Collaboration with Salamanca University and the Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León to Study the Benefits of Cannabinoids on Epilepsy and Schizophrenia
DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MJardin Group, Inc. (“MJardin” or the “Company”) (CSE:MJAR), a leader in cannabis management, today announced its first medical cannabis research investment to fund two studies on the benefits of cannabinoids on epilepsy and schizophrenia.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2019, the studies will be conducted in Salamanca, Spain for a period of one year, in collaboration with Salamanca University and the Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León – two of the leading institutions globally for the scientific research of the nervous system and its diseases.
The research will focus on the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on epilepsy and schizophrenia and will be led by Dr. Dolores López, Ph.D. and Dr. Manuel S. Malmierca, Ph.D., M.D., both of whom are experts in neurodegenerative diseases and world renowned for their research on the effect of cannabinoids on neurological health
Christine Halef, BSc Pharm, RPh., SVP, Medical Strategy for MJardin, and Dr. Ashley Masri, ND, Medical Director for MJardin, will oversee the research for MJardin.
Halef founded AtlantiCann Medical Inc. and her background as a pharmacist provides a patient-focused perspective on providing alternative treatment options to conditions that commonly afflict communities across Canada.
Dr. Masri holds a postgraduate degree in Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and leverages her scientific background and experience working with natural health products in patient care to coordinate MJardin’s medical research efforts.
There is a lot of work to be done from pre-clinical to clinical trials, to better understand the medical benefits of cannabis on serious neurological disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia. Spain is a recognized hub for medical cannabis research and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with Salamanca University and the Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León to address this research gap and identify opportunities to improve the lives of millions globally.
Dr. Masri
Dr. Dolores López, Research Full Professor at the University of Salamanca and Director of the Audiomotor Disorder’s Lab at the Neuroscience Institute of Castilla y Leon, commented, “The collaboration agreement between MJardin and the University of Salamanca opens up a great opportunity to transfer university knowledge to society, setting up the possibility of new treatments for epilepsy and schizophrenia. This research project will provide guidance on safety, dosage and efficacy of cannabidiol-based drugs, and will allow us to increase the visibility of our research within the scientific community.”
MJardin will leverage the research to guide the focus of the Company’s medical cannabis division, including the development of new products to treat a range of neurological conditions and disorders. Following completion of the studies, MJardin anticipates engaging with the appropriate regulatory bodies to begin research and testing of its products in Canada.
As the leaders of MJardin’s medical cannabis division, Halef and Dr. Masri will focus on developing strategic R&D partnerships with reputable research organizations to ensure reliability and safety of medicinal products to both physicians and patients.
We are proud to provide financial support for this critical research while also attracting and convening a global coalition of experts to advance medical cannabis research, deepen the industry’s understanding of medical cannabis, ensure safe and effective patient care, and grow MJardin’s medical division.
Rishi Gautam, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MJardin
About MJardin Group
MJardin is a global cannabis management platform with extensive experience in cultivation, processing, distribution and retail. For over 10 years, MJardin has refined cultivation methodologies, developed state of the art facilities and implemented vertical integration for and on behalf of license owners. As a well-capitalized organization, MJardin continues to pursue strategic expansion and M&A opportunities across global legal cannabis markets. MJardin is based in Denver Colorado, with offices in Toronto, Canada and Barcelona, Spain. For more information, please visit www.mjardin.com.
