Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and colleagues in Israel have succeeded in synthesizing stable CBD-Acid molecules. The process —which does not involve the cannabis plant— is being used by a US-based company, EPM, to synthesize CBDA and other Cannabinoid acids. Mechoulam and three other researchers whose work was backed by EPM made presentations at the recent CannMedd conference in Pasadena.  Mechoulam stole the show, according to Dr. Joe D. Goldstrich.

Here is a brief video in which Mechoulam, who is 89 —and still creating after all these years!— previews his CannMedd talk in general terms. Below is a press release from EPM, which was founded in 2017, proclaiming “a new era in medical research.”

EPM Introduces Groundbreaking Cannabinoid Acid Technology and New Commercial Licensing Platform 

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — EPM, the first global company able to mass produce and supply synthetic and fully stable acid-based cannabinoid molecules, today announced it is launching a commercial platform that opens its intellectual property portfolio to the healthcare industry for potential licensing partnerships. EPM’s intellectual property (IP) and patents cover all major known uses of the cannabinoid stable acids that can be used in the development of potential new treatments along a broad range of therapeutic conditions.

“This marks the start of a new era in medical research as EPM introduces the world’s first innovative licensing platform for the use of our fully stable acid-based cannabinoid molecules,” said Reshef Swisa, chief executive officer, EPM. “The work of our world-class research team has enabled us to be the bridge between the promise for therapeutic uses from cannabis and the ability of pharmaceutical companies to utilize stable, consistent molecules that researchers can use to potentially discover new medicines.”

There has long been a well-recognized potential for the development of specific molecules from the cannabis plant into medicines to meet a wide range of therapeutic needs. However, several obstacles including lack of stability, variable potency and consistency in naturally occurring molecules derived from the cannabis plant have precluded its use. Under the guidance of the world’s foremost cannabinoid scientist, Professor Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D., EPM built a comprehensive research program that removes the barriers to using cannabinoid acids. This has paved the way for EPM’s proprietary process, which develops a stable and consistent synthesized version of cannabinoid acid molecules, for use in clinical research.

Professor Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D., widely considered the founder of cannabis-focused research, and head of research and chemistry, EPM, said, “This is exciting and unprecedented research. We have taken the unstable molecules of the cannabis plant and synthesized them to provide a stable, consistent basis for researching new therapies across a wide range of medical needs – from CNS disorders to inflammation and many more. In addition, we have provided several delivery mechanisms including tablets, topical applications and others to facilitate several approaches. Our work is a catalyst for the development of potential new therapies from a source long thought to have huge potential.”

Through its new development platform, EPM encourages partnerships in which EPM will provide the necessary intellectual property and molecules in order to develop new treatments for different medical conditions. Interested parties pursuing product development may apply for consideration. Upon approval EPM will grant a global exclusive license for a specific condition.

“We are excited to highlight our new preclinical research at the CannMed Conference and launch our new molecule development platform unlocking the potential of cannabinoid acids,” Swisa continued. “For the first time ever, pharmaceutical companies will have access to a wide variety of patent protected, stable cannabinoid molecules synthesized to provide stability and consistency for use in developing new medicines, with numerous potential therapeutic applications.”

CannMed Presentations

EPM researchers will present a series of new research in auto-immune and inflammatory disorders today at CannMed, the world’s leading cannabis-focused research conference:

  • Monday, Sept. 23, 8:30 a.m. PDT: The Chemistry Behind Cannabinoid Acid; Professor Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D., Head of Research for EPM
  • Monday, Sept. 23, 4:30 p.m. PDT: CBDA-ME Blocks Intestinal Inflammation and Improves the Therapeutic Outcome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Mice Models; Professor Dan Peer, Ph.D., Head of Inflammatory Research for EPM
  • Monday, Sept. 23, 5 p.m. PDT: A Novel CBDA Derivative for the Treatment of Diabetes-Induced Obesity Metabolic Abnormalities; Dr. Joseph (Yossi) Tam, D.M.D., Ph.D., Head of Metabolic Disorders Research for EPM
  • Monday, Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m. PDT: The Potential Therapeutic Effects of Cannabinoids Acid in Skin Disorders; Prof. Marc Brown, Ph.D., CChem, FRSC, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of MedPharm Ltd.

Dr. Dan Peer is Chair of Tel Aviv University Cancer Biology Research Center, the biggest Cancer Center in Israel that includes 17 affiliated hospitals. Dr. Yossi Tam directs the Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where Mechoulam has a lab. Dr. Marc Brown is the Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of MedPharm, “the world’s leading contract provider of topical and transdermal product design and development services.”

If you’re new to the field and don’t know the extent of Raphael Mechoulam’s contributions to our understanding of Cannabis as medicine, Zach Klein’s documentary “The Scientist” is a must-see. (O’Shaughnessy’s summary of the Mechoulam biopic will bring you up to speed.)