Emerald Bioscience, Inc. (OTCQB: EMBI), has announced that the company’s proprietary analog of cannabidiol, cannabidiol-valine-hemisuccinate (CBDVHS) has been awarded a patent in Japan that covers composition of matter claims and multiple methods of use. This molecule, licensed from the University of Mississippi, was recently granted a similar patent in the United States.
Emerald Bioscience is focused on the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics to address global medical indications, especially those of unmet medical need. Modifying the molecules of the cannabis plant and creating synthetic cannabinoid derivatives, results in an optimised cannabinoid technology that enhances bioavailability and delivers more predictable pharmacokinetics.
CBDVHS has been successfully formulated for ocular use and in pre-clinical animal studies, has been shown to enter all chambers of the eye, potentially making this molecule a strong therapeutic candidate for diseases of the retina like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Animal studies of the painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) syndrome, demonstrated CBDVHS possessed an analgesic effect comparable to morphine, as well as an anti-addictive profile, making the molecule a potential safer alternative to opioids in managing pain. CBDVHS was reviewed and deemed not to be a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in 2019.
“The recognition of the patent in Japan surrounding this bio-engineered, synthetic form of cannabidiol furthers EMBI’s goal of achieving a parallel global patent footprint to the sister compound in our drug pipeline, the prodrug of THC, which was awarded a patent in Japan in 2015,” commented Brian Murphy, MD, CEO of Emerald Bioscience. “The once restrictive nature of the Japanese regulatory landscape concerning cannabis-related compounds is entering a new age with the allowance of clinical trials for cannabinoid-related molecules designed for specific disease indications. As CBDVHS is not extracted from the cannabis plant, we look forward to also participating in this exciting time for cannabinoid-based drug development in Japan.”
Source | Emerald Bioscience
