A recent article discusses the development of cannabis-based medicines, from pain relief to the treatment of orphan diseases. Cannabinoid pharmaceutical companies are investing in plant breeding to develop these drugs, which may someday help treat many illnesses and diseases. Here’s a closer look at what these companies are doing. If you’re interested in learning more, read on! Here are a few of the main points they make:
Cannabinoid-based drugs are pain relievers
While it is not clear whether cannabinoid-based drugs are effective in relieving pain, many basic experiments suggest that they may be a better alternative to opiates. The receptors on peripheral nerves for cannabinoids are abundant, and their actions appear to block pain in experimental animals. This means that cannabinoids may increase the analgesic effects of NSAIDs while limiting gastrointestinal side effects.
Researchers have found that cannabinoid-based drugs are effective for pain relief in cancer patients. This is because the body’s cannabinoid system has a role in controlling pain. It also reduces nausea and vomiting associated with opiates. However, some studies are less scientifically sound than others. Nevertheless, the IOM team concluded that cannabinoid-based drugs could relieve mild to moderate pain.
They may treat orphan diseases
There are many untapped potentials in the cannabinoid industry. One of these is the ability to produce synthetic cannabinoids for orphan diseases. You can also manufacture these compounds on demand. This could help a growing number of patients suffering from orphan diseases. However, a significant hurdle remains. How will these drugs be tested? How do they differ from existing drugs? And will they be more effective than existing medications?
While there is still limited evidence to support the use of cannabis in cancer treatment, certain prescription cannabinoids, such as dronabinol, nabilone, and nabiximols, are already proving effective in many orphan diseases. Intractable nausea and vomiting, anorexia, and severe pain may all be relieved with the use of cannabinoids. In addition, these drugs may reduce the number of medication patients needs.
They are a threat to the pharmaceutical industry
Cannabinoid pharmaceutical companies are largely unknown in the U.S., but the legalization of marijuana is already threatening the pharmaceutical industry. Even though the federal government prohibits the use of marijuana, it is legal in Canada. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also placed strict regulations on the study of cannabis. Research on Schedule I ensures they must do drugs under the supervision of a DEA investigator. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson bolster studies in Canada, where medical marijuana has been legal for a while. The pharmaceutical company made $82.1 billion in sales last year and is always looking for new ways to grow its business. Cannabinoid medicine might be one of the ways to do it.
Big pharma and the medical cannabis industry are both transformings. The merger of these two industries will significantly change how drugs are developed. However, Chen is optimistic that a bottom-up approach is more effective. She anticipates genuine partnerships between the pharmaceutical industry and marijuana companies will materialize by 2020. But, as with any significant change, it will take time.
They invest in plant breeding
Investing in plant breeding is an essential part of developing a new drug. A new drug will require a specific chemical composition, only achieved through plant breeding. Once selected, the strains must be developed and implemented. The company investing in plant breeding should be able to create superior products that are protected by intellectual property rights. Biotech companies are investing in plant breeding to produce synthetic derivatives of cannabinoids. One such biotech is Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals. These companies are working to develop synthetic products of CBD and cannabigerol.
These companies have the opportunity to create drugs that work with the endocannabinoid system to treat a wide variety of diseases. For example, cannabis has shown promise in treating inflammatory diseases. Corbus Pharmaceuticals’ lead compound, lenabasum, targets cannabinoid receptor 2 in the liver, where it generates an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic response. As a result, its lead compound, lenabasum, has a high chance of success in clinical trials, and the company has already invested in more than 700 compounds.
They get FDA approval for their products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates various products, including medical devices, tobacco products, and dietary supplements. They also restrict veterinary drugs and biological products. In addition, FDA-regulated facilities must meet specific standards to ensure their products are safe for human consumption. You may also use FDA-approved medical devices for research or other purposes. The agency also regulates the production and sale of tobacco products.
The FDA does not develop drugs; they review the results of pre-market testing by manufacturers. Biological products, such as vaccines, follow the same general pathway to approval. Generic drug makers must also get permission from the FDA before selling their products, but they don’t have to repeat the extensive testing required for brand-name drugs. Instead, generic drug makers use the Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) process, which does not require animal or human studies.