Cannabis Science Appoints Christopher Meenan MS, MBA as Executive Vice President of Product Research and Development
Critical Management Positions Being Filled to Accelerate Clinical Investigations and Commercial Development of CS-TATI-1 for Karposi's Sarcoma and CS-S/BCC-1 for Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas
November 2, 2012
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cannabis Science Inc., (CBIS) announced today the appointment of Christopher Meenan MS., MBA, as Executive Vice President of Product Research and Development, adding significant expertise to Cannabis Science's investigation of CS-TATI-1 for Karposi's Sarcoma and CS-S/BCC-1 for Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas, the Company's lead initiatives entering initial clinical development.
Christopher Meenan joins Dr. Roscoe Moore, former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Ronald Sekura PhD. former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Research Chemist, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Review, Dr. Dorothy Bray former Director, Clinical Development HIV, GlaxoSmithKline, UK, and Dr. J. Thomas August Professor, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, and Oncology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
"We are pleased to announce Christopher Meenan's appointment as Vice President of Product Research and Development of Cannabis Science. Mr. Meenan's expertise in drug development will accelerate our investigation of Phytocannabinoids for the treatment of Karposi's Sarcoma and Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas," stated, Dr. Robert Melamede, President & CEO, Cannabis Science Inc.
Cannabis Science is dedicated to the research and development of phytocannabinoid-based therapeutics. The Company's initial focus is to treat infectious diseases and Cancer. CS-TATI-1, Cannabis Science's lead compound, is in development as an HIV TAT inhibitor to reduce HIV replication as well as a topical cannabis-based preparations CS-S/BCC-1 for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
"We have rapidly assembled a team of dedicated experts to accelerate the Cannabis Science investigational pipeline. We anticipate the appointment of a Chief Medical Officer and a Chief Scientific Officer within the first quarter of the New Year to initiate the required regulatory process in the United States and Europe to enter into human clinical studies in HIV and Cancer patients," concludes, Dr. Melamede.
About Christopher Meenan MS, MBA
Mr. Meenan began his professional career in 1991 working for Unigene Laboratories as a molecular biologist helping to create the company's patented recombinant production technologies. He also worked in transferring manufacturing technologies to in house and external large-scale cGMP facilities. Christopher held several positions within the R&D unit at Unigene including Senior Scientist for Molecular Biology and Fermentation Development where he continued to advance the manufacturing capabilities of the company's biologic products. After receiving an MBA in 2007 he moved into a Director role in business development establishing an out licensing program for the company's manufacturing and drug delivery technologies along with evaluation of external products for in licensing.
About CS-TATI-1
Cannabis Science's research of CS-TATI-1 will be targeted to newly diagnosed patients infected with drug resistant virus, treatment experienced patients with drug-resistant HIV strains, and those intolerant of currently available therapies. Cannabis Science will be pursuing a wide range of NIH based Federal Research Programs such as RO1's, PO1's and SBIRS which exist to support preclinical development of target validation and proof of concept studies. These studies will be implemented through collaborations with leading scientific institutions. Cannabis Science will also be pursuing other clinical research collaborations including the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups (ACTG), the Canadian AIDS Trial Network (CATN) and the European AIDS Trial Network (EATN).
About CS-S/BCC-1
Cannabis Science is currently working to develop preclinical investigations of CS-S/BCC-1 treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas. The Company has begun preclinical investigations, which are being initiated in Europe for Squamous/Basal Cell carcinomas and Kaposi's sarcoma based on inhibition of carcinogenicity utilizing cannabinoids that have been demonstrated in recent studies to significantly affect tumor necrosis.
About Cannabis Science, Inc.
Cannabis Science, Inc. is conducting cannabinoid research and development for unmet medical needs. The Company works with leading experts in new drug development, medicinal characterization, and clinical research to develop, produce, and commercialize phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products. Cannabis Science is currently working with CBR International to develop a Pre-IND Application to the FDA that focuses on the transdermal delivery of CS-TATI-1 topical cannabis-based preparations for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Recent presentations at AIDS 2012 and The International Conference on Antiviral Research have provoked federal research interest in the development of CS-TATI-1.
Forward Looking Statements
This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.