Renowned US-based cannabis specialist, Dr Bonni Goldstein, has been appointed chief medical advisor at ASX-listed Neurotech International as it continues to develop its broad-spectrum cannabinoid drug for neurological conditions.
The company described the appointment as a “major step forward”, with Goldstein adding clinical firepower to its bid to register its medicine, NTI164, in Australia and the US.
Neurotech’s efforts are focused on treating neurological conditions in children, an area of medicine where Goldstein has significant experience.
“Dr Golstein’s clinical and advocacy expertise, particularly in cannabinoid-based therapeutic care, align perfectly with our mission to develop a safe, effective disease-modifying therapy for children with unmet medical needs,” Neurotech chief executive Anthony Filippis said.
Goldstein, who has spoken at previous United in Compassion symposiums in Australia, worked in paediatric emergency medicine for 14 years before witnessing what she called the “life changing benefits of medicine cannabis in a friend fighting cancer”.
“That experience inspired me to shift my specialty to medical cannabis in 2008, and since then, I’ve had the privilege of treating over 20,000 patients, including many children with intractable epilepsy and severe autism,” she has previously said.
“My patients have experienced life changing and in some cases, life saving benefits from cannabinoid based medications. I truly believe that anyone struggling from medical challenges deserves a chance to use cannabis to improve their quality of life.”
Speaking of her appointment, Dr Goldstein said NTI164 is showing “significant promise” and is gathering “excellent clinical data”.
She will assist Neurotech in supporting the company’s regulatory strategy, clinical advancement and patient advocacy.
In a statement, Neurotech said the addition of a healthcare professional of Dr Goldstein’s calibre “provides strong independent validation of Neurotech’s innovative cannabinoid-based therapy”.
Neurotech recently shared the findings of the first human pharmacokinetics study of NTI164, with the results showing rapid and predictable absorption of the drug.
The study also confirmed that CBDA was the dominant cannabinoid, with negligible levels of THC, while no significant cannabinoid accumulation was observed.