Europe Grants Patent for Cannabis-Based Pain Reliever
On October 20, the European Patent Office granted a patent to the American pharmaceutical company IGC Pharma for a prescription cannabis-based pain reliever. The company’s scientists have developed a topical analgesic containing cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, along with other substances. This innovative cream penetrates the skin to relieve pain by acting on the peripheral nervous system and the immune system.
The medication does not alter a person’s state of consciousness and does not cause side effects, making it safer and more effective than traditional alternatives. The cream is expected to be used for pain relief in cases such as arthritis and chronic post-surgical joint pain. In the United States alone, over 56 million people suffer from arthritis, and 10-30% of them experience long-term pain. As a result, the new IGC Pharma medication could help at least 5.6 million Americans, as well as many people in other countries where medical cannabis is legal.
IGC Pharma has already been granted 35 patents in various countries, including the United States and Canada. The company’s specialists are working on cannabinoid-based treatments for several conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, dysmenorrhea (uterine pain before menstruation), premenstrual syndrome, and chronic pain.
Why Does Cannabis Relieve Pain?
Steve Alexander, Associate Professor of Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Nottingham, explained that cannabis is effective as an analgesic because THC activates cannabinoid receptors in neurons, thereby reducing the intensity of pain sensations. The therapeutic effect of CBD is likely due to its ability to influence glycine receptors on nerve cells, which inhibit their activity. Additionally, both THC and CBD help reduce inflammation, such as that caused by arthritis, thereby addressing the root cause of pain.
IGC Pharma’s Progress in Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
IGC Pharma has also made significant advances in treating not only pain but also Alzheimer’s disease. The company has released two experimental drugs for this condition, codenamed IGC-AD1 and TGR-63. Research has shown that IGC-AD1, which contains THC, slows the progression of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease caused by plaque buildup in the brain’s blood vessels. Currently, doctors are conducting phase two clinical trials of IGC-AD1 with 146 patients. If these trials are successful, the drug will undergo one more round of testing before commercial production begins.