Cannabis Science and World AIDS Institute Announce Appointment of Dr. Robert Melamede to Scientific Advisory Board
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cannabis Science Inc (NASD OTC: CBIS) and the World AIDS Institute announced today the appointment of Robert Melamede, PhD, Professor of Biology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and CEO of Cannabis Science, to its Scientific Advisory Board. The World AIDS Institute recently announced the establishment of the Timothy Ray Brown Foundation, which aims to help advance the search for an HIV cure through the facilitation of collaborate efforts among industry, government, private and non-profit entities.
“We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Melamede join our Scientific Advisory Board,” said Dave Purdy, Founder and CEO of the World AIDS Institute. “We feel the World AIDS Institute will benefit considerably from Dr. Melamede’s expertise on a number of HIV related issues. His insight is invaluable, as is the commitment and passion he brings to finding novel treatments in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We look forward to a long standing relationship with Dr. Melamede.”
Dr. Melamede, who presented at the World AIDS Institute's Treatment Horizons Satellite Symposium during the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC this past July, is deeply dedicated to those impacted by HIV and has expressed a strong desire to assist in the realization of the World AIDS Institute’s mission. “The World AIDS Institute’s efforts towards the discovery of a cure for HIV, as well as their work to document and preserve the history of the AIDS crisis, makes them an important asset not only to those in the field of HIV but to the world and will remain so for generations to come. I am honored to be asked to participate in their endeavor,” stated Dr. Melamede.
Cannabis Science’s newly established CS-TATI-1 research program is focused on the development of CB1/CB2 agonists and antagonists for the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi Sarcoma (KS). AIDS-related KS is the third leading cause of death of people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. Incidence of KS in the U.S. declined significantly after the initiation of HIV antiretroviral therapy in 1996; however, over the past several years a growing reemergence of KS in virally suppressed patients on HAART has indicated a need for new treatments for KS.
About the World AIDS Institute
The World AIDS Institute’s mission is to document and preserve the global history of AIDS, to inspire action to improve the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS and to strengthen the spectrum of innovative initiatives to find a cure. www.worldaidsinstitute.org
About CS-TATI-1
Data published in March by researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that cannabinoids inhibit TAT induced migration to TAT via cannabinoid 2 receptors (CB2). Funding for the Mount Sinai study was provided by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical and Translational Science Award Grant. 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 HIV
HIV’s ability to mutate and reproduce itself even in the presence of antiretroviral drugs, has led to a growing rate of drug resistance. Increasing drug resistance is severely limiting treatment options for HIV patients around the world, increasing direct and indirect health costs, furthering the spread of drug resistant strains of HIV and is creating a pressing need to develop new HIV drugs.
The U.S. government invests billions of dollars a year in HIV/AIDS research, treatment and care through a variety of programs. The Ryan White CARE Act, which funds the treatment and care of people living with HIV in the U.S., totals $2.3 billion a year. Among its many other contributions to fighting HIV/AIDS globally, the U.S. provides $22.8 million annually to The U.S. Military HIV Research Program and approximately $1 billion per year to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Pharmaceutical sales to treat HIV equal US $10.6 billion annually. Treatment cost per patient in the U.S. for HIV antivirals alone is approximately US $15,000 a year.
About Cannabis Science, Inc.
Cannabis Science, Inc. is at the forefront of cannabinoid research and development for unmet medical needs. The Company works with leading experts in HIV 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 use of CS-S/BCC-1 topical cannabis-based preparations for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
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.