New Research Collaboration Investigates Cancer-Fighting Cannabinoids

CURE Pharmaceutical and CannaKids announce research collaboration with Technion-Israel Institute of Technology on cancer-fighting cannabinoids.

CURE Pharmaceutical’s partnership with the CannaKids has entered into a strategic research collaboration with Technion Research and Development Foundation Ltd., wholly owned subsidiary of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, in order to research how different cannabinoid compounds within cannabis strains can be used to treat various subtypes of cancer.

Researchers from CURE’s Pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Division and Technion’s Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research will work together to research and identify how varying cannabinoid compounds within cannabis strains can affect various cancer subtypes. The results of the research will be used to predict how to match a cancer subtype with an effective cannabis extract in order to optimize treatment efficacy.

“When I first traveled to Israel to meet Professor Meiri and his team at Technion in search for more help for my own daughter’s brain tumor, I was elated to find groundbreaking research already taking place in a federally legal environment,” stated Tracy Ryan, CEO of CannaKids. “It is with great pride that we announce this alignment between CannaKids, CURE and Technion as we work towards ushering in a new line of cannabinoid therapies to the pharmaceutical marketplace for those suffering from both adult and pediatric cancers. We are in a brave new world of plant-based cannabinoid medicines, and it is an honor to be working alongside such brilliant minds.”

“This research partnership with Technion, which has one of the leading cannabis laboratories in the world, is a crucial step in our goal to bring new cancer-fighting cannabinoid molecules to market,” said Rob Davidson, CEO of CURE. “In this work the Technion team aims to clarify the antitumor effects of phytocannabinoids and terpenes on various cancer-driving mutations and pathways, as well as further elucidating the mechanism of the cannabinoid-mediated antitumor effects. This will allow not only the identification of new drug candidates but also will create the ability to optimize cannabis treatment options for patients. Together these options further efforts toward the creation of personalized medicine.”

Technion’s lab group recently discovered two new pathways that have been activated by cannabis extracts in cancer cells.

Technion is looking forward to this partnership and working with CURE to continue uncovering the vast therapeutic potential of the cannabinoids found in various cannabis species. Accumulating evidence indicates that cannabinoids have antitumor effects, as several studies have demonstrated the use of cannabinoids in being able to regress different cancer types. This research collaboration with CURE will help the company with their goal of determining which cannabis strains might be used to tackle different cancer cells and what cannabinoid compounds within the plant are responsible for the ability to kill these cells.

Earlier this month, CURE announced its formal entrance into the pharmaceutical cannabis sector, which in the U.S. is estimated to reach over $23 billion by 2020, according to ArcView Market Research. CURE’s goal is to bring new cannabinoid molecules to the market through the FDA regulatory process, while utilizing the company’s proprietary delivery technologies to increase efficacy, as well as target unmet needs in traditional pharmaceutical markets that could be disrupted by cannabinoid-based options.

(Source: Globe Newswire)

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