Avicanna Inc. (“
Avicanna” or
“
Company”) (TSX: AVCN) (OTCQX: AVCNF) (FSE: 0NN),
a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development,
manufacturing, and commercialization of plant-derived
cannabinoid-based products, is pleased to announce the United
States Patent and Trademark Office (“
USPTO”)
issuance of the Patent covering Avicanna’s SEDDS oral cannabinoid
compositions and methods for treating neuropathic pain.
“We are delighted to announce the USPTO’s
issuance of the Patent covering our SEDDS drug delivery technology.
Research, development, and evaluation of the potential role of
cannabinoids in advanced drug delivery systems for therapeutic
benefit have been at the core of the Company’s mission since
inception. We are appreciative of the work done by our scientists
that have brought us to this milestone, and we are excited about
the possibilities of further clinical applications for cannabinoid
treatments in neuropathic pain and working closely with healthcare
providers to support patients in need,” stated Aras Azadian,
CEO.
About the SEDDS Technology
Due to the highly lipophilic nature and poor
water-solubility of cannabinoids, the formulations currently
available in the Canadian market have been generally described as
having poor absorption and high variability of onset. SEDDS oral
delivery systems offer a route for non-invasive and non-inhalation
administration of cannabinoids.1-4
Avicanna’s SEDDS technology demonstrated
shelf-life stability with more than 90% of the total cannabinoid(s)
remaining after 6 months in accelerated conditions. CBD and THC
dissolution profiles were also tested in biorelevant media which
mimic human intestinal fluid and demonstrated more than 90%
dispersion within one hour with continued stabilization of the
emulsion.
About Avicanna Inc.
Avicanna is a commercial-stage international
biopharmaceutical company focused on the advancement and
commercialization of cannabinoid-based products and formulations
for the global medical and pharmaceutical market segments. Avicanna
has an established scientific platform including R&D and
clinical development leading to the commercialization of more than
thirty proprietary, evidence-based finished products and supporting
four commercial stage business pillars.
Medical Cannabis formulary (RHO
Phyto™): The formulary offers a diverse range of
proprietary products including oral, sublingual, topical, and
transdermal deliveries with varying ratios of cannabinoids,
supported by ongoing patient and medical community education. RHO
Phyto is an established leading medical brand in Canada currently
available nationwide to patients across several medical channels
and continues to expand into new international markets.
Medical cannabis care platform
(MyMedi.ca): MyMedi.ca is a medical cannabis care platform
formed with the aim to better serve medical cannabis patients’
needs and enhance the patient journey. MyMedi.ca is operated by
Northern Green Canada Inc. and features a diverse portfolio of
products and bilingual pharmacist-led patient support programs.
MyMedi.ca also provides specialty services to distinct patient
groups such as veterans and collaborates with public and private
payers for adjudication and reimbursement. MyMedi.ca provides
educational resources to the medical community to facilitate the
incorporation of medical cannabis into health care regimens.
Pharmaceutical products (Trunerox™) and
pipeline: Leveraging Avicanna’s scientific platform,
vertical integration, and real-world evidence, Avicanna has
developed a pipeline of proprietary, indication-specific
pharmaceutical products that are in various stages of clinical
development. These cannabinoid-based drug candidates aim to address
unmet medical needs in dermatology, chronic pain, and various
neurological disorders. Avicanna’s first indication-specific
pharmaceutical drug, Trunerox™, was approved Q1 2024 by the Health
Authority of Colombia INVIMA as an adjuvant treatment for seizures
associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome in
Colombia. Trunerox™ has not been approved as a drug in Canada by
Health Canada.
Active pharmaceutical ingredients
(Aureus Santa Marta™): Active pharmaceutical ingredients
are supplied by the Company’s majority owned subsidiary Santa Marta
Golden Hemp SAS which is a commercial-stage business dedicated to
providing a various forms high-quality CBD, THC and CBG to the
Company’s international partners for use in the development and
production of food, cosmetics, medical, and pharmaceutical
products. The business unit also forms part of the Company’s supply
chain and is a source of reliable input products for its consumer
retail, medical cannabis, and pharmaceutical products globally.
References:
1 Maji, et al., Solid self emulsifying drug
delivery system: Superior mode for oral delivery of hydrophobic
cargos. Journal of Controlled Release, 337, 2021;646-660.
2 Salawi A. Self-emulsifying drug delivery
systems: a novel approach to deliver drugs. Drug Deliv. 2022
Dec;29(1):1811-1823.
3 Khaled, A.; Ayat, A. A.; Mahmoud, E.-B.,
Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems: Easy to Prepare
Multifunctional Vectors for Efficient Oral Delivery. In Current and
Future Aspects of Nanomedicine, Islam Ahmed Hamed, K., Ed.
IntechOpen: Rijeka, 2019; p Ch. 4
4 Pathak, Ashish Kumar et al. “Recent advances
in self emulsifying drug delivery system – A review.” Drug
Invention Today (2010): 123-129.
SOURCE Avicanna Inc.
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
and Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking
information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
Forward-looking information contained in this news release may be
identified using words such as, “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”,
“likely”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”,
“forecast”, “project”, “estimate”, “outlook” and other similar
expressions. Although the Company believes that the expectations
and assumptions on which such forward looking information is based
are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the
forward-looking information because the Company can give no
assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and
developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these
statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results
to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
information. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not
limited to current and future market conditions, including the
market price of the common shares of the Company, and the risk
factors set out in the Company’s annual information form dated
April 1, 2024 filed with the Canadian securities regulators and
available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this
release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update
any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as
required by applicable securities laws.