WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phytecs, Inc., a biotechnology company exploring innovative research into and potential treatments targeting the endocannabinoid system (ECS), announced new findings from its study of fluorinated cannabidiol derivatives (F-CBDs) at the 2017 International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) Symposium in Montreal, Canada. Results showed F-CBDs mimic the activity of cannabidiol (CBD), and that certain F-CBDs exhibit significantly greater potency than CBD, depending on the model.
“Fluorinated Cannabidiol Derivatives as Novel, Highly Effective Therapeutic Alternatives.”
F-CBDs were found to be highly effective in in-vivo animal models predictive of anxiolytic, antidepressant, antipsychotic, and anti-compulsive activities (PLoS One. 2016 14;11(7):e0158779); an in-vitro model of epilepsy; multiple in-vivo pain assays (hot-plate, abdominal writhing, carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia); and in-vitro human epidermal keratinocyte systems modeling various skin diseases such as several types of dermatitis, bacterial and viral skin inflammation, and atopic eczema.
“Fluorination is already being used to make modern drugs more effective – in fact, 30 percent of the best-selling pharmaceuticals worldwide contain fluorinated compounds. That’s why we synthesized fluorinated CBD derivatives and assessed them in a range of ways that model human diseases. We’re very encouraged by the results so far,” commented Raphael Mechoulam, MS, PhD, whose laboratory co-developed the tested F-CBD compounds.
“This intriguing preclinical data strongly suggests that fluorination can increase the potency of CBD, complementing Phytecs’ existing research into therapeutic applications for various phytocannabinoids and terpenoids sourced from cannabis,” said Tamás Bíró, MD, PhD, DSc, Director of Applied Research for Phytecs and presenter of the talk at ICRS, entitled “Fluorinated Cannabidiol Derivatives as Novel, Highly Effective Therapeutic Alternatives.”
The findings also invite further preclinical and clinical research to explore the therapeutic potential of selected F-CBDs in human diseases, with an initial focus on central nervous system, mental and immune disorders. Phytecs continues to build upon preclinical research into prospective therapeutic applications for CBD, with an interest in determining the opportunity to introduce F-CBD variants in the treatment landscape.
About Phytecs
Phytecs is a biotechnology company developing interventions that address the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The Phytecs team pioneered the modern understanding of how the ECS regulates aspects of physiology including immunity, pain, inflammation, mood, emotion, learning, memory, metabolism, appetite, weight, sleep, embryo development, neuroprotection and stress response; and how dysregulation of the system affects human health and disease. The unique Phytecs R&D and product development platform includes not only compounds isolated from the Cannabis plant but also novel, highly effective synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoid agents.
Phytecs is currently conducting research in the United States, Hungary, Israel, Italy, and Switzerland. For more information, please visit www.phytecs.com.
