CeNeRx BioPharma, Inc. has announced issuance of a new U.S. patent covering its novel compounds that selectively target peripheral cannabinoid receptors.
By avoiding the CNS, these compounds are much less likely to be associated with the side effects that have limited the utility of other cannabinoid drugs.
Developed through its discovery partnership with PharmaNess Neuroscience, CeNeRx has a portfolio of more than a dozen preclinical compounds that selectively target peripheral CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. The company is initially pursuing cannabinoid agonists for the treatment of pain (peripheral neuropathy), glaucoma and spasticity and has already demonstrated encouraging proof-of-concept results in a number of well-accepted preclinical models.
"Our cannabinoid series of compounds work via a novel, yet well-described mechanism of action, have excellent selectivity and could potentially be applied to important diseases with significant unmet need," said Barry Brand, chief executive officer of CeNeRx. "We therefore are very pleased at the issuance of this broad new U.S. patent. We believe these compounds may have the potential to provide substantial clinical benefit to patients with unmet medical needs, and to do so without the side effects that have limited the utility of cannabinoid drugs in the past."