COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cannabis Science Inc (CBIS) announced today the appointment of Dorothy Bray, Ph.D., Former Global Director of HIV Research and Senior Clinical Program Head of HIV and Opportunistic Infections for GlaxoSmithKline, to the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Bray held various positions of responsibility at GlaxoSmithKline.
- Director, Clinical Development HIV, GlaxoSmithKline, UK,
- Senior Medical Strategy Head, International Medical Affairs, Glaxo Wellcome Inc, USA:
- Principal Clinical Research Scientist, Antivirals, Glaxo Wellcome, UK and USA:
- Senior Clinical Research Scientist, HIV, The Wellcome Foundation, UK
Dr. Bray’s extensive experience in the field of HIV drug development will compliment Cannabis Sciences’ prestigious Scientific Advisory Board as the company embarks on the research and development of a phytocannabinoid based HIV TAT inhibitor. Dr. Bray has significant expertise in clinical development and market positioning for novel drugs.
“It is highly commendable that Cannabis Science has made a commitment to develop a robust research program to further understand potent effects of cannabinoids on HIV TAT via cannabinoid 2 receptors and to translate these into therapeutically active products against HIV infection” stated Dr. Bray.
Dr. Bray is the President and owner of ImmunoClin as well as a member of the Scientific Staff and the Head of Scientific Business Development of The Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit. As well, Dr. Bray has authored or co-authored multiple publications and has an extensive network of collaborations and contacts with pharmaceutical companies, governments, and non- government organizations in key developed and developing markets; European Commission Scientific Expert.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Bray to our Scientific Advisory Board. We are confident that her expertise in HIV research, drug development and marketing, as well her extensive knowledge in the HIV field, will greatly enhance our suburb group of scientific experts as we launch our Cannabinoid HIV TAT inhibitor platform,” states Dr. Robert Melamede, Ph.D. President & CEO Cannabis Science Inc.
About CS-TATI-1
Data published in March by researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that cannabinoids inhibit TAT induced migration to TAT via cannabinoid 2 receptors (CB2). Funding for the Mount Sinai study was provided by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical and Translational Science Award Grant. Cannabis Science’s research of CS-TATI-1 will be targeted to newly diagnosed patients infected with drug resistant virus, treatment experienced patients with drug-resistant HIV strains, and those intolerant of currently available therapies. Cannabis Science will be pursuing a wide range of NIH based Federal Research Programs such as RO1’s, PO1’s and SBIRS which exist to support preclinical development of target validation and proof of concept studies. Cannabis Science will be pursing implementation of these studies through collaborations with leading scientific institutions. Cannabis Science will also be pursuing other clinical research collaborations including the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups (ACTG), the Canadian AIDS Trial Network (CATN) and the European AIDS Trial Network (EATN).
About HIV
HIV’s ability to mutate and reproduce itself even in the presence of antiretroviral drugs, has led to a growing rate of drug resistance. Increasing drug resistance is severely limiting treatment options for HIV patients around the world, increasing direct and indirect health costs, furthering the spread of drug resistant strains of HIV and is creating a pressing need to develop new HIV drugs.
The U.S. government invests billions of dollars a year in HIV/AIDS research, treatment and care through a variety of programs. The Ryan White CARE Act, which funds the treatment and care of people living with HIV in the U.S., totals $2.3 billion a year. Among its many other contributions to fighting HIV/AIDS globally, the U.S. provides $22.8 million annually to The U.S. Military HIV Research Program and approximately $1 billion per year to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Pharmaceutical sales to treat HIV equal US $10.6 billion annually. Treatment cost per patient in the U.S. for HIV antivirals alone is approximately US $15,000 a year.
About Cannabis Science, Inc.
Cannabis Science, Inc. is at the forefront of cannabinoid research and development for unmet medical needs. The Company works with leading experts in HIV drug development, medicinal characterization, and clinical research to develop, produce, and commercialize Phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products.
Cannabis Science is currently working with CBR International to develop a Pre-IND Application to the FDA that focuses on the use of CS-S/BCC-1 topical cannabis-based preparations for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
Forward Looking Statements
This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as “anticipate,” “seek,” intend,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” or similar phrases may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company’s reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.