Beckley Canopy Formed to Lead Pioneering Cannabis Research
Canopy Growth has announced the launch of Beckley Canopy Therapeutics, a partnership between its affiliate and biopharmaceutical research arm Canopy Health Innovations and drug research pioneer Lady Amanda Feilding and the Beckley Foundation.
Beckley Canopy has been formed to research and develop clinically validated cannabis-based medicines, with a strong focus on intellectual property protection. The partnership will combine Amanda Feilding's 20+ year track record of groundbreaking research and network of world-renowned scientific collaborators with Canopy Health's leadership in the commercial cannabis and pharmaceutical industries, bringing together European and North-American based research leaders in cannabis.
"We are delighted to have formed this partnership with Beckley. They have been leading the way in drug policy reform and cannabis research for more than two decades and we feel that our skill-sets complement each other perfectly," said Marc Wayne, CEO of Canopy Health. "This is a unique opportunity to expand our operations, conduct world-class research, and meet the needs of doctors and patients around the world."
As part of its business model, Beckley Canopy will engage in a number of research areas to establish an intellectual property portfolio and develop innovative cannabis-based pharmaceutical and natural health products. In doing so, it plans to work with cannabis genetics and other products provided by its strategic partner, Canopy Growth, the largest cannabis company in the world.
"For over half a century, I have been committed to scientifically investigating the potential benefits of certain psychoactive compounds for the treatment of illnesses, and for the enhancement of well-being," said Amanda Feilding, Founder and Executive Director of the Beckley Foundation. "Twenty years ago, I set up the Beckley Foundation in order to bridge the divide between science and drug-policy. We have come a very long way since then and have now begun an exciting new chapter where science can be used to provide safe and effective cannabis medicines for people in need all over the world. I am thrilled to have Canopy Health as our partners in this new venture. I have great faith not only in their capabilities but also in their commitment to maintaining the Beckley Foundation's ethical standards in everything we do together."
Staying true to both partner organizations' commitment to corporate social responsibility, Beckley Canopy will donate a share of all profits from future commercialized products to support the not-for-profit scientific research and policy work of the Beckley Foundation.
Beckley Canopy's first IP generating research in humans is already underway: a brain imaging trial looking at the effects of a proprietary cannabinoid formulation in the treatment of a major indication. Additional research and product development programs are scheduled to start in 2018. As IP positions are secured, further information will be provided.
