Cannabis Science Initiates HIV TAT Anti-Viral Drug Development Program; CS-TATI-1 Lead Hit Discovery Commenced for Pre-Clinic...
Today : Tuesday 5 June 2012
Cannabis Science (CBIS.OB) announced today the initiation of a research program to explore the commercial development of Phytocannabinoid-based therapeutics for drug resistant HIV infection. The program will facilitate an antiviral investigation of Phytocannabinoids inhibition of HIV TAT. Cannabis Science is a publicly traded, pioneering U.S. Biotech Company developing pharmaceutical products for global public health challenges.
News summary:
New scientific data supports Phytocannabinoid inhibition of HIV TAT
An initial discovery program will identify structural and medicinal biochemistry of CS-TATI-1 inhibition of TAT
Formation of a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to facilitate initial research
Early Research Provides Clue to New Strategy for Inhibiting HIV Replication
Data published in March by researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that cannabinoids inhibit TAT induced migration to TAT via cannabinoid 2 receptors (CB2). Funding for the Mount Sinai study was provided by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical and Translational Science Award Grant.
Cannabis Science’s research of CS-TATI-1 will be targeted to newly diagnosed patients infected with drug resistant virus, treatment experienced patients with drug-resistant HIV strains, and those intolerant of currently available therapies.
Pathways to market for CS-TATI-1
Cannabis Science will be pursuing a wide range of NIH based Federal Research Programs such as RO1’s, PO1’s and SBIRS which exist to support preclinical development of target validation and proof of concept studies. These studies will be implemented through collaborations with leading scientific institutions. Cannabis Science will also be pursuing other clinical research collaborations including the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups (ACTG), the Canadian AIDS Trial Network (CATN) and the European AIDS Trial Network (EATN).
Dr. Melamede, President and CEO of Cannabis Science Inc., states, “Cannabis Science is dedicated to the development of the first Phytocannabinoid-based treatment for HIV. Our program is based on the initial identification of antiviral activity of Phytocannabinoids against TAT activity. Cannabinoids have demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the progression of HIV expression by interfering with the critical functions of TAT. The Company will pursue various Federal research initiatives that will help fund the initial medicinal chemistry characterization of cannabinoid TAT inhibition.”
Cannabis Science is currently in the process of forming an eminent Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) for the CS-TATI-1 program. The SAB will include several leaders in HIV research and commercial drug development.
About the Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic
HIV’s ability to mutate and reproduce itself even in the presence of antiretroviral drugs, has led to a growing rate of drug resistance. Increasing drug resistance is severely limiting treatment options for HIV patients around the world, increasing direct and indirect health costs, furthering the spread of drug resistant strains of HIV and is creating a pressing need to develop new HIV drugs.
The U.S. government invests billions of dollars a year in HIV/AIDS research, treatment and care through a variety of programs. The Ryan White CARE Act, which funds the treatment and care of people living with HIV in the U.S., totals $2.3 billion a year. Among its many other contributions to fighting HIV/AIDS globally, the U.S. provides $22.8 million annually to The U.S. Military HIV Research Program and approximately $1 billion per year to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Pharmaceutical sales to treat HIV equal US $10.6 billion annually. Treatment cost per patient in the U.S. for HIV antivirals alone is approximately US $15,000 a year.
CBIS!
GLTA!
A HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW IT WILL NOT MATTER WHAT MY BANK ACCOUNT WAS, THE SORT OF HOUSE I LIVED IN, OR THE KIND OF CAR I DROVE...BUT THE WORLD MAY BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE I WAS IMPORTANT IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD.
