420 with CNW — Researchers Explore Combining Psilocybin, Cannabinoids in New Therapeutic Formulations

The convergence of cannabinoids and psilocybin in a unified formulation to address physical and psychological well-being has moved closer to realization as highlighted in a patent filed by a prominent cannabinoid laboratory called CaaMTech. Situated in Issaquah, Washington, just under 20 miles southeast of Seattle, CaaMTech is conducting an analysis of the mutual interactions between these two compounds and the specific outcomes they can yield in terms of physical and mental health.

Presently, the company’s refined psilocybin-cannabinoid formulation is still in the early stages of development. This patent progress comes at a time when the availability of genetic information on marijuana and psilocybin is increasing, which presents opportunities to explore novel ways in which these substances can collaborate, potentially resulting in the creation of innovative commercial offerings.

For example, the combination of marijuana and psilocybin has demonstrated tumor reduction in the case report of a 49-year-old woman with breast cancer. This discovery has prompted researchers to conclude that mounting empirical and anecdotal evidence supports the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids as well as psychedelics in diminishing tumor growth while also providing relief from pain and psychological distress associated with cancer and chemo.

Researchers now envision a comprehensive solution to address extreme mental health disorders and inflammation by harnessing the beneficial properties of both substances. One potential approach involves incorporating psilocybin with a minor cannabinoid such as cannabichromene (CBC), which is abundantly present in cannabis plants. This amalgamation could potentially result in a one-time treatment option.

Daniel McQueen, executive director of the Boulder, Colorado-based Center for Medicinal Mindfulness and author of a book titled “Psychedelic Cannabis,” has been facilitating marijuana-assisted psychedelic therapy at the organization. This therapy involves overseeing individual psychedelic cannabis and ketamine experiences alongside guided meditation, personal coaching, educational classes, as well as community support.

McQueen agrees that the creation of a psilocybin-marijuana pill or combination compound is entirely feasible. Nevertheless, there are significant obstacles to overcome in developing such a compound. Cannabinoids and psychedelics interact with distinct receptors in the brain. THC, a cannabinoid, predominantly binds to CB1 receptors, while CBC primarily binds to CB2 receptors. On the other hand, psilocybin, a psychedelic, primarily binds to 5-HT2A serotonin receptors.

However, research has indicated that CBD, one of the abundant cannabinoids, interacts with serotonin’s receptors, and when serotonin is coupled with a CB2 cannabinoid receptor, this combination can produce effects that none of the receptors can achieve independently. A study conducted by Spanish scientists in 2022 focusing on ischemia in newborn piglets revealed that CBD activates serotonin receptors, leading to neuroprotective effects.

Researchers continue to diligently seek improved solutions to address mental health concerns, regardless of the substances involved.

Other research teams, such as the team at IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), are focusing on developing therapeutics from THC and other cannabinoids for use in the mainstream healthcare system.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Federal Study Concludes Breathalyzers Are Unreliable as Recent Cannabis-Use Tests

A recent study funded by the federal government highlights the challenges associated with developing a cannabis breathalyzer. The research, conducted by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Colorado Boulder University, demonstrates that determining recent marijuana use based on THC levels in breath is highly unreliable due to inconsistencies.

The study, published in the “Breath Research” Journal, involved 18 participants from Colorado who consumed retail marijuana with approximately 25% THC. Breath and blood samples were taken 15 minutes before and one hour after smoking marijuana, using a well-equipped white van conveniently parked outside their homes. The analysis was conducted in a laboratory setting, as NIST clarified that it is not currently working on a breathalyzer device. Instead, the agency concentrated on learning more about how to precisely measure THC and other related substances in a breath sample.

Only 8 of the 14 individuals who supplied breath samples before and after using marijuana showed the anticipated increase in THC levels. The remaining findings lacked clarity, with three after-use breath samples exhibiting no detectable THC, and the others exhibiting amounts that were comparable to or lower than the baseline.

In contrast, the study found that the level of THC in the blood, specifically measured through plasma, proved to be a more accurate indicator of recent marijuana use. Even though THC levels in blood demonstrated compliance with the study procedure and showed a considerable increase right after usage, THC levels in breath after an hour did not always surpass the baseline.

