poda Pods allows Poda the ability to offer a completely biodegradable and truly compostable heat-not-burn product, something that has never been done in the heat-not-burn tobacco market. … We are thrilled to have secured this supply agreement.”

     “We have spent the last 10 years relentlessly pursuing the perfect biodegradable cigarette filter,” said Tadas Lisauskus, co-founder and CEO of Greenbutts. “Now that our patented product is ready for commercialization, we are very pleased to have entered this supply agreement with Poda. Traditional cellulose acetate cigarette filters are among the single most commonly littered items globally, and we are committed to the goal of eliminating environmental pollution caused by improperly discarded cigarette butts. Greenbutts’ biodegradable filters are made from natural sources and quickly biodegrade in natural settings. Combining our proprietary biodegradable filters with Poda’s unique and proprietary biodegradable heat-not-burn cigarettes is surely a winning combination.”

  • Former Juul Executive Joins Poda Lifestyle and Wellness

    Former Juul Executive Joins Poda Lifestyle and Wellness

    Photo: Poda Lifestyle and Wellness

    Former head of corporate affairs for Juul Labs Nicholas Kadysh has joined Poda Lifestyle and Wellness as a member of the global advisory board.

    With over a decade of experience as a public affairs and regulatory expert, Kadysh has led government relations and regulatory departments for a number of large corporations, including acting as head of corporate affairs for Juul Labs, as government affairs and public policy leader for General Electric Canada and as director of public affairs for Red Bull Canada. Kadysh is currently the founder and CEO of PharmAla Biotech.

    Prior to his work in the corporate sector, Kadysh gained a deep understanding of government as a campaign and legislative staff member in multiple levels of government, most recently directing the outreach department of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition at Queen’s Park in Toronto. He has also worked at the Canadian Parliament as a policy advisor.

    Kadysh is trilingual (English, French and Russian) and is a graduate of Queen’s University. He is active in nonprofit and community initiatives in Toronto, including fundraising for Toronto East General Hospital and as a member of the board for Yonge-Dundas Square.

    “I believe that Poda is well poised to gain significant market share in the rapidly growing heat-not-burn market,” said Kadysh in a statement. “With my vast experience in public affairs and as a regulatory expert, I look forward to helping guide Poda as they continue their global expansion. Entering highly regulated markets requires careful planning and skillful execution, and there are many potential pitfalls to be avoided.”

    “Having worked closely with Nick at Juul Labs Canada, I can personally attest to the skill and expertise that Nick brings to the table,” said Michael Nederhoff, previous president of Juul Labs Canada, who joined Poda’s global advisory board in early July. “Nick has a wealth of regulatory experience across various categories and in multiple countries, which will be invaluable as we scale the business.”