Peter Pascali sits down with AGORACOM to discuss the significance of the Company’s recently closed $12,000,000 financing and its implications on the future of PyroGenesis, including:
Watch this interview or listen by Podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify or your favourite podcaster.
MONTREAL, Nov. 10, 2020 — PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (“ PyroGenesis ” or the “ Company ”) (TSXV:PYR) (OTCQB:PYRNF) (FRA:8PY), a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes advanced plasma processes and products, is pleased to announce, further to its press release dated November 3, 2020, the closing of its bought-deal short form prospectus offering pursuant to which the Company issued 3,354,550 units of the Company (the “ Units ”) at a price of $3.60 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $12,076,380 (the “ Offering ”), including the full exercise of the over-allotment option. The Offering was led by Mackie Research Capital Corporation, as sole underwriter and sole bookrunner, (the “ Underwriter ”).
Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (a ” Common Share “) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole Common Share purchase warrant, a ” Warrant “). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $4.50 for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering.
Provided that if, at any time prior to the expiry date of the Warrants, the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “ Exchange ”), or other principal exchange on which the Common Shares are listed, is greater than $6.75 for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may, within 15 days of the occurrence of such event, deliver a notice to the holders of Warrants accelerating the expiry date of the Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date of such notice (the “ Accelerated Exercise Period ”). Any unexercised Warrants shall automatically expire at the end of the Accelerated Exercise Period.
The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for working capital and other purposes as described in the prospectus of the Company dated November 3, 2020 prepared in connection with the Offering.
In consideration for the services provided by the Underwriter, the Company has paid a cash commission equal to 6.5% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and issued to the Underwriter an aggregate of 191,414 non-transferable compensation options, which are exercisable into Units at a price of $3.60 per Unit at any time up to 24 months from closing of the Offering.
About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.
PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a high-tech company, is a leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and products. The Company provides its engineering and manufacturing expertise and its turnkey process equipment packages to customers in the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced materials (including 3D printing), and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of its Montreal office and its 3,800 m2 manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. The Company’s core competencies allow PyroGenesis to provide innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. PyroGenesis’ operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified. For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com .
For further information, please contact:
Rodayna Kafal, Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategic Business Development,
Phone: (514) 937-0002,
E-mail: [email protected]
RELATED LINK: http://www.pyrogenesis.com/
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information:
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the intended use of the proceeds of the Offering. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, including under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual information form, which filings can be found under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com, or at www.otcmarkets.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
VANCOUVER, BC , Nov. 10, 2020 – Hollister Biosciences Inc. (CSE: HOLL) (OTC: HSTRF) (FRANKFURT: HOB) (the ” Company “, ” Hollister Cannabis Co. ” or ” Hollister “) a diversified cannabis branding company with products in over 280 dispensaries throughout California , and over 80 dispensaries throughout Arizona , is pleased to announce the launch of its direct to consumer cannabis delivery platform, Dreamy Delivery (” Dreamy ” or the ” Platform “).
The company soft launched Dreamy Delivery to friends and family in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California ( “Bay Area “), to ensure a seamless customer experience in early Q4 of 2020. The Company has expanded the Platform, with Dreamy now successfully delivering to legal cannabis consumers in the Bay Area. The Company hopes to launch Dreamy in Sacramento and the Central Coast of California by late Q4 of 2020 with the ultimate goal of delivering Cannabis statewide.
Carl Saling , CEO of Hollister , shared: “This is a major first step in our quest to be the dominant direct to consumer platform delivering cannabis to the entire state of California .”
Website: www.dreamydelivery.com
About Hollister Biosciences Inc.
Hollister Biosciences Inc. is a multi-state cannabis company with a vision to be the sought-after premium brand portfolio of innovative, high-quality cannabis & hemp products. Hollister uses a high margin model, controlling the whole process from manufacture to sales to distribution or seed to shelf. Products from Hollister Biosciences Inc. include HashBone, the brand’s premier artisanal hash-infused pre-roll, along with concentrates (shatter, budder, crumble), distillates, solvent-free bubble hash, pre-packaged flower, pre-rolls, tinctures, vape products, and full-spectrum high CBD pet tinctures. Hollister Cannabis Co. additionally offers white-labeling manufacturing of cannabis products. Our wholly owned California subsidiary Hollister Cannabis Co is the 1st state and locally licensed cannabis company in the city of Hollister, CA birthplace of the “American Biker”.
