NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Scientists have discovered more than 90 known cannabinoid compounds that may have potential to fight disease and have beneficial health effects. For biotech companies looking to harness these compounds for drug development, the challenge is two-pronged: the time consuming, expensive process of sourcing cannabinoids naturally and removing impurities, or safely and efficiently attempting chemical synthesis of compounds identical to those found in nature, a problem driven by the requirements of the FDA. InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CSE: IN) (OTCQB: IMLFF) (IMLFF Profile) has found a solution to these problems by utilizing the DNA of naturally occurring cannabinoids to produce, in a laboratory setting, compounds identical to those found in nature. The future of cannabinoid-based medicine hinges on such innovations which is: the ability to produce cannabinoids identical to those found in nature in a safe, consistent and economical fashion to advance cannabis-based drug development. Others active in this field are GW Pharmaceuticals PLC (NASDAQ: GWPH), Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ZYNE), 22nd Century Group Inc (NYSEMKT: XXII) and Axim Biotechnologies Inc. (OTCQB: AXIM).
Alone or in combination, cannabinoids can fight diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, depression, and even cancer. Chemical synthesis is one method tried by pharmaceutical companies exploring the health benefits of cannabinoids for their own product pipeline. However, it is difficult to synthesize compounds identical to their natural counterparts, as the slightest structural variations can affect the potential efficacy and safety of the finished product. Companies utilizing extraction methods for the cannabis plant find that planting, growing, harvesting, and extracting cannabinoids for medicinal use are time consuming, while the water, electricity and manpower needed adds to the expense. In addition, fertilizers and pesticides can be hard to remove, and crop fluctuations can affect yield. Producers are also often strained by the management of time, effort, and expense, not to mention chemical waste.
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Medical Cannabis Companies Leverage Biosynthesis to Boost Drug Development
