Medcann Europe, a subsidiary of Medcann Pharma, has been authorised by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) to grow cannabis for research purposes.
Meddcann was given authorisation just one week after the country approved the regulation of cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
Medcann enters the select group of 14 companies authorised for the cultivation of cannabis plants for research purposes in Spain, allowing the company to progress with its collaborative R&D project with the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER).
The collaboration between Medcann and NEIKER aims to link the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors, marking the beginning of a long-term project with a focus on research, development and innovation applied to cannabis genetics. Genetics is a crucial element in production operations since it determines the development and growth of plants and their yield, while also defining their composition of cannabinoids and terpenes.
The project is to be divided into two phases. The objective in the first stage will be the characterisation of Medcann’s 14 genetics for registration in the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO). this will protect the breeder’s rights of the genetics in Europe and of future varieties.
“The recognition as a supplier of cannabis genetics of licit and traceable origin, for medical and scientific purposes – added to this authorization from the AEMPS – gives Medcann an outstanding visibility and reputation, and places us in a privileged position, of which we will take advantage in this context of a market boost, thanks to the proximity of a regulation that will allow access to patients within six months,” said Carlos Adolfo Guzmán, global CEO of the Medcann Pharma Inc.
In a second phase, Medcann will work with a number of medical research institutes and professionals from the health sector to extend the project to pharmaceutical development and medical research. The company is currently exploring several lines of interest.
According to figures from the Spanish Observatory of Medicinal Cannabis, between 250,000 and 300,000 patients in Spain go to the ‘black market‘ to obtain cannabis.
“Guaranteeing legal and health security must be a priority of the Government, and of actors in this industry and the health sector, to attend to all those patients with ailments which currently do not have a clear therapeutic response and wherein the use of medicinal cannabis begins to demonstrate benefits”, Guzmán added.
