NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- News of clinical trials on a new pharmaceutical cannabis chewing gum treatment option for pain and spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients by AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTC:AXIM) is spreading. Initial reports include: Multiple Sclerosis News Today, Marketwatch, Yahoo! Finance, Wall Street Journal, CNN Money, Marijuana Stocks Report, Culture Magazine, and Pharmacy Choice.
Yahoo! Finance's report cites, "A recent North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) survey found that the vast majority (95.1 percent) of MS sufferers are in favor of legalized medical marijuana. About 16 percent of the survey respondents reported using marijuana for their MS. More than 80 percent of MS sufferers said they would consider using marijuana if it were legal in their state."
MedChew™ RX is AXIM Biotech's patented cannabinoid release gum that, upon approval by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EMA (European Medicines Agency), will be formulated with 5 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) and 5 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and marketed as a pharmaceutical drug for multiple sclerosis (MS).
The National MS Society website states, "More than 2.3 million people are affected by MS worldwide." The National Institutes of Health (NIH) website on MS cites, "…approximately 200 new cases are diagnosed every week." The website continues, "As with most autoimmune disorders, twice as many women are affected by MS as men." An online source states that, "There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis."
"We have received inquiries from individuals in the U.S. on how to participate in the clinical trials for pain and spasticity with MS," states George E. Anastassov, MD, DDS, MDA and Chief Executive Officer of AXIM Biotech. "We would like to emphasize that the clinical trials with MedChew™ RX are taking place in The Netherlands. If any individuals would like to participate in any of AXIM's future clinical trials, please contact us for details."
Dr. Anastassov continues, "AXIM's clinical trials with pharmaceutical cannabis chewing gum will continue through 2016. The trials are projected to be completed and all data summarized as well as FDA and EMA registration obtained in 2017."
The sentiment from MS patients is that current medications are not affordable, especially for individuals whose prescriptions are not covered by insurance. Forbes reported one MS drug costing nearly $55,000 per person per year. Healthline reported MS drugs in the range of $62,000 per year.
Dr. Anastassov continues, "The retail prices for MedChew™ RX will be similar to currently available narcotic analgesics but much less expensive than what is currently on the market. We want to prove our concept in comparison to an existing model for MS. Afterward, AXIM will enter the general pain market."
The general pain market is a major industry with global analgesics valued at $60 billion. Many in the U.S. use cannabis for pain relief.
"AXIM will pursue the pain market as well as others, including neurodegenerative diseases," Dr. Anastassov concludes.
AXIM® Biotech's core belief is responsibility for environmental stewardship combined with development of innovative products to address current conditions with no known effective treatment including: MS, spasticity, pain, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease/dementia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), PTSD, autism, RLS (restless leg syndrome), glaucoma, IBD, IBS and Crohn's disease.
For the introduction of natural components of the cannabis (hemp) plant known as cannabinoids (e.g. CBD, CBG, THC, etc.), AXIM® Biotech is producing a broad scope of proprietary delivery mechanisms. To date, AXIM® Biotech's intellectual property includes many patent applications in various stages with additional inventions to be filed soon including trademark applications; many of them are approved trademarks. All of AXIM®'s products are supported by solid intellectual property prior to being produced and distributed worldwide.
As the exclusive license recipient to the world's first controlled-release chewing gum containing cannabinoids, AXIM® Biotechnologies is pursuing two markets: food with CanChew® Plus and pharmaceutical with MedChew™ RX. Award-winning CanChew® gum, a food product, is available today; CanChew® Plus is planned to be available soon.
AXIM® Biotech has been featured by media outlets including: Yahoo! Finance, Marketwatch, ABC, NBC, CBS, Telemundo, WGN, Univision, Marijuana Investor News, FOX Business, MainStreet.com, MJ Freeway, Chemical & Engineering News, Dental Tribune, Pharmaceutical Commerce, Dental Products Report and MJI News. For more information, visit AXIM Biotech's website.
AXIM Biotech also creates strategic partnerships and acquisitions, allowing ongoing research and development in the areas of functional foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and clean energy – all derived from the industrial hemp plant. The Company's plan utilizes all aspects of the agricultural hemp plant resting in a net negative carbon footprint. For more information, visit AXIM Biotech's website.
To arrange for media interviews, contact Andrew Hard, Public Relations Spokesperson, at Andrew.Hard@CMWmedia.com or call 858-380-5478.
About AXIM:
AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTC:AXIM) is an innovative biotechnology company focusing on research, development and production of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic products where we prioritize the well-being of our customers while embracing a solid fiscal strategy. For more information, visit the Company website at www.AXIMBiotech.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Axim Biotechnologies, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.
LEGAL DISCLOSURE
AXIM Biotechnologies does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). The company does grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products.