[PRESS RELEASE] – EDMONTON, Alberta, March 20, 2025 – Aurora Cannabis Inc., the Canadian-based leading global medical cannabis company, announced the company’s discovery of a novel source of genetic resistance against powdery mildew, PM2, that provides strong protection against this pathogen in cannabis sativa. The development of this proprietary genetic marker technology, which is now in use in Aurora’s breeding program, is set to produce powdery mildew-resistant cultivars that will be explored for commercial launch this year.
"This discovery offers a critical solution to a pressing challenge in the cannabis industry worldwide,” said Lana Culley, vice president of Innovation and International Operations at Aurora. “At Aurora Coast, our state-of-the-art research and development facility, we continuously search for ways to add value to our proprietary cannabis cultivars, and this discovery will lead to new means of managing disease in cannabis production. This success story underscores the impact of our investment in scientific excellence, a commitment that sets Aurora apart from our competitors.”
In the peer-reviewed research led by Jose Celedon, principal scientist of Breeding and Genetics at Aurora, in collaboration with researchers at the University of British Columbia, it is noted that "breeding genetic resistance to economically important crop diseases is the most sustainable strategy for disease management and enhancing agricultural and horticultural productivity, particularly where the application of synthetic pesticides is prohibited" (Seifi, et al.)1. The discovery of PM2 will further the company’s mission to enhance the biosecurity of production facilities, reduce production costs, and improve product quality.
[PRESS RELEASE] – EDMONTON, Alberta, March 20, 2025 – Aurora Cannabis Inc., the Canadian-based leading global medical cannabis company, announced the company’s discovery of a novel source of genetic resistance against powdery mildew, PM2, that provides strong protection against this pathogen in cannabis sativa. The development of this proprietary genetic marker technology, which is now in use in Aurora’s breeding program, is set to produce powdery mildew-resistant cultivars that will be explored for commercial launch this year.
"This discovery offers a critical solution to a pressing challenge in the cannabis industry worldwide,” said Lana Culley, vice president of Innovation and International Operations at Aurora. “At Aurora Coast, our state-of-the-art research and development facility, we continuously search for ways to add value to our proprietary cannabis cultivars, and this discovery will lead to new means of managing disease in cannabis production. This success story underscores the impact of our investment in scientific excellence, a commitment that sets Aurora apart from our competitors.”
In the peer-reviewed research led by Jose Celedon, principal scientist of Breeding and Genetics at Aurora, in collaboration with researchers at the University of British Columbia, it is noted that "breeding genetic resistance to economically important crop diseases is the most sustainable strategy for disease management and enhancing agricultural and horticultural productivity, particularly where the application of synthetic pesticides is prohibited" (Seifi, et al.)1. The discovery of PM2 will further the company’s mission to enhance the biosecurity of production facilities, reduce production costs, and improve product quality.
As a global medical cannabis company enabled by science, Aurora's dedication to scientific research and innovation has led to remarkable advancements, notably boosting potency and yield. These improvements have overall reduced costs and increased efficiency. This cutting-edge genetic research and development differentiates Aurora from others in the industry, as it aims to surpass traditional breeding limitations, leading to advanced cultivation methods and new market opportunities worldwide.
More information on the scientific discovery of PM2 can be found in the peer-reviewed article here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1543229/full
This discovery has also been protected via international patent filings.
1 Seifi, Soren, et al. "Mapping and characterization of a novel powdery mildew resistance locus (PM2) in Cannabis sativa L." bioRxiv (2025). doi:10.3389/2025.1543229.
