Pascal says certain cannabinoids can combat COVID-19 PASCAL BIOSCIENCES CONFIRMS SPECIFIC CANNABINOIDS COMBAT CORONAVIRUS
Pascal Biosciences Inc. has confirmed an earlier report that certain cannabinoids block the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Four different laboratories have experimentally verified the anti-viral activity of a cannabinoid. In addition, several cannabinoids have been tested, and the optimal compound has been chosen for further study. The best cannabinoid had potency similar to remdesivir in two different assays. Remdesivir is an approved drug from Gilead that improves recovery time for COVID-19 patients.
"We previously reported that our preliminary results would be confirmed with additional assays, and these studies validate our plans to develop a cannabinoid treatment for COVID-19," said Dr. Patrick Gray, chief executive officer of Pascal Biosciences. "Other groups have suggested cannabinoids, such as CBD, could benefit COVID-19 patients because of its immunomodulatory activity. We believe Pascal is the first to demonstrate direct anti-viral activity for a cannabinoid."
The four laboratories testing Pascal compounds are: Southern Research; Institut Pasteur Korea; and two independent University of Washington academic groups. Three of the laboratories used the African green monkey kidney epithelial cell line, Vero E6, a common model system for testing coronaviral infectivity. In all three of these assays, the lead cannabinoid had good potency (anti-viral activity in the range of one micromolar to 10 micromolars, similar to remdesivir). The fourth laboratory measured the anti-viral effect on SARS-CoV-2 on the human lung cell line, Calu-3, and found the cannabinoid to be nearly 100-fold more potent in inhibiting virus-mediated cell death than it was in the Vero E6 experiments. This is an important observation, as the human respiratory tract represents the first point of contact with the virus. Pascal scientists are very encouraged by the reproducibility of the cannabinoid's protective activity in different experimental systems and in different laboratories. These results support the rationale for testing in animal models of COVID-19, both in single agent and in combination with other anti-viral compounds, such as remdesivir, and Pascal is currently planning these experiments.
"Because most cannabinoids can be safely administered and have favourable pharmacological properties, we are hopeful that this discovery will provide therapeutic benefit for COVID-19," commented Dr. Gray. "This disease continues to destroy lives and economies across the globe, so new therapeutic options are urgently needed."
There are many efforts to create a vaccine or therapeutic drug for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pascal's cannabinoid has the potential to limit the severity and progression of the disease. Typically, multiple drugs are required to provide effective anti-viral therapy. For example, other viral diseases, such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and hepatitis C, require two or three drugs for effective treatment. The novel discovery by Pascal scientists suggests a cannabinoid may well become an essential component of an effective drug cocktail for the treatment of COVID-19. The company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain COVID-19 at this time.
About Pascal Biosciences Inc.
Pascal Biosciences is a biotechnology company targeting innovative therapies for serious diseases, including COVID-19. Pascal is also developing treatments for cancer with targeted therapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and cannabinoid-based therapeutics. Pascal's leading portfolio also comprises a small-molecule therapeutic, PAS-403, which is advancing into clinical trials for the treatment of glioblastoma, and PAS-393, an immunostimulatory cannabinoid to be used in combination with checkpoint inhibitor therapy.