InMed evaluates cannabinol-based drug candidate in trials

InMed Pharmaceuticals has announced that its cannabinol-based drug candidate INM-755 is being assessed in a Phase I clinical trial for its potential to treat epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

INM-755 is a topical formulation intended to address the symptoms of EB, which is a rare, genetic skin condition that causes wounds and blistering.

InMed expects the medication to relieve symptoms such as inflammation and pain, as well as improve skin integrity in certain patients with EB Simplex. Apart from EB, INM-755 may have applications in other dermatological diseases.

The company launched a Phase I trial of the drug candidate in healthy volunteers in December last year. Two Phase I trials of INM-755, including treatment on intact skin and on wounded skin, will be performed.

Named Study 755-101-HV, the first trial will investigate both local and systemic safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of daily INM-755 on the intact skin of 22 healthy volunteers over 14 days.

The second 755-102-HV study will involve testing on open wounds of eight subjects. InMed is also planning to conduct a global multi-centre Phase I/II trial after the Phase I studies.

InMed Pharmaceuticals CEO Eric Adams said: “We are proud to be the first company to investigate cannabinol’s therapeutic potential in human clinical trials.

“InMed has completed more than 30 preclinical pharmacology and toxicology studies, identifying potential therapeutic advantages of CBN in specific disease models over the more common cannabinoids THC and CBD, as well as other rare variants.”

CBN is a rare cannabinoid and the company is exploring its therapeutic potential in diseases with a high unmet medical need. InMed is also developing another cannabinol-based drug candidate INM-088 for the treatment of glaucoma.

The company is developing a biosynthesis platform to manufacture pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids on a commercial scale.