Trials of a cannabis-derived treatment which could rid dogs of common and potentially blinding eye ulcers have been given the go ahead.
Tetra Bio-Pharma will continue with clinical trials on its synthetic cannabinoid products in the hope of finding an easy-to-use medication for pets with the painful condition.
Eye ulcers are one of the most common health problems in dogs and, if left untreated, can lead to the loss of an eye.
The condition is particularly common among a number of breeds which have gained in popularity in recents years, including pugs, bulldogs and West Highland terriers.
Initial symptoms include a red and aggravated eye and the condition often needs to be treated by a vet.
Progress has been slowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic but now the company is looking to forge ahead with the first-of-its-kind trial after receiving authorisation from the Veterinary Drugs Directorate of Health Canada.
The company is also engage in developing a treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which could eventually be used to treat people suffering with the coronavirus.
The trials of PPP-003v, Tetra’s proprietary veterinary ocular formulation for treating ocular pain and inflammation in companion animals, could see Tetra find a way into a market expect to be worth over $220 million by 2026.
Dr. Guy Chamberland, CEO and CRO of Tetra Bio-Pharma, said: “The PPP-003 program, including PPP-003v, represents a significant opportunity for Tetra since there is a substantial unmet medical need for painful inflammatory eye disease.”
He added: “We are pleased with this regulatory authorisation and the ability to re-activate the trial.
“While the active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the PPP-003v drug formulation is the same as the one used in ARDS-003, Tetra’s innovative immunomodulator drug concurrently being developed for COVID-19, there is a major difference with how the drug is delivered.
“PPP-003v is intended to be used as a topical medication and is delivered as a sterile eye drop and ointment, while ARDS-003 is a sterile injectable nano-emulsion finished drug product.”
