The Race to Speed Up the Effects of Cannabis

The cannabis industry is heating up with the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis across Canada and a growing number of states. While cannabis flower has been the early focus, cannabinoid-infused edibles and concentrates represent the fastest growing segments of the $100+ billion industry.

Absorption is one of the most important differentiators for both medical and recreational cannabis products. Medical cannabis patients want to receive a standardized dose and consistent effect each time, while recreational consumers want to experience a high as quickly as possible.

Lexaria Biosciences Inc. (OTCQX: LXRP) (CSE: LXX) has developed an innovative drug delivery platform that increases intestinal absorption rates, rapidly delivers active ingredients to the bloodstream, and provides taste-masking benefits.

“We are focused on making ingestible or edible bioactive substances taste better, smell better, act faster and enhance potency,” says Lexaria President John Docherty, a trained pharmacologist and toxicologist, who is also the former president and chief operation officer of Helix BioPharma Corp.

Internal R&D vs. Outsourcing

Many cannabis companies plan to launch cannabis-infused products over the coming year. In fact, the alcohol industry has been so concerned about the potential for these products that giants like Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE: STZ) and Molson Coors Brewing Co. (NYSE: TAP) have made significant investments.

With the race to develop alternative cannabis products, many cannabis companies have a choice between developing internal delivery platforms or partnering with experts to develop top-performing products. Internal develop involves a high cost and potentially lengthy delays but provides flexibility, while partnerships can provide speed to market and a known solution at a predetermined cost.

Lexaria Biosciences’ innovative drug delivery platform enables cannabis absorption in just 10 to 20 minutes compared to the 60 to 120 minutes for many cannabis edibles on the shelves today. The technology also represents an alternative to sugars and chemicals that are often used to mask flavors. Lexaria was one of the first to offer these solutions to the cannabis industry.

The company has already licensed its products to numerous cannabis companies. For example, the company’s customers include the maker of the 1906 brand of cannabis-infused chocolates in Colorado, a Canadian-based developer of cannabis wines and beers, and a new Canadian company focused on cannabis-infused edibles.

Clinically Proven Advantages

Lexaria’s DehydraTECH platform has shown tremendous promise in several different clinical studies. By combining cannabinoids with fatty acid oil, applying food carrier particles, and performing a dehydration procedure, the technology masks the earthy taste of cannabis and delivers it more effectively.

Earlier this year, the company released the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind European human clinical study that evaluated TurboCBD—a proprietary DehydraTECH  powered CBD hemp oil capsule—showing 317% greater absorption at the 30 minute mark and higher blood concentration. Lexaria is one of very few companies anywhere in the world to have completed human clinical studies related to cannabinoids and have proven that its technology is effective.

The company conducted similar studies of DehyraTECH’s potential with other active ingredients, such as nicotine. In an in-vivo animal study, researchers delivered DehydraTECH powered nicotine in an edible form into blood plasma in just minutes after dosing with 90.2 percent greater delivery than control after just 10 minutes. Lexaria is one of the only companies in the world with technology proven effective in both the nicotine and cannabis industries.

Looking Ahead

Lexaria’s growing portfolio of more than 50 patents has expanded its drug delivery platform well beyond cannabis, including vitamins, NSAIDs, nicotine, and other molecules. Management plans to develop the patent portfolio into 150 to 200 patent applications around the world within two years.

Investors interested in capitalizing on the burgeoning cannabis industry along with additional potential across other multi-billion dollar markets may want to take a closer look at the company ahead of further partnerships and announcements.

For more information, visit the company’s website or download their investor presentation.

Disclaimer

The above article is sponsored content. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, has been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/

About Ryan Allway

Mr. Allway has over a decade of experience in the financial markets as both a private investor and financial journalist. He has been actively involved in the cannabis industry since its inception, covering public and private companies.