Tara Lovestead, the supervisory chemical engineer at NIST and coauthor of the report, expressed surprise at the similar range of THC levels in breath samples taken before and after marijuana use.

While the study’s small scale limits the statistical significance of the results, NIST and the authors emphasized the need for more research.

As cannabis legalization progresses in more states, entrepreneurs and scientists are striving to create THC field sobriety tests, such as breathalyzers. However, despite efforts from companies such as Hound Labs in Oakland, California, which anticipated deploying its device to regulators and law enforcement in 2016, widespread adoption of any marijuana field sobriety test has not yet been achieved.

The recent study received funding from a grant provided by the DOJ’s National Institute of Justice. The study team has also received an extra $1.5 million to carry out and expand the study. To provide more statistically meaningful results, the following phase will include 40 or more people and more breath samples.

The marijuana industry is still in flux, and much could change at the state and federal level regarding the way in which this substance is regulated. This is because policy often evolves in response to the emerging scientific data about something, and marijuana policy is no different. As society changes its perception towards marijuana, we are seeing many companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) seeking to tap the medicinal qualities of cannabis by developing formulations for chronic pain and other indications from compounds extracted from the marijuana plant. These drugs could broaden the options that patients have in the coming years.

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420 with CNW — ATF Reaffirms Ban on Gun Ownership for Marijuana Users

The federal regulatory agency overseeing the firearms industry, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), has issued a cautionary notice emphasizing that residents of Minnesota who partake in marijuana consumption cannot legally possess firearms, despite the state’s recent legalization of recreational use.

While marijuana has been legalized for adults in 23 states and many others have implemented medical cannabis programs, the substance remains classified as a schedule I controlled substance under federal law, along with heroin and LSD. According to the St. Paul ATF office, individuals who engage in marijuana smoking or consume cannabis edibles are still regarded as “unlawful users” of a controlled substance in the eyes of the federal government. Consequently, they are barred from owning, transporting, receiving or possessing ammunition and firearms.

Jeff Reed, the acting special agent in charge of the St. Paul field division, urged gun owners to exercise caution, emphasizing that the combination of marijuana and firearms or ammunition remains a federal offense until marijuana is federally legalized.

Rob Doar, an advocate for second amendment rights and vice president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, finds the ATF’s advisory troubling. He has long been aware of the conflicting state and federal cannabis laws, regardless of whether it is used for medical or recreational purposes. Doar advises firearm owners to be mindful of the risks involved, despite the new law in Minnesota preventing sheriffs from denying carry permits based solely on participation in the medical cannabis program or adult marijuana use.

Doar actively advocated for the inclusion of this provision. “If ATF agents did not intend to enforce it, they might have let it slide,” he said, “creating a sort of unofficial acceptance that although it is illegal, similar to other federal cannabis regulations, it would not be enforced. The fact that they issued a notice raises concerns.”

Jason Tarasek, a cannabis attorney representing Vicente LLP, acknowledges that the federal government has generally turned a blind eye to states that have legalized marijuana, allowing them to operate without interference. However, he recognizes the predicament faced by gun owners. “We are currently navigating an intricate dance with the federal government,” he remarked.

Both Tarasek and Doar hope for clear guidance from Washington, whether through legislative measures or executive actions taken by the Biden administration. Tarasek believes that unambiguous direction from the federal government would provide reassurance to individuals in legal cannabis markets, alleviating concerns about potential federal repercussions.

However, Tarasek does not anticipate federal legalization in the near future. He points out that a decade ago, during the Obama administration, the Department of Justice issued guidelines indicating that it would not interfere with states that legalized marijuana as long as it did not hinder federal law enforcement priorities. Unfortunately, these guidelines were rescinded by then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions during President Donald Trump’s tenure.

The dilemmas that users of medical marijuana face in states where such programs exist justify the attempts by enterprises such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) to formulate medicines that pass FDA scrutiny. Such formulations would address the medical needs of patients without posing any risk of adverse legal repercussions.

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420 with CNW — California Cannabis Company Leverages Business Model from Boutique Wineries

As competition within the legal marijuana industry gets tougher and other factors, such as adverse weather and high taxes, eat into profits, companies are having to go the extra mile in order to drive sales up and stay afloat. One California company is taking lessons from the boutique wine business to grow its business.