Website: www.hollistercannabisco.com
The CSE, nor its regulation services provider, does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “project”, “should”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this News Release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company’s disclosure documents which can be found under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com .
Hollister Biosciences (HOLL:CSE) is a multi-state operator with multiple, high-quality products that are now carried in 280 of California’s 600 dispensaries, where it also claims California’s #1 hash infused pre-roll “HashBone” … and if that is all they had you would have the makings of a great small cap cannabis company.
But there is more …. way more.
Venom Extracts is their 100% owned subsidiary that is absolutely dominating the state of Arizona. More than just lip service:
THE NUMBERS SAY IT ALL
1. RECORD Q3 REVENUE $12.5M
2. CRAZY REVENUE GROWTH 5,200%
3. RECORD EBITDA $1.265M (vs a loss of $362,000) In case you’re wondering if this was a fluke quarter, this is what Q2 looked like:
HOLLISTER HEADED TOWARDS $50,000,000 REVENUE?
If you’re paying attention, HOLL is achieving enormous growth both year over year and sequentially. If we extrapolate the latest Q3 numbers, Hollister is on a $50,000,000 annualized revenue run rate assuming no further growth.
But there is more.
The State of Arizona just approved recreational cannabis in Arizona. This is a potential windfall for Venom given the fact its brand, reputation and dispensary penetration from its award winning medical cannabis is about as good as it gets. How good is Hollister now?
How good does it get?
Watch this incredible interview with Venom Extracts Founder Jake Cohen, the coolest exec in small cap cannabis because he delivers incredible results with sweat, swagger and great swag to boot.
Watch this interview or listen by Podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify or your favourite podcaster.
VANCOUVER, BC / November 9, 2020 / Empower Clinics Inc. (“Empower” or the “Company“) (CSE:CBDT), is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced private placement of units of the Company (the “Units“), which included the exercise of an over-allotment option, pursuant to which the Company issued 24,567,131 Units at a price of $0.05 per Unit (the “Offering Price“) for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,228,356.55 (the “Offering“). The Offering was led by Mackie Research Capital Corporation, as sole agent and sole bookrunner (the “Agent“).
Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (a “Common Share“) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a “Warrant“), with each Warrant exercisable to acquire one Common Share (a “Warrant Share“) at a price of $0.12 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering.
The Company is also pleased to announce that Steven McAuley, the Chief Executive Officer a director of the Company, participated in the Offering by subscribing for 1,200,000 Units for $60,000.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds raised under the Offering to support the objective of clinic growth, lab testing services, sales and marketing, for general working capital purposes.
In connection with the Offering, the Agent received an aggregate cash fee of $88,000. In addition, the Company granted the Agent compensation options (the “Compensation Options“) exercisable for 1,760,000 Units at an exercise price equal to the Offering Price for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering.
The subscription by Mr. McAuley is deemed, “related party transaction” as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (“MI 61-101”). The transaction is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 since none of the securities of the Company are listed on a stock exchange specified in section 5.5(b) thereof. The transaction is exempt from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 since, at the time the transaction was agreed to, neither the fair market value of the transaction nor the fair market value of the consideration for the transaction, insofar as it involves interested parties, exceeded 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.
The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada.
In connection with the Offering, $18,356.55 of the subscription funds are a result of a settlement with an arm’s length service provider of through the issuance of 367,131 Units.
The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.
ABOUT EMPOWER
Empower is creating a network of physicians and practitioners who integrate to serve patient needs, in-clinic, through telemedicine, and with an expanded suite of physician-based services. A simplified, streamlined care model bringing key attributes of the healthcare supply chain together, always focused on patient experience. The Company provides COVID-19 testing services to consumers and businesses as part of a four-phased nationwide testing initiative in the United States. Empower recently acquired Kai Medical Laboratory, LLC as a wholly owned subsidiary with large-scale testing capability and will lead our diagnostic and scientific advancement.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steven McAuley
Chief Executive Officer
CONTACTS:
Investors: Dustin Klein
Director
[email protected]
720-352-1398
Investors: Steven McAuley
CEO
[email protected]
604-789-2146
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider has reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.
