Company news: Canntic; Myleaf; Neurotech

Medicinal cannabis firm Canntic has opened a new warehouse, along with a virtual clinic, on the Sunshine Coast to supply TGA-compliant products to pharmacies.

The Coolum Beach distribution facility was opened by Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson, who put the potential economic impact to the region at nearly A$9.5 million.

He said in a statement: “Canntic’s warehouse, dispensary and virtual clinic facility has an estimated capital expenditure of $1.3 million. This major company has a forecasted economic impact to the region of $9.44 million, generating more than 29 direct and indirect local jobs.

“The new facility will bring patient and telehealth access to plant-based medicine for regional and interstate patients and advance our region in line with the priorities from our Regional Economic Development Strategy 2013-2033.”

Canntic CEO and managing director Shaun Anderson added: “We are a Sunshine Coast-based company started by two locals, with myself having worked for 30 years in big pharma, and my partner being an engineer involved in the renewable energy space.

“Sunshine Coast Council has provided business support measures over a number of years assisting us with finding potential sites, investment support and promotion through its Sunshine Coast Economic Resurgence Plan.

“We look forward to growing our presence on the Sunshine Coast and continuing our mission to build locally owned and operated plant-based medicine businesses, in a socially responsible and environmentally aware way.”

Myleaf

MedTech start-up Myleaf has added an online clinic and dispensary to its recently opened, Brisbane-based, walk-in clinic. 

A patient portal allows users to track their dispensing records and consultations with doctors, with initial appointments costing A$69.

Myleaf said it offers next-day appointments, personalised treatment plans and “streamlined prescription and dispensing that benefits rural and remote patients around the country with access to city-based specialist care”.

Co-founder Craig Hayter added: “Myleaf was launched to reduce the friction patients may have when it comes to accessing alternative medicines, ensuring they are not just proactive in managing their health, but that they’re equipped with the knowledge and advice from a medical team of specialists in alternative therapies.” 

“An important aspect of Myleaf is our commitment to providing ongoing patient care and support beyond the initial prescription phase. Myleaf tracks patient progress, adjusts treatment plans as needed, and supports individuals… via an advanced online portal and mandatory follow-up consultations.”

Neurotech International

Neurotech International has received Human Research Ethics Committee approval, coupled with clearance from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, to examine its cannabinoid therapy – NTII64 – in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy.

The company will now conduct a phase I/II single-arm, open-label clinical trial where, after 12 weeks, caregivers will complete a questionnaire to evaluate their perceptions of health-related quality of life.

A secondary endpoint will examine the safety and efficacy of NTII64 on pain, sleep, seizure frequency, muscle contraction (dystonia) and spasticity.

A total of 14 paediatric patients from Monash Medical Centre will be recruited for the trial.

Neurotech’s proprietary cannabis formulation includes a range of cannabinoids including CBDA, CBC, CBDP, CBDB and CBN and is already being tested for autism.

It is also exploring the benefits of NTII64 for the treatment of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Rett Syndrome.

On the possibilities surrounding cerebral palsy, Neurotech executive director Dr Thomas Duthy said: “Although there are a variety of drug therapies used in the treatment of Spastic CP they are often associated with sedation, confusion, memory loss and attention deficit.

“We see NTII64 as potentially a new breakthrough treatment as part of the clinical armamentarium to treat CP spasticity more effectively.”   

The trial is expected to begin in the first half of 2024.

It is estimated there are 34,000 people in Australia with cerebral palsy and 750,000 in the US.