Cannabidiol

Pharma 5 developed Morocco's first CBD-based medicine, 'Cannabidiol Pharma 5', to treat epilepsy, targeting 400,000 Moroccans, including 100,000 children. The 100% Moroccan-produced, THC-free drug focuses on severe epilepsy forms and is expected to be available by prescription in 2025, potentially covered by health insurance.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals announced CEO Bruce Cozadd's retirement plan; he will stay on until a successor is found within a year. Cozadd co-founded Jazz in 2003 and led it through significant growth, including the $7 billion acquisition of GW Pharmaceuticals. The company remains on track to meet its 2024 revenue guidance of $4 billion to $4.1 billion, with a focus on Xywav and Epidiolex. A special committee of independent directors will lead the search for Cozadd's replacement, considering both internal and external candidates.

DeFloria's experimental cannabis-based drug AJA001 for autism spectrum disorder showed positive early results, with safety demonstrated at doses up to 660 mg twice daily. The drug, a multi-compound hemp extract, achieved blood concentration levels matching or exceeding existing cannabis-based medicines. DeFloria, a joint venture between Charlotte’s Web, Ajna BioSciences, and British American Tobacco, aims to address a significant unmet need in ASD treatment. Common side effects included drowsiness, anxiety, dizziness, and headaches. The company plans to submit Phase 1 trial data to the FDA and explore the drug's potential in two Phase 2 trials starting in Q2 2025.

Health care providers must navigate cannabis-related issues, including interactions, policies, and clinical considerations, as more patients use cannabis for symptom management. Despite state-level legalization, marijuana remains federally illegal, complicating care. Clinical considerations include understanding over 200 cannabis compounds, their effects on the endocannabinoid system, and potential therapeutic uses for anxiety, insomnia, and pain. Adverse effects and drug interactions are significant, and institutional policies vary widely. Effective care requires understanding current literature, regulations, and logistics.

CBD treatment in TSC patients showed significant reductions in most problematic behavior (MPB) and TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND), with the greatest changes in dysregulated behavior and overactivity. CBD maintained its safety profile, with common adverse events including diarrhea and vomiting. The study was presented at the 2024 AES Annual Meeting.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) posted Q3 top-and-bottom-line beats, projecting 2024 earnings above expectations, driven by sales growth from Xywav and Epidiolex. The company received accelerated approval for Ziihera, a treatment for HER2-positive biliary tract cancer, and anticipates phase 3 PFS results on Zanidatamab. JAZZ trades at a discount to peers, making it attractive for value investors.

Avextra Portugal launches an in-house breeding program to develop proprietary cannabis varieties with specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles, aiming for consistency and scalability in pharmaceutical production. Led by industry experts, the program uses 5,000 seeds over two years, with 600 already germinated, focusing on stable cannabinoid output, terpene selection, cultivation environment optimization, and extraction efficiency. This initiative aligns with Avextra’s commitment to advancing safe and effective cannabis-based medicines.

Six years after UK legalized medical cannabis, families demand NHS access due to low prescribing rates. Only 27% of NHS trusts prescribe licensed cannabis medicines, with 1,104 patients receiving such prescriptions in 2023. Contrastingly, 35,000 patients use private sector prescriptions, highlighting a gap in NHS services. Pediatric access remains limited, with only 50 children able to afford private prescriptions. The NHS and Department of Health and Social Care cite limited evidence as a barrier to wider prescription, despite calls for action from the Cannabis Industry Council.

Ohio's medical cannabis law allows doctors to recommend cannabis for patients under 18, unlike adult-use cannabis law. Epidiolex, a CBD medication for epilepsy, is the only FDA-approved CBD treatment for both adults and children, with ongoing trials for other conditions. THC products remain a Schedule 1 drug, complicating clinical trials for children.

Cannabis's move to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act will remove barriers for pharmaceutical companies to develop cannabis-based drugs, unlocking a $2 trillion market. This shift will favor pharma companies over state-level cannabis businesses, as the latter lack the resources for FDA approval. Pharmaceutical companies are already patenting solutions to the 'whole-plant' problem, positioning them to dominate the federally regulated market for cannabis-based prescription drugs.