About Us

A State of Healing at Every Stage of Life

Canurta focuses on the groundbreaking exploration of novel polyphenolic molecules. We're broadening the understanding of their therapeutic potential through ongoing safety and efficacy trials to create new possibilities for standards of care.

Our team connects the dots across research completed over the course of many decades on polyphenols, Cannflavins and related flavonoids and stilbenes, reimagining approaches to natural ingredient efficacy and biopharmaceutical development.

Backed By Research

Our story began in 2019 with University of Guelph researcher Tariq Akhtar, PhD, after he and his team discovered how to efficiently extract and enrich the important anti-inflammatory polyphenols unique to hemp.

Canurta also works with Dr. Ethan Russo, MD, a board-certified neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher who is the preeminent global medical cannabis expert.

As our Senior Medical Advisor, Dr. Russo will lead the way for biotech development with top researchers and institutions.

Canurta’s White Paper

We're Committed to Sustainable Production Practices

From farm to market, sustainability is a cornerstone of everything we do. Canurta is proactive about seeking out partners who demonstrate leadership in corporate sustainability and strive to move beyond minimum standards.

Canurta practices zero-waste manufacturing with extraction technology designed to repurpose waste biomass in addition to allowing for recyclability of key inputs.

Our Ecosystem Partners

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Meet Our Founder and CEO

Akeem Gardner believes that hemp is a real catalyst for change. He started growing hemp 5 years ago with a mission to discover meaningful ways to disrupt industries that impact our wellbeing the most.

He’s on a path to launch real, natural solutions for inflammation to solve the world’s biggest health challenge – preventing and managing chronic disease effectively and safely.

Board of Directors

Sam Katz

Board Member

Angel investor and board member, Manitoba Harvest and Fresh Hemp Foods

Led first Canadian company to commercialize industrial hemp to $132.5M exit

Kyley Paul

Board Member

Canadian Natural Health & Cannabis Regulatory Expert

CEO of NaturalSci
Regulatory consulting

10+ years regulatory experience

Alex Chwaiewsky

Board Member

Co-Founder, Manitoba Harvest

Created Canadian market for hemp hearts

Manitoba Harvest first sale of $132.5 Million

Jerry Zeifman

Advisor

Founder, Organic Traditions
and President, Advantage Health Matters

30+ years experience in
health space

Portfolio of over 100
natural ingredients

Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Ethan Russo, M.D.

Senior Medical Advisor

Preeminent global medical cannabis expert

16 years at GW Pharmaceuticals

Study Physician for Sativex® and Epidiolex® clinical trials

Dr. Neal Davis, Ph.D., RPh

Principal Investigator, Pharmacokinetics

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta

Leading investigator of anti-inflammatory/
anti-cancer nutraceuticals including flavonoids

Jasmin Lalonde, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator, Neuroscience

Department of Molecular Cellular Neurology,

University of Guelph

2020 Future Leader in Canadian Brain Research

José Casaretto, Ph.D.

Senior Technical Advisor

Research Scientist focused on genomics and biochemical engineering approaches to produce secondary metabolites

Inventor on extraction and biosynthesis patents

Tariq Akhtar, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator, Molecule Development

Department of Molecular Biology Associate Professor, University of Guelph

Research focus on natural products and specialized metabolites

Mark Loveless, M.D.

Medical/Scientific Advisor

Senior Medical Epidemiologist, Director of the HIV/STD/TB Program of the Oregon Health Unity

Consultant for COVID-19 response with public health agencies in Pacific Northwest