UBC cannabis services spinout Anandia has been acquired by marijuana distributor Aurora Cannabis for $86.5m as Canada prepares to legalise the drug for recreational purposes.

Anandia Laboratories, a Canada-based cannabis research services provider spun out from University of British Columbia (UBC), has agreed to an acquisition by medicinal marijuana distributor Aurora Cannabis for C$115m ($86.5m) in shares.

Founded in 2013, Anandia supplies marijuana analytics and testing services such as cannabinoid analysis and cannabis genetics to research clients licensed under Canada’s medical marijuana regulations.

Aurora Cannabis will use Anandia’s resources to enhance its own capabilities and to propel product development, with Canada expected to legalise marijuana…