Wahgoshig First Nations-Delshen Therapeutics: A Positive Partnership for the North

KIRKLAND LAKE, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 27, 2015) - Today's announcement by Wahgoshig First Nation (WFN) and DelShen Therapeutics Corp. (DelShen Therapeutics) marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in regional economic development, according to Kirkland Lake Mayor, Tony Antoniazzi.

"For too long, communities in the north have worked in silos, pursuing opportunities specific to their own interests while putting regional aspirations on the back burner," said Antoniazzi. "The WFN-Delshen Therapeutics partnership marks a welcome departure from that model."

"Delshen Therapeutics set up operations in a rural area because it suited their business plan," said the Mayor. "Then they went out and built a community of support around their project. They keep the communities apprised of what they are doing, and they are buying local products and services. That is a real boom to the small and medium sized enterprises in Kirkland Lake as it creates market diversity and supports local employment."

"I see WFN's investment as a logical continuation of this strategy, as the agreement will create future investment, training and employment options for the WFN. We welcome this announcement as it will further strengthen Delshen Therapeutics and the economic competitiveness of the region as a whole," said Mayor Antoniazzi.

Kirkland Lake's relationship with Delshen Therapeutics began a little over a year ago, when Martin Shefsky (Founder and Executive Director of Delshen) visited Mayor Antoniazzi to introduce the company's business plan. "They are an extremely well organized company. They identified the challenges they faced and the assistance they needed from the Town," said Wilfred Hass, Director of Economic Development and Tourism. Since then, the Town has remained in close contact with the company and rendered such assistance as requested. Hass is confident the relationship will continue grow with WFN as a new partner.

"Dealing with Delshen Therapeutics has been an excellent experience," said Mayor Antoniazzi. "They recognized an emerging market opportunity and worked diligently to bring all the pieces together to translate that opportunity into reality. They know what they are doing and they do it well."