The Bohemian Chemist, a Philo, California craft cannabis brand, has turned to its location in Mendocino County (renowned for wineries) and the Emerald Triangle (famed for its unique marijuana) for inspiration. Having a property that has several wineries as clients, Jim Roberts studied how the craft wine companies were running their businesses and remaining profitable even as they competed against large establishments.

Roberts discovered a recurring pattern in the wineries; three major factors were always at play to ensure the success of craft wine brands. First, the wineries would conduct direct sales to their clients at locations such as tasting rooms. Second, many would sell to clients at restaurants or even engage a distributor to make products available to customers at bottle shops. The third strategy was to start an exclusive club through which members enjoyed exclusive offers and periodic deliveries in boxes of assorted items. Roberts is implementing all these strategies.

The microbusiness that Roberts runs mostly sells his own products, though they also carry a limited number of products from other craft producers in the cannabis space. The company is located in a low-population town, so this makes foot traffic seasonal and limited.

When he first opened his business, the winery tenants and their clients had mixed reactions to the marijuana company. Many initially said they aren’t interested in marijuana, but a day or so later, they would come in asking if Roberts had anything that would help manage a shoulder pain or an ache they had. With time, many confessed they had consumed cannabis while in high school, and they wanted to take it up from where they had stopped.

The Alchemist, the company’s cannabis box for cannabis club members, became available in April, and Roberts is working with marijuana retailers as well as licensed cannabis delivery businesses to reach his customers. Marijuana club membership comes with a recurring membership fee, and Roberts is making his boxes a worthy investment for his customers by including products whose total price often exceeds the recurring fee one has to incur.

Additionally, the club members gain first access to any new products that hit his shelves, and many of those products are in such a small quantity that not everyone interested may get their hands on them. A total of three boxes will be sent out to customers every year, and Roberts is hopeful his model will keep his business profitable for years to come.

As Roberts and others like him look for ways to stand out in the crowded cannabis space, other entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are walking the path of developing standardized medicines from cannabinoids, including THC, so that once those formulations gain approval from the FDA, they will access a nearly limitless market within and outside the country.

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420 with CNW — Florida Recreational Cannabis Effort Notches Major Victory

Activists who have been working to put a recreational cannabis measure on the 2024 ballot in Florida have scored a major victory. The state’s department of health has announced that the initiative had tendered the required number of voter signatures to qualify the measure for next year’s ballot.

The measure, aimed at amending the state’s constitution in order to legalize adult-use marijuana, submitted 967,528 verified voter signatures. This number of signatures exceeds the minimum required by at least 70,000 voter signatures. Smart & Safe Florida spearheaded this campaign. However, it isn’t all done and dusted for the advocates. The measure still has the hurdle of clearing a review by the state’s Supreme Court, and the attorney general is expected to mount a spirited challenge to the ballot measure.

The campaigners revealed in April that they had so far injected $38.4 million into the push to let voters decide whether recreational marijuana should be legalized in the state next year. Trulieve Inc., a multistate cannabis company, bankrolled this effort. CEO Kim Rivers observed that the company was pleased to see the campaign had passed the signature requirement. She added that company officials looked forward to having the measure on the upcoming ballot in 2024.

Under this proposal, adults who are at least 21 years of age or older would be free to possess a maximum of 85 grams of cannabis for recreational use. In addition, companies that have licenses to sell medical cannabis would be allowed to be licensed to trade in recreational cannabis. Medical cannabis has been legal in the state since 2016 after a referendum approved this change to the existing drug laws.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sent the measure to the highest court in the state for review. She has in the past opposed recreational cannabis legalization and is expected to maintain her stance once the matter comes up for review by the Supreme Court. The AG’s letter to the Supreme Court accompanying the measure indicates that she has reservations about the initiative’s compliance with state law. She points out that in the opinion of her office, this measure doesn’t adhere to the requirement stipulating that any ballot measure must be unambiguous and clear.

Both sides of the petition are expected to turn in their briefs to the Supreme Court by July 12, 2023. Thereafter, the court will schedule hearings to determine whether or not the proposed ballot measure should get the nod and be added to 2024’s ballot.