SOURCE: Empower Clinics Inc.
OAKLAND, Calif. and TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2020 /CNW/ – Harborside Inc. (“Harborside”, or the “Company”) (CSE: HBOR), (OTCQX: HBORF), a California-focused, vertically-integrated cannabis enterprise, announced today that it is engaging in a substantial upgrade of one of its approximately 45,000 square foot greenhouses at its 47-acre integrated production campus in Salinas, California (the “Salinas Facility”).
The planned upgrades include, among other things, the installation of blackout curtains and supplemental LED grow lights in the greenhouse. Following the successful completion of these upgrades, on an annualized basis. the Company expects an approximately 50% increase in production from this greenhouse, an expected approximately 10% increase in bulk wholesale revenue capacity, and an approximately 7% increase in the total productive capacity of the Salinas Facility. The project is expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2021 and the Company expects that the total cost of the updates will be fully recouped within the first twelve months of operation following completion of the project.
In addition, the Company announced today that its in-house brand, Harborside Farms, a highly recognized, customer-centric product line, will commence sales of clones grown at its Salinas Facility at all Harborside branded locations, including Desert Hot Springs. On a year-over-year basis, sales of Harborside Farms products have grown by 229% at Harborside’s iconic dispensaries capturing 42% of its total retail flower sales through the end of the third quarter of 2020, demonstrating continuing strength and customer loyalty to one of its flagship brands.
“We have carved out a strong reputation for supplying high-quality cannabis products to the growing California market and these upgrades are a crucial investment that will fuel our growth heading into 2021,” said Peter Bilodeau, Interim CEO and Chairman of Harborside. “Leveraging the strength of our Salinas facility, we’re thrilled to be officially commencing sales of clones that are grown at our farm and only available at our stores immediately. This new in-house product category was developed utilizing sustainable cultivation techniques to provide discerning consumers with access to locally grown, high-quality cannabis.”
The Company’s clone initiative aims to capitalize on these trends and the continued high-quality production from its Salinas Facility, and will underscore the single-source, local nature of the Harborside Farms brand, as well as its emphasis on sustainable cultivation practices. The initiative will also continue to enhance the Company’s retail gross margins by adding an additional in-house product category sourced internally from its Salinas Facility.
At its retail dispensaries, clones (inclusive of seeds and seedlings) are expected to comprise approximately 5% of the Company’s total annual retail sales, or approximately $2M in annual net retail revenue in 2020. The Company’s average gross margin in this category is approximately 52% through the end of the third quarter. The Company anticipates Harborside Farms clones capturing at least 50% of total clone sales throughout the course of 2021, resulting in total sales of approximately $1M, with estimated gross margins as high as 90%. The Company expects average gross margins across its entire clones category to increase to approximately 70% during 2021 as a result of this initiative, providing an approximate 18% improvement over its expected annual average gross margin in this category as compared to 2020.
For the latest news, activities, and media coverage, please visit the Harborside corporate website at http://www.investharborside.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
About Harborside:
Harborside Inc. is one of the oldest and most respected cannabis retailers in California, operating three of the major dispensaries in the San Francisco Bay Area, a dispensary in the Palm Springs area outfitted with Southern California’s only cannabis drive-thru window, a dispensary in Oregon and a cultivation/production facility in Salinas, California. Harborside has played an instrumental role in making cannabis safe and accessible to a broad and diverse community of California consumers. Co-founded by Steve DeAngelo and dress wedding in 2006, Harborside was awarded one of the first six medical cannabis licenses granted in the United States and today holds cannabis licenses for retail, distribution, cultivation, nursery and manufacturing. Harborside is currently a publicly listed company on the CSE trading under the ticker symbol “HBOR”. Additional information regarding Harborside is available under Harborside’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
Kontrol BioCloud® a Safe Space Technology™ –
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2020 / Kontrol Energy Corp. (CSE:KNR)(OTCQB:KNRLF)(FSE:1K8) (“Kontrol” or “Company“) is pleased to announce that it has received CSA standards approval for its BioCloud® technology.
