Traditional cannabis in the form of oil has had an absorption problem, making it less effective. But what if you blended it with starch, which boasts greater absorption without messing with the compound? Cannabis-focused drug development company Bod Science (ASX: BOD) undertook a study on the same, delivering some positive results. So positive, in fact, that the Company could edge its Aqua Phase technology closer to commercialisation as a preferred oral dose soon.
The Company has reported that the CBD PK (pharmacokinetics) study—which looks at how the body reacts to substances—investigating the bioavailability in venous blood results demonstrated six times greater bioavailability, i.e. it takes over a more significant portion of our bloodstream.
Bod has now completed two PK studies to demonstrate the enhanced bioavailability of CBD complexed with the Aqua Phase technology compared with CBD in MCT oil. The initial PK study completed in July 2023 assessed bioavailability in capillary blood. Data from Bod’s two PK studies demonstrated consistent results, although significantly increased bioavailability was seen for the venous study.
CEO Jo Patterson said, “Aqua Phase holds a broader opportunity for drugs that have solubility and bioavailability limitation, not being limited to the cannabis sector. We are excited with the outcome of this PK study, as it is another milestone in our work to unlock these commercial opportunities of Aqua Phase for our shareholders.”
The final CBD PK study was a Phase 1 study investigating the bioavailability in venous blood, which enrolled 12 healthy volunteers who were dosed with either Aqua Phase CBD 100mg or CBD 100mg in oil. The trial was conducted under strict research conditions where dosing and sampling conditions were highly controlled, participants were fasted, and the trial was an ethics-approved study conducted at a site experienced with pharmacokinetic studies.
Patterson added, “Whilst Aqua Phase has significant application within the cannabis sector, it is agnostic in its application and offers a much broader opportunity. The commercial rollout holds opportunity for applications across cannabis, pharmaceutical, nutraceuticals and beverage markets.”
Aqua Phase uses a special type of starch that can be mixed with substances like Cannabidiol (CBD), which don’t usually dissolve in water. This technology turns these substances into a dry form that can be used in products. The resulting compound is easy to use, tasteless, colourless, and odourless, available in various forms, like powders, capsules, tablets and more.
The latest research results have unveiled the numerous advantages of Aqua Phase CBD over traditional CBD in oil. For one, considering absorption, Aqua Phase CBD outperforms CBD in oil, demonstrating a 530% (or 6.3 times) higher absorption rate. This translates to a more extended presence of CBD in the bloodstream, potentially maximising its therapeutic effects. This finding also highlights a commercial opportunity, indicating that Aqua Phase could solve absorption and bioavailability issues for lipophilic (non-soluble) molecules.
Secondly, Aqua Phase CBD achieves higher concentrations of CBD in the body compared to CBD in oil. It attains a maximum concentration (C-max) of about 270% (or 3.7 times) greater than CBD in oil. This elevated concentration can have several benefits, such as effectively addressing clinical needs. Additionally, this offers a commercial advantage by potentially reducing the required amount of active ingredients in drug development, which can lower costs and minimise potential side effects.
Finally, Aqua Phase CBD stands out in terms of its onset speed. It reaches its peak concentration (T-max) in just 2.5 hours, whereas CBD in oil takes six hours to achieve the same. This rapid onset of action makes Aqua Phase CBD a more attractive option for conditions where quick relief is crucial.
In FY23, the Company’s revenue stood at $3.3 million against losses of $7.9 million. It upped its R&D expenses, including the costs of this CBD study, to over $3 million from about $1 million, even as its sales dwindled. The Company completed the acquisition of Aqua Phase’s IP and tech in August 2023 for $1.9 million. Now, it is hoping that its commercialisation could boost revenue. So far, the results look favourable.
Alinda is a Business Reporter for The Sentiment
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