Canadian cannabis extraction company, MediPharm Labs Corp. has announced that they have been selected by the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City to participate in a clinical trial focused on developing a non-addictive cannabidiol (CBD) gelcap for the treatment opioid addiction.
MediPharm will manufacture the gelcap using a proprietary hemp-derived CBD formula from licensed Jamaican cannabis producer, Timeless Herbal Care Inc.
Dr. Yasmin Hurd of Mount Sinai says that they chose MediPharm because of the quality of the company’s products and their experience in pharmaceutical and clinical research.
“We are extremely pleased MediPharm Labs has been selected to be involved in this landmark, clinical trial to properly evaluate the potential benefits of CBD and that can lead to important medical therapies for millions suffering from opioid use disorder,” says MediPharm CEO Patrick McCutcheon. “We are committed to providing consistent, high-quality pharma-like active ingredients to support advancements in scientific CBD drug development.”
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will involve at least 500 patients in Canada, Australia, Jamaica, Europe, and the United States and include a multi-site evaluation to gather data on the safety and efficacy of CBD in reducing opioid use through anti-anxiety intervention.
Dr. Hurd says that the number of lives lost and the societal burdens caused by opioid addictions continues to grow worldwide and requires “bold and unique actions” to address the issue.
She says that in pre-clinical and small clinical trials, CBD has been shown to reduce drug-induced cravings and anxiety in patients with opioid use disorder.
