The California, US-based company, together with cannabinoid therapy developer CannaKids, is collaborating with Israel-based Technion Research and Development Foundation, to test terpene blend-based treatments on certain subtypes of cancer.
The firm is predominantly interested in amalgamating terpene molecules, which it says is superior to isolate versions.
“It is believed that the combination of these molecules are more effective than creating an isolate,” a Cure Pharma spokesperson told in-PharmaTechnologist.
“By placing scientific rigor behind the testing of the potential cannabinoid cancer treatments we will be able to identify which molecule combinations are more effective,” said the spokesperson.
“The results of the research will be used to predict how to match a cancer subtype with an effective cannabis extract in order to optimise treatment efficacy,” the firm told us.
Cure Pharma will oversee the fractionations of cannabinoids and terpene blends, and CannaKids will provide patient data.
“CannaKids brings a plethora of retrospective patient data and formulation information that will be extremely useful in developing the formulas to be tested in Israel,” the spokesperson told us.
Antitumour effects
According to Cure Pharma, preclinical evidence indicates that cannabinoids have antitumour effects.
“Several studies have demonstrated the use of cannabinoids in being able to regress different cancer types,” said the spokesperson.
Cure CEO Rob Davidson said the Technion team aims to provide further evidence of cannabinoids antitumour characteristics.
“The Technion team aims to clarify the antitumor effects of phystocannabinoids and terpenes on various cancer-driving mutations and pathways, as well as further elucidating the mechanism of the cannabinoid-mediated antitumor effects,” he said.
“This will allow not only the identification of new drug candidates but also will create the ability to optimize cannabis treatment options for patients,” said Davidson.
Cure aims to take promising drug candidates through the regulatory requirements, and to the market.