Aurora Cannabis has moved its powdery mildew resistance program from research to production trials, testing the PM2 resistance gene in elite breeding lines at its Aurora Ridge facility. The milestone follows the March 20 2025 discovery of the PM2 locus and marks the first time the trait has been evaluated in commercial‑grade genetics.
Powdery mildew is a pervasive fungal disease that can reduce yields, increase fungicide use, and compromise product consistency. By integrating PM2 resistance, Aurora can lower input costs, maintain higher yields, and reduce reliance on chemical controls—benefits that directly support its high‑margin medical portfolio and strengthen its competitive position in regulated markets across Europe, Australia and North America.
The company has invested heavily in R&D, partnering with the University of British Columbia and Genome BC, and has secured patent‑pending protection for the PM2 technology in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. Aurora’s recent quarterly results—net revenue growth, positive free cash flow and a strong balance sheet—provide the financial resources needed to bring the cultivar to market.
Lana Culley, Vice President of Innovation, said, “By moving from research into production trials of cultivars with verified PM2 resistance at our Aurora Ridge manufacturing facility, we’re not only validating the science but also shaping the future of cannabis cultivation.” Aurora plans to commercialize the resistant cultivars later in 2026.
The development offers a sustainable cost advantage: reduced fungicide use, lower input costs, and higher yields. Patent protection creates a regulatory moat, while the PM2 trait aligns with Aurora’s strategy of leveraging proprietary genetics to secure a competitive edge in the high‑margin medical cannabis market.
This milestone underscores Aurora’s science‑driven approach to product innovation and reinforces its strategy of building a resilient, high‑margin portfolio that can meet growing demand in key international markets.
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