New Zealand-based firm Hale Animal Health has successfully completed its first trial of a CBD treatment on healthy dogs.
The pilot pharmacokinetic study saw a group of canines treated orally with an investigational veterinary product. Blood samples were taken periodically, which detected CBD concentration levels and the rate at which it cleared the animals’ bodies.
Managing director Leila de Koster said the research is commercially sensitive, with the findings closely guarded, but described it as a “key first step” in delivering clinically trialled and registered cannabidiol-based products for pets.
She added: “The study confirmed our hypothesis around how best to dose, supporting our desired dosing regime, [and] confirmed the bioavailability… of our investigational product.”
R&D work is now underway in a bid to achieve approval in New Zealand and Australia for Hale’s CBD veterinary-prescribed medicines, with its first data package planned for submission to regulators in the first half of 2023.
Hale is part-owned by medicinal cannabis company Helius Therapeutics, whose chief executive Carmen Doran described CBD as a “game-changer” for Kiwi pet owners and their pets. She added the fact that many of the Helius team have considerable experience in animal health was proving “a huge advantage” to Hale’s work.