SAN DIEGO, Aug. 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. portfolio investment company Kannalife Sciences, Inc. has announced the publication of its global WIPO/PCT Patent WO2015/106108A2 – 'Novel Functionalized 1,3-Benzene Diols and Their Method of Use for the Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy'.
Both hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) are oxidative stress (OS) related diseases. Neural cells suffer functional or sensory loss in neurodegenerative diseases. Apart from several other environmental or genetic factors, oxidative stress leading to free radical attack on neural cells contributes calamitous role to neuro-degeneration.
The Kannalife scientific team has researched the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on non-differentiated native neuronal cells and has determined cannabidiol's potential as a target drug candidate to treat oxidative stress related disorders, CBD's therapeutic index, and CBD's limitations in pharmaceutical target drug design. In tandem with its findings on CBD, Kannalife has developed a new cannabidiol-like molecule called KLS-13019 that, through pre-clinical testing and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, indicates improvement over CBD's role as a neuroprotectant in both increased potency and reduction of toxicity. Side-by-side comparisons between CBD and KLS-13019 have also shown that KLS-13019 has marked improvements over CBD in oral bioavailability, CNS penetration, blood-plasma concentrations, and cognitive improvement in murine behavioral models.
It is estimated that there are 1.5 million sufferers of HE in the United States, of which roughly 200,000 patients suffer from overt hepatic encephalopathy (Grade 3) – thus representing an orphan drug opportunity. The orphan drug route will provide advantages in terms of reduced development cost and greater exclusivity in the marketplace. According to a Credit Suisse report, one medication for HE is expected to show sales of $900 million in 2015 with estimates driving toward $1.4 billion by 2018.
Medical Marijuana Inc. CEO Stuart W. Titus stated: "Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) is a brain-liver disorder where present treatments are modestly effective. As far as we can see, regarding HE, there doesn't seem to be any current therapeutic regiments or drugs in the market that treat the damage in the hippocampal region of the brain. The potential to encompass a neuroprotective component is enormous and has potential implications well beyond HE. We believe that the work that the Kannalife has done may well open the door of a new frontier in neurological medicine."
Dean Petkanas, CEO of Kannalife Sciences Inc. stated: "We believe our recently published PCT patent application will result in issuance of patents internationally, providing us exclusivity until 2034. Compounds such as Kannalife's KLS-13019 may be capable of acting as neuroprotective agents and useful for the treatment of a host of neurological disorders. While this is our futuristic vision, we are quite focused on the present development and clinical trials involving HE patients – while simultaneously exploring benefits for those suffering with traumatic brain injury or CTE."
Some neurological conditions are life threatening, most of them severely affect people's quality of life and many cause life-long disability. Caring for someone with a debilitating illness often means that caretakers have to give up their own employment, in addition to the person with the condition being unable to continue to be economically active. This will have a devastating impact on the family's economic situation.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the world's largest biomedical library located on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland (founded in 1836), there are more than 600 neurologic diseases. Major types include:
- Diseases caused by faulty genes, such as Huntington's disease and muscular dystrophy
- Problems with the way the nervous system develops, such as spina-bifida
- Degenerative diseases, where nerve cells are damaged or die, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease
- Diseases of the blood vessels that supply the brain, such as stroke
- Injuries to the spinal cord and brain
- Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy
- Cancer, such as brain tumors
- infections, such as meningitis
About Kannalife Sciences, Inc.
Kannalife Sciences, Inc. is a 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. For more information, visit www.Kannalife.com.
About Medical Marijuana Inc.
Our mission is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For more information, please visit the company's website at: www.MedicalMarijuanaInc.com
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