Cannabis Science Inc, which specializes in cannabis formulation-based drug development and related consulting through its wholly owned subsidiary (Cannabis Science International Holding BV), has signed an agreement for toxicity and efficacy studies of cannabinoid formulations for neurobehavioral diseases, including sleep disorders. The agreement is for studies performed in animal models and is with the Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care on Ageing (INRCA) in Italy.

The first formulation in the series of neurobehavioral disorder-targeted products is in the preclinical development stage.

“We are excited to be initiating research on cannabinoids with Cannabis Science; the preliminary results are promising,” says Marco Malavolta, the INRCA researcher in charge of the preclinical study, in a release. Malavolta is currently conducting research with Dr Mauro Provinciali on nutritional factors that affect cellular aging, a process also known as cellular senescence. They are undergoing their research at the Nutrition and Ageing Centre of the Scientific and Technological Pole of INRCA, a department with a long historical background in multiple aspects of gerontology research.

“We appreciate the scientific input from the INRCA colleagues in Italy and hope that we will be able to transition into clinical this program next year,” says Mario Lap, director and president of European Operations, Cannabis Science.