Smartkem Welcomes Appointment of Allen Palmiere as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Ferrox

WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smartkem, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMTK) ("Smartkem" or the "Company") today welcomed the appointment of Allen Palmiere as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Ferrox Critical Materials (“Ferrox”), the company’s proposed merger partner, following the signing of a definitive merger agreement between the two companies. The proposed transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including, without limitation, the approval of the shareholders of Ferrox and Smartkem.

Mr. Palmiere joins Ferrox’s leadership team with extensive public-company executive experience, most recently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Gold Resource Corporation, where he led the company’s strategic, operational and financial initiatives.