Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

It is clear that cannabis has therapeutic activity. The evidence comes from a long history of use for managing disease symptoms including pain, inflammation and anxiety. However, both industry and academia agree that there is a paucity of scientifically rigorous research exploring the specific activity of cannabinoids in the body under both normal and disease states. With the legalization of cannabis in Canada, we have a unique opportunity to delve into robust collaborative research programs to enhance our understanding of the pharmaceutical properties of cannabinoids and subsequently use this data to help our industry partners design the most beneficial products for Canadians. The overarching research questions that are important to our industry partner and are central to the proposed research include: 1. How do CRCs exert their physiological effects in vitro?; and 2. How can delivery of CRCs be optimized to maximize positive effects? It is essential to gain a fulsome understanding of the components of cannabis and their specific mechanisms of action in order to harness the therapeutic potential of the plant. To do this work, it is necessary to identify the chemical entities that are medically useful and examine the structure and function in isolation while at the same time designing chemical formulations that will optimize delivery and absorption of the active agent to make it therapeutically available. A truly mechanistic understanding of the pharmaceutical applications and therefore viability of cannabis and cannabis related chemicals (CRCs) as therapeutic agents can only be accomplished systematically at the chemical, biochemical and cellular level. Our research team along with our industry partner are perfectly positioned to extract and isolate CRCs such as CBD and terpenes from crude material, individually test physicochemical properties using in vitro assays for absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity (ADMET) as well explore mechanisms of actions. We are also able to optimize formulations for improved delivery of lead candidates. We believe collaboration with industry and use of a multidisciplinary team including producers, chemists, bioinformaticians and translational biologists will be necessary in assessing the medical attributes of this plant and streamlining the process of drug development to reduce the time and costs of bringing the most effective cannabis and cannabis related compounds to Canadians.