Discovering the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in disease treatment

• The CBD drug market is primed for high growth, creating exciting opportunities for researchers to find new ways to foster medical innovation through scientific knowledge. DSM’s new science-led webinar series, “New frontiers for cannabinoids in therapeutic applications”, is presented in partnership with Brains Bioceutical to bring the latest and greatest science to a global audience.
• The first in the webinar series, ”Cannabinoids in the medical care toolbox of practitioners to treat patients: Where are we today?”, offers an introduction to the importance of the human endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the opportunities being presented for further medical advancements around CBD.
• Read on to discover some of the highlights from the first webinar, drawing on insights from leaders such as Dr Dedi Meiri and Renata Heusser-Jungman. 

The session discusses the practical applications of the endocannabinoid system and the novel avenues it presents for treatments. Dr Dedi Meiri, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Biology at the Technion, explains how these discoveries are revolutionizing disease treatment in a range of therapeutic fields, connecting the latest research with its future potential. For a unique insight into the experiences of a patient, Renata Heusser-Jungman, Chair of the Swiss Dravet Syndrome Patient Organization, talks about her journey to accessing therapeutic CBD solutions for her son. Terry O’Regan, President of Brains Bioceutical,  joins the panel discussion to offer insight into the CBD market. Read on to explore the state of CBD research from these different perspectives, or register to view the webinar on-demand.

Understanding the endocannabinoid system

According to Pacher and Kunos in 2013^[i], ‘modulating ECS activity may have therapeutic potential in almost all diseases affecting humans.’ Dr Dedi Meiri explains how this incredible statement could be possible in his presentation, demonstrating how humans produce endocannabinoids through this homeostatic system to restore balance within the body. We have more than 150 endocannabinoids and over 40 receptor types, affecting everything from our mood and hunger signals to our blood pressure and immune health. This is why medicinal cannabis and CBD offer therapeutic potential; they mirror the signals already taking place within the body and help to regulate them. Dr Dedi Meiri highlights the implications of this relationship in a range of chronic diseases such as epilepsy, migraines and Alzheimer’s, offering insight into the current success rates found in clinical trials.

Terry O’Regan, President of Brains Bioceutical, emphasizes the importance of clinical trials, stating that increased interest from both the medical community and the general public has led to over 3,000 published academic studies and over 700 clinical trials taking place. Through a greater understanding of the ECS and the specific activity of phytocannabinoids, Dr Dedi Meiri argues, it is possible to discover a host of opportunities for therapeutic innovation in chronic conditions and providing a better quality of life for patients worldwide.

A patient’s view: Life with Dravet Syndrome

Offering an alternative perspective, Renata Heusser-Jungman is a mother to a 13-year-old son with Dravet Syndrome, which led her to establish the Swiss Dravet Syndrome Patient Organization. Dravet Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that causes excessive seizures, as well as delayed motor and mental development in children. It is therapy resistant and can have life-threatening side effects. Renata tells of her experiences in trying to find a successful therapy for her son, who is currently taking treatment to reduce his seizures, although he still suffers from 5 to 10 seizures a day.

Renata discusses how she learned about the ECS and her journey of convincing doctors and medical professionals to provide pharma-grade cannabis solutions. During her presentation, she recounts this experience and her learnings about the process, asking the question: could the outcome have been different if more researched and approved CBD-based products were readily available? That’s why the Swiss Dravet Syndrome Patient Organization works to fund medical research and supports patients and their families in finding effective therapies to manage the disorder.

Finding solutions to change lives

Renata’s story encapsulates the urgent need for more clinical trials and research into the field of CBD for patient treatment. The potential of CBD is vast but, so far, only a limited number of products have been fully approved and are available for patients. Watch the webinar on-demand to learn more about how research into the endocannabinoid system could be key to developing CBD-based solutions that improve patients’ lives.

Innovating with confidence

CBD is full of promise in the pharmaceutical market, and there are many opportunities for novel CBD-based developments, but to realize the full potential of CBD and enter the market with confidence, it’s important to collaborate with a trusted partner in the field.

DSM has created a platform to help our customers realize the full therapeutic potential of CBD-based pharmaceuticals. Together with Brains Bioceutical, a pioneer in the CBD API market, we can partner to develop therapies that will safely and efficiently improve people’s lives. DSM has more than 70 years of experience in producing and securing the supply of APIs. This, combined with our unique innovation expertise and unparalleled ability to manage the market entry registration process, makes us an ideal partner for the development of purpose-led CBD-based pharmaceuticals.