Neurodegenerative disease is an overarching term for a variety of progressive conditions that affect the neurons of the nervous system, resulting in the damage and death of those cells. These diseases are relentless, often fatal, and affect fundamental functions like moving, breathing, speaking, and thinking.

In-Depth Research Leading To The Identification Of Rare Cannabinoids For Neurodegenerative Disease

InMed reports that its research team has investigated several cannabinoids to understand and compare their effects in neurodegenerative disease. Its researchers have selected two cannabinoid analogs showing the most promising effects in neuroprotection and enhanced neuronal function to advance to “in vivo” preclinical studies in neurodegenerative disease.

The selected rare cannabinoids demonstrated neuroprotective effects in the affected neurons and promoted neurite outgrowth, according to InMed, signifying the potential for these to enhance neuronal function. As a result, these cannabinoids could inhibit or slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases in the population of affected neurons.

InMed’s therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative disease is the company’s third rare cannabinoid pharmaceutical development program. 

The neurodegenerative disease program applies a different rare cannabinoid from InMed’s lead programs for dermatology and ocular diseases. The new cannabinoids have demonstrated neuronal effects in potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases.

InMed has filed an international patent application for the use of its rare cannabinoid in the potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application specifies that the rare cannabinoid has the potential to inhibit or slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and also demonstrates that the specific cannabinoid compound can be used to promote neurite outgrowth.

InMed’s pharmaceutical development pipeline includes cannabinol (CBN) products for the treatment of symptoms associated with epidermolysis bullosa - a medical condition that results in easy blistering of the skin and mucous membranes, and an eye drop for the treatment of glaucoma.

 Its lead program INM-755 is a CBN cream that is currently enrolling for the Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa. Encouraging results were evidenced in the Phase 1 trial, with no dose-limiting side effects found in patients. The preclinical studies evidenced reduced markers of inflammation & pain and upregulated expression of certain keratins.

Its second program, INM-088, is a CBN eye drop formulation that is being investigated for its potential in the treatment of glaucoma. InMed reports that preclinical studies of INM-088 indicated lowered intraocular pressure and demonstrated neuroprotection of the retinal ganglion cells.

The global neurodegenerative disease market was valued at USD 40 billion in 2021, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% by 2030, reaching USD 53 billion by 2030.

Although great strides have been made in progressing research for neurodegenerative disease and drug development in recent years across some of the therapeutic areas of the disease, the critical underlying molecular defects or pathways that give rise to many of these conditions are reportedly yet to be identified.

Disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative disease are the need of the hour – and through its research and preclinical studies, InMed may just be one step closer to getting there.

In a recent update highlighting milestones achieved in 2022, the company shared the progress it’s been making and the way forward for 2023.

To learn more about InMed and the company’s cannabinoid drug development programs click here.

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