Scientific director for Helius.
Medical cannabis R&D firm Helius Therapeutics has appointed James Polston, a leader of research and development at the world’s largest medicinal cannabis company by revenue, as its scientific director.
Leading both extraction and processing during his tenure at Trulieve Cannabis Corporation, Dr Polston was responsible for major R&D initiatives, extraction, manufacturing, product development, and external scientific research programmes.
Dr Polston obtained a PhD in biomedical sciences from Albany Medical College, where he studied in the department of neuroscience and experimental therapeutics. He also holds an advanced degree in biomedical ethics from the Alden March Bioethics Institute.
Helius Therapeutics executive director Paul Manning says Dr Polston will not only be a significant asset for Helius but also for the country.
“Dr Polston is a ground-breaking hire for Helius, and he brings extraordinary scientific expertise to our local cannabis industry. We believe New Zealand will become a centre of research excellence.
After completing postdoctoral training at the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Dr Polston established Emerald Coast Research. He published work with the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has extensive clinical research experience, and is an expert in plant-based therapeutics after spending more than a decade investigating treatments.
Dr Polston says he started Emerald Coast Research due to the lack of testing and R&D in medicinal cannabis when the industry got started in the US. He then moved into therapeutics production and consulting in the California cannabis industry, and eventually landed a position with Massachusetts-based Curaleaf, one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis companies in the US. At Curaleaf, Dr Polston oversaw the buildout and management of its Oregon laboratories, formulated core products, and managed manufacturing and production.
Dr Polston’s appointment follows senior pharmaceuticals industry leader Mitch Cuevas joining the Helius team as a director and senior adviser.
Helius is New Zealand’s largest licensed medicinal cannabis company and the first certified New Zealand Grown cannabis producer.
This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.
