Axim Biotech Given Patent for Method of Making Medical Cannabis Compound

Axim Biotech announced that its way of extracting and purifying THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) — an active compound in medical cannabis — has been approved to receive a patent.

The notice of allowance for patient No. 15/146668 came in letter from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Axim said in a press release. Axim specializes in the research and development of cannabis-based pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic products.

Under the patented process, Axim says that it can produce pure, good manufacturing processes-compliant and pharmaceutical grade THC from cannabis to be used as an active ingredient in several of its formulations.

“In our industry, it is not only research and trials that enable companies to bring medications to market, but a consistent supply of pure molecules is necessary to achieve FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] compliance,” George E. Anastassov, MD, chief executive officer of Axim Biotech, said in the release.

Products that the company is developing include its  MedChew Rx program — a chewing gum containing medical cannabis for the treatment of pain and spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

MedChew gum contains a combination of THC and cannabidiol (CBD). Clinical trials for MedChew in MS patients have been planned in collaboration with the Free University in Amsterdam, Netherlands, University of Plymouth in the U.K., and a to-be-named university in the United States. Dutch regulators recently announced that they would approve a first clinical trial of MedChew Rx as a potential treatment for MS patients.

In addition to MedChew, the company has several other products in development to treat symptoms of MS and other conditions.

“Our now patented process is the first of its kind and will position Axim even further as a world leader in cannabinoid pharmaceuticals … as well as working to expand the process to other cannabinoid molecules across our pipeline,” Anastassov said.