Neurotech International Limited (ASX: NTI) is investigating medicinal use in treating neurological disorders including autism, epilepsy and ADHD following its acquisition of an exclusive worldwide licence to utilise proprietary cannabis strains from Dolce Cann Global Pty Ltd.
The company is testing the first 80 unique Dolce strains transported to ACS Laboratories (a leading independent Australian cannabis lab) for genetic profiling and full spectrum analysis.
Australian-based Dolce has proprietary genetics sourced from 13 rare chemovars and bolstered over the past 20 years by selective breeding targeted for distinct purposes such as cultivation method, climate, yield, phytochemical content and harvested products including flower, seed, fibre or biomass.
Neurotech Chairman, Mark Davies, said recent profiling of leaf cuttings from 650 seedlings of Dolce landrace genetics evidenced unusually high levels of cannabinoids CBG, CBC, CBN and CBDV among others. Recent studies have indicated the potential for these cannabinoids to target and benefit neurological disorders such as autism.
He said a key feature of the targeted Dolce strains is plant profiles with less than 0.3% THC (on average). Investigating cannabis research options for children with autism without the potential psychoactive effects of THC is a key component of NTI’s investigation of an innovative new project pathway.
Mr Davies said Neurotech believes that a combined approach to autism treatment, potentially combining its own clinically proven Mente device with Dolce cannabis strains could lead to innovative new therapy options becoming available as trials progress.
Following the completion of the profiling and spectrum analysis by ACS Laboratory, Neurotech plans to commence in- vitro testing (using human derived cell lines) in September 2020. The company will use results from ACS’ analysis to determine the key priority strains to target autism and other neurological disorders.
Mr Davies said Neurotech has spent more than five years researching the field of autism and other neurological disorders developing its Mente device, and the Company believes this background will prove integral as it researches the potential use of cannabinoids as a treatment in this field.
