Pascal Biosciences And SoRSE Team Up On Cannabis Cancer Therapy

Biotechnology company Pascal Biosciences Inc. (TSX.V: PAS) has partnered with SoRSE Technology Corp over an early-stage study of using cannabis as a treatment for cancer.

Pascal CEO Patrick Gray expects that Pascal would finalize Phase-1A testing of the cannabis-based cancer therapy by the end of the 15-month collaboration with the Seattle-based SoRSE.

Howard Lee, SoRSE's CEO, said that they would fund research expenses, Reuters reports.

In addition, SoRSE agreed to build up Pascal's cannabinoid programs earlier this year.

Canada-based Pascal tests the experimental treatment PAS-393, which is observed as an addition to the so-called "checkpoint inhibitors" responsible for blocking proteins that prevent the immune system from attacking the cancer cells.

"We've got the drug discovery, and development expertise and SoRSE has formulation capabilities, and that will help get the drug into the clinic," Gray added.

The partnership is a step toward proving the medical benefits of marijuana-derived products.

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved GW Pharmaceuticals plc's (NASDAQ: GWPH) Epidiolex, the first marijuana-derived drug. It’s used in the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy.

Last month, the FDA permitted expansion of the drug's indications, adding managing seizures related to tuberous sclerosis complex to the list.

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