XPhyto Therapeutics Corp (CSE:XPHY) is launching a new infectious disease program to address the demand for antiviral treatments, it said Tuesday.
The company’s German subsidiary Vektor Pharma TF GmbH is kicking off a number of research and development programs related to infectious disease treatment and detection.
Research programs will focus on using cannabis compound cannabigerol (CBG) to treat bacteria and plant pigment quercetin’s virus-fighting properties.
READ: XPhyto Therapeutics starts CBD-infused beverage research with leading German institution
Narcotics manufacturer Vektor manufactures thin film drug delivery systems like transdermal patches and sublingual strips. The Upper Swabia-based firm’s research will look at thin film delivery of both CBG and quercetin.
The company will also look at developing point-of-care infectious disease detection products, it said in a statement.
CBG and quercetin have both demonstrated anti-microbial properties in peer reviewed academic research, according to XPhyto. Pending successful results, the company will evaluate clinical opportunities for further development.
"In light of the pending global coronavirus disease pandemic and anticipated long-term growing demand for novel anti-viral and anti-microbial treatments, XPhyto is moving forward with an infectious disease-related research and development program," said Hugh Rogers, CEO of XPhyto.
"XPhyto's thin-film drug delivery system is a platform technology capable of delivering various active therapeutic compounds for a broad range of medical conditions, including infectious disease."
Vancouver-based XPhyto is investigating the use of enzyme-targeted sensor-film technology for the real-time detection of infectious diseases such as coronavirus, with a goal to develop a low-cost, point-of-care, rapid detection test using senor-film technology.
The cannabis company is focused on formulation, clinical validation, and European imports, distribution and sales.
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