We’ve barely even begun to tap the potential for cannabis molecules and derivatives to revolutionize medicine.
At the recent CannMed 2019 conference in Pasadena, CA, we were introduced to what may be the future.
A group of scientists have developed a way to create synthetic and stable acids that are naturally found in cannabis plants but will rapidly degrade when the plant is harvested. This includes a variation on CBD known as CBDA.
Some of these are wildly more effective than their “non-acidic” variations. For example, CBDA binds 1,000 times easier to a serotonin receptor tied to nausea and anxiety than CBD.
Researchers believe this will pave the way for a wide variety of drugs that have few side effects and will help relieve psoriasis, arthritis, anxiety, nausea, and inflammatory bowel disease, among others.
Perhaps the most promising aspect of CBDA and similar cannabis plant acids are their ability to control pain due to the rapid and easy binding property.
All of this comes from small startup named EPM, which has brought together about a dozen universities and businesses.
It even has Raphael Mechoulam, who did pioneering research on THC and CBD back in the 60s, as its Head of Research.
Dan Peer, Head of Inflammatory Research at Tel Aviv University and a scientist associated with EPM, had this to say to NBC News: “It’s an interesting molecule that potentially doesn’t have side effects. It works like a steroid. If it doesn’t have adverse effects, then you have a replacement, which is great.”
Researchers have been working with CBD, THC, and others for a lot of applications, but as Dr. Peer puts it, “The drugs that are produced are just not potent enough.”
That, along with the lack of robust research to date, have kept a lot of pharmaceutical companies from investing further capital and further pursuing development.
What may be most promising regarding EPM’s work is that it won’t be walled off for years, if not decades, to other companies.
EPM, with one patent on the books and 13 more pending, has elected to offer these molecules to pharmaceutical companies through licensing agreements, with the potential for exclusive deals for specific medical conditions.
That very well could bring the big names that have abandoned meaningful work on cannabis-based drugs — such as Lilly and Pfizer — back into the game.
And if not them, smaller biomed companies will certainly jump at the opportunity.
The pace of cannabis sector growth, through legalization and market capitalization, has been blistering.
With that has come sky-high valuations and periods of intense volatility.
But never forget that this sector has a long way to go, and it is only getting started.
Now is a great time to get started for yourself, and the Outsider Club has just the guy to help you.
