Optimi Health Engages U.S. Based Law Firm for Patent Support

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Optimi Health Corp. (CSE: OPTI) (OTC: OPTHF) (FRA: 8BN) (“Optimi” or the “Company”), a vertically integrated developer of mushroom products today announced that Thomas Finetti, partner at Charney IP Law, has been engaged to oversee ongoing patent activities.

Based in New Jersey, Charney IP Law concentrates its practice on intellectual property law. The firm’s primary focus is on identifying, protecting, licensing, and enforcing intellectual property rights. They provide strategic advice and representation throughout the product life cycle, from research and development of products and services to financing, licensing, and, if necessary, regulatory approval and the enforcement of the rights obtained.

Thomas Finetti brings over 16 years of experience in patent law, combining his strong technical background with his extensive experience in developing effective legal strategies. Thomas has enjoyed consistent success in growing and leveraging the intellectual property assets of companies of all sizes, including early-stage companies. Over the course of his career, Thomas has prepared and prosecuted patents in the pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, gene therapy, and diagnostic spaces and ensured his client’s patent portfolios were aligned with their long-term objectives. He has conducted substantive due diligence activities in connection with the licensing or purchasing of intellectual property assets, including conducting freedom-to-operate and patent validity analyses.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to assist the team at Optimi Health,” notes Mr. Finetti. “I look forward to helping grow their patent estate and to support their vision of transforming the treatment of mental health conditions and the broader health and wellness of its customers.”

Building on the previously announced hiring of Justin Kirkland as Chief Science Officer, Mr. Kirkland will be pursuing IP and patentable all-natural psilocybin formulations and will work closely with Mr. Finetti to beneficially secure these developments for all stakeholders of Optimi. “I am super excited to continue to work with Thomas,” shares Mr. Kirkland. “I’ve experienced great success with him in the past, taking a concept all the way through two issued patents and a successful exit with the sale of those patents for $10M CAD. We’ve begun the process with Thomas to file IP protection across a variety of innovative areas to ensure we provide the most effective products for patient and consumer health. We are highly confident that Thomas’s expertise will ensure the best positioning of Optimi’s technology goals.”

Timing of this engagement is strategically important as Optimi prepares to submit a formal application to Health Canada for its phase 1 dosing study. Health Canada has indicated they have no concerns over the plan as proposed, and upon pending acceptance and final approval, Optimi remains on-track to begin trials in Q3 of this year. Phase 2 in Optimi’s clinical research plan will include applications for the utilization of the Company’s proprietary formulations.

Optimi Health’s CEO Mike Stier states, “A critical aspect of our business is the development of unique genotypes and ongoing advanced research encompassing formulations as well as procedures and processes to produce a number of unique products from Psilocybe mushrooms. Our goal is to advance these formulations through clinical trials towards commercialization as approved therapeutic aids for the treatment of mental health conditions that affect and impact millions of potential patients around the globe. As such, we understand that as the industry matures, intellectual property rights become increasingly important in an environment where licensing, mergers and acquisitions will undoubtedly play a part in future. Consequently, now is the time to ensure we take concrete steps to protect the interests of the Company, its stakeholders, and shareholders, and are very pleased to welcome Thomas to the Optimi team.”

On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Optimi Health Corp.

Mike Stier 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

ABOUT OPTIMI (CSE: OPTI) (OTC: OPTHF) (FRA: 8BN)

Optimi is developing a sophisticated mushroom brand that focuses on the health and wellness markets. With a vertically integrated approach, Optimi intends to cultivate, extract, process and distribute high quality functional mushroom products at its two facilities comprising a total of 20,000 square feet nearing completion in Princeton, British Columbia. To fully investigate the science of mushrooms, the Company has received a research exemption under Health Canada Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) for the use of Psilocybin and Psilocin for scientific purposes via its wholly owned subsidiary Optimi Labs Inc. Optimi has also applied for a dealer’s license under Canada’s Narcotic Control Regulations governing possession, distribution, sale, laboratory analysis of and research and development of Psilocybin and Psilocin formulations. Optimi is committed to expert cultivation and quality production subject to and in accordance with the terms of all applicable laws and governing regulations to ensure safe, superior Canadian fungi production.

Find out more at: https://optimihealth.ca/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Investor Relations
Email: investors@optimihealth.ca
Phone: +1 (778) 930-1321
Web: https://optimihealth.ca/

FORWARD‐LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward‐looking statements and forward‐looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “forward‐looking statements”) that relate to Optimi’s current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “expects,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimated,” “intends,” “plans,” “forecast,” “projection,” “strategy,” “objective,” and “outlook”) are not historical facts and may be forward‐looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward‐looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward‐looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward‐ looking statements pertaining to the dealer’s license application, activities proposed to be conducted under the Company’s research exemption and associated business related to Psilocybin and Psilocin and Optimi’s plans, focus and objectives.

Forward‐looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Optimi’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward‐looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID‐19 pandemic and other factors set forth under “Forward‐Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Final Prospectus dated February 12, 2021. Optimi undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Optimi to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward‐looking statement. Any forward‐looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.