New AMR publication

Botanix Pharmaceutical’s ground-breaking research on the antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol (CBD) has been published by a leading South American academic group in BioRxiv.

The BioRxiv article confirms our discovery that synthetic CBD can also kill a select group of Gram-negative bacteria, including the bacteria responsible for the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea and the increasingly challenging Clostridioides difficile (C.Diff) infections.

The BioRxiv Paper follows the publication of our research in Nature Research’s peer-reviewed journal Communications Biology in January 2021, which is continuing to drive conversation around the potential of CBD to address antimicrobial resistance, globally.

Read today’s ASX release.

Freethink Feature Article

Senior writer for Freethink, B.David Zarley, has published a feature article titled ‘Can CBD be the Next Superbug Slayer?’

It examines the importance Botanix’s research into the antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol and includes comments from Dr Mark Blaskovich, Director of UQ’s IMB Centre for Superbug Solutions and collaborator on our BTX 1801 antimicrobial research.

Read the Freethink article here.

“The Superbug Era” – ABC documentary

Addressing the pressing global emergency of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is central to our work at Botanix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:BOT). Our BTX 1801 antimicrobial platform program is designed to offer novel treatments and solutions, leveraging the unique power of synthetic CBD.

This week, the ABC in Australia aired the final episode of its three-part Invisible Wars documentary series titled, “The Superbug Era”. It features Dr Mark Blaskovich, an AMR expert from the University of Queensland, who is playing a key role in the development of Botanix’s AMR platform, alongside other leading experts in this space.

The documentary is narrated by respected health commentator, Dr Norman Swan, who has been leading the national broadcaster’s coverage on the COVID-19 pandemic too. What it illuminates, in clear view, is the urgent need for novel solutions like BTX1801. Here’s an excerpt:

“When COVID-19 swept around the globe it revealed how incredibly vulnerable we are to infections for which we have no cure. Scientists are now warning of a new kind of pandemic, that could transform many treatable diseases into unstoppable killers. It’s the very real threat of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest man-made threats of the modern age.”

Watch ABC Documentary here.

Australian medicinal cannabis revenue tipped to reach $200 million in 2021

Australian medicinal cannabis revenue is tipped to double this year amid growing confidence in the emerging sector. And WA is poised to maintain a significant hold of the market share.

While the State is recognised globally for its optimal growing conditions, local cultivators, manufacturers and researchers have also benefited from limited COVID-19 interference in their operations.

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Dr Washer said the trials were critical for the future success of the business.

“Mainstream medicine is where you want to be, and you need the right data to achieve this,” he said. “This is what makes a company attractive to big pharmaceuticals.”

Synthetic medicinal cannabis is more expensive to produce but is more accurate in eradicating THC, the compound in recreational marijuana that produces the “high” sensation.

Dr Washer said having cannabis products that were 100 per cent THC-free would be important to receive US Food and Drug Administration approval.

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Click through to read the full article on The West Australian.