To mark 10 years of producing medicinal cannabis-based products, Replek is celebrating a decade of innovation, high pharmaceutical standards and continuous investment. One of the pioneers in this field in Macedonia, the company has now completed a ten-year development journey, marked by the introduction of modern technologies, expanded manufacturing facilities and a continued focus on quality and education. We spoke with Marjan Velkovski, Chief Operating Officer and Member of Replek’s Management Board, about the company’s journey so far, its technological advances and investments, and its vision for the future of medicinal cannabis.
Journalist – Verica Jordanova
Ten years ago, Replek was among the pioneers in producing medicinal cannabis-based products in Macedonia. What was the main motivation behind introducing this new production programme, and what did it mean in terms of technology and expertise?
I am particularly proud to be part of Replek’s story – a company that has been successfully developing medicinal cannabis-based products for the past ten years. In its early days, this was a field surrounded by numerous questions, stereotypes and prejudices. Precisely for that reason, it required an even greater level of professionalism, responsibility and commitment.
For Replek, this meant establishing an entirely new production segment. Most importantly, it meant introducing new technology and putting in place a comprehensive system capable of meeting the highest pharmaceutical standards – from state-of-the-art equipment and precisely defined manufacturing processes to quality control and the development of specialised expertise.
From the very beginning, quality has been our top priority. Over the past ten years, our technology has continued to evolve, but our fundamental principles have remained the same: safety, standardisation and full traceability at every stage of the manufacturing process. This is the only way to ensure consistent pharmaceutical quality and build lasting trust.
Technology in the Service of Precision and Quality
The production of medicinal cannabis-based products requires exceptionally high standards of quality and control. Which technological processes and innovations are key today to ensuring product safety, consistency and quality?
Replek’s decades of pharmaceutical experience, combined with a visionary approach and an unwavering commitment to innovation, underpin the quality and reliability of our products. As a company that continuously follows and adopts the latest technologies, we use a state-of-the-art supercritical CO₂ extraction process, which enables high selectivity, reproducibility and extract stability. This is crucial for standardising the cannabinoid profile and ensuring consistent quality from batch to batch.
At Replek, we operate two high-capacity industrial systems supplied by French manufacturer EXTRATEX (SFI). Designed for industrial reliability and efficiency, these systems enable fast and safe handling, optimisation of process conditions and high yields of crude extracts.
From a pharmaceutical perspective, cannabis-based products require exceptionally precise standardisation. Achieving the desired final concentration in a dosage form requires highly specialised technological processes and analytical control of the cannabinoid profile. The goal is to ensure that every batch is consistent, predictable and safe.
Every step – from the selection and receipt of raw materials, through the manufacturing process to the final product – is precisely documented, controlled and traceable. Of particular importance are magistral preparations containing CBD and THC, which, under the applicable regulations, are treated as medicinal products and prescribed under strictly defined conditions. In these cases, a specific formulation approach and precise dosing are essential, as treatment is determined according to the individual patient’s condition and the physician’s recommendation.
The process may sound complex when described in these terms, but that is because it genuinely is. Producing medicinal cannabis-based products is far from simple, and behind every product is a team of highly trained professionals – pharmacists, engineers, analysts and other specialists. I am particularly proud of my colleagues at Replek, whose expertise, experience and dedication help ensure that every product meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
I would also emphasise that our innovative approach is reflected not only in our use of modern technology and the highest pharmaceutical manufacturing standards, but also in the way we develop our portfolio as a whole – guided by the real needs of users and current trends towards more personalised approaches to health and wellbeing.
That is why we have structured the Kanoil range around three clearly defined products with different CBD concentrations – REBALANCE 10% CBD, RELAX 20% CBD and RELIEVE 30% CBD – making it easier for users to choose the product that best suits their individual needs, lifestyle and desired level of support.
With Kanoil, we are not simply offering three products with different CBD concentrations; we have introduced a new way of thinking about this category – an approach in which product selection is based on the individual needs of the user. We believe that the future of CBD products lies in personalisation, scientific evidence and uncompromising pharmaceutical quality, and these are precisely the principles embedded in every product in the Kanoil range.
Ultimately, our shared goal is simple: to live up to the trust placed in us by patients, healthcare professionals and consumers.
Continuous investment is a prerequisite for the development of a production programme of this kind. Which investments and development milestones have been the most significant for Replek over the past ten years?
Over the past ten years, the production of medicinal cannabis-based products at Replek has evolved alongside continuous investment in manufacturing facilities, technology and product development. Each investment has had a clear objective: to create better manufacturing conditions, increase process efficiency and further strengthen our high standards of quality.
One of the most significant milestones was the opening of the new manufacturing facility in April 2022. The €3 million investment covered a facility of approximately 600 square metres. It increased our capacity for producing semi-solid dosage forms and boosted our capacity for liquid dosage forms by around 30 per cent. This was an important step in modernising our production and creating the conditions for its further growth.
Alongside the development of our manufacturing facilities, we also focused on expanding our portfolio and improving communication with patients and healthcare professionals. Towards the end of 2025, we rebranded the Kanoil and Kanabo ranges, with an emphasis on education, reliable information and a modern positioning of the portfolio.
In November 2025, we took another pioneering and innovative step by opening the KA Information Centre for Replek’s Medicinal Cannabis-Based Products – the first centre of its kind not only in Macedonia, but in the region as well. Through this unique concept, we have set new standards for informing and educating the public, creating a space where visitors can access reliable, expert information about medicinal cannabis-based products and their proper use. At the same time, the centre enables us to actively contribute to breaking down long-standing prejudices and stereotypes surrounding medicinal cannabis, encouraging open dialogue, greater awareness and a better understanding of its role in contemporary approaches to wellbeing and quality of life.
After ten years of continuous development, I can say that our success is not the result of a single investment, but of continuity and sustained investment in production, knowledge and quality. This is what enables us today to maintain stable production, deliver high-quality products and build a strong foundation for further development and expansion into new markets.
How do you see the future of medicinal cannabis, and what innovations do you think will shape the development of the industry, as well as Replek’s position within it?
This production segment offers significant potential for further growth and development. It is a dynamic field, with technology, production processes, analytical methods and approaches to product development continuously evolving.
I believe that the future of the medicinal cannabis-based products industry will be shaped by innovation, stronger scientific evidence and high quality standards. As the number of clinical studies grows and regulations become increasingly harmonised, medicinal cannabis is expected to play a more significant role in modern therapy. Companies that invest in research and development, innovative products and pharmaceutical standards will be the ones driving the industry forward. We intend to continue to be part of that story.
For Replek, this means continuing to invest in knowledge, expertise and state-of-the-art technology. Our goal is to follow the industry’s development, further strengthen our existing portfolio and create the conditions for developing new products, with a clear focus on quality, safety and users’ needs.
Equally important is raising awareness. Medicinal cannabis-based products continue to be surrounded by numerous uncertainties, which is why it is important for the public to have access to accurate, expert and reliable information.
In this regard, the KA Information Centre plays an important role. Its aim is to provide users with accessible information about the products and their proper use, while also promoting greater awareness and a responsible approach. At the same time, we monitor the experience of markets where medicinal cannabis is a more developed industry and apply relevant insights to our further development.