“This is another important milestone for Kontrol and represents the continuing advancement of the BioCloud® technology,” says Paul Ghezzi, CEO Kontrol. “CSA is a Canadian standard for safety and is also accepted in jurisdictions outside Canada. In addition to CSA we continue to work on other important regional certifications including UL and CE for the United States and European markets respectively.”
Field Certification was provided by ESAFE
CSA regulations require manufacturers of products sold in Canada to receive CSA Standards approval for electrical safety. The field evaluation process follows the CSA’s SPE-1000 standard, which has three mandatory and non-destructive tests. Upon successful inspection, ESAFE validates the equipment meets CSA’s SPE-1000 standards and labels it approved. ESAFE’s labels are recognized across Canada under the Standards Council of Canada accreditation program.
ESAFE is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), as an Inspection Body (ISO 17020) and Certification Body (ISO 17065). As an accredited agency, ESAFE is authorized to approve and label equipment for electrical safety.
About Kontrol BioCloud®
BioCloud® is a real-time analyzer designed to detect airborne viruses. It has been designed to operate as a safe space technology by sampling the air quality over time. With a proprietary detection chamber that can be replaced as needed, viruses are detected, and an alert system is created in the Cloud or over local intranet. BioCloud® has been designed for spaces where individuals gather including classrooms, retirement homes, hospitals, mass transportation and others
BioCloud® is not a medical device and the Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus).
About Kontrol Energy
Kontrol Energy Corp. (CSE: KNR) (OTCQB: KNRLF) (FSE: 1K8) is a leader in the energy efficiency sector through IoT, Cloud and SaaS technology. With a disciplined mergers and acquisition strategy, combined with organic growth, Kontrol Energy Corp. provides market-based energy solutions to our customers designed to reduce their overall cost of energy while providing a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Additional information about Kontrol Energy Corp. can be found on its website at www.kontrolenergy.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at: www.sedar.com.
For further information, contact:
Paul Ghezzi, Chief Executive Officer
[email protected] or [email protected]
Kontrol Energy Corp.,
180 Jardin Drive, Unit 9, Vaughan, ON L4K 1X8
Tel: 905.766.0400, Toll free: 1.844.566.8123
Neither IIROC nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “likely”, “should”, “would”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “potential”, “proposed”, “estimate”, “believe” or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussions of strategy.
Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that sufficient capital will be available to the Company and that technology will be as effective as anticipated.
However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, that sufficient capital and financing cannot be obtained on reasonable terms, or at all, that technologies will not prove as effective as expected, that customers and potential customers will not be as accepting of the Company’s product and service offering as expected, and government and regulatory factors impacting the energy conservation industry. In particular, successful development and commercialization of the Kontrol BioCloud® Analyzer are subject to the risk that the Kontrol BioCloud® Analyzer may not prove to be successful in detecting the virus that causes COVID-19 effectively or at all, uncertainty of timing or availability of any regulatory approvals and Kontrol’s lack of track record in developing products for medical applications.
Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. Kontrol does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information.
SOURCE: Kontrol Energy Corp.
VANCOUVER, BC , Nov. 4, 2020 – Hollister Biosciences Inc. (CSE: HOLL) (OTC: HSTRF) (FRANKFURT: HOB) (the ” Company “, ” Hollister Cannabis Co. ” or ” Hollister “) a diversified cannabis branding company with products in over 280 dispensaries throughout California , and over 80 dispensaries throughout Arizona provides comment on the successful passage of Proposition 207 – legalizing the cultivation, sale and consumption of recreational cannabis in the state of Arizona .
