Clinical stage dermatology and antimicrobial company Botanix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:BOT) says research on the antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol (CBD) has been supported by the publication of research data from a leading South American academic group in the online journal BioRxiv.
The research article is entitled 'Cannabidiol (CBD) repurposing as antibacterial: promising therapy of CBD plus polymyxin B against superbugs'. The lead author is Nathália Abichabki.
According to a summary of the BioRxiv paper, “Our results show promising translational potential of the combination CBD plus [last resort antibiotic] polymyxin B against multi drug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, including polymyxin B-resistant K. pneumoniae, highlighting its potential as a rescue treatment for life-threatening infections caused by these superbugs.”
The new paper follows the recent publication of Botanix’s research in Nature Research’s peer-reviewed journal, Communications Biology.
Lead authored by Botanix collaborator Dr Mark Blaskovich from the Centre for Superbug Solutions at The University of Queensland, the paper entitled highlighted for the first time the activity of CBD against Neisseria Gonorrhoea and C.Diff infections and identified the potential of membrane disrupting antibiotics polymyxin B and colistin to enhance the effect of CBD against a range of problematic bacteria.
Botanix said it is currently finalising plans for the next steps in its BTX 1801 antimicrobial program. This includes analysis of positive data from the Phase 2a clinical study in February 2021, assessment of the optimal clinical development and expedited regulatory approval pathways, as well as reviewing the commercial attractiveness of potential target indications.
It said the double-blind, vehicle-controlled study was designed to evaluate the safety and local tolerability of two formulations of BTX 1801 to decolonise Staph and MRSA from the noses of healthy adults to reduce the risk of bacterial infections in surgical settings.