Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies in drug development deal with Oxford StemTech

Stemtech will provide early-stage R&D data support

Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings PLC (LSE:OCTP) signed a drug development agreement with Oxford StemTech, the custom cell reprogramming specialist.

The contract research group will provide support for OCT’s drug development efforts, starting with programmes three and four, targeting pain, neurology and inflammation.

Using cell technology pioneered by Professor Zameel Cader and his team, the aim is to predict in the lab human responses to OCT’s cannabinoid-based treatments using re-engineered stem cells.

Because the lab-based method replicates human pain response the company referred to the approach as 'pain-in-a-dish'.

OCT Chief executive, Dr John Lucas, said: "This exciting technology is delivered by a trusted partner."

“It is a natural evolution from the research collaboration agreement between OCT and Oxford University and is testament to the scientific excellence of its pain research project, led by Professor Zameel Cader."

OCT is developing what it hopes will become licensed prescription cannabinoid medicines targeting the pain market.