Under the agreement, StemTech will provide Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings (OCTP) with state-of-the-art early-stage research and development data support.
OCTP, the holding company of Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Ltd (OCT), has entered into an agreement with StemTech, which will be providing support across all four of OCTP’s drug development programmes. In particular, it will be proving support for Programmes 3 and 4 which target pain, neurology and inflammation.
StemTech has developed an innovative “pain-in-a-dish” model which replicates human pain and supports compound screening and mechanistic studies.
By using StemTech’s multi-electrode array technology (MEA), OCT can measure whether compounds in its library can reduce the “fire” rate of the neuron in real-time and identify potential drugs to treat pain. StemTech will also screen OCT’s drug library, including the library recently licensed from Canopy Growth Corporation, for compounds that can ‘switch off’ inflammation at the cellular level.
OCT chief executive, Dr John Lucas, commented: “This exciting technology is delivered by a trusted partner. It is a natural evolution from the research collaboration agreement between OCT and Oxford University and is testament to the scientific excellence of its pain research project, led by Professor Zameel Cader.”
Dr Zameel Cader, associate professor of clinical neurosciences at the University of Oxford and director and co-founder of StemTech, added: “We are very glad to be working with OCT to support the development of multiple programmes.
“StemTech has developed a new method that reduces the cost and increases the scale of reprogramming pluripotent stem cells from healthy volunteers and patients. This innovative approach allows us to develop in vitro human disease models for translational research.
“We are delighted that OCT has chosen StemTech as their partner of choice in their efforts to become the global leader in developing cannabinoid-based prescription medicines in pain and neurological disorders.”
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