- Steep Hill (STPH) has closed its analytical testing facility in Scarborough, Ontario
- Changes in the market including price compression and increased costs have made ongoing operations unsustainable
- The closing of MSC, will enable Steep Hill to focus on the US business
- Steep Hill is a science and technology company focused on providing products and services to the cannabis market
- Steep Hill Inc. (STPH) opened trading at C$0.01
Steep Hill (STPH) closed its analytical testing facility in Scarborough, Ontario, on September 1, 2022.
Molecular Science Corp. (MSC) was one of Canada’s first purpose-built labs in the regulated cannabis sector.
Changes in the market, including price compression and increased costs, have made ongoing operations unsustainable from a profitability standpoint,” said Sameet Kanade, CEO of Steep Hill.
Since obtaining a Health Canada license in 2018, MSC quickly gained a reputation for innovation, including launching the industry’s first mobile lab, forging strategic partnerships with the University of Guelph/Durham College and exceptional customer service.
“We are proud of our many accomplishments including having industry leading turnaround times on testing and an exemplary compliance record,” said Mr. Kanade.
Steep Hill acquired MSC in 2021 and implemented measures to right-size operations with a focus on customer retention and commercial services. This effort combined with capital support resulted in improvements in terms of operational efficiency, expanded services and client growth.
Over the past six months, the Canadian cannabis-focused analytical testing market has suffered from significant price discounting and lab-shopping for desired results. Excess capacity and lack of profitability of licensed growers continue to impact vendors such as MSC. Decreasing margins and increased operating costs of a GMP laboratory in an inflationary market have made operations unsustainable in Canada.
The closing of MSC will enable Steep Hill to focus on the US business. Steep Hill will continue to evaluate the Canadian market for opportunities that align with the future direction of the business.
Steep Hill is a science and technology company focused on providing products and services, including analytical testing services within the hemp and cannabis market sectors.
Steep Hill Inc. (STPH) opened trading at C$0.01.
