Dr. Robert Melamede, CEO, Cannabis Science, Presents at World AIDS Institute Legislative Briefing
July 23 2012 - 11:55AM
Business Wire
Cannabis Science Inc., (CBIS) on Friday, July 20th Robert
Melamede PhD, CEO of Cannabis Science presented at the Treatment
Horizons Briefing at the Rayburn Legislative Office Building in
Washington D.C, sponsored by Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) and Rep Bobby
Rush (D-IL) for an audience of congressional staffers on the
utility of CS-TATI-1, a unique antiviral approach to reduce the
expression of viral diversity undermining the efficacy of HART
through out global treatment programs.
Dr. Melamede states, “Cannabis Science is very appreciative of
the opportunity to present the clinical premise supporting the
development of CS-TATI-1 to address the application of CNR1 and
CNR2 agonists and antagonists of HIV Tat expression inhibitors to
legislative staffers of ranking Members of Congress directly
preceding the opening of the XIX International AIDS Conference,”
said Dr. Melamede. “The clinical advancement of the indirect
inhibition of HIV Tat and subsequent corresponding pandemic
co-infections that promote the oncogenesis of HIV related
malignancies is essential to avert the pathogenesis of minority
subspecies from highly conserved sanctuary regions.”
“It's a very important for the further development of CS-TATI-1
to provoke legislative interest in CS-TATI-1 to ensure federal
facilitation of further development of the clinical advancement of
research necessary for the commercialization of CNR1 and CNR2
agonists and antagonists of HIV Tat expression inhibitors,”
said Mariel Selbovitz, MPH. VP of Research Program Development
at Cannabis Science. “Providing this essential clinical briefing to
Congressional staffers at the World AIDS Institute legislative
briefing has afforded Cannabis Science the opportunity to obtain
support for a federal initiative that will advance CS-TATI-1 to
first human dosing.”
About CS-TAT-1
Data published in March by researchers at the Mount Sinai School
of Medicine found that phytocannabinoids inhibit TAT induced
migration to TAT via CNR2 signal transduction. Funding for the
Mount Sinai study was provided by a National Institutes of Health
(NIH) Clinical and Translational Science Award Grant. Cannabis
Science’s research of CS-TATI-1 will be targeted to newly diagnosed
patients infected with drug resistant virus, treatment experienced
patients with drug-resistant HIV strains, and those intolerant of
currently available therapies. Cannabis Science will be pursuing a
wide range of NIH based Federal Research Programs such as RO1’s,
PO1’s and SBIRS which exist to support preclinical development of
target validation and proof of concept studies. These studies will
be implemented through collaborations with leading scientific
institutions. Cannabis Science will also be pursuing other clinical
research collaborations including the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups
(ACTG), the Canadian AIDS Trial Network (CATN) and the European
AIDS Trial Network (EATN).
About HIV
HIV’s ability to mutate and reproduce itself even in the
presence of antiretroviral drugs, has led to a growing rate of drug
resistance. Increasing drug resistance is severely limiting
treatment options for HIV patients around the world, increasing
direct and indirect health costs, furthering the spread of drug
resistant strains of HIV and is creating a pressing need to develop
new HIV drugs.
The U.S. government invests billions of dollars a year in
HIV/AIDS research, treatment and care through a variety of
programs. The Ryan White CARE Act, which funds the treatment and
care of people living with HIV in the U.S., totals $2.3 billion a
year. Among its many other contributions to fighting HIV/AIDS
globally, the U.S. provides $22.8 million annually to The U.S.
Military HIV Research Program and approximately $1 billion per year
to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Pharmaceutical sales to treat HIV equal $10.6 billion annually.
Treatment cost per patient in the U.S. for HIV antivirals alone is
approximately $15,000 a year.
About the XIX International AIDS Conference
The XIX International AIDS Conference is taking place July
22-27, 2012 in Washington, DC. Bringing together leading
researchers, clinicians, policy makers and advocates, this
momentous conference presents and affords discussion on the latest
scientific advances in HIV/AIDS.
About The World AIDS Institute
The World AIDS Institute documents and preserves the global
history of HIV/AIDS, inspires action today to improve the lives of
people living with HIV and their families, friends and communities,
and strengthens the spectrum of innovative initiatives to find a
cure.
About Cannabis Science, Inc.
Cannabis Science, Inc. is conducting cannabinoid research and
development for unmet medical needs. The Company works with leading
experts in HIV drug development, medicinal characterization, and
clinical research to develop, produce, and commercialize
Phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products.
Cannabis Science is currently working with CBR International to
develop a Pre-IND Application to the FDA that focuses on the use of
CS-S/BCC-1 topical cannabis-based preparations for the treatment of
basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
Forward Looking Statements
This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing
works such as “anticipate,” “seek,” intend,” “believe,” “plan,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” or similar phrases may be
deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of
the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking
statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to
such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the
impact of competition, and the Company’s reliance on existing
regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based
drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does
it intend to update the results of these forward-looking
statements.