Cannabinoid Compound Being Developed As Opiate Substitute

Pain is humanity’s oldest medical issue. As a primary or secondary symptom in numerous maladies, successfully treating pain (and particularly chronic pain) has become an increasingly complex medical problem.

Traditionally, opiates have been the medical profession’s therapy-of-choice for serious pain and chronic pain issues. More recently, the pharmaceutical industry has pioneered extremely powerful opiate derivatives for use in pain treatment.
However, these dangerous drugs have been recklessly prescribed by physicians and are frequently abused by patients. The result is arguably the worst drug-abuse crisis in the history of our society, now often referred to as “an epidemic”.

Meanwhile, pain as a medical problem continues to grow. A 2017 report from Transparency Market Research pegs the size of the global pain management market at over US$62 billion in 2016, predicted to rise to US$88 billion by the end of 2025.

As a growing medical problem with increasingly dysfunctional treatment options, pain management is an issue crying out for innovation. One of the companies seeking to provide a positive alternative to the use of opiates is Kalytera Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: V.KALY, OTCQB: KALTF, Forum).

Many Stockhouse readers will already be familiar with KALY, from a full-length feature published earlier this year. That article highlighted the Company’s clinical trials for its treatment/prevention of Graft versus Host Disease, a potentially life-threatening disease that can result from bone marrow transplants.

Kalytera’s newest initiative involves creating a cannabinoid-based compound, intended to be a safe alternative for the treatment of mild-to-severe pain. An abundance of empirical evidence as well as “randomized controlled trials” have established that cannabinoids are both a safe and effective treatment for pain issues.

KALY is looking to go further down this road. The Company has obtained a worldwide license for a cannabinoid compound developed by Beetlebung Pharma Limited of Israel (patent pending). Beetlebung is an Israeli affiliate of SG International, and it is providing clinical management and other services to Kalytera in conjunction with this drug development initiative.

The compound consists of a specific cannabinoid that has been “conjugated” with naproxen. Naproxen is a common anti-inflammatory drug already used for the treatment of pain.

On March 20, 2018; Kalytera announced it has commenced development of this compound. The research thesis is that the synergies produced from this compound may result in a potent anti-pain therapy, while increasing patient safety/tolerance and avoiding addiction/abuse issues. The Company’s Chairman, Ron Erickson, framed this news for investors.

The initiation of this program is an important first step in our overall strategy to expand and diversify. We have a late-stage clinical program with cannabidiol (“CBD”) in the prevention and treatment of graft versus host disease, and today we have added a program in the treatment of pain. The pain market is demanding safer and effective treatments, and we believe our novel cannabinoid/naproxen conjugate may meet that need.

In more specific terms, the Company is seeking to develop a potent, non-psychotropic, oral analgesic for intractable pain that will be safe and well tolerated for patients. The cannabinoid component will target pain receptors in the spinal cord, while the naproxen works to block the synthesis of a “pain-inducing molecule” known as PGE2.

Incredibly, in the 21st century, humanity’s oldest medical problem – pain – is still lacking a safe, reliable, and potent therapy option. The March 20, 2018 announcement by KALY may be an important step in addressing this enormous unmet need.

For sufferers of severe or chronic pain, this announcement will be welcome news. For investors, this translates into a multi-billion dollar opportunity.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Kalytera Therapeutics Inc. is a paid client of Stockhouse Publishing.