Axim Biotechnologies Begins Clinical Trials with CBD Chewing Gum

On Jan. 18, 2017 Axim Biotechnologies announced the start of clinical trials with its CanChew Plus cannabidiol (CBD) gum at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. The trial will examine the gum’s effectiveness at treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in 40 adults aged 18–65 years.

Axim currently markets CanChew, a nutraceutical gum containing 10 mg of CBD extracted from industrial hemp. The nutraceutical version of the gum has no claims attached to it. In an emailed statement to Pharmaceutical Technology a spokesperson from Axim said that CanChew has been on the market for more than two years. CanChew Plus, the version of the gum currently in clinical trials, contains 50 mg of CBD and an improved delivery system. A spokesperson for the company said Axim is hoping to receive approval from FDA and EMA for CanChew Plus by late 2017 or 2018, although the drug is only in Phase I trials.

The trial will examine how effective CanChew Plus is at minimizing the symptoms of IBS, including bloating, stomach cramps, and pain. Patients will chew up to six pieces of gum per day, and researchers will record general pain relief and change in stool frequency. If all goes well, the company will advance into trials for a pharmaceutical-grade version of the gum, CanChew Rx, for the treatment of irritable bowel disease.

“With positive outcome from the IBS clinical trial, we will be ready to proceed immediately with further trials on our pharmaceutical grade CanChew Rx products to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease,” said George E. Anastassov, MD, DDS, MBA, CEO of Axim in a statement. “We are committed to finding research-based cannabinoid solutions to help people suffering from gastrointestinal disorders and other health conditions with no effective remedies.”

Source: Axim Biotechnologies