If this measure lands on the ballot, the turnout for the polls is expected to be boosted, especially among the younger voter demographic, because marijuana legalization has been a hot topic in the state. The matter could also be one of the major talking points during the entire campaign, possibly influencing the elections for all the positions available in the state.

Medical marijuana has had a fairly long history not only in Florida but in many other states that have legalized its use. It is not surprising that we are seeing plenty of enterprises such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) looking to commercialize FDA-approved treatments from the cannabis plant.

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420 with CNW — Thai Marijuana Sector Uncertain of Future as Incoming Government Considers Reversing Legalization Plans

Thailand’s winning party, Move Forward, has suggested reclassifying marijuana as a narcotic, even though it was legalized only a year ago. This idea has sent shock waves across a sector expected to be worth $1.2 billion in the coming years.

Since the legalization of marijuana consumption and growth, a slew of new businesses have sprung up, with multiple outlets in prominent tourist destinations such as Bangkok catering to thrilled tourists and local smokers with their selection of cannabis goods. However, business owners are concerned about a potential rollback of the liberal market by a new government.

Interestingly, a party from the departing military-backed government initially championed the decriminalization of marijuana, primarily for medical purposes. However, the drug’s legal status has remained ambiguous. Despite promises of legislation to establish clear regulations, the bill failed to pass through parliament, creating a legal vacuum that allowed a flourishing recreational marijuana industry to take shape in a nation known for its tough stance on drugs.

The Pheu Thai is one of the opposition parties that Move Forward hopes to join in a coalition government. The latter had promised during its campaign to ban recreational marijuana, citing concerns about public health and youth abuse. In its recently published political agenda, Move Forward and its partners propose reclassifying cannabis as a regulated substance with new regulations that support its beneficial applications.

This proposal has sparked unease among procannabis advocates, particularly progressive young individuals who played a significant role in the parties’ electoral success. By March, approximately one million individuals had registered as cannabis growers, though it remains uncertain whether they are all actively cultivating the plant. The exact number of unregistered growers is also unknown.

In response to the probable regulatory escalation, 200 businesses and 5,200 people have signed an online petition against the categorization of marijuana as a narcotic, claiming that doing so would violate people’s rights. Move Forward seems to be treading carefully as it traverses a sector that is expected to be worth $1.2 billion by 2025.

Sirikanya Tansakun, a party official, defended the proposal to reschedule marijuana and emphasized the need to fill the legal gap. She reassured businesses that they would have backing as the party navigated the parliamentary process of enacting laws. Tansakun declared that unlicensed street vendors and the smuggling of illegal marijuana imports would be targeted and forbidden, notwithstanding the likelihood of a broad crackdown.

The rollercoaster that efforts to legalize marijuana in Thailand are being taken through is something that companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are unlikely to experience given that their focus is on coming up with marijuana-based formulations that meet the criteria of the FDA and other regulators in the different markets where those companies hope to sell their medicines. The path to gaining regulatory approval is clear.

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420 with CNW — Minnesota Agencies Set Timelines for Launch of Recreational Cannabis Sales

State agencies in Minnesota hope to start granting retail licenses for permitted marijuana sales within a year. To accomplish this, a request has been made for vendors to provide a timeline for the program’s development, following the approval of a bill by the legislature permitting adults aged 21 years and older to possess and purchase cannabis. Governor Tim Walz has expressed his intention to sign the bill into law, thereby making Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana.

The state is looking for a software provider to handle the applications and data related to retail licenses. According to the proposal package, work on the project would begin in July, and applications for licenses would begin in May 2024. Although the date may change, the first dispensary sales of marijuana are anticipated to begin in January 2025.

In the interim, starting in August, individuals will be permitted to cultivate marijuana plants at home, within certain limits. They will be allowed to possess up to two pounds of cultivated cannabis and share small amounts with individuals of legal age whom they are acquainted with.

Pending Governor Walz’s signature, the bill outlines the following key points:

Marijuana would be legal for adults 21 years of age and older to buy, possess and consume; however, there would be consequences for selling the substance to minors.
The state will tax cannabis sales at a 10% rate, which is considerably less than the rates in many other states where recreational cannabis is legal. The revenue earned will be used to assist the legal cannabis market through grants and other regulatory measures. The state treasury will receive 8% of the tax money, with the remaining 2% going to local governments.
Counties and cities might set a limit on the number of cannabis merchants depending on the size of their respective populations, with at least one store for every 12,500 residents. Communities could award additional licenses, but there would be a ceiling.
Individuals with previous marijuana-related convictions may have their criminal records expunged. The lowest-level offenses would be subject to an automatic process that would begin in August and go until 2024. More difficult matters would be reviewed by a different board.

