PHARMA FOCUS // CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
The promising potential of cannabinoids
Minor cannabinoids have a wide variety of health benefits. However, there’s little research on the topic due to the scarcity of minor cannabinoids in the hemp biomass and difficult extraction processes. Sanobiotec aims to improve the technological processes for production of these compounds while leveraging their therapeutic benefits for pharmaceuticals, the wellness industry and treatment of progressive illnesses, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.
L
ithuanian-based cannabinoid research company Sanobiotec is developing proprietary technological processes for production of minor cannabinoids. These are the naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. Preliminary research shows that due to their structural components, the extracted botanical compounds can be used for treating patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as anxiety, pain management and reducing inflammation. The major cannabinoids – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) – are the most prominent compounds in the cannabis industry and well-known for their health benefits. However, the range of cannabinoids extends far beyond these two substances. In comparison to THC and CBD, minor cannabinoids have a more targeted effect and can be utilised for specific purposes, ranging from analgesic to antiinflammatory and even an antiproliferative effect, which is the ability to prevent the spread of malignant cells.
PROGRESSIVE R&D YIELDS GREAT RESULTS Due to their medicinal and therapeutic properties, minor cannabinoids, such as cannabinol (CBN) and cannabichromene (CBC), can provide many health benefits and could be applicable in a variety of industries – such as pharmaceutical or wellness. However, the minuscule concentrations of these compounds in the cannabis plant make the extraction process immensely difficult. Sanobiotec has been working to improve the technological processes behind the production of CBN and CBC and the results look promising. “The purity of CBN and CBC isolates we have obtained is 99+%,” says Rytis Urbonas, director of technology development at Sanobiotec. “These are highly positive
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JULY 2020 // WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA
Sanobiotec’s goal is to become a hub for cannabinoid research, development and production
results, given the peculiarities of each process. Our aim was to produce compounds that could be easily incorporated into custom formulations, which is exactly what we managed to achieve.” According to Urbonas, the interest in THC and CBD’s structural ‘siblings’ and their potential in cannabinoidbased drug development was a natural outcome of the company’s research and development activities. “We are well into the second year of our project, implemented in partnership with the National Cancer Institute in Lithuania. Currently, we are examining the potential of natural and novel synthetic cannabinoids for targeted cancer treatment based on their molecular mechanisms,” he states. “Further research will enable us to delve deeper into understanding the effects and properties of these compounds.”
GREAT POTENTIAL FOR NEW PHYTOCHEMICALS Sanobiotec aims to research and implement new techniques to produce minor cannabinoids, such as cannabidivarin (CBDV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and other compounds like Cannflavin A, with more
efficiency. This will enable the company to produce cannabis compounds that had only been identified or were tricky to isolate due to their scarcity in the hemp biomass. According to Urbonas, there are already more than 100 cannabinoids identified, making the potential for new phytochemicals limitless. “Once the most promising compounds are identified, we move rapidly. Our goal is to become a hub for cannabinoid research, development and production, so our team is determined to maintain the fast-paced development,” he adds. The upcoming research is a joint project with the Life Sciences Centre of Vilnius University and will explore the promising potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. •
Sanobiotec – sanobiotec.com
