ASX-listed medical cannabis company, Zelira Therapeutics (ASX: ZLD), has announced they will be conducting a study into medical cannabis and Autism Spectrum Disorders with Emyria (ASX: EMD).
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) currently impact 1 in every 70 Australians, or around 353,880 people nationwide. Australians with conditions on the autism spectrum are highly prone to suffering from a range of physical and mental health conditions, including epilepsy, ADHD, dyspraxia, anxiety, depression, and gastrointestinal issues. As many Australians with ASD face multifaceted health problems, conventional medicine isn’t effective for everyone.Â
Later this year, Zelira and healthcare-company Emyria will begin a trial assessing the effectiveness of medical cannabis products on patients diagnosed with ASD. The trial will collect data from patients who are prescribed a HOPE product, including their dosing information, patient responses, what other medications they take and how safe and effective the drug is for them.Â
HOPE is a line of medical cannabis products produced by Zelira and approved by Australia’s Therapeutics Goods Administration in late October. Emyria will be collecting data through their Emerald Clinics network.
The study will include a maximum of 150 patients and will continue for an initial period of 12 months. In exchange for the data, Zelira will pay Emyria fees of $115,000 and a subscription fee for each patient enrolled in the study.
Zelira’s managing director, Richard Hopkins, hopes the trial will help the company bring HOPE products to more patients, writing:
This information will also inform the design of possible future clinical trials, reduce the risks and costs of development and accelerate the path to regulatory approval.
Both companies are keen to expand their market share, as support more medical cannabis continues to grow – with the first Australian health fund introducing rebates for medical cannabis this week.