HUNTINGTON, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kannalife Sciences, Inc. ("KannaLife") announces that it has filed a non-provisional patent application entitled: "Novel Functionalized 1,3-Benzene Diols and their Method of Use for the Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy." The patent describes a family of candidate molecules which are safer and more effective than cannabidiol in an in vitro assay of neuroprotection. The assay evaluates the ability of a test agent to protect hippocampal neurons from oxidative stress induced by ammonia and ethanol at clinically relevant concentrations. In addition to demonstrating favorable in vitro effects, the current lead molecule also shows significant improvement in absorption of the drug and plasma and brain drug levels after oral administration, as compared to cannabidiol.
Cannabidiol ("CBD") is a non-psychoactive natural product from C. sativa that has been shown by researchers at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical School and Hebrew University to be effective in two mouse models of HE (Thioacetamide induced liver damage: Y. Avhraham, et al. Br. J. Pharmacol. 2011, 162, 1650-1658; Bile duct ligation induced liver damage: I. Magen, et al. J. Hepatol. 2009, 51, 528-534) at a dose of 5 mg/kg ip. CBD treated animals exhibited improvements in both liver and brain function compared to untreated control animals. Comparative studies with our lead compound versus CBD are in progress and will be reported in due course.
KannaLife's current lead molecule may be useful in the treatment of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy ("OHE"), considered a late stage refractory form of HE with a patient population of approximately 200,000 patients, classifying it as an orphan disease. Hepatic encephalopathy ("HE") is a serious neurological disorder that can occur in patients with cirrhosis or liver failure.
"Filing of this new PCT patent application represents an important milestone for our company in generating new intellectual property that advances the field beyond natural cannabinoid-based neuroprotectives. It fits in with our business plan to broaden the armament of drug candidates to address unmet medical needs in the areas of neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and oxidative stress," stated Dean Petkanas, CEO of KannaLife Sciences, Inc.
KannaLife Sciences holds two (2) licenses with National Institutes of Health – Office of Technology Transfer ("NIH-OTT") for the Commercialization of U.S. Patent 6,630,507, "Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants" (the "'507 Patent"). The licenses allow for the use of the '507 Patent for the commercialization of cannabinoid based target drug candidates to treat Hepatic Encephalopathy ("HE") and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ("CTE").
About KannaLife Sciences, Inc.
KannaLife Sciences, Inc. is a bio-pharmaceutical and phyto-medical company involved in the research and development of novel therapeutic agents designed to be neuroprotectants and immuno-modulators. KannaLife is currently conducting research and development at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in Doylestown, PA, for target drug candidates to treat Hepatic Encephalopathy ("HE") and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ("CTE"). HE and CTE are oxidative stress related diseases that affect cognitive and behavioral functions in humans.
For more information, please visit: www.kannalife.com.