Minnesota has had a medicinal marijuana program in place for nearly a decade, initially restricted to tablets, oils and other nonsmoking forms. The authorization for the leaf form was granted in 2021.

It is noteworthy that Minnesota has had a medical cannabis program for almost 10 years, and the state has progressively expanded the range of products that patients can access from the marijuana-licensed outlets. Now that companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are developing formulations that can meet the strict FDA requirements, the concerns that some people have about using marijuana will be addressed through these pharmaceutical-grade medicines.

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420 with CNW — Australian States Review Driving Laws as Medical Cannabis Use Grows

Imogen Kars relies on medical cannabis to lessen the pain and suffering brought on by her chronic disease and handicap, but she worries that using it while driving could land her in legal trouble. The 27-year-old from Queensland takes cannabis as prescribed to treat her rheumatoid arthritis and cerebral hypertension. Kars said that her hands and joints’ discomfort, stiffness and edema would prevent her from continuing her copywriting career without medical cannabis.

The main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis is THC, which can be identified in a saliva test at a traffic stop for up to 12 hours after use, even when users are no longer experiencing the effects of the drug.

Several Australian jurisdictions are revisiting their legislation regarding medical marijuana on the roads, including Queensland and Victoria. Kars supports the reform, stating that she fears she might lose her license or be charged with a crime if she fails the drug test.

Victoria is leading the way in legislative discussions on reforming the current drug-driving laws and recently came up with the Road Safety Amendment (Medical Marijuana) legislation for 2023. Authorities are reviewing the current laws and considering any necessary amendments.

Jake Campbell, a student in Victoria, received a prescription for medical marijuana to treat the discomfort from his stage 3 testicular cancer. However, he stopped using the substance because he was worried about getting caught breaking the law. Campbell argued that Victoria’s drug driving regulations should provide for some flexibility or a legal limit for blood THC levels, as there is for alcohol. According to him, the current laws are insufficient.

Ben Watson, a lawyer in Victoria, has defended several individuals who have been punished for failing drug tests administered at traffic stops. Several of his clients were using medical marijuana for chronic pain and cancer treatment. According to him, it has resulted in infringement notifications and occasionally court appearances. There isn’t any defense at the moment.

Watson wants the laws governing drugged driving to be amended so that those who are given medical marijuana are regarded the same as those who are taking other medications. A person should be permitted to operate a motor vehicle while having the medication in their system, he added, so long as they are not impaired.

According to Watson, many of his clients were not accused of operating a vehicle recklessly or dangerously while under the influence of drugs. He explained that the fact that it had been found in their oral fluid was deemed sufficient justification for charging them with violating the drug driving laws.

As more people turn to using marijuana for medicinal purposes, it is becoming increasingly clear why entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are looking to formulate pharmaceutical-grade therapeutics from this plant so that patients can access those approved medicines to address their different needs without having to worry about facing legal repercussions for taking their medicine.

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420 with CNW — US Leaders Draw Attention to Cannabis Banking Bill Provision

A provision in the SAFE Banking measure has drawn criticism from several leaders and groups, including Democratic Senator Jack Reed, conservative advocacy associations and senior federal officials. The parties argue that the provision may unintentionally restrict the capacity of regulators to take action against those abusing financial services.

Reed first raised his concerns about Section 10 of the SAFE Banking Act this month in a session held by the Senate Banking Committee to discuss the bill. The senator stated that the provision’s wording will make it more challenging for federal authorities to issue a warning regarding any customer relationships that pose major dangers to the bank. Reed further stated that the section will force banks to notify customers when they are being sought after by the federal government for engaging in illegal behavior, which he likened to tipping off a criminal.

