European Medical Cannabis Company Expands Its Research Collaboration with Imperial College London

medical cannabis research Credit: iStock

10 September 2019, London — EMMAC, the leading European independent medical cannabis company, is pleased to announce an expansion of its research collaboration with Imperial College London. The new research program aims to evaluate the “entourage effect” of cannabinoids for pain using in vitro models, and the mechanisms of action in a range of medicinal cannabis combination products. The publication of such evidence would enable its citation in EMMAC information documents as well as support future clinical trials in patients with acute or chronic pain.

This expanded collaboration between EMMAC and Imperial College London adds to the long-term comprehensive research program underway, designed to inform and shape the future of medical cannabis therapies. The overall programme aims to investigate mechanisms of action of cannabis-based medicinal products related to several clinical applications, including pain and cancer, as well as characterize cannabis-based medicinal products in disease-specific models with a focus on translation to clinical trials.

Under the terms of the new collaboration agreement signed between the parties, EMMAC will fund a post-doctoral research fellow for an extendable one-year period, to explore the efficacy of EMMAC products in neuropathic pain to support their development towards clinical trials.

Strategic Highlights

• Additional research through the collaboration agreement with Imperial College London;

• EMMAC to fund research staff for an extendable one-year period, to explore the basic cannabinoid mechanisms in neuropathic pain and translate these to clinical trials;

• Research provides valuable data and intellectual property in relation to the use of cannabinoids to treat acute and chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting;

• EMMAC expected to partner with Imperial on additional cannabinoid research programs focused across different therapeutic areas;

• Partnership with world-renowned institution confirms EMMAC as a European leader in research supporting the growing medical cannabis industry.

“This is a very exciting area of pain research, which aims to characterize the entourage effect and related mechanisms of cannabis-based medicine combinations at a molecular level," said professor Praveen Anand of Imperial College London. "Our results may support the rational design of future clinical trials to enhance pain relief and minimize adverse effects. We look forward to working with EMMAC in developing these experimental platforms and pipelines, to advance the treatment of patients with neuropathic pain.”

“The strategic partnership between EMMAC and Imperial College London is important to advancing the industry’s understanding of the medical benefits of cannabis, and as a result of the mutually positive and productive experience of working together, we are delighted Imperial College has chosen us as academic partner in the UK to expand our existing research program,” said Tom Rooke, chief operating officer of EMMAC.