Animal health company CannPal Animal Therapeutics (ASX: CP1) is proving that the health benefits of medicinal cannabis extend beyond the human realm with their latest trials confirming the safety of DermaCann® as a natural treatment for dermatitis and immune function in canines.

Applying two different formulations of DermaCann® between 13 dogs, CannPal reported a substantial improvement in the dogs’ topical sores with an average reduction of 51% in those treated, versus an increase to those who received the placebo across the 56-day trial.

“We’re extremely pleased to see such positive results from this study, which will support our authorisations for DermaCann® in various markets,” said CannPal Head of Research and Development, Dr Margaret Curtis.

“This data complements our solid product stability profile and user safety research, to provide veterinarians with a novel, data-supported robust product for healthy skin and immune function in dogs”

Within the study where atopic sores were visually reducing throughout the trial, CannPal also took blood plasma samples from dogs on days 0, 28 and 56 to assess the impact of DermaCann® on various inflammatory and immune related biomarkers, similar to industry trials conducted on humans.

Upon analysis of the biomarkers, CannPal identified a significant reduction in chemokines and cytokines associated with immune responses in dogs. The biomarkers reduced the most were those biologically relevant to Atopic Dermatitis in humans, further supporting the internal efficacy of DermaCann® in dogs.

With no adverse effects identifiable in the trial subjects, CannPal will use the positive results from this trial to support the registration of DermaCann® in multiple markets as a nutraceutical for healthy skin and immune function for dogs. The data will also assist CannPal in advancing discussions with partners to commercialise DermaCann® in markets with relaxed regulations for hemp-derived health products..

“We have had DermaCann® in development for close to 3 years now, and the result of that work is a safe and differentiated CBD product for dogs with a compelling dataset and strong Intellectual Property.” said CannPal Managing Director, Layton Mills.

“To our knowledge, this will be the only clinically validated oral CBD pet nutraceutical for skin health in dogs, and we look forward to furthering our commercialisation discussions for this exciting new product.”