InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based drug therapies, is pleased to announce it has entered into a research and development collaboration with ATERA SAS of France, a leading tissue engineering company specializing in the development of advanced human tissue models.
Under the terms of the agreement, ATERA will develop 3D human skin models of Epidermolysis Bullosa (‘EB’) to evaluate the in vitro drug efficacy of InMed’s lead compound, INM-750, a proprietary, topical cannabinoid product candidate targeted as a therapy in EB and other potential dermatological and wound-healing applications. ATERA will also investigate the beneficial effects of topically applied INM-750 at ultra-structural cellular and molecular levels on in vitro 3D reconstructed human full thickness (dermis-epidermis) skin models composed of both normal and EB-derived skin cells.
“INM-750 has demonstrated significant potential in pre-clinical models to address symptomatic improvement of EB including accelerated wound healing and a reduction in pain, itch and inflammation. This project with ATERA is designed to assess the potential of INM-750 to have an impact in disease reversal, further supporting our current data indicating an up-regulation in specific keratins in the skin”, stated Dr. Sazzad Hossain, CSO of InMed. “By utilizing full-thickness skin models derived from EB skin samples, we can better validate INM-750’s target effect and efficacy in vitro ahead of our upcoming clinical trial program.”
“Producing 3D human tissue models of specific diseases in a controlled, reproducible fashion provides a unique tool for drug development screening”, says Bart De Wever, CEO of ATERA. “Our core technology enables the development of 3D human skin models engineered of cells from EB patient biopsies that will help InMed investigate the mode-of-action of its lead compound INM-750.”