WHITEFISH, MT / September 18, 2014 / Cannabis Technologies Inc. (OTC: CANLF) (TSX-V: CAN), a biopharmaceutical drug discovery and development company focused on the pharmacology and therapeutic potential of cannabinoids (CBDs), recently announced the appointment of Peter Huang as its Senior Bioinformatician. The move could unlock shareholder value by broadening its pipeline over the coming years.
With more than 17 years of experience as a bioinformatician, software developer, and biological researcher, Mr. Huang recently worked with the Vineland Research and Innovation Center as a Senior Bioinformatician and with U.S. Genomics as a Bioinformatics Scientist. He received a Master of Science in Botany and Microbiology from Auburn University and a BS in Computer Science from Simon Fraser University.
Mr. Huang’s efforts at Cannabis Technologies will be focused on discovering novel cannabis-based drug therapies to add to its growing pipeline. By expanding the pipeline, shareholders benefit from both diversified risk and upside potential as therapies move closer to commercialization. These dynamics could help accelerate the company’s growth over the coming years.
In addition to creating value, building its clinical pipeline could increase the likelihood of a merger or acquisition in the future. Many large pharmaceutical companies are struggling with expiring patents on major blockbuster drugs (the so-called patent cliff), a trend that has already accelerated some mergers and acquisitions in the space. Cannabis could become a viable target if proven successful in treating serious medical conditions.
Growing Pipeline Driven by Platform Technology
Cannabis Technologies developed its proprietary Cannabinoid Drug Design Platform as a bioinformatics tool designed to identify individual chemical compounds from the cannabis plant that can be targeted to develop therapies for specific diseases and conditions. Mr. Huang will leverage the platform to accelerate the discovery of new therapies based on proven genomics and metabolomics.
There are many companies developing cannabis therapies, including names like Cannabis Science Inc. (OTC: CBIS) and INSYS Therapeutics Inc.’s (NASDAQ: INSY). INSYS recently received an orphan drug designation from the FDA for its CBD-based brain cancer treatment. Cannabis Technologies differentiates itself with a platform technology capable of rapidly growing its clinical pipeline beyond just a handful of clinical trials that could make or break a company. So far, the platform has helped the company add CTI-085 for Glaucoma and CTI-091 for Arthritis to its stable of developmental drugs, and the company plans to add drugs to address other disease conditions.
CTI-085 is a topical formation containing a proprietary compound of cannabinoids and non-cannabis-based active ingredients for the treatment of glaucoma. After about a year of discovery and preclinical studies, the compound has shown efficacy in lowering intraocular pressure in animal models. The therapy’s goal is to be a safer alternative without the systemic side effects of other drugs.
CTI-091 is a proprietary mix of cannabinoids and non-cannabis-based active ingredients designed to relieve joint pain and swelling associated with arthritis and joint disease. Preliminary studies showed that the compound suppresses the human macrophage interleukin-6 – a major biomarker for inflammation. The team is currently working on a new delivery system to enhance retention and absorption.
Looking Ahead
Cannabis Technologies trades with a market capitalization of less than $10 million with two preclinical compounds in its pipeline. With the hiring of Mr. Huang, the company could expand its pipeline in the near-term to create additional opportunities and diversify risk for shareholders. These dynamics alone should help improve its valuation, assuming everything else remains equal.
Investors may want to keep an eye on the stock over the coming months as management works to expand the pipeline and progress its existing clinical trials. With these near-term catalysts in place, the company could see its valuation expand and its visibility within the marketplace increase over time.
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