“Seeing recreational Cannabis legalized in the state is an encouraging sign and is hopefully another step toward federal legalization. It should lead to increased tax revenue and job creation. The recreational cannabis market in Arizona could be valued at up to US $760 million by 2024 1 , significantly expanding the total addressable market for Cannabis in the state. We look forward to making our product line available to both the medical and recreational end user.” Shared Jacob Cohen , Founder of Venom Extracts, Hollister’s 100% owned subsidiary based in Arizona .
Arizona Presence
Hollister , through its 100% owned subsidiary, Venom Extracts (” Venom “), is one of Arizona’spremier extract brands and one of the state’s largest producers of award-winning medical cannabis distillate and related products. With an experienced management team and unparalleled reputation for quality, Venom prides itself as a differentiated extraction company by producing legal cannabis products at a price point that allows retailers to generate higher profits. Focused on proprietary efficiencies, Venom is able to produce more product per square foot than its competition, maintaining lower costs and risks than a typical extraction company.
Website: www.venomextracts.com
About Hollister Biosciences Inc.
Hollister Biosciences Inc. is a multi-state cannabis company with a vision to be the sought-after premium brand portfolio of innovative, high-quality cannabis & hemp products. Hollister uses a high margin model, controlling the whole process from manufacture to sales to distribution or seed to shelf. Products from Hollister Biosciences Inc. include HashBone, the brand’s premier artisanal hash-infused pre-roll, along with concentrates (shatter, budder, crumble), distillates, solvent-free bubble hash, pre-packaged flower, pre-rolls, tinctures, vape products, and full-spectrum high CBD pet tinctures. Hollister Cannabis Co. additionally offers white-labeling manufacturing of cannabis products. Our wholly owned California subsidiary Hollister Cannabis Co is the 1st state and locally licensed cannabis company in the city of Hollister, CAbirthplace of the “American Biker”.
Website : www.hollistercannabisco.com
The CSE, nor its regulation services provider, does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “project”, “should”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this News Release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company’s disclosure documents which can be found under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com
| 1 Source: Marijuana Business Daily |
View original content to download multimedia: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hollister-provides-comment-on-approval-of-recreational-cannabis-in-arizona-301166780.html
SOURCE Hollister Biosciences Inc.
By: Liz Scherer
Editor’s note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape’s Coronavirus Resource Center.
Plagued by false starts, a few dashed hopes, but with perhaps a glimmer of light on the horizon, the race to find an effective treatment for COVID-19 continues. At last count, more than 300 treatments and 200 vaccines were in preclinical or clinical development (not to mention the numerous existing agents that are being evaluated for repurposing).
There is also a renewed interest in cannabinoid therapeutics — in particular, the nonpsychoactive agent cannabidiol (CBD) and the prospect of its modulating inflammatory and other disease-associated clinical indices, including SARS-CoV-2–induced viral load, hyperinflammation, the cytokine storm, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Long hobbled by regulatory, political, and financial barriers, CBD’s potential ability to knock back COVID-19–related inflammation might just open doors that have been closed for years to CBD researchers.
CBD and the resulting therapeutics have been plagued by a complicated association with recreational cannabis use. It’s been just 2 years since CBD-based therapeutics moved into mainstream medicine — the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex oral solution for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, and in August, the FDA approved it for tuberous sclerosis complex.
CBD’s mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated, but on the basis of its role in immune responses — well described in research spanning more than two decades — it’s not surprising that cannabinoid researchers have thrown their hats into the COVID-19 drug development ring.
The anti-inflammatory potential of CBD is substantial and appears to be related to the fact that it shares 20 protein targets common to inflammation-related pathways, Jenny Wilkerson, PhD, research assistant professor at the University of Florida School of Pharmacy, Gainesville, Florida, explained to Medscape Medical News.
Among the various trials that are currently recruiting or are underway is one that is slated for completion this fall. CANDIDATE (Cannabidiol for COVID-19 Patients With Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19) is a randomized, controlled, double-blind study led by Brazilian researchers at the University of Sao Paulo. The study, which began recruitment this past August, enrolled 100 patients, 50 in the active treatment group (who received capsulated CBD 300 mg daily for 14 days plus pharmacologic therapy [antipyretics] and clinical measures) and 50 who received placebo.
Read Full Article: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/940265#vp_3