Saskatoon-based marijuana company launches $725M lawsuit over takeover bid

Saskatoon-based CanniMed Therapeutics Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Aurora Cannabis Inc., alleging what it calls "multipleclaims of wrongdoing" related to Aurora's hostile bid to acquire the company.

In a statement released Friday evening, CanniMed (TSX:CMED) says it filed a lawsuit in Ontario Superior Court alleging Auroraand others conspired to injure CanniMed's economic interests.

CanniMed says it's also seeking personal damages against one current and one former member of its board for their alleged involvement in the purported conspiracy.

It says the action, which has not yet been served, seeks $725 million in damages.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

Aurora's chief corporate officer, Cam Battley, says CanniMed is "suing their own shareholders," adding that the company should never have gone public.

"Things are a mess over there," said Battley. "They should have remained private. By going public, they have exposed themselves to the realities and the discipline of the market."

Aurora also released a statement amending some aspects of its takeover bid, but made no mention of the lawsuit.

The new statement provides greater detail on how Aurora became aware that CanniMed's board would be meeting in November 2017 to consider acquiring Newstrike Resources Ltd.