Ottawa, Canada –Cannabis Orchards Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of minor cannabinoids and innovative industrial hemp varieties, announced it has signed an agreement with the National Institute of Health (NIH) to participate in the Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program(ETSP) to study minor cannabinoids for epilepsy treatment.
The use of minor cannabinoids as an anti-seizure drug was subject to a patent submission in September 2022 by Cannabis Orchards Inc.
The ESTP involves studying compounds in various pre-clinical models of epilepsy to determine the safety and efficacy of new candidate drugs for use as novel epilepsy treatments. Almost all common epilepsy drugs have been included in the ETSP program, including cannabidiol (CBD). After a rigorous qualifying process, Cannabis Orchards Inc. has successfully been chosen to submit minor cannabinoids, such as cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabichroneme (CBC), for inclusion in the program.
Statement from Cannabis Orchards CEO, Dr. Jamie Ghossein
“After engaging in a rigorous qualifying process, we are proud to have been selected to register minor cannabinoids, namely CBGA and CBC, for inclusion in this world-renowned program. Minor cannabinoids will now be studied in the same way as common anti-seizure drugs as new alternatives for epilepsy treatment.”
Cannabis Orchards Inc. has successfully produced CBGA isolate and completed shipment to the NIH in Q3, 2022.
“Minor cannabinoids have demonstrated promise as alternatives to anti-seizure drugs for epilepsy treatment, including CBD. With differing efficacy and side effect profile, minor cannabinoids may prove effective as anti-seizure medications for chronic use with enhanced tolerability compared to standard therapies.”
Currently, Epidiolex (CBD) is the only FDA-approved cannabinoid treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. With a market size expected to reach over USD 1.0 billion in 2023, there is a large market opportunity to offer alternative cannabinoids with enhanced efficacy and tolerability compared to CBD.
“Over the last several decades, minor cannabinoids were not possible to study as no Cannabis variety produced enough content for isolation and testing. After several years of plant breeding efforts, Cannabis Orchards has successfully produced novel industrial hemp variety with minor cannabinoid content, allowing for the isolation and study of minor cannabinoids in various models of disease. We look forward to leading the way for new therapeutic development using minor cannabinoids. This exclusive agreement highlights the start of a pipeline for minor cannabinoids as therapeutic options for various disease models.”
About Cannabis Orchards
Cannabis Orchards Inc. is an inventive, research-driven, and proudly Canadian company focused on furthering the development and commercialization of novel cannabinoids and therapeutics. The company leads research into the development of new hemp varieties with minor cannabinoid content, and their applications in clinic. Cannabis Orchards’ products are highly sought after by Licensed Processors, research institutes and pharmaceutical companies. For more information on Cannabis Orchards Inc., visit https://www.cannabisorchards.ca
