Avicanna Formalizes Its Patent Application For Cannabinoid-Based Epilepsy Medication

Avicanna Inc. AVCNF AVCN (FSE:0NN), has formalized its provisional patent application, entitled "Methods for Reducing or Eliminating Incidence of Seizures and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy", for the use of a novel cannabinoid formulation after completion of in-vivo animal studies.

The research findings originated from Avicanna’s ongoing multi-level collaboration with leading epilepsy researcher Dr. Peter Carlen from the world-renowned Krembil Research Institute at the University Health Network. Preliminary electrophysiological studies on seizure-induced cortical slices taken from wildtype mouse determined that treatment with the formulation candidate produced significant anti-convulsant effects compared to treatment with CBD or THC alone. These results, obtained in a well-established in vitro model, suggest that, in addition to anti-convulsant properties, the formulation candidate demonstrates strong potential to treat patients diagnosed with intractable forms of epilepsies and those at risk of seizure-induced sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

The formulation candidate was tested further in the maximal electroshock in vivo animal models to confirm the anti-seizure effects in comparison to CBD alone. The research was carried out by Dr. Mac Burnham’s team at the University of Toronto. The formulation candidate further demonstrated strong anti-convulsant properties and therapeutic index value as compared to CBD alone. These results further substantiated the patent claims on the use of formulation candidate for reducing seizures and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients. Avicanna intends to advance this formulation candidate through its drug delivery platform and progress it through pre-clinical studies with a view towards potential future clinical studies.

Photo by Louis Reed on Unsplash

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