Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies has signed new partnership agreements to target the chronic pain condition trigeminal neuralgia (TN), which causes severe facial pain caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve.
With current treatments for TN having adverse side effects and being only partially effective, Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings plc (OCTP) is aiming to provide a drug-device combination product for people living with the condition. To facilitate this, the group has signed three service agreements that will accelerate the development of its concept – a combination of unnamed phytocannabinoids that will be administered to the lungs using a metered-dose inhaler.
The group says this type of administration should reduce onset time and the extensive first-pass metabolism associated with oral administration of cannabinoids.
“We are delighted to have further expanded our portfolio. The pain caused by TN can be extremely debilitating and we are looking forward to working towards a pain management solution with our partners,” commented OCTP CEO Dr John Lucas.
“We remain focused on developing our portfolio and increasing our growth potential as we progress our drug development programmes through preclinical and clinical trials.”
The group’s first supply agreement has been signed with Purisys, which secures ultra-high purity, cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients for the current preclinical drug development and future clinical and commercial supplies for the Group’s Programme 2. A second agreement with Oz-UK Ltd, will facilitate the development of a cannabinoid metered-dose inhaler formulation, which will include studies aiming to identify and define the excipient/formulation components, as well as the selection of the canister, valve, and actuator, and a third agreement with Voisin Consulting Life Sciences will enable the development and regulatory strategy of the Group’s combination product.
OCTP aims to obtain Orphan Drug Designation which will allow it to retain market exclusivity through regulatory protections. The programme is designed for an accelerated route to first-time-in-human (FTiH) with Phase 1 clinical trials planned for Q3 2022.
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