The New South Wales government has granted a licence for research on medical cannabis to nutritional pharmaceutical company, Medlab.
Medlab operates a certified biologics laboratory facility in Sydney and its research on cannabis will be for therapeutic purposes, including development of an alternative method of administration of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, for example, buccal delivery.
Medlab’s research will broadly encompass pain management as well as other medical conditions and for varying age groups.
"Receiving approval to begin research on cannabis was a big breakthrough and would enable Medlab’s research team to begin work in the lab with a view to developing protocols for human clinical trials,” said Medlab Clinical CEO, Mr Sean Hall.
“For the past few years we have developed a delivery platform (NanoCelle) which should provide safe and efficacious dosing. Our aim is to demonstrate clinical usage with minimum risk to patients,” he added.
The company's research is being led by Professor Luis Vitetta, Medlab Clinical’s Director of Medical Research and Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney Medical School.
Medlab is researching the role of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. In the initial research with cannabis, it will be combined with bacteria that relate to pain receptors in the body.
Medlab recently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange after raising in excess of $6 million in its initial public offer. The funds are being directed to research as well as development of nutraceutical products and medical delivery platforms.
In its bacteria-focused research, Medlab is targeting five health issues - obesity, chronic kidney disease, depression, ageing and muscular skeletal health and pain management. Its most advanced work is with obesity and depression where it is has begun human trials.