The section states that regulators are not permitted to order or request a depository institution to terminate an individual or group account or to in any other way prevent a depository institution from establishing or continuing a banking relationship with a particular customer, including but not restricted to any customer account that belongs to a state-approved cannabis service provider or business. There are a few exceptions, such as when financial regulators issue a formal statement that the institution is participating in risky or unsound behaviors. However, the section is generally viewed as an overly broad policy move that would restrict the ability of authorities to exercise oversight of financial transactions unrelated to the cannabis sector.

Reed brought up the subject once more at a committee hearing last week, questioning Michael Barr, the Federal Reserve’s vice chair for supervision, and Michael Hsu, the acting comptroller of the currency, if they shared his worries about the section. In answer to Reed’s inquiry at the hearing, Hsu stated that it is crucial that supervisors have the authority to recognize hazards and take prompt action in response, including ordering rectification.

Barr stated that it’s critical that Congress address the problem of the possible inconsistency between federal and state law with regard to marijuana banking services. He also acknowledged that the sections of the bill could be problematic, notwithstanding his usual skepticism about cases in which federal authorities are telling banks what to do with their customers.

At a prior cannabis banking bill hearing, Reed also presented a letter from consumer organizations that primarily focused on the same section of the SAFE Banking legislation. The letter to committee leadership was sent earlier this month and stated that the provision is too broad and could have effects that go far beyond marijuana banking.

It’s probable that Sherrod Brown (D-OH), chairman of the Banking Committee, was referring to this problem when he said that his panel would hold a hearing on financial hurdles in the cannabis business. When speaking to reporters at the time, he expressed concern that banking officials were attempting to exploit the legislation to undermine regulations and undercut bank standards, though he did not elaborate how he thought the banks were doing that.

Given the recent concerns and the apparent consensus that the Financial Act was not intended to alter legislation outside of the cannabis industry, the clause might be changed, either on the floor or in committee.

As more advocates push for change in cannabis banking laws, some companies, such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), are pressing on with their work of medicalizing marijuana since FDA-approved cannabis formulations would fall under the purview of a completely different set of laws from those that are seen as holding back the marijuana industry from reaching its full potential.

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420 with CNW — Google Unveils AI to Expedite Drug-Development Processes

Artificial intelligence (AI) now has the potential to significantly speed up the laborious, time-consuming, and currently low-success rate process of finding and approving new pharmaceuticals. Google Cloud introduced two new AI-powered tools — Multiomics and Target and Lead Identification Suites — on May 15, 2023, in an effort to aid pharmaceutical and biotech companies in accelerating the discovery of novel treatments and advancing medicine.

According to a study published in the March 2021 issue of the “British Journal of Pharmacology,” the process of producing a new treatment currently takes between 12 and 15 years from the first idea to the release of the finished product, and can cost more than $1 billion. Moreover, finding a biological target that will make a medication workable can take up to a year.

Conventional methods, such as nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography, have a high failure rate and are mostly used to determine the 3D structures of proteins, the biological target required for the initial stage of drug research. These methods could be replaced with AI tools.

Google Cloud announced the launch of the tools during the Bio-IT World Conference held in Boston. The conference, which featured speakers from Harvard Med School, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer Inc., among others, showcased technology and analytical techniques that advance science, address key issues and pave the way for the future of precision medicine.

The Multiomics Suite will support researchers in ingesting, storing, analyzing and sharing enormous amounts of genetic data. This suite supports researchers as they begin to analyze genetic data. DNA can be sequenced far more quickly than it can be decoded and analyzed. However, genomic information in areas such as genetic variants linked to disease is now possible, thanks to technology.

The Target and Lead Identification Suite is made to aid biotech and pharmaceutical businesses in predicting and comprehending protein structure, which also happens to be a crucial component of drug development. Using the Analytics Hub for Google Cloud to securely communicate data, it enables scientists to manage and share protein molecular data.

Then, using AlphaFold2, a machine-learning algorithm created by a subsidiary of Google, researchers analyze data to forecast the structure of a protein. AlphaFold2 is powered by Google’s Vertex AI, a platform that makes it easier for academics to deploy and develop machine learning models. AlphaFold2 can accurately estimate a protein’s 3D structure in a matter of minutes.

The development of new treatments often involves Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. In biotech, this process can intersect with the cannabis sector, and Google’s new technology may completely change the way certain businesses operate in that space.

It would be interesting to hear what cannabis-based drug developers such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) think of this new drug-development technology released by Google.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

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