NEMUS to Move Forward With Cannabinoid-Based Therapy for Open-Angle Glaucoma
Results of Animal Model Glaucoma Data Achieve Study Milestones
COSTA MESA, Calif., Dec. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NEMUS Bioscience, Inc. (OTC:NMUS) reports that data recently presented at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) meeting in San Diego by Dr. Soumyajit Majumdar, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics, University of Mississippi, showed that a pro-drug formulation of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in-licensed from the University of Mississippi, achieved company goals of significantly lowering intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in an open-angle rabbit glaucoma model.
Topical administration of the pro-drug of THC into the eyes of rabbits with alpha-chymotrypsin induced glaucoma, resulted in a greater percentage drop in IOP when compared to timolol and significantly greater percentage decline in IOP when compared to pilocarpine, with the IOP lowering effect of the THC pro-drug of 45%-50%. The pro-drug is relatively more hydrophilic than the parent THC compound and achieved better tissue penetration into multiple chambers of the eye of study animals. Topical administration of the THC pro-drug was achieved using nanoemulsion and micellar solution formulations.
"These in vivo studies using an animal model of glaucoma were the pivotal first steps in developing our proprietary THC pro-drug as a potential therapeutic option for the management of glaucoma," stated NEMUS Bioscience CEO, John Hollister. "The glaucoma market is in need of newer, more efficacious agents to combat this progressive, debilitating disease and NEMUS is dedicated, through our relationship with the University of Mississippi, to bringing innovative compounds forward in the eye-care market."
"Next steps will be to test the compound in another animal species using modified formulations that further extend the half-life of the drug," reported NEMUS CMO, Dr. Brian Murphy. "Our collaboration with the University, a pioneer in the science of cannabis-derived medicinals, has yielded THC formulation options that achieve significant drug concentration into all chambers of the eye in animal testing, broadening the potential ophthalmic indications beyond glaucoma for this drug, and other cannabinoid-based compounds currently in development."
Professor Mahmoud ElSohly of the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi, reports that further work is dedicated to bringing a variety of cannabis-derived compounds to their therapeutic potential. "Cannabinoid receptors are located in organ systems throughout the body, exerting a variety of physiological activities. Our team is working to construct novel extraction, purification, and formulation methods to deliver these molecules to patients, especially those suffering from conditions of unmet medical needs."
NEMUS Bioscience and the University of Mississippi entered into a research and in-licensing collaboration agreement this year.
About NEMUS Bioscience, Inc.
The Company is a biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of cannabis-based therapeutics for global markets with significant unmet medical needs. Utilizing certain proprietary technology licensed from the University of Mississippi, NEMUS is working to develop novel ways to deliver cannabis-based drugs for specific indications, with the aim of optimizing the clinical effects of such drugs, while limiting the potential adverse events. NEMUS's strategy is not limited to the sole use of either natural or synthetic inputs.
The Company is led by a highly qualified team of executives with decades of biopharmaceutical experience and significant background in early-stage drug development.
For more information, visit www.nemusbioscience.com.
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Released December 4, 2014